E-paper PkisanToday 6th April,2012

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US drone attacks from Afghanistan to end after 2014: Afghan FM

No action will be taken Pakistan being against national presented to Bilawal interest,says Gilani as a kingdom: Nisar

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rs15.00 Vol ii no 279 22 pages

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Karachi edition

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Friday, 6 april, 2012 Jamadi-ul-awal 13, 1433

Zardari lunges at the sharifs

7 killed as police targeted in Karachi SSP escapes unhurt as suicide bomber kills two policemen, two civilians in attack on convoy g

President says he gave Sharif brothers ‘the shine and can take it back any time’ g Sanaullah says President Zardari resorted to ‘lowly act’ g

Three policemen gunned down in PIB Colony g

KARACHI: Men mourn their dead relatives at the Jinnah Hospital mortuary after an attack on the squad of a senior police officer on Thursday. online

LAHORE

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STAff RepoRT

ReSIDeNT Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday launched a scathing attack on opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif, saying they were ‘mohajirs’ in Lahore and were enjoying power because of his Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

Addressing a gathering of PPP workers at the Governor’s House here, Zardari, who is the co-chairman of PPP, took swipes at the Sharif brothers and said they had “no political future”. Zardari further said: “Lahore is not a stronghold of the Sharifs and we will prove this in the coming elections”. Lahore is PPP’s city and the Sharif brothers were living there as “mohajirs” (migrants), he said. “We know how brave the Sharif brothers are. They have no political future”. In a stinging personal attack, Zardari said the brothers could not muster enough followers for the “funeral of their father”. “The Sharifs did not even have enough shoulders to carry the funeral of their father. The dead body of Mian Sharif had to be taken to Data Darbar,” said Zardari. The Sharifs were in exile in Saudi Arabia when their father died and his burial was done under strict security arrangements put in place by the former military regime of Pervez Musharraf. Zardari claimed the “shine that the Sharif brothers have” was given by him and that he could “take it away any time”. He said the PPP would form the government in Punjab, the country’s most populous province, after winning the 2013 elections. The PPP will contest the next election in Punjab with its coalition partner, the PML-Q, he said.

KARACHI STAff RepoRT

At least seven people, including five policemen, were killed and 14 others injured in a suicide bombing and another targeted attack in the violence-hit city on Thursday. The bomb targeted a senior superintendent of police in Malir Halt area of the troubled district. Sources said SSP Rao Anwar was patrolling with his squad when a bomber rammed his explosives-laden motorbike into an Armored Personnel Carrier in the convoy. As a result four people, including two policemen, were killed and 14 were injured in the explosion.

“The attack targeted me. I was moving with my squad in Malir Halt district when the explosion took place. I am unhurt, but some of my men have been injured,” Anwar said.

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. Several nearby shops and buildings were also damaged due to the intensity of the blast.

Rescue teams reached the spot and kicked off relief efforts while police and Rangers cordoned off the area. The injured were shifted to the emergency unit at Jinnah Hospital.

PIB COLONY SHOOTING: In the other attack, three policemen, an ASI among them, were gunned down early on Thursday morning in PIB Colony area. Officials said the three policemen, identified as ASI Dhani Bux, head constable Ramzan and constable Nisar, were performing their duties in PIB Colony when unidentified attackers opened fire on them.

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no coup was planned after May 2 raid: Pasha g

Former DG iSi says Haqqani could not convince him on the screen shots of Mansoor ijaz’s Blackberry handset

ISLAMABAD TAHIR NIAz

Former director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) General Ahmad Shuja Pasha on Thursday stood by his affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court earlier, and dispelled the impression of a possible military coup after the May 2 Abbottabad raid, saying had there been such a plan, the ISI would have known of it.

In his cross examination, the former DG ISI said that he was not convinced when Husain Haqqani, during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, challenged the screen shots of Mansoor Ijaz’s blackberry as fake. “It was just a statement by Haqqani and no body had access to his blackberry sets to ascertain the veracity of his statement,” he added.

In reply to a question, Pasha said that he had no reason to agree with Haqqani’s counsel Zahid Bukhari’s suggestion that

Manoor Ijaz had prepared a plot (in the form of the memorandum) to malign the ISI, Army and Pakistan. To another question, Pasha said what he saw on the screen of Ijaz’s handset (BBMs exchanged between Haqqani and Ijaz) did not look fabricated, adding that the matter could be better judged by a forensic expert. Pasha endorsed Ijaz’s testimony about their meeting at Park Lane Hotel in London. “Mansoor Ijaz showed me the blackberry messages exchanged between him and ambassador Haqqani,” he added. As Haqqani did not appear before the commission, it observed that the former ambassador to the US was “in disobedience of the tribunal’s orders”, and rejected his application for adjournment as an “unjustified demand”. continued on page 04

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02 News Today’s

Friday, 6 April, 2012

LAHore

NewS

Adding life to years

With $10m on his head, militant leader taunts US

Story on Page 08

Story on Page 06

cArtooN

Quick look

Page 13

Girl gets 34 years for throwing acid on ex-fiance’s father FAISALABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court in Faisalabad handed down a 34-year imprisonment to Rukhsana, a girl who threw acid on her ex-fiancé’s father after her engagement was called off by her in-laws. Rukhshana, who had been arrested on November 10, 2010, was engaged to Shehzad and their engagement was broken by Shehzad’s family due to unknown reasons. After some time, on the evening of Shehzad’s mehndi, the girl reached his house in order to ‘avenge’ the humiliation and had a scuffle with his family. Shehzad’s father Akhtar Razzaq tried to stop the girl and in her defense, she threw acid on Razzaq’s face, leaving him blind in one eye. INp

Punjab govt mulling detaining Hafiz Saeed, Lakhvi LAHORE: The government of Punjab is seriously considering to detain religious leaders Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and his second-incommand Abdur Rehman Lakhvi after the US announced bounty on Saeed the other day. Pakistan is in trouble after the announcement of a $10 million bounty for the chief of Jamatud Dawa (JD), a religious organization based on Ahl Hadith school of thought. The security of the leader has already been extended as fears have risen over the threat to his life. Sources in the Punjab Home Department said it had been informed to the JD leaders to limit their activities. “Initially they would be detained for 30 days and if they were not taken in custody, the US could take a step to harm them,” they revealed.

“President Asif Ali Zardari will go to India in the coming days. And before his tour, the US deputy foreign minister announced in Spain that it might be possible that they would ask Zardari to arrest Hafiz Saeed,” he sources said. “Before the arrest demand, pressure could be increased to force Zardari to give any statement about arrest during his Indian tour,” the sources added. NNI

KARACHI: Security personnel collect evidence from the scene of a suicide bombing on the squad of a senior police official on Thursday. online

‘3 Cups of Tea’ author to repay charity $1m WASHINGTON

Dust storm uproots PML-N’s public rally in Mirpur MIRPUR: The inaugural convention of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz AJK chapter was uprooted, forcing its chief Nawaz Sharif to leave the venue without addressing the rally.

Nawaz Sharif faced the situation as he appeared to give his address. The dust storm uprooted tents, which compelled the audience to leave the venue. earlier, in his few opening remarks of address, Sharif thanked the organisers, especially the newly-elected PML-N AJK President Raja Farooq Haider Khan for managing the first-ever public rally in AJK. App

Abducted Pakistani teen starved to death in Greece ATHENS: A Pakistani youth was starved to death in Greece after being held to ransom by kidnappers for over more than months, the semi-state Athens News Agency reported on Thursday, citing police sources. The 17-year-old had been found dead by relatives in January on a street bench in west Athens following a tip-off from the kidnappers who had helped bring him to Greece in the first place. Police said that the teenager had been held captive from October 2010 and malnourished to force his family to make a payment of 5,500 euros ($7,200). But even though the money was paid, the kidnappers demanded more, ANA said. The police arrested a 24-year-old Pakistani man who allegedly conducted the ransom negotiations as a suspect and are seeking another seven, the agency said. Greece, currently in the throes of a major economic crisis, is an important hub for clandestine migrants to europe from Turkey and the Middle east. Afp

Afp

A US author nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work building schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan has agreed to repay $1 million to his charity after a probe into financial misdealing.

Greg Mortenson, who wrote the best-selling book “Three Cups of Tea” about his work, has also agreed to resign from his charity’s board for “financial transgressions” in a settlement reached with the Montana attorney general.

A year-long investigation by the attorney general’s office found Mortenson had “failed to fulfill his responsibilities” to his Central Asia Institute (CAI), but that the charity was worth saving.

The probe by Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock followed a CBS television expose last year alleging that some of the most dramatic episodes in Mortenson’s best-selling memoir and its popular sequel “Stones into Schools” were fabricated and largely served as a conduit to self-enrichment. In “Three Cups of Tea,” which has sold more than four million copies since its 2006 release, Mortenson tells the stirring story of how he was rescued and nursed to health in the remote Pakistani village of Korphe after a failed climb in 1993 of the mountain K2. He writes that as he recovered, he promised villagers to come back and build a school, a decision that gave birth to his now famous campaign.

But the 2009 Nobel nominee “had significant lapses in judgment” that caused millions of dollars of donations to CAI to be spent on family vacations and personal items, Bullock said in a statement.

He said Mortenson would be removed “from any position of financial oversight” and as a voting member of CAI’s board of directors, though the author will be allowed to keep a non-executive role.

“Despite the severity of their errors, CAI is worth saving,” Bullock added. Mortenson, who resigned as executive director last year, has repaid $495,000 of $1.05 million owed to CAI, leaving him with $560,000 to repay over three years because he has “insufficient financial resources” to pay it all at once, according to the attorney general’s report.

The investigation pointed to a significant lack of financial accountability, with vast amounts of cash spent overseas without supporting receipts and other documentation as Mortenson’s expenses went largely unchallenged by CAI’s board.

In one of the most egregious cases, CAI spent about $3.96 million buying Mortenson’s books — largely at full price from online retailers — to donate them without using his publisher’s discount.

Mortenson never abided by a CAI agreement requiring him to donate the equivalent of the royalties he made from the purchases — and never split, as had been agreed, the $4.93 million CAI paid to promote and advertise the books. The charity spent nearly $2 million on charter flights to maintain Mortenson’s busy speaking schedule until he started paying for his own travel in the months leading to the April 2011 media investigations into his activities. The report said Mortenson was “double-dipping” prior to the investigation, as he had not reimbursed CAI for travel expenses despite receiving an honorarium from event sponsors.

And he pocketed nearly all of his speaking fees. At one point when his engagement fees ranged between $25,000 to $30,000, all but $7,500 went to Mortenson. Among the “substantial” expenses Mortenson charged to the charity he co-founded were “LL Bean clothing, iTunes, luggage, luxurious accommodations, and even vacations”, according to the report.

Yet Mortenson was not alone in making unaccounted charges to CAI’s accounts.

The charity’s credit card statements showed “questionable charges” by other employees at restaurants, bars and spas, as well as on health club dues and gifts, the attorney general’s office said.

But the charity had good financial standing, with $23 million in reserves as it had cashed a lot more donations than it spent.

In 2009, CAI said it ran 54 schools in Afghanistan, with 28,475 pupils, most of them girls.

But CBS television’s “60 Minutes” program last year said many of the schools supposedly run by Mortenson’s charity had never opened, and it had visited many of the schools only to find them deserted or operating without links to Mortenson.

The Montana probe did not delve into those issues.

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Friday, 6 April, 2012

ForeiGN NewS

ArtS & eNtertAiNMeNt

SPortS

Saudi rules out sending women athletes to London Rihanna: Chris Brown violence ‘gave me guns’

News 03 coMMeNt

Rehabilitation process begins for Aamir

Breaking the stalemate?

No other way out

Digging graves A necessity

Qudssia Akhlaque says: Bizarre ‘bounty’ business: Highhandedness, US-style

Khawaja Manzar Amin says: The O Scar Awards 2012: Let’s hand them out on April 1st, not March 23rd

Taimoor Ashraf says: On the PTI troll: Tolerate them, for they know not what they do

Story on Page 15

Story on Page 18

Mind your tongue, Firdous tells nisar

ISLAMABAD

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App

e D e R A L Information Minister Dr Firdous Aashiq Awan on Thursday criticised Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali for using un-parliamentary language against PPP Chairman Bilawal

Bhutto Zardari.

Talking to journalists outside the Parliament House, Firdous said that Nisar must avoid giving such statements against PPP leaders, as they hurt the party parliamentarians and workers. “Bilawal is not an ordinary person, he is an elected chairman of the biggest political party of the country.

PPP’s Central executive Committee had elected him and he is also enjoying the mandate of the nation,” she added. The minister said the PPP knew that from where the opposition leaders were getting benefits. The children of Nisar hate Pakistan as they do not have Pakistani passports and citizenship while Bilawal is a Pakistani national, she added.

She said, “The sons of Nawaz Sharif and Nisar are spending the looted money of Pakistani nation in London and other foreign countries”. Bilawal has a clean record, reputation and impeachable character, she added. Responding to a question, she said the apex court must correct historical mistakes. The minister said the government wanted to evolve consensus on the recommendations of the PCNS but the PML-N was wasting time by not taking part in the debate on new terms of engagement with the US.

Shadman police registers case against two constables for harassing arrested girls LAHORE STAff RepoRT

The Shadman Police on Thursday registered a case against two constables, including a driver of Punjab Police’s MT Department and a staffer of Civil Defence, for harassing and demanding ransom from heirs of two girls.

The girls were allegedly kidnapped by unidentified kidnappers from Gulberg College for Women, but later recovered from a local hotel in Shadman police precincts along with their paramours on Monday. A case number 179/12 was registered by Shadman Police on the complaint of paternal uncle of two girls namely Mian Ishaaq after DIG Major (r) Mubashirullah completed initial inquiry into the matter on orders of Punjab chief minister.

The DIG during course of investigation also suspended a muharrar of Shadman police station, Mehboob. DIG Major (r) Mubashirullah told Pakistan Today that the Punjab chief minister had ordered an inquiry after the issue was

reported by the media.

He said the two girls, Rabia and Afshan, were cousins. Rabia was a resident of Nishtar Colony while Afshan belonged to Sharaqpur. He said Afshan came to the city to meet her relatives and on the day of the incident, she went along Rabia. According to the DIG, Afshan had connections with Yasir, a resident of Sharaqpur.

He said Afshan and Yasir decided to meet and got Rabia involved in the matter as well. He said Yasir and his friend reached Lahore and they all met at a local park. Mubashir said after spending a few hours in a local park, they went straight to a hotel where they hired two rooms on rent after paying Rs 1,200 for each. He said a reporter of a local television channel informed police that the girls and boys were in an immoral state, after which the Shadman SHO raided the hotel and arrested Rabia, Afshan, Yasir and Yasir’s friend. To a query, the DIG rejected reports regarding the death of an uncle of the two girls due to heart attack after the arrest of the girls by Shadman police.

British riots hero guilty of breaking man’s jaw LONDON Afp

A British man hailed as a hero after he appealed for calm during the riots that killed his son last summer was handed a 12-month suspended jail sentence on Thursday for breaking a man’s jaw.

Tariq Jahan, whose son Haroon was one of three men of South Asian origin killed when riots rocked Britain’ second city Birmingham last August, was found guilty of attacking a factory worker he accused of staring at his wife.

The 46-year-old broke Sajjid Ali’ jaw during the argument on July 6, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Jahan claimed he had acted in self-defence after Ali headbutted him, but was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and given a 12-

month sentence, suspended for two years.

He was cleared of the more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The attack happened a month before Jahan won national acclaim for his dignified response to the death of his son, who was hit by a car while trying to protect shops and homes from looters. Police acknowledged that it was only Jahan’s emotional plea for peace that saved the area from an eruption of inter-ethnic violence, after young Asian men vowed to take revenge for the killings.

“I don’t want any of you to fight,” he had told an angry crowd of some 150 men on August 11 last year, hours after his son was killed.

“My son died defending the community he lived in. We’re part of this community so please go home.”

Story on Page 18

Articles on Page 12-13

‘Pakistan being presented to Bilawal as a kingdom’ ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is a child and Pakistan is being presented to him as a personal kingdom, Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali said on Thursday. Speaking during the joint sitting of parliament chaired by National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, he said that the PPP chairman did not know anything about politics and could not speak the national language of the country but he was being given the centre stage in politics. Nisar said that parliament should be taken into confidence regarding President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to India on April 8. He said that the instantaneous visit was not in conformity with the stature of the president. He said that Pakistan and India had sensitive relations, adding that New Delhi treated Pakistan like ‘Achoot’ (untouchable) and was not ready to send its cricket team to Pakistan. The PML-N leader said that Zardari was not a common man and should keep in view country’s dignity and honour. INp

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04 News

Friday, 6 April, 2012

No action will be taken against national interest: Gilani ISLAMABAD

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WAgAH: Sukhpreet Kaur (3R), the wife of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh currently in a pakistan jail, and his daughter poonam (4L) with Baba Bajrangee (C) shout slogans with others during a demonstration for Sarabjit’s release on Thursday. afP

indian Army chief says troop movement reports ‘stupid’ KATHMANDU

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oNLINe

NDIAN Army chief Gen VK Singh has dismissed as “absolutely stupid” a report that the Indian government panicked for several hours in the face of unexplained troop move-

US admits it lacks evidence to convict Hafiz Saeed LONDON NNI

The United States has admitted that it lacks the evidence to convict Jamaatud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed of terrorism despite slapping a $10 million bounty on his head for his capture and conviction, UK-based Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday.

The decision to name Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, on the US State Department’s most wanted list has provoked an angry reaction in Pakistan where even liberal commentators fear that Washington was acting without proof in order to cosy up to archrival India.

At a regular briefing, State Department spokesman Mark Toner was forced to clarify the US government’s position, pointing out that the reward was for evidence that could be used to secure Saeed’s conviction.

“We all know where he is. every journalist in Pakistan and in the region knows how to find him. But we’re looking for information that can be usable to convict him in a court of law,” he said.

However, he admitted that so far the US lacked proof that would withstand judicial scrutiny. “There is information, there is intelligence that is not necessarily usable in a court of law,” he said.

Saeed was arrested after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people, but was released in 2009 on appeal.

ments near Delhi in January.

“This is absolutely stupid,” Singh said on Thursday when asked to comment on the report.

“Whoever is trying to make stories against the army chief is deplorable,” said Gen VK Singh, PTI reported.

A report in The Indian express had said that the government was “spooked” on the night of January 1617, because of the movement of a mechanised infantry battallion from Haryana’s Hisar and a sizeable section of 50 Para Brigade, creating a storm in the government.

Prime Minister Manmo-

han Singh and Defence Minister AK Antony had on Wednesday dismissed the story calling it “alarmist” and “absolutely baseless”.

The Army chief is in Nepal to attend the threeday Regional Seminar on Natural Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance.

“The terrorists were between six and eight in number. They intercepted the police mobile SP-0461 and opened fired on the patrolling party,” an official on the spot said. He said the cops were critically injured and were rushed to Jinnah Hospital but could not survive their in-

juries, adding that the assailants also snatched weapons of the policemen after shooting them down. The deceased were from Ferozabad police station.

Police and government officials say over 50 people have lost their lives in violence over the last 10 days, and arsonists have set more than 50 vehicles alight. The latest spree of vio-

RIMe Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that no action will be taken against national interest and integrity, adding that all the issues, including Kashmir were under discussion with India.

Addressing a joint session of the parliament on Thursday, he clarified that President Asif Ali Zardari was going on to India on a private trip.

Gilani said the president would be visiting India in his personal capacity and the parliament would be taken into confidence if discussions on any issue were held with the

Sc moved to resume hearing of petitions against fuel price hike ISLAMABAD STAff RepoRT

lence started after renewed ethnic and political tensions between the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and Awami National Party (ANP).

Both parties are PPP’s allies in the government. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 1,715 people were killed in sudden flare-ups of violence in the city last year.

Applications were filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday for early hearing of pending petitions relating to increase in POL prices with a plea that procrastination in hearing of the matter will cause greater economic loss to the general public. The applications were filed by Ikram Chaudhry, counsel for PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra and Bashir Chaudhry, seeking court’s attention to fix cases for hearing during next week from April 9. An application for early hearing was filed by Bashir Chaudhry, whose petition was pending in which he had challenged the petroleum levy in 2011, imposed in result of a presidential ordinance.

Reacting to the attack, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said Zardari had resorted to a “lowly act”.

“If Zardari describes the Sharif brothers as migrants, then he is surely unaware of the results of the past four elections,” said Sanaullah.

“It seems like he (Zardari) has gone mad. He can foresee that he is going to face terrible consequences, which is why he is making such statements,” he added.

Zardari, who has rarely

been seen in public in recent months, is in Lahore to interact with PPP workers for the first time in almost two years. Though he made a visit to the city last year to meet the family of slain Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, he did not meet party workers at the time.

When Zardari arrived in the provincial capital on Wednesday, he was not received by officials or ministers of the PML-N government.

dent’s vision to promote intra-regional peace and prosperity in this part of the world and we are looking forward for a constructive engagement between the two leaders.” “Obviously during the lunch the issues, which continue to take priority in our bilateral relations, will be discussed,” he said.

He said as for United Nations Special Rapporteur Christof Hynes conclusions “we cannot agree more with

him”. “It is encouraging that the international community is increasing focusing on the serious human rights situation in Indian occupied Kashmir. There cannot be two views on the need to revoke the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other such acts which have brought nothing but misery to Kashmiris,” he said.

He said, “Needless to say that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been

Seven killed continued From page 1

NNI

Zardari lunges continued From page 1 He contended that the PPP “has votes while other parties have candidates and hollow slogans”. He said the PPP would continue rendering its services to the people in the next tenure. He said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto had laid their lives for the sake of democracy, and that the entire world pays tribute to them.

He said the government would give “real relief” to the people and traders in

the next budget. “The problem of load shedding will be resolved within three months,” he announced. As Zardari continued his tirade against the Sharifs, he went on to say that the PPP had established the “politics of reconciliation” in the country by following the vision of Benazir Bhutto, while strengthening democracy in the country.

He said the PPP would continue its policy of reconciliation.

Indian leadership. Responding to the points raised by Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman in the joint session of the parliament ‚ he said Pakistan had an ongoing dialogue process with India in which all issues, including Kashmir‚ Siachen and water were being discussed.

Gilani said his Indian counterpart had asked him to put all the cards on table and they mentioned Kashmir even during their joint news conference.

“We are a responsible government and we will uphold the dignity and self-respect of the country,” Gilani said. About US announcement of $10 million bounty on Hafiz Saeed‚ the prime minister said he had tele-

phoned PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Thursday and took him into confidence on the government’s position on the issue. The prime minister said this was an internal issue of Pakistan and if there was any concrete proof against Hafiz Saeed, then it should be provided to Pakistan which has an independent judiciary. Gilani pointed out that the last case against Saeed was dismissed due to lack of evidence. He said he had taken up the matter with US deputy secretary of State on Wednesday. “He was informed that at a time when the parliament was engaged in framing new rules of engagement with the United States, such negative messages would increase the trust deficit,” Gilani added.

no coup Justice Qazi Isa, chairman of the memo commission, told Haqqani’s counsel that if his client was ill for the last three years, then he should not have taken up the important job of an ambassador. He further said that Haqqani had earlier undertaken before the Supreme Court that he would appear before the commission on a four-day notice whenever he was summoned.

Pasha said there was no military coup planned after the May 2 incident and added that this allegation was one of the reasons that prompted him to go to London and meet Mansoor Ijaz to verify what he had claimed in his Financial Times article, as it was giving a false impression of a tension between the military and civilian leadership of the country. The former ISI chief said that he needed no permission to travel to London to meet Mansoor Ijaz. He said that during their meeting in London, Ijaz did not mention Haqqani and President Asif Ali Zardari as the authors of the alleged memorandum.

On the contents of the memo, Pasha said that “boots on ground” and “foreign input on the proposed national security team” were the most disturbing issues for him than the elimination of the “S Wing” of the ISI. To a question, he said that it was not for him to ascertain what Ijaz was, and what he was up to, as the contents of the

memorandum were the most important thing for him. “It is incorrect that the relationship between the civilian and military leadership of the country was strained after the May 2 incident,” Pasha said.

He said the ISI did not probe the matter further after bringing it to the notice of the president, the prime minister and the chief of army staff, as it was a very sensitive matter, adding that if he had done so, it could have generated a lot of speculations and controversy.

Pasha continued that he had held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari on November 18 on the memo issue and briefed him about his meeting with Mansoor Ijaz.

“I informed him (President) that the matter was very sensitive and needed to be probed further,” he added. expressing displeasure, the commission’s chairman told Haqqani’s counsel that his client got an appointment for MRI/CT tests for April 4 at a US hospital, but had not informed the commission about the same on the last hearing of March 26. “If he is so sick, how did he perform his duties as the ambassador of the country,” Justice Isa asked Bukhari. “In short, he has chosen not to come. Your client is in disobedience of the tribunal’s orders and his own affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court,” he observed. earlier, Bukhari said that the matter was sub-judice before the Supreme Court. The commission, however, rejected Haqqani’s application as an “unjustified demand”.

struggling for their right to self-determination and no amount of repression can take this fundamental right away from them.”

To a question that when Pakistan does not have any proof against Hafiz Saeed, why had the government banned Laskhar-e-Tayyaba and Jamaatud Dawa and Hafiz Saeed’s entry into Islamabad capital territory, he said, “You are talking about two different organizations

and individuals. I think a parallel cannot be drawn between the two.”

To a question on any possible US operation against Hafiz Saeed, he said, “I think the US has clarified it position by saying that the announcement of bounty is for information or evidence against Hafiz Saeed and Hafiz Makki, meaning that there is not enough evidence yet against them. We find it somewhat strange.”

continued From page 1

Pakistan, US continued From page 22 He said, “All such issues have to be addressed through legal procedures. It is not desirable to get into public discussion on these issues.” Asked whether the US had violated international law by announcing bounty on Hafiz Saeed and Abdur Rehman Makki, he said, “I am not aware if there is any provision under international law regarding bounty on foreign nationals. This

needs to be checked. The US has been making such announcements. In any case, it is only the state which has the sole jurisdiction over its nationals on its soil.”

To a question on President Zardari’s upcoming visit to India, Basit said, “We are of the view that the upcoming meeting between President Zardari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over lunch will contribute towards achieving the presi-

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News 05

three killed in firing after quarrel among children MARDAN INp

A police constable was killed by his cousins while his father was injured in a dispute that took a serious turn after quarrel among children at Shahbaz Garhi area on Thursday. According to details, firing took place after a quarrel between sons of Nisar and Nishat in which two cousins were killed two days ago. On Thursday, accused Farooq Azam and Zeeshan, sons of Nishat, along with their accomplices fired at the house of Nisar and his police constable son Muhammad Owais, killing Owais and injuring Nisar. Shahbaz Garhi SHO Fazal Sher Khan along with police raided the hideout of the accused and arrested three of them along with arms.

chaudhys call on Zardari LAHORE STAff RepoRT

MIRpUR: pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Nawaz Sharif waves to people before addressing a public gathering on Thursday. inP

PCNS makes headway in removing reservations: Rabbani ISLAMABAD INp

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HAIRMAN of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) Mian Raza Rabbani has said that there has been progress in removing reservations of various political parties on the recommendations of the committee.

Talking to reporters after the committee meeting on Thursday, Raza Rabbani said the PML-N had ended its boycott and become part of the committee again. He said all the amended recommendations would be gotten approved from parliament jointly.

The PCNS chairman said the committee was working keeping in mind the national interest of the country, adding foreign pressure would not

Indian Punjab desperate to import Pakistani buffaloes CHANDIGARH INp

The Indian east Punjab government has forwarded a proposal to the external Affairs Ministry to remove obstacles in importing buffaloes from Pakistan, according to a news report in the Times of India. The government has proposed to import buffaloes from the cities of Kasur and Lahore which are 50 kilometres away from the state of Indian Punjab. Chandigarh, the heart of Indian Punjab, is famous for its culinary delights and consumption of dairy items.

The average daily consumption of milk in the state of Indian Punjab is estimated to be 6.75 lakh litres per day.

According to a news report, Indian buffaloes produce four to eight litres of milk a day whereas Pakistani buffaloes, which are also known as Nili-Ravi and Kundli, can produce 36 litres of milk per day. The decreasing population of buffaloes and lower production of milk in the state has been considered a problem for the past five years which is why the government resorts to artificial means of increasing milk yield.

be taken. He said another meeting of the committee would be held after Friday prayers (today).

Sardar Mehtab Abbasi of the PML-N said the

party had boycotted the PCNS meeting to protest against the increase in POL prices.

The government has made insignificant decrease in the prices and promised to further consider their reduction.

He said the PML-N had also expressed its reservations in advance and demanded that it should be informed about progress on the resolutions passed earlier. Abbasi said the US was continuing its pressure but resumption of NATO supplies was not an easy matter.

JUI-F’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman said he was committed to its stance and would decide a course of action when recommendations of the committee would be presented in the parliament.

Those who attended the meeting included Munir Orakzai, Afrasiab Khattak, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao.

‘Evil eye’ Zardari’s prayers won’t be answered: Thackeray NEW DELHI INp

Ahead of President Asif Ali Zardari’s pilgrimage to the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray on Thursday took a dig at the Pakistani head of state, wondering how could the prayers of those who have an “evil eye” on India could be answered.

Thackeray sought to remind Zardari, who is at the centre of a tense stand-off between the government and the judiciary over corruption charges, that his predecessor General (r) Pervez Musharraf lost power after a visit to the Sufi shrine.

“The place of worship is situated in India. How will the prayers of those who have an evil eye on our country be answered,” Thackeray said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

Thackeray said the purpose of Zardari’s visit was not to improve relations between the two countries or to take steps to stop “Pakistan-sponsored” terrorism on Indian soil.

“Zardari is facing corruption charges and prospects of imprisonment after he is forced to step down from office. There is severe anti-Zardari sentiment among the people of Pakistan.

“The last Pakistani leader to visit Ajmer Sharif

was General Musharraf. After his visit, he lost power and had to leave his country,” Thackeray said and advised him to think twice before setting foot in Delhi. Zardari is arriving in New Delhi on Sunday on a “private visit” during which he will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over lunch and pay obeisance at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most venerated saints in the country.

PML-Q President Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Senior Federal Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz elahi called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Governor’s House on Thursday. Different issues confronting the country such as the energy crisis and the political strategy for the coming elections were discussed. The formula presented by Shujaat to resolve the energy crisis was in particular discussed in detail. The president was informed that with implementation of the formula, load shedding will be completely eliminated from cities within a month. The three leaders also exchanged views on the political situation of Punjab. Sources said that the trio also exchanged views on the coming by-elections and evolved the strategy to contest these polls. If successful then the formula would also be applicable for the general elections.

Nawaz to visit Peshawar today PESHAWAR INp

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif will visit Peshawar today (Friday) on an important visit. According to sources, former PML-Q Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Amir Muqam will join the PML-N along with his supporters in a press conference. Nawaz will also visit former senator Anwar Kamal’s house to condole his death with his family.

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06 News

Friday, 6 April, 2012

imran urges cJP to take bold decisions against ‘corrupt rulers’ ISLAMABAD INp

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday came down hard upon criticism of the Supreme Court by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari at Naudero and urged the CJP to take bold decisions on all corruption cases against corrupt rulers, including the prime minister’s contempt case.

Talking to journalists, Imran said that President Zardari and his cronies openly resorted to contempt of court by using abusive language in Naudero. He said that the whole nation fully backs the Supreme Court to take bold decisions against corrupt leaders, adding that all problems facing the country, including load shedding, were the result of corruption of rulers. The PTI chairman said that many problems could be resolved if transparent accountability was made against corrupt rulers.

Imran said that there was no difference between the PPP and PML-N, as both were power hungry. He said that the PML-N staged a drama of boycotting meetings of the PCNS but changed its stance with a single call of the prime minister. The PTI chairman said that the PTI believes in the politics of principles, adding that the PTI will give party tickets to honest people only. “It will not be possible for anyone to escape after violating Pakistan’s sovereignty if the PTI is in power,” Imran said. He said that the PTI will protect national sovereignty at all costs

LANDIKoTAL: Stranded commuters take a nap as traffic on the pakistan-Afghanistan Avenue remained jammed for a long time due to a high-level Saudi delegation’s visit to the area on Thursday. inP

Pakistan wants to improve relations with US, says PM ISLAMABAD

three security men killed QUETTA oNLINe

Three security men were killed when unidentified armed men attacked a FC convoy in Turbat, sources said on Thursday.

Two security personnel were also injured in the attack in Dasht area. The bodies were shifted to nearby hospital and investigation have started. No group claimed responsibility for the attack..

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NNI

RIMe Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan would like to improve its relations with the United States and rebuild the anti-terror alliance.

In an interview with China Daily, taken during his recent visit to China and published on Thursday, the prime minister reiterated his desire to rebuild an anti-terror alliance with the United States, but added that he would let the parliament decide on this issue.

“We know the importance of the United States and we want to work with the United States, but on a (basis of)

mutual respect and mutual interests,” said Gilani. Referring to the discussion on foreign policy in the parliament, Gilani said, “I am certain the parliament will bring about new rules of engagement with the United States as well as with NATO.” Referring to the Salala check post incident, the prime minister said that such unilateral action had stirred resentment among the Pakistani people.

“Our concerns of sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected,” he said. Last year on November 26, NATO aircraft bombed two Pakistani border posts at Salala and killed 24 soldiers.

Pakistani angrily closed supply routes to NATO forces in Afghanistan, and called for a parliamentary review of its rela-

tions with the US. “We had good relations with the United States in the last 60 years,” Gilani said, while noting that there have been a lot of ups and downs due to various kinds of issues.

He said that he told President Barack Obama during his meeting in South Korea that the US drone strikes targeting al Qaeda and Taliban militants were counterproductive. “We left parliament to apply its collective wisdom to decide,” he said.

Regarding the restoration of NATO supplies, Gilani said the decision would be made only after evolving consensus among political parties.

With $10m on his head, militant leader taunts US RAWALPINDI ReUTeRS

Who wants to be a millionaire? In Pakistan, all you have to do is give the United States information leading to the arrest or conviction of Hafiz Saeed - an Islamist leader whose whereabouts are usually not a mystery.

Saeed is suspected of masterminding the attack on India’s financial capital Mumbai in 2008 that killed 166 people, including six Americans.

US authorities placed a bounty on Monday of up to $10 million on Saeed, but on Wednesday he was openly wandering across Pakistan’s military garrison town of Rawalpindi, hanging out with some of the most anti-American characters in the country.

“This is a laughable, absurd announcement. Here I am in front of everyone, not hiding in a cave,” Saeed told a news conference at a hotel - a mere 40minute drive from the US embassy in Islamabad and just across from the headquarters of Pakistan’s army, recipient of billions of dollars in US aid.

“Now that he has a price on his head, for this money anyone is willing to do anything,” said Javed, a 55-year-old government employee who declined to give his full name. “Once people see the money there is no saving him, only God can save him.”

In Washington, US officials said the decision to offer the $10 million reward under the State Department’s longstanding “Rewards for Justice” program came

after months of discussions among US agencies involved in counter-terrorism.

The $10 million figure signifies major US interest in Saeed. Only three other militants, including Taliban leader Mullah Omar, fetch that high a bounty. There is a $25 million bounty on the head of al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.

At the same time it targeted Saeed, the US government also offered a smaller reward - $2 million - for Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, whom it said was the second in command of the militant group founded by Saeed, Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT).

As with many militants sought by the United States - and unlike Saeed Makki’s whereabouts are unknown to US authorities. The bounty would be paid for information leading to his location.

The announcement of a reward for Saeed comes at a time of heightened tension between the United States and Pakistan and is likely to increase pressure on Pakistan to take action against the former Arabic scholar. It is also likely to please India, the target of numerous LeT attacks.

Released from house arrest in 2009, Saeed is a free man in Pakistan, a strategic US ally and one of the world’s most unstable countries. The United States, which sees Saeed as a major security threat with links to al Qaeda, is hoping the bounty will trigger a stampede of Pakistanis who come forward with information that could lead to his arrest and conviction. Pakistani officials say Saeed and his organization, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, have been cleared by Pakistani courts.

They say they don’t understand what

all the fuss is about and complain the Americans are acting like cowboys. “The United States is acting like it’s Clint eastwood,” said a senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s as if they just want to ride a horse into Pakistan and just drag people like him away.”

Another security official nodded in agreement while a television repeatedly showed footage of Saeed. “What would happen if we put a bounty on President (Barack) Obama’s head because American drone strikes sometimes kill Pakistani civilians?” The drone strikes, which the United States regards as a highly effective and accurate weapon against militants, are deeply unpopular in Pakistan.

STREET SUPPORT: Saeed, a short, bearded man with a quiet but intense demeanor and henna-dyed hair, has turned the drone strikes and other explosive issues like the presence of Western troops in Afghanistan into a rallying cry against the United States. That has won him support on Pakistan’s streets.

“He wants the drone strikes to stop.

He wants the bloodshed in Afghanistan to end,” said a senior police official in Pakistan’s commercial capital Karachi.

“Hafiz Saeed isn’t saying anything wrong.

In fact, he’s a patriot.”

Some Pakistanis could not understand why the bounty was issued while Saeed is in plain view. His capture may ultimately depend on cooperation from Pakistan, often accused by the West of supporting militant groups. Pakistan denies the charges.

“It is unlikely that anything will come

out of this. You put bounties on people who are hiding, not those walking around free,” said businessman Haris Chaudhry.

“It’s ridiculous.”

Saeed, 61, founded LeT in the 1990s and it became one of South Asia’s bestfunded militant organizations. He abandoned its leadership after India accused it of being behind an attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001. India has long called for Saeed’s capture, blaming the LeT for the Mumbai carnage. He denies any wrongdoing and links to militants.

The former professor of Islamic studies seemed unfazed by the bounty. As stern-faced bodyguards with AK-47 assault rifles kept a close watch, he ridiculed the Americans during his press conference at The Flashman’s Hotel.

He was flanked by some of Pakistan’s most hard line Islamists who all belong to an alliance of groups campaigning for a break in ties with the United States and India. They included Sami-ul-Haq, a cleric best known as “the father of the Taliban” for his historical ties to the Afghan militant movement. Another member, Hamid Gul, a former head of Pakistan’s intelligence service, was also present. On the edge of Islamabad, a Pakistani intelligence officer who has handled militant groups for decades, shook his head as he pondered the U.S. reward.

“If the guy who decided to do this could get a job in the State Department, then I could be the president of the United States,” the chuckling operative, wearing a suit and puffing on a cigarette, said. “God bless America.”

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Friday, 6 April, 2012

Editor’s mail 11

PPc and electricity needs This is in apropos of a press statement issued by Pakistan Peace Coalition (PPC) on the eve of first anniversary of the nuclear emergency, captioned “PPC calls for halt to pursuit of nuclear energy” (Mar 11). The conglomeration of peace groups lamented the incident of the discharge of radioactive waste into the environment from Japan’s Fukushima-Daiichi and FukushimaDaini power stations. As a peace-loving citizen, I fully endorse the views offered in the article, barring few exceptions. The PPC’s criticism of Pakistan’s effort to use its nuclear capacity for power generation is unjustified and totally uncalled for.

Although, none of the world’s 435 nuclear reactors are immune to human

ZAB, the leader errors that could cause an accident, yet its utility for peaceful purposes cannot be denied. Unfortunately, the conventional sources of generation of power within the country, hydro and fossil fuels, are limited and will not meet the power demands of a growing economy on a longer-term basis.

Pakistan has therefore to look to other sources of power generation and nuclear energy offers the most attractive alternative as a major source to fill the gap between demand and supply. Currently, Pakistan is generating a nominal 3.8 percent of its total installed capacity of 19,252 MW, as compared to France 77.1 percent, Belgium 54 percent, Korea 34.6 percent, Switzerland 40.9 percent,

UK 15.7 percent and US 19.3 percent.

The apprehensions aired by PPC are certainly a motivated campaign against Pakistan’s nuclear programme. Pakistan’s nuclear assets are safe and not even a single incident has been observed since past 35 years, which can be a proof of our inability to safeguard our atomic arsenal.

Following Japan’s nuclear crisis, a number of countries decided to revamp their nuclear programmes. But, their assertions and assurances though appear to be promising but end up into a lip-service by the respective governments e.g., India is currently pursuing the installation of another seven reactors, in addition to 20 nuclear reactors operating in

six nuclear power plants.

Similarly, Japan is maintaining one of the largest nuclear programmes in the world. Non-proliferation has over time become increasingly discriminatory and a vehicle for the powerful to pressurise states they consider “unreliable”. The US and Japan have adopted a dual approach on the nuclear issue, opposing Pakistan’s nuclear programme and accommodating Indian nuclear programme. In this context, it is strongly urged that the US and Japan should treat Pakistan on an equal footing in terms of nuclear assistance so as to address electricity issue so vital for its crippling economy.

IMRAN SAEED Gujranwala

Just a joy ride President Zardari will be accompanied by a 40-member delegation comprised mainly of his cronies when he visits India on a ‘private visit’ for a joy ride. Although it has the potential neither to promote the national pride nor serve any other useful purpose for our country, yet, like all other such visits, will this one too be at public expense? If so, why?

FAROOQ ZAMAN Lahore

Public transport For the last many months, I have been travelling form Lahore to Islamabad and other cities of Pakistan. I am absolutely flabbergasted to observe the worst public transport system. Due to this shocking system uncountable people are going to the absolute brink of collapse.

Students, who go to schools and colleges using these transportation facilities, are facing immense difficulties.

Sometimes they have to travel a long distance by hanging on the sides of public vehicles. Indeed this situation can truly be harmful for students. More honestly, many of the students have licked the dust because of these unsolvable issues which ought to be dealt on priority basis.

Secondly, regular workers have to travel through public transport. That working class do not have excessive amount to purchase their personal vehicle to reach office at settled timings.

Again, if they can manage to have their conveyance then that will pose ultimate threat to natural resources of the country which are already at deficient level.

Public transporters have to line their pocket only. Their ultimate aim is not to facilitate the people but to make their life miserable. I request authorities to resolve this issue; otherwise, entire nation will be plunged into the flaming fire ignited by nefarious transporters.

DR IRFAN ALMANI Karachi (II) Traffic situation in Karachi is getting worse with each passing day. On one hand vehicles are increasing exponentially while roads are getting blocked due to the mega-development drive of the City District Government of Karachi (CDGK).

Instead of doing the development work in phases, the CDGK has opened all fronts in one go, leaving Karachi dug up from one end to the other. People blocked Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road, running between Lasbella Bridge and Nazimabad Chowrangi, and S M Taufeeq Road between Teen Hatti Bridge and Liaquatabad flyover, to protest against prolonged power breakdowns in their localities.

Due to the blockade, the vehicles reaching the thoroughfares from different directions got stuck at Lasbella, Nazimabad, Teen Hatti and Karimabad intersections. The power breakdown also rendered traffic signals inoperative and the traffic police personnel who moved in to regulate the traffic flow failed to handle the massive clogging at so many places.

They can control traffic by widening of roads and construction of flyovers, underpasses in a scheduled and planned way (not at the same time in all locations) and intelligent traffic controlling systems.

SANA SARFARAZ Karachi

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a leader of international fame and stature. His daughter Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was trained and groomed by her illustrious father. Both of them studied in prestigious universities and colleges and were well versed in international law and politics. Just like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, his daughter had her power base in Punjab too and both never allowed themselves to be ever associated with provincial or ethnic biases. It is unfair of those who lay claim to be political heirs of Bhutto legacy to reduce stature of these two great political leaders of Pakistan to their province of domicile.

Repetitive use of Sindh card on the occasion of their death anniversaries is an insult to the memory of these larger than life politicians. It should be borne in mind by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and his father that ZAB was judiciously murdered by the establishment and hanged in a prison located in Rawalpindi Jail, which is near the federal capital Islamabad. It was in Punjab and KP that his jiyalas self-immolated themselves to condemn his hanging and not in Sindh.

Similarly, the first attempt to assassinate Benazir Bhutto was in Karachi, when she landed there on 18 October 2007. It was such a brutal and ferocious attack that almost 150 people were killed.

However, as fate would have it, she miraculously escaped the attack, but fell victim to the assassin's second attempt at Rawalpindi while she was leaving after addressing a mammoth public meeting at Liaquat Bagh. Why is the present PPP leadership trying to reduce ZAB and BB to the status of political leaders from Sindh, instead of leaders of Pakistan and not just of Punjab or KP or Balochistan or Sindh or AJK? MALIK TARIQ ALI Lahore

the indian response

Unannounced loadsheding Loadsheding is a crucial issue for the whole country. For the last few months, we are facing unannounced loadsheding. In this situation our daily routine life is affected and crime rate is also rising.

Incident of mobile snatching and robbery have risen in number, causing panic and chaos among the residents of

Bhutto and vision?

I do not quite agree with your editorial of 5th April that Z A Bhutto was a man of vision. He was charismatic and a good speaker, but if we recall the acts that made him popular and eventually a leader clearly show that he miserably lacked vision.

Did he know that his refusal to sit in opposition in NA in Dacca would lead to breaking Pakistan? Did he know that tearing up the UNSC resolution is a highly un-diplomatic act? Did he know that using abusive language at a public rally in Qaddafi Stadium was a highly unparliamentary thing to do? Throwing up tens of microphones off the rostrum while losing temper and turning emotional at a public rally was an indecent thing to do for a political leader?

His administration and handling of his opponents in jail was a king-like action and he called himself a democratic leader? He was rash and uncouth. He gave ‘73 Constitution because he was a lawyer from Berkeley. He made Islamic Summit because he travelled to each country and met the heads of the government and states in a hurricane tour. Basically, He was vindictive. He could not stand opposition. He nationalised industry and banks without any second thoughts. The growth in the country was almost stalled because of his policies. He deserted his comrades, except those who continued to serve his purposes or who were doubtful in character in person.

He rigged and then lost ‘77 election.

The then SC convicted him of murder and he was hanged. Now, we have people who sing his songs for their own benefits.

The current PPP has nothing to give to people except the ‘martyrdom’ of Bhuttos. Had they something basic like food, jobs, industrial security, some kind of shelter, public safety, control of street crimes and the like to offer, they could have spoken about these things. Benazir Income Support Programme, billions of

the city.

I humbly request the authorities to kindly end unannounced loadsheding so that people would be aware of its timing and could manage alternatives.

IQRA SOHAIL Karachi

subsidies in power sector which they telecast in a ‘paid content’, NFC award, 18th, 19th and 20th amendments etc do not satisfy a common man as he hardly understands them.

Rhetoric like ‘shaheeds’ etc looks as useless as it can be. Public defiance of SC orders and judgments hardly can win them public loyalty. One last thing I want to say. People are not fools. Hunger, deprivation, price-hike, non availability of essentials, lack of medicare, education, pitched street battles in Karachi etc are extremely painful pangs for a person, particularly when it comes to his or her children.

AMJAD H MIRZA Lahore

Are they our heroes?

I found foreign ministry’s spokesman’s statement quite amusing that the US has not provided any evidence against LeT/JD’ supremo Hafiz Saeed, that’s why Pakistan can’t take any action against him and his colleagues. I heard the same argument just a decade back when Taliban were asking proofs against OBL. It means that our entire criminal judicial system – intelligence, investigation, prosecution, courts, all are dependent on someone from the outside world to provide the proof otherwise we are helpless. We are the people who are unable to punish even a single terrorist while thousands of civilians and security personal have laid their lives in terrorists’ attacks in last few years.

We keep hearing that hundreds of militant extremists arrested from Swat and tribal areas are in army’s custody – have not been handed over to civilian authorities because in absence of any meaningful prosecution, it is feared that they will be back in the field in just few months time. This has been proved time and again whether it’s Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid, Malik Ishaq of SSP or Hafiz

Saeed of LeT/JD himself. either no one can dare to prosecute and punish them or no one is serious as sing the same song.

As you go deeper, it’s a tug war between intelligence agencies; someone must have gathered all the rightwing extremists (including several officially banned outfits) at one stage under the banner of Difa-e-Pakistan, allowed them to openly hold rallies to threat the government functionaries, provided material to fire the general public sentiments.

Their overseas counterparts come up with the idea to announce a $10 million bounty on Hafiz’s head.

This is to make the case in coming days why Pakistan is not taking action against a person who in the past led the now defunct organization – LeT, of which few members were arrested by Pakistani authorities after 26/11 Mumbai attacks (trial is running at snail pace for obvious reasons). It is to make a case that if Pakistan doesn’t help the US to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan and also facilitate a safe exit from Afghan’ quagmire, the US will be justified in its actions.

There shall be no two opinions that our justice system has miserably failed to prosecute and punish the criminals. everyone has to take the blame – parliament for not amending the laws to help courts not to limit their judgment on availability of human witnesses only, police for not investigating the cases on scientific lines, government for not devising witness protection systems, prosecution for not fighting their cases based on scientific evidences, courts for falling prey to intimidation, pressure and sometimes sharing views of extremists, media and general public for not putting enough pressure to bring about the change in the judicial system.

Till that time our heroes are OBL, Ayman Zawahiri, KSM, Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed and many more of the same cadre.

MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Since Mumbai attacks in 2008, Indian relations with Pakistan have been tense. They did not send their cricket team to Pakistan and did not welcome our visits wholeheartedly.

Now, the Indian hockey team’s visit has been cancelled, showing no trust in Pakistan. We always try to extend our cooperation wherever possible which is good but it should not be on the cost of our integrity. We are thinking to offer MFN to a nation who is not very keen to have relations with us.

As a Pakistani I feel insulted on such behaviour and want our government to deal with them with dignity. I hope President Asif Zardari will call off his planned visit to India to show solidarity with his Pakistani masses who feel degraded with the Indian responses.

ABDUL RAUF Fateh Jang

women’s health issues It is a sad reality that women’s health issues are deep and chronic in Sindh.

More than 60 percent poor women do not have access to public health care services. There is a critical shortage of medicines, doctors and paramedical staff in the hospitals, even at the district and taluka level.

Regrettably, the past successive governments did nothing to improve the basic health services for the people. even the present provincial health department has not made the health of women and girls as their priority in the province. As a result, every day several women and girl die prematurely.

Since women are backbone of Sindh province’s rural economy and the girls are future mothers, therefore, the rulers are requested to take concrete steps to improve health and education of women.

Indeed, time has come for pragmatic action and not for rhetoric and wastage of resources as would be done on the “World Health Day” on April 7. Seminars and workshops followed by lovely lunches in five star hotels and nothing practical. The money which will be wasted in fun and frolic could be invested on the health services of women and girls.

Is there anyone to pay attention to such creative concepts and launch such initiatives?

HASHIM ABRO 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 should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively.

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12 Comment Breaking the stalemate?

No other way out

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roceedings of the joint sitting of the parliament which were postponed amid sharp differences would hopefully produce meaningful results now for two reasons. First, the PML(N) has returned to the meetings of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security after a boycott of three days.

Second, talks held between US envoy Nides and Finance Minister Sheikh on issues that included military reimbursements and the price to be charged on Nato supplies have been described by the FO as positive. What remains to be done is the formulation of a policy by parliament which balances the security-cum-national interests of Pakistan and the US. The five month long stalemate hit the vital interests of both Pakistan and the US. The army leaderships from the two countries which did not fully realise the consequences of the cessation of mutual cooperation have gradually understood that the terrorists were the only gainers from the five month long standoff. The propaganda by Pakistan-baiters in the US and the US-haters in Pakistan has meanwhile raised the temperature in both countries which would take time and efforts before it is brought to the normal.

Washington has to realise that announcing the head money for Hafiz Saeed without providing Islamabad enough evidence to try him can only create problems for the government. But the Pakistani establishment also has to understand that giving a free hand to the banned outfits gathered under the flag of the DPC would not create an environment conducive to normalisation of relations with the US. While re-joining the PCNS, the PML(N) is expected to work together with the ruling alliance to help formulate a policy that takes care of the paramount concerns of Pakistan and the US. Keeping in view the expectations both sides have developed, this may not be a cake walk. A sincere attempt to undertake it would, however, send a message that the PML(N) is acting as a responsible mainstream party. This would not be an easy decision for a party whose CM in Punjab appealed to the terrorists to spare Punjab as his government did not support the US policies. The party leadership will have to convince those in its ranks with a soft corner for the extremists that peace and stability in the region requires the two countries to work together.

Digging graves A necessity

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urkey - modern, up and coming economic power Turkey has some demons to exorcise. The process is underway, with two generals from the 1980 coup, 94 and 86 years old, standing trial for their actions.

Do we in Pakistan have something in common with our Turkish brethren? Yes and no. Common, a praetorian state, with a history of military coups. Common, the usual internal struggles regarding what it means to be a Muslim state, an Islamic state, a state with a Muslim majority.

Noted military watcher Dr Ayesha Siddiqa gives an interesting trajectory of the two countries: in Turkey, the military has gotten weaker and weaker with every successive coup. In Pakistan, it has gotten stronger and stronger. In Turkey’s case, the last military coup was a failed one. In Pakistan, compare the influence of the deep state in the “democratic” era of the 90’s with the government of today.

Turkey is certainly doing its bit by digging graves where it must.

We should, too. Uncomfortable questions need to be asked. The RPP’s corruption must be investigated and those responsible for it must be investigated. But the president did have a point the other day about why it took twenty years for the Asghar Khan petition to be heard and only a couple of months for the RPP scandal to be picked up.

A surfeit of skeletons in the closet. Pick up the Asghar Khan petition even if it makes the institution of the military uncomfortable. Pick up the ZAB case, even if it makes the institution of the judiciary uncomfortable. Pick up the Zafar Ali Shah case even if it makes the present judiciary uncomfortable. Pick up the NAP case, even if it makes the PPP uncomfortable. We can’t move ahead with all these holding us back.

Those who think the era of military interventions - and other grossly undemocratic behaviour - is over and hence there is no need to pull out these carcasses, are wrong. even today in Turkey, schools and other institutions are named after the fallen from grace dictator currently on trial. A fan following even today. A mindset even today that the dictators are at least better than the cacophony of voices that the politicians are. The undemocratic forces still retain a constituency in Pakistan. Clustered in, but not restricted to, centralupper Punjab and Karachi, this demographic is to enable a next possible coup.

Certain examples need to be made. Lest posterity forget...

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

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

Friday, 6 April, 2012

Bizarre ‘bounty’ business Highhandedness, US-style

Cross Currents

By Qudssia Akhlaque

S

o the US administration is at it again, doing what it often resorts to – bullying and blatantly ignoring international law. No less making its behaviour more unpopular. Washington has offered $10 million bounty for the arrest of Jamaatud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. Hafiz Saeed is a Pakistani national, not a proclaimed offender or in hiding and in fact cleared

by Pakistan’s courts. Within Pakistan, while we debate his role and his approach, and many criticise him too, but this US move is illegal and illogical.

And what excellent timing, just when the parliamentary review is underway to reset Pakistan-US relations to make them “transparent and predictable based on mutual respect”. Also, this announcement has been sprung as a total surprise on Islamabad. Washington chose the media to inform the government and that too from Delhi. So the Indian government and not the US government knew beforehand!

This move has no legal basis and appears to be a knee-jerk, tit-for-tat response to either Hafiz Saeed’s position in the Defence of Pakistan Council or an attempt to pressurise Pakistan to relent on NATO supply lines. Hafiz Saeed who has the mobilising street power has been vociferous in his criticism of both the US and India and has strongly opposed the resumption of Nato supplies to Afghanistan with emphatic calls for an end to the drone attacks.

So typical of the US to be operating with equal gusto on contradictory premises. Washington is demanding that Pakistan release a Pakistani citizen Dr Shakil Afridi who faces legally proven charges of treason for collaborating with a foreign intelligence agency, but wants a Pakistani national, who Pakistan’s courts had to release because of lack of evidence, to be arrested without even sharing a shred of evidence.

So what prompted this move by the US and why at this particular time? The timing and venue of this announcement is as intriguing as the act itself. It raises many questions. The announcement was made by the US undersecretary of state during her visit to India on Monday, less than a week before President Asif Ali Zardari’s private trip to the country where he is also scheduled to have a luncheon meeting with the Indian premier. The announcement which has been hailed by the Indian government is going to cast a dark shadow on Zardari-Manmohan meeting with terror talk in the media eclipsing the earlier expected focus on boosting trade

and a liberalisation of the visa regime.

While the move may be perceived as a success of Indian diplomacy, it signals the increasing convergence of India-US strategic interests in the region and both jointly exerting pressure on Pakistan to extract concessions.

It’s Washington’s displeasure and impatience at Pakistan dragging its feet on the re-opening of land routes for the NATO supplies which is proving very expensive for the US and its allies. Pakistan’s leading political parties have been advocating linking the reopening of Nato supplies to a halt to drone attacks which the US has point blank refused. Now the Hafiz Saeed card will produce more opposition than support for the US here.

The bounty announcement, in Washington’s ivory tower approach serves the agenda of pushing Pakistan to ‘do more’ on the terrorism. In its election year, perhaps the Obama Administration may believe it will earn some more votes at home.

When President Obama met Prime Minister Gilani in Seoul last week, he had advocated a balanced approach in the relationship that respects Pakistan’s sovereignty and interests but also US concerns about its national security. However, the American move shows that the US remains and will remain selective in its respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty and will indeed overlook it when it does not suit it.

So where is the mutual respect that US incessantly talks about? It wants Pakistan to also address the US security concerns but flagrantly disregards Pakistan’s territorial integrity and looks the other way when Pakistan talks about stopping drone strikes, which undermine Pakistan’s security with an inevitable backlash manifesting in suicide attacks and nationwide protests.

From a purely legal standpoint, there seems to be no justification for this move

given that Hafiz Saeed is not on the run and there are no criminal sentences against him in Pakistan or in any US court of law. He was freed from detention on orders of both the High Court and the Supreme Court of Pakistan in absence of substantive evidence to prove the charges against him. Yet he figures on a US Department of Treasury’s list of special designated individuals with links to terrorism. In 2008, his name had been added to the UN List of persons suspected of sponsoring terrorism. Subsequently, the government sealed all outfits under his control. He was detained but released as there was no evidence to substantiate any criminal charges. Yet, in the books of the US government, he remains guilty and is among the Most Wanted Terrorists.

This move will not endear Americans to Pakistanis and will only further inflame the anti-US sentiment that prevails in the country. It will be counterproductive to the much needed spirit of confidencebuilding between the two countries. Instead of helping improve relations such acts of highhandedness will further sour them.

If there was any wisdom in Washington on this matter, they would have decided to retract this bizarre bounty announcement. Perhaps a more eligible candidate for head money, for a mass murderer’s trial is the former president of the United States, George W Bush, who waged war against Iraq on the false and doctored premises that killed thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens.

What unbearable hubris of power that would make potentially logical minds opt for such illogical, ignorant and counterproductive moves.

The writer is a senior journalist and has been a diplomatic correspondent for leading dailies. She can be reached via email at qudssia@hotmail.com

Regional press

the tribal belt and peace Pashtun Post

T

he war on terror started in the wake of 9/11 and cost no other country more than Pakistan but in turn Pakistan never got full support for it efforts and sacrifices it has rendered since then.

The current law and order situation in the country is a result of military operations in tribal areas of the country. With the initiation of action against miscreants in the tribal belt, the law and order situation started getting worse not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also in other parts of the country as well.

During Musharraf era, agreements were made with America that left a gory situation in their aftermath. But the incumbent government has come to the saddle of power with considerable mandate and it is now on them not only to control price-hike, loadshedding, unemployment but to effectively

come up with a solution to address the law and order situation.

But the people find it difficult as the ground reality is getting worse even after four years of this government. The incumbent government cared little for the mandate and the overall security situation and standard of living is getting worse, instead of improving. The country has also become weak on economic front as well.

The question is how to address the ensuing problems including law and order situation in the country. One of the solutions lies in halting military operations in tribal areas without any further delay. Wishes of the people from tribal areas should be taken on board with a body of officials to check what’s going on on the ground as well. efforts must be put in place to uplift the standard of life of the people in the tribal areas.

– Translated from the original Pashto by Abdur Rauf Khattak.

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Friday, 6 April, 2012

The o Scar Awards 2012 Let’s hand them out on April 1st, not March 23rd

By Khawaja Manzar Amin

A

ny national award typically carries with it a certain amount of significance both for the recipient and for the country.

It accords a well-deserved recognition to the former for services rendered to the state (not to an individual, please note the delicate difference) or for excellence in some field of study, excluding sycophancy.

It bestows a merited prestige on a person for some tangible achievement that is widely acknowledged.

As for the nation, the names figuring on the awards list may also obliquely reflect its national and international status (last year, a Chinese general reportedly sent a lowly colonel to collect his award in an event arranged at Beijing’s most expensive hotel by our embassy) as well as lighting up the reality of its internal conditions and circumstances.

The mindset and outlook of its leadership, warped or otherwise, is also on display. Therefore, the concerned bureaucrats in any normal civilised country take great pains to make the exercise of the Honours List a credible and fair one.

From the above opening salvo, it is quite clear that one is not talking about our beloved country, as is easily confirmed from the foul play in the highest civilian categories of the 2012 Pakistan Day awards, or rather rewards. At the outset one must also swear on scout’s honour that there is no intention of playing politics or desecrating anyone’s grave (God forbid), and as a general confession of good faith, one may add that one is not being anti-Semitic about the Hollywood hullabaloo at all!

When the annual fun and frolic of the Oscars takes place in Los Angeles, the disappointment comes after a sure shot winner in the popular perception, whether a particular movie,

an actor or a director is overlooked in the final dramatic announcement. In the case of our very own O Scars, it is the mostly infuriating names actually appearing in the final recipients list that cause all the anguish. For they sear the psyche, leaving a lasting (until the next awards) imprint.

Apart from causing a spontaneous chain reaction of the ‘expletive deleted’ type, the physical symptoms may include a glazed look, a bad taste in the mouth and a queasy stomach.

The O Scar Awards, now also known as the big, bigger, biggest razzies in any category or the ultimate charade ditto, are held in Islamabad every year on March 23. This year was no exception, with the disconcerting difference that the award-

out illness of many years. All right, there is also the ex-governor of the biggest province who was heartlessly used as a political pawn in a game of personal vendetta, and overreached himself on what was verbally passé and taboo in certain enlightened local circles. But that is about it of the truly deserving in the category of the highest civilian awards. Otherwise, a sprinkling of the ‘Al-Faeda’ brigade of sycophants has had another day to remember! And all roads lead to the door of the ruling party with the minuscule majority.

In the dilapidated department, there is one gentlemanly fossil, of a seriously advanced age, whose appearance is a ‘tribute to the embalmers art’, or it might be the

When the annual fun and frolic of the oscars takes place in Los Angeles, the disappointment comes after a sure shot winner in the popular perception, whether a particular movie, an actor or a director is overlooked in the final dramatic announcement. winners on the civilian side in the top category awards were so blatantly (barring a few, and those too on emotional, patriotic and diplomatic grounds) fishy, that it would have been much more appropriate if the investiture ceremony were held on April 1. But, then, here every day is an April Fool’s Day for the ordinary man, who is taken for a daily ride on a crazy witches broom by the widely grinning master of ceremonies presiding over the whole sham business of state.

As with everything else in the present epic era of ‘elected for a full term of five years and will complete it’ leadership, two things stand out starkly in the O Scar Awards 2012: a shameless cronyism of the most brazen kind, with all the usual suspects figuring prominently, and second, denigrating an event of national importance to the extent of turning it into a joke, as in the case of institutions.

Among the citizens there is, or rather was, but one individual who deserved to be given the award in her lifetime, or rather in her long drawn

make-up artist’s craft. But he enjoys the ultimate merit: he is one of the oldest comrades-in-cahoots. A doctor, also of the Monticello variety, he has been a miserable flop in his, it would seem, dynastically inherited ministry, but no matter. And, in the Pride of Performance category one notorious name in the list alone makes a mockery of the whole, as the lady in question is renowned more for her overweening vanity, her dubious activities, and alleged spouses, not to mention her stubborn insistence on conversing in a totally innocent foreign tongue.

But the real ‘three pipe’ mystery, as Sherlock Holmes might put it, is the inexplicable absence from the self-rewarding list of the two political figures (one actually, in the final analysis) who actually count in our poor land. Why this coy bashfulness, this demure diffidence? After all, the more, the merrier is the motto in such matters, that is, when pulling rabbits out of the hat.

The writer is a freelance columnist.

Comment 13

on the PTi troll Tolerate them, for they know not what they do

T

rolls are idiots, no second guessing that. If they weren’t idiots, they wouldn’t be called trolls – it is as simple as that. A troll is an online idiot, while an offline idiot would be just a good old idiot.

It doesn’t take burning of the midnight oil to become one; all it requires is a myopic and insecure state of mind. Willingness to listen to the other person’s argument and then answer it with a marginally intelligent and coherent counter-argument is all that it takes to become a “nontroll”. So it is both easy to be a troll as well as a non-troll.

Trollism is universal. It has no specific caste or creed. The behaviour is not a domain of any one religion, region, or natonality. Like a disease, it is everywhere. If the term “troll” did not require being online, Newt Gingrich would qualify as one, so would Jean-Marie Le Pen, and our very own Qibla Zaid Hamid Sahib.

While Trollism may be universal, the way it has been associated with only one political party in Pakistan, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) by the left-leaning intellectuals (some of them have questionable and arguable leftist credentials though)

By Taimoor Ashraf of our country is indeed unfortunate. It is not that on Imran Khan’s prodding they abuse you online! That you classify every abusive tweet as typed with the blessings of the “Kaptaan” is indeed wrong. It is certainly not the policy of PTI to have a cadre of trolls. No party does (although some parties have cadres of heavily armed men, but then a pen is mightier than a sword or in modern parlance a tweet mightier than Uzi!).

However, I suspect a bit of foul-play on behalf of the ‘victims’ of these ‘PTI trolls’. They were inherently biased against “King Khan” and his anti-West policies even before the first troll signed up with Twitter. The idiots however provided them with a common platform to get together and denounce the Khan of Zaman Park and his party’s policies. A closer look at some of “victim

tweets” and it becomes abundantly clear that Khan’s policies are being denied as naïve simply because these idiots are supporters of these policies.

As far as naiveté of PTI’s policies are concerned, I’ll be the first brave PTI supporter to admit that some of them indeed make no sense at all (my biggest fear is what if the Patwari refuses to issue a fard in my favour by saying Khan sahib nay rishvat na lenay ka hukam diya hey, fard denay ka nahi). But to belittle PTI policies simply because some online “genius” follows and supports them, smells of premeditated bias.

Our left-leaning liberal intellectuals, most of them associated with leading english-language newspapers, often point towards Jemima Goldsmith’s former husband and try to make a case that since he is reckless in his speech while referring to other political leaders that is why his online followers send abusive tweets.

I beg to differ. If his mannerisms had been contagious, then there should have been “PML(N) trolls” as well as “PPP trolls”, since both parties have been at each others throat ever since the 1980’s. The ‘flowery language’ that they have used to refer to the opposite party’s main leader especially during the 1990’s and before the signing of CoD, is still not forgotten, at least not by me. More recently President Zardari declaring Nawaz Sharif as “Maulvi Nawaz Sharif”, or his talented younger bro’s rant against the president should have released a volley of abusive tweets from both ends (Yes I am assuming that both the PPP and PML(N) trolls have internet access, and enough education to type abuse).

In submission, even if there had been no Imran Khan there would still have been trolls, period. A troll is a troll. He (and yes to date they are all “he”) is neither PTI, nor PPP or PML(N) troll. He is in a world of his own which is easily shattered by one marginally intelligent tweet. He is insecure because he either does not know the facts or has the stomach to digest them; he is someone who has never had time to read books, etc. either try to “un-troll” him by supporting a party that advocates a more egalitarian, uniform, and universal education policy, or stop stamping him as “PTI troll”! All it takes is an underdeveloped brain, and an access to moderately good internet connection to be a troll, not Imran Khan.

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14

Friday, 6 April, 2012

Delhi to host

SOCIETY

LAHORE: Chen One launched a new store in DHA, Y Block.

PHOTOS BY: NADEEm IjAz

Pakistani lifestyle expo NEWS DESK ROM clothing lines to home furnishings to accessories - more than 100 Pakistani companies are set to showcase their exquisite collections at a four-day Lifestyle Pakistan exhibition, the first such to be held in New Delhi from April 12.

Participants hope it will boost trade between the two nations. Jointly organised by the India and Pakistan, Lifestyle Pakistan will be held at the Pragati Maidan exhibition grounds. Apart from the exhibition, four fashion shows by Pakistan’s textile and design houses will be featured, a statement said. Some of the names to participate are ace designers Sahar Atif, Deepak Perwani, Kamiar Rokni, Faiza Samee, Maheen Khan, Rizwan Beyg,

F

Maria B and Nilofer Shahid. "For the project, I have taken on the responsibility of styling the collection for the runway at Lifestyle Pakistan. I will present free flowing fabric drapes frequently seen on the runway at many Pakistan Fashion Design Council fashion weeks," Atif said.

Muhammad Kashif Ashfaq, CeO of Chenab group, a leading textile group of Pakistan, feels the event will boost sub-continental trade ties. "Lifestyle Pakistan will offer an opening for Pakistani products to enter in India. The objective of the Lifestyle Pakistan exhibition is not only to introduce high quality Pakistani products infused with rich culture to the Indian business community, but also provide top Pakistani government officials with a platform to meet Indian authorities and discuss traderelated issues," Ashfaq said.

zebah, Natasha, Fia, Robab and Aeysha

Nina Akbar, Ansa, Dr Shelah and Sofia

Bridal extravaganza hits Karachi with Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2012

KARACHI NeWS DeSK

Pantene and Style 360 are collaborating yet again to bring a treat for the Karachiites in the form of Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2012. The announcement was made in a one a kind press conference. The grand extravaganza will run from 13th to 15th April at Karachi expo Center and will include a unique mix of fashion show runway and entertainment segments. According to the organisers, six shows will be held over the three days with 19 designers participatingincluding many top designers who will be part of a special segment, and designers from India. The line-up of the local designers participating in the three-day event include: Amir Adnan, Amir Baig, Asifa and Nabeel, Cara by Imran Ikhlaq, Caret Creations by Sheikh Faisal Habib, Hijab by Saba and Misbah, Humayun Alamgir, Nadia

Bipasha and

John back together?

Chotani, Nomi Ansari, Ruby Shakeel, Saim Ali, Shamaeel Ansari and Zainab Sajid. Saba Ansari of ‘Sabs’, who is also Pantene’s official partner hair care expert will be putting up a special hair and make up show. Additionally, Gutam Rakha, Rahul Rastogi and Shibani Rastogi (Rabani and Rakha) are especially flying in from India with their collection for the event. Amir Adnan, Shamaeel Ansari, Sana Safinanz, HSY, Mehdi, Maheen Khan, Deepak Perwani, Faiza Samee and Umar Sayeed are all going to be part of a special segment that has been designed for this show. The fashion shows will be choreographed by Imran Kureishi. Forty female and ten male models will be a part of the event this year, which include: Pantene’s official brand ambassador Hira Tareen, Iraj, Mehreen Kanwal (Maha), Amna Ilyas, Madiha Mushtaq, Racheal, Koni, Ayaan, Rabya Chaudry, Sunita Marshall, Sofia Mirza, Areeba Habib, Hifza and Maria Rizvi.

MUMBAI: Before anyone jumps into any kind of conclusion, let us be clear that John Abraham and Bipasha Basu are trying to revive their relationship in any way. the two will simply be starring together in a song sequence in ekta Kapoor’s ‘Shootout at wadala’. it can safely be said that ekta has clearly pulled a casting coup of sorts by getting the former lovers together on screen albeit for one song. A tabloid has revealed that Bipasha would be starring opposite Manoj Bajpai and will feature in a special song with John Abraham and tusshar Kapoor. A source revealed, "Bipasha was signed long back. However her name wasn’t announced. the whole idea of the makers was to announce her name during the release to use it as a marketing gimmick. Bipasha is paired opposite Manoj Bajpai. John and Bips will be seen shaking a leg in the song, along with tusshar Kapoor,” added the source. considering that the two parted on bitter terms, wasn’t there any apprehension on either actor’s part to feature in a song together? "contrary to one`s expectations, Bipasha had no objections in doing the film, " said the source. with Deepika-ranbir and Katrina-Salman making peace with their past and agreeing to do films together, John and Bipasha perhaps realised that avoiding each other professionally would harm their respective careers. AgeNCIeS

Hina and Annie

Rabia and Khurram

Suhail and Khawaja Parvez

KARACHI: Pantene Bridal Couture Week 2012 was announced recently.

Saem and Amna

PR

Hassan Rizvi Performance

Hira Tareen and Ali Safina

Pose is not inspired from Jolie: Karisma MUMBAI: Actress Karisma Kapoor has dismissed reports doing rounds that her pose in the upcoming flick ‘Dangerous ishq’ is inspired by Hollywood hottie Angelina Jolie's look at the oscars this year.

Karisma's sensuous pose in which she has put her right foot forward is being widely compared with that of Angelina's who dressed in a black velvet Versace high-slit gown with right foot forward became a talk of the town among fashionistas and glitterai. when asked about the similarities between the two poses, Karisma said, "we shot this before the oscars so it is not at all inspired from there. And in this poster i am walking and not posing like Angelina Jolie". Director Vikram Bhatt, who is casting Karisma in 3-D outing supernatural thriller ‘Dangerous ishq’ which is slated for release on May 11, too tried to scotch the comparison. "it is quite strange that the minute we have a slit in the gown we say it’s Angelina Jolie, nobody says Helen or the other actresses so i think it is short sighted," Bhatt said. the movie revolves around the quest of supermodel Sanjana (Karisma Kapoor) to save her husband rohan ( rajneish Duggal) who suddenly vanishes under mysterious circumstances. AgeNCIeS

MUMBAI: Shahid Kapoor is surely the epitome of forgetfulness.

Letting bygones be, he not only paired up with ex-flame Priyanka chopra for Kunal Kohli's ‘teri Meri Kahaani’, but now is all set to work with Pc's cousin, Parineeti, in Maneesh Sharma's next. the ‘Band Baaja Baaraat’ director has finalised Parineeti, who debuted with ranveer Singh in ‘Ladies Vs ricky Bahl’, for his film. A source said: "Maneesh loved Parineeti's performance in her first film. She stole the limelight from the other female actors. And that's why he chose her for his film though many others were being considered for the role." About Parineeti's character in this project, the source said, "She plays a feisty girl. Her character in ‘Ladies Vs ricky Bahl’ was also quite lively." Apart from Parineeti, the film will star another leading female actor. According to sources from the industry, rani Mukerji had been offered the role, but now, tabu is most likely to step in. the film will be shot entirely in Jaipur. AgeNCIeS

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15 Tom Cruise sings Bon Jovi in ‘Rock of Ages’

Rihanna: Chris Brown violence ‘gave me guns’

Nimra, Sadia and Hafsa

Aeysha and Hina

LOS ANGELES: Rihanna's got fame and fortune to spare, but even this Barbadian beauty finds the dating scene challenging. "I feel like it's hard for everybody," she tells elle magazine. "I don't think it has anything to do with being famous. There's just a major drought out there. I don't know."

Part of the problem? "I guess I'm challenging," she admits. "Because my job seems to affect every relationship I have or try to have. even with people I think should get it, you know? That seems to be a big factor.

But I just need to find the person who balances me out, because then things like my schedule won't matter. I've done it before, so I know I can do it again." Rihanna also opens up about her infamous romantic ties to Chris Brown, including the 2009 assault. "It gave me guns," she says of the incident. "They know more about me than I want them to know. It's embarrassing. But that was my opening. That was my liberation, my moment of bring it. I wanted people to know who I am. Whatever they take that to be, good or bad, I just want them to know the truth. I have more freedom the more people know about me," she adds. "It's like, one less skeleton in the closet, one less burden, one less secret; now you know that, so you can say what you want about it. I don't have anything to hide." One thing she hasn't hidden is her reconciliation-at least as pals-with her formerly abusive ex. "The bottom line is that everyone thinks differently,” she says. "People end up wasting their time on the blogs or whatever, ranting away, and that's all right. I'm going to do what I want to do." AgeNCIeS

Ryan Gosling on a lifesaving mission

moiz Kazmi, Saima Haroon and Koni

Faisal Waheed P&G (Pantene), Shanaz, Sultana, Beenish Irshad P&G (Pantene), Aneeta mira UBL and Nausheen

AgeNCIeS

Ufone Uth Records 2.0 presents Rahim Saranjam Khan in final episode NEWS DESK

NEW YORK: Ryan Gosling saved a woman recently, from being struck by a cab in NYC. Laurie Penny, a British writer, Tweeted, "I literally, LITeRALLY just got saved from a car by Ryan Gosling. Literally. That actually just happened. I was crossing 6th avenue in a new pink wig. Not looking the right way because I am from London. Ryan Gosling grabbed me away from a taxi.

Identity of no-idea-if-actually-a-manarchist-but-definitely-a-decent-sort Ryan Gosling confirmed by girl near me." Laurie was quick to squash one of the many fantasies that have risen from this exchange by adding, "He did not say 'hey, girl.' He said 'hey, watch out!'" Fans will recall that this isn't the first time Ryan has been a good city Samaritan-back in August, he broke up a street fight and every night he prowls the streets saving Manhattan-ites from The Joker, The Green Goblin and other assorted villains from The Rogues Gallery. AgeNCIeS

LOS ANGELES

Following the performance of //orangenoise, Ufone Uth Records 2.0 introduced their final artist for this season: Rahim Saranjam Khan. The Ufone Uth Records Season finale with Rahim will be aired on the 7th April. Hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rahim Saranjam Khan is a self-taught musician who plays the guitar, piano, harmonium and the melodeon.

As the founding member and vocalist of the band JUM and as a vocalist for the band Above, Rahim’s inspirations range from a wide musical repertoire from the now iconic bands of the Seventies to traditional classical musicians such as Javed Bashir and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Accompanied by the talented Rakae Jamil on

Sitar and Bradley D’Souza on Bass Guitar, Rahim will be performing his original composition ‘Afsoos’, which is an adaptation of the work of poet Ahmed Faraz. Commenting on becoming a musician and his experience at the Ufone Uth Records 2.0 platform Rahim said: “It was quite difficult for me personally to choose a musical career as it is not easily accepted amongst my family. But with my determination to

Shahid to

Salman doesn't agree

work with Priyanka's

with dad over ‘Zanjeer’ remake

cousin

MUMBAI: while Salim Khan is against the idea of remake of the superhit film ‘Zanjeer’ co-written by him, son Salman Khan supports the idea of remaking it. renowned writer and father of actor Salman Khan, Salim Khan doesn't approve of the idea of remaking the breakthrough film ‘Zanjeer’, which he had co-written with partner Javed Akhtar. But son Salman Khan has his own opinion on it. Addressing a press conference recently, when Salman was asked about ‘Zanjeer’ remake and his father's stand on it he said, "of course there should be a remake of ‘Zanjeer’. it was a superb and really good film." Salman didn't miss the opportunity to make a comment on Shah rukh Khan starrer ‘Don’ since his father had co-written the script of the original. citing the example of ‘Don’, he said, “‘Don’ was remade twice. First was remake and the second was a sequel of a remake." the ‘Zanjeer’ remake is being produced by Prakash Mehra's son Amit Mehra. it will be directed by Apoorva Lakhia. Now when Salman is supporting Zanjeer remake we wonder what Salim Khan has to say on this. AgeNCIeS

follow my dreams.” Produced by Louis J ‘Gumby’ Pinto, directed by Zeeshan Parwez, Ufone Uth Records 2.0 episode 7 will be airing on AAG, Aaj News, Apna Channel, ARY Muzik, ATV, A plus, Channel G, CNBC, KTN, Kashish, Metro, News One, Oxygen, Play TV, PTV Home, Style 360, TV One, Waseb and Wateen Cable Network as well as across Ufone Uth Records' social media platforms, on Saturday 7th April.

MUMBAI: it seems like we’ll have to keep calling the littlest Bachchan by her nickname, Beti B, a while longer. Megastar Amitabh Bachchan refused to confirm his granddaughter’s name while speaking to the media. the baby’s name has been a family secret so far but last month gossip suggested that Abhishek and Aishwarya rai Bachchan’s daughter was named Aaradhya. the Bachchans, however, have neither confirmed nor denied this. Asked about the name Aaradhya at the Vidhu Vinod chopra festival, Big B said, "we will talk about it sometime later...not now."

Various names like Aaliya and Abhilasha have cropped up in previous rumours, only to be shot down by Abhishek. Speculation around American talk show host oprah winfrey`s famous visit to the Bachchan residence suggested that Beti B might be revealed to the world on oprah`s show. But again that was denied by the Bachchan family. Both Big B and son Abhishek had earlier said that there would be no naming ceremony for the little girl as the family does not believe in it. the Bachchans have been fiercely protective of the latest member of the family ever since Aishwarya gave birth to the daughter on November 16 last year. when asked about his health post surgery, Mr Bachchan said, "i am fine now...much better." AgeNCIeS

Tom Cruise shows off his singing chops in a new trailer for his movie ‘Rock of Ages’, based on the hit musical. The final scene in the two-and-a-halfminute clip depicts Cruise, as longhaired ’80s rock star Stacee Jaxx, performing Bon Jovi’s ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’. The trailer also features appearances by Alec Baldwin, Catherine ZetaJones, Paul Giamatti, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough and Mary J Blige. The Adam Shankman-directed film, filled with classic '80s rock songs, will arrive in theaters on June 15.

George Michael pens song

about battle with illness

LONDON ReUTeRS

George Michael is writing a song about his near-death battle with illness in a Vienna hospital last year, the British singer announced on Twitter. Michael, 48, was diagnosed with severe pneumonia in November. He was forced to postpone his tour and spent several weeks in hospital, describing his illness as "touch and go". On his Twitter feed, he wrote: "I've been a busy boy in the studio this week ... finally ready to write about what happened to me in Vienna ... and how grateful I am to be given another chance to live and breathe alongside you all in this wonderful world that we share." He added that he wanted to repay the "unending kindness" his fans had shown him with new music, and said he had begun to write the track which will be called ‘White Light’.

Big B refuses

to confirm Beti B’s name

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16 Foreign News

Friday, 6 April, 2012

Security Council backs April 10 deadline for Syria UNITED NATIONS

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He UN Security Council on Thursday gave formal backing to an April 10 deadline that UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan agreed with the Syrian government to end its military offensive on protest cities, diplomats said.

A statement, in which the council “calls upon the Syrian government to implement urgently and visibly its commitments” was adopted at a meeting on Thursday, diplomats told AFP. The council said that depending on Annan’s reports on what President Bashar al-Assad has carried out, it will “consider further steps as appropriate”. The 15-nation council, which has been badly divided on Syria, gave its new boost to Annan’s peace mission just before the envoy briefed the

UN General Assembly on his efforts to halt the government clampdown which the UN says has left more than 9,000 dead.

The statement was softened at Russia’s demand however, diplomats involved in the talks said. An initial proposal by western countries that the council “demands” that Syria pull back its troops and heavy weapons was changed to “calls” and “verifiably” was changed to “visibly.”

Meanwhile, a UN team dispatched by UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan to pave the way for eventual observers in Syria arrived in Damascus Thursday. The team headed by Norwegian general Robert Mood, a Middle east specialist, would be meeting Syrian authorities to discuss “the modalities of the eventual deployment of the UN supervising mission,” Ahmad Fawzi said. The former UN secretary general had told the

Security Council on Monday that it should consider whether to send a mission to monitor events in Syria, where activists say more than 10,000 people have been killed in a brutal crackdown against protesters since March 2011.

The observers can be sent only after the Security Council passes a resolution ordering their deployment, Annan’s spokesman said. The Syrian regime has agreed to provide access to detention facilities throughout the country, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross said. Jakob Kellenberger, who concluded a two-day visit to Damascus on Wednesday, said in a statement that Syrian authorities had agreed on procedures for visits to places of detention. “The agreement will be put into practice with an ICRC visit to people held in Aleppo Central Prison,” the statement said, without specifying a date.

Russia warns West against ultimatums on Syria BISHKEK Afp

Russia on Thursday warned the West against using threats and ultimatums in its approach to Syria’s regime as the United Nations prepared a statement on the protracted conflict. “Russia proceeds from a deep conviction that any steps around Syria should be aimed at facilitating the success of UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan’s mission,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. “The Syrian government has accepted his proposals, has begun implementing them, and it is very important right now not to undermine this process through ultimatums and threats and unfortunately there are those who’d like to do that,” he said. “Russia can back the UN Security Council document on Syria if it facilitates the implementation of Kofi Annan’s plan,” Lavrov told reporters during a visit to the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan. “When we debate the document at the Security Council we will proceed from the principle ‘do no harm’,” he said in the capital Bishkek. “If we manage to work out a consensus which would be aimed at facilitating Kofi Annan’s efforts and not using the Security Council for threats and ultimatums that could provoke tensions... if this happens when we vote then it would not be bad.” “But we will see, this does not depend only on us,” Lavrov added.

Millionaire’s daughter guilty of chauffeuring UK rioters LONDON Afp

HYDeRABAD: Indian Catholic Bishop Archdioecese of Hyderabad Reverend Thumma Bala washes the feet of a parishioner during the evening mass of the Lord’s Supper celebrated as Maundy Thursday service at St. Joseph Cathedral on Thursday. AFP

Saudi rules out sending women athletes to london JEDDAH: The head of the Saudi Olympic Committee has ruled out sending women athletes from the ultra-conservative kingdom to the London Olympics this summer, local dailies reported on Thursday. Prince Nawaf bin Faisal said, however, that Saudi women taking part on their own are free to do so and the kingdom’s Olympic authority would “only help in ensuring that their participation does not violate the Islamic sharia law.” “We are not endorsing any Saudi female participation at the moment in the Olympics or other international championships,” he told a press conference in Jeddah on Wednesday. The Saudi official was reiterating a position he announced late last year, confirming that Saudi Arabia will be fielding only male athletes in London. “There are hundreds, if not thousands, of (Saudi) women who practice sports, but in private,” he said, adding that the sports body has nothing to do with their activities. equestrian jumping contestant Dalma Malhas, 18, is likely to be Saudi Arabia’s only female athlete at this summer’s Olympics, according to media reports. Malhas won a bronze medal at the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics without having been nominated by her country, following an invitation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The New York-based Human Rights Watch in February published a report damning the systematic exclusion of women from sporting activities in Saudi Arabia. AFP

Turkish media hail landmark coup trial ANKARA Afp

The trial of the two surviving leaders of the 1980 military coup in Turkey was hailed by the media Thursday as a landmark case that served as a critical reminder of the country’s coup-marred history.

“Never again!” declared the headline in the liberal daily Taraf, saying the case showed that Turkey was finally coming to grips with the bloody coup that traumatised the political scene 32 years ago. The trial of Kenan evren, the junta leader and self-appointed president, and Tahsin Sahinkaya, then air force commander, resumed for a second day Thursday at an Ankara court with the two defendants again absent for medical reasons. The opening session on Wednesday lasted nine hours, much longer than a usual hearing, but the indictment against the generals has not been read out because of their absence and they

have not entered any pleas. evren, 94, and Sahinkaya, 86, risk life in prison if they are found guilty of “crimes against the state,” the most severe punishment since Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2002. On Thursday, the court heard testimony from some victims of the coup, including a 104-yearold Kurdish woman whose son went missing after a police interrogation in eastern Kars province, a month after the generals seized power on September 12, 1980.

“If I can come here, they can too. I cannot forgive them for what they did,” said Berfo Kirbayir, who left the courtroom in a wheelchair. evren broke his arm in a fall a few days ago at a military hospital in Ankara, where he is recovering from intestinal surgery, while the Turkish media says Sahinkaya is being treated at an Istanbul military hospital for Parkinson’s disease. On Wednesday, a lawyer for the plantiffs urged the judges to bring evren to court “in a cage or a stretcher” if

necessary, like former egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. The military, which has long seen itself as the guarantor of secularism in Turkey, staged three coups in 1960, 1971 and 1980 as well as pressuring an Islamist-rooted government to relinquish power in 1997.

But the 1980 coup was the bloodiest of them all. Fifty people were executed, more than half a million arrested and dozens died under torture while many others were reported missing over the next three years. The trial became possible after constitutional reforms in 2010, which revoked an article giving immunity to those responsible for coups, Mustafa Unal of the government-friendly Zaman daily wrote. “Leaders of the 1960 and 1971 coups were never held accountable. It encouraged more coup attempts,” he wrote. “They were not just two,” said the opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, demanding that all those behind the coup be brought to justice.

The daughter of a millionaire was convicted Thursday of driving a group of rioters around London for a looting spree during the wave of violence that spread across British cities last summer. Laura Johnson drove the balaclava-clad group around London on August 8 last year, and allowed them to pile her car with stolen goods from an electronics store. The 20year-old, whose millionaire father runs a marketing firm, was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of burglary and handling a stolen television. She was cleared of a second count of burglary involving the theft of cigarettes and alcohol from a petrol station. Johnson, a student at the University of exeter in southwest england, had denied the charges, claiming she had acted under duress. The jury heard that she had set out in the early evening to deliver a phone charger to her friend emmanuel Okubote, a 20-year-old convicted crack cocaine dealer and thief.

When she arrived at their meeting point in south London, he had jumped into the passenger seat while others climbed into the back of the car. Johnson told police she had been ordered by the group to drive them around until the early hours, and had been too scared to refuse.

Attacks on Afghan police kill 10 KABUL Afp

A suicide bomber killed two policemen in northeastern Afghanistan Thursday, hours after a Taliban attack on a police post on the other side of the insurgency-hit nation left eight dead, officials said. Abdul Maroof Rasekh, provincial spokesman for Badakhshan, in the country’s far northeast, said: “A suicide attacker targeted a group of local police forces in Keshm district today killing the commander of local police in the district and one of his bodyguards.” He named the commander as Nazek Mir, adding that 18 civilians had been wounded in the bombing, most of them seriously. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility in a text message sent to AFP, saying five guards as well as the commander were killed. The Taliban are known to routinely exaggerate their claims. earlier, Naqibullah Farahi, spokesman for the western province of Farah, which borders Iran, said Taliban gunmen had killed eight local policemen in an attack on a remote post in Khaki Safed district late on Wednesday.

“There were eight people in the post and all were killed,” he said. Contacted by AFP, Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for that attack and said 12 local policemen had been killed.

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Friday, 6 April, 2012

Foreign News 17

Murdoch’s Sky News admits hacking ‘canoe man’ emails LONDON Afp

Sky News, the British broadcaster partly owned by Rupert Murdoch, admitted on Thursday that it had hacked into the email account of a man who notoriously faked his own death in a life insurance scam. Sky News said it had authorised a journalist to access emails belonging to John Darwin and his wife Anne, who had faked his death in a canoe accident before moving to Panama to start a new life with the insurance payout. But the broadcaster insisted the hacking had been in the public interest as material provided by the channel to the police was “pivotal” in the successful prosecution of the couple in 2008. “We stand by these actions as editorially justified and in the public interest,” Sky News head John Ryley said in a statement. “We do not take such decisions lightly or frequently. They require finely balanced judgement based on individual circumstances and must always be subjected to the proper editorial controls.” Sky News said that “in light of the current, heightened interest in editorial practices”, it had commissioned an external review of its email records and an internal audit of payment records. The channel is owned by pay-TV giant BSkyB, of which 39 percent belongs to Rupert Murdoch’s USbased media empire News Corp. BSkyB is currently under investigation by Britain’s media regulator to determine if it is “fit and proper” to continue holding a broadcasting licence. A storm of phone hacking allegations forced News Corp’s British newspaper wing, News International, to shut down the 168-year-old News of the World tabloid last July. There was public revulsion in Britain when it emerged that the News of the World had listened to the voicemails of Milly Dowler, a murdered english schoolgirl, as well as dozens of victims of crime, celebrities and politicians.

Ryley said Sky News’ email review was nearing its conclusion and that no grounds for concern had been found so far. John Darwin was jailed in 2008 for six years for his scam and his wife Anne, who claimed just over £500,000 ($793,000, $607,000) in life insurance payouts, was jailed for six and a half years.

China urges peace in asia-Pacific as US troops land BEIJING Afp

China called Thursday for “peace and stability” in the strategically vital Asia-Pacific, after the first batch of US Marines to be deployed in Australia began work. The 200 American troops are part of an enhanced defence cooperation outlined during a visit

by US President Barack Obama in November and their deployment is seen as a bid to counterbalance China’s growing might in the Asia-Pacific. The announcement raised hackles in China, with the defence ministry criticising it as proof of a “Cold War mentality” and state media accusing Obama of using his diplomatic ambitions in Asia to detract from US economic woes. But at a media briefing on Thursday, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei held back from criticising the deployment. “Regional policies and interactions between different countries in this region should be conducive to the peace, stability and development of the AsiaPacific,” he said. The American troops will be stationed in Australia on a six-month rotational basis, building to some 2,500 by 2016-17. The US views with increasing concern China’s growing assertiveness in Asia-Pacific on territorial disputes. The deployment has reassured some Asian countries, who see it as a statement that the United States intends to stand up for its allies and interests in the region.

CHITTAgoNg: A crowd of people gather to catch a glimpse of a golden snapper fish at ghat fish market in Bangladesh’s southeastern port city on Thursday. A snapper fish caught by fishermen in the Bay of Bengal on April 4 has been sold at 40,000 USD because of its rare golden colour. AFP

Iran shows ire over Turkey’s stand on Syria, sanctions TEHRAN

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RAN’S about-face on Turkey hosting its nuclear talks with world powers reveals Tehran’s growing irritation with Ankara’s policies seen as increasingly antiIranian, analysts and diplomats say.

Several Iranian officials announced on Wednesday that Baghdad or Beijing could hold the meeting due April 13 and 14, instead of Istanbul which was initially proposed by Tehran. While Iran’s foreign ministry kept vague about the issue, several Iranian politicians justified the shift

by Turkey’s support for the opposition in Iran’s main regional ally Syria.

“Turkey is now excluded,” Aladin Borujerdi, the head of the Iranian parliament’s foreign affairs commission, told the

Iranian channel Al-Alam. “Taking into account the extremist and illogical position of Turkey on Syria... Turkey has de facto lost any competence to host the meeting,” he said. Turkey has, for the past two years, acted as an intermediary between Iran and world powers on the nuclear issue. But its position on Syria has been poisoning bilateral relations for several months now.

Tehran little appreciated comments by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, who in February lambasted Iran’s silence over the repression in Syria by questioning whether the Islamic republic was “worthy of being called Islamic.”

But Iran’s leaders seem particularly irked by an international “Friends of Syria” conference held in Istanbul last week that supported regime change in Damascus as a way of ending a year-long uprising that has cost more than 9,000

lives according to the United Nations.

Such was the criticism from Tehran that Ankara on Wednesday summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest formally.

“The main challenge in the relations between Iran and Turkey is Syria,” underlined on Thursday the Iranian newspaper Tehran emrouz, seen as close to the ruling circles. The view was underlined by Irannuc.ir, a website also close to Iranian authorities that regularly defends Tehran’s atomic programme. “Turkey’s bias and animosity towards Syria are the principal reason” for Istanbul being dropped as the preferred venue for the nuclear talks, it said. But there are other reasons for the chill creeping over ties between the neighbouring countries.

Last week, Turkey’s chief oil company announced it was cutting Iranian oil imports by 20 percent, falling into line

Mali slips into chaos as world gropes for response BAMAKO Afp

Hundreds fled lawless northern Mali overnight and the country’s neighbours weighed a military intervention on Thursday amid fears Al Qaeda-linked Islamists are turning the country into a rogue state.

Alarmed by the rapid collapse of the west African nation which has split into a rebel controlled north and juntacontrolled south in two weeks since a coup, the world grappled for a response and a place to lay the blame. West African military chiefs met in Abidjan to discuss the possible deployment of a 2,000-strong military force as a chunk of Mali the size of France fell into the hands of Tuareg separatists and Islamists. Observers said the west was obliged to intervene after their role in Libya forced hundreds of well-armed Tuareg fighters to flee home to Mali, overwhelming its army and giving other outlaws a means to serve their own interests.

“It must be said and said again that the factor that unleashed all of this is the Western intervention in Libya,” said eric Denece, director of the French Centre for Intelligence Research (CF2R), a think tank. He said Mali’s foreign minister, Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga, had repeatedly warned Paris.

But France is hoping Mali’s neighbours

will step in to find a political solution to both restore democracy and end the Islamist juggernaut which puts the whole of the fragile Sahel at risk.

“There won’t be a military solution for the Tuaregs. It’s a political solution that we need,” Foreign Minister Alain Juppe warned. As the Tuareg trumpeted the success of a decades-old struggle to “liberate” their homeland, their fundamentalist comrades-turnedrivals began imposing sharia in northern Mali. The National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) said as a result of their successful conquest of an area they call the Azawad, they are halting all military operations from midnight Thursday.

But the desert nomads are not alone in the north and many say it is Iyad Ag Ghaly’s Ansar Dine — which has begun imposing sharia law — who are the new masters of the desert. “In reality, from what we know, the MNLA is in charge of nothing at the moment ... it is Iyad who is the strongest and he is with AQIM,” a Malian military source told AFP, referring to Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). But on their website, the group said it was “holding its position in the face of all these mafia networks and distances itself from Ansar Dine and others who rise up on the path to the liberation of Azawad”. Three of AQIM’s top leaders, all of them Algerians, were spotted in

the fabled city of Timbuktu in talks with Ag Ghaly earlier this week.

Ansar Dine, “Defenders of Faith” in Arabic, has ordered women to wear headscarves and threatened to cut off the hands of thieves in the ancient city, once the jewel in Mali’s burgeoning tourism industry. Three westerners were evacuated from Timbuktu in extreme circumstances after it fell on Sunday, sources close to the rescue said Thursday. “Three westerners, including a Frenchman, were evacuated in the past days to a country neighbouring Mali. It went well but it was very difficult,” said a Malian who took part in the evacuation, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In Gao, another northern capital, hundreds fled to neighbouring countries, residents said, as the various rebel groups set to looting. Coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo accused them of kidnapping and raping women and girls. On Thursday, witnesses reported Islamists had seized the Algerian embassy and arrested diplomats. “I am currently in front of the Algerian consulate in district four in Gao. Armed Islamists have entered the consulate, arrested the diplomats and staff and taken down the Algerian flag to put up their own,” one witness told AFP in Bamako by telephone. Algeria confirmed its consulate had come under attack.

with Western sanctions. According to Iranian economic officials, some Turkish banks have also started to distance themselves from Iran, particularly when it comes to processing oil payment transactions. Turkey, additionally, has since the beginning of the year tightened up visa restrictions on visiting Iranians, notably tourists and students, several corroborating sources said.

Tabnak, a conservative website in Iran, on Thursday blasted “Turkey’s antiIranian efforts and progressive alignment with Western sanctions.” It also lashed out at Turkey’s policy in Iraq that is seen as hostile to Baghdad’s Shiitedominated government. Further, several european diplomats in Tehran say, Iran remains irritated by Turkey’s agreement to install parts of a NATO anti-missile shield on its territory.

Turkey pipeline blast halts northern Iraq oil exports BAGHDAD Afp

An explosion hit a pipeline carrying oil from Iraq through Turkey, cutting off crude exports from northern Iraq, oil officials in Baghdad said on Thursday, calling the blast an “act of sabotage.” “An explosion occurred about 1:20 am (22:20 GMT) in a pipeline carrying Iraqi oil inside Turkey,” oil ministry spokesman Assem Jihad told AFP, adding that “the export of oil through Turkey stopped immediately after the incident.” A high-ranking official in Iraq’s North Oil Company said that “Iraqi oil exports through Turkey stopped because the pipeline carrying the oil ... was exposed to an act of sabotage.” exports will be resumed “in the coming hours” via an alternative pipeline, and repairs will be undertaken within 72 hours, the official said. The pipeline, which exports between 400,000 and 450,000 barrels of oil per day, has been the target of periodic attacks. It was hit by an explosion in early February inside Turkey, leading to a halt in exports, which resumed via an alternate pipeline. Kurdish insurgents opposed to Ankara operate in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region and across the border in Turkey. Oil sales account for the vast majority of Iraqi government income and around two thirds of gross domestic product.

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Big three get Masters underway Page 21

Rehabilitation process begins for Aamir LAHORE

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AKISTAN’S disgraced pace bowler Mohamamd Aamir has started rehabilitation by warning the world about the mistakes he has done to stage a comeback in the international cricket. "Prison is a bad place for everyone. Don't make the mistakes which I did" - this was disgraced Pakistan pacer Mohammad Aamir's warning to cricketers the world over in an educational video for the ICC Anti-Corruption and Security Unit which has also been shown to IPL teams.

"I was stupid I didn't tell anybody because I didn't have coverage...If someone comes to you and asks you to do those kind of things, go straight to ICC team and team management they can help you," says Aamir, banned from competitive cricket for five years for his part in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.

After being released from a UK prison following a criminal trial which led to him being jailed for six months, of which he served only three, Aamir has

been in repentance mode. In the five-minute video, Aamir gave an account of his sensational rise and the equally stunning downfall after bowling a couple of no balls on instructions of his banned skipper Salman Butt during the Lord's Test against england. "I took six wickets but I did something very bad... after a couple of hours, my life is changed, my life is ruined because of two no balls," he said. "I always knew this was cheating cricket but I was under pressure. But I accept my mistake.

When I was in the ICC hearing, I knew I was totally embarrassed because I knew I am lying. I wanted to tell the truth but I didn't have courage." The 19-

year-old said his fault was to bow to the pressure that was exerted on him by Butt. "...some senior players put me under pressure. I didn't want to. One day I was on the top and the next day everyone was calling me cheater and fixer. You don't have words to explain that," he said.

"When the police put me in handcuffs I was literally crying and I was thinking I am not going to play cricket ever again." Aamir has been in touch with the ICC and PCB after his release from prison for an educational and rehabilitation program, which "remains confidential". The ICC released an anticorruption video featuring a the Pakistan cricket player who was given a six-month jail sentence for pleading guilty to spot fixing and a five-year ban cricket ban. Aamir describes what impact cheating in cricket has had on his life. "I took six wickets but I did something very bad… after a couple of hours, my life is changed, my life is ru-

ined because of two no-balls." Aamir deliberately threw no-balls in the Lord’s Test of 2010 and as a result spent three months in prison for spot-fixing.

"Prison is a bad place for everyone. Don't make the mistakes which I did. I was stupid I didn't tell anybody because I didn't have courage... If someone comes to you and asks you to do those kind of things, go straight to ICC team and team management they can help you." He said he had bowled the no-balls at Lord's because, "some senior players put me under pressure. I didn't want to."

He added: "One day I was on the top and the next day everyone was calling me cheater and fixer.

You don't have words to explain that. "I always knew this was cheating cricket but I was under pressure. But I accept my mistake. When I was in the ICC hearing, I knew I was totally embarrassed because I knew I am lying. I wanted to tell the truth but I didn't have courage." Since being released from prison, Aamir has been helping the ICC and Pakistan Cricket Board in their rehabilitation and education programme.

Cairns ‘vindicated’ over Modi libel win CANBERRA Afp

Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns feels "complete vindication" and is ready for a new role in cricket after winning a libel action against former Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi.

In the first libel action heard in england against a post on Twitter, Cairns, 41, was last month awarded 90,000 pounds ($143,000) damages after the judge dismissed fixing allegations levelled against the cricketer by Modi.

Modi was also ordered to pay an additional 400,000 pounds in costs.

Cairns said he was "never going to back down" against one of international cricket's most powerful figures.

In an interview published in The Canberra Times, Cairns said the case had consumed his life and ostracised him from the cricketing community.

Cairns said he had to fight to restore his reputation, adding that match fixing were some of the "dirtiest words in sport". "I took it as far as I could go to clear my name and that's what I had to do," Cairns told the newspaper.

"It was a long hard road to get that complete vindication.

"An hour won't go past when you're

not thinking about it. It's a massive distraction and something that didn't need to be in my life but I had to deal with it.

"It'll take a good while to get out of the system and realise it's not part of my life and I'll have more time for all things

family and professionally."

Cairns and his wife have settled in Australia's national capital because his young daughter was born profoundly deaf and, after a cochlear implant, receives regular therapy in Canberra.

Cairns, who was in the witness box for eight hours during the London court case, said he reacted angrily when it was revealed his accuser, Modi, would not take the stand.

"Lalit Modi and I are poles apart in life -- financially, religiously, where we live, we are the complete opposite," he told the newspaper.

"But the one place where you are equal, regardless of whether you're a billionaire, a cricketer, male or female, is in the witness stand. everybody's the same in there.

"We had the courage to stand up and say what we believed and Mr Modi chose not to go down that route so that was the frustrating thing."

Cairns said he has kept away from cricket over the past two years, but would now like to play a role with local cricket and New Zealand cricket, if asked.

A representative of Modi's told the newspaper that his client planned to appeal the court's judgement.

Afghanistan says no contact from Mcc over tour KABUL Afp

Afghanistan's cricket chief Thursday welcomed the prospect of a tour by england's Marylebone Cricket Club, but said he had so far had no contact from the venerable club about a possible visit.

MCC president Phillip Hodson told the BBC more than a week ago that he was going to Kabul to assess facilities and said the club could take a team to the war-torn country in the near future.

Cricket has taken off in Afghanistan in recent years, the national side earning one-day status in 2009 and appearing at the World Twenty20 the following year.

Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive Nasimullah Danish said the Afghan cricket community was excited at the prospect of an MCC tour and urged Hodson to get in touch.

"As yet we have had no formal contact from the MCC or Mr Hodson regarding his visit to Kabul or plans for a tour but we are looking forward to hearing more and would like to have an opportunity to formally discuss a possible tour."

Pomersbach back in IPL after depression NEW DELHI Afp

Australian Luke Pomersbach says he is ready to deliver in the new Indian Premier League (IPL) season after winning his battle with depression.

The middle-order batsman, who has returned to play again for 2011 runnersup the Royal Challengers Bangalore, announced last year he was taking a break from cricket for his own well being.

Pomersbach said he was now "on top of things" after suffering a bout of depression and was determined to make the most of the Twenty20 tournament, which started Wednesday.

"When you play a lot of cricket, sometimes you need a bit of a break and need to start thinking about other things in the life," Pomersbach, 27, was quoted as saying in the Hindu newspaper on Thursday.

"There were a few things off the field that I needed to deal with and I have done that. I have seen a couple of specialists and I am right on top of things now. It was just a bit of a break and it freshened me up." Pomersbach, who was once suspended by Western Australia after a drinking session, conceded he had made a few mistakes in the past.

"Some people deal with these problems better than others. Some people deal with them badly and make the wrong choices in life," said Pomersbach, who

represented Australia in just one Twenty20 international. "Unfortunately, I went down that path and made a few bad decisions. But I've learnt a lot from them and I suppose I've got that experience. "You shouldn't even think about cricket when serious issues like that come up in your life. I suppose I've just got to get back to enjoying my game and look forward to my next game."

Pomersbach said the IPL was the best learning curve for players like him with little international experience.

"It's fantastic to be a part of this, particularly for someone who doesn't have much international experience. It is great to be around guys like Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and Daniel Vettori," he said.

"Hopefully, an opportunity will arise during the tournament and I'm ready to grab it with both the hands."

Bangalore clash with Delhi Daredevils in their opening match on Saturday.

IPL BUzz MISSING IN CHENNAI: Many consider Chennai cricket fans to be the most passionate and knowledgeable in the country. After all, it were they who gave the Pakistan team a standing ovation on a lap of honour after the neighbours defeated India during the Asian Test Championship in 1999. even when it comes to the IPL, twotime winners Chennai Super Kings have enjoyed vociferous support, especially with the 'whistle podu' slogan they used

to get the fans involved.

But this time around, the buzz around the IPL seems lower than before, even though officials insist that ticket sales have been excellent, with the opening game against the Mumbai Indians being sold out.

Throughout the city, there are few posters of the Super Kings to be seen, with the boundary wall of the MA Chi-

dambaram Stadium looking like an odd yellow island in the middle of a pretty standard setting. Anup Biswas, a Kolkatan who works as an IT professional in Chennai, feels it is a case of the novelty of the IPL wearing off.

"The second season wasn't played in India, and the first and third seasons were sort of like the honeymoon period for the IPL, when we all got swept away

MUMBAi: Mumbai indians cricketer Sachin tendulkar (L) and team owner Nita Ambani (c) pose with Disney character Mickey Mouse (r) during an event to unveil "Mickey cricket", a limited edition merchandise range. AFP

in the wave of glitz and glamour and paisa-vasool cricket. But how many times a year can you actually go to the ground and watch it? eventually you have to get back to your jobs. I don't think we fans have lost interest or are fatigued; it's simply that the novelty has worn off," he told Mail Today outside the Chepauk Stadium, where he had come looking for tickets.

There are others, like Delhibased P Sai Bhardwaj, who do not agree with Biswas. Bhardwaj won a radio contest to attend Tuesday's opening ceremony, and is disappointed he will get to see only that, and not the opening match on Wednesday. "I come from a family of cricket buffs and so while it is great that I will get to see someone like Amitabh Bachchan with my own eyes, I wish I could see the opening match too. But that's outside the ambit of the contest I won," he told Mail Today.

For the true-blue Chennaiites, the IPL in general and the Super Kings in particular are still a big draw. "We feel a real sense that the team belongs to us and we support them wholeheartedly. What the Indian team did abroad was depressing, but we like to see good cricket, and hopefully by striking form in the IPL, the members of the national team can put us on the winning path again," said T Sarath, who runs a sports goods store near the stadium.

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Sports 19 Controversial Pietersen puts England on top Friday, 6 April, 2012

Kaneria charged with corruption LONDON AgeNCIeS

The england and Wales Cricket Board has charged Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria with corruption relating to spot fixing in the county game.

Kaneria was accused in a British court in February of pressuring former essex teammate Melvyn Westfield into fixing part of a match. Westfield pleaded guilty to fixing and was jailed for four months.

Kaneria denies the allegations and claims he had been cleared by British police, the International Cricket Council and the eCB. But the eCB now says that both Kaneria has been charged over alleged "corrupt activities which led to Mervyn Westfield's criminal conviction."

An eCB disciplinary panel will hear the case.

Kaneria is Pakistan's most successful test spinner with 261 wickets in 61 tests.

wi tribe, Pessi win in Members Polo LAHORE STAff RepoRT

Wi Tribe Shahsawars and Pessi got wins in the Members Polo Cup here at the LPC ground on Thursday. Wi Tribe Shahsawars was lucky enough to get the win all due to the one and a half goal handicap it had while Pessi fough for the win. Wi Tribe Shahsawars beat Magic River 6½-6 while PeSSI managed 5-3 win over Diamond Paints. Hashim Kamal Agha, Col Asif Zahoor and Agha Murtaza Ali Khan efforts went in vane for Magic River while Ahmad Nawaz Tiwana and Omar Asjad Malhi the goals for Wi Tribe. In the other match, Shah Qubilai Alam, Kashif Jamal and Malik Azam Hayat Noon played their part for Pessi’s win while Saqib Khan Khakwani and Mir Shoaib Ahmad did their best to give tough time to the rivals.

Servis beat etP Board LAHORE STAff RepoRT

Servis Industries has defeated eTP board by 4 wickets in the PCB Patron Trophy match played at Sheikhupura stadium. Ali Zahid scored 105(no), Hamza Mubeen 68, Faisal tanveer 42(no), Waqar Ahmed 34, Farhan Asghar 26, Wahab Dar 22. Servis industries gained 6 points in this match.

Daredevils down KKr SPORTS DESK Delhi Daredevils defeated Shahrukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets in the second match of the Indian Premier League on Thursday. In a rain-hit match that was reduced to 12 overs, Kolkata Knight Riders made 97 for nine but Irfan Pathan led charge got Delhi Daredevils 100 runs for two wickets with 5 balls to spare.

COLOMBO

SCoReBoARD

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eVIN Pietersen shrugged off a switch-hit controversy to smash an explosive 151 off 165 balls as england took charge of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday. The flamboyant Pietersen plundered 16 boundaries and six sixes in his 20th Test century as the tourists piled up 460 in their first innings before being all out just before stumps on the third day.

Sri Lanka, trailing by 185 runs, were 4-0 from one over in their second knock at close with Lahiru Thirimanne and Dhammika Prasad at the crease. england, who lost the first Test in Galle by 75 runs, have two days to force a series-levelling win on the wearing P. Sara Oval wicket and retain their number one ranking. Pietersen was warned twice by the on-field umpires before the tea break for changing his stance to make the eye-catching but risky switchhit -- a right-hander playing a shot with a left-hander's grip.

The 31-year-old played down the incident, which ended with him walking up to the umpires to clarify the warning.

"There was no altercation at all," he said. "I was just finding out what it was and they were telling me what it was. It was just timing. No drama, no issue."

Pietersen, who made three and 30 in the Galle Test, said his returning confidence -- underlined by the switch-hit -enabled him to score briskly.

"I have felt in fantastic form so it was just a case of cashing in when you're in good nick," he said.

"The amount of cricket we play now, it doesn't matter if we are playing oneday or Tests, it all rolls into one. I played

coLoMBo: england cricketer Kevin Pietersen gestures in celebration after scoring a century during the third day of the second and final test match against Sri Lanka at the P. Sara oval Stadium. AFP in one-day mode today."

The switch-hit incident marred an otherwise profitable day for the tourists, who finally came good with the bat after losing four Tests in a row in Asia this year -- the 3-0 rout by Pakistan and the Galle defeat.

Pietersen said england were in a good position despite losing the last five wickets for 49 runs.

"Tomorrow will be an interesting day's cricket," he said.

The warning for Pietersen from officials Bruce Oxenford and Asad Rauf came after bowler Tillakaratne Dilshan had to stop twice in his run-up as the batsman turned around in his stance.

The laws of the game state the

switch-hit is legal, but a batsman cannot change stance before the bowler has delivered the ball. A further offence would have resulted in five penalty runs being awarded to Sri Lanka.

Alastair Cook hit 94 and Jonathan Trott followed his 112 at Galle with 64, the pair sharing a second-wicket stand of 91 after england skipper Andrew Strauss made 61 on Wednesday.

Pietersen reached his hundred in the same over he was warned, executing a reverse sweep for two, and celebrated the landmark by pulling the next ball from Dilshan for a boundary.

Pietersen, who put on 94 for the fourth wicket with Ian Bell (18), was dismissed in the final session when he was

Pietersen warned twice for changing stance COLOMBO

Sri Lanka 1st innings 275 (M. Jayawardene 105, T. Samaraweera 54, A. Mathews 57, g. Swann 4-75, J. Anderson 3-62) england 1st innings (overnight 154-1): A. Strauss c p. Jayawardene b Dilshan 61 94 A. Cook c M. Jayawardene b Dilshan 64 J. Trott c M. Jayawardene b Herath K. pietersen lbw b Herath 151 18 I. Bell c Randiv b prasad M. prior c prasad b Herath 11 S. patel c prasad b Randiv 29 5 T. Bresnan b Herath 17 g. Swann c Dilshan b Herath J. Anderson lbw b Herath 2 S. finn not out 2 6 extras: (b1, lb2, nb2, w1) Total (all out, 152.3 overs) 460 fall of wickets: 1-122 (Strauss), 2-213 (Cook), 3-253 (Trott), 4347 (Bell), 5-380 (prior), 6-411 (pietersen), 7-419 (Bresnan), 8-454 (Swann), 9-458 (Anderson), 10-460 (patel).

Bowling: Lakmal 22-4-81-0 (nb2), prasad 23-8-63-1 (w1), Herath 53-9-133-6, Dilshan 20-4-73-2, Randiv 34.3-4-107-1.

Sri Lanka 2nd innings: 0 D. prasad not out 0 L. Thirimanne not out extras: (lb4) 4 4 Total (for no loss, one over) Bowling: Anderson 1-1-0-0 Sri Lanka trail by 181 runs with 10 wickets in hand.

Toss: Sri Lanka Umpires: Asad Rauf (pAK) and Bruce oxenford (AUS) TV umpire: Rod Tucker (AUS) Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)

leg-before to Rangana Herath as he tried to sweep the left-arm spinner.

Herath claimed his third consecutive six-wicket haul in the series, finishing the innings with 6-133 from 53 overs.

Cook fell six short of his 20th century for the second time in four Tests when he edged off-spinner Dilshan to skipper Mahela Jayawardene at first slip.

The 27-year-old had also fallen for 94 in the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in January, when he was legbefore to another off-spinner, Saeed Ajmal. Trott added just two runs to his lunch score of 62 when he edged a sharp turning delivery from Herath to give an easy catch to Jayawardene in the slips, but it was england's day.

Borjan Junior talent Hunt tennis begins

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LAHORE

Umpires warned england batsman Kevin Pietersen twice for changing stance to attempt a switch hit during the second Test against Sri Lanka on Thursday. The flamboyant Pietersen was spoken to by Bruce Oxenford and Asad Rauf after bowler Tillakaratne Dilshan had to stop twice in his runup as the batsman turned around in his stance. The laws of the game say that the switch hit -- a right-hander playing a shot with a left-hander's grip -- is legal but a batsman cannot change stance before the bowler has delivered the ball. Match referee Javagal Srinath of India confirmed that Pietersen had been officially warned twice. A third offence by him or any other england batsman will result in five penalty runs being awarded to Sri Lanka, Srinath said. Pietersen was unbeaten on 106 at tea on the third day in Colombo as england, replying to Sri Lanka's first-innings score of 275, moved to 352-4. The South African-born batsman had hit 12 boundaries and four sixes in his 20th Test century.

STAff RepoRT

coLoMBo: Kevin Pietersen (r) speaks with umpires Asad rauf (2L) and Bruce oxenford (L) as teammate ian Bell (2r) looks on during the third day of the second test match. AFP

Saudi rules out sending women athletes to london JEDDAH Afp

New YorK: Female boxer Heather Hardy spars with her coach Devon cormack at Gleason's Gym. Hardy, a 30 year old single mother who wants to turn pro, has been boxing seriously for two years after discovering the sport through kick boxing and yoga. the international olympic committee executive Board has allowed the sport of women's boxing to be added to the schedule for the 2012 olympic Games in London. this will mark the first time that all of the summer olympic sports will have female participants. AFP

The head of the Saudi Olympic Committee has ruled out sending women athletes from the ultra-conservative kingdom to the London Olympics this summer, local dailies reported on Thursday. Prince Nawaf bin Faisal said, however, that Saudi women taking part on their own are free to do so and the kingdom's Olympic authority would "only help in ensuring that their participation does not violate the Islamic sharia law."

"We are not endorsing any Saudi female participation at the moment in the Olympics or other international championships," he told a press conference in Jeddah

on Wednesday. The Saudi official was reiterating a position he announced late last year, confirming that Saudi Arabia will be fielding only male athletes in London.

"There are hundreds, if not thousands, of (Saudi) women who practice sports, but in private," he said, adding that the sports body has nothing to do with their activities. equestrian jumping contestant Dalma Malhas, 18, is likely to be Saudi Arabia's only female athlete at this summer's Olympics, according to media reports. Malhas won a bronze medal at the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics without having been nominated by her country, following an invitation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The first Borjan Junior Talent Hunt Tennis Tournament rolled into action under the auspices of the Punjab Lawn Tennis Association here at the Bagh-i-Jinnah’s courts on Thursday. On the opening day competitions in under-10 and 14 were held and the following day matches in under-16 and under18 categories will be held. Pakistan tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq, who was the chief guest, performed the opening of the event. In the under-10 class, Mohammad Saeed, Mustafa Mazhar, Ahmed Saeed, sameer Ahmed, Haider Jahanzaib, Nalain Abbas were the winners while in the under-14 category, Hashim Javed and Mohammad Bilal registered wins. results: U-10: Mohammad Saeed beat Arman Khan 60, Mustafa Mazhar beat Hamza Khan 6-3, Ahmed Saeed beat Shahreen 6-1, Sameer Ahmed beat Misha Humayun 6-0, Haider Jahanzaib beat Bilal Khan 7-5, Nalain Abbas beat Ahmer Saeed 6-1. U-14: Hashim Javed beat Malik Hussain 6-2 and Mohammad Bilal beat Shahzaib Mir 6-0.

Lucky Star move to semis LAHORE STAff RepoRT

Lucky star has moved into the semifinal of 27th Mohammad Yaseen Akhter Memorial event when they outplayed Dharampura Sports by 8 wikcets in the quarter final played at Race Course ground on Thursday.

SCoReS: Dharampura Sports 132 in 18.4 overs. irfan Zafar 21, ijaz 36, Kashif 35, Faheem 14. Azeez Mohsin 4/9, Jahanzaib Butt 3/21, Fahad 1/11, Zeeshan 1/13.

Lucky star club 134/2 in 17.3 overs. NAeem ul haq 50(no), waleed 21, Asif 42. M Akbar 1/37, M Saeed 1/27.

KHI 06-04-2012_Layout 1 4/6/2012 2:50 AM Page 16

20 Sports Frontier, Sargodha in women Soccer final ISLAMABAD STAff RepoRT

Friday, 6 April, 2012

AUGUSTA: A general view of the opening tee to the start of the 2012 masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. afP

Frontier Women University and Sargodha University reached the final of the All Pakistan Intervarsity Women Football Championship being played at Islamabad. The major upset in the semi-final was stage as Frontier Women University and Sargodha University outclassed LUMS and defending championship Punjab University to kept their hopes alive for the championship crown and reaches in the final of the championship here at H-12, Islamabad organised by National University of Science & Technology. The first semi-final match was played Sargodha University and Punjab University. The favourite of the match Punjab University played well but Sargodha striker proved their best to show to unbelievable victory against Punjab by 4-3 on the penalty kicks. In the second semi-final, Frontier Women University beat LUMS by 1-0 and reaches the final against Sargodha University. The 3rd & 4th Position Match will be played between LUMS and Punjab University while the final of the championship will be played at 9.30 am on April 6. engineer Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmed Pro – Rector NUST will be the Chief Guest on the Awarding Ceremony of the Championship.

Veteran champions trophy in semis stage LAHORE STAff RepoRT

Golden eagles beat Lahore Tigers by 3 wickets while Amar Cables, SPM Stags, Textile Tigers and SPM Bucks qualified for the semi-final of the 1st Lahore Veteran Champions Trophy.

SCoReS: At Ali Garh cricket Ground, Lahore tigers made 265/6 after 30 o. Mujahid Jamshaid 112, Muhammad Munir 67 & Sadat Ali 28 runs. Golden eagles bowling Naveed Sufi 2/56, Asif Mehmood 1/52, Muhammad Zahid 1/48 & Ali rafi 1/33 wickets. in reply Golden eagles 269/7 after 29.4 overs. Ali Amjad Played well 119, Faisal Peerzada 20, Karamat Ali 19, Muhammad Zubair 39 runs not out & Naveed Sufi 37 runs not out. Muhammad Anees 5/44, Mujahid Jamshaid 1/41 & Sadat Ali 1/67 wickets. Masood Khan, Qaisar waheed Umpire & Abdul Hameed was the scorer. Later chief guest former First class cricketer Nadeem iqbal give away man of the match award to Ali Amjad. Amar cables, SPM Stags, textile tigers & SPM Bucks qualify the semi final.

nBP open Juniors Tennis begins KARACHI STAff RepoRT

KArAcHi: A female tennis player performs on the opening day of the NBP open Juniors ranking tennis championship. STAFF PHoTo

The NBP Open Juniors Ranking Tennis Championship was on Thursday formerly opened here at the Karachi Club with the top seeds make to the next round. Ashfaq Tola, President Karachi Club, inaugurated the championship in the presence of Ghulam Muhammad, sports consultant NBP, Kh Saeed Hai, Sport Convener, Altaf Hussain, President Karachi Tennis Association and Sarwar Hussain, Secretary KTA. ReSULTS: Ladies singles 1st round: wania khan beat Humaira Saad 6-4,7-5, Under -18 first round: Nazif Ahmed w/o Shehroz, Under -18 main quater final: Nofil Kaleem beat Fahad Khan 6-4,6-2; talha Zubair beat Salman khan 6-0.4-0 (rtd); Saad Noor beat Aqeel Shabbir 63,6-1; Adil Kohari beat nazif Ahmed 6-0, 6-o, Under -16 1st round: Dawar rehan beat Salman 6-0 rtd; Marib Malik w/o Aqeel Shabbir; Shahroz beat nazif Ahmed 6-2, 6-0, Under -14 quarters: Nafil kaleem beat M raza Samani 6-1,6-1; Jalaluddin Baber beat Shahzil Malik 6-3, 6-2

KArAcHi: Ashfaq tola, President Karachi club, formerly inaugurates the NBP open Juniors ranking tennis championship while Ghulam Muhammad, sports consultant NBP, Kh Saeed Hai, Sport convener, Altaf Hussain, President Karachi tennis and Sarwar Hussain, Secretary KtA look on. STAFF PHoTo

Venus topples Jankovic, Bartoli battles through CHARLESTON Afp

In a clash of former world number ones, Venus Williams toppled seventh-seeded Jelena Jankovic 7-5, 6-0 on Wednesday to reach the third round of the WTA's green clay Charleston tournament. Jankovic had won her last four meetings on clay against Williams, but once the American heated up in the wake of a first-set rain delay, the Serbian couldn't stop her. Jankovic served for the first set at 5-4, but Williams broke and never looked back. By the time she won the second set she had reeled off nine games in

a row, capping the match with a backhand winner down the line. "I hadn't played her in a long time, so in the first set I was just finding my rhythm and getting used to any new patterns she might have," said Williams, playing on a wild card invitation as she tries to rebuild a ranking dented by a lengthy injury and illness layoff.

"In the second set everything started landing for me. I was moving forward and playing my aggressive game. Honestly, I don't know how it went that nicely for me. everything just landed, and she hit a few errors, and that helped me a lot." Third-seeded Marion Bartoli of France found the going

much tougher, but persevered to get past Russian Vera Dushevina 6-2, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 in a second-round match lasting more than three hours. "The first game was 22 minutes long I think, so that set up the tone," Bartoli said. "The last two years I lost first round here, and I didn't want to lose again in the first set, so I really tried my hardest. "I didn't play my best, but I just kept fighting and kept fighting and was able to win." Bartoli, who snapped Victoria Azarenka's 26-match unbeaten streak when she downed the world number one en route to the semi-finals at Miami last week, was playing her first match after enjoying a first-round bye.

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Friday, 6 April, 2012

Sports 21

Big Three get Masters underway

watch It LIVe TEN SPORTS 2ND TEST: Sri Lanka v England 09:15AM

GEO SUPER IPL-5: Mumbai Indians v Pune Warriors 03:30PM

Player joins Palmer, Nicklaus in Masters sendoff AUGUSTA Afp

AUGUStA: tiger woods tees off during a practice round prior to the start of the 2012 Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf club. AFP AUGUSTA Afp

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He 76th Masters got underway at Augusta National on Thursday with Tiger Woods the tournament favorite and Rory McIlroy leading a strong european challenge. It was an emotional ceremonial tee-off shortly after the crack of dawn with Gary Player joining old foes Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as the Big Three reunited as Honorary Starters to the tournament. They then stood aside as the first grouping of Craig Stadler, Brendan Steele and Tim Clark walked onto the first tee under perfect playing conditions.

Clark grabbed the first birdie of the tournament at the par-five second, but gave that back with a bogey at the tough fourth hole.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms over the last few days have made the going soft at the famed Georgia layout and taken some of the sting out of the notoriously fast greens, prompting Phil Mickelson to predict "a birdie-fest." But with little or no roll on the damp, lush

Berdych, Troicki open Davis Cup clash

fairways the early going saw few players able to beat par. Runnerup last year Adam Scott saw his tee-shot at the first clatter into one of the towering Georgia pines to the left of the fairway, but he hit a superb second onto the green and two-putted for par.

Martin Kaymer and Robert Karlsson both dropped shots at the first while 1982 champion Craig Stadler was four over after six. Seen by some as the most open Masters in years and by others as merely the stage for a showdown between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, this year's tournament has been as hotly anticipated as any in the past.

Woods, a winner again last month after a 28-month losing run, was due off in mid-morning with Spanish veteran Miguel Angel Jimenez and rising Korean star Bae SangMoon. The fit-again former world number one says he is driving the ball much better than before with his iron game improving and that "everything is heading in the right direction at the right time."

A four-time Masters winner, the last time being in 2005, all that Woods has done since he returned

Almagro opens against Melzer in Davis Cup

to action last October after another round of knee surgery has been geared toward getting himself primed for this week. A win on Sunday would be his fifth at Augusta National, one shy of the record six set by Nicklaus in 1986, and it would be his 15th major win, three off the record of 18, also held by his boyhood idol Nicklaus.

Others out early in the day included world number one Luke Donald, defending champion Charl Schwartzel and one of the top US hopes Steve Stricker.

McIlroy, who took a four-shot lead into the final round at last year's Masters but collapsed down the back nine to a soul-destroying 80, was in the penultimate grouping alongside Bubba Watson and 2009 champion Angel Cabrera.

After them, and closing out the day, were scheduled three-time former winner Mickelson playing with last week's Houston Open winner Hunter Mahan and Peter Hanson of Sweden. The forecasts were for showers and thunderstorms later in the day and on Friday morning with much cooler, drier conditions expected for the weekend.

Tsonga opens against US teen Harrison

PRAGUE

CASTELLON

MONTE CARLO

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Czech number one Tomas Berdych has been drawn against Serbian number two Viktor Troicki in the opening rubber of their Davis Cup World Group quarter-final starting here on Friday.

The winners will meet either Argentina or Croatia in September's semi-finals.

Friday (from 1300 GMt) tomas Berdych (cZe) v Viktor troicki (SrB) radek Stepanek (cZe) v Janko tipsarevic (SrB) Saturday (from 1300 GMt) Frantisek cermak/Lukas rosol (cZe) v Nenad Zimonjic/ilia Bozoljac (SrB) Sunday (from 1100 GMt) tomas Berdych (cZe) v Janko tipsarevic (SrB) radek Stepanek (cZe) v Viktor troicki (SrB)

Nicolas Almagro has been drawn to open holders' Spain's Davis Cup quarter-final clash against Austrian number one Jurgen Melzer here on Friday.

The winner next meets either France or the United States, who clash in Monte Carlo.

Friday (from 1000 GMt) Nicolas Almagro (eSP) v Jurgen Melzer (AUt) David Ferrer (eSP) v Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUt) Saturday (from 1315 GMt) Marcel Granollers/Marc Lopez (eSP) v oliver Marach/Alexander Peya (AUt) Sunday (from 1000 GMt) David Ferrer (eSP) v Jurgen Melzer (AUt) Nicolas Almagro (eSP) v Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUt)

French number one Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will bid to get the hosts off to a winning start against the United States when he plays teenager Ryan Harrison in their Davis Cup quarter-final clash here on Friday.

The winner here this weekend will next meet either Spain or Austria for a place in the final.

Friday (from 1000 GMt) Jo-wilfried tsonga (FrA) v ryan Harrison (USA) Gilles Simon (FrA) v John isner (USA) Saturday (from 1200 GMt) Michael Llodra/Julien Benneteau (FrA) v Mike Bryan/Bob Bryan (USA) Sunday (from 0900 GMt) Jo-wilfried tsonga (FrA) v John isner (USA) Gilles Simon (FrA) v ryan Harrison (USA)

Gary Player joined fellow golf icons Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as a ceremonial Masters starter on Thursday, reuniting the Big Three of a bygone era on one of golf's biggest stages.

"It was a great thrill, having had the wonderful relationship, great friendship, with Arnold and Jack for so many years," Player said.

The 76-year-old South African, clad in trademark black, watched as Palmer, the longest serving honorary starter of the trio, teed off first. Player followed and Nicklaus went last, all to applause from a crowd at the first tee.

"It was appropriate," Palmer said. "We played golf all our lives together. We've had a pretty good run at Augusta."

Nicklaus, 72, won an all-time record 18 major titles, including a record six at the Masters, the last in 1986 at age 46.

Player won three of his nine career majors at Augusta. Four of Palmer's seven major titles were at the Masters.

Watching the 1960s legends from the tee box was three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, on the scene six hours before his scheduled tee time in the opening day's final group.

"It was quite an honor that he came out," Player said. "I thought it was nice," Nicklaus concurred. "I thought it was wonderful," echoed Palmer.

Palmer, 82, was hospitalized two weeks ago on the last day of the US PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational and missed giving Tiger Woods the championship trophy that ended his 28month win drought, but was fit for his Masters duty.

"I'm feeling fine," Palmer said. "I had a little blood pressure scare. They changed medicine on me. They just wanted to be cautious. After two days, I was home and I was fine. I missed being there for Tiger. I wanted to be there."

Asked about who would be the big three from modern golfers, Player offered this year's Masters favorites, 36-year-old Woods with his 14 major triumphs and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who at 22 won his first at the 2011 US Open.

"Who would be the third? Time will sort that out," Player said. "To be fair, you need to give these golfers more time to determine a big three."

Nicklaus paid tribute to Woods' domination until his recent struggles, saying, "There are a lot more players today. Tiger is still the dominant force in the game. There are an awful lot of players that are good."

Emirates make Super 8 T20 for SOS children a day to remember RAWALPINDI STAff RepoRT

emirates, the international airline, provided an unforgettable experience for young cricket enthusiasts at the SOS Children’s Village by staging a cricket clinic featuring a host of star names.

As a sponsor of the Super 8 T20 tournament in Rawalpindi, emirates hosted a coaching session with players from the finalists – Karachi Dolphins – at the Village, a private social welfare organization which provides orphans and abandoned children a home, good nurturing and a fair chance in life.

The youngsters were delighted as Yasir Arafat, Umer Amin and Naveed Malik chatted with them and shared stories about their lives as professional cricketers. The youngsters then bowled to their special guests and tried batting

against them before the players signed autographs and posed for pictures.

“It is tremendously satisfying that through our sponsorship of domestic cricket in Pakistan we are able to stage events like this which inspire youngsters,” said Badr Abbas, emirates’ Vice President, Pakistan & Afghanistan. “We all know the people of Pakistan have an incredible passion for cricket and to see how excited the pupils were to meet the players today give us great pleasure. “emirates is committed to the development of cricket at grassroots level and through this sponsorship we are proud to be contributing to the local community by connecting children with positive role models and showing our commitment to a nation which emirates has been serving since we began operating in 1985.”

“It is wonderful to see emirates take such an active part in promoting cricket,

not only on the international level but also at the grassroots level,” said Yasir Arafat a Pakistani international cricketer and part of the Karachi Dolphins. “It is important that we encourage our young youngsters to develop their skills as they are the future of Pakistani cricket.”

“Our children were thrilled when they found out that the airline was arranging for the star cricketers to personally visit the campus,” said Suraiya Anwar, Director, SOS Children’s Village Islamabad. “A cricketing career is a dream for many of these children but interacting with the cricketers first-hand made this dream seem closer to reality than it ever had before. It was a positive experience as talent and perseverance overcomes all obstacles and despite their circumstances the children too can pursue their dreams and be number one just like their cricketing heroes.”

rAwALPiNDi: the young cricket enthusiasts of the SoS children’s Village during a cricket clinic organized by emirates on the sidelines of the National Super 8 t20 cup.

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Friday, 6 April, 2012

22

Present missing people or face suspension, CJP tells police QUETTA

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Balochistan. A group of women told the court that a team of Frontier Corps personnel and intelligence agencies had raided their house in Sariab area on March 1, and abducted ten people. They said that three of the abducted people were later released, while seven were still missing.

Balochistan Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, Police IG Rao Amin Hashim, Home Secretary Naseebullah Bazai, Balochistan Advocate General Amanullah Kanrani and High Court Bar Association President Zahoor Ahmed Shahwani were present in the court. During the hearing, Bazai informed that 139 dead bodies had so far been recovered from various parts of Balochistan.

SHAHzADA zULfIQAR

xPReSSING his resentment over police’s failure to recover the missing persons, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Thursday warned that if the seven people abducted from the provincial capital were not produced before the court on Friday, all police officers concerned, including the inspector general (IG) of Balochistan Police would be suspended.

A three-member SC bench, including Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Pervez, was hearing a case on deteriorating law and order situation in

expressing his anger, the CJP said the police had neither investigated the cases of recovered dead bodies nor arrested anyone. He said that police officials were not serious in investigating the cases of recovered dead bodies, while the issue was going out of proportion. The court ordered the police to thoroughly investigate each dead body found in the province and submit challans in the court within the stipulated period. It also directed the Balochistan Police IG to take action against the ministers involved in kidnappings for ransom.

“It has also been accused that some people of law enforcement agencies were involved in such incidents,” Chaudhry said.

The statement made by provincial minister Mir Sadiq Umrani on the floor of assembly was also read out in the court. The minister had claimed that he was going to Quetta from Kalat along with some other ministers when they witnessed a team of Frontier Corps personnel lining up two Baloch youth on the main national highway and shooting them dead. The minister also claimed that the next morning, the dead bodies of the two boys were found in the same area. While addressing the Home secretary, the chief justice remarked, “Like me, you are also a son of the soil; don’t such incidents hurt you?”

The chief justice also expressed his resentment over the absence of the attor-

ney general after learning that he had gone to attend the memo commission.

The CJP asked if the memo commission was above the Supreme Court. He also ordered the AG to appear before the bench on Friday. He said that as Frontier Corps was also being accused in the recovery of dead bodies therefore the FC inspector general should also provide explanation in this regard. The CJP asked how many families had been given compensation after the recovery of the dead bodies of their relatives. The Home secretary submitted that that no such policy existed, to which the CJP remarked that the relatives of the missing persons should be given compensation.

Pakistan, US discussing tax on nATo convoys: Fo g

only Pakistani state has jurisdiction over Hafiz Saeed ISLAMABAD SHAIQ HUSSAIN

ISLAMABAD: Journalists besiege former Inter-Services Intelligence director general Ahmed Shuja pasha as he leaves the Islamabad High Court after appearing before the memo commission on Thursday. nni

US drone attacks from Afghanistan to end after 2014: Afghan minister

PML-N links NaTO supplies restoration with afia’s release

Pakistan on Thursday confirmed it was discussing a framework agreement with the US for taxing NATO convoys, but they were still far from any such pact as any breakthrough in this regard depended on the outcome of ongoing parliamentary debate on the nature of future ties with the US. Addressing his weekly press briefing Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit confirmed that Islamabad and Washington were discussing a framework agreement which would cover the taxation for NATO trucks and containers and other important issues such as compensation amounts for Pakistan for its loss in counter-terrorism operations. “We are discussing all these matters but the final outcome hinges on policy guidelines that we will get from the parliament,” he said, a day after US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides held crucial talks with Pakistani authorities on the reopening of blocked NATO supplies.

He was asked about media reports that that Pakistan and the US were working on a framework agreement which will basically address two key issues, the compensation that would be made to our military to fight war on terror and the charges to be paid by NATO to Pakistan for shipment of containers to Afghanistan. He said, “As I said earlier we are discussing all these matters, but the final outcome would hinge on what final policy guidelines we get from our parliament. We will not pre-empt the parliamentary review.

Different ideas are being discussed but nothing is final yet.” He also said both sides were still at odds over US drone strikes and NATO airstrikes on Pakistani border posts in November last year that killed 24 Pakistani sol-

diers. He also made it clear that Pakistan had not abandoned its position of demand from US to bring the people involved in attacks on Pakistani outposts to justice.

When asked that US was trying to bypass Pakistan’s demands on bringing the Salala attackers to justice, he said, “There is no gainsaying that the Salala incident has setback our relations. We have our own position on the Salala incident, including demand that action should be taken against those who committed the Salala attack or who were involved in the incident. There is no change in our position.” To a question that whether the declaration of bounty for Hafiz Saeed and new procedures for PIA flights operating to the US were part of US pressure tactics over NATO supply routes, Basit said, “I have no comments to make as to the purpose of the US move, but Pakistan will not come under any pressure because ours is a principled position and a legal position.” “As for PIA flights to US, I may refer you to the Ministry of Defence or PIA,” he said.

Asked about any discussions in the meeting held by Pakistani authorities with the US deputy secretary of state about handing over of Hafiz Saeed to the US, he said, “The two discussed the whole gamut of Pakistan-US relations and other important issues particularly Afghanistan. So, let us not get into specifics at this stage. All issues of mutual interest were discussed.” “On the Hafiz Saeed issue, we have clearly stated our position that there is no concrete evidence. Pakistan would prefer to have concrete evidence to initiate a legal process but in the absence of that we cannot do anything. There is no reason for us to believe that the US does not respect our judicial and legal system,” he said.

ISLAMABAD STAff RepoRT

DUBAI: Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasool said on Thursday Afghanistan would not be used as a launch pad for US drones attacks on neighboring countries after NATO combat forces leave by the end of 2014. “Afghan soil will not be used against any country in the region,” Rasool told Al Jazeera television when asked if Washington would be allowed to launch drone strikes against Pakistan after the troops’ withdrawal. U.S.-operated drones have repeatedly carried out deadly missile strikes against suspected al Qaeda targets in Pakistan. “The presence of the remaining forces in Afghanistan is for training, equipping and securing Afghanistan’s security. It has been mentioned, it is going to be mentioned, that this force is not for use against any neighbors in the region,” Rasool told the Doha-based channel. Rasool was in Qatar for talks over the opening of Taliban office in Doha. ReUTeRS

The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) on Thursday advised the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) to tie the restoration of NATO supplies with the release of Pakistani scientist Dr Afia Siddiqui, while impressing upon the US and the international community to help resolve the Kashmir dispute with India.

Sardar Mehtab Khan Abbasi, who is representing the PML-N in the PCNS, put forth his party’s recommendations as it ended its three-day boycott of the committee over jacked up fuel prices in the country. He also told the meeting that he would consult his party’s leadership on the proposals finalised by the committee so far in his absence. Jamiat Ulema-eIslam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rahman reiterated his party’s stance against the restoration of NATO supplies.

Later, PCNS Chairman Senator Raza Rabbani rubbished the reports that the PCNS had succumbed to foreign pressure while forming recommendations on Pakistan’s new terms of engagement with the United States.

Talking to reporters after the

PCNS meeting, Rabbani said the committee was undertaking a very complicated and time-consuming job, and it was working independently in accordance with national priorities. He said the parliament might further amend the PCNS’ recommendations. He said the government was competent to extend the ongoing joint session of the parliament to allow more time to the PCNS to complete its recommendations. He added that the PML-N member was briefed on what the committee had discussed in the last three days, and hoped that the recommendations would be finalised in the next couple of days.

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

Editor: Arif Nizami, Executive Editor: Sarmad Bashir

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