Clinton presses Pakistan on terror groups

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) listens as India’s Minister for External Affairs S.M. Krishna (L) speaks at a breakfast meeting in New Delhi on May 8, 2012. – Photo by AFP

NEW DELHI: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Tuesday on Pakistan to do more to crack down on violent extremism, a day after she said al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri was believed to be hiding there.

“Combating violent extremism is something we all agree on,” Clinton said during a press conference at the end of a trip to India.

“We look to the government of Pakistan to do more. It needs to make sure its territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorist attacks, including inside Pakistan.”

Clinton said that the US was “cooperating closely with India regarding the threats that emanate against them.”

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the Secretary National Assembly and Secretary Senate to submit a list of members of the parliament holding dual nationality.

Moreover, the apex court also issued notices to Senator Rehman Malik and MNA Farahnaz Isfahani.

A three member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, resumed the hearing of the petition filed by Mahmood Akhter Naqvi against parliamentarians having dual nationality.

During proceedings, Mian Abdurraoof appeared on behalf of Chaudhry Zahid Hussain, MNA and sought time for filing reply.

Pakistan militants vow holy war for bin Laden

Militants vowed to continue fighting the United States, a year since the death of al Qaeda Chief Osama bin Laden.—File Photo

MIRANSHAH: Militants in Pakistan’s North Waziristan on Tuesday distributed pamphlets pledging holy war to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Osama bin Laden, albeit a week late.

Masked militants armed with assault rifles handed out copies of the pamphlet from pick-up vehicles in Miranshah, the main town of the tribal district that has become known as Pakistan’s premier al Qaeda and Taliban hub.

“Let us pledge today that we will continue our jihad (holy war) and sacrifice our lives and property in the way of Allah like Sheikh Osama did,” it said, unsigned and dated May 2, the anniversary of the Al-Qaeda leader’s killing by US troops.

Interpretation of law exclusive domain of the judiciary, says SC

Supreme Court of Pakistan. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued the detailed verdict in the contempt of court case against Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, DawnNews reported. 

The verdict, comprising 77 pages, was authored by Justice Nasirul Mulk. The text of the verdict is available here.

Regarding the argument that the letter to Swiss authorities could not be written as President Asif Ali Zardari enjoyed immunity, the order said:

“The Respondent’s stand amounts to saying that the order of this Court is non-implementable, as he believes that the same is not in accord with the Constitution of Pakistan and the International law. This argument, if accepted, would set a dangerous precedent and anyone would then successfully flout the orders of the Courts by pleading that according to his interpretation they are not in accord with the law.”

Lyari operation enters day eight

Police officers take positions during a crackdown operation against criminals in Karachi’s Lyari area, April 30, 2012. — Photo by AP

KARACHI: Karachi’s neighbourhood of Lyari remained tense on Friday as the operation against criminal elements in the area entered its eighth day, DawnNews reported.

Sporadic gunfire could be heard in the area as authorities reportedly finalised plans to use helicopters for the operation and deploy Rangers in the area.

Earlier, the police claimed to have taken two alleged gangsters’ bodies into custody after killing them in an exchange of fire in the area’s Afshani Gali on Thursday morning.