Express Tribune Style Guide by Express Tribune

[contents]

Wednesday FEBRUARY 1, 2012 RABI-UL-AWWAL 8, 1433 A.H. Rs20 tribune.com.pk

PA RT N E R OF

A THE DRONE CAMPAIGN

ELECTION COMMISSION

Despite tactical advantages, drones are unacceptable

New CEC will be appointed after consensus

14%

C mmu h u h

Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani PAGE 9

A NATIONAL

Yes, we kill

Legal, ethical strikes on Obama’s drone admission As US president defends the covert campaign, Amnesty seeks explanation A HUMA IMTIAZ WASHINGTON

In a rare, yet non-startling admission, US President Barack Obama on Monday confirmed that US drones have targeted Taliban and al Qaeda militants in Pakistan, in a programme that has escalated under his administration. The confirmation of an otherwise clandestine programme brought to fore a host of ethical and legal questions surrounding it. Obama himself, during an interview on Monday, attempted to justify the unpopular programme that Islamabad insists causes more harm than good. “Notwithstanding tactical advantages of drone strikes, we are of the firm view that these are unlawful, counterproductive and hence unacceptable,” Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit told AFP on Tuesday. Islamabad appeared to shrug off the confirmation’s implications though.

Justifying drones Asked about drones in a chat with web users on Google+ and YouTube, Obama said “a lot of these strikes have been in Fata” – Pakistan’s semi-autonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border. “For the most part, they’ve been very precise strikes against al Qaeda and their affiliates, and we’re very careful

" Pakistan military leaders have had limited success against al Qaeda, other foreign fighters and Pakistani militants Director National Intelligence James Clapper

in terms of how it’s been applied,” Obama said on Monday. “This is a targeted, focused effort at people who are on a list of active terrorists, who are trying to go in and harm Americans, hit American facilities, American bases, and so on.” Obama said that many strikes were carried out “on al Qaeda operatives in places where the capacities of that military in that country may not be able to get them.” “For us to be able to get them in another way would involve probably a lot more intrusive military action than the ones we’re already engaging in.”

Issues notices to Musharraf, Malik, Babar Awan PAGE 12

A INTERNATIONAL

US President Barack Obama

The secret weapon against Aids

Amnesty’s questions

NIAZ A SHAH

A LIFE & STYLE

sure when all peaceful means are exhausted. There, however, is one exception to this rule: States are allowed to use force in self-defence against an armed attack. This is a temporary right, ie, until the Security Council is activated to respond to an armed attack – an issue of international peace and security. The US has traditionally relied on the argument of the right of self-defence. However, al Qaeda and its affiliates are non-state actors – hence three ANALYSIS, PAGE 9

Lahore gets some Josh The band will capture the city’s beauty in their latest video PAGE 20

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP )

Fuel prices rise by up to 6%

by Rs6.29, kerosene oil by Rs2.78 and Light Diesel oil (LDO) by Rs3.43. The new per-litre price of petrol is Rs94.91, kerosene oil

A SPORT

VIOLENCE

10 more killed in Karachi

Mohsin gets nod from Latif, Afridi

A OUR CORRESPONDENT

Rs92.02, HOBC Rs118.20, LDO Rs90.21 and HSD Rs103.46. While the rationale for this month’s price rise is global oil price hike, the government had increased prices of petrol and HOBC in January, too, despite a decline in international crude prices and Ogra’s recommendation to keep prices unchanged. Meanwhile, Ogra had calculated an increase of Rs3.11 perlitre for diesel, in line with the hike in global oil prices, but the government raised the hike to Rs4.64 per-litre, in a bid to earn more revenue through petroleum levy.

A ZAFAR BHUTTA ISLAMABAD

Ogra has raised the per litre price of petrol by Rs5.37, High Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs4.64, High Octane Blending Component (HOBC)

KARACHI. At least 10 more people were gunned down in drive-by shootings in Karachi, where about 30 people have lost their lives in fresh sectarian and political violence in January. A Shia from GilgitBaltistan, Naeem Abbas, 26, who had arrived in Karachi two months ago, was shot in Gulistan-e-Jauhar. A vegetable seller from Swat, Omar Rahman, 40, was shot dead in Bawani Chali. A 56-year-old watchman Mohammad Ahmed was VIOLENCE, PAGE 9

Good results should lead to continuity, say players PAGE 16

News in Brief

Major assault on Kurram

BALOCHISTAN ASSEMBLY

SENATE ELECTIONS

Troops repulse Taliban attack on strategic post

Sindh asked to Big three carve out probe Domki killings Punjab seats

Ensuing fighting kills eight soldiers and 35 militants

The Balochistan Assembly passed a resolution condemning the killing of Nawabzada Bakhtiar Khan Domki’s wife and daughter PAGE 2

a newly-established checkpost on Jogi heights in the Mamozai area (of Central Kurram). And in the (ensuing) exchange of fire 35 miscreants were killed,” said a short statement issued by the military’s public relations wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations. “Eight security personnel also embraced martyrdom and 15 were injured,” it added. Independent confirmation of death tolls is largely impossible in the tribal region. The

CASUALTIES

A OUR CORRESPONDENT PESHAWAR

Security forces repulsed a major Taliban attack on a strategic check-post in the Kurram tribal region, triggering bloody clashes that left 43 people, among them eight troops, dead and dozens others wounded, the military said

The US is acting over and above the law While drone attacks might have some tactical advantage against al Qaeda and its affiliates, as is being argued, they are against the UN Charter, the law of armed conflict and international human rights law. Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter prohibits the “threat or use of force” against another state. The Charter allows for the use of force in only one form, ie, under Article 42, wherein the Security Council may allow the use of force as an enforcement mea-

Costs a ton

prices unchanged but the finance ministry resisted the proposal and supported an increase in prices to avoid any subsidy.

A ANALYSIS

Diesel shatters Rs100 barrier What was once an exaggerated expression to bemoan inflation has now become reality: The price of diesel has crossed Rs100. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) announced an increase in oil prices by up to 6% per litre effective from Wednesday (today), on account of an increase in global oil prices. Sources said that Ogra had recommended keeping oil

D m

It reduces the chance of infection by 60% IHT PAGE 9 Holder will reportedly reference US legal arguments in support of such killings by drone attacks in a speech on national security in coming weeks. Past justifications offered by US officials have invoked legal theories based on a “global war” between the US and al Qaeda, a concept not recognised by international humanitarian or human rights law. “The US must … disclose the relevant legal and factual documentation necessary for a meaningful assessment of the lawfulness of the deliberate killings it is carrying out – simply trying to find another way to say ‘trust us, it’s legal’ will not be good enough,” Zarifi added.

“The US must give a detailed explanation of how these strikes are lawful and what is being done to monitor civilian casualties and ensure proper accountability,” said Sam Zarifi, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific director, in a press release. “What are the rules of engagement? What proper legal justification exists for these attacks?” Zarifi asked. US Attorney General Eric

Pakistan’s ‘limited capacity’ Obama’s justification for drone strikes was seconded at a hearing of the US Senate Select Intelligence Committee. “Pakistan military leaders have had limited success against al Qaeda operatives, other foreign fighters and Pakistani militants who pose a threat to Islamabad,”

37%

SC to form larger bench for Benazir murder case

"For us to be able to get them [militants] in another way would involve probably a lot more intrusive military action

said Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. The hearing, attended by leaders of the US intelligence community, including the heads of the CIA and National Intelligence, focused on worldwide threats in 2012. There was admission of Pakistan’s support in counterterrorism operations, though. CIA Director General (retd) David Petraeus said that, on the level of intelligence services, relations with Pakistan were productive and there was also communication going on. He said that in October, they had “captured or killed” four al Qaeda leaders, which was also due to some cooperation with Pakistan. Petraeus added that while Pakistan had conducted operations in Fata and Swat, they had not pressured the Haqqani network or Mullah Nazir’s group, nor pressured those present in Balochistan.

is the number of troops who were wounded while defending the Jogi check-post

on Tuesday. “Security forces foiled miscreants’ attempt to dislodge

wounded troops were ferried to the Combined Military Hospital in Thall area. On January 25, security forces had wrenched back control of the strategic Jogi heights from Taliban insurgents. Six paramilitary Frontier Corps troops were killed in the operation described by the military as a ‘big success’. “The post was established to sever a frequently used route MAJOR ASSAULT, PAGE 9

Kurram shares its eastern border with the Orakzai and Khyber Agency, and western border with Afghanistan

30-YEAR ISSUE

All three major political parties in the Punjab Assembly have finalised their negotiations over the upcoming Senate elections PAGE 3 DISSENTING VOICES

150,000 Afghans to be granted visas

Senate adopts private power bill

The minister for states and frontier regions has said that 150,000 Afghan refugees are likely to be granted long-term visas PAGE 3

Despite reservations by opposition groups and a coalition partner, the Senate passed the Private Power and Infrastructure Board Bill, 2011 PAGE 9

A w

Th m m

A A

KSE-100

DOLLAR VS RUPEE

0.97 %

index 11,991.37

GOLD

inter-bank

KIBOR 6 MONTHS

SOURCE: Forex

11.85

5,800 5,775

5,750

11.82

5,725

11.8 S

Analysts express fear that in the absence of a full-fledged chairman, the FBR may not be able to reach the tax target transactions are still in the pipeline,” said Mahmood Alam, Officiating Chairman of FBR. The government has set budget deficit target at 4.7 per cent of total size of economy or Rs985 billion on the basis of Rs1,952 billion tax collection. Any shortfall in tax revenues will widen the gap by the same amount. In first half (July-December 2011) of the current fiscal year, the FBR managed to achieve average growth of around 25 per cent. It needs to keep the same growth rate to achieve the fullyear target. Last year, tax collection stood at Rs1,556 billion. Analysts express fear that in the absence of a full-fledged

chairman, the FBR may not be able to reach the tax target. Former chairman Salman Siddique retired on January 20 and the government has yet to appoint a new chief. However, in seven months the FBR has managed to main-

SOURCE: SBP

SOURCE: KCA

EU market access to make headway soon With objections declining, bloc likely to open doors for two years KARACHI

Tax collection in January has fallen Rs10 to 16 billion short of the target, which may make it difficult for the government to meet budget estimates. Sources in the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) told The Express Tribune that according to provisional figures Rs124 billion in taxes were collected in January against the target of Rs140 billion. However, the figure was Rs15.6 billion or 14.8 per cent higher than the same month last year. It was probably for the first time in the ongoing fiscal year that the growth in revenue collection has fallen below nominal gross domestic product (GDP) growth (12 per cent inflation plus 4 per cent GDP). According to tax experts, any growth which is above the nominal GDP rate is considered the result of FBR’s efforts. “The figure is likely to touch Rs130 billion as some of the

5,700

5,700 W

SOURCE: Forex

FBR expects to receive Rs130b against target of Rs140b A OUR CORRESPONDENT

1.72 %

per maund 5,800

11.825

11.8125

SOURCE: KARACHISARAF

Tax collection falls short of target ISLAMABAD

Co tt on

11.85

11.8375

117.07

117.07 S

0.25 %

in percentage

1.38

118.68

117.4725

48,343

48,257 Th

118.2775

117.875

48,707

inter-bank

50,057

49,157

89.9 89.8 M

SOURCE: KSE

EURO VS RUPEE 118.68

49,607

89.95

89.925

11,874

11,874.89

3.55

50,057

89.975

11,933.13

per 10 grams

0.11

11,991

11,962.25

KARACHI

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

11,904.01

tain the 25 per cent growth rate on the back of a strong performance in the first half. From July through January, it collected Rs964 billion, higher by Rs194 billion or 25.2 per cent than the corresponding period of previous year.

The European Union aims to bolster Pakistan’s faltering economy by fulfilling a 16-month-old pledge to slash tariffs on dozens of textile products this spring. With Wo r l d Tr a d e Organisation hurdles cleared, the EU could enshrine trade terms as soon as April or May, said EU ambassador to Pakistan Lars-Gunnar Wigemark. “We are hopeful these trade concessions will finally be approved by the WTO, and then adopted into law by the European Union,” Wigemark told the Financial Times. “It looks very positive.” The bloc had agreed to grant greater market access to Pakistani exports as a goodwill gesture after devastating floods that tore through the country in 2010. But the proposal has been held up in a series of negotiations at the World Trade Organization, which must approve the exemptions. EU officials are optimistic

CURRENCY

Rupee weakens against dollar KARACHI. The

rupee ended weaker at 90.40/45 to the dollar, compared with Monday’s close of 90.35/42, driven by increased import payments. The rupee touched a record low of 91.28 to the dollar on January 9, pressured by concerns about higher payments for oil imports and the country’s economic health, especially a weakening current account. The current account recorded a provisional deficit of $2.15 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2012, compared with a surplus of $8 million in the same period last year, according to data from the State Bank of Pakistan. The deficit is likely to widen further in the coming months because of debt repayments and a lack of external aid. In the money market, overnight rates ended flat at 11.90 per cent, unchanged from Monday’s close, due to a lack of liquidity in the interbank market. REUTERS

Countries that had raised objections including India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam are now prepared to endorse the measures that countries that had raised objections – including India, Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam – are now prepared to endorse the measures at a series of WTO meetings in February. France, Italy and Portugal had also initially been wary of the deal, fearing it might hurt their domestic textile industries. EU hopes the concessions – which are due to last at least two years – will buttress a broader drive by Brussels to improve relations at a time when Pakistan’s ties with the US are at their most strained in a decade. Pakistan has lobbied western countries for greater access for its textiles – which account for some 60% of its exports – with limited success. Under the deal, EU will remove tariffs on a list of more than 70 items, mainly textile products but also some ethanol. PPI

OPEN MARKET EXCHANGE RATES

US Dollar UK Pound Sterling Euro Japanese Yen

90.3 141.2

143

118.2

120

1.167

Chinese Yuan

23.95 24.45

13.5 24.35 24.85

1.75

Australian Dollar

95.3

Canadian Dollar

89.5

1960

1916

1.180

Saudi Riyal UAE Dirham Indian Rupee

90.65

1845

1.85 96.4 96.4 SOURCE: FOREX.COM.PK

A RESULT

Permission granted

1.44%

ECC allows export of 100,000 tons of sugar

is the increase in profit of Netsol Technologies to Rs170.6 million during July to December 2011 against the preceding year’s Rs168.13 million. OUR CORRESPONDENT

decided to purchase 478,000 tons of sugar to arrest the price fall after millers complained that they were suffering heavy losses. Ex-factory price of sugar is Rs45-46 per kg while in the wholesale market it is being sold for Rs48-50 per kg. A few months ago, the prices were above Rs65 per kg. “The decision will partly help increase prices but the government will likely allow export of another 200,000 to 300,000 tons by the end of March due to an expected bumper crop,” said Senator Haroon Akhtar Khan of PMLQ, whose family owns and runs sugar mills. He said production this year was expected to jump to over 5.2 million tons. “The decision to allow export was taken after a detailed review of the sugar situation in the country,” said the finance ministry. In its previous meeting, the ECC had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Textile Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin to assess the impact of

Pak-China ties

Medical and chemical products among the highest gainers BEIJING

Pakistan-China bilateral trade registered an overall growth of 22% by reaching the mark of $10.6 billion in 2011 with Islamabad achieving a slight upper hand over the world’s largest exporter. Pakistani exports increased 23% to $2.12 billion while imports from China the world’s largest importer grew 22%. “If we have more exportable surplus, the vast Chinese market will be able to absorb our commodities and services. I have no doubt about that,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khan, adding that the appetite for Pakistani products was increasing. Pakistan and China have resolved to increase their trade to $15 billion in the next two to three years. Pakistan’s exports to China

sugar export and submit recommendations. The committee, in its recommendations, suggested that 200,000 tons may be exported by the private sector on a first-come-first-served basis. In the meeting, the ECC was

briefed that sugar stocks from the 2010-11 crushing season stood at 900,000 tons and this year’s crop is expected to give a record production of 4.5 to 4.9 million tons. Annual consumption is estimated at 4.2 million tons.

Finance Minister Hafeez Shaikh cautioned the ministries concerned to ensure that no single party benefitted from the export permission and finalise modalities in coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The ECC rejected the textile ministry’s proposal, seeking purchase of one million cotton bales from the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association for “stabilising falling prices of the commodity”. The ministry had proposed cotton purchase at Rs6,500 per maund. Had the decision been taken, it would have cost the exchequer Rs6.5 billion. However, during the ECC deliberations it was observed that only a small stock of less than 10 per cent was left with the cotton growers and any intervention in such a situation would not be prudent. “The ECC decided that the policy of free market should continue and market forces be allowed to define the prices of cotton,” said the finance ministry. The committee deferred a summary moved by the Ministry of Water and Power for levy of sales tax on hydroelectric power sector and asked the ministry to revisit the committee along with Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) chairman.

National Power Construction Company

Islamabad gets a slight upper hand in trade were $1 billion in 2008, however, exports have doubled since then following implementation of free trade agreement between the two countries. In the past three years, the bilateral Free Trade Commission (FTC) met twice to boost Pakistan-China trade. Pakistani traders have been especially focusing on textiles, leather products, precious stones, and handicrafts. “Pakistani traders are now looking eastward towards China with greater interest. This trend is growing”, the ambassador said. In the years to come, entry points of agricultural produce from Pakistan would also be increased, added Khan. The biggest increase in exports to China during the year was in cotton yarn, home textiles, garments, copper and copper scrap, plastic scrap, leather goods, fish products, medical and surgical instruments, chemical products, and food stuffs. APP

ISLAMABAD. Despite achieving bumper crop this year, Kinnow export target of 0.3 million tons is expected to be missed following the loss of the Iranian market, according to Harvest Tradings. Besides, the Indonesian market, where at least 45,000 tons export of the fruit was expected to be made after concluding the already approved Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), also remained untapped due to negligence of the relevant public sector, said Harvest Tradings Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jawad. “So far, around 88,000 tons of kinnow against the expected 0.1 million tons have been exported by the mid-Jan with total revenue touching only $54 million,” he said adding that overall export of the fruit is now hardly touching 0.2 million tons this year against target of 0.3 million tons. APP

Cotton purchase proposal rejected

MEETING HALFWAY: All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the lobby working to safeguard the interests of sugar mills, had sought permission to export 500,000 tons. PHOTO: FILE

A OUR CORRESPONDENT ISLAMABAD

The board of the Privatisation Commission on Tuesday declared five interested parties eligible for participating in the bidding for strategic sale of 88 per cent government shares in the National Power Construction Company. Headed by Federal Minister for Privatisation Ghous Bux Khan Mahar, the Board endorsed the recommendations of the Transaction Committee of the NPCC and pre-qualified five potential parties for participation in the due diligence and bidding process, said the PC. Ten parties had initially submitted Expressions of Interest for the transaction

at the initial stage while AlArab Contracting Company of Saudi Arabia withdrew. The government wants to make strategic sale of 88 per cent of its shares of the NPCC while the remaining 12 per cent shares have been allocated for distribution among employees under Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS). KASB Bank is providing Financial Advisory Services for the transaction. The pre-qualified parties include three Saudi, one Korean and one Pakistani company. The Saudi companies include Saudi Cable Company, Mansour Al Mosaid Company and Durat Al Masana. The other pre-qualified parties are GS Engineering and Construction Corporation Korea and Consortium of Fatima Trading Company Limited, Fatima Sugar & PakArab Fertilizer, Pakistan.

The pre-qualified parties include three Saudi, one Korean and one Pakistani company Per Gola Holding Company, Consortium of Irink tech WLL Bahrain and Messes Tahir, Consortium of Lilley International Pakistan and Consortium of Mishal Sania Private Limited could not prequalify for the bidding, said an official of the PC. The NPCC currently rated amongst top contractors and is a specialist contracting outfit for turnkey management of Power Projects. The PC Board also decided to fast track the capital market transactions and decided to table the timetable for the Secondary Public Offering of Pakistan Petroleum Limited

TENDER

TCP buys sugar at Rs45,720 per ton

The region is Agriculturalist producing 50-60 blames lack of maunds of wheat per research and government support acre compared

in the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation. The government wants to off load its 2.5 per cent shareholding in the PPL in the Karachi Stock Exchange and has estimated that it will get $70 million through the transaction. It has 69 per cent stakes in PPL. In March 2011 the PC Board had finalised a roadmap for 12 capital market transactions to fetch $830 million. So far, no transaction has been completed. A six member Transaction Committee is in the process of finalising the Secondary Public Offering of Pakistan Petroleum Limited. The committee is headed by a senior PC board member Iftikhar ul Haq with Mahmood Nawaz Shah, Farid Malik PC Board members and the federal Secretaries Petroleum and Natural Resources, Privatisation, Finance, Chairman SECP and MD PPL as its members.

A OUR CORRESPONDENT

to yields of 27-30 maunds in Pakistan

LAHORE

Despite being home to some of the best natural resources and favourable weather conditions, Pakistan’s agricultural production is almost 40 per cent less than neighbouring countries, says Kisan Board Pakistan Central Vice President Ahmad Khan. Speaking to newlyelected office-bearers of the Agriculture Journalists Association here on Tuesday, Khan pointed out that in all major crops Pakistan’s production was the lowest in the region, which was mainly due to lack of research and government indifference. Giving comparisons, he said that in sugarcane, through research and good farming practices, regional countries achieved production of 1,200 to 1,500 maunds (37 kg) per

acre while Pakistan harvested 500 to 600 maunds. Similarly, the region is producing 50-60 maunds of wheat per acre compared to yields of 27-30 maunds in Pakistan. However, Khan said, some big farmers had reached higher levels, indicating the country has a similar potential. Elaborating, he said a small number of big and influential farmers had knowledge and access to modern research. However, about 86 per cent farmers, having 12.5 acres or less land, have no access to research and modern technology. Stressing the need for new research in all areas, he said the country needed high-yielding, weather and pest-resistant seed varieties that could produce crops with less water.

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

FOOTBALL

A OUR CORRESPONDENT KARACHI

FORMULA ONE

Sutil handed suspended sentence MUNICH. Former Force India driver Adrian Sutil was found guilty of grievous bodily harm by a Munich court and given an 18month suspended sentence along with a $262,300 fine for a night club brawl in China last year. The 29-year-old German, who has failed to secure a seat for the new season so far, was found guilty of injuring Eric Lux, chief executive of Renault F1 team owners Genii Capital, in a Shanghai nightclub after the Chinese Grand Prix. Lux needed several stitches for a neck wound after Sutil injured him with a champagne glass. Sutil had denied it was his intention to hurt Lux but rather to throw a drink in his face. REUTERS

with, according to reports, a deal being finalised with Dav Whatmore after his visit to Lahore last month. “Mohsin is doing a good job,” Latif told reporters in Karachi on the sidelines of former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed’s book launch. “We’ve seen a lot of good results under him. We’ve hardly seen such a successful coaching stint from anyone before.” Meanwhile, Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi also supported Mohsin, albeit through covert articulation. “The results are in front of us,” said Afridi. “The players don’t have any issues and importantly the team is progressing well under Mohsin. But it’s up to the PCB and who they feel will be good for the team.”

‘We should go all out in final Test’ On the Test series against England, Afridi said Pakistan should seek a whitewash in Dubai. “I’m hoping for a 3-0 win. It’ll be important for the continuity and will give confidence to the team before the limited-overs leg.”

Series triumph through hard work: Rehman Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman refused to accept that Pakistan’s success over the world number one Test team was a big surprise, saying the team achieved the 2-0 lead through sheer hard work. Rehman starred in his team’s 72-run win in the second Test, claiming a career-best six for 25 to bundle England for 72 in the second innings. That gave Pakistan an unassailable lead in the series with the last match in Dubai starting from February 3. “It’s not surprising,” Rehman told AFP. “We won because we worked really hard before the series and in the two Tests.” However, Rehman admitted England’s capitulation was a bit surprising. “We had no idea that it would finish in three or four days, but since the team did well and the pitches helped us we won. We’re trying to contain them so that they make mistakes. That was the game-plan. They made mistakes after getting fed up.”

$0.84m m

Rashid Latif

Shahid Afridi

“Mohsin is doing a good job. We have seen a lot of good results under him and we’ve hardly seen such a successful coaching stint from anyone before in Pakistan’s history.”

“The players do not have any issues and importantly the team is

is the amount former Argentina midfielder Hernan Crespo was bought for at the Premier League Soccer auction, making him the most expensive player in the Indian tournament’s first edition. AGENCIES

TENNIS

Zubair books spot in final

IN GOOD COMPANY: Former Test cricket and chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu presents his book to Hanif Mohammad at the launch of Sallu Aap Beeti in Karachi yesterday. Apart from Shahid Afridi, other guests included Jahangir Khan, Moin Khan, Rashid Latif, Jalaluddin and Saeed Anwar. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Only four queens to woe the kings

Port Qasim keep Navy at bay

Lack of female players worries chess event organisers

Haseem scores match-winning brace in hockey championship

A NATASHA RAHEEL

(WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM AFP)

GUIDANCE: Mohsin’s impressive stint with the team includes Test triumphs over Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and England and has seen the team lose just one match – a One-Day International – out of 17 games. PHOTO: AFP

The Pakistan Chess Players’ Association (PCPA) is looking for more women players to participate in the Zahiruddin Farooqi Trophy that starts tomorrow at the Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi. The tournament will see Briton Nigel Short, an international Grand Master, and offers a Rs200,000 prizemoney, the highest among all chess events held in the country. The event features over 60 players of which only four are female, a matter of great concern for the organisers. According to the PCPA Secretary Shehzad Mirza, women’s chess is still in its infancy in the country and the PCPA will shortlisti four or five of the best female performers from the International School Olympiad and invite those players to take part in the competition. “We still don’t have many professional women chess players so we’re giving a chance to the students,” Mirza told The Express Tribune. One of the women chess

n n

A VALUE

Sallu shares his story

NEWS DESK. Talha Zubair cruised into the final of the 17th Sindh Tennis Association (STA) Development Series Ranking tournament with a 6-3, 6-3 defeat of Fahim Ramzan, according to information provided by the STA. Zubair will face either Omer Shahid or Saud Shoaib in the decider after both posted wins in their last-eight fixtures. Shahid eased past Salman Butt 6-0, 6-2 while Shoaib was leading 7-5, 1-0 when his opponent, Nazif Ahmed, retired hurt. In the under-17 juniors competition, Saud Shoaib earned a hard-fought 7-5, 7-5 victory over Marib Malik to secure a berth in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, in the U13 semi-final, Hania Naveed beat Imran Lohya 8-6.

27C

CRICKET

Warne faces legal action from cyclist

A OUR CORRESPONDENT

KARACHI

MS Dhoni clarifies that his main concern is to see India win matches, regardless of whether he retains captaincy or relinquishes it for someone more able. AGENCIES

A TENNIS

ZAGREB. Fifth-seed Andreas Seppi from Italy beat Germany’s Daniel Brands 6-4, 7-6 to advance to the second round of the Zagreb Indoors tournament. Earlier, top seed Ivan Ljubicic – the 2006 champion and finalist in 2007 and 2008 – also secured his progress with a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 defeat of Slovakian Karol Beck. AGENCIES

BOOK LAUNCH

C gets h Coach approval from Latif, AfridiA With another impressive series-win in the bag, Pakistan’s interim coach Mohsin Khan, who was first appointed for the series against Sri Lanka, continues to draw support from various quarters with Rashid Latif the latest voice to back his full-time appointment. Pakistan’s ‘unprecedented show’ under Mohsin, according to Latif, which has seen the team register Test and One-Day International (ODI) series triumphs over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before gaining an unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing Test series against England, remains a huge plus for Mohsin. While the triumphs over Bangladesh and a struggling Sri Lanka were not deemed high-profile scalps, the twin wins over England have earned Mohsin and captain Misbahul Haq much accolade, with the coach using these results to influence his appointment. However, the former opener is not on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) list of candidates for the head coach’s position,

Seppi, Ljubicic advance in Zagreb

LONDON. Troubled striker Carlos Tevez has appealed to the Premier League against the six-week fine imposed on him by Manchester City after he returned to Argentina without permission in November. City imposed the punishment on the 27-year-old after finding him guilty of gross misconduct on December 22. REUTERS

Mohsin saga

Good results should lead to continuity, says former wicket-keeper

"Dhoni: Captaincy’s not a position that belongs to anyone and it’s not something I want to cling on to. If there’s a better replacement for me, it’s a very open thing — he can come in

TENNIS

Tevez lodges appeal over City fine

Pakistan spin spinner Abdul Rehman feels there is no element of jealousy or insecurity when he partners Saeed Ajmal in the attack

L fe Style

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

"Rehman: " Re Ajmal and I support each other without with thinking about who gets the wickets. Our aim is to simply help the team win

A CRICKET

n h

KARACHI. The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), in response to a tender for purchase of sugar floated on January 23, has awarded contracts to two sugar mills for 10,000 tons at a price of Rs45,720 per ton. Earlier, the TCP received 53 bids from local sugar mills quoting rates in the range of Rs45,720 to Rs50,000 per ton. Two mills, Hunza Sugar Mills Unit-I and Unit-II – offered the lowest price of Rs45,720 per ton for 5,000 tons each. “Being the lowest and conforming to all tender terms and conditions, the offers of these mills were accepted and they were awarded contracts for a total quantity of 10,000 tons,” the TCP said in a press release. However, the TCP said in order to complete the purchase of total targeted quantity of 100,000 tons, rest of the bidders, who quoted higher rates in the tender opened on Tuesday, had been asked to match the lowest bid price by Wednesday. OUR CORRESPONDENT

A SCHEDULE

m m

Crop production lowest in the region

Privatisation Commission shortlists bidders Govt also finalising secondary public offering of Pakistan Petroleum

C n

FORECAST

Kinnow export target to be missed

Decision comes in face of price drop in local market, expected bumper sugarcane crop A SHAHBAZ RANA ISLAMABAD

The government on Tuesday relaxed a ban on sugar export and allowed the private sector to export 100,000 tons, a move aimed at stabilising prices in the local market and resolving cash flow problems of mills. The decision was taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet, the highest economic decision-making body. Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired the meeting. The government had banned sugar export in 2009. On Monday, sugar contracts were settled at $634.2 per ton in the London Futures Exchange. Javed Kayani, President of All Pakistan Sugar Mills Association, the lobby working to safeguard the interests of sugar mills, cautiously welcomed the move. “It’s a good beginning that will partly resolve our cash flow problems but sugar mills had sought permission to export 500,000 tons,” he said. The government has already

KARACHI

players, who will be taking part in the Zahiruddin Farooqi Trophy, said that females are discouraged from participating in local events because of the discriminatory behaviour of their male counterparts. Added to this is the attitude of the national federation, which refrains from investing money in women players.

Chess federation refuses to recognise event Meanwhile, the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) President Altaf Ahmed Chaudhry has said that the Zahiruddin Farooqi Trophy is not an event recognised by the body. “The organisers didn’t consult us before organising the event, so we’re not supporting them,” said Ahmed. “We can’t bar anyone from holding chess events because we need to promote the sport but the PCPA is not a part of the CFP.”

Pakistan international Haseem Khan scored a brace to hand Port Qasim a muchneeded 2-1 victory over Navy in the National Hockey Championship underway at the Hockey Club of Pakistan, Karachi. Haseem drew first blood for Port Qasim in the 27th minute and struck again in the 47th minute to help his team notch a rare win in the competition. Navy pulled one back through Sabir in the 66th minute but his effort was not enough to save his team from defeat.

Army outclass PAF Meanwhile, Army continued their good run in the competition, beating PAF 3-1. Army put PAF on the defensive as early as the third minute when Shahid Saleem scored the first goal of the match. Zeeshan Dilshad helped PAF draw level but Mohammad Safeer put Army in the lead in the 39th minute with Hassan Arif scoring 10 minutes later to complete the win.

FINE EFFORT: Haseem’s goals either side of the break helped his side to a rare win in the competition. PHOTO: FILE AFP

Butt scores in WAPDA win In the last match of the day, former Pakistan captain Rehan Butt continued his good form, helping Wapda stage a fightback to defeat NBP 2-1. Mohammad Atiq gave NBP the lead in the 16th minute. However, Butt levelled for Wapda just four minutes later. Aleem Bilal converted a penalty corner in the 53rd minute to put Wapda in the lead, which they maintained till the end of the match. PIA and Wapda head the table with 10 points, having secured three wins and a draw. NBP are third, while SSGC occupy fourth place.

MELBOURNE. Shane Warne faced legal action after a cyclist involved in a road rage incident with the Australian legend plans to sue for damages to his bike. Web designer Mathew Hollingsworth, 28, is launching a civil claim in the Melbourne Magistrates Court seeking $1,575 for repairs to his hi-tech bicycle plus damages, interest and costs. Hollingsworth alleged that Warne drove his sports car into him after a robust exchange of words in peak-hour traffic in Melbourne on January 17. Warne, meanwhile, had used a series of tweets on the evening of the incident to describe his version of events while lashing out at ‘antagonistic’ cyclists. AFP

ATHLETICS

Gul, Mardan bag K-P event honours PESHAWAR. Sadia Gul of Bannu was declared the best athlete as Mardan clinched the overall trophy at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Region Girls Youth Athletic Championship. Gul bagged gold medals in the 200-metre (m), 400m and 800m to earn the best athlete award. Meanwhile, Mardan secured the overall trophy by recording 39 points with three gold, three silver and three many bronze medals. Peshawar finished second on 23 points with one gold, three silver and two bronze medals while Hazara Region were third with two gold and two silver medals. APP

TENNIS

Pakistan-India series

"Murray: I’m gutted to miss out on the Davis Cup but since it’s the start of an important season, which includes the Olympics in London, it’s probably a sensible decision World number four Andy Murray announces his decision to skip Great Britain’s Davis Cup tie against Slovakia in order to recover from a few ‘minor injuries’ picked up in Australia. AGENCIES

BCCI president keen on revival: PCB chief Zaka Ashraf holds ‘constructive meeting’ with Srinivasan

KARACHI. Sindh are set to launch their title defence at the 10th National Women’s Netball Championship as the tournament gets underway from February 6 at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. The event will feature 11 teams: Pakistan Army, Wapda, Higher Education Commission, Sindh, Punjab, KhyberPakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad, Fata, Lahore Grammar School as well as the hosts. “There has been growth in the popularity of netball in recent years and we are attempting to capitalise on this trend, with different universities actively holding events to promote the sport among the youth in the country,” said Pakistan Netball Federation Secretary Mudassar Arain. OUR CORRESPONDENT

TENNIS

National event for juniors kicks off ISLAMABAD. The National Junior Ranking Tennis Tournament featuring over 100 male and female players starts today at the Shalimar Tennis Club, Rawalpindi. The tournament has been organised by the Punjab Tennis Association in collaboration with the Pakistan Tennis Federation. Talking to The Express Tribune, tournament director Inamul Haq said there was much unexplored talent in the country which needed to be promoted through tournaments such as this. The tournament has been divided into four categories to accommodate girls and boys in under-18 and U14 singles and doubles competitions. The event concludes on February 5. OUR CORRESPONDENT

Attempts to revive bilateral series between Pakistan and India keep being made but the road seems to end at the Indian government’s doorstep. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been looking for a breakthrough that will bring an end to the deadlock which has deprived fans on both sides of the border of bilateral action since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008. In a bid to resume ties, Ashraf and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President N Srinivasan met on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Dubai. The PCB chief said the meeting held to specifically discuss the resumption was ‘constructive’ as the Indian board chief ‘showed keen interest’ in reviving cricket ties. “We held a meeting to discuss the revival of bilateral series,” Ashraf told The Express Tribune from Dubai. “It was a constructive meeting as the BCCI president showed keen interest in resuming cricket ties. Srinivasan agreed to resume the series. However, he said the BCCI requires its gov-

Federal Areas in control against K-P in Pentangular Cup

UNDER CONSIDERATION: While the BCCI president agreed on principle that a series should be held, he can only finalise plans after an approval from the Indian government, according to Ashraf. PHOTO: AFP government, the PCB chief hinted at having the approval from its end. “The PCB is making efforts with support from the Pakistan government and the foreign ministry. It’s because fans are keen to see Pakistan and India play again on a regular basis.” ernment’s nod over the matter before finalising anything.”

PCB has government’s approval While the BCCI rested the burden of resumption on its

Meeting a breakthrough: Official Uncertainty still revolved around the schedule and the Indian government’s approval is still in the pipeline but a PCB official termed the meet-

ing a huge breakthrough. “The meeting itself is a positive development,” said the official. “It’s because the two cricketing chiefs finally met after a long time. Initially, we failed to hold talks despite repeated attempts,” he said while referring to the Asian Cricket Council meeting in December, where the PCB chief failed to meet Srinivasan. “But now the chances have increased. Hopefully, the Indian government will soon give the green signal as well.”

Usman Salahuddin scored an unbeaten centur y and, together with Nasir Jamshed, helped Punjab reach an impressive 335 for four on the opening day of their Pentangular Cup clash against Balochistan. According to information provided by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Salahuddin made 103 off 210 balls after Jamshed fell short of a century, hitting 80, as Balochistan searched for breakthroughs at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Former captain Shoaib Malik scored 60 off just 78 balls and Ahmed Shehzad contributed 46 to the total as well. Rahat Ali took three for 109 to be the only note-worthy contributor for Balochistan. Punjab have played two matches in the tournament, winning one and drawing the other. Balochistan have lost the only match they have played.

Davydenko snaps losing streak

Twenty20 series

Shorter format, bigger chance Dhoni looks to young guns as Bailey takes up Australia’s captaincy

A NEWS DESK

A FAWAD HUSSAIN KARACHI

NETBALL

Sindh gear up for national event

Balochistan bowlers toil against Punjab

SYDNEY

Saad troubles K-P batsmen Elsewhere, Saad Altaf ’s five-for enabled Federal Areas to take control of proceedings against KhyberPakhtunkhwa (K-P) on the opening day of their clash at the Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar. Altaf took five for 65 as K-P were bundled out for 205 in the 53rd over before Federal Areas reached 130 for one to trail by just 75 runs at stumps. Yasir Shah, with 49, and Waqar Ahmed (35) were the only notable scorers for K-P. In reply, Afaq Raheem made 67 and Umair Khan hit 44 to take Federal Areas to a dominant position. K-P have lost both their encounters in the tournament and Federal Areas are searching for their first win after managing a draw in their opening clash.

Following a disastrous Test series, the limited-overs leg of India’s tour of Australia kicks off today with the first of two Twenty20 Internationals as the touring captain MS Dhoni looks to leave behind the horrors of the 4-0 whitewash. India should be more comfortable playing in a format in which they have been world champions and have also won three of their last five Twenty20s. With India and Australia having won two Twenty20s each against each other, both teams would be looking towards improving their records. Dhoni believes that the inclusion of talented youngsters in the team will help him do just that, feeling that the younger brigade has helped in lightening up the dressing-room atmosphere, and has also ensured that fielding standards will also improve during the series. “Our limited-overs side looks very different from our Test team,” said Dhoni. “The new boys who have come in are noisier, which really helps lift the dressing-room atmosphere and everything is more lively. I don’t think it’s very difficult to stay positive despite a disastrous tour so far. “We’ve really improved as

MONTPELLIER. Third-seed Nikolay Davydenko beat Stephane Robert in straight sets to advance to the second round of the Montpellier International tournament. Davydenko entered the first-round fixture on the back of a fivegame losing streak but was never troubled as he won 6-2, 6-1 in 59 minutes. Robert’s second serve proved to be his downfall as Davydenko broke his opponent on five occasions. Meanwhile, sixth-seed Florian Mayer faced some resistance from Gilles Muller before advancing with a 7-6, 6-3 win. French wildcard Guillaume Rufin also advanced as he defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-4, 7-6. AGENCIES

CRICKET

Player-owned restaurant under fire

ALL PRAISE FOR YOUNG BLOOD: The younger Indian players have made the dressing room livelier and improved the fielding standards, according to Dhoni. PHOTO: FILE AFP three of them can really stop the batsmen taking a quick single. When it’s needed in the slog overs, they can field at the boundary without much hassle. I don’t have to be too worried about placing the right fielders at the right position.”

Bailey wants to continue momentum a fielding side, especially in the shorter formats. On average, out of four fielders,

While Dhoni has the distinction of leading his team the most times in Twenty20s,

Australia will see a new captain, who is yet to make his international debut, taking up the reigns. However, George Bailey did not seem overawed by the prospect of leading his national team on debut and declared that Australia would do everything to ensure the visitors’ disastrous tour continues. “It’s important we continue the momentum of the Test team, not just in the cricket

they played, but in the standards they’re setting at their training,” said Bailey. “We’ve talked about that as a T20 group to continue what the Test side started and allowing the One-Day International team to have that feeling when they get together as well. Every opportunity we get to hit the ground running, we have to take.” Bailey said he was excited at the prospect of leading

Australia and realised that it was a huge responsibility. “I’m just excited to be here and be leading and hopefully continuing on the great start to the summer that Australia have had,” he said. “I’m nervous about captaincy and debut. “From the playing aspect you’re anxious to get out there and perform, and the captaining side of things I’m really comfortable with that.” AGENCIES

COLOMBO. The title of a Colombo restaurant jointly run by Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and batsman Kumar Sangakkara called The Crab Ministry was declared illegal. The Registrar of Companies of the Western Province said that the restaurant was originally registered as The Crab Corporation and using the word ‘ministry’ in the brand name was ‘illegal and unlawful’. The Crab Ministry was recently opened in an upmarket food court of the city. At the restaurant’s opening, Jayawardene and Sangakkara said they had both been interested in entering the food and restaurant business for some time. OUR CORRESPONDENT

HOCKEY

Heuvel to mentor coaches KARACHI. Pakistan’s head coach Michel van dan Heuvel will supervise a coaching clinic at the Hockey Club of Pakistan in Karachi next week. The Dutchman, who is in the city to oversee players’ performance at the ongoing National Hockey Championship, has been appointed course conductor of the clinic, which is a part of the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s development plan to groom coaches. The five-day course, which will be attended by 17 coaches and former international players, begins on February 6. OUR CORRESPONDENT

PAKISTAN AND THE UNITED STATES

It’s a very chall relationship US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton PAGE 12

Secretary-level dialogue

India sees little for breakthroug

Strain of pessimism put down to lack of progress in hand A ADITI PHADNIS & ZAHID GISHKORI NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD

India on Sunday poured cold water on expectations of a breakthrough at the home secretary-level talks between Islamabad and New Delhi starting today, even as Pakistan vowed that it would approach the negotiations with an open mind and expected a “reciprocal response” from its neighbour. The scheduled negotiations have since been overshadowed by possible summit level talks on Wednesday after or when Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh watch the World Cup semifinal between their two sides at Mohali. The Indian side did not sound optimistic at all. An official who spoke to The Express Tribune attributed New Delhi’s lukewarm response towards the talks to Pakistan’s alleged “lack of sincerity in cooperating with India in any antiterror initiatives”. The official claimed that the prosecution’s attempt to bring the 26/11 guilty to justice in Pakistan “had not moved an inch” and that India’s request for provid-

" We expect a positive response from the Indian side and hope that these talks will lead to the resolution of outstanding issues Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry

ing the voice samples of the attackers’ handlers “had fallen on deaf ears”. Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, who is heading Pakistan’s delegation, told reporters at the Wagah border that terrorism, drug smuggling, visa policies and other important issues would be discussed at the talks. “We have not chalked out any specific agenda for twoday talks. We are going with an open mind and expect a positive response from the Indian side. We hope that these talks will pave the way for the resolution of out standing issues,” he said. Nine months ago, Indian officials said, Interior Minister Rehman Malik DIALOGUE, PAGE 9

SWEET MESSAGE: Interior Secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry po Himmat Singh as he presents sweets to BSF soldiers after arrivin

Unrest in the Arab world

Ahead of Mohali semi-ﬁnal

Islamabad assures Riyadh of support

Pakistan ta in diplomat

Saudi prince promises meaningful help to Islamabad in return A QAISER BUTT ISLAMABAD

In the backdrop of the current political uprisings in the Arab world, Pakistan has decided to play a significant role in the region by supporting Saudi Arabia, sources told The Express Tribune. The decision came following a string of meetings that Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, special emissary of the Saudi king, had with the Pakistani leadership over the weekend. The Saudi royal family scion met the top political and mil-

itary leaders, among them President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Prince Bandar’s whirlwind tour came as mass protests are sweeping across most of the Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. Though there is no immediate threat of an uprising against the Saudi rulers, the situation in neighbouring Bahrain is a cause for serious concern. In his interaction with Premier Gilani, the Saudi prince indicated that the oil-rich kingdom would extend meaningful support to Pakistan to improve its ailing ARAB WORLD, PAGE 9

President Zardari frees an In after appeal from Indian Su A IRFAN GHAURI ISLAMABAD

In an attempt to take a lead in peace-making gestures, Pakistan on Sunday remitted the sentence of an Indian man held in a Pakistan jail for the last 27 years, soon after Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani accepted his Indian counterpart’s invitation to watch the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between the two countries’ teams. President Asif Ali Zardari

remitted the sentence of Gopal Das, who was first sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987, on the advice of the prime minister, according to the president’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar. The remission was granted on humanitarian grounds to honour an appeal made two weeks ago by the Supreme Court of India for Das’ release, whose family say he had mistakenly crossed the border in 1984.

Scandalous land deal

Senior federal minister among NICL beneficiaries: FIA The minister for trade amassed as much as Rs500m in the scam A ADIL JAWAD KARACHI

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has established that certain influential political people benefited from illegal National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) land deals and officers of the NICL and others acted as front men

for various state dignitaries, including the federal trade minister, Makhdoom Amin Faheem. Sources also said that intense political pressure was brought to bear upon FIA, whose officials were told to hide facts in a report submitted to the Supreme Court about the involvement of influential people in the deal. FIA investigators alleged that the minister amassed Rs500 million in the deal, inflicting

a massive blow to the national exchequer. According to sources, other accounts in which the ill-gotten money was later transferred were operated by less known persons or business associates with distinct political associations. Interestingly, the FIA was being pressed into withholding his name from being included in the investigation. According to sources, an investigation into the bank ac-

counts of the central accused, Khalid Anwer, disclosed that of the Rs900 million paid from the national exchequer Rs40.1 million was used to write off debts of the federal minister and other members of his family. On January 31, the FIA submitted a report in the Supreme Court according to which NICL paid Rs900 million for a 10-acre plot in Korangi in August 2009. The money was FIA, PAGE 9

Monday MARCH 28, 2011 RABI-US-SANI 22, 1432 A.H. Rs20 tribune.com.pk

A RT N E R OF

A IN THE ARAB WORLD

The prospects of democracy generate hopes and fears

lenging

The New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman IHT PAGE 9

A INTERNATIONAL

hope gh

dling anti-terror initiatives

Radiation spike seen in water near Japan reactor Reliance on old science left govt unprepared for tsunami IHT PAGE 1

A BUSINESS

Tough ns decisions need to be made We know what needs eeds to be done, but who ho will swallow this bitterr pill? PAGE 10

A REGIONAL

oses with Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector-General ng in India at the Attari border post on Sunday. PHOTO: AFP

akes lead tic gestures

Libyan rebels make more territorial gains Gain control of main oil terminals in the country’s eastern half PAGE 8

A SPORT

ndian held for 27 years, upreme Court

f t e o n

n s f e y

t m 1 f r s

e h r n

Das had entered a plea to the Indian apex court through his brother, which ruled that while it had no jurisdiction in Pakistan, it could make an appeal for his release to the Pakistan government. “We cannot give any direction to Pakistan authorities because we have no jurisdiction over them. The Indian authorities have done all that they could in the matter. However, that does not pre-

" The prison is gloomy; O Friends! Tell the eastern wind, To at least allow some talk of my beloved for divinity’s sake Indian Justice Markandey Katju quoting Faiz Ahmad Faiz

vent us from making a request MOHALI SEMI-FINAL, PAGE 9

Indo-Pak Express rolls on Aisam, Bopanna advance in Sony Ericsson Open PAGE 15

News in Brief PERENNIAL BASKET-CASE

UPCOMING TALENT

FINANCIAL FRAUD

Govt baulks at bailing out railways

The right way to fall: Natasha Ejaz

Steals from WAPDA, Vettel dominates starts father’s business season-opener

The federal government is reluctant to give Pakistan Railways the Rs5 billion it needs in order to remain solvent PAGE 3

With the 4th episode of Uth Records, Pakistani audiences witnessed a young and talented artist in the form of Natasha Ejaz PAGE 19

FIA has begun the extradition process against a man accused of having stolen Rs190 million from the Wapda PAGE 11

ACCUSED OF BLASPHEMY

POLITICAL CRISIS

Father pleads innocence for son

Kuwait to intercede in Bahrain crisis

A person arrested in Gilgit for alleged blasphemy is mentally ill and was recently being treated at a hospital, The Express Tribune has learnt PAGE 2

Natasha Ejaz

Bahrain’s opposition group Wefaq has accepted Kuwait as a mediator with Bahrain’s government to end a political crisis gripping the kingdom PAGE 8

FLYING START

World Champion earned his 11th win in his 63rd Grand Prix, beating McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton and Russian Vitaly Petrov PAGE 15

Vettel

THE THE EXPRESS EXPRESS TRIBUNE, TRIBUNE, DECEMBER DECEMBER 4, 4, 2011 2011

Former Fo Former president Fo president Pervez Pervez Musharraf Musharraf

Rs200m A journey of neglect,

A A ‘SAINTLY’ ‘SAINTLY’ EXPENDITURE EXPENDITURE

was approved by President Asif Ali Zardari as a special grant for Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine and other development projects in Sehwan. PPIPPI

"Hoti: Halting Nato supply lines, asking for vacating Shamsi Airbase and refusing to attend Bonn Conference clearly delineate Pakistan’s stance on Nato attack Khyber-Pakthunkhwa Khyber-Pakthunkhwa Chief Chief Minister Minister Ameer Ameer Haider Haider Khan Khan Hoti Hoti

CONDEMNATION CONDEMNATION

Catholic clerics deplore air strike FAISALABAD. FAISALABAD. The The Pakistan Pakistan Catholic Catholic Bishops’ Bishops’ Conference Conference (PCBC) (PCBC) has has condemned condemned the the Nato Nato air air strike strike on on the the country’s country’s check-posts, check-posts, martyring martyring aa number number of of Pakistan Pakistan Army Army soldiers soldiers and and two two officers. officers. On On behalf behalf of of the the Christian Christian community, community, the the bishops bishops expressed expressed shock shock and and concern concern over over the the incident incident and and termed termed the the air air strike strike as as aa direct direct attack attack on on the the sovereignty sovereignty and and integrity integrity of of Pakistan. Pakistan. They They said said the the acts acts violate violate interinternational national law law and and expressed expressed sympathy sympathy and and solidarity solidarity with with the the victims’ victims’ families. families. Bishop Bishop Joseph Joseph Coutts Coutts President President PCBC PCBC said said the the soldiers soldiers sacrificed sacrificed their their lives lives for for their their country. country. He He paid paid glowing glowing tributes tributes to to their their patriotism. patriotism. OUR OUR CORRESPONDENT CORRESPONDENT

FRESH FRESH LOYALTIES LOYALTIES

PPP welcomes former ANP members MALAKAND. MALAKAND. Prominent Prominent members members of of the the Awani Awani National National Party, Party, such such as as Rehmat Rehmat Gul Gul of of Dargai Dargai and and his his family, family, have have announced announced allegiance allegiance to to the the Pakistan Pakistan Peoples Peoples Party Party (PPP) (PPP) at at aa gathering gathering held held in in Sakhalot. Sakhalot. Former Former Nazim Nazim Ahmad Ahmad Ali Ali Shah Shah was was also also in in attendance attendance and and said said that that the the PPP PPP has has aa history history of of extraordinary extraordinary struggle struggle against against the the non-democratic non-democratic forces forces that that are are disrupting disrupting developdevelopment ment and and progress progress of of the the country. country. People’s People’s party party reprerepresentatives sentatives welcomed welcomed the the new new members members and and assured assured that that they they would would be be duly duly respected respected and and consulted consulted in in all all district district level level party party decisions. decisions. APP APP

A QAISER BUTT

The second of a three-part series follows the money trail “A “A focus focus on on the the freight freight departdepartment ment can can turn turn around around the the financial financial woes woes of of Pakistan Pakistan Railways,” Railways,” says says the the head head of of public public relations relations for for the the ailailing ing organisation, organisation, Abdul Abdul Hameed Hameed Razil, Razil, who who is is adaadamant mant that that funds funds are are not not being being misappropriated. misappropriated. “The “The prime prime minister minister anannounced nounced aa bail-out bail-out package package last last year year but but we we have have not not rereceived ceived aa single single rupee rupee of of the the 11 11 billion billion that that was was promised,” promised,” Razil Razil adds, adds, putting putting the the blame blame squarely squarely on on the the government. government. Investigations Investigations into into the the multi-billion-rupee multi-billion-rupee organisaorganisation tion also also revealed revealed that that more more than than 10,000 10,000 acres acres of of land land was was owned owned by by Pakistan Pakistan Railways Railways in in prime prime locations locations across across all all four four provinces. provinces. A A report report compiled compiled by by the the National National Assembly`s Assembly`s standing standing comcommittee mittee on on railways railways and and prepresented sented to to the the public public accounts accounts committee committee stated stated that that the the revrevenue enue potential potential of of the the alleged alleged land land could could reach reach around around Rs10 Rs10 billion billion annually. annually. However, However, the the mismanagemismanagement ment of of Pakistan Pakistan Railways Railways cannot cannot be be applied applied in in this this spespecific cific situation. situation. Rather, Rather, the the blame blame lies lies with with the the failure failure of of various various administrative administrative departdepartments ments which which have have rendered rendered the the organisation organisation helpless. helpless. With With more more than than 382 382 court court cases cases on on these these lands, lands, civic civic

FUNCTIONAL

90 engines engines are are on on the the tracks tracks –– out out of of aa total total fleet fleet strength strength of of 500 500

agencies agencies have have allowed allowed katchi katchi abadis abadis and and encroachments encroachments to to thrive thrive on on PR PR property property for for years. years. Residents Residents have have made made permanent permanent structures structures –– and and PR PR officials officials say say that that without without the the help help of of law law enforcement enforcement agencies agencies the the property property cannot cannot be be cleared. cleared. “Besides “Besides the the illegal illegal settlesettlements, ments, we we are are also also facing facing conconstant stant trouble trouble from from provincial provincial governments, governments, who who demand demand aa share share when when revenue revenue is is gengenerated erated through through these these lands, lands, once once cleared,” cleared,” claims claims Razil, Razil, adding adding that that the the dispute dispute bebetween tween the the federal federal and and provinprovincial cial governments governments over over PR PR land land revenue revenue collection collection had had been been going going on on for for 15 15 years years and and was was currently currently being being heard heard at at the the Council Council of of Common Common Interests. Interests. The The losses losses to to PR PR have have not not only only affected affected railway railway operaoperations tions but but have have also also led led to to the the delay delay in in salaries salaries and and pensions pensions of of employees. employees. “I “I had had to to wait wait

for for two two months months before before getting getting my my 13,000 13,000 rupees rupees pension,” pension,” says says Anwar Anwar Bhatti, Bhatti, the the breadbreadwinner winner for for aa family family of of five. five.

UN UN estimates estimates for for Pakistan Pakistan population population (in (in millions): millions):

1950

37.542

Corruption Corruption or or mismanagement? mismanagement?

1960

45.920

PR PR officials officials have have said said that that the the shortage shortage of of funds funds has has been been the the biggest biggest obstacle obstacle in in reviving reviving the the organisation. organisation. However, However, Minister Minister for for Railways Railways Haji Haji Ghulam Ghulam Ahmad Ahmad Bilour Bilour has has openly openly accepted accepted that that there there is is corruption corruption in in PR. PR. “I “I don’t don’t say say that that there there is is no no corruption corruption in in my my ministry ministry but but the the question question is is which which ministry ministry has has no no corruption,” corruption,” Bilour Bilour said said in in October October 2010 2010 on on the the floor floor of of the the National National Assembly. Assembly. Furthermore, Furthermore, corruption corruption is is not not limited limited to to those those in in sesenior nior positions. positions. Low-level Low-level corcorruption ruption is is hurting hurting Pakistan Pakistan Railways Railways as as well well –– for for examexample, ple, at at least least 50% 50% of of losses losses are are caused caused by by ticket-less ticket-less travel. travel. “I “I boarded boarded the the train train near near Rawalpindi Rawalpindi after after aa ticket ticket teller teller told told me me he he could could provide provide me me aa ticket,” ticket,” says says Iftikhar, Iftikhar, aa frefrequent quent passenger passenger of of the the railrailway way network. network. “But “But instead instead of of giving giving me me aa ticket ticket at at the the beginning beginning of of the the journey, journey, he he handed handed me me aa ticket ticket at at the the end end of of the the journey journey of of aa shorter shorter route,” route,” Iftikhar Iftikhar claims, claims, addadding ing that that he he paid paid Rs130 Rs130 for for aa ticket ticket worth worth Rs25. Rs25. “The “The teller teller applied applied that that method method with with

1970

59.383

1980

80.493

1990

111.845

2000

144.522

2010

173.593

" The prime minister announced a bail-out package last year but we have not received a single rupee of the 11 billion promised PR PR spokesperson spokesperson Abdul Abdul Hameed Hameed Razil Razil

every every one one of of us us who who boarded boarded the the train train from from my my village.” village.” While While many many passengers passengers preprefer fer to to buy buy their their tickets tickets at at the the last last minute, minute, aa trip trip to to the the reserreservation vation desk desk showed showed that that aa mamajority jority of of seats seats had had been been booked booked in in advance, advance, with with aa two-week two-week wait wait for for some some trains. trains. But But who who buys buys these these tickets? tickets? Some Some passengers passengers travelling travelling from from Karachi Karachi revealed revealed that that they they bought bought tickets tickets from from aa

friend friend who who was was selling selling ticktickets ets on on the the black black market market for for Rs4,000 Rs4,000 each, each, showing showing aa ticket ticket worth worth Rs3,500. Rs3,500. The The passengers passengers claimed claimed that that the the even even though though they they were were in in the the wrong wrong for for buying buying ticktickets ets on on the the black black market, market, the the ticket ticket teller teller went went even even furfurther ther than than them them as as he he wanted wanted to to seat seat additional additional people people in in their their cabin cabin without without tickets. tickets. Once Once the the unwanted unwanted passenpassengers gers were were settled settled in in their their cabin cabin they they revealed revealed that that the the ticket ticket teller teller had had been been paid paid for for acaccommodating commodating them them into into first first class class while while they they held held economy economy class class tickets. tickets. Ticket Ticket tellers tellers have have in in essence essence found found their their own own mechanism mechanism to to generate generate revenue revenue for for themthemselves. selves. All All passengers passengers are are taken taken aboard aboard as as long long as as they they receive receive their their cut. cut. People People are are even even stacked stacked in in the the power power

" I don’t say that there is no corruption in my ministry but the question is which ministry has no corruption Minister Minister for for Railways Railways Haji Haji Ghulam Ghulam Ahmad Ahmad Bilour Bilour

generation generation bogey bogey for for cheap cheap tickets. tickets. A A passenger passenger exiting exiting one one of of these these bogeys bogeys at at Lahore Lahore Railway Railway station station said said he he had had paid paid Rs1,000 Rs1,000 for for aa trip trip from from Karachi Karachi to to Lahore. Lahore.“They “They told told us us that that we we will will get get seats seats but but II had had to to stand stand the the whole whole time time after after aa while while II got got tired tired and and lay lay down down in in the the corridor,” corridor,” says says the the passenger, passenger, showing showing aa handwritten handwritten note note of of the the amount amount he he paid. paid.

ISLAMABAD

The federal minister for states and frontier regions (Safron), Engr. Shaukatullah, has said that 150,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan are likely to be granted visa permits for a long-term stay in the country. Shaukat told The Express Tribune that his ministry has prepared a comprehensive proposal to arrange the visas for businessmen, students, skilled workers and widows who are among the Afghan refugees, some of whom have lived in Pakistan for 30 years. “The proposals are being finalised and will be implemented after approval,” the minister said. “We have been working with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees on the proposals for quite some time.” Safron has the consent of the all provincial governments on the issue, a senior official from the ministry told The Express Tribune. However, another official from the ministry of interior said a couple of provincial governments, including Punjab, have expressed reservations. The intelligence agencies and law enforcement departments are also worried over the proposals, as they could cause

HRCP to observe Dec 10 for province ISLAMABAD. ISLAMABAD. The The Human Human Rights Rights Commission Commission of of Pakistan Pakistan (HRCP) (HRCP) has has declared declared December December 10 10 as as the the International International Human Human Rights Rights Day Day in in solidarity solidarity with with the the people people of of Balochistan Balochistan this this year. year. HRCP HRCP offices, offices, human human rights rights activists activists and and volunteers volunteers across across Pakistan Pakistan will will express express solisolidarity darity with with the the people people of of Balochistan Balochistan on on December December 10. 10. Progress Progress on on Baloch Baloch issues issues and and democratic democratic management management of of these these will will also also be be highlighted highlighted in in different different moots. moots. PPI PPI

TUBERCULOSIS TUBERCULOSIS IN IN FATA FATA

Workshop advocates combating disease

DESIGN: DESIGN: ANAM ANAM HALEEM HALEEM

PESHAWAR. PESHAWAR. Directorate Directorate of of Health Health Services Services Fata Fata has has ventured ventured out, out, in in collaboration collaboration with with the the education education department department of of the the region, region, to to create create awareness awareness among among the the population population about about tuberculosis. tuberculosis. The The initiative initiative involves involves teachers teachers and and students students in in referring referring possible possible tuberculosis tuberculosis patients patients to to doctors doctors and and providing providing treatment. treatment. A A two-day two-day orientation orientation workshop workshop was was organised organised for for this this purpose, purpose, chaired chaired by by the the Director Director Health Health Services Services Fata, Fata, Dr Dr Fawad Fawad Khan Khan where where participants participants were were trained trained on on advocacy advocacy communication communication and and social social mobilisation mobilisation to to create create awareness awareness on on how how to to combat combat tuberculosis. tuberculosis. APP APP

LOCAL LOCAL VOICES VOICES

Bahawalpur’s traffic congestion Although Although Bahawalpur Bahawalpur is is aa relatively relatively small small city, city, there there are are no no alternate alternate roads roads except except the the Circular Circular Road Road and and aa handful handful of of narrow narrow bazaars. bazaars. The The roads, roads, which which are are used used for for transportation, transportation, are are so so narrow narrow that that itit causes causes frequent frequent traffic traffic jams jams every every now now and and then. then. ItIt appears appears that that the the traffic traffic control control authorities authorities are are sound sound asleep. asleep. When When the the Circular Circular Road Road was was being being expanded, expanded, its its width width was was more more than than what what itit is is now, now, probprobably ably because because the the future future needs needs were were underestimated. underestimated. Similarly, Similarly, no no one one seemed seemed to to have have thought thought about about where where the the cars cars would would be be parked parked when when the the plaza plaza maps maps were were being being drawn drawn up up in in the the Circular Circular Road’s Road’s vicinity. vicinity. No No designated designated area area was was assigned assigned for for parking parking purposes. purposes. Reportedly, Reportedly, “hush-hush” “hush-hush” money money was was involved involved and and aa corrupt corrupt mafia mafia of of Tehsil Tehsil Municipal Municipal Corporation Corporation (TMA) (TMA) accepted accepted black black money. money. Now, Now, people people park park their their vehicles vehicles on on roads roads causing causing traffic traffic bottlenecks. bottlenecks.

Despite Despite this, this, ifif aa proper proper system system to to regulate regulate traffic traffic was was implemented implemented with with responsible responsible traffic traffic police police officers officers and and ememployees, ployees, the the situation situation could could be be improved. improved. Auto Auto rickshaws rickshaws cause cause another another major major obstruction. obstruction. The The traffic traffic police police in in the the city city appear appear to to be be indifferent indifferent to to the the situation. situation. Roads Roads are are blocked blocked by by staging staging aa rickshaw rickshaw stand stand at at areas areas like like the the Chowak Chowak Bazar, Bazar, Farid Farid Gate Gate and and Phulown Phulown Wala Wala Chowk. Chowk. Due Due to to this, this, pedestrians pedestrians especially especially women, women, suffer suffer tremendously. tremendously. Many Many times times residents residents of of the the inner inner city city also also face face problems problems to to reach reach home home after after work. work. The The main main reason reason behind behind Bahawalpur’s Bahawalpur’s abysmal abysmal traffic traffic situation situation is is that that there there are are virtuvirtually ally no no traffic traffic signals signals in in the the city. city. Irrespective Irrespective of of countless countless false false announcements, announcements, signals signals have have still still not not been been installed. installed. THIS THISEDITORIAL, EDITORIAL,SELECTED SELECTEDAND AND TRANSLATED TRANSLATEDBY BYKASHIF KASHIFZAFAR, ZAFAR,WAS WAS PUBLISHED PUBLISHEDIN INBAHAWALPUR’S BAHAWALPUR’SDAILY DAILY SAYADAT SAYADATON ONNOVEMBER NOVEMBER30, 30,2011. 2011.

Paying tribute

Orakzai and Kurram operations

‘Pakistan should adhere to teachings of its scholars’

12 militants killed as security forces advance

" We will have to prove ourselves as true Muslims who value Islam’s message of equality

A A AH AH NIZAMI NIZAMI MIRPUR MIRPUR

Pakistan Pakistan can can emerge emerge as as aa sucsuccessful cessful nation nation by by strictly strictly adadhering hering to to the the teachings teachings of of its its scholars, scholars, Pakistan Pakistan Supreme Supreme Court Court Bar Bar Association Association former former president president Aitzaz Aitzaz Ahsan Ahsan said said on on Saturday. Saturday. Ahsan Ahsan was was speaking speaking at at the the 10th 10thannual annualMian MianMuhammad Muhammad Buksh Buksh (RA) (RA) conference conference organorganised ised by by the the Mian Mian Muhammad Muhammad Buksh Buksh Society Society to to pay pay tribute tribute to to the the mystic mystic poet/ poet/ scholar scholar for for his his contributions contributions to to the the nation. nation. Eminent Eminent Ulema Ulema and and other other religious religious scholars scholars presented presented

SCBA SCBA former former president president Aitzaz Aitzaz Ahsan Ahsan

his his famous famous poetic poetic antholanthology ogy Saif-al-Malook Saif-al-Malook on on the the occasion. occasion. Azad Azad Jammu Jammu and and Kashmir Kashmir (AJK) (AJK) Supreme Supreme Court Court Chief Chief Justice Justice Muhammad Muhammad Azam Azam Khan Khan chaired chaired the the event. event. Pilgrims, Pilgrims, including including admiradmirers ers of of the the poet poet from from various various parts parts of of the the country country were were in in attendance. attendance. By By acting acting upon upon the the teachings teachings of of Islam Islam and and following following in in the the

footsteps footsteps of of great great preachers, preachers, supporters supporters and and custodians custodians of of human human values values based based on on equality, equality, Ahsan Ahsan said said “we “we will will have have to to prove prove ourselves ourselves as as true true Muslims”. Muslims”. Referring Referring to to the the ongoing ongoing political political situation situation in in the the country, country, Ahsan Ahsan emphasised emphasised on on the the “wise “wise use” use” of of ballot ballot in in order order to to be be ensure ensure aa change change in in the the country’s country’s political political system, system, adding, adding,“Otherwise “Otherwise the the idea idea of of

bringing bringing change change could could prove prove futile.” futile.” He He emphasised emphasised on on the the need need to to establish establish tolerance tolerance within within the the society. society. Aitzaz Aitzaz said said he he had had aa “deep“deeprooted, rooted, heart-felt heart-felt affiliation” affiliation” with with Kashmir. Kashmir. He He pointed pointed out out that that his his mother mother and and paternal paternal grandfather grandfather had had sworn sworn in in 1948 1948 that that neither neither would would don don silk silk clothes clothes nor nor wear wear jewelry jewelry unless unless the the state state of of Jammu Jammu and and Kashmir Kashmir was was liberated. liberated. Ahsan Ahsan paid paid rich rich tributes tributes to to the the legal legal fraternity fraternity of of AJK AJK for for their their enthusiastic enthusiastic support support for for the the lawyers’ lawyers’ movement movement in in Pakistan Pakistan which which he he said said had had led led to to the the restoration restoration of of the the judiciary judiciary and and had had rid rid the the country country off off the the long long dictatorial dictatorial rule rule of of former former president president Pervez Pervez Musharraf. Musharraf.

Helicopter gunships used in attack on militant hideouts A A OUR OUR CORRESPONDENT CORRESPONDENT PESHAWAR PESHAWAR

Army Army helicopter helicopter gunships gunships pounded pounded suspected suspected militant militant hideouts hideouts and and killed killed at at least least 12 12 militants militants in in the the Upper Upper Orakzai Orakzai Agency Agency on on Friday. Friday.Two Two security security personnel personnel also also sustained sustained injuinjuries ries in in the the operation. operation. There There were were two two main main opoperations. erations. Helicopter Helicopter gunships gunships bombed bombed militant militant hideouts hideouts early early morning morning in in the the Zakhtan, Zakhtan, Arhang Arhang and and Shakkar Shakkar Tangi Tangi areas areas of of the the agency, agency, killing killing eight eight militants militants and and destroying destroying three three hideouts hideouts in in the the process, process, sources sources said. said. A A late late Thursday Thursday night night encounter encounter between between militants militants and and security security forces forces in in the the Khadezai Khadezai area area of of the the agency agency killed killed four four militants, militants,

while while two two security security personnel personnel were were injured. injured. “Troops “Troops were were advancing advancing in in the the Inzar Inzar Kalay Kalay area area when when the the militants militants attacked, attacked, two two of of the the security security men men were were injured,” injured,” said said an an official. official. According According to to sources, sources, the the injured injured were were shifted shifted to to the the Kalaya Kalaya Hospital. Hospital. Several Several militants militants have have been been killed killed and and scores scores injured injured since since targeted targeted attacks attacks have have been been launched launched to to clear clear Orakzai Orakzai and and Kurram Kurram agencies. agencies. An An operaoperation tion was was launched launched in in Orakzai Orakzai Agency Agency in in March March last last year year and and in in Kurram Kurram this this summer. summer. Security Security forces forces also also launched launched aa massive massivecrackdown crackdownagainst againstmilmilitants itantsin inUpper UpperOrakzai OrakzaiAgency Agency two two weeks weeks ago ago to to clear clear the the reremaining maining parts parts of of the the agency agency of of Tehreek-i-Taliban Tehreek-i-Taliban militants. militants. Security Security forces forces have have inincreased creased their their advances advances in in the the agencies agencies over over the the past past few few days. days.

Benazir Bhutto murder case

Court issues last warning to Musharraf’s spouse Judge may move ex parte if Sehba Musharraf fails to turn up again A A MUDASSIR MUDASSIR RAJA RAJA RAWALPINDI RAWALPINDI

The The judge judge of of an an anti-terroranti-terrorism ism court court hearing hearing the the Benazir Benazir Bhutto Bhutto murder murder case case expressed expressed his his annoyance annoyance over over the the ababsence sence of of lawyers lawyers representrepresenting ing former former first first lady lady Sehba Sehba Musharraf, Musharraf, warning warning of of an an ex ex parte parte decision. decision. Special Special Judge Judge ATC-I ATC-I Shahid Shahid Rafique Rafique observed observed on on Saturday Saturday that that he he might might proceed proceed ex ex

parte parte to to decide decide the the applicaapplication tion of of Sehba Sehba Musharraf Musharraf on on the the next next date date of of hearing hearing if if her her lawyers lawyers fail fail to to turn turn up up again. again. The The applicant applicant had had chalchallenged lenged aa decision decision of of the the court court that that declared declared her her husband husband former former president president Pervez Pervez Musharraf Musharraf aa proclaimed proclaimed ofoffender, fender, after after he he avoided avoided court court proceedings proceedings in in the the case case in in which which he he was was cited cited an an accused. accused. Special Special Public Public Prosecutor Prosecutor Chaudhry Chaudhry Zulfiqar Zulfiqar Ali Ali had had already already raised raised objection objection over over the the maintenance maintenance of of the the apapplication, plication, saying saying Sehba Sehba Musharraf Musharraf had had not not signed signed the the

Special Public Prosecutor Ali had already raised objection over the application, saying Sehba had not signed it herself

Separately, the court formally initiated a formal trial in the case and recorded the statements of two police officers application application herself. herself. He He further further argued argued that that under under the the criminal criminal procedure procedure law, law, no no proclaimed proclaimed offender offender could could be be represented represented in in ababsence sence unless unless he/she he/she was was eieither ther arrested arrested or or had had obtained obtained bail bail from from the the court court of of law. law. Separately, Separately, the the court court forformally mally initiated initiated aa formal formal trial trial

AT AT RISK?: RISK?: Sehba Sehba Musharraf Musharraf with with husband. husband. PHOTO: PHOTO: FILE FILE in in the the case case and and recorded recorded the the statements statements of of two two police police ofof-

ficers ficers who who were were deputed deputed at at Rawalpindi’s Rawalpindi’s City City police police stasta-

KABEERWAALA. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Sami (JUI-S) and Difa-ePakistan Council President Maulana Samiul Haq claims that his party and the Difa-e-Pakistan Council are not interested in politics and only want the enactment of a pure Islamic political system in Pakistan. He also said that Imran Khan does not want to enrage the US so he should not ‘bluff’ the religious parties by trying to support both sides. OUR CORRESPONDENT

tion tion on on December December 27, 27, 2007, 2007, when when former former prime prime minister minister Benazir Benazir Bhutto Bhutto and and 24 24 of of her her supporters supporters were were killed killed in in aa gun gun and and bomb bomb attack. attack. The The court court summoned summoned as as many many as as eight eight more more prosecuprosecution tion witnesses witnesses to to record record their their statements statements on on December December 10, 10, the the next next date date of of hearing. hearing.

The security services are also worried about the proposals numerous security problems. The official said the provincial governments are likely to express their opposition once the policy is made public. Shaukat is of the view that the proposals do not require approval by the federal cabinet or the ministry of provincial coordination. “The federal cabinet has nothing to do with the proposals,” he said. According to the official estimate, 1.7 million registered and 1 million non-registered Afghan refugees live in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the ministry of foreign affairs has vehemently rejected proposals by certain Western countries that suggested absorbing the entire Afghan refugee population in Pakistan permanently. “The suggestions came during the last general assembly sessions of the United Nation,” said an official from the ministry. “Those Western countries who are advocating the permanent stay for Afghan refugees should also share the financial burden of Pakistan.”

Senate elections

Coalition partners PPP, PML-Q also finalise negotiations A ABDUL MANAN LAHORE

All three major political parties in Punjab assembly have finalised their negotiations over the upcoming Senate elections in a bid to elect unopposed candidates on the basis of respective parties’ strength in the provincial assembly. According to sources, of the 12 available seats from Punjab – including 11 retiring senators and one seat for a minority candidate – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will get 7 seats, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will get 4 and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PMLQ) will get one. The 11 senators retiring in March 2012 include seven elected on general seats and two each on women and technocrat seats. The nonMuslim seat was added in the 18th Amendment. According to the agreed upon formula, the PML-N has been given four general and a women, technocrat and mi-

nority seat each. PPP’s four allocated seats include two general, and a women and technocrat seat. PML-Q has been allocated a general seat.

Female candidates Both PML-N and PPP have asked female applicants to gather support for their Senate candidature and show their strength to party leadership before the election date, March 2. PML-N’s female applicants are courting PML-Q dissidents for support while PPP’s applicants are in talks with PML-Q members to garner support for their candidature. Of the 81 members initially elected to Punjab Assembly on PML-Q ticket, 38 remain with the party – the remaining formed a ‘unification bloc’ which stands with the PML-N.

Coalition negotiations Sources add that coalition partners, PPP and PML-Q, have also finalised their negotiations

14%

A POOR STATE OF AFFAIRS

Big three carve out Punjab seats DIVISION

7 is the number of seats PML-N will get for unopposed candidates from Punjab, while

4 is the number of seats PPP will get

over the allocation of Senate seats. PML-Q, which will see 20 of its senators retire in March, has managed to solicit five seats for itself – one from Islamabad, one from Punjab, and three from Balochistan. The arrangement was confirmed by PML-Q’s parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly, Chaudhry Zahiruddin Khan.

Sources added that party’s former senator, Syed Mushahid Hussain, will be nominated, and elected unopposed, from Islamabad.

Twice as many The PML-N will reap the benefit of its majority in Punjab since only one of its senators, Ishaq Dar, will retire while the party will have seven new seats in the upper house, taking its total strength in the Senate post March to 13, from the current 7. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah confirmed that on the basis of its strength in the provincial assembly, PML-N will, most probably, elect unopposed candidates for seven seats in the upcoming Senate elections. PPP’s Tanvir Ashraf Kaira confirmed that his party would get four seats from Punjab in upcoming Senate elections. Of the party’s five senators graduating in March, one, Dr Babar Awan, belonged to Punjab.

of the total sanctioned posts for teachers were vacant in 76 of the 79 girls’ high schools monitored in 59 districts in Dec 2011. PPI

ARMED ATTACK

Security man killed, 10 others injured QUETTA. A security man was killed and ten others sustained injuries when a group of armed men attacked their convoy near Marget in Kachhi district on Tuesday night. According to sources, unidentified armed assailants fired rocket propelled grenade on security convoy, killing a security man on the spot while injuring ten others. The explosions were followed by intense firing. Local sources said there was exchange of firing between assailants and security personnel till late hours of the evening. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. OUR CORRESPONDENT

ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES

G-B Cabinet announces 3 new divisions GILGIT. Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Cabinet on Tuesday decided to divide region into three divisions for better administrative results. Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah said Gilgit, Hunza Nagar and Ghizer will be one division while district Astore and Diamer will be the second division. Baltistan region has already been notified and is functional. The CM said this action was taken in line with people’s aspirations and resolution passed by the assembly. APP

‘Govt-PML-N consensus’

Courting corruption

*1950s *1950s to to 1990s 1990s figures figures are are the the ten ten year year average. average. Figures Figures for for 2000s 2000s and and 2010s 2010s are are from from the the first first year year of of the the decade. decade.

Aitzaz addresses gathering in Mirpur, emphasises the need for ‘wise use’ of ballot

WASHINGTON. The US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Monday that the US was ‘gratified’ that Pakistan’s highest court had lifted travel curbs imposed on Husain Haqqani, the country’s scandal-hit former envoy to the United States. “We expect that Pakistan will resolve this situation and other internal issues in a transparent manner and upholding Pakistani laws and constitution,” Nuland added. AFP

Making money in the corridors Covert talks held over of the courts

In the second of a three-part series, we interview a tout in the lower courts A TAHA SIDDIQUI

BALOCH BALOCH RIGHTS RIGHTS

NEW POLITICAL SYSTEM

JUI-S calls out Imran’s ‘bluff’

150,000 Afghans will be granted long-term visas

incompetence and corruption

LAHORE LAHORE

HUSAIN HAQQANI

US ‘gratified’ at lifting of travel ban

30-year issue

Pakistan Railways Special Report

A A TAHA TAHA SIDDIQUI SIDDIQUI

A A RESOLUTE RESOLUTE STANCE STANCE

THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE, FEBRUARY 1, 2012

"Mu "Musharraf: Who is the real commander of Taliban? Is it Mullah Umar, Hikmatyar or Haqqani? Then there are several Mulla oth other groups which make negotiations a difficult prospect

LAHORE

According to the latest judicial statistics, published by the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, more than 1.2 million cases are pending in courts around the country. This is due to chronic flaws in the judicial process. One such flaw is the existence of touts, which has led to serious corruption in the lower courts. A meeting with Abdul Razaq, who works in a district court, was an eyeopener in this regard. “We can manage all sorts of bails,

witness provision and legal advice – whatever the accusation is,” he says, and adds that he is an assistant to a senior advocate of the Lahore High Court (LHC). He wishes to keep his boss’s name secret for the interview, but hands out a business card which states the LHC lawyer’s details, on whose behalf he hunts clients every day in the district court. Razaq, who sits in his single room office at the courts, boasts that he helps many people everyday who need the law on their side. “All I need is an FIR and the ID card of the accused, and we can manage a witness to speak on his behalf, and even procure property to pay off the bond for bail, if any”. According to Razaq, be it kidnapping for ransom, or a murder-related case, one just needs to spend money to bring the court on one’s side, after which the police cannot touch the client.

" All I need is an FIR and the ID card of the accused, and we can manage a witness to speak on his behalf Abdul Razaq

“The accused doesn’t even have to present himself in front of the judge. We can manage everything including the bail within 24 hours,” he adds. Razaq says that, after going over the nature and gravity of each case, he issues the client with a price list for services. “For just pre-arrest bail, we charge six thousand rupees but if you need a fake witness and an asset for the bond, another four thousand rupees can do the trick,” he

Razaq says that, after going over the nature and gravity of each case, he issues the client with a price list for services

clarifies as he dials his cell phone to talk to his boss, telling him about a client sitting with him who is looking for a witness to state on oath that his cousin, who has been accused of a kidnapping, has nothing to do with it. Touts like Razaq are not alone in the money-making business which goes on in the corridors of the lower courts and traces up all the way to the higher courts. Ali Bajwa, a young lawyer at the lower court who fights civil suits, criminal cases and provides legal assistance to his father at the Supreme Court, agrees that fake witnesses and false documents with properties that do not exist is a routine practice. “There is no computerised database to cross-check witness backgrounds, property papers, and so on. To conduct it manually takes too long, therefore the registrar overlooks many details, resulting in such corruption,” Bajwa adds, again pointing to the heavy backlog of cases.

20th amendment Proposed amendment will give MPs elected under incomplete ECP legal cover A QAMAR ZAMAN ISLAMABAD

Hectic and last-minute efforts are being made by the government to seek support from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at providing legal protection to over two dozen MPs. The lawmakers in question were elected during a period when the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had an incomplete body. Sources in the PML-N said that opposition senator Ishaq Dar and Federal Water and Power Minister Syed Naveed Qamar were holding talks in Islamabad to evolve a consensus over the bill. “Negotiations are going on… we are hopeful that we’ll find some middle ground. A consensus is in sight but not an

Policy towards Afghanistan

Support dialogue, not dictation, politicians tell Pakistan " Pakistan should concentrate on socio-economic cooperation, instead of geo-strategic obsession

Conference participants urge Islamabad to commit to non-interference A OUR CORRESPONDENTS PESHAWAR

The left and right may have arrived at a middle ground vis-àvis peace in Afghanistan. Parties from across the political spectrum, on both sides of the Durand Line, agreed on Tuesday that the international community, including Pakistan, should commit itself to non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

Pakistan ought to … War is not a solution to anything, and therefore, we have to support dialogue among Afghans, not dictate their affairs, said Jamiat Ulema-eIslam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at a day-long conference, The Afghan Issue: Regional Implications and Suggestions for Sustainable

ANP Provincial President Afrasyab Khattak

Afghan voices PEACE INITIATIVE: Political parties say war is not a solution. PHOTO: IFTIKHAR FIRDOUS/EXPRESS

Peace, organised by Center for Discussions and Solutions (CDS). Pakistan is heading towards isolation and has virtually been left out of playing any role in the ongoing dialogue between US and the Taliban, Fazl said. The JUI-F chief also insisted that Pakistan needs to mend fences with its neighbours, especially India, otherwise it risks turning into a ‘security state.’ Pakistan should concentrate on socio-economic

cooperation, instead of geostrategic obsession, said Awami National Party provincial president Afrasyab Khattak. He added that the country should try to befriend the Afghan people, not any particular group. Balkanization of Afghanistan would not spare Pakistan, Khattak cautioned. Former Jamaat-e-Islami chief, and chairman CDS, Qazi Hussain Ahmed also said that Pakistan should support the dialogue.

Senior Hizb-e-Islami leader Ghairat Baheer said that CIA Director David Petraeus was ‘overlooking’ reconciliation talks in Afghanistan and had personally met him thrice in Kabul. Son-in-law of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Baheer said the reconciliation in Afghanistan was ‘real’ this time. “We don’t have any demands in these talks,” said Baheer. “We are seeking a package deal which includes a complete withdrawal of troops and a peaceful transition of power.”

“Talks would have to have a broader spectrum and all factions will have to be taken on board for a complete solution,” he said, adding that his party did not demand any office or release of prisoners. “I hope talks with the Taliban will be successful in Qatar, but Pakistan will have to play a positive role,” he added. The Afghan people want foreign forces to leave their country and will continue to fight until that happens, said former Afghan prime minister Ahmed Shah Ahmedzai, who is now heading the United National Front against Presence of Western Bases in Afghanistan. Any solution to the issue should be broad based, Ahmedzai said, adding that if the Taliban come to power again, our message for them is they should not act like they did in the past. Former intelligence chiefs Gen (retd) Hamid Gul and Gen Asad Durrani also spoke at the conference.

immediate possibility,” the sources added. Earlier this month, the government moved the 20th Amendment Bill in order to provide legal cover to the actions of the chief election commissioner (CEC) during a time when the ECP was incomplete according to definitions provided by the 18th Amendment. The amendment directed the government to appoint a permanent election commission body comprising the CEC as well as one retired High Court judge from each of the four provinces. The government appointed four retired High Court judges as members of the ECP last year. However, the posts remained vacant from April 2010 – when the amendment was passed – till their appointment in June 2011. During this period, by-elections were held for a number of parliamentary seats, despite the ECP being virtually incomplete. On January 30, the National

The bill is likely to be passed by both the National Assembly and Senate, possibly by next week, irrespective of PML-N’s stance Assembly standing committee on law and justice had approved the draft of the 20th Amendment bill even while the opposition PML-N boycotted the meeting. The PML-N is pressing the government to have a nonpartisan, neutral and independent ECP by inducting an impartial CEC and to get new election laws enacted before the next parliamentary polls. The lower house is going to meet this evening (Wednesday) and the bill is likely to be tabled before the house as the Supreme Court had told the government that if the amendment was not adopted by Feb 6, the election of 29 MNAs and MPAs may be declared illegal.

The bill is likely to be approved by the federal cabinet, scheduled to meet today (Wednesday). The bill is also likely to be passed by both the National Assembly and Senate, possibly by the end of next week, irrespective of PML-N’s stance. The government’s allies — Pakistan Muslim LeagueQuaid (PML-Q), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party and members from tribal areas — are all likely to support the amendment. The combined strength of allied partners should allow them to comfortably meet the two-third majority needed in both houses of parliament to pass the amendment. PML-Q’s Riaz Fatiyana and MQM’s Iqbal Qadri have already voiced their support for the amendment during the committee’s meeting, indicating their respective parties will be on board to support the bill when it comes to the National Assembly and Senate.

Adviser to the chief minister, Haleem Adil Sheikh