04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:05 AM Page 1
Govt agrees on sovereign guarantee for PSM
Imran Khan to make assets public next week
Bebo beats Kat to top sexiest Asian women list
PROFIT | PAGE 01
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pakistantoday.com.pk
rs15.00 Vol ii no 150 32 Pages Karachi edition
NRO VERDICT REVIEW PETITION
Govt fails to make its case in SC g
Court tells govt to implement its December 16, 2009 verdict without further delay ISLAMABAD
A
MaSooD ReHMaN
GAINST the backdrop of the evolving political situation and the ‘memo’ controversy still unresolved, the government on Friday suffered a serious blow on the constitutional and moral front as the Supreme Court dismissed its review petition against the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) verdict, declaring that the government had failed to build any case for a review. In its short order, a 17-member fullcourt bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry held that federation’s counsel Dr Babar Awan argued in support of the review petition filed by the federation against
the NRO verdict under Article 188 of the constitution for four days, but he failed to make out any case for review and dismissed the review petition. The court told the government and the authorities concerned to implement in letter and spirit and without any further delay its December 16, 2009 verdict, which had declared the NRO unconstitutional ab initio. All actions taken under the NRO stand null and void with the dismissal of the review petition, leaving the government with no option but to withdraw the benefits given to all those who were facing criminal cases before the promulgation of the NRO. GOVT STRATEGY: However, it remains to be seen what strategy the government adopts in the wake of the court’s order. “We will [implement the court decision]… let the court issue a detailed
judgement,” Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira said when asked whether the government would implement the court order or not. At the outset of the hearing on Friday, the government’s Advocate-on-Record (AOR) Mahmood A Sheikh had sought adjournment of the case on behalf of the federation’s counsel Dr Babar Awan, stating that because of some family engagements Awan was unable to appear in court. But the court expressed dismay over the absence of Awan and the chief justice said Awan should have ensured his appearance as a 17-member full court was hearing the case. Justice Asif ContinueD on Page 04
PPP exPlores its oPtions | Page 04
saturday, 26 november, 2011 Zul-Haj 29, 1432
41 militants killed in Kurram, Orakzai KURRAM/ORAKZAI AGENCIES INP
Up to 41 militants were killed and another 15 injured in separate offensives by security forces in Kurram and Orakzai Agencies on Friday. The forces assaulted militant strongholds in Kurram Agency at around midnight, killing 35 militants and injuring 15 others, security officials said. Four soldiers were also killed in the clash, which lasted several hours. Militant sources confirmed the clashes
and casualties but disputed the government’s death toll. In a separate incident, security forces killed six militants and destroyed two hideouts in Orakzai Agency. A search operation was also carried out in the village of Paskalay, where 15 suspected militants were arrested. Security forces claimed to have killed over 120 militants and injured 40 in Orakzai Agency during the past week. They also claimed to have regained control of Akhund Kot, Chapar and Dapar Killay areas.
Pakistan clean sweep SL The Pakistan cricket team put up another clinical performance to win the only Twenty20 by five wickets against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi stadium on Friday, blanking their rivals in all three forms of the game. Paceman Aizaz Cheema took 4-30 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 141 in 19.3 overs before skipper Misbahul Haq kept his nerves with a fighting unbeaten 48 to help his team chase down the target with three balls to spare. The victory capped a remarkable performance by Pakistan who won the
preceding three-Test series 1-0 and the five-match one-day series 4-1. Misbah, who hit three boundaries and a six off 38 balls, added 46 for the fourth wicket with Asad Shafiq (33) after Pakistan lost their way in pursuit of the target. They lost Mohammad Hafeez (13), Imran Farhat (13) and Umar Akmal for a first ball duck. Shafiq hit three boundaries during his run-a-ball knock before he was bowled by Lasith Malinga.
DetaileD story | Page 21
Classic catch-22 as govt faces legal, political fallout ISLAMABAD IRfaN BUKHaRI
KARACHI: A little girl walks to school barefoot from a flood relief camp. Despite millions of people being affected by two massive floods in as many years, the government has yet to provide any tangible support to the victims. INP
SC shows the door to OGRA chief ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
A three-member Supreme Court bench on Friday struck down the appointment of Tauqir Sadiq as the chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), ordering him to return all salaries and privileges he drew from the public exchequer in course of his service as the OGRA chairman. The bench of Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said in its unanimous verdict that Sadiq’s appointment was illegal and void ab initio. The court ordered immediate de-notification of Sadiq’s appointment as the OGRA chief, besides directing the government not to leave the post vacant. The judgement also took note of a number of serious corruption al-
legations leveled against Sadiq and observed that the allegations were worthy of a serious investigation. The court directed NAB to submit a report to the court in this regard within a period of 45 days. The petition challenging Sadiq’s appointment was filed by Muhammad Yasin, an OGRA employee. Sadiq who is the brother-in-law of PPP leader Jehangir Badr, was appointed by the federal government to the post in July 2009. The court ruled that the criteria, expressly laid down in Section 3(4) of the OGRA Ordinance 2002, were violated by appointing Sadiq. Section 3(4) commands that the head of this independent institution must be a person who is an eminent professional of known competence and integrity. “Sadiq, against whom there are a number of corruption allegations, and who purports to have an LLM degree from a ‘fake degree-granting’ institution, the American University
in London, was found falling short of the required standard,” the court held. The court held that under the law and constitution, while the executive retained the power to make appointments, it had to exercise this power in a demonstrably fair and honest manner. The judgment outlines a three-pronged test for this which stresses objectivity, relevance and due diligence. “Failing this test, appointments made by the executive will be invalid, and liable to be struck down upon judicial review,” the court ruled. The judgment stated that the process of appointing Sadiq as OGRA chief was fraught with serious irregularities. It pointed out that applicants were being selected and rejected in an arbitrary and lawless manner with little attention being paid to objective indicators of their ability and merit.
The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the government’s review petition against the apex court decision on the legality of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) has finally left the government with no option but to implement its December 16, 2009 judgement declaring this probably most controversial political agreement between former president Pervez Musharraf and slain Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairwoman Benazir Bhutto unconstitutional. Though the government has not reacted to the judgement except taking a position that the matter would be discussed at the top party (PPP) level, its political fallout will be farreaching. Not only will the government have to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen the cases closed under the NRO, which it is reluctant to do, it will also have to take action against former attorney general Justice (r) Malik Qayyum. Politically, the most critical aspect of this dismissal of the review petition is that, except President Asif Ali Zardari who enjoys immunity under Article 248 of the constitution, the criminal cases against some federal ministers and a large number of political workers and leaders belonging to the PPP and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) stand restored. Legally, the government will face contempt of court in case it does not implement the Supreme Court’s judgement declaring the NRO unconstitutional and void ab initio. If the government delays the implementation of this judgement, the executive-judiciary tension, which already exists on a host of legal issues, may culminate in a serious crisis in the country. TOP PARTY LEVEL: While Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan told Pakistan Today that the detailed judgement would be discussed at the top party level and the strategy to implement the decision would be chalked out accordingly, legal experts believe that the PPP government’s tactics with which it delayed the implementation of Supreme Court verdict for around two years are ContinueD on Page 04
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02 News Today’s
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
KArACHI
NewS
‘Passionate Hues’ opening today at gallery6
Hike in power tariff linked with fuel prices: Qamar exile dreams of a bloodless return
Story on Page 06
Story on Page 10
worLD vIew
Quick Look
Story on Page 15
SC orders continuation of community schools project ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
The Supreme Court on Friday said the government’s proposed decision of winding up the Basic Education Community Schools (BECS) project was unlawful and in violation of various constitutional provisions. A three-member SC bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez announced the verdict earlier reserved after hearing a set of identical pleas against the proposed closure of the BECS project. The petitioners had sought an SC order against the proposed closure of a total of 15,101 BECS schools having 561,000 enrolled students across the country. The verdict authored by the chief justice allowed the petitions and the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) to carry out the project to perform functions of providing the basic facility of education to the citizens. The project, running all over the country with 15,101 BECS and 561,000 students, was launched under the National Education Foundation project. After the passage of the
18th amendment, the federal government initially handed over the project to the provinces, but decided to close it down after the provinces refused to own it. During the hearing of the pleas, Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq had informed the court that a final decision had not yet been taken about the future of these schools imparting informal education. Appearing on notice, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Salman Siddique had told the court that from 1984 to 1994, a total of Rs 66 billion had been collected under Iqra Education Surcharge. Kamal Azfar, counsel for the NCHD had stated that the government could not abdicate its constitutional responsibility under Article 25A to discontinue formal or informal education. He had stated that over 90 percent students enrolled under the project were female, adding that there also were volunteers who had been teaching in these schools with a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500. The Punjab government had apprised the court that under the 18th Amendment, the project was handed over to provinces and under Article 25A, imparting education was state responsibility.
cRaSH LaNDINg: a large number of people witness a cessna-172 after an emergency landing at Malir ground. INP
Imran to make assets public next week PEShAwAR Staff RePoRt/ageNcIeS
P
AKISTAN Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday announced he will declare his assets along with details of earnings and tax records. Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club after Salim Jan joined PTI, Imran Khan said he was introducing a new trend in politics by declaring his asset details. Salim Jan, late Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s grandson and late Khan Abdul Wali Khan’s nephew announced he would join the PTI, and handed over the details of his assets to the PTI chief. Imran said, “Within a week I will address a press conference in which I shall make my assets public.” Imran said after safeguarding President Zardari’s rule for three and a half years, it was the PTI’s growing popularity that compelled the PML-N to embark on its ‘Go Zardari Go’ campaign. He also said he was open to anyone joining his party but would only offer tickets to those free of corruption, who had declared their assets and were ideologically committed. He said he met the ISI chief one and a half year ago and met the US ambassador at his residence six months ago but denied meeting both of them together. Separately, addressing a public gathering at Peshawar after PPP
Imran recruiting the corrupt, PTI KP VP’s parting shot
Nisar to expose details of Imran Khan’s assets
LAHORE: Criticising Imran Khan’s policy of including corrupt people in the party, PTI (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Vice President Malik Muhabbat Awan announced he was joining the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in a meeting with PML-N president Nawaz Sharif at Raiwind on Friday. Awan said the PTI chairman Imran Khan’s principled stance to keep corrupt people away from party had changed after he allowed defectors, fake-degree holders and double-crossers to join the party. He said, “Imran had started a mudslinging campaign against the political leadership which was condemnable.” He said he trusted the PML-N president Nawaz Sharif and therefore was joining the PML-N. Nawaz Sharif welcomed Malik Muhabbat in the party. MNA Capt (retd) Safdar was present on the occasion. Staff RePoRt
Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) is set to expose the details of assets of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at a press conference on Sunday. The details of the assets will be revealed by leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan at a press conference. The PML-N sources said that the details of the assets of Imran Khan, including plots and the benefits he had acquired from the successive governments, will be given to the journalists at the Punjab House. The details of the benefits awarded to him by the Punjab government in 1987 will also be disclosed, the sources added.
former provincial minister Iftikhar Khan Jhagra announced he was joining the PTI, Imran said the time for both Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif to return to the pavilion has come and the 25 December gathering at Karachi will seal their fate.
He said an air of change had started blowing across the country and the PTI tsunami shall come to Multan on Saturday (today) and Ghotki on Sunday after traveling across Lahore, Chakwal and Peshawar.
ISLAMABAD INP
04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:05 AM Page 3
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
ForeIgN NewS
ArTS & eNTerTAINMeNT
SPorTS
thousands rally in egypt
Porn star Sunny Leone causes a stir in India
I have unfinished business at hand: Khalil
News 03 CoMMeNT Limited options The NRO fiasco won’t do the government any good.
Inspiration Malalai Yousufzai is a ray of hope.
arif Nizami says: Tough sledding ahead: Memogate will continue to reverberate.
White Lies: The Memogate episode has proved a money spinner for our top-of-thechart chat shows keeping their ratings at a level where they give saas bahu serials a run for their money.
Story on Page 18
Story on Page 17
Story on Page 20
Articles on Page 12-13
I have no control over YBM: Firdous Information minister tells NA all parliamentarians have complaints against PTv MD g PTv to launch sports channel by December g
Sherry rehman resigns from NA seat ISLAMABAD MIaN aBRaR
The newly-appointed Ambassador to US Sherry Rehman has resigned from her National Assembly seat, while the National Assembly speaker has accepted her resignation. A source told Pakistan Today that Sherry Rehman had sent her resignation to the National Assembly speaker on Thursday, which was accepted on Friday. In an email communication, Sherry Rehman confirmed that her resignation had been accepted. “I resigned yesterday (Thursday). The speaker has accepted the receipt today … It is a very challenging task, and I will attempt to discharge my duties to the best of my abilities,” said the ambassador in an email message.
No need to stop me, tweets Haqqani KARAChI INP
ISLAMABAD aRIf taj
Britain should help promote global peace, harmony: Shahbaz ISLAMABAD/LAhORE Staff RePoRt
Britain has great importance in the current international scenario and it should play an effective role for the promotion of global peace and harmony, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Friday. During a meeting with British Interior Secretary Theresa May, the chief minister said the UK and Pakistan had longstanding and strong relations and the bilateral ties would be promoted in the coming days. According to a press release issued by the DGPR, Shahbaz said effective steps had been taken for the supremacy of law in Punjab and prosecution was being made more effective by reorganising it for taking the criminals to task. He said after 9/11, Pakistan and Punjab had to face worst terrorism but the Punjab government had made efforts for the eradication of terrorism and extremism through an effective strategy. The chief minister said police were being equipped with modern training and equipment for improving the prosecution system, identifying criminals and curbing crimes in the province. He revealed that a modern forensic lab had also been set up at the cost of Rs 3 billion for research and investigation which would greatly help access the accused. Emphasising upon the bilateral cooperation in various sectors between the UK and Punjab, May said progress would be made in this regard. He said future of democracy and economic development in Pakistan was of great importance to the UK and it wanted to see Pakistan on the road to progress.
M
INISTER for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday said the Managing Director of Pakistan Television (PTV), Yousuf Baig Mirza, was not under her control and all members of the National Assembly had complaints against him. She said this while replying to a supplementary question in the National assembly about the steps taken by the government for improving PTV’s performance. “The entire Lower House has complaints against the PTV MD
and he is not under my control,” Firdous said. Hearing the reply, the NA deputy speaker said if the minister was helpless, then the prime minister should reply. Upon this, the prime minister addressed the minister for information and broadcasting, saying, “She is head of the ministry and she has the full authority to run the affairs of the PTV. I have never interfered in the affairs of the ministry and being the minister, she should assert her authority. If she has any particular problem in this regard, she can share with me privately,” Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said. Moreover, a source in the PTV said the Supreme Court had or-
dered in November 2010 to regularise 472 employees of the PTV, but only 26 had been regularised. According to the source, there were differences between the minister and the PTV MD over the regularisation of employees. Firdous told the NA that PTV would launch a sports channel by December on the directive of the president and prime minister to promote sports activities in the country. She said PTV would be digitalised and equipped with latest technology to enable it to compete with other private channels. The minister the perception about the PTV being the government’s mouth piece had completely changed, as it was giving equal coverage to opposition parties.
Former Pakistan ambassador to US Husain Haqqani, in a message to opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, said there was no need to stop him from leaving the country as it was his country. In a twitter message he wrote, “Dear Chaudhry Nisar, no 1 needs to stop me from leaving Pakistan. It is my country & I want 2 be here :)” He further wrote, “Dil na umeed tau nahin naakaam hee tau hai/ Lambi hai ghum ki shaam magar shaam hee tau hai.”
Cessna aircraft makes forced landing KARACHI: A Cessna aircraft made a forced landing near Karachi Airport on Friday afternoon. Both the occupants of the small plane remained safe. This was stated by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official Pervez George. He said that the Cessna aircraft, with two people onboard, made a forced landing some two and a half nautical miles from the Karachi Airport after developing some fault. The CAA teams rushed to the spot, he added. aPP
Meeting fails to churn ‘out-of-box’ solution for Railways Bilour claims he was told to ‘sell railways land to run trains’ g Says Pr needs rs 45 billion bailout, not rs 25 billion offered by Finance Dept g
ISLAMABAD jaLaLUDDIN RUMI
The meeting to revive the Pakistan Railway (PR) failed after no concrete decision or proposal was taken to revive the loss-making entity. Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, after attending the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring (CCOR) meeting, headed by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh said he came out empty handed since the railways fell Rs 20 billion short of the subsidy for its revival. The Finance Ministry committed to extend Rs 25 billion while Pakistan Railways demanded Rs 45 billion for the current fiscal year. Bilour said he had been asked to
utilize railway resources by auctioning its 167,690 acres land that “I am not a property broker to sell land which is not controlled by railways” since most railways land was under the control of provinces. The minister said if the Finance Division had extended the Rs 11.5 billion bail out package committed in June 2010; the situation would have been different from today. He said due to not releasing Rs 11.5 billion in June 2010, the government will have to give railways Rs 27 billion to pay 80,000 in-service and 140,000 retired railway pensioners their salaries and pensions for the current fiscal year. Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour on
Friday discussed the restructuring process and plan for the comprehensive restructuring of railway and hiring consultants to revive it. The meeting proved unfruitful since no concrete decision or proposal came out to revive the loss making entity. The Finance Minister in the June 24 meeting with Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour had agreed to release Rs 11.5 billion by the next month under the bailout package approved by the federal cabinet in December last year. Pakistan Railways had demanded Rs 11.5 billion for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the railways. out of which Rs 6.1 billion was planned to be spent on the maintenance of 145 locomotives, Rs 2 bil-
lion each on rehabilitation of tracks and coaches and Rs 1 billion was planed to be reserved for future use. Out of total 550 locomotives of PR only 80 locomotives are functional. The government’s seriousness in resolving obstinate financial crunch of Pakistan Railways (PR) can easily be gauged from the fact that despite three years passing since the federal government procured Railways land for the Multan Package in 2009 on directives of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Railways has yet to received the cost of land equal to Rs 916 million. While deliberating on the other proposals of Pakistan Railways, CCOR decided to provide Rs.600 millions to PR to pay the WAPDA dues.
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04 News
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
The questions still remain unanswered SITUATIoNer RANA QAISAR With innumerable challenges, political and legal, already dogging the ZardariGilani government, the ‘memo’ controversy appears to have dominated every issue, no matter how critical it is, and the trust deficit between the civil and military establishments, irrespective of business ostensibly getting back to normal after the removal of Husain Haqqani, continues to increase because of what is being considered a deliberate delay on the part of the government to start a formal investigation into the plot that had raised concerns about “national security”. Although the president has dissociated himself from the conspiracy by denying that he was in any way involved in it, Haqqani’s response to the 32 questions put to him by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) will, however, determine the direction of the investigation. He has yet to provide his response to these questions, albeit he had also denied all allegations
when confronted with by the ISI chief in the presence of the army chief, the president and the prime minister. It is no longer a secret now that the army chief had demanded the president summon Haqqani to face the investigation when the former ambassador was reported to have sent his resignation from Washington and was said to have decided not to fly back to Pakistan. Though it was expected that the government would place restrictions on the movement of Haqqani, who is a guest at the Presidency, he remains a free citizen with the army and the ISI staying satisfied that he is under “protective custody” of his host. And there is no possibility that the president will give him safe passage to leave the country as Haqqani fleeing abroad before the completion of investigations will undoubtedly confirm Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz’s claim about the former ambassador’s involvement in the ‘memo’ controversy besides lending credence to the leads suggesting that the conspiracy to draft and send this ‘memo’ to the US admin-
istration was hatched with support from Islamabad. A mole, who briefly interacted with Haqqani at the Presidency, says that the former ambassador appeared “relaxed” particularly after the petitions were filed in the Supreme Court on the ‘memo’ issue also seeking placement of his name on the Exit Control List to stop him from any possible attempt to leave the country. Haqqani would certainly be a relieved man with the filing of these petitions as the matter would now possibly get into judicial examination and the judicial process is generally not time-bound. While Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif had set a 10-day deadline for the government to complete investigation into the ‘memo’ issue, also saying that he would file a petition in the Supreme Court in case the government failed to hold an enquiry, his decision to approach the court before the deadline passed has raised many eyebrows. What the observers are evaluating as of critically significant importance is the shifting of the venue of
Govt fails to make its case in SC ContinueD from Page 1 Saeed Khan Khosa observed that Awan had earlier created a scene for submitting some documents in the case but was now absent. When the court ordered Law Secretary Masood Chishti to read out the documents related to the correspondence with the Swiss authorities in 1997, which were submitted by Awan, Chishti read out one document and refused to read more documents. Upon this, the court admonished him for not obeying its orders and said action would be taken against him. However, the court asked Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to read the remaining documents, which he did. All the documents pertained to the years 1997 to 1999 in respect of investigation of the cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and
the late Begum Nusrat Bhutto pending before the Swiss courts. During the hearing, the court observed that it did not want the names of the dignitaries to come to the surface, but since the federation had stressed for the documents, they were read out in court. “We did not want the names to be made public,” the court observed. During the four-day hearing of the case, the court had repeatedly asked Awan to prove how the federation was affected by the NRO verdict, but he failed to satisfy the court. Former president Pervez Musharraf had promulgated the NRO in 2007, granting amnesty to politicians, political workers and bureaucrats who were accused of corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, murder and terrorism. The Supreme Court on December 16, 2009 declared
Pakistan wants free trade with EU: Zardari ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday said Pakistan was looking forward to negotiations for a free trade agreement with the EU and hoped that the UK’s support would help the country qualify for the revised GSP Plus scheme. “Such arrangement will help Pakistan increase its exports, generate thousands of jobs and move towards economic stability necessary for combating militancy,” the president said while talking to Theresa May, UK home secretary and minister for women and equality, who called on the president at the Aiwan-e-
Sadr. Briefing reporters, president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said a wide spectrum of Pak-UK bilateral relations including trade, enhanced strategic dialogue, war against militancy and Pakistani Diaspora in the UK, was discussed during the meeting. The president said Pakistan wanted to enhance bilateral relations based on mutuality of respect, trust and interest. He said enhanced strategic dialogue between the two countries had facilitated structured interaction and called for vigorously pursuing all five strands of ESD to intensify mutual partnership.
the NRO unconstitutional and ordered revival of cases against those who had benefited from it. During the hearing of the NRO’s main case, the government had not defended it, but after the verdict was announced, the government filed a review petition against it. Soon after Friday’s verdict on the review plea, the legal fraternity vowed to support the judiciary in implementation of its judgement on the NRO and stressed that the government should implement the verdict in letter and spirit. Talking to reporters at the Supreme Court, senior lawyers supported the verdict saying that the government must implement it. “We are with the judiciary and the government should implement the verdict,” Supreme Court Bar Association President Yasin Azad said.
Tuesday’s meeting from the Presidency to PM’s House. A marathon session of the top four with Haqqani also in attendance was first held at the Presidency and later moved to PM’s House, considering it a neutral place, for a short time for the decision, which could not have been taken at the top office. The statement about the removal of the ambassador was issued from PM’s House. This can be variously interpreted. The insiders are of the view that the government, particularly the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership, may consider driving the political advantage of this situation and resist the army and the ISI on the ‘memo’ controversy to a point of confrontation to make it up for the next elections once again soliciting sympathies against the establishment. The government is already faced with a popularity crisis. The opposition parties are exploiting every single issue and the electioneering seems to have already begun with the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf in particular raising a storm over rampant corruption and bad governance.
‘Several politicians treated abroad at public’s expense’ ISLAMABAD aRIf taj
The National Assembly was informed on Friday that several politicians, including Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, Senator Mushahidullah, Syed Hamid Kazmi and some government servants, were sent abroad for medical treatment and all expenses were borne by the public exchequer. Giving details of the expenses spent on persons abroad for medical treatment since 2008, the Lower House was informed that around £30,000 were spent on the treatment of Makhdoom Javed Hashmi in the UK in 2010 for speech restoration therapy. According to the written answer, the prime minister had approved the funds.
PPP explores options after SC verdict ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
F
ORMER law minister Senator Babar Awan called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Friday evening and discussed the situation emerging after the dismissal of the government’s review petition on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) verdict by the Supreme Court, followed by a meeting of select ministers and senior leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) under the chairmanship of President Zardari. A source told Pakistan Today Awan discussed with the president a strategy to deal with the situation after the rejection of the government’s petition. In the PPP meeting later on, the current political situation in the country was dis-
cussed. Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar told reporters the meeting decided to step up the consultative process with the political forces and the coalition partners to overcome the challenges facing the country. It also decided that the policy of reconciliation would continue, he said. Senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Re-
The benefits of the NRO ISLAMABAD The National Reconciliation Ordnance (NRO), the mother of all political deals and compromises introduced by former president Pervez Musharraf’s government on October 5, 2007, was aimed at promoting “national reconciliation, foster mutual trust and confidence amongst holders of public office and remove the vestiges of political vendetta and victimisation to make the election process more transparent and to amend certain laws for that purpose and for matters connected therewith and ancillary”. Under the same objective, an amendment of Section 494, Act V of 1898, was introduced under which the federal and provincial governments were given the powers before the judgement is pronounced by a trial court to withdraw from the prosecution of any person including an absconding ac-
cused who was found to be falsely involved for political reasons or through political victimisation in any case initiated between January 1, 1986 to October 12, 1999. A review board undertaking review of a case was given powers to direct the public prosecutor or any other authority concerned to furnish to it the record of the case. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was the major beneficiary of these clauses introduced in the law under the NRO as thousands of cases against its workers had been withdrawn. The NRO was also amended so that no incumbent members of parliament or a provincial assembly could be arrested without taking into consideration the recommendations of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Ethics. President Asif Ali Zardari and his party colleagues, including federal and provincial ministers, had benefited from this amendment.
stitutions as it damages them.” Justice (r) Wajihuddin Ahmed said that in his opinion the government would try to make excuses to not implement the NRO verdict, “but this time the rulers’ efforts to escape accountability will not succeed as the government is weak because of the surfacing of the memogate issue”. He said the government’s review petition against the NRO verdict was just a tactic to buy time. “The NRO verdict was announced in December 2009 and the government wasted two years under the cover of the review petition and did not implement the verdict though there was no stay order by the apex court on the previous order,” he said.
LEGISLATION SIMILAR TO NRO: Latif Afridi, another prominent lawyer, said it was clear in the constitution that every institution of the state was bound to obey the Supreme Court orders. “If the government has some issues, political or otherwise, with the verdict, it can get another similar legislation passed by parliament as it enjoys a majority,” he said. Commenting on the verdict, lawyer Ikram Chaudhry said the government was not justified in filing a review petition and the result was natural. He said this was a frivolous effort on the part of the government to file a review petition just to save and protect the people involved in criminal cases but benefiting from the infamous NRO.
MIaN aBRaR
Classic catch-22 ContinueD from Page 1 unlikely to work anymore. Commenting on the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the review petition, lawyer Akram Sheikh said if the government did not implement the NRO verdict in letter and spirit, it would be inviting trouble. “Until now, the government did not implement the verdict under the pretext of the review petition though there was no stay order on the verdict,” he said. Sheikh said in case the government failed to implement the NRO verdict, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani could be summoned by the SC. Justice (r) Tariq Mehmood told Pakistan Today there was no choice for the government but to
implement the court order. “It will earn huge embarrassment for the government if it writes letters to the Swiss government to reopen the cases against its own president… if the government uses delay tactics in implementing the verdict, top government functionaries may face contempt of court charges,” he added. Prominent lawyer and PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan said: “The president enjoys immunity from court’s proceedings under Article 248 of the Constitution… the government had delayed the process of implementation of verdicts in certain cases but now the judgement has come and the government is bound to enforce it… no tense situation should prevail among in-
ligious Affairs Minister Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Water and Power Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Senator Raza Rabbani, Dr Babar Awan, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi, Senator Sardar Ali, PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, former water and power minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Rukhsana Bangash, Fouzia Wahab and Fouzia Habib attended the meeting.
Buried by Zia, Freemasons now haunt Punjab govt ContinueD from Page 24 Interestingly, however, the revenue records dating back to the 1950s and 1960s show the building now named 90The Mall mentioned as “Kothi Jadugar” (Sorcerer’s House). The Freemasons had also won a case under the Corporation Act claiming the building in question had been declared a “temple”. Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have also banned the organisation because of its controversial nature. Worldwide, Freemasons are famous for their secret rituals and for constructing buildings which supposedly have secret symbols inscribed into their architecture. Few other international organisations are surrounded by as much controversy as the Freemasons. There are 33 degrees of Freemasonry, while the ones who have filed the writ petition are ‘Masters’ and ‘Past Masters’, Freemasons of the 4th and 5th degree respectively. This has created a lot of anxiety among top government officials in the Punjab Civil Secretariat owing to the gravity of the situation as well as the mystery surrounding Freemasons, especially given that the next date of the hearing in the LHC is December 30. Many top officials have ordered books on Freemasonry from abroad to study their history and symbols and what they stand for, while a lot of rumours are making rounds in the corridors of power regarding the probable future of the prime offices under the possession of the Punjab government because if the court gives a verdict against the MLR 56, it would ultimately result in the Punjab government having to hand over all property back to the Freemasons.
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Don’t judge a book by its cover… the same applies to the homeless Seeing is not always believing 07
Phookani Bala on the loose! Hold your breath Tharis ■ Sindh krait bite cases on the rise due to an extended rainy season KARAChI aMaR gURIRo
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NE of the most ecologically diverse areas in the country, the Thar desert is home to several exotic species of wildlife, especially Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus), Chinkara (Gazella bennettii), hog deer (Hyelaphus porcinus), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), apart from quite a few other members of the canine family, birds of prey and reptiles. But among the many wildlife species, a typically shy resident of the desert area is grabbing all the attention these days. Of the many snakes, including the famed Indian cobra (Naja naja) and the dreaded vipers (locally called Lundi), the nocturnal Sindh krait (Bungarus sindanus) is sowing fear in the hearts of the desert dwellers this time round.
Locally referred to as the ‘Phookani Bala’, myth has it that the snake sucks the air out of its victim during his sleep and breathes out its toxin-laced breath inside the prey. The locals believe that the snake sits near the mouth of a sleeping person and sucks in its breath while returning its own poisonous breath inside the victim. The throat of the victim swells to such an extent that he dies within a few hours. As a snake repellent, the people of Thar eat onion at night and spread pieces of onion around their sleeping places. Experts say that the Sindh krait does actually bite the victim but the bite is so light that the victim seldom comes to know of it as he may be dead even before he wakes up. Kraits are highly nocturnal and often hide in rodent holes, loose soil, beneath debris and are
rarely seen during the day. During the rainy season, the snake often comes out of its hiding place to find dry refuge and enters houses. Kraits are many times more poisonous than cobras or vipers while the Sindh krait is the most dangerous of the Bunguarus species. Its venom is highly toxic and causes haemorrhage of capillaries. When bitten, a person can feel violent abdominal pains, as breathing becomes difficult and paralysis sets in, which is followed by death. The Phookani Bala varies from a dark steely blue black to a pale bluish grey with narrow white bands across its body. The average length ranges between two and three feet but some have been reported to have reached lengths up to five feet. Snake bites are a routine in Sindh, but this year due to more than average monsoon rains, Sindh krait bite cases are on the rise.
According to figures collected by Association for Water, Applied Education and Renewable Energy (AWARE) – a non-governmental organisation working in Thar Desert, 27 bite cases of Sindh krait have been reported from six villages in the Chachro taluka during the past two months. Talking with Pakistan Today, AWARE Executive Director Ali Akbar Rahimoo said that this year the area has seen an unusual rise in the number of people being bitten by the snake. “Sindh krait bite cases in Thar have risen by almost 200 percent as compared to the previous years.” “Absence of anti-venom and the required medicines [for treatment] at the state-run healthcare facilities is resulting in immense inconvenience,” he said. “Many
people have died after falling victim to this poisonous snake.” Rahimoo urged the provincial government to take the issue seriously and help the people of Thar Desert on humanitarian grounds. “We have contacted several international snake experts, who recommended a special powder that is used as a krait repellent across the world,” he said. “We cannot afford the repellent and therefore request the Sindh government to import it and also arrange anti-venom for the treatment of Tharis.” Sixty percent of Sindh’s total livestock population is scattered across the vast Thar Desert, spread along the Indian border. The area has a long history of suffering from severe droughts, acute water shortage, epidemics, lack of civic
facilities and seasonal migrations. Without basic healthcare facilities, many people die every year as snake bite cases are widespread in the area. World Health Organisation (WHO)’s surveillance officer at Mirpurkhas, Dr Wali Mohammad, thinks that most people believe it is the Sindh krait but it is difficult to confirm the exact type of snake from the bite. “No official data is available on how many people are bitten by the Sindh krait or how many of them die every year,” he said. “Even then, this is a serious matter and should be taken seriously.” Mohammad said that antivenom is not available locally and a detailed study is needed on this particular snake to determine the exact treatment of its bite.
Citizens to project their Small plane makes emergency landing in voice courtesy of USAID ■ US government launches $45-million Citizens voice Project to ‘constructively engage civil society with government on issues of Malir; no casualties national and local importance’ KARAChI RaZZaK aBRo
KARAChI Staff RePoRt
A private plane crash-landed in the Malir area on Friday while both the pilots onboard remained safe in the accident. The small Cessna plane made the emergency landing in a ground near Jinnah Square after one of
the engines of the aircraft failed during the flight and the pilot could not establish a communications link with the aviation control tower. Rescue teams and police personnel immediately reached the spot. The plane belonged to a flying school and was on a training mission with two pilots onboard who escaped unhurt.
To increase civil society’s role in government’s policymaking and advocacy on energy, economic, agriculture, education and health sectors, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) over the next three years will award up to 500 grants worth $45 million. This was announced on Friday at the launch of the ‘Citizens Voice Project’. In the first phase of the project, the US government will award up to $2.6 million grants to fund activities related to citizens’ dialogue on municipal services, energy sector reforms and water rights, for which the province of Sindh will be the targeted region. The chief guest at the launching ceremony of the project, US Consul General in Karachi William J Martin told representatives from various non-governmental organisations that the Citizens Voice Project represents the largest single investment in civic and social organisations in USAID’s 50-year history in Pakistan. “[The project] completes a set of US-funded civil society support programmes that will exceed $100 million during the next four years,” he added. “We hope that the Citizens Voice Project will enable more Pakistani organisations to engage constructively with their government on issues of national and local importance,” he said. “When the civil
society works in tandem with the state institutions to address citizens’ needs and aspirations, the impact is unlimited.” Martin said that civil society organisations have the critical role of playing as watchdogs over government programmes and actions in formulation and implementation of public policies and in advocating for more responsive and accountable state institutions. “These are challenging but essential functions in a strong, democratic society.” Claiming that the impact of such efforts is evident in recent legislative reforms in Pakistan such as the last week’s passage of progressive gender legislation and the inclusion of educational and other basic rights in the 18th amendment, the US Consul General said that each of these actions have stemmed from the extensive input by citizens’ groups and effective collaboration with government institutions in policymaking. “The cooperation between state and civil society organisations is fundamental to effective demo-
cratic governance, public policy and decisions about the direction of national development,” he said. “This is especially important for Karachi and Sindh where many ideas for better governance and cutting edge ideas for better public sector management were initiated outside the government.” The Citizens’ Voice Project – implemented by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA) – is one of several programmes funded by the USAID to support Pakistani-led initiatives throughout the country. Speaking on the occasion, TDEA’s Citizens Voice Project Director Mukhtar Ahmed Ali told the audience that the project aims to increase the involvement of citizens and civil society in governance to improve government’s decisionmaking and spending of public funds according to citizens’ priorities and needs. “The TDEA was also established with the same goal and we are proud to have been selected for working in partnership on this programme.”
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Irked by high crime rate, Keamari residents warn they will strike back
Charity auction for TCF kids
■ Block MA Jinnah road to protest ‘patronising of criminals by police’ ■ Demand ‘clean-up operation’ in their area KARAChI
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ISMaIL DILaWaR
OLITICAL activists, traders and residents of Keamari took to the streets on Friday to protest the high crime rate in their impoverished port area for which they also blame the police. Dozens of protesters, including shop keepers, labourers and political activists blocked the MA Jinnah Road near the Jackson police station after Friday prayers to express their anger over the increasing number of street crimes in the area. The road, which is a major route for the in- and outbound trade cargo, remained blocked for at least two-and-a-half hours. The protesters gathered at the scene at around 2.30pm and created a severe traffic gridlock until 5pm Led by a local cleric Maulana Matiur Rehman, Karachi Dock Labour Board president Haji Gul
Muhammad and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Muhammad Asif Khan, they demanded a “cleanup operation” in the area. A protester, Faisal Khan, told Pakistan Today that during the last couple of days, up to 45 shops; including clinics, medical stores, kitchens, go-downs and cold drink spots on Masan Road; have been robbed. Another angry protester, nicknamed Koka, said the robbers broke the lock of his shop and took away some 350 cartons of cold drinks. “I went to the police but they did not lodge my FIR,” he lamented. Some protesting shopkeepers also carried the broken locks of their shops to show them to the police and the media. “Down with SHO and TPO Jackson”, “SHO Jackson Stop Patronising Drug Peddlers”, “Should We Leave Keamari?” read some of banners and placards that they held. “Mobile Snatching and Robbery are
a Routine,” read a placard held by 12-year-old Ibrahim. The protesters demanded a “clean up operation” to rid the area of criminals “who are selling drugs, running gambling clubs, looting vehicles and depriving povertystricken residents of Keamari of their hard-earned money and other valuables, mostly mobile phones”. “If the police do not take action against these criminals, we will block the main road at Merewether Tower, stop cargo handling at the Karachi Port and then finally set the Jackson police station on fire,” Karachi Dock Labour Board president Haji Gul Muhammad told the enraged protesters. The labour leader said the masses would be free to take up weapons to protect their lives and properties if the law enforcers fail to deliver. “We want Zulfiqar Summo [back],” shouted the protesters. Summo was the former SHO of the Jackson police station and had
earned a good name for making Keamari a crime-free neighbourhood. “When we take up weapons for self-protection, the government declares us Taliban, but it remains indifferent to the police patronising criminals,” the Karachi Dock Labour Board president said. The agitation also allowed political activists from opposition parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Jamat-e-Islami, to settle the score with the government. “There are criminals selling drugs in areas like Tapoo, Docks Colony, 20-Number Bus Stop and Katchi Para… go and arrest them,”, PML-N leader Muhammad Asif Khan told Jackson SHO Shaukat Shahni. The agitation came to an end when the residents’ representatives and the police negotiated and the latter assured the former that meaningful action would be taken within a week.
Polluters will not be spared: commissioner
KARAChI PReSS ReLeaSe
The Supporters of The Citizens Foundation (STCF) held a charity auction on Wednesday evening, to raise funds for the education of underprivileged children across TCF schools in Pakistan. The fun-filled evening, attended by some 200 ladies, was charged with enthusiasm to support and help raise funds for the schools run by TCF. The women-only auction which was preceded by a hi-tea was held in an STCF member’s residence in DHA. Like all previous similar events organised by the STCF, the theme of this event was ‘festivities and colours’ and saw visitors draped in colourful and lively dresses. The auction items included calligraphy pieces in oil, coffee tables, paintings, miniature art, antique furniture, consoles, carpets, vouchers for makeovers and return ticket to Dubai. Host Nilofar Saeed, chairperson of the STCF, charmed the audience with her lively wit and charm, whereas Bushra Afzal, vice chairperson of the STCF, entertained the audience by her apt description of various political figures. As the evening proceeded, ghazal singer Raheel enchanted the audience with her soulful voice. With table and sitar playing in the background, she sang some of the famous ghazals of Iqbal Bano and Mehdi Hasan and truly lit up the evening. One of the visitor at the event said the evening was a team effort and the fact that it turned out to be a successful one ensures a complete support in future too. The money raised from the event will go to TCF for educating children and building more schools. The STCF is a group which organises fundraising events, auctions and high-teas to raise funds for the cause. It is worth noting that an amount of Rs 10,000 supports the yearly educational expenses of a child enrolled in a TCF school.
■ Says dumping and torching of garbage and waste at places other than the designated landfill sites may become criminal offences as city’s administration is mulling to impose Section-144 on these acts KARAChI aftaB cHaNNa
The city’s new administration is striving to bring an end to the menace of pollution, littering, profiteering and encroachment, Karachi Commissioner Roshan Ali Shaikh said on Friday. Speaking at a ‘meet the press’ session at the Karachi Press Club, he hinted that dumping and torching of garbage at places other than the designated landfill sites may become criminal offences as the city’s administration is mulling to impose Section-144 on these acts. “These acts cause pollution in
the city and create immense hardships for the residents of the city. Therefore, there is a dire need to take stern action against those responsible for polluting the environment,” said the commissioner. Shaikh asserted that among other agendas, the new administration is eager to improve the law and order situation, control prices of essential commodities with magistracy powers and remove encroachments. To a question about the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, the commissioner replied that the commissionerate system is an old system. “Therefore it is easy to un-
derstand for the masses, whereas the local bodies system is confusing. Public grievances remained unresolved in the district government system,” he added. Appreciating the revival of commissionerate system, he said that it is the right time to restore the old system because the Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2001 needed amendment as it lacked price control mechanism and basic coordination between the law enforcing agencies and the district administration required for that matter. “The new administration has issued warnings to shopkeepers to
mend their ways, otherwise they will be dealt strictly and fines would be imposed on the violators under the Price Control Act,” he said Elaborating further, commissioner said five committees have been formed to find out a scientific solution for fixing price. They would furnish reports within days after which the prices of commodities will be controlled under the new pricing mechanism. He said that so far more than 5,779 acres of encroached state land worth Rs 43 billion has been retrieved and more than 100 land grabbers have been arrested.
PNS ‘Saif’ on a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka KARAChI Staff RePoRt
Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Saif will begin a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka from November 26 to 29 in order to strengthen the existing strong relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Saif will conduct a Passage Exercise with the country’s navy, upon conclusion of the port visit, according to an official handout released on Friday. Pakistan Navy Ship Saif will also be visiting Malaysia and Maldives after visiting Sri Lanka, as a part of its programme to visit other friendly regional countries. Pakistan navy provides a number of training courses for Sri Lankan Navy personnel. In order to further enhance the potential for sharing of military knowledge and expertise, particularly in the face of emerging terrorist threat, both the countries share their experience, stated the memo issued. It is pertinent to mention that Saif is
the third ship of Sword class F22P Frigates, which has been built in China. Being the front line ship of Pakistan Navy, SAIF is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons technology making it capable of undertaking all kinds of maritime operations at sea during war and peace. To support neighbouring countries, Pakistan supports such endeavours and the naval ships frequently visit Sri Lankan ports. Apprising the strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding both the countries share, the statement hope stated that, “In future too, both the brotherly countries are expected to work more closely in the field of defence to boost peace efforts in the region.” “Over a period of time, a strong bond of commitment and mutual understanding has been reached between both the friendly armed forces. In future too, both the brotherly countries are expected to work more closely in the field of defence to boost peace efforts in the region.”
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karachi 07 PakistaN today
Don’t judge a book by its cover… the same applies to the homeless KARAChI
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faHaD aLI
regular route, from where I live to the place where my office is situated, takes one through many spots where plenty of street dwellers, at night, can be found lying under flyovers, parks, bridges, roundabouts and footpaths. Seeing these people gives you the impression that they may take shelter where ever they please; be it under flyovers, in parks, in large water pipes, shop fronts or on pavements. But if one looks deep enough, it can be found out as to why these people live out in the open as street dwellers or homeless. Many of them, mired in a vicious circle of poverty, political unrest, deprivation, social ostracism, unemployment and lack of basic facilities in their own villages, often turn to cities to test their fate in their quest for a better future. Over the past few years, a large number of them have been driven away by floods and other natural calamities that have rendered them homeless and helpless in their own native villages; while others are lured by the
fascination of better facilities, lifestyle, job prospects and various other similar temptations. However, most of them eventually end up being homeless on the city pavements, in parks and other public places. Regardless of what we assume about these city dwellers, there is very little that we know of their problems, hopes, abilities, likelihoods etc. Actually most of us never even spare them a second glace, because unfortunately we are under the false impression that these people have no right to be on the roads in the first place. Secondly, it is an embedded belief among a vast majority of that almost all of them are involved in anti-social activities like begging, drug use and flesh trade etc and this creates our apathy towards these people. Seeing this anomaly, I randomly interviewed a few street dwellers in different parts of the city, and was shocked to find out that, save a few beggars, almost all of them turned out to be construction labourers, waste collectors, vegetable sellers, porters at wholesale markets or labourers who unload trucks at markets. As their stories unfolded, it transpired on me that Ayaz wanted a home and a job while others needed meals, personal hy-
giene items, money to pay their children’s fees or to finance the medical treatment of their dear ones being treated at different hospitals. Thirty-one-year-old Ayaz grew up in southern Punjab and received his rudimentary education there. Like many others, he did not take his education seriously and dropped out of school after failing five times in class 10th, and began working in a brick kiln making Rs 2,500 a month before he decided to come to Karachi to eke out a better living for himself and his family. “I want to settle here [Karachi] with my wife and son,” said Ayaz, who is passionate about having a house of his own in the city. “A home is a home, if I am fed up with the world around ...I have a key in my hand ...will open the door and not care about the entire world.... but if I am homeless I will have to bear people all around ... and one day I will end up dead or behind bars. So I want to get a job.” He said he earns his living as a construction labourer and lives with his companions at the construction site where they work. “When there is no work, I have to sleep under a flyover or on a pavement as a last resort.”
With crumbling economic climate in Karachi, jobs have been dwindling over the past two years or so, forcing increasingly large number of people like Ayaz to sleep on pavements, under flyovers and various other public spots. Ayaz himself confessed that he is beginning to witness an increase in the trend of more and more people sleeping on the roads. “Sleeping on the pavement, we face many problems,” Ayaz said. “One day while I was sleeping on a pavement near Taj Complex a few young lads, either accidentally or intently, only God knows better, stumbled on me and then started beating me savagely, blaming that it was my fault.” He thinks they were probably high on drugs or something as they themselves did not know what they were going on about. “Thank goodness some people came to my rescue and calmed them down.” He rued the absence of night shelters saying, “We desperately need night shelter so that we can sleep safely. The government should provide night shelter for us.” When asked about where he gets
his food from when he has no money he said, “We rely on the food served to the needy people by Saylani Welfare Trust and various other NGOs and philanthropists.” On what he does when he has no job, he said, “I spend my time visiting mosques, hotels, shrines and other places where I can use toilet facility during the daytime while at night I sleep in parks or sometimes on footpath or under a bridge where I think it would be safe.” Like Ayaz, hundreds of homeless people live on the pavements and streets of Karachi and their number is alarmingly increasing. Though a few NGOs and philanthropists are providing food and health-related services for these homeless people, there is no comprehensive programme on the part of the government, be it city, provincial or federal, to address the needs of these street dwellers. Their problems can be alleviated just by looking at their world through a broader perspective so as to create a better understanding of their issues.
When all else fails, Sindh govt bans pillion riding
KARAChI BILaL faRooQI
And here we go again. The Sindh government’s outrageous ban on pillion riding is back for an indefinite period to add to the vicissitudes of the middle-class population of the city. The pretext this time is the probability of terrorist attacks during Muharram in Karachi. Apparently, the current provincial government believes that banning pillion riding is the best way to deal with the increasing crime rate, when everything else fails to work. It first imposed the ban in 2008, lifting it after two years. From then onwards, there has been a series of re-imposing and re-lifting the ban, depending on the tumultuousness of the city. The province’s managers, gifted with some kind of ‘divine wisdom’, use this favourite tactic of theirs time and again for some reason or another that is beyond the comprehension of ‘lesser beings’ with ‘lim-
ited knowledge’. Experience has shown that the ban makes no difference when it comes to stopping target killers as they unleash hell in the city or controlling rampant street crimes. And as for terrorist attacks, recent cases suggest that the people involved in them might prefer using a van than a motorcycle. In January this year, hundreds of ordinary citizens were put behind bars for pillion riding while targets killers went about their business with impunity. Pillion riding is the middleclass’ way of dealing with increasing public transport fares while living in an expanding megacity. But when the government continues making this bad decision over and over again, there are only two beneficiary parties – greedy cops and public transport owners. Policemen get yet another opportunity to prey on citizens while public transport owners make double the profits. It is the public that is made to suffer for the incompetence of the law enforcers, while the latter get all the ‘praise’ for their ‘efforts’.
Passengers at the Cantt Station await the arrival of Millat express on Friday. They were informed by the railways authorities that the train, scheduled to depart from Karachi at 4:15 pm, would now reach the city after 1:00 am. IMRAN ALI
80 arrested in pre-Muharram raids KARAChI Staff RePoRt
Pakistan Rangers arrested over 80 suspects during raids in different areas of the city on Friday and recovered weapons from their possession. These areas included Jamshed
Road, Rizvia, Korangi, Gulshan-eHadeed, Orangi Town, Patel Para and Malir. The raids were conducted to avert criminal activities during Muharram. Separately, a man, Ghulamuddin, was killed by unidentified people in the Baghdadi area of Nazimabad.
In another incident, a man was shot dead while resisting a cell phone snatching attempt by unidentified men on a motorcycle. Another man was killed in a similar case in North Karachi. The identity of the two men could not be ascertained till this report was filed.
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Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Wait 3 months for 3G tech, say PTA chairman ■ Transworld’s data centre in Hawkesbay inaugurated
PrAyer TIMINgS Fajr 5:36
Sunrise 6:55
Zuhr 12:19
Asr 3:22
Maghrib 5:43
Isha 7:03
Starting time in Karachi
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HE most advanced technology of the modern world – 3G technology – would officially be launched in the country within a short span of three months after the Information Technology Ministry prepares the concerned draft, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Chairman Dr Mohammad Yaseen said on Friday. “The emergence of the 3G tech will benefit IT firms as well as the telecommunication sector,” he said. “Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has recently given the go-ahead for the 3G Tech.” The PTA chairman was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the data centre established by leading telecom company Transworld at the city’s outskirts in Hawkesbay. The ceremony was largely attended by executives of the telecom industry and media personnel. Yaseen said that the PTA is fully committed to the task of regulating, issuing new licenses and introducing new spectrums and technologies. However, he emphasised that the private sector can play an important role in sector by investing in the ventures. “The telecom industry has had to battle a host of issues ranging from the rupee devaluation, the energy crisis, the security situation and inflation that has greatly reduced the disposable income of the common citizens of this country. However, the industry
has proven itself to be remarkably resilient and there are some notable achievements that the industry can be proud of.” He said that cellular service coverage in Pakistan is one of the best in the region; cellular subscribers have crossed the 100-million milestone and there are multiple broadband options available to the consumer in every nook and corner of the country. “Besides, there are more than 1.5 million broadband consumers in the country with the industry doubling year to year and 4 operational long haul networks in the country that connect various cities.” He said that with the increase in broadband adoption, the need of the hour for the country is to continue improving its internet infrastructure. Internationally, there are two independent operators that connect Pakistan to the Internet and every destination of the world. Transworld is one of them.” Yaseen said that Transworld’s data centre is unique due to its location and state-ofthe-art technology and new applications and contents can be hosted with minimum CAPEX. Briefing the participants of the ceremony on the occasion, Transworld President Kamran Malik said that the data centre is the country’s first private submarine fiber optic cable operator. He said that Transworld data centre is located 20kms outside the clamour of the city in a fully owned purpose built Telco grade building. The centre, being built on Tier II architecture, ensures 99.995 per-
cent uptime, uninterrupted power and cooling, n+n redundancies and fault tolerant infrastructure. It is the new standard of collocation services for multiple applications including disaster recovery, business continuity, virtual PoPs, mobile commerce, online media content and cloud computing. “In this digital era, data must instantly be accessible round the clock, leaving no time for downtime. We have taken the initiative to launch data centre to create a marked difference in the market because not all data centres are created equal,” he said. Malik said the Transworld data centre has the capacity to accommodate the collocation needs of any sized business. Its infrastructure is equipped with variety of space and power configurations to provide solutions which are engineered to scale and provide the reliability required by today’s “always-on” enterprise. Transworld Commercial Division Vice President Zulfiqar Qazilbash explained the advantages that the data centre offers. “The Transworld data center provides a unique mix of cutting edge power, safety, security, associated infrastructure and expert manpower and technical know-how of the data centre team,” he said. “Being at the hub of all local and international data traffic, it is able to provide single hop to any location locally as well as internationally and instant access to unlimited bandwidth has set the data centre apart from its competition.”
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CoLLegeS / UNIverSITIeS KArACHI UNIverSITy NeD UNIverSITy FUUAST DUHS SMIC FAST-NU SZABIST IoBM IBA IvS
KARAChI aftaB cHaNNa
99261300-06 99261261-8 99244141-9 99215754-7 99217501-3 111128128, 34100541-7 111922478 35090961-7 111422422 35861039-40
PULSe of tHe VeRSeS
jeaN cLaUDe NoVaRo
MaD IN KaRacHI
ART EXhIBITION UNTIL NOVEMBER 30 VENUE: VM ART GALLERY
ART EXhIBITION UNTIL DECEMBER 2 VENUE: UNICORN GALLERY
ART EXhIBITION UNTIL DECEMBER 2 VENUE: ARTChOwK-ThE GALLERY
Abid Hasan’s ‘Pulse of the Verses’ is running until November 30 at the VM Art Gallery. Call 34948088 for more information.
Jean Claude Novaro’s glass sculptures exhibition is running until December 2 at the Unicorn Gallery. Call 35831220 for more information.
‘Mad in Karachi...3D’ is running until December 2 at ArtChowkthe Gallery. Call 35300481 for more information.
04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:05 AM Page 9
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
NA body approves National Commission for wrB ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights on Friday unanimously approved the National Commission for Women Bill, 2011 with certain amendments. The amendments would grant the commission an autonomous status with full financial and administrative powers. MNA Syed Mumtaz Alam Gillani chaired the meeting which was held at the parliament house. The committee advised the Ministry of Law to vet the Bill as soon as possible. The committee pledged to table the Bill in the House in the next session of National Assembly scheduled to be held from December 15. In commemoration of 25th November as International Day of Violence against Women, the Committee appreciated the approval of the National Commission of Women Bill, 2011. Dr Attiya Inyatullah informed the Committee that “The Reproductive Healthcare and Rights Bill, 2010” has been referred to the Standing Committee for consideration. In this regard and subject to approval of Honourable Speaker, she added, a SubCommittee under Convenership of MNA Jamila Gillani would be constituted to examine the bill. MNA Farahnaz Isphanai, MNA Sabeen Rizvi, MNA Nisar Tanveer and MNA Kishwar Zehra will be the members of the sub-committee. The Committee will submit its report within 60 days. Syed Mumtaz Alam Gillani pointed out that a meeting under Asian Association of Parliamentarians was held in Bankok with regard to male/boys preference society. He proposed to discuss the subject issue in the next meeting of Standing Committee on Human Rights.
News 09
Shahbaz’s approval sought for buying expensive equipment for VIP aircraft LAhORE
T
gNI
HE Punjab government has moved a summary seeking Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s approval for the purchase of two units of flight management computers (FMC-5000) for VIP aircraft directly from M/s Rockwell Collins, USA (OEM) in complete violation of economic measures announced to curtail expenses. For this particular reason the official concerned has sought direct permission from the chief minister for relaxation so that the case is not placed before the committee formed for austerity economic measures. The approval has been sought under the Rule 42 (c) (i) and 42 (c)(v) of Punjab Procurement Rules 2009 and in complete relaxation of Punjab Finance Department’s letter No.FD.SO
(Goods)44-4/2011 of 23.07.2011. According to the summary, the chief pilot has intimated that one of the Flight Management Computer (FMC-5000) installed on VIP Aircraft Hawker-400XP, RK-392 (AP-BRQ) has failed. It said there are two computers installed on the aircraft and in case of failure of the other computer, the aircraft will be grounded, adding that the second computer was also about to complete its life/serviceability period. The summary elaborated that the computers have been manufactured by M/s Rockwell Collins, USA and the cost of both FMCs is $23,102. It said on adjustment of core ie when both FMCs will be returned, the cost would be reduced to $11,551. It further submitted that the computers are proprietary in nature and there is no distributor of the said items in the country, therefore required to be purchased directly from the manufacturer.
Banned groups protest improving trade with India
Australian CDF meets CoAS ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
Australian Chief of Defence Force (CDF) General David Hurley called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the General Headquarters on Friday. “The visiting dignitary remained with the COAS for some time and discussed the matters of professional interest,” said a brief Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.
aNtI-MfN PRoteSt: Members of banned Islamist groups including jamaat-ud-Dawa, jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-taiba gather beside burning tyres in Muzaffarabad on friday during a protest against the MfN status awarded to India. AFP
MUZAFFARABAD: Hundreds of activists in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday demonstrated against the government’s decision to take steps to improve trade with arch-rival India. The cabinet last month said it approved a proposal giving India the status of “most favoured nation” in a move towards normalising trade relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Members of banned groups including Jamaatud Dawa, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-eTayyaba, and Jamaat-e-Islami gathered in the main square in Muzaffarabad. Protesters shouted slogans against the Pakistani government and were joined by supporters of PML-N, an AFP reporter said. “We will never accept this decision,” Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi, local chief of Jamaatud Dawa told the gathering. Protesters later blocked the main road passing through Muzaffarabad city centre by setting tyres on fire. afP
NSF PuNjab CONVENTION
‘Chalo, Chalo Faisalabad Chalo!’ As the National Student Federation convenes in Faisalabad after 21 years, there is hope a new generation of student activists will rise g
SUKKUR aHMeD YUSUf
Twenty one years is a long time. Long enough to lose a generation of activists, but in equal measure, long enough for an organic growth of their replacements. The National Students Federation (NSF), the pride of anyone who has or had been associated with progressive politics in Pakistan, finally seems to have gotten its replacements. Faisalabad beckons: the NSF-Punjab is convening after 21 years. Consider this: the last convention organised by NSF-Punjab was in 1991, just before the Soviet Union had disintegrated. Such was the disillusionment of the leftists at the time that the Communist Party of Pakistan was formally disbanded by the then secretary-general, Jam Saqi – only to be revived again by a few others. Stalwarts chose to piece together the remains of all that was communist and socialist; in their struggle for survival and relevance, the NSF was no longer a priority. Those who were active in the NSF (to whatever degree) were asked to concentrate on reviving the mother party; fronts came later on. No wonder then that the Pakistani Left is palpably excited over the NSF-Punjab convention. The godparents of the NSF-Punjab, in fact, are stalwarts of the Left, some of whom have witnessed the highs of the romantic and idealistic decade of the 1970s,
and the lows of the persecution and silencing carried out under the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq. The greatest blow that General Zia-ul-Haq could deal any progressive thought was to ban student politics. The State mantra of politics-is-bad meant that an entire generation of left-wing ac-
Activists travelling from Karachi expect the NSF to rise above the parochial and manufactured perceptions in mainstream politics, and visualise an alternative solution that is inclusive and in line with social and political realities of today tivists went missing from student politics. Without any training ground in ideological politics or activism, many turned to ethno-nationalist and identity politics. In Karachi, for instance, active left-wing activists headed either to the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation (and subsequently to what was then a united Mohajir Qaumi Movement), or to the Jeay Sindh Students Federation (and subsequently to one or the other Jeay Sindh parties). While those in the Left sought to carefully and meticulously rebuild from scratch, ethno-nationalism replaced the national imagination of a progressive alternative. Amidst this history, the NSF is attempting to rise from the ashes again and emerge as a viable alternative in student politics. I am privileged to travel with six members of the NSF on a bus that left Karachi at 7am on Friday morning. Two other members had
booked a flight, and another two are scheduled to leave Karachi later in the evening, once their classes are over. All those travelling to Faisalabad are members of the NSF-Karachi’s Organising Committee; some had in fact returned from the South Asia Social Forum in Dhaka a few hours prior to our departure from Karachi. As I write these lines, we have just finished lunch at a roadside restaurant on the highway and are ready to board the bus from Sukkur again. Over lunch, the mood was euphoric. Those from Karachi were fresh from their successes in Bangladesh: the NSF is now part of a larger students’ initiative, the South Asian Progressive Students Alliance, formed with the Bangladesh Students Union and the Students Federation of Bangladesh. Invitations have now been extended to student groups in Nepal and India, the NSF activists explained, while there is consensus that this new alliance “must not go the NGO way”. Expectations of these activists from their counterparts in Punjab are high – not “tsunami-high”, but certainly high enough for them to expect a considered debate on organisation and strategy. In our age of limited political imagination, activists travelling from Karachi expect the NSF to rise above the parochial and manufactured perceptions in mainstream politics, and visualise an alternative solution that is inclusive and in line with social and political realities of today. What will be interesting is how much of these expectations the NSF-Punjab is able to meet, something we will only be able to evaluate once we reach the convention. Onwards to Faisalabad.
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10 News
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Ashraf to chair committee on APC resolution’s implementation ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
The government got one of its key members appointed the head of the special committee to oversee the implementation on the resolution of the All-Parties Conference (APC) during a meeting held on Friday at the Parliament House. During the meeting that was chaired by the NA additional secretary, Dr Ayatullah Durrani proposed the name of Raja Pervez Ashraf for the chairmanship of the said committee and was seconded by all other members. After assuming the chair, the chairman thanked his fellow parliamentarians for reposing confidence in him. He said he would make the committee purposeful and result oriented.
34,000 students appear in vU Fall 2011 exam PRESS RELEASE agaINSt PUNjaB goVeRNMeNt VIoLeNce: Nurses in Hyderabad protest the violence against nurses in Lahore. INP
‘Sindh govt must protect NADrA centres’ ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
Hike in power tariff linked with fuel prices: Qamar ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
NADRA has asked the Sindh government to take necessary measures to maintain law and order at NADRA centres set up to issue issuance of Pakistan Cards to Sindh’s flood-victims and endorse the right person for obtaining a Pakistan Card after complete verification. NADRA Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik in a statement on Friday warned officials not to exploit the flood victims by taking bribes to process cards since severe action will be taken against them. He said NADRA had disbursed Rs 6.18 billion through 749,779 Pakistan Cards to flood-victim families. 129,784 Pakistan cards in Mirpurkhas, 243,824 in Badin, 80,844 in Tando Mohammad Khan, 183,689 in Shaheed Benazirabad (Nawabshah), 48,038 in Tando Allahyar 61,732 in Sanghar and 1,868 in Umerkot have been issued to the heads of families. He said that NADRA has launched a mobile SMS service in collaboration with Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and all operating telecom companies are helping confirming a person’s existence in the beneficiary list for Pakistan Card.
M
INISTER for Water and Power Naveed Qamar said on Friday around 63 petitions for power tariffs were submitted with NEPRA from seven discos and tariffs were determined against 59 petitions and the remaining four were still pending. Qamar was replying to a query during the Question Hour in the National Assembly. He said no subsidy had been withdrawn on electricity and around Rs 72 billion were allocated for the purpose. According to the minister, the hike in power tariff was because of an increase in fuel prices, not due to reduced subsidy. Qamar said the government was focusing on hydel and coal projects to produce cheap electricity in the country. He said that out of seventy hydel sites, work on 21 was in progress. The minister said the private sector was being encouraged to shift
from furnace to coal to produce cheap electricity. To another question, the minister in charge of Cabinet Division said in a written reply that around 13,805 development schemes were proposed by parliamentarians and only 7,970 were completed with a 58 percent
completion ratio. Regarding implementation status of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-eBalochistan (AHB) package, the Minister in charge of the Establishment Division said the package was divided in four parts, namely constitutional component, political component, administrative component and economic component. He said the constitutional component was fully implemented; political had five points of which two had been implemented, whereas three points were under implementation process. He said the administrative component had 16 points and nine had been implemented. Similarly, 18 of the 34 points of economic component had been implemented. He said Rs 740 million was released for creating 500 jobs in the provinces, adding that Rs 200 million were released as part of the development surcharge on natural gas. Meanwhile, Minister of State for Production Khawaja Sheraz Mahmood said the government was committed to implement the AHB.
The Virtual University (VU) Fall 2011 midterm examinations will be held from November 26, 2011 to December 10, 2011 including weekends. Approximately 34,000 students will appear in 117 exam centres in 95 cities across Pakistan and overseas. Approximately 1,000 overseas students will appear in this examination. The university is conducting examination in a unique mode, whereby, the students have developed their own date sheets and selected their exam centre and city as well. The examination system also enables the students to solve different questions on the same subject.
By-elections in PP-275 today LAhORE Staff RePoRt
The by-elections in the constituency of PP-275 Yazman will be held on Saturday (today). The seat was vacated after the death of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Chaudhry Mumtaz Ahmed Jajja due to dengue. The competition is expected to be between PML-N and the Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q). Khalid Mehmood Jajja, son of Mumtaz Ahmed, is contesting on the PML-N ticket, while Chaudhry Ehsan-ul-Haq is the joint candidate of PML-Q and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). There are 12 candidates contesting in the by-elections. The Election Commision of Pakistan (ECP) has announced that the polling for the by-elections in the constituency would be held between 8:00am to 5:00pm without any interval.
More criminals turning to vehicle theft and snatching ISLAMABAD taHIR NIaZ
Motor vehicle theft and snatching is fast becoming one of the most profitable businesses in Faisalabad region, which reports the highest number of such incidents across t the country. Though law and order in the country leaves a lot to be desired, depriving someone of his moveable property at gunpoint is the worst example of the worsening security conditions. According to the data on FIRs regis-
tered for 27 offences falling under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) across the country, at least 32 vehicles were snatched on average in each of the 76 districts in August. The 76 districts included 29 in Punjab, 17 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 16 in Sindh, 13 in Balochistan and the Islamabad Capital Territory. The data reveals that of all the FIRs, 21 percent concerned property crimes, 13 percent of crimes involving physical harm to people, nine percent to threat and fraud, three percent of crimes against women and 54 percent of other crimes. A region-wise break up showed almost 73 percent of the total FIRs were registered in Punjab, 19 percent in KP, six percent in Sindh, two percent in
Balochistan and one percent in ICT. It said thefts, motor vehicle thefts and snatching, robberies and dacoities were the most widespread among property crimes. The highest number of FIRs for theft (723), motor vehicle theft (683) and robbery and dacoity (376) were reported in Lahore, while the most cases for motor vehicle-snatching (152) were registered in Faisalabad. In some cases, the owner of the vehicle had had to lose his life for resisting. Together, violence, attempted murder and murder constituted 93 percent of all FIRs of physical harm registered in the 76 districts. Overall, 67 percent of FIRs of crimes involving physical harm were registered in Punjab, 20 percent in KP, eight percent
in Sindh, four percent in Balochistan and one percent in ICT. However, the relatively higher number of cases in Punjab may be attributed to its large population and the willingness of the people to have FIRs registered. Also, fewer cases being registered in regions like Balochistan does not necessarily mean a low crime rate. This may be attributed to the victims opting not to get the cases registered, unavailability of infrastructure, or perhaps people’s tendency to resolve their conflicts through informal structures like jirgas. The performance of the National Highway Authority and Motorway Police (NHA& MP) also authenticated the data, which speaks of the high rate of incidents of car theft and snatching.
According to NHA & MP, it recovered over 270 stolen and snatched vehicles from various sections of the motorway from July 2010 to June 2011, besides arresting 581 criminals involved in various criminal activities. Police also recovered seven fake number plates from the criminals. The facts speak volumes of the worsening law and order in the country. It goes without saying that criminals cannot operate without patronisation of local police. Time has come that higher authorities chalk out a strategy to discourage police from patronising criminals and check criminal activities that could ultimately lead to the creation of sense of security in the society.
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Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Editor’s mail 11
Income tax and corruption In the post World War II period, the income tax rate in the United States was up to 90 percent of personal incomes. High taxation normally depresses a country’s economy but in that period the United States was the sole controller of world capital and the country’s treasury needed funds for supporting rehabilitation of the other war-devastated countries to spread its political influence all over the world. Today, the conditions are quite different and the United States has many competitors in its pursuit of capital and any increase in its present low rates of income tax may precipitate a collapse of its economy. That is the state of a developed country. In an underdeveloped country like ours where the public treasury is a prime
target for loot and plunder, high taxation is and has been a good recipe for perpetuating poverty. Already, it is difficult to start a new business or industry here because such efforts are pounced upon by the tax officials who seem ever ready to nip any kind of entrepreneurship in the bud. And in our country we have all kinds of scholars in science, philosophy, or religion. But what we totally lack is the longhaul entrepreneur, the kind who starts an industry or a business and spends his entire lifetime in developing it, as against the instant-gratification seeker businessman such as a shopkeeper or a bus owner who would like to see his day’s earnings right in his own pocket by the end of the day. This latter kind we have in plenty.
Prospects for Musharraf The direct income tax suppresses the former type of entrepreneurship without which no country can ever hope to achieve a developed status. It is alarming to note that the Western powers are all the time urging us to enhance income tax whereas this type of tax acts as a good source of damping personal enterprise. Moreover, ours is a mostly undocumented economy due to rampant illiteracy and such a tax only increases the discretionary powers of the bureaucracy multiplying chances of corruption. Thus, any large scale increase in direct taxation is bound to bring down agricultural production resulting in famines and will further depress the industrial activity, increasing our dependence on foreign aid.
After acquiring nuclear status, we are a prime target for all kinds of blackmail to keep us subservient to the superpowers. Everything in our country is already being taxed to the hilt. We have one of the highest taxation rates in the world. And yet we cannot balance our budget. The real cause of this is the widespread corruption in our bureaucracy and our leadership and our belligerent policies towards our surrounding neighourhood. What we really need is that instead of perpetuating the status quo in all spheres of our national life, we need to radically change it. We need some honest and patriotic leadership and soon without which we cannot go on for very long. MUHAMMAD AKRAM Muzaffargarh
Indo-Pak relations Pakistan-India relations have always been the victim of oscillations between short-lived periods of euphoria and raised expectations followed by long intervals marked by disappointment, strains, tensions and even armed conflicts. Consequently, the countries continue to suffer from mutual mistrust, bilateral disputes remain unresolved and cooperation is circumscribed by severe restrictions and limitations. Pakistan and India seem keen to increase mutual trade as boosting it could benefit both countries. India wants to enhance its trade volume with Pakistan from existing US $ 2 billion to US $ 6 billion. The Indian High Commissioner Mr Sharat Sabharwal vowed to continue dialogues between Pakistan and India in this regard. Pakistan and India are soon expected to sign an agreement on a liberal visa policy to ease the visa restriction on businessmen of both countries. India and Pakistan should solve all of their core issues, including the Kashmir dispute, with dialogue with an eye on increased trade and economical stability. Both countries need to avoid shortsighted policies which have resulted in bedevilling their relations in the past and diverting their attention from the gigantic task of eradicating poverty and raising the standard of living of their peoples. GULZAR AHMED Sialkot
Nawaz and Memogate Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief of PML(N) Mian Nawaz Sharif has approached the Supreme Court with a request to take up the matter of Memogate. The matter of fact is that mullahmilitary alliance has derailed democracy and political norms of this country since its inception. This issue has also been deliberately raised by agencies to make the government bow down and clear the way for Imran Khan’s political destination. Just as the establishment-sponsored gathering of Imran Khan in Lahore became a bone of contention between the military and present government, a contradictory figure of Mansoor Ijaz has come out with a letter in hand. Setting aside speculation surrounding the memo, we only want to remind Nawaz Sharif that he IS once again making a mistake by supporting the establishment in this conspiracy against democracy. He should know that the establishment would love to have him back in their fold. Another important question is: why does not Mr Sharif give an ultimatum to the government on those issues which could be a real cause of future-balkanisation of this country, like situation in Balochistan, religious and ethnic terrorism? There are ethnic fissures, religious violence, sectarian violence, forced and unforced disappearances, unsafe minorities, terrorism and whatnot, the country is faced with so many problems. Why has Mr Sharif not spoken openly about these issues? Mr Sharif’s stand on this so-called issue seems only biased as he must wake up to see through the conspiracies against democracy in the guise of this memo scandal. SARWECH SARYO Rato Dero
Many believe that ever since Musharraf left Pakistan, he has built a silent profile for himself by remaining quiet on various matters, despite forming his own political party, All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), almost a year ago. However, the recent interview with a correspondent of The Telegraph, and several other positive posts, related to Musharraf in international newspapers, which were never highlighted in local media, tell a different story. What we see on local television and read in newspapers is all but the neverending rage of bitterness between political parties that is taking the country nowhere. For a fact, there are only a few political leaders in Pakistan who have the passion and mental capacity to take care of the nation’s interests, but sadly we are blind-folded by our own media that refuses to publish Musharraf’s statements, such as “If I was in government I would certainly be thinking how best to defend Pakistan’s interests if Afghanistan is being used by India to create an antiPakistan Afghanistan, we would like to prevent that.” Amidst this continuous ignorance, Musharraf’s recent interview disclosing his plans to return to Pakistan next spring and articles drawing attention to his strategic investments to promote his party manifesto and election campaign, indicate that slowly and gradually the APML is preparing for a resounding return by their leader. National politics is about to be elevated to new heights soon as various parties gear up their different agendas for the 2013 elections. It would be interesting to see what APML has in store to excite the nation. ALI FARAZ Karachi
The China factor
Double jeopardy The feudal system has been prevalent in the rural areas of Pakistan since long and despite the repeated attempts of many governments has not been dismantled. While the patron-client relationship that it is based on may be fruitful to some people, for most it is exploitative in nature and has made sure that people in the lower strata if society in the rural society have little or no chances of upward mobility. The impoverished people in the rural areas are often in double jeopardy because not only are they at the mercy of feudal
Corruption in education Corruption in Pakistan is a well-established phenomenon. The country has had a consistently poor ranking in the corruption perception index, being 143rd with a score of 2.3 out of 10 in 2010. Pakistan was created as a result of partition of India and the British left behind a strong bureaucracy and army. The country was divided again when eastern Pakistan seceded to form Bangladesh. Individuals convicted under the national accountability ordinance are prohibited from holding political office for ten years. In 2010, 69 percent of those surveyed reported that they or someone in their household was subjected to an act of corruption when interacting with the judicial system. Of 333 affirmative respondents asked to identify the actors involve in corruption, 119 said court em-
lords but also of government machinery such as patwaris, police officers etc. They have no other option but to seek the patronage of feudal lords. The fact that these people are in this exploitative situation is not because they are ‘irrational’ or unwilling to help themselves but because they often have no other option. These age-old relations that have entrenched themselves must be dealt with. NASEEMA ZAHEER Canada
ployees, 84 said a public prosecutor, 50 said a witness, 44 said a judge, 29 said an opposite lawyer, 16 said magistrate and 12 said others. As of 2010, 24 percent of those surveyed reported that they themselves or a family member received educational admission through non-normal methods. The country’s biggest issue is the presence of non-uniform educational system. There are institutes modelled on western educational system. This system is run by private sector educational institutes that charge fees an ordinary citizen cannot afford, so essentially these institutes are utilised by elite class (politicians, technocrats, bureaucrats, business class). The same is also the reason for deteriorating standards of public sectors educational institutes, as the elite class only enrol there children in private schools
modelled on western institutes. MUBASHIRA NAQVI Karachi
reforming traffic police
“Pakistan is using you, Modi, the Chief Minister of Indian Gujrat tells the Chinese communist party leaders in Beijing.” During his rule, around 2500 Muslims were killed in riots in his province. When one raises a finger toward others, three point towards oneself. Was he able to note any improvement in his international image during the testing visit of China? I doubt, because of his unimaginative remarks about China. Mr Modi is an ambitious man and is planning to become India’s next prime minister. He needs to be cautious about his statements. Z A KAZMI Karachi
Increasing bank heists
The traffic police of the entire country needs to be remodelled according to the framework of Islamabad Traffic Police or the National Highway and Motorway Police. Both these institutions have shown excellent performance and have stood out on the basis of their honesty and efforts to maintain a smooth flow of traffic and ensuring adherence to traffic rules. There seems to be no plan or will to extend this successful model to other parts of the country. A properly functioning traffic police is a growing requirement which cannot be ignored. YASIR HAMEED Islamabad
There has been an increasing number of bank heists within the country in the past few years. These bank robberies have also been associated as one of the means for financing terrorist activities. The police have been unable to control the developing trend and proper measures have not been adopted. The banks have also been found sloppy in implementing security procedures. The police and these financial institutions will have to put a combined effort to curb robberies by upgrading security, and in case of such an incident, tracking down the culprits responsible and bringing them to justice. HASSAN BASHIR Islamabad
– 1999 to which Pakistan is a signatory. c. Establishing an independent investigation board on the lines of NTSB USA. d. Compelling the authorities to share the DNA test report. e. Formation of appropriate SOPs by organisations like NDMA, Civil Defence, Ministry of Interior, Health Department and District Administration etc for efficient handling such disasters. f. Facilitating the bereaved families towards getting justifiable compensation according to internationally accepted norms. Besides, we also need your support in persuading AirBlue management in fulfilling its corporate responsibilities with regard to following: a. Completion and appropriate finishing work at the monument site near
Daman-e-Koh on Margalla Hills. b. Affixing name plates of the victims on the trees planted on the monument site. c. Sign posting and guidance arrangements for the visitors to the monument site. d. Appropriate lighting arrangements at the monument and fixing of a “Beacon Light” at the actual crash site to keep the memories alive. e. Regular upkeep and maintenance of the monument site and displaying the names of all 152 martyrs at the mass grave site at Islamabab’s H-11 graveyard. We count on your support for our campaign of making Pakistani skies safer. HARIS LODHI Islamabad
Public support needed Dear countrymen, We are extremely grateful for the solidarity that many of you have demonstrated and the support you have rendered during the last over a year to the devastated families of the victims of AirBlue Flight ED202 that crashed in the Margalla Hills on 28 July, 2011. While we continue to mourn the untimely departure of our loved ones, our resolve to campaign for making Pakistani skies safer for future air travellers grows stronger. Together we can struggle as one entity and effectively raise our voices for acceptance of our rights. This is evident from the fact that for the first time in the aviation history of Pakistan, an airline felt obliged to erect a monument near the crash site and hold a memorial service on the occasion of first anniversary of the
departed souls. While addressing the bereaved families on the occasion of first anniversary, AirBlue’s Chief Operating Officer Mr Shahid Khaqan Abbasi made some very tall claims and asserted that he was always available and approachable to them addressing any outstanding issues. The very next day ie, 29 July, 2011, some representatives of AirBlue Crash Affectees Group (ACAG) tried to meet Mr Shahid at his corporate office in Islamabad to present a memorandum, but were utterly disappointed by the response. We now solicit public’s support for seeking following from the concerned authorities: a. Making the investigation report public. b. Ratifying the Montreal Convention
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.
04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:05 AM Page 12
12 comment Limited options out of the docket, into the fire
A
17 member Supreme Court bench has rejected the review petition against its verdict on NRO delivered on December 16, 2009. After the judgment the government is required to pursue the cases of the NRO beneficiaries which stand automatically reopened. At one stage, during his arguments in support of the review petition, Babar Awan had maintained that the government has majority in the parliament and can get the controversial ordinance passed by it if needed. The fact that it failed to do so during the nearly two years available to it indicates that the government is not sure of the outcome of voting over the defunct law. Both MQM and PML(Q), two of its major coalition partners, had in the past opposed the NRO. Terming the SC’s 2009 verdict historic, Altaf Hussain had paid homage to the apex court on the ruling and called upon the government to implement it. A few months back Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan had maintained that judiciary might rule against the NRO even if it was ratified by the parliament in case it was seen to contradict the constitution. It would be risky therefore to take recourse to the parliament. With Memogate also landing up in the SC, sections in the PPP feel that the party is being cornered through legal proceedings. What Shazia Marri, Information Minister Sindh, said is symptomatic of the perception but not a way out. In democracies, court verdicts are not changed by “knocking at the door of the people’s court”. The PPP is apparently worried about Zardari’s Swiss cases. The PPP maintains that these cases were politically motivated and false. The ideal way for President Zardari would be to volunteer to defend himself in the Swiss courts. With his innocence established, the PPP would gain a moral victory. The other way is to invoke Article 248 which gives exemption to the president from any lawsuit. This likely to take the issue back to the SC as lawyers differ on the Article’s interpretation. What the government needs to do in the meanwhile is to start implementing the SC verdict so that there is no clash between the two institutions. Meanwhile, all institutions of the state without exception have to realise that it is only by preserving and strengthening the democratic system that the country can be extricated from the quagmire where it finds itself today.
Inspiration Found in the most unlikely of places
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verything about the Malalai Yousufzai story is inspiring. The vernacular Pashto press even had a field day with her very name. It was too tempting for reporters not to bring up Malalai, the Afghan folk heroine who had once inspired the local warriors against the British in the Battle of Maiwand. Young Malalai from Swat is inspiring enough in her own right, never letting the terrorists kill her hope. Even at the worst of times in Taliban-ruled Swat - when she, at first, risked her life by insisting on going to school and then, was forced to stay at home – she maintained a diary of sorts and later contributed a series of the same to the BBC’s website. She then shot to greater prominence when the national and international press, looking around for stories in a postoperation Swat, chanced upon this extremely articulate, intelligent and confident girl. But it wasn’t just the way she spoke that made her a TV-friendly appearance. The gumption with which she backed it up was something that would have shone through anyhow. Her nomination for a prestigious international children’s prize and the subsequent award of a national peace prize by the prime minister are only the latest in what promises to be a long list of laurels. For a media focused, to a criminally disproportionate extent, on the issues of the urban middle-class, it must have been an eye-opener for journalists and audiences alike to see a young girl passionate about very specific issues. A stark contrast from the affluent, far better educated urban youth who will get on any vague platform of “change” just to get a piece of protest chic. When Malalai talks about the militants in Swat, she doesn’t seek appeasement but action against their top-tier. When she is asked to name her political heroes, she names the legendary freedom fighter Bacha Khan and late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, neither of whom was ever a favourite of the aforementioned demographic that the media peddles its wares to. Young Malalai wants to become a lawyer and a politician. Hers is a story that would find a way into the heart of the most hardened of cynics.
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
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Tough sledding ahead of tenuous ties and troubled times
A
lthough Pakistan’s envoy to Washington, Hussain Haqqani’s has been shown the door, the controversy generated by the Memogate refuses to die down. In the process, the already tenuous relations between the PPP ledcivilian government and the military stand inexorably damaged. It will take a Herculean effort on both sides to restore even a modicum of equilibrium in this lopsided equation in which the military always wins, at least in the short run. The prime minister while announcing the resignation of Haqqani has also assured that a detailed investigation at an appropriate level into Memogate will be held. The time frame or the level of the proposed inquiry is, however, yet to be disclosed Gilani showed surprising alacrity in appointing Sherry Rehman as Haqqani’s replacement. Her appointment has confounded most pundits who were confidently predicting that the By Arif Nizami new envoy to Washington will be a GHQ nominee probably a retired general or a bureaucrat. Rehman, more of an activist than a politician, is known for her independent views even in her own party. A former journalist, urbane and competent, she is ideally suited for the job. Sherry is certainly not a lackey of the military as some circles amongst the literati are trying to paint her. On the other hand, there is no reason for the military to doubt her credentials, as was the case with Haqqani. In our feudal milieu, military included, enemies can be forgiven but not renegades. Haqqani falls in the latter category. He started his career as a student activist with right wing views closer to the jihadi philosophy of late general Zia-ul-Haq. Later, he became a born again liberal severely critical of the perceived nexus between the military and the mullahs and veered closer to the late Benazir Bhutto.
Nawaz Sharif finding a window of opportunity in the Memogate affair has decided to fish in troubled waters. Perhaps by moving a petition in the Supreme Court on the issue and naming Zardari, the COAS, the ISI chief and Haqqani as respondents, he wants to kill two birds with one stone. Ostensibly miffed over “the detestable, despicable and treacherous memorandum”, he wants to restore his lost credibility with the military leadership. On the other hand, politically speaking, it is too good an opportunity to miss painting the PPP leadership in a corner. The leader of the opposition Ch Nisar Ali Khan has raised a number of contradictory questions in the National Assembly relating to Memogate. On one side, he is miffed about why the government took so long in sacking Haqqani while, on the other, he has asked why the envoy was not given a chance to be heard before being axed? According to Nisar, the army has barred Haqqani from leaving the country, while his leader Nawaz Sharif has moved the apex court that Haqqani be put on the ECL (exit control list)- a tool frequently used by the PML(N) government when in power. Who knows better than Nawaz Sharif about the tenuous nature of relations between civilian governments and the military and its intelligence apparatus? He never got along with any of the military chiefs during his stints as prime minister. Even relations with his handpicked COAS General Musharraf remained strained throughout the period he had to coexist with him. After the Kargil debacle, Musharraf finally ousted him in October 1999. Although no smoking gun was ever found linking it to Sharif, a full-page ad run by some US papers declaring the Pak Army as “a rogue army” was his final nemesis. Memogate has given impetus to calls for a military takeover especially amongst circles that either do not have a strong philosophical belief in democracy or are simply disillusioned the way things are being run. Some of them – even amongst the media – mistakenly believe that Zardari should be ousted even if it takes extra-constitutional measures. Once we see the back of him things will be somehow hunky dory again, they contend. Not only will such a course of action be disastrous for Pakistan, the present inter-
national environment militates against it. This is not an age of military takeovers as is evident from numerous examples across the globe. The latest example is Egypt where even an interim civilian government under military tutelage has been forced to resign. Unless some adventurers are bent upon making Pakistan a pariah state, a military takeover is not an option. Thankfully, the military leadership under General Kayani is well aware of the changed environment and has amply demonstrated restraint in dealing with the civilian setup. According to a diplomatic cable sent by the US ambassador to Pakistan in March 2009 during the height of the judicial crisis, and revealed by WikiLeaks, General Kayani had told Anne Patterson that “he might, however reluctantly” pressurise Mr Zardari to resign. Ms Patterson said Gen Kayani made it clear that regardless of how much he dislikes Mr Zardari, he distrusted Mr Sharif even more. It is too late in the day for Nawaz Sharif to curry favour with the present military leadership. Sharif is the only politician who openly clamours for civilian control and questions their conventional wisdom. As far as Imran Khan is concerned, despite his meteoric rise, it is too early in the day for him to replace firmly entrenched parties like PML(N) and PPP. Hence, even if it is conceded that Imran Khan is being propped up by the ubiquitous Pakistani establishment as is being alleged by the PML(N), he needs more time. This does not mean, however, that the PPP-led government will have smooth sailing in days to come. As it is amply evident now, there is no love lost between the army and the civilian setup. The trust deficit has deepened in the aftermath of Memogate. The apex court has rejected the petition moved by the government to review its earlier decision striking down the NRO. Whatever the legal implications of the decision, its timing could not have been worse for Mr Zardari. It is a pincer move against his government. Multifarious challenges confronting the government can only be met by strengthening the parliament, more transparency in running the affairs of the state and a modicum of better governance. The writer is Editor, Pakistan Today
whiteLIeS By ess Aich
A
T
he Memogate episode has proved a money spinner for our top-of-the-chart chat shows keeping their ratings at a level where they give saas bahu serials a run for their money. But the squealer that set the ball rolling must be wondering where he is placed in the hierarchy of rats and squealers. Mansoor Ijaz, a US businessman of Pakistani ethnicity, who bared all about his role as a lobbyist (for whom it is un-
W
e hear that before leaving for the SAARC Summit where our youngest ever foreign minister was destined to meet her Indian counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar got a long briefing from the Foreign
clear) in a newspaper article is certainly not in the category of historical traitors, like Judas Iscariot or Delilah for instance. He is neither in the company of medieval renaissance traitors as Sir Thomas Moor and the Earl of Essex. He is not even a Mafioso squealer like “Big Joey” Massino or Joe Valachi. So what is he? I suppose one has to create a new category for him. “Attention seekers of all times”, perhaps. Office. However it was noted that the lady showed keen interest tin two historical chapters, both pertaining to combat. She knew very little and wanted to know all about the 1965 and 1971 wars
nd now the Nannygate issue that catapulted a certain Ayesha Ahad onto media focus. It started with a press conference by an association of Philippino house maids working in Pakistan. It was claimed by one that she had been badly beaten up and kept locked by her employer, a lady called Ayesha Ahad. The accused Ayesha promptly held another press conference and stated that actually this issue was created by Hamza Sharrif who had married her and then wanted to get rid of her (with the assistance of Phillippino nannies, one assumes). Poor Ayesha was unable to produce a Nikahnama and must have felt thoroughly wronged. Well to console herself, she has suddenly become a big spender. Just before Bakra Eid, she was seen at a high end goldsmith in Lahore’s Fortress Stadium accompanied by daughter and nephew. She was buying diamond jewellery as if it was bargain chocolates. In between selecting gems that could put a dent in the bank account of the richest, she proceeded to preach politics of women rights to captive female customers. “All the women in Pakistan must stand up for me” but wasting no time she was heard saying “can you pack that diamond set and that also for me”.
with India. Well she is young enough not to have experienced the wars but she is surely old enough to read a few authentic books on the subject now that she is what she is.
For feedback, comments, suggestions and, most importantly, tips, contact us at whitelies@pakistantoday.com.pk
04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:05 AM Page 13
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
comment 13
The Mirza factor
The tell-tale signs
Still out and about
as the end nears, there are symptoms of cracking up
By Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad
Z
ulfiqar Mirza is in London to save Pakistan, as he puts it. Meanwhile, a 17-member Supreme Court bench has rejected the government’s review petition against its December 16, 2009 verdict declaring the NRO ab initio null and void. The cases against all NRO beneficiaries, including Zardari, now stand automatically reopened. In case, the government wants to seek the approval of the NRO from parliament, it would need all the votes it can muster including those of the MQM. Mirza must be in a fix. Zulfiqar Mirza had some sort of tacit understanding with the PPP leadership when he opened the campaign against the MQM. This explains why nobody stopped him from approaching the army and ISI with files containing incriminating material against Altaf and the MQM. The higher leadership did not deter him when he expressed willingness to stop the campaign if ordered by Zardari. All that he was told by the party high ups was that things would soon be sorted out. Presumably what went wrong was the timing of the salvos to be fired. The PPP’s isolation in Sindh had increased on account of the pathetic way the flood situation was handled. It was characterised by inefficiency combined with a cynical attitude towards the province considered a fief by the PPP leadership. The reports in the Sindhi media regarding the under-calculation of the Sindhi households to bring down their relative numerical strength in the final round of the census also created widespread sentiment against the party’s government. The reversal of the
Sindh Assembly’s decision to restore the commissionerate system and its replacement by two parallel Local Bodies systems led to province wide strikes against the decision. The failures helped the PML(N) to stage an entry in Sindh. Nawaz Sharif was welcomed by a number of Sindhi nationalists. It was understood that Mirza with his continuous anti MQM tirade could help win back the alienated Sindhi voters. The man still claimed to be a PPP loyalist and a fan of Zardari whom he continued to describe as his surrogate father, mentor and benefactor. He was still willing to work as a humble follower of Asif Zardari provided he disowned the MQM. There was presumably an understanding that the MQM could be kicked out at an opportune moment, preferably after the March Senate elections. Mirza, popular among PPP dissidents in Sindh, would then claim that his efforts had borne fruit. Zardari had finally discovered the true face of MQM. The PPP was again on the right track and would now rectify the gerrymandering done to help MQM win many seats. The Sindhi voters would then return to PPP’s fold. But Mirza suddenly put all the files in his box and proceeded to London. He vowed to return only after getting Altaf behind bars. Did he take the leap on account of his avowed convictions or was driven by his own rhetoric or pushed by some hidden hand remains a matter of conjecture. The act made the MQM mad. It was already under pressure from the agencies who let it be known that they had collected enough confessional statements from arrested “target killers” that pointed to the direction from where they received their orders. There were signals that the two possible murderers of Imran Farooq were also in their custody. The evidence could be used against the MQM and, if needed, against the PPP, which had maintained the alliance despite knowing what was going on in
Karachi. What Zulfiqar Mirza said at a number of forums in Britain was a rehash of what he had said umpteen times in Pakistan: Altaf Hussain is conspiring to break up Pakistan, MQM is acting as a terrorist organisation involved in the killing of innocent people in Karachi and of planning and executing the murder of Imran Farooq. But as he raised these issues in Britain where Imran Farooq’s murder case is registered against unknown persons, MQM tried to stop Mirza at all costs. Its workers followed the former Sindh home minister wherever he was scheduled to address and tried to stop him from speaking even if it involved a breach of public peace. Failing to disrupt the meetings, the MQM leadership in Pakistan has written at least two letters to Prime Minister Cameron to stop Mirza from delivering speeches in Britain on the ground that he is using the British soil to incite violence in Karachi. Mirza has delivered relatively brief speeches at small gatherings in a foreign country. These were not live telephonic addresses like those of Altaf Hussain which are often relayed live on three score TV networks in Pakistan. To maintain that Mirza’s speeches could have incited riots in Karachi is a ridiculous charge. Coinciding with the Supreme Court’s decision is the arrival of Fehmida Mirza in Britain to put a stopper on him. Zulfiqar Mirza had vowed to come to the support of his friend and benefactor whenever the occasion demanded. Will he now stick to his stand of saving Pakistan at the cost of everything else or decide to save his friend? If he chooses the second course, he can hold back some of the crucial files he has brought to help the British government. He can also cancel half a dozen engagements in north of England and discreetly proceed to Europe to have holidays with his family. The writer is a former academic and a political analyst.
W
ith the passage of time, the trail of the notorious memo is being traced to the May 2 incident and the possible role that Hussain Haqqani and his associates may have played in the attack at Abbottabad to get Osama bin Laden. The political leadership’s immediate response to that assault had manifested through the president’s article that appeared in the US media the next day carrying the indelible marks of Hussain Haqqani’s pen. It was also reiterated in the congratulatory message that the government had sent to the US authorities. The entire tenure of the incumbent government has been plagued in controversy. But, every report of corruption and every adverse injunction of the judiciary have only elicited a standard response of “innocence” from the accused. By all independent appraisals, the memo scandal, too, would have gone the same way, but the nature and gravity of the contents were such that the military and the security hierarchy got involved and the pieces have since started to fall in place. The first scalp is that of the (now former) ambassador to the US. Are more likely to fall in due course? I was amazed to hear the prime minister proclaiming that he had sought the resignation from Hussain Haqqani to ensure a ‘fair and transparent enquiry’. If that be so, why didn’t he demand resignation from Amin Fahim when he was accused of graft in the NICL scam, or Babar Awan, or Latif Khosa and so many others of his close associates who have all been accused of corruption? Also, why didn’t he resign himself whenever fingers were pointed in the direction of the PM House? Let me state the reason: it is the military and security agencies’ By Raoof hasan leadership that demanded the former ambassador’s resignation, not the president or the prime minister. Well, life really has changed with the memo and may never ever revert to the comforts of the past when every scandal could be pushed under the carpet, every accusation of corruption rubbished and every injunction of the judiciary consigned to the bin. Things are looking far more serious and also appear headed towards their logical finale. With the swift progress in the NRO Review and the RPPs cases, the ruling political mafia may be having some sleepless nights in their hitherto ‘protected’ havens. What is also important is the line of command that the ousted ambassador followed. He did not report to the foreign secretary as he was supposed to. Instead, his boss resided in the presidency. Our high commissioner to the UK, the one of the Swiss burglary fame who was caught getting away with cartons of material on the notorious case, is also used to following the same line of command. Former ambassador Haqqani is reported to have visited
candid corner
the UK prior to the raid in Abbottabad. The dots may have begun to connect and there are legitimate demands that his name be put on the Exit Control List (ECL). The resignation would not have been sought if credible and implicating evidence had not been provided by the security agencies. But the critical question that arises is that, in the event the former ambassador’s complicity is proven in the case of the memo, or it is traced to May 2, could he have acted alone? How could an ambassador outline the contours of a radical shift of national policy impacting the civilian and the military structures and operational mechanisms of the country without the involvement and approval of his boss/es? That’s where the chain of command that the former ambassador followed may come in handy to haunt the ruling political mafia. There appears little logic in the prime minister’s contention that the government enjoyed good relations with the US and if it wanted to communicate any such message, direct channels could have been used. Sources privy to such communications contend that direct channels are not even contemplated for any contentious moves as the perpetrators would run the risk of being swiftly identified. In such cases, services of facilitating ‘agents’ are hired to do the needful. Our leadership did not have to look outside as it has numerous dubious characters within its fold, ala ambassador Haqqani, to do its bidding. The treacherous trail that he has followed through his life in moving from one position to the next and the swiftness with which he has sacrificed his benefactors at the altar of personal aggrandisement made the former ambassador a perfect choice. In spite of the evidence that is unfolding rapidly, the prime minister has the audacity to claim on the floor of the house that the government and the military leadership are on the same page. Obviously, they are not. In fact, by all indications, they are in the opposite camps. The military is insisting on a transparent enquiry with an objective to unearthing the conspirators behind the move while the political leadership, afraid of the outcome, is dithering endlessly on the formation of an independent commission to initiate the investigation. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had appealed to the Chief Justice to take suo motu notice of the case while PML(N) has taken the matter to the Supreme Court. This is so because the government is left with no credibility to conduct such an enquiry owing to countless acts of complicity in matters of corruption, abdication of governance and systematic destruction of all state institutions. The judiciary having fought off the aggressive government onslaughts to subdue it remains the only viable channel for seeking justice. There is pressure building on the government as it shows visible symptoms of cracking up. There is also the NRO case, the NICL scam and the RPPs bombshell which are likely to explode soon. Apparently, the government has nowhere to hide itself! The writer is a political analyst and a member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. He can be reached at raoofhasan@hotmail.com
04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:05 AM Page 14
14 Foreign News
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Syria mum as Arab League’s deadline expires DAMASCUS afP
A
N Arab League deadline for Damascus to accept observers or face sanctions passed Friday with no response from Syria, as activists reported more deaths and antiregime protests inside the country. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a 17-year-old boy was killed when security forces opened fire randomly in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor and also reported protests in other parts of the country. Activists had urged Syrians to rally in support of the rebel Syrian Free Army whose mutinous soldiers have claimed repeated anti-regime attacks in recent days. “Until now there has been no response from the Syrian government,” an Arab League source in Cairo said, after the 1100 GMT deadline passed. Turkey said the Arab ultimatum was Syria’s “last chance” to heed world calls for an end to its lethal crackdown on anti-regime protests which the UN says
has claimed more than 3,500 lives since mid-March. “It is a last chance, a new chance for Syria,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in Istanbul as the clock ticked down, speaking at a joint news conference with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh. “I hope that Syria will sign this accord,” which represents “the collective will of the Arab world,” said Judeh. But Syria’s Cold War ally Russia, which last month used its UN Security Council veto to block a resolution that would have threatened “targeted measures,” dismissed the deadline. “At this stage, what we need is not resolutions, sanctions or pressure, but inter-Syrian dialogue,” foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in Moscow. Davutoglu warned that Syria would be isolated by Turkey, Arab states and the entire international community if it rejected the Arab proposals. Arab foreign ministers could meet on Sunday for further talks on Syria, and Turkey would attend the gathering,
Davutoglu said, warning of new measures against Damascus. On Thursday, the Arab League said its finance ministers would meet on Saturday to vote on sanctions against Damascus — including the suspension of flights and freezing government assets — if Syria failed to sign. It had invited Syria to sign an agreement in Cairo by Friday’s deadline that would allow observers into the country to monitor the situation on the ground. And for the first time, the 22-member Arab bloc on Thursday called on the United Nations to help resolve the crisis which has gone on unabated despite a decision earlier this month to suspend Syria from the Arab body. Arab foreign ministers said they agreed to ask UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon “to take all measures to support the efforts of the Arab League to resolve the critical situation in Syria.” Syrian officials and analysts said this week that Arab sanctions on Syria — which is also facing a raft of US and European punitive measures — could choke the country’s economy.
Lebanon has already said it will ignore any Arab decision to impose sanctions on Syria. “I don’t think that Iraq will take part in sanctions against Syria,” a government official with close ties to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said earlier this week. A day after violence across Syria saw the death toll shoot over 51, activists called for fresh protests after the main weekly Muslim prayers in support of dissident army officers. “The free army protects us,” said a message on the Facebook page of the Syrian Revolution 2011. Rebel Free Syrian Army (FSA) head Colonel Riyadh al-Asaad, on Thursday called for foreign air strikes on “strategic targets” to speed up the fall of the regime. “We are not in favour of the entry of foreign troops as was the case in Iraq but we want the international community to give us logistical support,” he said from Turkey, where the rebel army, which claims it has 20,000 fighters under its command, is based.
reports of child torture in Syria: UN GENEVA afP
The UN Committee Against Torture said on Friday it had received reports of massive human rights violations in Syria, including the detention and mutilation of children. “The committee has reviewed numerous, consistent and substantiated reports and information about widespread rights violations in the country,” the head of the panel Claudio Grossman said in a statement. “Of particular concern are reports referring to children who have suffered torture and mutilation while detained.” The committee has asked the Syrian government to provide a report by March 9 laying out the measures it is taking to ensure its obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture are being met.
Yemenis stage rival rallies as Sanaa retains calm SANAA afP
TeHrAN: Masked members of Iran’s paramilitary Basij militia parade in front the former US embassy in Tehran on Friday to mark the national Basij week. Iran has dismissed a US report implicating it in a chemical weapons cache uncovered in Libya, saying it was a champion in fighting to eradicate such arms. AFP
Opponents and supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh held rival rallies in the Yemeni capital Friday after pre-dawn fighting between rival security forces dashed hopes an exit deal for the president would end the violence. Youth activists, who spearheadeded 10 months of protests against Saleh’s 33 year rule in which hundreds died, were furious that the agreement signed with the parliamentary opposition on Wednesday promised Saleh and his family immunity from prosecution. “The blood of the martyrs which has thrown you out of power, Saleh, will throw you in prison,” preacher Fuad al-Hanjari told tens of thousands of activists after funerals for four out of five protesters killed by plainclothes gunmen in the capital on Thursday. Similar protests were held in 17 of the 22 Arabian Peninsula country’s provinces, including two of the most populous — Taez and Ibb. They said Saleh’s agreement to hand all “necessary constitutional powers” to Vice
President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi with immediate effect and hold office on an honorary basis only for the coming 90 days was not enough and demanded the departure of the whole regime. “We did not start a revolution to keep half of the killers,” spokesman Walid al-Ammari said on Friday’s rally, adding that Hadi, the low-profile vice president for the past 17 years, was “just another arm of Saleh.” Saleh, who was still in Saudi Arabia after Wednesday’s signing of the exit plan drafted by his impoverished country’s wealthy Gulf neighbours, condemned Thursday’s violence by his loyalists and ordered an investigation. UN chief Ban Ki-moon, whose Yemen envoy Jamal Benomar was instrumental in persuading Saleh to sign the Gulf transition plan after months of prevarication, had said he expected the president to travel to New York for treatment. Tens of thousands of Saleh’s supporters held a massive counter-demonstration on the capital’s Sabiin Avenue Friday demanding change “only through the ballot box” — a constant refrain of the president during his long months of refusal to sign up to the exit plan.
Afghans turn to human smugglers as NATO leaves KABUL afP
At a bustling Kabul market, human smugglers are making a quick buck out of Afghans increasingly desperate to buy a new life in Europe before NATO combat forces leave in 2014. Ordinary people pay up to $13,000 for the chance to embark on a long and perilous journey — hiding in truck chassis, stowing away on boats or trekking across mountains — that they hope will take them to a better life. At Shahzada Money Exchange Market between Kabul’s oldest mosque and its foul-smelling river, middlemen ply their trade among the din of currency exchangers shouting out their latest rates and brandishing wads of notes. Shamim Assir, 20, from Logar, south of Kabul, is here to chase up a Turkish visa, which he paid for three months ago but has still not materialised. “I want to leave my home for a better life, life in Logar is horrible,” he says. “The security situation is worsening day after day, there is no work for us, we cannot even roam around freely, there is no future,” he adds, lines wrinkling his young face. “In Logar, if you work for the government, the Taliban will arrest you or even kill you. You either work for them or get beaten or killed.” He said one of his friends was beaten to death by the Taliban for working for the government. Shamim is among thousands of Afghans who want to leave the country before the foreign soldiers do, even though many people are baying for the
departure of American forces, blaming much of the violence on their presence. There are currently around 140,000 international troops in Afghanistan and all NATO-led combat forces are due to leave by the end of 2014. Suicide bombings, improvised explosive devices and other attacks already kill hundreds of civilians every year, but many Afghans worry that security will worsen after 2014, or even that civil war could reignite. The UN refugee agency UNHCR said there were more than three million Afghan refugees in 75 countries. Three in 10 of all the world’s refugees come from Afghanistan, which was wracked by war even before a US-led invasion ousted the Taliban in 2001. “If you want to go to Turkey, you have to pay $4,000 to get your visa but it will cost you $13,000 if you want to reach Europe via Ukraine and Russia,” says one trader at the market, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This year, the number of asylum seekers has been on the rise. Most of those who come here are very young, in their 20s,” he says, claiming to have a waiting list of 2,000 Afghans willing to take on dangerous journeys to escape. “If you pay less, you have to take a bus from Kabul to Iran via Nimruz province in western Afghanistan and then be smuggled to Turkey, Greece, France or Germany,” he says. The journey to mainland Europe can take months or even years — many never reach their destination, getting arrested and deported along the way or succumbing to other perils. Some walk for weeks across the treacherous mountains of Iran, west of
Afghanistan, towards Turkey, before crossing by land through eastern Europe, or by sea to Greece and Italy. In January, a ship reportedly carrying around 260 mostly Afghan asylum seekers to Italy sank near the Greek island of Corfu, killing around 20 people. However, the young men in the
money market are desperate to get out, despite the hardships that await them. Hamidullah, 29, recently fled to Turkey but was detained by police there for a month before being sent back to Afghanistan. He said he spent weeks walking most of the way, pausing only to rest in ship-
ping containers en route. “If the police see these people (refugees), they open fire at them and kill them,” he said. “I saw dead bodies on the way of refugees whose bodies had remained in deserts for a month. I spent around $10,000 to get there. I’m here to borrow some money and go back.”
KABUL: Afghans count money in Sara-e Shahzada, the main currency exchange market. At this bustling Kabul money market, human smugglers are making a quick buck selling passages to europe and elsewhere to those who want out of Afghanistan before NATo combat forces leave in 2014. AFP
04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:05 AM Page 15
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Foreign News 15
‘laST ChaNCE FRIDay’
Saudi dynasty should leave power: top Iranian cleric
Thousands rally in Egypt
TEHRAN: Saudi Arabia’s ruling Al-Saud dynasty should give up power, a hardline senior Iranian cleric said Friday, warning that the fate of Egypt’s toppled president Hosni Mubarak awaits Saudi King Abdullah. “You should give up power and leave it to the people. They will establish a people’s government,” Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati said in the weekly Muslim prayers at Tehran University. “It is better for the Al-Saud to awaken. The fate of the Egyptian pharaoh and that of the (fallen) strongmen in Libya and Tunisia, ultimately, awaits the Saudi pharaoh... You should be careful,” he said, as worshippers chanted “Death to Al-Saud.” His remarks, broadcast on state radio, follow protests this week among the Shiite minority in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich east, resulting in four deaths since Sunday. Shiite activists in Arab states of the Gulf are frequently accused of having links with their co-religionists in the Islamic republic. afP
russians to cut Putin’s party majority in vote: poll MOSCOW: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s ruling party is likely to get a far smaller majority in parliament in the December 4 election, the country’s biggest independent pollster predicted on Friday. Based on its last major opinion poll before the election, Levada-Centre said Putin’s United Russia party would win about 252-253 places in the 450-seat lower house of parliament, down from 315 it has now. The pollster predicted the Communist Party would come second with about 94 seats, followed by the nationalist LDPR party winning 59 seats and the Just Russia party with 44 seats. ReUteRS
Indian Maoist guerrilla Kishenji killed KOLKATA: Police on Thursday killed one of India’s most wanted Maoist guerrillas in a major blow to the armed leftwing insurgency which has spread across a wide swathe of the South Asian country. Police in the eastern state of West Bengal said the 58year-old guerrilla commander was shot dead in a gunbattle with policemen in a forest of West Midnapore district. Koteswar Rao, better known as Kishenji, was wanted for the massacre of 24 paramilitary soldiers last year in Pashimbanga and several other attacks on government targets in the region. Kishenji’s killing is a “huge setback for the Maoists as he was number three in the hierarchy,” Indian Home Secretary R K Singh said in New Delhi.The slain rebel, who never showed his face to journalists during various media events, came under massive pressure after New Delhi launched a security operation to flush out Maoist guerrillas from their strongholds in 2009. afP
Morocco votes in first election since reforms RABAT: Moroccans voted Friday in the country’s first legislative election since the constitution was reformed to give parliament more power, with an Islamist party expected to post strong gains. The election, the second in north Africa since the Arab Spring uprisings began, pits the moderately Islamist Justice and Development party against a coalition loyal to King Mohammed VI. afP
g
PM Kamal ganzouri served as premier under Mubarak too g Activists spurn army’s reported choice for new PM CAIRO ReUteRS
T
HOUSANDS of Egyptians demanding an end to military rule converged on Cairo’s Tahrir square on Friday in what activists say will be the biggest day yet of protests in a week of violence that has seen at least 41 people killed. The generals who have governed Egypt since people power toppled President Hosni Mubarak face a major challenge to their authority. Activists who accuse them of trying to cling to power have once again turned Tahrir into a centre of mass demonstrations, producing scenes similar to the uprising that toppled Mubarak. Activists sought to bring a million people into the streets of the capital on what they have dubbed “the Friday of the last chance”. The weekly Muslim prayer day has traditionally produced the biggest demonstrations of the Arab Spring revolts sweeping across the Middle East. There was still no official confirmation early on Friday of state media reports overnight that the ruling military council had appointed Kamal Ganzouri, who served as prime minister under Mubarak from 1996-99, to head an interim cabinet. Prime Minister Essam Sharaf’s government resigned this week. The military rulers say they will transfer power to civilians, but the process should not be rushed to avoid chaos. Washington, long a bedrock supporter of Egypt’s military, called on the generals on Friday to step aside “as soon as possible” and give real power to the new cabinet “immediately”. Mohamed Abdel Kerim, a university student, said talk of appointing Ganzouri, 78, as prime minister was a tactic
CAIro: egyptians perform the Friday prayer as thousands swarmed into Tahrir Square for a mass rally to demand the end of military rule, capping a week of deadly clashes and political upheaval. AFP intended to divide protesters. “We don’t want anyone from the old regime and we want complete powers for the new
government,” he said. Informal debate among protesters about who should head the next cabinet
Palestinian rivals hail new era of ‘partnership’ CAIRO afP
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal on Thursday hailed a new era of partnership between their rival movements at talks in Cairo aimed at cementing a stalled unity deal. But there was little indication of any concrete progress in resolving disputes which have blocked implementation of a reconciliation agreement signed six months ago. Speaking to reporters after their meeting, the two leaders said they had ironed out their differences and turned a new page in their strained relationship. “We want to assure our people and the Arab and Islamic world that we have turned a major new and real page in partnership on everything to do with the Palestinian nation,” Me-
shaal said. “There are no more differences between us now,” added Abbas, who heads the Fatah movement. “We have agreed to work as partners with joint responsibility.” The leaders spoke after two hours of face-to-face talks in Cairo, the first since they inked the reconciliation deal in May. In the meeting, Abbas and Meshaal approved a two-page document reiterating their commitment to the main elements of the original deal, saying they would establish a joint government after elections to be held in May. They pledged to resolve the issue of political prisoners held by each side “within days” and said they would put together a temporary cabinet of independents, to be agreed upon next month. Hamas to focus on popular re-
sistance: Meshaal Hamas is looking to focus its energies on popular resistance without giving up its right to wage armed struggle against Israel, the Islamist movement’s leader Khaled Meshaal told AFP in an interview. “Every people has the right to fight against occupation in every way, with weapons or otherwise. But at the moment, we want to cooperate with the popular resistance,” the group’s Damascus-based leader said in the interview late on Thursday. “We believe in armed resistance but popular resistance is a programme which is common to all the factions,” he said. “This resistance will be increased and organised and there is to be an agreement on its style, on greater efficiency and the formation of a framework to direct it,” it said.
Libyan leaders supported by ‘money, arms, PR’: ex-premier TRIPOLI ReUteRS
One of the most senior figures in Libya’s outgoing government has denounced its leaders as an unelected elite, supported by “money, arms and PR,” and warned that 90 percent of Libya is politically voiceless. Outgoing acting Prime Minister Ali Tarhouni’s comments were the strongest criticism to date by a senior politician of the country’s new rulers, who led the rebellion that ended Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule and have
been in charge since his fall. The National Transitional Council (NTC) also had a say in Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib’s provisional government line-up, which was announced on Tuesday and mandated to steer the country toward democracy. “The voices that we see now are the voices of the elite, the voices of the NTC who are not elected and the voices of other people who are supported by the outside by money, arms and PR,” Tarhouni said on Thursday, hours after a new cabinet was formed. “It’s about time we heard the true
voices of the masses ... we need to start rebuilding this democratic constitutional movement,” he told a news conference. Tarhouni was in charge of the oil and finance portfolios in Libya’s outgoing transitional government and briefly served as acting prime minister until Thursday, when a new cabinet was sworn in. Having been a frontrunner for a post as finance minister in Keib’s cabinet until the eleventh hour, Tarhouni said he had been asked to join but declined due to the challenges of the transitional period and because he wanted
to speak freely. “I see danger for the sovereignty of Libya. I see a threat for the wealth of the Libyan people,” Tarhouni told reporters, without elaborating. Tarhouni said that NTC had “failed miserably” in melding the myriad armed militias that still roam the country into an official national army. Listing the many security and economic challenges that lie ahead for a nascent government as the country emerges from a bloody civil war, he said the safety of oil installations was a critical issue.
threw up three “acceptable” names: leftwinger Hamdeen Sabahi, Islamist Abdel Moneim Aboul Futuh, or former U.N. nuclear watchdog head Mohamed ElBaradei, protesters said. “There is consensus in Tahrir on the choice of Sabahi, Aboul Futuh and ElBaradei as the three most suitable politicians and technocrats to form a government,” said one protester, Amr Salah. “There is considerable rejection of Ganzouri in Tahrir.” Activists set up checkpoints at entrances to the square, searching people arriving and checking identity cards. “We’ve had enough of government controlled by the military,” read a huge banner tied between two lamp posts. Several hundred young men marched around waving Egyptian flags and chanting “Down, down with military rule” and “Down, down with the field marshal”, a reference to army chief Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. FRUSTRATION WITH ARMY The army, once hailed for its role in easing Mubarak from power, has come under increasing fire for dragging out a handover to civilian rule, even as Egypt’s economy falters. This week it promised to accelerate the timetable for a transfer of power to a civilian president and again pledged that parliamentary elections will start on Monday, as planned. The United States and European nations, alarmed at the violence of the past few days, have urged Egypt to proceed with what has been billed as its first free vote in decades. The army and the Muslim Brotherhood, which expects to do well in the election, say it must go ahead, but many protesters do not trust the military to oversee a clean vote. Some scorn the Brotherhood for its focus on gaining seats in parliament.
occupy wall Street celebrates Thanksgiving NEw YORK afP
Occupy Wall Street protesters celebrated Thanksgiving by gathering in the disputed New York square where their movement sprang up two months ago and feasting on turkey with all the trimmings. Meeting Thursday in Zuccotti Park, where on November 15 police forcibly evicted hundreds of protesters camped there, several hundred activists of all ages shared donated platters of turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and other staples of the national holiday meal. The atmosphere was a far cry from the tension during the night of the camp clearout by riot police or the violent scuffles that marred subsequent demonstrations around the nearby stock exchange. One group sat around a guitarist, singing Bob Dylan songs. Another clustered listened to a cellist play Bach, while a third group took in the upbeat sounds of a traditional fiddle and banjo duo. More than 3,000 meals were supplied to hungry activists and passers-by sharing in the unusual version of the US ritual, which always takes place on the fourth Thursday of November. It recalls the gratitude of the earliest European settlers in America for their survival. Occupy Wall Street organiser Bill Dobbs said he was thankful that the movement, which aims to attack the power of the nation’s big banks and to protest against social inequity, had come through its own birthpangs. “This is early in creating a resistance movement in the biggest rich country in the world,” Dobbs said. Meanwhile, in midtown Manhatten an estimated three million people braved cold temperatures to see the traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In the evening, an estimated 9,000 people were waiting at Macy’s Herald Square store for its Black Friday midnight opening, more than in the last couple of years.
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Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Porn star
SOCIETY
Sunny Leone causes a stir in India NEw DELhI ageNcIeS
A Canadian porn star appearing in India’s biggest reality TV show is causing a stir in the mostly conservative country where sex is taboo and open displays of affection are still frowned upon. The busty Sunny Leone, best known for her roles in films as ‘Not Charlie’s Angels XXX’ and ‘The Virginity Hit’, made her entry this week in the ‘Bigg Boss’, India’s version of the show ‘Big Brother’. “Hi I am Sunny from California,” Leone introduced herself to her fellow inmates at the plush ‘Bigg Boss’ house in heavily-accented Hindi after showing off a few Bollywood-style dance moves. Leone, a 30-year-old Canadian of Indian origin, said she decided to join the ‘Bigg Boss’ programme not because of the money on offer but because she was addicted to the show. “I’m really excited to be a part of it. I think I’d look great cooking... and doing the
house chores in pencil heels and sexy clothes that I’m comfortable in,” she told the Hindustan Times before joining the show. In an article headlined ‘The XXX Factor’ on Thursday, the Mail Today tabloid asked, “Is porn slowly mainstreaming into our society through Sunny Leone on TV and PETA’s adult site?” Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is to launch a porn website
this year that will also show animal mistreatment. The site peta.xxx will present visitors with “tantalising images”, followed by graphic ones of cruelty to animals. “Who will check children from voting for Sunny Leone... and surfing the net to get tutored about her?” asked writer Sangeeth Sebastian. “These are pertinent points because sex is still taboo in India.” On microblogging site Twitter, reactions ranged from the lascivious to the outraged. Indian cinema and television shows refrain from showing anything that is deemed to be indecent, largely out of fear of running foul of strict obscenity laws and the powerful state censor. The Bollywood film industry is famous for its “air kissing” - kissing on the lips is still rare - and sex is only ever hinted at by suggestive scenes. Past guests on ‘Bigg Boss’ include former ‘Baywatch’ star Pamela Anderson and the late British reality TV star Jade Goody.
Mohsin Syed with Mian Imran Masood
Yousaf Rizvi, Tayyab Rizvi, Kissa Rizvi, Amir Rizvi and Sajjad
Khalid Mahmood with Mr & Mrs Tauqeer Zia
Mr & Mrs Naveed Chaudhry with Asif Hashmi
Mian Misbahur Rehman with former DG Rangers Hussain Mehdi
Sardar Asif Mr Sam and Ms Tik from Thai Airways with Zia Rizvi Ahmad Ali
Fans make me feel like an animal in the zoo: Pattinson LONDON ageNcIeS
Edward Cullen is every girl’s fantasy. Women desire to get bitten by him! What is it about this British heartthrob that has women across the globe go weak in the knees just by the mention of his name? Here are excerpts from an interview. Edward Cullen does not age but Robert Pattinson does! How difficult is it to continue looking as young as you did in the first ‘Twilight’ movie? “It has not been as difficult or maybe I am not sure as I haven’t done anything much, and the makeup, camera and the light has its own trick to
play.” Which other actor according to you can play Edward if these films are to be remade? “Probably the answer to this will put me in troubles. The truth is I don’t know.” All the female attention you get all the time, is it flattering or embarrassing? “It actually makes me a little uneasy, I mean with the fear of sounding rude I feel like
an animal in the zoo.” You’ve made vampires look sexy! What’s the best and worst part about playing a vampire? “Let’s say it wasn’t simple because it’s a vampire nature not to be expressive all the time. There’s the risk you end up doing always the same things often.” Edward Cullen means Robert Pattinson for ‘Twilight fans. Do you ever fear losing out on your stardom post Twilight? “People don’t talk about me, don’t shout at me, don’t rip their hair off for me: they do it for Edward. There are people desiring success from early age and do everything to be famous. But I didn’t do that. I don’t have that fear.”
LAHore: Kissa Haider rizvi, daughter of former consul general of Thailand Syed Zia Haider rizvi, was engaged to Asad Sajjad Haider, son of Justice (r) Asghar Haider at a local hotel. PHOTOGRAPHER: IRFAN CH
Sonakshi Sinha’s MUMBaI: Sonakshi Sinha has donned the western look for a men’s magazine cover and this may be her attempt to shed the image that she acquried since ‘Dabanng’, in which she played a village belle. “I think it is good to look different in every photo shoot or a film. I think all my filmmakers are making me wear saris so I think it’s good that in photo shoots I am seen in western outfits. As an actor, this change is also important. I try and mix it up,” Sonakshi said at the unveiling of the FHM magazine cover. Post ‘Dabangg’, Sonakshi will once again be seen draping five-yard in ‘Joker’, ‘Dabangg 2’ and ‘Lootera’. Though the actress is proud of her desi tag, she is game for change in other films. “I am very proud of my ‘desiness’ and I would have to agree for now because those are the type of roles that I have been doing. Later on, there will be a lot of scope for change,” Sonakshi said. The 24-year-old had no release this year, but next year she has ‘rowdy rathore’ and ‘Joker’ lined up for release. ageNcIeS
proud
of her ‘desiness’
MUMBaI: there have been reports of Rishi Kapoor and Mithun chakraborty dance to the finish in a sequence choreographed by farah Khan for Sajid Khan’s Housefull 2. the senior actors play brothers in the film. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala, he confirmed the scene, adding, “that dance competition is the highlight of the film. It was a treat to shoot it.” contrary to reports, Randhir Kapoor is only doing a small jig in the scene and is not a part of the contest. In fact, he also mentioned that the sequence was not a part of the original script, but an impromptu decision. “Both Rishi and Mithun were flabbergasted when they heard about it.” However, both the producer and director sat down the veterans and pitched the idea to them. It was only after the long chat that the two actors finally agreed to do it. once they had set their minds to the task, there was no looking back. and if eyewitnesses are to be believed, both the stars danced to the fast-paced instrumental number as though they were still in their prime. MIRRoR
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17 UNeSCo adds 11 entries to ‘intangible heritage’ list DENPASAR ageNcIeS
Khalid Mahmood, GM Sikandar & Zia Haider
Faiza Rizvi, Ghazala Rizvi & Asma Rizvi
LONDON
Zia Haider Rizvi and Khawaja Tariq Raheem
B
AgeNCIeS
OLLYWOOD actress Kareena Kapoor has emerged as the sexiest Asian woman in the world, according to a survey. Eastern Eye, a weekly, conducted a survey through social networking sites like twitter and Kareena came out on top, edging out last year’s winner Katrina Kaif. Kareena, who recently gave hits like ‘Bodyguard’ and ‘Ra.One’, won by one percent of votes, the narrowest
ever margin and beat off tough competition from some of the most stunning women from around the world. Katrina, who had won the title for the last three years by a large margin, slipped into second place. Eastern Eye showbiz editor Asjad Nazir said, “This battle between the two beauties is a sign of things to come in Bollywood in the next few years. Although the list contained pop stars, TV personalities, models and film stars from around the world, the voting quite comprehensively showed that Kareena and Katrina have put a distance between themselves and the rest
of the contenders in terms of popularity.” Hrithik Roshan’s wife Sussanne received a massive number of votes and was one of the highest new entries at number 16. Other notable stars in the list included Priyanka Chopra (3), and Bipasha Basu (4), who both slipped down one place each. Frieda Pinto came 5th, followed by Deepika Padukone (7). New entries included Jacqueline Fernandez (12), Nargis Fakhri (23) and Sonakshi Sinha (38). Aishwarya Rai Bachchan came 6th and Sonam Kapoor 9th. Lara Dutta stood at number 15 and Malaika Arora Khan at 19.
Rowling slams tabloids for invading her children’s privacy LONDON ageNcIeS
‘Harry Potter’ author JK Rowling lambasted Britain’s press Thursday for invading her children’s privacy, telling an inquiry that a journalist even slipped a letter into her daughter’s schoolbag. Rowling said another tabloid reporter contacted a headmaster over untrue claims that her daughter had upset classmates by telling them the boy wizard died in the last book in the bestselling series. “I can’t put an invisibility cloaking device over
Rishi, Mithun shake
a leg for song in
‘Housefull 2’
Big B
myself and my house, nor would I wish to. But it is not normal for anyone, famous or not famous, for their address to be known to millions of newspaper readers,” she said. Rowling was speaking to the judge-led inquiry into press ethics after actress Sienna Miller and former Formula One boss Max Mosley complained of abuse by Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World tabloid. The author’s voice cracked with anger and emotion as she said the letter from the journalist came in the first flush of success of her books, which have sold
more than 400 million copies and spawned a lucrative film series. “I unzipped her (her daughter’s) bag in the evening and among the usual letters from school and debris that any child generates, I found an envelope addressed to me. The letter was from a journalist,” she said. “It’s very difficult to say how angry I felt that my fiveyear-old’s school was no longer a place of complete security from journalists.” Rowling said she felt she was “under siege” and could not leave the house after the birth of her two subsequent children.
enjoying
I don’t mind
the company of granddaughter
films: Arjun
NeW DeLHI: what is keeping megastar Amitabh Bachchan busy these days? He seems to be spending time with his new-born granddaughter, and says that looking at her sleeping peacefully makes his heart fill with joy. “She sleeps through most of the day except for feeds and has been most obedient and well behaved! Ha ha ha,” Amitabh posted on his blog Bigb.bigadda.com. “The moments spent with her even though one encounters shut eyes, are the most pleasant and fulfilling, but what after. I think there is an indication here to take up vocations that one has always wanted to pursue - that music lesson, language ... reading to catch up...and on,” he posted. The 69-year-old also thanked his fans for showering their love and suggestion for her ‘naam karan’ (naming ceremony). “To all those that have sent and continue to send names for the ‘little one’, gracious gracious thanks ... we will select soon,” he posted on the micro-blogging site Twitter. ageNcIeS
doing heroine-oriented MUMBaI: ‘Heroin’ is no longer just Kareena Kapoor’s film. It’s now a love story between an actress and an actor, thanks to arjun Rampal’s insistence on his role being clearly and comprehensively fleshed out in the movie. apparently arjun had two long discussions with the film’s producers UtV and director Madhur Bhandarkar where he suggested changes in the script. these suggestions were duly accepted and incorporated. to his credit arjun doesn’t deny asking for changes in the ‘Heroine’ script. “I did make some suggestions which I thought were for the betterment of the film. they were kind enough to accept these changes,” said arjun, who came into his own with his national award winning performance in ‘Rock on!!’. “I don’t mind doing heroineoriented films. I’ve done one with Kareena in the past (‘We are family’). But at this point in my career I cannot do supporting roles. ‘Heroine’ is basically a love story between the actress and the actor played by me. It’s a challenge for me because I’ve never played an actor before,” added the 38-year-old. ageNcIeS
A traditional form of weaving by Bedouin women and a healing prayer sung by Peru’s Huachipaire people were added Friday to UNESCO’s list of “intangible heritage” in need of preservation. In all, envoys on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali this week picked 11 new listings, from among 18 entries by 24 nations, to add to the UN cultural agency’s 2011 list of traditions in need of urgent protection, including Indonesia’s own Saman dance. They include the Al-Sadu traditional form of weaving by Bedouin women in rural communities of the United Arab Emirates and the Eshuva sung prayer which is performed for healing or as part of traditional ceremonies in Peru, UNESCO said on its website. The other new entries were Mongolian folk songs played on ancient flutes; the art of Yimakan storytelling by China’s ethnic Hezhen; Mauritania’s Moorish epic T’heydinn poems; Yaokwa, an indigenous Brazilian drought ritual; and Vietnam’s Xoan singing, practised in sacred places of Phu Tho province during spring. Also newly listed is the secret society of Koredugaw, a rite of wisdom by the Bambara, Malinke, Senufo and Samogo peoples of Mali. The Koredugaw are a group of initiates who provoke laughter with behaviour characterised by gluttony, caustic humour and wit, but who also possess great intelligence and wisdom, the UNESCO website said. Iran secured two spots on the list, the first with its oldest form of dramatic storytelling, Naqqa-li, which recounts tales in verse or prose accompanied by gestures and movements. The building and sailing of Lenjes, traditional boats used in the Gulf, was also listed. Like the 16 endangered traditions listed since 2009, the 11 new additions met criteria to prove they faced “grave threats as a result of which it cannot be expected to survive without immediate safeguarding”, according to UNESCO.
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Saturday, 26 November, 2011
Tsonga sends Nadal crashing out Page 23 NO ThaNKS
ramiz declines PCB’s offer for Coo post LAhORE Staff RePoRt
Former captain Ramiz Raja has turned down an offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to work as Chief Operating Officer. "Ramiz politely thanked the chairman for his offer and turned it down saying he does not have the time due to his prior commitments as a commentator and expert in the next few months," reports from a PCB source said. "Ramiz, however, has given his own blueprint to the new chairman on how to improve the Pakistan cricket structure and functioning of the board. He wants the chairman to immediately appoint a cricket committee made up of former greats who can submit a list of things that need to be done to improve things in the Pakistan cricket set-up," reports said. Ramiz, after retiring from cricket, stepped into the media world becoming a respected commentator, expert and host in Pakistan and abroad. He is presently working as a commentator in the ongoing Pakistan-Sri Lanka series. He has also worked before as the chief executive of the board in 2003-2004 when Tauqir Zia and Sharharyar Khan were heading the PCB.
Ponting not ready to retire SYDNEY ageNcIeS
Former captain Ricky Ponting says he’ll quit Test cricket before he’s dropped from the Australian team, but is not considering retirement at the moment. The 36-year-old veteran of 156 Tests told reporters on Friday, “I totally understand why I’m being asked the questions I’m being asked but, by the same token, I believe I’m good enough, one, to be in the team and that I’m good enough to win games for Australia. He said he if he keeps doing the work he
doing and not getting the results, “then maybe it’s time but, at the moment, I don’t feel that time is here just yet.” Ponting made 62 in the second innings of Australia’s second Test against South Africa this week to contribute to its series-levelling win and end a long from drought which had led to calls for his retirement. He said he took heart from the examples of India’s Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid who’s longevity showed he could still expect to perform at Test level. “I feel there’s enough there to want to keep working hard,” Ponting said. “Having spoken
I have unfinished business at hand: Khalil
Court bars PTv from signing deal with Ten Sports LAhORE Staff RePoRt
The Lahore High Court on Friday barred Pakistan Television from signing a deal with Ten Sports, regarding the sub-licensing of the broadcast rights for ICC cricket from 2012 to 2015, following insinuations that the sports channel is owned by an Indian entity. The Lahore High Court said that PTV could not conclude its deal with Ten Sports subject to the condition that the privately owned Independent Music Group, which operates the private cable sports channel, deposits two million US dollars. The court issued notice to PTV and the federal government to file their responses by December 2. Justice Umar Ata Bandial passed the order in response to a petition filed by Independent Music Group, which challenged PTV's move to enter into an agreement with Ten Sports. Earlier, the petitioner's counsel told the court that the ICC had granted rights to broadcast cricket events to ESPN sports channel. ESPN further granted rights to various entities from different countries for four years. The counsel said Independent Music Group had acquired broadcast rights for Pakistan on cable and satellite from ESPN (Mauritius). The counsel said after expiry of these rights, ESPN invited bids to broadcast ICC cricket events in Pakistan for four years. PTV approached ESPN with the highest bid of US $30 million for both cable and satellite rights. The counsel contended that PTV had entered into a back-to-back arrangement with Ten Sports, a channel owned and controlled by India's Zee Network, to exclusively acquire broadcast rights and PTV would sublicence the rights to its joint venture partner. The counsel said the Independent Music Group wrote a letter to PTV on October 27 and offered a joint venture on terms that were being offered to the Indian channel. PTV rejected the offer without giving any cogent reason, the counsel contended.
to a lot of the other guys that have retired in the last few years -- I was captain when Langer, Gilchrist, Warne and all those guys stood down -- so I know the things that were going through their minds. “What they said about it was they just didn’t have the drive or desire to work as hard as they needed to work to get their games back on track again. With me, there’s no doubting that at all.”
Junaid Khan’s injury gave Mohammad Khalil a chance. FILE PHOTO LAhORE
P
Staff RePoRt
AKISTAN’S newly-recalled pace bowler Mohammad Khalil has said he is looking forward to getting down to 'unfinished business'. The Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited left-arm seamer who was called up to Pakistan's squad for the tour of Bangladesh, was quoted as saying by PakPassion.net.: "I'm just so excited at my recall." "It's been a long six years since I last played for Pakistan and I'm so pleased to be back in the international reckoning. It was in my heart to play for my country again as I felt that I have unfinished business to complete." Khalil last played for Pakistan in 2005, against India in
Sana says Pakistan will get even better LAhORE
Kolkata, and got the call-up after Junaid Khan picked up an abdominal strain during the one-day series against Sri Lanka in the UAE. Khalil's form in the ongoing domestic first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy - he's currently at the top of the wicket-takers' table, averaging 17.68 - prompted his inclusion in the squad. He put up a strong showing last season as well, finishing the third-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. "I've not changed anything technically with my bowling, I'd put my good form down to being a more rounded and experienced bowler these days," Khalil said. "When you have done the hard yards in Pakistani domestic cricket, there isn't much left to learn as a quick bowler. I've just started this season where I left last time around." A stint playing cricket in England helped, he said. "In between [the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons] I went to England to play league cricket in Staffordshire, which was a very useful experience. I came back to Pakistan ready and confident for the new season. My performance this season is there in front of everyone and I'm delighted at my form." Pakistan, he said, would not take Bangladesh lightly. "In international cricket you cannot write anyone off. It would be foolish to underestimate Bangladesh especially in their home conditions. "The Bangladeshis are international cricketers and they, like us, take great pride in their performances. If I'm given a chance [in the playing XI] I won't let anyone down and I am very keen to impress my team-mates, the coach and the selectors." BANGLADESH DROP ASHRAFUL, RECALL FARHAD FOR PAKISTAN SERIES: Bangladesh dropped former captain Mohammad Ashraful and recalled all-rounder Farhad Reza on Friday for the limited overs series against Pakistan beginning next week. Vice-captain Mahmudulla also returned to the side, having missed the home series against West Indies through illness and injuries, the Bangladesh Cricket Board said in a statement. Reza, who last played for Bangladesh in 2008 before joining the rebel Indian Cricket League, has been rewarded for his performance with Bangladesh A team in the ongoing West Indies tour. Pakistan will arrive in Bangladesh on Saturday to play a Twenty20 International on Nov. 29, followed by three oneday internationals and two tests. Bangladesh squad:: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Mahmudullah, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Shakib Al Hasan, Alok Kapali, Naeem Islam, Nasir Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Nazmul Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Elias Sunny, Farhad Reza, Shahriar Nafees.
Staff RePoRt
Pakistan women’s captain Sana Mir is excited about her side’s achievements in the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Pakistan reached the final of the event in Bangladesh on Thursday. Speaking on ICC Radio, Sana said: “It is a step forward for us. We have played good cricket for the last one year. There is always room for improvement, but it has been a complete team performance. The format and schedule has been very nice as all teams got an equal chance to qualify.’’ West Indies women’s team has been the form side of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier. No wonder then, West Indies skipper Merissa Aguilleira is looking at the tournament as a mission accomplished. “We came to Dhaka with a few things to accomplish. We have managed to achieve most of those. Stafanie Taylor, Juliana Nero and Deandra Dottin have been some of the players who have done well for us. The best part has been that in every match we have had a different player doing well for us,’’ says Aguilleira.
Afridi and Sangakkara claim top honours stats corner S. PERVEZ QAISER
K
UMAR Sangakkara scored the highest number of runs while Shahid Afridi claimed the highest number of wickets in the just concluded five match series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the UAE which former win 4-1. The Sri Lankan batsman scored 191 runs at an average of 38.20 and a strike rate of 61.41 with two fifties in five innings of as many matches. He hit 18 fours in this series. Umar Akmal took the number one position for Pakistan. The right hand middle order batsman, scored 161 runs at 53.66 and a strike rate of 92.52 with two fifties in four innings of five matches. He hit 17 fours and one six in
four innings. Shahid Afridi took the first spot among the bowlers. The Pakistani off-break bowler claimed 13 wickets at an average of 15.30 and an economy rate of 4.07 in five matches. Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando were the most successful bowler for the Islanders. The two bowlers claimed seven wickets each at an average of 27.71 and 31.57 respectively in five matches each. No batsman on either side scored century in this series but 15 fifties were scored, eight from Pakistan and seven from Sri Lanka. Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Umar Akmal and Imran Farhat scored two half centuries each. Two bowlers, both from Pakistan side, claimed a four-wicket haul in this series. Shahid Afridi took five wickets for 35 runs at Sharjah while Sohail Tanvir claimed four wickets for
34 runs at Abu Dhabi. It was only third time when Pakistan have won four matches in a limited overs international
seires against Sri Lanka. Their previous 4-1 wins came in Pakistan in 1991-92 and in Sri Lanka in 1994.
toP SIX BatSMeN IN tHe SeRIeS BatSMaN Kumar Sangakkara (SL) Umar Akmal (Pakistan) younus Khan (Pakistan) Mahela Jayawardene (SL) Imran Farhat (Pak) M Hafeez (Pak)
M 5 5 5 4 4 5
I 5 4 5 4 4 5
BoWLeR Shahid Afridi (Pak) Saeed Ajmal (Pak) Lasith Malinga (SL) Dilhara Fernando (SL) Mohammed Hafeez (Pak) Jeevan Mendis (SL)
M 5 5 5 5 5 4
oVeRS 48.5 45 42.3 44.1 43 28
toP SIX BoWLeRS IN SeRIeS
No 1 1 RUNS 199 179 194 221 127 134
RUNS 191 161 150 146 133 133 WKtS 13 11 7 7 5 5
aVg 38.20 53.66 37.50 36.50 33.25 26.60
HS 78 91 56* 55 70 83
S/R 62.41 92.52 80.64 64.31 76.43 70.37
aVg 15.30 16.27 27.71 31.57 25.40 26.80
R/o 4.07 3.97 4.56 5.00 2.95 4.78
4WI 1 -
100 BeSt 5-35 3-42 3-36 3-26 2-24 3-36
50 2 2 1 2 2 1
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mObIlINK jazz CuP 2011 T20 maTCh
Misbah wraps it up with majestic show ABU DhABI
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AKISTAN put up another clinical performance to win the only Twenty20 by five wickets against Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi stadium on Friday, blanking their rivals in all three forms of the game. Paceman Aizaz Cheema took 4-30 to bowl Sri Lanka out for 141 in 19.3 overs before skipper Misbah-ul Haq kept his nerves with a fighting unbeaten 48 to help his team chase down the target with three balls to spare. The victory capped a remarkable performance by Pakistan who won the preceding three-Test series 1-0 and the five-match one-day series 41. Misbah, who hit three boundaries and a six off 38 balls, added 46 for the fourth wicket with Asad Shafiq (33) after Pakistan lost their way in persuit of the target. They lost Mohammad Hafeez (13), Imran Farhat (13) and Umar Akmal for a first ball duck. Shafiq hit three boundaries dur-
ing his run-a-ball knock before he was bowled by Lasith Malinga. Misbah hit Dilruwan Perera for a huge six and when 43 needed off the last four overs, the Pakistani captain hit three boundaries in Dilhara Fernando's 17th over of the innings. When Pakistan needed 23 off the last two overs Afridi hit Fernando for two sixes over deep mid-wicket before the paceman had him caught behind. Pakistan needed nine off the last over bowled by Malinga whose first ball saw two taken by Misbah but the ensuing throw went for four before Shoaib Malik knocked off the winning runs. Earlier Cheema took 4-30 in a superb display of swing bowling to derail Sri Lanka who had looked set to put up a big total on the back of maiden Twenty20 half-century by Dinesh Chandimal. Chandimal had looked threatening during his 44-ball 56, hitting six boundaries and added a firey 31 for the second wicket with skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (28) before Cheema came into his own. Sri Lanka were off to a flying start
of 30 by the third over before losing opener Upul Tharanga, bowled by Cheema for 12. Dilshan miscued a drive off spinner Saeed Ajmal in the sixth over but Sri Lanka still had a ten run avergae by the sixth over. Pakistani bowlers led by Cheema, playing only his second Tewnty20 match, checked Sri Lankan innings as they lost their last seven wickets for 54 runs. Chandimal brought up his maiden half-century in the shortest form of the game off 40 balls before Cheema had him in the 19th over of the innings, trapped leg-before. Cheema also had Thissara Perera (nought) and Malinga (one) to finish his four-over spell. Sri Lanka's poor batting was not helped by two run outs of Angelo Mathews (14) and Chamara Silva (four). Umar Gul polished off the tail with 2-16. Pakistan fly off to Dhaka on Saturday to play a Twenty20, three oneday internationals and two Tests. The Twenty20 will be played in Dhaka on Tuesday.
ScoReBoaRD SRI LaNKa U. tharanga b cheema 12 t. Dilshan c Misbah b ajmal 28 D. chandimal lbw b cheema 56 K. Sangakkara c and b Hafeez 9 a. Mathews run out 14 c. Silva run out 4 t. Perera c akmal b cheema 0 1 L. Malinga b cheema 1 D. Perera c Misbah b gul 0 a. Mendis not out 0 D. fernando b gul 16 eXtRaS: (b1, lb2, w13) totaL: 141 fall of wickets: 1-30 (tharanga), 2-61 (Dilshan), 3-87 (Sangakkara), 4-119 (Mathews), 5-133 (Silva), 6-138 (chandimal), 7-139 (Perera), 8-140 (Malinga), 9-141 (D. Perera) Bowling: gul 2.3-0-16-2 (w4), tanvir 2-0-29-0 (w8), cheema 4-0-30-4, ajmal 4-022-1, afridi 4-0-21-0 (w1), Hafeez 3-0-20-1 19.3 overs: PaKIStaN Mohammad Hafeez lbw b t. Perera 13 Imran farhat c t. Perera b Mendis 19 asad Shafiq b Malinga 33 Umar akmal b Dilshan 0 Misbah-ul Haq not out 48 Shahid afridi c Sangakkara b fernando 22 Shoaib Malik not out 2 eXtRaS: (w5) 5 142 totaL: (for five wkts) fall of wickets: 1-31 (Hafeez), 2-36 (farhat), 3-44 (akmal), 4-90 (Shafiq), 5-133 (afridi), Bowling: Malinga 3.3-0-32-1 (w1), t. Perera 4-0-26-1 (w2), fernando 4-0-36-1, Mendis 3-0-20-1 (w2), Dilshan 2-0-8-1, D. Perera 3-0-20-0 19.3 overs: ReSULt: Pakistan won by five wickets toSS: Sri Lanka, UMPIReS: Zameer Haider (PaK) and ahsan Raza (PaK), tV UMPIRe: Shozaib Raza (PaK), MatcH RefeRee: andy Pycroft (ZIM)
Aisam returns home today after long tour LAhORE Staff RePoRt
Pakistan’s tennis star Aisam ul-Haq Qureshi will return home at the end of a watershed season on the ATP Tour which saw him become the first Pakistani and the first Muslim to end the calendar year among the top 8 in the world in terms of performance. Aisam thus became the first Pakistani and first Muslim to participate in the year end ATP Masters Championship, along with partner Rohan Bopanna. Aisam’s first title of the year came in June at the ATP Tour event in Halle, Germany, where Aisam and Bopanna overcame Robin Haase of the Netherlands and Milos Raonic of Canada in the final. Aisam’s second title of the year came with a different partner, Austria’s Oliver Marach. In the finals of the PTT Thailand Open in Bangkok, they overcame the German pairing of Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Waske. With his partner Bopanna returning from a short break, Aisam went on to win the ITF Stockholm Open in the Swedish capital by decimating Brazilians Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares. Their biggest performance of the year, however, came at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris in early November. The Indo-Pak Express overcame two of the world’s leading teams on the way to the title, with a quarter final win over Michael Llodra and Zimonjic followed by a semi final victory over Nestor and Mirnyi, before overcoming a partisan crowd and the local favourites, Mahut and Benneteau, to lift their first ATP Masters 1000 Trophy. All of this culminated in Aisam reaching a career high ATP Tour Doubles ranking of no. 8, and a career high team ranking of no. 5. Off the court, Aisam continued his charitable work with the United Nations Development Programme and has been chosen by the UNDP to continue as their Goodwill Ambassador for flood relief efforts in Pakistan. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society also chose to honour Aisam by nominating him as their Youth Ambassador. Aisam’s services to Pakistan tennis and his projection of a positive image for the country were honoured by the Government of Pakistan on Pakistan Day, when he became a recipient of the Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Aisam is scheduled to arrive in Lahore at 04:45 AM on Sunday 27th November via flight PK-758 from London. He will remain in Lahore for three weeks.
PTF has itself to blame for Davis Cup fiasco ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
The officials of the Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) are themselves to blame for losing the hosting rights of the upcoming Davis Cup tie despite the willingness of the competing team and the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The sources in the PTF confided to this scribe that the officials of PTF could not pursue the case in time after ITF decided to organise the Pakistan's Davis Cup tie against Lebanon in Pakistan and asked the federation to send them the details about security arrangements. According to documents made available to Pakistan Today, the ITf Davis Cup committee, in August in Bangkok, agreed in principal to organise the first tie of 2012 in Pakistan and asked the PTF to send them the details of security arrangements and venue by November 1. The ITF also sent a security questionare to PTF for a detailed reply to confirm that how Pakistan will make the event risk free. But the PTF could only go back to the ITF on October 26 and that too without completion of the questionare and mentioning the details of the venue. The ITF sent a reminder to PTF after November 1 (after the expiry of the deadline to submit the details) and told them to send the plans about security and venue arrangement as urgent as possible. But despite the urgency by the ITF, the PTF went back to them on November 14 when the security consultant of the international body had already submitted a negative report about Pakistan. The sources said that President PTF Kaleem Imam and the Patron Dilawar Abbas had finalized Lahore Defence Club as the venue.
Amar Cables down golden eagle LAhORE Staff RePoRt
ABU DHABI: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq (r) plays a shot as Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara looks on. AFP
Amar Cables beat Golden Eagle by six wickets in the 3rd SPM Lahore Veterans Cricket League at the Model Town Whites Cricket Ground. Golden Eagle scored 204/9 in 30 overs. M Zahid 69, Shabbir Bhatti 34 and Faisal Peerzada 32 not out. Munir Shah 4/26, Tariq Rasheed 2/39, Shaukat Ali 1/31 and Tariq Hussain Raju 1/42 wickets. In reply, Amar Cable in 27.2 overs 205/5. Naseer Bhatti 64, Shaukat Ali 65, Azizur-Rehman 32 and Amer Manzoor 28 runs. Asif, Shahzad, Zahid, Rafique, Afzal and Sajid Anwar took one wicket apiece. M Asif, Pervez Shah Umpire and Waqar Ahmad were the scorer. Former first class cricketer Ameer Akbar gave away man of the match award to Shaukat Ali. Amer Ilyas Butt was also present on the occasion.
Djokovic faces nervous wait after loss to Tipsarevic LONDON afP
Novak Djokovic faces a nervous wait to discover if his season has come to a disappointing end at the ATP World Tour Finals after the world number one lost 36, 6-3, 6-3 to Janko Tipsarevic on Friday. Djokovic has lost two of his three Group A matches in the season finale at London’s O2 Arena, but he will still qualify for the semi-finals if David Ferrer beats Tomas Berdych in Friday’s late match, while a Berdych victory would eliminate the Serb. After a magnificent season that brought Djokovic three Grand Slam titles, five Masters crowns and top spot in the world rankings, the 24-year-old has finally run out of steam this week. He arrived in London on an incredible run of 69 wins from 73 matches, but that record has been slightly tarnished by two successive defeats here. Djokovic’s lacklustre loss against Ferrer on Wednesday had taken his tournament fate out of his hands and his season could be over after he allowed a one-set lead to disappear against fellow Serb Tipsarevic. “There were a lot of ups and
down from both Novak and me, but I am very happy to be here after starting this year at 49 in the world,” Tipsarevic said. “I generally do not like to play my fellow countrymen, but even during the match I felt proud just to see the two Serbia flags in the O2 Arena.” It could have been so different after a bright start from Djokovic earned him a break in the fourth game of the first set. Tipsarevic, called into the tourna-
ment as a replacement for the injured Andy Murray, knows Djokovic’s game better than most after spending hundreds of hours on the practice court with his compatriot. But the world number nine, already out of contention for the semi-finals after losing to Berdych, still could not find a way to stop Djokovic cruising through the rest of the set. The tournament’s complicated qualification criteria meant a straight sets vic-
tory would improve Djokovic’s chances of advancing. However, Djokovic admitted after the Ferrer defeat that he was not operating at 100 per cent after such a long season and his stamina reserves reached breaking point as Tipsarevic won a 12-minute game to open the second set. Tipsarevic took advantage of Djokovic’s slump with a break for a 4-2 lead when the world number one rashly attempted a drop-shot that flopped into the net. Djokovic replied with a break of his own, but Tipsarevic was growing in confidence as his compatriot’s energy drained away and he broke again to clinch the set. There was a noticeable lack of bite to Djokovic’s ground-strokes now and he was seemingly content just to keep the ball in court rather than go for winners. Tipsarevic made him pay in the opening game of the final set with a sublime angled volley to secure the decisive break. Djokovic, clearly running on fumes, never threatened to mount a comeback and Tipsarevic put him out of his misery with another break to wrap up his first ever win over his old friend.
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quetta bowled out for 199 in quaid Trophy LAhORE Staff RePoRt
SNGPL got first innings lead on day two of the eighth round of the Division II Quaid Trophy Match here at the at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday. Quetta were bowled out for 199 and SNGPL scored 231 runs with Bilawal getting a century. And by the close of play Quetta were at one runs in two overs. At LCCA ground, KRL were in total chaos after they could score just 94 runs in reply to UBL’s 121. The bankers then added another 136 runs to their total and were in good position to press KRL for a win. Scores: quetta 199 in 80.5 overs (Badar Ali 56, 172 balls, 8 x4s, Ata-ur-rehman 33, 50 balls, 5 x4s, 1x 6s, Mohibullah 40, 59 balls, 5 x4s, 1 x6s, yasir Shah 548, Azhar Shafiq 2-12) and 1-0 in 2 overs v SNgPL 231 IN 56.2 overs (Bilawal Bhatti 100, 74 balls, 13 x4s, 4 x6s, yasir Shah 40, 87 balls, 2 x4s, 1 x6s, Shahzaib Ahmed Khan 4-56, Khalil Ahmed 3-39) overnight Score: quetta 187-8 in 77 overs Toss: SNgPL Umpires: Hakeem Shah and Kamal Merchant. referee: Mohammad Anees Scorer: Azhar Hussain At LCCA ground, Lahore. United Bank 121 in 50.1 overs (Ali Asad 34, 91 balls, 8 x4s, Tahir Mughal 24, rahat Ali 4-33, yasir Ali 3-38) and 136 in 43.3 overs (Ali Asad 26, Imad-ul-Haq 23, rahat Ali 5-45, yasir Arafat 3-42) v KrL 94 in 36 overs (Saeed Anwar Jr. 27, Nayyar Abbas 17, Ali Khan 13, Shabbir Ahmed 351, Tahir Mughal 6-36) and 4-0 in one over overnight Score: KrL 45-2 in 14 overs Toss: KrL Umpires: Akbar Khan & Tahir Shah referee: Saadat Ali Scorer: Masood Ahmed.
English clubs’ Champions League dilemma English football seems to have completed a full circle on the European front ePL crystaL BaLL KUNwAR KhULDUNE ShAhID
A
FTER the European Champion Clubs’ Cup – or European Cup, as it was commonly called – was renamed and restructured into the UEFA Champions’ League in 1992/93, the English teams didn’t manage to stamp their authority on the competition initially. Manchester United failed to translate their local dominance on the European stage, and while they managed to penetrate into the later rounds – 1997’s semifinal tie with Borussia Dortmund being their best shot – a veritable tilt at the title was missing. 1999 threatened to alter the European status quo as United wove together a miraculous run in their treble winning campaign that culminated in that historic night at Nou Camp. Even so, the following years again saw United being dumped out in the quarter finals. Arsenal had become a veritable force domestically around the turn of the millennium, but their performances in Europe were run of the mill at best. Both Sir Alex and Wenger had synthesised a hightempo free flowing brand of football in their sides that was nullified by the European teams through their controlled diplomacy of tactics. European sides had poise, were imbued with tactical nous and had flexibility. English teams, on the other hand, were single-paced and one-dimensional, owing mostly to both Wenger and Sir Alex not needing wide-ranging brands of football to conquer domestic silverware. Hence teams clocking 100 goals or going an entire season unbeaten in the EPL were being knocked out by less fancied sides as Porto and Monaco contested Champions League finals. While Leeds in 2001 and United in 2002 conjured up semifinal berths, none of the English sides flaunted genuine Champions’ league winning credentials, despite the British press characteristically waxing lyrical. However, the arrival of two European master tacticians changed all that in the mid 2000s. Mourinho’s staggering Champions
ArSeNAL
petitions, United have suffered due to Sir Alex’s bizarre squad rotation and Chelsea’s defensive woes are hindering their progress on all fronts. Granted City were drawn in the toughest pool but had they replicated half of their league form in Europe they would never have found themselves in the current hole. Sir Alex has overestimated his squad strength and despite the howler against Basel, he persisted with his tinkering. Now he could, at best, hope for a second place finish which would mean that they could end up facing Real or Barca in the next round. However, getting a draw away to Basel will be an arduous task. Chelsea, meanwhile, need to bring stability in their defense and maybe their fullbacks need to control their marauding instincts. English teams look to be declining and regardless of the English trio filtering through or not, it is difficult to see them progressing much further. Although of course, as things stand Arsenal might have a say in that.
Are FLyINg THe eNgLISH FLAg
IN eURoPe
BIg MatcH PReVIeW: LIVeRPooL VS MaN cItY League triumph with Porto in 2004 ensured that Roman Abramovich hankered after the Portuguese’s signature and gave him a blank cheque to aid his surge on silverware. While Mourinho was being unveiled at Stamford Bridge, Anfield welcomed a managerial change of their own as Rafael Benitez – who had won two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup in his three years with Valencia – replaced Gerrard Houllier. Mourinho revolutionised the English game and vanquished domestic accolades with back-to-back league titles, a Carling Cup and an F.A Cup during 2004-2007. Although Benitez struggled domestically, his Istanbul miracle was a major European convulsion. Two English sides in the last four was a major anomaly in 2005’s Champions League as Liverpool edged out Chelsea courtesy Luis Garcia’s “ghost goal” that led to the epic “the best team lost” Mourinho assertion. Liverpool’s triumph and Chelsea’s exploits in 2005 signalled the advent of a new dawn, as the two sides went on to be
the vanguards of English upsurge in Europe. Liverpool reached two finals in three years and Chelsea reached at least the semis in five of the six years between 2004 and 2009. Following suit, Arsenal also managed to revamp their game in Europe and a strong defensive show throughout the 2006 campaign saw them reach the final. There was a clear difference in Wenger’s approach towards Champions League games, as he took a leaf out of Chelsea and Liverpool’s tactics in Europe and brought about solidity and poise in Arsenal that saw his side put together the most lucrative run in their history. 2007 onwards Manchester United’s dominance escalated in Europe that has seen them reach three finals in four years. Again, this was a corollary of Sir Alex modifying his approach in Europe after being on the receiving end of a humiliating first round exit in 2005-2006. The Scott amalgamated the rich array of flair in his side with judicious conformism as United soared to being the top ranked club in Eu-
rope. 2005-2011 has been an era of English dominance, with two winners and 7 of the 14 finalists coming from England. Nevertheless, it seems as if English football has completed a full circle in the top European league as the big guns are faltering in the group stages this year. EPL’s all-conquering Manchester City are on the brink of elimination after losing out to Napoli, United have been lackluster and now need a result away to a side that was moments away from embarrassing them at Old Trafford and Chelsea need to outdo a resurgent Valencia side in their final match to progress. Meanwhile Arsenal, habitually the biggest underachievers in Europe, are setting the bar for their English counterparts in the second toughest pool this year. In a massive turnaround, Arsenal are the only English club to have qualified for the last 16, and are likely to be the only English side to qualify as group winners – if not the only one to qualify at all. City’s predicament owes a lot to their inability to change gears in different com-
Gerrard is the only major injury concern in either squad, as Liverpool look to halt the City locomotive. Last Sunday’s victory at Stamford Bridge looks to have rejuvenated Liverpool who needed an injection of inspiration to relocate their path towards the elusive fourth spot. City face a tough task in bouncing back from their midweek disappointment, as they look to be down and out in the Champions League – which could be a major setback for the club. City’s midweek exertions mean that they’d be tired, while Liverpool would have had a week long rest. The contrast in mood and physical condition might be reflected in the final score line. The midfield battle will be intriguing and whoever among Charlie Adam and David Silva manages to orchestrate matters will provide his side the impetus. The fixture would boast two of the finest strikers in the league in Suarez and Aguero and hence, both central defenses have their work cut out. Anfield’s intimidating atmosphere and Liverpool’s 12th man should see them through.
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Saturday, 26 November, 2011
MUMBAI: West Indies batsman Kraigg Brathwaite (R) plays a shot as Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C) looks on. AFP
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Heartbreak as Sachin misses 100th ton
WATCh iT Live TEN SPORTS FIH Champions Challenge 01:50PM
NEO CRICKET India v West Indies Test 3 Day 5 09:00PM
STAR SPORTS Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – London 07:00PM
Karachi girls too good for Faisalabad in U-19 women’s cricket LAhORE Staff RePoRt
MUMBAI: Sachin Tendulkar takes evasive action to avoid a bouncer by west Indian fast bowler Fidel edwards. AFP MUMBAI
S Tsonga sends Nadal crashing out LONDON: Rafael Nadal crashed out of the ATP World Tour Finals on Thursday as France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 6-3 in a thrilling shoot-out for a place in the semi-finals. World number two Nadal had to win his final Group B match to join Roger Federer and David Ferrer in the last four at London’s O2 Arena, but last year’s runner-up bowed out after his second successive defeat in the season finale. Tsonga’s victory means he will play the winner of Group A in Saturday’s semi-finals, while Nadal -- who is yet to win this tournament -- will return home to rest his aching limbs before leading Spain’s challenge in the Davis Cup final against Argentina. With Federer safely through as group winner and Mardy Fish already eliminated it was a straight fight between Nadal and Tsonga to qualify alongside the Swiss star. Nadal had won six of his eight meetings with Tsonga, but the Frenchman could take heart from his previous meeting with Nadal in London, which he won at Queen’s Club earlier this year. Tsonga’s cause was also helped by Nadal’s late season fatigue. The 10-time Grand Slam winner suffered one of the more comprehensive defeats of his career on Tuesday when Roger Federer routed him 6-3, 6-0 and he admitted he has been feeling the strain of a gruelling campaign. afP
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ACHIN Tendulkar fell agonisingly short of an unprecedented 100th hundred while Ravichandran Ashwin hit a maiden century as the third Test between India and the West Indies headed for a draw on Friday. Tendulkar scored a superb 94 and Ashwin a robust 103 in only his third Test before India were bowled out for 482 in their first innings in reply to the West Indies’ 590 on the penultimate day. The tourists were 81-2 in their second innings at stumps for an overall lead of 189 with eight wickets in hand, with teenager Kraigg Brathwaite (34 not out) and Darren Bravo (27 not out) at the crease. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha, who opened the attack, removed Adrian Barath (three) and Kirk Edwards (17). India, needing 391 to avoid the follow-on, were struggling at 331-6 before Virat Kohli (52) and Ashwin added 97 valuable runs for the seventh wicket at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Ashwin also became the third Indian after Vinoo Mankad and Polly Umrigar to grab five wickets in an innings and score a century in the same Test. He hit two sixes and 15 fours in his 118-ball knock. It was the first time in the history of Test cricket that 11 half-centuries or more were scored in the first innings of a match, with the West Indies making six and India five. Tendulkar looked set to complete a century of centuries as he had been timing the ball remarkably well before he attempted to drive paceman Ravi Rampaul on the up and was caught by Darren Sammy at second slip. While the West Indies celebrated the huge success, the “Little Master” walked back dejectedly and nearly 15,000
ScoReBoaRD
WeSt INDIeS, 1st innings: 590 (D. Bravo 166, K. edwards 86, K. Powell 81, K. Brathwaite 68, a. Barath 62, M. Samuels 61; R. ashwin 5-156) INDIa 1st innings (overnight 281-3): g. gambhir c Baugh b Rampaul 55 V. Sehwag b Sammy 37 R. Dravid b Samuels 82 94 S. tendulkar c Sammy b Rampaul 32 V. Laxman c Samuels b f. edwards 52 V. Kohli c f. edwards b Bishoo MS Dhoni b Sammy 8 R. ashwin c Barath b Rampaul 103 5 I. Sharma c Bravo b Samuels 4 V. aaron b Samuels P. ojha not out 0 eXtRaS (b1, nb5, w4) 10 totaL (for all out; 135.4 overs) 482 fall of wickets: 1-67 (Sehwag), 2-138 (gambhir), 3-224 (Dravid), 4-287 (Laxman), 5-322 (tendulkar), 6-331 (Dhoni), 7-428 (Kohli), 8-455 (Sharma), 9-463 (aaron), 10-482 (ashwin). Bowling: f. edwards 28-4-116-1 (nb5), Rampaul 24.4-395-3 (w2), Sammy 26-3-90-2 (w2), Samuels 17-0-74-3, Bishoo 40-6-106-1. WeSt INDIeS 2nd innings: a. Barath c Laxman b ojha 3 34 K. Brathwaite not out 17 K. edwards st Dhoni b ojha D. Bravo not out 27 totaL (for two wickets; 34 overs) 81 fall of wickets: 1-3 (Barath), 2-30 (K. edwards). Bowling: ojha 15-2-27-2, Sharma 5-2-12-0, aaron 3-014-0, ashwin 8-0-20-0, Sehwag 2-0-3-0, tendulkar 1-0-5-0. toSS: West Indies UMPIReS: tony Hill (NZL) and Bruce oxenford (aUS) tV UMPIRe: Shavir tarapore (IND) MatcH RefeRee: David Boon (aUS)
cheering spectators suddenly fell silent at the 32,000-capacity stadium. With the spectators applauding each run from Tendulkar and chanting “Sa-chin, Sachin”, the batting star started the day with an attacking stroke when he flicked Rampaul past square-leg for a four in the opening over. Tendulkar, 67 overnight, continued to play attractive shots as he straight-drove Rampaul for a four and then uppercut paceman Fidel Edwards over the slips for a six to move into the nineties before the disaster struck. He smashed two sixes and eight fours in his 153-ball knock.
Abbottabad and Hyderabad played a tie while Karachi eased past Faisalabad in the U-19 National Women’s Cricket Championship on Friday at the Country Club Muridke. Karachi beat Faisalabad by four wickets. Faisalabad could score 68 runs and Karachi achieved the score of 69 losing six wickets. ScoReS: Abbottabad region U-19 – 94-8 in 20 overs: (Sehrish Sadiq 26*, 41 balls, 1x4, Ayesha Zaman 11*, 16 balls, Bakhtawar Baloch 2-22, Khadija Chishti 2-7) v Hyderabad region U-19 – 94 in 20 overs: (Khadija Chishti 47*, 40 balls, 6x4s, Sadia Bibi 2-13, Maria Sadiq 2-4) Player of the Match: Khadija Chishti (Hyderabad region) result: Match Tie, Toss: Abbottabad region U-19, Umpires: riffat Mustafa & Sameera Aftab, Match referee: Asif Aslam Khan, official Scorer: Sajjad-ul-Hasan. Faisalabad region U-19 68 in 18.4 overs: (Shagufta Parveen 33, 40 balls, 4x4s, rida Hussain 3-11, ramin Shamim 2-24) v Karachi region U-19 – 69-6 in 19.5 overs: (Nourin Asfar 30, 50 balls, 3x4s, Mariam Bukhari 21, 27 balls, 2x4s, Tehmina Aslam 3-20, Sadia Iqbal 2-10). Player of the Match: Nourin Asfar, result: Karachi region U-19 won by 4 wickets, Toss: Faisalabad region U-19, Umpires: Afia Amin & Shakeela rafiq, Match referee: Asif Aslam Khan, official Scorer: Sajjad-ul-Hasan.
PTv, University Club advance in PPL LAhORE Staff RePoRt
PTV and University Club Faisalabad won their matches in the 8th Pakistan Premier Football League on Friday. Army and Police played a draw at the Municipal Stadium, Rawalpindi, and similarly Mecca Floor Mills and ZTBL too even at the Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad and both the matches were goal-less. Meanwhile, PTV beat Railway 3-0 at the Jinnah Football Stadium, Islamabad with goals coming from forwards Hazrat Hussain in the 74th minute and Raza Ullah in the 82nd and 90th. On the other hand University FC Faisalabad beat Young Blood FC Sahiwal 3-1 at the Rai Ali Nawaz Football Stadium, Sahiwal. University Club got wins with the efforts of Muhammad Rahat who kicked two goals in the 23rd and 27th minutes and midfielder Usman Manzoor for sneaking past the rivals defence in the 76th minute. The losing team Young Blood reduced the score in the 80thminute through Mubashar.
Glory to WAPDA in National Cycling Championship LAhORE Staff RePoRt
WAPDA clinched the 59TH National Cycling Championship with eight gold medals here at the at the Cycling Velodrome. Army’s team gained the second spot while Sui Southern Gas Company’s contingent stood third. President Pakistan Cycling Federation Munawar Baseer Ahmad welcomed the participants at the closing ceremony and termed the competition as extremely successful during which the paddlers exhibited their skills in high spirits. He thanked Army for extending their complete support and termed them as exemplary hosts who managed the proceedings through flawless management. The winners and runner-up trophies were presented by the chief guest Major General Azeem Asif, GOC, Lahore. WAPDA’s Sabir Ali was declared new national champion who gained 85 points by bagging three gold medals alongwith a silver. During the pursuit
oVeRaLL MeDaLS aND PoINtS PoSItIoN SR. # 01. 02. 03. 04. 05. 06. 07. 08.
teaM wAPDA Army SSgC railways Punjab Balochistan Sindh Khyber PK
g 8 1 -
S 3 3 2 1 -
B 1 2 5 1 -
PtS 266 142 95 60 23 14 -
Mr. Ali also created two national records in the championship, one each in the four kms individual pursuit and 40 kms individual road time trial. He was conferred with the Shahzada Sharukh Challenge Trophy by Pakistan’s former Olympian legendry cyclist Shahzada Shahrukh. Mr. Naveed Ahmed also from WAPDA was declared the fastest cyclist of the championship. At the concluding the ceremony PCF’s Secy Syed Azhar Ali Shah thanked all the participants and announced that SSGC would be the host of 60th National Cycling Championship to be held in 2012.
The winners with chief guest Munawar Baseer.
04 NEWS Pages-NOV-26 (again final)_Layout 1 11/26/2011 2:09 AM Page 22
Saturday, 26 November, 2011
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Dysfunctional ministry exposes ‘good governance’ ISLAMABAD
T
IRfaN BUKHaRI
HE mismanagement and inefficiency of the government has virtually placed important national educational and medical institutions under a ‘paper-ministry’, as the government has failed to make the newly-created Ministry of National Regulations and Services fully functional despite the passage of around a month since its notification. Apparently to accommodate PPP and coalition parliamentarians on ministerial berths, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on October 26 created four new federal ministries with divisions, including the Ministries of National Heritage and Integration, Disaster Management, National Regulations and Services and Food Security and Research. However, the ministry exists only on paper, as it has no premises and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has also not appointed any minister, minister of state and parliamentary secretary for the ministry of National Regulations and Services. As the ministry has no office, no staff, allocation of budget by the Finance Division is simply out of question. Prime Minister Gilani appointed Ghulam Rasool Aphan as secretary for the ministry of National Regulations and Services on November 24, thirty days after the creation of the ministry. The other three ministries created on October 26 have become functional to some extent, as Mir Israrullah Zehri from Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A) was given the portfolio of the ministry of Food Security and Research, while Samina Khalid Ghurki of the PPP was made federal minister for National Heritage and Integration. Gilani has also not appointed a minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management, but the ministry is functioning under bureaucrats.
An official of the ministry of National Heritage and Integration also raised concern over the issue of understaffing in the ministry. “We have not been provided full staff and even budget for the ministry has not been allocated yet … the ministry was provided space in Evacuee Trust Building to establish office, but we were provided no funds to setup offices in the premises,” he said. The departments that come under the Ministry of National Regulations and Services include Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, Pakistan Council for Nursing, College of Physicians and Surgeons, National Councils for Tibb and Homeopathy, Pharmacy Council of Pakistan, international exchange of students and teachers, foreign studies and training, national association in medical and allied fields such as Pakistan Red Crescent Society and TB Association, directorate of central health establishment, Academy of Educational Planning and management, Central Board of Film Censor Islamabad, external examination and equivalence of degrees and diplomas, Commission for Standard Higher Education, Women and Chest Disease Hospital, Rawalpindi and Federal Government Tuberculosis Centre, Rawalpindi. “Today, these institutions have no mother ministry as they have been transferred from the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, while the Ministry of National Regulations does not exist on the ground,” an official of the ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination said. Another source in the government told Pakistan Today that the prime minister had failed to appoint federal ministers and state ministers for the ministries of disaster management and national regulations and services due to differences between coalition partners over securing ministerial berths. “One portfolio is likely to be given to the PML-Q while a PPP leader would be accommodated on the other,” he added.
LaHoRe: Supporters of the Pakistan People’s Party scuffle during the party’s foundation Day celebrations at aiwan-e-Iqbal on friday. INP
Govt gets two money bills passed as PML-N continues NA boycott ISLAMABAD Staff RePoRt
The National Assembly on Friday passed two money bills envisaging additional revenue measures of Rs 38 billion in the current fiscal year by imposing Gas Infrastructure Development Cess and Petroleum Levy on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Since PML-N legislators continued their boycott of the National Assembly proceedings for the second consecutive day, the government easily sailed through the passage of the bills despite PPP-S chief Aftab Sherpao asking it to defer the bills until the major opposition party joined the House, since the matter was of paramount public interest. However, two other opposition parties, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) and PPP-S distanced themselves from the PML-N boycott over the memo controversy, drawing a clear line between the opposition parties. “We are part of opposition group benches but will stand
with right decisions whether taken by the treasury or our colleagues in the opposition,” said JUI-F MNA Laiq Muhammad Khan, speaking on a point of order. Interestingly, despite his party’s boycott, PML-N member from Sargodha Shafqat Hayat Baloch was the sole PML-N member who remained present in the House and only got a clue of his party’s boycott when pointed out by Aftab Sherpao. Later, he also left the House as well. Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar informed the house that opposition had proposed some amendments to the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess Bill 2011, which the government would accommodate despite their boycott. Earlier, supporting the arguments of Sherpao, Rasheed Godil of the MQM and Kashmala Tariq of the PML-Q also opposed the passage of the bills on pretext that the bill was bulldozed by the finance standing committee and no member was informed of the agenda. However, treasury members Nazar
Gondal and Munir Orakzai opposed their views and said the committee had passed the bills unanimously and the meeting was also attended by PML-N members. Later, the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess Bill 2011 was passed unanimously while clause IV of the bill was rejected by the government. Responding to a point of order raised by Prince Mohyuddin, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani informed the National Assembly that the Finance Division had been directed to release Rs 1 billion to the National Highway Authority (NHA) to resume work on the Lowari Tunnel project. Nadeem Afzal Gondal of the PPP alleged that a young girl, Natasha, was raped in Taxila which fell under the constituency of Opposition leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, but no action had been taken against the culprits. He said the nation knew well how nurses were being treated and assaulted in Lahore for raising a voice for their rights.
Buried by Zia, Freemasons now haunt Punjab govt Banned secret society looks to recover prime properties taken over by government
g
LAhORE UMaIR aZIZ
Top government officials in Punjab are perturbed over a legal move by the Freemasons that can ultimately result in the loss of prime property currently under the possession of the Punjab government, Pakistan Today learnt on Friday. The Freemasons, one of the most mysterious and controversial societies across the world, were banned in Pakistan by former president Ziaul Haq under the Martial Law Regulation (MLR) 56 in 1983, charging them of “anti-state” and “anti-Islam” activities and handing over their moveable and immoveable assets to provincial governments with immediate effect. In
Punjab alone they possessed three prime properties: 90-The Mall (Lahore), 307 (Multan) and 1307 (Rawalpindi). At the time of partition, the estimated number of properties they possessed across Pakistan was around 30. However, what happened during Ziaul Haq’s regime was the epitome of a long going controversy starting in 1973 when the Punjab Assembly passed a resolution against Freemasons declaring their activities “anti-state” and “anti-Islam”. The federal government also took Punjab’s lead while Khan Abdul Qayum Khan, the interior minister at the time, declared them innocent. However, in 1973, the deputy commissioner of Lahore requisi-
Freemasons’ ‘Kothi Jadugar’, now known as 90-The Mall
tioned 90-The Mall for the Islamic Summit for two months and the deputy inspector general (DIG) office was set up there as a makeshift
arrangement, but the building was never returned even though the Lahore High Court (LHC) single and double bench decided in the
Freemasons’ favour. The government then moved the Supreme Court against the LHC verdict in 1978. Finally, Ziaul Haq took over and imposed a ban on the Freemasons, while in 1986 the Supreme Court decided that the issue was no more as the MLR 56 had been given legal cover under the 8th Amendment in 1985 and told the Freemasons to appeal at a “proper forum” in case of any grievances. Since the term “proper forum” has not been defined in any law, the Freemasons wrote to various high offices such as successive presidents and prime ministers, including both Nawaz Sharif and the late Benazir Bhutto, but did not receive any reply. Finally in 1995, Freemason Kabir A Sheikh and five others filed a writ petition (8907/95) challenging the MLR 56, pleading that they were a philanthropist organisation
Published by Arif Nizami for Nawa Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore.
while building their argument around the history and legal status of 90-The Mall, at the time under the use of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. According to court records, Freemasons, all residents of the provincial capital, filed the writ petition through their counsel Dr Khalid Ranjha against the Punjab government, which was represented by the additional advocate general. During the course of the case, the Interior Ministry had also filed its comments on the issue saying that the available material showed the Freemasons were involved in “anti-state” and “antiIslam” activities, to which Freemasons submitted an affidavit declaring that they practiced Islam as a religion and their beliefs were similar to common Muslims. ContinueD on Page 04