E-paper PakistanToday LHR 13th December, 2011

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SC serves notice to Ahmad Kasuri in ZAB reference

Russia vote will stand despite protests: Putin aide

Railways on the verge of collapse, committee told

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Rs15.00 Vol ii no 166 22 pages Lahore edition

tuesday, 13 december, 2011 Muharram-ul-Haram 17, 1433

Envoys warn against breakdown in US ties Recommend long-term relationship based on mutual respect Envoys’ moot discusses levying taxes on NATO trucks and tankers g Pasha says US frustrated over setbacks in Afghanistan g g

ISLAMABAD ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar presides over a conference of Pakistani envoys. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Khalid Shamim and Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Ahmed Shuja Pasha are also seen in the picture. inp

Nawaz ‘won’t support any unconstitutional move against govt’ LAHORE STAFF REPORT

pro-women bills sail through Senate ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that every decision of the Supreme Court would be implemented and no unconstitutional move would be supported in the country. Addressing a meeting of the Muslim League Members Assembly, office-bearers and other leaders belonging to Gujranwala division here, Nawaz vowed not to support any unconstitutional and unlawful move in the country. He said the PML-N had to play an active role to make Pakistan a dignified, independent and prosperous country in the real sense. He said the PML-N would again give the nation a Pakistan where the ratio of progress was much more than the rest of the region, where job opportunities for the youth were increasing, where the Continued on page 04

Following the National Assembly, the Senate also unanimously passed a landmark legislation on Monday to provide protection to women against centuries-old brutal traditions and social practices and disfiguring of human body and organs by corrosive substances like acid and other means.

MQM Senator Tahir Mashhadi also introduced a bill regarding digging up or damaging graves in a desecrating manner. The Senate passed the two bills, as passed by the National Assembly, whereby Pakistan Penal Code 1860 and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 would be amended after formal approval of the president. Both bills were moved by Senator Nilo-

far Bakhtayar in the Senate.

The legislation meant for protecting women against exploitation and discrimination by declaring many things like forced marriages, Wani or Swara or any other custom or practice under any name in consideration of settling a civil dispute or a criminal liability, as punishable acts.

“Whoever gives a female in marriage or otherwise compels a woman to enter into marriage, as badal-e-sulh, Wani, or Swara or any other custom or practice under any name in consideration of settling a civil dispute or a criminal liability shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years and shall not be Continued on page 04

P

SHAIQ HUSSAIN

AkiSTANi envoys based in important world capitals on Monday cautioned the ruling circles against a complete breakdown in ties with the United States, saying it could harm the national interests, but also asked for a long-term relationship with the world’s sole superpower based on mutual interests and not just a security-based partnership. islamabad on Monday opened its two-day ‘Envoys’ Conference’ here to discuss various aspects of foreign policy with focus on revising the country’s policy on ties with Washington, which have been strained in the wake of the recent deadly NATO air strike against two Pakistani outposts in Mohmand Agency in which 24 soldiers were killed. Pakistani envoys to US, China, European Union, Russia, Germany, iran, india, Afghanistan and Turkey are participating in the conference, which is presided over by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani khar. inter-Services intelligence (iSi) Director General Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman General khalid Shameem Wyne and Finance Minister Abdul Hafiz Shaikh also attended the ambassadors’ moot on Monday, which went on for the whole day.

“One important proposal that was discussed and vetted at the envoys’ conference on day one was to start taxing the NATO trucks and tankers in case of resumption of NATO supplies to Afghanistan through Pakistan,” said a Pakistani diplomat, requesting anonymity.

Pakistan closed its borders to NATO supplies along with issuing orders to the US to vacate the

Shamsi air base and boycotted the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan as a protest against the NATO strike. “The taxation could bring millions of dollars in annual taxes on NATO trucks and fuel tankers but the step could be taken only if the supplies are resumed and Pakistan decides to allow them to cross into Afghanistan,” he said.

He said the envoys who came from important world capitals observed that Pakistan could not afford complete breakdown in relations with US and steps must be taken to have a long-term relationship with Washington based on mutual interests if there was a firm assurance by the Obama administration that islamabad’s sovereignty would be respected and there would be no violation of it in future. He said the ambassadors were of the view that there could be no compromise on national sovereignty but if the US apologised for the NATO strike, steps should be taken towards normalisation of ties with Washington as otherwise the country’s economy would suffer serious harm and damage.

Continued on page 04

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02 News today’s

Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

lAHORE

NEwS

Lahore Police reopens Raymond Davis case

Take suo motu notice of PIA corruption, TIP appeals to CJP The Assads: An iron-fisted dynasty

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Story on Page 10

wORld viEw

Quick Look

SC directs all provinces to provide jobs to eunuchs ISLAMABAD

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New mosques, madrassas to be regulated

STAFF REPORT

A two-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry directed all the provinces on Monday to provide job opportunities to the eunuchs to enable them to lead a respectable life. The court also ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to hold meetings with the social welfare departments as well as eunuchs on divisional or district level for registering them as voters.

The bench also told the chief secretaries of all the provinces to cooperate with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the issuance of national identity cards (NiCs) to the eunuchs as well as to help them in property inheritance.

Expressing dismay over the Balochistan government for not taking any steps for the welfare of eunuchs, the court asked the Social Welfare Department secretary to explain why the court should not take action against him for showing negligence in implementing orders.

During the hearing, applicant Dr Aslam khakhi requested the court to direct the government to allocate quota in jobs for the eunuchs. He said that after the apex court’s intervention, people had started taking interest for the welfare of eunuchs. He said that three female students at Quad-e-Azam University, islamabad were writing their theses on the issues of eunuchs.

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Stern measures under consideration to curb extremism ISLAMABAD

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GNI

EvERAL proposals are under consideration at various levels of decision making to introduce amendments in the law in order to curb extremism and terrorism and to bring the function and operation of various religious institutions within the framework of certain stringent measures and laws in order to tighten the noose around those activists of banned organisations who later joined militant organisations.

All these proposals are revolving around new stern rules regarding the construction of new madrassas and mosques, preparation of electronic data, regulation of cyber crime/mobile communication, regulation of religious gatherings, vehicle registration, documented economy, law reforms and improving operational capability of civil/armed forces.

On the construction of new madrassas and mosques, the proposal suggests strict denial of government land for construction of new mosques/madrassas, and that such constructions should only be allowed with due government permission and only in special circumstances. New mosques should only be allowed after assessing the requirement of the locality/sect and in accordance with rules of Sharia while the management, faculty and pupils should essentially be locals and the district mosques committees should be strengthened.

The proposal suggests an immediate joint survey of all jihadist outfits and extremist elements by intelligence agencies and police to ascertain the magnitude of the problem, and that

such organisations should be logged in a database accessible to all stakeholders. Foreign religious NGOs should be monitored, and the motives of their operation and sources of their funding should be determined. Every law enforcement agency of the country should work in unison to get the right results with a mechanism of cross-information flow, says the proposal. in view of increased usage of electronic gadgetry and means of communication such as the internet, email, etc, Cyber Crime Units (CCU) are required to be established at all provincial Criminal investigation Departments (CiDs) for regulation, monitoring and prosecution of any violation. immediate blockade of all unauthorized SiMs should be ensured and issuance of SiMs according to the mechanism laid down by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should also be ensured with strict enforcement in case of any violation.

The proposal also recommended establishing a well-coordinated prosecution system with a witness protection programme. it also states that an amendment is needed in the Qanun-e-Shahadat Ordinance of 1984 to make confession before a gazetted police officer admissible in terrorism cases.

The proposal also envisaged centralised registration of vehicles with the provision of online data of all registered vehicles on the pattern of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to all law enforcement agencies. in order to implement all these suggestions in an effective manner, the proposal emphasised capacity-building of civil armed forces fighting religious extremism and terrorism and revamping provincial CiDs with a proper command structure.

gujranwala: a billboard showing PMl-n leaders as local wrestlers is installed in anticipation of a PMl-n public meeting. Staff photo

SC orders compensation ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Punjab government, insurance company concerned and the Motorway Police to compensate the heirs of 37 people, mostly schoolchildren, who died in September as an overloaded bus overturned on the Lahore-islamabad Motorway, approximately an hour’s drive from islamabad. A twomember SC bench comprising Chief Justice iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice khilji Arif Hussain also directed Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq to take personal interest in the payment of compensation. The court ordered registration of criminal cases against all responsible including Faisalabad Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMO), the school administration and owner of the bus and sought compliance report until Tuesday (today). The court noted that the negligence of the Motorway Police was also one of the causes of the accident, therefore it should pay double compensation. STAFF REPORT

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

fOREigN NEwS

ARTS & ENTERTAiNMENT

SPORTS

Syrians go to polls amid strikes, killings

Saga of patterns and prints

Pakistan inflict innings defeat on Bangladesh

News 03 COMMENT Dangerously isolated: Our security paradigm is isolating us.

Climate change: Some achievements.

Dr Faisal Bari says: Haw many need to die?: On our underregulated CNG kits sector.

Ahmed Yusuf says: Change, a mirage: No change without a change in structure.

Syed Hassan Belal Zaidi says: The myth of public service: The hold of Pujabis on public service.

Story on Page 16

Story on Page 18

Story on Page 20

Articles on Page 12-13

Asghar pledges support for Imran Khan PTi chief forced to cancel scheduled press conference after supporters and opponents of former KP minister Pervez Khattak clash at party secretariat g

ISLAMABAD KASHIF ABBASI

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Will imran’s tsunami fall short of Senate?

LAHORE NADEEM SYED

imagine a political scenario in which imran khan comes to power with a thumping majority in the National Assembly, maybe two-thirds if we stretch our imagination a bit further.

But what would he do about the Upper House, or Senate in our case, where he would have no representation at all despite achieving legislative majorities in national and provincial assemblies whenever the new elections are held?

Can he run the country with majority in the National Assembly and nobody to represent him in the Senate?

This is a billion dollar question being asked in the political discussions these days, both in the federal and provincial capitals where the prospects of imran khan is being weighed in any future political dispensation after the next parliamentary elections in Pakistan. Senate elections are due to be held in the country in March, when half of its members will be retiring. in the existing assemblies, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaaf (PTi) has no members from the electoral college. The chances of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) triumphing in the March elections are quite bright. Other political parties are eying a maximisation of their presence in Senate, like the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), PML-Quaid and Awami National Party (ANP).

These parties have already put in place their respective strategies, even finalised their candidates. But the PTi, it seems, has no strategy for the Senate elec-

tions. The opposition is extremely worried if the coalition led by the PPP returns to Senate with an even greater representation.

But similar concern is never voiced by the PTi leadership, nor did we hear a word from them about the Senate elections. We are not sure if the PTi leadership knows the political implications of being left unrepresented in the Senate before the next elections.

The question is, how is the PTi going to rule if it manages to gain a strong foothold in the Lower House, especially when it is entering practical politics with a ‘revolutionary’ mindset?

But bringing organic changes in the country would be asking too much from the PTi when it would be difficult for imran khan to pass a budget on his own through the Senate in the emerging political equation. Even for the passage of monetary bills, his party would have to rely on the support of other parties present in the Senate. The 18th Amendment has reinforced the position of the Senate. The parliamentary bodies are playing a useful role now and talk of supremacy of parliament is a new mantra among parliamentarians. interestingly, the PTi would take sometime to correct this equation in its favour. But before that it would have to rely on other parties to get its agenda through the Senate.

As such the ground realities belie the claims of big change in the country even if imran puts up a successful show in the next elections. it will be interesting to see how imran and his backers address this and other quandaries dictated by the ground realities.

s another political stalwart Air Marshal (r) Asghar khan on Monday announced his support for imran khan, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-insaf (PTi) experienced the first shock of internal strife when two rival groups scuffled with each other over the entry of a former khyber Pakhtunkhwa (kP) minister in the party. Addressing a joint press conference at his residence with PTi chief imran khan, Tehrik-e-istiqlal Pakistan chief Asghar khan announced his support for imran khan. He also announced to resign as party chief and assured imran khan that the Tehreek-e-istiqlal would support the PTi in the next general elections, as “both the parties had the same mission”.

“All elections held in past were rigged. if the PTi wants to bring a change in the country, it has to start a movement for free and fair elections,” he said. He praised imran khan and his party, saying, “The PTi is the only political party which can pull the country out of the existing turmoil.”

Asghar khan said that he had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court in 1996 against the disbursement of funds among politicians by the interServices intelligence (iSi) in 1990. “Many politicians, including Pakistan Muslim League-

Mirzas enquire after Zardari in dubai DUBAI ONLINE

National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza and former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza on Monday visited a hospital in Dubai to inquire about President Asif Ali Zardari’s health.

According to a local Tv channel, Mirza and Fehmida prayed for the early recovery of Zardari’s health. They discussed political matters as well and Mirza informed the president about his apprehensions. Online could not reach President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar to ask for his comment about the outcome of the meeting.

PPP to present resolution for South Punjab province in PA LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif are among those who received money from the iSi. Nawaz got Rs 3.5 million from the iSi,” he alleged. He said that he had been waiting for the last several years, but the apex court was not taking up his case.

Speaking on the occasion, PTi chief imran khan appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to hear Asghar khan’s petition. imran said that his party would strive for the formation of a free election commission.

“Earlier, the PTi launched a movement for an independent judiciary and now we will launch a campaign for an independent election commission.”

To a query, khan said that he would not accept any challenge from Chaudhry Nisar Ali khan, because the PML-N leader “is a liar”. Earlier, a serious scuffle broke out between two groups over the inclusion of former kP irrigation minister Pervez khat-

pa session: first day, no show LAHORE: The non-serious attitude of the treasury members forced Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) to face a severe embarrassment on the first day of the 32nd session of the Punjab Assembly. While the current round of the PA was called by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, it was the treasury bench itself that failed to maintain the quorum in the House and opposition member Seemal kamran pointed out quorum when Deputy Speaker Rana Mashud was about take up the legislation of 10 bills, which included The Walled City of Lahore Bill 2011 and The Punjab Local Government (Second Amendment) Bill 2011. At the time of counting, opposition benchers outnumbered the treasury benchers in the House; since only 12 members of the treasury benches were present.

RESOLutIOn AgAInSt nAtO AttAck: Once business got underway, Treasury and Opposition benches in Punjab Assembly passed a unanimous resolution against a NATO attack on the Salala checkpost. NASIR BUTT

tak in the PTi, minutes before the scheduled news conference of imran at the PTi secretariat. khattak was supposed to formally announce his decision to join the PTi in a press conference with imran. However, due to the scuffle, imran had to cancel the press conference.

The clash took place between the activists of PTi-Nowshera chapter and the supporters of Pervez khattak.

The PTi activists, led by PTi Nowshera Deputy President Sajid Gumaryani, shouted slogans against khattak, calling him an opportunist and corrupt and terming his entry a negation of party ideology.

The slogans charged khattak’s supporters who were also present inside the secretariat building and both the groups threw eggs, chairs and whatever office equipment they could get their hands on at each other.

Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly (PA) Raja Riaz said on Monday that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) unanimously agreed to present a resolution for the formation of a new province in Punjab. Speaking to media outside the Assembly Hall after the parliamentary meeting of PPP Punjab, Riaz said the party had given approval to declare South Punjab a separate province and would submit the resolution on Tuesday. He said the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PMLQ) had already submitted their resolutions to the PA Secretariat but the issue was not yet part of the session’s agenda and the PPP will try to convince treasury bench representatives to add it to the agenda. He said even the meager funds allocated for South Punjab were being diverted to Lahore. PPP Parliamentary Leader Zulfiqar Gondal said that they will also discuss the issue of local government system in Punjab during the session.

While PML-Q Parliamentary Leader Chaudhry Zahiruddin said the the PA Secretariat had confirmed the resolution in favour of a new province in Punjab had been sent to the law department.

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04 News

Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Pakistan-US relations heading towards thaw

Envoys warn Continued fRoM page 1 uS FRuStRAtED: Addressing the conference, Lt General Pasha said that the NATO attack was tantamount to disregard of Pakistan’s sacrifices in the war against terrorism. “The US and its allies are frustrated because of setbacks in Afghanistan and the attack on Pakistani border posts was a result of that frustration,” said Pasha. “The US has no idea of ground realities in the region and in Afghanistan,” a source privy to the moot quoted General Pasha as saying. However, the source said that some of the envoys differed with General Pasha’s remarks, but they expressed that only when he had left. “The envoys observed that it doesn’t seem realistic to think that US doesn’t have the idea of ground realities in the region and in Afghanistan,” he said. in her address, Foreign Minister khar said Pakistan was reviewing its ties with western allies. “We are reviewing the terms of engagement with the NATO and the US as we want a relationship with them based on mutual respect and understanding,” a source quoted her as saying. She said recommendations of the Envoys’ Conference would be sent to parliament for final approval. “Pakistan will chalk out a foreign policy to protect its sovereignty, territorial integrity and to align it strictly with the country’s requirements for peace and development,” she said. The conference will conclude today.

MNA’s nephews torture man LAHORE: The nephews of MNA Tariq Shabbir allegedly injured a worker of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz after badly torturing him in the Nishter Colony Police precincts on Monday. The victim was identified as Aqeel, a resident of Shadaab Colony, who was kidnapped and severely tortured. He named the nephews of Shabbir as the culprits. STAFF REPORT

ISLAMABAD

i HYDERABAD: A girl taking exam of BA Part-1 in the light of a candle due to power load shedding at Nuzrat College. inp

Govt approves compulsory monetisation of transport ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The government has approved compulsory monetisation of transport facility for government officials of grade 20 to 22 from January 1, 2012 to save Rs 3 billion annually.

From January 1, the officers shall pay for petrol, maintenance/repair expenditure, insurance, transfer fee, as well as, any other duties and taxes on the vehicle in addition to payment of installments.

The decision has been taken in line with the cabinet decision taken on June 3 and would help eliminate misuse of official vehicles. The prime minister has directed the Cabinet Division to implement the policy in a transpar-

ent manner in order to take the reforms agenda of the government forward. The main objective of this policy is within the overall context of observance of the austerity measures approved in the federal budget 2011-12. The overall implementation of the policy shall be the responsibility of all federal secretaries and principal accounting officers, who will particularly ensure that each of the entitled officer of grade 20 to 22 is not in possession or in use of any project vehicle or the departmental operational or general duty vehicle, as well as any vehicle of an organisation or body corporate in his ex-officio capacity, except the only vehicle allocated to him/her through this monetisation policy. An undertaking shall

also be obtained from each entitled officer that in case officer is found involved in unauthorised use of a vehicle, he shall be liable to be preceded under the relevant rules. in this regard, a number of certificates and declarations have been prescribed which shall be required to be signed by each officer, including the principal accounting officer for implementation of this policy.

According to the salient features of the policy, there will be a complete ban on the purchase of staff cars and grade 20 to 22 officers who have been provided official transport shall be given the first option to purchase the allocated cars as per prescribed formula already in vogue.

Two alleged Pakistani ‘spies’ remanded nEW DELHI: Two Pakistani nationals, including a 38-year-old woman, arrested by police on the charge of entering india without any authorisation with an intention to settle here as iSi modules, were remanded by a Delhi court in police custody for 14 days. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate vinod Yadav remanded 40-year-old imran and his woman accomplice, Soofia kanwal, both from karachi, in police custody in an in-camera proceeding.

The court handed over the duo to police on the

prosecution’s plea that their custodial interrogation was required to unravel their networks and plans here, said a police official, privy to the in-camera court proceedings. The crime branch of the city police arrested the duo from New Delhi railway station on a tip off that two Pakistani nationals, who had entered india on December 5 through Sanouli border in Gorakhpur area in Uttar Pradesh would be coming to the national capital by the Gorakhdham Express. INP

STAFF REPORT

CE seems to have started melting between the United States and Pakistan, with positive signals coming from both sides suggesting that their relations would be back to normal soon.

The relations between the US and Pakistan have been strained since the May 2 attack on Osama bin Laden’s hideout in Abbottabad and they worsened further with the NATOiSAF attack on two Pakistani border posts in which 25 troops were killed.

After the November 26 attack, Pakistan had blocked all NATO supplies to Afghanistan with the army and the government taking a tough position on

ARIF TAJ

Warning that subverting devolutionary process under the 18th Amendment would engender horrible consequence for the country, PPP Senator Raza Rabbani on Monday said bureaucracy and certain political forces were hatching conspiracies to create rifts between the federation and the federating units for their vested interests.

He said this while speaking in the Senate when Senator SM Zafar wanted to introduce a bill in the Upper House on private members day to amend the constitution of the country

whereby the subject of curriculum for the educational institutions, devolved to the provinces under the 18th Amendment, could be taken back by the federal government. Senator Zafar said parliament had made a mistake in giving powers to the provinces about making curriculum for the educational institutions and it would give rise to provincialism abolishing uniformity in education. Zafar said he should be allowed to introduce the bill to correct the mistake. Rabbani said the current political polarisation and trust deficit between the provinces and federation would increase as a conse-

quence of amending the constitution and taking the subject of curriculum or syllabi from the provinces. He added that devolution under the18 Amendment was not a step of extreme nature in favour of provincial autonomy, rather it was minimum level of consensus among parliamentarians. The ANP also opposed SM Zafar’s move, saying the bill should not be introduced. Senator Afrasiab khattack said Bangladesh did not emerge owing to different syllabi and the insurgency in Balochistan was not due to different curriculum, rather it was due to injustice and denial of rights to the provinces. The JUi

also opposed the move.

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Senator Abdul Rahim Mandokhel also opposed the bill and idea that syllabi should be taken back from the provinces.

Senator Professor khursheed said a consensus should have been evolved prior to bringing any such bill in the Upper House. However, the MQM was in favour of the bill and Senator Haseeb khan said the bill should be introduced and referred to the concerned committee. Senator Haji Adeel said the government should take notice of some posters and banners of a rally in islam-

Speaking in the Geo News programme Capital Talk, he said: “We feel as Pakistani people do on this terrible tragedy. it should not have happened. We have pledged a full enquiry into the incident and we should learn from this so that it should never happen again.”

When asked to comment on possible closure of Pakistani airspace to US planes, Munter said: “Let’s not forget that Pakistan and the US are on the same side and that there should be more talk between the two allies rather than less.

Let’s get beyond the anger.” To a question on whether the US was trying to pressure Pakistan to restore NATO supply lines, the US ambassador said his government was in constant contact with Pakistan over the issue.

Nawaz ‘won’t support SC issues notices to all Continued fRoM page 1 respondents in Rpp case atmosphere was conducive to local and foreign investment, the nation was united and the people were satisfied and confident with regard to their future.

He said the green passport and green flag would be seen with dignity throughout the world.

Political parties were the asset of the country and the nation and a symbol of national unity and solidarity, but unfortunately the dictators in Pakistan had played the game of dividing political parties, occupying their offices, depriving them of their leadership and formed the parties of their choice, as a result of which not only democratic process was damaged but national unity and solidarity were also put at stake, he added.

Conspiracies to pit federation against provinces on: Rabbani ISLAMABAD

this violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. The army concluded its investigation by squarely saying that it was a deliberate and intended attack. The government also took the same position.

However, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, in his interview to BBC, did not say for sure that it was an intended attack. “Apparently so,” he said in response to a question about whether he believed that the attacks were deliberate and pre-planned. This suggested that the situation would soon become normal. US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, in a Tv programme on Monday, expressed sorrow at the “terrible tragedy” of Mohmand Agency and termed it an “unintentional” act and a result of “failure of mechanism”.

abad. He said that posters read, “Pak fauj kadam barahao, hum tuharay sath hein” (Move forward Pak Army, we are with you) and “Mulk Bachaney kay leye kayani ko laana zaroori hey” (Bringing kayani into power is essential to save the country). Senator Ahmed Ali raised a point of order, saying a bill sent by the committee about State Bank had not been passed yet. Nayyar Bukhari also submitted a privilege motion against vice Chancellor of Quaid-Azam University Hasoom Yasinzai for passing derogatory remarks against PPP ministers and some lawmakers.

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to all respondents in the rental power projects (RPPs) case after it was informed that Reshma Rental Power Plant was not paid its outstanding amount of Rs 750 million despite it having reimbursed the money taken as mobilisation advance.

A two-member Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice khilji Arif Hussain was hearing two identical petitions filed

by Federal Minister for Housing and Works Faisal

Saleh Hayat and PML-N MNA khawaja Asif alleging corruption in the award of RPPs contract.

Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, counsel for Reshma Power Project, Dr Pervez Hassan, counsel for Pakistan Power Resource (PPR) project in Gaddu, Multan and Bhikki and counsel for PEPCO khawaja Tariq Rahim appeared before the court.

Pirzada told the court that Reshma Power Project was not receiving the money against the power it was generating, whereas Dr Pervez Hassan told the court that PPR projects were installed with good faith and sense of transparency in Pakistan.

pro-women bills Continued fRoM page 1 less than three years and shall also be liable to fine of Rs 500,000,” the bill states.

The bill also seeks to prohibit depriving a woman from inheriting property by adding a new chapter titled “Offences Against Women” to the PPC. Similarly, when this bill becomes a law, forced marriage will also be declared a punishable offence. The prohibition of marriage to the Holy Quran is a significant step to rein in the feudal culture and traditions.

The provincial governments have also been legally barred from interfering in sentences of rape by inserting a new section (402D) in the Code of Criminal Proce-

dure.

Regarding bringing justice to victims of acid crimes, the other bill says, “Whoever victimises someone through the use of corrosive substance shall be punished with life imprisonment or imprisonment of either description which shall not be less than 14 years and a minimum fine of Rs 1 million,” read the newly-introduced section 336B that amended the Pakistan Penal Code 1860, and the Code of Criminal Procedure 1998.

Meanwhile, the bill introduced by Mashhadi seeks that digging up or damaging of graves without sanction of lawful authority should be declared a punishable act.

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Exhibitions open at Al-Hamra and NCA PAgE 08

PST chairman’s appointment delayed g

Khosa delays appointment despite Shahbaz’s advice LAHORE UMAIR AZIZ

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HE appointment of the Punjab Service Tribunal (PST) chairman has become a probable row between the governor and CM, as the Punjab government is weighing different options after the governor has delayed the appointment despite the CM’s “advice”, Pakistan Today has learnt.

The Punjab Service Tribunal is the highest and the only forum available for provincial officers to redress their grievances regarding service matters after having gone through all appellate authorities, including the Punjab chief secretary.

The Punjab government could move the Supreme Court (SC) in case it wants to challenge the verdict given by the tribunal. As per the Punjab Service Tribunal Act 1974, the tribunal is headed by a chairman, who is either “a judge or qualified to be a judge of a high court” and is appointed by the governor on “advice”

of the CM for three years.

The term of the last PST chairman Justice (r) Jahangir Arshad expired recently and the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) proposed a name to the CM, who moved a summary to the governor for appointing the new chairman. Sources privy to the development revealed that the Punjab government had received no reply from the governor on the matter so far. “Taking account of the situation the chief secretary also discussed the matter with senior most bureaucrats to weigh different options the Punjab government has in case the governor sits on the summary for a longer period or does not approve the CM’s recommendation,” they added.

This has caused a lot of inconvenience to all stakeholders across the province, as unlike the Lahore High Court (LHC) or FiA, the Punjab Service Tribunal has no other bench and only sits in the provincial metropolitan. Talking to Pakistan

Today, Rizwan Gondal, a lawyer who deals in service matters, said the judicial court work has been ceased in absence of a chairman.

“The members cannot perform any task individually since it is a judicial body,” he said, adding that due to this, the worst affected are the hundreds of appellants who are “hanging in the balance” because not even a single verdict has been passed in absence of the chairman. “A similar problem was faced a few years ago when the service tribunal ceased to work for several months, giving rise to a lot of inconvenience to all stakeholders and the same is expected in the circles this time around,” he said. “The problem becomes even graver because the tribunal only sits in Lahore and government servants from the far-flung districts of Punjab come here for their cases and have to return disappointed because the chairman has not been appointed. Whatever the political row between the governor and the CM, the people should not suffer,” Gondal added.

Say hello to more traffic jams Missal is not Sapna’s real father: Dost’s counsel LAHORE ALI TAHIR

A two-week extension in the Canal Road extension project will lead to major traffic jams in the city, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday. Large parts of the Canal Road are expected to be cordoned off in the final phase of the project which would lead to massive jams on the other arteries of the city also.

“Former deadline for the completion of the project was December 17,” sources in the Communication and Works Department claimed, adding that the deadline had been extended to December 25.

“The Punjab government miscalculated the traffic pressure on the Canal Road which is why they have extended the deadline of the project,” said an onsite engineer asking not to be named,

adding “the aim of the government was to complete the project at all costs but the Canal Road is the city’s main road and thousands of commuters use it every day”.

The engineer further warned of traffic jams saying that the finishing phase is the hardest.

“Traffic would be continuously cordoned off on different days for different patches till the project is not completed,” he said, adding that the traffic condition could worsen since the roads will take time to dry up because of the weather.

One side of the Canal Road was closed off from early Sunday morning to Monday morning from the Jail Road to the Mall Road underpass which led to major traffic jams on the alternate routes that were adopted by the commuters.

LAHORE: Former Punjab CM Dost khosa’s counsel Zubair khalid Chaudhry twisted actress Sapna khan’s alleged kidnapping and murder case on Monday when he claimed in court that petitioner Missal khan was not the real father of Sapna.

The counsel said that Shahid, who was the driver of Dost, told them that the man, who was appearing in court, was not Sapna’s real father. The court, after being informed, directed the Racecourse Police Station SHO to record the statement of Missal to determine whether he was the father of Sapna and submit a report by December 14. During the proceedings, the judge directed the SHO to record the statement of the petitioner but the SHO did not bother to record his statement. Afterwards, the petitioner filed a contempt of court petition in which the judge sought comments from the SHO. On Monday, the SHO Racecourse sub-

mitted a report in court that officials visited Missal’s house but a woman informed them that Missal was not at home. The SHO said that the woman was told to inform Missal to visit the police station but he did not bother to come. After the hearing, harsh comments were exchanged between Shahid and Sapna’s brother outside the court. Shahid remained adamant that Missal was not the real father of Sapna, as he had once asked her about him and she told him that Missal was her uncle. But Sapna’s brother continued crying saying that Dost and his henchmen kidnapped his sister and killed her and he will not forgive the blood of his sister. cASE AgAInSt VEEnA: Additional District and Sessions Judge Tahir khan Niazi sought reply from the Defence-B SHO until December 19 on a petition filed by Advocate Chaudhry ishtiaq seeking registration of criminal case against actress veena

Malik. ishtiaq submitted that veena willingly posed naked in a photo session with a tattoo of iSi on her forearm, which was published in an indian magazine. The petitioner submitted that veena’s act had not only lowered the dignity of the whole nation but even insulted the army. The petitioner requested the court to order registration of a criminal case against veena. in another case against the actress, the Allama iqbal Town Police submitted a report in court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Rana Zahid iqbal on a petition filed by Advocate Syed Mazhar seeking registration of case against veena for posing nude for FHM Magazine. Police submitted that petitioner should file the case in india, as neither the photo shoot was done nor the FHM Magazine was printed within the jurisdiction of the Allama iqbal Town Police Station. The case will be next heard on December 16. STAFF REPORT

Fanning the Pakistan-america Fire

Lahore Police reopens Raymond Davis case g

Relatives, police allege that interior, foreign Ministry posing hurdles in investigation LAHORE SHAFIQ SHARIF

keeping in view the increased tension between Pakistan and America, investigation Wing of Lahore Police has decided to reopen the case of young Abad-ulRehman, who was knocked down and killed by a vehicle of American Consulate in Qartaba Chowk that was trying to save American vagabond Raymond Devis, who shot at and killed two youths. it is learnt that investigation wing of Lahore Police on Monday has forwarded a fresh letter to the interior and Foreign Ministry for helping Lahore Police to resolve the matter.

Well-placed sources in investigation Wing of Lahore Police told Pakistan Today that Civil Lines investigations SP Cap (r) Malik Liaqat, who has been probing the matter since day one, has written a fresh letter to the interior and Foreign Minister to remind them about the mishap and has sought permission to take action against those responsible of killing Abad-ul-Rehman. Sources said Liaqat, in his letter, has requested the au-

thorities to grant permission for contacting the officials of American Consulate in Lahore so that they could at least identify the vehicle and the driver involved in knocking down and killing Abad-ulRehman. Liaqat also requested the ministries that if they could not allow Lahore Police to contact the American Consulate, then the two ministries should contact American Consulate themselves and ask them to help the police.

SP investigation in his letter further suggested to the two ministries that if the Government of Pakistan does not want to take any action then the government should handover the case to American government, who should investigate the matter according to its law.

Sources said the letter has been forwarded to the two ministries on Monday by the investigators.

Sources furthermore added that this was not the first letter that investigators had written to the two ministries, adding many letters have been written after every 10 to 15 days but to no avail. “We are trying to investigate the matter but the ball is not in our court,” Liaqat told Pakistan Today,

adding “the interior and the Foreign Ministry never reply to our letters”.

Another investigator, directly attached with the investigations said the police investigators had obtained all the records regarding the entry of vehicle, which killed Abad, inside the premises of American Consulate, adding that the vehicle bore a fake registration number.

“Nobody knows who was driving the car and for that we need to interrogate the American Consulate officials,” SSP investigations Abdul Razaq Cheema said while talking to Pakistan Today, adding “the government has not given us the permission to do that”. “We cannot close the case or dispose it off and we will keep writing to the government till the matter is not resolved,” he said. it would be important to mention here that ibad’s family has continued their struggle to get the killers punished according to law. “We will keep fighting till the killers are not punished,” Advocate ijaz-ul-Rehman said while talking to Pakistan Today, adding “we have being fighting the case since January 22 and we will continue to hold protests outside the

American Consulate on weekly basis.”

“Even though everyone has left us and nobody from the government is extending any support, we will not give up. initially Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz MPA Rana Mashood and members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf were helping us, but they have left us also. Only Jamate-islami officials are serious and they

have also provided us with a lawyer to fight the case,” he said. He said the court had ordered the investigators to show progress in the case but nothing had been done in the lost one and half month, adding that the investigators blame the federal government and the federal government blames them. He asked the chief justice to take notice of the issue.

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06 Lahore Proceedings on 3-day CNg load shedding petition begin today LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday adjourned till today (Tuesday) the hearing on a writ petition challenging the three-day weekly load shedding of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas).

Justice Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing the petition filed by the association

of CNG filling stations.

The association pleaded that the government did not have jurisdiction to order such load shedding. Moreover, it said that not only the public, but the families dependent upon the CNG business were facing great difficulties and financial losses. STAFF REPORT

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Two women run over by truck LAHORE STAFF REPORT

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woman died and another sustained severe injuries when a caterer’s truck ran over the ladies during a marriage ceremony in a sanitary worker’s quarter inside Governor House premises on Monday. The deceased woman was identified as Fouzia, wife of Robin Maseeh and a resident of Rawalpindi while the injured woman was identified as Nosheen.

According to details, both women had come to attend the marriage ceremony held at residence of sanitary worker Rashid Maseeh in T/8 Quarter 13 of Governor House.

After the marriage ceremony, a helper of catering service namely Mubashar crushed the women when he was turning the truck around. While being taken to hospital, doctors announced Fouzia dead while Nosheen was stated in critical condition in hospital. Police arrested Mubashar and registered the case against him on complaint of Rashid Maseeh.

InSPEctOR DISMISSED: A former sub-inspector of Race Course Police Station was dismissed from police service for poor investigation of a murder case. According to details, Civil Lines investigations SP terminated Sub inspector Basharat Ali after the charge of taking bribe in a murder case was proved

against him. Ali was appointed investigations officer of a constable’s murder inquiry but he helped accused after taking money from him.

Later, on application of the other party, SP had ordered enquiry which proved the charges on Basharat.

DEAD BODIES REcOVERED: An old man, found unconscious in Muslim Town and died in hospital, was identified as 55-years-old Muhammad Rafique. The deceased was resident of Model

Town F-Block and a patient of liver disorder. The body was handed over to the heirs of deceased after due process.

A 55-years-old eunuch was found dead in a room near Ravi Bridge in Badami Bagh police limits. The deceased was identified as Shahid Pervez, originally a resident of Shahdra. Shahid had left his parents and was staying in a rented room near Ravi Bridge.

According to details, the neighbors got to know about body when it started decomposing and informed the police about it. Police entered the room after breaking the door and found Pervez lying dead. Police said the deceased passed away due to natural causes. A 25-yearsold man was found dead near Baba Qutab Shah shrine in Misri Shah police limits. Police suspected the deceased died by taking excessive drugs. gAMBLERS nABBED: Shahdra and Civil Lines police claimed to have arrested the 17 gamblers and recovered thousands of gambling money from their possession.

Police has started investigations in the matter after registering separate cases against accused in two police stations.

Bagram Jail case hearing adjourned LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday adjourned till December 20 hearing of a petition seeking the government’s assistance in release of seven Pakistani citizens detained at Bagram Theatre internment Camp Afghanistan. Justice khalid Mehmood heard the petition filed by Sultana Noon, a fellow of “Reprieve” in Pakistan, a Uk-based organisation dedicated to prisoners’ human rights, asking court orders to Pakistani government to take steps for release of innocent Pakistanis detained at the Afghanistan Airbase.

The seven included Awwal khan, Hamidullah khan, Abdul Haleem Saifullah, Fazal karim, Amal khan, iftikhar Ahmad and Younas Rehmatullah.

The federal government’s standing counsel told court that the ministry of foreign affairs had contacted authorities at Bagram internment Camp about the seven prisoners and positive development in the matter was expected.

Earlier, the deputy attorney general had claimed that the detainees were not abducted from Pakistani soil – rather, they had gone to Afghanistan allegedly by their own free will to take part in Jihadi activities there.

The petitioner, however, alleged that these seven Pakistani citizens had been abducted from Pakistan, taken to Afghanistan and then from the prison there, they had been handed over to foreign countries, without any reason.

The petitioner requested the court issue directions to the ministry of foreign affairs and the government of Pakistan to take diplomatic steps for the release of the seven Pakistanis who, despite being innocent citizens, were in detention in Afghanistan under the alleged charges of having affiliations with banned outfits. STAFF REPORT

LhC hears plea against 229 judges LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Monday adjourned the hearing of a petition until December 16 seeking removal of 229 civil judges-cum-judicial magistrates of Punjab who failed to pass the departmental examination for regularisation.

Advocate Chaudhry Fakhir Razzaq filed the petition against Civil Judge-cum-Judicial Magistrate Asif iqbal and 228 others judges recruited by the LHC in mid-2010. Questioning the caliber of the judges, the petitioner said that 288 civil judges-cum-judicial magistrates appeared in the departmental examination for their regularisation but only 59 passed it. He

PPP MPA released on bail LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA) Shahzad Rasool was released on bail on Monday. The legislator was arrested along with 10 other people from a brothel in Defence Housing Authority (DHA). He had hidden his identity from police but when he was presented in court, Shahzad was identified as a MPA from Muzaffargarh. On being contacted by Pakistan Today, Shahzad shied away from talking on the issue and tried to give the impression that he was not arrested and somebody else was using his name. He said that investigation was continuing in this regard. STAFF REPORT

Cold spell sets in LAHORE: Monday recorded the coldest day of winters yet in Lahore, as the mercury dropped to 7 degree Celsius.

As a result, fog and mist are expected to prevail in the plains of Punjab, kPk and Sukkar division on Tuesday, whereas predominantly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country.

The lowest temperature was recorded in Astur on Sunday, where the temperature dropped to -10 degree Celsius. STAFF REPORT

pointed out that 22 successful judges were given grace marks for declaring them passed and a majority of unsuccessful judges failed in all six subjects of law given in the departmental examination. Razzaq said that these judges were directly appointed by the LHC last year, after written test and interview but it was regrettable that they proved incompetent in the departmental test. He said that it was disappointing and an alarming situation for the district judiciary that it was in control of such judges, who failed in the test aimed at checking their capabilities and skills for propose of regularisation. STAFF REPORT

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

lHC summons ldA dg in judges’ plots case LAHORE STAFF REPORT

A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Monday summoned the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general on a petition seeking cancellation of plots allotted to 28 LHC judges during PML-N President Nawaz Sharif’s tenure as prime minister. The bench consisting of Justice khalid Mehmood khan and Justice Malik Shahzad khan issued notice on a petition filed by Advocate Saiful Haq. As proceedings started on Monday, the petitioner said that LDA was using delaying tactics in the matter, which was evident from the fact that the LDA’s counsel again failed to appear in court. He submitted that his case had been pending for the last 17 years and should be decided now as early as possible.

The court also directed the Punjab assistant advocate general to ensure his appearance on the next hearing. The petitioner challenged the allotment of plots to senior LHC judges in Johar Town and Garden Town, Lahore, in 1993 on grounds that the plots could only be allotted to officials if the allottee or his family did not own any other plot and must testify the same on affidavit. Saif said that his petition was dismissed in 1994 by a judge who was also involved in the matter. The petitioner requested the court to set aside the order of the single bench and cancel the plots allotted to retired and serving judges by LDA on orders of Nawaz.

He said that he had filed an intra-court appeal (iCA) in 1995 against the single bench’s order but the case was not heard until 2002. He said that Nawaz allotted the plot to judges in violation of rules and regulations to please the judiciary by out of the way methods for his political gains.

Lahore 07

LCWU protests get serious Employees burn effigies of the ‘dictator’ vC dr Sabiha Mansoor g Accuse her of appointing ‘misbehaving’ relatives on important posts g

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

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OR the first time in the history of Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) the employees of the college burnt the effigy of a vice chancellor and protested against her for not fulfilling their demands at Shadman Chowk. Employees alleged that vC Dr Sabiha Mansoor was not capable and could not control the affairs of the college, adding that she had illegally appointed her nephew Colonel (r) Qudrat Ali on an administrative post without getting permission from the varsity syndicate.

A large number of LCWU employees

under the banner of All Pakistan Clerks Association (APCA) LCWU Unit carrying placards chanted slogans against Dr Sabiha and former vC Dr Bushra Mateen for not fulfilling their demands. Employees burnt the effigy of Dr Sabiha Mansoor and alleged that the ‘dictator’ Sabiha had converted the university into her own state, adding that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif should take notice since over 400 employees were feeling insecure under her control.

They demanded group insurance of employees, establishing GP fund, job quota and reserved seats for the children of employees in university, house requisition and technical allowances. They also demanded that three army officers should also be re-

moved from the varsity since they were a big hurdle in the fulfillment of their demands.

While addressing the protest, leaders of APCA said the current vC had appointed her relatives on important seats to facilitate them and these army officials were misbehaving with poor employees. They added that former vC Bushra Mateen was also involved in corruption and had bought a new house with the funds for house requisition.

They further said they would continue protesting till their demands are not met.

LCWU vC: LCWU vice Chancellor Dr Sabeeha Mansoor has said some selfish elements were trying to disrupt peaceful environment of the university and

administration will take stern action against those elements for crossing their legal rights. She was addressing a press conference at her office on Monday. The vC said according to Article 34 of University Act, no employees were allowed to take part in politics, adding that the administration believed in the welfare of the employees and for this purpose an employee’s welfare fund had been established. She claimed that she had not made any illegal appointments and the posts had been filled after the approval of the syndicate. Dean of Science Dr kausar Jamal Cheema and other members of the faculty condemned the burning of effigy of the vC by the employees and stated that it was a shameful act.

MEANWHILE IN THE OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY: Jinnah Hospital paramedical staff, pharmacists and Railways’ employees also held protests in favour of their demands. aGEnCiES

patras and faiz remembered LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Government College University’s Urdu Department hosted a ‘Patras-Faiz Seminar’ to mark the death anniversary of author Prof. Ahmed Shah Bokhari ‘Patras’ and to pay tribute to noted poet Fiaz Ahmad Fiaz on Monday. GCU vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Muhammad khaleeq was the chief guest at the seminar attended by Faiz’ grandson Ali Madeeh Hashmi, Faiz’ daughter Muneeza Hashmi, Patras’ son Haroon Bokhari, noted critic Dr Saadat Saeed and GCU Urdu Department Chairperson Dr Shafeeq Aajmi.

ADDRESSIng tHE SEMInAR PROF kHALEEq SAID: “GCU is proud to be the

alma mater of great poets and men of letters like Allama Muhammad iqbal, ‘Patras’ Bokhari and Faiz Ahmed Faiz and will keep their traditions alive. The literary works of these men are like lampposts which can guide us to peace and progress.” The vice Chancellor also highlighted the various aspects of ‘Patras’ and Faiz’s personalities. Ali Madeeh Hashmi remembered that ‘Patras’ Bokhari, as an English Professor at GCU, was merciless on students who did not display originality of thought.

Hashmi said Faiz and ‘Patras’, in addition to having a student-mentor relationship, also had a close personal friendship. Faiz always spoke reverently of his teacher, while Bokhari, in his typically irreverent style, once wrote to Faiz’s

wife Alys from London a few months before his death in 1958: “i would love to hear news of your household but also know that he (Faiz) will never write since he is an intoxicated poet (“shair-e-must”).”

Speaking on the occasion, Faiz’ daughter Muneeza Hashmi, shared her childhood interactions with the legendary Patras Bokhari who used to visit his pupil regularly.

Noted critic Dr Saadat Saeed and GCU Urdu Department Chairperson Dr Shafeeq Aajmi also paid tribute to ‘Patras’ and Faiz. The debating society’s public speakers presented an oratorical rendition of Faiz’s verses and Patras Bokhari’s literary writings in keeping with the traditions of Zulfiqar Bokhari and Zia Moeud Deen.

PU seminar on ‘Pakistan and Global Affairs’ LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Punjab University (PU) vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid kamran said on Monday the world’s circumstances are changing rapidly and there is a possibility of the start of World War-iii.

The vice-chancellor expressed these views while delivering a lecture on ‘Pakistan and Global Affairs’ organised by PU College of information Technology (PUCiT), at the university’s Old Campus.

He said the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a bulletin to the Russian prime minister and president, stating that

Chinese President Hu Jintao has said the only way to stop the United States led aggression, was through direct and immediate military action. Russian General Nikolai Makarov said he had not ruled out local and regional armed conflicts that developed into large-scale wars involving nuclear weapons.

The vice-chancellor said: “According to Chinese Rear Admiral Zang Zhong, China would not hesitate to protect iran even during a Third World War. The American people are making efforts for change and the internet is full of stories of torture by the American police on ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement’s protestors.” He added that

America had passed the ‘National Defence Authorisation’ law on Dec 8, after which the whole world had been converted into a prison as American forces had been authorised to arrest any ‘suspect’, globally, for an indefinite period and that members of the US Senate, forces and president were on the payroll of rich American families and followed their agenda.

He said: “This group has been working for 250 years to establish ‘One World Government’. in 1890, they had had planned there would be three world wars, after which the world would be under their control. interest-based banking concentrated money in the US.

Hafiz Saeed’s petition hearing deferred till Jan 18 LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday adjourned till January 18 hearing of a petition of Jamatud Dawa Chief Hafiz Saeed seeking court directions to the government to defend him as a citizen of Pakistan in a US court in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case. A US court had issued summons to Hafiz Saeed, iSi’s incumbent chief and other officials on a law suit filed by relatives of US nationals killed in Mumbai attacks. Saeed’s counsel, Ak Dogar, requested Justice Umar Ata Bandial to adjourn the matter till January due to his other engagements. The judge asked Ministry of interior government of Pakistan Counsel Araf Chaudhry, present in court, whether he had any objection to long adjournments. Araf said he did not and the matter was deferred till January 18. Hafiz said he was entitled to be defended by lawyers of the government of Pakistan because he, being a citizen of the country, should be given legal aid in the American court like others, including the officials of secret agencies. STAFF REPORT

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08 Lahore

Exhibitions open at Al-Hamra and NCA

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WO exhibitions were held on Monday.

Shireen ikramullah’s painting exhibition opened at the Al-Hamra Art Gallery, where several people came to view her work. “i have experimented this time and came up with the idea to dabble with colours,” said ikramullah, talking to Pakistan Today. “However, though i chose to work with blue and orange as the basic hue colours, i could not help but include some others also,” she says.

‘Between Blue and Orange’, the title of the exhibition was an excellent depiction of Shireen’s work. The paintings were not only attractive to lovers of abstract and expressionist art, they were also paintings that left it open to the audience to perceive what was in the paintings according to their own insight. “Everything that i have shown in my paintings has been an inspiration of nature,” says Shireen. “Any kind of forms that can be seen within the painting that may look like something else is purely coincidental because i have not intended to draw anything in its real form,” she says.

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cember 12 to 15, where the road’s images from its inception during British rule to more recent times can be seen.

The exhibition aims at reclaiming and revitalising the core values and representations of an inclusive culture that The Mall’s ambience has reflected for over a century. The display’s objective is to sensitise awareness about an inclusive cultural heritage of a South Asian identity threatened by high-paced urbanisation and expansion of Lahore under pressures of globalisation and modernity.

The rate prints have been provided by The Mall’s archives unit and Loh kot Cultural and Heritage Society Lahore. The exhibition forms part of the vision of NCA’s Research and Publication Center, to reclaim Pakistan’s legacy of an inclusive culture and will be followed by other events throughout the next year.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Masood khan, technical director of the Agha khan Cultural Service, imrana Tiwana of Lahore Bachao Tehreek and an urban planner, Faisal Sajjad, department of architecture, NCA, and Suroosh irfani, director research and publication centre NCA. Dr Abbas Famori, director of the iranian Cultural Centre Lahore was the chief guest.

pti to welcome new entrants into its fold g

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But besides nature, there is also a metaphysical depiction in Shireen’s work. Everything intangible it seems has been expressed by her on these canvases, all diffusing from orange to blue into several colours, which spill into each other’s borders. it is like a flurry of thoughts that intertwine into each other. it is like one of her paintings has been named, ‘a physical manifestation of the sub-conscious’. Shireen graduated from Lahore’s National College of Arts in 2006. She followed up with several exhibitions at some of islamabad’s premier art galleries, as well as completed commission work for private international groups, including the Dag Hammarskjold building in New York. in 2009, Shireen completed her Masters in Art Galleries and Museum Studies from the University of Manchester. in addition to interning at the Manchester Museum, she completed research in the educational and cultural effects by working museums in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in NCA’s Zahoorul ikhlaq Gallery, a photography display entitled ‘Revisiting Mall Road’ opened. This exhibition of photographic prints of The Mall, one of the major arteries of the city, can be seen from De-

PPP’s Khokher and 20 others set to join PTi LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) ticket holder for MNA seat, from the NA 129 constituency, Malik karmat Ali khokher is joining Pakistan Tehrik-einsaf, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday.

According to PTi sources, Malik karamat Ali khokher would make an official announcement in the presence of PTi Chairman imran khan, who is returning to the country today (Tuesday).

Moreover, sources revealed that around 20 former PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leaders would likely be joining PTi over the coming two weeks, including khurshid Mahmood Qasoori, Ghulam Mustafa khar and Sardar Asif Ahman Ali. Sources added that these PPP leaders would probably declare their affiliations at imran khan’s December 25 procession in karachi.

Credence to PTi’s increasing success could be gauged from that former PPP leader Malik karamat Ali khokher from the Johar Town constituency would soon be announcing his intentions to join the

party. The PTi chairman, who was visiting the Uk to collect funds for a university in Mianwali, would return to the country today, when, it is expected, he would reveal his future plans. According to PTi sources, khan would also visit the constituency of NA 129 where he would welcome Malik karamat to his party and would also hold a press conference.

Earlier, Punjab PPP leaders had been denying Malik karmat khokher’s intentions to join PTi. According to PTi sources, a group of PPP leaders and workers would meet with PTi at the residence of Malik karamat khokher, with the intention of joining the party.

Earlier, people were expecting former PPP general secretary Ghulam Abass to join PTi but Abass denied joining PTi in a press conference, while defending Malik karamat khokher’s plans.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf Punjab Women’s Wing welcomed former ANP central vice president Neelam Shah to the party in a meeting arranged at her residence in Gulberg on Monday.

PTi Punjab Women’s Wing President Saloni Bokhari, notified Neelam as Coordination Punjab

Women’s Wing Committee chairperson and said that PTi was being strengthened by the new members joining their ranks. “We are seeing many people enter our party, who are on a mission to change the existing status quo,” Saloni said.

She said PTi was determined to rebuild the nation and to see it take its rightful place in global politics, adding that any individual with the same ideology was welcome. She said those who presumed that PTi would compromise on its beliefs underestimated Chairman imran khan’s leadership and the unflinching commitment and dedication of every political worker of the party to the cause.

Those present at the occasion included information Secretary Talath Naqvi, Lahore Regional Organiser Nosheen Hamid Miraj, Regional Organiser Shahnaz Perveen, Lahore District Organiser Sadia Sohail, Lahore Joint Secretary Aysha khalid, Fareeda kamran, Huma Faisal, Neelam Ashraf, Neelam Hassan, Sadiqa Sahibdad, Neelam Rasheed, Yasmine khan, Seemie Bokhari Umm-e-kulsoom, Shabnum Jahangir Nasrulla, Naheed Mujahid and Ghazala Rafique.

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LHR 13-12-2011_Layout 1 12/13/2011 1:38 AM Page 9

Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

News 09

New generation of politicians set to sell hope g

New entries indicate notable political families of country believe that democracy means ‘govt of the family, by the family and for the family’ ISLAMABAD

A

IRFAN BUKHARI

FTER failing to resolve the people’s problems and put the country on the path of peace and prosperity, top political figures of the country are transferring the “art of selling hopes”, which they inherited from their fathers, to their children.

The launch of the political career of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Mariam Nawaz, Fizza Gilani, Ali Musa Gilani, Zain Qureshi and others reflects dominant and controversial trends of hereditary politics in Pakistan, indicating that the notable political families of the country believe that democracy means “government of the family, by the family and for the family”.

The third generation of politicians includes Awais Leghari and Jamal Leghari, sons of former president Farooq Ahmed khan Leghari, Moonis Elahi, heir of the Chaudhrys of Gujrat, Hamza Shahbaz, Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif’s son, Omar Ayub khan,

son of Gohar Ayub khan, Abdul Qadir Gilani, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s son, Sughra imam, daughter of Fakhar imam and Abida Hussain, Hina Rabbani khar, daughter of Ghulam Rabbani khar, khurram Jahangir Wattoo, son of Manzoor Watto and Syed Rashid Shah Rashidi, grandson of Pir Pagara.

Some of the young politicians like Bilawal, Mariam, the Gilani brothers and Hamza have certain political platforms established by their parents, but the fresh blood of Legahris, Omar Ayub and Zain Qureshi has to discover new avenues for their political journeys.

Moonis, despite his capabilities with Shujaat-taught skills of politics, is still not out of the woods and his political career got tinted at the very outset owing to the NiCL corruption case.

Political analysts and opponents of the Sharifs suggest that it was fear of imran khan’s growing popularity and Tehreek-e-insaaf’s acceptance among youth of the country which forced Nawaz to withdraw bars imposed on her daughter (Mariam) for entering poli-

tics.

Some circles close to the PML-N leadership claim that Mariam was launched into politics to counter Hamza Shahbaz, his cousin, as Nawaz’s core family wanted its share in political inheritance.

The owner of an international cosmetic company once said: “in factories we make cosmetics. in markets we sell hope.” With little amendment keeping in mind Pakistan’s political culture of hereditary politics, we can say: “in families (political) we produce politicians.

To masses, they sell hope.”

Commenting on the emergence of new generation of politicians, Rasul Bakhsh Rais, notable political analyst, said it was not generational change in politics as the decision making in political parties was still in the hands of elder politicians.

“Bilawal’s launch is not a new phenomenon in the politics of the country, as the Gilanis, Sharifs and the Chaudhrys have already launched their scions into the politics of Punjab,” he said. He said the politics had become

Charity begins at home for UK pti dozens of party workers allowed to attend fundraiser with imran Khan without paying entry fee g Paid guests arrive to discover their seats taken by PTi workers g

LOnDOn MAJID KHATTAK

Pakistan Tehreek-e- insaf (PTi) Uk leadership turned the famous proverb ‘charity begins at home’ into reality by allowing dozens of party workers to attend a fundraising dinner with imran khan without paying entry fees.

Uk based Pakistani entrepreneurs in collaboration with Rabia Zia, a local leader of PTi Uk organised a dinner and music program with imran khan on Saturday in London to generate funds for Namal College Mianwali, a charity project of the PTi Chairman. Entry tickets for the function were sold out at 100 pounds each but on the special instructions of Rabia Zia, PTi workers from across the Britain were permitted to enter the function and enjoy a free meal and a music program in the company of PTi chairman imran khan without paying a penny. sources told Pakistan

Today.

The PTi Uk leadership’s act irritated guests who had paid for the tickets and some left the venue before the function commenced after registering their protest, the source said. A guest who attended the function on anonymity told Pakistan Today that their allocated seats were already occupied by party workers and the sponsors reallocated their sponsors when they lodged complaints about the misbehaviour of party workers. He blamed the PTi Uk leadership for converting a non- political charity function into a political show and tarnishing the image of imran khan and his party among overseas Pakistanis.

When contacted, PTi Uk leader Mohammad Junaid said party workers were allowed to the function by a particular group who want to win their support for the upcoming party election in Uk. Despite repeated attempts, Program Organiser Rabia Zia could not be contacted.

Balochistan assembly condemns nato attack, prays for Zardari QUETTA APP

The Balochistan Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution condemning the NATO attack on Salala checkpost demanding permanent withdrawal of facilities to US led allied forces stationed in Afghanistan.

Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani presided over the session. Senior Minister and the Jamiat Ulema-i-islam-F parliamentary leader Maulana Abdul Wasey, Minister for Works and the Pakistan Peoples Party deputy parliamentary leader Ali Madad Jatak, Minister for Revenue and Awami National Party leader Eng. Zamarak khan Piralizai and Minister for Minorities Jay Parakash moved the joint resolution which reads that this house strongly condemned the NATO forces’ brutal bombardment on Pakistani checkpost in Salala in which a number of army officials and soldiers were killed. it further said that “this house asks the provincial government to approach the Federal Government to take every possible step for compensating the families of the killed.” Speaking on the resolution, Piral-

izai appreciated the Federal Government steps to withdraw facilities to the US and NATO forces including evacuation of Shamshi airbase. Parakash demanded that the US government should apologise for the attack. The chair put the resolution to the house which passed it unanimously.

PRAyER FOR ZARDARI:Later, turning down rumours about President Asif Ali Zardari, the Balochistan Assembly prayed for his early recovery. Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani presided over the assembly session that termed the rumours part of the negative campaign of the opponents of the present government. Minster for Works and deputy parliamentary leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), in the Assembly Haji Ali Madad Jatak while drawing attention of the chair said that President Asif Ali Zardari was admitted to a Dubai-based hospital for treatment.

Minister for Women Development and PPP leader Ghazala Gola said President Zardari was in Dubai due to an ailment and the rumours and propaganda were false. Later, the Speaker adjourned the house till Thursday, December 15, 11am.

family business in the country.

Asked whether introduction of fresh blood from notable political families would bring healthy changes to politics, Rais said the young politicians due to tainted past of their families could not bring change in the political culture of the country.

With the practical entrance of Bilawal into politics following President Asif Ali Zardari’s sudden and mysterious departure to the UAE, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani too has launched his second son Ali Musa Gilani into politics by announcing that he would contest election on the seat (NA-148) vacated by former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Ali Musa Gilani is likely to face Qureshi’s son Zain.

Fizza Batool Gilani, daughter of Gilani, entered politics a few weeks ago when she was appointed the goodwill ambassador for women’s rights by her father.

The Leghari brothers (Awais and Jamal) find themselves standing at crossroads and their family feud with

President Zardari and political differences with the PML-Q and the PML-N have left them high and dry.

The sources having proximity with the Legharis claimed that the next destination of Awais and Jamal was Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaaf (PTi), the party they would join with Jahangir Tareen, Sikandar Bosan and a dozen other dissidents of the PML-Q and PML-F. Meanwhile, Syed Rashid Shah Rashidi, grandson of Pir Pagara, has already joined imran khan to express his no-confidence in his grandfather’s PML-Functional.

Hassan Askari Rizvi said that political leadership of the country was bringing forward younger generation to attract the youth.

“The idea of bringing forward younger generation by political families of the country is meant to attract over 50 percent of the country’s population that is below 30 years of age,” he said.

Rizvi said there was nothing objectionable if the succeeding generation of the politicians continued to seek legitimacy through the election process.

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10 News

Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

SC serves notice on Ahmad Raza Kasuri in ZAB reference ISLAMABAD

A

MASOOD REHMAN

N 11-member larger bench of the Supreme Court on Monday served notice on Ahmad Raza kasuri advocate, on whose complaint a murder case was registered against former prime minister and PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

The bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry served the notice with the consent of counsel for the federation and the amicus curiae. The court directed provision of presidential reference and Bhutto case record to kasuri. Bhutto was awarded death sentence on the charges of being a

conspirator of murder of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad khan kasuri, father of Ahmad Raza kasuri advocate.

During the hearing, the chief justice regretted that those who were posing themselves as heroes and loudly speaking on television shows about the death sentence of Bhutto should have showed courage in past.

Babar Awan contended before the court that there was no need to call kasuri, as no relief had been sought in the presidential reference.

He said the Supreme Court had not summoned president Gen Pervez Musharraf while giving verdict in November 3, 2007 emergency case. The chief justice noted that everywhere in the presidential reference the word “re-

opening” had been used, adding that president Musharraf was summoned but he did not appear. He said article 10-A had been added in the constitution through the 19th Amendment under which it was necessary for the court to hear the opponent party.

Awan submitted that the court order of awarding death sentence to Bhutto had a legal status and the Supreme Court had power to correct a legal error or wrong law.

He said after the death sentence was announced to Bhutto, Farooq kardar the prosecutor of Bhutto case - had revealed that it was a judicial murder. He said kardar wanted to file an affidavit in this regard, however, he was not allowed. The chief justice said the people

who posing as heroes today should have had the courage at that time.

Meanwhile, the court asked the federation’s counsel, attorney general, advocates-general of all the provinces as well as amicus curiae - Fakhruddin G Ebrahim, SM Zafar, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, Aitzaz Ahsan and others to consult each other and inform the court whether notice should be served to Ahmad Raza kasuri.

After a brief consultation, Aitzaz Ahsan, on behalf of the experts, told the court that although the notice was not necessary, it should be served so that no bad impression could come from any level in the future.

The court has been adjourned until January 2.

NA summoned on Thursday ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The government has decided to summon a session of the National Assembly on Thursday, December 15 at 5pm at the Parliament House. With President Asif Ali Zardari still out of the country, the acting president, Farooq H Naik has summoned the 37th session of the fourth parliamentary year of the incumbent National Assembly in exercise of powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the constitution. A source in the legislation branch of the Parliament House told Pakistan Today that an adjournment motion submitted by the PML-N legislators on “memogate” topped the list of agenda items to be presented to the business advisory committee on Thursday and the list would be finalised on the same day. “Adjournment motions by opposition parties on price hike, gas load shedding, worsening law and order are included in the list but the memo controversy and health issue of President Asif Ali Zardari are likely to top the NA session,” said a source in the PML-N, adding that the opposition wanted the government to take the nation into confidence on the country’s envoys’ conference, strategy to deal with the US and NATO forces in the wake of the iSAF attack on Pakistani checkposts in Mohmand Agency.

‘federal govt yet to implement 18th amend’ PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

khyber Pakhtunkhwa (kP) Minister for Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs Syed Aqil Shah said on Monday that while the 18th amendment passed several months ago, the Federal government has yet to implement it. Speaking during a discussion organised by khyber Union of Journalists (khUJ) at the press club, Shah said, “We will never accept the federal governments’ delay tactics in implementing the 18th amendment. Nonimplementation will be injustice with federating units.” He said there was no threat to the democratic setup in the country and opposition to government policies was part of democratic process.

Regarding the demand for a Hazara province, Shah said no province can be made through ransacking and sabotage and the subject must be approached through a constitutional forum. He said the peaceful hosting of the ‘National Games’ in kP would prove Pakhtuns are a peace loving people. He said over Rs 2 billion have been spent under the head of Sports and Tourism in kP.

PESHAWAR: Tehreek-e-Mutasirin Khyber Agency demonstrate in favour of their demands near the Khyber House on Monday. Staff photo

leaving drone base won’t have big impact on US air war kARAcHI: The US decision to vacate Shamsi Airbase will have little impact on the American air campaign, a senior military source said on Monday, but the move is a big political win for Pakistan.

US personnel completed their departure from Shamsi Airfield, 200 miles southwest of Quetta. The operation began on about December 5, after a NATO cross-border strike killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. But a military source said their departure would have little impact on the drone campaign. “The Shamsi base was more of a maintenance and refueling base for the drones, while most of the operations are conducted from across the border,” he said.

“Technically speaking, yes, the vacation of this base should have an impact on the drone operations, but it remains to be seen as to how big an impact this would be.” The source said the US had at least two other bases in Afghanistan it could use. The last US personnel left the base at about 12:15pm, according to a senior security official who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. REUTERS

take suo motu notice of pia corruption, tip appeals to CJp g

Claims airline deliberately defaulting on repair payments, fabricating excuses to purchase 39 new aircraft ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR

Transparency international Pakistan (TiP) on Monday dispatched a letter to the Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan to take suomotu notice against the Pakistan international Airlines (PiA) for deliberate default in repair payments for 12 now-grounded aircrafts and fabricating excuses to purchase 39 new aircrafts at the estimated cost of US $ 2.5 billion in violation of PPRA Ordinance 2002 and Public Procurement Rules 2004. in a letter written on Monday, TiP adviser Syed Adil Gilani drew CJ iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s attention towards the PiA which he claimed was following in Pakistan Railways’ footsteps.

The letter said, “The Honourable Chief Justice is requested to take suo motu notice of deliberate losses being incurred in PiA at the cost of public money as alleged by PiA employees, Pakistan Airline Pilots Associ-

ation (PALPA), Society of Aircraft Engineers of Pakistan (SAEP), Aircraft Technologists Association of Pakistan (ATAP), Flight Engineers National Association (FENA), and others.”

The letter quoted contradictory statements given by defence minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar on behalf of PiA in National Assembly (NA) which give the impression that nothing is right in PiA. “On 24 February 2011, Ahmed Mukhtar informed the NA that PiA was operating in only 27 out of over 250 countries because it was not economically viable. He said the PiA had a current fleet of 40 aircrafts, insured by the National insurance Company Limited, which were in operational condition but are taken out of service for short durations for routine maintenance as per maintenance schedule.”

However, on the contrary, on 7 December 2011, PiA issued a tender tor leasing 39 Aircrafts, with 12 aircrafts to be introduced in next four months. This triggered ques-

tions from PALPA, SAEP, ATAP, and FENA who claimed the organisation had no funds to purchase/lease the planes nor was there a need since Mukhtar himself had declared all 40 aircrafts operational.

The letter says, “The allegations made against the PiA management include the reasons for flight delay and cancellation and the non payment of bills to firms repairing aircraft engines.” The letter said, “The company JALCO Amman repaired 4 PiA engines which have been ready for delivery for five months. Two other A-310 PiA engines stand repaired but have not been delivered due to non-payment for five months.” “instead of making the payment and using the engines, PiA leased 2 aircrafts for Hajj operations and paid more than the dues for the six repaired engines, which would have made two A-310s and one B-747 operational. The JACPiAE in its letter dated 15 November 2011 makes the allegations,” the letter states.

The TiP further stated PiA had tailored

the specifications and evaluation criteria in the tender documents to procure 39 aircrafts to allow in arbitrary discretion to evaluate tenders in volition of Rule No 10 that specifications should allow widest possible competition and not favour any single contractor.

“The evaluation of the financial proposal is not based on the lowest offered cost, which is the basis of PPRA, World Bank, ADB rules,” added the letter.

The letter quoted former MD PiA Aijaz Haroon as telling the Public Accounts Committee on 26 September 2010 that PiA was suffering accumulative losses of Rs 144 billion. Meanwhile, NA Standing Committee on Defense was informed by incumbent MD Nadeem Yusafzai on 9 December 2011 that financial losses of PiA had swelled to approximately Rs 100 billion.

“Such divergent and self contradictory financial figures submitted by the two heads of the PiA need to be seriously examined,” said the letter.

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Editor’s mail 11

is education in English-medium beneficial?

The Education Department of Punjab issued a notification that all public sector schools of Punjab be converted to English medium schools from this year onwards. The Punjabi children of Pakistan are suddenly studying in English medium schools. All it required was the effort of passing a mere statement. Point to be celebrated here is that changing the medium of instruction has been taken as a precondition in order to raise the standard of education. it is not to be implied in the least that English medium schools do not account for a higher standard of education. i believe English-medium schools offer good quality education only because our curriculum was shaped accordingly and most importantly, our teachers were well-versed in the language. in the public sector, clearly no such manoeuvres have been performed. Before making this declaration, such aspects should have been taken into consideration by the Punjab government.

Changing the curriculum is one of the first things that should have been undertaken, followed by a comprehensive

teachers’ training programme. There are quite a number of unemployed, trained teachers out there who could have been recruited for the purpose.

On my recent trip to Lodhran in South Punjab, i was able to visit a total of eight schools that were previously being run by the government. i did not find any of the children with whom i sought to interact speaking possibly in any other language than their local one, Saraiki, though their books were in Urdu and English language.

Upon further examination, i found that children had memorised those pages in English and were not able to tell what it meant. Considering the fact that teachers are not qualified enough and children do not find the language spoken in their daily lives, it really is not surprising that they do not know what they were studying.

The English language, without a doubt, is one of the dominant languages in the world. According to a report by UNESCO, estimates have suggested that around 50 percent of today’s spoken languages may be extinct in the year 2100.

So-called talk shows Education accounts for one of the fundamental factors in the disappearance of these languages. Most of them would be indigenous ones.

Successive governments have not been able to recruit staff that is qualified enough to teach English in public sector schools. in such a situation, the government should not risk the future of the country for the sake of a foreign language. When students and teachers are well versed in the language of instruction, only then are they capable of sharing knowledge, ask and answer questions, take plunges of creativity and fashion an environment of healthy and interactive discussions and debates in the classroom. That is what learning and educating is about and stands to define quality education and raising the bar. very few non profit entities have been able to come up with a novel approach of brightening the young minds of our nation. Supplementary reading material in local languages like Saraiki and Punjabi is being introduced in the local schools of Southern Punjab.

The idea behind this particular en-

deavour is basically to allow students to remain connected to their indigenous language. The get reading material that consists of short stories that are interesting enough and which comes to them like a breath of fresh air in order to think creatively, critically, freely and out of the box. Only then can we expect them to become responsible and active citizens of our nation.

Similarly, some educational foundations are sending their teachers to cities like karachi for teachers’ training programmes. They undergo a process of learning and adaptability to modern methods of teaching so that they are able to impart gainful knowledge to their students.

While English may be the ‘language of power’ and the ‘language of today’, we cannot let it hamper our country’s youth’s creativity and act as a hurdle on their path of learning. We need to realise that our system of education is still far behind in adopting such a strategy as the Punjab government has done.

AMNA KAUSAR Lahore

Our dynastic politics Please join me to welcome Bilawal Zardari, son of ex-Prime Minter Benazir Bhutto, Hamza Sharif, son of Punjab’ sitting Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Mariam Nawaz, daughter of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Abdul Qadir Gilani, son of sitting Prime Minister Yousaf Gilani, in the corridors of power politics. We shall be grateful to our leaders that they are not leaving the nation alone at this critical juncture; their children (mostly in their 20s and 30s) are now available to guide 180 million Pakistanis.

Why shall we question the presence of these young chaps in CM, PM or President Houses and their chairing of the meetings attended by party leaders and ministers? For thousands of years, we have been ruled by tribal leaders, Sultans, Nawabs, Rajas, kings and Emperors, then what’s the difference now?

After all Britain, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Spain and many other countries are still being ruled by kings and monarchs (it doesn’t matter that these are constitutional monarchies); then what’ wrong with Pakistanis denouncing the dynastic politics? if all other countries can prosper while keeping the constitutional monarchy intact, then one day we will also follow suit by maintaining the dynastic political monarchy. After all Bilawal is now learning Urdu and wearing traditional dresses to sometime look like us – his subjects. Let’s leave our hypocrisy aside and welcome a very special young blood in Pakistan’ politics.

MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arab

Electricity thieves No organisation can show such carelessness instead of doing work for the welfare of the public as kESC. Everyone is facing the problem of loadshedding but it is injudicious to treat at par those who pay their bills promptly with those who enjoy the kunda facility. i am the resident of North karachi where the duration of loadshedding has already exceeded six hours. There are some people living in my lane who are utilising the kunda facility.

One of my neighbours has recently got married and it was very obnoxious to see that the wedding lights used to remain turned on even at day time. These people are electricity thieves who are carefree of paying their bills from their pockets. kunda system results in increased duration of loadshedding, probably 17-18 hours continuously, because the areas where excessive electricity looting occurs, an increased duration of loadshedding there is the ultimate step.

As a result all our daily chores get disturbed.

Moreover, when men and children will not have a sound sleep, they won't be able to do their work and will feel drowsy. The authorities need to focus on eliminating this issue as soon as possible.

SYEDA WARDAH RAHMAN Karachi

The importance of electronic media regarding debates on various political issues cannot be denied. But, the way these discussions are organised leaves much to be desired. in order to make them actively participated, the comperes on various Tv channels fail to maintain proper decorum.

Participants from various political parties are probably selected by their respective parties primarily due to their sheer rhetoric/debating abilities. Unfortunately, the discussions mostly appear to be in the form of speaking louder than others, at times without any regard to mannerism relating to normal group discussion by civilised persons. it is a very sorry state of affairs to watch these politicians making uproar.

These so-called discussions have certainly a poor impression and impact on the coming generation. These selected politicians, specifically earmarked by various parties, appear on different channels on the same day. Some of them seem to completely disregard the norms of civil politeness and tolerance.

The cable channels and their set of anchorpersons are equally to be blamed.

What are we teaching our children? i am sure with due diligence, prudence and training the conduct of these important political discussions can be made more useful for the public to know. The present form of political discussion on Tv is counterproductive. if we do not put a check on the present state of affairs, it is feared that the decent public may stop watching these discussions or at least stop watching these along with their kids so as to avoid negativity in their upbringing.

RASHID MAQSOOD Lahore

A real democracy?

The electricity crisis in Pakistan is a severe challenge. it has severely affected the economy and overall standards of living. Extended duration of loadshedding has not only adversely resulted in the closure of a number of industrial units, but is also negatively impacting the country’s economy, hence increasing unemployment.

The situation is turning ugly and protests are being held throughout the city against unannounced loadshedding and power breakdowns. The increasing frustration among the masses regarding the power failures calls for immediate measures to overcome this crisis.

Due to the circular debt problem

which, according to recent reports, is hovering around PkR 400 billion, the power generation value chain has lost its ability to meet the electricity demand.

The independent Power Producers (iPPs) are producing below capacity as a result of working capital shortage.

Therefore, the only option available with the government of Pakistan is to utilise rental power plants (RPPs). The iPPs requires 3-5 years for the completion whereas the RPPs require 6-8 months implementation period.

Right now it has become an essential need and has been installed by many countries to meet their electricity requirements. RPPs are one of the solutions that the government can implement in order to fulfil the shortage of 16000 MW. Since the government of Pakistan has signed contracts for RPPs, the same can be used to revive our industries.

SAAD ABDUL WAHAB Karachi

We always talk about democracy but as it happens we are not a nation which can even understand the meaning of democracy. it is very easy to raise the slogans of liberty, equality and fraternity. We talk about making Pakistan a welfare state but neither our ruling class had ever tried to establish it nor the civilian governments did anything in this regard.

Democracy needs a patriotic ruling class where the rulers should sacrifice personal interests for national interests but unfortunately we never had such rulers. The rulers in Pakistan depend on bureaucrats who happen to be powermongers, greedy, corrupt and materialists.

They have taken the public’s money and fattened their foreign accounts with it. The same was done by most of our politicians. They claim to provide food, clothing and shelter to the people but in fact they have deprived the people of these basic necessities of life. in fact, Pakistan is a country where more than 60 percent population lives in rural area which is illiterate, and may continue to remain illiterate if they do not act wisely. Hunger and disease is their fate. Democracy is a function of education and only educated voters can choose wisely the representatives to form the governments. if any sensible patriotic government comes to power, only then we can think to form a real democracy which means “Government of the people, for the people and by the people”. Such democracies can be seen in the USA, England and many other countries. As far as Pakistan is concerned, it would better be ruled by army or semi-military democracies because at least army is patriotic.

SANA ASLAM Karachi

The image of Pakistan is damaged when its elected or paid public servants chose to sell their conscience to benefit themselves financially even compromising vital national interests that they were supposed to protect.

Those who robbed and fleeced Hajis, violated their oaths of office, or pilfered state exchequer, be it the missing containers scam, or NiCL, or even Pak Steel Mills, Railways, PiA etc have harmed Pakistan more. When people in power utilise state funds to indulge in their sexual fantasies, it is our national image

which suffers. Those who hired services of escorts during their official tours to Turkey, or who stated that Pakistani women plan their rape to get visas, damaged our national image. i see no difference between the acts of men and women who form part of our ruling elite when they sell their conscience and the acts of women in the pleasure industry who sell their body for financial profits. Each sells what is there to be sold for their individual benefit.

The only difference is that people in authority do more harm to their countries

and the people who elect them than these women who sell their soul but risk contracting killer diseases themselves.

The Pakistani media and our socalled clergy would serve the people better if they were to concentrate on moral and financial corruption that deprives millions of funds that would have been spent on education health, security, provision of basic necessities, rather than on individual acts of people who represent nobody but themselves like veena Malik.

MALIK TARIQ ALI Lahore

Hard to swallow The Memogate seems to have become a proverbial ‘bone stuck in the throat’ of the government. if it wants to play it down, the opposition and the Supreme Court won’t allow it. if it wants to spit it out, it might cause some strong ripples in the al-

The democratic parties When one surveys the democratic credentials of our political parties as against dynastic leanings, it becomes apparent that there are only three genuine democratic parties in the field. These are Ji, PTi and MQM which do not have a dynastic policy and have a transparent record of election of their leaders. The other parties, PPP, PML(N), PML(Q), ANP and JUi, have a dynastic record of party leadership and they have not been able to get out of its clutches.

As such if the three pro-democracy parties could join together to win the next election we could hope to bury the dynastic parties whom the nation is sick of. These parties only tend to perpetuate their stranglehold on the nation by nominating their wards as future leaders to perpetuate their rule to the loss of the nation. These parties have not been able to build a single large hydroelectric

ready troubled waters of our political and diplomatic front, which nobody wants.

ALI IQBAL Lahore

dam in spite of their two-third majority in the past.

DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI Lahore

Solution to the power crisis

veena’s acts i fail to understand the unnecessary furore over the acts of veena Malik, a woman who is working in entertainment industry. in every country, there are such women, who use their bodies to earn money by playing upon the fantasies of men and what she has done has been happening for centuries. venna Malik exposed her body to create a controversy and get the publicity which she has successfully got. Such individual acts do not reflect upon the women of Pakistan, nor in my opinion has Pakistan's image been tarnished.

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12 Comment dangerously isolated Revision of security paradigm required

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hat needs to be discussed by Pakistan’s foreign policy wonks during the ongoing ambassadors’ meeting is the country’s unending isolation. The unrealistic security paradigm revolving around the concept of india as principle threat led to the creation and nurturing of the virus of extremism that has made the world at large wary of Pakistan. After the 9/11 attacks, choreographed by the Afghanistan-based Al-Qaeda, national liberation struggles, once widely respected, were put into the category of terrorist activities. With terrorists arrested in Western Europe, Russia, and South East Asia found to have been trained in Pakistan, the country’s image received a further setback. The terrorist havens in Pakistan generated tensions to various extents with all neighbouring countries. China which had once supported the kashmiris’ right of self-determination unreservedly re-designated the militancy in kashmir as a separatist movement after finding that the Uyghur militants and those fighting in kashmir were operating from the tribal areas of Pakistan. iran accuses islamabad of sheltering Jundullah, Afghanistan of providing havens to the Haqqani network and india of supporting cross-border terrorism. The establishment can argue that the charges are false, but this does not change the reality of a hostile environment created by our strategic paradigm.

The militants in the tribal areas have played a key role in the ongoing confrontation with the US. Whether the US attacked Pakistani military posts deliberately or was lured into the act by the militants remains a contentious issue between the two countries. Meanwhile, Pakistan has taken a number of measures, the latest being the orders to shoot down any Nato plane entering Pakistan. The Obama administration is under pressure from powerful lawmakers, including Senators McCain and Lindsay Graham, to review all military and economic aid for Pakistan. Foreign policy experts need to discuss how many enemies the country can afford to have.

Reviewing all accords with the US and Nato would be a meaningful activity only if the issue is taken up in the overall context of the country’s increasing isolation in the region and how to overcome it. Meanwhile, playing to the gallery can further jeopardise Pakistan’s security and long term interests.

Climate change durban Conference makes headway

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here is no such thing as a free lunch. Or, that’s what the human race’s abode, the earth, is telling us in the form of climate change. After consuming its resources without any regard to what the end result might be, it was only logical that a number of environment-related problems crop up, forcing us to reconsider how we treat mother nature.

The Durban Conference was meant to answer these questions and more. Much to the relief of every concerned stakeholder, the conference was successful in delivering some output. After what happened to the kyoto Protocol, nobody was in favour of a reprisal and to ward off any such fate, an improvised roadmap for a global climate pact has been agreed upon which would bring China and india under its umbrella, world’s number one and number three carbon polluters. A troubling matter for some is the timeline offered in the accord as 2015 has been set for its completion and 2020 for its enforcement. Many critics do not agree with this timeframe, asking for an earlier and more responsive action.

Given the intricacies involved in ascertaining exactly how the climate might change, what impact it might have on us and industrialised states’ reluctance in ceding some of the gains they have made, the conference did achieve some remarkable goals. A Green Climate Fund, for one, is an achievement if it is implemented in time. The Fund is expected to spend at least $100 billion per year help poor nations cope with climate change. But the issue of who will foot the bill and how remains yet to be resolved, and that could be a real challenge. Lucky for the poor nations as the kyoto Protocol has seen another life. Though the US, world’s number two carbon polluter, has opted out of the only legally-binding treaty, the EU and some other nations have pledged a new round of CO2 emissions cuts.

Whatever approach we adopt to handle this issue would be useless unless a common framework is developed to bring the developed and developing nations where despite their industrial disparity they are comfortable in working together. This conference has set course right, but smooth sailing? Only time will tell.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

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

Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

how many need to die?

On our underregulated CNG kits sector

By Dr Faisal Bari

‘A

s many as 13 were killed when a gas cylinder exploded after a van had an accident’; this tragic incident took place on Saturday last week. ‘Seven killed when a gas cylinder exploded’; this was a couple of days before that. ‘Three dead in Lahore’ is from earlier in the year, ‘15 died in a bus fire when the cylinder exploded’, again from earlier in the year. And there are more news of ‘Eight killed’ and then ‘five killed’. All of these are headlines of news that i googled when i looked for ‘gas cylinder explosions in Pakistan’. in fact, i did not have to even go to the second page of the search results, all of the above were from the first 10 searched results.

The six incidents mentioned above took the lives of 51 people, injured many others and caused loss of property. A number of lives lost, among the above, were of children. Yet, every time such an incident becomes a ‘breaking news’ item on the television, it gets reported for a few hours, or till the next breaking news, and then it becomes background information.

There is no follow-up on the news, there is never any inquiry as to why so many of the cylinders are exploding, nor a mention of who is responsible to ensure proper quality of cylinders and proper installation and, of course, there is never any news of what actions have been taken by the government to regulate the area better since the government has not woken up to the task yet.

How many deaths will it take for the government to wake up? is it because most of the lives being lost are those of ordinary citizens?

Would the same thing be happening if it was the transport of the rich or the more connected that was exploding as often?

Why have the civil society groups and organisations that focus on consumer protection

not become more vocal? Why are they not demanding requisite inquiries, stipulation of required standards and their implementation, and the needed hue and cry for bringing culprits to justice?

Who installs these CNG cylinders, and how do we know the cylinders and other equipment used meets minimum standards to be road worthy? Do we know if the installation done for these cylinders is proper? Have such standards been stipulated and set. if there are no such standards these should be stipulated at the earliest, and an implementation mechanism for ensuring compliance should be established. We need to ensure that all new installations meet these standards while all existing cylinders are checked to ensure they also meet the minimum standard. if the standards are already there but are not being implemented, we need to make sure they are implemented and those who were responsible for implementing them are brought to justice for their carelessness and criminal negligence. vehicles that come with factory-fitted CNG cylinders are easy to regulate. Once standards have been stipulated all manufacturers will have to adhere to these. if there is an accident afterwards, there should be an investigation and if the installation is found to be faulty and/or of low quality, the vehicle manufacturer should be held responsible. Accidents can happen even when cylinders are of requisite quality and installation right, but then these are accidents, they are not the outcomes of regulatory evasion and/or negligence, carelessness or greed.

For installation after manufacture, for people wanting to convert their fuel oil-based cars to CNG, there should be licensing of installers and car owners should be told that they should get cylinders installed only from licensed and authorised places. That way if there is an accident we will know which installer to hold responsible. And if the vehicle owner went to an un-authorised dealer, we will be able to hold the owner responsible for the accident. if there is deterioration in quality of installation over time and/or if cylinder quality needs to be checked periodically, there can be an inspection regimen in place whereby owners are asked to get the vehicle inspected periodically, every year or second year, after the installation. Cars have to get their tokens renewed every year. The safety certificates for CNG installation could be checked before tokens are renewed.

it seems that the regulatory and inspection regimen for cylinder and installation safety is not very difficult to visualise and set up. The government just has to do a few simple things like stipulate minimum standards, ensure these have been conveyed to manufacturers and installers and then ensure that those who try to or succeed in evading these are caught in time. Or, at the very least, they are caught and held accountable post fact.

Right now we do not seem to have any of the above. it is no wonder people get CNG kits installed from wherever they can, and the cheaper the better, and for those who install them too, competition must be keen and so they would like to do things with as much profit margin as possible, and so they would say they use good materials but will have an incentive to lie and use poorer quality inputs.

The incentives are set for substandard installations and use of substandard material. We are seeing the results of not regulating markets that should be regulated.

Provincial governments are the right authorities for legislating on the subject. They already do vehicle safety, vehicle inspections (or are supposed to do them), they have laws for boiler inspections and so on as well. So, it is the right place for such legislation and the concerned departments should have the requisite expertise that can be pulled together as well.

But the issue is that the respective provincial governments have to feel the urgency and the need to take the steps needed. Over the years we have encouraged the conversion of lots of cars to CNG, and the pricing structure was a powerful inducement as well. But the regulatory framework has not been developed in tandem. This should be immediately remedied.

Exploding cylinders is definitely a public issue, especially in public transport, but even in private cars as it puts passengers as well as people around at risk. Lack of regulation here has been very costly and tragic over the last few months alone. And it will continue to be so if the government does not step forward and the civil society does not take up the issue. Shouldn't the courts be taking suo motu notice here – loss of human life should make the issue notice-worthy?

The writer is an Associate Professor of Economics at LUMS (currently on leave) and a Senior Advisor at Open Society Foundation (OSF).

He can be reached at fbari@sorosny.org

Change, a mirage

By Ahmed Yusuf

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ith the Pakistan Tehreeke-insaf (PTi) resembling a private school with an ‘Admissions Open’ sign, there are many new entrants to our last hope of survival and change. PTi activists and supporters define the party’s rise as a “movement” – thereby explaining to us that while some new entrants are national heroes that we can all respect, bad and rotten to the core eggs will inevitably also be part of this national crusade against corruption and injustice. More critical for us are the admissions of the tried and tested, and assumed to have failed. The problem is: what of the cadre who has invested the past decade or so of his/her life struggling for “real change”? Or is it that such cadres have become dispensable for the larger good, now defined as a mindless charge towards power?

Let us assume at the outset that the PTi is comprised of a majority of activists more concerned with Pakistan, about ridding the country of corruption, and of creating a society

that is just – after all, the establishment is not likely to bet on a party that does not have some genuine grassroots infrastructure and support. Let us also assume that the common PTi cadre has no qualms about following their new “leaders” – those breaking ranks with their old parties are, in theory, weakening the old order of power and strengthening the new agents of change.

But in terms of political culture, is it healthy to import “leaders” from parties that supposedly represent the old order, and have them define a course of action?

As per a list compiled by PTi activists and available online, there have been some 201 new entrants in 2011 alone. Of these, 18 were from the PPP (7 national and 11 provincial), 17 from the PML(Q) (10 national and 7 provincial), and 14 were from the PML(N) (9 national and 5 provincial). The list is perhaps not updated yet (or at least i don’t have access to the updated list), but the figures given are also not insignificant – considering how one local leader, based on caste or tribal associations, can pull in others who support him/her.

With the induction of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and subsequent installation as the vice-president of the party, the PTi’s posture on foreign policy has also somewhat changed – from the more jingoist to being open to having a relationship with the United States. While moulding a party to suit the needs of the mainstream is admirable, this was not the sentiment that imran

khan cashed in on to create this “tsunami”.

As an aside, the party’s website currently lists four vice-presidents and a senior vice-president, none of whom are named Shah Mahmood – something of a tradition in existing mainstream parties, which need to manage egos rather than social and political causes.

The original PTi, the one formed in 1996, ended up heading in a right-wing direction after the disgruntled jiyala faction was pushed out by the more disgruntled and violent Jamaati group. Once the process was complete, PTi and imran khan both began taking some consistent stands and to their credit stuck by them till now. it is, after all, easier to harp on about principled politics if one’s politics is going unnoticed. But would the 1996 PTi have taken the same stances as the ones being taken in 2011? Perhaps not, because the PTi is now a major stakeholder.

What has not happened in the new-look PTi is the development, and subsequent settling of, a new and political culture. The party as it stands now is, at best, a group of influential politicians being patched together to form a new government.

This is not what the original PTi cadre fought for during the past 15 years – something that manifested itself in the fiasco in islamabad yesterday, minutes before the Great Leader was scheduled to address the press to announce the entry of yet another turncoat.

A new political culture can only

be developed if the party relies on internal democracy and elections.

Lest we forget, Mustafa kamal, a telephone operator at Nine-Zero, made his way to the MQM’s Rabita Committee by working his way through the ranks. The same is the case with Munawwar Hasan, a former NSF activist but one who worked his way to become the Ameer of the Jamaat-e-islami. Regardless of the criticisms leveled against both the MQM and Ji, these are the only two parties with an efficient and working internal democratic structure and hence, the best placed for the next elections in their constituencies. As for the PTi cadre and supporters, without any political training or much grassroots activism, their polemics online are typical of a newly-formed clique: aggressive, abusive and crass, and without intellectual basis.

Without a democratic party culture and a voice for the party file, the PTi will merely become a mirror image of the PPP or the PML(N), parties that are individual-driven rather than institution-driven. Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Arif Alavi might see a Bhutto in imran khan, but Bhutto lost out to the establishment and PNA simply because his was also a party that was individual driven. These are lessons that the PTi must learn, only then can we have faith in the change that imran khan is promising.

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

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Comment 13

the myth of public service

the future of our past

How many Punjabis does it take to change a lightbulb? 42, give or take a few naib qasids

Why preserve a heritage?

Mighty Obvious

By Syed Hassan Belal Zaidi

i

have often been accused of being a Punjabi supremacist.

This is not surprising, given that i have lived most of my life in Lahore, a city that is as removed from the rest of Punjab as Beirut is from the rest of Lebanon. After having been brainwashed and spin-dried in Lahore for the bulk of my meaningless existence, i tried to eke out a living in the grand city of karachi. This was my second biggest mistake, because karachi is so far removed from the rest of Pakistan, let alone Sindh, that any generalisations made on the basis of karachi experiences hold up just as long as a kulfi does in the blazing Jacobabad sun. i have come to realise the hard way that Urban Pakistan is actually a myth; a bubble conjured up by ‘PhD-in-Anthropology’ candidates, the MQM and members of the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN). This imaginary construct was erected to facilitate complex mathematical calculations, much like the existence of that other imaginary construct, the Equator, facilitates companies that sell GPS equipment. However, Urban Pakistan is a generalisation that is too wide to be applicable to any one urban centre, and is therefore as fallacious as saying “interior Punjab”. This does not mean, however, that people do not employ such fallacies as common parlance.

One of the generalisations that is currently doing the rounds is that only Punjabis apply for, appear in and consequently monopolise the CSS exams. This is

often cited by armchair intellectuals as the reason for the disdain that most people from Sindh, kPk and Balochistan harbour for the bara sooba. Their accusation is that Punjabis hog all the good seats in departments such as DMG, Foreign Service and Customs and leave all the menial jobs, such as Railways and the Postal Service, to their lesser brethren.

As you can well imagine, being a supremacist, such idiotic assertions make my blood boil.

Such conversations usually go like this:

sions that can accommodate such nawabs are agriculture and industry.

Fortunately, we have a lot of that. Unfortunately, both sectors aren’t as manpower intensive as they used to be, therefore, middle-class Punjabis (since the only people who can be associated with either agriculture or industry in today’s world are the ultrarich or the ultra-poor) are left with no other option than to apply for competitive examinations. And while they may not test very well, these fat cats are exceptionally good at finding out

The Punjabis can do only three things: grow stuff; package stuff and eat stuff. Equipped with such a diverse skill set, the only professions that can accommodate such nawabs are agriculture and industry.

Me: So why won’t you apply for the CSS exams?

They: Because the Punjabis will get all the seats anyway.

Me: But there is a quota system. if you make the grade, they HAvE to give you a seat.

They: No, there is too much favouritism, we won’t even pass the exam.

Me: Really? Have you tried?

They: No, but my great-greatgrandfather did and he didn’t make it. The British deemed him too rural to serve them.

Me: Arghhh!

Obviously, such conversations are the reason why i do not have hair on my head anymore.

But there is a deeper, more tragic method to all of this madness.

You see, due to the presence of a vibrant private sector in the city, people from karachi usually tend to prefer to work in the corporate environment. This may not be a universal norm, but it is prevalent enough for me to be making this assertion. The Punjabis, on the other hand, can do only three things: grow stuff; package stuff and eat stuff. Equipped with such a diverse skill set, the only profes-

who will be grading their papers and then paying off that person in order to secure a good grade.

These are people who have usually not worked a day in their lives and would require the services of a naib qasid or forty-two to change one lightbulb. Hence, we are left with a bureaucracy made up of cheats and crooks.

But hold on, you might say, aren’t all bureaucracies like that?

Doesn’t every form of government service, no matter where in the world it may operate, seek to perpetuate the conventions and principles of duty, public service, honour (or a lack thereof) and frequent pay-raises for civil servants? i mean, has no one seen ‘Yes Minister’?

But people don’t seem to care. instead, they stick to the preconceived notions that have been instilled in their minds for generations, all thanks to the British ‘Divide and Conquer’ strategy. That we are still as divided as the day the Brits left us is a tragedy that would have even A C Bradley in tears. And yet, for some reason, we choose to perpetuate this myth.

T

he Mohatta palace, built in colonial times for a Hindu businessman by a Muslim architect in the Mughal style using traditional pink Jodhpur stone and the yellow Gizri stone of karachi is a speaking amalgam of time, place and person. Sensitively restored, it is a living symbol of the pleasure the past brings to a living present. in this setting a panel discussion took place entitled ‘Critical Heritage: The future of Pakistan’s past.’ As keynote speaker kamil khan Mumtaz, one of Pakistan’s most gifted architects posed the simple question: Who are we?

Who are we indeed? it is worth asking in addition why the past must be preserved and how? is it so that we can revert to it?

According to Bertrand Russell, “There are two reasons for reading a book: one that you enjoy it, the other that you can boast about it!” Exactly so, it is a pleasure to explore one’s heritage, the Mohatta Palace, the Badshahi Mosque, the Lahore Fort; they are also a source of pride, inspite of the flaws. it is also that the past, like another direction on a compass, is a point of reference that provides you with identity and helps position you in this world.

By Rabia Ahmed The people of Pakistan despite their varied genealogy rise to certain occasions as one. This could be defined as a collective identity, provided by the country we live in now, our recent past, and the years before. We may not live like our ancestors any longer or share all their values and predilections – not many of us move to another country to proselytise, not many of us move to another country to conquer – but we are undoubtedly products of a common history and it is this history that speaks to us by means of our visual heritage.

This is why it needs to be preserved.

The statues of Buddha so wantonly destroyed were no threat to any faith. They simply spoke of the skill and dedication of those who chiselled these mammoths from harsh stone. They stood in mute testimony to persons who lived in these parts before we did, who were milestones along our history, helping us to vi-

sualise the pathways travelled by others before we arrived at where we stand today.

Buildings of the Mughal period would tempt no one to fratricide, patricide or to build lavish tombs for one’s spouse, although they do tempt some to poetry. They stand (or now almost fall) as a reminder of opulence gone by when elephants carried riders up wide steps into a fort, when a candle lit inside a pavilion burst into a thousand dazzling flames.

There is no threat implicit in someone else’s past either. Their heritage in Rome is a pleasure even though they were not my ancestors – Michaelangelo, Leonardo, or Raphael. Yet they instil in me a pride in the talents of my fellow human beings. i arise from the cradle of Mesopotamia or Gandhara and then from Jodhpur, Delhi, Agra or Bengal. i live now in Lahore or karachi or Dera Ghazi khan and am in addition a citizen of the world. i need to destroy no one, pull down no monuments to prove my identity or the worth of my ancestors.

Our children today are scattered in a diaspora as unsettling as the one that scattered the children of israel. They dress in various ways, speak and eat according to their adoptive lands, yet their roots feed on exactly the same springs as ours. For those who remain at home, a longing for wider horizons leads them to adopt ways that express this yearning but the opportunity is often denied. What is more, life at home is such that even to copy is torment and anything that stands for change bitter.

The threat to our monuments from negligence, vandalism and their destruction by religious fanatics has no basis in religion. it is purely an expression of anger and an urge for self-assertion in a world that denies many the basic economic means for survival. in countries like Pakistan, the expensive preservation of monuments requires more sensitivity than elsewhere in the world. To leave this work of restoration in the hands of workers who possess neither skill for the job nor the wherewithal for personal existence is foolish. As the architect Sajjad kausar demonstrated in his presentation, the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore suffered as a result of a lack of this sensitivity, as have other monuments, and by extension the people to whom these monuments belong.

The past can never be destroyed but its lessons certainly can, along with the roots that it provides.

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14 Foreign News DAMASCUS AFP

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YRiANS were voting Monday in municipal elections held amid a general strike called by the opposition and as security forces killed another seven people as they pursued a crackdown on dissent. The elections committee, in a statement received by AFP, said “voting is proceeding in a democratic spirit,” adding that voting turnout was “good.” it did not elaborate. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said seven people were killed in the flashpoint regions of Homs and idlib on Monday, while strikes were observed in Daraa, cradle of nine months of anti-regime protests, and near Damascus.

Opposition activists have urged citizens to intensify a civil disobedience campaign launched on Sunday in a bid to bring down the government of President Bashar al-Assad. Polling stations opened at 0600 GMT, with 42,889 candidates vying for 17,588 seats, and were due to close at 2000 GMT. information Minister Adnan Mahmud told AFP the elections were part of a reform package pledged by the authorities to promote democracy and would be followed by legislative polls in February. “These elections are taking place on time in line with a reform programme,” Mahmud told AFP. “They are taking place although some

are trying, in vain, to stop them through terrorist acts carried out by armed groups who are terrorising the citizens,” he said. Last week local administration minister Omar Ghalawanji said a special indelible ink would be used for the first time in the municipal elections “to prevent any fraud.” “i voted because we want to contribute to the reforms (pledged by Assad) and choose the best” candidates, said Zeina, a 35-year-old woman, as she emerged from a polling state in the central Ummayad Square of Damascus. Ahmad, a pro-regime taxi driver, said the vote was essential “as a response to those calling for a strike.”

But a regime opponent, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he did not expect a huge

Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

turnout. “i am surprised that elections are taking place under such circumstances,” he said. “Cities gripped by the uprising are not concerned by these elections.” The dissident said he expected voting to be limited to areas where protests against the Assad regime have been scarce or non-existent such as Aleppo, Syria’s second city and economic hub. There have been little or no anti-regime protests in large urban areas like Aleppo and in many part of the capital Damascus. The Britain-based Observatory said authorities “forced

dozens of people” in idlib to go to vote despite raging violence in the northwestern province where three people were killed by security forces in an early morning raid. Four other civilians were killed in the central province of Homs, the Observatory said.

DAMASCUS: A Syrian woman votes to elect representatives to the Local Administration Councils (LAC) in on Monday. afp

israel closes access ramp to al-aqsa compound

nato announces end of training mission in iraq BRUSSELS AFP

JERUSALEM: A picture dated November 28, 2011, shows tourists before they enter the Mughrabi ramp leading from the plaza by the Western Wall to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem. afp JERUSALEM

Spain royals freeze out duke over graft probe MADRID AFP

Spain’s royal palace on Monday distanced itself from king Juan Carlos’ son-in-law who has been linked to a corruption scandal, in a rare embarrassment for the popular monarchy, media said. Judges are investigating alleged corruption involving a company formerly run by inaki Urdingarin, 43, the Duke of Palma de Mallorca — the first major scandal ever to hit a member of the royal family. The duke’s behaviour “does not seem exemplary” and he has agreed with the palace to be excluded from official royal activities, Spanish media quoted the palace spokesman Rafael Spottorno as saying. Spottorno said the duke, who has not admitted any wrongdoing, had the right to be presumed innocent. Urdangarin, a former Olympic handball player, on Saturday issued a statement saying he regretted the harm the scandal was doing to the royal family’s image and insisted the palace had nothing to do with his private activities.

AFP

israel has closed a controversial wooden access ramp to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound over public safety concerns, police said on Monday, in a move that quickly sparked Palestinian anger.

“Based on an order from the city council, they have closed the ramp,” police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP, referring to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation responsible for the upkeep of the Mughrabi ramp.

The ramp was closed just three days before a deadline imposed by the Jerusalem city council, which had threatened to enforce a closure order if the Foundation failed to close off the structure because of fears it could collapse. “The police and the Western Wall Heritage Foundation decided yesterday to close the temporary Mughrabi ramp,” municipal spokesman Stephan Miller told AFP. “This follows a letter from the municipality that expressed the concern and gave the foundation seven days to appeal against the order,” he said.

The city says the ramp poses a fire hazard and could collapse onto the women’s prayer section by the Western Wall. But Muslim leaders fear the demolition could have a destabilising effect on the mosque compound and accuses israel of fail-

ing to coordinate the renovation with the Waqf, which oversees islamic heritage sites. The closure prompted a swift and angry response from Palestinian officials, including Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. “We condemn and reject this israeli escalation and we believe that these practices, whether in Jerusalem, the closure of the Mughrabi gate, settler attacks or the decision to build 40 new settlement homes confirm israel’s attacks... on the efforts of the Quartet to revive the peace process,” he said.

“These practices create a negative atmosphere in the entire region that could plunge the area into turmoil and tension,” he warned.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum strongly condemned the closure, saying it was an attack against sacred Muslim sites. “This is a serious step that shows the Zionist scheme of aggression again the Al Aqsa mosque,” he told AFP. “This is a violent act that amounts to a declaration of religious war on the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem.” There are 15 gates leading into the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, 10 of which are in use. The Mughrabi Gate is the only access for non-Muslims to enter the site, meaning its closure will prevent both Jews and tourists from visiting until a replacement structure is built.

Ramp closure is ‘war on Muslim holy sites’: hamas gAZA cIty: israel’s closure of a wooden access ramp to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound is tantamount to a declaration of war on Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem, Hamas warned on Monday. “This is a serious step that shows the Zionist scheme of aggression again the AlAqsa mosque,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum told AFP. “This is a violent act that amounts to a declaration of religious war on the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem,” he said, calling for “Arab and Muslim mobilisation to stop this serious event.”The closure prompted a swift response from Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina who warned it was another israeli “attack” on efforts to revive the moribund peace talks which could shake up the region.“These practices create a negative atmosphere in the entire region that could plunge the area into turmoil and tension,” he warned.And Jordan’s powerful islamists denounced the decision as “flagrant aggression.” afp

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Monday announced that a mission to train iraqi security forces will end at the turn of the year. “The North Atlantic Council has decided to undertake the permanent withdrawal of the NATO Training Mission-iraq personnel from iraq by 31 December 2011,” Rasmussen said in a statement. The news provided confirmation after iraq’s top security adviser Falah al-Fayadh told AFP of the decision in an interview aboard a flight transporting Prime Minister Nuri alMaliki to Washington. “Agreement on the extension of this successful programme did not prove possible despite robust negotiations conducted over several weeks,” Rasmussen said. On November 29, iraqi government spokesman Ali alDabbagh said iraq was studying a contract to extend NATO’s presence in iraq beyond year-end, but noted that such a deal would not grant its troops immunity from prosecution.

‘We need Britain, but there are now two Europes’ PARIS AFP

French President Nicolas Sarkozy admitted on Monday that the European Union was now a two-speed alliance but insisted that Britain would not be forced out of the bloc’s single market. Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel fell out with Prime Minister David Cameron at least week’s EU summit, when London refused to sign up to a pact imposing closer economic coordination between member states. “We did everything, the chancellor and i, to allow the British to take part in the agreement. But there are now clearly two Europes,” Sarkozy said in an interview with the French daily Le Monde. “One wants more solidarity between its members and more regulation. The other is attached only to the logic of the single market,” he said. But, asked whether Britain, which has refused to join the single currency and opposed last week’s fiscal pact, could still remain inside the EU single market, Sarkozy said: “We need Great Britain.”

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Foreign News 15

Russia vote will stand despite protests, says Putin aide MOSCOW AFP

R

USSiAN Prime Minister vladimir Putin’s spokesman said Monday the results of contested parliamentary polls will stand despite massive street protests and a probe by the election authorities. “Even if you add up all this so-called evidence, it accounts for just over 0.5 percent of the total number of votes,” Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told AFP in a telephone interview. “So even if hypothetically you recognise that they are being contested in court, then in any case, this can in no way affect the question of the vote’s legitimacy or the overall results,” Peskov said. His comments followed an order from President Dmitry Medvedev for election officials to look into reports of vote-fixing after the ruling party’s narrow victory sparked the largest protest rallies since the 1990s.

Saturday’s historic demonstrations near the kremlin saw more than 50,000 people deride the outcome of December 4 elections that were widely seen as a litmus test for Putin’s planned return to the presidency next year. The rallies have put Putin under the strongest political pressure he has faced in his dominant 12-year rule and suggested that his path back to the kremlin in March elections may be thornier than originally thought. They also appear to have sowed some confusion among Russian authorities who had never before faced such an evident groundswell of public resentment in the Putin era. Putin originally accused US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton of inciting the unrest by questioning the poll’s legitimacy — a comment similar to the Cold War era rhetoric that dominated his 2000-2008 presidency.

But Putin’s spokesman Peskov said over the weekend that “we respect the point of view of the protesters ... and will continue to listen to them”. Medvedev followed that up on Sunday by announcing the launch of an inquiry into the violations reports. “i disagree with the slogans and declarations made at the meetings,” Medvedev wrote in his Facebook account. “Nevertheless, i have issued instructions to check all polling station reports about (failures) to follow election laws,” Medvedev wrote. Putin himself shunned the public spotlight over the weekend and on Monday did not address the elections in comments aired on state television from his trip to the central region of Tver. Medvedev’s conciliatory remarks meanwhile were met by a flood of ridicule on his Facebook page and quickly rejected as insufficient by both activists and the opposition Communist Party.

5,000 surface-to-air missiles secured in Libya: US SIDI BIn nUR AFP

A top US official said on Sunday that a team of US and Libyan bomb disposal experts has secured about 5,000 surface-to-air missiles stockpiled during the regime of Moamer kadhafi. “We have identified, disbanded and secured more than 5,000 MANPADS (ManPortable Air Defence Systems), while thousands more have been destroyed during NATO bombing,” Andrew Shapiro, assistant secretary of state for political and military affairs told a group of reporters. Dozens of these missiles were detonated along the shore facing Sidi Bin Nur village, east of Tripoli, as Shapiro, on a one-day visit to Libya, witnessed the event from a nearby secured house.

A joint US and Libyan team of bomb disposal experts has been working for several months now to find these missing missiles which are seen as potential threat to civil aviation. MANPADS are perceived as potential weapons which can be used by militant groups against commercial airliners and helicopters. These missiles have been widely used in military

conflicts. in September the European Union’s counterterrorism coordinator Gilles de kerchove had said that AlQaeda’s north African branch had acquired a stockpile of weapons in Libya, including surface-to-air missiles.

Due to the turmoil in Libya, members of Al-Qaeda in the islamic Maghreb (AQiM) have “gained access to weapons, either small arms or machineguns, or certain surface-to-air missiles which are extremely dangerous because they pose a risk to flights over the territory,” he said. kadhafi had a stockpile of 20,000 shoulder-fired missiles before the revolt against him broke out in February. “We are working side by side with the NTC to reduce the threat of these loose weapons,” Shapiro said after talks in Tripoli with officials from the ruling National Transitional Council, the interior and defence ministries.

There is a “serious concern about the threat posed by MANPADS... about the potential threat MANPADS can pose to civil aviation. However our efforts with the NTC to reduce these threats are already paying off.” Shapiro said contractors on the ground were still in the process of assessing how many missiles are still missing.

MOSCOW: Supporters of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin take part in a rally on Monday. afp

‘afghan rape victim still in jail despite pardon’ KABUL AFP

An Afghan woman who was jailed for adultery after being raped remains in prison more than 10 days after President Hamid karzai ordered her release, her lawyer said on Monday. Gulnaz, who has already served two years in prison after a relative raped her at her home, should have been released within 48 hours and there was “no good reason” for her to remain behind bars, kimberley Motley said.

Her case highlights the poor state of women’s rights in Afghanistan, 10 years after a US-led invasion ousted the Taliban who were notorious for their harsh laws against women.

Following an outcry over her situation, karzai called a meeting where judicial officials de-

cided to pardon her, presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi told AFP on December 1. But the officials also advised that Gulnaz should marry the man who attacked her, due to fears she could be in danger if released because of the stigma surrounding her attack in ultra-conservative Afghanistan. Motley said there were no conditions set on Gulnaz’s release and she would need time to decide what to do.

But she also voiced concern that her client was being visited in jail by her attacker’s father.

“She’s still locked up and there’s no good reason for it,” Motley said. “Since the president has announced that he is going to issue a pardon she continues to be visited by the attacker’s father. “That’s not appropriate. it’s very disturbing. He’s not a blood relative.” Gulnaz has been raising the child she had by her

attacker in a prison cell in kabul. “She’s anxious to leave and to be free. She’s anxious to know what’s going on,” Motley said. “She was told by the committee she would be released within two days.” Officials said the order had been sent to the ministry of justice but was being processed through various offices. “We have already sent out the pardon letter. it does take a while until the cycle and process is finished,” a presidential spokesman said.

“We have not officially received the pardon order, but we know it is on its way,” ministry of justice spokesman Farid Ahmad Najeebi said. “it takes a while until it reaches us because it has to go to the president’s public affairs department, and several other offices before it reaches us. But we are expecting it soon.”

toll from afghan ashura killings rises to 84 kABuL: The death toll from unprecedented bomb attacks targeting Shiite Muslims on their holiest day of Ashura in Afghanistan has risen to 84, the interior ministry confirmed Monday. The coordinated attacks struck Shiites in kabul and the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif on December 6. The twin blasts prompted fears that Afghanistan could descend into the sort of sectarian violence that has pitched Shiite against Sunni Muslims in iraq and Pakistan. “What we have in our records here is that 80 people were killed in kabul, including six children and 150 were wounded. Four were killed in Mazar,” said Sediq Sediqqui, spokesman for the Afghan interior ministry. On Sunday, President Hamid karzai said the toll had climbed to at least 80. A local resident told AFP that bodies and body parts were still being recovered from the river running alongside the kabul shrine. Afghanistan lived through civil war from 1992 to 1996. its different ethnic groups, including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks have lived together, sometimes uneasily, since the 2001 US-led invasion. afp

Yemen police disperse separatist protest ADEn AFP

A Yemeni protester was wounded Monday when police dispersed hundreds of demonstrators demanding a secession of southern regions in the capital of former South Yemen, activists said.

Security forces at dawn stormed a camp of tents that southern separatists erected in Al-Oroud Square in Aden after they met UN envoy Jamal Benomar, activists said. “Police opened fire at us. One police vehicle hit a protester and injured him,” while security forces tore off the flags of former South Yemen and destroyed the tents, said an activist who requested anonymity.

Nasser al-Nuba, a leading figure in the Southern Movement umbrella group, told AFP that a delegation of the movement met Benomar and demanded the “right of the people of south Yemen to self-determination.” Benomar played a pivotal role

in bringing President Ali Abdullah Saleh to sign a Gulf-brokered deal last month by which he immediately handed power to his deputy and should quit completely after 90 days. The exit plan aimed to end

months of deadly protests that demanded an end to Saleh’s 33 year in power. Residents in the formerly independent southern region complain of discrimination by the Sanaa government in the distribu-

tion of resources since the union between north and south in 1990.

The south broke away again in 1994, sparking a brief civil war that ended with the region overrun by northern troops.

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Saga of patterns and prints

IN LIMELIGHT lOS ANgElES: Actress Abigail Spencer arrives at the American giving Awards presented

by Chase.

Zara naeem, rakshanda atawar, amna gull and ramana Masood

LAHORE

P

ANITA SALEEM

RiNTMAkiNG, an art hardly understood and seldom encouraged involves a great deal of precision and as artist Zara Naeem expresses, “our sweat and blood is put into it.” Under the supervision of Rakshanda Atawar, three students’ work was recently put up for display at 39k gallery. Rakshanda narrates how it all began, “Mr Arfan Augustine at Lahore College for Women University initially requested me to come as an external supervisor to which i agreed.”

While Rakshanda happily fostered their talent, the university was glad to have her as a coach for the budding artists.

This year’s class included three print makers: Amna Gul, Ramana Masood and Zara Naeem. Rakshanda admits being a tough instructor, “at times you need to pressurize the students lest they become laid back.” Rakshanda bombarded them with assignments while they complied. She showed them work from around the globe so that they get the exposure of the medium, scale and areas being explored by various artists. She rebukes the notion that a theme is mandatory for art and insists that it rather confines the artist.

Amna Gull follows in the footsteps of her supervisor and experiments with patterns. Some of her work includes intricate patterns using diminutive circles organized in a skilful manner. Talking about the problems that came her way, Amna says, “there were many problems that we faced like the press not working, prints not coming out right and tough working conditions”. Amna reveals her desire to become an art teacher after completing her education as she feels one must pass on the knowledge. She further adds, “i want to freely and creatively make prints as my heart leads.”

Amna, who started her academic journey as a sciences student and made the shift to arts with her elder brother’s support is not afraid of hardships and claims, “i’m not going to turn back from it now.”

Contrary to Amna, Zara Naeem who has her roots in Faisalabad knew from early childhood that she would be an artist and so she always studied arts. For this exhibition she used a technique called collography, which involves pasting paper on top of a thick paper/board and then cutting out the pattern. She shares her experience, “while making those plates i injured my fingers and got several cuts.”

Although Zara had not consciously planned it to be so, but her work turned out to be textile inspired at the end. She excitedly revealed, “ i even printed my own shirts for Eid using these plates”. She also experimented with three colour tones and expressed how a single plate could be used to create different prints. She admits being depressed at some points when things wouldn’t turn out the way she wanted them to. Zara aspires to help others, “i feel financial constraints impede people from getting into this field. When i become a teacher i would respect novel ideas and support them in every way i can.”

Another interesting theme in the exhibition was that of Ramana Masood who worked around doors, locks and stairs. She derived her inspiration from her own wedding, which she views as a new path in her life. However, she adds, “the same door can have a different meaning for different people.” One eye-catching design by Ramana includes a traditional door, which she first carved on wood and then printed on fabric.

She credits her father’s constant source of encouragement for her success and feels that Rakshanda’s emphasis on quality over quantity made her strive for excellence.

With her work Ramana has proved her philosophy of life, “if you want to move forward in life nothing can stop you.”

I was

MARRAKECH: Preity Zinta arrives at the 11th Marrakech International Film Festival.

MUMBAi: Shah Rukh Khan poses with a self-signed copy of ‘The Official Opus of Shah Rukh Khan’.

‘I have to speak to

born to entertain: my father Ranveer Singh MUMBAI: Actor Ranveer Singh, whose latest release ‘ladies vs Ricky Bahl’ has received rave reviews, believes that he was born to entertain and won’t mind performing live if it makes others happy. “deep down in my heart i would like to believe that i am born to entertain people. So i am most happy that i am able to cap off such a wonderful year doing exactly what i love doing the most, which is performing,” he said at a press conference. “if i can make even one person’s New year special by performing, then it will give me immense amount of satisfaction,” he added. Reflecting on 2011, Ranveer, 26, calls it the best year of his life. “2011 has been the biggest learning curve of my life. what i learned in the past one year, i have not learned cumulatively all my life - the number of things that i have done for the first time in the past year, the number of people i have met,” said Ranveer. “My growth as an artist and as a person has been high at a very rapid pace in the past one year. it’s been a fantastic year for me.” AGENCIES

to settle the issue’

MuMBaI: reacting to her father’s angst on doing a nude photo shoot for a magazine, Veena Malik says she is planning to go home by the end of the this month. and the prime reason for her visit would be to help her father understand that she never participated in a nude photo shoot. while a few reports say this is Veena’s attempt to gain publicity, the actor doesn’t agree with that. “I haven’t been able to speak to my father yet. But I’m planning to visit home soon. It has been a year since I went home. Thankfully, my ammi (mother)and sisters understand that I haven’t done anything wrong, so does my brother. I have to speak to my father and settle the issue,” she says. what also bothers the actor is not what people are saying about her, but the way people consider it is always the girl who is held culpable. “I’m obviously annoyed with the way my family has been projected. I don’t understand why people always blame a girl for what goes wrong. If you read the articles that have been written against me, the prejudice is so apparent. I hope everything gets sorted soon.” AGENCIES

Posthumous Winehouse album

hits

British number one

LONDON: Soul singer Amy winehouse topped Britain’s album chart Sunday more than four months after her death, with music lovers buying almost 200,000 copies of the record ‘lioness: Hidden Treasures’.

The posthumous collection of alternative versions of classics, unreleased tracks and covers hit the number one spot after being released last Monday. Producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson put the 12-track album together after listening to thousands of hours of recordings by the singer, who died in July aged 27 following years of drug and alcohol abuse. The Official Charts Company said the album sold more than 194,000 copies to give winehouse the biggest weekly sales tally of her career. AGENCIES

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17 ARBil: iraqi Kurdish singer dashni Murad, known as the "Shakira of Kurdistan", is aiming for international fame through her new song ‘Open your Eyes’.

Forget stadiums, cities should

fight for Apple stores nEW YORK

A

SYDNEY: George Clooney attends the Growth Faculty’s inaugural Global Leadership Forum.

FORBES

pple opened its latest store in New York’s Grand Central Terminal Friday. And it’s magnificent. Perched atop a grand staircase at the centre of the cavernous commuter hub, the spare tables and austere 21st century products on display contrast with the Beaux-Arts style terminal’s stonework beautifully. While the location on New York City’s 42nd Street is one of a kind, in other ways the 23,000 foot store is like every other outlet Apple builds: it’s a money-spinner for everyone involved. The computer stores have become ‘anchors’ for affluent downtown areas, says Robert Gibbs, an urban economic and planning consultant and author of ‘Principles of Urban Retail Planning and Development’. “Sports stadiums do not generate much cross shopping: they’re nice to have but greatly overrated,” Gibbs says. “if you have an Apple store on your Main Street, though, that gives you a kind of ‘good housekeeping seal of approval,’ that’s going to attract others.”

Gibbs figures Apple stores can boost traffic to nearby stores by 15 to 20%, sending affluent customers to nearby clothing stores, coffee shops, and book stores. Those customers don’t just buy a computer once and then leave, either: they return for more Apple products, to have their computers serviced, and for advice from Apple’s blue-

shirted employees. The stores also generate gobs of sales taxes. Given its size and Apple’s ability to generate more sales per square foot than even upscale jeweler Tiffany’s, the Grand Central store could easily generate $10.2 million a year in sales tax revenues for state and local governments.

The problem: cashstrapped cities can’t choose Apple, Apple chooses them.

“They want the block that has the most traffic, which is surrounded by the best tenants,” Gibbs says. And Apple will wait for years to get the real estate they want. “You can’t influence them, they’re very secretive.

And Apple doesn’t take risks on dicey neighborhoods,” experts say. “You’re not going to

build an Apple store on a rundown crappy street where you get out of the store and there’s a bunch of beggars,” says Joel kotkin, a professor of urban development at Chapman University in California.

That should give New Yorkers something to puff up their chests about: the city now has five outlets, more than any city in the world except London, which also has five. Don’t take those urban stores as a sign that Apple and other retailers are targeting only the densest urban areas, however. instead you’re more likely to find Apple stores in upscale malls — look for a Nordstrom’s nearby, kotkin says — or on prosperous suburban streets.

Shoppers, particularly women,

like to be able to see the door to the store when the park, Gibbs said, even if they have to pay for metered parking.

That’s unnecessary in Grand Central Terminal. More than 750,000 commuters with a mean household income of $95,800 a year move through the terminal every day.

Twenty-percent of those commuters have household incomes of more than $200,000.

The 326,000 office workers in the area earn more than $11.3 billion a year. More than 21 million out-of towners with a mean income of $62,000 visit the terminal every year.

To attract those affluent shoppers, Apple isn’t shy about spending a little money of its own. Apple opened 30 new stores in the three month period ending in September. None of them are cheap: Apple will spend $900 million of its capital budget on stores during its 2012 fiscal year, including forty new outlets. With Apple reporting average revenue per store of $43.3 million, those new stores could generate $1.7 billion in annual sales. Apple sells more than $5000 worth of goods per square foot, more than any other retailer on earth. Not everyone, however, knows it yet. Gibbs tells the story of one older landlord in Alexandria, virginia, who refused to lease land to Apple. “She thought Apple was a flakey sounding company because it was named after a fruit,” Gibbs says. “That that case the city probably could have stepped in and helped the landlord realize it’s not a flakey company.”

Best of both worlds Sunidhi Chohan, Aditi Rao and two famous female singers from Pakistan will be lending their vocals to Ali Zafar’s ‘london Paris New york’ LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Actor-singer Ali Zafar, who has turned composer for his upcoming Bollywood movie ‘London Paris New York’, promised his fans earlier that his film’s music is not going to be conventional. it seems believable every inch now that his publicist, Ammara Hikmat, has announced on Twitter: “Ali Zafar has taken two female singers from Pakistan with some killer vocals to perk up LPNY’s music.” The names of these singers have not been disclosed yet.

There is a lot of speculation amongst music enthusiasts in social media circles about QB or Hadiqa being a part of this project but nothing can be said till an official announcement comes. Ali Zafar also expressed desire to make sounds that are fresh and wanted to experiment with genres, hence got costar Aditi Rao to sing with him.

“Normally it’s either the hero or heroine who lends his or her voice to a song. But in this case, i decided we’d both sing because Aditi has a nice, soothing voice,” he reasons. The film is eyeing a February 2012 release.

adele makes billboard history, named 2011 top artist LOS AngELES AGENCIES

ROME: Robert Downey Jr arrives at the premiere of the film ‘Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows’.

British singer Adele made Billboard history on Friday when she became the first female singer to be named top artist, have the top album, ‘21’, and score the top single, ‘Rolling in the Deep’, all in one year. The 23-year-old chanteuse was followed in the top

MuMBaI: Imran Khan is a huge Kareena Kapoor fan and while working together ‘Ek Main aur Ek Tu’ he took photographs of the actress. Producer Karan johar has now apparently suggested an exhibition of these pictures. There are now about a 100 pictures Imran personally took of Kareena. “I find Kareena one of the most beautiful actresses that we have. when I was looking at her through viewfinder, I realised that camera loves her. People who have seen these pictures keep saying that I am a good photographer, but actually it is her beauty and versatility of her face which is doing the trick,” said Imran. Directed by first-timer Shakun Batra, the film’s first trailer was released with ‘The Dirty Picture’ and it is expected to come out around Valentine’s Day. The exhibition of Imran’s pics of Kareena is now being planned. AGENCIES

artist group by No 2 Rihanna, katy Perry and Lady Gaga in that order, while Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Bruno Mars rounded out the top ten. “i think one of the things that sets me apart from other artists who have had the same kind of success is that my life isn’t speculated about” by the media, Adele said in an interview with Bill-

The camera loves

Kareena: Imran Khan

board. Tye Comer, editor of Billboard.com, attributed Adele’s success to her being a “breath of fresh air” in a market saturated with pop artists cut from a “certain cloth,” like Rihanna, katy Perry and Lady Gaga. “Her success is really inspiring because it shows that there is still room in the music industry for an artist to make it with true, raw talent,” Comer told Reuters.

When Bipasha

landed in a

Russian jail

MUMBAI: Bipasha Basu, who was shooting in Russia for her upcoming multi-starrer ‘Players’ landed in a jail along with her co-star Sikander Kher. Bips and Sikander were strolling on the streets of the Russian city they were shooting in, after work. They reached a road which had signage in Russian language. Apparently, the street was not meant for pedestrians and since the two couldn’t read Russian, they had little idea about the warning. But even before they could realise what’s happening, they were caught by the police and taken to the nearest station. Poor Bips and Sikander were wondering why they were caught. However, one of the officers at the police station happened to recognise Bipasha and turned out to be a fan of hers. He then apologized to the duo for having taken them into custody and explained to his colleagues that they had not entered the street intentionally.

Bipasha said, “Although the entire incident shocked us initially, we have a good laugh about it even today. it was great fun actually.” ZEENEWS

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Bracewell the hero as Black Caps stun Aussies Page 22

Razzaq, Afridi gear up with Australia stint

Pakistan inflict innings defeat on Bangladesh CHITTAgOng

A

LAHORE AGENCIES

Pakistan all-rounders Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq expressed hope Monday that their Twenty20 stint in Australia would stand them in good stead to beat England next month. Thirty-one-year-old Razzaq missed Pakistan's one-day series against Bangladesh due to a shoulder injury sustained against Sri Lanka last month, but said he is fit again and hopes to play a part against England. "My injury was not serious and i am now fully fit," Razzaq told AFP before his departure. "i am very keen to play against England and do my part in the team's win over England." Pakistan play England in three Tests, four one-day and three Twenty20 internationals in the United Arab Emirates in January. Both Razzaq and Afridi will play for Melbourne Star in the Big Bash Twenty20 league in Australia starting from December 16. Razzaq said England will be tough to beat. "They (England) are the number one team in Tests so it will be tough to beat them, but our team is doing well and is on a roll under Misbah-ul Haq as captain so we will try our best to beat them," said Razzaq. Razzaq said he has cricket left in him. "i can still play my part for the team in both Tests and one-day, so if i am given the opportunity then i will do my best," said Razzaq, who has so far played 46 Tests, 265 one-day and 26 Twenty20 for Pakistan. Afridi, who performed well in the team's 4-1 one-day win over Sri Lanka and 3-0 sweep against Bangladesh, said England pose a real threat. "it will be a fantastic series against England," said Afridi. "i don't play Tests anymore but having watched England's progress towards world number one i am sure they will be a real test for Pakistan team." "As for one-day cricket, we have a better team than England," said Afridi, who has so far played 333 one-day and 45 Twenty20 internationals.

AFP

BDUR Rehman grabbed four wickets as Pakistan thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 184 runs on the penultimate day of the opening Test in Chittagong on Monday. The left-arm spinner finished with 4-88 as Bangladesh, trailing by 459 runs, were bowled out for 275 in their second innings after lunch to suffer their 62nd defeat in 72 Tests.

Rehman, off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and paceman Aizaz Cheema shared five wickets that fell on a fourth-day track offering help to spinners after Bangladesh had resumed at 134-4.

Fast bowler Rubel Hossain did not bat due to a shoulder injury, suffered while fielding on Sunday.

"Rehman is our main spinner and he has been performing well since he came into the side," said Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq. "We are not relying only on Rehman or Ajmal since Umar Gul, Cheema and Mohammad Hafeez are also bowling well. The team is more confident now and the batsmen are also more experienced."

Debutant Mohammed Nazimuddin (78), Shakib Al Hasan (51) and skipper Mushfiqur Rahim (49) were the main rungetters for Bangladesh.

Cheema ended the innings when he had Shahadat Hossain (21) caught by Gul in the covers in his first over with the second new ball.

Rehman dismissed well-set Nazimuddin and former captain Shakib in the morning session before accounting for Rahim to finish the match with seven wickets after having taken three in the first innings.

Ajmal was the other wicket-taker in the

morning when he bowled Mohammad Mahmudullah for no score. "it's difficult to come back when you lose five wickets for 47 in the first innings, but we fought back well in the second," said Rahim.

"Nazimuddin in his first Test showed how to play these bowlers, as did Shakib.

"We feel sorry for the crowd since they come and support us every time, even though we have not won often."

Nazimuddin was involved in two stands, adding 78 runs for the fifth wicket with Shakib and 47 for the next with Rahim before being caught by Ajmal at mid-off.

Opener Nazimuddin, 41 overnight, hit two sixes and nine fours in his 186-ball knock.

Nazimuddin, who was the secondhighest scorer in the first innings with 31, defied the Pakistani attack for more than an hour and completed his half-century when he turned Rehman to deep midwicket for three runs.

He then played a couple of big shots, lofting Rehman over extra cover and then Ajmal over mid-wicket for sixes. He gave two chances off Ajmal after completing his half-century but wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal missed both.

Bangladesh had added only 24 runs to their overnight total when Shakib was trapped leg-before by Rehman after hitting eight fours in his ninth Test half-century.

Pakistan had on Sunday posted a mammoth 594-5 declared in their first innings in reply to Bangladesh's 135, with man-of-the-match Younis khan (200 not out), Hafeez (143) and Asad Shafiq (104) being the main scorers.

"As a senior guy, i want to inspire the youngsters. The key is to enjoy cricket," said Younis.

The second and final Test starts in Dhaka on Saturday.

SCOREBOARD BANGLADESH, 1st innings: 135 (Abdur Rehman 3-9, Saeed Ajmal 3-40) PAKISTAN, 1st innings: 594-5 decl (Younis Khan 200 not out, Mohammad Hafeez 143, Asad Shafiq 104; Elias Sunny 3-123) BANGLADESH, 2nd innings: (overnight 134-4): 15 Tamim Iqbal b Hafeez M Nazimuddin c Ajmal b Rehman 78 Shahriar Nafees lbw b Ajmal 28 M Ashraful c Hafeez b Rehman 0 Nasir Hossain c Hafeez b Cheema 3 Shakib Al Hasan lbw b Rehman 51 Mushfiqur Rahim lbw b Rehman 49 M Mahmudullah b Ajmal 0 20 Elias Sunny not out Shahadat Hossain c Gul b Cheema 21 Rubel Hossain did not bat (injured)

CHiTTAgONg: Pakistan's Adnan Ajmal (l) appeals successfully for lBw decision against Bangladeshi captain Mushfiqur Rahim (R). afp

pakistan’s biggest victory in B’desh iPl-style stats corner hockey event in india put off n

S. PERvEZ QAISER

Pakistan recorded their biggest victory over Bangladesh in Bangladesh by winning the first Test match by an innings and 184 runs at Zahur Ahmed Chowdury Stadium, Chittagong, on Monday (December 12). it was Pakistan's second biggest victory over Bangladesh and fourth biggest overall in Test cricket. Pakistan's biggest victory over Bangladesh is by an innings and 264 runs at Multan in 2001 while their innings and 178 runs victory at Dhaka in 2001-02 was the previous biggest in Bangladesh.

An innings and 184 runs defeat was Bangladesh’s 35th in Tests and their fourth against Pakistan. Sri Lanka have beaten Bangladesh the most number of times by an innings (7).

Nazimuddin’s 78 in 263 minutes off 186 balls with nine fours and two sixes was the fifth-highest score by a Bangladesh batsman on debut. The record is held by Aminul islam who scored 145 in Bangladesh’s first Test against india in dhaka in 2000.

Abdur Rehman became the 32nd Pakistani and 338th bowler overall to take 50 or more wickets in Tests. The slow left-arm orthodox bowler achieved this feat, in his 11th Test match, by dismissing Shakib Al Hasan, leg before in Bangladesh's second innings. Abdur Rehman’s four-wicket haul is his fourth in n

n

n

Tests and his second outside home. He now has 52 wickets in 11 Tests at 31.11.

Pakistan's victory was fifth in 11 matches under Misbah-ul-Haq. it was Pakistan's fifth of the year so far. Their only loss came against the west indies at Providence in May. younus Khan received his sixth man of the match award in 72 Test matches. it was his maiden such award in four Test matches against Bangladesh.

PAKISTAN'S BIGGEST VICTORIES IN TESTS MARGIN OPPONENT VENUE SEASON An innings & 324 runs New Zealand lahore 2001-02 An innings & 264 runs Bangladesh Multan 2001-02 An innings & 188 runs Australia Karachi 1988-89 An innings & 184 runs Bangladesh Chittagong 2011-12 An innings & 178 runs Bangladesh dhaka 2001-02 BANGLADESH'S BIGGEST DEFEATS IN TESTS MARGIN OPPONENT VENUE SEASON An innings & 310 runs west indies dhaka 2002-03 An innings & 264 runs Pakistan Multan 2001-02 An innings & 261 runs England lord’s 2005 An innings & 239 runs india dhaka 2006-07 An innings & 234 runs Sri lanka Colombo 2007-08 An innings & 205 runs South Africa Chittagong 2007-08 An innings & 196 runs Sri lanka Colombo 2002-03 An innings & 193 runs Sri lanka Kandy 2007-08 An innings &184 runs Pakistan Chittagong 2011-12 An innings & 178 runs Pakistan dhaka 2001-02

chinese hOckey team’s visit

PHF discusses security measures with govt officials LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Hockey Federation discussed all the security arrangements for the successful holding of the Chinese hockey team’s tour with government officials here on Monday. The meeting was held at the conference room of the PHF offices and was attended by PHF president, secretary, government and law-enforcing agencies.

Pakistan will welcome the Chinese hockey team for a four-match series this month, keen to encourage international

EXTRAS: (b2, lb5, nb3) 10 TOTAL: (for all out; 82.3 overs) 275 Fall of wickets: 1-24 (Tamim), 2-74 (Nafees), 3-75 (Ashraful), 4-80 (Nasir), 5-158 (Shakib), 6-205 (Nazimuddin), 7-210 (Mahmudullah), 8-252 (Rahim), 9275 (Hossain).

Bowling: Gul 13-2-45-0 (nb3), Cheema 7.3-1-40-2, Hafeez 7-2-211, Ajmal 25-7-74-2, Rehman 30-7-88-4.

Result: Pakistan win by an innings and 184 runs Toss: Pakistan Umpires: Billy Doctrove (WIS) and Shavir Tarapore (IND) TV umpire: Enamul Haque (BAN) Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND) Second Test: Dhaka (Dec 17-21)

sport back to the terror-hit country. Foreign teams have avoided Pakistan since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009, killing eight people and wounding seven visiting players and their assistant coach. For years before that, western teams were reluctant to tour Pakistan, worried about security after the 9/11 attacks and the 2001 US-led invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan. Pakistan last hosted top hockey event in the 2004 Champions Trophy. The PHF said the Chinese tour was significant. Pakistan last hosted top hockey in the 2004 Champions Trophy.

"it will help in resuming international hockey ties on Pakistani soil and we eagerly look forward to it," said secretary Asif Bajwa. The PHF said it had requested water-tight security. China will play their opening match in karachi on December 21, with further matches in karachi on December 22, Faisalabad on December 24 and Lahore on December 25. "Our major focus is to bring international hockey back to Pakistan and we are thankful to the Chinese Hockey Federation for supporting our cause, and this will be on a reciprocal basis as we will tour them next year," said Bajwa. Hockey is Pakistan's national

sport. Pakistan has won three Olympic and four world titles, but apart from the Asian title in 2010, Pakistan has fared badly in recent years. They finished eighth, their worst-ever, in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and 12th and last in the World Cup held in india last year. Pakistan also finished a poor seventh in the eight-team Champions Trophy, which finished in New Zealand on Sunday.

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif will be the chief guest on the final match of the series to be played at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore on December 25.

nEW DELHI AFP

A lucrative, but unsanctioned, field hockey tournament due to start this month along the lines of cricket's indian Premier League has been postponed, organisers said on Monday. The multi-million-dollar World Series Hockey, promoted by the unrecognised indian Hockey Federation (iHF) and backed by the Nimbus television company, had threatened the country's Olympic qualification. The tournament, slated from December 17 to January 22 across various venues in india, clashed with the dates of the indian team's ongoing camp to prepare for the Olympic qualifiers to be held in New Delhi in February. india, winners of eight Olympic field hockey gold medals who failed to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games, have to win the New Delhi event to make the trip to London. At least 12 top indian stars had written to the organisers, asking them to put off the WSH till after the Olympic qualifiers. iHF officials said the WSH will now begin on February 29, three days after the qualifiers end on February 26. "We did not want to put the national players who had signed up with us to any trouble," iHF president R.k. Shetty told the Press Trust of india news agency. "i want them to play in the Olympic qualifiers and i will be happy if india qualifies for the London Olympics."

One of the richest events in the sport, with prize and appearance money topping $3 million, the WSH had attracted top players from india and a few from overseas in a franchise-based contest.

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Punjab, Tauseef Club clash today LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The initial round match of 15th Tauseef Trophy Cricket Championship between Punjab Club and Tauseef Club will be played on Dec 13 at Wahdat colony ground. The T20 over match will start at 10:30 am while Rifat Zaheer and kaleem Asghar will supervise the match. As many as six clubs i.e Servis Club, Shining Club, Mughalpura Whites, Wahdat Eaglets, Ludhiyana Gym and Model Town club have already marched into the 2nd round.

lahore gym beat Tauseef Club LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Lahore Gymkhana defeated Tauseef Club by 108 runs in a friendly match at Bagh-e-Jinah ground on Sunday.

Scores: Lahore Gym 244/7 in 40 overs. Ahmed khan 60, Asim 45, Nisar Zaman 39, Arshad khan 25, Husnain Alam 20, Raeed khan 19, imran Sheikh 12(no). Sheraz Baig 3/48, israr Baig 2/41, Sher Baz 1/38.

Tauseef Club 136 all out in 30.4 overs. Shehzad Muhayuddin 49, israr Baig 20, Sher Baz 19, Waqas 18.

Raeed khan 4/39, Ameen khan 3/27, Asim Bucha 2/15, imran Bucha 1/11.

Security beefed up for Club World Cup TOYOTA

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OLiCE will ramp up security at the Club World Cup after the quarter-final between Tunisia's Esperance and Al Sadd of Qatar was marred by a pitch invasion and outbreaks of violence. Several fans from the African champions attempted to get on the pitch at the final whistle after the side from Tunis were defeated 2-1 on Sunday, and one Esperance supporter made it to within feet of players and officials. That an angry fan was able to leap a barrier, evade security and get so close will come as an embarrassment to FiFA, the world governing body, in what is one of its most high-profile tournaments of the year.

Police wrestled to the ground several Esperance fans who tried to get onto the pitch, further riling fans who were already irate at what they perceived to be several key decisions that had gone against the Africans. "Following disturbances at the conclusion of yesterday's match between Al Sadd and Esperance, the security forces inside the stadium acted as quickly as possible to restore order," FiFA said in a statement on Monday.

Blaming a "minority of supporters", it said FiFA would increase security for Esperance's match against Monterrey of Mexico on Wednesday to decide who finishes the annual intercontinental tournament fifth. Esperance fans, some of whom appeared to be drunk, had confronted supporters of the CONCACAF champions outside the Toyota Stadium on Sunday, Mexican journalists at the scene said. Monterrey later crashed to Japanese champions kashiwa Reysol on penalties. FiFA, which said nobody was injured or arrested in the trouble after the game with Asian champions Al Sadd, could also punish Esperance for the behaviour of its fans, several hundred of whom were at the match. Nabil Maaloul, the

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

NAgOyA: Neymar of Santos fC (C) chases the ball during a training session of the fifA Club world Cup. afp coach of African Champions League winners Esperance, who are known as "the blood and gold" because of the colour of their kit, apologised afterwards.

BEnOnI AFP

lAHORE: Chief guest lt gen Sikander with the Master Paints team that won the december Cup Polo Tournament on Sunday. Staff photo

Ajmal will pose England a stern challenge England have become the best Testplaying country because their preparation has been the best, and it will have to be the same again if they are to win their three-Test series next month against Pakistan, who are undergoing a renewal.

The trap is to think that a Test match which meanders for three or four days on a slow pitch — whether Dubai, the venue for two Tests, or Abu Dhabi for one – will automatically end in a bore-draw.

England are accustomed to winning the first half of a Test, especially at home where the ball swings and seams, and to ramming it home from there. in the UAE, the soils and conditions are similar to Pakistan — as it should be, because they are the hosts — and a completely different mindset and temperament will be required.

Patience will be the essence as batsmen of both countries gorge in their first innings. When the pitches start turning on days four and five, a team has to seize the moment, swarm through the breach and win a game in a session.

So the best preparation would be to attend a very long chess match between two grandmasters in which nothing happens for hours on end except jostling for position. Then a thrilling end-game ensues.

Such an end-game might involve England’s spinners, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar, trying to rip out Pak-

Mehboob Park Gymkhana reached the second round of the 27th Mohammad Yaseen Akhter Memorial event after beating Shining Club by seven wickets at iqbal Park ground on Saturday. Scores: Shining Club 177/6 in 20 overs. Rizwan Malik 66, Muntazar Mehdi 49, Rana Adnan 13. M Tahir 5/18, Waqas 1/42. Mehboob Park Gym 178/3. imran 19, Waqas 96 (not out).

M Mubashar 2/30, Muntazar Mehdi 1/26.

paranavitana hits ton as Sri Lankans fare better

LAHORE

SCYLD BERRY

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Mehboob Park gym down Shining Club

STAFF REPORT

comment

Railway Road victorious islamia College Railway Road defeated Raja Club by 23 runs in a friendly fixture here at the PCSiR Cricket ground. islamia College Railway Road, batting first, posted 235 runs all out in 30 overs. Waqar Ahmed 78, Usman 49 and Tauqir 38.

Hasan ilyas took 5-37 and Zohaib 3-42.

Raja Club, in reply, were bowled out for 212 runs with Junaid Ali scoring 101 runs, Mohsin ilyas 52 and Hasan ilyas 35 runs.

For the winners, Rizwan grabbed 4-58, while Nauman shared 3-48 wicket. Hasan ilyas was declared man of the match.

AFP

lahore Muhammadan beat Tigers Lahore Muhammadan beat Lahore Tigers by one wicket in the third SPM Lahore veterans Cricket League at the ittefaq Cricket Ground.

Lahore Tigers made 188/7 in 25 overs. Saddat Ali 53 not out, Muhammad Munir 48, Tariq Naseer 22, ismaeel-ur-rehman 22 & Tahir irshad 15 runs. Lahore Muhammadan bowling imran Bucha 2/28, Qadeer khan 2/22, Mohtasham Rasheed 1/32 & Tariq Siddiqui 1/43 runs.

19 Sports islamia College

istan in the last couple of sessions. if they can do it they can class themselves England’s best of spinners since Jim Laker and Tony Lock in the 1950s.

More immediately, Swann and Panesar will have to bowl as well as their Pakistani counterparts, Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman, which is asking a lot. Ajmal, although he came late to Test cricket (he is now 34) has been bamboozling out batsmen at the rate of five per Test with his off-breaks and doosras.

So much fur was flying the last time England played Pakistan in 2010 — revelations of spot-fixing, England team statements, pushing and shoving, and eventually three prison sentences for Pakistan players — that the inability of most of England’s players to read Ajmal was overlooked.

But his record of 74 wickets in only 15 Tests at 30 each (before the current one in Bangladesh) is no worse than Swann’s 153 wickets in 36 Tests at 28.

The similarities between the two left-arm spinners, England’s Panesar and Pakistan's Rehman, extend to lithe and whippy body actions.

Panesar, when he resumes his Test career after a gap of 2½ years, will be seeking to improve on 126 wickets at 34 each; Rehman will have a considerably better tally than 45 wickets at 33 each when he has finished running through Bangladesh in their current series. it looks pretty certain that England will require both of their spinners to take 20 wickets and win a Test. The only one of the four Tests to date in the UAE to reach a definite conclusion came when Ajmal and

Rehman took 12 wickets to dismiss Sri Lanka, who are just as good a batting side against spin as England. if England have to chase a fourthinnings target, after dismissing Pakistan a second time, this will form part of a fascinating new chapter in Test cricket. Targets over 200 were traditionally the time to block out for a draw in the days when pitches deteriorated and scoring rates were in any event slow. Not any more. in the past three years nine Test sides have chased down fourth-innings targets above 250.

Twenty20 cricket has turned a required run-rate of four runs an over on the last afternoon from an impossibility into a stroll, making the endgame so important now. Horizons have opened up like Turner sunsets.

The need for England to play both of their spinners may be facilitated by the unfitness of some of their pace bowlers.

Geoff Miller, England’s chairman of selectors, disclosed on Saturday that Graham Onions will go to the UAE along with the five selected fast bowlers, because Stuart Broad is still nursing his shoulder, Chris Tremlett his back and Tim Bresnan his elbow.

When Pakistan beat Sri Lanka, they had only two pace bowlers, and England may have to depart so much from normal practice as to go the same way.

They are only going to play three seamers and two spinners – omitting a batsman – if they go 1-0 down and have to play catch-up. in more senses than one, England this winter are going where they have never gone before.

The touring Sri Lankans had more joy on the third and final day of a warm-up match before facing South Africa from Thursday in the first of three Tests. They restricted a South African invitation X1 to 34 runs Sunday while grabbing four wickets to bowl them out for 357 and Tharanga Paranavitana struck a ton as the visitors reached 207-3 before rain ended the drawn game.

Seamer Dilhara Fernando doubled his overnight wicket haul to four, left arm slow bowler Rangana Herath took one and so did Ajantha Mendis, albeit at a high cost with his pair costing 142 runs. What the Sri Lankans really wanted was batting practice entering a three-Test series in which they are given little chance of success by many South Africans, including former national team skipper kepler Wessels. Opener Paranavitana made the most of his time at the Willowmoore Park crease under grey clouds, striking 12 fours in a 100 off 161 balls before retiring out to offer teammates batting time in this eastern Johannes-

burg suburb. Captain Tillakaratne Dilshan also did well, averaging virtually a run a ball as his 74 came off 76 deliveries and was spiced by two sixes and eight fours while third batsman in Mahele Jayawardene (26) was less successful. Regular number three kumar Sangakkara could not bat after injuring his right hand fielding, but officials insisted he will be fit within two days and available for the opening Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

Bracewell the hero as Black Caps stun Aussies SCOREBOARD

HOBART: New Zealand seamer doug Bracewell celebrates taking the final wicket. afp HOBART

S

AFP

EAMER Doug Bracewell bowled New Zealand to a sensational seven-run victory over Australia in the second Test in Hobart on Monday for the kiwis' first win in Australia for 26 years. The Black Caps captured eight wickets for 74 runs for a dramatic victory midway through the fourth day of an extraordinary Test match at Bellerive Oval.

Bracewell finished with 6-40 off 16.4 overs in a match-winning performance to stun the Australians, who appeared on track for victory at 159 for two chasing 241 runs to win. But the Australians folded spectacularly and David Warner's unbeaten maiden Test century went in vain as wickets tumbled around him and Nathan Lyon was bowled by Bracewell in the 64th over to claim victory. it was the Black Caps' first victory in Australia since 1985 as they tied the two-Test series after comprehensively losing the first Gabba Test by nine wickets.

"We believed in ourselves that we could win this match. We knew we had to fight, we had to play a lot better than we did in Brisbane," skipper Ross Taylor said. Bracewell turned the match around with the wickets of Ricky Ponting (16), Michael Clarke (0), Michael Hussey (0), James Pattinson (4), Mitchell Starc (0) and Lyon (9). "He bowled outstandingly well for a young guy, 21, and to come in only his third Test and to get Ponting, Clarke and Hussey, that's something to tell your grandkids about," Taylor said of Bracewell. Clarke said his team were proving too inconsistent with their third defeat in eight Tests under his captaincy.

"You're seeing some really good patches of individual excellence and as a team we're playing really well in patches, but then you see the other side as well where we're letting

NEW ZEALAND, 1st innings: 150 (D. Brownlie 56; J. Pattinson 551, P. Siddle 3-42) AUSTRALIA, 1st innings: 136 (P. Siddle 36; D. Bracewell 3-20, T. Boult 3-29, C. Martin 3-46) NEW ZEALAND, 2nd innings: 226 (R. Taylor 56; N. Lyon 3-25, J. Pattinson 3-54, P. Siddle 3-66) AUSTRALIAN, 2nd innings: (overnight 72 for 0) P. Hughes c Guptill b Martin 20 D. Warner not out 123 23 U. Khawaja c Taylor b Boult R. Ponting c Southee b Bracewell 16 M. Clarke c Taylor b Bracewell 0 M. Hussey lbw b Bracewell 0 15 B. Haddin c Taylor b Southee P. Siddle c Ryder b Southee 2 4 J. Pattinson c Guptill b Bracewell 0 M. Starc b Bracewell N. Lyon b Bracewell 9 21 EXTRAS: (b3, lb18) 233 TOTAL: (all out; 63.4 overs) Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Hughes), 2-122 (Khawaja), 3-159 (Ponting), 4-159 (Clarke), 5-159 (Hussey), 6-192 (Haddin), 7-194 (Siddle), 8-199 (Pattinson), 9-199 (Starc), 10-233 (Lyon) BOWLING: Martin 16-4-44-1, Boult 12-1-51-1, Southee 19-3-77-2, Bracewell 16.4-4-40-6 New Zealand won by 7 runs, Series tied 1-1, Man-of-the-match: Dave Warner (AUS), Toss: Australia,Umpires: Nigel Llong (ENG), Asad Rauf (PAK), TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK), Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM).

ourselves down with very poor performances," he said. "We're inconsistent at the minute which is giving us all a pain in the backside." Warner carried his bat to finish unbeaten on 123 off 170 balls with 14 boundaries to cement his Test position after fellow opener Phillip Hughes was out again cheaply.

Warner surprisingly was preferred to Bracewell as official man-of-the-match in a television viewers' poll. Wickets continued to fall around Warner with Brad Haddin snapped up by Ross Taylor in the slips off Tim Southee and Peter Siddle taken at third slip off Southee for two. Bracewell removed Pattinson and Starc within three balls to have the Black Caps one wicket away from victory after Australia had lost seven wickets for 40.

Lyon survived two tense reviews for lbw as Warner went after the runs against a spreadeagled field before Bracewell finished the game when he bowled Lyon.

Ponting's possible final Test innings in his home state finished in a whimper after he was given a standing ovation to the wicket. Test cricket's third-highest runscorer spooned a catch to cover after playing back to Bracewell and was out for 16 after scoring just five in the first innings. Clarke was caught at slip by Taylor and Hussey was out first ball lbw after a review went in bowler Bracewell's favour.

Hughes's Test future again looked uncertain after he was out in the day's second over with no addition to his overnight score of 20. it was the fourth straight time Hughes was caught by Martin Guptill in the slips off Chris Martin's bowling in the series. His latest batting failure -- 41 in four innings against the kiwis -- will intensify the pressure on his spot ahead of the Test series with india, starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day. While Hughes's technical deficiencies outside offstump continued to hound him, Warner built a strong case for his retention, possibly partnering Shane Watson against india.

Volleyball time-out concludes KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The first “volleyball Time-Out” tournament was held at The international School in Clifton and was hosted by the founder of volleyball Time-Out, Sameer Sheikh. The tournament featured eight semi-professional teams from karachi to compete in the most competitive amateur volleyball tournament. "volleyball Time-Out was aimed at introducing and promoting amateur volleyball in karachi by holding tournaments around the year and attracting more and more teams to participate every time,” Sameer said. “volleyball has never been promoted in Pakistan on an amateur

KARACHi: The participants of the volley Ball Time-Out pose for a group photograph. pR level due to lack of exposure and lack of facilities, but now with the entire “volleyball Time-Out” crew, friends and sponsors held a successful event that has given us enough confidence to start planning for a bigger and a better event in the near future,” he

added. The tournament ended with an explosive final between The khokhar vC and Shams vC, which The khokar vC won with a set score of 2-1. Cash Prizes and medals were presented to the finalists while The khokar vC took the champions cup.

Barca take El Clasico honours, United bounce back PARIS

although Real have a game in hand.

FRANCE

AFP

France international striker kevin Gameiro scored his first goal for two months as Paris Saint Germain squeezed out a 1-0 win at Sochaux to stay in second place on 36 points but only behind pacesetters Montpellier, who lost 1-0 at valenciennes, on goal difference.

Montpellier stay top despite their first loss in the league since September 24.

Marseille, buoyed by their qualification for the Champions League last 16, were held to a 0-0 draw by Bordeaux and remained eighth. Third-placed Lille put their Champions League exit behind them with a 2-0 win over Dijon.

Barcelona upstaged Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season, while in England Manchester United regained winning ways after their shock midweek Champions League exit.

ENGLAND Manchester United put the pain of their Champions League exit behind them with a 4-1 win at home to Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers. victory, secured by two goals apiece from Nani and Wayne Rooney, saw the champions close to within two points of leaders Manchester City who are at Chelsea on Monday. Arsenal marked their 125th anniversary with a 1-0 win at home to Everton thanks to a goal from in-form striker Robin van Persie.

GERMANY

SPAIN

STAffORdSHiRE: Tottenham Hotspur's welsh midfielder gareth Bale (C) shoots during the English Premier league match against Stoke City. afp

Defending champions Barcelona came back from a goal down against Real Madrid to take the El Clasico honours 3-1 at the Bernabeu. After Alexis Sanchez cancelled

out karim Benzema's shock 23-second opener, Barca took the lead when a Xavi drive took a wicked deflection off Marcelo and past iker Casillas in the Real goal. Cesc

Fabregas then scored with a diving header for the former Arsenal captain's tenth goal of the season to secure the three points which put Barcelona top on goal difference

Bayern Munich went three points clear after coming from behind as Germany star Mario Gomez struck twice in their 21 win at 10-man vfB Stuttgart. Stuttgart went ahead after Christian Gentner's sixth minute volley. Bayern drew level seven minutes later when Gomez fired home

from the tightest of angles. The hosts then had defender Cristian Molinaro sent off after 29 minutes for his second booking.

Bayern took the lead when Gomez who rifled home his 15th league goal in as many German league games to make him the Bundesliga's top scorer on 57 minutes.

Defending champions Borussia Dortmund were held to a 1-1 draw at home to kaiserslautern, which left them second, level on points with third-placed Schalke, who beat Hertha Berlin 2-1.

ITALY Udinese went top of Serie A with a 2-1 win at home to Chievo as AC Milan were held to a 2-2 draw at Bologna, but Juventus, one point adrift, can reclaim the lead on Monday when they travel to Roma. Captain Antonio Di Natale and Dusan Basta put Udinese in control before Alberto Paloschi's late consolation kept things interesting right to the end. in Bologna Marco Di vaio and Alessandro Diamanti scored for the hosts with Clarence Seedorf and Zlatan ibrahimovic, from the spot, replying for the champions.

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

HOBarT: Doug Bracewell (C) is congratulated by teammates. (Inset) australia’s David warner hooks a ball. afp

Sports 21

India can beat Australia: Dhoni CHEnnAI

wATCH IT LIVE TEN SPORTS WWE: Experience 5:20PM

ESPN Sportscentre

AFP

india can beat Michael Clarke's struggling team and win their first Test series in Australia if they play to their potential, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Monday.

"The team is looking good and can beat Australia," Dhoni told reporters in Chennai ahead of the squad's departure for four Tests and a triangular one-day series also featuring Sri Lanka. "i will focus on our strengths and weaknesses and hope for results on the field. We are more concerned about where we need to work on and not worry about what kind of opposition we are playing."

Dhoni's comments came on the day when Clarke's Australians lost the second Test by seven runs against New Zealand in Hobart, their first loss against the kiwis at home in 26 years.

The defeat was also Australia's third in eight Tests under Clarke's captaincy. india will be playing their first away Test series since losing all four matches in England in July-August that cost Dhoni's men their number one Test ranking.

Dhoni hoped the players will remain fit for the Australia series, unlike in England when key stars like Zaheer khan, virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh were sidelined.

Zaheer and Sehwag are back for the tour, while Harbhajan was axed due to poor form.

The first batch of players -- Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, venkatsai Laxman, ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha, Umesh Yadav and Wriddhiman Saha -- is already in Australia preparing for the tour.

The remaining players in the 17man squad, including Dhoni, are due to leave early Tuesday.

8:00PM

Punjab, Sindh off to winning start in National women’s Handball LAHORE STAFF REPORT

india open the three-month tour on December 15, with two practice matches in Canberra ahead of the first Test starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26.

The remaining Tests will be played in Sydney, Perth and Adelaide.

The Tests will be followed by two Twenty20 internationals, before Sri Lanka join in for a one-day tri-series from February 5. india's Test squad for Australia: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), virender Sehwag (vice-capt), Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, venkatsai Laxman, virat kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer khan, ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, vinay kumar, Abhimanyu Mithun.

Coach: Duncan Fletcher.

As many as six matches were played on the opening day of the 10th National Women’s Handball Championship that started at WAPDA Sports Complex, kot Lakhpat. Teams from Punjab, Sindh, kPk, Army, WAPDA, HEC and Police are participating in this Championship.

President Pakistan Olympic Association Lt. Gen (Retd) Syed Arif Hassan Hi (M) inaugurated the Championship and sports dignitaries present on this occasion included President Pakistan Handball Federation Syed Muhammad Abid Qadri; Secretary General POA Abdul khaliq khan; President Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation khalil Ahmad khan, President Pakistan karate Federation Muhammad Jahangir, Director General (Sports) WAPDA Muhammad khalid Mahmood, Secretary Pakistan Handball Federation Haji Muhammad Shafiq, Secretary Pakistan Wrestling Federation Ch. Muhammad Asghar and Secretary Pakistan Wushu Federation Malik iftikhar Ahmad.

On the opening day wins came for HEC, Police, Punjab, Army and WAPDA.

Sakuf, JS Bank win polo matches LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Army, Afghan Club victorious LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Afghan Club and Army were through to and easy wins in their 8th Pakistan Premier Football League match on Monday.

Afghan FC defeated Baloch FC 3-0 at the Noushki Football Stadium, Noushki.

The winning team goal scorers were forward Jadeed khan Phatan who got three goals in the 30th, 48th 75th minutes.

PAF beat kPT 4-2 at the Jinnah Football Stadium, islamabad, with goals coming from Muhammad Sher and Muhammad Junaid. kPT got their goals from Zafar Majeed and Shahid Saleem in the 21st and 60th minute.

PCB chief felicitates team LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Zaka Ashraf has congratulated the Pakistan cricket team and the team management for a comprehensive win against Bangladesh.

Before leaving for Singapore, where the PCB chairman will brief the BCB about the security plan for the proposed Bangladesh series, the chairman said that a win would go a long way in enhancing the team’s success and make them a strong side, everyone would be proud of. it’s a great achievement after the team’s win against Sri Lanka and the ODi series against Bangladesh,” he maintained. He also praised Younus khan for his double century and also for achieving 600 runs mark in test cricket.

The PCB chairman was off to Singapore to take part in an Asian Cricket Council meeting, hoping to get some confirmation from the BCCi on resumption of bilateral series between the two countries.

lAHORE: Punjab and Army players vie for the ball in the National women’s Hockey Championship. nadEEM iJaZ

Sakuf and JS Bank won their opening day matches of the MMA Polo Cup that rolled into action here at the Lahore Polo Club ground on Monday.

Sakuf defeated Lahore Chatkhara 7-5 while JS Bank got half a goal win over Olympia. Muhammad Usman Malik, Agha Murtaza Ali khan, Mian Hussain iftikhar and Shaukat Ali Malik with their combined efforts brought wins for Sakuf while Lahore Chatkhara despite having Shah Shamyl Alam in their ranks lost the match.

JS Bank beat Olympia 5-4 ½. All the four riders of the winning team Shiraz Qureshi, Omar Asjad Malhi, Malik Azam Hayat Noon and kashif Jamal contributed to the win while the losing team reduced the margin through Raja Temur Nadeem, Abdul Rehman Monnoo and Bilal Hayat Noon. Umpires for the matches were Usman Haye, Saqib khan khakwani, Hassan Ali Farrukh and Ahmed Ali Tiwana.

natiOnal WOmen’s hOckey

Railways, Army register thumping wins LAHORE STAFF REPORT

As many as five matches were played in the 27th National Women’s Hockey Championship here at the National Hockey Stadium.

Railways, Sindh Whites, WAPDA, Army and HEC registered wins on day three of the championship during which Mrs Uzma Bukhari (MPA) was the chief guest and met the WAPDA and Punjab Colour teams while President Punjab Women’s Wing (PPP) Begum Neelam Hussain was the chief guest of the last match between HEC and kPk. in the first match, Railways

beat Balochistan 15-0 after leaing the match 8-0 at breather.

Railways’ Hina kanwal banged nine goals, Maria Sabir got four while Aqsa Mumtaz and Asma Ashraf shared one goal each. in the second match, Sindh Whites beat Singh Colours after a tough fight 2-1. Whites took lead in the first half but their second goals came in the second session with the losing team also reducing the margin by scoring one goal.

Zaib-un-Nisa and Madiha shared one goal each for the Whites and Sidra Ashi responded from the Colours. in the third match, WAPDA beat Punjab Colours 5-0. WAPDA got four goals in the first half and

contrary to the thoughts could score one goal in the second half.

Uzma Lal hit the board twice while Ayesha Bashir, Azra Nasir and Neelma Hussain managed one goal each. in the fourth match of the day, Army overpowered Punjab Whites 12-0 with half of the goals coming in the first session.

Sahil Malik struck four time, Shamshad thrice, Tasneem got two while Shakeela, Ayesha and Rashida shared one goal each. in the fifth match HEC beat kPk 5-0. HEC led the first half by two goals and the scorers were Sehrish Ghuman (2 goals), Ambreen, Mahreena Riaz and Rashida one goal each.

lAHORE: An injured Punjab player is being helped by her teammates in the Punjab-Army match. Staff photo

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Tuesday, 13 december, 2011

abbottabad Commission summons Wajid Shamsul hassan ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The enquiry commission on the Abbottabad operation summoned on Monday Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the Uk Wajid Shamsul Hassan to appear before the commission in the last week of December.

However, there are remote chances of Wajid’s arrival as he also avoided attending the signifi-

cant envoys’ conference being held here in the federal capital to review the country’s foreign policy in the wake of tensions between Pakistan and the US after the NATO attack in Mohmand Agency.

The absence of the high commissioner also raised many eyebrows in the country’s diplomatic and security circles. Reportedly, Shamsul Hassan had conveyed to the Presidency news about the quiet visit to the Uk of inter-Ser-

imran rakes in pML-Q heavyweights ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR

vices intelligence (iSi) Director General Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha and his meeting with Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor ijaz. He had also informed the president that the iSi chief had not met him despite being in London. The decision was taken during a meeting of the commission held here at the Cabinet Division. The meeting was headed

by Commission Chairman Justice (r) Javed iqbal and was attended

by Ashraf Jehangir Qazi and Lt General (r) Nadeem Ahmed, both members of the commission.

Another issue facing the high commissioner is that of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden’s killing, as reportedly he had said in an interview that authorities in islamabad knew about bin Laden’s presence in Abbottabad and the killing was a joint operation. “We are silent players behind the scene, we have done

everything possible to combat terrorism, and it is because of our consistent and persistent campaigning against terrorists that you have got to the point where you can kill Osama bin Laden,” Shamsul Hassan had said. The commission also held a detailed and interactive session with eminent legal experts including Senator Wasim Sajjad, Justice (r) Nasira iqbal and Senator SM Zafar.

US troops to leave Iraq with ‘heads held high’: Obama iraqi PM tells US president not to meddle in Syrian affairs g

in a major setback to the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), sitting Minister of State Raza Hayat Hiraj is all set to join imran khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaaf (PTi) today (Tuesday) with some heavyweights of the former Millat Party of Sardar Farooq Leghari including Sardar Awais khan Leghari, Jamal khan Leghari, Jaffer khan Leghari and former MNA Mian Afzal Hayat would join the PTi in the next few days, Pakistan Today learnt on Monday.

A well-placed source said khan had finally made up his mind to sweep the remnants of the PML-Q and former colleagues of Gen Pervez Musharraf and a schedule for all those sitting and former MPs had been finalised. “Under the plan, Marvi Memon had to announce joining the PTi and had been promised the secretary information’s slot.

However, she sought some time after coming to know that the same slot was to be offered to Dr Maleeha Lodhi, who is also set to join the PTi in a few days,” the source said, adding that now Marvi might join the PTi at the karachi rally.

The source said MNA khawaja khan Hoti would announce joining the PTi on Friday, while PML-Q chief of khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter Ameer Muqam was also in talks for joining the PTi. “The political chessboard is almost ready and in the next few weeks, some other heavyweight politicians would also join imran khan and later politicians from Sindh would join the PTi from January,” added the source.

WASHIngTOn

U

AFP

S troops will leave iraq this month with “honor and their heads held high”, US President Barack Obama said on Monday as he told iraqi leaders that they had an enduring partner in the United States.

But after White House talks with iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, Obama also warned that other nations “must not interfere in iraq” amid fears the US withdrawal will leave a vacuum which iraq’s neighbors such as iran could seek to exploit. “After nearly nine years, our war in iraq ends this month,” Obama said after meeting with Maliki at the White House. “in coming days, the last American soldiers will cross the border out of iraq with honor, and with their heads held high,” he added, although he said “history will judge” the decision by his predecessor president George W Bush to invade iraq in 2003. Obama added “it was time to begin a new chapter in the history between our countries. A normal relationship between sovereign nations. An equal partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect”.

On the other hand, iraqi Prime

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pakistani family guilty of Belgian honour killing BRUSSELS AFP

A Belgian court on Monday sentenced four members of a Pakistani family to prison for the “honour killing” of their law student daughter and sister, Belgian media reported. After pronouncing the family members guilty for the shooting death of Sadia Sheikh in October 2007, the jury sentenced father Tarik Mahmood Sheikh to 25 years behind bars, mother Zahida Parveen Sariya to 20 years, brother Mudusar to 15 and sister Sariya to five years. Lawyers for the family said brother Mudusar, who confessed to pulling the trigger on the three bullets that killed his sister, was handed a lesser jail term than his parents as they were considered to have ordered the girl’s death. Prosecutors had asked for a life sentence for all three, and between 20 and 30 years behind bars for Sariya. Sadia Sheikh, who defied the family by living with a Belgian and refusing an arranged marriage, was shot dead when aged 20 on October 22, 2007. Mudusar admitted before the jury of five women and seven men to killing his sister while saying the rest of the family were not to blame. Her parents and sister stood accused of aiding and abetting the killing which took place when the student visited her family in the hopes of patching up their quarrel. Questioned during Belgium’s first “honour killing” trial in southwestern Mons, Mudusar said the killing was premeditated “for a long time.”

over 40 ‘chained taliban’ rescued in Karachi MOnITORIng DESK WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama pats Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the back after a joint press conference in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Monday. afp Minister Nuri al-Maliki publicly differed with President Barack Obama’s call for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to step down Monday, saying he had no right to call for another leader’s ouster.

Obama attributed the differences on Syria to “tactical disagreements” with Maliki and said he understood that the iraqi leader’s position on the Syrian president was motivated out of a sincere concern for iraqi interests. “i know

that people must get their freedom and their will and democracy and equal citizenship. We are with these rights ... because we have achieved that ourselves,” Maliki said at a joint press conference with Obama.“But i do not have the right to ask a president to abdicate.

We cannot give ourselves this right,” said Maliki, adding that he hoped Syrians would achieve their aspirations without affecting iraqi security.

Police raided a madrassa in the Afghanistan Basti area of Sohrab Goth, karachi on Monday and recovered some 40 to 45 students imprisoned in the basement, Geo News reported. Gudap Superintendent of Police (SP) Rao Nawaz said most of the imprisoned students, who were bound by chains, hailed from khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The students told the private Tv channel that they were tortured during the imprisonment.

The madrassas in question is part of a mosque complex in the Sohrab Goth area.

Nawaz said the students had been brought to karachi from the suburbs of Peshawar.

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