ePaper - 1st November 2011

Iranian parliament renews move to summon Ahmadinejad

Saif crowned new Nawab of Pataudi

Page 17

Rs15.00

Page 18

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the Petroleum Ministry’s recommendation to reduce the price of petrol by Rs 5, the government decided on Monday to pass on a relief of only Rs 1.54 to motorists, but showed particular generosity when it came to the costlier HOBC, the price of which was reduced by Rs 5.93 per liter for the month of November.

The government announced a decrease in various petroleum product prices ranging between Rs 0.86 to Rs 5.93, applicable from today (Tuesday). The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) notified the decrease in POL prices, under which the price of petrol has been decreased by Rs 1.54 per litre to Rs 87.14 per litre and HOBC by Rs 5.93 to Rs 106.72 per litre, while the price of high speed diesel (HSD) has been maintained at last month’s level of Rs 94.15. The price of Light Diesel Oil (LDO) has been decreased by Rs 1.532 to Rs 81.99 and kerosene by Rs 0.86 to Rs 85.76 per litre. Separately, the Water and Power Ministry has sent a summary of a 4 percent increase in the electricity tariff to the federal cabinet. The summary was sent to the cabinet on the advice of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani. STAFF REPORT

MFN status to India blocked ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top diplomatic authorities have decided to temporarily shelve the proposal to grant India the most favored nation (MFN) trade status. Reportedly, the decision came after a hostile reaction from political parties to the proposal. “We should not expect an immediate announcement, the final decision might be delayed,” the Foreign Ministry was quoted as saying. “But the proposal is very much there… it is under the international trade agreement and there is no way we can shy away from it.”ONLINE

Page 20

pakistantoday.com.pk

Vol ii no 128 32 pages lahore edition

POL prices come down, electricity to go up

India behind Pakistan’s cricket isolation, says Ehsan Mani

tuesday, 1 november, 2011 Zul-haj 4, 1432

istanbul conference on afghanistan

Pakistan to push for ceasefire with Taliban ISLAMABAD Shaiq huSSain

W

ITH the Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan slated for tomorrow (Wednesday) all set to give nod to the US plan for peace dialogue with the Taliban, Pakistan will try to impress upon the US and other participating nations for a “ceasefire” with the Mullah Omarled insurgents, urging them that without this move there would be no headway in negotiations.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will lead Pakistan’s delegation at the conference. A day before the Istanbul conference, there will be a Pakistan-Afghanistan-Turkey summit for which President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani have already reached Turkey. “Reconciliation with the Taliban will be discussed in detail at the Istanbul conference and the trilateral summit between PakistanAfghanistan and Turkey. This vital issue will also be discussed in detail at a follow up conference on Afghanistan in Bonn on December 5,” said a Pakistani diplomat on Monday, requesting anonymity.

He said Foreign Minister Hina would be among the senior diplomats from 20 countries, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, at the Istanbul conference that

g

Hina Khar-led delegation will also raise concern over planned Indian role in Afghanistan

was intended to map out Afghanistan’s future. “As the US and other western powers seek the help of Pakistan and other regional states for lasting peace in Afghanistan, Islamabad will tell Washington and its other allies that for durable peace in the war-torn country it is a must that a ceasefire is announced by US and NATO forces fighting against the Taliban, without which the Taliban will not engage in meaningful talks,” the diplomat said. Another Pakistani official said Pakistan would also talk about its reservations over the proposed draft of the declaration of Istanbul Conference, which contained a proposal to set up a “regional structure” for peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said the regional group envisaged in the proposal would include around a dozen states neighboring Afghanistan, such as India, along with the US. “Pakistan is particularly disturbed about the Indian role in Afghanistan and it raised that issue with the US during the recent visit of Secretary Clinton to Islamabad,” he said.

He said that Pakistan would urge all regional and international players at Istanbul conference to come up with unambiguous commitment about the sovereignty of Afghanistan. The official said it

was our concern that some countries in the region would use Afghanistan to destabilise the region and further only their interests. He said that Pakistan was participating in the Istanbul conference because of its commitment to permanent peace and stability in Afghanistan, but at the same time it did not have much expectation from the conference owing to serious differences between the different regional and international players on important issues pertaining to the neighboring state.

us wants isi help in afghan talks | page 03

SC orders NAB cases against corrupt Railways officials ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the initiation of cases against corrupt officials of Pakistan Railways responsible for destroying the organisation and directed sending the cases to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). A two-member bench of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing a suo motu case about non-payment of salaries and pension to employees and workers of Pakistan Railways. The

court directed Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to take complete information about corrupt officials of the Pakistan Railways involved in selling scrap on lower rates and then send their cases to NAB. The court also asked the attorney general to send the cases of officials to NAB who were involved in purchasing electricity bulbs of Rs 7 for Rs 400. The court directed him to convene a meeting of the railways officials and deliberate upon chalking out a comprehensive plan for making the organisation functional and submit its details before the court on next hearing. During the hearing, the court pointed out to the attorney general that there was great potential in various organisations like Continued on page 04

02 News

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

LAHrOe

Doctors have their own axe to grind

Today’s

NewS

wOrLD vIew

pakistan among top nations on a nuke shopping spree Good news, bad news as population hits 7b

Quick Look

Story on Page 06

Story on Page 9

Story on Page 15

PTI Islampura office fired at LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Unidentified men attacked the local office (PP-139) of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on Out Fall Road in Islampura late on Monday.

The men were riding a motorcycle and escaped after opening fire at the aforesaid office of PTI, which was closed at the time. Panic gripped the area and locals gathered around the PTI office. Meanwhile, in charge of the PTI office, Abdul Salam and Tanveer Chaudhary, reached the scene and informed police. The police collected evidences and recorded statements of locals. Senior Member of PTI’s core committee Suhail Asif Iqbal said they were not aware about the people involved in attack but it could be a reaction to their successful rally. He said they had not nominated anyone in the case, but filed a complaint with Islampura police for the registration of a case.

Accountability bill bothers Bokhari ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Admiral (r) Fasih Bokhari expressed reservations with the draft of the government-proposed accountability bill on Monday, stating that the experience of NAB had not been considered in the drafting of the bill.

Bokhari was speaking to a team of Transparency International (TI) led by Suhail Muzaffar, the newly-elected chairman of Transparency International Pakistan (TIP), who called on the NAB chief. The meeting discussed the process of accountability in the country and areas of mutual cooperation between the two organisations to root out corruption from society. Various issues related to accountability, anti-corruption laws and awareness in regulatory mechanisms were discussed.

Appoint SC judges on merit: Yasin LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Newly elected Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Muhammad Yasin Azad on Monday demanded that Supreme Court (SC) judges be appointed on merit to remove the reservations of lawyer. Addressing a press conference along with former SCBA President Asma Jahangir, Azad said the method of appointing judges to the SC was acceptable but some junior judges from the Singh High Court had been elevated to the SC which was unfair and a violation of the merit policy. Azad said each institution must act within its Constitutional limits or the country would suffer. Asma said lawyers have reservations over the elevation of junior judges of the SHC to the SC. To a question, she said in the bar election neither the government nor the judiciary can succeed and the success of Azad in the election was the success of the lawyers and no-one else.

hYDeRaBaD: a flood-affected woman sits with her child in a bus before returning home from a relief camp on Monday. ONLINE

SC directs Durrani to amend plea and re-file within 15 days g

Asks Durrani to disclose names of those who looted national wealth ISLAMABAD MaSooD RehMan

T

He Supreme Court on Monday returned a petition filed by PML-Q former federal minister Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani seeking the recovery of billions of dollars from foreign bank accounts of Pakistani politicians, bureaucrats, army generals, judges and businessmen, and directed the petitioner to re-file it within 15 days after making necessary amendments.

A two-member Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain asked Justice (r) Mian Allah Nawaz, counsel for Senator Durrani, to redraft the petition by disclosing the names of those who looted national wealth and hoarded it in foreign banks.

The chief justice observed that though the title of the petition was changed, however, no amendment

was made in the body. He asked the counsel that he had not disclosed the name of a single person who looted national wealth. Besides, he said heads of all the political parties were made respondents in the petition and how could they assist the court if summoned.

The CJP said if national wealth was illegally transferred in foreign accounts, there existed law of money laundering to address the problem.

The court also directed counsel Durrani to delete all portions and paragraphs of the petition on that objection had been raised. The court further directed him to give details of persons, who had taken money out of Pakistan, along with the details that how much money was lying in their foreign banks.

The chief justice said the money taken out of the country illegally was a matter of money laundering and for that the petitioner had to level allegation against the persons. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain noted that

the objective of the petitioner was noble and if he really wanted to help the country in recovery of national wealth from foreign banks, he should raise the issue in parliament as well.

The chief justice said why did the petitioner think that only politicians were responsible for capital flight from Pakistan, adding that there were news that businessmen and industrialists had taken their money out of Pakistan.

In his petition, Durrani had stated that certain Pakistani civilian and military officials, politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen have made money through illegal means and subsequently laundered it to Switzerland and other countries.

He claimed that the worth of money kept in foreign accounts was $400 billion to $500 billion. Durrani said per a UN convention, the money belonged to Pakistan and the court should direct the government to bring it back.

Now PPP will stage its show at Nishtar Park on 13th KARACHI app

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sindh chapter will hold a public gathering at Nishtar Park on November 13 to express solidarity with President Asif Ali Zardari, the party’s co-chairman, and protest the antidemocratic movement of opponent parties, Home Minister Manzoor Wasan announced on Monday.

“We are prepared to give answers to the opposition parties in a political manner,” he told the media. “It is very unfortunate for the nation that the Pakistan Muslim Legaue-Nawaz (PML-N) disrespected the leadership of the popular PPP and used derogatory remarks against the president of the country,” he said. “Our government will complete its five-year term despite the conspiracies being hatched against it.”

Wasan said that the PML-N has never accepted the PPP despite the fact that the latter is the largest and most popular political party of the country.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

News 03

FOreIgN NewS

ArTS & eNTerTAINMeNT

tunisia issues warrant for arafat’s widow

exes John and Bipasha together in ‘Race 2’ new pCB chairman hosts farewell for ijaz Butt after the rally…

SPOrTS

COMMeNT It was only an urban show.

look it up first: Tahrir, Jalib, Civil Disobedience

Dr faisal Bari says: Who is responsible?: Dang tapao: the ugly side.

Rabia ahmed says: Revolution happens: What to make of Gaddafi’s death?

Syed hassan Belal Zaidi says: Like a tiger: Khan and other jalsamongers.

Story on Page 18

Story on Page 16

Story on Page 20

Articles on Page 12-13

US wants Pakistani intelligence help in Afghan talks: NYT revamped approach combines continued US air and ground strikes against Haqqani network, Taliban g

WASHINGTON afp

A

month after accusing the premier Pakistani intelligence agency of supporting the Haqqani network, the United States is trying to secure the help of the Pakistani intelligence service to organise reconciliation talks in Afghanistan aimed at ending the war there, The New York Times reported Monday.

The newspaper said overtures were taking place just a month after President Barack Obama’s administration accused Pakistan’s spy agency of secretly supporting the Haqqani terrorist network, which has mounted attacks on Americans.

The revamped approach, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called “Fight, Talk, Build,” combines continued US air and ground strikes against the Haqqani network and the Taliban with an insistence that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) get them to the negotiating table, the report said.

Top US officials including Clinton visited Pakistan this month to press for action against Islamic extremists, particularly the Haqqani network, which

is blamed for anti-US attacks in Afghanistan.

But some elements of the ISI see little advantage in forcing those negotiations, because they see the insurgents as perhaps their best bet for maintaining influence in Afghanistan, the paper noted.

The efforts at brokering a deal with militants came as early hopes in the White House about having the outlines of a deal ready in time for a multinational conference on Afghanistan on December 5 in Bonn, Germany, had been all but abandoned, the Times noted. even inside the Obama administration, the new initiative had been met with deep scepticism, in part because the Pakistani government had developed its own strategy, the paper stated.

One senior US official summarized the Pakistani position as “Ceasefire, Talk, Wait for the Americans to Leave.”

The daily said, in short, the United States was in the position of having to rely heavily on the ISI to help broker a deal with the same group of militants that leaders in Washington say the spy agency is financing and supporting.

Deal with RPPs with undue haste: SC ISLAMABAD MaSooD RehMan

Hearing a case of alleged corruption of billions of rupees in the contracts of rental power projects (RPPs), the Supreme Court observed on Monday that the agreements of these projects were undertaken with undue haste and mobilisation advances were paid without prior approval of the federal cabinet.

The court sought until Tuesday (today) the details of tariff and capacity of the electricity being produced through the independent power producers (IPPs) and its comparison with the tariff and capacity of electricity being produced by the RPPs. A two-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing a suo motu case coupled with two identical petitions filed by Federal Housing and Works Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Khawaja Asif involving allegations of huge corruption in the contracts of RPPs. During the hearing, the chief justice noted

that the case’s record indicated sheer negligence on the government’s part in the contracts of the RPPs. The court noted that the mobilisation advance given to Karkay Rental Power Company was doubled before approval of the federal cabinet, which was a result of the government’s negligence. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, counsel for Karkay, contended that the project of his client was delayed for nine months because of failure to issue a standby Letter of Credit. The chief justice said that according to the record, Karkay was given 14 percent mobilisation advance in May 2009, whereas the federal cabinet approved this project in August 2009. He said the government paid more than Rs 6 billion as an advance to Karkay. To a court query about how an additional advance payment was made to Karkay without approval from the federal cabinet, Akram Sheikh said the government’s lawyer would know best. He said Karkay was providing electricity and even still was paying fines.

He said the government did not act upon the agreement with Karkay, despite the company fulfilling all the terms and conditions.

Old rs 500 notes life extended by a year

Abbottabad commission briefed by foreign secretary

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani approved the date to exchange the old designed Rs 500 Rs 500 for another year. Gilani approved the extension on the Ministry of Finance’s recommendations, on the request of the public and parliamentarians. The date of exchange of Rs500 (old design) bank note by commercial banks has been extended for further year till 30 September 2012. online

ISLAMABAD: The Abbottabad operation Inquiry Commission on Monday conducted a detailed interview of Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir who presented his perceptions to the commission about the US raid on the hideout of alQaeda chief Osama bin Laden. The proceedings of the commission were held at the Cabinet Division under the chairmanship of Commission President Justice (r) Javed Iqbal. The meeting was also attended by commission members IGP (r) Abbas Khan, Ambassador (r) Ashraf Jehangir Qazi and Lt. Gen. (r) Nadeem Ahmed, members of the Commission. The Commission will meet again today (November 1). Staff RepoRt

haqqani network may be linked to Kabul suicide attack KABUL ReuteRS

The Haqqani network, which Washington has blamed for a series of attacks in Afghanistan, may have been involved in a weekend bombing in Kabul that was the deadliest ground attack against Western troops in 10

years of war, officials said on Monday.

The involvement of the Haqqanigroup, believed by Washington to be based in the mountains of North Waziristan on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, would make the already tough task of bringing Afghanistan and its neighbours together even more difficult. “We don’t have any

information indicating a direct Haqqani link yet, but it’s very possible it is Haqqani-related,” a Western diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Officials said while evidence of the Haqqani involvement was by no means conclusive, the style of the attack and some of the equipment used in it raised that possibility.

04 News PIA annuls discount categories KARACHI WaqaR haMZa

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) board of directors has ended all discounted fare categories for its economy class meant for domestic operations and has fixed prices. Sources informed Pakistan Today that in order to facilitate new airline Indus Air, the PIA BoD under the Minister for Defense and PIA Chairman Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar on Saturday took the decision and annulled all discounted fare categories in the economy class. When contacted, a PIA reservation centre representative said they have only one category in the economy class, the Y category, and PIA had annulled all other discounted categories. She said the new economy class fares had been implemented from Monday, and the economy class fare from Karachi to Islamabad was Rs 14, 263 and for Karachi-Lahore was Rs 13, 500. It is to be noted that the lowest fare for categories in the economy class was Rs 7, 112, but after the suspension of all discounted categories, PIA economy class fares have almost doubled.

Continued fRom page 1 the National Logistic Cell (NLC) and Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) Taxila, whose services could be hired for repairing the faulty locomotives in the greater national interest.

The court directed the Railways chairman to take effective measures for taking back valuable property of PR

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

PPP senator beats Dengue claims four Punjab CM’s rant lives in ISLAMABAD tahiR niaZ

Apparently in order to please President Asif Ali Zardari, and enrich his political credentials, Senator Sabir Baloch of the PPP on Monday added a bit more to what are taken as “derogatory remarks” in politics while teaching a lesson of decency to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Referring to the contents of public speech made by Shahbaz in Lahore a few days ago, Baloch said, “He (Shahbaz Sharif) is mad and needs medical treatment. He is capricious, a fickle mind and his derogatory remarks are reflective of the ‘attitude of paranoid,” he said.

However, Deputy Chairman Jan Jamali expunged the objectionable words, asking the PPP senator to keep decency in check.

Baloch was of the view that Shahbaz talked about hanging the custodian of the constitution which, he added, was contempt of the constitution itself as well as parliament and the people from land mafia in Karachi, besides pointing out to the court if the railways land was confiscated by the land mafia in other parts of the country.

“Your men are dishonest and they have destroyed the organisation,” the chief justice told the chairman and remarked that recently, “we had test fired a missile, however, the railways authorities

of the country.

In reply to Baloch, Senator Raja Zafarul Haq of the PML-N said, “You too touched the extreme.” He said the PML-N party offices were burnt in Sindh, adding no one from the PPP condemned it which was questionable. He was of the view that the miscreants were incited by the PPP itself. The PPP senator continued to interrupt the PML-N senior leader while he spoke.

Speaking on a point of order, Senator Hafiz Rashid asked both parties to exercise patience and decency.

Senator Salahuddin of the PPP also demanded action against the Punjab chief minister for his remarks against the president.

Senator Baloch had earned admonishment from Senate chairman Farooq Naik some a few days ago as well when while paying tributes to Late Nusrat Bhutto, he was more focused on which political parties flourished undenr the patronisation of dictators, inviting the opposition wrath.

Lahore LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Four more people died of the dengue fever on Monday, raising the official death toll to 298 in the province.

All four deaths were reported from Lahore, where the officially reported deaths have reached 261. The Health department said another 87 people were diagnosed with the deadly fever, with 49 cases in Lahore.

According to the department, Sarwar, 65, of Kot Lakhpat died in Lahore General Hospital. Shamim Bibi, 40, of Gia Bagga and Waqas, 21, of Manga Mandi lost their lives in Jinnah Hospital. Ramzan, 30, of Baghbanpura died in Services Hospital, Lahore.

Currently 777 dengue patients are under treatment in various hospitals of the province, with 559 being treated in the hospitals of Lahore.

Pakistan suffered more in terror war: Zardari President calls bin Laden issue ‘history’ and says Pakistan looking forward to new chapter of relations with US g

ISTANBUL

P

app

AKISTAN has suffered the most in the war against terrorism with losing over 36,000 lives and an incurring a direct economic loss over $70 billion, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Monday.

In an interview published in a leading Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, President Zardari, here to attend a trilateral summit on Afghanistan, said, “No country has made greater contributions and sacrifices in fighting terrorism than Pakistan.” “We have lost our great leader and my wife Benazir Bhutto at the hands of terrorists. No one should question our commitment or intentions in fighting the war.”

Turkish President Abdullah Gul will host the sixth trilateral Turkey-AfghanistanPakistan summit today

SC orders NAB cases cannot repair engines”.

In compliance with the court orders, Railways Chairman Javed Ahmed told the court that steps were being taken to make the payment to pensioners with opening of new accounts with zero balance in the

scheduled banks near their houses and the process would take at least a month.

He, however, said the management would start issuance of new pension from today (Tuesday) in advance on account of eidul Azha.

The chairman said a task

force had been constituted to make functional 46 of the 360 engines that were nonfunctional.

Former railways minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed submitted his written statement before the court, in which he alleged that one Sameen Gandapur, a Grade 18 officer and blue-eyed boy of the incumbent railways minister, had been posted as chief purchase officer against a post of grade 20 at

gilani says Pakistan supports actions against terrorists for global peace PERTH: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan supported military actions against terrorists and extremists to safeguard its own interest and for global peace. “We are supporting military action against terrorists and extremists. The terrorists are working against the interest of my country and we are fighting for the peace, prosperity and progress of the entire world,” Gilani said in an interview with ABC News’ political correspondent Lyndal Curtis in Perth before leaving for home. Prime Minister Gilani said as a frontline state, Pakistan paid a huge price not in form of casualties but also in shape of weakening national economy. He said he had got the Pakistani nation united against the fight against terrorism. “Nobody can win a war without the support of masses. All the political forces [in Pakistan], including parliament, are on the same page,” he said. app (Tuesday) where Zardari will meet his Afghan counterpart, Hamid Karzai, for the first time after the assassination of former Afghan president and Peace Council head Burhanuddin Rabbani. The three will set a new struggle

strategy on terror.

HISToRy: To a question, Zardari said the Osama Bin Laden issue was ‘history’ and “Pakistan is looking forward to a new chapter of relations with the United States”.

the instance of the minister and billions of rupees had been spent to renovate and furnish his bungalow in Mayo Gardens, Lahore.

He said that in the railways mechanical department, 12 to 20 qualified mechanics who could repair old engines were sent on forced leave with mala fide intention, so that the old engines could not be repaired and instead of repairing the old engines, new engines may be imported, which he said was a huge loss to the national exchequer.

Railways Board Secre-

tary Abdul Shafique told the court that the mechanics were sent on forced leave as they were found involved in illegal activities.

He said the organisation was facing the brunt of measures taken earlier by Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed when he was the minister for railways. He alleged that Rasheed started 24 trains just to get fame.

Rasheed said Railways was importing 200 coaches from China at a cost four times higher than the ones being produced at carriage factory, Islamabad.

9 killed in Dera Bugti skirmish QUETTA ShahZaDa ZulfiqaR

Nine persons, including a commander of the governmentbacked Tribal Peace Force and five militants were killed in a gunbattle in the restive Dera Bugti district on Monday.

Defunct Baloch Republican Army (BRA) claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to reports, the incident occurred in the

Doda Taba area of Dera Bugti when militants attacked bunkers of peace force with heavy weapons including rocket launchers.

Four tribesmen of the peace force including a commander, Nabi Dad alias Bahi Khan, have been killed and seven other sustained serious injuries in the attack.

Five militants were also killed in the cross fire.

The three deceased

members of the peace force were identified as Latif Bugti, Sadiq Bugti and Wali Muhammad. Sources said the injured were shifted to the nearest hospital for medical aid. However, the incident could not be confirmed on official level.

Meanwhile, BRA spokesman Sarbaaz Baloch called newspaper offices and claimed responsibility for the attack.

‘N’ scrambles to save face Continued fRom page 24 the declaration of real assets and not the ones claimed by the PML-N leaders. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif backed the asset declaration proposal and said he had already declared his assets in 2007, which had also been released by the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) in its list. At the same time, he urged others to do the same. Those who had assets within the country, they should also make them public, he added.

Shahbaz also remarked that talking about the poor while building a house of over 100 kanals did not sound good.

SANAULLAH: The pick of the reaction came from party hardliner Rana Sanaullah, who announced that his party would soon also organise a public meeting at

Minar-e-Pakistan to neutralise Imran Khan, as if conceding his party’s defeat at Minar-e-Pakistan two days ago.

Sana said although the PTI succeeded in filling up 18,000 seats, the truth behind the show was that the establishment was controlling the public gatherings in Lahore and Karachi and even the timings of Imran Khan and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain were adjusted, the Punjab law minister added. He said further that Altaf delivered the shortest speech of his life only to provide an opportunity for Imran to address the crowd. Sana said Imran did not even know that a parliamentarian had to provide details of his or her assets before they were allowed to join the House.

Senator Pervez Rasheed said one could only describe public meetings as “either good or very good”. “Who really left the mark will be decided by the vote,” he said.

He said Shahbaz Sharif had declared his assets four years ago.

PPP Punjab General Secretary Samiullah Khan said the future would decide how Imran Khan would penetrate into politics but he had succeeded in mobilising the citizens of Lahore.

To a question about the declaration of assets of the politicians, he said every elected member of the assembly had to declare their assets and it was a constitutional obligation of all parliamentarians. He said Imran Khan should have elaborated on his demand, seeing as such laws were already in place.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Citizens fret over city’s struggling transport facilities PAge 08

PTI demands LG polls in Punjab LAHORE

F

Staff RepoRt

ollowing the success of its public gathering at Minar-ePakistan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on Monday demanded immediate holding of local government (LG) elections in Punjab.

PTI Lahore President Mehmoodur Rashid, Zaheer Khokhar, Dr Murad

Raas, Abdul Rasheed Bhatti, Ishtiaq Malik and Rana Akhtar Hussain made this demand while addressing a press conference at the party office. They demanded that LG polls should be conducted immediately after completion of new voter lists.

The PTI leaders said that the party will move ahead with teamwork to steer the country out of crises. Rashid said that the PTI had won the first round and its future largely depended on La-

hore. “The PTI will make the country an Islamic welfare state under the leadership of Imran Khan,” he said.

The PTI leaders said that October 30 was the first round while similar rounds would take place in other parts of the country to motivate the masses for a change. They claimed that the PTI holds sway in the provincial capital and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) had become history after the gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan.

The PTI leaders claimed that the masses had voted in favour of PTI at Minar-e-Pakistan and both the timetested PML-N and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) would be voted out of power in the next elections. To a question, he said that the PTI, in its central executive meeting after eid, would spell out its roadmap. He said that the PML-N had fooled people a lot, as it secured votes in the last elections because people had no third option.

gPs revolt against quacks’ dengue training LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Family physicians and general practitioners (GPs) on Monday demanded the Punjab government stop training “quacks” for treatment of dengue, or they would return their training certificates awarded by the government for participation in dengue training workshops held at various hospitals of the provincial capital.

Punjab Health Department had arranged a training seminar for homeopaths and herbal medicine practitioners on Sunday, which was attended by 686 homeopaths and 237 hakeems. Physicians said the government was risking the lives of countless people by training ‘fake’ medical practitioners to cure dengue.

Addressing a press conference, Family Physicians Association President Dr Tariq Mian said dengue patients could be suffering from diseases the quacks were not qualified to treat, such as coronary or hepatic diseases. He said instead of stopping these people from practising medicine, the government was putting the lives of many at stake by empowering them. He asked the government to put a stop to this; otherwise family physicians would return their certificates.

Health Secretary Jahanzeb Khan said many people preferred homeopathic and herbal treatment in case of minor health issues, so a briefing session for these people had been arranged to sensitise them about the issue. He denied imparting any training to quacks and said only professional doctors were being trained at hospitals. Only a briefing session at the Directorate General Health had been arranged for homeopathic an herbal practitioners, he said.

wow! long eid weekend awaits students

Will MY queSt foR JuStiCe eveR enD? a woman plaintiff sits in the lahore high Court yard. ONLINE

Robbers gun down man in Shafiqabad LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Armed robbers shot dead a 25-year-old motorcyclist on Bund Road in the Shafiqabad Police precincts on Monday. The deceased was identified as Muhammad Hus-

sain, a resident of Lal Pull, Mughalpura. Police said that the deceased was working in a local factory located at Johar Town Area. On Monday, the deceased was going to drop some items at the factory of his factory owner’s brother when unidentified armed robbers ordered him to stop at Bund Road but he tried to flee. Robbers, see-

ing him escaping, fired at Hussain due to which he died instantly. Robbers fled after looting valuables and cash from the deceased’s possession. Police, after knowing about the mishap, reached the spot and removed the body of the deceased to the morgue for autopsy. Investigations are underway.

LAHoRE: Although there was no official announcement of holidays from the Punjab government but the federal government’s announcement of two holidays on Monday and Tuesday on account of eid and Iqbal Day on Wednesday has rejoiced all. On the other hand, the Punjab University (PU) might announce a full week holiday to facilitate students and employees living out of Lahore and hold classes on Saturdays to catch up with the missing classes. Students of federal government’s institutions will get five holidays while students in Punjab will get four holidays making their eid a special one. Students said that they would get reasonable time to enjoy with their family in a true sense. Staff RepoRt

PML-N is afraid of Imran Khan: Manzoor Wattoo g

Says the Sharifs would be sent on a 20-year exile if they do not mend their ways LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo has said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has converted its fears from Imran Khan’s political activities into a campaign against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Announcing launch of a comprehensive and transparent accountability, he categorically said that president had not added anything to his assets after becoming the president. He said PML-N’s fate was clear as they would be defeated with a big margin, adding that Punjab Chief minister Shahbaz Sharif’s language and attitude had not only annoyed PML-N’s opponents but had also compelled its al-

lies to detach themselves from it.

Talking to the media at a local hotel on Monday, he said Punjab government had requested the election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir that owing to the dengue outbreak and deteriorating law and order situation, the elections on the AJK assembly seat in Lahore be postponed, while in sheer contradiction to its own statement, they were demanding a mid term election during its campaign against federal government and the president.

On the occasion, Punjab Opposition Leader Raja Riaz, Dewan Muhayuddin, Yasmin Rehman, Mian Misbah Ur Rehman, Aziz Ur Rehman Chan, faiza Malik, Sajida Mir and other local leaders were also present.

He said the Sharifs may face another 20 years exile if the PML-N continued with its undemocratic and unconstitutional acts, rallies and protest to derail democracy in the country. The federal minister said the Punjab CM was bound by oath to maintain law and order as well as protect the life and property of people in the province, adding that the CM’s decision to lead a rally against the federal government and President Asif Ali Zardari was unconstitutional and was tantamount to hatching conspiracy against democracy.

To a query, the federal minister said PML-N chief Nawaz and Shahbaz Sharif should learn a lesson from their past misadventures which cost them their personal freedom and the country had to

suffer the yoke of dictatorship for another decade under Pervaiz Musharraf.

He said the only way to oust a democratically elected president was to bring in an impeachment motion in the assembly, adding that the PML-N neither had majority in the National Assembly nor in the Provincial Assembly. Advising tolerance and political sagacity, Wattoo asked the PML-N leadership to follow rules of the game in politics and wait for their turn if the people returned them to the parliament with a majority after 5 years, stressing the government will complete its five years constitutional term and its detractors may do whatever they wished to.

06 Lahore

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

With medical students suffering, doctors have their own axe to grind LAHORE

W

Staff RepoRt

ITH the chief minister’s plan to open new medical colleges turning out to be a failure, the issue of medical colleges is back in the spotlight. Delay in the affairs of medical institutions has left many aspiring medical students disheartened since despite acquiring good results, they have not been able to get admitted into medical colleges. earlier, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council had barred the newly established four public medical colleges, including Sahiwal Medical College, DG Khan Medical College, Gujranwala Medical College, and Khwaja Safdar Medical College, Sialkot from admitting students The MBBS classes in Post Graduate Medical College were also deferred at eleventh hour while the dilemma of skyrocketing merit in medical college is likely to prevail for some more years.

A division bench of Lahore High Court on

CINeMA

FILM

Thursday too restrained University of Health Sciences (UHS) from implementing the First Combined Merit List prepared by it for admission to the medical colleges in Punjab on a petition filed by some students against medical entry test system.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Medical Association demanded government to start MBBS classes immediately in Post Graduate Medical Institute which has been approved by the PMA. “There is no need to defer

TIMe

DHA PH: 35747531

CINeMA CLOSeD

CINe STAr PH: 35157462

rA ONe THe THree MUSKeTeerS rA ONe rA ONe

2:30 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 10:45 PM

CINe gOLD PH: 35340000

rA ONe rA ONe rA ONe rA ONe

12: 00 AM 3:00 PM 6:00 PM 9:00 PM

SOzO wOrLD PH: 36674271

rA ONe rA ONe rA ONe rA ONe

1:00 PM 4:00 PM 7:00 PM 10:00 PM

SOzO gOLD PH: 35340000

FOrCe BOL rASCALS rA ONe rA ONe

12:05 PM 2:30 PM 5:30 PM 8:00 AM 11:00 PM

the classes, the college has all the arrangements,” said PMA President Dr Tanveer Anwar, adding that the classes were not being started because of the personal interests of two seniors of medical fraternity who, he alleged, were Services Institute of Medical Sciences Principal Prof Dr Faisal Masood and University of Health Science Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Malik Mubashar. “Masood wants the PGMI land to construct the SIMS hostel while Mubashar is siding with him because he wants to take PGMI under his control,” he said, adding, “if the PGMI starts working, there would 200 more seats available for students.”

SZH DoCToRS PRoTEST AgAINST FIR REgISTRATIoN: Sheikh Zayed Hospital doctors on Monday again held a protest against registration of a FIR for murder charges on three senior doctors of the hospital. The doctors blocked the road in front of SZH causing traffic mess on Khayaban-eJamia Punjab and adjacent localities. Three doctors allegedly committed criminal negligence in treatment of a patient who died after severe illness.

Youth shot dead in the name of ‘honour’ LAHORE Staff RepoRt

A 25-year-old man was shot dead in the name of honour in the Sundar police limits on Monday.

The deceased was identified as Zaheer Iqbal, resident of Loharan Wala Khu in Madina Colony, Sundar. A police official said Iqbal had developed illicit relations with the sister of a local named Asif. Zaheer and Asif had also scuffled with each other a few days back but the issue was settled down by the locals. However, Asif nursed grudge against Zaheer and planned to kill him. On the day of incident, accused Asif called the victim at his home and shot him dead. Local police after being informed reached the scene and removed the body to morgue for autopsy after collecting forensic evidence. A case has been registered against accused Asif on the complaint of victim’s brother Zahid.

Sundar SHO said they were conducting raids to arrest the accused persons.

INJURED: Two persons including a 22year-old woman were injured in two separate

localities in the provincial metropolis on Monday. In Township police area, some unidentified persons fired shots at a woman named Maryam at the doorstep of her house in 238-A-II over a family dispute. Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man was also injured in a firing incident by his rivals on property dispute in the Hurbanspura police limits. The victim was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition and a case has been registered against Malik Zahid and Latif on the complaint of victim Saleem with no arrests being made so far.

CAR SToLEN: Unknown thieves have lifted a guitarist’s car from the parking of Minar-ePakistan during the procession of Imran Khan on Sunday. Tibbi City police have registered a case and started searching for the car. The complainant Sumair Rasheed, resident of Askari Flats in Walton, had gone to Minar-e-Pakistan to participate in the procession of Imran Khan on his car LRN-4138, which went missing after the rally.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Lahore 07 LHC seeks report on incorrect Intermediate results LAHORE Staff RepoRt

a tale of CouRaGe: hajira, who was widowed after six years of marriage, sews quilts to earn a living from which she has married all her daughters except the youngest one. IRFAN CHAuDHRY

Network behind Taseer’s kidnapping busted LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Lahore Police has busted a network of kidnappers involved in the kidnapping of Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, and American national Dr Warren Weinstein.

This was claimed by Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ahmed Raza Tahir, flanked by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Investigations Ali Amir Malik, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigations Abdul Razzaq Cheema and SP CRO Sajjad Hassan Manj in a press briefing at the Qila Gujjar Singh DIG Investigations Office. The CCPO said they had busted a network of kidnappers planning to kidnap the children of Pakistan’s elite. He, however, avoided giving details of the arrested kidnappers.

Responding to a question regarding Shahbaz Taseer and Warren Weinstein’s kidnapping, he said the police had completed their task in this regard.

Advisory group on dengue approved LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has granted approval to the formation of expert Advisory Core Group on dengue.

The group, comprising senior doctors and experts, will be completely independent and will look after the matters regarding eradication of dengue virus, research and training of doctors. He was presiding over a meeting to review measures for dengue control, on Monday.

Daniyal to launch drive against Punjab govt Former NrB chairman says if by-polls and AJK elections can be held, why not Lg polls

g

LAHORE

F

Staff RepoRt

ORMeR National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) chairman and Jeeway Pakistan-Jeeway Mukami Hakoomtain (JPJMH) Chairman Daniyal Aziz on Monday condemned the Punjab government over price hike, poor policies, mismanagement and corruption and announced that a campaign will be launched against the Punjab government for not holding local government (LG) elections.

Holding a press conference at Lahore Press Club, Daniyal said that the campaign would be started with a public convention in Gujranwala on November 3 and later they would also expand their campaign to others cities of the province. “We will announce a complete schedule to mobilise

Differences surface amongst teachers over rechecking of Inter papers

the masses for their rights after eid” he said. The former NRB chairman said that former nazims and councilors and a large number of masses from all over the province would participate in the convention. “The Punjab government has taken LGs hostage by appointing administrators and around Rs 119 billion of LGs has been used by the provincial government,” he said, adding that they had challenged appointments of administrators and the court had ordered the provincial govern-

ment to hold LG elections.

“The provincial government is using delaying tactics for not holding the elections. We will file a petition of contempt of court against this attitude of the Punjab government soon,” he said. Daniyal said that people were deprived of their democratic rights in a ‘democratic era’. The former NRB chairman said that the government held by-polls and general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) but LG elections were being delayed by taking plea of security lapses, which was absolute malice. “Unfortunately, it seems that the election Commission is working for not holding the elections”, he said. Responding to a question, Daniyal said they would support all those parties who would support LGs. He said that the city government of Gujranwala was not allowing them to hold a convention, which was a democratic right. To a question, he said they did not have any contact with former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf or his party the APML.

LAHORE haSSan SiDDique

Differences surfaced between the Punjab Subject Specialists Association (PSSA) and Punjab Professors and Lecturers Association (PPLA) President Dr Zahid Sheikh as subject specialists announced that they would not boycott the rechecking of the papers. earlier PPLA decided to boycott the re-checking of answer sheets till the confirmation of contractual teachers, removal of board of governors and allotment of time scale during a rally in front of civil secretariat a few days ago. “We do not want to play with the future of thousands of students and we will facilitate them in this regard,” PSSA Senior Vice President of Hasnat Sheikh said, adding that Punjab’s students were facing inferiority complex due to the prevailing situation and the subject specialists will participate in the rechecking. On the other hand PPLA is firm in its stance of boycotting the rechecking, whereas Punjab Teachers Union has blamed PPLA of its political affiliation with Jamaat-e-Islami, saying that the recent rally of PPLA was political.

The Lahore High Court Monday disposed of a petition against the incorrect intermediate results with a direction to the chairmen and the controllers of various boards to inquire into the matter and submit a report on the outcome within 30 days. The petition was filed by one Sohail Anjum contending that the boards had misplaced the answer sheets following which wrong results were announced which put future of thousands of students at stake. The board representative said the mistakes were being corrected.

FoREIgNERS IN PUNJAB JAILS CASE: The LHC on Monday also called for the details of foreigners imprisoned in the Punjab jails. On the petition filed by Advocate Owais Sheikh, the court asked the Punjab home secretary and prisons inspector general to file details of the foreigners imprisoned in jails by November 2. The petitioner had contended that two Indians were imprisoned in the Kot Lakhpat Jail even though they had served their period. The court also called for a reply to the petition from Kot Lakhpat Jail Superintendent by the said date. The court also sought a report on all the locals still imprisoned in the jails even after having served their sentence.

PUNJAB govT’S REPLy SoUgHT IN FAkE PoLICE ENCoUNTER CASE: LHC Chief Justice (CJ) Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry sought reply from the Punjab government over violation of court orders in a case against police officers involved in killing 15 citizens in a fake encounter. Chaudhry directed the Punjab additional advocate general (AAG) to seek instructions from the respondents and argue the case in the next hearing. He passed this order on a contempt petition filed by Ashiq Ali and Naziran Bibi which named the Punjab chief minister’s Principle Secretary Tauqeer Shah, former Punjab Police inspector general Tariq Saleem Dogar and others as respondents.

Sadhoke residents face eviction today LAHORE neWS DeSK

Residents of a settlement of over 40 households on railways land at Sadhoke, displaced by Railways officials on October 25 without notice, were threatened with eviction on Monday. Railways officials including Naik Muhammad and Riaz Ali Shah have warned the residents to leave before 8am in the morning or face eviction.

Speaking to Pakistan Today, Naik Muhammad said, “If they do not leave, their luggage will be taken away.” Riaz, who has worked as railway gate operator for 20 years, said, “Some of the residents of the abadi have been living here before I came.

They have been here for at least 40 years.

The rest of the houses were created 15 years ago.” Residents claimed Naik Muhammad and Riaz threatened them and abused them. Abadi resident Qadeer said, “If they come tomorrow, we will let them take our children in the luggage.” Residents have asked officials to provide them alternate residence and shelter as winter sets in.

Humayun unveils ‘Road Map to Pakistan’s Recovery’ LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Just when political tension in the country is on the rise acquiring threatening overtones and main political forces at each other’s throat, former federal minister Humayun Akhtar came up with something creative to serve as food for thought for all political stakeholders.

“Road Map to Pakistan’s Recovery”, as the manifesto of his party, is a little handy book that has all answers to problems faced by the country with Humayun weaving two decades of his political and eight years’ ministerial experience. The book covers 25 areas and makes 250 recommendations, including answers to the quest for political stability,

strengthening of institutions, geo-political compulsions and how to achieve peace in the region and last but not least how to address the prevailing economic predicament.

Humayun thinks that he produced something also acknowledging the contribution of other party leaders’ ‘wholesome agenda’ that could provide basis for future debate in the country. “Political stakeholders could find a common ground banking on this agenda,” he hoped.

Though the book has discussed in detail all challenges faced by the country and contains interesting details, some important points raised are briefly touched. On terrorism, the Pakistan Muslim LeagueLikeminded contends in the book that terrorism has

reached a point where it poses a direct, long term, existential threat to Pakistan. It proposes that causes of extremism in society should be addressed.

With respect to Afghanistan, the party said that Afghans must make their decisions themselves without any external pressure. The creation of additional provinces in Pakistan has been supported and constitutional reforms proposed to simplify the process to create new provinces.

The movements for restoration of Bahawalpur province and creation of Saraiki and Hazara provinces have been supported. It has been proposed that all senior bureaucratic appointments should follow the same procedures as those of judges, chief election commissioner and chairman NAB. Civil services re-

forms have been promised. Local government system is to be reinstated and all land records in Pakistan are to be computerised. The Pakistan Muslim League said that IMF should not be relied upon and all macroeconomic stability can be achieved

by Pakistan itself.

08 Lahore

Citizens fret over city’s struggling transport facilities

weATHer UPDATeS

29 °C High 17LowC 0

g

SUNNY

g

weDNeSDAY THUrSDAY

FrIDAY

30°C I 17°C

29°C I 17°C

30°C I 18°C

PrAYer TIMINgS Fajr Sunrise 04:57 06:18

zuhr 11:49

Asr 15:51

Maghrib 17:14

Isha 18:37

CITY DIreCTOrY eMergeNCY HeLP reSCUe eDHI CONTrOL MOTOrwAY POLICe POLICe gOverNOr’S HOUSe CHIeF MINISTer’S HOUSe FIre BrIgADe BOMB DISPOSAL MCL COMPLAINTS LAHOre wASTe DISPOSAL

1122 115 130 15 99200081-7 99203226 16 99212111 99211022-29 1139

HOSPITALS MID CITY 37573382-3 ServICeS 99203402-11 MAYO 99211100-9 geNerAL 35810892-8 SHeIKH zAID 35865731 SIr gANgA rAM 99200572 UCH 35763573-5 ITTeFAq 35881981-85 CMH 366996168-72 SHOUKAT KHANUM 35945100 JINNAH 111-809-809 ADIL (DeFeNCe) 36667275 CHILDreN’S 99230901-3 DeFeNCe NATIONAL HOSPITAL 111-17-18-19

BLOOD BANK FATMID ISLAMIC ALLIANCe

35863950 37588649/37535435

COMPLAINT wAPDA SUI gAS

111-000-118 1199

rAILwAYS CITY STATION (INqUIrY) reServATION rAILwAY POLICe

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

117 99201772 1333

Only 300 buses catering to over 9 million people Suspension of wagon services compounding inconvenience to citizens LAHORE

W

app

AITING for hours for insufficient and poorly maintained buses has become a matter of routine for the common citizens who have to deal with this problem day in and day out, which has been compounded by the suspension of wagon services in the city.

Only 300 poor condition buses are being run in the city to cater to the needs of nearly 9 million people. Talking to APP on Monday, a factory employee said, “I have been waiting for the bus for almost an hour. Walking seems to be a more practical option than waiting for a bus.” “Who will take the pain to resolve the problems we are facing on roads? We are living in a country where the state provides facilities only to the wealthy ones,” regretted Awais, Waqas and other daily commuters.

Common people cannot afford to hire taxi or rickshaw daily to reach their destinations and the mismanagement by the private companies is adversely affecting their routine life. The Punjab government has already closed a number of wagons on many routes, causing an acute shortage of public transport in the city. Students Shahid, Subhan and Usman said that private bus operators do not have the required number of vehicles which leads to overcrowding. They demanded that all the poorly-maintained buses be repaired as commuters had to face immense inconvenience if such vehicles break down in the middle of a journey. Sarfraz Asad, serving in a government department, criticised the poor role of Lahore Transport Company (LTC) formed under the chief minister’s initiative to provide transport facilities to Lahoris. “The LTC has done nothing to provide a trouble-free transport facility to the general public,” he added.

Amjad Ali, spokesman of LTC told APP that only 300 buses were operational in the provincial capital and 250 buses had been declared illfit for roads. He said the Punjab government would give financial assistance for the maintenance and reconditioning of sub- standard buses and a policy would be made to provide funds transparently. “The overall number of buses in the city is very low but more buses will be brought soon from China,” he added.

Boo! Halloween’s here LAHoRE: Hospitality Inn Lahore’s Halloween Night was celebrated on Monday with colorful costumes and an extravagant dinner.

Halloween Night was a mass celebration where attendants’ celebratory spirits were high enjoying the ghostly buffet menu. Dishes were renamed according to the occasion giving the theme a delightful touch.

The guests were being amused by the spooky ambiance and music, adding to that, waiters with ghost uniforms and a magician who entertained the crowd were also present on the occasion. “The idea of having a family Halloween was great. Such family gatherings are very rarely organised in the city and should be more often”, Sara, a mother of one, said.

Guests were dressed up in many kinds of unusual and unique costumes such as ghosts and witches while kids, along with parents, enjoyed the well-organised Halloween Dinner Party. Staff RepoRt

elahi hails UAe’s role in helping Pakistan LAHoRE: Senior Federal Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz elahi on Monday appreciated the UAe’s role in helping Pakistan in times of need saying that Pakistan and the UAe enjoy close brotherly ties. He was speaking to UAe Ambassador to Pakistan essa Abdullah elbasha Alnoimi, who called on him at his residence.

Honorary UAe Counsel General Chaudhry Munir was also present.

Matters of mutual interest and the national and international situation were discussed in the meeting. Separately, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, PML-Q Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Syed and other party leaders visited the residence of PML Likeminded leader Khurshid Kasuri and condoled the death of his mother. Staff RepoRt

AIrPOrT FLIgHT INqUIrY PIA reServATION

114 111-786-786

iMagination fashion shoWcase

acting 101

Puss in boots

COLLegeS / UNIverSITIeS PUNJAB UNIverSITY KINNAIrD COLLege qUeeN MArY COLLege gOvT. COLLege UNIverSITY UMT LUMS UeT LCwU SUPerIOr COLLege

99231257 99203781-4 36362942 111-000-010 35212801-10 35608000 36288666 99203072 111-000-078

DATe AND TIMe: NOv 13, 2011 7:00 PM veNUe: THe KNOwLeDge FACTOrY experience the cutting edge of young & upcoming fashion designers at TKF. From inventive to classic, feel the magic these young hands create at TKF on 9th nov, 2011.

DATe: OCT 29 - DeC 18, 2011 veNUe: THe KNOwLeDge FACTOrY

DATe AND TIMe: NOv 04 veNUe: DHA CINeMA

ACTINg 101 is a two month certification course for anyone aged 16 and above who wants to learn the basics of stage, theater, acting, script writing. The course will particularly focus on teaching students improvisation, facial expressions, stage movement, theater ethics and understanding plays.

Synopsis:One of the most beloved characters of the Shrek Universe, tells the hilarious and courageous (daring, bold, brave) tale of Puss (Antonio Banderas) early adventures as he teams with mastermind Humpty Dumpty (zach galifianakis) and the street-savvy Kitty (Salma Hayek) to steal the famed goose that lays the golden eggs.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Pakistan among top nations on a nuke shopping spree LONDON online

P

AKISTAN is among several nations planning a spending spree on nuclear weapons, the others being the United States and Russia. The US is expected to spend ₤700 billion in the next decade. Russia will spend at least $70 billion on delivery systems alone.

Other countries including China, India, Israel, France and Pakistan are expected to devote formidable sums on tactical and strategic missile systems.

Pakistan and India, the report warns, appear to be seeking smaller, lighter nuclear warheads so they have a greater range or can be deployed over shorter distances for tactical or “non-strategic” roles. The Guardian quotes a report as saying that the world’s nuclear powers are planning to spend hundreds of billions of pounds modernising and upgrading weapons warheads and delivery systems over the next decade.

A common justification for the new nuclear weapons programmes is the perceived vulnerability in the face of

nuclear and conventional force development elsewhere.

For example, Russia has expressed concern over the US missile defence and Conventional Prompt Global Strike programmes.

China has expressed similar concerns about the US as well as India, while India’s programmes are driven by fear of China and Pakistan. Pakistan justifies its nuclear weapons programme by referring to India’s conventional force superiority, the report observes Despite government budget pressures and international rhetoric about disarmament, evidence points to a new and dangerous “era of nuclear weapons”, the report for the British American Security Information Council warns. For several countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Israel and France, nuclear weapons are being assigned roles that go well beyond deterrence, says the report.

In Russia and Pakistan, it warns, nuclear weapons are assigned “war-fighting roles in military planning”.

The report is the first in a series of papers for the Trident Commission, an independent cross-party initiative set up by BASIC. There is also a strong case, they say, for a fundamental review of the UK nuclear weapons policy.

KP to take soft wB loans for power projects PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister and spokesman of the provincial government Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said the government would take soft loan from the World Bank (WB) to initiate Chashma Right Bank Canal, a mega Public Sector Development Project (PSDP) for irrigation. Briefing reporters after attending the AllParties Conference (APC) regarding mega hydel generation project on Monday, he said the government intended to execute the project worth of Rs 61 billion with the assistance of WB and the project in the southern districts of the province would be completed within five years. The APC was held under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti, in which leaders of the political parties were briefed about various hydel generation projects.

Iftikhar said the APC was informed that the prime minister had already formed a special committee upon the issue of Rs 6 billion in head of net hydel profit, but the committee failed to resolve the issue in its two meetings. The participants of the APC assured their full cooperation and support in this regard and pledged that the issue would be resolved through dialogue and negotiation, saying if it was not resolved, all political parties would devise a joint strategy for the rights of the province. The minister said hydel generation projects of Lavi and Maltan would also be initiated soon and the inaugural ceremony had already been held. Under its 2010-11 action plan, the provincial government would initiate more than twenty short- and long-term hydel generation projects in the province with a capacity of 2,100MW at a cost of Rs 350 billion. Iftikhar said water discharge of Patrain Hydle generation project would be charged at 42 paisa per unit under the federal hydro policy between Azad Jammu of Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments. Besides, NePRA had fixed Rs 6.3 for the project that would produce around 147MW of electricity and the project would be completed at an estimated cost of $238 million and would help the province earn Rs 145 million per annum, he explained. Staff RepoRt

Afghan conference to chart future after NATO exit ISTANBUL afp

The US will warn against efforts to destabilise Afghanistan when it joins Pakistan and other key players in Turkey Wednesday to chart the war-torn nation’s future after Western troops depart.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will be among the senior diplomats from 20 countries joining representatives from aid organisations at the talks in Istanbul almost exactly 10 years since the Taliban were driven out of power in Kabul. The Istanbul conference is intended to map out Afghanistan’s future with the US-led NATO mission already locked into troop drawdowns that are scheduled to bring all foreign combat troops home by 2014.

Selcuk Unal of Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said delegates would discuss ways of deepening regional cooperation in South Asia. In particular, Clinton is set to promote her New Silk Road project linking the economies of Afghanistan and Pakistan with other Central and South Asian countries as part of a long-term plan to boost regional peace and stability.

Despite billions of dollars poured into Afghanistan since the coalition forces ousted Taliban from power in mid-November 2001, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with half of its 30 million population living below poverty line,

according to the United Nations.

And the Taliban’s resilience a decade after its toppling was again underlined on Saturday when it killed at least 17 people in a car bomb attack on a NATO convoy in Kabul. Pakistan was the Taliban’s chief diplomatic backer when it was in power and is regularly accused by both Kabul and Washington of helping destablise its northern neigbhour.

Clinton said last week that the US was “working with the Afghan government to help them secure commitments from all of their neighbours to respect Afghan sovereignty and territorial integrity and to support Afghan reconciliation. This will be a key focus when I go to Istanbul next week to meet with regional foreign ministers,” she told Congress, shortly after her return from a visit to both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Karzai recently accused Pakistan of playing a “doublegame” with its links to militant groups including the Haqqani network, which has been behind some of the deadliest recent attacks in Afghanistan.

Some American officials have been even more scathing, with the outgoing US military chief, Mike Mullen, describing the Haqqani network as a “veritable arm” of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence.

Karzai himself will be in Islamabad and will take part in a tripartite summit on the eve of the larger talks with Turkish President Abullah Gul and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari.

News 09

Sindh govt provides wheat to WFP ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The government of Sindh has provided around 8,333 metric tonnes of wheat to the World Food Programme (WFP) for the floodaffected people in Sindh.

“We are extremely grateful to the government of Sindh for the contribution as it will be vital in ensuring we can maintain our supply line to the people who still desperately need our help,” said WFP Pakistan Country Director Jean-Luc Siblot, according to a press release issued by the WFP on Monday.

Jean-Luc Siblot also asked the donors across the world to come forward to help the flood victims and Pakistan was doing all it could to assist them.

The contribution from the government of Sindh is part of the 25,000 tonnes of wheat that was pledged by Pakistan to the WFP last month during a visit of WFP Deputy executive Director for Operations, Ramiro Lopes da Silva, to Pakistan.

According to the WFP, the wheat would be enough to provide food to nearly 730,000 people for one month.

The WFP had began its emergency operation to provide food rations to people affected by the 2011 floods on 12 September following a request from the Pakistani authorities. The agency has reached out more than 2.4 million people Sindh and Balochistan provinces so far.

However, WFP said that it was still facing a funding shortfall of $107 million to achieve its target of providing food assistance to the most severely flood-affected people up to February 2012. “Without further urgent donations, supplies will start running out before the end of November, making it impossible to maintain a full ration. This will leave WFP with no option but to cut the ration size or number of people assisted from December,” the WFP added.

Meanwhile, flood waters have begun to recede in recent days, but many communities still remain cut off and thousands of square kilometres of crops have been lost, with a devastating effect on the livelihoods of millions of people. Farmers fear that it would be difficult for them to plant again for months and will temporarily be dependent on food assistance.

10 News

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

SWat/loWeR DiR: (l) Brigadier tariq and Canadian high Commissioner Ross hynes cutting a ribbon to inaugurate a bridge at Cheel Shagai. (R) provincial technical education Minister nawabzada Mahmood Zeb Khan unveiling a plaque to inaugurate Baron Bridge on Monday. ONLINE

‘SC must take suo motu on drone attacks’

PM approves promotion of 85 high-ranking officers ISLAMABAD

PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

The forum of several political-cumreligious parties, the Difa-e-Pakistan Council on Monday asked the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take suo motu action against drone attack in Pakistan.

They said the SC to direct the government to demand compensation from the US for the 3,315 Pakistanis killed in the drone attacks. They said the government and armed forces must quit the socalled war on terror and implement the unanimously passed parliamentary resolution.

Addressing a joint press conference at Peshawar Press Club Maulana Syed Muhammad Yusuf Shah, Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam-Sami Ikramullah Shahid Dr Zakir Shah, Jamiat-e-Ahl-I-Hadees Maulana Ismail Darwish, Zubair Anjum, Abdul Qayyum League Syed Sher Shah and Jamaat-e-Ahl-I-Sunnat Syed ur Rahman Safi said the US was trying to destablise Pakistan through drone attacks, imposing an economic crisis and building Raymond Davis like networks after its defeat in Afghanistan.

C

Staff RepoRt

LeARING the backlog developed due to his visit to Australia, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday approved recommendations of the Central Selection Board for promotion of around 85 officers belonging to the Services/Groups.

Per the official handout issued, 20 officers of the District Management Group (DMG) have been promoted from BS-20 to BS-21. Those promoted include Khusro Pervaz Khan, Arif Ahmad Khan, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Babar, Fazal Abbas Maken, Muhammad Naseer Jamali, Maj (r) Khalid Hussain Gilani, Capt (r) Iftikhar Ahmad Rao, Capt (r) Muhammad Yusuf, Arifa Saboohi, Muhammad Hummayun, Syed Said Badshah Bukhari, Furqan Bahadur Khan, Pir Bukhsh Khan Jamali, Ubaid Rabbani Qureshi, Shahid Mahmood, Syed Mubashir Raza, Khalid Masood Chaudhry, Muhammad Abid Javed, Muhammad Siddique Memon, and Sohail Akbar Shah.

Another 20 officers of the DMG were approved to be promoted from BS-19 to BS-20. the names of those promoted are Fawad Hassan Fawad, Naveed Saleh Siddique, Dr Arshad

Mahmood, Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Muhammad Asad Islam Mahni, Capt (r) Khurram Agha, Syed Ataur Rehman, Jawad Paul, Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Momin Agha, Joudat Ayaz, Capt (r) Nawaz Naseem, Shakeel Ahmad Mangrejo, Capt (r) Asadullah Khan, Agha Wasif Abbas, Capt (r) Syed Waqarul Hasan, Ambreen Raza, Naveed Ahmad Shaikh, Mohayuddin Ahmad Wani, and Ahsan Ali Mangi.

Seven officers of Police Service of Pakistan were also promoted from BS20 to BS-21. The names are Zafar Abbas, Capt (r) S Moravet Ali Shah, Muhammad Khalid Qureshi, Akhtar Hassan Khan Gorchani, Sheikh Nasimuz Zaman, Syed Zakir Hussain, and Muhammad Aslam Tareen.

Another 11 officers of Police Service

of Pakistan were promoted from BS-19 to BS-20 including Amir Ahmad Shaikh, Jahanzeb Khan Jogezai, Amir Zulfiqar Khan, Ghulam Rasool Zahid, BA Nasir, Mirza Shakil Ahmad, ehsan Sadiq, Shahid Hayat Khan, Muhammad Farooq Mazhar, Muhammad Azim Arshad, Asif Saifullah Paracha, Sadiq Kamal Khan Orakzai, and Halena Iqbal Saeed.

Nine officers of the Secretariat Group have been approved for promotion from Bs-20 to BS 21 including Shahzad Iqbal, Ali Abid, Muhammad Nasim, Iftikhar Ali Khan, Muhammad Sarwar, Abdul Latif Leghari, Muhammad Jamil Babar, Ghulam Nabi Mangrio, and Hafiz Muhammad Ziauddin.

Another 14 officers from the Secretariat Group have been approved for promotion from Bs-19 to Bs-20 including Asad Rafi Chandan, Mohammad Hanif, Farid Ahmad Khan, Abdul Aleem Memon, Hussain Mirza Mughal, S Tariq Mahmood Jaffery, Zahoor Ahmad, Muhammad Ramzan Awan, Muhammad Anwar Sheikh, Syed Khalid Ali Raza Gardezi, Mohammad Salman, Mushtaq Ahmad, Abdul Saboor Nizamani, and Aijaz Ahmad Memon.

Abdul Jabbar Ali has been promoted from Railways (Commercial & Transportation) Group while Javed Sarfraz Malik has been promoted from Information Group from BS-21 to BS-21.

we support Imran Khan’s demand to reveal assets: APML g

Fawad Chaudhry says APML leadership promises to reveal asset details soon LAHORE Staff RepoRt

All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said that the APML leadership will provide details of their assets before people soon.

In a press release from the APML Punjab Secretariat, Fawad said the APML endorsed Pakistan Tehreek I Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan’s demand that each politician should disclose the details of his assets before the public. He said the APML leadership including APML Chief Pervez Musharraf will provide their asset details soon and the APML senior leadership had initiated the process.

He said Imran Khan’s stance on the Local Body System was similar to Musharraf’s Local Government System and the Pakistan People Pakistan-led ruling alliance had caused losses to the political structure by postponing local government elections. He said it was important to take the country out of the clutches of the PPP and PML-N and the APML would support parties which challenge the political status quo.

‘resPectable forM of lying’

Now Shujaat, Malik penning their autobiographies ISLAMABAD iRfan BuKhaRi

F

OLLOWING in the footsteps of Begum Kulsoom Saifullah and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan, who recently compiled their memoirs, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and the most controversial interior minister of Pakistani history, Rehman Malik, are penning their autobiographies.

Reacting to venomous tirade of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif against President Asif Ali Zardari, Rehman Malik claimed that he had a lot of “stuff” against the Sharifs that could be made public at the appropriate time. “I am also authoring a book (autobiography) in which many secrets will be revealed,” announced Malik, who was also recently awarded with an honorary doctorate degree by the Karachi University.

Meanwhile, a central leader of PMLQ told Pakistan Today that Shujaat Hussain had also hired the services of same

Urdu writer who penned Begum Kulsoom Saifullah’s autobiography “Meri Tenha Parwaz”.

As Shujaat is one of the most seasoned living politicians of the country, he definitely has treasure trove to share with the people of the country provided he opts to put minimum filter on his mental recollections, otherwise they say “half truth is full lie”.

To author autobiographies has been a favourite leisure time pastime of our rulers as Ayub Khan authored (Friends Not Masters), Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (If I Am Assassinated), Benazir Bhutto (Daughter Of The east), Yousaf Raza Gilani (Chahe-Yousaf Se Sada), Pervez Musharraf (In The Line Of Fire), Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (Farzand-e-Pakistan), Makhdoom Javed Hashmi (Haan Mein Baghi Hoon), Asghar Khan (My Political Struggle) and many more politicians at one stage of their political career preserved their personal experiences and political ideologies in the form of a book.

Without saying a word on autobiographies of our politicians, I quote famous english biographer and writer Humphrey Carpenter who once said: “Autobiography is probably the most respectable form of lying.”

Sources close to Shujaat say that in his autobiography, the veteran politician would unveil the real face of many politicians with whom he has been working like the Sharifs, apart from telling the whole truth about Musharraf’s eight-year rule. If the Chaudhry from Gujrat really tells the whole truth about his political journey and past and present partners, the book will not only sell like hotcakes but will also ignite new controversies and spate of heated arguments in political arena of the country. Let’s see when PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari make up their minds to transfer the history of their pains and pleasures on paper sheets.

Imran’s recently launched book “Pakistan: A Personal History”, succeeded in wining laurels across the globe due to Khan’s iconic stature as sportsman, and the book is cleverly crafted mixture of Pakistan’s history and his own autobiography reflecting the challenges that Khan faced in cricket and later on in his humanitarian work and politics. He proposes not just political overhaul but religious reappraisal, calling for an “enlightened Islam” that is not too afraid to take as its guide the best of Western democratic values as well as Quranic scripture.

Another, recently published book of Begum Kalsoom Saifullah, “Meri Tanha Parvaz” (My Solo Flight) also gained some attention due to book’s controversial material. However, some of the disclosures in the book caused fissures and differences in the PML-Likeminded which forced the author to clarify her position on revelations made about General Akhtar Abdur Rehman, the father of PML-likeminded secretary general Humayun Akhtar.

The quote which caused trouble for his son Senator Salim Saifullah, the PMLLikeminded President, is: “Gen Akhtar Abdur Rehman told me that he could not even afford to buy a cycle. However, these people went on accumulating wealth and property in a manner which is incomprehensible.” Once world’s number one tennis player, Boris Becker said many years ago: “An autobiography is not about pictures; it’s about the stories; it’s about honesty and as much truth as you can tell without coming too close to other people’s privacy.”

In the book, Begum Kulsoom Safiullah narrates the events of her 50 years of political experience and throws light on various eras starting from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to Nawaz Sharif’s tenure. On the Ojhri Camp tragedy, the author writes: “I can confidently say that some Stinger

missiles were taken out of the Ojhri Camp on orders from General Zia so that they could be provided to Iran, and Gen Zia ordered that Ojhri Camp be blown up before the arrival of the US inspection team.”

Humayun Akhtar Khan also held launching ceremony of his ‘so-called’ book “Road Map to Pakistan’s Recovery”, last week, which in fact proved just the manifesto of Pakistan Muslim LeagueLikeminded and had no meat for the curious readers therefore it was dubbed as a “wish list” of a political party lacking concrete strategies to steer the country out of existing crises.

“It would have been far better for Akhtar to author his autobiography than to compile a boring manifesto-type-piece for his party,” said a PML-Likeminded leader seeking not to be attributed.

Lt Gen (r) Talat Masood, who was guest at the book-launching ceremony, told Pakistan Today that the book was nothing more than a wish list of a political party. “In Humayun’s book, only problems and challenges have been identified which people have been identifying for decades … The question is how to bring about change, how to integrate policies with each other … the book is silent on the question about resource generation,” he said.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Editor’s mail 11

If not so good, not so bad either Mr Arif Nizami in his latest article has highlighted the role of players involved in unofficial dialogues with India.

Track II is basically a technique that intellectuals, retired officers, media people use to discuss bilateral issues confronting the two countries, India and Pakistan.

The writer has in a way accepted that nothing concrete has happened towards solving the core issues. But let us not undermine their achievements, when the governments were not at good terms, Track II was in operation and they were having frank discussions on the burning issues in non-official capacity in their respective countries.

I disagree with the writer when he says that back channel diplomacy and official talks should be pursued vigorously.

We have been doing this for the last 64 years without moving an inch forward.

Gen Musharraf wanted to become hero to have resolved the Kashmir issue but his

dreams were shattered when he came back empty handed.

India will never show any flexibility on the issues that are under dispute .We are again being trapped in the name of free visa, trade and transit facility to India to transport goods to Afghanistan.

India will continue blame game that has been their cardinal principle when dealing with Pakistan. Simla Agreement clearly states that "in Jammu and Kashmir the line of control, resulting from ceasefire line of 17 Dec 1971 shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to be the recognised position of either side.” Has India accepted the recognised position? Is recognised position the position that India or Pakistan takes on the issue?

It is true that Pakistan is infested with terrorist groups and Pakistan army is all out to wipe them out. But as a nation we have some responsibility to

Our callous leaders share, not the way PML (N) is displaying.

Any one who advised them the present rally against a democratic government was an enemy of the party and the country. We should not please businessman to make more money with India on enhanced trade or grant MFN status as it is detrimental to our national interest.

It is incorrect to suggest that India shall dump their goods in Pakistan. No, sir. They have only one agenda: to further destabilise Pakistan and have free access in Pakistan to infiltrate RAW agents suiting to their convenience. The US is flooded with Chinese goods and so is the case with Pakistan.

This has destroyed our domestic industry because Pakistan cannot compete with the prices. Believably true Pakistani businessmen are making a lot of money through Chinese goods.

The addition of Indian goods will have no effect prices as the Chinese are

already offering the lowest prices possible.

There is no harm in continuing Track II. After all, the government is also doing the same thing. War is no solution to the problems. The negotiations, however, must be meaningful and purposeful, enabling both the nations to find out solutions of contentions issues. In the next round of talks on Track II, we must point out to India to stop atrocities in Indian Held Kashmir and widespread human rights violations at the hands of the Indian army, and highlight the issue of water as India is using it as a weapon to coerce her neighbours, especially Pakistan.

This must be emphasised to India that until and unless the core issue is resolved, peace in the region will be a distant dream.

MUKHTAR AHMED Karachi

education in Pakistan The existing education delivery system of Pakistan is not meeting the needs and aspirations of the society as such.

Moreover, prior to devolution, the policy and planning have been undertaken by the central and provincial governments without taking into account the ground realities and without the participation of community.

The education system at university level is much better than the higher secondary level and as for primary and middle levels, it’s even worse. Private schools provide quality education to some level but as far as the government schools are concerned, the system is very poor.

Teachers rarely come to school because teachers won’t have to answer to anyone about their irregular and insincere attitude. Moreover, there is no proper arrangement for cleanliness and maintenance in schools which makes the situation even more critical. Because of all this, students are irregular in schools.

Their confidence level decreases rapidly and their knowledge remains constant.

If we talk about private schools, they are providing only a little better than the public sector schools. In about 60 percent of schools, unqualified and inexperienced teachers are hired at low salaries event though the fee structure is much higher than the quality of education provided. The remaining 40 percent schools that are providing quality with the help of experienced highly qualified teachers are expensive as far as fee structure is concerned. So, they are not affordable for everyone. Only, the rich can afford them.

The government has to take this matter seriously and raise the standard of education and provide free education to everyone.

HINA SHEIKH Karachi

eCP at its climax It is good to see that institutions are working in our country. Some days ago, the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) suspended the membership of more than 200 MPs who failed to file their annual statements of their assets and liabilities before the given deadline by the eCP. Under the Public Representation Act, the eCP is legally bound to suspend any member of National and Provincial assemblies as well as Senate who fails to file his or her financial details by the given deadline.

The democratic government did well by making eCP an autonomous body under the 18th Amendment. It was a good step of the government as eCP is working smoothly without any bias. The eCP suspended lawmakers from upper and lower house of the Parliament and members from all four Provincial assemblies. It is worth mentioning that key members from the ruling party and its coalition parties were also suspended.

It is also noteworthy that lawmakers didn’t make any hurdle on eCP’s suspension notification, as is the practice in the past. Lawmakers have obeyed the eCP orders; some of them have submitted their statements of assets and liabilities and have been restored. eCP’s this practice is appreciable and should be continued in the future as well for the smooth working of the House.

HAFIZ MUHAMMAD IRFAN Islamabad

We are spending billions of rupees in campaigns for conventions in Lahore and Karachi.

Meanwhile the father of two committed suicide in front of parliament lodges in Islamabad.

The media did not give proper coverage to the death of this common man because he did not belong to Bhutto family, or Sharif family, or Chaudhry family, or Shah family. He was not as rich and under corruption charges as Monis elahi. He was not Chief Minister of Punjab chanting slogans against President. He was not Raja Riaz responding to accusations of Chief Minister, Punjab.

A man with two kids cannot feed his children, what else is he supposed to do? But the authorities were busy in hanging banners and placing billboards for their leaders. No leader expressed sorrow for that poor man or his children. What will these callous leaders do in future if they don’t care for them now?

I feel ashamed sometimes being part of this nation. We write, we speak, we protest for every non-issue but never for a common person. Killing yourself is not a good option but he set an example for all of us by not robbing a bank, by not kidnapping anyone for ransom, not praising someone to earn extra money and by not stealing millions of rupees from NICL. I hope someone takes notice for his family. Our leaders should not have spent millions of rupees in campaigns for their conventions but should have spent that money for providing food and other necessities for hungry children and unemployed people of Pakistan.

SYED FOAAD HASSAN Lahore

Corruption by Patwaris

vive without a workable welfare system in place for poor masses. The federal government should have been seen coming to the aid of Punjab government and the people who were facing this killer mosquito. This federal government, like its predecessor, has failed to give priority to health and education. Now that health has been devolved to the provinces, funds should have been allocated and in view of this epidemic-like situation in Punjab, emergency relief funds should have been allocated.

My word of advice to Imran Khan is to stop ridiculing the victims of this epidemic by doing politics and making a joke of dengue. It is an epidemic which has to be collectively fought by the government and the people who live in this country. The people of Pakistan have to play their part by stop littering our cities with waste and stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes.

MIR TASSADAQ Lahore

According to a press report, Chief Justice of Lahore High Court has ordered the Punjab government to constitute special task forces at district level to keep an eye on corrupt practices of Patwaris and to entertain public complain against them.

I appreciate this step but I am afraid unless the present system record of land owners is not computerised and post of Patwari is not abolished, the corruption will not be eliminated because it is not only the Patawari who is beneficiary of present system but the higher-ups in the revenue department also have their share. It is the need of the hour to replace this obsolete system of record keeping.

It is not very expensive to use GIS and GPS Technology to keep the record of land and its ownership.

The provincial government should replace its Revenue Department with a Land Assets Management Authority which can engage the private sector or NADRA to handle the data of land ownership.

A huge amount of money has been spent on using computers and internet for such record keeping, but it has never been implemented. To reduce the corruption, the use of information technology is imperative.

Unfortunately, the present mainstream political parties are not interested in tackling corruption and reforming the system of civil administration.

This is the main reason why the corruption in Pakistan is increasing. It needs to change, and change soon.

S T HUSSAIN Lahore

already drawn the full pension arrears in light of the above judgment. However, the same principle has been denied to be applied to other pensioners by AGPR who have been advised by the Finance Division (Regulation Wing) that the above judgment appears to be in personam and cannot be extended to other employees.

References made to Finance Division (Regulation Wing) by the pensioners as advised by AGPR have received no response whatsoever.

The SC may take suo motu notice of the case under Article 184(3) of the Con-

stitution as the matter concerns the application of a fundamental right of Article 25 that enshrines equality before law and equal protection of law for all citizens.

The matter is of public importance and concerns a significant number of old pensioners of above 75 years of age that are being denied equal fundamental rights.

Moreover, as the judgment of court is in rem which may be treated as such in equity and fairplay to the old pensioners at the fag end of their life.

DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI Lahore

Wounded economy One wonders how we are still able to run our economy even though it is totally wounded. The PKR is already touching 88 rupees per one dollar conversion rate these days. The phenomenon is just a byproduct of inflation that has raked the country.

The economic policies of the government, particularly the internal borrowing from the State Bank, have upset the delicate balance of budgetary equation.

All fields are equal A few years back, one of my friends wanted to do bachelors in international relations but due to the society and its notions, she had to face a lot of peer pressure.

Our society believes that only those who have accomplished something in the fields of medicine, engineers, accounting and management can get handsome salary and respect. She had to opt for an engineering degree due to this issue.

Now, she and many of her classmates are jobless due to a plethora of engineers and limited amount of job opportunities.

There are many capable students who have to face impediments in the development of their talent and have limited their ambitions to such faculties. As a result, these faculties get heavily populated leaving many graduates of other faculties remain jobless. In fact, all the subjects and fields have great scope and good opportunities.

It is time to move beyond the making do kind of thinking and sincerely lay down certain limits on borrowing, clear fiscal policy and a framework for financial stability. This is only possible if the government checks leakages in the state owned organisations and fetters corruption.

NADEEMA BILQUIS Lahore

Our society is heedless about such facts. It must be made aware of the facts through an awareness campaign with the help of media and teaching institutes.

SARA ALAM Karachi

Dengue is no joke As a citizen of Pakistan, who has lost a young nephew to dengue, it pains me when political parties make a joke out of this disease which has killed more than 320 people. At least the Punjab government is seen making an effort to eradicate the killer mosquitoes and provide some sort of medical relief to those who suffer, with an inadequate medical health service system to which the government contributes almost nothing.

Most of the citizens cannot afford to pay for expensive private health care and the government seems to be least pushed about it. No system of government, whether a capitalist or socialist, can sur-

restored pension disparity Normally, the commuted portion of pension of civil servants, that is 50 percent, is restored after a lapse of 15 years from retirement.

The pensioners who availed this restoration were 75 years of age by that time. However, the restored portion of pension did not include the annual increases allowed for non-commuted portion during the 15 years.

Recently, the Supreme Court of Pakistan dismissed petition of Accountant General Pakistan, Revenue, Lahore versus A A Zuberi and Abrar Hussain Naqvi in C P No 2393 of 2010 and C P No 2394

of 2010 thus leaving in the field judgment of division bench of LHC comprising Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali and Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah vide ICA No 118/09 and ICA No 215/09.

The judgment stipulated that (“the restoration of pension means the pension due to a retired civil servant in that year inclusive of all the increments till that time (ie) accumulated over the last 15 years in this case. In other words, it would simply be double the amount of 50 percent pension the respondents are already drawing.”)

Since then the two respondents have

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. Fax: +92-42-36298302. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

12 Comment After the rally…

Chinks in their armour

A

fter the rally on Sunday, parties so far ignoring Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf as a force will do so only at great political risk. It goes to Imran’s credit that he has initiated into politics a section of the youth that was generally cynical about politics and remained a part of the silent majority that does not cast vote. The rally also attracted many families who joined the rally along with children and elderly people.

The rally also revealed the chinks in PTI’s armour. It was only an urban show with an over representation of the well-todo. This was indicated by the three extra large parking lots packed with cars with many more left along the roadside for nearly two kilometers. Among the audience was a fairly large number of the present or past alumni of the upscale english medium schools who enthusiastically responded to the bands of their liking playing at the stage. While a significant section of the mega city was thus represented at the rally, there was only a sprinkling of a much larger section comprising the lower middle class, the urban poor and labour. Also disquieting was the absence of a vision and a hunch for quick fixes in Imran’s speech. This created the perception that if electricity was restored and looted money brought back, the country would be flowing with milk and honey. There was no word about the restoration of law and order, the issue of poverty and lawlessness and the uncontrolled growth of population that continues to nullify whatever remedial measures are taken. It is naïve to think that those who are fighting for a worldwide Khilafat, or continue to kill people belonging to other Muslim sects will become peaceful citizens once the US-led forces have left Afghanistan. Similarly, there was no word about how to address the grievances of the smaller provinces. The theme song of the rally “Hum sub aik hain” might win applause in Lahore but would hardly satisfy those in smaller federal units.

While rallies might help in spreading the message of a political party, what counts in a Westminster style of democracy is the party machine active in all the provinces and a widely introduced second tier of leadership. Will PTI concentrate on creating the apparatus prior to the elections due in 2013 or fritter way its energies on agitations?

Look it up first Tahrir, Jalib, Civil Disobedience

L

eft is right, right is left. Outside in, inside out. Words, it appears, don’t mean anything. If a term has a nice ring to it, use it. Use it with reckless abandon. After all, the simpletons on the other side of the podium, the other side of the airwaves, don’t want ideology, they want something catchy to dance to. No one listens to the lyrics, right?

Just this week alone has seen a plethora of misplaced symbolism that could fill a textbook on the subject. Consider Shahbaz Sharif’s wanting to lay the foundation stone of “Tahrir Square” at the venue of his rally. So what if the contents of the Punjab chief minister’s speech are against everything that the one-time occupants of the Cairo landmark stood for? They wanted representative government, something which we do have at the moment. One might have issues with the way they are running the country but the assumption is that this disaffection can be channeled against any unpopular government in the next elections. Tahrir Square of Arab Spring fame has a nice hereand-now feel to it so why not use it?

Now consider the liberal use of the poet Habib Jalib, which has finally riled the late poet’s widow. Adopt his hermit-like lifestyle first and then recite his work. Not a fair comparison, one hears? Apples and oranges? How can politicians compare with the postmodern art form that was Jalib? He was his art and all that? Ok, but comparisons of ideology are certainly not out of line. Jalib wanted an end to economic inequality and deprivation. A stark contrast from the party of the bazaar that the League is. He stood up against martial law, burying the hatchet with erstwhile foe ZAB – who actually sent him to the gulag along with other NAP leaders – and writing poems for his daughter when she was up against Zia-ul-Haq. Shahbaz Sharif’s call for lynching a sitting elected president is anything but Jalib.

Moving on to media darling Imran Khan and his call for “Civil Disobedience.” When MK Gandhi started his Thoreauinspired movement, one that was to inspire restless hearts the world over, there was an imperial power governing India. We have, at the risk of being repetitive, a democratically elected government. Rally against it, yes. But if you refuse to pay your taxes – as the Mahatma did with his Salt Marches – be ready to be put in the slammer the way tax thieves should be.

Last but not the least is the unkindest cut of all: the use of leftist iconography and sloganeering by the student wings of the religious parties. Because there’s nothing quite as cool as those.

You know you have hit rock bottom when the zealots greet their “revolutionary” followers at their rallies with a surkh salaam.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36298305-10 Fax: 042-36298302 Karachi – Ph: 021-34330811-3 Fax: 021-34330900 Islamabad – Ph: 051-2287414-6 Fax: 051-2287417 Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Who is responsible?

Dang tapao: the ugly side

By Dr Faisal Bari

L

ast week we had talked about ‘dang tapao’ or ‘making do’ and how this attitude was leading to poor services and manufacturing and was harmful for individuals as well as the organisations which were not trying to counter the influence of this inertness. But there is a much darker side to this attitude as well. even a quick Google search revealed that 10 people had been killed when a gas cylinder of a passenger van exploded on 25 October, 15 people had been killed in a similar incident on 12 July, and another 16 people were killed in January. These incidents were all of gas cylinders exploding in public transport. I am not looking at explosions at home where capricious husbands or in-laws might have something to do with such incidents. At least, 40 odd people killed in just these three incidents, and there must be others too.

The question is whether the cylinders installed in these vehicles were of at least minimum acceptable quality or not, and whether the installation was done properly. If in either case we had ‘making do’ happen, and corners were cut to save money and inferior quality was used or less than proper care was taken in installation, then these were not accidents, these were murders. I am not making a legal point here and allow that these could be cases of criminal neglect or manslaughter and not murder, but that is not the point: the point is that ‘making do’ has led to tremendously costly outcomes and is not just an issue of ‘lack of excellence’ but of following even minimum acceptable standards. The motive of ‘making do’ does not really matter: it could be lack of competence, lack of inertness or the greed for profit, but it is the outcome that matters. If the outcome

endangers the lives of others and flouts minimum quality standards set for a particular product or process, then it is unacceptable.

A separate tragic incident that also makes this point very forcefully was the case of the bus that turned turtle in Kallar Kahar area and where we lost many school children. A colleague wrote about it in detail in Pakistan Today (Sunday Review of 16 October, 2011, page 6: Affordable but at what cost?), so I will not give the details. But the fact is that poor quality engineering done under circumstances where no minimum standards have been fixed – and even where minimum standards have been stipulated there are no effective regulatory, monitoring and evaluation systems – proved fatal. And we do not even have systems for bringing those who cut corners to justice.

To take the case of faulty gas cylinders again, the people who installed these cylinders, the people who got the cylinders installed, and the government officials who were supposed to check whether the installation was of minimum standard or not should all be held liable. Cases should be registered against all three of them and they should be brought to justice. even in the Kallar Kahar case, instead of just trying to find scapegoats in the bus company or school administration, there should be cases against people who are supposed to check the quality of bus cabins to ensure they are road worthy.

If we have not yet stipulated minimum standards for these things, then it is time the government takes its regulatory functions seriously and does it. If they do not, the ministers and other relevant people should be held accountable for these deaths in a court of law: they are supposed to protect public interest, they should be answerable for governmental negligence.

It is not a difficult task to structure regulation for these areas. In the case of gas cylinders for vehicles, if they come fitted from auto factories, the auto factories are responsible and liable for any quality issues. They can be given standards for cylinders and if there is any proof that they have not followed these, they should be prosecuted. But the incidents mentioned above did not take place with factory-fitted cylinders. It seems they happened where transporters have had CNG kits fitted later. The government should regulate these fitters and ‘license’ them and stipulate that people should only get their

vehicles converted to CNG at these licensed fitters.

Then if there is a mishap the fitter can be held responsible. And if a transporter goes to non-licensed fitters he will face liability issues. And since vehicles get their ‘tokens’, for road use, renewed every year, if they have had a CNG kit fitted after purchase of vehicle, they can be made to submit details of the authorised dealer from where they got the kit installed. It should be simple and not too costly to do this. But it will raise the cost of ‘making do’ and cutting corners significantly for transporters, for people who do CNG fitting, and for the government officials who are supposed to regulate these things in the public interest.

There are many other markets, and some very crucial ones, in which the cost of negligence – in getting a proper regulatory framework in place and making people liable for cutting corners, and acting criminally (in case the regulatory framework is in place) – can be very high. The markets for medicines and edibles are clear examples. every so often we hear of people dying or getting ill because of spurious drugs and adulterated food items.

What about the big brands in the food and beverage industry – are they all following the regulations? What about pharmaceuticals – why is oftentimes the same medicine, same brand, purchased from UAe or europe/US more effective than the one produced locally?

What about the quality of packaged milk? We were told gawala milk was not good, are the regulations on the packaged milk industry being monitored and implemented?

After the Kallar Kahar tragedy it was announced that there will be an inquiry and those responsible for the tragedy will be held accountable. Nothing has come of it till now.

But the question is, even if some people are held accountable, will these be the right people? Will it be people who were supposed to set minimum standards for making bus shells, will it be people who shaved on quality, or will it be some scapegoats? And on the issue of gas cylinders, we have not even started to think of the problem. We are still treating them as ‘accidents’.

The writer is an Associate Professor of Economics at LUMS (currently on leave) and a Senior Advisor at Open Society Foundation (OSF). He can be reached at fbari@sorosny.org

Revolution happens the records of history

By Rabia Ahmed

I

t needed no second sight to predict how the Gaddafi saga would resonate in Lahore: the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium – ought it to be renamed?

Maybe the new name should be the Dr Rehman Malik Stadium?

Moammar Gaddafi, ignobly dragged along the street and killed, was once a charismatic and dashing figure. Certainly we thought so during the Lahore Islamic Summit of 1974 – remember the throng of students on the streets as Gaddafi’s cavalcade passed? In a gruesome twist, Libyans filed past Gaddafi’s decomposing body to gawk and gloat after he had been shot in the head and abdomen in an execution style assassination by angry countrymen.

So will the memory of the man and the stadium’s old name be shoved under the carpet as

usual? It could keep bitter company there with the erstwhile east Pakistan, among others.

‘To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven in the life of our ancestors by the records of history? – Cicero Libya’s Moammar Gaddafi took over in the 60s in a bloodless coup, and subsequently ruled Libya in an unofficial capacity till his fall in 2011.

In 1973, the Arab Oil Producing and exporting Countries’ (OPeC’s) oil embargo obtained fairer returns for the countries’ oil exports, Libya among them.

Gaddafi’s government used this revenue to increase the country’s then poor living standards.

Healthcare in Libya is free and according to the current CIA Factbook, the average life expectancy of Libyans is 78.65, less by just one year the average life expectancy of Americans. education is free in Libya, and primary education is mandatory for all citizens. Libya became definitely better off than the rest of Africa.

But Gaddafi went off after a while, rather like curdled milk.

Dissent and opposition were clamped down on by means of censorship, at times with assassinations, and massive charges of corruption were levelled against

Gaddafi’s own family.

According to the CIA Factbook once again, Pakistan’s proven reserves of natural gas exceed 840 billion per cubic metre and its proven reserves of crude oil are 313 million bbl (barrels). However, Pakistan’s public debt currently stands at 50.7 percent of GDP, and its inflation last year at 13.9 percent. Our people stand a high risk of major infectious diseases, including food and waterborne diseases.

We spend less than three percent of GDP on education (2009) so the total literacy rate of Pakistan (as defined by those over the age of fifteen and over, who can read and write) is less than 50 percent – around 63 percent for men and 36 percent for women.

Our average life expectancy is almost 12 years below that of Libya’s, and almost a quarter of the population of Pakistan lives below the poverty line.

At no time, it is obvious, have we even approached the achievements of the man who was shot in the streets the other day, and whose body lay mouldering for days without burial.

As for Pakistan, its leaders curdled and decomposed long ago, without any achievements to their credit at any stage.

In this country where the press is relatively free and unfet-

tered, it is an insidious form of censorship when the slate of history is wiped so clean every time it is written on with dirty chalk.

Renaming roads and buildings, expunging information from and modifying curricula, stressing glorification rather than analysis and forcing universities to grant blatantly underserved degrees to political figures for blatantly political reasons – it never stops.

The leaders of Pakistan escape with an appalling performance because those ruled by them have never had the opportunity to assess that performance except by the yardstick of their own starvation and deprivation.

For those in a hurry to erase monuments to Gaddafi’s memory it is best to think again. It may be a better idea for hoardings to be erected prominently outside each provincial assembly building, and outside the National Assembly building in Islamabad displaying that chilling photograph of Zine el Abidine of Tunisia, Moammar Gaddafi of Libya, and Hosni Mubarak of egypt all together – one deposed and forced to flee the country, another deposed, shot and killed, and the third deposed and brought to court to be tried for his crimes, in a cage.

The photograph needs no caption, except maybe just: Revolution Happens.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Comment 13

What is not to be done?

Like a tiger

the politics of the left

Khan and other jalsamongers

By Ahmed Yusuf

W

atching Shahbaz Sharif and then Imran Khan over the weekend hold million spellbound with their rhetoric about “revolution” and the “throne of Lahore” was painful: this is a city with a vibrant Left, and yet, popular space and the revolution jargon were meekly ceded to the very people a revolution should target. everyone and their uncle in Pakistan are in election mode now, except the Left.

Largely fractured over egotistical conflict – albeit one given the façade of a class struggle – the Left in Pakistan is the strongest in Punjab, and perhaps has been since the founding of Pakistan.

The communists had been working in what is now known as Pakistan and Bangladesh much before Partition; in 1948, the Communist Party of Pakistan (CPP) was formed in Calcutta by the then monolithic entity, the Communist Party of India. The rationale quite simply was that a new country needed its own communist party – a decision that reflected the communists’ assumption that Pakistan was here to stay, at least much longer than Jawaharlal Nehru’s expectations.

The communists were not all “aliens” though; despite a number of cadres with Muslim names having been sent from India, the CPP also had in its ranks some stellar working class leaders. Mirza Mohammad Ibrahim, a Lahorite trade union leader working in the railways, was among the founding members of the CPP. The first ‘indigenous’ member of the party from Karachi was Tufail Abbas, a young boy who proved his mettle as a student activist and was inducted into the party proper as due acknowledgement of his intellect and activity. Abbas currently heads the Pakistan Mazdoor Mahaaz (PMM), perhaps the largest Left formation in Karachi, and is affectionately known among his party and unions as “Baba-e-Mazdoor”.

But by 1954, the party and its associated organisations and unions were banned by the government on charges of treason. The leftists did not want Pakistan to ally with the United States,

which led to the now infamous Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case. Thus began decades of persecution and violence, the physical marks of which many an old cadre is willing to show. The leftists then headed en masse for the National Awami Party (NAP), but that too was banned in 1958 after Ayub Khan assumed power. Despite losing half the party in 1971, the communists are perhaps yet to recover from this ban.

Of course, while the Left has been unable to act even as a pressure group in Pakistan, there is a particular vibrancy in Left politics. On the one hand are the glorious struggles of the peasants in Hashtnagar (Charsadda), the equally vibrant Kissan Committee, workers of the Railway Workers Union, even Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s Tonga Workers Union, the women’s Tehreek-e-Niswan and many other fronts. But on the other hand, Left politics have been marked and marred by frequent creation of new parties, and their subsequent splitting up.

The Mazdoor Kissan Party (MKP) – a once-colossal party which was formed when two of the greatest ideologues at the time, Afzal Bangash and Major Ishaq Mohammad, decided to join forces – would rival the Muslim League in terms of the number of factions and sub-factions. Bangash and Mohammad split over ideological differences – and hence, so did their parties – but political conditions necessitated reuniting after a few years. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the MKP and CPP merged together to form the Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party (CMKP).

There was some good news last year though with the formation of the Workers Party of Pakistan (WPP): one faction of the CMKP decided to join forces with Abid Hasan Manto’s National Workers Party. Another major and respected group, the People’s Rights Movement (PRM) led by Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, also became part of this merger. The new party was called the Workers Party of Pakistan. It is also because of these efforts that the National Students Federation (NSF) was revived into a working condition, and allied with another, the Progressive Youth Front (PYF), is now at a stage where leftist activists are not scared anymore of openly operating in universities in Lahore.

The faction of the CMKP that didn’t become party to this merger is led by Dr Taimur Rahman (of Laal fame); the CMKP argued that they didn’t want to be part of a party that was not overtly communist in its outlook. While the CMKP exerts some influence among some trade unions and peasant groups, these organisations are not yet part of

the party, or any other group, proper.

Other notable parties in Lahore include Labour Party of Pakistan, led by Farooq Tariq, and the CPP faction led by Imdad Qazi.

The Left’s present is a reflection of the strategic and tactical mistakes made by leaders in the ages gone by and even today. In fact, while the point of charting the alternative political landscape is not to emphasise how fractured Left politics is in Pakistan, it is an exercise in understanding where Left parties lost their political culture to parochial and bounded interpretations of democratic centralism – the same organisational structure replicated first by the Jamaate-Islami, and then by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, to create vibrant and active parties.

One of the bedrocks of the principle of democratic centralism is for all cadres to engage in criticism and self-criticism.

Yet, whenever disputes cropped up, leaders chose to engage and argue up to a certain point, before setting off on their separate paths. This phenomenon is not particular to Pakistan, but certainly, it is taken to an extreme in Pakistan as leaders tend to turn to different labels (revisionism, ultra-Leftism, opportunism, counter-revolutionary) to castigate fellow comrades.

Perhaps the nature of Leftist politics makes labeling easier, given the variance in interpretations of classical texts.

In doing so, however, theological status is awarded to classical texts and messianic attributes given to the veteran leaders. Those who agree are in, those who don’t were never meant to be part of Left politics in the first place.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf started its journey in April 25, 1996. Its support base was given hope two days ago, more than 15 years after the party’s inception. But for the blessings of those in power (and not government), the PTI wouldn’t have dared enter Lahore. This is a luxury that the Left does not enjoy.

The irony, though, is that the very people the Left claims to represent are ready for a revolution, any revolution, which depends on their mass support but not as ideologues. Unfortunately for them, the intellectual thrust of the Left is to want people to become cadres before a revolution comes about. At this pace, a fifth generation of establishment-backed “hope” will enter Lahore much before the vanguards of revolution in Lahore wake up and go about for a stroll.

The writer is a Karachi-based journalist. Connect with him @ASYusuf on Twitter

T

hanks to the wonders of Search engine Optimisation, the PTI’s cyber army (or the Insafians, as they like to call themselves), will make sure that the online version of this article is defaced, discredited and, incidentally, a hit! You see, I happen to know that nobody, and I mean nobody, reads my articles. This is due to the simple fact that I do not aim to deliver hard-hitting journalism, only mildly offensive toilet humour. This, I understand, is not everyone’s cup of tea. Therefore, it is a gratifying thought that if I put the words ‘I**** K***’ in an article, it will boost my audience by at least 400 percent. But I will have to resist that temptation.

With the US presidential elections just around the corner, jalsa fever is sweeping our country too, in a way never seen before. Last weekend was all about street power. The cycle began with a recitation from Habib Jalib, continued into an orgy of curious liberal fascist youths and uncles who wanted to relive their 70s glory days; and culminated in a solemn sitdown on the streets of Karachi. That none of these public gatherings degenerated into violence is a great victory for democracy indeed. But what is the ‘truth’, as many armchair pundits like to ask?

What is really going on in the minds of

By Syed Hassan Belal Zaidi Super Sharif Jr, Big Bhai and the wrathful Khan?

Like many of you, I would also have to confess ignorance.

But that does not mean we cannot speculate.

For a good two years now, the Super Sharifs and their cronies have been in the closet about their anti-Pee Pee Pee ambitions.

From being a friendly opposition serving up lollipop full tosses to the likes of The Babar Awan Ballistic Missile, the Noon League has arrived at a point where they have made outright demands for the departure of el Jefe Zardari and his merry men. The Khadim-e-Ala him-

Mighty obvious

self led the Minto Park symphony orchestra in a tune that would’ve put a smile on the face of Abu Hamza bin Musharraf himself. Sharif Jr’s overtures hinted at a psychosis that manifests itself as thus: the land of the pure needs to be cleansed of the ills that afflict it; we have the cure and you are the disease. What the man fails to realise is that thanks to the countless ‘intelligent’ decisions his party has made over the past year or so, they are no longer even an all-Punjab party.

This does not bode well for leaders whose delusions of grandeur surpass even their own appetites for desi food.

King Khan, on the other hand, most definitely stole the show with his Sunday brunch-cum-rally. The reason for his success is that his gatherings cater to all audiences possible. While only members of the Dead Poet’s Society could be seen at the Sharif jalsa, the PTI party was rocked by young men and women, uncles who had come to see what the young men and women got up to, enterprising food vendors and aspiring musicians who wanted to get noticed, and anyone else who was still ambivalent about whether to go cast their vote or not.

Nobody (in their right minds) was there to actually see the man himself.

But they definitely heard him coming.

In one of the most succinct and coherent speeches he has ever given since the final of the 1992 World Cup, PTI’s spiritual leader showed the world that he was more than just a reverse swinger with a charm irresistible to women who had entered and passed puberty.

The Big Bhai convention, on the other hand, was business as usual.

Bored out of their minds and eagerly awaiting the promised Rs 1000/head they were promised in exchange for wasting an otherwise unproductive Sunday, the hordes at Bhai’s khitaab were not all voluntary attendees.

While the same can be said for nearly all of the other jalsamongers, it must be said that the spectre of an untimely demise did not really hover over those who refused to attend the PTI rally.

The political rally, historically, serves a dual purpose. While it is most definitely a show of strength and a flexing of muscles for both the newcomers as well as the old guard; it allows the sheep (who are the electorate) to decide which wolf they would rather sleep with. While the jury is still out on who had the best Wolf costume this Halloween, it is painfully obvious that the sheep are going to get eaten, either way.

14 World View

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

‘Baby bust’ spells trouble for rich nations AL JAZEERA

T

ChRiS aRSenault

He world’s richest nations are approaching a baby bust. It’s a bear market for newborns and the effects could spell economic and social dislocation in the next 20 years, according to some analysts.

As demographers debate the dangers and benefits of the earth’s population reaching seven billion on October 31, advanced economies in europe, east Asia and even the US are facing declining birth rates. With senior citizens making up a larger proportion of the population, countries are worried that there will be too many retirees receiving healthcare and social security payments and too few workers to support them.

“The costs of supporting the elderly are generally met through taxes,” Madeleine Sumption, an analyst with the Migration Policy Institute in Washington, told Al Jazeera. “Without any reforms to current working and spending patterns, the costs are expected to grow to unsustainable levels in many wealthy countries, particularly in very rapidly ageing countries such as Japan and Italy.” For a population to stay at a steady state, the fertility rate needs to be about 2.1 children per woman. Japan’s rate, one of the lowest in the world, is 1.21, according to the CIA, far below basic replacement levels.

The UK is at 1.91, Belgium’s is 1.65, Canada is at 1.58, South Korea has a rate of 1.23 and Italy has a rate of 1.39. More than 30 countries have what is considered a very low fertility of less than 1.3 births per woman.

DEMogRAPHIC DANgERS: “With a lower fertility rate, the ageing of the population is inevitable,” said Roderic Beaujot, a demographer at the University of Western Ontario in Canada. “You have less people at the bottom of the [age] pyramid and with people living longer you have more people at the top of the pyramid.” In the UK, for example, the number of people over 70 will increase by more than 50 per cent - from 6.2 million today to 9.6 million in 2030 - according to government forecasts.

“Ageing has become a huge industry,” Peggy Taillon, director of the Canadian Council on Social Development, a research organisation, told Al Jazeera. “People are looking for options because of the costs associated with care.” Rising healthcare expenditures are just

More than 30 countries, mostly in Europe and East Asia, face rapidly ageing populations one of the challenges ageing, developed countries are beginning to face as children of the so-called baby boom - the period of high economic growth following World War II - begin to retire. “In order to maintain their standard of living, based on the economic level they have been at for the past 50 years, [developed countries] are going to have to replace their population after the baby boom,” said Thomas Janoski, a professor of sociology at the University of Kentucky. “Demography is the one thing in the social sciences you can predict pretty strongly.” There are two main solutions to the baby bust: increasing fertility rates or encouraging immigration. Both seem fairly simple, but can be difficult to achieve. Facing a steep demographic decline, Russia initiated a policy known as “mother capital” where women are paid about $10,000 to have more than one child. It seems to have had a small effect, but the general trend remains dismal for the world’s largest country by territory. The other option, immigration, is not popular in east Asia and is becoming less appetising for some europeans. Japan has one of the lowest naturalisation rates in the world, Janoski said.

“Japan and Korea will be the odd cases, but

with China sitting on their border, they will have an incentive to keep their economies strong, as they don’t want to become vassal states of China,” he told Al Jazeera.

CLASS AND RELIgIoN: In europe, a common fear among the far-right is that immigration from Muslim majority nations will create “eurabia”. But demographics don’t seem to back up that view. “Perhaps the biggest surprise, given received notions about the Arab/Muslim expanse, is the recent spread of sub- replacement fertility to parts of the Arab and the Muslim world,” wrote Nicholas eberstadt, a political economist at the conservative American enterprise Institute. “Algeria, Tunisia, and Lebanon are now sub-replacement countries, as is Turkey.” Traditionally a sender of emigrants to the US, Canada, Australia and other regions, widespread immigration into europe began after World War II, as large numbers of mostly low-skilled labourers from Turkey, North Africa and the UK’s former colonies in South Asia were encouraged to come in search of work. The children of those immigrants, in some cases, are accused of not assimilating to european culture. This divide, however, could be based more on class

than religion. In contrast to europe, Muslims in the US are among the most highly educated demographics. Forty-three per cent of Muslim American women hold college degrees, compared with 29 per cent of American women overall, making them the second-best educated religious group following American Jews, according to a 2009 Gallup poll. Debates in the US about Latino immigration share similar rhetorical overtones with european discourse about Muslim immigrants.

SUCCESSFUL MoDELS: From the perspective of national interest, Canada’s immigration policies - which prioritise skilled workers and investors - may offer the best model. “In proportion to its population, Canada naturalises the most people in the world by far,” Janoski said.

“Canadian immigration policy is really focused on economic growth,” where immigrant investors or skilled workers are given preference over family reunification which drives the model in the US and other countries, he said. “That is why they came up with the policy for Chinese entrepreneurs. When Hong Kong [formerly a British colony] went back to the Chinese, they [Canada] gave relatively quick citizenship to businessmen.” Recently, Filipinos have become

one of Canada’s largest immigrant groups, with many first arriving as domestic helpers or temporary healthcare workers before gaining citizenship. These professions are fundamentally linked with demographics, as most wealthy countries will be hiring more healthcare professionals in the coming years. “People are looking for options because of the costs associated with care,” said Taillon. “A lot of people are going the way of international nannies because they see it is a better option.” The employment rate for foreign-born citizens of Canada is actually higher than for native-born Canadians, the Globe and Mail newspaper reported. By 2031, one in three workers in Canada is projected to be foreignborn, according to government statistics. This trend should cushion the country from the baby bust. For europe and Japan in particular, the choice seems stark. “Countries that do not wish to open their doors to immigration will be forced to rely more on other policies to shoulder the burden of population ageing,” Sumption, from the Migration Policy Institute, said. “For example, retirement ages may have to rise faster and tax burdens may have to increase. “Like immigration, these other policies are also politically controversial and painful to implement.”

Withdrawal from Afghanistan could kill the US-Russia ‘reset’

glad that the US was doing their dirty work. even after the Soviet Union pulled out of Afghanistan in 1989, Moscow continued to station Russian border guards in Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and aided Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance. Nevertheless, a low-level but persistent Islamist radical insurgency bedeviled several of the Central Asian states on Russia’s southern border. But, over the past ten years, those insurgencies have dwindled, in part because would-be jihadis from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and elsewhere in the former Soviet republics were drawn to Afghanistan and Pakistan to fight the US and NATO there. Now those fighters are battle-hardened by a decade of fighting against the best military in the world, and with the prospect of the US departure, could be looking for new targets. Russian officials have lately taken to publicly warning of the consequences, and it’s hard to blame them. “Russia should expect the activation of militant activity on the borders of Central Asia after the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Colonel-General Vladimir Chirkin, commander of Russia’s Central Military District. “Threats can now

come creeping to our southern borders.”

“We do not want NATO to go and leave us to face the jackals of war after stirring up the anthill.

Immediately after the NATO withdrawal, they will expand towards Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and it will become our problem then,” said Russia’s ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, in an interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro. “Moscow is afraid, first and foremost because what the US and the coalition were doing is very much in the interest of Russia, keeping the Taliban as far away as possible from Central Asia and Russia,” said Andrei Zagorski, an expert on Russia’s relations with the West at Moscow’s Institute of World economy and International Relations. And now that the US is leaving, he told me, “Moscow has no viable strategy for this.” The Kremlin’s first move has been to beef up the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russia-led political-military bloc consisting of former Soviet states, in the hopes that the group can somehow become a viable collective security organ. In September, it held military drills with 12,000 soldiers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The group’s general secretary, Nikolai Bordyuzha, said the drills were aimed at preparing for the 2014 withdrawal. “We are not on the verge of solving the problems in Afghanistan, but on the worsening of them, and quite a qualitatively different situation in the Central Asian region, especially after 2014,” he said. “The prognosis is clear: Afghanistan will remain a base for organizing terrorist and extremist activities, we feel.”

But it’s not clear how Moscow intends the group to work. While the recent CSTO exercises focused on conventional military threats, Moscow has shown little stomach for militarily action outside its own borders. Last year, as unrest in CSTO member-state Kyrgyzstan devolved into horrific ethnic pogroms, the CSTO declined to step in.

Some top officials have suggested that they should try to combat popular movements like the Arab Spring, even considering such as options as shutting down Twitter to forestall popular uprisings in Central Asia. But military intervention, it seems, is not on the table. Other officials say the CSTO should act as a security assistance tool, building up the hapless, often corrupt security forces of Central Asia to be able to manage threats from Afghanistan on their own. There is an alternate theory: that Russia doesn’t actually believe the US will ever leave Afghanistan, and is ginning up the threat from Afghanistan in order to intimidate the governments of Central Asia into rallying behind the Kremlin. “There is a danger, but we also might be exaggerating the danger,” said Arkady Dubnov, a Russian journalist and expert on Central Asia.

“What we’re seeing now is PR, preparation for this period [when the US leaves]. This PR is to prepare

popular opinion, internal Russian popular opinion, and also Central Asian popular opinion, to accept the inevitability of Russian security measures.” By most indications, however, the Kremlin’s fear is genuine. The US pullout also threatens to seriously harm relations between the US and Russia. Perhaps the greatest dividend of the reset has been cooperation on Afghanistan, particularly Russia’s permission to ship US military cargo over Russian territory and airspace to Afghanistan. Cooperation on Afghanistan has been win-win, and its importance has cooled heads on both sides — something that’s been particularly important when dealing with contentious issues that might have otherwise provoked bitter feuds, such as missile defense or Iran. That could change once the US leaves. “It’s going to remove some of the glue that made the reset possible, and then there are all sorts of implications,” said Mikhail Troitsky, a Russian analyst and co-author of a recent report on US-Russian relations and Russia’s near abroad. “If there’s no Afghanistan, I think people on both sides will think they can get away with much harsher rhetoric.”

With Afghanistan today, Russia has a bargaining chip with the US, but that dynamic might be about to change. “Now, we say: ‘You have a problem there, we can help.’ When the coalition leaves Afghanistan, the situation will be reversed — Russia will need help,” Zagorski said. The US, though, on the other side of the ocean, will have a lot less skin in the game than Russia does. Helping Russia will become politically trickier in Washington, too, when it’s led (by then, overtly) by the more pugnacious Vladimir Putin.

It’s perhaps Central Asia itself that holds the greatest threat for the reset to unravel. While Washington and Moscow have begun preliminary conversations on coordinating the withdrawal, Russia is pushing the US to carry out its policies in Central Asia by engaging directly with the CSTO rather than country-by-country. In other words, if the US wants to deal with Uzbekistan or Tajikistan, it should talk to Moscow. Russia is promoting this as a streamlining measure, making the CSTO a one-stop shop for the US in Central Asia. But many Central Asian countries are extremely likely to resist the efforts to mediate their relations with Washington through Moscow, and the US also will certainly reject such a demand. (The US already has sought to scuttle NATO cooperation with the CSTO, Wikileaks documents have shown.) That could set up a showdown between the two powers over influence in Central Asia. “If Moscow is confronted with increasing direct US and NATO cooperation in Central Asia, without increased cooperation with Russia, and without increased transparency, this is going to be a problem,” Zagorski said. Afghanistan, in all sorts of ways, is shaping up to be Russia’s new, old problem.

As the US and NATO plan to leave Afghanistan, Russia faces a security challenge it’s not ready for and an alliance with the US that suddenly looks less attractive

THE ATLANTIC JoShua KuCeRa When the US starts its scheduled troop pullout from Afghanistan in 2014, it will represent the end of America’s bloody decade-plus engagement there, and the fading away of Americans’ attention to Central Asia. But to Russians, 2014 instead marks a beginning: when Afghanistan becomes their problem again. Moscow has been publicly critical of US involvement in Central Asia, calling it an encroachment on their sphere of influence, but that rhetoric hid an inconvenient secret: behind the Kremlin’s closed doors, observers here believe, Russians were

15

Tuesday, 1 November 2011

The US, pre-empTion and inT’l law Economic sanctions, cyber defence, targeted killings and cyberwar may delay Iranian nuclear weapons manufacture and deployment, but they won’t stop it altogether

I

HAARETZ louiS René BeReS, leon eDneY, thoMaS G. MCineRneY

NTeRNATIONAL law is not a suicide pact. Fashioned to ensure the survival of states in a still-anarchic world, this binding system of rules includes the “inherent” right to national self-defence. Such right may be exercised not only after an attack has occurred but also, sometimes, in advance. This sensitive legal issue is now especially critical in the refractory case of Iranian nuclear weapons development. Could pre-emption in this case be permissible under international law? Although plainly less prominent in the Obama administration than in the Bush era, pre-emption remains a codified part of American military doctrine. Valid customary law permits a first use of force if the danger posed is “instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means and no moment for deliberation.” Drawn from an 1837 event known as the “Caroline affair,” which concerned the unsuccessful rebellion in Upper Canada against British rule, this doctrine builds upon the classic formulation of Hugo Grotius. Self-defence, says the Dutch scholar in “The Law of War and Peace” (1625 ), may be permitted “not only after an attack has already been suffered, but also in advance, where the deed may be anticipated.” In a 1758 text, Swiss jurist emmerich de Vattel affirmed: “A nation has the right to resist the injury another seeks to inflict upon it, and to use force and every other just means of resistance against the aggressor.”

Interestingly, for Americans, the works of Grotius and Vattel were favorite readings of Thomas Jefferson, who relied heavily upon them in crafting the Declaration of Independence. Article 51 of the UN Charter - though it limits self-defence to circumstances following an attack - does not override the customary right of anticipatory self-defence. We should also recall Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, and assorted U.S. Supreme Court decisions. All proclaim unambiguously that international law is part of the law of the United States. The Caroline Doctrine notes an implicit distinction between preventive war (which is never legal ), and preemptive war. even the latter is not permitted merely to protect oneself against an emerging threat, but only when the danger posed is “instant” and “overwhelming.” Using such a literal framework, it would first appear doubtful that the United States could now construct a current and compelling legal argument for pre-emption against Iran. This would be the case even if the planned American defence operation were limited meticulously and precisely to nuclear military targets. Yet, we no longer live in the 17th, 18th, 19th or 20th centuries. Grotius, Vattel and those later jurists who were focused on the attack on the Caroline could never have anticipated the genuinely existential risks posed in the 21st century by a nuclear Iran. The permissibility of anticipatory self-defence is understandably much greater in the nuclear age. Today, waiting passively to absorb a nuclear attack could be clearly suicidal. A particular danger is posed by terrorist groups serving as surrogates: If not prevented from receiving nuclear weapons or fissile materials from patron states, such proxies (e.g., Hezbollah, Hamas, Al-Qaida ) could inflict enormous damage upon targets. Israel is the country at greatest risk from Iranian nuclear weapons. Significantly, however, there is a long and venerated international legal tradition that Great Powers have commensurately great responsibilities. The United States is presently the only country that has the operational capability to undertake a successful preemptive mission to remove Iran’s covert and illegal nuclear weapons program. In the best of circumstances, such an expression of anticipatory self-defence would be broadly multilateral, and endorsed by the United Nations. But we don’t yet live in the best of all possible worlds, and even now, the most likely alternative - if there is not an American defensive strike on Iran - would be a fully nuclear Iran, led by irrational Shiite clerics. Should this alternative be “selected,” America would need to clarify persuasively that its response to any attack on the United States or its vital interests in a Middle east where nuclear weapons are now proliferating would be instant and overwhelming.

In world politics, irrational does not mean “crazy.” It indicates, rather, that national self-preservation is valued less than certain other leadership preferences. With Iran, these preferences would be associated with various core religious beliefs and expectations. There can be no foreseeable nuclear balance of terror in the Middle east. In the not-too-distant future, Iran could well justify using nuclear weapons against “infidels” or “apostates,” whatever the expected retaliatory consequences. In such conceivable cases, nuclear deterrence would be ineffective. Iran would become a suicide-bomber writ large; in other words, a “suicide-state.” Two successive administrations, those of both Bush and Obama, publicly pledged, as official U.S. policy, that a nuclear-armed Iran would be unacceptable. If we are to take this bipartisan pledge seriously, we must now finally acknowledge that sanctions alone will not work. At the same time, operationally, it is already very late for anticipatory self-defence against Iran. Latest IAeA reports indicate that Iran has begun to move critical nuclear materials to special underground bunkers. In any event, pre-emption would now come at a very high cost.

But, we also need to inquire: What would be the alternative to allowing a militarily nuclear Iran? economic sanctions, cyber defence, targeted killings and all-out cyberwar may effectively delay Iranian nuclear weapons manufacture and deployment, but they won’t stop it altogether. Shall we take our presidents at their word on such urgent matters? If so, even at this 11th hour, we must be fully prepared to compare the expected costs of all available options, and then choose accordingly.

Louis René Beres is professor of political science and international law at Purdue University. He chaired Project Daniel in Israel. Admiral (ret. ) Leon “Bud” Edney served as vice chief of U.S. naval operations; NATO supreme allied commander, Atlantic; and commander in chief, U.S. Atlantic Command. Lt. Gen. (ret. ) Thomas G. McInerney, served as vice chief of staff, USAF; deputy chief of staff for operations and intelligence; and vice commander in chief, HQ, U.S. Air Force in Europe.

Islam, democracy, bikinis and polygamy CNN tiM liSteR

It’s not often that the issue of polygamy makes it to the top of the political agenda. But in the past week it’s become a litmus test for the course of the Arab spring, and part of the debate about the compatibility of Islam and democracy.

Declaring that Libya was liberated, interim Prime Minister Mustafa Abdul-Jalil said last Sunday that laws restricting polygamy would be nullified. Islamic Shariah law would be the basic source of legislation, he said, and new banks would comply with Islam’s prohibition of interest and speculation. A few days later, Rachid Ghannouchi — leader of the Islamist ennahda party in Tunisia — said he would not propose changing laws that ban polygamy and provide equal rights for men and women in marriage and divorce. Nor would western-style banking be curbed.

Ghannounchi’s views matter. ennahada emerged from the first election of the Arab Spring last weekend as Tunisia’s largest party, with 90 of the 217 seats in the constituent assembly that will write a new constitution.

Jalil sought later to downplay his remarks, telling the world’s media that Libyans were moderate Muslims, though some analysts believe his original remarks were a nod toward a more radical strain of Islam that has emerged with the Libyan uprising. As authoritarian rule is thrown off or challenged in Arab countries, ideas for a new political model pour into the vacuum. The West will be hoping that Ghannouchi’s template becomes the model rather than a less tolerant embrace of Shariah — the religious law of Islam. ennahda has already reached out to secular groups to form a coalition. “The whole region is

heading toward a moderate Islam and an Islam which is democratic, through the reconciliation between Islam and modernity,” the Wall Street Journal quoted him as saying.

Some Tunisians — mainly among the better off urban middle-class — don’t believe ennahda’s professed moderation. A series of videos released online ahead of the election (and paid for by wealthy business interests) imagines a Tunisia without tourists, where women are made to wear the veil and are scared out of the workplace, should Islamists take power.

Some point to Iran’s first post-revolutionary elections back in 1980 and Ayatollah Khomenei’s promise that in the Islamic Republic the Majlis would not be a rubber-stamp parliament.

Ghannouchi scoffs at the idea that he is any Khomenei, but is clearly wary of being outflanked by more conservative Islamist trends. A week before the elections, a protest by Salafists against the Nessma TV station in Tunis that had broadcast an animated film they regarded as blasphemous ended in clashes with police.

While condemning the violence, ennahda said Nessma had “violated the fundamental right of all believers” in broadcasting the film. even so, many observers of the region say Tunisia has a better chance than most Arab states to forge a moderate Islamist democracy. A former French colony with close ties to europe, it is the most industrialized of Arab countries, with an educated middle-class and newly thriving media. It is heavily reliant on tourism, and ennahda has been quick to reassure the industry that alcohol and bikinis won’t be outlawed. And whatever the transgressions of the Ben Ali regime that was overthrown in January, it was less mercurial and brutal than that of Gadhafi next door. The danger for

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS AS POPULATION HITS 7B MONTREAL GAZETTE Sometime yesterday, somewhere in the world, earth’s population reached the 7-billion mark, according to the United Nations. But contrary to the alarmist predictions that some of us may remember from the 1960s, billions of people are not teetering on the edge of starvation, unable to sustain themselves on lands that are exhausted and riverbeds that have dried up. Forty years ago, a book called The Population Bomb warned of mass starvation in the 1970s and ‘80s because of overpopulation. The authors suggested pumping “temporary sterilants” into the water supply to put a brake on population growth, and taxing as “luxury goods” child-care products. Thankfully, neither measure was ever implemented. The scary predictions never came to pass. The opposite, in fact, has happened.

Since the 1950s, average life expectancy around the world has jumped an astonishing 20 years, going from 48 to 68 thanks to improved health and nutrition. Infant mortality has dropped like a stone, from 133 deaths per 1,000 births in the 1950s to today’s rate of 46 per 1,000.

Fertility has also decreased, the UN

the emerging moderate Islamist parties is that they may fail. They have little experience of administration, having been driven underground by the previous regimes, and are prone to grand promises. ennahda officials say they will create nearly 600,000 jobs by 2016 if they gain power, reducing Tunisia’s unemployment, the issue of greatest concern to voters, from about 18 per cent to less than 10 per cent. That would be a tall order — even if the economy were growing.

This year, the International Monetary Fund expects the Tunisian economy to stand still, though it forecasts 3.9% growth next year. ennahda says it is inspired by the success of Turkey’s Justice and Development Party in merging Islam and modernity. Justice and Development has now been in power for nearly a decade; it has won three elections and has presided over rapid economic growth (forecast at 8 per cent this year). It has also advanced the growth of an Islamic space in a country whose secular constitution is fiercely guarded by the military.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip erdogan, a devout Muslim, made a triumphant tour of North Africa last month (all the more triumphant perhaps because of Turkey’s recent falling-out with Israel) to tout the Turkish model. In Tunis, erdogan predicted: “The success of the electoral process in Tunisia will show the world that democracy and Islam can go together.” To erdogan, a person is not secular, but the state is. “This is not secularism in the Anglo-Saxon or Western sense,” he told a news conference in Tunis. In Cairo, he told a television audience, “To egyptians who view secularism as removing religion from the state, or as an infidel state, I say you are mistaken. It

means respect to all religions.” In other words: separation of religion and state. This didn’t go down well in Iran, where officials claimed erdogan was trying to poison the minds of Muslims with secularism.

And it wasn’t very well received by the Muslim Brotherhood, which has emerged as a political force in postMubarak egypt. A senior official of the Brotherhood said erdogan’s remarks amounted to interference in egypt’s affairs, while stressing the Brotherhood was committed to democracy. Back home, critics say erdogan is actually chipping away at the secular foundations of the Turkish state and is increasingly intolerant of critics. One example they cite: the recent prosecution of a cartoonist charged with “insulting the religious values of part of the population” with what some groups describe as blasphemous portrayal of a mosque. In addition, the state’s long-running feud with Turkey’s Kurdish minority shows no sign of abating. But Turkey’s economic power, pivotal geographic position and stability make it a major player in the region, all the more so as Arabs cast around for a new way of government. They have already rejected the authoritarian secularism of Mubarak and Ben Ali, its endemic corruption and nepotism, its stifling of opportunity. And there seems little popular enthusiasm (if rather limited polling is credible) for hardline Salafist parties that demand strict adherence to Sharia as the source of legislation. In some ways the experience of Islamist parties like ennahda mirrors that of a majority of Arabs. They have emerged from a generation of repression, their traditional values marginalized by a domineering state. And they are ready for change.

Population Fund reported last week. The world average in the 1950s was six births per woman. Today, it is 2.5, though that is a figure that masks extreme regional differences. In some African countries, the average fertility rate reaches five births per woman, whereas in countries like Japan and Germany, the birthrate has already fallen below the replacement level of 2.1. Japan’s population is expected to decrease by the turn of the next century, dropping by nearly a third. But as good as a lot of this news is, the UN warns there’s also bad. Unchecked, Africa’s birthrates will lead to unsustainable population growth. The population of Tanzania, for example, increased by 486 per cent between 1950, when its population was 7.7 million, and 2010, when it reached 45 million.

Unless Tanzanians take action, the UN predicts the country’s population will reach more than 314 million by 2100, an increase of 600 per cent.

On the plus side, we know what to do to bring population growth under control, without resorting to bizarre methods of coercion. Better health, education and reproductive services for women and girls are a key part of the answer, as the UN reminds us, again. Countries need to break free of a vicious circle of extreme poverty that leads to high death rates that in turn lead to higher birthrates - the only answer that families fearful for their very survival can figure out. The UN is rightly critical of countries that refuse to invest in reproductive health. “The welfare of their people is their mandate,” it says, rightly. “The budget of the average developing country does not give enough money to issues of women and reproductive health. That has to change,” Babatunde Osotimehin, executive director of the UN Population Fund, said recently.

Unchecked population growth may not be a ticking time bomb, but it will inevitably put overwhelming pressure on the world’s resources. This should be a battle we’ve already fought and won. What we should be doing now is helping the nearly 2 billion young people growing up in poverty. The promise that this historically large cohort of young people represents will be lost both to them and the world unless we can divert our resources to them. Healthy, educated and employed young people are a powerful force for economic development and positive change, the UN says - warning, however, that the world must act quickly not to lose this golden opportunity. Failing the world’s young people means failing the entire world, at a time when it can’t afford the loss of any force for good.

16 Foreign News

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

UNeSCO gives Palestinians full membership PARIS ReuteRS

The United Nations’ cultural agency decided on Monday to give the Palestinians full membership of the body, a vote that will boost their bid for recognition as a state at the United Nations. UNeSCO is the first UN agency the Palestinians have joined as a full member since President Mahmoud Abbas applied for full membership of the United Nations on Sept. 23. The United States, Canada, Germany and Holland voted against Palestinian membership. Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and France voted in favour. Britain and Italy abstained.

Washington is likely to cut funding to UNeSCO over the vote. “The action today will complicate our ability to support UNeSCO,” David T. Killion, US ambassador to UNeSCO, told journalists after the vote.

“The US has been clear for the need of a twostate resolution, but the only path is through direct negotiations and there are no shortcuts, and initiatives like today are counterproductive.” The vote highlighted divisions over foreign policy within the european Union, some of whose 27 members voted for and some against Palestinian membership.

BanGKoK: a woman in need of medical attention is lifted by thai rescuers as she is evacuated to a hospital, in the floodwaters on a street next to the Chao praya river on Monday. AFP

Syria told to withdraw tanks, NATO rules out intervention DOHA

T

afp

H e Arab League on Monday revealed that its proposed roadmap to end violence in Syria includes the withdrawal of tanks from Syrian streets as well as talks in Cairo between the regime and its opponents.

Arab foreign ministers put the proposals to a Syrian delegation led by Foreign Minister Walid Muallem during talks in Doha on Sunday and were now waiting for a response, Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi told AFP in the Qatari capital.

The talks come amid growing fears among regional leaders that unchecked Syrian bloodshed could further inflame the Arab world, and as NATO categorically ruled out a Libya-style intervention in Syria.

“The Arab proposal to Syria calls for withdrawing tanks and all military vehicles to bring an immediate end to the violence and give assurances to the Syrian street,” said Arabi.

The peace plan also calls for dialogue to take place in Cairo between Syrian regime officials and opposition figures, he added, before leaving Doha Monday afternoon without indicating if a response had been received from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Meanwhile, NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who arrived in Tripoli Monday to mark the end of the alliance’s air war in Libya, ruled out the possibility of imposing a no-fly zone over Syria.

“It’s totally ruled out. We have no intention whatsoever to intervene in Syria,” Rasmussen told an AFP correspondent travelling with him.

“We have no intention whatsoever to intervene in Syria,” he insisted, saying the conditions there were different to those in Libya.

“First of all we took on the responsibility for the operation in Libya because there was a clear UN mandate, because we had strong and active support from the countries in the region,”

Rasmussen said.

The region is reeling from unprecedented uprisings that have since January unseated three long-time dictators in Tunisia, egypt, and Libya.

Repeating previous warnings, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani told reporters that Assad risks forcing an international intervention if he allows the violence to continue. “The entire region is at risk of a massive storm,” Sheikh Hamad told reporters after Sunday’s threehour meeting. Assad must take “concrete steps” to end the unrest that according to the United Nations has claimed more than 3,000 Syrian lives since March, he said.

Yemeni militants deny death of senior Al qaeda member ADEN ReuteRS

An Islamist group linked to al Qaeda has denied that its media chief was killed in an air raid in southern Yemen two weeks ago. The group, Ansar al-Sharia (Partisans of Islamic Law), also took responsibility for an explosion at France’s Total gas pipeline in midOctober that halted supplies to the Belhaf LNG plant. In leaflets distributed in mosques and markets in Yemen’s southern Shabwa province, it described government reports of Ibrahim alBanna’s killing as “lies”. “We denounce American attacks on the Arabian Peninsula which is based on crusader thinking,” said the leaflet, referring to U.S. drone attacks in Yemen. “The blood of Muslims will not be spilled in vain.”

Yemen’s government says Ansar alSharia is the Yemeni wing of al Qaeda.

Some analysts say other local militant Islamist groups could be at work.

Tunisia issues warrant NATO concludes Libya for Arafat’s widow mission after seven months g

NATO hails success, but campaign revealed rifts BRUSSELS ReuteRS

NATO ends its military operation in Libya at midnight on Monday, seven months after launching an air and sea campaign that helped bring the overthrow and death of Muammar Gaddafi.

In announcing the decision last week, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called it “one of the most successful” operations in the history of the 62-year-old alliance. Rasmussen will mark the end of the mission by visiting Libya on Monday, where he will meet Libya’s National Transitional Council and members of civil society, the alliance said.

Despite Rasmussen’s depiction of the mission, the NATO intervention caused sharp rifts in the alliance and went on much longer than Western nations had expected or wanted. NATO stuck to its decision to end the operation despite NTC calls for it to stay engaged longer and says it does not expect

to play a major post-war role, although it could assist the transition to democracy by helping with security sector reform.

NATO took over the mission on March 31, based on a United Nations mandate that set a no-fly zone over Libya and permitted foreign military forces, including NATO, to use “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians. That mandate was terminated last Thursday, despite a request for the U.N. Security Council to wait for the NTC to decide if it wants NATO help to secure its borders. NATO allies have been keen to see a quick conclusion to a costly effort that has involved more than 26,000 air sorties and round-the-clock naval patrols at a time when budgets are under severe strain due to the global economic crisis.

But NATO officials said members of the alliance are free to give further security aid to Libya individually.

The NTC officially announced Libya’s liberation on Oct. 23, days after the capture and death of Gaddafi. NATO commanders

have said they believe the interim administration is able to take care of the country’s security.

Libya has been the first NATO operation in which the United States sought to step back from a leading role and prompted some sharp criticism from Washington of the capabilities of allies after they failed to secure the quick results hoped for.

The U.S. ambassador to NATO, Ivo Daalder, and the alliance’s top operations commander, U.S. Admiral James Stavridis, hailed the success of the mission on Monday in a commentary in the New York Times, but reiterated the need for allies to address the shortcomings in capabilities it revealed.

While calling it a “true alliance effort” in which non-U.S. allies flew 75 percent of the air missions, they said the United States played a leading role in destroying Libya’s air defense system and providing critical resources, including the vast majority of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and the aerial refueling assets.

TUNIS: Tunisian authorities issued an international arrest warrant for Suha Arafat, widow of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, as part of a corruption probe into Tunisia’s former first family, the justice ministry said on Monday. Suha Arafat used to spend much of her time in Tunisia and was for many years close to the wife of former president Zine alAbidine Ben Ali, who was forced to flee by the north African country’s revolution in January. “Tunisia issued an arrest warrant against Mrs. Arafat on suspicion of involvement in cases of financial corruption with the family of Ben Ali’s wife,” said Shokri Nafti, a spokesman for the justice ministry. The Arafat family established ties to Tunisia in the period when the Palestinian Liberation Organisation was exiled and set up its headquarters in Tunis in the 1980s and early 1990s. After the death of the Palestinian leader in 2004, his widow received a Tunisian passport and was frequently seen in Tunisia alongside Ben Ali’s wife, Leila Trabelsi, a former hairdresser whose relatives came to control much of the economy.

Suha Arafat was stripped of her Tunisian nationality and deported in 2007 after a dispute with Leila Trabelsi. Since Tunisia’s revolution, which set in motion the “Arab Spring” uprisings across the region, prosecutors have been pursuing dozens of people linked to the former first lady on charges of corruption. ReuteRS

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

A crowded world’s population hits 7b LUCKNOW aGenCieS

Wrapped in a white blanket, Nargis Yadav lies in the arms of her mother in a small rural clinic in north India — one of half a million babies born around the world on Monday that will push the global population to the milestone of seven billion.

The U.N.-declared landmark underscores the challenges faced by many countries in providing for the growing numbers of people on an already over stretched and crowded planet.

Nargis was born in the populous state of Uttar Pradesh, one of the poorest regions in India, a country that could soon overtake China as the world’s most populated nation.

Her parents, poor villagers who earn just over $100 a month, say they want her to go to school and be successful in life, but aid workers say this will be an uphill struggle, not only for her but others like her in the developing world.

“The child will face a lot of challenges,” said Sona Sharma, director for advocacy and communications at the Population Foundation of India.

“Getting proper nutritional food, clean drinking water and even basics such as medical care such as immunisations to help her survive the first few years will be challenging.”

With the world’s population more than doubling over the last half century, basics like food and water are under more strain than ever, say experts, and providing for an additional 2-3 billion people in the next 50 years is a serious worry.

Water usage is set to increase by 50 percent between 2007 and 2025 in developing nations, while food security remains a challenge with 925 million people going hungry.

To feed the two billion more mouths predicted by 2050, food production will have to increase by 70 percent, the U.N.’s Food and Agricultural Organisation says. But climate change may be the greatest impediment to meeting this target, say experts.

Growing numbers of people on earth is also resulting in rapid urbanisation, placing serious strains on towns and cities as migrants move from poor rural areas to richer urban centres.

“The issue of population cannot be seen divorced from the aspect of resource or energy footprint,” said Parvinder Singh, head of communications for ActionAid India.

“The largest drain continues to be in the West which have traditionally consumed, and continue to, massive volumes of resources because of a lifestyle and purchasing power that far exceeds that of so-called high population poorer countries.”

Demographers however point out that in richer nations, fertility rates have nosedived, resulting in declining numbers of people and an imbalance between the working population and retirees who need expensive social safety nets. experts say policies geared to population challenges need to be more targeted.

Foreign News 17

Iran parliament renews move to summon Ahmadinejad g

Parliament dropped summons last week g Could be start of impeachment of president TEHRAN

I

ReuteRS

R A N ’ S parliament has revived its threat to call in President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for questioning, with more lawmakers signing a summons that could ultimately lead to the president’s impeachment, media reported on Monday.

Less than a week after the legislature dropped a four-month-old motion to summon Ahmadinejad, enough members of parliament have signed the paper to force him to appear.

“Plan to question Ahmadinejad back on track with increased signatures,” ran the front page headline on Siasat-e Rouz daily which, like most newspapers, led with the story that shows a serious internal political rift is far from healed.

The conservative-dominated parliament first looked set to issue the unprecedented summons in June when

100 of its 290 members signed the motion — amid growing criticism of Ahmadinejad’s policies and what many lawmakers see as his overbearing attitude and disrespect for the legislature.

But, with Supreme Leader Ayatol-

lah Ali Khamenei calling for unity among the branches of power, parliament’s presiding board held back from issuing the summons until enough lawmakers had removed their signatures to make it invalid.

To take effect this time, the motion

must still be passed on to the president by the presiding board.

Prominent conservative lawmaker and long-time Ahmadinejad critic Ali Motahari tendered his resignation in protest at parliament’s refusal to issue the summons.

That seemed to embolden his colleagues and with the additional support there are now 74 signatures, Sharq daily said, one more than the 73 needed to make it valid, according to parliament’s website.

UPSeT “The presiding board’s move to suspend the case was somehow illegal ... and it upset the lawmakers,” parliamentarian Sharif Hosseini was quoted as saying by Fars news agency.

Parliament has often been hostile to Ahmadinejad but upped the pressure in April when he attempted to sack the intelligence minister who plays a key role in overseeing elections, a move that was blocked by a rare intervention by Khamenei.

Airstrike on Somali civilian camp kills 5, wounds 45 NAIROBI ReuteRS

Rafah: palestinian relatives mourn during the funeral of Democratic front for the liberation of palestine (Dflp) militant ahmed Jarghun in southern Gaza Strip on Monday. AFP

Occupy wall Street arrests in Texas, Oregon AUSTIN: Dozens of protesters at economic inequality demonstrations in Austin, Texas, and Portland, Oregon were arrested peacefully early on Sunday over allegedly failing to comply with rules in each city. Both protests were among many held across the country since September by demonstrators who say they are angry over economic inequality and what they see as Wall Street greed. At Occupy Austin, some 38 people were arrested on Saturday night and early Sunday after refusing to let police take down food tables and clean the City Hall plaza where they had camped for several weeks, police told Reuters on Sunday. They were charged with criminal trespass and issued citations that mean they can’t return to the protest site. “We’ve had a very peaceful Occupy Austin, especially compared to the rest of the nation, but we do have rules that have to be enforced,” said Austin Police Officer Dennis Farris. Makeshift encampments sprouting up in cities nationwide have forced local officials to tread carefully between allowing peaceful assembly and addressing concerns about trespassing, noise, sanitation and safety. In Portland, protesters’ attempt to extend their occupation to a third city park in an upscale downtown neighborhood was broken up by police early Sunday morning. Some 25 protesters were arrested on charges related to rules about use of the park. ReuteRS

An airstrike on Sunday in Somalia killed five people and wounded 45, mostly women and children, in a camp for people displaced by drought and violence, aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said. Kenya’s military spokesman confirmed on Sunday its jets struck the town of Jilib, where the camp is located, saying 10 al Shabaab insurgents had been killed. He dismissed reports of any civilian casualties as propaganda from al Shabaab, an insurgent group linked to al Qaeda. Somalia’s Defence Minister Hussein Arab Isse also denied the airstrike had hit a civilian camp. He told Reuters the target in Jilib was a convey of al Shabaab vehicles heading towards Kenya and dozens had been killed. “I can confirm five dead and 45 wounded,” said Gautam Chatterjee, Head of Mission for MSF Holland in Somalia. He said three children, one man and one woman had been killed. “In our hospital in Marare, we received 31 children, nine women and five men. All of them of with shrapnel injuries.” Kenya sent troops into Somalia in mid-October in pursuit of the Somali insurgents it blames for a series of kidnappings on Kenyan soil and frequent assaults on its security forces in the border province of North eastern. The first serious clash between Kenyan troops and al Shabaab militants was last Thursday. Kenya said it killed nine rebels and one Kenyan soldier wounded in the insurgent ambush subsequently died. MSF’s Chatterjee said the aerial bombardment was witnessed by MSF employees in the camp that is home to 1,500 households.

Kyrgyz PM claims election victory as rivals rally g

Atambayev leads with 63 percent of vote BISHKEK/OSH ReuteRS

Kyrgyzstan’s Moscow-backed prime minister claimed victory on Monday in a presidential election, but observers reported some voting abuses and supporters of defeated candidates rallied in the south of the restive former Soviet republic.

With 99 percent of ballots counted, probusiness Prime Minister Almazbek Atambayev had 63 percent of the vote, an outright majority that would avoid the need for a second round run-off against a potentially strong rival from the south.

The vote is a test of reforms designed to make Kyrgyzstan, a landlocked country of

5.5 million, Central Asia’s first parliamentary democracy after 20 years of authoritarian rule that triggered a bloody revolution in April last year. A trouble-free election would signal the first peaceful transfer of power in the mainly Muslim country, which lies on a drugs route out of nearby Afghanistan and hosts both Russian and U.S. military air bases. But international observers reported cases of ballot box stuffing and vote buying, while a group of candidates vowed to challenge the result even before the polls had closed on Sunday.

Atambayev’s two main challengers from a field of 16 each polled just below 15 percent. Both enjoy strong support from Kyrgyz nationalists in the poorer south of the coun-

try, scene of ethnic riots that killed hundreds in June 2010.

About 200 supporters of third-placed Kamchibek Tashiyev, a trained boxer popular in the south, rallied in the southern city of Jalalabad and blocked a major road.

Dozens more of his supporters gathered in Osh, the largest city in the south.

Both Tashiyev and Adakhan Madumarov, a three-times national billiards champion who was placed second, have said their actions would be lawful, but have refused to rule out street protests.

Tashiyev demanded new elections. “I won’t calm down,” he told reporters in the capital Bishkek. “Voters are in place and you will hear their reaction soon.”

18

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Exes John and Bipasha together in ‘Race 2’

MUMBAI ZeeneWS

erstwhile lovers Bipasha Basu and John Abraham are all set to share screen

faShion greATer NOIDA: US pop diva Lady gaga performs onstage at this weekend’s inaugural Formula One Indian grand Prix.

space together albeit for just two scenes. ever since the couple broke up in February this year, they have avoided each other like plague and starring in ‘Race 2’ would be a first for them post break-up. Unlike some other B-Town couples, Bips and John decided to not remain friends. In fact, recently when the two were shooting at Filmistan studios on different floors they ignored each other royally and did not bother exchanging pleasantries. However, for the sake of their profession, they seemed to have agreed to do two scenes together in ‘Race 2’. Bips remained diplomatic and said, “I share a very good rapport with the filmmakers and so I would do whatever they want me to do for the film. I have nothing more to say about it.”

Swank fires manager over Chechen dictator’s birthday controversy LoS ANgELES: Hillary Swank has handed out the redundancy slip to her manager and friend of eight years, Jason Weinberg, whom she accuses for her appearance at president of Chechnya’s 35th birthday bash, which has widely damaged her image. The Oscarwinning actress had been strongly condemned by rights groups for being a part of the birthday celebrations of Ramzan Kadyrov, who has been indicted for abductions, torture, executions and house burning. Swank, who is with Hollywood’s most powerful talent agency CAA, has reportedly axed two other people on her management team, Arnie Yavor and Josh Lieberman. A fourth person, Lauren Hale, who works for CAA and travelled with the star to Grozny has also allegedly been fired for her part in the appearance. Swank had reportedly accepted a six-figure sum to make a personal appearance but was left disgraced after she hit the newspaper headlines and has since then asserted she was not fully aware of what the actual event was about. aGenCieS

LOS ANgeLeS: Singer Cher Lloyd arrives for her performance on the ‘X Factor’.

tish acBerLIN: Bri ly e tress Jo gives richardsons to her autograph to the fans prior remiere german p vie of the mo us’.

‘Anonymo

Saif crowned new Nawab of Pataudi NEW DELHI ZeeneWS

Film actor Saif Ali Khan was made the tenth nawab of Pataudi on Monday in a ‘pagdi’ ceremony at his ancestral property Pataudi, little ahead of Gurgaon. The ceremony saw people of nearby villages thronging the Pataudi palace. The ceremony was attended by Saif’s mother Sharmila Tagore and sisters Soha Ali Khan and Sabah Ali Khan. The Chief

Minister of H a r y a n a , Bhupinder Singh Hooda also graced the event.

Son of former cricketer Mansur Ali Khan, Saif inherited the title after his father’s demise in September this year. Heads of 52 villages organised a symbolic coronation ceremony, in which, a headgear (turban) was placed on Saif`s head as a mark of respect.

SINgAPOre: A model presents creation by French designer Stephane rolland during the women’s Fashion week 2011.

odel BeIJINg: A medding w a s e ad par dress by the ion Chinese fash eiyue. house Tsai M

Priyanka Chopra ‘Tired’ Shah Rukh refuses to return for ‘Barfee’ shoot MuMBai: Anurag Basu’s film ‘Barfee’ is facing ‘date’ problems,once again, thanks to lead actress Priyanka Chopra refusing to return to India to shoot for the film. The actress is currently busy recording and organising the release of her debut music album in North America. Basu’s repeated efforts to convince the actress to return and complete the schedule have fallen on deaf ears. The actress has informed the ‘Barfee’ makers that she would only be able to allot dates for the schedule in January next year. Priyanka’s sudden passion for music seems to have left co-actors Ileana D’Cruz and ranbir Kapoor with very little to do. A source informed, “Ileana has gone back to her parents’ place to spend some quality time with them. ranbir has decided to spend all that time promoting his next film ‘rockstar’.” MiRRoR

hopes for relaxed 46th birthday gREATER NoIDA: He has been hopping from one city to another promoting his latest flick ‘ra.One’. But for his 46th birthday on November 2, superstar Shah rukh Khan says he wants some relaxed time with friends and family. “I am just really very tired. I have just come in from Toronto and LA. The race has exhausted me. So I am just going to go, hang out with my friends. I will be in Mumbai with my friends and family,” Shah rukh told reporters at the red carpet of the F1 after party. Though he was excited about attending the F1 party where international pop star Lady gaga performed, he was quite unsure of his own birthday bash. “I don’t know (whether I will throw a party or not)...let’s see,” Shah rukh said. Shah rukh’s wife gauri was also seen at the party’s red carpet. aGenCieS

Eviction from

‘Bigg Boss’ house pre- planned, says Shakti MUMBAI: Shakti Kapoor, who was the sole male inmate in the house of ‘Bigg Boss 5’ in the initial stages, was evicted last Saturday. And his eviction from the controversial Tv show came in as a huge shock to many followers of the show, for he stood as one of the strong contenders to win the contest. expressing doubt over his eviction, Shakti while talking to a tabloid said, “People have a wrong notion that I am a bad guy. ‘Bigg Boss’ people got me in the house with 13 females because they thought I will sneak into girls’ rooms at night and do something fishy. But I respect women a lot.” Such surprising verdict to expel inmates of ‘Bigg Boss’ is no big news as raageshwari Loomba too fell prey to such unreasonable voting decisions last week. She was someone who did not make much noise in the house and refrained from stirring controversies. Shakti too felt that he was expelled from the house because he was not a trouble maker. ZeeneWS

19

Nilofer Shahid to represent Pakistan at World Fashion Week LAHORE

P

Staff RepoRt

AKISTAN will be officially welcomed at the first annual World Fashion Week (WFW) to be held in New York City in 2012. As a prelude of the historic gathering, WFW will welcome leading fashion designer Nilofer Shahid as the official representative of Pakistan during the welcoming gala in NYC set to kick off on November 11, 2011. Nilofer will join forces to encourage entrepreneurship activities, women empowerment and the eradication of global poverty, launching the global campaign “Give your Light to the World”.

Aishwarya ‘needs to be extra careful in her 39th year’

She brought couture wear to the limelight in Pakistan. Her fashion house, Meeras, has been looked up to as the benchmark for elegance and regality in Pakistan. Her acclaim is not withheld in Pakistan alone; she has participated at Paris Fashion Week where juries equated her work to Dior.

MUMBAI toi

Nilofer will gather with fashion icons, influential leaders and international media from five continents in a celebration of cultural diversity expressed through the artistic fashion discipline. WFW’s global campaign, “Give your Light to the World”, will further the objectives of “Fashion for Peace”. WFW and leading fashion councils in Pakistan have nominated Nilofer Shahid due to her efforts made in social and human development and women empowerment.

“As small streams come together into a boundless ocean, they create high spiritual waves and eventually bring a change with the breath of our own spirits!” said Nilofer.

Nilofer Shahid is one of the pioneering fashion designers in Pakistan.

Bill Gates

A model wears a creation by Nilofer.

unfussed by Steve Jobs’ jab WASHINGTON

M

aGenCieS

ICROSOFT founder Bill Gates coolly parried some harsh criticism from late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, in an interview with ABC television Sunday, saying their professional rivalry was positive. Gates, who maintained a long rivalry with the Apple innovator, was asked about an authorized biography of Jobs by Walter Isaacson. The Microsoft founder was told by ABC that Jobs “basically said that you were ‘unimaginative, had never invented anything and shamelessly ripped off other people’s ideas.’ That’s pretty tough stuff. What’s your reaction to

Kangna bags

supergirl role in‘Krrish’sequel MUMBAI: Kangna ranaut, who has set the screen ablaze with a variety of screen characters from supermodel to a small-town girl, is now all set to play India’s first female sci-fi character in rakesh roshan’s ‘Krrish 3’. Kangna was the original choice for this role and was approached by the super hit filmmaker six months ago. However, owing to her other commitments, she had declined the offer. Destiny had other plans. rakesh roshan, who subsequently approached a number of other actresses, found himself back at square one because talks with all his other choices fell through. And, Kangna, the original choice is now the supergirl in ‘Krrish 3’. Says a source close to her, “Moving to a sci-fi character that draws its inspiration from superwomen like wonder woman or Supergirl was a challenge and a natural progression for an actress who loves challenges.”toi

that?” Gates replied, “Well, Steve and I worked together, you know, creating the Mac. We had more people on it, did the key software for it. So over the course of the 30 years we worked together he said a lot of very nice things about me and he said a lot of tough things.” Gates went on: “I mean, he faced, several times at Apple, the fact that their products were so premium priced that they literally might not stay in the marketplace. So the fact that we were succeeding with high volume products including a range of prices, because of the way we worked with multiple companies, it’s tough. I respect Steve. We got to work together. We spurred each other on, even as competitors. None of that bothers me at all.”

She needs no introduction at all, whatsoever - so let’s just simply get down to the topic. Numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi predicts what’s in store for the ever-so-gorgeous Bachchan bahu and ‘soon-to-be-mom’ as Aishwarya marks her 38th birthday today. “Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was born on 1st November, 1973 which makes her a Number 1 (Sun) person in numerology. Her sun sign is Scorpio (ruler Mars - Number 9) and her destiny number adds up to Number 5 (Mercury) which indicates a strong mangal in her birth chart”, explains Bhavikk. “Ash is what she is ruled by Number 1, the most powerful star in the solar system - the Sun. Without it, there is no existence. She is strong, aggressive and a complete go-getter. She is so determined on what she wants in life that nothing and absolutely nothing can stop her from doing that. At times her approach could be a bit forceful, but she knows how to mellow it down when required. Her communication skills are so effective that she can make people spellbound by her speech”, he explains further. “Ash will now be entering her 39th year and what better way than to embrace motherhood right at the start (in all probability it would be a baby girl). But unfortunately Number 3 (Jupiter) happens to be one of her weakest numbers and so she needs to be extra careful”, he warns. “Thankfully, the upcoming year 2012 which adds up to Number 5 (Mercury) happens to be her ‘destiny’ number and would bring her some relief (read damage control) and act as a silver lining”, he predicts further. “So basically, she should enjoy her maternity break and not enter into new ventures or make any fresh investments as that may lead to losses due to a bad decision”, advises Bhavikk on a serious note.

Posthumous amy Winehouse album set for release LoNDoN: An album containing previously unheard material by British soul singer Amy winehouse is to be released just months after her death from alcohol poisoning, The Sun newspaper reported Monday. ‘Amy winehouse Lioness: Hidden Treasures’ includes a track recorded by the ‘rehab’ singer while she was on heroin, as well as a song documenting her turbulent relationship with her exhusband, it said. The tabloid said the posthumous album will go on sale on December 5 and £1 from every copy sold will go to the Amy winehouse Foundation, which supports vulnerable young people in Britain and abroad. “Had the family felt this album wasn’t up to the standard of Amy’s others, we’d never have agreed to release it. we believe it will stand as a fitting tribute to her musical legacy,” winehouse’s father Mitch told a tabloid. “I never realised what a true genius she was... it took my breath away,” he added. aGenCieS

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Kvitova confirms elite credentials Page 23

A new era beckons for Pakistan cricket LAHORE

I

aSheR Butt

JAZ Butt has finally left, hopefully for good. Monday he handed over the charge to Zaka Ashraf, the new chairman, around three weeks late since. A new chairman always brings hope and optimism – that things would change for the better. Never has in Pakistan cricket the craving for a doze of positive turnaround been as great as today.

Politically speaking, we’re on the wrong side of almost everybody who is anybody in international cricket. And to top it, Pakistan is in cricketing isolation – thanks to the Punjab Police’s criminal negligence that allowed brazen attack on Sri Lanka, no nation wants to have this country as its destination, even for a brief period.

The good thing for Zaka Ashraf is that from here things can only get better. And with the slightest modicum of effort and transparency, Zaka Ashraf should indeed do well. Since his arrival Pakistan has won a Test match and also the Super Sixes event. This is a good omen. Some people are lucky too and their luck rubs off on whatever job they are entrusted to. Maybe the new chairman would bring that element of luck that has for so long deserted our cricket.

There has been some criticism of Zaka – particularly on the mode of his appointment. Be that as it may, he has been made the chairman according to the prevalent procedure, and it would be

good if he ushers in the democratic era under his watch. This in any case is mandatory, because the ICC deadline has to be followed. It is sometime away, June 2013 to be exact, but work towards meeting that deadline should commence now.

And despite so many speculations, Zaka Ashraf has so far made the right kind of noises in his various interactions with the press. “Over the last two years, Pakistan’s image has been tarnished because of the unethical spot-fixing practices… There would not be any immediate changes in the board or national team management…

“I would continue to enforce the positive and productive policies of my predecessor, but change and rectify the failed or wrong policies… will only try to change those policies that didn’t benefit either the team or the PCB. “But my first and foremost priority would be to bring international cricket back to Pakistan and showcase Pakistan as a peace-loving country”, was the nutshell of his pronouncements so far.

From afar he seems to be someone who wouldn’t want to court controversy and change with undue haste. This sounds good.

One hopes, for the sake of Pakistan cricket, that he would stick by his words, and let the systems in the Board function, strengthening these as he goes along.

Let one make this point: Pakistan’s cricketing bureaucracy in the Board has been not that inefficient or wanting in

performance whenever it was allowed to function. The system has some people whose credentials are acknowledged here and abroad. A chairman should benefit from these internal strengths by

providing them leeway and recognition, take advantage of their experience, clear the dead wood, of course, but otherwise delegate – instead of doing everything by his lights.

One is sure Zaka Ashraf would do all this and more. If he does, Pakistan cricket would be well served and PCB would again become a vibrant and respected entity.

new Pcb chairman hosts farewell for ijaz butt LAHoRE: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Zaka Ashraf hosted a farewell reception for former PCB chief Ijaz Butt at the National Cricket Academy on Monday. Senior PCB officials gathered to say farewell to Ijaz Butt who completed his three-year term on October 8. The farewell ceremony commenced with the signing of a formal handing over from former chairman Ijaz Butt to the new chairman Zaka Ashraf. The signing over was followed by speeches from the chairman and his predecessor. In his speech, outgoing chairman Ijaz Butt thanked the new chairman and staff and said, “I would like to thank the President and Patron in Chief of PCB Asif Ali Zardari for his support throughout my term. I am sure that my friend and successor Zaka Ashraf will receive the same support. I would like to thank all the PCB Management and staff for diligently performing their duties in tough times. I hope that all of you will work with the same vigor and give the new chairman the same support that you have shown me for the past three years” In his address on the occasion, Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf said: “I am grateful to Mr. Ijaz Butt for his valuable contribution to Pakistan cricket. He has done an excellent job despite facing many challenges. We have a huge challenge in front of us and as the former chairman has said, I will need your support so that we can work for the betterment of Pakistan cricket. We have to work very hard to bring international cricket back to Pakistan. We have to remove the negativity created because of the spot fixing trial and move forward. I would also like to recognise the chairperson of the Women Wing chairperson Mrs. Bushra Aitazaz for her efforts to improve the women’s game which have seen our women team grow from strength to strength. I wish Mr. Ijaz Butt all the best for the future.” Chairman PCB Ch Zaka Ashraf then presented outgoing Chairman Ijaz Butt with a shield and a souvenir on behalf of the PCB in recognition of his services to Pakistan cricket. In 2009 after a gap of 17 years, Pakistan won a major international trophy when they clinched the ICC World T20 in england. Pakistan also registered their first Test win against Australia after 15 years at Headingly last summer. Pakistan also qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup in 2011. Staff RepoRt

India behind Bravo ton puts Windies in control Injury worries for Pakistan’s cricket zimbabwe ahead isolation: Mani of New zealand KARACHI

BULAWAYO

Staff RepoRt

afp

Former International Cricket Council (ICC) chief ehsan Mani has said that Pakistan Cricket Board did not work properly in spot-fixing case and the appearance of Pakistani cricketers in court is shameful for the whole country. Talking to media in Karachi, Mani said that it was not possible to eliminate corruption from cricket completely and also blamed India for isolating Pakistan. He said that new PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has big challenges in domestic cricket and he has to build good relations with other cricket boards.

“Other players in the world inform their respective boards when they receive any offer from fixers but our players don’t do that,” he added. He also said that he is ready to serve the Pakistan cricket provided he was asked to do so. “India has played a major role in isolating Pakistan in international cricket,” the former president of ICC said. He said, “I am ready to serve Pakistan cricket but only when some one approaches me.”

Zimbabwe go into their one-off Test against New Zealand here Tuesday with injury doubts hanging over wicket keeper-batsman Tatenda Taibu and all-rounder elton Chigumbura. Losing either player would throw the balance of the Zimbabwe side out of kilter and so the hosts will wait until Monday to finalise their 15-man squad. Taibu played as a specialist batsman in Zimbabwe's 2-1 series defeat in the recently concluded one-day series as he battles a long-standing finger problem, while Chigumbura is nursing a knee injury. Zimbabwe have beaten Bangladesh and lost to Pakistan since returning to Test cricket in August following an absence of more than five years from five-day cricket, and will be hoping to end their home season on a high. "New Zealand are a quality side but we feel we have a bowling attack that can make inroads into their line-up," said Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor. "Daniel Vettori's arrival is a big boost for them, but we'll look to bat long and if we can take the game deep into day five then anything can happen." Left-arm spinner Vettori skipped the limited overs matches after announcing that he would take a break from the shorter forms of the game. Taylor scored 310 runs in the one-day series - a record aggregate for a three-match series - and will hope to produce the same form in the Test match. The hosts could hand a Test debut to Malcolm Waller, whose 99 not out in the third one-day international allowed Zimbabwe to complete their highest ever run chase, as they achieved a target of 329 in a dramatic finale. New Zealand will be playing their first Test since January, and will see the match as a perfect build-up to their two-Test series against Australia which starts on December 1. The Black Caps will be without batsman Jesse Ryder, who suffered a calf strain after sending down just three deliveries in the drawn warm-up match against Zimbabwe A. "Initially we were hopeful the injury wasn't too serious but unfortunately the scan showed damage to Jesse's calf and he will miss the Test match," said team manager Mike Sandle.

DHAKA: west Indies batsman Darren Bravo plays a shot during the third day of the second Test. AFP DHAKA afp

Darren Bravo cracked his maiden Test century to put the West Indies in command on the third day of the series-deciding second and final Test against Bangladesh on Monday. The left-hander was unbeaten on 100 after Kirk edwards hit a solid 86 as the West Indies reached 207-3 in their second innings at stumps for an overall lead of 331 runs.

Bravo completed his century off the last ball of the day when he cut debutant left-arm spinner Suhrawadi Shuvo for two runs. He has so far hit two sixes and seven fours in his 165-ball knock. The tourists, leading by 124 runs on the first innings, consolidated their position as Bravo and edwards put on 151 for the third wicket after openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Keiran Powell had fallen cheaply. The opening Test of the two-match series ended in a draw in Chittagong.

"I am very happy with my effort," the 22-year-old Bravo said. "I just tried to play the right shots and waited for the

loose balls to put them away. "There was not too much turn in the wicket. Maybe one or two balls did turn, but the ball came on well onto the bat. "I don't see too much deterioration in the wicket. Tomorrow is another day, we will go out there to continue batting and put on a big target for Bangladesh to chase," he said.

Bangladesh coach Stuart Law said his team faced a tough fight to save the game. "At the moment it is not going the way we wanted it to," the former Australian international said. "A mediocre batting performance in the first innings ruined our plans. "We are not really controlling the game. We have them three wickets down, but they lead us by over 300 runs. It's going to take a lot of hard work to come back into the match.

"We need to find a way to score runs, we need to find a way to stay a long time at the crease," said Law. edwards, who scored 121 in the first innings, looked set to score his second hundred of the Test when he fell in the closing overs of the day, bowled by Shuvo after hitting one six and seven fours in his 204-ball knock.

SCoReBoaRD WeSt inDieS, 1st innings: 355 (K. edwards 121, K. powell 72, K. Brathwaite 50; Shakib al hasan 5-63, nasir hossain 3-52) BanGlaDeSh, 1st innings: (overnight 204-7): tamim iqbal c Bravo b f. edwards 14 imrul Kayes c Brathwaite b f. edwards 29 Shahriar nafees c Bravo b f. edwards 7 Raqibul hasan lbw b f. edwards 0 Mushfiqur c Chanderpaul b edwards 0 Shakib al hasan b Bishoo 73 naeem islam run out 45 nasir c K. edwards b Samuels 42 Suhrawadi c Brathwaite b Bishoo 15 Shahadat hossain b Bishoo 4 Rubel hossain not out 2 total: (for all out; 68 overs) 231 foW: 1-14 (tamim), 2-36 (nafees), 3-46 (Raqibul), 4-46 (Rahim), 5-59 (Kayes), 6-143 (Shakib), 7-195 (naeem), 8225 (Shuvo), 9-225 (nasir), 10-231 (Shahadat).

BoWlinG: f. edwards 13-0-63-5, Roach 9-0-52-0, Sammy 10-3-32-0, Bishoo 23-4-62-3, Samuels13-2-22-1.

WeSt inDieS, 2nd innings: K. Brathwaite run out 0 K. powell c nasir b Shakib 12 K. edwards b Shuvo 86 D. Bravo not out 100 K. Roach not out 4 eXtRaS: (lb2, nb3) 5 total: (for three wickets; 71 overs) 207 foW: 1-0 (Brathwaite), 2-33 (powell), 3-184 (K. edwards).

BoWlinG: Rubel 9-2-22-0 (nb2), nasir 16-3-49-0, Shakib 171-62-1, naeem 7-2-13-0, Shuvo 15-2-32-1, Shahadat 3-0-15-0 (nb1), Raqibul 4-0-12-0. West indies lead by 331 runs, toss: West indies, umpires: Kumar Dharmasena and nigel llong

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Sports 21

sPot-fixing hearing

Judge permits majority verdict g

ISLAMABAD

10-2 decision will suffice in deliberations LONDON

T

afp

He judge in the spot-fixing trial of former Pakistan Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif told the jury Monday he would accept a majority verdict. After three days of deliberations by the jurors at Southwark Crown Court in London, judge Jeremy Cooke was informed Monday that they could not reach a decision they all agreed upon. He told the six men and six women to try to reach an unanimous verdict but said he would now accept a majority verdict of 10-2.

They still did not reach a decision and so were sent home to resume their deliberations for a fourth day at 1000 GMT Tuesday, the 20th day of the trial.

Butt, 27, arrived at court Monday wearing a grey pinstripe suit, a white shirt and a scarf around his neck, carrying a newspaper. Asif, 28, arrived in a black suit with a blue shirt and a grey overcoat over his arm.

CRICINFO adds: Before the jury re-en-

Lahore Cricket League from 14th LAHORE

app

tered Court No. 4 at Southwark Crown Court at 15.20, and while the galleries anticipated a verdict on the 19th day of the trial, the judge explained that the jurors were unable to agree on everything. He then issued the following direction to them.

"If you are unable to reach a unanimous verdict on any particular one of the counts then I can take a majority decision from you, which is one on which at least ten of you agree," Justice Cooke told the jury.

The general feeling inferred was that the jury has agreed on some of the charges with either of the two players on trial, but could not reach agreement on both charges for both players. The new guidance from the judge is likely to hasten a definitive verdict, possibly on Tuesday, now that some flexibility has been afforded the 12 jurors.

All types of scenarios are possible for each charge facing both players. The jury, which was first retired to debate a verdict at midday on Thursday, was consistently urged to reach a unanimous verdict by the judge but having deliberated for almost three days, he has now given them some leeway.

Many athletes of various sports residing in the Allama Iqbal Hostel of Pakistan Sports Complex (PSC) on Monday complained against what they believe is the the denial of basic facilities at the hostel. "We are lacking basic facilities and the hostel management is least bothered," an athlete said. Another athlete said that the food is the hostel management is doing what they can but as we athletes require a special type of meal.

"The washrooms, baths etc are not in a good condition which can also affect the health of athletes," the athlete said.

Pakistan team for world Snooker to be named today KARACHI app

LONDON: Former Pakistan cricket captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammad Asif arrive at Southwark Crown Court. REuTERS

Gulberg Gymkhana in Amar Cables Veterans Cricket semis

Staff RepoRt

The Lahore City Cricket Association will resume the Lahore Cricket League from November 14 at nine different venues of the city. Around 330 matches will be played in the first stage of the event, informed LCCA President Khawaja Nadeem Ahmad. He said 20-week first stage will go into action with the cooperation of all the three affiliated zones of the LCCA which have fulfilled the condition of paying the match fee of the league. “I want to express my gratitude to east, West and North Zones which have extended all out support to make this event happen,” said the LCCA Chief who added that the league will help in lifting the sagging fortunate of club cricket which was badly neglected in the past owing to lack of activity. He said to charge a sum of Rs 5000 from each participating team was aimed at creating awareness among the affiliated zones for generating funds. “Though we need Rs three million for organising the entire league and we will be spending Rs 5000 on organisation of each match and the amount being received from the clubs is meager but we will generate rest of the amount from own recourses,” said Nadeem who has promised to provide half of the amount of the league from his own pocket. “We have involved the clubs in the organisation of the league to sharpen their managerial skills,” he said.

He said the stage two of the league will be played in mid February next year immediately after the completion of the first stage. The second stage of 63 matches will be completed in six weeks with the main final in the end of April next year.

win for Imtiaz Cricket Academy LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Imtiaz Cricket Academy defeated Servis Club by 5 wickets at the Imtiaz Academy Ground Model Town here the other day.

Servis Club scored 219/8 in 35-Overs. zohaib 60, Ali zahid 35 were there main run scorers. Saif rasool 23/3, Faizan Butt 30/2, Sheryar waseem 40/2. Imtiaz Academy in reply made 220/5 in 34-Overs. waseem zahoor 70, Ameer Khan 68, Khuram 35/3 and Sattar 40/2. In the second match, Imtiaz Academy beat Chauburji eaglats by 29 runs at the same venue. Imtiaz Academy made 233/7 in 35-Overs.

Haider Ali 42, Haseeb Bhatti 29 and Sheryar waseem 48 not out. Chauburji eaglats got 204/10. Ahsan 46, Saqib Butt 35 and Irfan 34, Faizan Butt 37/3, zain-UlAbidin 30/2, Saif rasool 23/2 and Khuram elahi 19/2.

Athletes complain of substandard food in PSC hostel

A two-member Pakistan squad for International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) World Snooker Championship will be finalized on Tuesday, Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) announced on Monday. "Being Pakistan number one Imran Shahzad has been assured a place in the team while second cueist will be picked at the Board of Directors' meeting on Tuesday," PBSA Alamgir Shaikh said. He said for the second spot, Muhammad Asif Toba, Sohail Shahzad and Shahid Aftab are among the contenders.

Pakistan Jr hockey team to leave for Malaysia today KARACHI app

LAHOre: Amar Cables CeO Amer Ilyas Butt gives away man of the match award Muhammad Amer and Muhammad Sami Jointly. STAFF PHOTO at the Modal Town Greens Ground, made the semi-final. Khalid Habib 43, Afzal LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Gulberg Gymkhana beat Choudhary Sports by two wickets and qualified for the semi-final of the second Amar Cable T20 Veteran Cricket Tournament. In the quarterfinal match Choudhary Sports, playing

126 for eight. Shahid Ali 37, Ch. Shafqat 31 and Najm-ul-Islam scored 21 runs.

Khalid Habib 2/11, Naveed Sofi 2/32, Afzal Munir 2/34, Amer Waseem 1/21 and Azhar Hussain 1/21 wickets.

Gulberg Gymkhana reached the target for the loss of eight wickets and made it to

Munir 16 and Muhammad Amer 29 not out.

Muhammad Sami 4/25 and Hafiz Bilal 1/17.

Waleed Yaqoob, Javed Ashraf were the Umpires and Qasim Shafique was scorer. In the end Amar Cables CeO Amer Ilyas Butt gave away man of the match award Muhammad Amer and Muhammad Sami jointly.

A 24-member Pakistan junior hockey squad will fly to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) from Peshawar on Tuesday to take part the six-nation Sultan Johar Junior Hockey Tournament being held in Johar Baru from November 5 to 12.

"We could not get appropriate connections from Karachi so team is flying to Peshawar on its way to Malaysia," Manager-cum-Chief Coach Rana Muajhid Ali said.

"This is a tough event but boys are keen and spirited to give their best in the competition," he said.

Imran Nazir hammers 108 for ZTBL ISLAMABAD app

ZTBL in their first innings against Islamabad on the second day scored 369 in 82.4 overs on Monday in the Quaidi-Azam Trophy (QT) round-five match played here at Diamond Ground.

ZTBL's overnight score was 212. Imran Nazir scored 108 followed by Haris Sohail 71, Faisal Athar 69, while for Islamabad, Zohaib Ahmed bagged 4 wickets from 86 runs.

In reply Islamabad in their second innings scored 98 for 4 in 26 overs.

Umair Khan was the only mentionable scorer scoring 38 runs. For ZTBL Junaid Nadir took 2 wickets from 42 runs.

Islamabad scored 123 runs in their first innings.

Results of the other matches are given below: Division-I Karachi Blues v HBL at National Stadium, Karachi. HBL 376 (Shan Masood 90, Ahmed Shahzad 108, Bilal Shafayat 54.

Tanvir Ahmed 5-82, Atif Maqbool 5-174). Karachi Blues 2205 (Asif Zakir 63, Wajihuddin 35. Danish Kaneria 3-85, Shahid Nazir 2-36).

Sialkot v NBP at Jinnah Stadium, Sialkot. NBP 487 (Kamran Akmal 146, Qaiser Abbas 162 not out. Mohammad Abbas 4-118, Mohammad Abbas 4-155). Sialkot 125-2 (Mohammad Yasin 61 not out Naveed Sarwar 34 not out).

Rawalpindi v Wapda at Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Rawalpindi 159 and 223-8 in 57 overs (Usman Saeed 110 not out, Tahir Rauf 36. Rana Naved 5-84, Sarfraz Ahmed 2-49).

Wapda 173 in 48.3 overs (Ali Azmat 33, Rana Naved 30, Riffatullah 18. Muhammad Ayaz 5-64, Sadaf Hussain 4-52).

Wapda’s overnight score was 68.

Abbottabad v PIA at Abbottabad Stadium. Abbottabad (Ali Imran Pasha 6-48). PIA 408-8 (Kamran Sajid 69, Shoaib Khan 130 not out, Fahad Iqbal 97. Mohammad Naeem 3-105, Ikramullah 2-

141).

SBP v Faisalabad at Sport Stadium, Sargodha. SBP 356 (Mohtasham Ali 63, Adnan Raees 61, Rizwan Haider 62. Naseer Akram 571). Faisalabad 90-3 (Naved Latif 40 not out).

Division-II Peshawar v SNGP at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar. Peshawar 304 (Israrullah 91, Iftikhar Ahmed 66. Adil Raza 5-98) and 67-3 (Bilawal Bhatti 3-36). SNGPL 200 (Naeemuddin 101 not out, Usman Arshad 54. Waqar Ahmed 4-106) Karachi Whites v Hyderabad at NBP Stadium, Karachi.

Karachi Whites 371 (Akbar-ur-Rehman 70 Mohammad Hasan 53, Faraz Ahmed Khan 124. Mir Ali Talpur 3-83, Zahid Mahmood 4-95). Hyderabad 161-5 (Taj Wasim 73 not out, Ghulam Yasin 52. Tabish Khan 3-61).

KRL v Multan at Multan Stadium. KRL 304 (Mohammad Idress 86, Yasir Arafat 170. Shahbaz Hasan 5-40, Tahir Maqsood 3-84).

22 Sports

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Knockout phase looms for Arsenal and Chelsea

PARIS

G

afp

ROWING in belief and confidence with each game, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal can confirm their recent resurgence by reaching the Champions League last 16 with victory at home to Marseille on Tuesday. After a wretched start to the season, in which they won just three of their opening eight games and were humiliated 8-2 by Manchester United, Arsenal have turned their campaign around with a run of eight wins in nine matches.

The most recent of those victories was the most striking, a stunning 5-3 success at Chelsea on Saturday that thrust the Gunners back into the race for a topfour place and shattered doubts about their supposed vulnerability. Robin van Persie was Chelsea's conqueror, netting a slickly taken hat-trick, but it is thanks to an injury-time Aaron Ramsey goal at Marseille in their last european outing that Arsenal find themselves on the brink of the last 16 in the Champions League.

The Welshman's strike at Stade Velodrome allowed his side to leapfrog OM at the Group F summit and three more points against Didier Deschamps' team on Tuesday will put Arsenal in the knockout phase for the 12th season in a row. "What has changed is that we got half of the team in on August 31 (transfer deadline day) and we had to qualify for the Champions League," explained Wenger. "We had to rebuild a complete

unity in the way we want to play football. every win makes you stronger as well.

"We are more consistent now and we have to keep that going. Tuesday night will be another test, where we will have to focus and produce that quality again. That's what is at stake."

Like Arsenal, Marseille struggled at the start of the season but appear to have turned a corner in recent weeks.

Saturday's 3-2 victory at promoted Dijon was the club's third victory in succession in all competitions and lifted OM up to ninth in the Ligue 1 table.

Marseille's attacking players have been liberated by a new 4-4-2 formation introduced in a 2-0 win at home to Ajaccio on October 22, but Deschamps is likely to revert to a more cautious set-up for the trip to the emirates. In the other Group F fixture, Borussia Dortmund host Olympiakos needing victory to keep their qualification hopes flickering.

After an unscheduled 2-1 loss at the Greek side in their previous match, the German champions are just one defeat away from elimination. Chelsea will bid to turn the page on a damaging week with a win at Genk in Group e, which should be enough to see the 2008 finalists into the next round. Saturday's loss to Arsenal was the first time Chelsea had conceded five goals at home in a league game since December 1989 and came amid racism allegations swirling around captain John Terry. However, should they win in Belgium and Valencia fail to beat Bayer Leverkusen in the other group game, Chelsea would go through.

"We can get in a very, very good

position if we can win our game -- of course waiting to see what happens in Valencia-Leverkusen," said Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas, whose team thrashed Genk 5-0 two weeks ago. In Group H, top two AC Milan and Barcelona will look to maintain their winning momentum ahead of the November 23 meeting between the sides at San Siro that is likely to decide who tops the group. AC Milan visit BATe Borisov on Tuesday, with Barcelona -for whom Lionel Messi netted a hattrick in a 5-0 thrashing of Real Mallorca on Saturday -- away at Czech champions Viktoria Plzen. With just three points separating surprise leaders APOeL Nicosia and fourth-placed Shakhtar Donetsk, Group G is the tighest in the competition. APOeL host europa League champions Porto, with Shakhtar travelling to Russian Premier League leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg.

RESURgENT gUNNERS EyE CHAMPIoNS LEAgUE PRogRESS:

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal's resurgent team spirit can carry his team into the Champions League knockout stage with victory over Marseille on Tuesday.

After a disastrous start to their campaign, which included a humiliating 82 thrashing at Manchester United, Arsenal have reeled off eight wins in nine games including Saturday's stunning 5-3 victory at Chelsea. While doubts about the solidity of Arsenal's notoriously shaky defence remain, Wenger was adamant that the Gunners have turned the corner following the breathless win at Stamford Bridge.

Ad hoc imposed on Punjab cycling body LAHORE aSheR Butt

The Pakistan Cycling Federation’s general council has, after suspending the president and secretary of the Punjab Cycling Association, put an ad hoc on the provincial body. The general council of the PCF, which was attended by all the affiliated units except PCA, in its first meeting since its election held in September, took a firm stand against the behaviour of Punjab president Ch Kamran Amin and Secretary Waqar Ali and suspended them for indiscipline and appointed former international cyclist Mauzam as president of the ad hoc committee while Nazaqat Ali was made secretary. The house also reviewed the arrangements for the 59th National Cycling Championship under the Army’s banner later last week on November and also held a detailed discussion about some court cases. Brig Iqtidar was made the chairman of the organizing committee while Col Tahir as secretary. An official of the PCF informed that some cases have been suspended by the court while one is being contested and another is being heard by the arbitration commission.

According to Munawar Baseer, the

house approved the future programme laid down by the PCF and have asked the provincial bodies to hold at least four local and two national events while the federation will hold the Tour de Pakistan, the Champion of Hills, the National Men and Women Championships. The house, he informed, has also decided to reactivate the coaching association and all the cyclists of the country will be registered and issued licenses. He informed that different committees have also been formed. The marketing committee is headed by Tariq Alvi and Dr Fauzia being one of its members. The PCF official further informed that the federations’ website www.PCF.com.pk is in the final stages of formulation. Meanwhile, the International Cycling Union and Asian Cycling Confederation have congratulated Munawar Baseer led federation for their win. ICU president Pat McQuaid said: “I would like to remind you that our doors are always open to federations.” Hee Wook Cho, ACC President said: “I was impressed at the news that the election was the first full election in the history of the PCF which was democratically contested.”

WAPDA win National Judo Championship PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

DUBAI: Argentinean football legend and Al-wasl team coach, Diego Maradona, cuts a cake during a celebration marking his 51st birthday. AFP

WAPDA continued to rule the roost by lifting the winners’ trophy on the 6th consecutive occasion while Army claimed the runners-up title as the 21st Senior, 2nd Junior and 3rd Inter-provincial National Judo Championship ended with a colourful ceremony at the Qayyum Sports Complex.

The Pakistan Judo Federation along with a Khyber PK Judo Association organised the Championships from October 27 to 30 at Qayyum Stadium.

Khyber PK grabbed second position in second Junior and third Inter-Provincial National Judo Championships.

Around 24 athletes featured in the event along with eight teams in the Championship in which not only four provinces participated but also FATA, Islamabad, PAF and Pakistan

Railways were also included.

In the third Inter-Provincial Judo Championship, 60 athletes and six teams took part in which other than four provinces, FATA and Islamabad also participated.

WAPDA secured 128 points. Army obtained 81 points while the third spot went to Railway with 57 points.

In all, the WAPDA grabbed nine medals, including eight gold, and one bronze medals, followed by Army with eight medals (two gold, three silver and three bronze) and Railway won eight medals (three silver and five bronze).

President Pakistan Judo Federation Col. Rana Shujaat Ali, Vice President Rifaqat Ullah Baber, President of the Khyber PK Olympic Association & Minister of Sports Syed Aaqil Shah and Director of Sports PAF Syed Farhat Ali were also present at the occasion.

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Sports 23

VALENCIA: Bayer Leverkusen's players gather during a training session at the Mestalla stadium. Leverkusen will face Valencia in their Champions League Group E match. REuTERS

waTch IT LIvE ESPN Sportscenter 07:30PM

PTV NATIONAL Bangladesh v West Indies Test 2 Day 4 08:30AM

Lahore ravi gain lead against quetta LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Kvitova confirms elite credentials

Wozniacki must back up statistics with majors ISTANBUL ReuteRS

ISTANBUL afp

Petra Kvitova, the 21-year-old Czech lefthander who caused a sensation by winning Wimbledon as an outsider four months ago, proved she is now a fully fledged member of the sport’s elite by winning the WTA (yearend) Championships. Kvitova did that with a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 win over Victoria Azarenka, the fourth-seeded Belarussian, which earned her the second most important title of her career and further enhanced her growing reputation. It also gained her a career-high year-end ranking of world number two - a tremendous surge from the 30th place at which she began 2011.

PIA down NBP in PPL LAHORE

Statistically Caroline Wozniacki remains the best female tennis player in the world but the controversy over her number one status showed no signs of abating after her season ended in disappointment at the WTA Championships. True, the 21-year-old Dane won six titles, amassed more victories (63) than any of her rivals and topped the end-of-year rankings for a second consecutive year. However, when asked who was the stand-out player of 2011, none of the seven other women who qualified for the season-ending finale in Istanbul named Wozniacki. Former world number one Maria Sharapova, who battled back to the top four from injury, was mentioned, as was the player of the moment Petra Kvitova, who capped a remarkable season by winning the Championships undefeated on Sunday.

Czech Kvitova has emerged as the new force in women's tennis and there is an air of inevitability about her rise to the top of tree after she beat another challenger to Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka, to win the prestigious title on her debut.

The 21-year-old is not there yet -- she still lags 100 or so points behind Wozniacki -- but with a grand slam title to her name already and a destructive game that, when working, is almost unstoppable, the Wimbledon champion appears to be the number one in waiting.

Despite spending all but a week as number one since last October, she failed to reach a single grand slam final this year and her lack of a major among her 18 ca-

reer titles is beginning to weigh heavily on her shoulders. While the WTA Tour points to the fact that the rankings system rewards consistency, the fact that Wozniacki has so far failed to shine on the biggest stages gives plenty of ammunition to those who say she is there by default. Wozniacki, the theory goes, has benefited from injuries to the likes of Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters and from the fact that some of her peers are still developing their games.

Williams, and before her the likes of Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, used to provide the ultimate benchmark for women's tennis in various spells of domination but Wozniacki, despite racking up victories, points and dollars, lacks that authority. She may still be just 21, but both Serena and Venus Williams, Seles, Graf, Martina Hingis and Sharapova all had a clutch of grand slam titles in the bag at the same age. All of those, with the exception of Hingis whose brain was possibly her greatest strength, could also dominate opponents in a way that Wozniacki's solid percentage game cannot. When it gets down to the later stages of a major, the chances are Woznaicki will run into a player with the weapons to break down her barricades. "She's certainly not the best player in the world at her best, but at her worst she's probably the best player in the world compared to the others," former men's world number one Mats Wilander said this week.

Lahore Ravi took first innings lead against Quetta on day two of the Division II Quaid-i-Azam Trophy fifth round match here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Monday.

By the close of play after resuming their innings at 39 for one, Ravi went on to make 277 for five in 99 overs. Usman Salahuddin made 82 while Mohammad Saad was still at the crease at 84.

In the other match at the LCCA ground, UBL swelled its lead by adding another 38 runs in their first innings total of 308 after they bowled out Lahore Shamilar for just 196 runs.

SCoReS: LCCA ground, Lahore. United Bank 308 in 95.4 overs (Saad Surkhail 140, 271 balls, 14 x4s, zafar Ali 44, 56 balls, 7 x4s, Ali Manzoor 4-65, Abdul ghaffar 338)and 38-0 in 6 overs v Lahore Shalimar 196 in 63.4 overs ( Irfan Haider 56, Adnan raza 37, Misbah Khan 452, Shabbir Ahmed 3-44). Overnight Score: United Bank 275-9 in 83 overs, Toss: Lahore Shalimar. Umpires: Islam Khan & Khalid Mahmood Sr, referee: Muhammad Anees, Scorer: Najmus Saeed, At the gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. quetta 172 in 64.3 overs (Taimoor Ali 52, 128 balls, 6 x4s, Abid Ali 43, 106 balls, 5 x4s, Asif Ashfaq 445, waqas Aslam 3-29) v Lahore ravi 277-5 in 99 overs (Usman Salahuddin 82, 189 balls, 14 x4s, Mohammad Saad 84*, 213 balls, 13 x4s, Arun Lal 2-34, Saeed Khan 2-84). Overnight Score: Lahore ravi 39-1 in 16 overs, Toss: Lahore ravi. Umpires: Kaukab Butt & raweed Khan, referee: Parvaiz Akhtar, Scorer: Masood Ahmed.

DFA League in Dec LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The general council meeting of District Football Association Lahore has decided to hold DFA League from the first week of December.

A meeting of District Football Association Lahore was held at Model Town Football Club Ground under the chairmanship of President DFA Mian Rizwan Ali. The representatives of 22 clubs attended the meeting.

It was also decided that the next meeting of DFA Lahore would be held on November 13 at Model Town Football Club Ground.

President DFA Mian Rizwan Ali said that the constitution was being drafted and the copy of which would be distributed to all the members for studying and submitting proposals to be included in the constitution.

It was also decided that all the football clubs would update their data by the next meeting & Inclusion of players to be completed.

England went for wrong options in India

Staff RepoRt

Comment

As many as two matches were played in the 8th Pakistan Premier Football League on Monday. In the first match of the day between Baloch FC and Police at Noushki Football Stadium Noushki the Balochs tasted win when Police football team did not turn up, walkover give in favor of Baloch FC by Match Commissioner Mohammad Shafique. Thus Baloch club earned three valuable points. In the other match, PIA downed NBP at KPT Football Stadium Karachi and the most important goal of the match came in the 30th minute through Adeem Shahzad. A total 240 matches will be played when the league would conclude and each match have the value of Rs 30,000 bonus with the winners getting Rs 20,000 and the losing team receive Rs 10,000 and in case of draw Rs 15,000 each for both the teams.

VIC MARKS

e

NGLAND will not have to play another game of cricket this year – for which they are, no doubt, truly grateful. They look as if they have had enough. Just about everyone on the planet is mightily intrigued by the mysteries of India – except perhaps our cricketers. england's tour of India, which finished on Saturday, reminded me of my first and only trip to the Taj Mahal, which took place on the 1984 85 expedition.

The entire party got up at 4.30am in order to see the great mausoleum at sunrise, except Mike Gatting, who explained: "I've seen it before." These past four weeks those england players who had seen it all before in India seemed to exhibit little enthusiasm for another visit to the country so soon after the previous one – at least when

50-over cricket was on the agenda. Now they can all rest up until the new year. We have reached a conclusion of sorts, and at the end of anything nowadays there have to be some awards. So we can dish a few out.

Most improved ODI cricketer: Andrew Strauss. You are always better in retirement. Forget that there were always queries about his right to be in the team, Strauss it was who played the spinners so deftly when england met India in Bangalore during the World Cup. Apparently Andy Flower wanted him to continue for another year, but Strauss, with indisputable logic, thought otherwise.

Most indispensable ODI batsman: eoin Morgan. His reputation was high before the Indian tour; it has sky-rocketed in the past three weeks. Now he is being touted as captain for all forms of limited-over cricket.

The longer he is injured the more imminent his appointment appears to be. Most lethal ODI bowler: Stuart Broad. (See above on the joys of being absent). This was a very good tour to miss. Most improved international cricket coach: Duncan Fletcher. Well, he was obviously crap in england last summer, but now he is a bit of a wizard again. Notwithstanding Saturday's Twenty20 victory, the tour to India was a chastening experience. Flower has drawn comparison with the Test defeat in Jamaica in 2009 when england were

bowled out for 51, partly because the shock waves that performance provoked were ultimately so productive. Now we seek some sort of perspective. english cricket is not suddenly a shambles. Nor is it quite so potent as the euphoria of 2011 – from the triumph of an Ashes victory in Sydney to the routing of India in the home Test series – led some to believe. especially when they are using white balls. In India, only one player categorically advanced during the ODIs and that was the one who was hungry for some cricket, Steven Finn. Otherwise, Samit Patel and Jonathan Trott just about ended in credit. None of the others did.

It may be that the selectors were too emboldened by the successes of 2011. They were in a mood to take a punt (always beware selectors with a yearning to pluck rabbits from hats). So it was that they sent out Scott Borthwick and Stuart Meaker. the GuaRDian

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

Nisar adds fuel to the fire

Suicide bombers hit US, UN offices in Kandahar Attackers manage to kill local district police chief before being shot dead g

KANDAHAR

S

ISLAMABAD

24

afp

UICIDe attackers on Monday blew up a truck bomb and raided a UN and US development offices in Kandahar, killing five Afghans in the latest major attack on American interests in Afghanistan. The bombers struck at a compound of UN offices and US-based International Relief and Development (IRD) in the southern city, as Turkey gears up to host a conference designed to quicken efforts to end the 10-year war.

The bombing came two days after 17

uS drone kills three in N Waziristan

people died in the deadliest attack yet in Kabul against the US-led NATO mission, including 10 Americans, and three days after a US-run base in Kandahar was targeted. One attacker detonated the vehicle outside the buildings, killing one unarmed watchman, before three others entered the compound and hid in a veterinary clinic to engage in a firefight with police, authorities said.

The attackers then made their way to the UN refugee agency’s offices where they shot dead three of its guards. They managed to shoot dead a local district police chief before they were themselves shot dead after more than six hours. “Fighting is over, all the attackers are dead,” said Kandahar provin-

MIRANSHAH: A US drone strike killed three militants in North Waziristan on Monday, officials said. The drone fired two missiles into a moving vehicle as it drove through a village near Mubarak Shah town about 15 kilometres east of Miranshah, the main town in the agency, security officials told AFP. “Three militants have been killed in the attack,” one security official said. “The vehicle was moving. There are reports that four militants were killed in the strike but we are verifying the death of the fourth militant. We have confirmed the death of three others.” The identities of the dead were not clear. AFP cial police chief Abdul Raziq. UNHCR confirmed that three of its employees were killed and two other staff members were wounded, calling the attack a “tragedy”. Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi said the insurgent group carried out a car bomb attack in

Kandahar – the Taliban’s former capital – claiming the UN refugee agency was the target. “At this point we are not sure if UNHCR in Kandahar or if the IRD compound was the target. They’re adjacent to one another,” a Western diplomat told AFP.

Staff RepoRt

With all major political parties already up in arms against each other, their leaders continue to ignite the situation by levelling allegations and counter-allegations to demean their rivals in a bid to rejuvenate their dormant supporters and workers.

Scathingly criticising the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) in reaction to their show of strength in Karachi and Lahore respectively, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz PML-N) heavyweight and National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Monday Imran Khan had launched his political journey “from the house of Jews” and Altaf Hussain had turned the MQM into “a party for rent”. In a jab at Imran at a public rally in Rawalpindi, Nisar questioned how a man could bring about a revolution when he started his politics from the house of Jews. Nisar said the PTI chairman had started its political journey from the offices of spy agencies. Separately, addressing a press conference in Islamabad in the evening, Nisar said the nation was aware of MQM’s flip-flops and opportunism.

“Until recently, Altaf Hussain was demanding the resignation of President (Asif Ali) Zardari when his party developed differences with the PPP over the Kashmir election issue… now they are holding rallies to protect Zardari,” he said. Altaf Hussain had rented out his party, he added.

Responding to a question, Nisar said the PML-N was ready to open a dialogue with all political parties of the country, including the PTI, to save the country. He said his party would expand the “Go Zardari Go” movement to every nook and cranny of the country in coming months and the final destination of the PML-N’s protest movement would be Islamabad, from where President Zardari was ruling the country.

KP housing minister escapes Taliban attack PESHAWAR afp

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Housing Minister Amjad Khan Afridi escaped unhurt when Taliban militants opened fire on his vehicle in Kohat district on Monday, officials said.

Afridi was travelling in his bullet-proof car when militants hiding in Bilitang area of Kohat opened fire, police said. “Militants fired three sniper shots from the nearby hills. One bullet hit the car’s windscreen. The minister is safe,” Mubarak Zeb, police chief in Kohat district, told AFP. “The minister was the target. Militants were involved in this attack,” he added. An intelligence official in Peshawar blamed the attack on the Taliban. Afridi, a member of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had a police escort at the time of the attack, the official added.

SIALkoT LyNCHINg CASE

LHC suspends sentences of two more policemen

iStanBul: president asif Zardari in a meeting with turkish president abdullah Gul on Monday. ONLINE | STORY ON PAGE 04

‘Alliance if Nawaz declares assets’ ‘N’ scrambles to save LAHORE face after successful Imran Khan show After putting on a successful show of Staff RepoRt

street power in the provincial capital of Punjab on Sunday, Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Monday that he would consider an alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) if its president Nawaz Sharif made his assets public.

He told reporters at Allama Iqbal International Airport before leaving for China on a three-day visit that he could talk to Nawaz Sharif for an alliance if he declared his assets correctly and honestly. He said the country had transformed and a mass revolution was near. The PTI leader said the people would now forget past revolutions because a new one was knocking on the country’s door. He also predicted that general elections could be held any time after March. He invited honest politicians to join the PTI to “shatter the demons of fear” and come forward for Pakistan’s sovereignty. He said the parties playing “musical chairs” for power had now vanished as they had been exposed before the people.

Imran said a blow had been dealt to the status quo slapped on the country for ages, evident from the amount of

LAHORE

people who showed up for the PTI rally on Sunday. Imran, who was quite confident after flexing his political muscles in Lahore, told reporters that his party had set up a cell to collect details of politicians’ assets and as soon as it had enough material, it would approach the Supreme Court and the election Commission of Pakistan for action.

LAHoRE: A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Monday suspended three-year sentences of two policemen awarded by an anti-terrorism court in Gujranwala in the Sialkot lynching case. The bench comprising Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry and Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan granted bail to two policemen against surety bonds of Rs 100,000 each. The petition was filed by constables Yaseen and Bashir Ahmed challenging their conviction in the Sialkot lynching case. The petitioners’ counsel argued before the court that the petitioners were innocent and wrongly convicted.

The counsel argued that a sentence of up to 5 years is bailable under the law when the convicts’ appeal is pending in the High Court. He said appellants were convicted under Section 155(C) of Police Order 2002 and sentenced to three-year imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine and deserved bail and a suspension of their sentence. STAFF REPORT

US stops $60m payment to UNeSCO over admitting Palestine

naSiR Butt

WASHINGTON

Of all the political forces in the country, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership seems to be the most perturbed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s successful show at Minar-e-Pakistan on Sunday, and their uneasiness is amply reflected from their comments on the huge public gathering. Interestingly, Imran’s call for declaration of assets was meant for everybody in the political class, but only the PML-N leaders, from National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to party spokesman Pervaiz Rasheed, were seen on the forefront clearing themselves of the charges, telling the people they had already declared their asserts. But Imran Khan rejected their clarification and said he wanted

afp

Continued on page 04

Published by Arif Nizami for Nawa Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore.

The United States said Monday it is stopping financial contributions to UNeSCO after Palestine was admitted to the organization as a full member. “We were to make a $ 60 million dollar payment to UNeSCO in November and we will not be making that payment,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters. She said the Palestinian admission “triggers longstanding (US) legislative restrictions which will compel the US to refrain from making contributions to UNeSCO.” The US, Israel’s top ally, in the 1990s banned the financing of any United Nations organization that accepts Palestine as a full member. The United States provides about 22 percent of UNeSCO’s annual budget.

The vote “is regrettable, premature and undermines our shared goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle east,” Nuland said.

eaRlieR stoRy | page 16

Bulls storm KSe with 307 point gain 4

Pages: 8

profit.com.pk

Tuesday, 01 November, 2011

tHREAt FoR cuRRENt AccouNt

Proposed Saudi cap on remittances Dollar inflows from Saudi Arabia constitute 23pc of total remittances g Saudi Arabia third largest source of remittances for Pakistan g Pakistani workers in oil rich Kingdom remitted over $14 billion during last 15 years g Remittances from KSA rose by over 500pc to $ 2.6 billion since FY97 g

KARACHI

T

iSMail DilaWaR

He economic mangers in Pakistan must have raised their eyebrows after the Saudi labour minister’s recent announcement to limit the flow of remittances from the oil-rich Kingdom.

SAlARY PRotEctIoN PRogRAMME On the 26th of last month, Saudi Labour Minister Adel Fakieh had, reportedly, declared that Riyadh was planning to launch “salary protection” programme primarily aimed at keeping the much needed capital in the Kingdom, ranked second by the World Bank in the list of world’s largest remittance sending countries after the United States.

According to Fakieh, once imple-

mented the proposed program would put a so far unclear ceiling on the amount of remittances the expatriates would be able to remit to their home countries. Mainly concentrated in the construction and retail sectors, the “guest” workers constitute around 87 per cent of the total Saudi private work force, according to various survey reports. “About nine out of 10 workers in the country are foreigners. This has led to millions of riyals being transferred back to their home countries, harming the local economy,” Fakieh was quoted as saying.

VulNERAblE cuRRENt AccouNt The economic observers in the funds-starved Pakistan believe that, if materialised, the cap or ceiling on the flow of remittances from Saudi Arabia would disturb the country’s external accounts visibly. The impression carries enough weight as a country wise analysis of the data available on the State Bank website reveals that the oil-rich Middle eastern country happens to be the third largest source of remittances for Pakistan after the United States and the United Kingdom. When totaled, the central bank figures show that during last 15 years the remittances sent back home by Pakistanis working in the Saudi Arabia amounted to over $14.002 billion.

Depicting a seasawing

trend, the remittances from the Kingdom have registered an astronomical increase of 538 per cent and have crossed the $2 billion mark in FY2010-11 over the last one and half decade.

SIgNIFIcANt bEARINg loSS IN bIllIoNS The Pakistanis expatriates in Saudi Arabia remitted over $418.44 million in FY97, $474.86 million in FY98, $318.49 million in FY199, $309.85 million in FY2000, $304.43 million in FY2001, $376.34 million in FY2002, $580.76 million in FY2003, $565.29 million in FY2004, $627.19 million in FY2005, $750.44 million in FY2006, over $1.023 billion in FY2007, $1.251 billion in FY2008, $1.559 billion in FY2009, $1.917 billion in FY2010 and $2.670 billion in FY2011.

Of the total record $11.2 billion and $8.905 billion remitted, respectively, during FY11 and FY10, 24 and 22 per cent came from the KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), the SBP data shows.

During the first quarter of current financial year, ranging from July to September, the remittances from KSA accumulated to $854.18 million, according to the State Bank. “There would be huge losses (to Pakistan) if they (Saudis) define this ceiling in terms of the vol-

Good news from Zin block likely on November 4 ISLAMABAD

T

aMeR Sial

He results of the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), regarding the most ambitious exploratory well being drilled at one the most prospective Zin block in Balochistan, are positive. They are nearing the target depth of 2300 metres and the final result is expected to be out on 4th November, an official source said.

OGDCL is carrying out the drilling at the X1 exploratory well which was spud in May this year in the country’s richest hydrocarbon district of Dera Bugti, Balochistan. “It is premature to give the reservoir estimate or its quality before the drilling is completed”, the source said adding that initial estimates project the size of hydrocarbon reserve of upto 10 trillion cubic feet (tcf).

With the precarious gas supply situation in the country, OGDCL had opted for drilling at one of the safest site, considering the law and order situation in the province, even though the state

owned company had identified four other sites for drilling, which will be explored once the results of the first well are out.

OGDCL had obtained exploration license for Zin block in 1996. But due to the law and order situation in Balochistan, it has not been drilled for the last 14 years. In the official and industry circles, Zin block is considered the most prospective block as it is surrounded by major natural gas producing fields of Pirkoh, Loti, Sui and Uch. Work on the site started in 2010, when the government provided the required security to the company. If the drilling proves successful the gas from the field will start flowing within the next year, the source said. Terming the project as the most important for the country’s energy security, the source said a discovery in Zin block will force the government to provide security to companies for carrying out oil and gas exploration and production in the hydrocarbon rich province. Pakistan’s first major discovery of Sui gas field, also in Dera Bugti, was made in 1952. At the time of its discovery, it had recov-

ume of remittances sent back home by the (guest) workers,” said Asfar Bin Shahid.

erable gas reserves of around 12 tcf and still remains the highest natural gas producing field in Pakistan; producing around 550 mmcfd. It has estimated 2 tcf reserves left. Kohlu district yet unexplored, but termed as the most prospective for major hydrocarbon discoveries in future, is the ultimate target of OGDCL for exploration provided the security cover is present, he said.

He also added that unofficial estimates project more than 22 tcf in the district. OGDCL has applied for security clearance for four licenses in the district including Kohlu, Jandran, Jandran West and Kalchas. The state owned OGDCL is the largest upstream company in the country with a portfolio of 77 fields, out of which 45 fields are 100 per cent owned and operated, and 32 are non-operated fields. As of December 2010, it holds 48 per cent of the country’s recoverable oil reserves, and 37 per cent of the country’s recoverable gas reserves. In terms of production, currently OGDCL delivers 56 per cent of Pakistan’s oil output, and 22 per cent of its gas production.

The economist, who wants to hear from Riyadh on a possible clarification of the labour minister’s statement, said the nature of Saudi restrictions would have significant bearing on Pakistan’s current account balance which, the SBP says, set in negative during the first quarter of FY12. During July-September FY12, the country’s current account deficit widened to $1.209 billion from $597 million of the same period in FY11. The analysts see receipts of the greenback on account of exports and remittances as major stimuli for the current account balance and warn that any disturbance in the two would be critical for the country’s comfortable external accounts.

HEAVY RElIANcE oN DollAR INFloWS Given Pakistan’s heavy reliance on dollar inflows from overseas destinations, including Saudi Arabia, to keep its deficit-prone current account balance in check, the analysts say the concerned authorities from Pakistan should have promptly asked Riyadh for a clarification about the proposed ceiling. However, A.B Shahid said the possible damage to Pakistan could not been estimated “until and unless” the Saudi government elaborated on the restrictions.

Wateen says ‘Hello again’ with relaunch

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

W

ATeeN Telecom on Monday announced its new corporate identity inline with the vision laid out by its management.

Wateen Telecom CeO Naeem Zamindar said that the new Wateen is focused on enabling its customers’ lives and businesses by being the most reliable, responsive and innovative broadband solution provider. “Our customers will feel the difference now and over the years to come, as we are committed to deliver continuous and never-ending improvement through the best service,” the CeO said adding this is the vision the company hope to share with the world. He said philosophy behind the new visual identity represents freedom based on the unlimited possibilities offered by Wateen for its customers to connect, share, exchange and communicate whatever they desire. He said the main concept for the design is to break free from all grids; rise above all constraints and simply explore the freedom provided through the internet.

02

Tuesday, 01 November, 2011

debate

ICT and economic progress J

DURDANA NAJAM

OSePH Schumpeter (1883–1950) coined a paradoxical term in 1942 “Creative Destruction” to explain the process of progress, continuity and development that follows the obliteration, destruction or simply flaying off, of an existing framework, for better and progressive economic opportunities. The recent case of intermediate exam results going berserk and students of every cadres, IQ and aptitude of Punjab, promoted to the next level, that is grade twelve, to make up for the losses, is an example of right technology manned by a flawed mechanism and being impatient with the fruit of technology that that is bore gradually. Information Technology is the surest way to accelerate the pace of doing work with almost 99 per cent accuracy. However, information technology has a relevance with attitude building and developmental policies, which brings us to the notion of Change Management...a despised option to a majority of people.

But what Schumpeter wanted to convey through the theory of Creative Destruction is that some people at some stage have to bear the brunt of progress either in the form of temporary job loss, permanent exit from the existing career or maybe technology going mad initially. Some systems have to be dismantled permanently or temporarily and that any attempt to lessen the harshness of this process could severely damage the pace of economic progress.

Repellence to ‘land record management information system’ The discourse above brings us to an important point of managing change, attitude and behaviour on the eve of introducing change through technology. Lately in one of my Public Policy class one of my classmates who happened to be on a senior position in Punjab bureaucracy sympathised over the job losses the Patwaries are bound to suffer in the wake of “Land Record Management Information System”. Her argument ran from defending the older system that has been in place since the British Raj to the acumen, abilities and deliverability of Patwaries. She adamantly defended the status quo by saying that “when older system is working why need a new one that could cause not only job destruction but unusual hassles in adoption, adaptation and reformation of system at the administrative and execution level.” In this peculiar example of Patwary vs.

Land Record Management, we are faced with dual problems. The first problem traces its link to corruption; Patwary in Pakistan is a man with power so extensive and forceful that his job or transfer orders or for that matter his job descriptions at times come from the upper echelons of the power structure of the government. A clerk of grade five, Patwari handles land records at sub-divisional or tehsil level in Pakistan. He maintains land record system of ownership, cultivation and revenue. Seeing through his academic credentials, that does not go above matriculation and job description that revolves around checking and maintaining few registers, this whole equation of power influence becomes all the more, more intriguing.

In corollary he is a man at the centre of the land mafia or land grabbers. The other problem is related to the technological change that would sweep out many older systems, and maybe with it would destroy older jobs and lay people redundant as well. But such hard choices are important if a country or an organisation wishes to grow.

It is natural for an underdeveloped country like Pakistan to overemphasise job creation but frown over job destruction. But then in that case we have to keep suffering the pains of lengthy procedures, slow processes, buy time techniques and lost opportunities. Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments are striving to bring Land Record Management Information System since 2003; the resistance from both the change averse and corrupt elements has kept the pace of restructuring slow and irregular.

Importance of Information communication technology One key proposition that comes with the theory of innovation is the obsolescence of the preceding theory in practice. But this is

the way to new world.

Technology has to its credit some of the benefits that ultimately give business a curve that never goes flat: low cost, marginal benefits, economy of scales, competitive advantage and time value of money. Railroads are counted as one of the precursors of Industrial Revolution that made the migration of good to different markets and customers possible from one destination to another. The shifting of raw material or maybe the transportation of labour, skilled at doing one job over the other, to ultimately lowering the production cost due to efficiency and affectivity, became possible due to the system presently we are so careless about in Pakistan; Railways.

Just as railways carry good, and power grids carry electricity, information technology carries digital information. Interconnectivity, information sharing and interoperability are a few of the characteristics of ICT. The interconnectivity horizon has kept expanding from mainframe timesharing to minicomputers based local areas networks to ethernet networks and on to the internet. Looking at the investment data, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of economic Analysis, in 1965 less than 5 per cent of the capital expenditure of American companies went to information technology. With the advent of personal computers in the early 1980s, the figure rose to 15 per cent. By the early 1990s, more than 30 per cent has already gone into ICT. The end of the decade saw this percentage moving up to 50per cent. On an estimate, businesses around the world continue to spend well over $2 trillion, a year on IT. Looking into Pakistan’s readiness or its acceptance level of information technology one refers to the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) according to which in the FY 2011 Pakistan has been ranked 88th amongst the group of 135 countries, a point ahead from 2009-10 rating when Pakistan was standing at 87 positions.

Among the 19 Asian countries Pakistan is at the 16th position, with Singapore occupying the first and Nepal 19th position, while India clinging onto the 8th position. As far as the Market environment is concerned, according to NRI, at 61 Pakistan is quite welcoming in providing market environment for the development of ICT. But as far as the political and regulatory and infrastructure environment of Pakistan is concerned the country at the 104th position, and is yet to show professional resilience to let ICT permeate the market on a firm footing. At the government level the usage of ICT ranks at the 87th position, so is the case of business usage, however, at the individual levels the ranking is worse at 106.

Ict and poverty reduction To the World Bank and the european Commission, insufficient income level, is not the only indicator that gives poverty a bad name.

Silence, powerlessness, vulnerability, fear, lack of access to education, health, employment, political participation, land and credit, natural resources, services and infrastructure, all goes in defining poverty as a matter of helplessness of a citizen to lead a respectful

and dignified life. Now, the broader definition of poverty has come to include deprivation of needed information to participate in the wider society at the local, national and global level as well. economic growth induces inequality when the instruments of growth be it education, skill, health infrastructure, land ownership etc cannot reach a large population owing to vested interest or entranced power structure or policy failure of a given country. What is the use of growth if the poor cannot take advantage of employment and income opportunities due to lack of education. If there is discrimination and social exclusion how can the excluded and discriminated people take advantage of the expanded economic activities and share the benefits of economic growth?

Information Communication Technology gives countries power and abilities to reach out to people at a mass level.

China’s central Radio and Television universities have more than 1.5 million students enrolled in different programs. Mexico has given access to its people living in remote villages through Telesecundaria Program enrolling 700,000 secondary school students. Lectures are delivered through close circuit television and teleconferencing between students and teachers. Committee to Democratise Information Technology (CDI) of Brazil has created 110 sustainable self managed community-based schools. They train more than 25,000 young students per year in ICT skills which provides them better opportunities for jobs. In Andhra Pradesh India handheld computers have increased the efficiencies of midwives by eliminating cumbersome data entry and paper work. One nurse is responsible for 5000 persons’ immunisation, family planning, and mother child education handheld computers have reduced the time spent on these activates by 40 per cent.

According to International Labour Organization (ILO) developing countries have been able to generate employment opportunities to a great extent through community access points and telecenters.

Women of Khizhur Pondicherry India have been able to establish incense-stick firm by utilising telecenters. Initially they started as subcontractors but with passion and the availability of telecommunication facilities they expanded to distant areas. In Gujarat India computerised milk collection centres with integrated electronic weights, fat testing machines and plastic card readers ensure fair prices to the dairy farmers. In Ghana, information about regional markets and development, disseminated on radio has helped farmers increase their revenues and improve their farming practices.

Attitude building The vulnerability of Information Technology is as much a case of inbuilt phenomenon as that of its utility. The operational risks associated with IT just like any other business ventures are many; technical glitches, obsolescence, service outages, unreliable vendors, or partners, security breaches, even terrorism, some have grown in importance with the shift from proprietary system to open, shared one. Business management theory has it that companies prepare themselves to identify and temper the vulnerabilities that could not only disconnect the business from market but could foul the reputation of a company, an organisation or a country as well, as it has happened in the case of BISe. Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary education’s online registration system introduced in 2010 has failed on many occasions since its inception. On every occasion be it registration, getting roll number slips or result card the system refused to cooperate with its users, in this case the students, leaving them confused, panicked and distraught. The story has it that the Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan boards never implemented the new computerisation system as a whole and even in Lahore board, the system is functioning on only one computer. Most of the staff persisted using spreadsheet and later posting them on result cards. Though the mayhem that we call BISe technology fiasco is tainted heavily with corruption, we cannot ignore the “Technology Training” phenomenon thoroughly ignored in this case just as it has been done in many cases previously.

The ideal situation would have been to acclimatise the staff with the processes through a piecemeal approach then thrusting the whole theory down their throat without giving due diligence to the culture, habits and traditional way of doing business. Though a committee has been formed to look into the causes of the breakdown that almost gave Punjab government a hammering blow, similarly a petition has been filed as well by some citizenry, but the real issue in hand is to make people understand why and how information technology is going to ease their lives, making people comfortable with the technology and last but not the least making the staff working on the technology adapt with the system. It is through this awareness campaign only that we could shift our much needed consumerism attitude to the production one.....

“Durdana Najam is a freelance financial feature writer, currently doing Executive MA in Governance and Public Policy, from FC College Lahore, she could be reached at durdananajam456@hotmail.com”

Tuesday, 01 november, 2011

EDiToRiaL

To the Fund again?

OW do news reports of our able finance managers knocking at the IMF’s door again sound, especially in light of their recent boast of moving beyond the Fund, focusing instead on home-grown growth? And strangely, whenever we revert to the begging bowl, our stance assumes a certain audacity that invariably demands rolling back strict austerity conditions that derailed the preceding interaction. But now that we’re talking again, and apparently a follow-up meeting has been set for Dubai, there will a deal of one kind or another, and strict austerity is practically assured.

So what are we to make of the government’s present position? Is the growth drive, promised while parting with the Fund, compromised? Will revenue generation again falter, leaving serious steps like FBR restructuring that were the cornerstone of selfreliance for another fiscal year? Is blocking Rs400b worth of annual leakages from PSes no longer on the cards?

Sometimes, it is important to scratch the surface. Recent initiatives like interest rate

H

reduction, finally facilitating private sector investment, etc, will bring intrinsic benefits only if the government withdraws its mammoth self from the money market. With hindsight, especially since the government has failed to honour its promise of reduced local borrowing, it’s a safe bet that the central bank is actually facilitating government borrowing with the rate cut.

So long as leakages are not checked, and available avenues of raising revenue not streamlined, need for borrowing to finance non-development expenditure will continue. Hence another blatant about turn on yet another tall promise. With such posturing, it is not surprising that the national debt has doubled in the few years of the present dispensation. But the more the government borrows to stay afloat, the more it puts its fortunes on borrowed time.

Falling short of budgetary targets again will seriously wrongfoot its electioneering by the time the present fiscal comes to an end. It must at least be seen trying to restore fiscal balance, instead of unashamedly distorting it.

Retrieving Europe s dead

Javed Gilani HeN the case of europe is scrutinised there is both good news and bad news.

The good news that one can understand for europe is the fact that a dramatic Lehman style collapse is not quite on the cards. The european Central Bank has been doing sufficiently well to ensure that there is enough liquidity despite the crisis situation. The bad news is that while conferences and summits are being held to find a solution to the debt crisis, europe’s leaders have failed to realise that old banking systems in this fast globalising world have now become obsolete. Coupled with this, there is an over reliance on leveraging from the private sector for balance sheet woes of both sovereigns and banks. This policy is eventually destined for doom. One cannot fathom why authorities have found it so hard to agree on the cause and effect of the crisis. They have however identified four problems which are, sovereign debt, bank capital, Greek default and growth retardation.

When analysed in greater detail, in general the eU has outsized banks (assets almost equivalent to 325pc of GDP) which are highly leveraged (it is pertinent to mention that leverage of the 15 largest banks of europe is 28.9 times their equity capital). These institutions are also addicted to large quantities of wholesale debt, which totals euro 4.9 trillion out of which $660 billion matures in the next two years. According to a report, the largest banks of the zone have phenomenally increased their returns on equity, between the late 90’s till 2007 with almost 90 per cent of the gain coming from high leverage. Since 2007, the returns have crumbled.

The viability of this model is highly dependant upon high amounts of cheap leverage that have some sort of implicit backing by the government. Declining confidence in sovereign debt has deeply dented bank borrowing by increasing the cost of capital. In times of recession, government borrowing costs fall. However,

W

has the leveraged model replaced traditional merchant banking altogether?

Deteriorating Railways

Sino›Pak Relations

The dire straits, that the PR finds itself in, is a sorry sight. Railways has been my favourite mode of transportation for as long as I can remember, but the current state of things in Pakistan Railways ensures that people would rather walk on foot, than go through that never ending turmoil. The federal minister’s comments on top of the current situation reveals why no efforts are being taken for the improvement of the institution. Not only is the institution in decline, but it also has the audacity to increase the fares in return for providing its customers a torrid time. Where is the glimmer of optimism?

To counter the U.S domination in the region, it is important that we continue to strengthen our bond with China. And, of course the Indian factor always influences things. Apart from increasing the bilateral trade with our Chinese counterparts, the educational exchange is extremely vital as well. We should learn from them, so that we can instill their work ethic over here as well, and they in turn could also learn a thing or two from our educational cream. China has a mighty economy, and we must look to boost our economy as well. Let’s explore our economical foundation so that we can become economically successful as well.

ALI ASGHAR

FAHAD RAZA

lahoRe

iSlaMaBaD

Taming the chaos

amjad Riaz HeRe is definitely a silver lining to the cloud. The turmoil in the indigenous economy is dually reflected by the turmoil in the international economy at this juncture. Joseph Schumpeter made a sharp observation about the Austrian economy post-World War 1. During the period of inflation the coffee shops around the corner began to disappear and a greater number of business houses emerged to take stock of the

T

situation. Once the inflation had been tackled to a manageable level the coffee shops began to replace the excessive number of entities engaged in the financial sector. The economic experts learned some valuable lessons about the performance of an economy.

Times are different but the economic parameters have only changed a little. To take an example; the rail network in the country has dwindled to performing the commercial side of transporting the goods to and from the ports only. But the tea stalls on the railway platforms are nearly out of business. Despite energy shortages and other problems of the economy, the exports and large scale manufacturing in the country showed a reasonable growth during the last fiscal year.

The statement of the railway minister that Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia do not have a rail system was astonishing. The relevant quarters failed to upSHAHAb JAFRY Business Editor AlI RIZVI news Editor

date the honourable minister that Saudi Arabia has just entered into a twelve years contract with a SaudiSpanish Consortium for the Haramain High speed Railway between Makah and Medina. About the Afghanistan economy the less said the better. The railways had been nearly totally neglected in the US but after the oil crisis of the seventies it was realised that it is the most economical way of carrying passengers or goods and accordingly they revived their network.

In 1947 the only commercial economic activity working on corporate principles of running a business, was the railway network. The Moghulpura workshop made the whole system operate smoothly. This network of infrastructure linked the various towns of the country, transporting people and precious cargo of agriculture produce and other industrial goods. In the last twenty years the economy has been expanding with a

KuNWAR KHulDuNE SHAHID Sub-Editor

The writer is a seasoned banker with over 30 years of experience and is currently working as Chief Manager SME bank

The wheels of economy must keep moving

meaningful growth.

The gradual building up of a corporate sector had begun to yield some dividends and showing the plausible signs of an economy moving up.

The macro and micro side of economic considerations do at times come to face each other at certain crossroads but that is when the skills of governance come forward. The neo-classical model of economy is somewhat different from the planned system of economy. The entrepreneur is required to borrow or raise capital to do business in a market based economy. To have an effective control of the economic environment the entrepreneur employs different tools but a meaningful cooperation of the state and its institutions is equally important to further the ends of an economic system desired and geared towards facilitating and running of a healthy economy.

The financial market here has not yet

bAbuR SAgHIR Creative head HAMMAD RAZA Layout Designer

what is interesting to note is that with ‘risk free’ rates rising almost six fold in the past few years, cost of equity and simultaneously debt has surged manifold as well.

With economic growth slowing down to much lower levels than anticipated, higher levels of capital will now be required, in other words capital buffers will have to be built. Restoring investor confidence through recapitalisation is not an answer, because the real problem is growth. With the exacerbating sovereign debt equality, there is a need for banks in the euro zone to have higher capital-adequacy ratios in order to compensate for higher risks. In modern emerging markets this is a reason why banks keep higher capital buffers. Just like credit cycles in those markets tend to be more frequent, with an imminent currency crisis, largely due to high sovereign debt costs and relatively slow adjustments to shocks suffered as a result of exchange rate, balance sheets have become a burden to support and thus have been rendered obsolete.

Risk weighted assets of French banks are estimated at euro 2.2 trillion against a real capital base of euro 167 billion. However what is more striking is that once the risk weights are removed, assets inflate to a mammoth euro 8.1 trillion which is estimated at approximately 400 per cent of GDP with equity – asset ratio falling to below two per cent. The gods have spoken and the sovereign ground is now shaking vehemently. In such times building several more concrete floors over a skyscraper of leverage will not be enough to convince wary tenants to come back. If confidence in sovereign debt is not restored within the eU – which seems unlikely – these banking skyscrapers are no longer sustainable and instead of adding more concrete floors will have to be broken. The bubble will now have to burst, since it is now sufficiently clear that no amount of capital can restore investor confidence in eU banks.

The solution of the european quagmire can either be a broad and wide debt restructuring which with its course of natural selection will wreak losses on the private sector or an ever greater bailout package by burdened tax payers. europe is in dire straits, whether commentators like it or not, whether they agree with it or not. The only real solution now lies in allowing a Greek default, in letting the market deflate, in letting the bubble burst. The French and the Germans, no matter how much they gripe about at conferences trying to find a solution, cannot revive the dead. No, they do not have that super human ability, and the present circumstances are certainly such, that as long as they keep delaying the inevitable they would be pulled into the quick sands of oblivion.

reached a stage where endless borrowing and debts in the shape of sub-primes could have done damage the way the economies in the developed world have been affected.

The developing economies need to tread carefully and avoid the pitfalls the developed economies have been stuck into. The chaotic turmoil in the world economy is sure to alter the balance in some way or the other. Let us hope we are prepared for that. In the meanwhile, please ensure as early as possible that the business of provision of fresh cup of tea at the railway platforms begins to prosper again. The wheels of economy must keep moving.

The writer has served as consultant to the United Nations and other developing economies on the issues of trade and development and can be reached at amjadriazzz@yahoo.com

for comments, queries and contributions, write to: MuNEEb EJAZ Layout Designer

Email: profit@pakistantoday.com.pk Ph: 042-36298305-10 Fax: 042-36298302 Website: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

Tuesday, 01 November, 2011

It is heartening to know that IBP has received accreditation from Chartered Banker UK for its banking qualification and has conducted different workshops in collaboration with the IFC

news

04

Deputy governor, SbP, Muhammad Kamran Shehzad

India’s MFN status suicidal for Pak farmers LAHORE

F

Staff RepoRt

ARMeRS Associates Pakistan (FAP) has warned that if decision to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India is implemented without taking farmers’ bodies on board, growers will be compelled to physically block imports of Agri-products from India to safeguard the interest of the Pakistani farming community.

This warning was issued at a specially convened meeting presided by Hussain Jahania Gardezi, Vice Chairman FAP where all the FAP directors showed serious concerns against this.

Analysing the affects of the implementation of MFN decision to India, FAP President Tariq Bucha said here on Monday, that FAP members believe that the government’s decision to give India the MFN status is unilateral and a step in a hurry without considering the pros and cons. Federal government should not take and implement this decision with-

Meezan bank’s profit grows by 130pc during Jan-SeptcY11 KARACHI Staff RepoRt

M

eeZAN Bank Limited has achieved 130 per cent growth in its profit-after-tax that stood at Rs2.292 billion for the nine-month period ending on 30th September 2011 as compared to Rs995 million earned in the corresponding period last year. The largest Islamic bank in Pakistan has announced impressive growth in profitability, deposits and total assets. The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors of Meezan Bank in its 54th meeting held on 30th October here at the bank’s new Head Office, presided by Sheikh ebrahim Bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, Chairman of the Board. earning per share (ePS) increased to Rs2.85 from Rs1.24 during the same period under review. Meezan Bank’s total assets crossed Rs179 billion during the same period. Deposits have also increased from Rs131 billion in December 2010 to Rs151 billion in September 2011, an increase of 16 per cent which is significantly better than the growth in deposits recorded by the banking sector for this quarter. The board also inaugurated the bank’s impressive new head office, which now houses approximately 400 staff.

out consulting the provinces. Pakistan‘s internal situation, economy and specially Agriculture sector is not capable of competing with Indian products. The agriculture sector has always remained neglected and suffered from a lack of investment by the Government of Pakistan while India has always given intense importance to its agriculture sector augmented by various subsidy and other incentives, the meeting observed.

Urea is the only agricultural input in Pakistan which is partially subsidised while India is giving Rs30 billion (Indian) to subsidise its agricultural inputs. By allocating only few billions, no importance is given to the agriculture sector in Pakistan’s budget while in India Trillions of Rupees have been allocated for agriculture in their 2011–12 budget. In India Urea bag is available in Rs350 (Rs700 in Pakistan) while in Pakistan it costs between Rs1800 – 2000. electricity is almost free in India while its prices in Pakistan have already become extremely unaffordable.

If under the MFN regime Govern-

ment of Pakistan allows the Indian agriculture products to be imported not only our farmers will be destroyed but soon India will prevail and take control of our markets through various typical coercive measures including water stoppages, resulting in eventual famine like situation in Pakistan, the meeting claimed.

It will also affect our industry as well and already the existing high ratio of unemployment will rise by manifolds. Latest statistics show that there is 18 per cent unemployment in our country (factually it is much higher).

If we open the doors of trade with India, the FAP president warned that day is not far when our labour will go to Chandigarh and Amritsar for employment as there will be no employment opportunity available on our side besides encouraging increase in crime such as theft, dacoities etc.

If agriculture turns unviable it will force farmers to convert land to nonagricultural use leading to closure of factories shrinking markets and become deserted. The traders who feel

delighted on trade with India through MFN status, should think about where will they sell their products, and to whom as customers will have empty pockets, FAP warned.

If the government of Pakistan is serious to give the status of most favorite nation to India, it must first of all do its due homework. Work on WTO rules must be completed first. It should read carefully the infrastructure of Indian and Pakistan’s agriculture sector, consult farmer’s organizations in Pakistan and after due diligence and full preparation take such decision.

FAP is not against trade with any country especially with India but without rules, equal opportunity and the consensus with the stake holders i.e. farming organisations such as FAP MFN status to India will be detrimental.

The much trumpeted 18th amendment had in fact caused great damage to Pakistan agriculture. No one knows by whom and where decisions pertaining to agriculture are being taken. For example at this moment no one is there to regu-

Italian designer trains women in 3D marble mosaic designing ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

R

eNOWNeD Italian mosaic designer Giulio Vinaccia on Monday delivered a lecture and imparted practical training to women on 3D at the marble mosaic workshop arranged for women by the Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDeC).

PASDeC has launched marble mosaic and inlays training session to promote skill development and entrepreneurship culture amongst women. The program will generate opportunities of livelihood in remote and rural areas at economical cost of production. Mosaic is an art of decoration with small pieces of stone and renowned not only for its design and aesthetic beauty but also

skillfulness of handiwork because each product is made by intricate handwork.

Giulio Vinaccia also called on Chief executive Officer Ihsanullah Khan and discussed 3D usage in mosaic designing.

He highlighted the importance of 3D designing in marble mosaic making. He told that the use of 3D designing in mosaic can increase the value of the product.

Pakistan has more than 100 types of natural stones in different colours, vein-age and shades, which exist from Karachi to Siachen glacier. Approximately 297 billion tonnes of marble and granite reserves have been explored in Pakistan while a huge amount is yet to be identified. Besides having immense reserves and a variety of marble and granite, the country's share in the world exports quantum is only

late seed, and hence substandard seed is being sold in the market without any hindrance. Both federal and provincial governments are totally in the dark regarding future course of action pertaining to most the important and critical agriculture sector.

Moreover, though India had given MFN status to Pakistan in 1966, yet it also imposed Non-Tariff Barriers to hoodwink Pakistani public. According to records Pakistan’s exports to India could not increase beyond 332 Million US $ since 1996-97.While on the other hand without MFN status to India exports to Pakistan have increased manifolds i.e. from $158 Million to $2334 Million during the same period.

President Farmers Associates Pakistan Tariq Bucha further added that if the government does not take the farmers on board they will be compelled to take measures – including physically blocking the imports of agricultural products from India – to safeguard the interest of the farming community and the people of Pakistan.

IbP asked to adopt modern training techniques KARACHI Staff RepoRt

D

0.096 per cent, as compared to China’s share of 17.8 per cent and India’s 5.7 per cent.

The marble exports have increased from $47.2 million to $59.7 million in the fiscal year 2009-10. The target of marble exports has been set at $76 million the current fiscal year. While the government plans to increase the export earnings to over $100 million within three years due to introduction of mechanised quarrying in the country. The reason for low exports was the orthodox mining practices, including indiscriminate blasting and lack of modern extraction technology. PASDeC is repositioning the sector by setting up 10 model quarries, 20 quarry upgradations, 2 machinery pools, 4 common facility training centres and 7 marble industrial estates.

ePUTY Governor, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Muhammad Kamran Shehzad has stressed upon the Institute of Bankers in Pakistan (IBP) to shift from conventional training programmes to modern training techniques. Similarly, new and emerging concepts should be included in the curricula in general and in customised training programmes, in particular, so that the institute is able to do complete justice to the prime objective of its mandate i.e. the training of bankers, he said while addressing the 60th Annual General Meeting of the IBP at its premises in Karachi today. He said that the strategic alliances with other institutes will surely do a world of good for the professional refinement of the immensely important asset of the industry i.e. people and of course, for the image building of IBP. “It is heartening to know that IBP has received accreditation from Chartered Banker UK for its banking qualification and has conducted different workshops in collaboration with the IFC”, he added. He offered the following suggestions for enhancing the existing role of the IBP: Offer new online certification programmes for all the professionals who struggle to take time out owing to their pressing engagements.

Conduct a “Banking Conference” preferably once a year or at most once every two years covering contemporary as well as emerging banking developments and issues. IBP needs to look for joining hands with other academic bodies especially those which offer banking programmes for arranging Banking get-togethers or guest speakers’ Sessions for graduating candidates who intend to become bankers in the future. As IBP aims to provide a strong technical training platform for on-going personal growth and a reliable yardstick for assessing the quality and depth of knowledge and skills acquired, it should also offer new dimensions of “Soft Skills” for bankers

Bulls storm KSE with 307 point gain Karachi Staff report

R

eLAXeD political front and increase in fertiliser prices by local manufactures allowed the fertiliser sector to lead the bull-run that was well supported by the Oil and Gas exploration and marketing stocks, thus allowing the benchmark triple digit gains on opening. Despite red numbers in international and regional equities and commodities, renewal of commitment by the authorities of resolving the ballooned circular debt did force the likely sellers on back foot, high priced stocks however continued to face sell-off on gains.

The KSe 100 index closed at

11868.88 levels with the gain of 307.21 points, while KSe 30 index bagged 348.31 points to close at 11243.40 levels. All Share index closed at 8215.84 levels after gaining 204.20 points. Total 165 scrips advanced 83 declined and 85 remain unchanged out of total 333 scrips traded.

The bull run initiated by cash rich local institutions did inspire gains in various frontline stocks, including those having infrastructural and supply threats hovering; thus questioning the future earnings of the companies under threat. While the popular rumour in the arena regarding CGT allowed every Tom Dick and Harry from the front line mid tier and low priced category to stage ro-

bust activity, the turnover failed to match gains.

‘Indeed, the rumour regarding relaxation in CGT did support the run-up mainly as the deadline for CGT review as committed by FBR is getting closer (that allowed

the local syndicate to set a stage for the sideliners awaiting turnover and follow-up to the bull-run), gloomy economic and financial situation will however keep the trading horizon restricted, caution therefore stays

the call,’ said Hasnain Asghar Ali at Aziz Fidahusein.

‘Although, incorporation of proposed change in CGT mechanism by making CGT collection presumptive will certainly allow even the high priced stocks to

gain values, rumour based activity in stocks struggling to find sustainable multiples need to be avoided along with those facing tough time due to gas curtailments and high debt portfolio,’ he added.

Tuesday, 01 October, 2011

I am moderately surprised given the prevailing circumstances and the outlook for the economy. Standard and Poor’s has maintained a stable outlook

news

Economist Sakib Sherani

PAKISTAN’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Standard and Poor’s affirms B-rating low-income, high public/external debt, structural fiscal weaknesses, political and security risks, remain rating constraints g Stable outlook reflects adequate external liquidity, supported by donor commitments g

ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

T

He world’s leading rating agency, Standard and Poor's, on Monday affirmed its 'B-' long-term and 'C' short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Pakistan. The outlook on the long-term rating remains stable.

It also affirmed its 'B-' issue rating on Pakistan's senior unsecured local-currency debt and its 'B-' transfer and convertibility assessment. In addition, it affirmed 'B-' issue rating on the sovereign's senior unsecured foreign-currency debt, as well as its recovery rating of '3', which denotes the expectation of a meaningful recovery of 50 to 70 per cent in the event of a distressed debt exchange or payment default.

LOW INCOME LEVEL

Standard and Poor's credit analyst Agost Benard said in a statement, "the ratings affir-

mation takes into account Pakistan's low income level, high public and external leverage, political and security risks, and fiscal inflexibility due to an exceedingly narrow tax base.

These constraints are balanced against an adequate external liquidity position largely due to the earlier IMF standby loan agreement and donor support."

Commenting on the report, eminent economist Sakib Sherani said, “I am moderately surprised given the prevailing circumstances and the outlook for the economy.

Standard and Poor’s has maintained a stable outlook. This is a reprieve of sorts for Pakistan”. Benard says in the report, the country’s high public and external indebtedness is a rating constraint. Standard and Poor's estimates Pakistan's net general government debt at 50 per cent of GDP in 2011, and about 40 per cent of it is external debt. Although the debt-to-GDP ratio has fallen from 74 per cent a decade ago, this was mostly

due to debt forgiveness and high nominal GDP growth due to double-digit inflation in the past four years.

CONSTRAINT ON MONETARY POLICY

The country's fiscal inflexibility, particularly its narrow revenue base, has been a key reason behind fiscal slippages, including missing agreed targets under the IMF standby loan agreement. The inability to implement structural revenue reforms continues to undermine public finances, and has resulted in the suspension of the IMF loan agreement well ahead of its expiry in September this year. "The weak revenue performance also poses a direct constraint on monetary policy effectiveness, as the government is compelled to resort to borrowing from the central bank for deficit financing," Benard said. Pakistan's other rating constraints are its low income level and political risk, stemming from regional insurgencies, sectarian strife, and a

volatile and adversarial domestic political setting.

The country's adequate external liquidity supports the ratings. Buoyant remittance inflows, successive loan disbursals by the IMF, and other multilateral loans have materially reduced the risk of nearterm external payment difficulties for Pakistan. Although the current level of external liquidity is likely to diminish somewhat, given the expiry of the IMF loan program in September and the current account likely returning to a deficit position, we expect donor commitments will ensure at least adequate external liquidity in the next two years.

The stable rating outlook balances adequate external liquidity against vulnerability stemming from ongoing structural fiscal weaknesses and significant political and security risk. We could lower the ratings if major slippages in policy occur, resulting in renewed balance-of-payments difficulties or rising public debt trajectory. Conversely, we could raise the ratings if Pakistan shows progress in its fiscal consolidation efforts, manifested in moderating fiscal deficits and steady reduction in the public debt burden.

05

Institutional economics for Imran Khan LAHORE SaKina huSain

W

HAT marked 30th October as a day of ‘revolution’ for the famous and furious ‘PTI’ leader was the centre of several debates, discussion and battles amongst those who consider Imran Khan as the nation’s only and final hope and others skeptical of his political acumen and most importantly PTI’s manifesto! There are some who declared Punjab as an open and unbiased arena, as a positive outcome, and some more who logically deduced the availability of the arena as an opportunity for PPP to further strengthen its constituency in the region. Against this backdrop, all rationalists would agree that even after the display of magnetism and unity on the ‘historic’ day, Imran Khan is unlikey to yield himself any political significance in the upcoming elections or even in the next five to ten years. While the writer, not for once doubts the truth and sincerity the captain’s dedication in pointing out what all really needs to be done, “we will ask politicians to declare assets… and… collaborate with China!”, she seriously doubts the leader’s capacity to bring about any institutional change in the country which if it has to ever come about will have to come through a change in the property rights structure. Before delving into a discussion on to the discussion of why Khan may not be the ultimate game changer for the country and the economy, the basic lie in very clear crude basis of the institutional economics discipline; the leader and/or the PTI’s supporters lack the material resources to exert their weight on changing the legal structure. An excellent example would be that of Britain where industrial revolution only came about when the trading community or the bourgeoisie became rich, a parallel force against the Church, resourceful enough to form a parliament that supports economic/ trade activity to this day! Second, and fortunately the party clearly lacks coercive defacto power, which is heavily characteristic of the Pakistani politics today. Against this argument arises every diehard PPP fan’s best example; Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the ultimate revolutionary who mobilised people from every nook and corner of this pure land. Aside from the exalted charisma of the great leader, one must not forget the country was subject to Ayub Khan’s hardcore capitalistic policies, which had led to the rise of the notable 22 families. So Bhutto’s famous slogan was the first time in the history of the country, that the needs of the poor were made the centre of a political campaign. It has been many years since. The same naara does not hold truth for many anymore. For any change to come about, the ‘masses’ have to be mobilised… and unfortunately for this urban movement, this group of people is neither educated nor of urban residence. These are people vertically aligned and fuelling a patriarchal structure and its vertex in ’rural’ areas.

These people form more than 60 per cent of the population and it does not mean anything to them if politicians are made to declare their assets, local or internationally held. It does not matter to them if you align yourself to China, end corruption and what not! What matters to them is survival, being able to provide for their families, in addition to accessing the informal credit market not on a monthly but a daily basis! What dilutes the Khan’s chances of bringing about a political and economic revolution in this country is just this very fact; how does he plan to end this vertical alignment. Yes, we all very well understand that if it were to break, the economy would prosper, but only in the medium term! What of the immediate term, where people will live only if they feed their offspring?

One must not forget that amongst those who cheered to the music and the idea of a better Pakistan, were some who were terribly upset at not being paid to attend!

CORPORATE CORNER DHl invests in marine spare parts logistics

kARACHI: DHL Global Forwarding, the air and sea freight specialist of DHL, the world’s leading logistics company, today announces the widening of its business focus to include the marine spare parts logistics industry. The move includes the launch of its first global marine spare parts logistics control tower in Singapore. With the new control tower tapping into DHL’s global network of over 220 countries, territories and niche shipping logistics specialists, DHL is well positioned to capitalize on the US$1 billion shipping spare parts logistics industry which handles over three million shipments each year.

To this end, the company has also announced plans to invest US$15 million over the next five years to continuously enhance its services to meet future customer requirements in this segment.

Amadou Diallo, CeO, Africa and South Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding, said: “DHL has been in the business of enabling businesses to operate without interruption since 1969. We have now taken it a step further and combined our expertise in logistics and marine services to create DHL’s first global marine spare parts logistics control tower that is dedicated to meeting the rapidly growing ocean freight needs of over 2,000 ship owners and ship managers and over 34,000 offshore vessels, rigs, platforms and floating

units.” pReSS ReleaSe

Standard chartered Saadiq enhances its product and services kARACHI: Standard Chartered has enhanced its Islamic banking offer for customers who want high quality Shariah-compliant banking products and services. Saadiq, which means ‘truthful’, is Standard Chartered’s global Islamic banking brand.

The enhanced Saadiq suite includes new products such as the Saadiq Platinum and PIA Co Brand Platinum Debit Cards; Saadiq Platinum and PIA Co Brand Platinum Credit Cards; and the Saadiq Saver Plus Monthly Savings Account. Standard Chartered is the only bank to offer Shariah-compliant credit cards to its customers. The key proposition that Standard Chartered Saadiq offers its customers is a similar range of products, similar quality of service, and access to the same, extensive distribution channels that the conventional customers are accustomed to. pReSS ReleaSe

Silkbank announces Rs398.8 million profit for Q-3 2011 kARACHI: Silkbank has announced results for the period ended September 30, 2011. The Bank’s profit before tax increased from a loss of Rs830.8 million in September 30, 2010 to a profit of Rs398.8 million in September 30, 2011.The profit depicts an astounding growth over the same period last year. This reflects Silkbank’s turn around with continuous earnings for the first three quarters of 2011. According to a statement issued, Silkbank management is confident that strong growth in balance sheet and revenues along with recoveries of non-performing advances will continue and the Bank will close the full year 2011 on a strong footing. Silkbank has, since the acquisition of Saudi Pak Bank, launched several

successful asset and liability products which will significantly improve future balance sheet spreads.

The total deposits of the bank have increased by an impressive Rs6.62 billion to Rs 62.3 billion thus reflecting a growth of 12% which outstrips the banking industry growth of 5.7% during the same period. Advances increased by Rs1.0 billion. The Bank’s recovery efforts on non-performing loans resulted in reversal of provisions of Rs1.06 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011. The Bank’s total income after provisions increased by 146% from Rs1,253 million in September 2010 to Rs3,086 million in September 2011. Silkbank declared earnings of Rs0.08 per share for Q-3 2011. pReSS ReleaSe

FAtE wing of FbR completes first phase of outreach program kARACHI: The Facilitation and Taxpayers education (FATe) wing of the FBR has completed the first phase of its outreach plan assigned by the Federal Minister for Finance to have interactive sessions between the top management of FBR and the presidents and representatives of Chambers of Commerce & Trade, Tax bars and representatives of other trade associations. The next phase of the outreach program is scheduled to be launched by end of November, 2011. In the first phase, FATe Wing arranged Taxpayers’ Interaction Seminars at Islamabad / Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. The seminars were chaired by the Chairman FBR Mr. Salman Siddique and were attended by top management of the FBR as well as presidents and representatives of respective Chambers of commerce & trade, heads of business and trade bodies and members of business community. These Taxpayers’ Interaction Seminars are also being arranged under the ambit of the FATe Wing of the FBR in other major cities of the country to interact with their respective Chambers of Commerce & Trade to facilitate and educate them about the various initiatives of the FATe Wing undertaken

for facilitation of the taxpayers. Seminars would also be arranged at Sialkot, Multan, Bahawalpur, Quetta, Sukkur, Abbottabad, Hyderabad and Faisalabad. The Facilitation and Taxpayers’ education wing of FBR has embarked upon this awareness campaign all over the country to explain the reforms and initiatives taken by FBR to facilitate the taxpayers and to orient the taxpayers, through the Chambers of Commerce & Trade and representatives in this regard. pReSS ReleaSe

KaRaChi: this year again Warid telecom sponsored islamabad Club’s Grand tombola night. the event was attended by over 2500 people from all walks of life. everyone enjoyed the evening thoroughly by playing the exciting game of tombola. free Blackberry handsets and other prizes were given out to the winners by the Sponsor. PRESS RELEASE

Mir Muhammad ali (Chief executive officer, uBl fund Managers) signing the trust Deed of “uBl principal protected fund-i,” uBl fund Managers’ new fund of funds Scheme, at Central Depository Company. also present at the occasion was Maleeha Bangash (Chief Strategy officer), who heads product Development, Strategy & Business Development at uBl fund Managers, along with the uBl funds team. PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, 01 November, 2011

06 Markets

top 10 sectors

22% 11% 15% 11% 14%

STOCK MaRKeT HIgHLIgHTS index 11868.88 3223.37 2576.52

KSE-100 LSE-25 iSE-10

Change 307.21 128.59 51,980

Volume 79,015,651 2,086,225 51,980

Market Value 4,586,255,665 53,695,986 1,615,597

Major gainers Company Millat Tractors Ltd. national Ref.XD Bata (Pak) Ltd. P.S.o. attock PetroleumXD

open high 363.75 381.00 309.62 325.10 820.72 861.75 232.99 244.63 403.75 423.93

Low 362.00 306.00 792.00 237.50 404.90

Close 379.97 325.10 832.39 244.63 414.97

Change 16.22 15.48 11.67 11.64 11.22

Turnover 38,108 606,492 2,515 812,408 167,004

5625.00 175.10 200.00 70.75 43.32

5734.60 175.71 200.10 70.75 43.32

-97.34 -8.59 -5.00 -3.70 -2.28

12 2,755 1,678 500 1,730

Major Losers UniLever Pak Ltd. aL-Ghazi Tractors Service industries Blessed Tex.XD Gadoon Textile XD

Chemicals

Construction & Materials Electricity Banks

fixed Line Telecommunication

oil & Gas

non Life insurance

Personal Goods

financial Services

top 5 perForMers sector wise SYMbol

oPEN

HIgH

loW cuRRENt

cHANgE

VoluME

404.69 120.40 6.98 93.80 334.90

396.00 116.10 6.75 89.30 308.94

396.87 117.57 6.77 92.03 310.82

-6.98 -1.21 -0.12 1.02 -14.37

61,485 833,559 399,510 91,674 314,938

15.00 31.05 71.99 143.49 40.80

14.00 29.29 65.17 137.50 37.06

15.00 29.30 70.64 139.79 37.39

0.00 -1.53 2.05 -0.90 -1.57

1,500 2,485,646 855 4,017 244,529

Oil and gas attock PetroleumXD attock Ref.XD Byco Petroleum Mari Gas Co.XB national Ref.XD

403.85 118.78 6.89 91.01 325.19

5829.00 188.95 205.00 70.76 43.32

agritech Ltd. arif habib CoXDXB SD Biafo industriesXD Clariant Pakistan Dawood hercules

15.00 30.83 68.59 140.69 38.96

Jah.Sidd. Co. azgard nine fauji fert D.G.K.Cement Lotte PakPTa

4.81 3.83 59.90 20.36 11.16

5.81 4.48 62.75 21.30 11.69

4.77 3.81 61.80 20.45 11.25

5.81 4.29 62.47 21.06 11.41

1.00 0.46 2.57 0.70 0.25

15,496,395 8,754,246 8,541,279 5,198,791 4,825,836

Bullion Market Gold 24K Gold 22K Silver (Tezabi) Silver (Thobi)

Per Tola (PKR) 56,300.00 51,608.00 1133.00 1025.00

Per 10 Gm (PKR) 48,320.00 44,245.00 973.00 880.00

Per ounce US$ 1,736.50 – 35.05 –

Interbank Rates US Dollar UK Pound Japanese Yen Euro

24.70 1.50 9.00 35.00 11.52

23.25 1.41 8.60 34.00 11.00

23.59 1.45 9.00 34.50 11.00

-0.31 0.00 0.07 -0.48 -0.56

40,885 8,285 3,035 25,300 63,850

al-abbas Cement attock CementXD Berger Paints Bestway Cement Cherat Cement

2.00 51.11 11.79 8.11 7.66

2.00 51.99 12.00 9.11 8.19

1.90 50.81 11.60 8.11 7.50

1.92 51.02 11.91 8.11 8.01

-0.08 -0.09 0.12 0.00 0.35

26,799 108,952 4,762 100 197,042

29.62 2.49 41.17 7.72 22.00

Buy 86.50 120.95 137.31 1.1216 85.68 23.28 22.81 90.66

Sell 86.90 123.85 140.50 1.1531 88.84 23.81 23.35 94.12

Brent Crude Oil

$108.67

6.93 184.30 28.50 7.00 108.00

30.40 3.25 42.00 7.95 22.00

28.14 2.21 39.12 7.01 20.95

28.14 3.08 39.60 7.65 22.00

-1.48 0.59 -1.57 -0.07 0.00

14,022 614,084 16,802 993 70

58.00 169.52 117.00 2.63 168.53

7.90 184.30 28.50 6.90 108.00

6.93 184.30 28.25 6.25 102.60

6.93 184.30 28.26 6.70 108.00

0.00 0.00 -0.24 -0.30 0.00

10 90 5,055 5,004 2

58.00 170.00 118.00 2.79 169.99

58.00 168.50 117.00 2.43 168.53

58.00 168.94 117.94 2.51 168.53

0.00 -0.58 0.94 -0.12 0.00

2,000 240 302 39,802 31

Beverages Murree Brewery Co. Shezan int’l

VoluME

abdullah Shah Colony Sugar Mills Engro foods Ltd. habib Sugar Mills habib-aDM Ltd.XD

8.00 1.75 23.52 28.10 11.58

8.00 1.75 23.90 28.50 11.70

110.49 111.43 150.02 150.00

(Colony) Thal aL-Qadir Textile amtex Limited annoor Textile artistic Denim XD

1.70 11.25 1.67 13.00 18.50

1.11 11.25 1.70 14.00 18.50

ahCL-noV ahCL-oCT anL-oCT aTRL-noV aTRL-oCT

31.00 30.82 4.01 120.42 119.16

31.00 30.82 4.25 121.50 120.30

abbott Laboratories ferozsons (Lab) Ltd. GlaxoSmithKline Pak. highnoon (Lab) iBL healthCare XD

102.49 80.00 68.92 28.09 10.92

103.00 80.00 68.26 28.09 11.92

109.00 111.18 145.05 145.58

P.T.C.L.a Pak Datacom LtdXD Telecard Limited Wateen Telecom Ltd WorldCall Telecom

10.89 35.03 0.95 .68 1.13

10.98 34.01 1.00 1.70 1.19

0.69 -4.44

1,170 203

P.T.C.L.a Pak Datacom Ltd. Telecard Limited Wateen Telecom Ltd WorldCall Telecom

11.47 31.65 1.09 1.51 1.32

8.00 1.74 22.54 27.88 11.50

0.00 -0.01 -0.98 -0.22 -0.08

53 23,501 91,748 70,820 2,995

1.11 11.25 1.45 14.00 18.25

1.11 11.25 1.60 14.00 18.49

-0.59 0.00 -0.07 1.00 -0.01

1,000 500 132,822 1,000 1,049

29.45 29.28 3.90 117.90 116.50

29.51 29.32 3.95 119.21 117.71

-1.49 -1.50 -0.06 -1.21 -1.45

376,500 516,500 24,500 201,000 200,000

101.00 78.10 67.01 27.65 10.99

102.10 80.00 68.06 28.09 11.92

-0.39 0.00 -0.86 0.00 1.00

1,283 45 1,557 100 25,154

10.71 34.01 0.90 1.65 1.06

-0.18 -1.02 -0.05 -0.03 -0.07

470,873 500 68,502 152,954 235,458

10.65 34.01 0.90 1.52 1.00

11.77 32.66 1.09 1.68 1.35

11.42 31.65 1.01 1.47 1.15

11.64 32.66 1.03 1.50 1.28

0.17 1.01 -0.06 -0.01 -0.04

4,752,418 1,430 194,249 449,333 649,632

0.50 36.38 0.75 1.70 41.36

0.50 36.50 0.77 1.70 41.80

0.36 36.10 0.70 1.56 41.25

0.50 36.10 0.71 1.60 41.53

0.00 -0.28 -0.04 -0.10 0.17

1 1,022,035 38,682 752,756 220,355

63.16 11.15 5.94 11.15 29.95

64.00 11.29 6.08 11.35 30.20

62.50 10.75 5.79 10.70 29.55

62.69 10.89 5.83 10.89 29.91

-0.47 -0.26 -0.11 -0.26 -0.04

32,694 944,906 319,287 1,929,563 175,090

electricity Genertech hub Power Co.XD Japan Power K.E.S.C. XR Kot addu PowerXD

Banks allied Bank Ltd askari Bank B.o.Punjab Bank al-falah Bank aL-habib

SYMbol

oPEN

HIgH

loW cuRRENt

cHANgE

VoluME

Non Life Insurance 7.00 1.70 22.50 27.50 11.50

Fixed Line Telecommunication

automobile and Parts agriautos indus.XD atlas Battery Ltd. atlas honda Ltd. Dewan Motors Exide (PaK)

cHANgE

Pharma and Bio Tech

general Industrials Cherat PackagingXD ECoPaCK Ltd Ghani Glass LtdXD MaCPaC films Merit Pack

loW cuRRENt

Future Contracts

Construction and Materials

ados Pakistan aL-Ghazi Tractors Bolan CastingXD Ghandhara ind. hinopak Motor

International Oil Price WTI Crude Oil

$91.83

23.90 1.45 8.93 34.98 11.56

HIgH

Personal goods

Industrial engineering

86.5937 139.4677 1.1412 122.7378

US Dollar Euro Great Britain Pound Japanese Yen Canadian Dollar UaE Dirham Saudi Riyal australian Dollar

Crescent Steel Dost Steels Ltd. huffaz Seamless Pipe int. ind.Ltd. inter.Steel Ltd.

oPEN

Household goods

Industrial metals and Mining Volume Leaders

SYMbol

Food Producers

Chemicals

5831.94 184.30 205.10 74.45 45.60

02% 04% 03% 03% 17%

Software & Computers

adamjee ins XD ask.Gen.insurance atlas insurance Central ins Co. Century insurance

49.64 8.50 34.49 48.67 7.16

49.50 8.50 35.00 50.00 7.50

48.60 8.10 33.86 48.00 7.06

49.40 8.47 33.99 49.79 7.50

-0.24 -0.03 -0.50 1.12 0.34

6,785 1,651 1,110 3,909 1,500

13.50 1.40 65.53

14.50 1.40 65.53

0.00 0.00 0.00

2 1 157

0.30 14.89 17.71 0.86 7.25

-0.02 -1.00 -0.25 -0.02 -0.01

9,463 13,487 19,659 9,495 2,100

Life Insurance american Life East West Life assur EfU Life assur

14.50 1.40 65.53

14.50 2.34 68.80

Financial Services aMZ Ventures a arif habib invesXD arif habib Ltd. Dawood Equities invest & fin.Sec.

0.32 15.89 17.96 0.88 7.26

0.35 15.50 18.34 1.09 7.26

0.22 14.89 17.20 0.86 7.25

equity Investment Instruments 1st.fid.Leasing Mod 1.70 aL-noor ModarXD 3.98 allied RentalModXDXB 19.90 atlas fund of fund 6.00 B.f.ModarabaXD 5.56

1.50 4.00 19.90 6.10 5.56

1.50 3.60 19.88 5.90 5.00

1.50 4.00 19.90 5.90 5.56

-0.20 0.02 0.00 -0.10 0.00

15,000 25,100 3,700 414,000 7

13.75 32.89 36.00 7.00 34.50 16.25 68.00 1.63 73.00 4.00 110.50 8.20 4.45 7.77 23.75 133.00 30.50 16.71 1.90 131.72 17.05 19.50 68.31 11.90

14.62 32.89 37.88 8.00 34.50 16.38 68.05 1.75 73.00 4.00 112.81 8.20 4.51 8.86 25.00 140.00 30.57 16.71 2.03 138.65 18.03 20.47 69.47 11.93

0.39 0.00 1.77 0.00 -0.50 0.36 -2.05 0.08 -0.16 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.08 0.50 0.00 0.00 -0.58 0.20 0.03 0.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 -0.97

131,615 101 6,597 7 1,000 12,205 8,850 451,623 48,886 500 200 1 42,617 20,067 96 98 19,386 557 91,783 100 113,264 65,344 1,234 1,849,633

Miscellaneous Century Paper Pak Paper Prod.XD Security Paper Johnson & Philips Pakistan Cables P.n.S.C.XD Pak.int.Con. SD TRG Pakistan Ltd. Murree BreweryXDXB Shakarganj food Shezan inter.XD Diamond ind.

Pak Elektron Ltd. Tariq GlassXD Grays of CambrXD Philip Morris Pak. Shifa int.hosp.XD hum network XD P.i.a.C.(a) Pak Services Sui north GasXDXB Sui South GasXDXB EfU Life assur netsol Technologies

14.23 32.89 36.11 8.00 35.00 16.02 70.10 1.67 73.16 4.00 112.81 8.20 4.59 8.36 25.00 140.00 31.15 16.51 2.00 138.65 17.03 19.47 68.47 12.90

14.80 33.80 37.91 8.00 34.50 17.00 71.00 1.76 74.50 4.00 112.81 9.19 5.20 8.99 26.25 140.00 31.00 17.39 2.08 138.65 18.03 20.47 69.50 12.97

Mutual Funds Fund alfalah GhP Cash fund askari islamic asset allocation fund askari islamic income fund askari Sovereign Cash fund atlas income fund atlas islamic income fund atlas Money Market fund atlas Stock Market fund Crosby Dragon fund

offer 501.2900 114.7196 103.6501 100.6900 519.3500 519.0900 516.9700 453.1500 82.9800

Repurchase 501.2900 111.8516 102.6136 100.6900 514.2100 513.9500 516.9700 444.2600 81.3500

NAV 501.2900 111.8516 102.6136 100.6900 514.2100 513.9500 516.9700 444.2600 81.3500

Fund hBL Money Market fund hBL Multi asset fund hBL Stock fund iGi income fund iGi Stock fund JS Principal Secure fund i JS Principal Secure fund ii KaSB Cash fund Lakson Equity fund

offer 100.2768 87.0103 97.6745 101.8987 112.3545 121.5000 104.1200 0.0000 106.3763

Repurchase 100.2768 85.3042 95.2922 100.8898 109.6141 111.5200 96.5000 0.0000 103.2779

NAV 100.2768 85.3042 95.2922 100.8898 109.6141 117.3900 101.5800 100.1087 103.2779

Tuesday, 1 November, 2011

“if i let myself get bitten by a vampire so i become immortal and only a wooden stake can kill me, can i get a better rate on my life insurance?”

closing bell

BoonDoCKS

ArIeS

TAUrUS

geMINI

It's essential that you make big plans today -- though you may find that others are doing the same. That can be great if you're all working together, but there's no way to guarantee that.

Say no to outrageous behavior today -you need to toe the line, or even enforce whatever social rules are being broken. Your energy might not lead to fun, but it does lead to productivity.

You need to pay close attention to the new information coming your way -- your good energy could shift it into something much bigger and more interesting! You need to shake things up!

CANCer

LeO

vIrgO

You know that you need to stretch yourself more, so see if you can get your mind as limber as your body (or more so, if you've forsaken yoga lately). It's a good time to show off your flexibility.

You need to be careful and patient on a day like today -otherwise, you might find that you blow up or otherwise miss out on a great opportunity. Things are likely to pick up in a few days.

Offer a word of constructive criticism today -- but make sure it's actually constructive!

Try to see things from other's point of view so you know how best to phrase it. Make it meaningful!

LIBrA

SCOrPIO

SAgITTArIUS

You need to do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this new social situation -- and fortunately, your mental energy is right on track to do just that!

You find it easy to really get where people are coming from.

You need to let others pitch their ideas in glorious (or tedious) detail today -- otherwise, you're sure to miss out on the next big thing! You may not like the process, but you should like the results.

Do your best to listen carefully when people start telling you what's what today -- they might actually know better than you! It's a good time for you to show off your very open mind.

DilBeRt

GaRfielD

AqUArIUS

PISCeS

Try not to shake things up too much -- but do shake things up! Make sure that you're not just going through the same old motions that got you here in the first place.

Flexibility is key!

What do you want most? Now is the time to go for it, especially if it requires convincing someone else you're right for it. Maybe it's love, maybe it's a gig, but you can present yourself perfectly now.

Change is on the way -- are you ready for it? Things might get pretty weird late in the day, but as long as you get ready for a bumpy ride, you should be able to handle it just fine.

SuDoKu

ACROSS

WoRD SeaRCh

BRiDGe

hoW to plaY Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the squares contains all the digits.

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once.

FOOTweAr gLIDe HeADLONg HeSITATe IDeA IMPLICIT LANgUAge LINgUIST MADCAP MONOPOLY MOUNTAIN NICKNAMe NOveL OFFeNDer OUTrIgHT reST STAY SYSTeM TrAITOrO

Today’s soluTions

one Suite at a tiMe

CheSS whiTe To play: play and maTe in Two moveS 8 7

DOWN

6 5 4 3

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

CmYK

chEss soLuTIoN

1

1.qe7+ Rxe7 2.nf6# *

2

sudoku soLuTIoN

1 a consummate master of technique and artistry on a musical instrument (8) 2 (of music) smoothly (6) 3 appearing as nature intended? (4) 4 Killed by a current (12) 5 preserve with small pips (9,3) 6 a competitive bird (6,6) 7 Consequence of one event setting off a chain reaction (6,6) 12 Class of warships (8) 15 in a precise manner (4,2) 18 a German gentleman (4)

ACerBIC ADMONISH AIrTIgHT BACKBONe BASKeT BeLFrY BLAzeN BUrgLArY CABAreT CAvALrY CHeMICAL CHIPMUNK CLAIMANT CLOT CONDUIT DeFINITe DOwNCAST eNCrOACH FAIr

crossword soLuTIoN

1 Willing (or unpaid) worker (9) 8 (Secret) affair (5) 9 irreverent — atheistic (7) 10 Sin (8) 11 end of a cheque (or a cigarette) (4) 13 Kind of magazine (6) 14 intense feeling (of love?) (6) 16 Data received and understood (abbr) (4) 17 Body of twelve unable to reach a verdict (4,4) 19 the highest peak (7) 20 Greek letter (5) 21 Disreputable — 1946 hitchcock classic (9)

CmYK

BalDo

CAPrICOrN

CRoSSWoRD

07

Tuesday, 01 November, 2011

No one has so far planned to import lPg for November to overcome fuel shortage, which would worsen by atleast 800 tonnes next month

news

08

lPg Association, Muhammad Irfan

Gas curtailment hits urea prices Engro raises price by Rs400 per bag g company faces massive drop in urea off-take in September g

KARACHI

Acute lPg shortage expected in winters

e

NGRO Corporation has raised urea prices by Rs400/bag. As a result of this price hike, urea prices now stand at Rs1,980/bag (inclusive General Sales Tax). This is the second price hike initiated by engro this month, with the first hike occurring on October 4, 2011 when prices were increased by Rs202/bag.

In September, according to the official figures, engro experienced a steep drop in its urea off-take that was 122k tonnes versus 150k tonnes in August. Urea retail prices in September stood at Rs1,611/bag versus Rs1,691/bag in August. Total urea

Profiteers begin hoarding of commodity Distributors demand authorities to address shortage immediately Senate standing g

g

g

committee expected to discuss lPg policy on 2nd November KARACHI

W

GhulaM aBBaS

HILe a stay has been sought over the new Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Production and Distribution) Policy 2011, the country is likely to face acute shortage of LPG in the coming months.

As the demand of gas and LPG in up-country especially in remote and hilly areas have started increasing, the country would be facing acute shortage of fuel from next month. Talking to Profit, Muhammad Irfan Khokhar, Chairman LPG Distributors Association of Pakistan said no one has so far planned to import LPG for November to overcome fuel shortage, which would worsen by atleast 800 tonnes by the second week of next month. It is also expected that domestic price of the product would take a further hit by this shortage and rise phenomenally. The profiteers in the LPG sector, he claimed, have also started hoarding the much needed fuel to sell it at a higher price during the winter season.

According to Khokhar, as the LPG Policy 2011 remained unimplemented due to a court’s stay order, the highly consumed gas would be costlier in the country compared to international market.

With the expected shortage of around 1000 tonnes, the hoarding and blackmailing tactics of profiteers, the sufferings of poverty stricken people of the remote and underdeveloped areas are expected to multiply. The LPG was currently being sold at Rs95 per kilogram, Rs100 to 105 /kg and Rs145/kg in Sindh, Punjab and Gilgit Baltistan/Swat etc respectively.

WaqaR haMZa

He demanded from the Ministry of Petroleum, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) respectively that an immediate arrangement for import of LPG was needed to avoid the expected shortage of the commodity coupled with a significant price hike.

He further demanded the concerned authorities to establish a monitoring cell to control the prices and ensure uninterrupted supply of the fuel to the hilly areas.

The implementation of policy adopted in 2006 was also needed to maintain the local price.

However, according to sources, the Senate’s standing committee was also likely to discuss the new LPG policy in its meeting to be held on November 2. It is worth mentioning here that the Supreme Court, this month refused to vacate a stay of Lahore High Court (LHC) which has suspended certain clauses of the new LPG (Production and Distribution) Policy 2011.

The Lahore High Court, on October 3, suspended operation of certain clauses of the policy and on October 6 further extended the stay period. It was pleaded in the court that it has been made binding for all the LPG license holders to import 20 per cent of LPG. Ogra will impose petroleum levy to change the price and it would have a negative impact on the common man. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, earlier, had claimed that the new policy was based on the principle of parity of price for local and imported LPG. The policy has taken away the market manipulation power of local LPG mafia and the ultimate benefit of this price parity will go to general public. Moreover, the companies with import based businesses would be very competitive thus saving the general public from the LPG cartels.

production in September came in at 472k tonnes which was 2.6 per cent lower than the previous month’s total of 484k tonnes.

9MCY11 production is 2.4 per cent lower compared to the same period last year. On a year on year basis, urea off-take has improved by 1.2 per cent in 9MCY11 compared to the same period last year.

While, on DAP front, engro’s sales grow to 39k tonnes from 20k tonnes. On a YoY basis, the 9MCY11 off-take of this category is 5.2 per cent below the previous year’s level. Ali Hussain, an investment analyst, said that they were anticipating the possibility of this increment in light of the suspension of gas supplies to engro’s enVen facility since October 1st.

cPI based inflation for october 11 expected to register a 10.2pc YoY rise Decrease in real interest rates to spur investment g lower inflation good omen for economy g

KARACHI

T

Staff RepoRt

He Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) is expected to release price indices for the month of Oct’11 in the upcoming week, in which Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation for the month is expected to clock in at 10.2 per cent YoY lower than Sept’11 figure of 10.5 per cent. This translates into a sequential MoM uptick of 0.7 per cent against 1.03 per cent previous month. The Sensitive Price Index (SPI) scooped up 30ppts MoM for the month to 6.33 per cent YoY (4weekly average), but is likely to pick up sharply in the months ahead. The monthly rise we believe is primarily driven by preseasonal demand (eid-u-Adha), while a YoY price fall was largely anticipated, owing to high base effect from previous year, said Saad Khan at AHL. On going, we think the CPI inflation for the month of Nov’11 is likely to fall sharply which will bring 2QFY12 headline inflation fewer than 10.5 per cent YoY, he added. Further to this note the MoM headline inflation for the full year FY12, is expected to register a 1.07 per cent on average against 1.05 per cent in FY11. Keeping in mind, this is based on 12

per cent YoY target foreseen by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), he added.

IMPlIcAtIoNS FoR FutuRE MPc SBP is expected to keep discount rates on hold until 3QFY12, at 12.0 per cent and would allow a gradual fall by another 10050bps by 4QFY12 at 11-11.5 per cent by fiscal year end. Currently the 1QFY12 the real interest rate adjusted of headline inflation stand at +52ppts. During the acting Governor Yaseen Anwer’s tenure, the descending price indices trend allowed the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to slash the rate by 2 per cent. Therefore at current rate a decrease in the real interest rate starting from Feb’12 may well allow private investment spending to pick up. While on the question of medium-long term price stability the MPC showed its concerns stating “[medium-term] risks largely stem from persistence of government borrowing from scheduled banks, exchange rate depreciation, and likely upward adjustments in the administered prices of energy”. This in our view will finally allow MPC to reconsider its easing cycling as soon as 2QFY13, he added.

ccP issues show cause notice to Sc Johnson and Son ltd g

Questioning the claim of baygon being No 1 g Mortein has market value share of 39.7 per cent ISLAMABAD

C

Staff RepoRt

OMPeTITION Commission of Pakistan (CCP) on Monday issued a show cause notice to S.C. Johnson and Son Pakistan Limited for prima facie violations of section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010 that deals with deceptive marketing practices.

A statement of CCP said the show cause notice asks S.C. Johnson and Son Pakistan Limited to reply in writing within 14 days of the date of the show cause notice and to appear and avail the opportunity of hearing be-

fore CCP on November 14, 2011 and explain as to why an appropriate order or penalty, for the said violations, are not imposed on the undertaking. The show cause notice has been issued to the company for making a claim in their advertisements of “Baygon” being No. 1 in Pakistan without any reasonable basis and disseminating misleading and false information to the consumers which is capable of harming the business interest of competing undertakings.

Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited filed a complaint with CCP alleging that Johnson and Son Pakistan Limited has recently launched a market-

ing campaign through print and electronic media all across Pakistan for “Baygon” and claiming their brand to be “No. 1 in Pakistan” which is false, deceptive and misleading. It was also alleged that the claim in the marketing campaign lacks a reasonable basis, related to character, suitability for use, or quality of goods in violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010 and is capable of harming the business interest of the complainant.

CCP conducted an enquiry and based on the findings of the enquiry report, it has been stated in the show cause notice that on the basis of the AC Neilson retail audit survey, the

product of Reckitt Benckiser Pakistan Limited under their brand Mortein has an overall market value share of 39.7 per cent in Pakistan while SC Johnson and Son Pakistan Limited’s products under the brand Baygon has an overall market value share of 5.7 per cent in the country.

It was stated in the show cause notice that prima facie, the overall impression of the advertisement of the S.C. Johnson and Son Pakistan Limited is that Baygon has been awarded the Brand of the Year 2010 Award for the entire range of its products and on the basis of this award Baygon is No. 1 in Pakistan for the entire range of its

products and is best to fight dengue.

When the overall net impression of the advertisement is taken into account and interpreted with the certificate of the brand of the year 2010 provided by the undertaking, it appears that the advertisement pertains to all the products of the undertaking under their brand ‘Baygon’, whereas the award certificate only grants recognition to the aerosol products. When the dengue fever is on the rise amongst the general public and is increasingly becoming an epidemic in Pakistan, the marketing campaign advertisement of the undertaking has the tendency to mislead the consumers.