'Zardari didn't ask Obama to delay signing of Kerry-Lugar Bill'

Peshawar, Oct. 13 (ANI): Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's spokesman Farhatullah Babar has clarified that the Pakistan Government had not asked President Barack Obama to delay the signing the Kerry-Lugar Bill.

The Daily Times quoted Babar, as saying that Obama had received the bill on October 9, and according to the law, he is bound to sign it within ten days of receiving it.

"If the bill is in violation of our sovereignty our parliament will reject it. But if that is not the case, then let us not reject something that may benefit us," Babar said.

He quoted former army chief General (r) Jehangir Karamat as saying: "In the final analysis, the bill and ties with the US are in Pakistan's interest. This reality should be remembered." (ANI)

|Pak legislators concerned about their security after GHQ attack|World[Islamabad{Islamabad, Oct. 13 (ANI): In the wake of the terrorist attack on the Pakistan Army General Headquarters in Rawalpindi this week, Pakistani lawmakers have expressed concerns about the 'unsatisfactory' security at Parliament House.

To address these concerns, a meeting on security arrangements for parliamentarians was held here on Monday.

"Security of the Parliament House is of paramount importance and lapses in this regard are not tolerable," The Dawn quoted National Assembly Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, as saying.

"All necessary demands and requirements of the security agencies will be fulfilled and timely funds would be provided in this regard," Kundi added.

It was decided in the meeting to increase the strength of the security staff, update the security gadgets and improve the screening and search of vehicles as well as visitors.

The participants agreed to hold fortnightly meetings to review the security measures for the Parliament House, lodges and the government hostel.

However, sources in the security apparatus revealed that the parliamentarians are their own enemy as they hardly cooperate with the security staff and consider it a humiliation if they are stopped for vehicle checks or not allowed to take guests inside the parliament building. (ANI)