E-paper Pakistantoday LHR 3rd February, 2012

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rs15.00 Vol ii no 218

pakistantoday.com.pk

22 pages lahore — edition

Friday, 3 February, 2012 rabi-ul-awal 10, 1433

SC summons PM on February 13, says his counsel failed to convince court that president has immunity g Gilani can still save himself by apologising and implementing court’s orders g

ISLAMABAD

P

MASOOD REhMAn

RIME Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani stands in the dock to face contempt of court charges as the seven-member special bench of the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday to indict him on February 13, after the judges did not agree to his counsel Aitzaz Ahsen’s arguments that contempt had not taken place.

The bench, headed by Justice Nasirul Mulk, on Thursday summoned Prime Minister Gilani on February 13 to indict him with contempt of court for not implementing its orders in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case, requiring the government to write a letter to the Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari.

It is the second time in the country’s history that the SC has brought contempt charges against an incumbent PM. According to constitutional experts, the move plunges a fragile government

deeper into a crisis that could force early elections within months.

The bench, also comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Ather Saeed, decided to indict Gilani after Ahsen failed to convince it that President Zardari enjoyed complete immunity under Article 248 of the constitution. It has been a clear position of the government that it would not write the letter against its own president, who is also co-chairman of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which - the president had himself announced - had decided against writing the letter. “The party has decided not to write the letter, come what may,” the president had said in a TV interview.

After the court decision, the coalition government is in a difficult political situation which may end up in a crisis in case Gilani is convicted. This may push other political parties to call for fresh Continued on page 19

aitzaz will appeal pM’S indiCtMent | page 22

I went to SC before, Cornered govt may review POL prices I’ll go again: PM ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD IRFAn BukhARI

Asking all state institutions to work within their constitutional limits, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani announced on Thursday that he would appear in the Supreme Court on February 13 to face contempt of court proceedings.

“I was summoned earlier and I appeared before the court… now the court has summoned me again and I will appear before it,” he said during his address in the National Assembly. He said if all institutions worked within their ambit defined in the Constitution of 1973, they would earn no criticism.

Responding to Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s concerns over the 20th Constitutional Amendment, Prime Minister Gilani said the government was trying to strengthen all institutions.

He said the government would welcome the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)’s recommendations for the 20th Amendment. He also said all state institutions were answerable to parliament.

On the recent increase in prices of petroleum products, the premier said a select committee of the House should be formed to have negotiations with Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

SC right to indiCt gilani: legal expertS | page 03

Under tremendous pressure from the opposition as well as its allies, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government on Thursday supported a resolution for the reversal of the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products.

The National Assembly unanimously adopted a joint resolution to that effect, tabled by the largest opposition party - the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) - with the support of all parliamentary groups in the House.

The resolution called for immediate withdrawal of the notifica-

tion increasing the prices of petroleum products. It stated that the increase would have a serious impact on the common man and also suggested that a House committee make the necessary recommendations to bring down the prices in a week’s time.

Earlier, National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said if the government was aware of the woes of the people then it should support the resolution.

“First we should do legislation on the matters concerning the public and then go for the 20th Constitutional Amendment to give legal cover to by-elections during the time of the incomplete Election Commis-

sion of Pakistan,” he said.

He termed the justification given by the government for the increase in the petroleum prices “absurd”, as the revision in the international prices had not been reflected in the domestic prices. Nisar said the people had been subjected to fraud by the economic managers of the country for the last 10 years by raising the prices of oil products. “In the last 10 years, the oil prices saw upward revision 200 times, whereas only on a few occasions were the prices brought down,” Nisar said, adding that the figures presented by the government were completely bogus.

Continued on page 04

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02 News

friday, 3 february 2012

lAHOrE

Today’s

nEwS

fOrEIGn nEwS

World must help Pakistan repatriate Afghan refugees: PM

Facebook friends Wall Street with planned $5b IPO

Story on Page 05

Story on Page 17

Quick Look

Story on Page 07

‘Pakistan needs to ratify two conventions to get Aafia released’ ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui could only take place if Pakistan could become a party to either the Convention on the Council of Europe Convention on Transfer of Sentenced Persons (CEO Convention) or the InterAmerican Convention on Serving Criminal Sentences Abroad (OAS Convention).

This was disclosed by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in a written reply to the Senate on Thursday. Giving the present status of Aafia’s case, she said that the Pakistani consul general in Houston, US visited the FMC Carswell Prison on April 15, August 8 and November 22, 2011 to meet Aafia. During those visits, he discussed the inmate’s various concerns about her condition of detention with prison authorities, who took appropriate action to allay most of these concerns.

The Pakistani Embassy and the consulate general were also able to arrange telephone calls between Aafia and her family in Karachi, Khar said.

She told the House that Aafia’s brother Ali Siddiqui was able to meet her on November 5, 2011. During the consul general’s visits to FMC Carswell, Aafia mentioned to him that she was suffering from poor health.

The consul general conveyed the concerns to prison authorities who responded that they tried to provide medical attention to Aafia but she refused to cooperate. Pakistani Ambassador to the US Sherry Rehman received Aafia’s lawyer Tina Foster on 26 January and assured her full cooperation.

Gilani, PPP core group discuss SC order in contempt case ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The senior leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday reviewed the situation following the Supreme Court verdict to indict Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for contempt of court, discussing all possible options available to the government.

The core group of the party met here in the prime minister’s chambers at Parliament House, with Gilani in the chair. Aitezaz Ahsen, the party’s senior leader and counsel for the premier in the contempt case, briefed the meeting on the court order, its political and legal implications and all legal and political options available to the government to avert disqualification of the chief executive of the country.

A source told Pakistan Today that during the meeting, Prime Minister Gilani said he had appeared in court in the recent past and would do so again on February 13. “Unlike past governments, we have respected the court orders and would do so in future,” the source quoted the prime minister as saying.

Apart from Ahsen, Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah, Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira, former water and power minister Raja Parvez Ashraf and Leader of the House in the Senate Nayyar Hussain Bukhari attended the meeting.However, when contacted, the officials in the prime minister’s media team said no such meeting had taken place.

ATTOCk: Pakistan Railway employees demolish encroachments on Railways land during a campaign on Thursday. ONLINE

No early respite from power cuts Hydroelectric generation increased but 8-10 hours of outages persist g PEPCO fails to increase power generation from IPPs g Payments to IPPs only solution to end outages g

LAHORE nAuMAn TASlEEM

T

HE current wave of load shedding could continue even in the ongoing month, as PEPCO has failed to enhance electricity production from thermal generation sources and Independent Power Producers, sources told Pakistan Today. Electricity production from oil and gas in the current year has dropped considerably compared to last year.

Sources said if PEPCO managed to increase power production from IPPs, the spell of load shedding could end or decrease early, otherwise there was no chance of reduction in load shedding hours in

February. Although PEPCO held the decreased hydel generation responsible for load shedding, but the company had in fact failed to enhance power generation from IPPs and thermal resources leading to massive outages.

The Hydel generation has increased, but 8-10 hours of outages are still being carried out.

Currently, the power shortfall is more than 2,500MW and is being bridged through 8 to 10 hours of load shedding across the country.

Statistics available with Pakistan Today reveal that power generation on January 31 remained 10,300MW, with thermal sources producing 1,650MW, IPPs 4,800MW, hydel generation 3,650MW and rental power plants

200MW. However in the previous year, the power generation was more than the current level in the same period.

It remained 11,085MW with a shortfall of 1,355MW as thermal sources gave 1,888MW, IPPs 5,330MW, hydel generation 3,803MW and rental plants 62MW. “So this year, production is around 800MW lesser than the last year and it is only because of a decrease in power production from IPPs,” a senior officer of the Ministry of Water and Power said, adding that if PEPCO did not increase power production in the coming days from oil and gas, the current wave of load shedding would continue. He said there was nothing wrong with hydel genera-

tion, as canals had been opened and hydel generation was more than enough. “If you compare last year’s hydel generation with the current year’s statistics, it is evident that fault is with PEPCO’s management of the IPPs,” he said, adding that last year load shedding during the same period was not more than of four hours.

Another official of the ministry said the circular debt of the power sector had crossed the Rs 400 billion mark and was increasing by the day. He said it was the very reason that power generation from IPPs could not be increased.

He said more funds were available last year for payment to the IPPs, but the situation was not encouraging this year.

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friday, 3 february 2012

ArtS & EntErtAInMEnt

SPOrtS

Its ‘game over’ for Deepika

Misbah fancies historic 3-0 whitewash

News 03

COMMEnt PM in the dock: Contempt of court.

Aiding the Taliban: New leaks to deal with.

Fahd husain says: Power plays: Our big and little Caesars.

Agha Akbar says: Pakistan cricket’s benefactors: Let’s thank our miseries.

Qudssia Akhlaque says: M&M: the misguided missiles: On no-shows Musharraf and Mansoor.

Story on Page 15

Story on Page 18

Senate passes bill on women’s status ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Prof Khurshid Ahmad fell singled out in the Upper House on Thursday, as treasury and opposition members, particularly women, unanimously passed the National Commission on the Status of Women Bill, 2012 without considering his demands for clarifications on some clauses.

The bill aims to improve women’s lives, ensure gender equality and promote their social, economic, political and legal rights as promised in the constitution.

Prof Khurshid was of the opinion that the bill needed further vetting and clarity on some specific points, such as the definition of women’s rights, and the criteria for appointing the commission’s chairperson. He asked the Senate chairman to refer the bill to the relevant committee for further fine-tuning, but other members wanted to pass the bill “as early as possible to give women their due status in the society”. Senator Humayun Khan Mandokhel believed that the Federal Legislative List does not contain the subject upon which the legislation was made.

The National Assembly has already passed the bill. Under the bill, a National Commission on the Status of Women would be set up to review all laws affecting the status and rights of women.

The commission would also suggest, repeal, amend or make new laws to eliminate discrimination against women and promote their interests to achieve gender equality.

According to the bill, the commission’s chairperson shall be a woman with at least 15 years of professional experience on women’s rights.

The commission’s remaining members would include two from each province, of which at least one member shall be a woman, and one female member each from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, and minorities.

Ex-officio members — representatives of the ministries of Law, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Interior and the ministry concerned with women’s rights with an official grade not below BPS-20 — shall not have the right to vote. A person shall not be appointed as a member unless he or she is 30 years of age with at least five years of working experience on women’s rights.

The bill says: “The prime minister shall, in consultation with the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, forward three names of each post to a parliamentary committee for hearing and confirmation of any person for each post; in case there is no consensus between the prime minister and leader of the opposition, each shall forward separate lists to the parliamentary committee.”

Quick Look

Articles on Page 12-13

SC right to indict Gilani: legal experts g

Today’s

Appeal, ask for mercy or obey – the three options left with the PM ISLAMABAD MIAn ABRAR

R

ESPONDING to the Supreme Court decision to indict Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani on contempt of court changes for refusing to pursue corruption cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, legal experts on Thursday said the decision by the apex court was correct under law but that the PM had options open to avoid conviction.

The SC has summoned Gilani on February 13 to frame charges against him. Talking to Pakistan Today, Justice (r) Wajihuddin Ahmed said, “Following the sevenmember bench order, the prime minister may opt to file an intracourt appeal the ten judges who are not part of the sitting bench. If he gets a stay order against the sevenmember bench decision, the matter will be closed. But if his appeal is rejected, he will have to appear before the court on February 13.”

He said after the SC frames charges against Gilani, his fate will rest on court orders which will decide his future. “If PM Gilani is disqualified under Article 63(1) (g) of the Constitution, he will immediately be disqualified as member

of national assembly. In this case, there will be no need to write to the National Assembly Speaker or chief election commissioner, and the court order will be enough to disqualify him. He said that if the PM fails to appear before the court on the set date, he faced a worse fate. “In case he fails to appear before the court, the court may declare him an absconder,” he added.

Another retired judge, Fakharuddin G Ebrahim, said there was no doubt that the PM had refused to implement court orders which constituted contempt. He said, “The law is equal for all whether it is prime minister or a lay man. Even the country’s chief executive should respect court orders.” He said the court had exercised restraint and had been reasonable. He said it had even gone out of the way to accommodate Gilani. “The decision was according to legal norms and the constitution,” he asserted.

Asked what options were left with Gilani, Ebrahim said that the PM can inform the court that he was unable to implement the order due to personal constraints. “He may also submit unconditional apology and state that he will write the letter to Swiss authorities in

accordance with court orders,” he said, “alternately, he may also submit an appeal to a larger bench against the seven-member bench order.”

However, he agreed with Aitzaz Ahsan that even if Gilani was convicted, he will not be automatically disqualified. “Set down procedure will have to be followed if Gilani is convicted. If so, the national assembly speaker will have to send a reference to the chief election commissioner that Gilani stands disqualified after being convicted by the court. The election commission will then disqualify him which means he will also have to relinquish the office of prime minister.”

Tariq Mehmood said the PM’s fate will be decided by the court itself. “Let’s see what charges are framed against Gilani. If the court takes the views that the PM disobeyed the court, he might be able to remain in office. But if the court says that Gilani had ridiculed the court, he may have to relinquish his office after being disqualified.”

Asked what options were left with Gilani, Mehmood said that he may file an appeal against the court order. “Otherwise, he might have to seek mercy from the court,” he concluded.

PM will go to SC whenever asked: Firdous ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The PPP believes in supremacy of rule of law and will continue to respect superior courts’ orders, Information Minister Firdaos Ashiq Awan said on Thursday.

Addressing a gathering at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on the occasion of Iranian Cultural exhibition, the information minister said

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had appeared in the court earlier and would comply with the orders of SC whenever it called him.

“The prime minister came out triumphant from the Supreme Court earlier, and if the court summons him again, the result will be the same,” Firdous said.

“We will be successful not in the court of Supreme Court but also in the courts of Allah and the public,” she said.

Centre asks Punjab to rein in proscribed organisations ISLAMABAD IRFAn BukhARI

Expressing displeasure on the failure of the Punjab government to implement the federal government’s directions to check the activities of banned religious outfits, the interior ministry has written a letter to Punjab Chief Secretary Nasir Mahmood Khosa instructing that the provincial government control the free-rein of proscribed organisations in the province. The letter sent by secretary interior KM Siddiq Akbar, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today, says, “This is in continuation of my earlier letter and with reference to public gathering in Rawalpindi on December 22, 2011 held under auspicious of ‘Difa-e-Pakistan Council.’”

“I, with a heavy heart, bring it to your notice that apparently no heed has been paid to the contents of my earlier letter and the activities of proscribed organizations have continued unabated and unchecked. This is very unfortunate and the attitude needs to be reviewed,” the letter adds.

The Secretary Interior said that it is expected that due vigilance shall be maintained and no proscribed organization or person shall be allowed to violate law with impunity due to the slackness of the provincial government’s law enforcement authorities.

A government source told Pakistan Today that the letter had been written on Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s directions imparted during the cabinet meeting on February 1 (Wednesday) when Human Resource Development minister of state Sheikh Waqas Akram raised concerns over the unabated movement of banned religious outfits in Punjab and holding public processions from the platform of Difa-e-Pakistan Council.

The copy of the letter sent previously on September 23, 2011 is also attached with the fresh letter which states that “I am constrained to point out that activities of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi are increasing day-byday and despite the fact that it is a proscribed organisation, its leadership and workers are moving freely without any legal action. Most of these organisations have been placed under schedule-IV of ATA-I997 (list attached). It has also come to our notice that Lashkar-e-Jhangvi outlets are reportedly being funded by Zakat funds which needs a clarification and confirmation if so.

The Interior Minister desires that the matter be kindly brought to the notice of the Punjab Chief Minister.”

Taliban ambush kills 3 policemen PESHAWAR AGEnCIES

Taliban militants armed with guns and grenades ambushed a police patrol in Lakki Marwat district on Thursday, killing three officers and wounding another, police said.

Police said eight to 10 Taliban fighters ambushed a police vehicle on a routine patrol near the Buland Khel area in the Shahbaz Khel Police precincts, first by hurling a grenade and then opening fire with Kalashnikov assault rifles after policemen tried to retaliate. “Three policemen were killed and one was injured. Taliban militants later escaped,” Mohammad Gulzar, the district police chief, told AFP. Gulzar said Taliban were hiding on both sides of the road and escaped in two vehicles after the attack. The slain policemen were identified as Jan Muhammad, Munawar and Zahidullah and the injured one was identified as Islam-ud-Din.

ISlAMABAD: Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan inaugurates an Islamic cultural and artistic exhibition.

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04 News Aitzaz Ahsen will appeal PM’s indictment Continued FroM page 22 Yaseen Azad also expressed apprehensions that the situation was heading towards a constitutional crisis after the court’s February 2 decision.

He questioned why the court always issued notices to the civilian prime ministers and never to military heads of state, as in the case of General (r) Musharraf, who abrogated the constitution twice.

“The Army Act is not above the constitution and I still believe that the real political

force in the country is the army,” he added. He said the court’s verdict in the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) case had almost completely been implemented, except for the letter to the Swiss authorities. He said one more opportunity should have been given to the premier to submit his stance. He suggested the government write the letter because the country could not afford confrontation among its chief institutions.

friday, 3 february, 2012

Cornered government Police seeks record from PM’s Continued FroM page 1 Secretariat regarding anthrax parcel ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Islamabad City Police on Thursday approached the Prime Minister’s Secretariat requesting the PM’s security staff to give them the parcel containing anthrax, which was allegedly sent to the PM by a woman from Jamshoro, Sindh, for investigation.

Sources said that a request had been sent to the PM’s Sec-

retariat for getting the said anthrax-filled letter for expediting investigation into the matter.

The Secretariat Police on Tuesday had registered an FIR against unidentified people, who apparently in an assassination attempt had sent a parcel containing ‘anthrax’ to the PM’s Secretariat for PM Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. The envelope was sent from the Sindh University Campus Colony, Jamshoro, and received at the PM’s Secretariat

on December 18, 2011. On Wednesday, PM Secretariat Administration Deputy Secretary Abdul Hafeez lodged an application with the Secretariat Police for registration of a FIR against the unidentified sender.

According to sources, a female associate professor of Jamshoro University allegedly posted the said anthrax-filled letter to the PM. But police said that after getting the said letter they would start proper investigation.

He dubbed the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) ‘Jugga Tax’ (extortion tax), which had been charged to all sections of society for the luxuries of government functionaries.

Earlier, on a calling-attention notice, lawmakers from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) benches criticised the increase in petroleum prices and lashed out at Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain for announcing the increased prices before the

due date, which they said gave undue advantage to dealers of petroleum products.

Dr Hussain said the Petroleum Ministry had nothing to do with the price increase as the matter purely pertained to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), which was an independent body that fixed prices. During the proceedings, the power to the National Assembly went out due to technical reasons and the House went dark for some time.

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friday, 3 february, 2012

News 05

Civilians to control Upper Swat from March PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

Military authorities in Swat have decided to handover the administration to civil authorities in Upper Swat by mid-March, Pakistan Today has learnt. According to details, the army’s meeting was held under the Malakand GOC’s chair, which decided that in the first stage, civil administration in Upper Swat including Kalam, Bahrain and Madian will be handed over until March 12.

According to sources, the meeting also decided to deploy ladies searchers at Dargai check post and come up with tangible steps to enhance the capacity of both the Chitral Police and Levies in the area. It was also decided to handover Malakand’s administration to civilians by mid 2012.

Peace was prevailing in the region after the successful military operation in Swat in 2008-09 due to which the military administration decided to handover control to civilians in a phases.

Punjab CM opens rahim Yar Khan industrial estate RAHIM YAR KHAn PRESS RElEASE

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated Rahim Yar Khan Industrial Estate on Thursday. The 500 acre industrial estate is located on N-5 highway, near Bhahdurpur Chowk, Sadiqabad. It falls at the junction of 3 provinces, making it suitable for industry. The estate is a project of Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company. The project is estimated to be able to create 60,000 thousand jobs in Southern Punjab. Talking to local chamber of commerce members, Shahbaz said the Punjab government desires to develop Southern Punjab.

4 killed as passenger van plunges into canal BAWALnAGAR nnI

At least four persons were killed while three others were injured when a passenger van plunged into a canal on Thursday. Police said the van was on traveling from Manchan Abad to Deepalpur when it plunged into a canal causing the casualties. Rescue teams and police reached the spot and shifted the injured and bodies to the nearby hospital.

Investigations of the incident have started.

lITTlE ACROBATS: Three boys perform acrobatics on a trampoline at a park in Peshawar. INP

World must help Pakistan repatriate Afghan refugees: PM g

Gilani says Afghan refugees’ return essential in winning war on terrorism ISLAMABAD

P

GnI

RIME Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday asked the international community to help in the honourable repatriation of Afghan

refugees.

Talking to Antonio Guterres, UN high commissioner for Afghan refugees, at the Prime Minister’s House, Gilani complained about the lack of support from the international community in repatriating the refugees. “It seems the international community has forgotten the Afghan refugees,” Gilani said.

The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process in the war-torn country that would not destabilise Pakistan. He said the return

of the Afghan refugees to their native country was important in the war against terror, as some 30,000 to 40,000 Afghans cross the PakistanAfghanistan border and make it impossible for the authorities to distinguish between a tourist and a terrorist.

He said the Pakistani people and the democratic government had the resolve and capacity to defeat the terrorist forces, and the safe return of Afghan refugees to their homeland would help in this pursuit.

The UN high commissioner praised Pakistan’s hospitality to over three million Afghan refugees, who escaped the Soviet invasion in 1979. He said the UN agency was reaching out to the international community to invest in 48 identified areas within Afghanistan which would encourage the Afghan refugees to permanently return to their native coun-

try and avail attractive job opportunities.

Guterres also urged the Pakistani government to register all the

UN overhauls Afghan refugee strategy refugee agency head says agency to invest in communities, health and education to create more attractive conditions for return, and support host communities in Iran and Pakistan g

ISLAMABAD AFP

The UN refugee agency is overhauling its strategy to help Afghans returning to the war-torn country in a bid to stop them becoming destitute, and to focus on sustainable reintegration.

UNHCR head Antonio Guterres told AFP that 10 years after the US-led invasion and with 5.7 million refugees having returned since 2002, the United Nations no longer wants to restrict its aid to individuals who return. Instead it will invest in communities, health and education in order to create more attractive conditions for return, and support host communities in Iran and Pakistan to preserve asylum space and ease the sharing of resources.

Three million registered Afghan refugees still live in exile. The lack of jobs, food and shelter and the volatile security situation in many parts of the country makes it difficult for those who want to return. The

number of Afghans coming back has fallen as security has worsened and fighting has intensified between NATO and the Taliban.

“We have witnessed a considerable reduction of the number of Afghans that went back home, last year only 52,000, when in the past we have helped more 3.7 million

people go back from Pakistan into Afghanistan,” Guterres said. Afghans were not only leaving for neighbouring countries “but everywhere in the world” and in Europe “we are particularly worried with the rising number of unaccompanied minors”.

Guterres said UNHCR would invest in

education, health, water, sanitation and income generation – “supporting communities in order for them to be able to integrate those who come”. His comments come a month after the UNHCR representative in Afghanistan, Peter Nicolaus, told AFP that the agency’s strategy in the war-torn country since 2002 had been the agency’s “biggest mistake”. Many returning Afghan refugees are homeless or live in slums under tarpaulin. Nicolaus said the international community had failed to help them find a means of earning a living and therefore reintegrating into society. Guterres said the new strategy, approved this week at talks in Dubai between the Afghan, Iranian and Pakistani governments, would be unveiled at an international conference scheduled for early May in Switzerland. “We hope to have several innovative solutions allowing for the international communities to be more effective and more pro-active in supporting both the Afghans in Afghanistan and the host communities in Iran and Pakistan,” he said.

refugees, saying that non-registered immigrants should not be treated as refugees under UN rules.

5 militants killed in Darra, 8 arrested DARRA ADAM KHEL: Five militants were killed in military operation in Darra Adam Khel and Akkai areas and took control of key locations on Thursday, security officials said. Security forces also recovered huge cache of weapons in a search operation and arrested 8 suspected militants. Recovered weapons included suicide jackets and landmines. Security forces took full control of key militant bases at Toor Chapar, Marchakai Sar, Zaitoon Morcha and Speen Qabar in Darra Adam Khel.

Militant commanders Kasha, Kaka, Babu, Fazal Wahab and Haider Mulla were reported to have been killed in the clashes. OnlInE

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06 News

friday, 3 february, 2012

PIA steward arrested in London, airline unaware

g

UK Home Ministry website says PIA crew member was arrested attempting to smuggle dozens of counterfeit passports, fake passport materials into UK ISLAMABAD

A

OnlInE

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesman on Thursday said he was unaware of any arrest of its crew by the UK Border Agency, though official website of the UK Home Ministry confirmed the arrest.

According to the home office website, an airline crew member who attempted to smuggle dozens of counterfeit passports and fake passport materials into the UK, had been jailed for more than two and a half years.

Asif Haroon, 41, from Lahore, was arrested by UK Border Agency officers as he passed through the crew clearance controls at Heathrow on 25 November 2011, the site claimed. “He had arrived as

a steward on a Pakistan International Airlines flight from Karachi.”

When contacted for his official version, PIA spokesman Syed Sultan Hassan told Online that no one was arrested.

Nevertheless, when he was intimated that the UK home ministry claimed that Haroon of the PIA had been arrested, Hasaan said the PIA was not informed officially. “Those who have made the arrest may know it.

But then why were we

not informed?” he asked.

The UK Border Agency said concealed under his clothes Haroon was found to be carrying an envelope containing 39 Pakistan passports with counterfeit bio data pages or with bio data pages removed, around 250 counterfeit UK residence permits and a range of counterfeit UK passport components including bio data pages, laminates and holograms.

Haroon admitted that he knew what was in the package and admitted being paid

All PIA officials to travel in economy class LAHORE: As part of austerity measures, the PIA management has decided that all categories of officers/officials including the PIA managing director, who are entitled to travel in business class or economy plus will now travel in economy class on domestic and international routes while traveling on official duty/Corporation Business (OCS). A PIA spokesman on Thursday said the decision had been implemented with immediate effect. However, all other terms and conditions of traveling facilities of employees remained unchanged, he said. STAFF REPORT around £800 for smuggling the items.

He later pleaded guilty to charges of possessing false identity documents and possessing articles for making false identity documents.

The site also quote senior investigating officer Charlie Monks, from the UK Border Agency’s Heathrow criminal and financial investigation team, saying during a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on Janu-

ary 31, he was sentenced to 32 months in prison, and was recommended for deportation following his sentence.

“There is no doubt in my mind that had Haroon not been stopped by our officers these documents would have ended up being used to create false identities, or help people work, claim benefits or stay illegally in the UK,” the officer was noted as saying on the official website.

Damaged Swat Museum to get new building PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

After peace has returned to the militancy affected Swat valley, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has finalised plan to construct a new Swat Museum building.

KP Minister for Tourism, Archeology, Museum and Tourism Aqil Shah will lay the foundation stone of the new building on February 7. The building will be constructed with the financial support of the Italy government.

It must be remembered that the historic Swat Museum, located on Mingora-Saidu Sharif Road, had been hit by a bomb explosion in December 2008. The bomb had also damaged the boys hostel of historic Government Jehanzeb College Saidu Sharif.

After the bombing, officials shifted most Swat Museum artifacts to Taxila and other museums in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. After the passing of 18th amendment, Swat Museum assets will be returned to Swat and Peshawar.

The Swat valley is considered the centre of the Ghandhara civilisation and the Swat Museum was once considered rich for Ghandhara civilisation artifact. The KP government is working to develop a plan to preserve Ghandhara civilization artifacts and other archeological sites in the province.

GIVE uS PERMAnEnT JOBS! karachi heart and Disease workers sit on Shahrah-e-Pakistan during a demonstration for a raise in salaries and permanent jobs. ONLINE

Firdous jumpstarts Pakistan’s true-face plan S RAHMAn Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has proved to be a visionary by spearheading the creation of the 17-point Pakistan’s true-face programme to be pursued with the active participation of media as well as press officers posted abroad, particularly in Western countries, for which purpose the Information Ministry recently conducted a capacity-building consultative conference.

It was the brainchild of the minister and she must be congratulated for conceiving such a comprehensive exercise that aims at rebuilding Pakistan’s image, correcting the world perceptions about our country in line with our actual realities. It was needed

decades ago and its need became more compelling in the wake of negative propaganda unleashed with perseverance by Pakistan’s adversaries both on the eastern border and in the rest of the world.

Now, who does not know that the Western world in particular had started painting quite an ugly picture of Pakistan, projecting it as some medieval state that knows no civilisation or the basic concept of peaceful coexistence? Actual facts are altogether different from this projected (ugly) image.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s government, especially Information Minister Dr Awan, acted very wisely and timely to arrest this decline of our national image and took the initiative of enhancing the abilities of our

press officers posted in our embassies besides giving them the targets to achieve without being let down by challenges coming from different directions.

Equal stress was laid down during the Information Ministry’s consultative conference organised by its External Publicity Wing, to ensure orientation of journalists through press officers to enable them to have access at international level and promote the country’s image abroad.

Elaborating this point, Dr Awan has disclosed that the participants of the conference were of the view that interaction of senior journalists and intellectuals from Pakistan with think tanks of other countries would help project Pakistan’s point of view on the issues of national importance.

Taliban return seen as unlikely threat in reshaped Afghanistan KABUL REuTERS

Among the snippets in a secret NATO report detailing the hopes of jailed Taliban militants to retake Afghanistan was news that the Taliban movement had set up telephone hotlines for Afghans to report anonymously on failures of its shadow government.

Clearly a decade of war with NATO has not dented the ambitions of the Taliban rank and file, or those of their one-eyed leader Mullah Omar, to again govern the country they ruled for about five years before being swept from power by US-led forces in 2001. But reclaiming Afghanistan, however persistent the insurgency has proved for NATO on the battlefield, would be no easy task for the Taliban after 10 years in which the expectations of many Afghans have undergone a seismic shift. While Afghans routinely bemoan the state of their country, its endemic corruption, lack of security and crippled development, Kabul’s potholed roads are now choked with cars, high-rise developments dot the city and people crowd a small but growing number of internet cafes to connect to the world.

The Taliban sprang to power in the wake of a vicious civil war that itself erupted in the Soviet rush to get out of the country, leaving behind a power vacuum in Kabul. In the fighting that set former president Burhanuddin Rabbani and his military commander Ahmad Shah Masood against the forces of rival anti-Soviet warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, two thirds of Kabul was razed and about 50,000 civilians died. Thousands of women and children were raped and tortured.

The austere Taliban, with their medieval system of justice and punishment – including hangings, oppression of women and amputating the limbs of thieves – swept away the chaos of warlord rule with a brutally effective brand of law and order. President Hamid Karzai, whose government has been tarnished by accusations of corruption, incompetence and autocratic rule, has repeatedly said the key to preventing a Taliban re-emergence is creating jobs and opportunities for the poor. And while Afghans largely feel they have seen little improvement, gross domestic product growth exceeded 12 percent in 2007 before slipping to 3.4 percent in 2008, and roaring to 22.5 percent in 2009 and 8.2 percent in 2010, albeit off a low base.

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They forget because they have Alzheimer’s, what’s our excuse?

PAGE 08

‘Fine, fine take the ministries’ g g

Welcome to lahore, Shahdara

CM lets go of 8 ministries keeps the other 10 including health PPP says this eyewash won’t make a huge difference to Punjab LAHORE

S

STAFF REPORT

TICKING to his guns, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has retained the Health Ministry and has shed off eight additional ministries on Thursday, Pakistan Today has learnt.

The CM has been facing a lot of criticism over concentrating power and offices in his person and especially for retaining the health portfolio after the recent deaths of patients from spurious drugs in Punjab. Many critics said due to concentration of all important powers with the CM, important policy decisions take time to be taken and implemented.

Per details, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has got the additional charge of the Community Development Ministry. The Information Ministry has been given to Pervaiz whereas Saeed Mehdi will be in charge of the Management and Professional Development Ministry. Moreover, the Energy Department has been given to Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, Telecommunications to Ahmed Ali, while Manshallah Butt will be the in-charge of the Food Department. Per further details, Jehanzaib Burki has been made the CM’s advisor on prosecution while Ahsanudin Qureshi will handle the affairs of housing and urban development department.

Senior bureaucrats seeking anonymity said the decision has come in the wake of severe media criticism on Shahbaz’s holding so many portfolios, while even the LHC had issued notifi-

cation to the CM in this regard.

EYEWASH: “The reshuffling of ministries by the CM is eyewash and it will not have a positive impact on the province,” said Coordinator to President Zardari for Punjab Naveed Chaudhry.

While talking to Pakistan Today, he said the CM had appointed technocrats, senators and federally-elected people as members of the provincial cabinet and it will not bring any positive change in Punjab. “Shahbaz does not have confidence in his provincial members and is looking for other people,” he said adding that by appointing technocrats the CM had disgraced the mandate of people. “He should have appointed elected persons instead of going for technocrats,” he said.

To a question regarding the giving of additional charges to ministers, he said Rana Sana had been given additional charge of Local government and this was not a fair step as LG required a full time minister. “Shahbaz Sharif is following the footsteps of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi by giving additional charge of Local Bodies Ministry to a the law minister but unfortunately Shahbaz could not find a suitable person,” he added. He said Shahbaz had kept the Health Ministry to himself, which showed his stubbornness and inflexibility.

“It is a million dollar question that why he (Shahbaz) is insisting on keeping the Health Ministry?” he added.

g

ravi toll Plaza to be relocated to Kala Shah Kaku today, making Shahdara an ‘official’ part of lahore LAHORE YASIR hABIB

Shahdara Toll Plaza, also known as Ravi Toll Plaza, will be relocated today at Kala Shah Kaku after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will announce to shift the toll plaza to Kala Shah Kaku to fulfil the long-standing demand of the people.

With the relocation, Shahdara will no more be a locality separate from Lahore and people will not have to pay tax to enter and exit Lahore City from Shahdara. Erection of Shahdara Toll Plaza that divided Lahore from Shahdara on 1967 was similar to that of Berlin Wall that bifurcated Germany into West Germany and East Germany. “Shifting of toll plaza is a landmark move which will be remembered all days to come,” Rehan Guddu, a resident of Shahdara told Pakistan Today. “We will mark February 3 as “Freedom Day” with the same spirit as the people of Berlin celebrate Berlin Wall Fall”, he added.

PPP leader and chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board Asif Hashmi said the PPP government had promised to get Shahdara people rid of the toll plaza and the premier would fulfil this commitment today. He said the people of NA-118, which covered a highly populated area comprising several colonies situated near the Ravi bed, were grateful of the president and the prime minister for facilitating them.

There are three bridges on River Ravi - Sagian Bridge, Old Ravi Bridge and Shahdara Bridge. Every bridge has a toll plaza and now all of them have been declared as tax-free for the residents of Shahdara.

The people have been demanding to shift Ravi Toll Plaza since its construction in 1967 at the cost of approximately Rs 50 million. In 2006, former city nazim Mian Amer Mehmood had also proposed for exempting Shahdara residents from paying toll tax at Ravi Bridge.

He had forwarded the proposal to the provincial govt for approval but the move could not be materialised.

But the constitution won’t accept ‘imported’ drug tests!

Isotab confirmed spurious by UK lab, however, action can only be initiated against the manufacturers if a local lab does so too LAHORE: The Punjab chief minister announced in a press conference on Thursday that the Isotab drug was responsible for the deaths of patients who had taken medicines from the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC).These findings were based on test results received from a laboratory in the United Kingdom. However, experts said that according to the Drug Act 1976, no action could be initiated against a manufacturer unless laboratory results from a nationally registered drug testing laboratory were acquired. The Punjab government has increased the pressure on pharmaceutical companies by fulfilling the legal requirement and testing the drug Isotab at the local Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL), which confirmed the drug to be spurious. In addition, the Swiss authorities have confirmed that their results are similar with the findings of the other two laboratories. Punjab Home Secretary Shahid Khan had written a letter to the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Sindh chief secretary, proposing to take action against the pharmacy and requesting the authorities concerned to ban the drug nationally and internationally. The results showed that 172mg of an Isotab pill contained just 20mg of Isotab, and 50mg of an antimalarial excipient. Pharmaceutical companies questioned how the DTL could give results when the drug samples had initially been sent abroad because the facility had not been available locally. Health Secretary Captain Arif Nadeem said the DTL could conduct tests on active ingredients once a particular substance had been identified. He said action was being taken in accordance with the law. uMAIR AZIZ

The issue was noticed seriously when PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had visited Shahdara in 2009. The public demand got more strength when MNA Malik Riaz (NA118) in a meeting held at Jahangir Tomb attended by the chief secretary, commissioner and secretary C & W pleaded the case before authority concerned.

Sources revealed the then Lahore DCO Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta had written a letter to the NHA chairman to facilitate the inhabitants of Shahdara by exempting them from toll tax at Ravi Bridge. The then chief secretary Javed Mehmood had also constituted a committee to evolve a viable strategy to execute the exemption plan. Finally in January 2010, President Asif Ali Zardari exempted Shahdara residents from payment of toll tax. In May 2011, Prime Minister Gilani again issued fresh orders of relocating the Ravi Toll Plaza. Syed Asif Hashmi said he had sent the recommendation to the prime minister who termed it a very important issue and directed immediate action to relocate the toll plaza.

Matters relating to relocation of River Ravi Toll Plaza at Shahdara (N-5) were also brought under consideration in the 208th executive board meeting held at NHA Headquarters which was presided over by National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi in October 2011. However, no progress could be made in this regard.

Ravi Toll plaza is situated at the property of federal government and the National Highway Authority is its custodian. The basic reason behind the demand to relocate Ravi Toll Plaza is a big traffic gridlock due to number of police pickets established for security reasons. People have to wait almost one hour or more to pass through the toll plaza. Given the perturbed situation, rush of vehicles has poured into another route inside Farrukabad and Saeed Park as this route helps traffic to reach Ravi bridge without passing through Shahdara Toll Plaza. With the new development, both localities now face frequent traffic blockage which made them demand immediate relocation of Ravi Toll Plaza.

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they forget because they have alzheimer’s, what’s our excuse?

LAHORE

A

for over 300,000 patients, Pakistan does not even have a single Alzheimer’s specialist or medical facility g Social stigma, discrimination force relatives to detain patients who can live normal lives g

MuZAFFAR AlI

LZHEIMER’S, an incurable disease known as dementia that impairs memory by declining brain function, has been declared a ‘social and health crisis’ of 21st century by World Health Organisation but in Pakistan the government has neither recognised it as a prevalent disease nor is planning to provide special medical facility to the Alzheimer’s patients in any public hospital across the country.

According to data available with Pakistan Today there are about 377,000 Alzheimer’s patients in the country and unfortunately there is no doctor specialising in the field.

In the absence of a specialist, neurosurgeons and psychologists are giving treatment to them with pathetic results.

The data further reveals that the problem of Alzheimer’s patients will increase with the sizeable addition of more than one million within twenty years and their numbers will increase up to two million patients by 2050 only in Pakistan.

REASONS FOR IGNORANCE: “The present data is not up to date and neither the government nor any Non-Government Organisation (NGO) has any mechanism to collect the actual numbers of Alzheimer’s patients in Pakistan and the reason behind this is lack of resources and interest on the government’s part and apathetic attitude of the NGOs working on health issues in the country.

The second cause is the lack of reporting. The families of the Alzheimer’s patients deem it to be a social stigma and try to hide their patients by detaining them inside the walls of their homes.

The third major factor is that it is an incurable disease and expensive treatment is required to slow down the process of degenerating of the patient’s brain,” doctors disclosed while talking to Pakistan Today.

SYMPTOMS AND CURE: Dr Yasmin Raashid, an illustrious gynecologist and patron of Alzheimer’s Pakistan, talking about the disease said “Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and owing of degenerative brain syndromes it could affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion,” adding that “The chemistry of the brain changes and cells, nerves and transmitters are attacked and eventually the brain shrinks as gaps develop” and that one could recognise the disease by symptoms of memory loss, disorientation, confusion and problems with reasoning and thinking.

She further said dementia primarily affected older

ArAbIC CAllIGrAPhy

people and the chance of having the condition rose sharply with age to 1 person in 20 over the age of 65 while over the age of 85, the figures increases to 1 person in 4. She made it clear that there is no cure for dementia but recent medication may slow down the progression of the disease in the patient.

She said there were about 36 million people worldwide with dementia and two third of them lived in developing countries and this figure could reach up to 115 million people by 2050.

“Dementia requires expensive treatment and total cost of care for dementia amounts to more than 1 percent of global gross domestic product which touched the figure of US$604 billion in 2010,” she added.

GOVT’S ROLE: Dr Yasmin urged the government to create a national Alzheimer’s plan for Pakistan by focusing on raising awareness, education of professionals and caregivers, increase diagnosis and promote risk reduction. She said the government should also seek additional support from Alzheimer’s Disease International and International Psycho Geriatric Association.

Dr Saqib Mehmood, PhD holder in Genetic Science of University of Health Science, talking to Pakistan Today said, “Alzheimer’s Pakistan is the only NGO working for the welfare of Alzheimer’s patients but there should be a systematic plan for looking after these patients” adding that even though the number of patients was low that did not mean that they could be ignored. He said most of the affected people in the country belonged to above the age of 60 and cases below 45 were diagnosed rarely.

He said Alzheimer’s could be hereditary disease only when it occurred in middle-aged people. He said the main thing was to create awareness among the families of the dementiaaffected people so that they could approach medical facilities in initial stages to slow down the process of dementia.

SOCIAL STIGMA: Dr Masood Akhter Sheikh, Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said Alzheimer’s is deemed as a social stigma in Pakistan and people avoided to disclose about Alzheimer’s patients even in their own circles. He said an ex-chief justice of the apex court is affected with Alzheimer’s and no one knew about him because his family had hidden his disease from public due to embarrassment. He said dementia affected slowly and in first phase, the patient forgets the names and they use their perception but gradually they forget everything around them. He said it was tragic families when their dear ones forget their names.

THE COUNTRY’S ONLY DAY CARE CENTRE: Zia Haider Rizvi, president of Alzheimer’s Pakistan, said there is only one day care centre setup especially for Alzheimer’s patients in Lahore with the financial support of Australia and there were about 9 Alzheimer’s patients who stayed there the whole day. He said the centre provided facilities like physiotherapy, medical care, speech therapy, veterans’ club and games.

He said the day care centre for Alzheimer’s patients were being run by Alzheimer’s Pakistan free of cost and foreign donors and philanthropists bore all the expenditures. He said the credit goes to former Punjab chief minister Ch Pervez Elahi who granted Rs3 million to day care centre during his tenure and with this fund a van was purchased that provided pick and drop services to Alzheimer’s patients. He said Pattoki Sugar Mill’s owner Muhammad Aslam had also donated Rs 50,000 to them. He said every facility was given to the patients free of cost. He said the door of Alzheimer’s Day care Centre was opened for all without discrimination and the centre was a blessing for caregivers as they could get relief in their homes by sending their patients to day care centre.

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For Rs 800m, govt will come inside your house g

funds for larviciding inside the houses in this year’s dengue campaign approved LAHORE

T

uMAIR AZIZ

HE Punjab government has approved the PC-1 of Rs 800 million for larviciding houses in all districts of Punjab to cope with the dengue epidemic this year, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Per details, a new DG for controlling dengue epidemic will also be appointed very soon, while all districts have been directed to complete required recruitment of human resource

by February 15. The initial campaign

Public holiday on Feb 4 LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a public holiday on Saturday, Rabiul Awwal 11. A notification in this regard was issued late on Thursday.

will include larvaciding indoors because due to use of heaters the indoor temperature has remained conducive for the dengue mosquito growth.

The project will then be enhanced to outdoors across all districts of punjab.

CDC Director Dr Mubashar Malik said the epidemic initially appeared in four districts and then extended to 12 while dengue cases were reported in all districts last year.

He further said the money that had been allocated will be spent on human resource, equipment and insecticide, while the campaign will be extended

outdoors after rises.

The Punjab government turned its attention to dengue once again after the CM in a media briefing presented the lab test reports of drugs distributed by the Punjab Institute of Cardiology.

Talking to Pakistan Today, Khawaja Imran Nazir said the government had initially planned to take up dengue ten days ago while due to the PIC issue it was delayed a bit, but now again it was going to be the focus of attention.

Meanwhile, Punjab Health Department has re-enforced Dengue Epidemic Control Regulations 2011 again in the

province which will remain effective till November 30, 2012. Under the regulations, owners of all private properties, houses, factories, mills and tire godowns will be responsible for addressing the causes for the growth of dengue mosquito.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of Health Department has stressed upon the citizens to not to let water accumulate in their houses and besides disposal of broken utensils, tires and plastic bottles and should also ensure the repair and maintenance of water pipes, tanks, room coolers and air conditioners as leakage of water might result in the growth of the dengue mosquito.

Guns to stop people from overspeeding LAHORE AlI TAhIR

After the renovation and the widening of the Canal Bank Road a speed limit has been set on the tempting highway and the Traffic Department has finally installed speed guns on the Canal Bank to bar over speeding.

It looks like the Traffic Department has finally decided to implement speed restriction in the metropolis as two speed guns have been positioned on the Canal Bank Road near the Doctor’s Hospital underpass.

According to the traffic wardens deployed to operate the speed guns, the speed guns are to be installed all along the canal road. “This is the initial step and the Traffic Department has planned to position the speed guns on other parts of the canal too,” he said. He said the road had now widened and there was a great chance of youngsters racing along the side of the canal.

He said coordinating traffic wardens had been positioned at a distance from the speed gun to stop the speed limit violator. Amongst the problem being faced by the traffic war-

dens while implementing speed limit on the Canal Bank Road, the warden said over speeding cars were a bit hard to stop as they usually were on the extreme right side of the road. “In that case a wireless is made to wardens standing at the next junction who finally makes sure that the car is stopped,” said the warden.

It would be important to mention here that speed guns were placed on Main Boulevard Gulberg, DHA and on Ring Road before but the speed limit was only implemented on the Ring Road.

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LAHORE: Election campaign is in full swing at the Model Town Society (MTS), as two groups are face-to-face with each other for elections on February 26, which are expected to be unpredictable, Pakistan Today has learnt. Banners have been placed at prominent areas of the society, including the main Model Town Roundabout, as candidates geared up for the big day. Two main groups were registered for election, including the Model Town Unity Group and Model Town Group. From the Model Town Unity Group, Rana Ahmed Mateen was running for president while Major (r) Mushtaq Dhillon was running for vice-president. From the Model Town Group, Saifur Rehman was running for president and Daud Bari for vice-president. Around 45 candidates would compete for 22 seats. Around 20 candidates would be elected for managerial seats from 10 blocks with two from each block while the management would be headed by the elected president and vice-president. All candidates had submitted their nomination papers for scrutiny, which was still underway. According to sources, Bari looked to be in hot waters, as there was a chance of him being disqualified. Sources said that during scrutiny, it was revealed that Bari had supplied furniture to the MTS and according to the society’s by-laws, a beneficiary of the society could not run for election. Source said that Bari, who had no covering candidate, claimed that the furniture company was owned by his son. Sources also revealed that the election was actually a fight between former Lahore nazim Mian Aamir Mehmood’s party with the rest of Model Town. The Model Town Group, which was affiliated with Aamir, had rearranged its candidates and was ready for the election with the former nazim’s support, who had great influence in the society. AlI TAhIR

The spokesman further said cleanliness and larviciding of ponds, fountains and swimming pools should also be undertaken to prevent the breeding of dengue mosquito.

The spokesman further said under the rules and regulations, health inspectors could undertake checking of different premises and in case breeding spots of dengue mosquito were found, the owners of property will have to bear the expenses for their elimination, adding that the owners of educational institutions were duty bound to undertake mosquito spray and fogging in the school premises for the elimination of dengue mosquito.

Plea moved to sack petroleum minister LAHORE STAFF REPORT

A writ petition has been submitted in the Lahore High Court (LHC) under Article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan to suspend a recent increase in gas prices by the federal government. Lawyer Asad Muhammad said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) had increased the prices of oil and gas in January and February, robbing consumers of Rs 70 billion of oil and gas in the last three years because of wrong decisions made by the officials concerned. The petitioner has requested the federal government to sack Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain for mishandling the shortage of gas, causing a nationwide uproar. He also made a request to suspend the notification issued for the increase in gas prices.

PROF FILES CASE AGAINST PUNjAb GOVT FOR PU VC POSITION: The Lahore High Court on Thursday issued a notice for February 8 to the Punjab governor, chief minister, secretary of higher education and others on a petition challenging the reappointment of Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran as Punjab University vicechancellor after his retirement. Justice Ahmad Farooq heard the petition filed

by Prof Dr Yousaf Hayat, a contender for the position of VC. The petitioner’s counsel said the reappointment of Kamran was not only a violation of the Punjab University Act, but a violation of the SC’s judgement against the reemployment of retired persons.

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wPP condemns government’s attitude LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Worker’s Party Pakistan (WPP) released a press statement on February 2 condemning the careless attitude of mainstream political parties towards the legislation on issues that affect the welfare of Pakistan’s people. The WPP leaders said that the current policies of slashing subsidies, privatising education and health facilities, raising the prices of basic amenities and cutting permanent public sector jobs were reducing faith in the democratic system. They said that only a genuinely progressive political force which was anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist and antiestablishment would inspire the Pakistani people to challenge and remove the authorities that monopolised the country’s resources, economic and social policies.

MD taseer’s daughter launches his biography BuY YOuR OWn EnD-OF-ThE-TunnEl lIGhT: A man buys rechargeable emergency lights on Jail Road to live through long hours of power outages. NADEEM IJAZ

LAHORE

Youth killed in encounter, relatives cry murder LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

Salma Mahmud launched her book ‘The Wings of Time’, a biography of her father Dr Muhammad Din Taseer, at the Royal Palm on Thursday. It narrates her journey of rediscovering her father, an eminent poet, critic, teacher and administrator. She is the oldest child of Dr Taseer, the first Indian to obtain a PhD from Cambridge University. She was educated at Kinnaird College in Lahore, and then at the University of Edinburgh, from where she obtained a Masters in English Language. The biography relates the circumstances of Taseer’s origins and how he was orphaned at the age of three, when his entire village in Punjab was wiped out in an epidemic of the bubonic plague.

He was sent away to Lahore to be raised by maternal aunt, Muzaffar Begum.

During his distinguished career, Taseer preferred to spend time around a group of brilliant intellectuals, who filled an existential void that existed within him because of his loneliness.

A

STAFF REPORT

22-years-old young man was shot dead by police in an alleged encounter on Thursday near Dispensary Chowk in Shadbagh Police precincts.

The deceased was identified as Ali Raza, a resident of Zeenat Block, Allama Iqbal Town. According to police Raza was a proclaimed offender and a hardened criminal and was involved in several incidents of robbery, street crime and shooting at police officers.

According to Shadabagh Police, on the day of incident, Raza and his friends snatched a motorcycle from a citizen in Misri Shah and were escaping when officials of Muhafiz Squad deputed in Wassanpura Area signalled Raza and his accomplice to stop for routine checking but Raza and his accomplice opened fire at them.

Shadbagh Police said officials of Muhafiz Squad survived luckily from the firing and radioed information to 15 wireless controls. The officials also started

searching for the shooters, who managed to escape. Meanwhile SI Faiz Ahmed Gulshan along with other police official also started searching for the shooters.

Raza and his accomplice were finally intercepted at Dispensary Chowk and they exchanged fire with the police.

Raza was injured and was rushed to the Mayo Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Police later removed the body to Mayo Hospital morgue for autopsy and started investigating the matter and contacted his relatives.

Officials claimed that about dozen cases had already been registered against Raza in Lower Mall, Shafiqabad and Islampura Police Stations. They claimed that

the deceased had also injured TASI Kashif of Shafiq Abad Area about a year ago and was declared a proclaimed offender in the same case.

The heirs of Raza including his mother Safia Bibi, sister Sumaira and brother Ammar while talking to reporters told a different story. They claimed that a police party headed by SHO Shadbagh namely Farooq Asghar Awan arrested Raza from his house at about 7pm on Wednesday. They claimed that police officials had killed their brother and had staged an encounter. They said SHO Farooq Asghar Awan and SHO Shahdara Maqsood Gujjar had a clash with Raza.

They, while justifying Raza’s action of injuring a cop, said he had done so in self-defence. They blamed police for registering the cases against him to take revenge.

CDGl bans reservation of graves at Miani Sahib LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The City District Government Lahore (CDGL) on Thursday imposed a ban on the reservation of graves at Miani Sahib Graveyard and applications pending for reservation of graves have been rejected. The CDGL has also decided to expand the Janazgah of Miani Sahib Graveyard. These decisions were taken in a meeting of the members of Administrative Committee of Miani Sahib Graveyard, held under the chairmanship of Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Ahad Khan Cheema at the Town Hall. Addressing the meeting, the DCO said that the Janazgah would be expanded and the facilities would be improved further, directing to provide clean drinking water, fans and other facilities on priority basis. In the meeting, a proposal to construct a basement for parking under the Janazgah was also reviewed. The DCO also directed to improve the security of graveyard and construction of graveyard boundary wall as well.

man kills brother over petty row LAHORE STAFF REPORT

A 44-year-old man allegedly shot dead his younger brother, father of one, over a petty dispute in the Shafiqabad Police Station precincts on Thursday.

The deceased was identified as Asif of Daoshala.

According to the details, two brothers namely Arif and Asif were running a furniture showroom. On Thursday, a worker namely Hanif, heard the sound of a fire in nearby area and found the body of Asif lying in pool of blood, while Arif claimed that someone had killed his brother.

The police reached the scene and shifted the body to the morgue for autopsy. The police said that on the day of the incident, Arif had a clash with his brother over a petty issue that led to Arif killing his brother. Although no one had submitted an application but the police

will proceed with investigations in accordance with the law, the police added.

RObbED OF VALUAbLES WORTH Rs 370,000: Valuables including cash, a cell phone and gold jewellery worth Rs 370,000 were taken away from Tahir Illyas and his family in a robbery in front of their house in Mughalpura on Wednesday night. Police said an FIR (No107/12) had been registered against two unidentified men on Illyas’s complaint.

They said the family were entering their house when the robbers, riding a motorcycle, intercepted them and made them surrender their belongings at

gunpoint.

MAN KILLS WIFE: Salma, an 18-yearold newly-wed woman, was poisoned to death allegedly by her in-laws in the Sandha Police Station precincts on Thursday.

The police have taken into custody Salma’s husband Muhammad Sakhi, a resident of Abu Bakar Siddique Colony, for interrogation.

Salma’s body has been shifted to the morgue for autopsy.

The police said Salma and Sakhi had married eight months ago and quar-

relled often.

On Thursday, the couple again quarrelled after which Sakhi allegedly tortured Salma to death. Sakhi has been taken into police custody on the allegations levelled by his in-laws that he has poisoned Salma to death. However, no case has been registered so far.

MOTORCYLE STOLEN: A motorcyle of a journalist, Imran Baig, was stolen from Pakistan Chowk, Icchra. Police have not taken any action so far for the recovery of the motorcyle.

WOMAN CLUbS ‘LECHEROUS’ bROTHER-IN-LAW TO DEATH: A woman clubbed her brother-in-law to death and later torched his body to convert the murder into a suicide case in the Factory Area Police on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Akram Maseeh, a resident of Model Colony Walton Road.

The police said Maseeh was residing in a house located a few yards away from the

houses of his brothers. On Thursday, one Nadia Bibi, Maseeh’s brother’s wife raised alarm that Maseeh had committed suicide after setting himself ablaze over unknown reasons. Locals and heirs of Akram gathered in the house and after seeing the body of the deceased, they also informed local police.

Investigators of local police, after reaching the scene, started collecting circumstantial evidences and in doing so they observed that Maseeh’s head had been thrashed by the rods over which policemen took Nadia Bibi in their custody.

Nadia Bibi during course of investigations confessed killing Akram Maseeh with a hammer. Police quoting Nadia Bibi said Maseeh had come to Nadia’s house while she was alone and wanted to engage in an illicit relationship with her and that was why she had clubbed him to death.

Police registered a case against Nadia on the complaint of deceased’s wife, Razia.

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friday, 3 february, 2012

Editor’s mail 11

to our security agencies It pained me to hear agony and cries of an old mother whose three sons were in illegal confinement of our sensitive agencies and the body of one of her sons handed over to family with marks of torture. What makes this more repulsive are arguments put forward by their lawyer while addressing the press and giving example of Guantanamo Bay prison. For information of gentleman, not a single white American is confined within Gitmo, including the white American Taliban caught from Afghanistan by their own troops.

All Pakistani citizens who are in confinement should be tried by the judiciary and the families informed. People of Pakistan condemn the barbarities and atrocities committed by Indian occupation

JUI’s silence on KbD army in Occupied Kashmir, where citizens are picked up and held in confinement without any judicial process under special powers of Indian Army Act. The biggest threat to national security is the widening gap between institutions of state assigned to secure not just our geographical borders but lives and honour of our people and the citizens of this country.

A nation exists only because of the people that inhabit a territory. All institutions of the state exist and are paid for by the taxpayers, so that they serve people, protect their lives, property, honour, freedom of expression and right to equal opportunities as guaranteed by the constitution. It was also the very purpose for carving out a separate homeland for

Muslim majority by our founding fathers.

It is time that the security services of Pakistan understand the importance of common bonds of love and respect between the people and the security services. This nation loves and honours our valiant shaheeds like Aziz Bhatti, Shabbir Sharif etc, but despises military adventurers like Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Ziaul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf. It is not an army that forms a nation, for had that been the case, Soviet Union would not have collapsed from within.

The Pakistani security establishment has to reorient their mindset to bring it in conformity to their role as guardians of a free democratic sovereign state and break away from whatever is the legacy of their role as tools of British Indian Army

tasked to subjugate the local population and prolong occupation by British colonial power.

Pakistan was not created so that GORs and cantonments would become islands of prosperity surrounded by a sea of humanity living in poverty, denial and fear for their lives and property. The armed forces must, for the sake of Pakistan, understand that their primary task is to protect the lives of people and not few usurpers of security establishment, who have violated the constitution. The army should never have had any role in missing persons saga, or handing them over to foreign troops without any due judicial process.

MALIK TARIQ Lahore

ECP locking horns with SC It seems it has turned into fashion to disobey the orders of the Supreme Court.

The political government never accepts SC’s orders happily; they only accept them when they are not left with other options.

One can understand that political factions have their vested interests and they want to hide their corruption so they give wrong details to the SC but what happened to the Election Commission of Pakistan whose chief is a retired justice and understands the law fully. He must be aware of the sanctity of the Supreme Court and its orders. It is unfortunate that the SC, while responding to the statement given by the ECP, had to declare that such remarks were not based on facts.

It really saddened me when I went through media reports narrating that the Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Hamid Ali Mirza repeatedly, and Secretary Election Commission Ishtiak Ahmed Khan impliedly, resorted to the language that clearly amounted to outright contempt of the SC. The ECP must prove itself as a highly responsible and decent organisation whenever it has to interact with the SC. It has to show that it is not a political organisation and is wholeheartedly ready to obey the supremacy of the SC. DR MOHIB RASOOL Islamabad

AI’s report The US drone attacks inside Pakistan have proved to be a double-edged weapon as they not only cause civilian deaths but also stem severe reaction in form of suicide attacks which are responsible for more civilian casualties in Pakistan.

A report last year by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism showed that of some 2300 people killed by US drone strikes in Pakistan from 2004 until August 2011, between 392 and 781 appear to have been civilians, and 175 children.

The Amnesty International has also asked the US to disclose details of the legal and factual basis for the lethal use of these aerial weapons in Pakistan.

The United States, being the sole superpower of the world, should have played its role in bringing peace in the world but regretfully its drones, air force and marines are wreaking havoc in many regions of the world. United States’ history shows its blatant policies in the world. How its leadership has been claiming that they were working for the humanity.

Everybody knows that the attack on Iraq has actually brought shame for the US because the basis on which the attack was launched has yet to be proved. US forces left Iraq but weapons of mass destruction have not yet been found and they may never be. Similarly, Afghanistan was invaded and occupied to fight the so-call war on terror but now they are holding talks with the same Taliban.

Likewise, drone attacks in Pakistan are a naked violation of sovereignty of an independent state and not justified whatsoever. AI has rightly asked the US to disclose details of drones which have been causing death and destruction in Pakistan. People of Pakistan are obliged to AI for supporting them and raising voice against the US atrocities in Pakistan.

IBNE SHAMSI Rawalpindi

The ANP vehemently opposes Kalabagh Dam (KBD) while it is the only dam that could provide 14 percent share to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by a right bank gravity canal to irrigate 7 lac acres of barren land in Dera Ismail Khan yet the JUI supremo keeps mum over the issue.

This is plain hypocrisy on the part of JUI that it does not speak on a matter of vital importance for Dera Ismail Khan. It could be understood that the ANP has nothing to gain in its hilly area from KBD but what prevents JUI to speak out for KBD that would ensure 14 percent share of water to D I Khan as per Water Accord of 1991 while it currently uses only 5 percent share of water due to lack of infrastructure. While the JUI leader is very vocal on national issues, he keeps mum over the development of D I Khan. This strong silence on his part creates a doubt over the sincerity of JUI leadership in not seeing beneath their nose while claiming to be custodians of Pakistan on the moral front. It is incumbent on the JUI leadership to explain their bizarre behaviour on the issue.

DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI Lahore

1000 percent tax

Obama’s confession At-last, Obama has officially acknowledged the US droneattack campaign inside Pakistan. The drones have been wreaking havoc in Pakistan for many years on the pretext of hunting terrorists. Different reports by national and international organisations have also suggested that most of the sufferers of US drone attacks were civilians including innocent children. A couple of days ago, Amnesty International has asked Obama to disclose the legal basis of drone attacks in Pakistan.

negotiating with taliban As the US began preliminary talks with the Taliban negotiators in Qatar on plans for peace talks aimed at ending the decade-long war in Afghanistan, amid reports that the Pakistan and Afghan governments are seeking peace talks with the Taliban in Saudi Arabia separate from the US-brokered talks in Doha, it is now established that things are shaping up rapidly in Afghanistan as the US is treating the so-called ‘terrorist’ Taliban as a political force and a political stakeholder.

For that the US even agreed to transfer four to eight important Taliban figures from Guantanamo Bay to set up a political office for the exiled Afghan insurgent group.

Pakistan has been sidelined in the process, but it is not out of the game. The Taliban declared that they could not ignore Pakistan and would not like to annoy it, even if they sought more independence, and less interference by Islamabad in their decisions-making. That’s

President Obama’s acknowledgement has not only unveiled the official truth but also a provided a proof of US atrocities against humanity. The United Nations should take Obama’s acknowledgement as a confession on committing war crimes. On the other hand, Islamabad, instead of expecting others to help, should muster up its own courage to take up the issue to the UN. AMJAD CHAUDHRY Rawalpindi

why it seems, as a BBC report indicates, the Afghan government, not fully agreeing to the US’ Qatar initiative and Pakistan, partially sidelined, have plans for talks in Saudi Arabia that both Kabul and Islamabad, usually at loggerheads on the issue, were looking for their own talks with the Taliban.

The US administration is of the view that its strong military presence in Afghanistan and an indecisive longterm plan of its military’s presence beyond 2014 can be used as a leverage to convince the Taliban on the necessity of Kabul’s participation in talks and cutting down on its other demands to let the talks process take off the ground.

Looking back at the Afghan history, the talks at the highest level of warring parties always failed to provide reprieve to local conflicts driven by tribal competitions, personal rivalries and the profitable drug trade. Moreover, sidelining Pakistan and the actual stakeholders in Afghanistan is not likely to bring in the

desired results. The issues of Nato supplies, drone attacks and border violations need to be resolved as immediately as possible.

Though David Bill in his recent article suggests “if you are concerned about American aggression, it is not the drones you should fear, but the politicians who order them into battle”, yet the wiser comment by Joshua Foust needs to be paid heed to; he says “the rush to robots in warfare is worrying. There just isn’t enough thought about what consequences these systems impose on US policy. There needs to be.”

And the Amnesty International’s report questioning the legality and legitimacy of drone strikes must be seen as to how the world views America’s unilateral act against the sovereignty of a country.

Earlier, the UN’s special representative has already given its finding that the drone strikes are in violation of international law, as well the human rights laws.

F Z KHAN Islamabad

in terms of governance related issues.

The current regime can boast of very little except the continuous display of political expedience and smartly turning the tables against others, thus triumphing in remaining afloat despite all odds.

What began as a clear violation of the states sovereignty by the civilian government slowly began to be manoeuvred into an unforgivable act of defiance of the constitution by the army. The army and ISI chief have committed a crime worse than a military takeover by submitting their replies in the memo case.

Despite the fact that the Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwar-ulHaq negated the prime minister’s statement that replies submitted by the Chief

of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and DG-ISI Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha were illegal and unconstitutional the allegations continue. In fact, a horrible twist in the case has further increased the chasm between the state and the army as it has been foregrounded while the real issue seems to have faded into oblivion.

This gives food to the public appetite of cutting the army down in size a few notches which can be exemplified by all and sundry quoting examples of years and regimes gone by, venting their personal grievances and resentments in the process.

A similar response was seen in the media narrative last year when the US

The government of Pakistan has once again increased the price of petroleum products. Petroleum ministry is also seeking to impose 10 percent surcharge on CNG as they want people to use petrol and discourage the use of CNG. It must be a unique technique which can only be used by the government. I have a suggestion for this so-called democratic government that if they want to discourage the use of CNG, then they must impose 1000 percent tax on vehicles so that no one can buy these vehicles and all the people are forced to buy bicycles. It is now time for coalition partners of the government to part ways with the PPP government and increase pressure on it to hold elections as this government is unable to provide any relief to the people.

MUBASHIR MAHMOOD Karachi

A good qari too For the first time ever in my life I was impressed by Maulana Fazalur Rehman, leader, when he was reciting the Holy Quran at Mizar-e-Quaid during his jalsa.

The sugary voice of Maulana Fazalur Rehman really touched my heart and I think I would like to hear him as a Qari again. I have a sincere suggestion for Maulana Sahib to concentrate only on his religious responsibilities which he could perform much better than wasting his precious time and resources in politics.

Why do people support Imran? It is because we are fed up with old politicians. We as a nation want to see change in our country and Mr Khan is a name of hope for change. I want to ask the readers to let me know if Fazalur Rehman is a good Qari or a good politician.

CH LIAQAT ALI Lahore

A technical University

In one of the articles in Pakistan Today, Pakistan’s need for higher education was mentioned by Mansoor Ijaz. He is a graduate in Nuclear Physics and Master in Mechanical Engineering. How about his setting up a Technical University in Pakistan at the earliest?

S SIBTUL HASAN HAZEEN Karachi

what happens next?

Before establishing whether the mistrust between the civil-military relationship can be removed and what confidence building measures ought to be taken to do it, the most significant question that needs to be answered is if the civil authorities are interested at all in bridging the divide. Apparently, the main aim of all this exercise seems to be the need to dismantle the military superiority by dragging it in territory where mud splashing coats every face and brings ignominy to the entire apparatus.

It may not be a totally bad idea, however, the methodology adopted for it is.

Instead of pitting itself against one institution after the other, the PPP government ought to enhance its performance

General McChrystal was fired by the US president that ignited the need in Pakistan to emulate such an action. The sudden sacking of the Secretary Defence should have been enough to assuage the fiery sentiments, but affairs once gone sour seldom resume their natural buoyancy because interests are always found to be at a 180 degree bent from each other.

In the backdrop of a chaotic situation, foreign interference adds complexity that further threatens the peace of the already troubled people. Can the government please move forward for the sake of democracy, if nothing else?

LUBNA UMAR Islamabad

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. Fax: +92-42-36298302. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk. Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively.

LHR 03-02-2012_Layout 1 2/3/2012 5:37 AM Page 12

12 Comment PM in the dock Contempt of court

Y

ousaf Raza Gilani is the fourth PM of Pakistan to be in the dock facing contempt charges. It is an irony that a PM who ordered the release of the judges kept under house arrest by Musharraf and later reinstated them through an office order is now facing the charge of contempt of court.

Gilani has repeatedly assured the court that the PPP government would, as always, respect and implement the verdicts delivered by the courts. As a sign of this commitment and to show his respect for the apex court, he had promptly appeared when called by the SC on January 19 along with the members of his cabinet and provincial governors. He, however, failed to carry out the orders of the SC to write to the Swiss authorities to reopen the cases against President Zardari, taking the stand that four competent legal advisors had one after another advised him against it on legal grounds. The stand was rejected by the apex court which held that clear orders by the SC had to be followed instead of the official advice. In a law abiding society, while one may differ with a judgment, one has to carry it out. One expects that Gilani would now make preparations to face the charges while utilising all legal avenues to vindicate himself. These include putting up an adequate legal defence and taking recourse to intra-court appeal if needed.

Civilian governments have generally respected the courts in Pakistan. Successive military rulers, on the other hand, have shaken the foundations of the judicial system without ever being held accountable. The imposition of PCOs by Zia and Musharraf constituted a blatant attack on the independence of judiciary. Zia did not even invite CJ Anwaar-ul-Haq and Justice Moulvi Mushtaq to take oath. The two judges who refused to take oath under PCO were told to resign. Musharraf removed and arrested judges under the cover of the emergency. Important generals do not appear before courts. Irrespective of the final outcome of the case against PM Gilani, the question why contemners of a particular type have never been charge sheeted by the courts will continue to be raised by historians and politicians.

Power plays More is less

By Fahd Husain

T

he government of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is enjoying power. This cannot be said for the people whom he governs.

Power is what this government has been all about from the day it came into power. President Zardari is often heard talking about the strength of his government in terms of the number of high offices bagged by PPP. As he says, it is for the first time that PPP has its president, prime minister, speaker of the National Assembly, Chairman Senate. Power flows through these offices, goes the argument, and such power becomes a conduit for the accumulation of further power. The logic is linear while being circular: keep the reins of power in your hands, and use it to consolidate the power base through the use of – well – official power.

Hence the PPP's desperation to control the Senate. Such a control would enable them to control legislation, thereby giving the PPP the power over lawmaking. Extend the argument further, and the next obvious power is the power over the constitution. While the PPP may not be able to amend the constitution, it would have acquired the power to block any constitutional amendments. That is still a lot of power to wield in a political system welded to the naked use and abuse of official power as a means to get more power.

While all this may be great for the PPP, it is terrible for Pakistan.

Here's why: Machiavellian politicking is as old as Nicolo Machiavelli. The principles may still hold true after all these centuries, but the times have changed. Pursuit of naked power was an acceptable goal in itself in an era when men reigned supreme over institu-

Aiding the taliban that accusation again

O

ld wine in an even older bottle. That was the foreign minister’s assessment of the new reports in the western media about covert cooperation between the Taliban and the Pakistani intelligence set up. No need to be an oenologist to know that old wine is the best sort.

Even if the foreign minister’s statement is true, the impression of the argument on the other side has already started to be ossified in western minds. It has come to be known as the conventional wisdom, rather than some exciting new revelation highlighting the treachery of a partner in the war against terror. The strike operation in Abbottabad won over the last remaining doubting Thomases.

The Pakistani people, its civil armed forces and its military have made great sacrifices in the war on terror.

But harping on this tune isn’t as effective as it could have been. In fact, it has emerged as the argument of the Americans instead. That Pakistan, of all countries....

The new secret Nato report that the BBC obtained says that Pakistani intelligence is not only aware of but also in contact with senior Taliban leaders. As several western countries set a deadline where they will move from a combat force into a training force, the Pakistani establishment, claim the reports, are hedging their bets on the Taliban in the belief that both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police is insufficiently and inadequately trained to take on the resurrection of the Taliban in the south.

Nothing succeeds like success, sure, but if there are points of view within Pakistan that feel it better to follow the cold logic of geo-strategic realpolitik, not the moral, stated position, it would do them good to realise that the policy of drone strikes within Pakistani territory might not stop regardless of Taliban advances in Afghanistan.

Incidents like the one in Abbottabad show how little manoeuvrable space we have.

The Pakistan foreign office spokesperson’s denials made all the right sounds: non-interference in Afghanistan, the desire to see peace and stability in the country and the recognition that all this will be in Pakistan’s interests. It is time to dispel the impression, through words and actions, that that is not the case.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

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

friday, 3 february, 2012

tions, and a king's word was law. Losing power usually meant losing your head – literally. But then a strange thing happened. The art of politics evolved into the science of governance. Societies – especially in the West – matured as they passed through stages like the Reformation, Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution. Through war and revolution, and bloodletting and fratricides and through a ferocious battle of ideas, Western societies began to learn lessons and frame new rules of governing themselves. National and international institutions and structures began to take shape, giving birth to material and intellectual progress.

The pursuit of naked power as an end in itself began to be frowned upon.

But here in Pakistan we seemed to have missed out on these changes. The concept of power remains a medieval one. Zardari would have felt right at home in the court of Loius XVI of France or Henry VIII of England.

The result is painfully obvious. The PPP has a whole lot of power but precious little of governance. The party will succeed in controlling the Senate, but fail in controlling a sinking economy. Zardari and Gilani have succeeded in stitching together a solid parliamentary majority, but have failed in welding together a broken bureaucratic structure.

They are able to stare down the military and judiciary, but still cannot put an end to torture and killing in police lockups.

Do they care? Is their vote bank threatened? Are you kidding?

It's not really hard to guess why. The PPP power players will not suddenly turn into radical ideologues. They are hard-nosed realists who know very well what happens when they

are on the receiving end of other power players. They get bludgeoned because naked power is best used as a blunt-edged weapon.

They have swum through a river of fire to reach where they are, and the last thing they want is to be thrown back into the fiery waves.

Good for them. Bad for us.

The entire power paradigm in Pakistan is skewed. But power players are so firmly locked into it that no one dare tinker with it for fear of being devoured by it. And perhaps the requisite pressure to do so is also not there – yet. Such pressure is normally a result of an avalanche of ideas which in turn sketch out broad parameters for a new paradigm.

Put simply, you need a Rousseau or a Voltaire to prepare the ground for a French revolution.

Is the groundswell there for a new paradigm in Pakistan? Anecdotal evidence may suggest so, but such evidence is usually flimsy. PPP is certainly not the lone player that pursues naked power. The land of ours is littered with big and little Caesars waiting to pounce on any opportunity for power play.

The concept of power for public good remains a concept in Pakistan, finding mention in books and official documents. It has to take root in the public consciousness before it can translate into genuine pressure for reform.

Political change may happen overnight, but historical transformations take time.

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

M&M: the misguided missiles!

Pakistan is better off without Mansoor & Musharraf

Cross Currents

By Qudssia Akhlaque

T

his is not a tale of two cities, of two ideas, or even of two friends. Instead it is a tale of two men who would never say die.

But then they did chicken out. Interesting similarities between the two. One, they both have a military connection. One was a former military chief and the other now engaged to an agency chief. Two, in both cases the military had a strong view about them. In one case, the army wanted the maverick to arrive and testify but in the other the army wanted, and indeed let him know, please stay away, you are too hot to handle!

No guess-work needed here. In fact, it is a no-brainer. It’s about two illustrious...or should we say illusive men, Mr Pervez Musharraf and Mr Mansoor Ijaz.

Former President General Pervez Musharraf and PakistaniAmerican businessman Mansoor

Ijaz are also extremely controversial and self-absorbed, big on word play but strikingly small on courage. Despite their tall and roughly made claims of coming to Pakistan, (one to knock out all political players and the other to knock out one man called Hussain Haqqani and may be by extension this government) the two are on the retreat. With all the thousands of minutes of air-time given by Pakistan's enthusiastic anchors to these two gentlemen, Pakistani viewers will again say, what a waste when these anchors could have been addressing our issues.

Instead, Pakistanis were made to live through and suffer the hypermode theatrics of these men.

One was riding on the tide of a memo tsunami that more than the much-touted PTI tsunami had threatened to wash away the government even. While the other one, the military man Musharraf, was foreboding change on Pakistan’s political horizon through the earthquake his following would cause.

But now between fear and maybe other advice, the two have opted for immobility insofar as travel to Pakistan is concerned. So both the gentlemen, we are told, have been advised by family and friends to stay away from Pakistan on the pretext of security concerns ironically after both these gentlemen in their own words and ac-

tions created an ugly situation in the country.

More specifically, however, one has been advised by his alma mater to stay away. Apparently the message sent across was that we have enough trouble on our hands, Sir. The former army chief, wanting us to believe that he was the bravest soldier this country had produced, proceeded to chicken out. Some may argue that he made a wise decision. One, however, can’t help recalling how General Musharraf had got so agitated when at his first press conference after assuming power as the chief executive, he was asked by a veteran journalist if he had thought of an exit strategy. He snapped back at the journalist, saying he was a soldier and soldiers always stand and fight.

And the other, his home country send him a travel advisory to say we can’t have you run into trouble of the kind that you are likely to once you get there! Never has mere news of any one man’s arrival in another country caused so much commotion and disruptions as had Masoor Ijaz’. There was even talk of a battalion of Pakistani soldiers protecting this infamous gentleman. That is another tale to be told for posterity, one of how a state must not conduct business, of how it must not become a laughing stock for its own citizens and beyond.

If Pakistan’s courts, agencies , government, politicians has all made a near-joke of themselves over this wordy pompous sounding man whose past had proven him to be unworthy of Pakistan’s respect, this man Mansoor Ijaz too had painted himself into as a man who would come armed with all the truth that would reveal the reality behind a sinister plan allegedly hatched by Pakistan’s former ambassador to the US and one of President Zardari’s closest confidante Hussain Haqqani, to allegedly re-shape Pakistan’s security forces, safeguard Pakistan’s nuclear programs and so on.

Despite much grandstanding by the two, Musharraf and Mansoor, over their arrival in Pakistan, at all costs, it was not to be! Their reiterative will-come-at-all-cost was proven wrong. And many predicted this would happen.

And one would dare say to both the Messrs: Thank you Sirs, Pakistan is better off without your ‘earth-shaking’ arrival.

The writer is a senior journalist and has been a diplomatic correspondent for leading dailies. She was an Alfred Friendly Press Fellow at The Chicago Tribune in the US and a Press Fellow at Wolfson College, Cambridge, UK. She can be reached via email at qudssia@hotmail.com

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friday, 3 february, 2012

Pakistan cricket’s benefactors What did not kill it, only made it stronger

Jottings

By Agha Akbar

F

or its recent unexpected bounce back-with-a bang after a long period of hibernation spread over nearly 20 years, Pakistan cricket should in the final analysis remain indebted to two expatriates: a greedy bookie with a big mouth oblivious to hidden cameras and the ‘Fake Sheik’, an undercover reporter always on the hunt for a ‘sting’ scoop for the now defunct News of the World. There is a whole set of characters (some bizarre) and organisations, some known as well as one unknown to the general public, that also played their parts, not the least of them New Scotland Yard, Her Majesty’s courts and the ICC. That is not to forget Ijaz Butt, the former PCB chairman who only recently and somewhat immodestly claimed credit for Team Pakistan’s rise from the ashes. He richly deserves a compliment, but only a backhanded one – for his sheer ham-fisted handling. Incidentally, if he had been even slight sense of crisis management after NOTW broke the match-fixing story and promised the ICC to probe it under the PCB’s own aegis, Pakistan cricket may well have stayed stuck in the mire forever.

There is another character not known to many but with a pivotal role in the whole affair.

The cricketing grapevine has it that it was a former skipper (for legal reasons, let him remain anonymous for the moment) with media savvy and a score to settle who quite by accident got hold of Salman Butt’s Blackberry.

Not for any altruistic reason, but with intent to injure, he wizened up Mazhar Mahmood by providing him the whole cache of the SMSs. From there on, it was a piece of cake for the latter.

So by default, Pakistan cricket has actually been a beneficiary – an unintended but im-

mensely satisfying consequence of the unsavoury controversy.

With a sub chalta hai culture, we could never have cleaned up the stables on our own. In the mid 1990s when the match-fixing scandal was raging, Arif Abbasi covered it up. Some five years later, Malik Qayyum and Lt. Gen. Tauqir Zia combined to provide a reprieve on patriotic grounds.

This time round it was a blessing in disguise that the ICC made us clean up our act by making an extreme example out of the tainted trio. It hurt, as all surgical treatment does, but it also led to healing. And Pakistan cricket is going from strength to strength ever since.

England was supposed to be our sternest test. Instead it has turned out to be a trial by spin, and the No 1 Test team has been found wanting and somewhat baffled by the new, fighting-tothe-last breath Pakistani outfit.

From the summer of ignominy in 2010, it has been some transformation.

Misbah-ul-Haq, the skipper extraordinaire, deserves every plaudit and then some that he has been bestowed with. The really most pleasant aspect is that not just our own, but after a long time, the neutral amongst the commentariat have been profuse in their praise for the manner that he and his charges have conducted themselves. In terms of sheer talent, the present outfit may not be a match to the ones that we’ve fielded through the 2000s. Yet freed from the vices of chicanery and avarice, under a self-possessed captain it has gelled magnificently and produced results. “There are lies, damned lies and statistics”, remarked the American humourist Mark Twain. But in this case statistics do not lie: with Misbah in the saddle, Pakistan has featured in 14 Tests, winning eight, losing just one. This is impressive stuff, especially from a team that in the past presented its unpredictability as a virtue. (Chauvinistic as it may sound, the additional relish is that statistics also testify a certain neighbour’s plumbing the depths with two whitewashes.)

Reassuring as this resurgence is, to strike it really big, to be numero uno and stay at the summit – to seize this decade much in the manner of the West Indies in the 1980s and Australia

in 1990s-2000s – Team Pakistan still has miles to go. In the past, we’ve mismanaged ourselves and scripted our own downfall, but this time we must not put down our guard at any stage.

The incumbent captain’s credentials are well established, and the good part is that we may have an adequate successor in ‘Professor’ Mohammad Hafeez. After having an embarrassment of riches in terms of extraordinary pace merchants, ironically now the only somewhat weak part is fast bowling. And our fielding at best is only slightly better than the weakest. Umar Gul is very good, but only in patches. But you have to grant him, Cheema and Junaid that conditions have really not suited fast bowling in the venues of the desert.

Still, talent in Pakistan runs deep and in rich vein. We will certainly find pretty decent options to solve all our selection problems as they crop up. The issue is management – the Board itself. So far the new chairman Zaka Ashraf, a political appointee much like his predecessor, has hardly put a foot wrong and made all the right kind of noises.

But these are early days for him.

Though he may not know much about cricket, it is obvious that he is neither as abrupt nor as excitable as Ijaz Butt. This is all to the good, for God knows Butt had earned Pakistan enough ire and enemies in world cricket. The insiders though say that the tendency to micromanage remains.

The coach conundrum will be Zaka’s strategic test. He has contrived to arrive at the right decision in Dav Whatmore. It remains to be seen whether he sticks to it or gives in to Mohsin Khan’s recent claims for the position. Pakistan’s successes have nothing to do with the present coach. Mohsin may be many things, but he is no cricket coach, not by a long shot. It would be wrong to accredit anyone but Misbah and that unsung character, Waqar Younis, for the revival. Waqar has gone, the momentum stays.

The right coach at this critical point will certainly prove to be a force-multiplier for Pakistan cricket.

The writer is Sports and Magazines Editor, Pakistan Today

Comment 13

On rooftop living In upper rooms, other wonders

B

ad news from Delhi. It’s vanishing. The barsati. The small room at the top of the house where the family could enjoy the cool breeze during the monsoon. A unique Delhi phenomenon.

The city’s real estate regulations spawned a way of life that was artistic and idealistic, temporary and flamboyant. Taking its name from barsat, Urdu for heavy showers, the barsati was a room with a large terrace. Holed up in these below-the-sky capsules, young, unconventional middle-class migrants waited for new opportunities.

A few barsati residents later became famous.

Painter M F Husain lived in a Jangpura barsati.

British author Ian Jack had a barsati near the railway tracks in Defence Colony. Writer Arundhati Roy shaped her world view in a string of barsatis in Lajpat Nagar, Nizamuddin West and Malcha Marg.

Novelist Anita Desai immortalised the barsati by making it the setting of her short story The Rooftop Dwellers. She described the dwelling with her characteristic understated humour: “The rooms had once been built on Delhi’s flat rooftops so that families who slept out on their roofs on summer nights could draw in their beds in case of a sudden dust storm or thunder shower. But now that Delhi was far too unsafe for sleeping alfresco, these barsatis were being rented out to working spinsters or bachelors at delightful profits.”

The barsati is now in terminal decline. “In the 1980s, 75% of renting places in Defence Colony were barsatis,” says Shankar, a real estate agent in this upscale south Delhi neighbourhood. “Today, most bungalows have turned into multi-floor apartments.

The entire area has only 25 barsatis.”

The author of the story

By Mayank Austen Soofi of the rise and fall of barsatis is the Delhi Development Authority. The floor space index (FSI) regulates the built area of the property in relation to its plot size. In most neighbourhoods, there was a limit on the number of floors a bungalow could have. In the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri, for instance, a bungalow could have a ground floor and a first floor. On the second floor, only a small room would be permitted, which was the barsati, the rain shelter. Doubling up as servant quarters, it was soon being rented out by the landlord for extra income. Today, the bungalow owner in Chanakyapuri can raise four floors and get more rent.

The barsati is doomed; the South Delhi Barsati Marxists (SDBMs) are already extinct.

Delhi Calling

The SDBMs flourished in the 1970s and 1980s, when no one was disturbed by telemarketing calls offering home loans. This tribe of Leftists claimed to have rejected careers in the corporate world.

Mostly college lecturers, PhD students and journalists (the would-be writers were exceptions), the SDBMs had great aspirations. They saw avant garde European films in Max Mueller Bhavan, attended literary evenings at the Russian Centre of Science and Culture, watched plays in Mandi House theatres, ranted against American imperialism at the Indian Coffee House, and had a regular hang-out joint in Sapru House. At night, they played audio cassettes of the Beatles, Sting and Bob Dylan on their terraces.

Replace Mandi House with the India Habitat Centre, Indian Coffee House with 4S Bar, and Marxist socialism with guiltless consumerism, and life in the city’s few remaining barsatis is still the same, with Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene downloaded from iTunes. The new rooftop dwellers are students, photographers, film-makers, journalists and – ah, the new times – mid-level corporate executives. Since south Delhi landlords are increasingly unwilling to rent out to Indians not employed with multinational firms, the barsatis are filling up with single expats.

“Three years ago when I arrived in Delhi and started looking for a place, barsati was the buzzword,” says Annette Ekin, editor of the Motherland magazine. Hers in Greater Kailash-I is like the uncluttered version of a Hauz Khas Village curio shop.

On the terrace, the props include a framed poster of Raj Kapoor’s film Shri 420, a signboard of a bonesetting wrestler, a string cot, a yellow watering can and a black water tank. Two frangipani trees grow out of large pots. Though her barsati has two rooms, Ekin says, “When I have friends at home, we never sit inside.”

The 1980s exposed most SDBMs as closet capitalists. After a few years of living in barsatis, they moved to apartments in east Delhi localities such as Patparganj. Others left for universities in England and the US, made money and returned to buy property in places where they had once lived in barsatis.

The 1990s arrived with barsati renters who were lawyers and executives waiting to grab the next promotion. “I was the only one among the barsati people with a different career,” says hairstylist Sylvie. Her barsati in Green Park had a bamboo terrace with 200 palms, a tandoor, a bar and a giant birdcage, which was home to cockatoos, love birds and fowls. “We had parties till 4am,” says Sylvie, who now lives in a bungalow in Gurgaon.

At his barsati in BK Dutt Colony, D. Bhattacharjya Tato, who works at the French Cultural Centre, loves the monsoon shower. “There is this huge open space from the staircase to my room and when I’m entering the barsati, I have to run if I don’t want to get wet,” he says. “But I always get wet.”

One day soon, there will be barsat, but no barsati.

Mayank Austen Soofi lives in a library. He has one website and four blogs. The website address: thedelhiwalla.com. The blogs: Pakistan Paindabad, Ruined By Reading, Reading Arundhati Roy and Mayank Austen Soofi Photos

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14

friday, 3 february, 2012

IN LIMELIGHT

lOnDOn: Keira Knightley and Michael fassbender pose during a photocall at the premiere of their film ‘A Dangerous Method’. AFP

A

nEWS DESK

LI ZAFAR, who's known for his chocolate boy image on screen, is all set to shed that tag and join the league of the sexiest men in Bollywood with his upcoming film ‘London, Paris, New York’. Ali, who will be baring his torso in the film, says: “I don't mind taking my shirt off but I have to be convinced that it's a creative requirement. The purpose is not to show off, but to get the show going in accordance with the demands of the story and the character.” The singer certainly didn't mind giving us an exclusive sneak preview of his abs. All he said was, “as long as my guitar is with me”. He admitted, “The scene for which it was required comes as a pre-climax in Paris. It's an intense scene, and so it was physically and emotionally draining, but that's the fun of filmmaking. You live through your characters.

And I want each of my characters to look different from the last, so I had to work a lot on my look. I had to undergo training and was on a special diet for 10 days.” How

did it feel to join the brigade of shirtless heroes? He smiles and says, “It's not the first time I've taken off my shirt on screen.

I have done it before for my music video, ‘Ek Pal’. Ali, who will make his debut as a music composer in ‘LPNY’, was in Delhi to launch the film's music on Monday. “I feel honoured to be given this opportunity to compose, sing and write for the film,” he told us excitedly, adding. “It was an exciting opportunity for me to explore new talents like Aditi Rao, who is also the lead actress of the movie. I made her sing two tracks.” Ali recently performed at the 57th Idea Filmfare Awards and shared his experience, “It was a great moment for me to share the stage with such legendary actors. I also sang a song from my music album ‘Jhoom’. The crowd's response will be etched in my memory forever.” Ali , who will be leaving for Pakistan on Thursday to visit his family, will unfortunately not be able to celebrate Valentine's Day with his wife, Ayesha, as he'll be back on February 9. He said, “I don't think you need a reason to celebrate love. Love can be celebrated everyday.”

Rani Siddiqi exhibits new collection

Komal and Rabia

HOllYwOOD: Mark brand ambassador Ashley Greene attends the ‘louder than words’ event. AFP

HYDErAbAD: Artists perform in dance festival ‘rabindra nirtyotsav’ which is a unique dancing Guiness record feat of a 25 hour long non-stop dance performance by 125 artists portrayed in nine different dance forms exclusively on rabindranath tagore's compositions. AFP

Participants at the event

Rabia and Wafa

Sabtain, Musaib, Aiza and Faiza

nEWS DESK Karachi-based fashion designer Rani Siddiqi exhibited the new collection in Karachi from her fashion brand consisting of formal wear, wedding dresses, party wear and casuals. Rani Siddiqi has mainly been catering to the Pakistani showbiz industry for the past two years.

Her prêt a porter is popularly worn in various talk shows and television programs. Now she has moved a step ahead to make her outfits accessible to all Pakistani ladies. At the exhibition, many fashion models walked the ramp to showcase her latest collection. TV actress Javeria Saud of ‘Yeh Zindagi He’ fame was the chief guest at the exhibition.

Imran exhibits

lAhORE: The Youth Festival was held at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal. PhOTOS by MUrTAZA AlI

Sarah Jessica Parker is

Kareena’s photos MuMBAI: A photo exhibition of reigning Bollywood queen kareena kapoor has been organised by costar Imran khan, who clicked random pictures of her while the shoot of their upcoming release ‘Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu’. Imran is set to hold the exhibit tomorrow at an art gallery. The young actor has always maintained he is a huge fan of kareena and captured some candid moments on his lens while working together. “She (kareena) is the most beautiful actress I have worked with. I found her beautiful right from her first film ‘Refugee’,” he said. Imran had even admitted that he had a huge crush on kareena in his boyhood days. “I could not articulate my feelings to her...I nursed a silent crush. When we started working together in this film we got along really well. I observed her closely while we were shooting and even took her pictures without her knowing it,” Imran had said. Since the promos of the karan Johar production hit the screens, there has been a lot of buzz about the unusual pair of Imran and kareena. AGEnCIES

Kareena Kapoor's fan lOS AnGElES: Kareena Kapoor has found a new admirer in Hollywood actor Sarah Jessica Parker, who can’t stop raving about bebo ever since she has seen her in ‘ra.One’. Parker, an international style icon, is singing praises for Kareena’s style. “Kareena is gorgeous and exceedingly talented. I truly loved her in ‘ra.One’.

She was a treat to watch,” said the 46-year-old after watching the film recently.

Kareena, who is also fond of Parker’s style, fell short of words to express her happiness over the remarks.

She even admitted that her look in ‘Kambakht Ishq’ (2009) was inspired by Parker. “I always discuss my roles with lolo (sister Karisma Kapoor) and when I asked her about ‘Kambakht Ishq’, she told me to seek inspiration from Sarah Jessica’s Parker’s look in ‘Sex

And the City’. lolo loves watching the tV serial and Sarah’s cool, chic, glamorous and yet simple styles,” she had said in an interview. AGEnCIES

Sarah Noor, Ayesha and Misbah

MuMBAI: Salman Khan is mighty surprised to find himself being dragged in the Shah rukh-Shirish brawl.

Apparently, Salman, who is shooting in Cuba, wasn’t even aware of the incident when it was being reportedly said that he called Shirish to show his support after Shah rukh bashed him in Sanjay Dutt’s ‘Agneepath’ success party. talking to a daily, a source said, “It’s really strange how bhai’s name has gotten dragged into this. He hasn’t called anyone.

Salman doesn’t even have network where he shoots. we haven’t been speaking to him often also. He wasn’t even aware of the fight. How can he call Shirish to offer support? when we called the newspaper to check about their source, we were told that Shirish told them about Salman’s call to him. but shouldn’t they have checked with him or someone from his side? Salim uncle is very upset about Salman’s name being used in this fight.” when contacted, Salman said, “I am filming in Cuba. I am not using my phone here. I haven’t called anyone and no one has called me.” AGEnCIES

LHR 03-02-2012_Layout 1 2/3/2012 5:38 AM Page 15

15 lisa marie Presley opens new katy Perry to perform at Grammy Awards lOS AnGElES: tV Host Jimmy Kimmel attends the Hollywood’s 125th birthday Party. AFP

Maheen and Wasiqa

LOS AnGELES CBS

Katy Perry will perform at the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, marking the ‘Firework’ singer’s first major televised public appearance since her split from Russell Brand. On tap to present are Gwyneth Paltrow, Drake, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert. LL Cool J will emcee the ceremony, serving as the first Grammy host in seven years. Other Grammy performers include Adele, Glen Campbell, Paul McCartney, Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay and Rihanna, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift. Perry and Brand announced they were splitting at the end of 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. The California native won big at the People's Choice Awards in January, but didn't attend the event.

elvis exhibit nASHVILLE

E

REuTERS

LVIS Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, gave visitors to Graceland an inside look at her life with the King of Rock 'n' Roll at his Memphis estate on Wednesday as she celebrated her 44th birthday with the opening of a new exhibit.

The exhibit is called ‘Elvis... Through His Daughter's Eyes’, and displays artefacts, including Lisa Marie's baby footprints, tricycle, a record player and her crib. On an appearance on ABC's ‘Good Morning America’ Wednesday, Lisa Marie Presley showed off a scarf on which Elvis had written the words “I love my Lisa, Daddy” from 1972.

She told the show that she remembered her father singing ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’

Backstreet Boy Nick Carter dedicates tour to sister Leslie LOS AnGELES

Participants at the event

Hafsa

What has Salman

fight?

Sana Safinaz to launch

new lawn collection

CBS

nEWS DESK

The show will go on for Nick Carter, as he's not cancelling his current tour. Instead the singer will dedicate the outing to his sister, Leslie Carter, who died Tuesday. She was 25. In a Facebook message to fans, the Backstreet Boy thanked fans for their support, announcing his tour will go on “as promised.”

“Performing is cathartic to me and I am dedicating the rest of my tour to my sister since she loved to watch me perform,” explained Nick, who plans to perform his scheduled show Thursday night at New York's Irving Plaza. Nick's brother, Aaron Carter, meanwhile, is expected to take some time off from his New York off-Broadway show ‘The Fantasticks,’ reports E! Leslie died in upstate New York. No further details about her death have surfaced.

She leaves behind a husband

Sana Safinaz Lawn this year will be more exciting than ever before the brand will be having a 15 print collection, which will prove to be a treat for all the followers of the Sana Safinaz brand. The collection is completely cotton-based and has many different weaves incorporated to give that distinct Sana Safinaz look. Sana Safinaz embroideries are the best in the market and they have tried to up the ante this year with innovative stitches and techniques.

They have chosen a rather brighter colour tone for the summer unlike the colour pallet they usually go for. They always try and are different not only from the market but also from their previous collections. The Sana Safinaz style is original and very distinctive since its inception and for 2012 the brand plans to stay true to their motto. The idea is to keep on innovating and try and push the preconceived ideas and nation of lawn.

and 10-month-old baby. The Carter family confirmed the news in a statement issued to CBSNews.com on Wednesday: “Our family is grieving right now and it's a private matter.

We are deeply saddened for the loss of our beloved sister, daughter, and granddaughter, Leslie Carter. We request the utmost privacy during this difficult time.” Various friends have voiced their support for the Carter family on Twitter.

‘Being a child model was brutal’:

got to do with

SRK-Shirish

to her. She said the new exhibit includes some of her dad's “most amazing clothes ever” and a small chest containing personal items he took with him on tour, including a photo of his father and his driver's license.

Twenty-five people were chosen from more than 2,000 entries for the first day of the exhibit, and each was allowed to bring a guest. Among the visitors was Tom Termeer, 39, who with his wife Kristen, 35, made the 15-hour drive from Ontario, Canada. Termeer had been scheduled for a meeting with his doctor Wednesday in preparation for brain surgery to help relieve pain from cluster headaches. But once he discovered that he had won the lottery, he postponed the appointment. It was his second trip to Graceland, which draws an average of 600,000 visitors a year, but his wife's first. “Elvis was my guy,” he said.

Katherine Heigl lOS AnGElES: Actress Katherine Heigl says working as a child model when she was nine was “brutal” and she hated the experience. the 33-yearold, who raises three-year-old daughter naleigh with husband Josh Kelley, began her career in show business with a stint as a model for clients including US department stores Macy's and Sears but Katherine has admitted she hated the experience. “Oh my God, it was brutal. You don’t even understand it, even when you’re nine, you’re like, ‘this is silly and lame’ and they're like, ‘no, no, it’s adorable, do it,” contactmusic.com quoted Heigl as saying.

AGEnCIES

Egyptian sentenced for ‘defaming Islam’ CAIRO AFP

A Cairo court has sentenced Egyptian comedy giant Adel Imam to three months in jail for “defaming Islam” in several roles he played on stage and screen, the actor told AFP on Thursday. Imam, arguably the Arab world's most famous actor, was sentenced in absentia, he said, after he was sued by Asran Mansur, a lawyer with Islamist ties.

Michelle Obama beats Ellen DeGeneres LOS AnGELES AGEnCIES

Michelle Obama has been busy promoting her healthy eating and fitness program for two years. But how fit is she herself? The U.S. first lady accepted a push-up challenge from Ellen DeGeneres on the comedian’s TV talk show, and completed 25 in front of a studio audience on Wednesday. DeGeneres was beaten. Dressed casually in black trousers, trainers and a pink patterned top, she managed 25 press ups with ease while DeGeneres, visibly out of breath, stopped at 20. “I thought it wouldn't be good to show off the first lady so I stopped,” quipped DeGeneres after quitting. “I thought this looks bad that I'm going to beat her. I'm 54 and you're 48.” Obama has been in Los Angeles promoting her ‘Let's Move’ campaign and on one of her stops, she brought food from the White House kitchen garden for to show host Jay Leno in a visit to ‘The Tonight Show’ on Tuesday.

Obama also revealed some bedroom secrets regarding husband, the president. “He doesn't pick up his socks,” she said in response to a question sent in from a viewer. “He thinks he's neat but he has people who help him. I'm like, ‘it's not you that's neat. It's the people who pick up your socks. Those are the neat people,” she told DeGeneres.

Its ‘game over’ for MuMBAI: love is a game that two can play and both win. Actress Eva Gabor had said that. had she ever thought what would happen if one lost? Our very own Bollywood diva Deepika, however, seems to have given it a serious thought. For her, if one loses in the game of love, the person changes her display picture to darkness. Apparently, a few days after her reported break-up with Sidhartha Mallya, Dippy not only changed her BlackBerry messenger status to ‘Game Over’ but also replaced her pretty display image with a dark patch. In fact, it was Deepika’s changed status on her phone messenger that initially let the cat out of the bag. however, her choice of words did surprise a few of her friends. A source close to the actress wondered, “We don’t know why she chose to call her romance with Mr Mallya a game.

Perhaps she was just reminded of Eva Gabor’s quote?” According to our source, Deepika though heartbroken wasn’t as affected by the break-up as she was when her previous boyfriend Ranbir kapoor and she had fallen apart. “She was upset for a while.

But after a day or two she changed her BlackBerry messeger status. however, by that time, everybody had come to know about the split,” added our source. While Deepika was busy changing status messages and

confiding in her friends about the breakup, Mallya Jr was heard telling his close friends that ‘the relationship is not working and heading nowhere’. AGEnCIES

LHR 03-02-2012_Layout 1 2/3/2012 5:38 AM Page 16

16 Foreign News

friday, 3 february, 2012

China considering more involvement in Europe bailout: wen bEIjING: China’s Premier Wen Jiabao said Thursday Beijing was considering getting more involved in a bailout of struggling eurozone economies, after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The German leader is in China for a three-day trip aimed at reassuring Beijing about the situation in Europe, where a sovereign debt crisis has seen a wave of credit-rating downgrades and brought Greece to the brink of bankruptcy. “China is investigating and evaluating ways, through the International Monetary Fund, to be more deeply involved in solving the European debt problem via ESM/EFSF channels,” Wen said at a press briefing held jointly with Merkel. He was referring to the European Financial Stability Facility, a temporary rescue fund that was established to help struggling economies in Europe, and the European Stability Mechanism — a newer, permanent fund. AFP

Indian court scraps telecom licences in graft scandal NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court on Thursday scrapped 122 telecom licences awarded in a 2008 sale at the centre of a corruption scandal, further embarrassing the government and causing upheaval in the flagship sector. Mis-selling of the second-generation (2G) mobile licences was estimated by the country’s public auditor to have cost the treasury up to $40 billion in lost revenue. The minister in charge of the sale, A. Raja, is currently on trial accused of fraud and cheating, one of several corruption cases to have buffeted the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. While the cancellation order reopens a damaging episode for the government, there was a reprieve for Home Minister P. Chidambaram who activists had wanted investigated by a special court trying suspects in the case. AFP

nAtO to base missile shield command in Germany: diplomat bRUSSELS: NATO will locate the command centre for its US-led missile shield at the alliance base in Ramstein, Germany, a diplomat told AFP on Thursday.

“The command for the NATO missile shield will be based at the NATO base in Ramstein,” the diplomat said on condition of anonymity. The centre will be operational following a Chicago summit in May, the source added. NATO already announced last year that Spain would host US ships with interceptor missiles while an early warning radar system will be based in Turkey. Land-based interceptors will be located in Romania by 2015 and in Poland by 2018, when the system is expected to be fully operational. The United States insists that the missile shield aims to counter missile threats from Iran, but Russia has voiced concerns that it would target its own strategic deterrent. AFP

BEIJInG: German Chancellor Angel Merkel shakes hands with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the end of a press conference at the Great hall of the People on Thursday. AFP

More than 150 dead as cold snap grips Europe WARSAW

A

AFP

cold snap kept Europe in its icy grip on Thursday, pushing the death toll past 150 as countries from Italy to Ukraine struggled to cope with temperatures that reached record lows in some places.

Nine more people died in Poland overnight as temperatures plunged to minus 32 Celsius (minus 25.6 Fahrenheit) in the southwest, bringing the overall toll to 29 since the deep freeze began last week, national police said.

In Ukraine, tens of thousands of people have headed to shelters trying to escape the freeze that the emergencies ministry said has now killed 63 people.

Most of them literally froze to death on the street, with only a handful making it to hospital before succumbing to hypothermia, the ministry said.

Shivering and hungry, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have sought help in the more than 2,000 temporary shelters set up by the authorities to help the poor survive the

kuWAIT: A kuwaiti woman casts her ballot at a polling station on Thursday. AFP

fearsome spell of cold weather.

The shelters offer warmth and hot food in a country where temperatures fell to minus 33 degrees Celsius in the Carpathians in the west of the country and minus 27 in the capital Kiev.

“I am unemployed. I have somewhere to live but nothing to eat. I ate here and it was good — bread with a slice of fat and an onion as well as porridge,” said Olexander Shemnikov, an out-of-work engineer after visiting a shelter in Kiev.

In Romania, eight people died overnight because of the cold, bringing the overall toll to 22, the health ministry said. Schools remained closed in some parts of the country as temperatures reached minus 31 degrees Celsius.

In Bulgaria, where the mercury dipped to lows not seen in a century, at least 10 people have died, according to media. Authorities have not released official figures.

With parts of the Danube freezing, authorities moved some vessels to ports further away to protect them from the advancing ice.

And in the capital Sofia, some residents found their money frozen as

automated teller machines stopped functioning, according to local media.

In Latvia, 10 people have died around the capital Riga alone, with no figures available for the rest of the country.

In neighbouring Lithuania a 55year-old homeless man found in the ruins of an abandoned house in the port city of Klaipeda became the ninth victim of the chill.

In Italy, hundreds of people were trapped overnight on trains as freezing temperatures and heavy snowfalls in the centre and north caused widespread disruptions on roads, railways and at airports.

In Austria, an 83-year-old woman was found frozen to death in the woods after apparently slipping on her daily walk and not managing to get up again, becoming the country’s second victim of the cold snap, officials said.

In Serbia, the cold has killed six people and trapped some 11,500 others, mostly in remote mountain villages inaccessible by road.

In Belgrade, homeless people unable to secure one of the 140 spots in the capital’s sole shelter took refuge in trolley buses and trams.

the times newspaper ‘probed for hacking emails’ in UK LOnDOn AFP

The Times newspaper is being investigated by British police over claims of hacking emails, reports said Thursday.

The investigation comes after the editor of the broadsheet admitted to an inquiry into the ethics of the British press that one of his journalists had hacked the email account of a police blogger.

Tom Watson, a lawmaker from the opposition Labour party, said he had received confirmation from London’s Metropolitan Police that the Times, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News International, was being investigated. Watson said on Twitter: “The Met police have confirmed to me they are investigating Rupert Murdoch’s newspaper The Times over email hacking.” He had written to the police last month asking them to investigate the matter. A spokeswoman for News International said she had no comment.

News International was forced to close down its News of the World tabloid in July following a public outcry over claims it had hacked the voicemail of a missing girl who was later found murdered.

The Metropolitan Police said in a statement on Thursday: “We can confirm that a letter was received on Monday 23 January, from MP Tom Watson.”

Islamist-led opposition favourites as Kuwaitis vote KUWAIT CITY AFP

Kuwaitis were casting ballots Thursday in a snap vote to elect the fourth parliament in less than six years, with pollsters predicting a solid victory for the Islamist-led opposition.

The vote in the wealthy Gulf state, which follows an especially tense campaign and some outbursts of violence, seeks to end political disputes that have hurt the country for years.

Women voters, dressed in clothes

ranging from black traditional abayas to casual Western-style jeans, lined up in short queues at female-only voting stations as lines of men formed at separate polling booths.

Female voters make up 54 percent of the electorate and 23 women are among 286 candidates running for the 50-seat legislative body.

Voter traffic at the polling centres was low in the morning but picked up rapidly later, especially in tribal constituencies where men stood in long queues.

In the suburb of Keifan, an Is-

lamist stronghold on the outskirts of Kuwait City, voters turned out in large numbers as representatives of candidates made a last-minute pitch to convince voters.

Turnout was described as “good” in the morning, but based on previous elections, Kuwaiti voters normally prefer the evening session.

Pollsters and analysts expect the 400,000 electorate to deliver a resounding victory for the Islamist-led opposition which has campaigned vigorously for fundamental reforms and against corruption.

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Foreign News 17

Egypt in mourning after 74 killed in football tragedy CAIRO

E

AFP

GYPT began three days of mourning on Thursday after 74 people were killed in an eruption of violence at a football match that sparked new anger against the military rulers for failing to ensure security.

The rioting Wednesday night in the northern city of Port Said marked one of the deadliest incidents in football history and sent shares on the Cairo stock exchange plunging 4.6 percent in Thursday morning trade.

The government moved swiftly to sack the Port Said security chief while Prime Minister Kamal al-Ganzuri summoned his cabinet for an emergency meeting later Thursday.

Clashes erupted as soon as the referee blew the final whistle in a match which saw home team Al-Masri beat Cairo’s Al-Ahly 3-1.

Al-Masri fans flooded the pitch, throwing rocks, bottles and fireworks at Al-Ahly supporters, causing chaos and panic as players and fans ran in all directions trying to flee, witnesses said.

Photos of bleeding players circulated on the Internet.

Gunfire was also reported on the main road leading to Port Said from

PORT SAID: An Egyptian investigation team inspects damages at the Port Said Stadium on Thursday, a day after deadly clashes between rival football fans in which at least 74 people were killed. AFP Cairo, and troops were deployed to prevent further clashes.

State television ran footage of riot

police standing rigidly in rows as pandemonium erupted around them.

Interior Minister Mohammed

Ibrahim has said most of the deaths were caused by the crush but medics said some people were stabbed.

Authorities Iran more than doubles urge russians defence budget to skip antiIran has material for 4 Putin protest N-bombs: Israeli general TEHRAn AFP

MOSCOW AFP

Russian authorities sought Thursday to deter activists from turning up at a rally against Vladimir Putin’s rule, with the church calling on them to pray instead and the chief doctor urging them to stay home due to cold weather.

Tens of thousands are expected Saturday to march through Moscow to a square just over the Moscow river from the Kremlin to protest Putin’s grip on Russia, exactly one month before he stands in presidential polls on March 4.

After much haggling the Moscow city hall has allowed opposition activists to go ahead with the march and subsequent rally, the opposition movement’s third major protest since fraud-tainted December parliamentary elections.

The head of Russia’s Orthodox Church, which has been watching opposition calls to take to the streets to demand fair elections with growing unease, called on the faithful to eschew rowdy demonstrations for a peaceful prayer.

“Orthodox Christians don’t know how to take to the streets,” Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill said in an address to Russians.

“These people do not turn up at demonstrations, their voices cannot be heard, they pray in the quiet of monasteries, cells, and homes,” he said on Wednesday.

“But they are taking to heart what is happening today to our people, drawing in their mind clear historic parallels with the turpitude and forgetfulness of pre-revolutionary years, with disorder, chaos and the destruction of the country in the 1990s.”

The country’s chief doctor, who is notorious in Russia for frequently intervening in political disputes, also called on activists to stay home on Saturday due to the current bout of cold weather.

“The forecast for Saturday is extremely unfavourable with temperatures of minus 18 degrees Celsius predicted. This is a very low temperature for Moscow,” Russia’s chief sanitary doctor Gennady Onishchenko said.

“It’s better to refrain from (taking to the streets) and find another form of participation in building a happier state,” Onishchenko was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

Iran plans to more than double military spending over the coming 12 months, according to an annual budget proposal

by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad presented to parliament and announced on his official website on Thursday.

“In the area of defence, there is a 127 percent increase,” Ahmadinejad said in his statement to lawmakers.

He gave no monetary figure for the increase, nor any indication on how it would be spent.

Iran’s official defence budget for the current fiscal year — which ends in mid-March — is around $12 billion, on top of which parliament has authorised a $3 billion extension. The announced increase in military spending comes at a time of high international tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme, which the West and Israel suspect includes a drive to develop atomic weapons.

Speculation has mounted in recent weeks that Israel is contemplating air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, possibly sparking a wider conflict that could draw in the United States and European allies.

Iran, which maintains its nuclear activities are peaceful, has warned it could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf, through which a third of global marine oil traffic passes, if it is attacked.

Ahmadinejad on Wednesday presented his budget proposal to parliament.

It foresees a total budget of 5.1 quadrillion rials, or

jERUSALEM: Iran has enough radioactive material to produce four nuclear bombs, Israel’s chief of military intelligence, General Aviv Kochavi, warned on Thursday at a security conference. “Today international intelligence agencies are in agreement with Israel that Iran has close to 100 kilograms of uranium enriched to 20 percent, which is enough to produce four bombs,” he told the annual Herzliya conference. “Iran is very actively pursuing its efforts to develop its nuclear capacities, and we have evidence that they are seeking nuclear weapons,” he said.

“We estimate they would need a year from when the order is given to produce a weapon.” AFP $443 billion at the government’s official budget exchange rate of 11,500 rials per dollar.

That makes the budget roughly the same in rials as for the current Iranian fiscal year — but $40 billion less when expressed in dollars because of an official devaluation of the rial over the past year.

The budget not only encompasses government spending and revenue but also those of Iran’s vast sector of state companies that dominate the country’s economy.

The health ministry said 74 people were killed, including a policeman.

Hundreds were also reported wounded. Police said 47 people had been arrested.

The ruling military announced three days of national mourning and Ibrahim fired city security chief Essam Samak because of the violence. Stocks in Cairo tumbled by 4.6 percent in late morning trade, with the EGX-30 index of leading shares falling from 4.688 points at opening to 4.471 points.

The clashes — blamed by the Muslim Brotherhood on supporters of fallen president Hosni Mubarak — came as the country struggles with a wave of incidents linked to poor security.

Politicians, fans and players took to social media to express their fury over the clashes, which cap a year of political upheaval and unrest after the uprising that unseated Mubarak.

“There are dead people lying on the ground! There are dead people in the changing room,” Al-Ahly striker Emad Meteab told the team’s satellite channel. “I won’t play football anymore until these people get justice,” a furious Meteab said. Egypt’s hated police force, which recently came under fire for its heavy-handed tactics, had been given instructions to deal carefully with protesters, sources said.

facebook friends wall Street with planned $5b IPO WASHInGTOn AFP

Investors came down with Facebook fever after the social networking titan filed to go public and seek to raise $5 billion in the largest flotation ever by an Internet company on Wall Street. The paperwork filed on Wednesday for the initial public offering provided the first glimpse of the financial details of the Web giant launched eight years ago by Mark Zuckerberg from his Harvard University dorm room. Zuckerberg, who was just 19 when he founded the network, penned a letter to investors outlining what he said were the core values of Facebook and said it “was not originally created to be a company. “It was built to accomplish a social mission — to make the world more open and connected,” the Facebook chief executive said in the letter accompanying the filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). “There is a huge need and a huge opportunity to get everyone in the world connected, to give everyone a voice and to help transform society for the future,” he said. Facebook said it will list on Wall Street as “FB” but did not set a date for when it would begin trading or specify whether it would be on the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock Exchange.

Gaza protesters hurl shoes as UN’s Ban begins visit GAZA CITY AFP

UN leader Ban Ki-moon came under a brief shower of shoes as he entered Hamas-run Gaza on Thursday, hours after a barrage of rockets was fired from the territory into Israel.

As the UN chief entered the Palestinian territory, protesters threw shoes, sand and small stones at his convoy, which was briefly held up before continuing on to Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. A crowd of around 50 demonstrators, most of them relatives of Palestinians in Israeli jails, said they were protesting the fact that Ban was not meeting with them or Palestinian prisoner groups during his brief trip to Gaza.

The UN chief’s first stop in the territory was at the Amal (Hope) school in Khan Yunis, with a visit to a Japanese-funded

EREZ CROSSInG: Palestinians demonstrate before the arrival of un Secretary-General Ban ki-moon at the Erez checkpoint in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday. AFP housing project also on the agenda.

He is not scheduled to meet with any member of the Hamasrun government.

UN security decided to go ahead with the trip despite a barrage of eight rockets fired into southern Israel from Gaza on Wednesday night.

Israel and the militant groups in Gaza maintain an informal truce, but rockets are periodically fired from the territory, usually causing no

damage or injuries, prompting retaliatory attacks by Israeli forces. On Wednesday, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Ban condemned rocket attacks from Gaza as “unacceptable” and said he had discussed the delicate informal truce. “I shared with him my concerns about the fragility of the calm and stressed that continued rocket attacks out of Gaza must stop,” Ban said, adding that he remained concerned about Israel’s restrictions on the territory.

Israel closely limits imports and exports from Gaza, citing security concerns and the need to deny Hamas, which it considers a terrorist organisation, access to weapons and money.

But much of the international community has said the restrictions negatively affect Gaza’s entire population, unfairly affecting civilians.

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Sharapova looks to fire russia in chilly Moscow Page 21

Misbah fancies historic 3-0 whitewash DUBAI

P

AShER BuTT

AKISTAN captain Misbahul Haq has warned his charges of complacency and urged them to complete the historic whitewash of England when the two sides meet here at the Dubai Stadium in the final Test of the three-match rubber on Friday. Talking to Pakistan Today, Misbah said that it was a record never achieved by any team and as a captain he would like his team to bring this record to Pakistan’s lap. Pakistan has already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series by beating the world number one side in the world England at Dubai and later at Abu Dhabi.

And now with the third Test hours away, Misbah believes that it is the best opportunity for Pakistan.

“There has never been such an opportunity to get that feat and if things went right we are sure to achieve what has never been achieved before,” he added. “It’s a new ball game and we will be concentrating on the game. All that matters is performance and the positive frame of mind is what we need to adopt. It’s a good chance and we should not let it slip,” said Misbah.

Misbah further said that they do not take any team lightly. “We even

PCb not happy PCb appoints Tariq as Director Security, Vigilance with Mohsin DUbAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed former IG Police Tariq Pervaiz as Director Security and Vigilance of the board. His immediate assignment would be to keep the team under security scan and keep unwanted and suspicious persons away from the team. He would soon be joining the team in Dubai. It’s the second high profile appointment made by PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf after Sajid Hameed who was named Director Coordination. The need of security and vigilance official arouse after Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were caught in spot-fixing. The PCB chief after his appointment last month announced to have a separate wing for security, vigilance and coordination and these appointment are part of that announcement. It has also been learnt that an evaluation committee of the PCB will determine which person is performing what duties in the board and then opt for fresh appointments according to the status of the job. STAFF REPORT take lowly rated team very seriously and England are the number one side in the world and we cannot even think of complacency creeping in,” he maintained. Talking about the wicket, Misbah said that it looked much different from the one they played on in the first Test. With the wicket carrying some pace, there are chances that Junaid Khan might be rested and Wahab Riaz would get a go on the Poms.

However, certain sources close to the team said that the likely chance is that they would not break the winning combination and final line-up would

IPl not a distraction for England: Strauss DUBAI AFP

England captain Andrew Strauss disagreed the lucrative Indian league was a distraction for his team which faces a 3-0 defeat against Pakistan in the third and final Test starting here from Friday. Pakistan won the first two Tests, the first here by ten wickets and the second by 72 runs in Abu Dhabi, to clinch an unassailable 2-0 lead. And with Saturday's auction in the Indian Premier League (IPL) looming, Strauss was asked whether that would be a distraction for his players. "I certainly hope not. I think we've had this circumstance before," the England captain said.

Names of several members of the current squad will appear in the auction to be held in Bangalore with James Anderson, Ian Bell, Swann, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior and Chris Tremlett appearing favourites to be included.

be decided in the morning of the match. Similarly England might also make one or two changes in the side but the final decision has been adjourned for Friday morning.

Talking to journalists, England captain Andrew Strauss said that his team has learnt their lessons from the two back to back defeats. “We need to win the third Test to keep the honour even before entering into the ODi series,” he added. He further pointed out that although they had lost the series, the win in the third Test would be a face-saving thing for them.

DUbAI: The Pakistan Cricket Board has not happy with regular statements from coach Mohsin Khan, it was learnt Thursday. It has been learnt that the PCB has asked Mohsin a number of times to refrain from talking to media but he was not listening and has been giving statements. Another source stated that there are highly unlikely chances of Mohsin becoming the Pakistan’s regular chief coach.

“Moshin was made interim coach after Waqar resigned but the win of the team is not the only certificate to get him the chief coach,” the source maintained. Last month Zara Ashraf in a statement in Karachi made it clear that Mohsin is a talented person but was not a suitable choice for the chief coach’s job. It has also been learnt that Dave Whatmore came to Pakistan just not for interview but also to sign the contract and he would be joining the team after the Pakistan and England series and interim coach is likely to be made incharge of the Karachi Cricket Academy. STAFF REPORT

DUbAI: Pakistan’s captain Misbah-ul Haq (l) talks with coach Mohsin Khan (r) during a practice session at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. AFP

Skipper saddened by Amir’s case Amir ‘to announce DUBAI AFP

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq said Thursday he was saddened by the case of former paceman Mohammad Amir who was released from a jail in Britain this week after pleading guilty to corruption and spot-fixing.

The 19-year-old was freed from Portland Prison in England on Wednesday after serving half of his six-months sentence for his part in a plan to bowl deliberate no-balls during a Test against England at Lord's in August 2010.

However, he cannot immediately return to cricket as he is serving a five-year ban from the sport imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Team-mates Salman Butt, who received 32 months, and Mohammad Asif, 12 months, are still in jail after Crown Prosecution Services found them guilty

last November. Unsurprisingly Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq, bombarded with questions on Amir in the pre-match press conference ahead of the third Test against England starting here from Friday, avoided direct comment.

When asked if he felt sad about what happened to a former team-mate, Misbah replied: "I think it feels sad whoever suffers that, as a cricketer you feel sad about such incidents but sometimes you have noting in your control and you can't do anything." Asked whether there would be a possibility of reducing Amir's ban on appeal, Misbah said: "I think I am not the concerned person, the people who are concerned about that will decide about it.

We are playing here and we are focusing on that. "It's totally up to the management, what the ICC decides and what the cricket board decides, I think it's not my decision," said Misbah, who played alongside Amir in all his debut matches

in Tests, one-day and Twenty20.

"I think it's all up to the people, what they think, what they say about him, we have nothing to do with that, we are here to play cricket and we are focusing on that." When asked whether he would welcome Amir back in the team, Misbah said: "I have clearly said that we have nothing to do with that, once he is cleared, once he is available then only we will see what happens, before that I have nothing to do with that.

"You can say that it's early to say anything about that, there are many things to be done by the ICC and the management, after that nobody knows what happens." England captain Andrew Strauss also refused to be drawn in the debate as to whether Amir's five-year ban would be reduced. "It's not my job to hand out bans or otherwise," said Strauss, who was England captain in the spot-fixing marred series against Pakistan.

plans’ when returns home

CHAnGA BAnGIAL AFP

Last Test is for individual performances ExPERT COMMEnT

MICHAEl VAUGHAn

A

NDREW Strauss must concentrate on one thing this week, and that is scoring runs. If he does that his team will follow. When you have been a captain as long as he has, you don’t have to prove yourself as a leader. In the field he has control of the players and when he speaks in the dressing room, the players listen.

But I have always said captains are great actors and Strauss will have been putting on an act this week. You are embarrassed after a defeat like that in Abu Dhabi.

When you have been hammered, all the players feel it but as a captain you blame yourself. You look back and think you might not have said the right things in the morning, perhaps didn’t train enough or prepare properly. As a captain you think

‘have I lost that magic sparkle?’

You ask these questions and you start acting because you can’t be seen to be down in the dumps in front of the players. You can’t say anything negative or admit your form is poor because if you do, the players will say “eh up, the skipper’s gone”.

Strauss will have turned the wheel this week and stopped worrying about the others and focused on his own game plan for scoring runs. But that is the tricky part because on these pitches he does not look as if he has that many scoring options.

It is too late in the tour to change techniques but what can be improved is mental attitude. Sometimes you just do not believe you are going to score runs. That kind of thing can be turned around because it is just a thought process and nothing physical. You have to alter the mindset and visualise how you will defend and score off each bowler so you see it happening before you go out to bat. That is how you move back into form. It requires focus but you need a single-minded approach to the game to survive in Test cricket. If Strauss’s mind is on his future and what he could be doing a year down the line, then he is gone.

I don’t know if Strauss is thinking about the next phase of his life. I have no idea. I just know from my own experience that once you start to move away from

cricket it is hard to get it back. The same goes for the other players. If they are thinking about the IPL, business or whatever, then they will not perform in Test matches.

You have to be a cricket nerd at the top level. Every morning of training life has to be about batting, bowling, fielding. Not who is on the phone offering deals or saying things on Twitter. You must have one focus. Look at Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott. All they think about in life is scoring runs for England. If the others are wavering then inconsistency will creep in.

It is a long time since England have gone into the final Test with the series gone. It is a new experience as captain for Strauss and as a collective unit the team are in a lose-lose situation this week.

If they win everyone will say it is a dead rubber and ask why they did not perform in the first two Tests. If they play badly then positions in the team will be lost and more criticism will flow their way. They cannot worry about that. Cricket is a team game but for once this Test is about individuals putting their own game in order and sticking their hand up to say they deserve to be on the trip to Sri Lanka in March.

England have been five down for very few runs in three innings out here, which is very poor, and if it happens again in Dubai then they cannot keep picking these players

in the subcontinent.

It has been such a bad start to a year when England aimed to crack the subcontinent. They have been blown away so far and you have to question whether we put enough emphasis on winning in Asia.

The English game is steered towards the Ashes but that means we do not put enough energy into beating Pakistan in the Emirates or winning in Asia.

Before the Ashes England had three or four weeks of warm-up games and a teambuilding trip to Germany. They built togetherness. But we do not prepare in the same fashion to beat a subcontinent team in subcontinental conditions. You hear so often that we are working out if players have the right character to play Australia.

Very rarely do we ask the same questions about playing Sri Lanka or India. Now we have reached a stage when we can beat Australia home and away. We have to start preparing minds and games for beating teams in subcontinental conditions.

This series has been a disaster but the tour to Sri Lanka is the next stepping stone to beating India in November/December. We cannot expect England to turn up, turn it on and beat India. There has to be proper preparation and lessons from this trip need to be absorbed and acted upon. Strauss will know that.

Disgraced Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Amir will announce his next move when he returns home later this month after his release from a British prison, his brother told AFP. Mohammad Ijaz said the family was delighted that the 19-yearold had been freed after serving half a six-month sentence for spot-fixing in one of the biggest scandals to rock Pakistan cricket. "We are all very happy, my parents especially are very happy," Ijaz told AFP by telephone. "He will be back home in the next two to three weeks. I talked to him yesterday. He was very happy and asked me to convey his best wishes to his parents and family members." "He will announce his future plans once he returns home. I don't know when he will be able to play cricket again for Pakistan because of the five-year ban," Ijaz added.

Amir was one of three Pakistan players jailed by a judge in London in November over their roles in a plan to bowl deliberate no-balls during a Test against England at Lord's in August 2010. He is also serving a five-year ban imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Amir's father suffers chronic stomach problems and is "desperate" to see his son back in the humble family village of Changa Bangial, Ijaz said. The family house was closed on Thursday. Neighbours told reporters that they had gone to the eastern city of Lahore, but other relatives living in the community said they did not want to talk to media.

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Corpses of 2 missing men found in lasbela QUETTA STAFF REPORT

Two bullet-riddled bodies of Baloch missing persons were found on Thursday in Lasbela district, some 650 kilometres southwest of Quetta. Frontier Constabulary (FC) officials said that local people informed them about two corpses lying in the Darji area on Shah Noorani Road, Lasbela. An FC team picked the bodies and sent them for autopsy to a hospital, where they were identified as Sikandar Mengal and Abdul Qadir Mengal.

Both men were residents of Khuzdar and had been tortured, and had few bullet wounds in their heads.

real estate: a tax evasion haven GUjRAnWALA STAFF REPORT

Evading of stamp duty and capital value tax in millions is rampant in the real estate sector and the government is silent and seems helpless in hands of some dishonest officials, Pakistan Today has learnt. Real estate tycoons buy properties in millions and declare prices in a few hundred thousands while filling the registry deeds due to which the Punjab government suffers losses worth hundred thousands in stamp duty and the federal government also faces losses in capital value tax. A glaring case was detected in Gujranwala when a property dealer disclosed that property tycoon Azam Bhutta, a resident of DC Road, Gujranwala purchased 20 kanals of land on the GT Road Gujranwala Cantt for Rs 120 million from Munir Ahmed, Zafar Mehmood, Azhar Mehmood Berni and Farrukh Mehmood Berni, residents of Model Town, Gujranwala. The registered deed executed on August 8, 2011 declared the land price at Rs 23,100 per marla and the total price of the land on which stamp duty and capital value tax was to be paid amounted to Rs 9.2 million but stamp duty and capital value tax were evaded.

US warns citizens against Pakistan visits nEWS DESK The US State Department has warned American citizens of the risks of travel to Pakistan.

A travel advisory issued on Thursday said that following the deaths of 24 Pakistani military personnel on November 26, 2011, protests have taken place across Pakistan against the United States, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), and NATO. There have also been widespread demonstrations and large political rallies condemning drone strikes and Pakistan’s ongoing energy crisis, it said, urging US citizens in Pakistan to avoid protests and large gatherings.

Continued FroM page 1 elections. However, the choice is still with the prime minister to handle the situation by implementing the court order and save himself from indictment and subsequent disqualification from holding any public office.

But it remains to be seen whether the government submits before the court with the prime minister tendering an apology, or if it decides to take the collision course.

During the hearing, Justice Nasirul Mulk observed that there were grounds to proceed against Gilani over his refusal to follow a court order and ask Swiss authorities to reopen corruption cases against the president. “After the preliminary hearing, we are satisfied that prima facie (at first sight) there is enough case for further proceeding into the matter. (The case is) adjourned for February 13 for framing charges. The prime minister is required to remain present in the court,” Justice Mulk said in the order.

Gilani had appeared in court on January 19, refusing to back down on Zardari’s immunity, although analysts said he risked being convicted, jailed for up to six months and disqualified from holding public office.

The appointment of Ahsen to defend Gi-

News 19

Policeman among five killed across Balochistan QUETTA

F

ShAhZADA ZulFIQAR

IVE people, including a policeman, were killed and two others injured in separate acts of violence in various towns of Balochistan on Thursday.

Levies Force officials said unidentified armed men opened indiscriminate fire in Mashkail town of Washuk district, 700kms southwest of Quetta. As a result, three people were killed on the spot. Local administration moved the victims to hospital where they were identified as Kulia, his son Shah Dost and Hamza.

Officials said the reason behind the triple murder was old enmity, saying the father and son were the main targets of the attack. In another incident, a policeman was killed by the firing of bandits in Hub industrial town of Balochistan.

Police said a government employee was

carrying salaries for government employees in Hub when bandits intercepted him near Civic Center and tried to snatch the money from him, However, police reached the site just as the bandits were in the middle of thr robbery attempt, forcing the criminals to open fire. Resultantly, a policeman was killed and the bandits fled the scene.

In another incident, a businessman was killed and two others injured in Khuzdar, 300kms away from Quetta.

Police said Haji Ramzan Zehri, renowned businessman of Khuzdar, was standing outside his shop near Umar Farooq Chowk along with two other men when two armed men on a motorbike sprayed a volley of bullets on them. As a result, all three received critical wounds and were rushed to a hospital, however, Zehri succumbed to his injuries. Police said a case had been registered. Moreover, unidentified people shot dead a man in Tambu tehsil of Naseerabad dis-

balochistan strikes against murder of MPA Domki’s family QUETTA: A partial strike was observed in various parts of Balochistan on Thursday against the killing of the wife and daughter of provincial legislator Mir Bakhtiar Khan Domki and their driver by unknown armed men in Karachi on Monday night. Baloch nationalist parties had given the call for strike in protest against the killing of tribal women in the Gizri area of Karachi. In response, trade centres in areas including Khuzdar, Hub, Naseerabad, Jaffarabad, Sibi, Lehri, Bakhtiarabad Domki, Bhag and Bolan remained closed with thin traffic on the road. Heavy contingents of police and other law enforcement agencies were deployed in the strike areas. The social and political circles flayed the attack, terming it a “coward act” to further deteriorate the situation in Balochistan. They called upon the Sindh government to immediately arrest the murderers. APP trict. The deceased was identified as Sikandar Uzbak, the alleged killer of Excise Inspector Rajab Umrani. Umrani had been found dead in his vehicle on Wednesday night and his guard, Sikan-

Germany urges resumption of NATO supplies ISLAMABAD ShAIQ huSSAIn

Germany wants Pakistan to reopen the NATO supply routes to Afghanistan through its border as early as possible and it believes that vital decisions taken by Islamabad in the recent past, including the boycott of the Bonn Conference, in the wake of NATO airstrikes on its border posts last year were a major mistake.This was the clear and plain message conveyed to Pakistan’s civilian and military leaders

by Germany’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Michael Steiner on Thursday.

German envoy, whose country is playing a vital role for the success of recently launched US-Taliban talks, also urged Pakistani leadership to play an active of a facilitator for its success, according to diplomatic sources familiar with his interaction with Foreign Minister Hina

Rabbani Khar, army chief General Ashfaq Kayani, ISI chief Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir. The German envoy’s meetings with Pakistani leaders are said to be very positive and all issues of mutual interest with focus on Afghanistan were discussed in a frank and candid manner. Ambassador Michael Steiner was of the view that it was not in Pakistan’s interests to adhere to its decision of not opening the NATO supply routes. He stated it would hurt all the allies in counterterrorism global campaign, along with Islamabad.

Germany, according to insiders, strongly believes that the Bonn Conference boycott was Pakistan’s big mistake, but the German envoy assured Pakistani leaders during his meetings that Islamabad’s absence did not hurt its interests at all. He also stressed upon the need of Pakistan taking clear position on important issues such as dialogue with the Tal-

iban on part of US and also to work for the success of Afghan reconciliation process.

The German official also admitted that there was a deep mistrust between Pakistan and its western allies in the counterterrorism alliance in the wake of November airstrikes by NATO on Pakistani border posts.

He, nonetheless, told Pakistani leaders that the mistrust could be removed as there was still some credit available between Islamabad and its allied nations.

Pakistani leaders also complained about what he dubbed irresponsible statements by their western allies, such as the recent leaked report on NATO, which claimed that Pakistan was supporting the Afghan Taliban in their fight against the US-led international forces. The German official observed that such statements should be avoided but he also held the view that sometimes it was unavoidable to take clear position on certain important matters.

dar, had been missing. Umrani was a cousin of provincial minister and PPP Balochistan President Mir Sadiq Umrani. Police have registered a case into the killing and started investigation.

nAtO expects Continued FroM page 22 November 2010, which calls for handing over security duties to Afghan forces by the end of 2014. “That decision and that roadmap still stand,” Rasmussen said, adding that decisions will be made at the NATO summit in Chicago in May. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is also facing a difficult election, had appeared to upend the strategy last week when he announced France would withdraw combat forces a year early, in 2013. But Rasmussen indicated that the 28-nation alliance was in sync. “Based on all I have heard, and all I have seen, I think all allies and all partners stick to the decisions we took in Lisbon,” he said.

India’s air the worst, says study nEW DELHI: AFP

Pakistan v England in first disabled series KARACHI AFP

Disabled cricketers from England and Pakistan play their first-ever series this month, with organisers hoping the matches can inspire a big future in world disabled cricket.

The three one-day and two Twenty20 match series in the United Arab Emirates coincides with a one-day series between the main cricket teams of the same countries, also being played in the UAE. Amiruddin Ansari, secretary of the Pakistan Disabled Cricket Association

(PDCA), hoped the series would be a landmark.

"Pakistan team will play three 40 overs matches and two Twenty20s at the ICC Global Cricket Academy in Dubai from February 11 and it is approved by the boards of both the countries," said Ansari. "We hope it will be a landmark series and will be well received in the world, sending the message that no disability can stop human beings from shining," said Ansari, a former first class cricketer.

Pakistan is led by Salim Karim, whose right leg withered from polio while his left was damaged in an acci-

dent. Karim assembled the team in 2006 and has since organised three national championships, sparking country-wide interest.

"England have also shown great interest in disabled cricket and we were happy about how they supported our idea," said Ansari, who hoped other countries like Australia, India and Sri Lanka would follow suit.

"We want to stage a World Cup for disabled cricketers, so for that we need the support of other countries and I hope in the next couple of years more and more countries will come to play this brand of the game," said Ansari.

In contempt! lani in the contempt case was seen as a conciliatory gesture from the prime minister’s camp, as Ahsen is hugely respected by judges for his role in forcing the government to reinstate the independent judiciary in March 2009.

The allegations of corruption against Zardari were frozen with the promulgation of the NRO, a political amnesty law passed in 2007, which the court overturned on December 16, 2009.

At the outset of the hearing, Ahsen apprised the court of the Rules of Business over the advice taken by the prime minister.

He said the premier was authorised to reject a summary, however, if the prime minister did not reject the advice, it was not a crime.

He said the premier had approved a new summary on September 23, 2010, which was drafted and put up by erstwhile law secretary Aqil Mirza.

He said according to the summary, the Swiss cases against President Zardari and

slain former prime minister Benazir Bhutto were not closed in response to a letter written by former attorney general Malik Muhammad Qayyum. Instead, he said, these cases were closed by the Swiss authorities because of insufficient evidence.

“The prime minister preferred the summary over the court orders,” Justice Mulk noted, to which Ahsen replied that as the case proceeded further and the court ordered that the letter be written, it would be written.

Justice Khosa then said the court had asked for correction of the error that had been committed. “Everyone knows, the advice given to the premier is not correct,” Justice Khosa said. Justice Ejaz Ahmed Chaudhry noted that during the hearing of the NRO review plea, the government had not said that the cases had been closed.

“Suppose we discharge the contempt notice and withdraw the proceeding, what will you do? Will you write a letter or not?”

Justice Osmany asked Ahsen, who said first the contempt notice had to be discharged on merit. “Why has the letter not been written so far?” Justice Khosa asked. Ahsen, however, argued that the cases in Switzerland stood disposed of.

He said the attorney general of Geneva had stated that the Swiss cases against Zardari and Benazir had been closed because of lack of evidence. He said the late attorney general Chaudhry Farooq had written a letter to the Swiss government in 1997 for legal assistance and in response to that letter, over 1,000 documents came to Pakistan on whose basis the SGS and CoTechna trials were held in Pakistan. He said in these cases, all the accused, except President Zardari, had been acquitted.

Justice Khosa said the sole proprietary was that the trial of the case should be conducted in Switzerland. He said if someone was convicted, the money would be back in Pakistan. “Your contention is that… the

India has the worst air quality in the world, beating even its neighbour China, according to an annual survey based at Yale and Columbia universities in the United States. Of all the countries surveyed in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which measures the effects of polluted air on human health, India ranked the lowest at 132. The study used satellite data to measure air pollution concentrations. The level of fine particulate matter in India is nearly five times the limit where it becomes unsafe for humans, said the study released at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The region fared poorly with Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China taking up the remaining spots in the bottom five of the rankings.

Swiss cases stand closed,” Justice Mulk told Ahsen, adding that the premier said the president enjoyed immunity.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked the premier’s counsel to defend him on strong and solid grounds. Justice Osmany said: “You (Ahsen) are saying that you were mistaken… conceived misconception … and seek opportunity.” Aitzaz replied: “You have pushed me to a cul-de-sac and indicted.” “Why don’t you follow the court order (write the letter)?”

Justice Mulk asked him again.

Later, the bench took a half-hour break, apparently for consultation with each other, and when it assembled again, the judges announced the order.

Tainted by corruption allegations, Zardari spent 11 years in jail on charges ranging from corruption to murder, although he was never convicted. He and his late wife, Benazir, were suspected of using Swiss bank accounts to launder about $12 million in alleged bribes paid by companies seeking customs inspection contracts in Pakistan in the 1990s. A Swiss prosecutor has since said it would be “impossible” to reopen the case against Zardari since he benefits from immunity as a head of state.

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Aisam promotes his book at Lahore Fair today LAHORE SPECIAl CORRESPOnDEnT

P

AKISTAN’S tennis ace Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi has written a book on his experiences spanning about a decade and a half on the tour and representing Pakistan in the Davis Cup. The official launch of the book, titled ‘Lessons learnt from the tennis tour’, is expected sometime later this month. But it will be on display in the 26thInternational Book Fair that commences today in the city at the Expo Centre. The exhibition will run till February 7.

Aisam, who leads Pakistan’s away Davis Cup campaign against Lebanon from Saturday, has squeezed out some time to introduce and promote the book at the Fair and he will be present at the venue from 04.00 pm onwards today.

Written with his coach Robert Davis, the book shares a diverse range of life lessons Aisam has

Daly surprise early leader in qatar DOHA AFP

American John Daly gave a rare glimpse of his supreme natural talents by shooting a five under par 67 to share the early lead with Englishman Richard Finch at the 2.5-million-dollar Qatar Masters here on Thursday. Daly, a two-time major-winner, whose troubled personal life and on-course petulant behaviour has often overshadowed his golf for several years, produced a bogey-free round in blustery conditions at the Doha Golf Club to set himself up nicely for the remainder of the tournament. Looking much trimmer now, Daly began steadily by parring the first two holes before picking up a shot on the par-3 third and then stroked two more birdies before the turn even as a sandstorm raged over the course.

learnt from an eventful career on the road. Well written and tastefully designed and printed in coffee table format, the book is a visual delight as well.

The book is of far larger consequence because it is in a way the only though partial source material on the goings-on in Pakistan tennis as well, though that by no means was the purpose of the book.

Outside cricket Pakistan’s bestknown international sportsman since Jansher Khan called it a day, Aisam has been a superb ambassador of the sport and country, presenting a clean-cut image of Pakistan through his persona. Containing 12 chapters other than an epilogue, the book amply illustrates how and why. This is a must-read for aspiring and even established sporting personalities who would care to know why learning from your defeats and triumphs, and keeping it in perspective and all the while staying fiercely mindful of one’s image is so hugely important.

lille lessons spark Cole's coaching ambitions PARIS AFP

Joe Cole has expressed his admiration for Lille coach Rudi Garcia and revealed that working under the Frenchman has prompted him to consider a career in management himself. Cole is on a season-long

loan at the French champions from Liverpool and despite his considerable experience, the 29-year-old said he has learnt a great deal from Garcia on the training pitch. "When I was playing at Liverpool or elsewhere, sometimes you'd ask yourself why the other team had so much possession against you," the midfielder said in an

interview published in Thursday's edition of sport daily L'Equipe.

"In the England team, we had (Steven) Gerrard, (Frank) Lampard, (David) Beckham, (Wayne) Rooney and we were playing against, for example, Macedonia, and they had 60 percent of possession against us. And we didn't know why. "For me, it depends on the way the team is put together. The way that Rudi instructs the team has opened my eyes about playing high up the pitch, with the full-backs pushing up and the movement of the central midfielders and the defenders. "When you look at the relationship between (Florent) Balmont and (Mathieu) Debuchy, it's very fluid. But it doesn't just happen like that.

You have to work on movement and that way of attacking. "It makes me want to become a coach, even if I hope that that doesn't happen for a while. But maybe I'd be rubbish!" Cole has become a popular figure with Lille's fans, having scored eight goals in all competitions since the start of the season, but he admits he is still having problems picking up the language.

Trio shares lead in Myanmar YAnGOn AFP

Ben Fox of the United States reaped the benefits of extra hours slogging it in the gym as he shot a sparkling eight-under-par 64 to share the firstround lead at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open on Thursday. Fox fired a flawless round with eight birdies that was matched by Australians Scott Hend, who has won once on the Asian Tour, and former European Tour player Wade Ormsby at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.

YAnGOn: ben fox of the USA during the first day of the Zaykabar Myanmar Open at the royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club. AFP

Chinnarat Phadungsil of Thailand, a three-time Asian Tour winner, was a further shot back with Kim Gi-Whan of South Korea in the $300,000 event, the first of the Asian Tour season. Fox, who is searching for his first Asian Tour victory, credited the hard work in the gym during the offseason for his fast start.

"I worked hard in the off-season. I don't like working out during the season but during the break I was hitting it hard in the gym and on the practice range," he said, according to an Asian Tour press release. "I tried to get a little bit stronger in the gym and it is showing because I'm hitting it 10 or 15 yards further this year," said the 24-year-old. Playing in his third year on the Asian Tour, Fox made a 25-foot chip-in birdie from the edge of the seventh hole to tie for the lead. "It was one of my goals coming into the year to get off to a good start more frequently. It is nice to kind have done that in the first week.

Obviously, you just don't plan on shooting eightunder but it was a nice round," he said. Hend, who is among 15 Australians in the field, predicts a low-scoring week as he aims to end a three-year title drought. "I hit good shots and holed my putts. I missed a couple but you can't complain when you shoot an eight-under," he said. Scores after round 1 of the Zaykabar Myanmar Open being played at the par-72 Royal Mingalardon in Yangon: 64 - Scott Hend (AUS), Ben Fox (USA), Wade Ormsby (AUS) 65 - Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA), Kim Gi-Whan (KOR) 66 Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA), Prom Meesawat (THA), Chris Rodgers (ENG) 67 - Baek SeukHyun (KOR), Kodai Ichihara (JPN), Daisuke Maruyama (JPN), Thaworn Wiratchant (THA), Joon Lee (KOR), Martin Rominger (SUI), Simon Griffiths (ENG), Arnond Vongvanij (THA), Rick Kulacz (AUS), Masanori Kobayashi (JPN), Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA).

Shahraiz rokhri elected Punjab badminton chief LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The general body of the Punjab Badminton Association in its meeting held Thursday unanimously elected Shahraiz Abdullah Khan Rokhri as President Punjab Badminton Association. The meeting was presided by Mr. Shahnawaz Malik Senior Vice President who expressed strong sentiments about late Aamer Hayat Khan Rokhri. The house elected two more vice presidents: Lt Col –(r) Amanat Ali and Rana Ishtiaq Hanif. Shahraiz Abdullah Khan Rokhri thanked the members for reposing confidence in him and assured them of his full cooperation to continue with the mission of his father Late Aamer Hayat Khan Rokhri. He announced that an All Pakistan Badminton Tournament will be held in the memory of Aamer Hayat Khan Rokhri Shortly which will be an annual feature. He also promised to revive Badminton Academy and to retain the same team as they had done an excellent job. District Badminton Association will be encouraged to hold tournament at Divisional level.

Kenya promise high-level security for Ireland nAIROBI AFP

CHArlErOI: belgium’s tamaryn Hendler (wtA 215) shoots into a ball during a training session of the belgian fed Cup team. AFP

Cricket Kenya on Thursday promised highlevel security for Ireland during a four-day Intercontinental Cup and two one-day internationals starting next week. The fixtures, which also include three Twenty-20 games will be played in the Indian Ocean town of Mombasa from February 12-24. The tour was confirmed on Tuesday by Cricket Ireland who had earlier expressed concern over the security following a UK travel advisory on Kenya issued in January over a possible terror attack by the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization of Somalia. "We are happy that Ireland have accepted to come. Cricket Kenya and the ICC have been engaged in organising a high-level security plan for the team during the two-week tour," said Cricket Kenya chief executive Tom Sears.

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DUBAI: England’s cricketers warm up during a practice session at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Spin-weary England will be desperate to avoid the humiliation of a series whitewash against Pakistan in the third and final Test. AFP

WATch iT Live TEN CRICKET Pakistan V England - 3rd Test Day 1 11:00AM

ESPN STAR Australia V India T20 02:00PM

Punjab Sports festival UC evel Sports conclude LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Sharapova looks to fire Russia in chilly Moscow PARIS AFP

Maria Sharapova will be looking to fire Russia in their Fed Cup World Group opener against Spain this weekend as she returns to freezing Moscow after her run in the sun to the Australian Open final.

Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev was spoilt for choice for the tie on the indoor hard surface of Moscow's Olympic Stadium and has opted for world number three Sharapova for singles duty alongside 19thranked Svetlana Kuznetsova. Sharapova had a good run to the final of the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne before being thrashed in straight sets by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

"I just came to Moscow from Australia and I'm still shocked by the temperature drop (from +30 degrees Celsius to -20C).

But I still have time to get accustomed to the weather conditions here," the Floridabased player said. "I believe this time I will be able to play better than I did in my previous Fed Cup appearance against France last year. I'll try to give my best against Spain on front of our home fans in a very

important tournament."

Beaten 3-2 by the Czech Republic in last year's final at the same Olympic Stadium, the Russian team will be looking for a morale-boosting opener with a team that also includes Nadia Petrova, ranked 33, and 42nd-ranked Ekaterina Makarova.

Spain legend Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario takes charge for the first time as captain of the five-time winners in a team that will be without Anabel Medina Garrigues. The 39th-ranked Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez is Spain's top-ranked player, in a team that also includes Carla Suarez Navarro, Arantxa Parra-Santonja and N u r i a Llagostera Vives. "It's my debut as the Spanish team's skipper and I'm really proud I'm in charge of this

great team," said Sanchez-Vicario, who holds the record for the most number of Fed Cup wins. "Russia look clear favourites but we are set to fight to the very end. We are aiming for a place in the final this year."

Russia hold a 5-1 lead in previous meetings, with Spain's only success in 1989. But SanchezVicario insisted: "Statistics doesn't mean anything. We're going to fight for every single point in this showdown. "We feel comfortable on the hard surface in the

Olympic indoor stadium here. Of course, the red clay is our preferred surface but we have nothing to complain about."

Champions the Czech Republic open against Germany on an indoor hard service at Stuttgart, as Belgium host Serbia on the same surface at Charleroi without Kim Clijsters, while three-time winners Italy host Ukraine on indoor clay at Biella.

The Czechs won their most recent meeting in 2010 and lead the Germans 5-1, with four of the six ties when the two nations played under the former flags of West Germany and Czechoslovakia.

Serbia, meanwhile, will be without Ana Ivanovic, with Jelena Jankovic leading their bid to win their first ever World Group tie, against two-time champions Belgium. In northern Italy, former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta lead the hosts' bid to preserve their unbeaten record against the Ukraine.

TIES RUSSIA V SPAIN BELGIUM V SERBIA UKRAINE V ITALY GERMANY V CZECH REPUBLIC

The first phase of the Union Council level Sports Festival came to an end Thursday.

The next phase consisting of competitions at Tehsil level will start from February 4, 2012 throughout Punjab. The prize distributing ceremony in the honour of the winning teams at Nishtar Town Lahore. The winning teams were given the trophies and cash prizes. Naseer Ahmed Bhutta was the chief guest on this occasion. In the cricket competitions UC 53, 64, 134, 135, 150, 136, 139 and 147 were given the first prize of cash Rs.5000 and Rs.3000 for the runners-up. In badminton, the cash prize of Rs.2000 was handed over to the position holder team while the runner up was given Rs 2000 at Union Council 63. The cash prize of Rs.2000 was given to the first position holder whereas the runner up was given Rs.1000. In Kabaddi, UC 147 and 150 were given the cash prizes of Rs.2000 for first position and Rs.1000 for second position. In football, UC 143 and 147 were the winners who were given the cash prize of Rs.4000 for first position and Rs.3000 for second position each team. On the other hand, the competitions entered final day at Shalamar/Cantt. The cricket matches were held at UC 58 in which Tajpura XI beat Eagle XI. In UC 56, Hanif XI beat Hashmi XI while in UC 57,Tajbagh XI beat Tajpura High School XI. In UC 69, Azam XI defeated Atif XI. In UC 60 Sultan XI beat Pak Mulsim XI.In Lahore city, union council 93,Azam 11 beat Shahid 11.

PUtD win tug-of-war championship LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Punjab University Teaching Department (PUTD) has won the Inter Collegiate Tug-of–war Championship played under the aegis of Punjab University at Old Campus university ground. As many as six teams took part in the championship. In final match, the PUTD defeated Ikhwan College and clinched the title while UET defeated Govt College Haveli Lakha to win the third spot. Chief guest Director Sports Haile College Mian AS Amjad and Additional Director Sports Atiya Mumtaz gave away prizes to the winners.

Woolf report looks to shake up old boys’ club DUBAI CRICInFO

The ICC's independent governance review, headed by Lord Woolf, has called for sweeping changes in the administration of cricket and the functioning of its governing body. It starts with a restructuring of the ICC's executive board to make it more independent and less dominated by the bigger countries and also recommends a re-examination of the rights and benefits of the Test-playing Full Member nations, calling for measures to increase transparency in dealings by the ICC and its members.

The review looks at cricket's growth over the past decade and the effect of that growth on the ICC and the various member nations, noting the perception that the bigger nations look after their own interests and not those of the game per se. "The ICC reacts as though it is primarily a Members club," the review notes; "its interest in enhancing the global development of the game is secondary."

Much of its vision of a revamped ICC

is aimed at redressing this imbalance between the cricket-playing nations. The most important recommendation concerns revamping the ICC's executive board, its top decision-making body, to reduce the numerical strength of the Full Members and to offset their influence by bringing in independent directors, in keeping with best corporate governance practices.

The board currently comprises the heads of all Full Member nations, three representatives from the Associates and Affiliates and the ICC's president, vicepresident and chief executive. Woolf's plan incorporates five independent directors three from within the game and two from outside to bring in diversity of opinion and experience - with voting rights and the additional stipulation that they should not be in a minority. It suggests that the Full Member nations eventually have four representatives, and the Associates two, with the chairman, president and chief executive making up the desired dozen.

It also suggests that an ICC director should not concurrently hold any leadership or executive post with their home

boards. For example, N Srinivasan is currently both an ICC director and president of the Indian board but, if the recommendations are accepted, he can't retain both posts. As for independent directors, they must not have not recently held positions of authority on any member board nor any commercial body that has had significant contractual relationships with the ICC. The suggestions of the review are not binding on the ICC, which will examine it at the next Board meeting in April. On Wednesday the ICC had announced its plan to split the post of president into a ceremonial and a governance role, stating that the decision had been in agreement with two of the Woolf report's 65 recommendations.

The report also asked for greater opportunities for non-Test playing countries to compete against the top nations and an increased say for them in the administration of the game.

It recommended that the ICC do away with the present membership system of Full Members (the Test-playing countries), Associates (countries where cricket is

firmly established and organised, such as Ireland etc) and Affiliates (countries where the game is played in accordance with the Laws of cricket, such as Bhutan etc), and instead have two clear membership classes: the Full Members and Associates.

It has asked that the ICC adopt the principle of one Board member, one vote.

Under the ICC's current voting pattern in the full council, Full Member nations and the 35 Associates have one vote each, while the 60 Affiliates are split into groups of twelve, each of which has a single collective vote, adding up to a total of five. For a special resolution to change the ICC Constitution the requirement is for the support of eight Full Members and 38 out of 50 of the full council.

In another recommendation, the Woolf report asks for the current number of Full Members be "reviewed" in order to "open up the full membership more widely." It suggests that Test status "should not be a requirement of full member status." It says that the full member "class" should include Test playing nations "together with other high-performing (but

not Test playing) members."

Being granted Full Membership gives a country greater access to the ICC's funds and greater voting power in the governing body's chief executive's committee as well as the full council.

The Associates mostly get their chances to play Test countries at ICC tournaments such as the World Cup and the World Twenty20 but the report called for the FTP to be modified to provide Associates more matches against the big boys outside these global events.

The final report of the Woolf review was presented to the ICC Executive Board on Tuesday and released to the public on Thursday. In preparing the report, Lord Woolf was assisted by Justice Mukul Mudgal, former Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and by consultancy firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

The report was written after interviews with various stakeholders, including the ICC board, the chief executives' committee, heads of the national cricket bodies, players' associations, former heads of the ICC and journalists.

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Pakistan for ‘Afghan-led’ peace: Khar

ISLAMABAD

P

AFP

AKISTAN said on Thursday it was willing to do whatever Afghans wanted to end 10 years of war with the Taliban, but insisted the process should not be led by the Americans or any other foreign power.

A day after talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai billed as a fencemending visit designed to ease frosty ties, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar sought to refute perceptions that Islamabad was an obstacle to peace.

“We’re willing to do whatever the Afghans want or expect,” Khar said when asked whether Pakistan was ready to push the Haqqani network towards peace talks, but stopped short of naming the group or commenting further.

She said Karzai was due in Islamabad in the middle of the month and that

she would travel with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to Qatar, where the Taliban have set up a liaison office for talks with the Americans.

She said it was “not in anyone’s interest” for Afghanistan to slide back into the chaos of the past, but said Pakistan had “so far” not played any substantial role in the contacts there between the Americans and the Taliban.

Analysts say that Kabul and Islamabad have felt sidelined by the Qatar contacts. Khar did not comment explicitly, but said it was imperative that the Afghans were central to any eventual peace process, still “miles away”.

“Who can play this central role? Not Pakistan, the US, Germany, the UK, Qataris, Saudis or anyone, it has to be the Afghans,” she said. She was determined to distance from Pakistan being in any way an independent actor in an effective peace process. “It is Afghanistan to decide and as a friendly neighbour, it is our job and responsibility and will to stand strongly behind that. The only prerequisite that Pakistan has is that it should be an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-driven, Afghan-backed process which has the ownership of Afghan people,” said Khar.

Khar took a swipe at a leaked NATO report accusing Pakistan of complicity with the Taliban, saying media reports and leaks did not reflect Pakistan’s “dialogue” with NATO and the United States.

“Pakistan would not want to be seen to be working at counter purposes with the rest of the world, including the Westerners, NATO, ISAF, US. It will be in our interest to be able to assist them in whatever way we can,” she said.

RESTORING NATO SUPPLIES: She also signaled that Pakistan could shortly end a more than two-month blockade on NATO supplies entering Afghanistan for foreign forces. Responding as to when parliament would pass the review, she said: “I’m going to hopefully ensure and push it very hard that it is no later than within a week... first half of February is probable.”

“I cannot pre-empt what the parliament is going to decide but I would assume that should not be so much of a problem,” she said when asked if the recommendations would include reopening the border.

Aitzaz will appeal PM’s indictment

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Aitzaz Ahsen, who is representing Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the contempt case against him, said on Thursday that he would file an intra-court appeal against the Supreme Court’s February 2 order summoning the premier on February 13 to be indicted for contempt of court

over his refusal to write a letter to Swiss authorities to reopen graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari. He said, however, that the filing of an appeal was subject to the prime minister’s approval. He told reporters at the Supreme Court premises that there was definitely an option of filing an appeal against the court’s decision. “My advice to my client would be to file an appeal, but the decision rests with him,” he said. Ahsen said even though there was a possibility for an appeal in this matter, it was the court’s prerogative whether to suspend the order or not. “This will actually be decided after getting a copy of the order,” he added.

He emphasised on his earlier stance that the showcause notice issued to the prime minister should be discharged. The prime minister, he said, acted upon the advice of the law minister and law secretary – which was sent in writing– and thus, did not commit any contempt of court. He said he wanted democracy to prevail and flourish in the country and clash of institutions to end. He said the court should also issue a notice to former army chief General (r) Pervez Musharraf, who twice abrogated the constitution – once on October 12, 1999 and again on November 3, 2007 – and sacked the judges of the apex court. He said his client had been asked to appear in court in person on February 13, at which time he would be indicted.

He said four senior officials of the Law Ministry had unanimously advised the prime minister through a summary not to write the letter to the Swiss authorities, as it would be a futile exercise because the cases were closed because of unavailability of required evidence. He said the prime minister had acted upon the summary, thus it did not warrant contempt of court charges.

Ahsen also said the prime minister had very humbly bowed his head before the court. “I did not represent an individual before the court, I represented the constitution before the court,” he said.

Meanwhile, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Continued on page 04

Rein in agencies, Nisar asks Gilani, Kayani g

PM says all institutions answerable to parliament ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Strongly criticising the role of agencies in the missing persons’ case, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday asked Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani to rein-in the intelligence agencies.

Responding to Nisar’s fierce criticism of the killing of four people who were in the custody of a spy agency and his demand of constitution of a court of enquiry by the government, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said a committee of the House could be constituted to look into the matter, but he proposed that as the matter was sub-judice, the court’s verdict should be awaited.

Gilani said all state institutions should work under their constitutional ambit and all institutions were answerable to parliament. He said the government would respect the Supreme Court’s order in the missing persons’ case. Speaking on a point of order earlier, Nisar announced that he

would go to the Supreme Court on the next hearing of the missing persons’ case to express solidarity with the families whose relatives had been illegally abducted and killed by spy agencies.

He said a secret agency had dumped the tortured corpses of four people who it

had abducted upon their acquittal from a court of law. Nisar also asked Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani to protect the honour and goodwill of the Pakistan Army and take notice of such incidents.

“This is a national army, not a mafia … General Kayani must stop such things which tarnish the army’s image,” he said.

PML-N MNAs chanted slogans of “shame, shame” over the killing of missing persons. Nisar added that it was a moral and constitutional obligation of all members of the parliament to raise voice in parliament for missing persons and against the atrocities of secret agencies and to appear in the Supreme Court to express solidarity with the families of the missing persons. “Whenever the government feels threats from agencies, the prime minister wastes no time in pointing out a state within the state, but in this case no government functionary has come forward to speak in favour of common citizens,” he said, asking the prime minister to rein in secret agencies and bring their heads before parliament so that lawmakers could hold them accountable.

nAtO expects Afghan PML-N attaches strings to forces to take control support for 20th Amendment by mid-2013 ISLAMABAD

STAFF REPORT

BRUSSELS AFP

NATO expects Afghan forces to take control of security over their entire country by the middle of next year while foreign troops will shift to a support role, the alliance’s chief said on Thursday. “We expect the last provinces to be handed over to the Afghanistan security forces by mid-2013,” NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters ahead of two days of talks among alliance defence ministers.

“From that time Afghan security forces are in the lead all over Afghanistan. And from that time, the role of our troops will gradually change from combat to support. In that, there’s nothing new,” he said. US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta indicated as he arrived for the talks that NATO would “transition from a combat role to a train and advise and assist role” by the end of 2013. But Panetta and Rasmussen portrayed the approach as in keeping with a gradual NATO plan adopted in Lisbon in Continued on page 19

The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) on Thursday extended support to the government for the passage of the 20th Amendment to give legal cover to the byelections held during an incomplete Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on the condition that the government appointed an impartial election commissioner and an impartial caretaker set up to hold the general elections.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Nisar Ali Khan said his party had no objection over the 20th Amendment. However, he said the opposition needed a clear assurance from the government that they would consider the proposals given by the opposition.

Responding to Nisar’s concerns, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the government was trying to strengthen all institutions, adding that the government would

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welcome the PML-N’s recommendations. Nisar said the 20th Amendment should not be passed only to provide legal cover to the members of parliament elected in the by-polls but it should be made more meaningful by incorporating the suggestions put forward by the PML-N. He blamed the government for the delay in passing the tenure and privileges of the members of the ECP as despite the opposition’s support for a consensus document, the terms could not be approved by the government.

He also demanded the government give assurance to the nation for an impartial and independent caretaker setup for the next general elections. Nisar asked the government to pass a new accountability bill after developing consensus with the opposition. PML-N leader Khawaja Saad Rafiq said the passage of the 20th constitutional amendment only for the validity of the members of parliament elected in by-polls would not send a positive message.

Published by Arif Nizami for Nawa Media Corporation (Pvt) Ltd at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad.

Editor: Arif Nizami, Executive Editor: Sarmad Bashir, Resident Editor: Rana Qaisar