ISLAMABAD
Dec 27: Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto succumbed to her injuries in the hospital, tv channels reported. She had received grievous bullet injuries in the neck region and head injuries from the bomb blast at the election meeting at Liaquat Bagh which also claimed at least 20 more lives. (Posted @ 18:28 PST)
More powerful in death than life...
...A graduate of Harvard and Oxford, she brought the backing of Washington and London, where she impresses with her political lineage, her considerable charm and her persona as a female Muslim leader....
December 26, 2007
Musharraf asks administration to ensure foolproof security during polls (click here)
Islamabad (PTI): President Pervez Musharraf on wednesday directed the administration to ensure foolproof security during next month's general election and to "eliminate" militancy in Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province.
Musharraf, who reviewed the security situation in Pakistan during a five-hour meeting with top civil and military officials, said foolproof security should be provided to all politicians and parties for the January 8 parliamentary polls.
He also said polls would be held as scheduled in Swat where the army is conducting a major operation against pro-Taliban militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah.
Musharraf told the officials that the election code of conduct and security measures should be implemented in letter and spirit.
The government would not tolerate any insurgency and all militants would be eliminated from Swat, he said.
Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah briefed the meeting on the overall security situation and the investigation into recent suicide attacks in the North West Frontier Province. The meeting was co-chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.
Shah also submitted a report on the recent escape of terror suspect Rashid Rauf, who was arrested last year on suspicion of involvement in a plot to bomb airliners travelling from Britain to the US.
The Director General Military Operations, Maj Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, briefed the meeting about the military operation in Swat.
Islamabad (PTI): President Pervez Musharraf on wednesday directed the administration to ensure foolproof security during next month's general election and to "eliminate" militancy in Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province.
Musharraf, who reviewed the security situation in Pakistan during a five-hour meeting with top civil and military officials, said foolproof security should be provided to all politicians and parties for the January 8 parliamentary polls.
He also said polls would be held as scheduled in Swat where the army is conducting a major operation against pro-Taliban militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah.
Musharraf told the officials that the election code of conduct and security measures should be implemented in letter and spirit.
The government would not tolerate any insurgency and all militants would be eliminated from Swat, he said.
Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah briefed the meeting on the overall security situation and the investigation into recent suicide attacks in the North West Frontier Province. The meeting was co-chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.
Shah also submitted a report on the recent escape of terror suspect Rashid Rauf, who was arrested last year on suspicion of involvement in a plot to bomb airliners travelling from Britain to the US.
The Director General Military Operations, Maj Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, briefed the meeting about the military operation in Swat.
Perhaps, simply, convenient timing.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 26: A high level meeting held here on Wednesday directed the interior ministry and the provincial governments to make foolproof security arrangements for the general elections.
Informed sources told Dawn that President Pervez Musharraf, who presided over the meeting, directed the officials concerned to also ensure security of political leaders and candidates.
Sources said that the meeting took notice of display of illegal arms during the poll campaign and directed the authorities to take necessary action.
According to the sources, the president said that people involved in displaying weapons should be arrested and their weapons should be confiscated. The president was of the view that even licensed arms should not be allowed to be displayed in political rallies and meetings.
He told the meeting that the army would stay in Swat till the entire valley was cleared of militants.
He directed the federal government and the NWFP administration to prepare as soon as possible a socio-economic development package for the people of Swat and adjoining areas.
The meeting was attended by caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, the governor and chief minister of the NWFP, senior officials of interior ministry, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and the director general military operations.
President Musharraf called for an immediate damage assessment for payment of compensation to families affected during the military operation.
Secretary interior Syed Kamal Shah briefed the meeting on steps being taken to provide security and maintain law and order during the elections.
