Musharraf’s Rs1m surety bonds seized by court
The Rs1 million surety submitted by guarantors of retired General Pervez Musharraf was confiscated by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in connection with his release in the judges detention case. In June 2013, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had granted bail to the former military ruler, directing him to submit two surety bonds worth Rs500,000 each following which his guarantors Mushtaq Ahmed and Rashid Mehmood pledged their property documents as the surety amount. The latest court order states: “The prosecution’s evidence has already been closed and perpetual warrants of arrest have been issued against the accused (Gen Musharraf) and that “due to non-appearance of the proclaimed offender, the bonds so submitted are hereby confiscated”.
India violates ceasefire; civilian martyred, five injured
Violating ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC), India targetted the civilian population near the Nikiyal sector killing a civilian and injuring five others-Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. The violation came two days after the heads of P5 states were briefed by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua as well as the DGMO Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza in Islamabad on the surge in violations from the Indian side.
“Democracy has nothing to fear from Pakistan Army”: ISPR
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) held a conference on Saturday evening to discuss the recent recovery of a Canadian-American family from Taliban custody and address the government’s criticism of the army for its commentary on the economic conditions of Pakistan. The chief of ISPR, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, conveyed his displeasure at the end of the speech saying,”I was disappointed as a soldier and as a citizen of Pakistan”, following Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s criticism of the ISPR commenting on matters of the economy. Ghafoor further emphasised that”The Pakistan Army is a state institution and it is very important to sit and talk about things. If we need to improve the economy, we will have to bring certain changes.”, further highlighting the need for a cooperative approach to tackle problems.
Ahsan Iqbal responds following ISPR clarification with ‘message of hope’
Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal underlined the need for a “joint voice” to highlight the “positive aspects of the country” before the world, shortly after a press conference hosted by the director general of Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR). Iqbal spoke to DawnNews saying that Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor’s earlier comment regarding the economy had hurt him, nonetheless, he thought the civilian and military leadership should provide some hope to the country. “We now need to restore the trust of the world”, added Iqbal while emphasising the “need to turn our disappointments into hope.”
Taliban killed infant daughter and raped wife, claims freed Canadian hostage
Recently rescued by Pakistani troops from Afghanistan, Canadian Joshua Boyle claims Taliban authorized the killing of his infant daughter and raped his American wife, Caitlin Coleman, during the couple’s captivity of five years in Afghanistan. The couple that reached Canada yesterday with their three other children who were born in captivity, was kidnapped by the Taliban linked Haqqani terrorist network when on a backpacking trip in Afghanistan in 2012. Speaking with reporters as he arrived at the Toronto Pearson Airport Boyle called on Taliban “to provide my family with the justice we are owed”. “Obviously, it will be of incredible importance to my family that we are able to build a secure sanctuary for our three surviving children to call a home,” he added.
Sri Lanka’s cricketers hestitant to tour Pakistan
Forty players of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have handed in a letter to the board, expressing concerns over travelling to Lahore for the last T201 against Pakistan scheduled for later this month. Although the contracted players have not directly refused to tour Pakistan, they have requested a change in venue. “The ICC also will meet the players on Saturday to brief them about the situation in Lahore,” an SLC source told Cricbuzz. It is believed that Thisara Perera, who was part of the World XI team that visited Pakistan in September has not signed the letter. The concerns stem from the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus outside Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore that injured several players and support staff.