E-paper Pakistantoday ISB 13th January, 2012

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Altaf Hussain willing to talk to the Taliban in national interest

WAPDA lashes out at govt’s rudderless power sector reforms

PAGE 03

Furious Iran wants action over scientist’s killing

PROFIT | PAGE 01

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pakistantoday.com.pk

Rs15.00 Vol ii no 197 22 pages islamabad — peshawar edition

Friday, 13 January, 2012 safar 18, 1433

Military will let SC judge memogate g

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ISLAMABAD

T

Shaiq huSSain

HE military top brass, which met on Thursday amid a widening rift between the army and the civilian government, decided that it would not intervene politically and rather the memo issue would be settled by the Supreme Court. However, the meeting decided that if the apex court sought the army’s help for getting its decisions implemented, the request could be considered.

The day-long meeting of corps commanders and principal staff officers at the General Headquarters (GHQ) was chaired by army chief General Ashfaq Kayani. The discussion focused on the

Army to avoid political meddling but may consider SC’s call for help Defence minister says Gen Kayani will attend DCC meeting

“memogate”, the ongoing confrontation between the army and civilian rulers, the prime minister’s interview to a Chinese media organisation in which he dubbed the replies by army chief and ISI director general to the Supreme Court a violation of constitution and Wednesday’s ISPR statement in response to that, along with the sacking of defence secretary Lt General (r) Khalid Naeem Lodhi and his replacement, Nargis Sethi.

There was no official word by the ISPR on the top-level military consultations on the ongoing standoff, but a security official seeking anonymity said the meeting observed that a take over by the army shall not be an option.

Continued on page 04

Senate polls on March 2 ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

ISLAMABAD: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif sits with party leaders as he chairs a meeting on Thursday. Online

Allies won’t let PPP have its way in NA g

PPP fails to woo PMl-Q, MQM on ‘strong worded’ resolution against judiciary, army ISLAMABAD Mian abRaR

Under immense pressure from its two major coalition partners – the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) – the government is likely to change the original draft of a resolution today (Friday) or on Monday which had some “strong-worded” clauses against the judiciary and the army, and it would now simply express confidence in President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani with

clauses against the judiciary and the armed forces being omitted.

A source told Pakistan Today on Thursday that the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had agreed to the draft of the resolution but following opposition from the PML-Q and the MQM leaders in the parliamentary parties meeting chaired by the prime minister, it was agreed that all clauses criticising either the judiciary or the army would be deleted.

Continued on page 04

Related stoRies | page 02 & 04

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday announced the schedule for the Senate election and fixed March 2, 2012 as the polling day.

Half of senators in the 100-member House are retiring on March 11, and would be replaced by newly-elected members.

For the first time in the electoral history of Pakistan, all intending candidates would submit an affidavit with their nomination papers regarding their nationality. Under Article 63 of People Representation Act, dual nationality holders would not be allowed to contest the election.

Earlier, the ECP had no mechanism to check dual nationalities of contesting candidates, however, all candidates in this election would have to submit an affidavit with their nomination papers.

Moreover, for the first time in the history of parliament, four minority members will also join the Senate per the 18th Amendment. After their inclusion, the Upper House will have 104 members.

On March 2, the polls will be held on 54 seats, including seven general seats, two technocrat seats, two women and one nonMuslim for each province, one general and one technocrat seat from Islamabad and for four seats of FATA. According to the ECP notification, February 13 and 14 have been fixed as the dates for filing nomination papers with returning officers and February 16 and 17 have been fixed for scrutiny of nomination papers.

The notification said candidates could file appeals with the ECP secretary on February 20 and 21 against the decision of the returning officers regarding rejection of nomination papers. Similarly, February 22 and 23 have been fixed for disposal of appeals.

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02 News Today’s

Friday, 13 January, 2012

ISLAMABAD

NewS

FOReIGN NewS

‘faraz’s ideology triumphed’

hafizabad jeweller loses over Rs 100m in major robbery

tortured afghan child bride slowly recovering

Story on Page 07

Story on Page 10

Story on Page 14

Quick look

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra elected PML-N secretary general LAHORE: PML-N unanimously elects Iqbal Zafar Jhagra as a party’s new Secretary General for the new term on Thursday. All the leaders/members of Central Working Committee (CWC) and Central Parliamentary envisaged their confidence in the leadership of Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and his services for the party in the past especially during the odd times including the dictatorial regime of military dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf. Staff RepoRt

Faryal succeeds in wooing Dasti back in PPP ISLAMABAD: Jamshed Dasti, a member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Muzaffargarh, on Friday agreed to withdraw his resignation from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after being persuaded

by Fayal Talpur, sister of President Asif Ali Zardari, in a meeting. Talpur listened to Dasti’s complaints and assured him provision of necessary funds for the next elections, besides addressing his other grievances. After the meeting, Dasti reached the National Assembly along with Talpur. Sources said that Zardari had asked his sister to meet Dasti and remove his grievances with the party. Earlier, talking to reporters at the Supreme Court, Dasti said that in Islamic history, even caliphs appeared before the qazis (judges), and that the president should not hesitate to appear before the court.

He said he had resigned from the PPP, and not the National Assembly.

Dasti said that he had decided to challenge Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in the next elections because she had made her constituency’s people hostage. inp

Qazi says government should avail sixth option in NRO case ISLAMABAD: Former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Thursday asked the federal government to agree with the Supreme Court on the sixth option given in its NRO implementation case order, as confrontation with the judiciary and military was not in the country’s interest. Holding a press conference, he said that all politicians should sit together and announce a unanimous line of action to pull the country out of the prevailing crisis. Staff RepoRt

Toxic gas suffocates family, kills three children ISLAMABAD: Three children suffocated to death and three others fell seriously sick when poisonous gas accumulated in their room in the vicinity of Bari Imam’s shrine on Thursday. Police said the wife of Zahoor Hassan, a resident of Aarah Mohallah, went to sleep along with her seven children with coals burning in a pot to keep the room warm. The carbon monoxide gas emitting from the coals killed three children and put others in a serious condition who were taken to the Federal Government Services Hospital. The deceased children have been identified as Hassan Abbas 3, Mishal Shahzadi 5, Kanwal Shahzadi, 2.5 years. Doctors said that Iqra, 4, Malika, 7, and Minal, 6, are in critical condition at the hospital. inp

SC moved to restore defence secy, restrain adverse orders against COAS, ISI DG ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

An application requesting the Supreme Court (SC) to restrain the Prime Minister from passing any adverse order against the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha and restrain the latter from taking any unconstitutional or extraconstitutional steps in vengeance was filed in the SC on Thursday. The application was filed by Tariq Asad advocate under SC Rules order 33 rule 6 for interim relief making the federation through Secretary Ministry of Defence, Rawalpindi and others as respondents. The applicant requested the court to suspend the removal orders of the Secretary Ministry of Defence Lt Gen (r) Naeem Khalid Lodhi, besides passing an order of status quo so that no adverse orders may be passed against the COAS and ISI Director General, till the adjudication of the instant case, and the latter be restrained from taking any unconstitutional or extra-constitutional steps in vengeance. The applicant, whose petition seeking probe into the memo issue is under adjudication in the SC, stated that the ‘memo’ conspiracy was plotted in May 2011 against the army, ISI and the sovereignty of Pakistan for personal objectives.

Son fills in shoes as Pir Pagara laid to rest KARACHI

ANP will oppose unconstitutional acts: Asfandyar ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

qazi aSif

Elder son of Pir Mardan Shah Pir Pagara VII, Pir Sibghatullah Rashdi alias Raja Saeen, on Thursday became Pir Pagra VIII, followed by the funeral and burial of his father at the family’s native graveyard in Pir Jo Goth. The decision was made in a meeting of Khalifa of Hur Jamaat at Pir Goth in Khairpur district on Thursday. The meeting of 16 Khalifas of Hur Jamaat was held at Pir Jo Goth, the native village of Pagara family. It was presided over by chief Khalifa Qadir Bukhsh Mangrio. Of the 16 Khalifas, 15 are from Pakistan while one is from India. Pir Pagara’s body was earlier brought to Karachi from London at 6:15am. It was then flown to Sukkur by a special flight, from where it was sent to Pir Jo Goth in a helicopter. The funeral was attended by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan, Khurshid Ahmed Shah, son of Punjab chief minister Hamza Shahbaz, Shah Mahmood Qureshi and a three-member delegation of MQM among others. The funeral prayers were led by Pir of Jhang Siraj Ahmed Gilani.

The new Pir Pagara, Raja Saeen, has been a member of the Sindh Assembly thrice from 1990 to 1997, and was the irrigation minister in the provincial cabinet of Jam Sadiq Ali. The decision on the new leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) is yet to come.

Asking all institutions to act within their constitutional ambit, Awami National Party (ANP) President Asfandyar Wali said on Thursday that the ANP will resist those who overstep their constitutional limits. “ANP will not support any unconstitutional step,” said Asfandyar Wali while addressing a press conference after chairing the party’s consultation meeting. He said the ANP will continue to support the government and hoped matters will settle amicably. He said, “We will not back a clash of institutions.”

Asked on the parliamentary resolution putting confidence in President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Yousuf Raza Gilani, Asfandyar said the ANP will read the draft if any such resolution is written. Asked about the sacking of the defence secretary, he said everyone acknowledged the PM’s right to do so. He said the Supreme Court had passed its observation in the NRO case and forwarded the NRO implementation case to larger bench. He said early general elections could not be held as electoral rolls were incomplete.

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

ARTS & eNTeRTAINMeNT

SPORTS

people’s Choice awards:

pakistan ready for england challenge

News 03

COMMeNT they come in three: The PPP government being attacked.

isolated: Pakistan’s foreign policy snafus do it no favours.

fahd hussain says: Safety in conformity?: The herd mentality that news channels exhibit.

qudssia akhlaque says: Ominous signs?: The civilian and military leadership needs to show maturity.

Today’s

Quick

Kuldip nayar says: Politicking over the Lokpal: Everybody has an axe to grind…

Story on Page 17

Story on Page 18

Articles on Page 12-13

MQM ready for talks with Taliban: Altaf Party chief says nothing more dear to him than peace and stability in Pakistan g

KARACHI Staff RepoRt

M KHAIRPUR: PM Yousaf Raza Gilani and Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah offer funeral prayers of late Pir Shah Mardan Shah-Pir Pagara at Pir-Jo-Goth. Online

India to be polio-free soon: wHO GENEVA: India is on the cusp of being declared polio-free after not a single case was detected in the last 12 months, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Thursday. Sona Bari, spokeswoman for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) that the WHO spearheads, said they faced “nailbiting” weeks ahead as they wait for the results of remaining laboratory tests. India’s last polio victim was an 18-month-old girl in West Bengal, reported on January 13, 2011. If all pending tests are negative it means India has reached one year without any cases and will no longer be considered polioendemic. India had traditionally been recognised as one of the hardest places in the world to eradicate the highly contagious, crippling disease which affects mainly children under five. As recently as 2009 there were a reported 741 polio cases — more than any other country in the world. “We are pretty confident that all the results will be negative,” said Bari. “Then India will no longer be polio endemic.

No child will be paralysed by polio in India for the first time in history,” she said. Bari attributed the success to innovations in vaccines, funding and the commitment of the Indian people. Last year two National Immunisation Days were carried out targeting 172 million children under five. “India’s success is arguably its greatest public health achievement and has provided a global opportunity to push for the end of polio,” said WHO Director General Margaret Chan. AfP

look

UTTAHIDA Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chairman Altaf Hussain on Thursday said that he held the interests of Pakistan above everything else and was ready to talk to the Taliban for the survival, security, peace and stability of the country.

Talking to the head of FATA Grand Alliance Malik Khan Marjan over telephone, he said, “The forces inimical to Pakistan want to pit us against each other, hence, I appeal to all Taliban leaders, youth, and students to see through the conspiracies of the enemies of Pakistan and take recourse of dialogues instead of resorting to violence. I ask them to hold consultations with tribal elders, dignitaries and other God-fearing people.”

“Islam is the religion of peace and security. It teaches peace, security, love and harmony instead of violence and coercion. Islam enjoins upon us to

acquire knowledge. There is a saying of Holy Prophet (PBUH) that acquiring knowledge is mandatory for every man and woman, hence, destroying schools is not right by any standard.”

“We want to bring a system in the country that ushers stability. The army should be in the barracks instead of being present in the Tribal Areas. The local police, forces, and public of the Tribal Areas should be responsi-

ble for peace and security in their area. They should be autonomous in conducting their affairs,” Altaf said.

Agreeing with Altaf, Marjan said he believed in dialogue.

“Negotiations should be held with tribal elders instead of using power against the youth in the Tribal Areas. They need better counseling. The enemy is using us and causing damage by setting us against each other,” Marjan said.

“Great injustices have been done to the people of FATA. They are deprived and dispossessed. If the people had had their rights, the present problems would not have been there.

Some elements want to use FATA reforms for their own illegal and vested interests, but the tribes will assert and maintain their tribal identity.”

Marjan thanked Altaf for raising a voice for Kabailistan province, adding that the way Hussain had spoken about the Kabailistan province along with the creation of Hazara and Seraiki provinces had given strength to their demand.

17 militants killed in Orakzai operation PESHAWAR: At least 17 militants were killed and three of their dens destroyed in military action across Upper Orakzai Agency on Thursday, while four people were killed in Akakhel area of Khyber Agency. Officials confirmed that at least one soldier of the security forces was killed in a militant attack.

Per details, the militants attacked a security checkpost in Shadala area of Upper Orakzai.

In retaliation, the security forces targeted militant hideouts and an official claimed that eight militants were killed in retaliatory action. Officials and tribal sources said that with the help of fighter jets, security forces bombed several hideouts of militants in Ghajo area. On the other hand, the security forces embarked on a search operation in Akakhel area of Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency in which a militant was shot dead for offering resistance. Officials said they had also bulldozed three compounds used by militants. Tribesmen said that during shelling of suspected hideouts of militants, a mortar shell hit a house, causing deaths of three people and injuries to four others. Staff RepoRt

Bodies of 14 dead FC soldiers sent home QuEttA: The dead bodies of 14 Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan soldiers killed on Wednesday in an ambush in Buleda Kalag in district Turbat by Baloch separatists were sent to their ancestral homes on Thursday.

The bodies were airlifted and taken to Quetta on Thursday evening and where, after funeral prayers, they were sent to their villages, mostly in Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Punjab. Staff RepoRt

PTi willing to talk to all except PMl-n: imran g

Party chief says PTI will take to the roads in SC’s favour LAHORE Staff RepoRt

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) is ready to talk to every political party except the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which has betrayed the PTI twice in the past, party Chairman Imran Khan said on Thursday.

He said the PML-N was equally responsible for the current situation of the country and it had betrayed the PTI in the 2008 general elections and during the long march for the restoration of judges. He said the PML-N was just raising anti-Zardari slogans, but was supporting the government behind the curtain. “If the PML-N is sincere with the

people of Pakistan, it should resign from parliament immediately,” Imran said.

He said that people were very much aware of the political set up and wanted immediate change in the country. “The system will not be derailed, instead it will get more strength if the present government goes,” he said.

“We will not support any coup and will not tolerate any extra judicial step,” the PTI chief said, adding that those who were derailing democracy were attacking the judiciary. “The Supreme Court is respected in every country of the world, but the current government is not ready to respect the verdicts of the apex court,” he lamented.

To a question, Imran said everyone

was accountable and no one was above the law. He said the SC was not a party and the government should do whatever the court asks. He said if any conspiracy was hatched against the SC, the PTI would stand by the court and take to the roads in its favour.

He demanded the government write a letter to the Swiss government for reopening graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. The PTI chief said Zardari was trying to hide his corruption. “The damage done to the country through the NRO is before the entire nation. NRO granted immunity to the biggest of robbers. Small robbers are in jails while the biggest looter has become president of the country,” he said.

NA session remains focused on tribute to Pir Pagara, Daultana ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Contrary to expected heated session in the National Assembly, the proceedings of the House remained limited to Fateha prayers for departed souls of PML-F chief and spiritual leader of Hurs, Pir Pagara and MNA Azeem Daultana.

The session of the Lower House, which was called to discuss the heated political situations in the backdrop of

standoff between the government, army and the judiciary, ended within half an hour after being commenced around one hour later than schedule.

It was Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani who took the lead in paying tribute to late Pir Sahab Pagara and Azeem Daultana, a member of the House from his own party.

Gilani said Pir Pagara was one of the most important political characters of Pakistani politics. He said he learnt a lot

from Pir Pagara when he entered the political arena following his father’s death and had the blessing of Pir Sahab, who guided him from the beginning.

The prime minister said Pir Pagara had also done a marvelous job when he resolved the disputes between the settlers and locals in Sindh and added that he had always worked for the federation without any design of provincialism.

“Pir Sahab also contributed to the defence of Pakistan when the members of

his Hur community fought along side the armed forces against the enemy in the war of 1965”, Gilani pointed out.

He also expressed sorrow over what he called the untimely death of his fellow parliamentarian Azeem Daulana.

PML-N MNA Khwaja Asif, on behalf of his party, paid rich tribute to Pir Pagara, who he said had the distinction of being a spiritual leader along with his political acumen.

MQM’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader

Haider Abbas Rizvi said Pir Pagara was such a towering spiritual personality that not only Muslims, but a Hindu parliamentarian in India was also a devotee of Pir Pagara.

JUI-F chief Fazlur Rahaman, ANP President Asfand Yar Wali Khan, PML-Q leaders Riaz Hussain Peerzada and Ghaus Bux Mehr and Kamran Khan from FATA also paid tribute to Pir Pagara and expressed grief over the death of Azeem Daultana.

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04 News PML-N efforts Continued FRom page 24 elections ahead of schedule.

Addressing the joint meeting of the PML-N’s Central Working Committee and parliamentary party, Nawaz said the confrontation between the government and military was harmful for the nation.

He said the PML-N wanted the supremacy of constitution, law, judiciary and democracy in the country. He said the government was insulting the superior judiciary by not implementing its orders in the NRO case. Nawaz said the government had lost its mandate, therefore, had no justification to stay in power. He again advised the PPP’s allies to quit the coalition government.

Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House, Chaudhry Nisar said the opposition had agreed that they would prefer national interest in an atmosphere of confrontation and would not take any step which ended in confrontation. To a question, he said in the prevailing situation, the opposition parties would resist any vote of confidence for the prime minister as saving the government would be a negation of democracy. Nisar said the PML-N boycotted the meeting of Business Advisory Committee as the government did not consult it before summoning the session. He said the government did not summon the session of parliament on some public issue, but now wanted to take refuge in parliament when it felt pinched.

eCP ordered Continued FRom page 24 He said the ECP’s stance was that it was not possible for them to meet the deadline and tried to shift the responsibility of the delay on to NADRA. On the issue of by-elections that were held after the passage of the 18th Amendment, Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq submitted a copy of the draft bill and informed the court that an amendment bill regarding the matter would be tabled before parliament today or tomorrow (Friday). The court noted that there was no indemnity clause in it, adding that how would the win of people elected in the by-election after the 18th Amendment be validated.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain questioned whether illegal action could be rectified.

PPP MNA Jamshaid Dasti who appeared in person told the court his and Asghar Ali Jat, Asif Ajmal, Basit Bukhari and Ahmad Mujtaba Gilani’s byelections were held before the 18th Amendment.

Zardari makes brief Dubai visit Monitoring desk President Asif Ali Zardari was in Dubai on Thursday for a brief scheduled visit and Geo News reported that he was on his way to Pakistan by the time this report was made at 2am. The FO earlier said Zardari had flown to Dubai on a personal trip and will return on Friday.

Friday, 13 January, 2012

Allies won’t let PPP Continued FRom page 1

The source said a committee, headed by Religious Affairs Minister and government’s chief negotiator Syed Khurshid Shah, was holding talks with the coalition partners to evolve consensus on contents of the resolution. However, the government had not shared the draft resolution with the heads of two coalition partners – the PML-Q and the MQM. “Though both the PMLQ and MQM had reposed confidence in the president and the PM, they expressed conditional support to the government and warned that the resolution should be limited to expressing confidence in the president and the prime minister and no clause maligning the state institutions be included.

However, there is a likelihood that a clause might be included in the resolution asking all the state institutions to work within their constitutional ambits. The resolution would also reiterate that parliament was supreme among all state in-

stitutions,” added the source.

PM uPSEt: Another source said the PM was deeply upset with the remarks of the five-member bench questioning his integrity and there was a possibility that he might appear before the SC on January 16 and challenge the remarks.

The PM took the parliamentarians of the allied parties into confidence on the recent developments and he spoke his heart out about the confrontation with the judiciary and the army.

About a misunderstanding with the army chief, Gilani admitted that “some hawks on both sides have created misunderstandings which led to a chain of events creating hype”.

Gilani also said he was against adopting a confrontational path and some common friends had defused the situation in the past 24 hours. The source said the parliamentary party gave mandate to the leadership of the PML-Q, MQM and ANP to play their role in defusing the situation and

bridge the gulf between the army chief and the prime minister and the president.

“Since the leaderships of the PML-Q, the MQM and the ANP called for defusing the situation and avoid confrontation between the state institutions, it was decided that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Farooq Sattar and Asfandyar Wali Khan should play their role,” he said.

Another source said the issue of a resolution was not discussed in the business advisory meeting held on Thursday and there was no confirmation yet whether or not the same would be tabled today (Friday).

When contacted, an ANP leader confirmed that the draft of the PPP resolution had been shared with it and the party had decided to support it.

An MQM leader, however, said though President Zardari had contacted Altaf Hussain, the draft of the resolution had not been shared with the party so far. However, he said his party would not support any resolution targeting the army or the ju-

diciary.

“We support the continuation of the democratic process and also want all state institutions to work in harmony. But we will not be a part of any sort of destabilisation. This is the message which was also conveyed to the PM during today’s parliamentary party meeting,” he said. A PML-Q leader said though the draft of the resolution was not shared with its leadership, there was likelihood that the resolution might be tabled in the assembly today. “We would make sure that all confrontational portions of the resolution, if any, are omitted,” he added. PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira, however, said no draft of the resolution had been finalised and consultations were going on with the allied parties. “I cannot give a cut date for resolution as nothing is final yet,” he said.

A BNP-Awami leader reiterated his party’s support to the coalition government and said his party “would support the government through thick and thin”.

Chaudhrys, PPP Military will let SC SC rejects discuss strategy would provide him security AG’s plea Continued FRom page 1 The army leadership observed and protection, as was reISLAMABAD

Staff RepoRt

A delegation of PPP leaders on Thursday called on PML-Q President Shujaat Hussain to seek his guidance in resolving the current political crisis.

PPP leaders, including Khurshid Shah, Naveed Qamar, Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira visited Shujaat’s residence to discuss the situation. A PML-Q source told Pakistan Today that Shujaat advised the PPP to avoid further confrontation with the judiciary and military and not table a resolution targeting the two institutions.

The source said both sides agreed that the resolution will not talk about any specific institution and will depict harmony between various institutions and support democracy in the country. “Ch Shujaat advised PPP leaders to control hawkish elements in the party as their aggressiveness might create serious repercussions for the entire system,” the source said.

that as the memo issue was already in the country’s highest court of law, it should be settled there.

“The SC shall decide the memo case and there shall be no military intervention, but in case a call is given by the apex court to the armed forces under Article 190, it could be given consideration,” the official said, while citing the observation of military commanders on the issue.

GOVt SuMMONS DCC: Meanwhile, in order to resolve the standoff with the army, the government has decided to convene an important meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) on tomorrow (Saturday).

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar told journalists that Gen Kayani would also attend the meeting with other services chiefs.

In their meeting on Thursday, the military commanders also decided that in case Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz arrived in Pakistan to appear before the memo commission, the army

quested by the memo commission and the government would be informed before the provision.

The army leadership also decided that there would be no compromise on country’s security and supreme national interests, the source said.

The security official said Thursday’s meeting also took strong exception to the sacking of Khalid Lodhi, observing that he had not done anything illegal by forwarding the replies of the army chief and ISI DG to the SC. Replacement of Lodhi with Sethi, according to some observers, is government’s bid to have someone at the top in the Defence Ministry to sign the possible termination letters of army chief and ISI DG in case such a decision was made.

However, another security official refused to comment, saying the military command’s position was that the defence secretary should not have been changed in the first place, but the official did not speculate on the government’s motive.

COAS, iSi DG’s stance Continued FRom page 24 In exercise of its powers of judicial review, the court had held that the petitioners had succeeded in establishing that the issues raised in the petitions were justifiable and the question of public importance with regards to enforcement of fundamental rights, prima facie, under articles 9, 14 and 19A of the constitution had been made out, thus the petitions under Article 184(3) of the constitution were maintainable.

The 88-page detailed judgement authored by the chief justice noted that once a country’s sovereignty and independence was compromised, the life and dignity of its citizens were adversely affected, therefore the Supreme Court “finds itself compelled to hold the petitions

to be maintainable under its original jurisdiction”.

The court held that the memo issue was clearly one of great ‘public importance’, which could not be brushed under the carpet.

The court pointed out that Asma Jahangir filed the affidavit of James Logan Jones, which he had not sent though the US embassy, the government or to the Supreme Court registrar and this affidavit, however, was contradicted

by Mansoor Ijaz.

It said the situation also involved a threat to the enforcement of citizens’ fundamental rights, including their right to life (Article 9) and dignity (Article 14). The chief justice explained that “the link between sovereignty and citizens’ fundamental rights is obvious”.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Ejaz

Afzal Khan also separately added brief notes concerning to the memo situation.

Justice Khawaja’s note looked at the case from the lens of the people’s fundamental right to information about public matters, enshrined recently in Article 19A. Quoting the Biblical saying, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free”, Justice Khawaja explained that the inclusion of right to access information in the constitution reflected a seminal change in the way Pakistan was meant to be governed.

In his note, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan highlighted the direct nexus between the fundamental rights granted under articles 9 and 14 of the constitution, with the security and sovereignty of Pakistan.

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the attorney general’s plea about rescheduling cases fixed before the judicial commission and the SC on the same day (January 16), the CJP on Thursday held that the memo and NRO cases were very important and had already been fixed by the commission and the court, therefore, any order passed for readjustment would likely delay the proceedings. Earlier, the AG had submitted an application in the SC seeking readjustment of the hearings of the two cases because both the cases were fixed on January 16. Staff RepoRt

Ties with Israel, never: FO ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Pakistan on Thursday rejected the suggestion of former president Pervez Musharraf that the country should be open to the notion of formal ties with Israel, saying no such step could be taken as it had not recognised the Jewish state.

“We do not have any relationship with Israel because we do not recognise Israel. Nor is this under consideration,” Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said addressing his weekly press briefing.

He was asked for his reaction to Musharraf’s recent suggestion that Pakistan should be open to the idea of establishing relations with Israel.

Asked about a possible US

and Israeli attack on Iran, Basit said, “Pakistan has always advised restraint and emphasised that issues surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme shall be resolved peacefully and through dialogue.” To a question on Wednesday’s drone attack in the Tribal Areas, Basit said, “Our position on drone attacks has always been very clear. We are of the view that strategic disadvantages of drone strikes outweigh their tactical advantages.”

Basit avoided saying anything in response to a question that the events of the last few days had drawn the attention of the international community and the UK high commissioner had clearly stated that respect for the law and democracy should be ensured in Pakistan.

Army will refuse to work with nargis Sethi: nYT MOnItORIng DESK The Pakistan Army will refuse to work with new Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi appointed

by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani after sacking Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a former general and a confidant of army chief, the New York Times quoted a source in the army as saying on Wednesday.

The paper reported that the army would not react violently, but it would not cooperate with the new secretary of defence. Gilani replaced Lodhi with Nargis Sethi after accusing the former secretary of “gross misconduct and illegal action” and of “creating misunderstanding between the state institutions”. The newspaper wrote that ordinarily, the defence secretary in Pakistan was appointed with the consent of the army chief and

acts as a bridge between the government and the military. It added that the role was more powerful than that of the defence minister. The New York Times said the defence secretary’s signature was required for any appointment, or termination, of a member of the military leadership. “By installing a defence secretary of his own choice, Gilani appeared to be seeking greater leverage for his government in dealing with the military,” it added. Another military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in the New York Times report that relations between Lodhi and Gilani soured after the prime minister’s staff put pressure on Lodhi to contradict statements about the controversial memo by army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and ISI chief Ahmad Shuja Pasha.

US to probe Taliban corpses desecration WASHIngtOn agenCieS

The US Marine Corps said on Wednesday it would investigate a video showing what appear to be American forces in Afghanistan urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters.

The video, which was posted on YouTube and other websites, shows four men in camouflage Marine combat uniforms urinating on the bodies of three dead Taliban.

One of them jokes: “Have a nice day, buddy.” Another makes a lewd joke about a shower. “While we have not yet verified the origin or authenticity of this video, the actions portrayed are not consistent with our core values and are not indicative of the character of the Marines in our Corps,” the Marines said in a statement. “This matter will be fully investigated.” Two US military officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the video appeared to be au-

BoK launches call centre

KARACHI: Mr Bilal Mustafa, Managing Director Bank of Khyber, on Thursday formally inaugurated the bank’s dedicated Call Centre. The BOK Call Centre inauguration ceremony was also graced by Mr Nadeem Elahi, Country Head & Managing Director TRG Pakistan, Mr Ayub Hamid Group Head HRD BOK, Mr Asif Masood, Head Operations Financial Institutions TRG, Mr. Babar Pervez, Business Manager TRG Pakistan, Mr Masood Wahindna, Head Investment BOK, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani, Head Marketing, and Mr. Tariq Khan Divisional Head Financial Institutions. pReSS ReleaSe

thentic at first look. Meanwhile, the Taliban said the incident would not harm nascent efforts to broker peace talks. Despite concerns when the video first emerged that it would not help his efforts build confidence among the warring parties, a Taliban spokesman said although the images were shocking, the tape would not affect talks or a mooted prisoner release. “This is not the first time we see such brutality,” said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

will Ijaz come or not?

ISLAMABAD: The US embassy on Thursday denied media reports that the country was pressurising Mansoor Ijaz not to visit Pakistan to appear before the memo probe commission, as FO spokesman Abdul Basit said Ijaz has not yet applied for a Pakistani visa. Some media reports on Thursday suggested that there was a possibility that Ijaz would cancel his visit to Islamabad. Rejecting these reports, Ijaz said he would come to Pakistan but would not disclose his itinerary for security reasons. Zahid Bokhari, the lawyer for Husain Haqqani, said Ijaz’s reluctance to visit Pakistan had exposed his lies. Staff RepoRt

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faraz’s ideology triumphed, says Kp governor PAGe 07

Three minors die of suffocation ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

Three children suffocated while sleeping in their room on Wednesday night. According to the police, Zahoor Ahmed’s children were found dead at their house situated in Bari Imam, an area in the Secretariat police precincts. Their deaths apparently occurred due to the build-up of smoke from coals which they burnt during the night to ward off the chill.

The bodies were discovered Thursday noon when Ahmed tried to enter the room. He broke down the door when his children did not respond to his repeated knocking on the door. The victims were identified as five-year-old Hasnan his sisters Mishal Fatima, 3 and Kanwal 2.

Allied hospital staff to be regularised RAWALPInDI online

iSlaMabaD: bardasht Chairperson Senator nilofar bakhtiar gives prizes to the winners of english drama competition at iMCg f-6/2. Online

Capital police say they can’t proceed against Mansoor Ijaz ISLAMABAD

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Staff RepoRt

HE Islamabad police on Thursday told the court that criminal proceedings will not be initiated against Mansoor Ijaz upon his arrival in Pakistan as the memoissue is being probed by the Judicial Commission.

Islamabad District Court Additional Sessions Judge Syed Wajahat Hassan had sought a report from the Secretariat police station SHO by January 10, following the preliminary hearing of a petition filed by PPP activist Khalid Javed

who moved the lower court to register an FIR against Mansoor Ijaz, the central character of the memogate scandal.

The Secretariat police submitted a reply in the court stating that in the light of the Judicial Commission’s directions an FIR could not be registered against Ijaz. The court adjourned the hearing till January 17.

“Since the matter is being probed by the Judicial Commission, we can not register the FIR against Mansoor Ijaz,” said Secretariat SHO Hakim Khan while talking to Pakistan Today.

The petition stated that Ijaz, a secret agent of an anti-Pakistan lobby, was try-

ing to defame the country’s patriotic forces and destabilise the democratic government by publishing fake and baseless memo related documents.

Citing the documents containing statements, articles, analysis published in different international media by Mansoor Ijaz, the petitioner pleaded that Ijaz be charged with offences under sections 153-A, 177, 197, 199, 200, 468, 471 and 505 of the Pakistani Penal Code and should be arrested immediately after coming to Pakistan.

Javed said the local police refused to register the FIR against Ijaz after which the petitioner placed his application be-

fore the judicial commission secretary Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan and the Islamabad district and sessions’ judges, who forwarded his plea to the session judge.

Islamabad High Court Bar President Chaudhry Ashraf Gujjar and Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench General Secretary Malik Saeed said in a press conference said the lawyers’ community was all set to launch another long march against the government for its confrontation with the court. “The government has to comply with the Supreme Court’s orders. Otherwise the lawyers’ community will come out on the roads,” Gujjar said.

The Punjab government will regularise the daily wage employees of the three allied hospitals of Rawalpindi. A committee has been constituted by the Punjab government to work on the regularisation process. The committee will formulate a procedure based on the regularisation methods used by other hospitals in the Punjab.

Slum dwellers to get ownership rights RAWALPInDI online

The Rawalpindi Commissioner issued directives to grant ownership rights to the dwellers of 4 Rawalpindi slums as well as 1 Jhelum slum within a week. The orders were issued in line with the Punjab government directives to grant ownership rights to the kachchi abadi residents throughout the province. Among those kachchi abadis are Ahmad Abad, Tauhid Abad, Bhoosa Godam and Ram Bagh of Rawalpindi.

IDWP okays 51 projects for rural areas’ uplift g

Tube-wells to be run on solar system g Six education-related projects approved ISLAMABAD KaShif abbaSi

The Islamabad Development Working Party (IDWP) on Thursday approved 51 new projects for the city, including a major project of converting all 65 tubewells of the rural areas from electricity to solar energy.

The projects were approved in IDWP meeting held with Islamabad Chief Commissioner Tariq Pirzada in the chair. The other projects were related to security and the development of rural areas.

The meeting was attended by Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Bin Amin, Ministry of Finance Deputy Financial Advisor Obaid-ur-Rahman, Planning and Development Division chiefs of several departments, including Water and Health, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Amer Ali Ahmed and others.

Talking to Pakistan Today, Islamabad DC Amer Ali said that after converting all the tube-wells of the rural areas from electricity to solar energy, the govern-

ment could save Rs 120 million per year that had to be paid to the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) against the electricity bills of tube-wells.

“Once this project is completed, the government would run the tube-wells free of cost,” he added.

Meanwhile, a Chief Commissioner Office spokesman said that the projects related to water supply schemes under the Islamabad Development Package include the feasibility study for solarbased water supply schemes in the rural areas of Islamabad at an estimated cost of Rs 4 million.

The meeting also approved water supply scheme projects for several areas, including the water supply scheme in Burma at an estimated cost of Rs 25 million estimated, water supply scheme in Gulberg Town and Madina Town, Alipur, costing Rs 19.56 million, water supply scheme in Alipur Nai Abadi, costing Rs 17.80 million, extension/up-gradation of water supply scheme at Shahdra, Dhok Charhan, Mohalla Thalli and adjoining Dhokes, costing Rs 20.51

million, installation of hand pumps and strengthening existing water supply schemes in isolated villages at an estimated cost Rs 59.96 million and others.

Addressing the participants of the meeting, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Tariq Mahmood Pirzada said that the uplift of the rural areas of Islamabad was the top priority of the Islamabad Administration, adding that the government had allocated sufficient funds for development of rural areas of Islamabad.

The security-related development projects approved under the PSDP 20112012, were subject to clearance from the Planning and Development Division.

The projects include the construction of a police station in Sector G-13 Markaz at an estimated cost of Rs 37.22 million, construction of police barracks in Sector G-13 Markaz with an estimated cost of Rs 58.33 million, construction of six police posts in Sector G-13/1, 2, 3 and 4, costing Rs 51.11 million.

The provision of laptops for the Islamabad District Courts, under the PSDP, costing Rs 2.61 million, was also ap-

proved by the IDWP, subject to rationalisation of cost of the project.

The meeting also approved projects related to the development of agriculture in the rural areas of Islamabad under the PSDP, including the development of olive vegetable nursery in Islamabad, costing Rs 22.05 million, promotion of orchard and vegetable farming in Islamabad, costing Rs 59.75 million and productivity enhancement through agriculture land development at a cost of Rs 59.11 million.

The up-gradation and expansion of veterinary healthcare services in Islamabad, costing Rs 58.45 million and improvement of milk and meat production by strengthening the artificial insemination services, costing Rs 46.23 million.

Furthermore, a project relating to the establishment of computer literacy centres in 12 union councils, costing Rs 38.1 million was also approved.

The other projects were related to construction of streets, Nullahs, drains, improvement of roads, street pavements and widening of roads.

The IDWP also approved projects in

the education sector, including the provision of missing facilities in FG Educational institutions in rural areas of Islamabad at an estimated cost of Rs.59.45 million, reconstruction of old block at the Model College for Girls, Golra Sharif, at an estimated cost of Rs 40.36 million.

The projects of strengthening the Islamabad Model School for Girls, Sangjani at an estimated cost of Rs 39.65 million, provision of facilities to accommodate and facilitate the students at the Islamabad Model School for Girls, Ghangi Sayedan at an estimated cost of Rs 38.98 million were also approved.

The project of promotion of sports and physical education and development of existing playgrounds in the educational institutions of the rural areas with an estimated cost of Rs 59.44 million was also approved by the IDWP. The meeting decided to prepare umbrella PC-1 for the projects to be launched under the Islamabad Development Package for the uplift of the rural areas of Islamabad.

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CARe, SDPI to launch study report on 16th ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

CARE International, Pakistan office, in collaboration with Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), is launching a research study titled ‘Applying conflict sensitivity to emergency response: current practices and way forward’ on January 16. The study is the culmination of six months’ work which involves field research in Haiti, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, interviews with over 50 humanitarian professionals and a document review of aid agencies and sector-wide guidance and standards.

Humanitarian responses to rapid onset emergencies often represent significant challenges in terms of applying conflict sensitivity. The complexity of the contexts in which these events often occur and the speed with which organisations need to react, leave little capacity for sophisticated analysis or training of frontline, particularly local, staff. In order to maximise effectiveness, agencies must be ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise to integrate conflict sensitivity across their teams and design systems and guidance that can be readily deployed. The study has retrospectively assessed the degree to which CSAs were explicitly or implicitly carried out in the humanitarian responses in Haiti and Pakistan.

This reflective exercise has resulted in both agencyspecific and sector-wide recommendations made to ensure greater CSA application in future to rapid onset emergency responses. The study concludes there are clear opportunities for synergy between conflict sensitivity integration and the emergency capacity-building initiatives currently ongoing within many agencies.

RaWalpinDi: Railway workers shout anti-government slogans during a demonstration. Online

Feminisation of poverty on the rise in Pakistan: Tahira Abdullah ISLAMABAD

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Staff RepoRt

HE “Feminisation of Poverty” can be defined as the increase in proportion and severity of poverty in women-headed households (WHHs) and the rise in women’s participation in low-paying, urban and informal sector economic activities, prominent human rights activist Tahira Abdullah said on Thursday.

Speaking at the public talk, “Feminisation of Poverty in Pakistan”, organised by the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), she said, “In Pakistan, 75% of the population lives below the poverty line and a large majority of this population comprises of females.” ISSI Director General Ambassador (Retd) Ashraf Jehangir Qazi welcomed the speakers and guests at the occasion. He said that more and more people were recognizing that poverty was a denial of human rights and that the women were at the receiving end in homes. Women were viewed in terms of relationships and not in terms of their individual identities, while the situation was worse in the traditional societies, he added.

Tahira Abdullah gave an insightful and comprehensive overview of the deteriorating social effects of poverty in Pakistan, especially on women.

She said that the successive governments in Pak-

istan had maneuvered the poverty figures and a census had not been carried out in Pakistan since 1998. In order to change the poverty figures, head count goal posts and definitions were changed, as well as the rupee-dollar exchange rate.

She was of the view that the work done by Dr Mehboob-ul-Haq and his centre had greatly contributed in undertaking very credible studies on poverty, development and the socio-economic issues. Abdullah said that besides the rise in women’s participation in low-paying urban, informal sector economic activities, agricultural non-remunerated work was also among the indicators of feminisation of poverty. She said that women experience poverty differentially, and are “worse off” than men in terms of poverty.

Women’s very real contribution to the national economy was still not counted in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

According to her, the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS) data on women’s employment (released through the Labour Force Surveys) did not accurately capture the rural women’s work in agriculture, nor women’s work in the informal sector of the urban economy. According to the Government of Pakistan, over 70 percent of rural women work in agriculture and livestock sector and over 75 percent urban female labour force works in the informal sector, she added.

Tahira Abdullah said further that women con-

tinue to suffer from inadequate remuneration, skills training, legal protection, social protection & security, health & maternity benefits under the labour laws, right of unionisation etc. She highlighted that the home-based women workers, 64 percent of the entire female work force, were uncounted, rather exploited by both contractors & middlemen, and were deprived of labour rights.

She said that there was a continuation of gendered division of labour and ‘ghettoisation’ of women’s work. She was of the view that there was an urgent need to address the alarming feminisation of poverty through social security, women’s protection measures and by asserting their ownership over land, property, and livestock through inheritance, gifts and joint title deeds.

Speaking further about the suffering of women in the society, she said that guarantees were ensured in the constitution of Pakistan, such as Articles 25, 27, 34, 35, 37 of the 1973 Constitution, ensuring gender equality and affirmative action for women. However, women continue to suffer from poverty and be victims of the patriarchy and feudalism in the country. She said that the Jirgas and Panchayats continued to sanction and legitimise customs like Vani and honour killings, adding that the women have lack of access to justice and decision-making, which leads to the legislated inequality of women and minorities in the society. The event was concluded after an enlightening question and answer session.

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‘Faraz’s ideology triumphed’ ISLAMABAD

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Staff RepoRt

HE International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) Urdu Department, in collaboration with Ahmad Faraz Trust, celebrated Ahmad Faraz’s birthday on Thursday at the IIUI Quaid-e-Azam Auditorium.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar was the chief guest while Acting IIUI President Professor Dr Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman presided over the event. IIUI Rector Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik and other scholars presented their papers on Ahmad Faraz on the occasion.

Barrister Masood Kausar said that the appreciation of the work and personality of Ahmad Faraz in the literary world indicated the triumph of his

thoughts and ideas.

He said that there were doubts in the society about religious soundness of Ahmad Faraz. However, Ahmad Faraz had belonged to a religious family, he said, adding that Faraz took off his literary journey at a good time. Faraz had inherited a deep sense of Arabic and Persian languages from his ancestors, he added. Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik said that Faraz’s poetry reminded of Allam Iqbal’s thoughts. He said that Faraz had challenged social injustice and human rights’ violations through his poetry in a very beautiful way.

He said further that Faraz had never compromised on human dignity. Prof Malik said he was writing a book on the works and personality of Ahmad Faraz.

He said Faraz had taken a lesson from the incident of Karbala, adding that Faraz was not held hostage to religious

rituals, rather he gained courage from the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain and stood up against oppression. Ahmad Faraz Trust Chairman Shibli Faraz said that the trust was promoting the thoughts and poetry of Ahmad Faraz. He said Faraz was a poet of the masses and nobody could inherit his creations.

Dr Sahibzada Sajid-ur-Rehman said that Faraz’s best quality was that he always spoke the truth, however ugly it might be. He said that poets could conquer hearts and were carriers of truth so whenever the dictators tried to muffle their rights, they resisted. The IIUI presented honourary shields to the speakers as the event Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar concluded.

Navy, Chinese embassy organise cultural show ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

iSlaMabaD: president tehreek nifaz-e-fiqh Jafariya (tnfJ) District islamabad, allam bashahrat hussaim imami addressing a press conference at national press Club. STAff PhOTO

ITP issued 549,328 fine tickets worth Rs 103m last year g

SSP Moeen Masud says capital’s traffic police to come up to people’s expectations through service-oriented policies ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Islamabad traffic police (ITP) fined around 549,328 vehicles and generated revenue more than Rs 103 million last year. ”The ITP has become model of excellence through its service-oriented policies and is further endeavouring to come up to the expectations of the general public by ensuring traffic discipline in the city,” said Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dr Moeen Masood here on Thursday while reviewing the overall performance report of the ITP for the last year.

According to the data, 38,232 motorists were fined for using mobile phones during driving, 62,054 motorcyclists for not using helmets, 54,359 motorists for not using seat belts, 5,291 for driving vehicles without licences, 10,575 vehicles fined for

having tinted glasses, 32,619 for violating signals and 23,421 vehicles for wrong parking.

Moreover, 37,518 motorists were fined for careless driving, 9,288 vehicles fined for being driven without registration plates, 28,809 for neglecting others’ rights on roads, 5,586 for driving vehicles without permit, 17,580 for route violations, 5,091 for using pressure horns, 13,790 for taking wrong turns and 14,626 for lane violations.

Similarly, 6,666 transport vehicles were fined for carrying passengers in a dangerous position, 5,163 for having defective lights, 6,911 for driving on one way, 5,629 for driving on the wrong side of the road, 23,720 for obstructing traffic, 15,226 for overloading, 8,659 for speeding, 13,349 for parking at bus stops, 4,855 for parking at zebra crossing, 1,060 for emitting smoke, 14,017 for wrong turning and 67,346 for miscellaneous violations.

iSlaMabaD: president islamabad high Court bar association Chaudhry Muhammad asghar gujjar addressing a press conference at islamabad high Court bar. STAff PhOTO

To further cement the Pakistan-China diplomatic relations, the Pakistan Navy, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, organised a traditional Chinese Art and Cultural Show at the Bahria University Auditorium on Thursday. The art show was conducted by the Chinese Acrobatic Cultural Troupe from Guangdong Province of China. Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Tayyab Ali Dogar was the chief guest on the occasion, while Senior Col Zhang Jingen from the Embassy of People’s Republic of China was also present. The Pakistani and Chinese dignitaries hailed the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China. They observed that such goodwill visits could greatly contribute in promoting the ties of friendship, mutual respect and trust between the people of both countries, which have strengthened over the years and have withstood the challenges of time. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Armed Forces officers and guests from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, who enjoyed the dazzling traditional performance presented by the renowned cultural troupe from China. The chief guest also presented souvenirs to the Chinese troupe.

Rehmanabad vehicles weekly bazaar banned RAWALPINDI: Commissioner Zahid Syed has banned weekly vehicle bazaar in Rehmanabad near Murree Road.

The commissioner issued a directive to the Rawal Town TMA in this respect. He said the bazaar was being organised without getting permission from the authorities concerned, adding the authorities had received complaints of fraud and deceit. Zahid Syed ordered the police to take strict action against those found involved in violating the ban orders. online

iSlaMabaD: Chief of World Minorities alliance, J Salik speaks during an international peace Conference at local hotel. STAff PhOTO

NUML entry tests for five faculties held ISLAMABAD: Entry tests for the admission of session 2012 spring semester for morning and evening programmes to five faculties were held on Wednesday and Thursday at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad. The last date for the submission of admission forms was January 4. The faculties at which entry tests were held included Faculty of English Language and Literature, Faculty of Near Eastern Languages, Faculty of Management Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and IT, Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Advanced Integrated Studies and Research. The next semester will commence from February 6, 2012.Moreover, entry tests for MPhil admissions will be conducted on January 16 while interview for PhD programmes are scheduled to be held on January 25. Staff RepoRt

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Security plan for Hazrat Imam Hussain’s chehlum reviewed

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Staff RepoRt

HE police chalked out an elaborate security plan on Thursday for the Chehlum procession of Hazrar Imam Hussain (RA). Strict patrolling will be ensured through effective coordination among the personnel of the law enforcement agencies.

The procession will start from the Imambargah Asna Ashri in sector G-6/2 and will culminate at the same Imambargah after passing through various routes, said a press release.

According to the security plan, prepared

under the guidance of Islamabad Inspector General of Police Bani Amin Khan and Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Yousuf Malik, the Islamabad police, including the Rangers, will perform patrolling and security duties on the occasion (January 14) and the route of the procession will be cordoned off completely.

The route of procession has been divided into sectors A, B and C. For each sector, an SP level officer will be responsible for the security duties.

Each sector has been divided into sub-sectors for which ASP/DSP level officers will be responsible for close liaison among the security personnel.

Other SPs, assisted by ASPs or DSPs, will be sta-

tioned along the procession route to supervise the security officials. Inspectors will also monitor the police pickets in the sub-sectors.

SDPOs, SHOs and other police officials will visit the procession routes to ensure effective coordination among the security personnel.

A total of 1200 cops will be deployed, while eight special Quick Response Force teams, CID and Special Branch police will assist them.

The Islamabad Traffic Police has also devised a special plan to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow. SSP (Traffic) Dr Moeen Masood directed ITP’s personnel to divert traffic to alternate routes.

AIOU to set up first e-learning lab in Pagara’s name: VC

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iSlaMabaD: anp president asfandyar Wali addresses the party’s special committee meeting. STAff PhOTO

Young women often fail to spot their weight gain ISLAMABAD online

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Despite popular belief about women’s weight concerns, young women commonly fail to recognise recent gain of 11 pounds, putting them at risk for cardiovascular disease and other obesity-related conditions.

Self-perception of weight gain also appears to be significantly influenced by race, ethnicity and contraceptive methods. Researchers found that a significant number of women evaluated at sixmonth intervals did not recognise recent gains in weight. Overall, nearly one-third and one-quarter of women did not recognize gains of approximately 4.5 and 8.8 pounds during a six month interval, respectively. However, black women and DMPA users (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, commonly known as the birth control shot) were more likely to recognize weight gain than their counterparts.

This is believed to be the first study to explore the accuracy of self-perception of recent weight gain. The findings build on a growing body of UTMB research on actual weight gain and awareness of weight among reproductive-aged women, with particular focus on the links between contraception use and weight gain.

Researchers surveyed a sample of 466 women with an average age of 25. Approximately 37 percent of the subjects were Hispanic, 35 percent nonHispanic white and 29 percent non-Hispanic black women. Roughly 39 percent of the women used DMPA, 36 percent used an oral contraceptive and

25 percent were non-hormonal contraceptive users.

Every six months over 36 months the women completed a symptom checklist that included questions on whether they felt they had gained weight. The researchers also evaluated data on height, BMI, physical activity and whether or not the women had borne children, among other potential correlates.

“We were surprised to find that race and ethnicity are determinants of accurate recognition of weight gain, predictors that have never before been reported,” says lead author Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, MBBS, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

He notes that further studies using detailed measures that include cultural, psychological and perceptual aspects of weight change in women are needed to explore this relationship.

Regarding the finding that DMPA users are likelier to recognize weight gain, Rahman believes the finding may be attributed to the fact that DMPA has been widely reported to be associated with weight gain and that users may be engaging in more mindful and continuous weight monitoring.

“In prior studies, we’ve reported that one-quarter of reproductive-age women who are overweight or obese consider themselves to be normal weight.

Misperception of actual weight coupled with inaccuracies in self-perception of weight gain is a threat to the success of obesity prevention programs,” said Rahman. “Changing a health behavior depends on patients understanding susceptibility to a health problem.”

NUMUN 12

The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will set up its first e-learning laboratory named after Pir Pagara in the new academic complex of the varsity within one month.

This was announced by AIOU VC Dr Nazir Sangi, addressing a condolence reference for Pir Sahib Pagara held at Nusrat Bhutto Auditorium of the university. All the deans and a large number of academicians, officers and employees were present.

Dr Sangi paid rich tribute to the veteran politician and spiritual leader of the Hur community, Syed Mardan Shah Pir Sahib Pagara and called his death a great loss for the country and the nation. Dr Sangi said the country had been deprived of a great politician.

Dr Sangi said that he promoted the environment of forgiveness and mutual understanding not only in the entire Sindh but also at the national level. He said Pir Pagara played the role of a bridge among all the factions of the people. He added Pagara was not only a spiritual leader of Hurs of Sindh but also a national figure that enjoyed an enviable position in the politics of Pakistan. His death has created a great vacuum, Dr Sangi said. On the occasion, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Dean Prof Dr Abdul Hafiz said that Pir Pagara was a caring, patriotic and true Pakistani.

Dr Hafiz said that the vacuum caused by his death could not be easily filled. Dr Nowshad Khan, dean, Faculty of Sciences, said there was no place for personal interests and corruption in his style of politics. Pir Pagara had rendered enormous religious services for which he would be remembered forever. Registrar Agha Hafizullah said Pir Pagara had played a vital role in settlement/rehabilitation work of the people who had migrated from India at the time of creation of Pakistan. Qasim Haider said contribution of the family of Pir Pagara in Pakistan movement and his own contribution for the defence of Pakistan in the wars of 1965 and 1971 would always be remembered. He added Pir Sahib was not only a political leader but a mentor of political leaders. At the end, Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies Dean Prof Ali Asghar Chishti prayed for his departed soul and grant of fortitude to the bereaved family and followers to bear this great loss.

CoNfereNCe

Capoeira islTowN

COLLeGeS / UNIVeRSITIeS INTeRNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVeRSITy 9260765 BAHRIA UNIVeRSITy 9260002 NUML 9257677 QUAID-e-AZAM UNIVeRSITy 90642098 ARID AGRICULTURe UNIVeRSITy 9290151 FJwU 9273235 RIPHA INTeRNATIONAL UNIVeRSITy 111510510 NCA RAwALPINDI 5770423 PUNJAB LAw COLLeGe 4421347

DATe: JAN 26 — 29, 2012 VeNUe: NUST, H12 OPPOSITe TO POLICe LINe

DATe: JAN 09 — 12, 2012 VeNUe: NATIONAL CeNTRe FOR PHySIC

After two highly successful Intra-NUST episodes, NUST now invites you to its first ever All Pakistan event- NUMUN 2012. This January, we'd like to welcome you here at H-12 and change all that you know about this place for the better.

Organised by Centres of excellence in Science and Applied Technologies, Islamabad. In the last eight conferences more than eleven hundred papers have been presented and more than four thousand participants attended the conference. It is the largest scientific event in Pakistan which is held regularly.

DATe AND TIMe: eVeRy FRIDAy 6:30-7:30PM VeNUe: KHAAS ART GALLeRy ISLAMABAD Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dancing, ritual combat & music in a unique synthesis of self defense and rhythm.

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

News 09

US aid to Sunni Ittehad Council ‘double-edged’ sword g

Aid to anti-Taliban group used to organise pro-blasphemy law rallies g SIC chief claims US dollars claim ‘propaganda’ against group

T

MOnItORIng DESK

H E US embassy in Pakistan has said that Washington gave money to a Pakistani Muslim group that organised anti-Taliban rallies, but which later demonstrated in support of Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, American local news service SeattlePi reported.

US government website Usaspending.gov showed that the group, the Sunni Ittehad Council, received $36,607 from Washington in 2009, said the report.

SeattlePi quoted a US diplomat who wished to remain unnamed as saying the embassy had given money to the group to organise the rallies, but that it had since changed direction and leadership. He said it was a one-off grant,

and would not be repeated.

The grant was first reported by the Council of Foreign Relations on its website, said the report. The American money was used to organise nationwide rallies against militants and suicide bombings, the embassy official said.

The rhetoric at the rallies was mostly focused on opposing militant attacks on shrines, which Barelvis frequent but are opposed by Deobandis, who dominate the ranks of the Taliban, said the report.

In 2011 and also this month, however, the council led demonstrations in support of the killer of Salmaan Taseer, said the report. Mumtaz Qadri, a Barelvi, claimed he acted to defend the honour of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), a cause that was especially dear to Barelvis, said the report.

At its rallies, the group maintained its criticism of the Taliban even as it

supported Qadri — a seemingly contradictory stance that suggested its leaders may be more interested in harnessing the political support and street power of Barelvis than in genuinely countering militancy, said the report.

Two leading members of the council who had been with the group from the beginning of its existence denied receiving any American funds, the report added. The apparent discrepancy could be explained by lack of transparency within the organisation, it said. “This propaganda is being unleashed against us because we are strongly opposed to Western democracy and American policies in the region and in the world,” SeattlePi quoted Sahibzada Fazal Karim, the head of the council, as saying. “We are against extremism, but we support Qadri because he did a right thing,” he

said.

Passenger van escapes roadside bombing PARACHInAR inp

A passenger van miraculously escaped a remote-controlled bomb attack in the Arawali area of Lower Kurram Agency on Thursday. According to details, the van was carrying passengers from Parachinar to Peshawar when the militants triggered the remote-controlled explosion. However, the vehicle miraculously escaped the blast and all the passengers remained safe.

Local peace force members soon reached the site and chased the militants, who managed to escape. Security forces also reached the site after the blast. In the last three months, this was the third attack on a passenger vehicle in the area.

Fortunately, all three attacks did not cause any loss of life.

62% say SC not overstepping mandate: poll ISLAMABAD inp

According to a Gilani Research Foundation Survey carried out by Gallup Pakistan 62% say the Supreme Court is not overstepping its mandate. A sample of men and women from across the four provinces was asked that some people think that Supreme Court is taking action by over stepping its mandate and it should not do so. In their opinion, were the Supreme Court taking actions within their mandate or was it overstepping its mandate? 62% respondents said they believe that the Supreme Court is taking actions within its mandate whereas 14% believe that Supreme Court is over stepping its mandate and 24% did not give a view.

The view that the Supreme Court is working within its mandate has risen by 5% points during the last two years.

Four miners killed in coal mine blast in Orakzai PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

At least four labourers were killed and six other injured after an explosion in a coal mine at Doslay of Orakzai agency on Thursday. Reports from Orakzai reveal that the mine workers were working at Doslay coal mines when an explosion occurred. Four labourers were killed on the spot. The injured were shifted to hospitals. The killed and injured labourers are stated from Shangla district of Malakand.

CloSe guantanaMo: activists of pasban organise a theatrical protest against the guantanamo bay detention outside the Karachi press Club on thursday. Online

land mafia’s attempt to demolish haveli Sardar Mahan Singh thwarted gUJRAnWALA MuhaMMaD Shafique

Land mafia’s attempt of demolishing a part of Haveli Sardar Mahan Singh, renowned for the birth place of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was thwarted by local traders and the City District Government. Reportedly, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, a ruler of Punjab during the early 19th century, was born at the Haveli in 1780. Sikhs from all over the world visit this building for religious obligations. A major part of the Haveli is already under illegal tenancy of fruit sellers despite a Supreme Court verdict. The City District Government has failed in getting the place vacated and restoring it in its original shape. Some officials of the Auqaf Department and a local land mafia jointly tried to convert the building’s corridor into three shops. However, during this secret attempt, the roof of the old building caved in. Locals called police and intimated the local media. As police arrived at the scene, the officials of the department fled and the building was sealed.

The Gujranwala Commissioner took serious notice of the issue and ordered an inquiry into the matter.

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10 News

Friday, 13 January, 2012

Hafizabad jeweller loses over Rs 100m in major robbery HAFIZABAD inp

In a major robbery in the city centre on Thursday, a gang of robbers broke into a jewellery shop and escaped with Rs1.5 million in cash and ornaments worth Rs 100 million. According to details, a group of 18 armed dacoits broke into the jewellery shop located in the main bazaar near the city police station, and the office of the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Saddar. The robbers thrashed the shop’s security guard and tied him with ropes, along with a sanitary worker standing outside the shop and some pedestrians. Using metal cutters and rods, they broke the locks and the iron gate, and locked the hostages in a room in the shop after stuffing their mouths with clothes and beating them severely. The shop’s owner Seth Nasir said he rushed to the shop after being informed but the robbers had fled from the scene after looting “everything” in the shop. DSP Abdul Rab, along with police squad reached the scene and started investigations. After hearing about the robbery, the city residents protested against the incident and said that such events were taking place very frequently in Hafizabad. The Jewellers’ Association has announced an indefinite shut down against the robbery.

Don’t act against judiciary, Hoti warns government PESHAWAR Staff RepoRt

Former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader Khwaja Muhammad Khan Hoti has warned the government that if it takes any step against the judiciary, his party “will come out on the roads and will throw the rulers out of their luxurious palaces”. Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press club on Thursday, Hoti said, “Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is conspiring against parliament because he wants to be martyred but I want to tell him is that after ruling and looting the country for four years , one can’t be martyred.” Hoti said the army should be under the Defence Ministry but the government should also obey the rule of law and the Supreme Court.

“If the Supreme Court orders the government to write a letter to the Swiss government and the president and the PM clearly deny the decision and say that we will not write the letter, then one can imagine who is conspiring against democracy,” he said. During the press conference, TV Artist Ejaz Mir announced joining the PTI.

ReSCueD fRoM piRateS: nine pakistani and five iranian sailors were rescued by the Danish navy Vessel abSalon off the coast of Somalia after their fishing vessel tahari was hijacked by Somali pirates. Online

Warsak Dam affectees demand increase in royalty for area PESHAWAR

T

Staff RepoRt

H E population affected by the construction of Warsak Dam on Thursday demanded an increase in royalty for the area, saying 52 villages were badly affected on account of the construction of the dam with squeezing of agricultural land in the locality.

Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, the affecte led by Sarwardin, Juma Raz Khan and Arbab Sheryar, said the people of the area should be accorded 30 percent royalty on account of presence of Warsak water dam in their area, adding that the current five percent was by no means mitigating their problems. They said the money accumulated in lieu of royalty for the last four years that amounted to Rs

Bara residents demand end to offensive PESHAWAR: The people affected by the military operation in Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency have demanded the government halt the ongoing operation in the area and disburse cash for food and ration, which they said had stopped for the last nine months. They warned that if their demands were not accepted within 15 days they would block roads from the Governor’s House to the Political Agent’s House and the responsibility would lay on the government. Addressing a news conference on Thursday, Iqbal Afridi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) Khyber Agency and affectees of the Jalozai Camp said due to the ongoing operation in Bara, thousands of families had been compelled to leave their houses and forced to live in rented houses in Peshawar, while a majority had been compelled to reside in Jalozai Camp with no basic facilities.

They said that they were passing facing various difficulties in the camp, but the government had kept silent over the issues.

“Our educational institutions, hospitals, business areas have been destroyed and our children are also deprived of basic education,” they lamented, adding that the government had given Rs 9,700 per family to the affected people under the scheme of cash for food, which they said had also ceased for the last nine months. They added that more than Rs 2.5 billion or its alternative of food items, which had be given to the affected people, had been halted by the government and feared that the amount had been embezzled. Staff RepoRt 70 million, should be used for paying the outstanding electricity bills of the masses of the area, otherwise they threatened to resort to protest demonstrations outside

the provincial assembly. They said a total of 52 villages in the region had to bear the brunt of construction of the dam and their agricultural land had been wasted

Drone strikes resume amid tense US-Pak ties g g

US says two-month lull after November deaths not a policy change Latest targets seen as low-level foreign fighters WASHIngtOn ReuteRS

The US resumption of drone strikes against militant targets in Pakistan does not signal an improvement in deeply frayed relations between Washington and Islamabad, US officials and experts said on Wednesday.

In the first such attack since November 17, at least four militants were killed by missiles fired from an unmanned US drone at a house on outskirts of Miranshah in North Waziristan, Pakistani security and intelligence officials said. Current and former US government officials familiar with the drone programme said the apparent lull in attacks since November represented no major change in US policy governing drone use. US officials insisted there was no formal decision to suspend drone attacks after the wayward November 26 attack. Officials said that while the operating practices of the drone programme had evolved overtime, the timing of the attacks was based on the availability of adequate targeting intelligence and the suit-

ability of flying conditions and did not depend on the ups and downs of US-Pak ties.

But one former US official who has advised President Barack Obama on policy in the region did not discount the possibility the most recent lull in drone attacks might have been calculated, at least in part, to “cool tempers” in Pakistan following the November incident. Officials and experts in Washington said the militants targeted in Wednesday’s air strike were believed to be “foreign fighters” of Arab and possibly also Uzbek extraction.

None of the militants killed fit the description of “high-value” targets, US sources said, meaning they were not believed to be leaders of al Qaeda, the Taliban or related militant groups.

ADVANCE NOtICE uNLIKELY: Current and former US and Pakistani government officials and advisers said it was extremely unlikely the US gave Pakistani authorities advance notice of Wednesday’s drone strike, although Pakistan may have been notified either at the time of, or shortly after, the attack.

The former Obama adviser said that in every

case he knew of before 2007 where the US gave Pakistan notice of a drone strike, targeted militants fled the target location before the drones hit. As a consequence, the former official said, Washington stopped giving Islamabad warning of drone strikes, although intelligence officials from the two countries sometimes shared intelligence on possible drone strike targets. The former official said there was no reason to believe such collaboration occurred in preparing the latest drone attack.

Current and former US officials said that in the wake of the November attack, the US was forced by Pakistani authorities to evacuate an airstrip in Pakistan it used previously to stage drone operations. Some officials said the CIA was well-placed to continue drone operations unfettered from other bases - principally believed to be in Afghanistan. But a former US official said the Pakistan airstrip did provide the US with backup capability, particularly for operations during the bad weather season beginning in mountainous Afghanistan.

which was a source of concern for the farmers. They said keeping in view the level of losses they had to confront, five percent in royalty was not enough.

next likely indian army chief facing murder charges ISLAMABAD app

Lt Gen Bikram Singh, currently the senior most lieutenant general of the Indian army, who has been tipped to replace army chief VK Singh, is facing a murder charge in the Indian-Held Kashmir High Court.

Bikram is allegedly involved in staging a 2001 shootout in Kashmir in which the Indian army claimed to have killed a foreign militant, but later a case was filed in the IHK High Court, claiming that the man killed was not a foreign militant, but a resident of Machil area of IHK. Bikram was then brigading the 5 Sector Rashtriya Rifles unit headquartered Islamabad district of the occupied territory. The shootout took place in Janglat Mandi under Bikram Singh’s control.

Later, a writ petition filed by a Kashmiri woman, Zaituna, had said the youth, killed in the March 1, 2001, shootout was not a foreign

militant and in fact, was Zaituna’s son Abdullah Butt.

When the incumbent army chief, VK Singh’s attention was brought to the writ petition filed by a Kashmiri mother against Bikram, he refused to comment.

“The report about Bikram Singh is not with us. When it comes to us, we will let you know,” the army chief told reporters in New Delhi.

The petition seeks investigation into the case and exhumation of the youth for DNA test. “The photographs of the victim taken by police must also be shown to the family for identification,” the petitioner said.

The court in its order on Oct 13, 2011, asked the puppet administration of Omar Abdullah and Indian Defence Ministry to file their responses to the petition and sought all records pertaining to the case for perusal.

Asked if the allegations could affect the chances of Bikram for the top job, the army chief said, “I have got no clue on this.”

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

Editor’s mail 11

Mine blasts – killing innocents in Balochistan Landmines in Balochistan pose a serious and ongoing threat to civilians.

These can be found along roads, tracks, fields, deserts, railway tracks, in and around settlements and schools, and in other public places. They deny access to food, water, and other basic needs, and inhibit freedom of movement of the local inhabitants. They also hamper the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Few days back a young boy was injured while walking along a main road in Dera Bugti district. The mines have been indiscriminately planted by the so-called ‘liberation fighters’ in many areas of the Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts to target law enforcement agencies’ personnel and their tribal opponents.

One of the worst incidents took place in April 2006, when at least 29 members of a marriage party were killed after a tractor trolley carrying these people to the town of Rakhni, hit an anti-tank landmine at Gujji Nullah. Most of the vic-

tims were women and children. The bridegroom was among those injured.

The route between Rakhni and the town of Bekar, frequently used by paramilitary troops, had been heavily mined by tribal militants loyal to the miscreants’ leader Brahamdad Bugti.

These lethal munitions have triggered a strong sense of fear in the inhabitants of the area. They know that they are walking and working in mined areas but are forced to live there as there are no alternatives. When land cannot be cultivated, when medical systems are drained by the cost of attending to frequent landmine casualties, and when country must spend money clearing mines rather than paying for education, it is clear that these weapons not only cause appalling human suffering, they are also a lethal barrier to development of the province.

Mine clearance is carried out by engineer personnel of the army and FC and they are reported to have conducted de-

Arms-twisting won’t work mining operations in the area of Chamalang in 2007 and 2009, clearing thousands of anti-vehicle and anti-personal mines. These mines had been laid after a dispute over the ownership of coalmines area between the Marri and Luni tribes. In the past six months alone, there have been 17 mine blasts killing 10 persons and injuring 21 in Dera Bugti district alone.

The criminal elements involved in planting these mines are seldom apprehended. They feel no remorse for inadvertently targeting their tribe mates and innocent children. The landmines laid by them obviously cannot discriminate between friends and foe and innocent individuals keep falling victims.

The individuals who get injured due to activation of these mines are actually worse than those who get killed. Loosing limbs and getting crippled for lifetime is definitely a bitter ordeal to bear. Shouldn’t the individuals involved in planting

the mines in populated areas and along roadsides be called ruthless criminals?

Do they deserve to be called ‘humans’ at all?

In addition to land mines, growing incidents of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) explosions have rendered Balochistan a dreadful region, with 1,424 terrorist incidents reported during last three years (2009-2011). The country has suffered the most through the use of IEDs by terrorists and militants as 2,073 security forces personnel and civilians have been killed in 2,053 IED attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan both.

The phenomenon is resulting into orphan children and impoverished families who do not even know why such catastrophe is unleashed on them. They are the innocent sufferers of the wreckless criminals.

PROF AFRAZ AHMED Islamabad

Another Double Shah While the first Double Shah has met his end by being sentenced to a long imprisonment, our second Double Shah of irrigation ie, Jamaat Ali Shah has escaped to Canada inspite of being placed on the ECL. This Shah had been hanging around the neck of Pakistan like a millstone for the past 15 years and playing a pro-Indian role in our water rights under the Indus basin treaty with colossal losses to Pakistan. His soft pedalling of our water rights facilitated India to build scores of dams on the western rivers in Indian-held Kashmir while delaying our water projects in our part of Kashmir.

Unfortunately, no one cares to find out the machinations of this second Double Shah who fleeced the nation with his anti-state policies while the engineers also became silent spectators of the wily game. The successive governments must share the blame for their collective criminal neglect.

DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI Lahore

Fertilisers and crops

Awareness among citizens It is very upsetting to find that most of the citizens are unaware of the legal structure applicable. The law of the land is mostly defined by the cop standing on the side of the road. The common man has to pay the price for the ignorance and faces difficulties in courts and police stations. It is imperative that along with reforming the police, the masses should be educated regarding their rights and workings of the legal system.

YASIR HAMEED Islamabad 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.

It would be appreciated if letters were addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively.

Pakistan’s ban on NATO supplies is the longest blockade by far since the start of the Afghan war in 2001. It blocked the supply trucks from entering Afghanistan since Nov 26, the day Americans killed 24 Pakistan soldiers at the Salala check post.

The only public signs so far are that the border will continue to remain closed indefinitely. On January 6, the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Mian Raza Rabbani, said the embargo would remain so long as relations with NATO remain fraught. The attack was taken by the entire nation as a symbol of deteriorating trust between the two WOT allies.

Pakistani diaspora believes that America needs to be made to understand that its arm-twisting tactics, like withholding $800 million committed aid for the war on the terror, won't work. The Pakistan government must work out comprehensive terms of engagement, based on the actual cost, economic as well as sociopolitical to Pakistan, both in short and long term for joining hands with America for the so-called war on terror, getting written agreement before facilitating NATO for free ride, just for pep-talk. However, the government of Pakistan must keep in mind ground realities and the level as to what extent it can go in terms of blocking the supply route and in terms of giving the NATO permission to resume its supplies.

ALYA ALVI Rawalpindi

the clash of institutions The verdict on 10 January on NRO has clarified any ambiguity as to why the Supreme Court was insistent on hurrying up in finalising the electoral lists. The court has given the federal government six options to choose, ranging from declaring the sitting president, prime minister and several others as ineligible from holding public office (means immediate dismissal) to go back to people to decide (means new elections).

When last year in December, Pakistan’s Supreme Court expressed its concerns on the slow pace of finalising voter lists, some people questioned court’s interest in this matter.

The court asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to complete the task by 23 February 2012 as if to go for elections in March. As general elections were at least a year away (due in March 2013), it was surprising to note court’s such intense interest. But, the current scenario has just straightened everything up for all.

One could presume that the country is heading towards a serious conflict among its most important institutions wherein judiciary and army are taking a joint stand against the executive. One could also presume that the establishment has made up its mind to go for Bangladesh model (wherein judiciary is to run the government with army’s support for a certain period of time). These self-centred and short-vision verdicts and decisions may lead to nothing but further chaos and deterioration of an already fragile economy.

Pakistan’ issues are widespread terrorism, religious extremism, lack of energy resources, natural calamities, unchecked population growth, not Memogate and NRO. But this is not the first time the institutions are bent upon dismantling the very basis of peoples’ will.

MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arab

The fertiliser manufacturing industry has been cut short of the gas supply, therefore leaving the farmers with a dearth. Farmers claim that their land is losing fertility. The gas shortage is the culprit. Pakistan’s agriculture sector is country’s backbone. Our survival is impossible without it.

Crop production has not only been an input resource for the industrial sector in Pakistan but it has also been one of the major exports, bringing in substantial foreign exchange. Textile and leather etc are dependent products of agriculture sector, play a crucial role in the economic growth of the country.

Pakistan’s land has got valuable natural asset, bestowing its people with a wide variety of food products and other supplies. Some favourable aspects of the agriculture sector are as follows: 27 percent of geographical area is being cultivated while 80 percent of the area under cultivation is also irrigated.

Some 8.9 million hectares of cultivable area exists as waste land whereas it contributes 23 percent of GDP, and a 44 percent of country’s labour force is employed in the agriculture sector.

I would like the concerned authorities to take action before it’s too late.

This industry is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. If this industry suffers, the whole Pakistan’s economy will suffer.

MOHAMMAD AMMAD Karachi

The Afghanistan factor

By Sajjad Malik

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ast year was terrible for Pak-US relations which are in a state of free fall since a US contractor, Raymond Davis, gunned down two people in Lahore in January. Killing of Osama bin Laden in a covert action in May added insult to injuries. As it was not enough, NATO air strikes in Mohmand killed 24 Pakistan soldiers. One can hardly think of a tally of issues ripping the two allies apart and en-

dangering their "common" fight against violent extremisms. With this heavy baggage and decades of mistrust, the new year can prove as difficult as 2011 which has slowly slipped into history.

Leaving aside the historical problems since Pakistan embraced the US in mid1950s, let us concentrate on the more compelling realties of immediate past and future, which are more important.

The basic difference is over the future of Afghanistan. Pakistan considers its western neighbour as its backyard and fears that a non-friendly government there will pose a permanent threat to its national security. Its apprehensions are partially historical when it had to face a hostile government in Kabul soon after independence in 1947.

That is why at the first opportunity after Soviet invasion in 1979, Pakistan looked for allies in Afghanistan, picked whosoever was available and wholeheartedly supported them in the jihad of ’80s.

It made repeated efforts to install a government of choice after Soviet pullout but failed. Frustrated, finally it helped create Taliban and put them in the saddle at Kabul. It was ironic: Pakistan had done

what British and Russians could not do, and the American are finding almost impossible to do.

Pakistan's love for hardliner Taliban was not simply due to any pious reasons; it was just realpolitick as part of efforts to bring pliant rulers in Afghanistan to secure the western plank in case of war with India, which over the years remains the main source of paranoia. Pakistan felt quite secure after Taliban regime and began the next part of the strategy to force India for deal on Kashmir by extending support to Islamic fighters in the occupied territory.

Before the new policy could bear any fruits, the 9/11 happened and everything changed. I doubt that the planners in Rawalpindi have had thought of any such eventuality, otherwise they had some backup plans to save the Taliban government. Later, when Pakistan was forced to join the war on terror, it conveniently forgot the mullahs in Afghanistan, till the new twist in the events due to US invasion of Iraq and fierce resistance by the militants also provided encouragement to the militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Pakistan and US were on the same

page in the early years of war against terrorism, but the problems started when US started thinking about the future setup in Afghanistan. In addition to many other elements discomforting for Pakistan, like creation of a sizeable Afghan National Army and other institutions of national security, the new plan had carefully carved out a sphere of influence for India.

Given Pakistan's apprehensions about designs of its eastern neighbour, it slowly started reacting in its own way. The following years saw Pakistan and US slowly moving away and then blaming each other. Now, after over ten years of war and destruction in Afghanistan, the main bone of contention between the two is who will get what in the spoils of government after the US hands over the country to the locals, and how much influence India will enjoy over the new rulers of Kabul.

The US strongly feels that leaving Afghanistan at the sole mercy of Pakistan after the withdrawal of western troops will move things back to pre-9/11 days which will not only be dangerous for the world peace but it will give undue leverage to Pakistan over its weaker neighbour. There is a strong feeling in the US administration

that Pakistan’s future influence should be checkmated for stability in the region and only a country with the Indian size and stature can do the job. So, they took great pains and spent a lot of energy during the last many years in building Indian image as a rising power with legitimate interests in regional stability and Afghanistan security.

Unfortunately, Pakistan has done little to improve its image and finds not many buyers of its argument about interests in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the US interests in Afghanistan and its mistrust of Pakistan remains unchanged.

Same is true about Pakistan's feeling towards Washington. The new year can bring a change in the ties if both sides create space for each other by showing sensitivity towards real interests. Otherwise, let us brace for another terrible year of relations and who will be happier than the militants, which once both the countries had joined hands to eliminate.

The writer is Islamabad based senior correspondent for a foreign newswire and PhD scholar at NDU. He can be reached at sajjmalik@yahoo.com

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12 Comment They come in threes The government’s tribulations

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t is three fronts that the government faces today. First, the military, whose sabre-rattling, never too subtle at the best of times, reached a new high with the ISPR press release that warned the prime minister of “grievous consequences for the nation.” Second, the courts, whose incessant pursuit of the government - and, seemingly, the government alone - has reached a crescendo of its own; not only is there the NRO case where the supreme court, exasperated by government inaction, spelled out the six options it would consider, each as unpalatable as the other - but there is also the memo case, which contains within it the ingredients of some serious discord. Third, there is the political opposition, ever ready to pounce on anything they can find.

The first front contains the threat of an all too familiar script, one that has played itself out four times through the course of our history and all four times (except, perhaps, the first) it had been ruled out by analysts on the argument that coups were a thing of the past. The second front contains the threat of an institution, having flexed its newly found muscles, deciding now to swing one for the fences. And the third front contains the threat of conflagrated protests. And then there is the snafu of a hybrid, where one provides the muscle, the other takes care of the whole de jure thing and the third takes care of the streets.

So far, the government has navigated these choppy waters well. Most adept it has been with the opposition, which it has played like a violin. Second, the judiciary, whose directives it has responded to in the past with a “go slow” that even the mightiest of labour unions would not have managed. And third, the military, which it has tried to kill with kindness, first by giving key extensions and second, by letting Abbottabad slide over completely.

In the current impasse with the judiciary, the government has finally given signs of softening up on the issue of writing the letter to the Swiss authorities. Not only is this a wise move, it is also the correct move; whatever one might make of the court’s motives, it is still the free court and any refusal to comply with its directives would be contemptuous.

The government seems to be trying to mend fences with the army by placing the blame for the misunderstanding on the defence secretary. Furthermore, the premier said the army chief had taken him into confidence about the ISPR press release before its publication.

Lastly, with the opposition, it is going to take them into confidence in parliament. If it fails to make them or the more wily members of the coalition see reason, it would try to set them off against each other, if at all; the real baptism of fire in our unfortunate republic is the first two fronts.

Isolated And increasingly so…

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nwise foreign policy decisions have led to a situation where Pakistan’s relations with the US are all time low and the country is out of loop over the Afghan peace talks. Ambassador Sherry Rehman has already presented her credentials in Washington and met both Marc Grossman and Secretary Clinton. What happened to her predecessor would however restrain her from making any move unless it is cleared by Rawalpindi which dictates major foreign policy decisions. With uncertainty prevailing in Islamabad, one is not sure how long it will take the government to recover from the jolts it has received. The country’s interests in Afghanistan meanwhile continue to go unheeded.

Clear about its goals, the Bush administration is pursuing its agenda with single-mindedness. The series of secret talks it has held with the Taliban in Germany and Qatar since 2010 have led to the religious militia setting up their office in Doha. The talks were suspended in December on account of objections from Karzai, who too is determined to ensure that his interests are not harmed. By boycotting the Bonn conference and dissociating with the trilateral talks, Pakistan has meanwhile painted itself into a corner.

The attack on Salala checkpost resulting in the killing of 24 Pakistani soldiers is highly condemnable but it should not have led Pakistan to isolate itself from the Afghan talks. Many times more Pakistani soldiers have been killed by the TTP which has vowed to continue the attacks on Pakistan army. It is highly anomalous that negotiations with the militants were not suspended. There is a need to review the policy, normalise relations with the US and once again become an active partner in the tripartite talks. Unless this is done Pakistan will turn into a bystander unable to influence the events in its neighbourhood.

That Marc Grossman’s tour next week does not seem to have a stopover in Pakistan indicates this has started happening. Again despite our protests, the drone attacks have started after nearly two months. Any threat to democracy in Pakistan would further push the country to isolation. It is in Pakistan’s vital interests not to allow this to happen.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

Safety in conformity? an insider's perspective on how news channels work

By Fahd Husain

T

he ISPR press release on Wednesday landed in channel newsrooms like a bombshell and the shrapnel was plastered on TV screens for the world to see. Was the hype unnecessary? Did the media jump the gun by shouting fire in a crowded theatre? And perhaps more significantly, did it have a choice?

To find an answer, we need to delve deeper into the workings of the media and what makes it tick.

In many ways, the media – and specifically television – is locked in an internal struggle between journalistic responsibility and commercial requirements. The intense, and often brutal, competition among channels for ratings is driving content. Journalism and commercialisation do not always need to be in conflict with each other, and there are ways to make them coexist harmoniously. In Pakistan, however, the electronic media has been unable so far to find a happy balance.

Here's why: the burgeoning demand for content among the viewers has forced channels to pump in human and capital resources in news gathering and opinion programming. Money can buy high-tech equipment, but it cannot produce a trained workforce overnight.

Over the years, the bigger channels have invested in training programmes, but it is extremely difficult to train journalists when they are also stuck in a 24/7 news cycle. So what we have is world class equipment and technology in the hands of those who by no standards have world class journalistic expertise.

The result is a compromise. Let's use the technology to dazzle the viewer.

First, fast and furious, with slick graphics, dramatic music and often hysterical reporters and anchors. In the race for maximum eyeballs, (almost) everything is kosher. Consequently, a strange dichotomy in logic and rhetoric emerges: what media says to the viewer is often in variance with what it says to itself in internal meetings.

In public debates, it is the social responsibility of the media which comes out as the highest professional requirement of the industry. Media, it is often argued, is the fourth pillar of the state and in this capacity has a huge responsibility in reforming society. Increasingly, the media is seen as a 'player' and not as an observer, which is its traditional role. It is not a bystander silently recording events for posterity, but a willing and eager participant in the shaping of these events. In a way, the

growing power and influence of the media in Pakistan also signifies a society in constant dialogue and debate with itself. The cacophony of voices, screaming, shouting, accusing, complaining, berating and browbeating, all these are signs of a positive flux in society; a desire to hear and be heard. By providing such a platform, the media has enabled all those who were always talked down to by the ruling class, to talk back.

All this sounds very noble. But is it?

High ideals about social reform are all well and good but down in the media trenches they are far from the minds of those who are running the media machine. They are all locked into a system whose bottomline is the traditional bottomline: revenues. Whenever a situation pits revenue-generation against ethical journalism, the former wins. This message has resonated loud and clear in all media organisations. And the message is: sell content regardless of what it is.

Shock, grief, joy, misery, scandal - sell it all and sell it hard.

This classic conflict is essentially between the journalist and the marketing executive. The journalist eyes the story, the marketeer eyes the revenue; the journalist looks for social impact, the marketeer at the financial and commercial impact; the journalist has a responsibility to society, the marketeer to his boss's balance sheet. In newsrooms across the world, such a conflict plays out on a regular basis. In more mature news organisations, the top management always tries to find a balance, knowing well that selling content is not the same as selling soap.

But like all nascent industries, the media in Pakistan is also happy to find the shortest route to commercial success. With proprietors exerting undue editorial weight, news organisations in Pakistan are often groaning under agenda-driven pressure, forced to set priorities to tailor to non-professional demands and requirements. The newfound influence of the owners and managers makes it hard for them to resist becoming a player instead of being an honest observer. And players take sides.

Is this the death of conventional journalism in Pakistan? Death only comes after a life lived. TV news media has not lived this conventional life, and has leapfrogged to a stage which channels in the West got to after decades of evolution during which their institutional systems and their managements matured enough to maintain the noble standards of their profession while keeping a watchful eye on their balance sheet.

One manifestation of such journalistic deficiencies is the tendency in Pakistani channels to follow the market

leader. There is a reason why almost all channels have increasingly begun to resemble each other in content and presentation. The logic is: if it works for the market leader, it will work for us. From news bulletins to "one plus three" talk shows, to tickers and breaking news graphics, and even to animated political song sequences, the tyranny of conformity is on full display. No one wants to break away from the pack because no one wants the financial risk.

This has deep consequences. Conformity reinforces groupthink, which in turn is encouraged by top managers in a bid to minimise risk. The broad lesson filters down the ranks of the media organisation. Ever think why all reporters speak like each other? Ever think why most news anchors mimic each other?

Ever wonder why most talk shows look similar? Now you know.

People at large tend to think of the media as a monolith, as a single large organisation which coordinates and cooperates with each other to produce a single common narrative. This could not be further from the truth. Locked in a fierce competition, there is hardly any coordination between channels. But the viewers cannot be blamed, because what they see is often a single narrative. The reason: conformism.

This year saw media conformism burnishing itself even deeper. The "big story" like the OBL raid, or Memogate hardly saw any exclusives being aired. A few snippets here and there added some spice but by and large the coverage remained bland. Opinions differed and hence talk shows retained audiences, but then opinions are easy, facts are not.

Except for a handful of major channels which produced some original content, the other channels just added to the noise on the airwaves. But they are still making enough money to stay afloat, which remains a mystery.

Most original content which we see now falls outside the purview of conventional journalism: re-enacted crime stories, reality shows, political satire and celebrity-driven chat shops. This may not be a bad thing, but what it does show is that news and current affairs are gradually running out of creativity and originality.

A scary realisation given that the nation is preparing for a general election which will be the most televised one in Pakistan's history.

The writer hosts a primetime talk show on ARY News. He has worked as Director News of Express News and Dunya News and Editor The News, Islamabad. He can be reached at fahd.husain1@gmail.com or on Twitter: @fahdhusain

Regional press

Pakistan cannot be excluded Daily Khabroona

P

akistan has made a concerted effort for lasting peace in the war-ravaged Afghanistan throughout the crisis that has engulfed the country for the last few decades.

It has also exhibited its commitment to help out the country in any way possible. The biggest proof of this cooperation and effort (amongst others) on the part of Pakistan is to accommodate refugees from the neighbouring country for almost thirty-years now. Pakistan is still ready to play a role for the political stability of Afghanistan despite the constant levelling of allegations by the Afghan government against the former.

A Taliban office has been set up at Qatar that has made it clear that both America and the Afghan government have

realised that the issues of terrorism and law and order can only be addressed through talks instead of just the blind use of power.

However, there is no doubt that until Pakistan is a part of the talks between America and Taliban, these talks cannot bear fruitful results. The provincial information minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, has also said that Pakistan must be included in the efforts for peace in Afghanistan because in the wake of 9/11 and American war on terror in Afghanistan, people from Pakistan in general and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in particular have rendered unprecedented sacrifices and have cooperated sincerely with both America and Afghanistan in the war against terror.

– Translated from the original Pashto by Abdur Rauf Khattak

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

Ominous signs?

Statesmanship not brinkmanship

Cross Currents

By Qudssia Akhlaque

A

s Pakistan's power titans, the government, the army and the judiciary, seemingly come to blows, it is now free for all. Political moves emanate from all sides conveying a sense of crisis. The ongoing power tussle in Pakistan is ominous and full of contradictions. A battle between the so-called democratic and patriotic forces is being fought, depending on which side of the divide you are on, in the national or enlightened self-interest, throwing the nation yet again on the path of uncertainty and a state of confusion.

It signals trouble when the channels of communication between the government and key state institutions almost break down and they begin to talk at each other through the media, public pronouncements and press releases. There are reports that General Parvez Kayani has boycotted all official banquets and dinners given by the prime minister and the president. The prime minister himself went through the China daily to let the army chief and the DG ISI know that they had violated the rules of business in filing their affidavits on the memo case directly to Supreme Court. The army chief, however according to the PM did call him to inform him that he would be responding publicly to his allegation. And then he did through the ISPR. It seems to be the end of trust between at least, the government and the army.

The Gilani-led PPP’s coalition government which started on a wise reconciliation note in 2008 has been pushed by certain events and ill counsel into open confrontation with key pillars of the state. The government has become totally defiant to the point

that the Supreme Court appears to have been compelled to consider if the prime minister has violated his oath. It is desperately looking for ways to win as it clashes with the army, judiciary and the opposition.

People are yet again confused and exasperated as the media hypes up the crisis through its conspiracy theories and predictions of a doomsday scenario.

It is all out in the open now.

The PM took the floor of the house last month to inquire who granted OBL the visa for his sixyear stay in Pakistan, a veiled but pointed attack on the military institutions that was prompted by the heat of the Memogate scandal.

He went on to declare that no institution would be allowed to act as a state within the state. This resulted in the army chief not attending the state banquet hosted in honour of a visiting Chinese dignitary. Subsequently, the prime minister took on the army and criticised it through Chinese media for having acted illegally and unconstitutionally on the Memogate issue. Incidentally, the statement was made when the army chief was visiting China.

Hence Gilani’s statement was read as an attempt to undermine his official visit. As expected the army chief hit back at the chief executive on return and a press release issued by the ISPR warned that the PM’s statement to the Chinese online daily had “very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences”. To make matters worse, the PM sacked the defence secretary for gross misconduct and illegal action.

The government is crying foul over the apex court’s order on non-implementation of the NRO judgment. The order includes warning of stringent action against the president as well as the prime minister and has led to a tsunami of interpretations from legal and political pundits. A political and conspiratorial colouring has been given to what must be read as a purely legal matter.

On the NRO issue, the PPP’s foulmouthed and ever combative jiyala Babar Awan, now rewarded with the party’s vice presidency, is seen as largely responsible for the mess this government has landed itself in - the demolition man who

is at the forefront of repeatedly ridiculing the judiciary and complicating matters.

The fact is all have skeletons in their cupboards and now they have all come to stare them in their faces as they make devious moves and opt for selective accountability on all fronts. All are now haunted by their own actions, inactions and rash reactions.

The hope that the much polluted air would be cleared and ceasefire be declared between bickering government and state institutions at the reportedly planned meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet was also dashed on Wednesday after the ISPR statement warning the PM. The meeting stands cancelled in yet another knee-jerk reaction.

The government and all state institutions need to behave maturely. They owe it to the nation.

Being in a state of denial or indulging in a blame game will further complicate matters and weaken Pakistan as a state. Good governance, dialogue and fair play are the only way forward. We have had enough of political pointscoring, bickering, brinkmanship and clashing of institutions. It is time for some statesmanship to steer the country out of this current mess. Guardians of the constitution, defenders of the country’s borders and upholders of justice cannot afford to be at war with each other. Egos have to be set aside, issues and differences addressed in a dignified manner. Rule of law must be allowed to prevail in the true spirit of the constitution and not selectively but across the board. The doctrine of necessity is history now. Finally in this critical and challenging time, the media also needs to act more responsibly. TV Channels in their race for better ratings must not run with out-ofcontext breaking news and causing increased anxiety among an already distraught public.

The writer is a senior journalist and has been a diplomatic correspondent for leading dailies.

She was an Alfred Friendly Press Fellow at The Chicago Tribune in the US and a Press Fellow at Wolfson College, Cambridge, UK. She can be reached via email at qudssia@hotmail.com

Comment 13

Politicking over the lokpal of pushing partisan agendas

border Crossing

By Kuldip nayar

H

ow different are the dynamics of people’s politics from the dynamics of electoral politics was clear by the turn the bill to constitute the institution of Lokpal (Ombudsman) to deal with corruption took in the Indian parliament.

The first, dependent on the popular support, got nowhere. But the second, dictated by number game, succeeded because the political parties could interpret the status quo, the non-passage of the Lokpal bill, in the way it suited them electorally.

When Gandhian Anna Hazare was on fast and thousands were on the streets, the Lok Sabha passed the sense of the house resolution to promise an act to cover the three points: 1.

Citizen’s Charter including his right to have water and electricity; 2. the lower bureaucracy under Lokpal and (3) establishment of Lokayuktas in the states. The bill has conceded only one point, that is, the appointment of State Ombudsman (Lokayukta). And the government continues to retain the control of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

When the resolution was adopted, the dynamics of people’s politics worked. Subsequently, the same house accepted a watered down bill because Anna was not on a fast and the people were only watching the outcome of the debate in parliament. There was no pressure on the government.

Still something worse happened in the Rajya Sabha because the bill emerging from the Lok Sabha was not even put to vote. True, the house had consumed the day, till midnight in speeches alone. But the manner in which the chairman, VicePresident Hamid Ansari ad-

journed the house sine die leaves many questions unanswered. The government could have extended the session but did not.

Whatever the government’s compulsions, it was a betrayal of the Lok Sabha resolution. That was because the dynamics of electoral politics took over when the bill was not going through in the Rajya Sabha, each party calculating how many seats it would get in Punjab, UP, Uttrakhand, Goa and Manipur.

There is a lesson for those who have put their faith in people’s politics. I recall the warning I gave on suspending the agitation. My fear, justified now, was that the momentum of demonstrations would be difficult to rebuild once stalled.

Today, the impression that has gone around is that those leading the movement are whimsical, switching it off and on too often.

Now that the strategy is being reworked, it would be counter-productive to clutter people’s mind with too many details on the weaknesses of the bill. Let the movement concentrate on one point: Independence of the CBI. The agency cannot be under the government which uses it as a political instrument. Cases have been followed, dropped or kept in abeyance, depending on the support the government needed from a political party at a particular time. The Manmohan Singh coalition is not alone to blame.

It was the same story when Atal Behari Vajpayee of BJP was the prime minister or Narasimha Rao. The weakening of the movement has once again thrown up the same old question: Should people’s movements continue to stay away from participating in elections? So far they have kept themselves out. Some argue that the gamut of polls is so much ridden by money and caste that the people’s movements would have to make compromises if they propose to contest. Yet in a democratic polity, there is no running away from elections.

The state assemblies and parliament are manned by the representatives of people who choose them through the ballot box.

Representatives are the arbiters.

Should the pressure on them be from outside with uncertain or limited results or should ‘we the people,’ as the constitution’s preamble says, give the country an alternative which would be from the grassroots. Both the Congress and the BJP, the two main parties for the last three decades, have failed the people.

Their agenda is power which for them is the end by itself.

Gandhian Jayaprakash Narayan who successfully ousted the Indira Gandhi government, constituted the Janata Party which won a majority in the Lok Sabha. He too had first confined himself to the agitation alone. He met the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to beseech her to deal with corruption and the use of large sums of money in elections. She said that her party had no money and that it was fighting against corruption ruthlessly. The Congress has taken more or less the same line today. The only difference is that the Manmohan Singh government has brought to parliament an apology of a bill to show that it was committed to dealing with corruption.

Mahatama Gandhi fought against the British through electoral system, however weak and limited. And he had to have the Congress party as an instrument to push the freedom struggle.

He was not the party’s member because he wanted to build man so that he or she would rise above personal gain for the good of society. He failed but won independence.

Anna may not be a Mahatma Gandhi or a Jayaprakash Narayan. But Anna has come to represent people’s resentment against corruption and all that they suffer in their daily life. He does not have to go after one party. He transcends parties and parochial politics. He is pursuing an ideal which should remain unsullied because that is an ideal. All NGOs should help his movement, however impossible some of his team members.

A failure of people’s movement is the failure of the principle of peaceful protest against misgovernance or non-governance.

The nation cannot afford to lose.

The writer is a senior Indian journalist.

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14 Foreign News

Friday, 13 January, 2012

Furious Iran wants action over scientist’s killing g

Israeli military spokesman says he’s unaware who carried out the killing but ‘I am definitely not shedding a tear’ tEHRAn

T

afp

HE assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist sparked deep fury in Tehran on Thursday against prime suspect Israel and against the United States, which said it had nothing to do with the murder.

Some hardline newspapers even called for retaliatory action, with one, Keyhan, saying in an editorial that “assassinations of Israeli officials and military are achievable.”

The Iranian government’s reaction was just as angry, though more measured.

In a letter demanding a strong con-

troversial nuclear programme. Another, who now heads the country’s atomic energy organisation, escaped just in time.

Ahmadi Roshan was to be buried on Friday, after Iran’s traditional weekly Muslim prayers.

The latest attack dominated Iran’s media on Thursday.

Many outlets criticised what they said was the silence of the West over the killings. More conservative titles urged tit-for-tat covert action against Israel.

“The only way to finish with the enemy’s futile actions is retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s scientist,” the Resalat newspaper said on its front page.

“It is legal under international law to retaliate for the killing of the nuclear scientist,” the Keyhan daily said. “The Is-

demnation from the UN Security Council, it said it had evidence unnamed “foreign quarters” were behind the killing of scientist Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old deputy director of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility died when two riders on a motor bike drove by his car trapped in Tehran’s rushhour traffic and slapped onto it a magnetic bomb that directed a deadly blast inside the vehicle.

The blast also killed Ahmadi Roshan’s driver/bodyguard and wounded a third occupant of the Peugeot 405.

The attack was similar to four others that have occurred in Tehran in the past two years. Three scientists died, at least two of whom also worked on Iran’s con-

lamic republic has gathered much experience in 32 years, thus assassinations of Israeli officials and military members are achievable,” it added.

Protests called for Thursday in front of the French, German and British embassies were cancelled because of lack of authorisation, the Fars news agency reported. It added they would be now be held sometime after Friday’s funeral.

The British embassy has been closed since demonstrators angry at Western sanctions ransacked it at the end of November 2011. The United States and Israel do not have diplomatic ties with Iran.

The French embassy is operating on reduced staff.

On Wednesday, Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi, the foreign min-

egypt’s triumphant Brotherhood eyes political credibility

Al-Qaeda warns against hostage rescue bid RABAt afp

Al-Qaeda’s north African branch warned Western states including France Thursday against a military bid to rescue hostages kidnapped in Mali, citing “information” of plans for such an operation.

“We send a warning to France, Britain, the Netherlands and Sweden: if they authorise this operation it will mean the death of their nationals and amount to an attempt on their lives,” it said in a statement in Arabic. “According to information we have received, the alliance of crusaders led by France which supports certain regimes like those of Algeria and Mauritania, is preparing an imminent military operation to free their hostages.” The statement was emailed to AFP in Rabat and carried by the ANI news agency in Mauritania which has published several AQIM statements in the past. These have never been disclaimed.

“We would like to state that we are searching a peaceful solution to this issue of the hostages,” it added. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), has claimed the kidnapping last November of two Frenchmen in the northern Malian town of Hombori, and another three Westerners a day later in Timbuktu, also in the north of the West African nation. Frenchmen Philippe Verdon and Serge Lazarevic, who described themselves as a geologist and an engineer but were later identified as having had ties with mercenaries, were taken from their hotel in the middle of the night. A day later, an armed gang snatched a Swede, a Dutchman and a man with dual BritishSouth African nationality from a restaurant on Timbuktu’s central square and killed a German with them who tried to resist.

CAIRO: Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is seeking to emerge as a credible and moderate force after marathon elections propelled it to the forefront of the political scene, analysts said on Thursday.

But the once-banned Brotherhood, which for decades pushed the slogan “Islam is the solution”, is being challenged by ultra-conservative Islamists and must adopt a a clear political programme and band with liberal parties, they said. The Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party claims to have won a crushing victory in Egypt’s three-phased parliamentary elections which wrapped on Wednesday, based on initial estimations. According to media reports, the FJP could clinch some 45 percent of seats in the parliament, which comprises 498 elected deputies and 10 appointed by the military council ruling Egypt since the ouster of president Hosni Mubarak.

“The FJP is trying to appear moderate and is adopting an appeasing tone as it strives to set up a coalition with other parties,” Cairo University political sciences professor Mustafa Kamel Sayyed told AFP. “To become lawmakers they will certainly need to cooperate with non-Islamist parties,” he said. On Wednesday the FJP won a much needed boost when its leaders held unprecedented talks with US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns at their Cairo headquarters. The meeting was the latest in a series of moves by the administration of President Barack Obama to reach out to the Brotherhood in a nod to Egypt’s new political reality. afp

india hunts ‘human zoo’ videographer NEW DELHI: India on Thursday said it was trying to track down those responsible for a video of naked tribal women dancing for tourists in the Andaman islands, where filming of aborigines is banned. British newspaper The Observer at the weekend released the undated video showing Jarawa tribal women being lured with food to dance and sing for visitors to the Andamans, which are Indian territory. “We are looking for the videographer (and) we are looking for the tour operator,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram said, after rights campaigners and politicians expressed outrage over the footage. “I have instructed the Andaman administration to quickly apprehend... the tour operator concerned and interrogate them,” he told reporters in New Delhi. Rights groups say many travel operators entice tourists to tribal habitats with the promise that they can photograph some of the world’s most reclusive aborigines. Chidambaram said the video “violated” Indian law, which bans any contact with the protected tribes on the tropical archipelago, some 1,200 kilometres (750 miles) from mainland India. afp

istry, lawmakers and other officials said Israel and the United States were behind the car-bomb attack.

Israel has largely remained silent, although military spokesman Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai said on his official Facebook page that, while he was unaware who carried out the killing, “I am definitely not shedding a tear.”

Israeli media highlighted comments

by Israel’s military chief of staff, Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, saying the day before the attack that 2012 would be a critical year for Iran, in part because of “things which happen to them (the Iranians) in an unnatural way.”

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday “categorically” denied any US involvement in the bombing.

Afghan district chief, four others killed in blast KABUL afp

LAGOS: A protester carries a placard reading ‘No Remove Subsidy Or Die Like Gaddaffi’ on the fourth day of protest against the scrapping of oil subsidy at Gani Fawehinmi Park on Thursday. AfP

Tortured Afghan child bride slowly recovering KABUL afp

The Afghan child bride who was tortured in an attempt to force her into prostitution is slowly recovering but is still hardly able to speak, a nurse told AFP during a visit to the girl’s bedside Thursday.

Sahar Gul, 15, who was burned and beaten and had her fingernails pulled out was found last month in the basement of her husband’s house in northeastern Baghlan province, where she had been locked in a toilet for six months. “Since the past few days, Gul can walk very slowly, she can eat and talk in a frail voice,” said nurse Latifa

Mirzad at the Wazir Akbar Khan hospital, as the bruised and battered girl looked on silently. “She is hardly able to speak of her ordeal but sometimes she says in a weak voice ‘my father in-law and motherin law have beaten me’.”

Gul’s case was taken directly to President Hamid Karzai by a delegation from the Afghan Women’s Network on Wednesday. “The president assured his full support to strictly punish the perpetrators of the crime against Sahar Gul so that nobody can commit such a crime in the future,” said the network’s Lema Anwari.

Karzai pledged in a statement after the delegation’s visit to take action against the

“cowardly” perpetrators of violence against women.

The president said that he always took measures as soon as he heard about cases of violence against women, and would continue to take the issue seriously so that the culprits were brought to justice.

According to figures in an Oxfam report in October, 87 percent of Afghan women report having experienced physical, sexual or psychological violence or forced marriage.

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission logged 1,026 cases of violence against women in the second quarter of 2011 compared with 2,700 cases for the whole of 2010.

A suicide car-bomber killed five people including a district governor and wounded 10 others near Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, officials said.

The bomber rammed his explosive-packed car into a vehicle carrying Panjwayi district governor Fazludin Agha, provincial spokesman Zalmay Ayobi told AFP. “Five people including the chief of Panjwayi district, his two sons and two bodyguards were killed in a suicide attack in Kandahar city today,” Ayobi said.

Nine of the 10 injured were policemen, he said. Taliban insurgents fighting the western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai claimed responsibility for the attack.

The governor worked as a Taliban official during the rule of the hardline Islamists from 1996 to 2001, but joined Karzai’s government soon after a US-led invasion toppled the regime in late 2001.

He was credited with having managed to convince dozens of Taliban fighters in the volatile province to lay down their arms, Ayobi said. But there are regular insurgent attacks in the area, known as the heartland of the Taliban, with the provincial police chief surviving a suicide bombing outside his fortified office on Wednesday.

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

Foreign News 15

Food prices hit record highs in 2011: UN agency PARIS afp

The price of basic foodstuffs hit a record high in 2011, with the cost of cereals surging by more than a third over the last 12 months, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation said on Thursday. The FAO said that its monthly Food Price Index averaged 228 points in 2011, the highest level since records began in 1990, although prices did slide by some 2.4 percent in December. The previous high was in 2008 at 200 points.

The Rome-based organisation said that its cereal price index -- which includes the cost of rice, wheat and maize -- averaged 247 points in 2011, up some 35 percent from 2010 and the highest since the 1970s. Meat prices in 2011 were 16 percent higher than in 2010 while dairy products such as milk and butter were on average 10 percent dearer, the FAO survey found.

The organisation said average prices were at their highest in February 2011 when the index hit 238 points.

December’s downturn continued a trend which was driven “by sharp falls in international prices of cereals, sugar and oils due to bumper 2011 crops coupled with slowing demand and a stronger US dollar”, it said. Most commodities were affected. Maize prices fell six percent over the course of the month, wheat was down four percent and rice three percent lower.

Abdolreza Abbassian, a grains specialist for the FAO, said that it was difficult to make any firm prediction on price trends for the year ahead.

“International prices of many food commodities have declined in recent months but given the uncertainties over the global economy, currency and energy markets, unpredictable prospects lie ahead,” Abbassian said.

Arab observers face tough mission in Syria: China CAIRO afp

China’s envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike on Thursday said Arab League observers were facing “difficulties” in Syria, urging the government and other factions there to cooperate with the monitors. Wu made the remarks after talks with Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi at the bloc’s Cairo headquarters, days after three monitors were slightly hurt in the Syrian coastal city of Latakia. “The Syrian government and other Syrian parties should provide suitable conditions to allow the observers to carry out their work,” Wu told reporters. He said the mission launched on December 26 has faced “some difficulties” and voiced regret for attacks in the past few days targeting observers in Syria.

HeBRON: Israeli settlers inspect their destroyed wooden houses in the unauthorised outpost of Mitzpe Avichai near the Kiryat Arba settlement in this west Bank city after the outpost was destroyed by the Israeli army on Thursday. AfP

Israel citizenship ruling slammed as ‘racist’ JERUSALEM

I

afp

SRAELI rights groups and MPs on Thursday denounced a court ruling upholding a law that prevents Palestinians married to Arab Israelis from obtaining Israeli citizenship or residency.

By contrast, the ruling was welcomed by Israeli rightwingers.

“It is a dark day for the protection of human rights and for the Israeli Supreme Court,” attorneys Dan Yakir and Oded Feller from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said in a statement.

ACRI was one of three rights groups that had appealed to the

Supreme Court over a law preventing the Palestinian spouses of Israeli citizens from obtaining either Israeli citizenship or residency.

At present, Palestinian men over 35 and women over 25 married to Israeli citizens can only obtain shortterm permits to be in Israel.

They have limited permission to work, but the permits must be regularly reviewed and they get no social benefits.

The petitioners said the law violated the right of Palestinians married to Arab Israelis to a family life, but in a late-night ruling, the Supreme Court said human rights could not override security concerns.

Six judges backed the controversial law, while five were opposed.

“Human rights are not a prescription for national suicide,” wrote Justice Asher Grunis, who is poised to become the next Supreme Court president. Yakir and Feller accused the court of stamping “its approval on a racist law, one that will harm the very texture of the lives of families whose only sin is the Palestinian blood that runs in their veins.”

In July 2003, parliament adopted a law limiting the right of non-nationals to residency in the Jewish state, blocking citizenship for Palestinians married to Arab Israelis.

Initially applicable for one year, the law was extended for security reasons but has been challenged by rights groups on more than one occasion.

Americans briefly held by Iraqi forces BAgHDAD afp

Four US embassy security staff were held by Iraqi forces Thursday over “suspicious” activity in central Baghdad but were released shortly after following an apparent misunderstanding, officials said. The two men and two women were driving a BMW with local licence plates, rather than diplomatic registration, and were all wearing flak jackets and armed with pistols and automatic weapons, said Baghdad provincial governor Salah Abdulrazzaq. “They (security forces) stopped them, they checked their (personal ID) badges, they found them suspicious,” he told AFP, adding the group had been stopped at 9:00 am (0600 GMT) in Baghdad’s central Sharchiyah neighbourhood. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the group made up of embassy staff were briefly stopped, but released shortly afterwards when their identification badges were verified. The four were not charged with any offence.

Twenty killed in Sunni, Shia clashes in Yemen g

Thousands of yemenis protest against Saleh immunity SAnAA afp

Twenty gunmen were killed Thursday in clashes between Zaidi Shia rebels and Sunni Salafist gunmen in northern Yemen, a security official said. Clashes erupted in the morning in the northwestern Hajjah province between rebel gunmen, known as Huthis, and Sunni extremists, the local official told AFP. The official said the gunfight took place in the city

of Mustaba, close to the Red Sea port city of Midi, at the border with Saudi Arabia. Other clashes erupted between the Sunni Waela tribe and Shiite rebels in the province of Saada, the stronghold of the rebels.

Fighting between the Sunni fundamentalists and the Huthi rebels had raged over the past months in the northern town of Dammaj, south of Saada, where a Salafist Islamic teaching school was besieged by Huthi rebels. At least 71 people were killed in clashes that erupted in mid-October, a spokesman for the Dar al-

Malaysian PM hopes for elections ‘soon’: report KUALA LUMPUR afp

Malaysia’s Prime Minister said he hoped to call elections soon, a report said Thursday, as speculation over a poll date heats up following the court acquittal of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. But in an interview with Dow Jones Newswires, PM Najib Razak said he would not call a general election until he had delivered on his recent promise to introduce democratic reforms. Najib must call polls by the spring of 2013, but speculation mounted this week that he may call them within months before the opposition is able to organise itself, following their leader’s court victory on Monday.

SANAA: A yemeni anti-regime protester shouts slogans during a rally on Thursday. AfP

Hadith school claimed in late December. The school trains Sunni preachers and believes in the strictest and most draconian interpretations of Islam.

In 2004, Zaidi Shias, who regularly complain of inequality and marginalisation by the central government, rebelled against President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime. Thousands of Yemenis were killed before a ceasefire was declared in February 2010.

Meanwhile, thousands of Yemenis demonstrated on Thursday in several cities voicing their rejection of a Gulf Arab deal to grant President Ali Abdullah Saleh immunity from prosecution, witnesses said.

In the capital Sanaa, protesters marched from Change Square, the focal point of almost a year of antiSaleh demonstrations, through Al-Siteen street, an AFP correspondent reported.

Other protests were held across the country rejecting the immunity law for Saleh and his aides, drafted on Sunday by the transitional government that was formed after Saleh signed a Gulf plan easing him out of office by the end of February.

Protesters want those accused of killing demonstrators to be brought to justice.

The parliament is yet to convene to ratify the law.

In November, Saleh signed the deal brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) aimed at ending the political crisis in the impoverished country.

Under the deal, he handed authority to Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, and the opposition formed a national unity government.

Saleh serves now as an honorary president until polls are held in February to elect Hadi as his successor. A bloody crackdown on anti-Saleh demonstrations that erupted in January 2011 has claimed hundreds of lives. Rights groups have slammed the immunity law, while UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said anyone who had committed abuses during the mass protests in Yemen must not be allowed to evade justice.

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

SRK won over by Hrithik's body;

Priyanka tweeting intimate pictures with co-star

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nEWS DESK

AKISTANI fans are eagerly waiting for the 1990 remake of the classic film ‘Agneepath’ which stars Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles. For the first time, Priyanka has been posting intimate film stills of the two of them together on Twitter. Hrithik reacts with a laugh, “Maybe she likes me more than her other heroes.”

Last Saturday, Shah Rukh Khan joined his rave club too, tweeting, “Saw Hrithik’s worked out body on his fone (cellphone)...Noticed even the ‘telefone’ looked open mouthed and overawed!!”

The actor responded with, “It’s Shah Rukh’s greatness that he can acknowledge and compliment a younger actor. For me, it’s reassuring to know that that I have friends like him who care for me.” Hrithik

had agreed to a guest appearance in Shah Rukh’s just-released ‘Don 2’. Will we see him in a bigger role, maybe even the lead, in future ‘Don’ sequels? “There can only be one Don and one Krrish,” he asserts.

“For now, I’m happy being Vijay.”

On Sunday, Hrithik Roshan completed his dubbing and it was a wrap for ‘Agneepath’. “It’s overwhelming because we give a huge chunk of ourselves to every film we do,” says the actor, admitting that it’s been a pretty satisfying journey so far with debutant director Karan Malhotra. “Every character you see on screen, from Vijay and Kancha Cheena to Kaali and Lala, comes from the mind and heart of this man.”

The Bollywood superstar, who turned 38 recently, was ready for a ‘working birthday’. But there was a dinner planned for the evening with friends and extended family. “I haven’t spent time with all of them in a while and a birthday is the best time to catch up,” Hrithik smiles, remembering how this time last year, he was looking forward to his January 20 date with his waxen look-alike at Madame Tussaud’s museum. “This year, I’m hoping to top that with ‘Agneepath’, which will be unveiled on January 26. Hopefully, it will be Happy Republic Day.” Hrithik’s Vijay had earlier invited comparisons with Amitabh Bachchan’s National Award-winning performance in the 1990 original. “I think it’s absurd that anyone would think I was trying to ape the Vijay Dinanath Chauhan of the original,” he retorts. “The only way I can do justice to a movie is to make it mine, and (make) the character me. I’ve played Vijay straight and simple, without any swagger or style. He is someone who would otherwise merge with a crowd if the camera hadn’t picked him out to tell his story.” The film will be released on 26th of January by IMGC Global on more than 20 screens nationwide. The promotion of the film in Pakistan is being done by Encyclomedia PR.

IN LIMELIGHT LOS ANGeLeS: Vanessa Hudgens arrives for the 2012 People’s Choice Awards at the Nokia Theatre. AfP

LOS ANGeLeS: Demi Lovato holds her award for Favorite Pop Artist at the 2012 People’s Choice Awards. AfP

LOS ANGeLeS: Jane Lynch, Lara embry, Jamie Foxx and Paula Patton attend a party hosted by the weinstein Company and Audi to celebrate awards season. AfP RIO De JANeIRO: A model present creations by designer 2nd Floor during the second day of the Rio Fashion week, winter 2012 collection. AfP

exciting two-day sale on nida Azwer’s Prêt wear and kids line nEWS DESK The design house is holding their annual sale where mothers can enjoy discount shopping for themselves and their little ones. On display will be outfits from her prêt line based in contemporary fashion silhouettes reflecting the designer’s classic design philosophy. The ensembles on sale will also be in a range of fabrics including

Akshay’s New Year

woe

cotton and linen making for smart ready to wear options for your daily wardrobe.

The sale will also include discounts on ‘Nida Azwer Kids’ line for toddlers and children up to 12 years including Angrakhas, Churidars, Shalwar Kurtas and Flared Shirts which have been accentuated with lace and screen printing.

The two day sale will run at the Studio on Sunset Lane.

MuMbai: The New year started off on a sour note for actor Akshay Kumar as he was in pain after injuring his shoulder, but he now feels better after taking therapy in Germany.

“The New year started with a downer, what with the shoulder injury, was in excruciating pain since the past few days! Just got back from Germany post some therapy.

Feeling much relief now, thank you to all my well wishers, who prayed for me,” Akshay wrote on his Facebook page. He is back in action and is off to shoot ‘Rowdy Rathore’ in Hubli, Karnataka. “Now I'm back in action, leaving for Hubli, Karnataka for another action packed schedule of ‘Rowdy Rathore’!

Need your blessings always,” he further posted. agenCieS

Lindsay owes

$93,000 in taxes loS angeleS: the taxman is coming after lindsay lohan. tMz reports the iRS has obtained a lien against lohan, who’s accused of owing about 93,700 dollars in federal income tax for 2009. lohan’s problems don’t end there. tMz is also reporting that a paparazzo is suing her over an alleged 2010 car accident. the photographer, grigor balyan, claims he was taking pictures of lohan when a car in which she was a passenger struck him, causing him orthopedic and neurologic injuries. balyan, who says lohan’s assistant was driving the vehicle, seeks “reasonable compensation.” according to his lawyer, lohan’s insurance company only made him an “insignificant offer.” at the least, lohan may be able to afford the iRS tab, since she reportedly made up to one million dollars for her recently released playboy spread. incidentally, lohan has followed up on her playboy issue with two separate ad campaigns. according to e! online, she appears in a fragrance ad for french Connection u.K., in a sexy embrace with a shirtless man. She’s also front and centre in an ad promoting the german designer philipp plein. abC

Brangelina

meet Obama at White House WaShington: Brad Pitt and partner Angelina Jolie were spotted at the white House on wednesday. The Hollywood Alist couple met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office where they were seen posing for a photograph together in front of his desk.

The two have been in washington to screen Jolie's new movie ‘In the Land of Blood and Honey’ about Bosnia war crimes that premiered at the Holocaust museum on Tuesday night. “President Obama spoke with Ms. Jolie about her work to raise the profile of preventing mass atrocities and combating sexual violence against women,” the ABC News quoted white House spokeswoman Jamie Smith as saying. agenCieS

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17 MUMBAI: Shilpa Shetty poses with husband Raj as they attend an event for the ‘Lohri Di Raat’ festival. AfP

People’s Choice Awards: Katy Perry, Emma Stone, Morgan Freeman win big

LOA AngELES

A MUMBAI: Rani Mukherjee poses during the Lions Gold Awards ceremony. AfP

abC

LTHOUGH she was a noshow at the ceremony, singer and sometimes actress Katy Perry was the big winner at the 38th annual People’s Choice Awards in Los Angeles where she was named the winner in five categories, including favourite female artist.

Perry, who would have made her first public appearance since her split from husband Russell Brand had she turned up at the awards show at the Nokia Theatre LA Wednesday night, also won favourite tour headliner, song of the year for ‘E.T.,’ favourite music video for the 1980s spoof ‘Last Friday Night’ and TV guest star for her appearance on the CBS hit ‘How I Met Your Mother’.

‘How I Met Your Mother’ was also the

big winner in the television category, beating out Emmy winner ‘Modern Family’ and hits like ‘Two and a Half Men’ and ‘Glee’ to take the favourite network TV comedy statue. Emma Stone and Johnny Depp also won fan praise at the gala event when they received the favourite movie actress and favourite movie actor gongs. Stone also took home the favourite comedic movie actress award. Funnyman Adam Sandler was awarded favourite comedic movie actor at the ceremony, and ‘Real Steel’ star Hugh Jackman took home the prize for favourite action movie star, beating out favourites like Ryan Reynolds and Shia LaBeouf.

A solemn moment came at the event, which was hosted by ‘The Big Bang Theory’ star Kaley Cuoco, when veteran actor Morgan Freeman was awarded a favourite movie icon award. “If I represent something, here’s what I hope it is: to all of you

who were kind enough to vote for me, I hope I represent a working actor who is forever grateful for this honour,” Freeman said.

Earlier he joked, “When I found out that I’d been nominated for the first-ever People’s Choice movie icon award, I decided to look up ‘icon’ and here’s what I found: the first definition said an icon is a tiny picture on a computer screen that represents a file.” In the movie categories, two very popular features took the awards: the smash-hit ‘Bridesmaids’ for favourite comedy movie and the Robert Patinson-Reese Witherspoon romance ‘Water for Elephants’ for favourite drama movie. The final film instalment in the adored ‘Harry Potter’ series, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2’, had four wins, including favourite movie, favourite action movie, favourite book adaptation and favourite ensemble movie cast. Like Perry, none of the cast made it to the ceremony.

french parents win case over son’s ‘demonic’ name FRAnCE afp

A court in France on Thursday rejected a prosecutors' request for a couple to be barred from naming their son Daemon after a character in television series ‘The Vampire Diaries’. Prosecutors had brought Lionel and Blandine Defontaine, from

Busigny in northern France, to court under a French law that prevents parents from giving names that would be “contrary to the interests of a child”. The parents, both fans of the series, had chosen to name their son, born on November 3, after the vampire character Damon -- adding the ‘e’ to produce a French version of the name. They said they simply liked the sound of the

name and denied it had any Satanic connotation. The same law had previously been used in 1999 to try to prevent parents Alain and Sophia Renaud from naming their daughter Megane, with prosecutors saying the name sounded too much like that of a popular French car, the Renault Megane.

An appeals court in 2000 allowed the girl to keep her name.

world’s most photographed woman? abC

It may have been Will and Kate’s big day and the wedding of the century but the person who arguably stood out that day was her younger sister and bridesmaid Pippa Middleton, so much so that thanks to the British tabloids, she has earned the nickname “her Royal Hotness.” Pippa looked dazzling that day and the spotlight has been

shining on her ever since, quite literally.

How literal are we talking about here? Try 400 pictures a day, 400 snaps of the younger Middleton going about her daily business. The sheer scale of interest in Pippa does raise one question — could she take the mantle from Princess Diana of being the “most photographed woman” in the world? With Diana in the limelight far longer than Pippa has been thus far, it’s safe to say that she still has a long way to go.

Ranbir Kapoor

Actor Robert Pattinson and girlfriend Kristen Stewart are to be turned into dolls for a new toy range based on their wedding in “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1”. According to femalefirst.co.uk, the couple will be feature in a new set of ‘Twilight’ toys released by Barbie manufacturer Mattel.

The pair will be miniaturised wearing the same outfits they don at their wedding as Edward Cullen and Bella Swan in ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1’. The dolls will be released in February and will be unveiled alongside a shirtless Taylor Lautner, who plays werewolf Jacob Black. Each doll will be priced at $29.95. The couple are not the first celebrities to be turned into a special wedding doll. Pippa Middleton was turned into a tiny model donning the Alexander McQueen dress she wore to her sibling’s wedding.

thailand rescues dogs destined for dinner BAngKOK afp

Kareena Katrina

caught in Expo brawl neW Delhi: the 11th edition of the Delhi auto expo witnessed the presence of many bollywood stars who had nothing but praise for the exposition, but not all went well when Ranbir Kapoor paid a visit to hall number 18. as usual, the actor was surrounded by a huge crowd of fans, but things got ugly when a group of security guards, who had brought some of their friends hoping to get their pictures clicked with the actor, began to act rowdy. Despite the security guards stationed at the pavilion to keep the crowd at bay and Ranbir's own security personnel, problems cropped up when he tried to leave the expo. the guards got into a scuffle with his personal security guards. the guards wanted Ranbir to pose with their friends for a picture. When he refused, they lost it, surrounded his car, refusing to let the car move and started banging on the bonnet. there was complete chaos. it's only when the guards at hall 18 intervened, that he could leave,” said a source. “Ranbir has been to the expo before, but then there was no problem. this time, somehow, the news became public and this ruckus was created,” said a source. agenCieS

LOnDOn agenCieS

The Thai navy has rescued hundreds of dogs destined for Vietnamese dinner tables in an operation to tackle border smuggling, a naval official said.

Following a tip-off, they found about 750 dogs packed into cages on a truck which were about to be loaded onto a ferry on the Mekong river in Nakhon Phanom province, said Captain Theerakiart Thong-aram. One man was arrested but several others ran away when the authorities swooped, Theerakiart told AFP. “Dogs are the third-biggest smuggling problem along the river after timber and drugs,” he said. In August, Thai authorities rescued more than 1,000 dogs that were found stuffed into tiny cages, also being smuggled out of the country to be cooked and eaten in Vietnam.

Pippa Middleton: LOnDOn

new dolls on pattinson, Stewart ‘twilight’ wedding

for KJo's next?

MuMbai: It was earlier reported that Karan Johar and ekta Kapoor were coming together to make a love story with a twist and would cast the lead pair soon. The film's leading lady is supposed to be a strong and sexy character, and both KJo and ekta want a top actress. But there's a hitch. while ekta is convinced that Katrina Kaif is best suited for the role, Karan feels the role needs a performer and wants to cast Kareena Kapoor for the same. Kareena has worked in many films under Karan's banner. He makes no bones about his fondness for her. At a recent event he said, “Kareena is the in-house heroine for us. Period! everyone at Dharma is pretty much in sync with that, and that was the case with ‘ek Main Aur ekk Tu’ as well. when it comes to her, the role has to be really interesting, meaty and challenging.” while ekta respects Karan's judgement and his friendship with Bebo, she is not sentimental enough to ignore the box office. She feels Katrina works a certain magic with her luck factor, and for ekta, that is important. Besides, she has already signed Kareena for the sequel of ‘Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai’ with Akshay Kumar, so

naturally she wants to cast Kat for this one. The decision will be taken soon. Both the producers will sit together and figure out which actress works best, and who has the dates to give them for their joint production. agenCieS

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

Australian Open shapes up as survival of the fittest Page 21

westfield confession leaves Kaneria in a fix LAHORE Staff RepoRt

With a British court yet to reveal the name of the second person involved in a fixing scandal in a County match, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping that it’s not Danish Kaneria. Pakistan can ill afford another conviction in match fixing with three of its cricketers already serving jail terms in UK for spot fixing. Former Essex cricketer Mervyn Westfield has pleaded guilty to receiving corrupt payments during a Pro40 match. Sources aware of the developments in the PCB said the officials and legal advisors are concerned about the remarks made

by Judge Anthony Morris that name of the other party involved in the deal would be made public soon. Sources say PCB officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the Westfield trial ends on February 10 without any involvement of Danish Kaneria in it.

During the trial, Westfield, who played with Kaneria for Essex, admitted agreeing to allow 12 runs to come off his opening over in match against Durham in September 2009 in return for a 6,000 pound payment.

In the event, only 10 runs were scored off the over. The Essex police had in 2010 questioned Westfield and Kaneria but the Pakistani spinner was not charged due to lack of sufficient evidence. Since October 2010 the PCB has not allowed Kaneria to be considered for national selection as it claimed it was still not satisfied he was completely clear in the spot-fixing case. The sources said the Board officials were keeping their fingers crossed that the Westfield trial ended on February 10 without any involvement of Kaneria in it. “After the spot fixing case involving Salman Butt, Muhammad Aamir and Muhammad Asif it is clear that Pakistan cricket cannot afford any more such scandals,” one source said. PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf had on Wednesday that while he had sympathy for Kaneria, the board had to follow the rules and regulations of its intergrity committee. ”If the committee has some issues, they must sort it out with Kaneria first. There is nothing personal against him; the day the integrity committee clears him we will consider him for national selection,” Ashraf said.

Pakistan ready for England challenge

DUBAI: Pakistan's cricketer Umar Gul (R) runs next to teammates during a warm-up match at the ICC Global Cricket Academy. AfP DUBAI

P

afp

AKISTAN pace spearhead Umar Gul Thursday showed readiness for the strong challenge that world number one Test team England pose in the three-Test series starting here next week. The 27year-old paceman, now leading the attack after Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were banned in the 2010 spot-fixing case, said he and fellow players will be at their best against the top team.

"No doubt England is a very good team and they are number one in Tests," said Gul of England who rose to number one in August last year.

"We are also playing good cricket and are ready for any challenge they

pose." Gul led Pakistan's attack during their 1-1 drawn series against the West Indies, then wins over Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in a run which saw the team remain unbeaten in a Test series. Pakistan's last Test series loss was against England on the 2010 tour which was marred by spot-fixing scandal.

Gul said an unbeaten run has lifted the Pakistan team, who will start the first of three Tests, starting here from Tuesday, with extra confidence. "There is no substitute to doing well and because we have done well in the last one year our morale is very high and the conditions will also help us as we are playing here for three years now," said Gul of the United Arab Emirates conditions. Gul admitted a strong England batting line-up with mature openers in Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook will

be a big challenge.

"I take every series as a challenge no matter who we play, I try my level best and since England is a top team you try to do well from inside and know that a performance against a top team is more noted and appreciated," said Gul. "No doubt Strauss and Cook give them head start and will be a big challenege but not only the openers, their whole batting is in our sights and we need to get 20 wickets in the match to win it," said Gul, who has 146 wickets in 40 Tests.

Gul added: "Conditions in Dubai suits reverse swing and it will also help their bowlers (James) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad but the difference will be the ability to get the reverse swing and whoever has that ability will get the siwng." The Tests will be followed by four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals.

whatmore due in Lahore tomorrow LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Dav Whatmore will reach Lahore on Saturday to hold his final round of talks with Pakistan Cricket Board officials who appear set to appoint the Australian as the national team's coach. Reports quoting a source in the PCB said that Whatmore was almost finalised as the next head coach. "Whatmore is due on the night of January 14 and there is no other foreigner coming with him," an official source in the board said. "He will be in Lahore to finalise the terms and conditions of his agreement with the board which could initially be for a two-year period," the source said. The source made it clear that despite the official stance taken by senior board officials on the appointment of Whatmore, he was the preferred choice. "You can say that 95 per cent Whatmore has been finalised as the next head coach of the team," the source said.

The source said that the board had however decided that it would not entertain any request from Whatmore to send him to Dubai and Abu Dhabi to observe the Pakistani players in their series against England. "Even if he makes such a request we will not entertain it because we don't want the present team management and players to be distracted in any way and we want them to solely focus on the job ahead," the source said. The source also said the board had decided that it would decide on the support staff for the team after holding discussions with Whatmore. At present former Test player, Mohsin Khan is working as interim head coach of the team. The source said that despite the interest shown by Mohsin in continuing in the same position after the England series, the board had decided to appoint a new coach.

English cricketer pleads guilty to fixing LOnDOn afp

An English county cricketer pleaded guilty on Thursday to a corruption charge linked to his bowling in a 40over one-day game. Mervyn Westfield, 23, who played for Essex, admitted accepting or obtaining a corrupt payment to bowl in a way that would allow the scoring of runs, during a hearing at the Old Bailey in London.

The court heard he had agreed to bowl his first over in a way that would let Durham score a set number of runs in the game in September 2009. Westfield will be sentenced on February 10 and was warned he will face a jail sentence.

Judge Anthony Morris told Westfield: "I hold out no promises to you as to the eventual outcome of this case. "It's open to the court in this case to pass an immediate custodial sentence." Morris added the name of the other party involved in the deal would be known to cricket fans, but it was not revealed in court.

An international cricketer was arrested alongside Westfield but later released without charge. This case took place against the backdrop of Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer being jailed in Britain last year for their role in a 'spotfixing' scandal in a Test match against England.

Huge sums are bet on cricket matches, especially in the Indian subcontinent -- the sport's financial powerhouse but an area where gambling on

LONDON: english county cricketer Mervyn westfield arrives at the Old Bailey court to appear accused of spot fixing. AfP cricket is generally illegal -- because of the way incidents in matches, and results, can be manipulated. The court heard the seamer, who was released by Essex in 2010 "on cricketing grounds," agreed to bowl the first over so that 12 runs could be scored, but only 10 were achieved.

Westfield conceded 60 runs from seven overs as Durham scored 276 for six, a target surpassed by Essex, who won by seven wickets with 19 balls to spare in the Pro40 game played in Chester-le-Street.

Essex Police said Westfield was the first professional cricketer in England to face prosecution for his involvement in spotfixing in a county match.

"We are pleased that Mervyn Westfield, a young professional cricketer, has now admitted the charge," said Detective Sergeant Paul Lopez of Essex Police.

"And we hope that this sends a strong message to professional sportsmen and women around the country -- if they intend to get involved in spot-fixing, or think that match-fixing is not a crime, then they need to think again."

The England and Wales Cricket Board's anti-corruption chief Chris Watts, formerly a detective with London's Metropolitan Police, recently suggested the domestic game may be more vulnerable to malpractice because of its lower profile and the fact players involved are generally earning less than their international counterparts.

But Angus Porter, the chief executive of England's Professional Cricketers' Association, told Britain's Press Association: "Our view on it is that the world has moved on quite a long way since he (Westfield) committed those offences.

"We've invested a huge amount in educating players as to their responsibilities, but I think that none of us can be complacent." As for suggestions the county game was particularly vulnerable, Porter added: "I'm not convinced that we know who the high-risk groups are.

"There is no doubt that where there are threats of corruption they will be linked to gambling and that gambling will

Hussain wants westfield role in anti-fixing fight LONDON: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has urged officials to give Meryvn Westfield a role in the battle against corruption in cricket after the bowler admitted a criminal spot-fixing charge in court. Westfield, 23, pleaded guilty at London's Old Bailey on Thursday to accepting or obtaining a corrupt payment to bowl in a way that would allow the scoring of runs while playing for Essex in a county 40-over match against Durham in September 2009. He is due to be sentenced on February 10, when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are expected to comment publicly on the case and announce if they are imposing any sporting sanctions on Westfield, released by Essex in 2010 "on cricketing grounds". But Hussain said that whatever happened to Westfield, there should be a role for him in educating up and coming players about the dangers of getting involved in fixing. "(The ECB should) use him, take him around to counties, do a video with him. (They should) use him as an example for future generations of cricketers that if you do get a call in your room saying 'bowl a bad over and we will give you £6,000', this is what happens to you," Hussain told Sky Sports on Wednesday. "Instead of just parking him away somewhere to be forgotten, try to use the lad to make sure future generations don't make the same mistakes as he has made," insisted Hussain, who spent his entire county career with Essex. "You can't take your eye off the ball with this. (Westfield's admission of guilt) is what the game needs -- Mervyn Westfield would have been about 21 when he decided to bowl that over and take that cash. "You can do that and then two years later down the line these things come back to bite you and haunt you. Mervyn Westfield is the best (example) to show young players and say 'Is it really worth it?'. Hussain added Westfield was highly thought of as a bowler. "He was a very good cricketer, there were rumours still that if he beat this case some other counties were going to come in for him, he was a real prospect. "This will have been in his blood and now cricket has been taken out of his lifestyle through what he did. It's a harsh lesson that he has learned." afp predominantly be on televised games.

"International cricket certainly is a risk and I think domestic cricket is also a risk because some games are televised on the Indian sub-continent so I suppose those specific matches are the ones we need to worry about." Porter added the

PCA had advised Westfield. "We did offer him advice in the early days and one thing that was important, given that that case involved a number of people in the Essex dressing room, was to make sure he had independent legal advice and we helped him to source that," he said.

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

Football’s coaching course concludes

England on top against PCB XI

ISLAMABAD

DUBAI

Staff RepoRt

afp

Pakistan Football Federation’s Director Development and Competition Wing Cmdr (retd) Pervaiz Saeed Mir expressed his belief that the PFF Vision 2020 Plan, which the PFF unveiled in PFF Congress, will take Pakistan to new heights. He was speaking at the concluding ceremony of the AFC C-Certificate Football Coaching Course at Islamabad’s Jinnah Sports Complex on Thursday.

This ambitious plan will create solid footing for the PFF in earning berth in top 15 Asian teams as well earning tickets of World Cup, Olympics and FIFA age-limit competitions in coming decade. But all the coaches had to work harder along with coming coaches to make it reality, he added. In his message, PFF's President Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat urged the coaches to acquire technical know-how and work hard. "It's now easier than ever to become a qualified football coach. By getting on the coaching ladder, individuals have the opportunity to progress through the various AFC Coaching qualifications while constantly enhancing their skills and knowledge," said AFC Instructor Sheikh Siddique who was assisted

by Assistant Course Instructor Shahzad Anwar, Referee instructor Salah-ud-Din and Course Coordinator Muhammad Zaman Khan. The participants were: Saquib Omer, Farooq Nazir, Abdul Waseem, Sajjad Hafeez, Syed Hassan Abbas Jafri, Syed Mudassar Sabir, Muhammad Khan, Junaid Muhammad Khan, Faisal Javed, Muhammad Jamil, Waris Khan, Johar Ali, Muhammad Noman, Muhammad Ramzan, Sohail Imran, Mahmood Akram, Zafarullah Zafri, Dilshad Ali, Ari Masih, Ayyaz Mahmood Butt, Khuda Bux, Ghulam Shabbir and Zahid Qureshi.

Sports 19

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EFT-ARM spinner Monty Panesar reminded selectors he could still be good for Test cricket by grabbing five wickets to help England dominate the three-day match against Pakistan Cricket Board XI here on Thursday.

The 29-year-old finished with 5-57 in a brilliant display of spin bowling on a slow turning pitch at the Global Cricket Academy to help England restrict the PCB XI to 200-9 declared in their first innings.

England, who declared their firstinnings at 269-9, finished the second day on 82-0, with captain Andrew Strauss on 36 and Jonathan Trott, promoted to open the innings after three failures on the tour, was 39 not out.

England have an overall lead of 151 and were in a good position to make it two in two games after beating ICC Combined XI by three wickets in the tour opener or go for a full day's batting practice.

That will be a big boost for Strauss's men before the first of three Tests against Pakistan which starts here from Tuesday.

Panesar said he will be ready to revive his Test career.

"I have worked very hard on my game and I am still hungry to play Test cricket if and when the opportunity presents itself I want to be ready for it," said the spinner.

Panesar, who played last of his 39 Tests at Cardiff in the 2009 Ashes, bowled with variation after the PCB XI resumed the day on 22-0.

Chris Tremlett (2-30) and Graham Onions (1-52) had opened the gates before Panesar helped England take four

englanD, 1st innings: 269-9 decl (a. Cook 133, M. prior 46; Yasir Shah 5-75, Mohammad talha 4-43) pCb Xi, 1st innings: 12 nasir Jamshed lbw b onions 17 afaq Raheem lbw b tremlett Mohammad ayub c prior b panesar 33 23 usman Salahuddin c prior b tremlett fawad alam c Strauss b panesar 7 6 haris Sohail lbw b panesar 0 Sarfraz ahmed c trott b Swann Yasir Shah c Swann b panesar 9 50 Raza hasan not out Mohammad talha c prior b panesar 31 1 Mohammad Khalil not out 11 eXtRaS: (b3, lb6, w2) total: (for nine wkts) 200 fall of wickets: 1-24 (Jamshed), 2-40 (Raheem), 3-78 (Salahuddin), 4-91 (alam), 5-106 (Sohail), 6-106 (Sarfraz), 7110 (ayub), 8-119 (Shah), 9-173 (talha) boWling: onions 13-3-52-1 (w2), tremlett 14-7-30-2, Swann 18-5-42-1, panesar 29-12-57-5, petersen 5-0-10-0 overs: 79 englanD, 2nd innings: 36 a. Strauss not out 39 J. trott not out eXtRaS: (b4, nb2, w1) 7 82 total: (for no loss) boWling: talha 6-1-32-0 (nb2, w1), Khalil 5-2-12-0, hasan 70-26-0, Shah 3-0-5-0, ayub 1-0-3-0 overs: 22 toss: pCb Xi

wickets in the space of 18 runs, leaving their opponents reeling from 101-4 to 119-8.

Had it not been for a fighting ninth wicket stand of 54 between Raza Hasan (50 not out) and Mohammad Talha (31), the PCB XI would have succumbed before reaching the 150-mark.

The 19-year-old Hasan hit eight boundaries during his maiden firstclass fifty.

Mohammad Ayub, top run getter in Pakistan's 2010-2011 season, made 33 before Panesar forced an edge off him to wicket-keeper Matt Prior.

England's regular Test spinner Graeme Swann managed 1-49.

DUBAI: PCB XI cricketer yasir Shah delivers a ball on the second day of a second three-day practice match against england at the ICC Global Cricket Academy. AfP

Perth could make or break careers eXpeRt CoMMent ISLAMABAD: The participants of the PFF’s AFC Certificate Coaching Course.

Javed Memorial victorious LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Javed Memorial Club got a six wickets win over Zareef Memorial in a friendly match here at the Carson ground on Thursday.

Zareef Memorial made 236 in 35 overs.

Naveed 70, Waqas 33, Mubashar30.

Asama Waris and Samiullah bowled two each while Shahid Mahmood had three.

In reply, Javed Memorial got the target losing four wickets. Waris 110 not out, Asif Khan 41, Samiullah 30 and Majid Sarfraz 30. Waris was named the man of the match.

wASIM AKRAM I have been very critical of India’s body language in the first two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. Murmurs of rift in the Indian camp are all but natural when a team loses back-to-back Test matches in a humiliating manner. Having been in similar situations many times in my career, I would like to believe reports in the Australian media about a divided Indian dressing room are baseless. I understand Rahul Dravid has said “all is well” in the Indian camp. If this is so, let the players prove the detractors wrong with some solid cricket in the Perth Test.

Perth will be India’s last chance to

salvage pride. With so much of experience in their kitty, it would be foolish to write the Indians off. Sachin Tendulkar will have to play the leading role at WACA. He is the only one who has looked good in the series so far and Tendulkar will have happy memories of scoring a century in 1991-92.

Records favour Australia at WACA, but India emerged victorious by 72 runs the last time (2007-2008) the two countries met at Perth. If India can score in excess of 350 runs in the first innings, the Perth Test will not be a one-sided affair. Thus, India have to set targets and take the game session by session.

Batting well will remain crucial and the Indians know what they will expect on a Perth pitch that will aid pace and bounce. At a time when a few pundits have suggested India must blood younger players and rest veterans like a VVS Laxman, I would still go with “experience”. While I am aware of his potential, I can’t see the inclusion of a Rohit Sharma will make a massive difference in the performance straight away. But while advising against too many changes for Perth, India’s selec-

tors now have a problem to address.

Laxman, Rahul Dravid and Tendulkar cannot be serving Indian cricket for ever. Where do they want to see India’s Test team one year from now?

I can’t see too many answers.

India still don’t have anyone to replace Tendulkar. Dravid’s runs are hard to ignore and Laxman has a lot of experience to back himself. Potential and promise is one thing. Translating these into holistic performance is another. The failure of Virat Kohli in MCG and Sydney is a classic case.

Perth Test will be a watershed for Indian Test. A discerning cricket fan understands the value of winning matches overseas. It’s no point being kings at home. Thus, India have to forget the first two Tests and begin afresh at WACA. The margin for error has reduced considerably and I only hope at least two among Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Laxman, Dravid and Tendulkar does a Ricky Ponting or Mike Hussey. Both Punter and Hussey have justified the faith in them. The top Indian batsmen have to take a leaf out of their books.

Army prospers in National Hockey LAHORE: Four matches were played in the 31st U-21 National Hockey Championship being played here at the National Hockey Stadium. Punjab Colours and Pakistan Boards teams played a three-all draw. Lahore were well in control of the game but in the later stages of the match caved in to concede three goals and the match ended in a draw.

Punjab’s scorers were Mohammad Mushtaq (Capt) 2 goals 3rd & 57th minutes (PC) & Shaheryar 60th minute (PC) while Pakistan Board’s goals were score by Hafiz Saeed-ulHassan 53rd minute (PS) & Muhammad Amir 2 goals 54th & 69th minutes (FG). SSGC beat PHF Academy 7-2 after leading the opening session 3-1. Hafiz Rizwan scored for SSGC in the 16th minute (FG), Arslan Haider 2 goals 21st minute (PC) & 56th minute (FG), waseem Abbas 2 Goals 30th minute (PC) & 46th minute (PS), Zahid 41st minute (FG) & M. Asif 58th minute (FG). PHF Academy scorers were M. Ali 32nd minute (PC) & Ali Raza (Capt) 42nd minute (FG). wAPDA beat HeC 2-0. Mohammad Khalid and Mohammad Irfan ensured low scoring win for wapda with goals in the 26th minute (PC) and 56th minute (PC). Army beat FATA hammered 20 goals to earn one of the biggest wins of the tournament. Army scored through Abdul Majeed 5 goals 2nd minute (PC) & 17th, 54th, 58th & 63rd minutes (FG), Muhammad Zahid 6 goals 6th, 10th, 43rd,46th, 49th & 64th minutes (FG), Abdul Jabbar 4 goals 15th, 23rd & 34th minutes (FG) & 52nd minute (PC), Habib-ur-Rehman 3 goals 27th, 31st & 15th minutes (FG), Shid Ali Khan 30th minute (FG) & Fawad (Capt) 59th minute (PC). Staff RepoRt

Security in Pakistan has improved, says Majid CAPE town CRiCinfo

The international community should take decisive steps to ensure cricket returns to Pakistan as soon as the safety of visiting teams can be guaranteed, former PCB chairman Majid Khan has said.

Majid, who is on the executive committee of the MCC, presented a security update on the situation in Pakistan at the body's latest meeting in Cape Town over the weekend.

Majid reported on an improved Pakistan situation, where security threats are minimal, and the MCC received his review with "optimism." They are considering sending a delegation to Pakistan to conduct further assessment and Majid is hopeful that this will be the start of Pakistan hosting cricket again.

"Whether the observers will come be-

fore [the next MCC meeting in] August I am not sure. The committee will also decide what sort of players they will send, whether it is a University team or just volunteers who are willing to go as an MCC team," Majid told ESPNcricinfo at Newlands. "Regardless of what standard it is, they will still go to play and it will break the ice."

No Test team has toured Pakistan since the ghastly terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

Afghanistan are the only national team to have played there in the interim. The Pakistan team now plays its 'home' matches in the United Arab Emirates, where they have hosted series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, and are currently preparing to play England.

Bangladesh are the only team to have responded to a request to tour Pakistan.

The PCB have invited them to visit in April, subject to a security check and various se-

curity guarantees which included bulletand bomb-proof buses. Actions such as these are what Majid wants other countries and the ICC to engage in to take cricket back to Pakistan.

"It's up to the international community to make up their minds and assess the situation themselves, which they haven't done," he said. "They have to decide when they want to play in Pakistan.

The ICC task force hasn't visited Pakistan personally. I think it is time for the world community to physically come and start the process. If Bangladesh comes it will ease the fears of the international community but it all depends on the ICC and how quickly they would like to see Pakistan hosting home series."

Majid's report may tempt the ICC, to whom the MCC presents recommendations, to evaluate the situation themselves.

"Terrorist activity has abated a lot," he

said. His foremost example is of the British Army team who travelled to Pakistan army in December.

"Just before their arrival, the NATO strike occurred," Majid said, making a reference to the November 26 strike along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, which killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. "In deference to the soldiers, they postponed the games but the British Army team arrived in Pakistan. They practiced in the capital, Islamabad, without any security. They went up to a hill resort called Murree, spent a day there and they are thinking of returning in February to play the games. That's a positive sign."

While the average Pakistan cricket supporter is keen to see cricketing action resuming in the country, Majid thinks there may be some sceptics. The spot-fixing trial and convictions have cast a long shadow over cricket in Pakistan and Majid says many fans have begun to doubt the honesty

of the game. "There is a lot of cynicism among the public. If any match or series, Pakistan do badly, people start questioning.

I'm sure if Pakistan had been bowled out for 47 against South Africa here [at Newlands], there would have been lots of questions.

"That cynicism has to be done away with. We have to tackle the corruption problem and bring back the confidence of the public." Majid believes the only way to do that will be to ensure that harsh punishments are meted out to those who are found guilty of cheating.

He said stronger sentences, such as the jail terms that Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammed Amir are currently serving, play a dual role of acting as a deterrent to would-be offenders, and as a reassurance to the public that the problem is being taken seriously. "Overall, it has sent the message, 'watch out,' which is good," Majid said.

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Friday, 12 January, 2012

Li to play Azarenka in Sydney final SYDnEY

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HINA'S Li Na fought back from a set and a break down to delay Petra Kvitova's bid for the world number one ranking in a tenacious semifinal victory at the Sydney International on Thursday. French Open champion Li recovered to down Wimbledon winner Kvitova 1-6, 7-5, 6-2 in two hours of highclass tennis to reach her second consecutive Sydney final where she will face third seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

In doing so, world number five Li frustrated the Czech left-hander's immediate hopes of toppling Caroline Wozniacki from the top of the women's rankings ahead of next week's Australian Open in Melbourne. Kvitova, trailing Wozniacki by just 295 rankings points, would have claimed the number one ranking if she had won the Sydney tournament, with 470 points up for grabs to the winner.

In the other semi-final, Azarenka fought back from a set down to beat Wozniacki's victor from the quarters, Polish seventh seed Agnieszka Radwanska 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 in almost two hours. "The way she (Kvitova) was playing in the first set I didn't know what to do. Give up? I couldn't do anything," Li said.

Defeat for the Chinese star looked certain after Kvitova stormed through the opening set losing just one game and broke early in the second set to lead 3-1, but Li took a grip on the match with fearless serving and shot-making. "I think in the second set the match turned around

because her service game was not like the first set where she was hitting winners all the time. Several times Li saved break points with a brave deep second serve to stay in the match. But as Li continued to frustrate Kvitova's attempts to finish off the match she gradually clawed back to finish the stronger. Li now leads Kvitova 2-1 in their matches.

"After first set I called my coach to the court and he told me that if I continued to play like I was I would lose the match easy," Li said. "Like maybe after 50 minutes we can go to the airport.

"He said I had to believe in myself and do better. So I just tried to play more deeper and try to play more of my best tennis." Kvitova recognised that she was not clinical enough, and after dominating the opening set she gave Li chances to get back into the contest.

"I played very well the first set. I was the one who made the winners...

And then in the second set, I gave her a lot of chances and she did it." "It's tennis, so it's still up and down," said the world number two. It was rejuvenated Li's fourth win this week, continuing her upsurge in form after a dismal follow-up to her landmark French Open success, which saw her become the first Asian to win a grand slam title. Li, who only won seven matches in the second half of 2011, said she was back in the form she had enjoyed prior to Wimbledon, where she bowed out to Germany's Sabine Lisicki in the second round.

"Yeah, I'm back," she said. "I think I am feeling stronger and not only in the body, but also in the mind.

India consider pace blitz for wACA Test india’s redemption is in showing door to ‘once’ greats Comment SIMOn HUgHES D'Artagnan and the three musketeers were at large in 17th century France, cleaning up much treachery and extortion with their deeds of derring do. The three musketeers Athos, Aramis and Porthos, retired to an easier life leaving D'Artagnan to keep order on his own.

The same is happening to the Indian batting order. The four musketeers - Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, hounded by crackshot snipers wherever they travel - are nearing the end of the road.

Unless they all exhibit their best form during the third Test which starts in Perth, one will be asked to fall on his sword before the fourth Test in Adelaide next week. A mini dynasty - which has a combined total of 574 Tests and in excess of

45,000 runs - is about to end.

The position of Tendulkar - the D'Artagnan in this story - is of course sacrosanct, in spite of his fruitless nine-month search for his 100th international hundred. He has looked increasingly secure and fluent and is averaging 53 in his last 10 Test innings. The others are less secure.

Dravid, despite a remarkable resurgence last year, has looked increasingly vulnerable, and has been clean bowled too often of late. But his painstaking approach and exemplary attitude will win him a stay of execution. Sehwag - the youngest of the four - is too mercurial to jettison for the moment, though he will need a decent score before long to ward off younger pretenders. Laxman is the most vulnerable. Although he has maintained a decent average (49) in his last 10 outings, he does not exude permanence and has an annoying habit of tamely giving his wicket away.

Though he is undoubtedly trying

his best, his rather lethargic body language at the crease suggests fragility which hungry bowlers feed off. He has perhaps two innings left to regain his, and the selectors', self belief.

There is a deeper problem for the Indians here. Their star batsmen are like war correspondents. When they are young they are fearless and thrive in difficult or dangerous circumstances. They want to make a name for themselves. When they are older they shy away from adversity, seeking to protect their reputation and subconsciously yearn for a more comfortable life. Most are reluctant to do the hard yards. You can see that in these Indian batsmen's approach to practice. Only Dravid, and to a lesser extent Tendulkar, are fastidious.

Generally there is less appetite for hard work. Last summer in England it was noticeable that only Dravid took net practice seriously. The others were mainly content with throwdowns on the outfield before a day's play, as if they were playing an exhibition match rather than a Test.

It was an attitude that hinted at complacency, an approach that said 'this is what I have always done, this is how I play'. Their fitness was lacking in some cases too. In the modern cricketing world of highly-trained assassins (the bowlers) and forensic analysis, it is not good enough. Batsmen have to work extra hard to stay ahead of their pursuers. These men have been lavished with riches for their exceptional batting feats. Deservedly so. They made India a proud cricketing nation, the No 1 Test nation and World Cup champions. It probably seems alien to them to completely change the way they prepare and approach their life. But, in the modern game, you cannot survive on talent alone.

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India are considering an unusual four-pronged pace attack for the third Test against Australia but won't settle on their final line-up until just before the match, said captain M.S. Dhoni.

A grassy pitch has greeted the Indians at Perth's WACA Ground, with curator Cam Sutherland predicting the wicket would have more pace and bounce than the corresponding Test against England last year, when seam bowlers dominated and just two of 40 wickets fell to spin.

Down 2-0 in the four-Test series after losing by 122 runs at the MCG and being thrashed by an innings and 68 runs in Sydney, India are already certain to lose second spot in the ICC Test rankings, but Dhoni said they were desperate to avoid a repeat of last year's 4-0 whitewash in England.

Their desperation has them considering the un-

usual move of playing four pacemen and Dhoni, who normally doesn't take great stock in pitch conditions, said they would reserve their final decision until they inspect the strip just before the match, which starts Friday.

"A lot depends on how it looks before the start of the game," Dhoni said of the pitch, hinting that spinner Ravi Ashwin could miss the match. "It will affect us to some extent, especially in the bowling department. "We have to see how much grass is taken off and how much rolling is done and how hard the wicket is. "We have to see whether the spinner will get some kind of assistance or not," he said.

"Our bowling will be structured depending on the wicket." Sutherland said recent hot weather meant the pitch probably wouldn't be as lively as the Indians feared when they arrived, and added that he expected a spinner to gain considerable bounce and some turn.

If India go for an all-pace attack, the obvious replacement for Ashwin is 27-year-old mediumpacer Vinay Kumar, who would be making his Test debut, but has played 15 one-day internationals.

Unfortunately for India, Ashwin has been their second most productive batsman in the series, his 143 runs at 35.75 behind only Sachin Tendulkar. Dhoni, who said he would consider his own playing future at the end of 2013, again dismissed talk of a rift in the Indian side as purely media speculation. "I have never seen the Indian team fight," he said. "And this is one thing we are really proud of. "Our real strength is that we love each other and enjoy each other's successes. "I am really proud of our dressing room atmosphere."

He also said he had instructed his players to ignore taunts from the crowd, with paceman Ishant Sharma photographed giving a one-finger gesture to a local this week, and Virat Kohli fined half his match fee for a similar reaction during the second Test in Sydney.

Dhoni said this series had a completely different feel to the ill-fated tour of England, admitting his team failed to apply themselves against the English. Dhoni said India were determined to go down fighting against Australia.

"You die, you die, you don't see as to which is the better way to die," he said. "We want to get back in the series, in England we weren't really there and we didn't perform to the potential we have. "We have learnt a lot from that series and have learnt a lot from this series also. "There are two Test matches to go, so we are hoping for the best."

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Friday, 12 January, 2012

SYDneY: Li Na of China returns the ball to Petra Kvitova. (Centre) Victoria Azarenka hits a shot against Agnieszka Radwanska and (Right) Petra Kvitova walks to the back of the court after losing her match at the Sydney International. AfP

Sports 21

Australian Open shapes up as survival of the fittest SIngAPORE afp

Tennis's biggest stars are having to grit their teeth and play through the pain barrier as the grand slam season gets under way with a litany of aches, pains and absentees. With the Australian Open starting on Monday, all of the men's top four have either current or recent injuries, while fitness woes threaten to play havoc with the women's draw. Defending champion Kim Clijsters and five-time winner Serena Williams both pulled out of a warm-up event in Brisbane after oncourt scares, while 2008 Open victor Maria Sharapova has not played this year due to an ankle problem.

On Wednesday, 10th seed Andrea Petkovic withdrew with a stress fracture in her lower back, becoming the second high-profile cancellation alongside Venus Williams, who has auto-immune disease Sjogren's syndrome.

And world number one Caroline Wozniacki was troubled by a wrist injury in her quarter-finals loss to Agnieszka Radwanska at the Sydney International, but a scan revealed the problem was not serious. Further withdrawals would inevitably throw the spotlight back on the busy tennis schedule, just months after men's players threatened to go on strike.

Men's number two Rafael Nadal, 2009 champion in Melbourne, is one of the walking wounded, and is planning

to take a month off in February to rest his troublesome shoulder and knee.

Grand slam record-holder Roger Federer, 30, a four-time winner at Melbourne Park and not known for injury problems, pulled out of the Qatar Open with back spasms which he said were "not crazy-bad" but also "not very good". "Sometimes you just go through tougher moments," Federer said earlier.

"It's also part of a good player, being able to put that aside and still play good tennis. I promise you I had a lot of pain throughout my career, and I've managed to play with it." Britain's Andy Murray grimaced with pain during his first matches of the year before shaking off a niggling knee problem to win the men's competition in Brisbane.

But perhaps the biggest question mark is over men's champion Novak Djokovic, who enjoyed a 41-match winning streak and snapped up three grand slams last year before physically breaking down. The world number one won 10 of 11 finals in a campaign widely regarded as one of the best in history, tempered by four losses in the final few weeks of his season -among only six all year. But the Serb recovered to end 2011 with victory at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, and said he was free of his shoulder and back problems. Clijsters will be desperate not to let hip spasms, which forced her out in Brisbane, mar her final Australian Open before she retires at the end of the year.

STAR CRICKET Australia vs India 3rd Test, Day 1 08:00AM

STAR SPORTS ATP - Heineken Open 2012 08:00PM

Delhi’s rugby team romp to win over Lahore LAHORE Staff RepoRt

Delhi Lions Rugby Club on Thursday beat Lahore Rams Rugby by 19-14 at the University of Mangement and Sciences (UMR) ground here. A big crowed witnessed the match and in the end chief guest Rizwanullah Khan, General Manager Coca Cola Pakistan and Rector UMT Hassan Shuaib Murad, President PRU Fawzi Kawaja, Sec Pru Arif Saeed and other officials met the teams. In first half Delhi boys started fluently. Autar Manu managed a tri score getting five points and then Devender scored another try score. After that Sarib scored a conversion and got two points. Lahore Rams added two try scores in which Haji Anwar was instrumental. After first half Delhi led the match 12-7. In the second half both the teams played splendid rugby but again Delhi boys played better and Devender again scored a tri score. From Lahore Haji Anwar scored a tri score. By the end of match Lahore tried but did not get success and Delhi Lions rugby club won 19-14.

Chief Guest Rizwan ullah Khan General Manager Coca Cola Corporation Pakistan and Rector UMT Hassan Shuaib Murad distributed Shields two both captains.

Sufi storms into Pakistan Cup final

Kvitova No.1 hopes dashed but Open ahead

LAHORE Staff RepoRt

SYDnEY afp

Petra Kitova's hopes of usurping Caroline Wozniacki as world number one were delayed after her loss Thursday in Sydney, but it is full steam ahead for next week's Australian Open. The Czech left-hander, coming off a landmark 2011 where she won Wimbledon, the WTA Championships and four other WTA titles, was poised to topple Wozniacki from top of the rankings if she had won the Sydney International. But despite a brilliant start in her semi-final clash against the Sydney defending champion Li Na, she failed to capitalise and the Chinese star made an impressive comeback, 1-6, 75, 6-2. The exit before the final of both top players -- Wozniacki crashed out to in the quarter-finals -- makes the year's opening grand slam in Melbourne starting Monday an even more exciting prospect. Kvitova has had the better start to 2012 and goes to Melbourne armed with a six-match preparation at the Hopman Cup -- where she defeated Wozniacki in a close-fought three-setter -- and the Sydney International. "This match we played today was great for my preparation," Kvitova said, keeping positive after the loss. "These two weeks were great when I played some good matches. "The next one is Melbourne, so hopefully I will be better and not really as tired as now."

Much attention ahead of the Australian Open has focused on Wozniacki's reign at number one, now in its 65th week, despite the player not yet winning a grand slam in 19 attempts. But the Dane shrugs off the talk that has dogged her over the merits of her ranking, and the prospect of Kvitova overtaking her. "To be honest, I don't think about it (losing top ranking)," Wozniacki said. "The most important thing is to be healthy and be able play and play well. What happens happens. It doesn't matter."

watCh it LivE

MeLBOURNe: Serena williams of the US wears her new outfit for the Australian Open. AfP

Sufi Group reached the main final of the Pakistan Polo Cup while and HBL made their way to the classification encounter to be played here at the Lahore Polo Club’s ground on Sunday. Sufi group had an easy sailing to the final of the tournament as they beat Hataff 10-6 while HBL struggled to beat Pakistan Air Force 7-6. Taimur Ali Malik with his four goals led HBL win and Raja Samiullah provided the required support scoring two goals and Raja Temur Nadeem contributed one. Shaukat Ali Malik and Waqas Niazi shared three goals each to lead the losing team’s total.

On the other hand, all the four riders of Sufi Group contributed to the win with major share coming from Shah Qublai Alam and Saqib Khan Khakwani while Sufi Muhammad Haris and Sufi Muhammad Amir added one goal each. Hataff’s striker Sameer Habib Oberoi led their charge with ample support coming from Agha Murtaza Ali Khan and Hashim Kamal Agha. Shah Shamyl Alam, Ahmed Zuabir, Santiago Mendivil and Omar Asjad Malhi supervised the matches.

Gerrard gives Liverpool League Cup edge MAnCHEStER afp

Steven Gerrard's penalty handed Liverpool an important advantage in their League Cup semi-final with Manchester City as the visitors came away from Eastlands with a 1-0 first leg lead. Liverpool, who have won the League Cup competition a record seven times, are seeking their first trophy in six years and are now favourites to advance to the final against Championship opponents Crystal Palace or Cardiff.

Given the negative publicity Liverpool have endured over their handling of the Luis Suarez racism case, victory at a ground where they were beaten 3-0 by the Premier League leaders just eight days earlier could not have come at a better time. "It's set up for a cracking (second leg) match at Anfield," Gerrard told BBC. "There's still 90 minutes

to play and I'm sure it will be a cracker at Anfield. The advantage is ours but it's still not over." City manager Roberto Mancini insisted his side did not deserve to lose. "The first half we didn't play well because after six months it can happen for the first time. "It is clear that without three or four players it's more difficult but in the end we didn't deserve to lose the game," the Italian added.

"We played poorly in the first half but the result is not right. The right result was a draw." Liverpool made an electrifying start to the tie and, but for City goalkeeper Joe Hart, could have been in total command of the match. As it was, they had to settle for the single goal, scored by Gerrard from the spot after back-up centre-half Stefan Savic, only playing because of the absence of Kolo Toure on international duty and the suspension of Vincent Kompany, had clearly brought down Daniel Agger at a corner.

Gerrard struck low past England keeper Hart and into the left-hand corner in the 13th minute. That goal was the culmination of a spell of concerted pressure and, after four minutes, Hart saved with his legs from Andy Carroll. Gerrard then chanced his arm from 20 yards with a right-foot strike the diving Hart, once more, kept out brilliantly.

And, moments before the penalty, a Gerrard corner picked out Stewart Downing, lurking on the edge of the area, for the winger to unleash a superbly-struck volley, Craig Bellamy steering the shot towards goal and Hart making a stunning reflex save.

City's controversial forward Mario Balotelli summed up the hosts unease, looking out of sorts throughout the first half, being dragged away from an altercation with Charlie Adam and, finally, being replaced by Mancini after 40 minutes without it being immediately apparent whether or not he was injured.

MANCHeSTeR: Liverpool's Steven Gerrard (L) vies with Manchester City's Gareth Barry during the League cup semi final first leg football match. AfP

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Friday, 13 January, 2012

PML-N in frantic efforts to unite Opp g

Party leaders consider a possible no-confidence motion against PM ISLAMABAD iRfan buKhaRi/tahiR niaz

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GAINST the backdrop of a continuing standoff between the government and the military over the memo issue that has left both sides sticking to their positions, a flurry of activities was witnessed in the federal capital on Thursday, as all political parties, coalition partners and the opposition, remained active throughout the day to avoid a confrontation between the institutions.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was, however, not willing to give the government a chance to stay in power, as it chalked out a three-phased strategy to oust the Zardari-Gilani dispensation and established contacts with other opposition parties to form a united front. They will continue their consultations today (Friday) to consider moving a no-confidence motion against the PM. After facing serious differences from within party ranks over en bloc resignations from parliament, the perturbed PML-N leadership on Thursday initiated fresh efforts to form a grand opposition with likeminded parties to force the government into announcing

early elections under a neutral caretaker setup.

The PML-N’s Central Working Committee and parliamentary party failed to devise a clear-cut strategy against the government, as its central leaders were divided on tendering en bloc resignations from parliament and provincial assemblies. “At the outset of the meeting, Khawaja Saad Rafiq asked the party’s central command to give a date on which they would resign from the assemblies. In response, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Javed Latif and some others opposed the option, saying it would politically damage the party,” a PML-N source said, adding that a majority of PML-N lawmakers advised to bring a no-confidence motion against the PM. However, some party leaders opposed the suggestion, arguing that it would not succeed as the PPP’s coalition partners would not ditch the PM while supporters of no-confidence motion argued that the move would at least prove that the PML-N was serious in removing the “corrupt” government.

A number of PML-N leaders asked Nawaz Sharif to give a deadline to the government to mend its ways and after the passage of the deadline, the PML-N must lead a long march to Islamabad to send the government packing.

COAS, iSi DG’s stance vindicated in SC verdict ISLAMABAD MaSooD RehMan

Announcing its detailed judgement on the maintainability of petitions filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Nawaz Sharif and others seeking a probe into the ‘memo’ controversy, the Supreme Court on Thursday held that the petitions were maintainable as the sovereignty of the state and fundamental rights of the citizens were obviously linked.

Contradicting Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s statement that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha had submitted their replies in the Supreme Court in violation of the prescribed procedure, the court noted that Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq, appearing on behalf of the federation, had contended that as the court had observed that the COAS and the ISI DG also fell within

the definition of the federation, therefore, he was appearing on their behalf.

The court further noted that it was a matter of record that the replies submitted on December 14, 2011 on behalf of the respondents, the COAS and the ISI DG, were duly filed under a covering letter on December 15, 2011 before the court through the attorney general and similarly the affidavits of the army chief and DG ISI were delivered by the Defence Ministry on December 21, 2011 to the office of attorney general, which were filed in the court.

Earlier on December 30, 2011, in its unanimous short order, a nine-member larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, had declared the petitions for probe into the ‘memo’ issue as maintainable and held that the detailed reasons that of how the petitions were maintainable would be recorded later.

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A source said the party could not reach a consensus on giving a deadline but it agreed that the option of long march would be used at an appropriate time.

Immediately after the party’s CWC meeting, Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had a consultation meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, PML-Likeminded President Salim Saifullah, PPP -Sherpao chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) to devise a joint strategy of opposition vis-à-vis current political situation in the country.

These party leaders met at Nisar’s chamber in the Parliament House and discussed bringing a no-confidence motion against the PM, but could not reach a decision in this regard.

However, they agreed that fresh elections were the only way out of the prevailing political crisis in the country. The central leaders of the JUI-F, PML-Likeminded, PPP-Sherpao, JI and nationalist parties of Balochistan will meet Nawaz Sharif on his lunch invitation to develop a consensus on how the government could be compelled to announce general Continued on page 04

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eCP ordered to prepare electoral rolls by feb 23 ISLAMABAD Staff RepoRt

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday declined to extend the February 23 deadline for the preparation of new electoral rolls and directed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and NADRA to use all resources to complete the task within the stipulated time and submit a compliance report.

The court also issued notices to 23 parliamentarians elected in the by-elections at a time when the ECP was incomplete under the provisions of the 18th Amendment. A four-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was hearing pleas filed

by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan and late Benazir Bhutto against the presence of 37 million bogus votes in the electoral rolls.

Appearing on notice, ECP Joint Secretary Sher Afgan told the court that the ECP had already accelerated the process of preparation of

Drones kill 4 in NwA PESHAWAR ShaMiM ShahiD

At least four suspected militants were killed in a second drone strike in two days on Thursday. A US drone fired two missiles targeting a vehicle in Doga Madakhel area of North Waziristan late in the evening, an official in Miranshah, the main town of North Waziristan, said.

He said the vehicle was passing through a road near New Ada in Doga Madakhel area in Data Khel tehsil of the agency.

The identity of the four men killed in the attack could not be ascertained but tribesmen believe them to be local and foreign militants.

Published by Arif Nizami for Nawa Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd. Printed by Ghulam Akbar, AA & NHT Group, Plot 24, Shalimar Road, Lilly Market, Soan Garden, Islamabad.

new electoral rolls. However, he sought more time, saying the deadline was very close. The court observed that the time given to the ECP for the preparation of new voter lists would not be increased.

“Democratic system is totally based on transparent and free election, which is not possible without new voter lists that are free of fake votes,” the chief justice observed.

He said in 2007, then Pakistan Peoples Party’s chairwoman Benazir Bhutto had filed a petition for preparation of new voter lists.

However, the ECP did nothing in this regard.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain observed that the ECP must have electoral rolls ready, as new elections could be held anytime.

Hamid Khan, counsel for Imran Khan, submitted that according to the ECP, new voter lists could be completed by May 2012, not earlier.

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