'Joint patrolling shows good results'
India, Pak to hold talks on release of PoWs

ATTARI, AMRITSAR, Mar 26: Pakistan and India are having talks for release of prisoners of war of 1965 and 1971 conflicts, who are languishing in jails in the two countries, a senior Pakistani Army officer said today.

Major General Muhammad Haroon Aslam, who is heading a 14-member delegation of Pakistani Rangers for a bi-annual meeting with Border Security Force in Chandigarh, said the issue of PoW is being taken up by both the countries at the level of Foreign Ministeries.

"This issue is being taken up at higher level between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on both sides and both sides are working on it and there is certain hope of release of prisoners," he said here as the delegation crossed over into India through the border post here.

This would be the first bi-annual meeting between the two border forces after the installation of the new Government in Pakistan.

On Indian charges about cross-border smuggling of narcotics, Aslam said, "As such nothing is coming from Pakistan but even then such issues will be discussed in the three-day meeting with the top officials of BSF and all such confusion prevailing on both sides would be sorted out."

To questions on smuggling of narcotics from Afghanistan to India through Pakistan, Aslam said, "These are mere allegations and nothing else."

He said, "During the meeting, illegal border crossing including those inadvertently and human smuggling on both sides will be the core issues to be discussed thoroughly."

Aslam said, "We are here to discuss the professional matters in the most professional manner but we will not hurl any vague allegations against each other."

About the impact of joint patrolling on both sides of the Indo-Pak international borders by the Rangers and the BSF, Aslam said, "Joint patrolling is going on for the long time and has shown good results and even helped in sorting out the common problems faced by both sides on the spot. Joint patrolling also helped to built up mutual confidence".

However, he said that despite ‘joint patrolling", both sides were making allegations against each other with regard to infiltration. This issue would be discussed "seriously" during the meeting, he said.

On Indian complaints about constructions on the Pakistan side within 500 metres of the international border, Aslam said, "There is nothing as such but some regular work of maintenance of concrete cemented pillars, depicting the international boundaries are on progress".

When asked about any changes on issues of policy with regard to Pakistani Rangers after the formation of new Government, Aslam said, "It does not come in my preview."

To a question about the delay in repatriation of Indian people who cross the international border inadvertently, Aslam said, "Our border guarding forces have some reservations of their own and work in the same manner as India does. Sometimes when India delays the repatriation of inadvertent crossers, such things also happens on Pakistan side."

Besides Aslam, the delegation includes Major General Liaquat Ali, Brigadier Ghazanfar Ali Bhatti and several other senior officers. All the Pakistani officers have come to India with their families. (PTI)

NC to pass Shrines Bill if voted to power
Farooq for KPs' return, rehabilitation

By Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, Mar 26: National Conference (NC) will keep the honorable return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits to Valley as well as the recruitment of community youth in Party’s election manifesto. This was stated by the NC patron and former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah while addressing a meeting of Kashmiri Pandits at Udaywala, Bohri this afternoon.

The meeting was organised by Migrant Welfare Committee , Jammu and displaced Pandits from various camps and non camps participated in it.

Dr Abdullah said after return to power, the NC Government will also introduce the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places Bill in State Assembly on priority basis for the protection of temples and religious places of Pandits in Valley.

He made an appeal to the Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad to call a special session of the State Legislature for passage of the Bill or bring an ordinance in this regard till its passage.

Maintaining that Kashmir was incomplete without Pandits, he said his Party is committed to dignified return of the displaced Pandits to their homes and hearths in Valley who faced many hardships during 18 years of turmoil. To mitigate their sufferings, NC has authorized the former Chief Secretary, Vijay Bakaya to formulate the Party manifesto in this regard, he added.

"The Party is committed to return of the displaced people and after coming to power in 1996 it took some steps in this regard. Some members of displaced community were also ready to return to their birth place but unfortunately the entire plan failed after the terrorists attacked at Wandhhama in Ganderbal district and Sangrampura in Budgam district", he added.

These killings were aimed at ethnic cleansing and to convert the Kashmir into Pakistan but by the grace of God all the designs of subversives and their mentors failed, he said.

Dr Abdullah who also sought enhancement of cash relief for migrants, said as a result of mass migration some Pandits sold their land and houses in distress and the Government has now to find a way out for their return. So Mr Bakaya has been asked to give suggestions how this problem can be solved as our Party wants to find a way out to ensure the return of those families also, he added.

The NC patron said this way his Party wants to compensate the Pandit community members for the miseries suffered by them over the years. The another step which can be taken by the Party for the betterment and upliftment of the community will be employment to the displaced youth, he added.

Making it clear that providing jobs to migrants at Jammu will not be possible, he said the only alternative for the recruitment of KP youth will be the Kashmir valley after their return. But first a conducive situation has to be created for the same, he added.

Dr Abdullah said earlier his Government sought applications for the recruitment of the Kashmiri Pandits in State but the then Government at Centre did not accept the proposal as they were not sincere.

Asking the members of displaced community to maintain unity in their rank and file , he urged them to follow those leaders who are ready to sacrifice for them and not back those who are working for their vested interests.

He said though during NC rule the Distress Sale of Migrants Property Act for the protection of migrants left over properties in Valley was framed but some touts from the minority community inconvenience with touts from majority community violated the same by selling the property through attorneys.

He said likewise the touts from both the communities have also looted the property of religious places and now the situation is that even the poojaris have deserted them. To protect these places of worship NC brought a Bill in the State Assembly and Leader of Opposition, Abdul Rahim Rather introduced it in the House but the ruling alliance did not support its passage saying the Government will bring its own Bill.

He said the NC wanted that a Board on the pattern of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board be constituted for the religious places of KPs in Valley.

He also demanded that the people with integrity from Jammu be given representation in Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and likewise the Kashmiri Pandits with integrity be also be made members of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

While allaying the fears of KPs, he said NC had never favoured secessionism and his Party has not demanded anything outside the ambit of Indian Constitution. Though one former Prime Minister had promised any thing short of Azadi but later the Centre rejected the autonomy resolution of NC, he added.

Earlier speaking NC leader and former Chief Secretary , Vijay Bakaya said the NC can only provide future guarantee to the people of J&K and solve the problems of Kashmiri Pandits. The KPs displacement is a human tragedy and NC realizes it fully, he added.

S L Koul general secretary, Migrant Welfare Committee, its chairman Rajinder Kilam, president, T K Koul, Avtar K Bhat, Jigan Goja, Nana Ji, Roshan Lal Raina, Yogi Bal Ji, Pinto Ji and B L Bhat Ex MLC highlighted the problems of displaced Pandits and demanded employment for the displaced youth with honorable and dignified return of community to their homes and hearths in Valley.

The other NC leaders who were present included provincial president Ajay Sadhotra, Deputy Mayor, Dharam Vir Singh Jamwal, Ex MLC Brij Mohan Sharma, Party vice president, Rattan Lal Gupta and ex MLA and district president NC Sat Paul Lakhotra.

Earlier, Dr Abdullah also attended a function organised by Jumbo Times on the completion of its one year of publication.

In-house fraud in bank 'loot' established,
2 officials held
*Drama enacted after Rs 14.85 lakh embezzlement

By Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Mar 26: As expected, police have established an "in-house fraud" in alleged loot of Rs 10.06 lakh from the ‘safe’ of Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s Thanna Mandi branch yesterday. A treasury cashier and an accounts assistant, who had already swindled the cash and enacted a drama of robbery, have confessed their involvement in the fraud. Both of them have been arrested.

Official sources said Khadim Hussain, a treasury cashier who had claimed that some unidentified persons had decamped with cash after throwing chilly powder in his eyes and rendering him unconscious, and Shafayat Ahmed, an accounts assistant were formally arrested by Thanna Mandi police this afternoon after necessary evidence against them was gathered.

The so-called sensational bank robbery of more than Rs 10 lakh has been worked out by police within 24 hours of the incident, sources said.

They disclosed that Khadim Hussain, a resident of Tota Morha, Rajdhani in Thanna Mandi area, who was shifted to District Hospital, Rajouri after he posed as unconscious and claimed that chilly powder had been thrown in his eyes, was got discharged by police from the hospital last night after he was declared fit for the statement.

He was subjected to sustained questioning by the police during which he broke down and confessed his involvement in misappropriation of nearly Rs 14.85 lakh along with Shafayat Ahmed, accounts assistant and a resident of Nadian, Darhal. Immediately thereafter, police also took Shafayat into custody and subjected both the accused to cross questioning.

They revealed that they had been misappropriating the cash deposited by Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department into the treasury and some other Departments for the last one year. So far, they had embezzled Rs 14.85 lakh. Of this, Rs 7.65 lakh were taken by Khadim Hussain and Rs 7.20 lakh by Shafayat Ahmed.

They said they spent the money mostly in living a luxurious life and purchasing household goods. They used to issue official receipts to CAPD officials but didn’t deposit the amount in banks. They, however, used to show the cash in records.

During audit or scrutiny of the cash, the duo used to take cash from the market and keep it in the ‘safe’. After the verification was over, they used to return the cash. This process was going on for at least one year.

Sources said Khadim and Shafayat came to know on Monday night that verification of cash will take place on Tuesday morning. Again, they tried to take the cash from market to tally the amount on record but couldn’t get it. Both of them then decided to enact the drama of cash snatching.

Khadim purchased chilly powder from the market and kept it in his pocket. As soon as Branch Manager Kewal Krishan asked Khadim to bring the cash, he went to the ‘safe’, splashed Rs 90,000 worth cash on floor, threw some chilly powder in his eyes and enacted the drama of becoming unconscious.

When a peon Bashir Ahmed went to the ‘safe’, he found Khadim lying ‘unconscious’ and raised an alarm. The Bank authorities called police. After counting the cash, the Bank authorities said it was shot by Rs 10.06 lakh.

Sources said the total amount embezzled by the duo was Rs 14.85 lakh. Investigations were on to work out the difference between cash misappropriate and cash found less in the ‘safe’. For the purpose, police have sought the assistance of local bank authorities.

It may be mentioned here that police authorities after visiting the spot yesterday and taking into account the circumstantial evidence had said that it appeared to be a clear case of "in-house fraud" as there was absolutely no evidence of the robbery or cash snatching.

Sources said since both the officials had spent the misappropriated cash, no amount has been recovered so far. A case has been registered against the accused at Thanna Mandi police station for further investigations.

Two arrested on return from PoK
*Infiltration bid foiled

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Mar 26: Two civilians were today arrested by police and security forces soon after they crossed into Indian territory from Line of Control (LoC) in Digwar sector of this district from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Troops have also foiled an infiltration attempt by militants from Roshni and Gun Hill posts in Mankote sector. A search operation was going on in the area for the militants, official sources said.

They said the civilians arrested by police and security forces from forward village of Digwar have been identified as Mohd Rashid son of Chanan Din, a resident of Digwar and Mohd Hussain son of Gulaba R/o Bigial Dara.

Sources said both the civilians had gone across the LoC about a year back. They were arrested soon after they returned from PoK via Digwar sector.

Police and security forces have whisked them away for sustained questioning. They were being grilled to ascertain as to where they spent nearly one year in PoK and what was their purpose of visiting across LoC. The route used by them in exfiltration and infiltration is also being ascertained, sources said.

Police and security forces were expecting some vital clues during questioning of the border crossers. Their links with the militants or guides have also not been ruled out.

A case against the accused has been registered at local police station under FIR No. 48/2008 for further questioning. Both of them were expected to be sent to Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) in Jammu shortly for sustained interrogation.

Meanwhile, troops observed movement of militants in Mankote area of this district from Roshni and Gun Hill posts last night. The ultras were trying to infiltrate into Indian territory from across the LoC, sources said.

Troops challenged the infiltrators and opened firing. After a brief exchange of firing, the militants were reported to have retrieved. However, taking no chances, the troops have launched a search operation in forward village of Mankote to look for any possible border crosser.

However, no militant had been spotted so far.

Sources said the timely action by Army has foiled infiltration attempt by the militants.

People block NH over inadequate ration supply
Councillor among 18 injured

Excelsior Correspondent

UDHAMPUR, Mar 26: About 18 persons including a Municipal Councillor and six cops were injured in clash between agitating people and police personnel at Traffic Check Post (TCP) here following massive protest demonstration and blockade of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway over improper and inadequate ration supply.

Reports said that a large number of people mostly women led by Congress Municipal Councillor from Ward Number 1 Ashwani Khajuria gathered on Dhar Road near Raj Theatre in the town and held massive demonstration over the improper and inadequate ration supply to a depot in the area feeding 3500 rationees, despite repeated requests to the Deputy Commissioner O P Kalandria.

Shouting slogans against the district administration, the agitating people said that during a dharna staged in the recent past the Deputy Commissioner had assured to ensure proper ration supply besides opening up another ration depot in the area to reduce the burden on the existing one.

"But, till today the Deputy Commissioner has not translated his assurances into reality forcing us to take to the streets", the protesters said.

After two hours long demonstration on Dhar Road, Assistant Commissioner and Tehsildar visited the spot and informed the agitating people that two trucks load of ration has been dispatched for the depot to meet the immediate requirement of the rationees.

However, they failed to convince the protesters to lift the dharna, who made it clear that they will continue demonstration till the Deputy Commissioner himself visits the spot and announce specific time-frame for opening of another ration depot in the area besides meeting the requirement of the rationees.

Later, the agitating people moved towards the Traffic Check Post (TCP) and blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway by staging sit-in. As protest demonstration led to traffic chaos and confusion, the police personnel resorted to lathicharge. But the situation turned ugly as some of the agitating people started pelting stones on the cops.

In the police lathicharge and subsequent retaliatory action by the agitators, about 12 civilians including Congress Councillor from Ward Number 1 Ashwani Khajuria and 6 cops including Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Jagdev sustained injuries. Later, the agitating people dispersed and the injured persons were hospitalised.

In the evening, the activists and leaders of all the parties gathered at main chowk in the town and burnt the effigy of Deputy Commissioner. It was also unanimously decided to block the National Highway tomorrow morning in protest against the ‘brutal’ lathicharge on the people.

When contacted, Mr Kalandria said that on the allegations of the people the Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) Bansi Lal Gupta and Government Salesman of Ward Number 1, Dewan Singh have been placed under suspension and Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) has been directed to look into the supply of ration made during the past four months. The ACR will submit the report within a week’s time.

The Deputy Commissioner said that a separate ration depot for the villages connected with the existing depot will be opened shortly.

Tree falls on civilians, 2 killed

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMBAN, Mar 26: Two civilians were killed and another injured when a large tree fell on them during cutting at Gool in this district today.

Reports said one person was killed and two others were seriously injured when a large ‘Cheer’ tree fell on them at Potato Farm in Gool area this afternoon. The trio were cutting the tree for woods.

Ghulam Rasool son of Abdul Rehman, a resident of Jaman, Gool was killed on spot while Mohd Amin son of Ghulam Mohd R/o Gool succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to hospital. Injured Fareed Ahmed son of Hussain Shan was admitted in Emergency Hospital, Ramban in serious condition.

Police was investigating the case.

KU's law student Salman Sagar elected Srinagar Mayor
Beneficiary of cross-voting, NC retains both top positions

From Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

SRINAGAR, Mar 26: Taking advantage of its nearly two-third majority in the 68-member House of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), coupled by cross-voting of some Congress and PDP Councillors in its favour, National Conference has retained both the top positions in the civic body's annual election with an impressive victory today. Amid a controversy over the voting of the PDP Councillor Tanvir Sadiq, who has lately defected to the NC, senior NC leader Ali Mohammad Sagar's son, Salman Sagar, has been elected as Mayor and his party colleague, Sajjad Ahmed Chashoo, as the Deputy Mayor of Srinagar.

NC's Councillor Manzoor Ahmed, who was unanimously elected as Presiding Officer by the House for today's elections, declared his party colleagues, Salman Sagar and Sajjad Ahmed Chashoo, elected as Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively. At the end of counting, Presiding Officer declared that NC's Salman Sagar had bagged 44 votes and PDP's Master Abdul Rehman just 14 for the post of Mayor. He said that NC's Sajjad Ahmed Chashoo had secured 44 against his PDP rival Ms Mehjabeen's 15.

Ending a pause of over two decades, elections had been held for the 68-member SMC in January-February 2005. Winning as many as 42 seats, NC had established its supremacy in its traditional stronghold of Srinagar inspite of a number of attacks on its candidates and rallies. After the militants gunned down three of its elected Councillors---namely Mohammad Maqbool Khaksaar, Mohammad Ashraf Bhulla and Ghulam Nabi Wani---and two more of its elected Councillors---namely Shaukat Ahmed Haafiz and Mehbooba Shadaab---were disqualified on account of defying the party whip and contesting against their party's official candidates, NC's strength has reduced to 37 in the last three years.

Two of the 63 Councillors---one each from Congress and PDP---were absent in today's election. Even as 61 members (NC 37, PDP 15, Congress 5, Independent 4) participated in the Mayor's election, three votes were declared invalid by the Presiding Officer. NC's Salman Sagar secured 44 votes against his only rival, PDP's Master Abdul Rehman, who had to be content with just 14 votes. While Congress is said to have issued no direction to its members and left it all to their "conscience", some of them are suspected to have ditched the ruling coalition partner PDP and voted for the NC candidates. However, a section of insiders insisted that six of the PDP members, including head of the rebel faction Tanvir Sadiq, voted for the NC.

Tanvir's participation in the voting created a heated controversy when the PDP members Asifa Qarra and Aasiya Naqash, who respectively happen to be the wife and sister-in-law of the senior PDP leader and Finance Minister Tariq Hameed Qarra, joined by party colleague and Councillor from Nattipora, Ms Anjum Qadiri, argued that he had forfeited his right to vote after "defection" to NC recently. Commissioner and Secretary of SMC, who were both present, gave a ruling in Tanvir's favour and pointed out that they had not received any such direction from the competent authority---Chief Electoral Officer B R Sharma. Commissioner Syed Haq Nawaz referred to the rulebook and said that none other than CEO was competent to declare an elected member disqualified for defection or other reasons. Thereafter Tanvir Sadiq cast his vote.

Alongwith his father Sadiq Ali, Tanvir had earlier this month returned to NC when he was functioning as Leader of Opposition in the SMC. Though he refused to comment, he is suspected to have cast his vote in favour of the NC candidates alongwith five of his PDP loyalists. With this, Salman Sagar scored an impressive victory and was elected as Mayor of Srinagar.

30-year-old Salman Sagar is presently a regular student of LL B with the University of Kashmir. He happens to be the son of senior NC leader and former Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar.

Presiding Officer declared that 61 members participated in the election for Deputy Mayor. He said that two votes were found invalid. Of the 59 valid votes, NC's Sajjad Ahmed Chashoo bagged 44 and his only rival, PDP Councillor from Iddgah Ms Mehjabeen Pathan, got 15. Cross-voting was yet again evident, to the advantage of NC.

After today's elections, Sagar's Assembly segment of Khanyar has emerged as a stronghold of the NC as all three of the most important positions in SMC---Mayor (Salman Sagar), Deputy Mayor (Sajjad Ahmed Chashoo) and Chairperson Social Justice (Ms Rukhsana)---have been occupied by representatives of this capital city interior. It is for the first time that a regular student of the University of Kashmir has been appointed as Mayor of the capital city of Srinagar. Earlier, advocate and NC activist Ghulam Mustafa Bhat had been elected for two consecutive terms of one year in March 2005 and March 2006 to followed by NC's Abdul Rasheed Pandit for the third year in March 2007.

Militant killed in Bandipore gunbattle

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Mar 26: Security forces today claimed to have killed a Pakistani militant of Lashkar-e-Toiba in an encounter in Bandipore area.

Official sources said that troops of Rashtriya Rifles 14 Bn, alongwith a Police party, eliminated an armed militant during the course of a search operation in Kota Satri forest area. Believed to be from Pakistan, he has been reportedly identified as Abu Musaaib of Lashkar-e-Toiba. Sources said that one AK-47 rifle was recovered from his possession.

Meanwhile, reports said that Naik Ramesh Kumar of 6 Light Infantry was found dead outside his camp in Dras on Srinagar-Kargil Road. He has been reportedly shot dead by one of the sentries either on suspicion of being an intruder or by misfire. Official version was not available immediately.

Cable operator murdered

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 26: A cable operator was murdered at Kheer Pind-Tanda road under the jurisdiction of RS Pura police station tonight by four miscreants, all of whom managed to escape. The victim has been identified as Harminder Singh alias Pindi, a resident of Gadigarh.

Police said Harminder Singh was on way to Gadigarh in a Maruti Zen car and was being chased from Satwari by four accused in another car. He was intercepted at an isolated place at Kheer Pind-Tanda road tonight and was inflicted deep wounds with a sharp-edged weapon on his head by the accused.

Harminder Singh was seriously injured as all four accused fled from the spot.

Police parties from RS Pura and Miran Sahib police stations led by SHO Kuldeep Khajuria and Daljeet Singh under the supervision of SP Rural & Headquarters Rajinder Gupta and SDPO RS Pura Puran Singh Katoch rushed to the spot and shifted the victim to Medical College where he succumbed to his injuries.

His body has been sent to mortuary for post-mortem. Police said a kirch was also recovered from Maruti Zen car of Pindi.

According to police, three assailants have so far been identified as Barkat Singh, who was in Maharashtra jail for last several years and was released only recently, Lucky Singh and Gourav. Identity of fourth accused has not been ascertained so far.

Police have launched a massive search operation to apprehend the accused. Raids were being conducted by police at suspected hide-outs of accused when the reports last came in.

US-Pak discuss Kashmir issue

ISLAMABAD, Mar 26: The Indo-Pak composite dialogue to resolve Kashmir and other outstanding issues figured in talks the two top visiting US officials had with Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan here today.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Richard Boucher met Khan to discuss "aspects of bilateral relations, including economic and defence cooperation," Pakistan Foreign office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told reporters here.

The Indo-Pak composite dialogue and Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan also figured in the talks between the two sides.

Negroponte and Khan reviewed the Pak-US strategic dialogue that began in 2006 and agreed that the third round of talks should be "held as soon as possible". Khan suggested that the meet should be held in June.

According to the set procedure, the next round of the parleys will be held in Washington, Sadiq said.

The top US officials also met Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani today, a day after holding talks with President Pervez Musharraf, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif.

Sadiq evaded questions about the visit of the US officials coinciding with the swearing-in of new Premier Yousuf Raza Gillani and said the "meetings and programme had been on the cards for some time".

He said the US was committed to investing USD 750 million over the next five years for the development of Pakistan’s federally administered tribal areas. The US will also help set up Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZs) in tribal areas and their products will have duty-free access to US markets.

Also, he said there is no link between the setting up of the ROZs and the free movement of US troops in the tribal areas. "Operations in Pakistani territory will be conducted only by Pakistani troops. On the other side of the border, they will be conducted by ISAF, NATO and Afghan troops."(PTI)

HC's directive to Excise Comm

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 26: Justice Virender Singh of State High Court today directed Excise and Taxation Commissioner to accept the license fee from the petitioners for the year 2008-09 for running their liquor vends.

After hearing both the sides, Justice Virender Singh said that Advocate General has not been able to strongly oppose the submissions made by the counsels for petitioners while admitting that the bunch of petitioners were likely to consume considerable time as many vital issues were involved.

He otherwise submitted that running of liquor vends even for 2008-09 should not have equitable tilt in favour of the petitioners in the event of the petitions being disallowed at any subsequent stage therefore depositing of license fee would be at their own risk.

Upon this, the Court directed the Excise Commissioner to accept the license fee from the petitioners for the year 2008-09 for running the liquor vends. The fee shall be deposited and accepted on or before March 31, 2008.

It was made clear that running of liquor vends would not be considered as an equity tilting towards the petitioners in the event of their petitions being dismissed on merit and directions were issued to the registry to list the bunch of petitioners in the third week of May, 2008.

PPP-PML bid to resolve differences

ISLAMABAD, Mar 26: With Pakistan’s new Premier Yousuf Raza Gillani set to seek a trust vote on Saturday, PPP and PML-N are trying to iron out differences over allocation of "strategic" Ministries so that the first group of his Cabinet colleagues can be sworn-in the same day.

During a series of meetings held in the past two weeks, the two coalition parties have agreed to allocate berths in the Cabinet in proportion to the seats held by them and their allies in the two houses of Parliament. However, there are still differences between them over the allocation of key Ministries like Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior.

PPP yesterday submitted a resolution to the National Assembly Secretariat for summoning a session of the lower House of Parliament in the morning of March 29 for Gillani to seek a vote of confidence. Sources in the PPP and PML-N said the first batch of Ministers is expected to take oath later the same day.

"The announcement of the Cabinet is not expected before the vote of confidence," PPP spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

He acknowledged that there were still "some issues that needed to be resolved" between PPP and PML-N over the Cabinet formation.

Sources said differences between the PPP and PML-N over "strategic" Ministries like Interior, Defence, Finance, Foreign Affairs and Information were the main reason behind the delay in the announcement of the Cabinet.

They said both parties were eyeing the Foreign Affairs Ministry and were equally reluctant about taking up the Finance Ministry in view of the heightened expectations of the people that the new Government will tackle the economic problems facing Pakistan.

Reports suggested that the Awami National Party’s (ANP’s) demand for the Ministry of Water and Power had also put the PPP in a difficult position. The ANP and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam are the other key members of the new coalition, which is also being supported by some independents and lawmakers from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Sources said 20 Ministers are likely to be sworn in on Saturday, including 20 from the PPP, seven to eight from the PML-N and the remainder from the ANP and Jamiat.

PPP leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who yesterday joined party co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari for a meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, is widely tipped to be the new Foreign Minister.

PPP has suggested that PML-N leader Ishaq Dar, who was Finance Minister in the previous government headed by Nawaz Sharif, should be given the same portfolio. PPP leaders Sherry Rehman and Syed Khurshid Shah are likely to be appointed as Information Minister and Parliamentary Affairs Minister respectively.

Slain former premier Benazir Bhutto’s security advisor Rehman Malik could be inducted as an advisor to the Interior Ministry, sources said. Farooq Naek, who served as a lawyer of Bhutto and Zardari, could be made the Law Minister.

Other PPP leaders being considered for Cabinet berths are Naveed Qamar, Raza Rabbani, Babar Awan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Zardari’s sister Azra Fazal and Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar.

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman is likely to be made Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir while his party might get the Religious Affairs Ministry, sources said.

The formation of the Cabinet was also discussed during a meeting between Gillani and Zardari last night. (PTI)

Srinagar blast
Two Hizbul militants arrested

SRINAGAR : Within 10 days of a deadly blast in the heart of the city, Jammu and Kashmir Police today claimed to have worked out the case by arresting two Hizbul Mujahideen militants.

The two-Samir Mir and Jehangir alias Kinga-were arrested by the state police for their alleged involvement in the explosion that shattered the six-month long peace in the city.

While Mir is a resident of Baramulla district and was staying on the outskirts of the city, Jehangir was a resident of uptown Batmaloo.

The militants claimed that they had used five litres of explosives on the fateful day which was kept in a plastic jerry can. A mobile phone was used as a triggering mechanism, police said adding the sim card had also been recovered from the site of explosion.

They told the police that they wanted to detonate the explosive material at a bakery shop opposite the residence of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed as that place was frequented by para-military forces including officers and their families.

However, the same could not materialise due to the vigilance of the security forces after which the explosive material was kept in an abandoned bunker at Budshah Chowk flyover.

The blast, which took place on March 19, left one person dead and at least 16 others injured, while damaging window panes of several passenger vehicles.

The impact of the explosion was so huge that it damaged a portion of the flyover at exhibition crossing. (PTI)