Mediawatch Desi Apr 02: Ashfaq Kayani Honoured, Gillani, Ministeries Swapped, A Q Khan, Zardari, Altaf and the other Bhais

WASHINGTON — Since Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani took command of Pakistan’s Army last November, a parade of top American officers and spymasters has trooped to Islamabad to urge him to wage an aggressive campaign against Al Qaeda and other militants in the country’s restive tribal areas. The American officials have come away gushing about the Pakistani general’s military prowess and his commitment to disentangle the army from domestic politics. General Kayani’s predecessor, Pervez Musharraf, resigned last year to become a civilian president. Army Chief in Pakistan Wins Honor From U.S. By ERIC SCHMIT

“I would like the media to play the role of the opposition. The media should correct us. We will welcome positive criticism,” he added. The prime minister said that he wanted to take all political forces on board to face the challenges confronting the country, because he was heading a coalition government. Gillani vows to change system - By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Division on Tuesday announced changes to the portfolios of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ministers Khawaja Saad Rafique and Tehmina Daultana. The notification said that Saad would now be in charge of the Ministry of Culture, along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs. He had previously headed the Ministry of Science and Technology, which has now been given to Tehmina, who was previously the Minister of Culture. Aisa Bhee Hota Hay

ISLAMABAD - The father of Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Dr A Q Khan Tuesday said that he had been kept under illegal detention and hoped that the new Government would soon lift restrictions on his movement. “My health is deteriorating and the claims of the Government about my physical well- being do not carry weight”, he said in an exclusive interview with Nawa-i-Waqt. He said that the cardinal cause of his bad health was his solitary confinement. AQ Khan hopes new govt will free him SOHAIL ABDUL NASIR

KARACHI - Muttahida Qaumi Movement is expected to decide name of the candidates for Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly slots within 24 hours.
Well-placed sources in the party revealed on Tuesday that MQM Coordination Committee has proposed the names of Parliamentary Leader Sardar Ahmed, joint incharge Abdul Haseeb and Askari Taqvi for Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker slots respectively in Sindh Assembly for the approval of party chief Altaf Hussain. Is this why Zardari is visiting 90?


All political parties should accept the mandate of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), because it is “the third-largest political party in Pakistan,” MQM founder Altaf Hussain said Tuesday during a telephonic address delivered to traders and industrialists of Karachi. Hussain also demanded that the prime minister constitute an inquiry commission, comprising judges from the International Court of Justice, to inquire into the June 19, 1992, operation against the MQM, as well as the mayhem of May 12, 2007, and the “loot, plunder and murder” on December 27, 2007. Altaf demands probe into 1992 operation against MQM


Hasan Nisar's Column in Urdu Jang - Bhai Bhai or Bye Bye?