No request from Pakistan to reopen cases: Swiss official

No request from Pakistan to reopen cases: Swiss official

GENEVA: Pakistan has not asked Swiss authorities to reopen a corruption case against President Asif Ali

Zardari, Geneva's public prosecutor said on Wednesday.In any case, Zardari enjoys immunity from prosecution

as ahead of state, Prosecutor-General Daniel Zappelli told a foreign news agency."I have not received any

request,” Zappelli said, commenting on news from Islamabad that Pakistan's anti-corruption agency would ask

the Swiss to revive the case.Zardari and his wife, assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, were

convicted by a Geneva court in 2003 of laundering $13 million linked to kickbacks, but that verdict was

overturned on appeal and Swiss judicial authorities said in August 2008 they had closed the file on the case.

Zappelli said that Pakistan's embassy in Switzerland had officially notified him in June 2008 of a decision by

Pakistan's prosecutor-general in April of that year to withdraw proceedings against Zardari.He said that

Pakistan's prosecutor-general had decided that the contracts at the heart of the kickbacks case had been

awarded in good faith."In Pakistan they decided that no crime had been committed," he said.Zappelli also noted

that Zardari and Bhutto had been sentenced by the High Court in Lahore in 1999, but in 2001 Pakistan's

Supreme Court had cancelled this verdict and sent it back to Lahore for a new decision. However, there had not

been a new trial in the nine years since then.A trial for money-laundering in Switzerland would have to be based

on the proceeds of criminal activity, but that would require proof that a crime had been committed, he said. In

any case under international law Zardari enjoyed immunity from prosecution as a head of state -- unless that state

itself lifts the immunity."Immunity is the key question," Zappelli said.a"We can't prosecute Mr Zardari while he has

immunity unless Pakistan lifts that immunity. And if he doesn't have immunity, why don't they try him in Pakistan?"

Suicide attack kills 7 civilians in Afghanistan

Suicide attack kills 7 civilians in Afghanistan



KANDAHAR: At least seven Afghan civilians were killed on Wednesday when a suicide bomber blew himself up

close to where government officials were distributing aid to people in a town in Afghanistan's southern Helmand

province, a provincial official said. Five people were wounded in the attack in Babaji, outside Lashkar Gah,

Helmand's provincial capital, said Dawood Ahmadi, a spokesman for Helmand's governor. Ahmadi did not know if

any officials were among the casualties.Provincial government spokesman Daoud Ahmadi said people hadgathered

in the area to receive free seeds from the government aspart of a program to encourage them not to plant opium

poppy

pakistan latest news Pentagon concerned over Blackwater's work in Afghanistan

Pentagon concerned over Blackwater's work in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Robert Gates is concerned about possible misconduct in Afghanistan by the private security firm formerly known as Blackwater and has promised to review the issue, the Pentagon said Friday.

Gates made the pledge to lawmakers after receiving a letter from Carl Levin, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who urged the defense secretary to reconsider awarding a possible one billion dollar contract to the firm, now known as Xe, due to allegations of wrongdoing.

"He is looking into it and he takes it seriously," press secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters.

Gates has told the senator that "he shares his (Levin's) concerns," Morrell said.

The letter dated February 25 and released publicly on Thursday notes that the Defense Department is reportedly preparing to give a contract to Xe for "highly sensitive work" to train Afghan national police, despite its controversial record in Iraq and amid fresh allegations of misconduct.

The letter cites a recent Senate hearing on a contract given to a Blackwater affiliate to provide weapons training in Afghanistan.

Levin's committee heard evidence that alleged that Blackwater may have used a front company for the contract, lied to Pentagon officials in its proposal documents, "misappropriated" government weapons, carried weapons without approval and hired staff with serious criminal records including larceny and substance abuse.

Blackwater's conduct may have "contributed to a shooting incident that has undermined our mission in Afghanistan," it added.

pakistan latest news Aitzaz sees anti-SC, judiciary propaganda

Aitzaz sees anti-SC, judiciary propaganda

LAHORE: The former President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and a senior leader of PPP Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan has hinted at a propaganda being hatched against Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) and the judges of independent judiciary.

He said the formation of Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in connection with the appointment of judges was a positive proposition, however, he ruled out the impression that the parliament will be able to make political appointments.

Aitzaz told media after addressing a social welfare organization here on Friday. The independent judiciary will appeal to foreign investment, which will bear fruits for common men in a few years to come.

He lauded sacrifices of Pakistan army which they laid down in course of war against terrorism

pakistan latest news Bulls dominate KSE; Index up 113 points

Bulls dominate KSE; Index up 113 points

KARACHI: Buying continued at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) on Friday, pushing the benchmark KSE-100 Index further up by 113 points to 9,624.

Today’s trade began in the green territory and this trend sustained itself throughout the two sessions on the last trading day of the week.

Investors took active positions particularly at banking and energy counters giving the Index a strong closing at the weekend.

The market turnover was recorded at 150 million shares with Lotte Pakistan topping the list of today’s volume leaders at Rs10.14, gaining paisas 29.

On the other hand, KSE-30 Index advanced by 132 points to finish the day at 10,100.

The market analysts foresee resistance ahead at the level of 9,800.

Laborer, peasant are our partners, says President

Laborer, peasant are our partners, says President

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that that laborer, farmer and peasant will now be our partners, not the servants.

Speaking at a bill-signing ceremony here on Friday, President Zardari said Pakistan Peoples’ Party is a pro-business party. But could the industry flourish without the contribution of laborers.

He said the promulgation of the bill regarding removal of laws containing special powers to dismiss any worker would award laborers their due rights.

“Our vision is very clear. We will wage a struggle for the rights of women, minority and laborers,” she added.

The president said: “We are soon bringing a new industrialization policy, under which all stake holders will get their shares,”

Earlier, addressing the participants at the Bilawal House, President Zardari directed the PPP Core Committee to take forward the reconciliatory policy till next generations

pakistan latest news 30 militants killed in Mohmand Agency

30 militants killed in Mohmand Agency

GHALNAI: Forces killed thirty militants including some important commanders in Tehsil Pandyali of Mohmand Agency.

According to the sources, security forces shelled a house on a tip-off that killed thirty militants including commanders FaqirMohammad, Qari Ziaur Rehman and Fateh.