Strauss-Kahn case in jeopardy: New York Times

Strauss-Kahn case in jeopardy: New York Times
NEW YORK: The sexual assault case against ex-IMF chief and French presidential hopeful Dominique Strauss-Kahn is collapsing due to doubts over the victim's credibility, a report said Thursday.

The New York Times story, citing two law enforcement sources close to the sensational case, was published shortly after the district attorney's office announced that Strauss-Kahn would make an unexpected court appearance Friday.

It said prosecutors did not believe much of the story from the Guinean-born maid and suspect she has repeatedly lied to them since the alleged May 14 attack in the French politician's Manhattan hotel room.

If confirmed, the doubts could mark a dramatic reversal in the case that has upended politics in France -- where Strauss-Kahn was once seen as a likely presidential candidate -- and prompted a change in leadership at the International Monetary Fund at a time of major upheaval in the eurozone.

Officials said that within a day of the alleged rape attempt, the maid was recorded speaking on the phone with a man jailed for possessing 400 pounds (180 kilograms) of marijuana and discussing the benefits of pursuing charges.

The Times said he is one of several individuals who made multiple cash deposits, totaling around $100,000, into the woman's bank account over the last two years.

It said Friday's unscheduled hearing would likely alter the strict bail conditions imposed on Strauss-Kahn, allowing him to travel within the United States, and that lawyers were discussing dismissing the felony charges.

The district attorney's office may ask Strauss-Kahn to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, but his lawyers would contest such a move, it added.

Among the discoveries, one official told the newspaper, are issues involving the asylum application of the 32-year-old housekeeper, and possible links to criminal activities, including drug dealing and money laundering.

Officials declined to reveal the reason for Friday's hearing.

The former French finance minister had not been expected back in court until July 18.

Strauss-Kahn had posted $1 million bail and a $5 million bond when he was released in May, and agreed to remain under house arrest with an ankle monitor.

Earlier Thursday, French newspaper Liberation, citing Strauss-Kahn's defense lawyers, said he was likely to challenge the legality of the identification lineup that took place a day after his arrest, during which the then-IMF director had been picked out by the alleged victim.

Strauss-Kahn had spent days in New York's tough Rikers Island jail pending the bail package agreement, but is now awaiting trial in his luxury rental apartment in Manhattan's TriBeCa neighborhood.

The Frenchman has denied all seven charges, including trying to rape the woman and sexually assaulting her when she came to clean his luxury suite.

Strauss-Kahn resigned from the IMF shortly after his arrest, setting off a battle for the leadership of the US-based multilateral lender, from which French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde ultimately emerged victorious.

In a separate article published Wednesday, the Times reported that Lisa Friel, head of the Manhattan district attorney's sex crimes unit for nearly a decade, was leaving the post.

It was not immediately clear if the move was related to the Strauss-Kahn case. Friel had made an early court appearance as part of the case, but did not remain on the investigating team, the Times said.

No magic wand for setting Karachi right: Durrani

No magic wand for setting Karachi right: Durrani
KARACHI: Sindh IG Wajid Ali Durrani has said situation in the city was bad, which would take some time to set it right and added DIGs transfers was a routine feature.

He termed it a wrong perception that the police have any coordination with the criminal elements.

On the occasion of his visit to CPLC office in the Governor House, Sindh IG said that effective measures were being taken to control the target killings, kidnappings for ransom and street crimes, while wherever required the rangers would be called.

Replying to a question, Wajid Ali Durrani said that the police enter into the affected areas only after the firing between the two groups stop and added this perception was wrong that the police have any coordination with the criminal elements.

National agenda need of the hour: Nawaz

National agenda need of the hour: Nawaz
LAHORE: PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif said Friday that consensus for a national agenda was the need of the hour, Geo News reported.

Addressing a meeting of the party’s coordination committee, Nawaz said that with the peoples’ help the PML-N had managed to bring an end to the dictatorship of Pervaz Musharraf. He added that strong democratic parties in Pakistan were the key to the country’s stability and decisions should be made after consultation with all stakeholders.

Zardari, Cameron discuss joint cooperation

Zardari, Cameron discuss joint cooperation News
LONDON: President Asif Ali Zardari met British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street on Friday, Geo News reported. The two leaders discussed ways to enhance strategic dialogue and the killing of Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden by US Navy Seals in Abbottabad on May 2.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that the British PM told President Zardari militants in Afghanistan were on the back foot and Pakistan could play a major role in the political settlement in the country. He added that Britain appreciated Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism.

The Presidential spokesman also told the media that Prime Minister Cameron pledged his support to Pakistan stating that Britain was a friend of democracy.
   

AJK poll rigging planned at Presidency: Ibrahim

AJK poll rigging planned at Presidency: Ibrahim
ISLAMABAD: Chief of Jammu Kashmir People’s Party Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Friday rejected the results of recently held Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Legilative Assembly elections, alleging that rigging of the polls was planned at Presidency, Geo News reported.

At a press conference here, Sardar Khalid Ibrahim announced that on July 4 his party would organize a protest rally against the ‘direct role of the Federal Government in the rigging of the AJK elections’.

He said his party would also chalk out its future course in consultation with its electoral ally Pakistan Muslim League-N.
   

9 hurt as wall collapses in Raiwind

9 hurt as wall collapses in Raiwind
LAHORE: Nine people received injuries when a wall of a house collapsed due to rain in Raiwind area, Lahore.

Nine people including Humaira, Rasheed and Bashir were hurt when the wall caved in as a result of rain.

Rescue and emergency services reached the spot and shifted the injured to a hospital where their condition is said to be out of danger.
   

Abbottabad commission runs into trouble

Abbottabad commission runs into trouble
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's new commission into how Osama bin Laden lived in the country undetected for so long ran into trouble Thursday as one appointee refused to take part and the political opposition criticised it.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced Tuesday that an independent commission would investigate the circumstances of the Al-Qaeda chief's presence in Abbottabad, where he was shot dead by US Navy SEALs in a covert operation.

The revelation that the world's most-wanted man lived in a garrison city just a stone's throw from a top military academy raised questions about complicity or incompetence within the Pakistani security services.

Gilani's office said the five-member commission would be headed by senior supreme court judge Javed Iqbal and was mandated "to ascertain the full facts regarding the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan".

However, former supreme court judge Fakhruddin Ebrahim told AFP on Thursday that he had written to the prime minister refusing to sit on the panel.

"I was not consulted before my name was included in the commission and the government did not follow the procedure prescribed in the parliament's resolution," he said.

"They will have to reconstitute it," he added.

Parliament on May 14 adopted a resolution saying the composition of the commission would be settled after consultations between the leader of the house and the leader of the opposition, he said.

Talking to AFP, Farhatullah Babar, spokesman for President Asif Ali Zardari said Ebrahim's decision was a "surprise" and reserved further comment pending consultation with the law ministry.

The main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif also criticised the government on Thursday over the commission, saying he had not been consulted.

"The commission set up without consultations was meaningless. It collapsed before it could be formed. What was the use of a commission set up unilaterally?" he told reporters.

The naming of the much-awaited panel came amid demands from lawmakers in Washington and Islamabad for disclosure on the bin Laden affair after the episode threw already tense ties between the allies into turmoil.

Pakistan has suffered a wave of fresh attacks this month, with the country's main Taliban faction claiming hits on domestic and American targets to avenge bin Laden's killing

Moon not sighted; 1st Rajab on June 4

Moon not sighted; 1st Rajab on June 4
ISLAMABAD: The moon of Rajab Al Murajjab was not sighted in any part of the country, therefore, the first Rajab 1432 A.H. will fall on June 4, Saturday.

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee made the announcement on Thursday.

US gives Pakistan list of five 'most wanted' militants

US gives Pakistan list of five 'most wanted' militants
WASHINGTON: As US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Pakistan Friday, the United States gave Islamabad a list of terrorist leaders it wants joint operation against them, officials said.

The list includes Osama bin Laden deputy Ayman al Zawahiri, along with Siraj Haqqani of the Haqqani network, Ilyas Kashmiri, the head of the Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami and suspected al-Qaida leader, and Atiya Abdel Rahman, al-Qaida operations chief, the US TV reported, citing unnamed officials from both governments.

The list was discussed during separate meetings between senior Pakistani and US officials in the past two weeks, including Friday in Islamabad with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, according to a US official, a Pakistani government official and a Pakistani intelligence official.

The United States is optimistic Pakistan would provide intelligence for prompt and joint actions against these militants.

A US news paper has reported that United States believes all these wanted militants are present in Pakistan.

Pakistan rejects US appeal to reopen liaison offices

Pakistan rejects US appeal to reopen liaison offices
ISLAMABAD: Despite a visit by Hillary Clinton to mend ties, Pakistani leaders reject appeals not to close military intelligence sharing centers and say they will review the US drone campaign. Clinton presses Pakistan to do more against militants, Los Angeles Times reported.

Pakistani officials angered by the secret US raid that killed Osama bin Laden declared they would conduct a full review of operations by US drone aircraft over the country and rebuffed an appeal by visiting US officials not to close military intelligence liaison centers, US and Pakistani officials said.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Islamabad on Friday in a bid to ease the mistrust deepened by the secret May 2 raid that killed the Al Qaeda chief.

Pakistani leaders see the raid as a blatant violation of their country's sovereignty, and Washington's decision to not inform Islamabad in advance as an example of a glaring lack of trust. For the US, Bin Laden's presence in the military city of Abbottabad, just 35 miles from the capital, renewed long held suspicions among many in the US that Pakistan’s intelligence community, or elements within it, knew that the Al Qaeda leader was there and did nothing about it.

Clinton, in a meeting with President Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, army chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani and other leaders, emphasized that the US has seen no evidence that anyone in the upper echelons of Pakistani leadership knew of Bin Laden's presence in Abbottabad.

Officials on both sides described Friday's meeting as blunt, and acknowledged that serious disagreements remained. But they said the two sides also agreed that the relationship is mutually beneficial.

A senior US official in Washington said that Pakistani officials rebuffed a US request not to close the liaison offices in Peshawar and Quetta that have been used to share intelligence on militants with Pakistani ground forces.

Pakistan recently ordered US special operations personnel at the so-called "intelligence fusion cells" to leave the country, a setback for US efforts to form closer ties with Pakistani units fighting militants along with the border with Afghanistan. US officials remain hopeful that they can persuade Islamabad to allow the US personnel to reestablish the intelligence-sharing centers, the official said.

Pakistani officials said Zardari also said his government intended to review all aspects of operations by unmanned US drone aircraft. The campaign of drone airstrikes is deeply unpopular among Pakistanis.

8 dead, 12 injured in Bajur Agency blast

8 dead, 12 injured in Bajur Agency blast
BAJAUR: At least eight persons died and twelve injured in a blast that took place Saturday morning at the headquarter of Tehsil Salarzai according to the initial report, Geo News reported.

Security forces have surrounded the area, rescue operation started and trying to ascertain the nature of the blast. The injured have been shifted to the nearby hospital.

Someone, somewhere' provided support to Osama: Clinton

Someone, somewhere' provided support to Osama: Clinton
ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that Pakistan urgently needed to take decisive steps against militancy and that relations between the two allies, tense since the killing of Osama bin Laden, had reached a turning point.

Clinton, the most senior US official to visit Pakistan since US Navy SEALS killed the al Qaeda leader this month, appeared to be trying to smooth over strains, repeating that there was no evidence that any senior Pakistani officials knew bin Laden's whereabouts.

But she also said she had asked President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani as well as Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani to do more to fight militants.

"This was an especially important visit because we have reached a turning point," Clinton told reporters, after meeting the Pakistani officials with US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen. "We look to Pakistan, to the government of Pakistan to take decisive steps in the days ahead.

"America cannot and should not solve Pakistan's problems. But in solving its problems, Pakistan should understand that anti-Americanism and conspiracy theories will not make problems disappear."

Clinton said Pakistani officials had told her "someone, somewhere" had been providing support for bin Laden in Pakistan, but reiterated there was no evidence of any sort of complicity by senior government officials.

Clinton has emphasised the need to continue working closely with Pakistan.

"This particular relationship with Pakistan is too critical and now is too critical a time to allow whatever differences we may still have with one another impede the progress we must still make together," Mullen told the news conference.

"I harbour no illusions about the difficulties ahead, nor do I leave here misinformed about the trust which still needs to be rebuilt between our two militaries.

National challenges require unity: PM

National challenges require unity: PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday said the challenges confronting the country today require greater unity among the people and leaders across the political divide.

In his opening statement while chairing the cabinet's meeting, Gilani said during testing times, it was imperative to maintain unity among the ranks and not let despondency take hold on the minds of people.

"I am sure that together we will overcome the challenges we face today," he said, adding that with this kind of determination no force could ever demoralize the countrymen in defending their homeland.

Gilani reiterated to foil the nefarious designs of terrorists and their collaborators. He paid rich tribute on behalf of the Cabinet to those who sacrificed their lives during the terrorist attack at the Mehran Naval Base.

As a nation, he said, "we are proud of the courage and valour with which the Jawans of Navy, Rangers and Police who tried to defend the strategic naval installations and properties."

The Prime Minister said that during his visit to the hospital in Karachi, he was touched to see the spirit of injured Jawans who remarked that it would have been better had they also embraced Shahadat.

He recalled that the especially convened meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet decided for coordinated efforts to prevent and pre-empt acts of terrorism. He stated that the defence and law enforcement agencies had been directed to use all necessary means to eliminate terrorists and militants.

The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet about his visit to China which he termed as very important as it coincided with the 60th Anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

He said besides talks in defence, trade and energy, the Chinese leadership reiterated its undiluted, unequivocal and principled support to Pakistan's stance and strategy in the fight against terrorism.

The Prime Minister stated that the Chinese leadership apprised him that even without Pakistan's asking, the Chinese Vice Premier and State Counselor for Foreign Affairs, who attended the recent China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington DC, had urged the US to respect Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity; to recognize Pakistan's sacrifices in the war against terror; and to help Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism, and give it complete support.

The Prime Minister apprised the Cabinet about his affirmation to the Chinese leadership that Pakistan would never allow its territory to be used to attack any country and would continue to support international counter-terrorism cooperation.

Before the start of formal proceedings of the Cabinet meeting, Fateha for late Hakim Ali Zardari, a seasoned politician was offered. The Cabinet also offered Fateha for all those who embraced Shahadat in the recent attack on PNS Mehran, CID Station Peshawar and District Administration Offices in Hangu.

Anti-Americanism not to make Pak's problems disappear

Anti-Americanism not to make Pak's problems disappear
ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday said Pakistan should understand that anti-Americanism and conspiracy theories will not make problems disappear.

Talking to media in Islamabad Hillary Clinton said that her visit was especially important because relation between Pakistan and US have reached a turning point.

"Osama bin Laden is dead but al Qaeda and his syndicate of terror remain a serious threat to us both," Clinton said.

She said, "we look to the government of Pakistan to take decisive steps in the days ahead."

Clinton said Pakistani officials had told her "someone, somewhere" had been providing support for bin Laden in Pakistan, but reiterated there was no evidence of any sort of complicity by senior government officials.

"This particular relationship with Pakistan is too critical and now is too critical a time to allow whatever differences we may still have with one another impede the progress we must still make together," Mullen told the news conference.

"I harbour no illusions about the difficulties ahead, nor do I leave here misinformed about the trust which still needs to be rebuilt between our two militaries.

DCC expresses full confidence in ability of armed forces

DCC expresses full confidence in ability of armed forces Pakistan News
ISLAMABAD: The Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) on Wednesday decided that coordinated efforts would be made to prevent and pre-empt acts of terrorism and security, defence and law enforcement agencies would be authorised to use all means necessary to eliminate terrorists and militants.

The DCC met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House. Federal Ministers Senior Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Minister of State for Finance Hina Rabbani Khar, Chairman JCSC, services chiefs and Director General (ISI) attended the meeting.

This is the second meeting of the DCC in 15 days and was held in the backdrop of the recent terrorist attack on the PNS Mehran in Karachi. The DCC reviewed the security situation arising from the terrorist attacks as well as issues relating to regional security and stability.

The DCC expressed full confidence in the ability and capacity of the armed forces and law enforcement and intelligence agencies to meet all threats to national security. In opening remarks prior to starting deliberations, Prime Minister Gilani made it clear that “in today’s deliberations, we should also bear in mind the resolution unanimously adopted by the joint sitting of parliament.”

The chief of the naval staff and secretaries defence, interior and foreign affairs briefed the DCC on the terrorist attack on PNS Mehran, as well as on internal security and the regional situation.

After in-depth discussions, it was decided that all citizens should extend their full cooperation to security and law enforcement agencies and defence forces to eliminate the menace of terrorism. It was decided that national security was the foremost priority and all arms of the government would ensure that terrorist hideouts were destroyed using all appropriate means.

It was decided that national consensus on eliminating terrorism would be implemented through a well-coordinated and comprehensive strategy with the full support of the people and state institutions at all levels. It was decided that the DCC would continue to meet regularly to further update and closely monitor the implementation of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism strategy.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, PM Gilani said he wanted, through this forum, to send a message to the nation that Pakistan’s strategic assets were well protected and its capability to defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and liberties of the people was very much in place.

“The incident [attack on PNS Mehran] is a serious threat to our security paradigm but with the help of our resolute nation, we will surely be successful in overcoming this unique challenge,” he said.

PM Gilani said the government was determined to take all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of citizens. “It is imperative that we take steps urgently to enhance our intelligence capabilities and improve system-wide coordination for averting attacks,” he said.

He said Pakistan was proud of the sacrifices of the martyrs of the Armed Forces and honoured them. Prime Minister Gilani said diversity and the quantum of challenges to national security demanded policy-makers leave behind conventional thinking and look for out-of-the-box solutions and carve out alternate strategies. “I strongly believe that we have the potential and resilience to face these challenges upfront and to meet the aspirations of our people,” the prime minister concluded.
   

Civil govt complained US over secret army funding: WikiLeaks

Civil govt complained US over secret army funding: WikiLeaks Pakistan News
KARACHI: In 2009, the civil government had complained to the US about being unaware of American funding provided directly to the Pakistan military, revealed by another unpublished American diplomatic cables.

The secret cable disclosed tensions between the civilian government and the army over the funds provided for counterinsurgency operations.

In a meeting held with former US Ambassador Anne Patterson in November 2009, former finance minister Shaukat Tarin appealed to the ambassador to keep him informed of funds the US directs to the Pakistani military.

Tarin promised that he would not reduce the military’s budget based on the US assistance. He also provided numbers to prove that the vast majority of Coalition Support Funds (CSF) given to Gen Pervez Musharraf’s government, money provided as reimbursements for expenses incurred to support America’s efforts against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, had not been used for counterinsurgency purposes, or even for the military.

In an earlier meeting in September, the Ambassador said the USG had purchased $370 million equipment for the military through FY09 Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF) supplemental funds. Tarin said he was unaware of this.

According to Tarin, the finance ministry had done a detailed analysis and concluded that, of the total of $6.6 billion the US had provided to Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund, only $250 million had actually gone to the Pakistan Army during former president Musharraf government.

While previously published cables have revealed the US concerns about possibly inflated CSF claims by the army, a new cable reveals that the US also feared the civilian government that succeeded Musharraf would continue to use the CSF for budgetary support.

The civilian government, in turn, expressed mistrust about the army’s use of CSF funds. Therefore, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) asked the US to increase oversight and ensure that the military budget should be more transparent and subject to parliamentary scrutiny.

Attackers were in contact with commander News

Attackers were in contact with commander Pakistan News
KARACHI: The PNS Mehran attackers who stormed the naval air base Sunday night were in contact with their commander via high-tech wireless system, Geo News correspondent Afzal Nadeem Dogar reported.

An inquiry committee, headed by Rear Admiral Tehsinullah Khan, is investigating the terrorist attack. It includes representatives from Pakistan Air Force, police, naval intelligence and Rangers.

After reports of some inside help, scope of the probe has been widened and all personnel of Pakistan Navy deployed at the base have been included in the investigations.

The list of visitors who visited the base during past several days has also been sought to ascertain the details regarding the people they met, when and for how long.

A high-tech walkie-talkie set has been recovered from the bushes confirming the reports that the raiders were in contact with their commander.

The militants came loaded with sophisticated weaponry including rocket launchers hand grenades, Kalashnikovs etc. Raiders fired more than 1100 bullets and seven rockets. Investigators recovered 860 spent cases of Kalashnikovs, 165 of Triple two rifle, 29 of light machine gun, 12 hand grenades, rocket launcher and one suicide vest.

Body parts for DNA testing and finger print match have been sent to Islamabad.

PNS Mehran attack: FIR may be changed

PNS Mehran attack: FIR may be changed Pakistan News
KARACHI: Pakistan Navy has said that the account mentioned in the FIR, registered for PNS Mehran Base attack, has some discrepancies and it may be changed, Geo News reported.

Controversies have surrounded the PNS Mehran attack case since the differences in the number of raiders emerged.

There were conflicts in the statements by the government and naval officials, and the registered FIR. Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Naval Chief Noman Bashir mentioned that there were four to six attackers while the FIR lodged by PN said that the number was 10 to 12.

Such differences in the basic facts of the case are misleading and have complicated the case, legal advisors said. Therefore, it is expected that the FIR will be revised following the instructions of the naval spokesman.

Aamir Khan back to MQM fold

Aamir Khan back to MQM fold Pakistan News
KARACHI: Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM)-Haqeeqi Chairman, Aamir Khan is back to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) fold, Geo News reported.

Aamir Khan was released two days ago and after a happy get-together with his family, he accompanied by Muttahida leader Raza Haroon drove from his residence in Cantt. to MQM Headquarter 90, where he along with Muttahida Rabita Committee would be addressing a press conference this evening to announce his formal return to the Muttahida, it is learnt.

Witnesses go back on statements against Moonis

Witnesses go back on statements against Moonis Pakistan News
ISLAMABAD: All the witnesses in NICL case went back on their statements against Moonis Elahi, Geo News reported Wednesday.

According to FIA, these witnesses had had on a stamp paper implicated Moonis Elahi in an act of fraud in the NICL case.

During a hearing held in a banking court, Rai Bashir Ahmed, the counsel of Moonis Elahi, told the court that eight companions of Moonis Elahi had had their statements recorded before local Magistrate Irfan Basra. The witnesses in their fresh statement termed Moonis Elashi as innocent, he added.

The FIA officials told the court that all the witnesses had earlier deposed on a stamp paper that Moonis Elahi had committed Rs320 million fraud.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing till May 31 for distribution of copies of the new statements.