“Civilian assistance to Pakistan continues and has not been interrupted since the tragic November 26 incident,” the spokesperson noted. The November 26 attacks on Pakistani check posts claimed lives of two dozen Pakistani soldiers, angering the Pakistani nation and the government. After the incident, Islamabad closed NATO supply routes and initiated a full review of ties with the United States, which is nearing its completion.

Pakistan is involved in its internal matters at present, Nuland said.

To a question Victoria Nuland said that US special envoy Marc Grossman wanted to go to Islamabad but did not apply for visa and the news that he was denied visa by Pakistan is not correct.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired that meeting, while many federal ministers participated.

Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting lauded the announcement made by the prime minister on the floor of the House to appear before the Supreme Court in response to the notice on Thursday, January 19.

He further said that the  party will stand behind the prime minister in adopting a stance that is correct, respectful and constitutional.

The meeting reiterated confidence in the leadership of Co Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

A Five-member bench of SC headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed the hearing of the case pertaining to the implementation of NRO verdict today (Tuesday) and has reserved the verdict till 1 pm.

Supreme Court set a seven-day deadline for government to implement NRO verdict and submit a report in the court.  On this, the court had issued notices to federal government, President, Attorney General, Chairman NAB, provincial Advocate Generals, Chief Secretar and Inpector General.

SC’s verdict over National Reconciliation Ordinance includes reopening of cases closed under NRO and ordered the government to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

The prosecutor general of NAB informed the court about the appointment of Malik Qayyum, Ahmed Riaz and Adnan Khawaja as MD of OGDCL and told that NAB cannot take action against it as he was appointed by the prime minister.

The SC is due to announce the verdict by 1pm today.

Spokeswoman expressed relief  on Wednesday the new maps of India and Pakistan were now online and complied with US cartographical policy.

The new maps have a dashed line for the 1972 Line of Control that divides Kashmir. Nuland said that reflected its unresolved status.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the Himalayan territory, and each claim the portion that the other controls.

Indian journalists have repeatedly raised the map issue since complaints emerged in late November.

India objected that all of Jammu and Kashmir was not shown as part of India. Pakistan also complained.

Attorney General said the letter to the Swiss government could not be sent thus far, as the issue at hand was postponed owing to the hearing of the NRO Review case.

Replying to this, Justice Asif Khosa, leading the bench, remarked now that the Review petition has been disposed of, why a letter has not been written thus far.

During the hearing Justice Asif Saeed asked NAB prosecutor general whether the NAB would investigate the issue of appointing Adnan Khuwaja as MD Oil and Gas Development Company(OGDC), or the apex court oversee the issue.

The judge said that how come a matriculation pass and convicted person was appointed as MD. He also said that court was giving last chance to concerning authorities to implement the NRO verdict.

Supreme Court has ordered Prosecutor General and Secretary Law to appear before court in person during next hearing.

Justice Khosa also remarked the Secretary Law who sought more time for new summary, is not present at the court despite having been summoned.

‘Should the court lie in wait for the Secretary Law?’ inquired Justice Khosa.

On the CNG Association’s call, CNG filling stations remained closed in Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Quetta and other main cities on Sunday under the government’s load-management plan, observing a three-day weekly shutdown.

Due to CNG stations’ closure, most of public transport has been affected and the people are facing difficulties in transportation.

Gahays Piracha, the President of CNG Association said that CNG price hike will not only affect the business but also deprive public of cheap fuel.

On the other hand, CNG Owners Association observed strike in Lahore today against hike in gas rates; however, the strike was partially observed due to division in the body over the closure issue as.

The CNG supply also remained suspend in Islamabad owing to the strike announced by CNG filling station owners, adding to woes of people with emergence of 2012.

Heading a nine-strong SC bench hearing the petitions to ascertain their maintainability, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry remarked the court is not declaring anyone responsible for it.

Today’s court proceedings began with the arguments of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Rasheed A. Rizvi.

Rasheed A. Rizvi, counsel of Nawaz Sharif contended that appropriate judicial action can be taken by the Supreme Court in this case and party is not seeking relief against any particular member.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said that no conditions have been applied on anyone, only explanation is needed regarding affect over basic rights.

Nine-member bench of SC commenced hearing of Memogate scandal case on petitions filed by among others Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML –N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said certain news about assemblies’ failure are wrongly attributed to the court in the media. “The President is head of state and respectable to us,” he added.

The CJP said that court didn’t validate dictator’s unconstitutional and undemocratic steps. He said the court doesn’t have any application in which impeachment of the President is sought.

In previous hearing yesterday, the court directed Asma Jahangir, counsel for Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani to complete her arguments today.

Today’s case proceedings opened with her arguments.

A report by military investigators was delivered to General Ashfaq Kayani on Sunday by a US officer based in Islamabad, who explained the findings to the general, Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby told reporters.

The full report from the joint US-NATO investigative team was not released publicly until Monday to allow time for the Pakistani leadership to read the findings first, Kirby said.

“We wanted General Kayani to be able to see the entire thing,” he said. The approach represented “an appropriate professional courtesy” to Kayani, he added.

A summary of the report was released Thursday and the officer who led the investigation, Brigadier General Stephen Clark, briefed reporters by phone the same day.

The PPP has decided to organise a big public meeting in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh today and pay tribute to her for her life-long struggle for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

Pakistan Peoples Party observes 4th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto today all over Pakistan

Strict security measures are being carried out in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for the smooth flow of programmes organised to mark BB’s death anniversary.

Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Hussain Wassan directed for the effective arrangements to be made for the smooth flow of traffic in Sindh because convoys from all over the country will attend the death anniversary.

Special arrangements are in process to facilitate the workers and general public on the occasion.

Co-Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari might address to the public meeting.

On the other hand, to pay homage to BB, various ceremonies will be organised across the country but the main event will be held at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto.

People will pay tributes to BB by visiting her mausoleum.