International Women’s Day will reach a milestone in 2010 as it marks its 100th anniversary. For 100 years International Women’s Day celebrates the political, economic, cultural and social achievement of women around the world. Not only is IWD a celebration it also serves as reminder of the continuing struggle for equality that so many women face across the world.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that political powers have won in NA-55 polls.

During a media talk in Karachi, the PM said that seat adjustment would be made during local bodies elections. The Premier hailed Army for successful operation in Malakand and Swat, and added that forces have a control over important areas of South Waziristan. “We believe in provincial autonomy”, the PM maintained. Replying to a question, Gilani assured that water distribution issue between Sindh and Punjab would be resolved soon, adding that steps were being taken in this regard.

Pakistan News: Admitting flaws in the incumbent government, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said, “ The country do not afford holdong of mid-term polls, adding that, all the outstanding issued would be resolved only if the democratic set up would be continued”.
Addressing a gathering at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, the PM said, “Beauty of democracy lies in difference of opinion, and the future of country depended on the continuation of democracy”. He maintained that all the political parties were united in the country and added that problems did not call for reversal of everything. He said politics was not a film industry where faces change, and added that same faces would come in forefront if the mid-term polls were held. The PM said that it is President’s constitutional right to address the parliament and added that it would be a great injustice to compare a dictator with a democratic government. He noted that reconciliatory politics was Benazir Bhutto’s vision.
He said that good governance meant that the judiciary should dispense justice to the masses and did not mean that the PM should deliver. He asserted that the provincial governments were as much accountable in this regard. The PM noted that terrorism topped all the big challenges facing the country. He hailed the army, saying that the armed forces are extending sacrifices to save future of the country.

WASHINGTON: The United States is looking forward to a stable relationship between India and Pakistan, especially as they resume peace talks next week, Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Robert Blake said.

He said this while talking about the regional dynamics between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Blake said Pakistan, India and the US all face the common threat of terrorism. He said, “While we would like to see India and Pakistan reach a stable relationship, they will do so on their own terms at the appropriate time.”

The foreign secretaries of the two countries are all set to resume bilateral talks on February 25 in New Delhi. The composite dialogue and peace process came to a halt in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

Earlier this week, the State Department welcomed the political commitment of India and Pakistan to resume peace talks.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency and informed the President about the opinions of the legal experts about the Supreme Court verdict on NRO.

The President and Prime Minister also discussed the appointment of the new judge at Supreme Court and the political and security situation of the country.

Earlier, the president hosted a luncheon in the honour of the leaders of the allied parties. Dr. Farooque Sattar and Asfandyar Wali attended the lunch while another government ally Maulana Fazlur Rehman was absent.

The president taken the coalition partners into confidence over the current political situation.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission shreds the fabric of our already weakened democracy by allowing corporations to more completely dominate our corrupted electoral process. It is outrageous that corporations already attempt to influence or bribe our political candidates through their political action committees (PACs), which solicit employees and shareholders for donations. With this decision, corporations can now also draw on their corporate treasuries and pour vast amounts of corporate money, through independent expenditures, into the electoral swamp already flooded with corporate campaign PAC contribution dollars.

This corporatist, anti-voter decision is so extreme that it should galvanize a grassroots effort to enact a Constitutional Amendment to once and for all end corporate personhood and curtail the corrosive impact of big money on politics. It is indeed time for a Constitutional amendment to prevent corporate campaign contributions from commercializing our elections and drowning out the civic and political voices and values of citizens and voters. It is way overdue to overthrow “King Corporation” and restore the sovereignty of “We the People”!

Pakistan News: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that he has made democracy so strong that neither he can arrest Nawaz Sharif nor Nawaz Sharif can ever arrest him.
Addressing the PPP Lahore Council meeting in Governor House, President Asif Ali Zardari said external challenges were faced by the government in initial two years and will now overcome the economic and political challenges internally. He also said that nothing can be so far said about forming coalition with PML-N for the local body elections. While on the other side President has also formed a core committee of PPP to resolve the political and administrative issues in Punjab which will directly report to the President.

KARACHI, Pakistan News: Pakistan’s commercial capital Karachi nearly shut down on Friday as religious and political leaders called a strike to protest against violence after a suicide bomber killed 43 people at a Ashura procession.

The streets of Karachi were nearly empty. The stock exchange was closed. Karachi Transport Ittihad, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Jaffaria Alliance and several other political parties backed the strike call. The transport is completely off the road, however, private vehicles witnessed on the roads. All papers scheduled today have already been canceled.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the presidency and discussed with him the current political situation of the country.

The two leaders exchanged views over the upcoming socio-economic uplift package for Balochistan, post NRO scenario, the expected reshuffle in federal cabinet and various issues relating to the concerns of ruling allies.

Sources said the discussion dominated the scathing criticism facing ruling quarters including president house following the exposed list of NRO beneficiaries.

In the meeting, it was also discussed to invite PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif for another meeting aimed at deescalating tension with the “friendly opposition.”

It merits mentioning here that Zardari has summoned the joint session of both the Houses of the Parliament on Tuesday to approve the Balochistan package.

All arrangements for the joint sitting have reportedly been finalized.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan News : The government would make Swat and Malakand as role models in the country, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said while addressing National Assembly Monday.

We know our responsibilities and fulfill those responsibilities. We will develop NWFP and Baluchistan. All the problems would be solved with the political strategy, PM Gilani added.

The government is continuing the reconstrucion work in Swat and Malakand on its first priority. We have also put special focus on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of South Waziristan. The IDPs of South Waziristan are given Rs 5000 each month and after their return to homes, they will be provided with Rs 25000. The major task is the reconstruction of South Waziristan and that will start after the military operation is over. There would no vacuum in South Waziristan after the end of the military operation. We will build political, administrative, economic and social spheres in the terrorist affected area of South Waziristan, he added.