Reference: http://thenews.jang.com.pk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday named Yousuf Raza Gillani as its nominee for Prime Minister.Co-Chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari announced the name of Yousuf Raza Gillani as the PM candidate in a statement read out by the spokesman of PPP Farhatullah Babar.The name of the candidate for the prime ministerial job was finalized by the Pakistan People’s Party after due consultations with the democratic parties and coalition partners, said the statement.

Asif Ali Zardari thanked Makhdoom Yousuf Raza Gillani for assuming the great responsibility of becoming the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and wished him success in discharging his duties with responsiblity.Country’s new prime minister will take oath of his office Tuesday morning - March 25 - at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, under the 1973 Constitution.

The President has already summoned the National Assembly to meet on Monday at 1600 hrs to elect the new leader of the house.The session has been summoned for ascertainment of the member who commands the confidence of the majority of members of National Assembly, under Article 91 (2A) of the Constitution.The Speaker National Assembly will intimate the President in writing the result and a notification will be published in the Gazette.

The protocol wing of the Presidency is finalising the lists of invitees who will attend the ceremony. These will include the four governors, President, PM of Azad Jammu Kashmir, the Chief Justice, Attorney General, the services chiefs, leaders of political parties, ambassadors, senior officials and notables.The oath taking ceremony will begin with the recitation from the Holy Quran and the new Prime Minister will be invited to take oath of office as provided in the Third Schedule, under the 1973 Constitution.

President Musharraf will administer oath to the new Prime Minister, who, under the constitution has to obtain a vote of confidence from the National Assembly within a period of 60 days.

Reference: http://www.livepakistan.com/

The 19-year-old son of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan to announce his party’s nomination for the post of prime minister.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is a student in the U.K., flew home yesterday and will probably make the announcement early next week, said Farhatullah Babar, a spokesman for the Pakistan Peoples Party.

The PPP is trying to form a coalition government with other opposition parties to challenge President Pervez Musharraf. Its nomination for the post of premier must be approved by the newly elected National Assembly.Zardari’s father and co-chairman of the party, Asif Ali Zardari, summoned his son in an effort to heal a rift within the PPP over who should become prime minister, said Rasul Bakhsh Rais, a political scientist at the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

Makhdoom Amin Fahim, who led the PPP for seven years while Bhutto was in exile, is seeking nomination. According to Pakistani media reports, he may break away from the party with his supporters if sidelined.Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will use his symbolic appeal as the surviving son of the Bhutto dynasty, which founded the PPP, to “ask Fahim to stay in the party and reconcile,” said Rais.

Coalition Government

The PPP and former premier Nawaz Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz reached an agreement on March 9 to form a coalition government after they defeated the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid- i-Azam party, which is backed by Musharraf, in the Feb. 18 vote.

The coalition, which also includes the Awami National Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, is just short of the two-thirds majority needed to oust Musharraf. It aims to reduce the powers of the president, including his authority to dismiss Parliament.Asif Ali Zardari indicated after the election that Fahim would win the nomination. Other lawmakers in the alliance voiced opposition, saying Fahim may cooperate too closely with Musharraf.

PPP officials say Asif Ali Zardari is considering taking the post for himself. Fahim told reporters yesterday he wouldn’t step aside for any other candidate than the elder Zardari. Between Fahim and the Bhutto clan, both from rural Sindh province, “there are family ties of honor and loyalty and respect,” Rais said. As the son of Fahim’s former leader, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will play on those traditional values in appealing to him, he said.

Special Election

To be eligible for the post of prime minister, Asif Ali Zardari must first be elected to Parliament. He could do that in a special election that must be held in his wife’s former constituency in Sindh province, where voting was postponed after she was assassinated in December.

The elder Zardari is considering at least three party leaders from Punjab province for the post, according to Pakistani media reports. Among them is Yousuf Raza Gilani, a party vice-chairman who spent five years in jail for alleged corruption.

Reference: http://pakistaniat.com/

The vast majority of Pakistanis are Muslims - over 160 million according to some counts - and will celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi today to mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Coincidently, this year Eid Milad-n-Nabi comes on exactly the same day when the another 3 million Pakistani Christians will be marking Good Friday to commemorate the day when Prophet Jesus (PBUH) was crucified. About an equal number of Pakistanis - the 3 million Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan (also here and here) - will be celebrating the festival of Holi today (my understanding is that although Holi is a primarily Hindu festival it is also widely celebrated by Sikhs, especially in the Punjab).

Whether they be in the masjid, their mandir, thier gurdwara or their girja ghar, we share heartfelt good wishes with all - in Pakistan and everywhere else - who commemorate these occasions today. The coincidence of Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Good Friday and Holi falling on the exact same day (in 2006 it was Diwali and Eid that came back to back) can be symbolic. But only if we want it to be so.

Symbolism, after all, is important only if one is inclined to derive the message from the symbol. For those who do, there are many good messages to be derived from this coincidence. None more important than the message of religious harmony, tolerance and minority rights. It is a message that we in Pakistan as well as everyone else in our conflict torn world can learn much from.

For those Pakistanis who are Muslims and live as the overwhelming majority in Pakistan today may be a good day to think of those Muslims - including but not only Pakistani Muslims - who live as minorities in societies where the overwhelming majorities are of other faiths. How would we like them to be treated by those around them… and should we not treat those of other religious traditions who live amongst us the same way. To think not just of the bad treatment that we object to, but of the good treatment that we all hope for. Maybe this would be a good opportunity and a good way to think of what it means to be a minority. In doing so, I hope they will also think of non-Muslim minorities living in Pakistan. Maybe those of other faiths living elsewhere in the world will similarly think of the religious minorities - including but not only Muslims - in their own societies and do likewise.

Maybe on this day when so many people in so many places are reminded of why their own faith means so much to them and gives so much to them … maybe on this day they will all also take a moment to show respect to the faiths of others as much as they want their own faith to be respected. I have no relious or scholarly authority to know what Muhammad, Jesus or the great sages of Hinduism would have said about this, but within my heart I cannot imagine that they could possibly have wanted otherwise.

Peace, to all.

Reference: http://pakistanlink.com/

KARACHI: Pakistan are asking to Sri Lanka to help fill their scheduling gap after Australia shelved a planned tour over security fears, an official said Wednesday. Pakistan want Sri Lanka to visit in the second half of April after Bangladesh agreed to play earlier in the month. Australia were due to tour from March 29 to April 29. “Sri Lankan Board’s president Arjuna Ranatunga is coming to Pakistan on Thursday and I hope that he will agree to send his team for a one-day series,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf said. Bangladesh will play five one-day matches next month here, Ashraf added.

Sri Lanka are touring the West Indies until April 15. Ashraf also brushed off doubts over Pakistan’s hosting of the ICC Champions Trophy in September and the Asia Cup in June and July. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Pakistan will host the elite Champions Trophy from September 11-28. But it named Sri Lanka as an alternative venue in case Pakistan is not cleared on security issues. “ICC is sending an advanced party to Pakistan on Thursday which will assess facilities and security in Pakistan and we hope to host the event in a befitting manner,” Ashraf said. Separately, an Asian Cricket Council delegation is in Pakistan and will announce the dates and venues for the Asian Cup in Lahore on Thursday. “We have unequivocal confirmation from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong to come for the Asia Cup,” said Ashraf. Ashraf also said he held meetings with Cricket Australia (CA) chief Creagh O’Conner in Dubai and hoped that the postponed Australia series will be rescheduled very soon. CA has invited the PCB chairman to visit Australia to fix new dates for the tour. Australia’s tour had been in doubt for months amid questions about security following a series of major blasts and serious political upheaval.

Reference: http://www.jannah.org/

In the name of Allah, all Praise is due to Allah, and may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon His beloved Messenger. Upon him, his family and companions, and those that follow them in righteousness till the final day.

The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,was sitting in his home, his lower legs uncovered. Abu Bakr ,Radi Allahu Anhu ,came in and then Umar , Radi Allahu Anhu ,and the Prophet ,Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,remained in his position. Then when Uthman ,Radi Allahu Anhu ,arrived the Prophet ,Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,sat up, covered his lower leg and greeted him with the warmest greeting. Aisha ,Radi Allahu Anha ,witnessed this and she later questioned the Messenger of Allah ,Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,about his action. He ,Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,said, “Should I not be shy from he whom the angels are shy from?”

In the hadith we began explaining last week, when Jibraeel came to the Prophet ,Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,and asked him about Islam, Eeman, and Ihsan, the Messenger of Allah ,Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,said when asked, ‘What is Eeman?’ He ,Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam ,said, “Eeman is to believe in Allah, in His angels, His books, His Messengers, the Last Day, and the divine decree ,the good and the bad thereof.” Today we shall talk about Eeman in the Angels.

All throughout the stages of our creation the angels have been there with some duty. When we were nothing in our mothers stomach, an angel was there breathing a soul into us. They are there every day reporting to Allah our Salah. They are there every second recording what we whisper and speak. When the time of our death comes they are ready to take our soul. And when the day of Judgement commences, an angel will blow the trumpet to announce it.

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Reference: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/

LAHORE: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday confirmed Pakistan as the host for the Asia Cup to be played in June-July this year. Pakistan, India and Hong Kong are in Group B while defending champions Sri Lanka are joined by Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Group A for the ninth edition of the tournament. “All the teams have confirmed their participation and we hope to have a safe and highly competitive Asia Cup in three months time,” ACC chief executive Ashraful Haq told reporters during a press conference at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) here. ACC president Arjuna Ranatunga and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Nasim Ashraf were also present on the occasion.

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Reference: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly will meet for election of the Leader of the House on March 24, a statement here said.

President Musharraf has signed the summary to convene the session of the lower house of the parliament after receiving it from the prime minister secretariat.

The president has summoned the National Assembly session for election of the prime minister on March 24 at 4:00 pm, the sources said.

The National Assembly has elected its speaker and deputy speaker in its session on Wednesday through secret ballot.

Reference: http://health.yahoo.com/

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects your bones. It means you have bones that are thin and brittle, with lots of holes inside them like a sponge. This makes them easy to break. Osteoporosis can lead to broken bones (fractures) in the hip, spine, and wrist. These fractures can be disabling and may make it hard for you to live on your own.

See a picture of healthy bone versus bone weakened by osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis affects millions of older adults. It usually strikes after age 60. It’s most common in women, but men can get it too.

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Reference: http://www.economist.com/

THE moustaches have ousted the beards. While Parliament met this week in Islamabad to debate who should be prime minister nationally, at the provincial level in the North West Frontier (NWFP), a deal has been done. Later this month, the Awami National Party (ANP), a secular Pushtun outfit, will take over the provincial government from the Islamist Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), an alliance of six Islamic parties. It will do so in coalition with the Pakistan People’s Party of the assassinated former prime minister, Benazir Bhutto, with which it signed a provincial power-sharing agreement on March 5th. The takeover is the result of Pakistan’s recent election, at which the ANP increased its representation from a mere seven to 46 of the province’s 99 constituencies. The Islamic alliance, half of which boycotted the poll, won just 14.

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Reference: http://www.muslimaccess.com/

What is Democracy?

What is the term “Islamic Democracy” meant for?

Is there any perception of democracy in Islam?

Does Islam believe in democracy?

These are some burning questions being discussed not only in the minds of non Muslims but also in the minds of Muslim youth today.

First of all I must say that I personally don’t believe in the term “Islamic Democracy”. When we use this term it appears in our minds that Democracy is a different and a separate idea from Islam.

With due apology I must say we are mistaken. Democracy is not a separate or superior ideology from Islam. In fact democracy is very much there in Islam. When we analyse what democracy is We come to the conclusion that it is nothing but the sense of Responsibility and Accountability. The absolute system of governing, which Islam presents totally based upon three golden fundamentals i.e. Consultation, Responsibility and Accountability.

There is no concept of dictatorship, popism (mullaiyat) and totalitarianism in Islam. Islam doesn’t believe in any kind of Monarchy and Oligarchy. The political system of Islam totally depends upon Shooraiat (consultation). The significance of consultation in governance proves by this that a complete surah in Quran is named “Al-shoorah” (consultation). It is ordered in the 38th verse of this surah that you must consult with each other in dealing the problems and matters of people.

This verse is the base and essence of the Islamic political and governing system. The period of Sahabah was a practical commentary of this verse. Hazrat Abu Bakar didn’t decide many major problems of politics, or cases, without consultation. As stated in the “Musnad-e-Darmi”, “whenever a person placed his dispute for decision before him, first he looked into the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mpbh and then, he consulted all the Muslims.

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