Nawaz withdraws nomination papers for NA-123

LAHORE: Chief of PML-N Nawaz Sharif withdrew his nomination papers for the NA-123 by-elections on Tuesday.

On Monday, the Lahore High Court had adjourned the hearing of Nawaz Sharif's eligibility case till Tuesday.

The hearing was adjourned after the court’s election tribunal was informed that Sharif's counsel did not receive the court’s summons and therefore could not appear for the proceedings. The court had ordered that the notice be served again on Nawaz Sharif.

On February 12, the Lahore High Court had issued a notice to Nawaz Sharif to appear on February 15 on a petition filed by a journalist, Shahid Aurakzai, with the Election Tribunal of the Lahore High Court.

The petitioner had challenged the PML-N chief’s eligibility to contest the NA-123 by-elections.

27 Taliban killed in Helmand offensive

KABUL: As the joint Afghan-NATO assault against Taliban bastion in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province entered its third day Monday, more than three-dozen people have been killed and hundreds of families fled home for safer places.

Twenty-seven militants and 12 civilians have been killed and the troops have secured major parts of the restive Marjah and Nad Ali districts, according to officials.

NATO-led troops while pounding militants' hideout fired two rockets on Sunday, which missed the target and hit a house killing 12 civilians.

"Two rockets from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launched at insurgents firing upon Afghan and ISAF forces impacted approximately 300 meters off their intended target, killing 12 civilians in Nad Ali district, Helmand province," a press release of NATO-led forces issued Sunday said.

Some 15,000 Afghan and the NATO-led forces including U.S. Marines launched a major offensive dubbed "Moshtarak" which means "together" against Taliban bastion in Marjah district of southern Helmand province before dawn Saturday to restore government's authority there.

Addressing a joint press conference in Helmand's provincial capital Lashkar Gah on Monday, Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said that the troops had achieved the objectives without major resistance.

Flanked by Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar and commander of U.S. and NATO-led troops General Stanly McChrystal, the Afghan Defense Minister also called on Taliban fighters to lay down arm and resume normal life.

Gen. McChrystal, who earlier apologized for tragic loss of innocent life, vowed to avoid harming civilians.

In order to avoid civilian casualties, Interior Minister Atmar stressed that the troops will be in constant contact with the community elders, besides evading heavy weaponry in the battle.

Sindh lawmakers slam Sharifs on Chashma power project

KARACHI: Describing the Chashma-Jehlum Link Canal Power Project as impractical, Sindh Irrigation Minister Murad Ali Shah has alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were behind this project.

“We will also not respect the institution, which will disrespect the democracy,” he said.

Speaker Nisar Ali Khuhro presided over the Sindh Assembly session today.

Speaking at a point of order, MPA Kalsoom Chandio condemned the Dadu bomb blast and demanded to keep an eye on the movement of Afghan nationals and religious seminaries.

Following the question-answer session on a point of order, provincial minister Sassi Palejo urged Punjab to end its stubbornness on the issue of water.

Another MPA Humera Alwani said that the water released in Chashma-Jehlum Link Canal should be diverted to Kotri Downstream. It is Sindh’s water, she said.

Murad Ali Shah said that farmers of D.G. Khan and Muzaffargarh were also being punished along with farmers of Sindh and Blaochistan.

PCB deducts Rs7 million from Shoaib Akhtar’s dues

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent Rs44,971 to Shoaib Akhtar after deducting Rs7,000,000.

As per details, the PCB deducted Rs4,250,000 as fine from the amount of his match fee and prize money.

Sources said that Shoaib Akhtar also did not receive Rs2,750,000 nor he got Rs3 million for his knee operation.

Sharapova eases past Perry in Memphis first round

MEMPHIS: Top seed Maria Sharapova dismantled Shenay Perry 6-0 6-2 in the opening round of the Memphis Championships to record her first victory on tour this year.

The former world number one needed just 51 minutes to dispatch her American challenger, breaking Perry's service six times.

The Russian will play American Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the next round.

Sharapova was coming off a disappointing performance at the Australian Open last month when she fell in the first round to compatriot Maria Kirilenko.

Govt to accept SC interpretation on consultation: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani asserted that there is no room for the impression that the government wants to do away with the present judiciary, News reported on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.

Addressing the national Assembly, prime minister said he was sincere that is why estored the judiciary through executive order.

He said he held consultations with the legal experts for five hours before his speech on the issue of judges’ restoration, adding the experts opined that the PM may be sought to restore the deposed judges through an executive order after tabling a resolution at the House floor.

This needs endorsement of the Parliament, he added.

The PM Gilani said the former President Gen Pervez Musharraf used to say that consultations may be held over phone, as the matter relating the appointment of Governor Punjab was consulted over the phone.

He said if the judges want to have powers to appoint the judges without any interference from the President, the PM or the governor, the government is ready to do so provided that the Parliament gives a go-ahead on this.

Gilani observed that the Parliament is supreme with all powers to legislate.

The decisions of the Constitutional Committee has nothing to with the present judiciary or the appointment of judges, he said adding these amendments will be applicable once they are approved by the Parliament.

The government will accept whatever verdict the SC delivers on the judges’ appointments case.

Also he said the government will accept the SC standpoint on consultations over the recommendations regarding the judges’ appointments.

LHC dismisses plea challenging Nawaz electoral eligibility

LAHORE: An Election Tribunal of the Lahore High Court rejected on Tuesday a petition challenging the electoral eligibility of Pakistan Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif.

The tribunal dismissed the plea and declared Nawaz as eligible to contest election.

The tribunal comprised of Justice Chaudhry Iftikhiar Hussain, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Nasir.

The petitioner, Shahid Orakzai, insisted that Nawaz Sharif was defaulter and was accused of attacking the Supreme Court.

On the other hand, defense lawyer argued that Nawaz Sahrif was not involved in any attack on the apex court.