Trump in India: US President lauds Pakistan over anti terrorism efforts, Modi irate. Click on the link to see full news on BAADBAN TV

AHMEDABAD: United States President Donald Trump on Monday appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace while expressing hope for a reduction in tensions in the region.

Addressing a packed rally in Ahmedabad after his arrival in India, Trump said that the US has a very good relationship with Pakistan. “US and India are committed to stopping terrorists and fight their ideology. For this reason, since taking office, my administration is working in a very positive way with Pakistan to crack down on terrorist organisations and militants which operate on the Pakistani border,” he said.

“Our relationship with Pakistan is a very good one. Thanks to these efforts, we are beginning to see signs of big progress with Pakistan and we are hopeful for reduced tensions, greater stability and the future of harmony for all of the nations of South Asia,” said Trump on the first day of his whirlwind 36-hour visit meant to reaffirm US-India ties.

More than 100,000 people packed into the world’s largest cricket stadium, giving Trump the biggest rally crowd of his political career, for the pinnacle of the day’s trio of presidential photo-ops. The boisterous scene featured soldiers on camels, a mix of songs from Bollywood hits and Trump’s campaign rally playlist, including an Elton John hit that seemed to puzzle most of the crowd. Trump basked in the raucous reception that has eluded him on many foreign trips, some of which have featured massive protests and icy handshakes from world leaders.

Nearly everyone in the newly constructed stadium in Ahmedabad in western India sported a white cap with the name of the event, “Namaste, Trump” or “Welcome, Trump”, and roared for the introductions of both Trump and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Trump opened his speech by declaring that he traveled 8,000 miles to deliver the message that “America loves India, America respects India and America will always be faithful and loyal friends to the Indian people”.

Perhaps alluding to tough negotiations over trade, Trump lightheartedly told the rally crowd, “Everybody loves him, but I will tell you this. He’s very tough.”

The two nations are closely allied, in part to act as a bulwark against the rising influence of nearby China, but trade tensions between the two countries have escalated since the Trump administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum from India. India responded with higher penalties on agricultural goods and restrictions on US medical devices. The US retaliated by removing India from a decades-old preferential trade programme.

There was no mention by Trump of the protests enveloping India over its Citizenship Amendment Act, which provides a fast track to naturalisation for some migrants who entered the country illegally while fleeing religious persecution but excludes Muslims. The passage has raised fears that the country is moving toward a religious citizenship test and prompted large-scale protests and a violent crackdown.

TRUMP ARRIVES IN INDIA:

Earlier, Trump arrived in India for a lightning visit featuring a huge rally at the world’s biggest cricket stadium and other high-profile photo opportunities, but likely short on concrete achievements.

Trade tensions have grown between the world’s two biggest democracies as Trump’s “America First” drive collides with fellow protectionist strongman Indian PM Modi’s “Make in India” mantra.

While sharing concerns about China and deepening defense ties, India has bristled at Trump’s offer to mediate over the Kashmir dispute with Pakistan and at unease in Washington over a citizenship law criticised as anti-Muslim.

Excited crowds began queuing at 4:00 am to get into the brand new stadium for the “Namaste Trump” rally, payback for a “Howdy Modi” event in Houston last year in front of cheering Indian-Americans where Trump likened Modi to Elvis Presley.

“We hope the US liberalises its visa regime for skilled workers. They need it and India has too many young skilled and talented people,” said student Maunas Shastri.

Parts of the Taj Mahal, the white marble “jewel of Muslim art” according to UNESCO, were given a mud-pack facial to remove stains while efforts were undertaken to lessen the stench of the adjacent river.

Trump told a rally on Thursday that “six to 10 million people” would be along the route of his motorcade, but this appears to have been a misunderstanding. Organisers said there will be tens of thousands.

Thousands of posters with the words were erected every 10 metres (yards) along Ahmedabad’s major roads. Sellers of flags and masks of Modi and Trump were doing brisk business.

Trump tweeted en route to India — in Hindi — that he was “eager to come to India” while Modi responded by saying that “guests are next to God”, a well-known saying.

Brwal among Attorney General and Law Minister.Newly-appointed AGP seeks autonomy from law and justice ministry. Click on the link to see full news on BAADBAN TV

ISLAMABAD: Impediments continue to plague the federal law and justice ministry with Khalid Javed Khan writing three letters on his first day as  attorney general of Pakistan, seeking autonomy and clarifications.

The newly-appointed AGP has written to Prime Minister Imran Khan seeking autonomy for the office of the attorney general. He has proposed that the office of the attorney general of Pakistan should be autonomous from the administrative control of the law and justice ministry.

In a letter addressed to the federal law and justice ministry, Khan has sought clarification from Dr Farogh Naseem over new appointments of law officers.

He cited a local newspaper’s report claiming “frantic efforts” appoint top law officers across the country in a bid to “oblige the legal fraternity” scrutinising Naseem over the law ministry’s decisions including the presidential reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

Post-AGP exit: Who will plead presidential reference against Justice Isa?

“You would recall that during our meeting earlier today you had clarified that no such action is in the offing and therefore no law officers are being terminated/appointed,” reads the AGP’s letter. “We had agreed further that we shall be working within the prescribed constitutional limits of our respective office and that no appointments, transfers or other matters relating to the law officers would be taken by the law and justice division without prior consent of the attorney general of Pakistan.”

Noting that the news story had “unnecessarily created confusion regarding the relationship between the law and justice division and the office of the attorney general of Pakistan”, Khan requested Naseem to issue an “appropriate formal clarification”.

“Looking forward to a good working relationship between the law and justice division and the officer of the attorney general within our respective domains,” he emphasised.

The new top law officer has also conveyed to the law and justice ministry that his office will proceed international litigation and now allow interference from the ministry

AG Khalid Javed excuses himself from appearing in Justice Faez Isa case. Click on the link to see full news on BAADBAN TV

The new Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP), Barrister Khalid Javed Khan, has excused himself from proceedings of Justice Qazi Faez Isa case by justifying before the Supreme Court that there “is a conflict of interest.”

As the top court began the hearing on Monday to resume the petitions in the reference case against Justice Isa despite the fact that a request for a three-week adjournment by Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Aamir Rehman has already been filed in the court, the attorney general pleaded with the court to allow the additional attorney general to carry on with the same case.

“I can’t appear in this case on the government’s behalf […] I request the court to approve my request as there’s a conflict of interest,” he said, adding that Mr Rehman was already prepared to proceed with the case.

To this, the apex court remarked, “We could have given you more time […] you have sought a three-week time for preparation, [and] we consider that the additional attorney general is prepared.”

“I have to go abroad for some ‘national interest’ […] I need time till March 20,” the AG said.

“It is also possible that one of us (the judges) need to go abroad as well in March,” Justice Bandial remarked.
The court adjourned hearing of the case till March 30.

The government on Friday, through Additional Attorney General Chaudhry Amir Rehman, had sought three weeks adjournment in Justice Isa’s case.

The hearing in the presidential reference took a new turn after former attorney general for Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan had levelled allegations against some members of the Supreme Court bench hearing the petitions.

Law Minister Farough Naseem apologised from former Attorney General. Click on the link to see full news on BAADBAN TV

Federal Law Minister Farogh Naseem on Monday has apologized to former Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Anwar Mansoor over statement against him. Talking to media outside the Supreme Court (SC), the law minister said that Anwar Mansoor is like his elder brother and that he has withdrawn his remarks against him. Farogh Naseem further told that he has no reservation over appointment of Barrister Khalid Jawed Khan as new AGP. Earlier, the minister told that Anwar Mansoor’s statement in SC was in his personal capacity and government had nothing to do with it. He said that government did not know about the arguments of ex-AGP in the apex court. No one has appreciated the statement of Anwar Mansoor as all the judges are honorable for the government, he added.  

Anwar Mansoor submits unconditional apology in Supreme Court

Former Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan on Wednesday has submitted a written apology note in the Supreme Court (SC) over his controversial statement.

In the apology letter, Anwar Mansoor said that he has the highest regard and respect for the judiciary and that he cannot think of causing any adverse comment as to the honor, honesty and integrity of the apex court.

Malyasian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced his resignation. Click on the link to see full news on BAADBAN TV

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has submitted a letter of resignation to Malaysia’s king, his office said on Monday, amid talk of forming a new governing coalition.

The fate of Malaysia’s ruling coalition had been in doubt after surprise weekend talks between it and opposition groups on forming a new government that would exclude Mahathir’s anointed successor Anwar Ibrahim.

“The letter has been sent to His Royal Highness the King at 1 pm,” Mahathir’s office said in a statement

It was not immediately clear if Mahathir could form another government with the support of other parties, but his party, Bersatu, has also quit the ruling coalition, its president, Malaysian home minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Facebook.

On Sunday, Anwar had accused Mahathir’s party and “traitors” in his own party of plotting to form a new government with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the former ruling party ousted in 2018 amid graft accusations.

Sources said Mahathir’s party and a faction in Anwar’s party met officials from UMNO and Islamist party PAS in efforts to form a new coalition and possibly back Mahathir to serve out a full five-year term as prime minister.

The turmoil, amid growing fears about a spreading coronavirus, had spooked investors, driving Kuala Lumpur’s benchmark to a 10-year low, while the ringgit currency slid 0.7% to an almost six-month low, its sharpest drop in over three years.

The tussle between old rivals Mahathir, 94, and Anwar, 72, has shaped Malaysian politics for decades and tension has persisted, despite their alliance to win 2018 elections based on a promise that Mahathir would one day cede power to Anwar.