May Edition 2011

NHS regulator predicts deeper Hospital cuts Monitor says hospitals may have to make efficiency savings of up to 50% higher than previous predictions Labour's health spokesman John Healey said: 'With all eyes on the royal wedding, the government is trying to bury bad news on the NHS.' Photograph: Lorne Campbell/Guzelian Labour has accused health bosses of burying bad news on royal wedding day when it emerged that the health regulator Monitor had predicted hospitals would have to make efficiency savings up to 50% higher than previously envisaged.

Monitor, in a letter to NHS foundation trusts dated 27 April and released on Thursday, said the higher efficiency savings were partly due to inflation rising above predicted levels.

Monitor oversees NHS foundation trusts and assesses applications for foundation status. It is due to become the overall regulator for the whole of the NHS under the government shakeup.

It suggested average savings of up to 7% a year may be required in the acute sector over the next five years, compared with the 4% called for by the Department of Health as part of efforts to slash £20bn from running costs.

Monitor's financial assumptions are used to assess trust applicants and to rate the risks of invest-

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ments and transactions undertaken by existing NHS foundation trusts.

It says it has revised its estimate owing to: • A Treasury health settlement that "represents a substantial challenge to the NHS given expected demand growth".

• Significant inflationary pres-

sures noted in projections by the Office for Budget Responsibility before the 2011 budget.

• The impact of specific tariff rules The ministry conceded Monitor's assessment would be "challenging" for the NHS but said it was the "more pessimistic" of two scenarios set out by the regulator.

Shadow health secretary John Healey said: "With all eyes on the royal wedding, the government is trying to bury bad news on the NHS. This confirms that the com-

bination of broken promises on NHS funding and reorganisation is putting a huge strain on hospitals. David Cameron must halt his high-risk, high-cost overhaul of the NHS." A Monitor spokeswoman said: "The changes to the economic environment mean all trusts will need to plan accordingly and

some savings will be required.

However, we should be clear that these assumptions are a reflection of the risks in the external environment; they are not a directive to make cuts.

"Trusts will need to take account of the individual circumstances that exist within their local health economy, which could mean that they will need to take either a more optimistic or pessimistic approach than the one set out by Monitor."

Tory MPs in secret moves to overturn Yes vote!

Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted that the result must stand whatever the turnout Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted that the result must stand whatever the turnout Senior Conservatives are secretly planning to try to thwart the result of next week’s AV referendum if it delivers a ‘yes’ vote on a derisory turnout.

MPs and peers are furious that the coalition blocked attempts to introduce a requirement that 40 per cent of voters should participate for the result to be valid.

Though the latest polls suggest the no camp has taken a commanding lead of up to 20 points, there is huge uncertainty over how differing turnouts in different parts of the country will affect the result.

Both sides expect the outcome to be far closer than polls suggest. Between 50 per cent and 60 per cent of those being surveyed claim they will take part in the referendum, while the actual turnout is expected to be far lower and dependent on whether local or regional elections are also taking place in particular areas.

David Cameron has insisted that the result must stand whatever the turnout, since that was the deal he struck with the Lib Dems, who demanded a referendum as their price

of entering a coalition with the Conservatives.

But Tory MPs and peers have secretly discussed how they might seek to overturn the result if the yes camp sneaks a victory, potentially

thanks to a strong yes vote in Scotland, where turnout will be high because parliamentary elections are also taking place on May 5.

One possibility is a last-ditch attempt in the House of Commons to block a switch to AV, in which candidates have to be ranked in order of preference.

Opponents would argue that the result lacked legitimacy because such an important constitutional change should have been approved by a majority of the public.

Leading by example Ch Musarat Ali Ilm News interviewed Chaudhry Musarat Ali, a well known and successful businessman in Manchester to know his thoughts on his country of origin, Pakistan.

The United Kingdom and Pakistan have a long history of good relationships. The UK has ruled the subcontinent for almost one hun-

dred years and Pakistan took independence from the British Empire and now is a member of the Commonwealth which consists of those countries who were the colonies of Great Britain before their independence. Both countries have ideal diplomatic relations.

Read more on page ...8

Inside

Pervez Musharaf Page 4 Moin Akhtar Page 8 Bradford Local Election Page 21 Bradford Dairy Page 28 END of the World Page 32.

Allama Iqbal Sunday Cricket League PMC Season 2011 starts.

Chairman PMC Ch M Ali addressed the league captains and club secretaries in a Handbook meeting, He welcomed all the clubs especially new-comers.

“Like previous years we must play in good spirit, respect each other and must set an example for others, we should get all the youngsters involved so that we have a healthy community”, he added.

Chairman Sports PMC, Syed Fayyaz Hussain said that not only we want to involve youngster but we also want to involve our business community. “I am greatful to all the sponsors who have contributed towards the league”.

“We welcome all the clubs.

Secretary Zeeshan Naqvi explained that the league is now fully affiliated with ECB & YCB and also explained how the online system will work.

Treasurer Afraz Khan, handed over the balls to the club reps, Ibrar Khan also welcomed all clubs and Zahid Saleem recited with the recitation of Quran.

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Guantanamo Bay Terror Suspect ‘Held For 18

Months After Being Declared Safe’ was imprisoned by the Taliban Wikileaks shows how Al-Harith

A Manchester man who was detained as a terror suspect at Guantanamo Bay spent 18 months behind bars despite a US general recommending his release. Jamal Al-Harith was held at the maximum security Camp Delta at the US Navy base in Cuba for a total of two years, where he claims he was tortured. But new documents show he had been recommended for release just six months after his capture by American forces.

The 44-year-old from Moss Side, originally Ronald Fiddler, converted to Islam in his 20s and said he went to Pakistan for a ‘religious retreat’. But he

in Afghanistan as a western spy was recommended for release in and later detained byAmerican September, 2002. Major General Michael Dunlavey concluded he ‘was not affiliated to al-Qaeda or a Taliban leader’. Despite the conclusion, Al-Harith remained in custody for a further 18 months. A ruling on the detainee signed by Major General Geoffrey D Miller in July, 2003, overturns the original assessment, insisting ‘this detainee possesses a special forces. He was taken to high threat to the US, its interests Guantanamo in February, 2002, and allies’. It remains unclear where he remained until his re- why the assessment was later lease in March 2004. changed again, prompting AlNow documents released by Harith’s release in March, 2004.

Manchester Council Takes Fat Families To Supermarkets GROWING PROBLEM: Childhood obesity is on the rise Families with obese children are being taken to supermarkets for lessons on buying healthy food – at the taxpayers’ expense.

The trips are being offered free to people in deprived parts of Manchester. They are part of a ‘healthy lifestyle’ programme that would normally cost £400.

But they are being offered free to dozens of families in Wythenshawe, Gorton and Harpurhey.

The bill will be met by the city’s joint health unit – funded by NHS Manchester and the city council.

A total of 30 families, who must

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have an overweight child between seven and 13, are expected to sign up – meaning a total bill of £12,000. Bosses say the 10week course will help families to become fitter, healthier and happier. Participants will take part in workshops to learn about nutrition and how to maintain a balanced diet.

Parents will be told to set weightloss goals, while their children are put through their paces in games. The families will then be taken on tours of local supermarkets where children will be encouraged to ‘turn detective’ and investigate the contents of

food products from their labels.

Families will be urged to ditch junk food for fruit and vegetables – and programme bosses are confident it will help to cut obesity. Nearly one in four adults in Greater Manchester is obese.

Manchester has the region’s highest obesity rate, and the 13th highest nationally, with almost a quarter of 10 and 11-yearolds dangerously overweight, according to the government’s child measurement programme.

Forecasts predict that more than 1.7m men and women in Greater Manchester will be overweight by 2020.

Bradford Metal Thefts

Metal thefts across the Bradford district have reached “epidemic” proportions. As the price of metal continues to rise sharply, thieves are ripping lead from church roofs, gully lids from roads, metal barriers from parks and even railings from children’s play areas. Metal thefts from churches in the Bradford Diocese have cost at least £300,000 during the last four years. The insurers’ claims come as Bradford Council admitted spending more than £100,000 during the past year to replace metal items including gates, barriers and drain covers

stolen around the district. And next month Network Rail is set to release figures detailing the theft of metal cabling from railway lines up and down the country, with Yorkshire expected to be a criminal hotspot. In one of the latest incidents, thieves tried to steal signalling cable on two occasions from the same line, causing chaos for commuters.

From 2002 levels, the price of lead scrap has risen 400 per cent, heavy brass is up 500 per cent and stainless steel now sells at 550 per cent higher than nine years ago. Meanwhile, heavy copper

has risen more than 600 per cent and insulated copper cable is up 700 per cent on 2002 figures.

There has been an increase in thefts since 2007 as prices started increasing. Bradford Council produced its figure for metal thefts over a 12-month period, 416 gully lids have been stolen at a cost of £48,000. In addition, over 454 metres of guard-rail has been replaced in 12 months at a cost of £45,500. Additionally, losses in parks amount to ten manhole covers, three gates, two barriers, 24 metres of play area railings with a value of £7,000.

‘An act which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to any other person not of the same household.’ The words may be unfamiliar to most people, but they describe an area of modern life that is seldom out of the news.

Few communities across Britain, whatever their size and location, have not experienced instances of anti-social behaviour.

Whether youths hanging about outside shops or a group of teenagers noisily messing around at the local cricket club after dark, it manifests itself in many forms.

In the year up to March 29, 2011, 12,290 calls to Bradford South Police reported anti-social behaviour – 14 per cent of the total of 86,000 calls to the division. This

represents a sizeable fall – 29 per cent – from the previous year, where 17,290 calls related to the problem. The drop is good news for the police, who have implemented a process to tackle the issue that is bringing good results.

In dealing with calls, the police follow a specific process which ensures that all are dealt with in the same way. This takes into account a number of factors. “We look at how many calls we’ve had to a particular location, the situation of the complainant, their vulnerability, whether any suspects are known, any action that has already been taken and what the complainant would like the outcome to be,” explains Insp Mills.

Officers examine each factor and

assess whether removing one could spell an end to the problem. And education plays a major role, making householders aware of issues that may seem fine to them, but are seen as a problem by neighbours, such as playing loud music. Young people may feel they are blamed for antisocial behaviour, they are not always the cause of problems. Antisocial Behaviour Orders (Asbos) – which are expected to be abolished by the Government later this year – are, she says, “a last resort,” implemented only after warnings, which prove sufficient in many cases. The force’s work to combat anti-social behaviour does not go unrecognised by the community.

Tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities: Bradford

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Cabbies Furious Against Manchester Airport Parking Plan Private hire companies could launch a legal battle against Manchester Airport after plans to fine anyone collecting passengers from anywhere other than designated drop-off zones were announced. Meet and greet firms and private hire drivers have teamed up to challenge the proposals, warning the move could put them out of business. It is understood they are considering legal action.

Police will enforce the traffic order – and it is understood they will focus on drivers near the terminal buildings. Airport bosses plan to fine anyone collecting passengers from anywhere other than designated drop-off zones with a £30 fine. Bosses want motorists to use short-stay car parks – meaning they will have to fork out a minimum of £2 unless they

used the designated zones.

But opponents have written to Manchester council opposing the new restrictions and are urging a re-think. The alliance has accused

the airport of infringing competition laws and said a High Court ruling involving meet and greet companies at Heathrow Airport offered them hope. Earlier this month, the High Court upheld a claim by two companies that Heathrow had breached the Com-

petition Act by forcing them out of some terminals yet allowing their own in-house valet parking firms to stay.

At Manchester, the ‘exclusion zone’ will include the on-site petrol station – where airport bosses say up to 20 people at a time wait on the forecourt to bend the rules. The move closes a legal loophole that has existed since the airport axed 10-minute free parking in 2006. Because they failed to get relevant orders, they had no legal power to enforce the rules.

Now bosses are closing the loophole by applying for a Road Traffic Order – and extending the exclusion zone to include roads around the airport. An airport spokeswoman said the step would improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and boost security.

Fire Service Tips On Staying Safe Outdoors South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue is urging people to stay alert to the fire risks posed by warmer weather.

Firefighters spent four hours tackling a woodland fire recently after it started accidentally after spreading from a camp fire. In another incident, a Sheffield resident accidentally destroyed his garden shed after burning papers and waste too close to the outbuilding. Firefighters were called to Firth Park, but the fire spread was too advanced to save the shed or the tools inside it.With barbeques and open water also

posing potential safety risks at this time of year, the advice from the fire service is: • Don’t leave campfires unattended and make sure they are properly extinguished before leaving them. • Site bonfires well away from buildings, trees and shrubs.

• Never leave barbeques unattended and never pour on petrol or paraffin. • Never go swimming in open water to cool off as the currents and temperatures can be fatal, and keep children well away from the water’s edge

Security before Democracy DEMOCRACY is an obsession with the West. Perhaps, rightly so because after the failure of communism and socialism, democracy has emerged as the only successful form of government.

However, when one looks around in the Third World which is experimenting with democracy, one sees an unacceptable manifestation of the same — a democratically elected government is in place but taking the country towards disaster. Therefore, clearly, politics/democracy needs to be reconciled with national security — progress/ development of the state and welfare/wellbeing of its people.

What are the imperatives of democracy? Are fair elections and an elected government the only requirement of democracy? To me, that is merely a label. How the elected government governs is the true essence of democracy.

Democracy’s primary functional concern ought to be: ‘Are people masters of their own destiny? Are they empowered enough to look after their own interests?’

People implies masses belonging to all segments: vertically, the rich and powerful, feudal lords, tribal chiefs on top and the grassroots common man at the bottom; horizontally, all provinces/ states, tribes, religions, sects, castes, men and women.

I strongly believe the danger lies in denying power, not in sharing or giving power. How does national security affect democracy?

First and foremost is security against external threats implying the maintainance of adequate forces to pursue national interests with honour and dignity. Clearly, no state, no democracy.

This is the ‘traditional security element’. Pakistan has suffered from an existential threat from the east since independence, after its first war with India in 1948. Therefore, for its security, it adopted a military strategy of minimum defensive deterrence quantified into force levels for the army, navy and air force.

But when the armed forces, wellorganised and well-managed as they are, also become strong in numbers, they tend to acquire a voice in national governance.

Next is security from internal threats or centrifugal forces acting against national security, homogeneity or integrity from within society. This is the ‘nontraditional security’ aspect; its various elements which are confronted for functional democracy to evolve are ethnic, tribal,

religious or sectarian disparities and discord; regional or societal development inequities; poverty, joblessness and economic disparities; illiteracy; food and water issues. Let’s discuss how to ensure national security to protect the state in all its dimensions and tailor democracy to suit a typical Third World environment. I will quote examples from my practical experience. The people’s destiny must be entwined with that of the state so that they develop a stake in it. This is possible when the state rises economically and its wealth is distributed equitably among all regions and peoples.

With the economy put on the upsurge, we have to ensure its benefits trickle down to the people.

In Pakistan we identified poverty and joblessness among the rural uneducated, the urban educated unemployed and the urban uneducated unemployed. We tackled each systematically.

For the rural uneducated unemployed, we focused on agriculture and agro-based industry, dairy and livestock. For the urban educated unemployed, we focused on the telecommunication and information technology sectors.

For the urban uneducated unemployed, we emphasised building and construction which is labourintensive. We reduced poverty from 34 to 17 per cent in seven years. Education and skill development needs to be pursued vigorously. Public-private partnerships can pay rich dividends. We created the National Commission on Human Development; the National Vocational and Technical Education Commission was created for skill development which in turn led to innumerable vocational training centres imparting three- to six-month turnaround courses for construction skills.

The overall strategy was for universalising education up to middle class and then diverting the people towards skill development. Food, water and energy should be considered as the inalienable right of all. Sixty per cent of diseases in Pakistan are waterborne. We initiated a project of installing water-filtration plants down to the union council (15 to 20 villages) level. Electricity was provided to all villages with more than 50 houses. Simple food kitchens for the poorest segments need to be provided with public-private philanthropic participation. These are the main areas of human security as part of non-traditional security which will reinforce national security

by: Pervez Musharraf

and enhance the people’s stakes in the state. This brings me to the aspect of sustainable democracy.

First and foremost, democracy must be tailored to fit the environment in which it is to function. There is no set formula. No country’s example can be superimposed on others without adjustment. In Pakistan, democratic institutions are under-developed, and democratically elected governments have always failed to deliver. Whenever there has been a dysfunctional, elected government running the state aground (which invariably has been the case), people take the only recourse of appealing to the army to take over. The army’s response to this mass national appeal can only be unconstitutional. There is no constitutional salvation.

In such a crisis, which has struck all too often, the question that gets debated is whether upholding democracy is more important than rescuing the state. An institutional role, therefore, has to be evolved for the military to voice its concerns to prevent any unconstitutional act, which the public pressurises them to do.

This I call checks and balances.

The other important factor is the empowerment of the people. We must devolve authority to the lowest level — empowerment and authority devolution to the district level and below means giving them political, administrative and financial authority.

Empowering the people is inadequate if women and minorities are not integrated into governance. They must appropriately be represented at all tiers of political authority so that they feel the satisfaction of belonging and participating in nation-building.

We empowered women and minorities by giving them reserved seats in the district, provincial and national assemblies besides their right to contest openly from any constituency.

The ultimate factor behind all development of the state, welfare of its people, the country’s unity and integrity is collective economic wellbeing. Economic strength is the mother of all development and the guarantor of national security and sustainable democracy.

The writer is a former military ruler of Pakistan

NEW ROOTS

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The UK’s first city centre ‘arboretum’, or living tree collection, is taking as 112 trees of 18 different species are planted in Sheffield’s new Sheaf Valley Park. The trees are being planted alongside the 12 recently completed impressive sandstone terraces of the new South Street event space

and amphitheatre on the hillside above the Railway Station, which gives stunning views of the city and beyond to the Peak District.

The amphitheatre will soon be available for events. Work on the site is now nearing completion, including the new steel steps to connect Sheffield City Station

with Shrewsbury Road and the Norfolk Park area. The Sessile Oak trees, which are just one of the species being planted, were chosen because they were the dominant species on this site in the medieval era when it was part of the Sheffield Hunting Park.

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Crime Statistics Fall

Annual stats show drop in crime as Force strives to maintain standards across South Yorkshire South Yorkshire Police is determined to maintain standards despite the Force’s reduced budget as the latest statistics show the biggest cut across the county is in its crime.The Force recorded over 10,000 fewer crimes in the last year including significant reductions in violent crime, vehicle crime and criminal damage offences. Drug offences, fraud and forgery crimes, burglaries and knife crimes have also fallen but there has been an increase in theft and handling stolen goods offences and gun crime (excluding air weapons). South Yorkshire Police has released its annual recorded crime statistics for the financial year April 2010 to March 2011 compared with the previous 12-month period. These figures show a drop in total crime of 9%, down 10,128 to 102,741 offences. Total vehicle crime has fallen by 2,879 crimes – that’s a drop of 18% to 13,381. This figure includes theft of motor vehicles – down 990 to 4,510 offences, and theft from motor vehicles – down 1,889 crimes to 8,871.

There were 4,271 fewer criminal damage offences recorded comparing April 2010 to March 2011 with the previous financial year, a reduction of 17% to 20,579.

Drug offences are down 6% by 314 crimes to 5,036. Fraud and forgery offences are down 30% from 3,274 to 2,289 – a drop of 985 crimes.Theft and handling stolen goods offences are up 8% by 1,965 crimes to 27,303. House burglaries have only shown a slight reduction of 30 crimes, down less than 1% to 7,249. Other burglaries however are down by 828 crimes, falling 9% to 8,603.Knife crime is down by 86 crimes, a 15% reduction to 485 comparing the 2010/11 financial year with the previous 12-month period. Gun crime (excluding air weapons) is up by 13 offences, an 11% increase to 136.

Total violent crime has seen another substantial reduction falling 2,677 offences to 17,019, a drop of 14%. This crime category includes: Violence against the person offences – down 14% by 2,508 crimes to 15,242; Robbery – down 144 offences, a 14% drop to 871; Sexual offences – down 3% to 906 crimes, a fall of 25.

Ironside Road Double Murder The funerals of Tracy Donnelly, 42, and her daughter Louise Donnelly, 23, took place on Thursday, 28 April, at City Road Cemetery in Sheffield. The bodies of the two women were

found at an address on Ironside Road in Sheffield on Tuesday, 29 March, and a 25-year-old man, Rekawt Mahmood Salih of Callow Mount, Gleadless Valley, is charged with their murders.

Feudals Have Kept People Under Bridging The Governance Deficit Debt: Sattar Dr.Ishrat Hussain

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) central leader Dr. Farooq Sattar blamed feudals, capitalists and landlords for keeping people suppressed under the burden of debt for the past 63 years. “Each child, as soon as it is born in this country, comes carrying on his shoulders a burden of Rs50,000 debt,” he said while addressing a gathering on the occasion of a

reception given in the honor of MQM leaders by an association of traders of Mianwali. He said if anyone tried to suppress the peaceful revolution in Pakistan it would lead hundred of thousands of people to come out on streets.

Dr. Farooq Sattar said the country has been suffering due to hereditary politics for the past 63 years.

Julius Salik, convener for World Minorities Alliance, a nominee for Noble Peace Prize and a former minister is hosting a campaign against the fanatic preacher of Florida for his despicable act and in this regard we held a protest on 24th march in which ash day was observed and everybody fasted and prayed to protect the minorities over the world.

This protest was against the heinous crime which has been committed to destroy the peace of the world and urged all the communities and spe-

cially the Christians to mourn for 27 days till Good Friday and hoist a black flag on each colony and house in order to grief over the incident.

And in this respect It will be highly appreciated that each individual or organization donate a black cloth starting from one meter onwards urgently so that it would help us prepare as many flags to hoist on every house to show our solidarity towards our brothers and sisters and save the peace of the world.

Contribution Of Black Cloth To Mourn Desecration Of The Holy Quran

Take a Stand Awards Rotherham Borough Council’s Housing Management Agency 2010 Rotherham has been on the hunt for local residents who have taken a stand against anti-social behaviour and made a difference to their local area. You may have already missed the deadline of 1st may but the new Taking a Stand awards recognise the commitment and courage of anyone who has tackled anti-social behav-

iour. Maybe someone has set up a residents or tenants' group to deal with community issues, established a neighbourhood watch scheme, or supported others who have suffered or perhaps a group has organised a clean up of rubbish, or encouraged young people to make a positive contribution to the community. The Council have offered four cash prizes ranging from £50 to £150.

A major source of grief to the citizens of Pakistan is the uneven and discriminatory application of government rules, regulations and instructions. As these rules are not known to anyone except some limited number of lower functionaries, they exploit their power of hoarding this knowledge for their personal benefit. Multiple rules exist on the same subject, as there has been no systematic weeding-out exercise undertaken. The manuals have to be purged of the multiple rules, regulations, instructions and circulars, and a concise, accurate and updated set should be posted on the website.

Anyone can see we need police and judicial reforms. For the ordinary citizen, it is the police force which represents the face of the state and in Pakistan it is synonymous with oppression, extortion and high-handedness. False cases are filed, criminal activities are patronised, fake encounters are contrived where the accused are slain and those apprehended are tortured. The Police Order of 2002 was a promising start, but it was swept aside after the elections that year. The prosecution capacity of the state is weak, often venal, and shoddy. In the prisons, those who can afford to keep the warden happy get preferential treatment. In short, the state of our police service, prisons, investigation and prosecution capacities, and administration of justice is a scandal. Recent initiatives by the National Judicial (policy making) Committee, which is chaired by the chief justice of Pakistan, to reform the lower judiciary and ensure speedy disposal of cases are commendable. But

the conviction rates are so low that the criminals are not deterred.

Following the 18th Amendment and the new formula for dividing up tax revenue, the federal government has to be scaled down from 48 divisions to 23. In other words, trimming the fat. Studies show that at least half of the government-owned corporations, autonomous bodies and departments can be wound up, merged, liquidated, privatised or transferred to the provincial governments. Fewer hierarchical tiers, delegation of highly centralised decision-making and introduction of e-government would save costs and recurrent expenditure.

If the agenda for governance reforms is available, why there has been little progress? The challenge of reforming these institutions in Pakistan is formidable as vested interests wishing to perpetuate the status quo are politically powerful and the coalition and alliances between the political leadership and the beneficiaries of the existing system are so strong that they cannot be easily ruptured. The elected governments with an eye on the short term electoral cycles are not in a position to incur the pains from these reforms upfront while the gains accrue later on to a different political party. The authoritarian governments are not effective as they do not enjoy legitimacy for sustaining reforms. Changing institutions is a slow and difficult process requiring, in addition to significant political will, fundamental but tough measures to reduce the opportunity and incentives for powerful groups to capture economic rents.

Town Hall Finances Pay Dividends Sheffield’s Liberal Democrat councillors have revealed that Sheffield City Council under spent by over £10.5m during 2010/11, putting the Town Hall’s finances on a firm footing going into the future. The report notes that there is an underspend of £10,501,000 at month eleven,

thanks to efficiency savings and reigning in unnecessary spend. It recommends that the vast majority be used during this years 2011/12 budget. Whilst also providing a one off fund of £10.5m, the underspend makes delivering future spending reductions more viable. Sheffield’s

recyclers have been singled out for special praise by the Lib Dems.

Town Hall coffers have been boosted by an extra £1.5m, thanks to higher than anticipated profits from extra recycling through the new recycling service.

Outstanding School Leads To Exceptional Achievement The outstanding work of pupils, staff and governors at a Rotherham school is leading to exceptional achievement by the children, according to Ofsted inspectors. The latest inspection report for Sitwell Infants commends ths school for its “significant improvement” in recent times, saying that pupils make good progress throughout their

time there.Among the areas highlighted by the inspectors are the excellent curriculum, staff’s hard work to provide an excellent quality of care, guidance and support, ensuring that pupils feel entirely safe in school, and outstanding opportunities for pupils to develop skills and learn in different ways Chair of governors, Stuart Sheard, said: “I am de-

lighted that Ofsted has judged Sitwell Infant School to be outstanding.

The inspired leadership of Headteacher Jane Skupien and the enthusiasm, commitment and hardwork of the staff and children have been the major factors in the tremendous progress that the school has made over the past three years.

‘Business Friendly’ City Bid

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Rt Hon Vince Cable MP has thrown his weight behind Lib Dem Sheffield City Council’s ambition to become the most business friendly city in the UK. The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills outlined his support whilst visiting Codas Studios, a successful local Sheffield business that has already benefitted from the Council’s probusiness policies. Dr Cable also highlighted some key Government polices that will help boost economic growth and provide

jobs in the Sheffield region. Rt Hon Vince Cable MP said “The Coalition Government is doing its part through key policies such as Local Enterprise Zones and the Regional Growth Fund, both of which will directly benefit Sheffield’s local economy and provide thousands of new jobs. “At a time when boosting jobs and growing the private sector is paramount, it’s vital that Sheffield has Liberal Democrat councillors who support and understand business running the Town Hall.”

Cllr Paul Scriven, Liberal Democrat Leader of Sheffield City Council said “I’m delighted Vince is backing our bid to become the UK’s most business friendly city.

“As a Council we have to take the lead in attracting private sector jobs to Sheffield. That’s why we have setup the £1.4m ring fenced fund for this sole aim, although Labour councillors have promised to cut the fund by 100% if they gain control of the Council.

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Legal Corner

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

Q & A on WILLS

By Amar Saleem

Local Enterprise Partnership Network The British Chambers of Commerce, working with local business people all around the country, will bring together a new, national network for local enterprise partnerships, Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles has announced.

The new network will help ensure that businesses are the heart and soul of local enterprise partnerships. It will provide a forum for local business leaders to share ideas, solve problems and get the latest data they need to promote economic growth across the country.

partnerships in the months and years to come. The Government will make some grant funding available to support the network during its start-up phase which will be crucial to its development.

The Government believes private sector led growth is the way ahead for the country and a business-led network for local enterprise partnerships can help deliver local growth that rebalances the national economy.

This will avoid unnecessary interference from Whitehall and repeating the bureaucratic legacy of Regional Development Agencies, The Government wants local ar- but also means local enterprise eas to take control of their eco- partnerships can get off to a strong nomic future. Local enterprise start. partnerships are locally-owned partnerships between business The British Chambers of Comand civic leaders that decide lo- merce came forward with a very cal economic priorities and drive strong proposal and with its existforward growth and job crea- ing business network across the tion in their local communities, country it is really well placed helping to rebalance the national to anchor business at the centre economy. of new local enterprise. BusiIt will bring together a diverse ness leaders across England have range of local businesses, and given their time and their energy will be inclusive of other business to developing new local enterprise organisations, to tackle the big is- partnerships. sues around local growth. The net- This new network will give them work will aim to encourage broad the opportunity to share their exparticipation and private sector periences, solve some of the probsupport within local enterprise lems that come with new ways

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of working, and develop an even stronger understanding of how to grow their local economies.

Our priority now is to listen to local business leaders - this is their network. It will only succeed if it delivers a supportive forum to exchange ideas, a way to engage with Ministers, and the data and information that partnerships need to support local growth. The British Chambers of Commerce is delighted to be at the heart of this network, and will work tirelessly to ensure that it helps enable enterprise growth across England.

Local enterprise partnerships now cover 91% of businesses and 21 million employees across the country. Local chambers are already heavily involved in working with these new partnerships but this deal with the BCC will ensure that business leaders across the country will be able to share ideas and solve problems.

This new network is great news and should provide real support to local enterprise partnerships across the country in assisting the economic growth of each region.

Tel: 0114 2018918 | Website: www.scci.org.uk | Email: amar. saleem@scci.org.uk |

Mohammed Nazir Solicitor Head of Property/Immigration, Wosskow Brown

1. What is a Will?

A Will is a legal document which sets out how you want your estate to be divided and who you want to give the responsibility to of making sure your wishes are carried out.

2. Why make a Will?

You can decide what will happen to your property and belongings after your death, ensuring that your family are taken care of. If you do not make a Will, the intestacy rules will take effect and your estate may not go to the people you want it to. Having a Will will also make it easier and less worrying for your family on your death, as it will avoid any possible confusion or disputes between your family.

3. I live with my partner and we are not married. Should I make a Will?

Yes. Under the intestacy rules, unmarried partners are not provided for. Therefore, to make sure your partner is taken care of, it is very important that you make a Will, as otherwise you risk leaving them in financial difficulty.

4. What are the benefits of making a Will?

You can make sure that certain belongings such as paintings or family heirlooms go to the individuals that you want them to go to. This can ensure that items of sentimental value are retained by your family. If you have young children under the age of 18, then you can also appoint guardians for those children and make provisions for their inheritance, to be held in a suitable Trust until they reach the age of your choice.

5. How do I make a Will?

It is advisable to make your Will via a Solicitor, to make sure that the legal formalities of making a Will are fulfilled and you are able to obtain expert advice.

You will also have the peace of mind of knowing that the firm is insured and a Member of the Law Society. It is also possible to make a Will yourself, however, this is perhaps unadvisable as if any errors are made, your wishes made in your homemade Will may not be valid. A Solicitor may also be able to advise you in relation to any rel-

evant steps to protect your assets and reduce any potential inheritance tax liability that you may have in the future.

6. What issues should I think about before visiting a Solicitor to make a Will?

(1) What assets do I have?

For example money in Banks, shares, property and insurance policies.

(2) Is there anyone financially dependant on me? Who may need the money from my Will?

(3) Who would I like to benefit from my Will?

(4) What would I like to do if one of my beneficiaries has already died at the time of my death.

(5) Who would I like to care for my infant children and be appointed as their Guardian?

(6) Who is going to be appointed as my Executor and carryout my wishes and deal with my estate at my death?

(7) Would I like the provisions for my funeral to be placed in my Will (be aware however that your Will may not be read until after your funeral takes place so other people should be informed).

7

Iconic Comedian Moin Akhtar Dies

He was a comedian par excellence, but his last act left an entire nation in tears. Iconic comedian and actor Moin Akhtar died of a heart attack on Friday 22 April. He was 60. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and three sons. Born in 1950, Moin Akhtar joined show business in the ’60s as a comedian.

His remarkable impersonations and rib-tickling skits earned him recognition in no time. But it was in the ’70s that Moin Akhtar’s appearance on the Zia Mohyeddin Show as a standup act catapulted him to national fame.

We still remember as a child listening to an audiocassette, which sold like hot cakes in the ’70s, in which Moin Akhtar presented a series of impersonations and sound-effects, along with a humorous sketch of a villager who tries to copy an urbanite and in the process behaves like a nincompoop. The fame was soon followed by critical acclaim when

Moin Akhtar joined hands with humourist Anwar Maqsood and did a host of shows with him.

Beginning with an episode of Angan Terha in which Moin Akhtar played the role of a poet looking for a place to live, the duo came up with one gem after another. The combination resulted in classics like Studio 2½ and Studio Poney Teen in which Moin Akhtar did the part of one of the interviewees and Anwar Maqsood the interviewer.

Akhtar’s zany but meaningful answers to Anwar Maqsood’s ostensibly innocuous questions created a magic the kind of which was never witnessed on Pakistani television.

Comedienne Bushra Ansari also became part of their group and they did some memorable shows together. Moin Akhtar didn’t confine his talent to comedy acts. He proved his versatility by playing the protagonist in a long-play Rozy written by Imran Aslam and directed by Sahira Kazmi.

Moin Akhtar did the part of a man who assumes the garb of a woman in order to find employment. His performance was not only appreciated in Pakistan but even across the border it earned him a great many fans. Rozy was an adaptation of a successful Hollywood film Tootsie.

On his inevitable comparison with Tootsie’s star Dustin Hoffman, Moin Akhtar often claimed that he never saw the film until after he’d done the play.

The late actor’s another outstanding performance was witnessed in a play Half Plate, written by Anwar Maqsood and directed by Mohsin Ali. He portrayed the personality of a self-obsessed poet who had a past (and a nagging wife) that he seldom liked to remember. The acting was right out of the top drawer and intelligently complemented the script.

Moin Akhtar and Anwar Maqsood’s duo had become so inseparable that even after the advent of satellite TV they were asked by different channels to work together.

Their last show as the writer-actor combo was Loose Talk which ran for many years and Moin Akhtar assumed hundreds of characters in it. These days a drama serial featuring Moin Akhtar as the main character is on air on a local private channel. Apart from a worthy body of work on television, Moin Akhtar acted in a few films, including Tum Sa Nahin Dekha and Mr Tabedar.

His theatre performances alongside Umar Sharif in stage dramas like Buddha Ghar Pe Hai were also a commercial success.

In recognition of his talent and work the government had bestowed on Moin Akhtar the Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Pride of Performance award.

The actor’s namaz-i-janaza was held at Masjid-i-Toheed in DHA Phase II, Malir Cantt, Karachi.

Cont... Leading by example Ch Musarat Ali I humbly request to all Pakistanis whether they live in Pakistan or outside anywhere in the world that they should remain united and keep their identity as a Pakistani national and help one another in the time of need.

I belong to the Gujrat district of the Punjab province in Pakistan.

My family is basically related to the farming profession and farming has a great respect in the social and political circles of the area. My family has a political background but generally we don’t take part in politics. Several years ago some people from our area motivated by brother and urged him to take part in the elections of the provincial assembly.

He got the party ticket for the PPP but unfortunately he did not succeed. Personally I don’t affiliate myself with any particular political party nor am I in favour of any party’s ideology but I would like to see Pakistan standing proudly on its own feet.

I got my early education from Gujrat. Those were the golden days of my life although I was not a particularly naughty child; I was clever and hard working from a very early age. The beginning of my life and the childhood I remember were good times and I still remember my childhood friends fondly. When I finished my studies I came here to the United Kingdom and started work. After a few years I got enough capital together to establish my first Lal Qila restaurant.

It generally takes a long time for anyone to establish a successful business in a European country like the United Kingdom. The secret behind my success is hard work and passion to achieve something in this life, but it is mostly attributed to the blessing of Allah and the prayers of my parents. This is what happened

in my case and after much hard work I succeeded very soon in establishing my first restaurant.

Now I have a chain of Lal Qila restaurants in Manchester. Along with sincere efforts and hard work, good planning for the future was a key to my success. I have complete knowledge and experience of the food business and I serve my customers and employees with passion. This helped me to run a busy business and increased sale which resulted in more investment in my food service industry.

The United Kingdom is a big country but the reason I preferred Manchester to base my businesses is because Manchester is an industrial city where a large number of foreign nationals come a stay. This was the most important factor which gave me reason to remain here and invest and do business in this country.

Lal Qila often remains full of students and they are the main customers of the restaurants. One of our Lal Qila branches is located near Manchester University where hundreds of students come to study form all over the world and due to location, they mostly come to our restaurant. Our food is not only delicious but also economical and value for money, therefore they prefer to dine at our place.

I like to know what is happening in Pakistan and stay on top of current affairs but I have no personal desire to be involved in politics.

However on an international note I would like to comment on the present government of Pakistan and politics. Today Pakistan People’s Party is in power just because of the sacrifices of their leadership. After the judicial murder of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto almost 40 years ago, and more recently his daughter and the two

times former prime minister of Pakistan, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. Resultantly Asif Ali Zardari took charge of the PPP and led Pakistan on the path of democracy. There is no doubt that the Pakistan People’s Party is the party of the poor people of Pakistan. The present government of PPP has launched the Benazir Income Support Program to help the needy and poor people and to lessen the miseries of their life. However there is usually some kind of severe shortfall in Pakistan, whether it is electricity, sugar or flour but which government is to blame? Many people would say that these problems are the creation of the previous government of General Pervez Musharraf who has damaged the democratic institutions and therefore the masses are suffering from these issues. I think the government have solved the problem of democracy and I don’t think it has failed to address the problems of the poor people.

Ch Musarat Ali

Faith Leaders Call On Sheffielders To Use Their Vote Religious leaders from across the range of faiths in South Yorkshire have made a public declaration urging people to use their votes to defeat extremists like the British National Party. The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Rev Steven Croft, and some of the chief signatories signed a joint statement on the steps of Sheffield Town Hall in April. Leaders of the area’s faith communities are speaking with one voice against the divisive policies of the BNP. There is concern that the BNP will try to use fear of unemployment and pressure on social services to promote division and hatred during

the run-up to the local council elections. In their joint statement, representatives of the Christian, Muslim, and other faiths affirm the values of unity, tolerance and mutual respect, which have always helped people from different backgrounds to live together in South Yorkshire. They want people to come out and vote on 5th May, so that the overwhelming majority of voters will give a clear message that extremism and hatred are not welcome here.

Abdool Gooljar from the Sheffield branch of the Islamic Society of Britain says.

“We work together to build peace

and harmony and reject all kinds of evil in order to create a brighter future for our children and grandchildren of tomorrow”. “I thank God that here in Sheffield people of all Faiths are working determinedly at building mutual understanding, respect and friendship ”, says Rt Rev John Rawsthorne, Bishop of Hallam.

“We must re-double our efforts in this regard.”

Yorkshire people have a proud tradition of standing together and supporting each other through difficult times, and the faith leaders are calling on everyone to make their vote count on 5th May.

YOUNG NATURALIST BECOMES ‘STARLET’

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A young wildlife enthusiast from Sheffield has become the first girl in the city to become a ‘Starlet’.

Seven year old Emaan Mirza was presented with her Starlet Award from Sheffield City Council Ranger Service in April. Emaan started visiting the Shire Brook

Valley Local Nature Reserve with her family a few years ago and quickly became involved in everything she could. She now takes part in the monthly Wildlife Wanders and Sheffield Home Education Network sessions, Ranger events and is desperate

to join the Wildlife Watch Group when she is 8. To earn the Starlet Award Emaan had to do 24 different wildlife-related activities and, with mums help, she has recorded everything in three enormous scrap books.

8

Mukhtaran Mai: Pakistan Betrayed you once again April 21, 2011 will be remembered as a black day in Pakistan’s history. Not because this was the day when the Supreme Court acquitted the alleged rapists of a poor, marginalised woman. It will be marked as the day when, once again, Pakistan’s colonial criminal justice system failed to protect the vulnerable, thereby rendering a heinous crime such as gang rape almost unpunishable.

Nine years ago, a misogynistic panchayat of south Punjab ordered the gang rape of a woman for no sin of hers. It was her (then 12-year-old) brother who was sodomised and then accused of illicit relations with the sister of the powerful rapists. This low-caste family had to be ‘fixed’. Thanks to the media frenzy, the state had to act when what happens in subaltern Pakistan was exposed. Suo motu notices by the courts, police investigation and faulty prosecution ultimately led to no justice.

At every step of the legal process, powerful men obstructed the cause of justice. The Lahore High Court and now the split bench of

the Supreme Court have decided on the basis of evidence produced before them. Fair enough. After all, the courts have to rely on the proceedings. But are we not living in the age of proactive courts where ‘public expectations’ and correcting the wrongs of history are oft-cited phrases? Did a

learned judge not say in the sugar price control case that the court was moving beyond its jurisdiction to respond to public expectations? Did the courts not decide on the Eighteenth Amendment, which cannot be challenged in any court? We respect the honourable courts but do reserve the right to differ. Are the lower courts equally stringent about blasphemy cases? No. No sooner was the judgement released that some men, according to reports, clapped in the court.

Later, a chauvinistic TV anchor asked Mukhtaran if she had any compassion for the men who had spent six years in jail. This was adding insult to a national injury.

Are we living in a medieval society? Evidently yes, when it comes to women and their rights.

This is time for reflection, policy debate and untiring advocacy.

Our police has to be restructured and made accountable to the public, not to the provincial chief ministers and the IGs. Pakistan has to augment prosecution services and make them autonomous.

How long will terrorists and rapists be released simply because the prosecution system is weak?

The provinces with the reversal of devolution have undone the prosecution reform started in 2002.

We also need judicial reforms in lower and superior courts of Pakistan — way beyond the goals of the national judicial policy of 2009. Let Mukhtaran Mai’s defeat become an opportunity for mobilising for reform. Mai: We are ashamed, but will not give up.

Was the Royal Wedding the Most Expensive? Read on WePay, (an online way to collect money from groups), has analyzed the upcoming royal wedding and says it will cost almost 3,000 times as much as an average U.S. wedding. In fact, says WePay, it will be the second most expensive wedding ever.

Some other royal vs. commoner wedding comparisons: Kate's wedding dress is estimated to cost $41,000. The lacy piece of apparel for a U.S. bride averages $2,450. Costs • The royal wedding's flower bill is estimated to be $360,000; Westminster Abbey is big and Kate has a lot of attendants. The average U.S. marrying couple pays "just" around $1,230.

• William and Kate are expected to spend around $655,000 on their honeymoon, although where the young British couple will canoodle is still

secret. U.S. newlyweds spend on average $4,000 on their postceremony getaway.

• Even more royal wedding costs are illustrated in WePay's Royal Wedding vs. Normal Weddings info graphic.

"THE MOST EXPENSIVE WEDDINGS" 12- Donald Trump and Melania Knauss - $ 1 million 11- Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes - Cost: $2 million 10- Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar - Cost: $2.5 million 09- Paul McCartney and Heather Mills - Cost: $3 million 08- Liza Minelli and David Gest - Cost: $3.5 million 07- Delphine Arnault and Alessandro Vallarino Gancia - Cost: $7 million 06- Wayne Rooney and Colleen McLaughlin - Cost: Over $15 million 05- Vikram Chatwal and Priya

Sachdev - Cost: $20 million 04- Aleksandra Kokotovic and Andrei Melnichenko - Cost: $30 million 03- Prince William and Kate Cost $ 40 million 02- Vanisha Mittal and Amit Bhatia - Cost: $78 million 01- Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Princess Salama - Cost $ 100 million Despite all the hoopla surrounding the vows of Kate and William, it's not the most expensive wedding in history, says WePay. That honor goes to the sevenday affair in 1981 when Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai married Princess Salama. Its estimated cost was $100 million in today's dollars.

These are the most expensive weddings and the total cost of all of the above weddings passes more than $ 300 Million.

Paul Blomfield MP has raised £1240 for the Pakistan Floods Appeal. Mr Blomfield raised the money by holding a charity fundraising supper night at a local restaurant last month. He presented a cheque, which has been sent to the Disaster Emergency Committee, at a presentation at the Madina Mosque on Wolseley Rd. Paul Blomfield MP said: “Being an MP gives me a platform to highlight good causes. So I organised this charity event to raise money for the Pakistan Floods Appeal because seven months on from when the floods first struck,

the impact of this enormous disaster is out of the headlines. Yet there still remains a huge need for help and support. So I’m really pleased that £1240 was raised for the appeal and I’m very grateful to everyone who attended my supper night”.

“The UK was one of the first countries to respond to the disaster by providing tents and shelter to 1.3 million people, basic health care to 2.3 million people and safe drinking water to millions more. However, Pakistan still has a long way to go to recover; some areas of Sindh are still under water and hundreds

of thousands of people are still living in temporary camps. As we all know, reconstructing the millions of homes, bridges, and schools that were destroyed will take years.”

Education Aid

Prime Minister David Cameron has signed an agreement in the Pakistani capital Islamabad to provide the country with £650m worth of aid aimed specifically at education The money, to be spent over the next four years, will be used to build or refurbish more than 8,000 schools, train 90,000 teachers and get an extra four million children to school. Some 17 million children in Pakistan do not attend school and half the population - which is forecast to double the current 173 million by 2050 - is illiterate. The Prime Minister also aims to increase trade with Pakistan from the current £1.9bn to £2.5bn per year.

The move comes in an attempt to widen and deepen relations with Pakistan beyond security and the battle against international terrorism, which have nevertheless dominated the agenda. Mr Cameron has been trying to smooth ruffled Pakistani feathers over relations with India. He angered the Pakistani government last year when he said during a visit to India that Pakistan was “looking both ways” on terrorism. Pakistan

is quick to point out that no country has suffered more from terrorist atrocities - more than 3,000 civilians have been killed in the past year alone. The PM called for the UK and Pakistan to put aside past differences and work together in the interests of both.

His visit marked “a new chapter” in relations between the two countries. In a speech, Mr Cameron said: “We want a strong relationship with a secure, prosperous, open and flourishing Pakistan. We want that relationship for the long term. We want to work to strengthen that relationship, now and in the future.

Whether it is relations with India, our security, or questions of governance, if we work closely with one another, if we are clear that we need each other to succeed, we can grasp these difficult issues and move beyond them. So let’s make today a ‘fresh start’ in our relationship. It is time for a new step in relations between Britain and Pakistan, and between Britons and Pakistanis. Let’s make this the start of a new era in the relations between our countries, our governments, our peoples.

Let’s clear up the misunderstandings of the past, work through the tensions of the present and look together to the opportunities of the future.”

Pakistan’s government is acutely aware of criticism of its role in containing al Qaeda. There are senior voices, both at the Ministry of Defence in London and at The Pentagon in Washington who believe that Pakistan is a greater problem than Afghanistan. Indeed, the Americans have coined the term “Af-Pak” to highlight the fact that terrorists are operating in the border areas of Pakistan, where the Islamabad government has little control, and crossing into Afghanistan. Pakistan insists it is doing all it can to combat the threat and points out it has lost more lives to terrorist attacks than any other country.

Mr Cameron tried his best to reinforce the “unbreakable partnership” between Britain and Pakistan, and, as well as addressing security issues, is also keen to strengthen trade and educational links between the two countries.

Operation Orbit This Operation is aimed at young drivers in the 16-24 year age group. This group represent the highest risk for being killed or seriously injured on the roads in South Yorkshire The intention is to engage with young drivers on a one to one ba-

“hotspot areas” such as the Abbeydale Corridor. The drivers will be spoken to about driving attitudes, the consequences of getting it wrong and urge them to take further training. Officers will check these vehicles for safety and any illegal modifications to

As part of the operation, Officers will be sending letters to their parents to try and encourage them to speak to their child about safety and responsible driving. The aim being education rather than enforcement.

Safer Neighbourhood Team at Sharrow Sheffield sis on routine patrols and known the vehicle.

MPs Charity Supper Night Raises £1240 For Pakistan Floods Appeal

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10

The Basics Of Vat ... by Abbas Shah VAT is complicated, the technicalities and jargon used by some accountants can make even the very clever minded slightly confused, so I’ve aimed to create a jargon free, back to basics guide to VAT. Let’s start at the beginning…

Firstly, what is VAT? Essentially, if you are VAT registered you need to add 20% (2011) on top of whatever you sell, to make things a little more complicated there are certain things that are zero rated like: food, books, newspapers and magazines, young children’s clothing and footwear but I wouldn’t worry about these for now.

When do I ‘HAVE TO’ register for VAT? I say ‘have to’ as there are times when you might actually want to register for VAT even when you don’t ‘have to’ but more about this later. If in the previous 12 months your turnover has reached the VAT threshold amount of £73,000. All the required VAT registrations forms are available at the HMRC website but one thing to remember is that the VAT threshold amount can change, so make sure to check the HMRC website each year to make sure you are in or out VAT registration.

Should I register for VAT even if my turnover won’t hit the threshold?

Well, strangely enough it could be a good idea, registering and having a VAT number may help give your company the appearance of being

larger than it is. Also when quoting for work some companies mandate that suppliers must be limited and be VAT registered.

However, this may make you less competitive, for example: if you aren’t VAT registered currently and sell a product for £100, then this is all your customers will pay. If you then become VAT registered, you’ll have to charge VAT on top and will have to charge £120 or soak up the difference yourself and reduce your profit margin. Before registering for VAT it’s probably best to have a chat with an accountant.

Can you be VAT registered and not be a limited company?

Yes, some businesses feel that having a VAT number adds a certain credibility and prestige to their company.

How does being VAT registered affect your business?

The day you register with HM Revenue Customs for VAT is the day you must start charging VAT on all your goods and services i.e. whatever you sell. The basic VAT rate is currently 20% (2011 rate).

After registering for VAT, some people get slightly confused as to when they should start charging VAT, so just to be clear it is the day you register for VAT that you start charging interest and not the day you receive your certificate-as it can take up to 30 days to receive your certificate (and you don’t want to wait this long to start charging VAT).

Whilst waiting on your VAT certificate, within this time you will need to raise your invoice’s as a total figure including the sale amount and the VAT amount, then once you have received confirmation of your VAT number you can add this to your invoice’s and separate the sale and VAT amounts and reissue to your customers. Your customers will then be able to reclaim the VAT which you have charged.

Every quarter you must then submit a VAT return to HMRC (this can now only be done online). This must show all your output tax-this is the total VAT your company has charged your customers on products and services which you have provided.

You also include the VAT charges you have incurred on purchases for your company such as supplies, equipment, stock etc, this is known as input tax. One of the main advantages of registering for VAT is that some of the VAT cost you are charged when buying goods to run your company can be noted in your quarterly VAT return report and possibly reclaimed, i.e. you may get a VAT refund.

Once the form is submitted HMRC will then review your VAT form and should your outputs exceed inputs, you must then pay the difference to the government, however if your inputs exceed the output your company is then entitled to a refund.

PROPERTY CORNER

SPRING IN THE PROPERTY MARKET by: Mohammed Mahroof BSc (Hons) MRICS Consultant: Mark Jenkinson & son As spring approaches the property world seems to be rising from its winter slumber, enquiries are increasing and activity is becoming more energetic. Whether this is a sign of recovery or just frustration driving people to take matters into their own hands remains to be seen.

One area of the market where activity certainly looks as though it is improving is the commercial property sector. The ingredients investors seem to be looking for is a long lease with a passing rental. Whether these are retail units, industrial units or mixed use, demand seems to be showing the green shoots of spring.

In fact the feed back is, believe it or not, there is a shortage of good quality properties coming onto the market. This makes you wonder if there is the stock to cover the demand.

Property people are beginning to

show signs of cautious optimism.

In fact property is such a commodity that the passion for holding and owning property has been around for centuries. I cannot see this passion diminishing any time soon.

Land is certainly becoming a scarce commodity as the population of the world increases, the demand for land to build houses, facilities etc is also going to increase, which inevitably means the dynamics of supply and demand will come in, and as the cliche goes, we are not “making any more land”, therefore, supply is static. You can make your own judgement from here.

I know the auction room is a passion within our property community and the rooms around the country bear testimony to that. Activity in this market is very strong and if you come into the auction room you will wonder if there is a crisis in the

What are the benefits of being VAT registered?

You may be thinking, why would there be benefits to charging extra costs to my customers? But there is always a silver lining…

• Being VAT registered means you can reclaim the input tax you have been charged when buying goods for your company-There are some goods and expenses which you will incur where you have not been charged VAT. There is no VAT on insurance, finance, credit, education, training and fund raising events, the majority of other goods you will be charged VAT. • Being VAT registered adds more credibility to your business, making it appear larger than it possibly is.

• Some companies only deal with VAT registered companies-this will give your company more opportunities to deal with more suppliers.

• Customers/clients that are VAT registered can reclaim the VAT you charge them-not necessarily an advantage for you but again it creates a more professional image and the customer may then be more inclined to use you again in the near future knowing you are both VAT registered and that they can possibly reclaim their input tax also.

Tales of Kashmir

The folk tales of Kashmir have taken on new meaning for children at four Rotherham Schools following a collaboration with partner schools in Pakistan and the release of a stunning new book ‘Kashmiri Folk Tales’ retold and illustrated by children in Rotherham and Kotli.

Created by teachers and pupils from four schools in Rotherham - Sitwell Infant School, Sitwell Junior School, Canklow Woods Primary and Oakwood Technology College - and four schools in Kotli which are linked through the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms programme, the book features nine traditional folk tales from Kashmir written in English and Urdu. The stories

were compiled by children of Pakistani heritage in Rotherham and by Pakistani students in Kotli. School children in Rotherham then illustrated the book.

Under the Connecting Classrooms programme, internationally linked schools devise and run joint curriculum projects to enhance learning and understanding across their different societies. Creating a book of Kashmiri folk tales seemed an ideal way of getting the schools of Pakistan and the UK to work together and share their knowledge, culture and aspirations.

The book will be distributed among the schools involved and to other Connecting Classrooms schools in the UK.

West Bar Closes Its Doors

One door is closing but another will open wider as people in Sheffield city centre get a onestop shop for police enquiries.

West Bar Police Station has served South Yorkshire Police for half a century but this Friday it closes to the public as officers and staff relocate to Force Headquarters on Snig Hill. The public For further information or advice enquiry desk will continue to operate a 24-hour service from please contact Abbas Shah at the new location starting on FriMowbray Accounting: email abbas@mowbrayaccounting.co.uk day, 18 March. Sheffield District Commander, Chief SuperintendTel: 07811 282421 ent Simon Torr, said: “The move is part of a long-term accommodation strategy aimed at improv-

ing resources and facilities. It is important for us to continually renew our infrastructure to facilitate developments in policing, enabling us to meet the needs of the public of South Yorkshire.

“Replacing the ageing West Bar building with improved facilities at HQ is a key part of this strategy and apart from the change in location it’s business as usual for the people of Sheffield.” The relocation of the West Bar enquiry desk has been publicised through leaflets and posters and all contact telephone numbers will remain the same.

property market at all.

I believe that spring may be a time for a property renaissance as we see the fragile recovery take hold but as with any commodity, prices and demand are very sensitive to all sorts of issues, the economy, interest rates, world stability, peoples’ own confidence. I feel that forward thinking investors are beginning to show signs of returning to the property market, not because the contemporary situation in the world climate is attractive. More so because maybe now is the time for potential uplift in values in the future. It is a judgement but some people feel it is a judgement worth taking. Spring is certainly in the air for property.

If you require any further information or wish to discuss any property issues please feel free to contact me on 07879 015095 or 0114 2760151.

Rotherham Elections On Thursday, May 5, a third of the 63 members on Rotherham Borough Council will be up for election and the count will take place that night at the Magna Science Adventure Park, Sheffield Road, Rotherham. At 4 pm on the following day, Friday, May 6, the counts will take place for both the Parish Council elections and the national referendum on the voting system. Both counts will also

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take place at Magna.

As postal voting packs start dropping through letter boxes across our cities, postal voters are being reminded to read the instructions carefully when casting their vote otherwise it might not be counted. When voting by post, voters need to fill in a form accompanying their ballot paper, giving their signature and date of birth.

As a security measure, these are

matched against the signature and date of birth the voter provided when they applied to vote by post. Instructions include guidance to completing your postal ballot in your pack, so please do take the time to read it and provide the right information so that your vote can count. Postal votes must be received before polls close at 10pm on 5 May.

11

SPORTS

London Olympics tickets deadline expires

Managers denied it had crashed but said it had been slowed by demand.

In a statement the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog) said it had still been processing applications, albeit more slowly.

There are 6.6 million tickets available in all, but about half will go to corporate and VIP guests.

Applications will be processed in May and June and those who have been successful will be notified by 24 June.

Organisers said people should ensure they had money in their account to pay for every event they have applied for.

Before tickets went on sale on 15 BST Tuesday deadline.

Because of the large numbers of March, more than 2.5 million peopeople trying to access tickets, the ple had signed up to the official website came under severe strain website. from 2230 BST. London: The deadline for buying Olympics tickets has expired, after organisers extended it by an hour due to a last-minute surge in demand. The London 2012 website accepted sales until 0100 BST on Wednesday, pushing the time limit forward from the original 2359

Changes To Recycling Service Back On Track Sheffielders are set to be given new options on how they recycle their waste this year. Following a meeting between Sheffield City Council and Veolia Environmental Services representatives, an agreement was reached to give local people a choice on how they use their blue bins and boxes.

The new recycling service was rolled out across the city last year.

Local people were asked to place their metal cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles and jars in blue wheelie bins and their waste paper and card in blue boxes. But early

feedback indicated that some people would prefer to keep using the blue bin for paper and card, so an agreement has been reached to allow people to place their paper and card in the wheelie bins and other recyclables in the blue box if they wish.

The introduction of these changes will begin on 23 May and will be in two phases across the city. People are being asked to continue to use their bins as usual until they receive a leaflet advising them when the new collections will begin in their local area.

New Zealand Cricket Corruption

and security unit, chief executive Justin Vaughan said last night.

The players were questioned by the unit, which is led by former top UK policeman Sir Ronnie Flanagan, but were never under suspicion of match-fixing and told investigators they hadn't been asked to do anything illicit.

Until now, the unit had not monitored the tournament, which is effectively a privately run festival

New Zealand Cricket have reportedly tipped off the ICC's anticorruption unit about possible match-fixing, according to chief executive Justin Vaughan.

The alleged match-fixing episode is said to have taken place at an international tournament after players were wined and dined by a suspicious businessman.

The New Zealand team at last year's Hong Kong Sixes tournament - which featured Daryl Tuffey, Nathan McCullum and Scott Styris - ate with a man, reputedly a Middle East-based diamond dealer, who was already on the anti-corruption unit's watch list.

According to stuff.co.nz, at the time they had no idea of the man's identity, but became suspicious when he offered them discounted event but has the ICC's sanction, gems and other benefits.

Team manager Steve Wilkins told but they now plan an active presNZC of the approach, and they in ence there. turn tipped off the anti-corruption

Changes To Recycling Service Back On Track

Pakistan beat the West Indies by three wickets in Barbados to clinch their five-match ODI series by moving into an unassailable 3-0 lead.

The tourists made it three wins out of three with a win in a rainreduced match thanks to a steady half century from Misbah-ul-Haq

as Pakistan threatened to through away a promising position.

The veteran right-hander applied patience above all else in a match-winning innings of 62 from 109 balls to edge his side past a modest target of 171 with three wickets in hand.

Gang arrested linked to threats

against Zulqarnain Haider

Pakistani police say they have arrested a gang of bookmakers who were allegedly behind death threats sent to wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider.

Haider fled the Pakistan team hotel in Dubai last November hours before a one-day international against South Africa. He flew to London where he applied for asylum after saying that an unknown person had threatened him for not co-operating in fixing the one-day series.

"We arrested eight bookmakers yesterday and some of them

ances from Pakistan's interior minister, Rehman Malik, about his safety and security. Qureshi said the arrested men appeared to be well-connected and deeply involved in gambling on international matches.

"We have recovered around 250 mobile and landline sets from them, some ammunition, records and computers," he said.

Haider is still in Islamabad and is awaiting security clearance from authorities to go to his hometown of Lahore.

The 25-year old wicketkeeper

have confessed they had the threatening calls made to Zulqarnain," said Nasir Qureshi, a senior investigating officer.

The bookmakers were from the Sambrial area near Sialkot in the eastern province of Punjab.

Haider has now returned to Islamabad after receiving reassur-

has been told to appear before the Pakistan Cricket Board disciplinary committee to respond to charges that he left the team without informing the team management, which was a violation of his contract.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss Expertise and understanding Legal advice from Irwin Mitchell Approximately 8 million people in the UK are hard of hearing with 1.1 million people being exposed to potentially damaging noise at work on a daily basis, with around 170,000 suffering noise induced hearing loss.

Noise levels of above 80dba can damage hearing if exposure is prolonged. Noise tends to damage the higher frequencies and therefore can produce symptoms such as; failing to follow conversations in the presence of background noise, failing to hear the telephone and other high pitch sounds and having to have the volume of the TV or Radio turned up.

Hearing loss due to noise exposure at work is a gradual process, with hearing typically being damaged slowly over a course of years. It is common for workers not to be aware of any change in their hearing at the time of the noise exposure and for hearing loss problems not to become apparent until many years later. Hearing loss is often first noticed by friends and family and frequently begins alongside the effects of the ageing process.

Many people by this time have retired and simply put their hearing difficulties down to age and natural causes.

It can be determined by way of a simple hearing test whether an individual has a high frequency deafness and a hearing loss greater than would be expected for their age. Many with noise induced hearing loss also suffer from

tinnitus, which is generally a ringing or buzzing noise in the ears. Tinnitus is often another symptom of noise exposure which can co-exist with noise induced hearing loss and can be particularly obtrusive.

A civil claim for compensation can be made against the employer(s)/former employer(s). It is typical that exposure to loud noise at work occurred many years ago and for the employer to have long since stopped trading. This is not often a bar to a claim as the company’s insurers can often be located.

Irwin Mitchell have extensive experience in handling claims for noise induced hearing loss. We have helped thousands of people in the UK achieve compensation for their hearing loss due to noise exposure at work.

Irwin Mitchell is holding FREE advice clinics in Sheffield and one of our specialist legal advisors and an audiologist will be available to talk through any concerns you have relating to noise induced hearing loss and to investigate whether you have a claim for compensation.

Our promise to you: • You’ll receive 100% of the compensation you are awarded* • Receive understanding, empathetic and professional advice • Deal with specialists in work related illness • No cost to you**

“Once again a very big thank you…you were so polite and very professional you made the whole process easy.” - Nejad

Join us for a free consultation: Tuesday 10th May 2011 Pakistani Advice Centre, 127 Page Hall Road, Sheffield, S4 8GU Thursday 26th May 2011 Pakistani Muslim Centre, Woodbourn Road, Sheffield, S9 3LQ To find out more about the clinics or to register your interest: Call Ambreen Besharat Today on

0114 274 4674 or text DEAFNESS to 61993 you can also visit www.irwinmitchell.com

Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield, S3 8DT * Does not apply to group actions for accidents and illness outside England and Wales ** Subject to entering a ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreement with us and complying with its terms Irwin Mitchell LLP is regulated by both the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Law Society of Scotland.

www.ilmnews.com PI1880-AD-hearing loss.indd 1

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21/04/2011 16:55

Indian Aqua Bombs At the time of independence, though major portion of the Indus basin (31 Million Acers) formed part of Pakistan, however the control of most of existing structures on the rivers of Indus Basin fell into the Indian hands, being upper riparian.

The consequences of such an unfair demarcation surfaced soon after when India started interfering with the waters flowing downstream by stopping waters on rivers Ravi and Sutlej(irrigating 1.6 Million Acres in Pakistan) from 1st April 1948. The stress, which subsequently mounted in the region, was felt down around the globe and in 1951 World Bank offered its good office for resolution of the issue. The treaty, the result of a decade of painstaking of negotiations that ended in 1960, gave Pakistan 80% of the waters in the Indus river system a ratio that nationalists in Pakistan often forget. India the upper river nation was permitted to use some of the water for forming, drinking and power generation as long as it does not store too much.

India has been allotted exclusive control/right over the waters of the eastern rivers, namely; Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Pakistan controls the water of three Western rivers; Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. The qualification is that this use of hydropower is not to affect the quantity of water reaching Pakistan or to interfere with the natural timing of those flows. Since hydropower does not

munirahmedbaloch@hotmail.com by: Munir A Baloch

consume water, the only issue is timing. And timing is a very big issue, because agriculture in the Pakistani plains depends not only on how much water comes, but that it comes in critical periods during the planting season. This treaty barred India from storing any water or constructing any storage works on the western rivers that would result in a reduced flow of water to Pakistan. The problem between the two countries arose when India decided to build a dam on the Kishanganga River that originates in Indian Occupied Kashmir. The Kishanganga river assumes the name of Neelum river upon entering in the Azad Kashmir. The Indian design to construct dams on Pakistani rivers will diminished the flow of Jhelum during the vital Rabi crop-sowing season threatening Pakistan’s agrobased economy and throwing the fate of dismal farmers in the abyss of absurdity.

In May 1992,India supplied information about Baglihar Hydro electric project located about 147 Kilometers upstream of Marala Head works on river Chenab in district Doda. The project envisaged the construction of a concrete gravity dam with a gross storage capacity of about 0.32 MAF. The Baglihar was commissioned in 2008. During its initial filling, India violated the clauses of treaty by not filling the dam in stipulated time frame

and by not ensuring requisite inflow at Marala head works of Pakistan.

The drastic reduction of inflow at Marla had following adverse impact on Pakistan.

Closure of Marala- Ravi Link Canal, which resulted in non-availability of irrigation water for paddy crops in Marala Command canals area covering over 10,000,000 acres of land. Reduced filling of Mangla Dam due to excessive drawing of water from it to cover the deficiency of waters at Marala Headworks. Reduce filling of Mangla Dam resulted into acute shortage of water for Rabi ( Autumn/ Winter crops. As per paragraph 18 and 18(c) of annexure E of Indus water Treaty 1960, India has committed following gross violations of the treaty:- Violation committed by the India(a) Failed to provide initial filling plan. Did not ensure continues inflow of 55,000 cusecs at Marala. C) Carried out initial filling even after 31 August 2008. Impact of Low Inflow:The reduced inflow at Marala had following adverse impact on Pakistan:-(a) Closure of MaralaRavi Link Canal. (b) Non availability of irrigation water for paddy crops in Marala Command canals area. The total effected area is approximately over one Crore acres of land. (c)reduce filling of Mangla Dam. (d) Acute shortage of water for Rabi Crops

Inventions – The Golden Age We all know who discovered gravity...Newton. We all know who invented radio.....Marconi.

But do we know who invented soap? Hazrat Saleh aleh salaam.

Do we know who invented the bridge? Hasrat Yusuf aleh salaam. Do we know who invented the boat? Hazrat Nooh aleh salaam. Do we know who invented the mirror? Hazrat Suleman aleh salaam. Do we know who invented the needle? Hazrat Idrees aleh salaam. Do we know who invented the comb? Hazrat Ibrahim aleh salaam A number of inventions were developed in the medieval Islamic world, a geopolitical region that has at various times extended from Spain and Africa in the west to the Indian subcontinent in the east.

The inventions listed here were developed during the medieval Islamic world, which covers the period from the early Caliphate to the later Ottoman, Safavid and Mughal empires. In particular, the majority of inventions here date back to the Islamic Golden Age, which is traditionally dated from the 8th to the 13th centuries.

Muslim civilisation stretched from southern Spain as far as China.

From the 7th century onwards, scholars of many faiths built on the ancient knowledge of the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, making breakthroughs that paved the way for the Renaissance.

Westerns who called these periods the dark ages was the Golden Age

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of Muslim scientists. The discoveries made by men and women in Muslim civilisation have left their mark on the way we live today.

The history of inventions uncovers a thousand years of science and technology that has a huge but hidden impact on the modern world.

Surgery....around the year 1000 the celebrated doctor Al Zahrawi published a 1,500 page illustrated encyclopaedia of surgery that was used in Europe as a medical reference for the next 500 years.

Among his many inventions, Al Zahrawi discovered the use of dissolving cat gut to stitch wounds... beforehand a second surgery had to be performed to remove sutures.

He also reportedly performed the first caesarean operation and created the first pair of forceps.

Coffee...now the western worlds drink du jour, coffee was first brewed in Yemen around the 9th century. In its earliest days, coffee helped Sufis stay up during late nights of devotion. Later brought to Cairo by a group of students, the coffee buzz soon caught on around the empire. By the 13th century it reached turkey, but not until the 16th century did the beans start boiling in Europe, brought to Italy by a Venetian trader.

Flying machine....Abbas Ibn Firnas was the first person to make a real attempt to construct a flying machine he designed in the 19th century.

University....in 859 a young princess named Fatima Al Firhi

founded the first degree-granting university in fez, Morocco.

Algebra....Al Khwarizmi was the first to introduce the concept of algebra in mathematics. The same mathematician, Al-Khwarizmi, was also the first to introduce the concept of raising a number to a power.

Optics.... many of the most important advances in the study of optics come from the Muslim world.

Around the year 1000 Ibn AlHaitham proved that humans see objects by reflecting off of them and entering the eye, dismissing Euclid and Ptolemy’s theories that light was emitted from the eye itself. This great Muslim physicist also discovered the camera obscurer phenomenon.

Toothbrush....the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) popularized the use of the first toothbrush in around 600. Using a twig from the meswak tree he cleaned his teeth and freshened his breath. Substances similar to meswak are used in modern toothpaste.

Hospitals...hospitals as we know them today, with wards and teaching centres, come from 9th century Egypt. The first such medical enter was the Ahmad Ibn Tulun hospital, founded in 872 in Cairo. Tulun hospital provided free care for anyone who needed it – a policy based on the Muslim tradition of caring for all who are sick. From Cairo, such hospitals spread around the Muslim world.

If Baglihar was the only dam being built by India on the Chenab and Jhelum, this would be a limited problem. But following Baglihar is a veritable caravan of Indian projects—Kishanganga, Sawalkot 1200MW, Pakuldul stage 1&2,1020MW, Bursar1020MW, Dal Huste 780MW, Gysp, Kiru 430MW, Ratle 560MW, Kirthai stage1&2,600MW,Shamnot 370MW, Naunt 400MW, Barinium 240MW, Patam 60MW, teling 81MW, tinget 81MW,Miyar 90MW, tandi 150MW, Rashil 150MW, Dugar 360MW, Chhatru 108MW, Khoksar 90MW, Seli 150MW, Bardang 114MW, Sachkhas 210MW, Gondhala 144MW, Reoli 715MW,Baglihar phase-1,450MW, Salal 690MW,, Dulhasti 780MW, Rajouri 3MW, Killer 0.3MW, Thirot 4.5MW, Shansha 0.2MW,Billing ).1MW, Sissu0.10MW, Chinani-11,2MW, Bhadarwah 1MW, Uri, Lower Jhelum, Sambal, Pahalgam, Asyhan, Bandipura, Dachhigam, Karan, Kamah, Mactchil, Parnal, Poonch, Upper sind hydro electric power plant. Using Baglihar and Kishenganga as a reference, simple backof-the- envelope calculations, suggest that once it has constructed all of the planned hydropower plants (AQUA BOMBS)India will have an ability to effect major damage on Pakistan.The Indian Government awarded contract for construction of Kishenganga Dam jointly to the Hindustan Construc-

tion Company Ltd and British Firm Halcrow Group Ltd. The Indian Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the revised cost from Rs.22.39 Billion to Rs.36.42 Billion.According to details of the contract negotiated between the National Hydro-Electric Corporation and the representative of HCC and Halcrow, the project will be completed and commissioned in 84 months. The company is currently also developing five other infrastructure projects including three Hydel Power Projects-Chutak (Kargil), Nimoo Bazgo (leh) and URI-11- in addition to the 84- kilometer Mughal Road, connecting Poonch with Indian-held Kashmir.

The Kishenganga project envisages diversion of river Jhelum. The water of river Neelum(Kishenganga) is reserved for Pakistan;s NeelumJhelum Hydro electric project, work on which started in 1989. The diversion of water in Kishenganga project will have adverse effects.

Water flow at Neelum- Jhelum project will decrease and generation capacity of Neelum- Jhelum project will reduced by 20%. The Indian plans include storing water and then tunneling it to the Wullar Lake, where it is constructing a 800MW power house. India has almost completed a 22-kilometer long tunnel to divert Kishanganga waters to Wullar Lake in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan maintains that India, under the treaty, can store water but it cannot divert it

to any other side. Thus, any diversion would violate the provisions of the treaty. The basic idea behind the construction of Wullar Barrage was that India wanted to create additional storage in the Wullar Lake, which would be utilized to augment the water flow to their Lower Jhelum Hydroelectric Plant and Uri Hydroelectric Plant during the winter season when the inflows decreases.

The construction of Wullar Barrage would provide India the control over River Jhelum which they may use to deprive Pakistan during winter seasons. Besides above mentioned disputes, a number of hydroelectric projects of various capacities are being planned by India on the rivers reserved for Pakistan to further choke the water flow.

These include 24 projects on River henab,52 on River Jhelum and 18 on River Indus.Thus Pakistan’s agriculture and hydropower generation is under further threat. Pakistan believes that all these completed or ongoing projects including Baglihar, Kishenganga hydro power projects and Wullar Barrage can be used as (1) a geo strategic weapon (2) potential to disrupt the triple canal project of Pakistan (3) badly affecting the Neelum- Jhelum hydropower project (4) agriculture in Azad Kashmir (5) drying the lands of Pakistan Not by using the Nuclear Bombs but using her ‘’AQUA BOMBS”

Sheffield Candidates Candidates have been announced for this year’s local elections in May. A total of 128 candidates will be standing for election for the 28 seats in Sheffield – a third of the city’s seats - on Thursday 5 May. All the current ward members are standing for re-election this time.

There are also elections due in the three local parish councils – Bradfield, Ecclesfield and Stocksbridge, although all the Bradfield wards and the Stocks-

bridge Town Council South ward will be uncontested this year.

The Government has also decided that a referendum on the voting system to the UK Parliament should be held on the same day.

The political split across the Council is currently 41 seats held by the Liberal democrats, 40 by Labour, two by the Green Party and one Independent.

There will be 28 seats up for election, one third of the council.

The last election left the council with no overall control. Since the

previous election, one Liberal Democrat councillor had defected to Labour leaving the Liberal Democrats with 41 councillors.

Good luck to all candidates of the Asian community. Ajaz Ahmed – Labour; IIbrar Hussain – Labour; Javid Khan Liberal Democrats; Mohammed Akbar – Labour; Iltaf Hussain - Liberal Democrats; Tasadique Mohammed – Liberal Democrats; Qurban Hussain – Labour.

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New Rotherham Park Landmark

Visitors to Clifton Park can now enjoy the very best of modern architecture with the opening of the stunning new Garden House.

Located a short distance from the Grade 2* listed Clifton Park Museum, the new centre offers a wide range of facilities, including a bowls pavilion, toilets, reception as well as a base for park rangers and gardeners. At the heart of the building is a large ‘multi-purpose room’ that can be used for education, functions and community activities.

This is one of the final stages in the completion of the multimillion pound restoration of Clifton Park that has been made possible thanks to a £4.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund. The project has already delivered a

state-of-the-art water play area, improved footpath network, and lovingly restored features including gardens, fountains, bandstand and Cenotaph.

The building’s multi-purpose room can be booked by local groups and individuals for a wide range of events and activities, as well as providing space for education and training. There are also plans to develop a varied programme including music, arts and sports, all based in and around the Garden House.

Along with the Museum, landscape, café, kiosk, and extensive play and amusements areas, this latest addition helps to strengthen Clifton Park’s reputation as providing one of the best days out in the region.

Fire Service Welcomes Special Visitors From Qatar

Ten firefighters from Qatar are and I am sure the visit will be a spending three months with huge benefit to our own crews South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue and our visitors from Qatar.” as part of a special visit to the The group are on a two year UK. The group, who arrived at secondment from their home the Training & Development country in the Middle East to the Centre in Sheffield at the start Fire Service College in Moretonof April, have chosen SYFR as in-Marsh. They are the first of at their base until June. The centre, least three groups at FSC to study in Handsworth, houses one of the for a diploma in Fire Service Opworld’s most advanced firefighter erations & Fire Safety studies. training facilities, the Realistic During their South Yorkshire stay Fire Training Building (RFTB), they will also learn more about which the Qatar crews will use the community safety side of fire for training exercises during their service work, including home stay. They’ll also attend a range safety checks and projects for of incidents across the county to young people. Qatar firefighter observe how SYFR crews oper- Mohammed Ali Al-Suwaidi said: ate at the scene of fires, road traf- “As soon as we arrived here we fic collisions and other special were warmly welcomed by everescues. SYFR’s Jon Parkes, an ryone at the training centre. “We instructor at the training centre, are very much looking forward said: “It is testament to our repu- to learning more from the experiGolden Girl Jessica To Be tation and the excellent training enced instructors. Everything we The Next Sheffield Legend facilities we have in South York- have done so far has been a great Sheffield’s golden girl of athletics at Berlin 2009 and World Indoor shire that the Qatar firefighters success and I would recommend is to be added to Sheffield ’s pres- Pentathlon Champion at Doha have chosen to visit us. “We are the experience for others”.

2010 - setting a new pentathlon delighted to welcome them here, tigious ‘walk of fame’.

World Champion heptathlete, championship record with 4,937 Jessica Ennis has been chosen as points. Last year Jessica became the next Sheffield Legend. Her European Heptathlon Champion plaque will join those of previ- in Barcelona with 6,823 points – cuts.” Like Greens nationwide, ous local heroes such as Seb Coe, scoring a new personal best and Green candidates believe there Michael Palin, Sean Bean and Joe new championship record. Jessica is an alternative to the rising unCocker outside the Town Hall. Af- attended King Ecgbert School employment and painful cuts to ter progressing through junior and in Dore before going to the Unipublic services that come with the youth competitions, Jessica hit versity of Sheffield, where she coalition government’s attempts the international headlines in her gained a degree in psychology to reduce the deficit. first senior championships for the in 2007. She is a key member Bernard Little, who is the clear English team in the 2006 Com- of the City of Sheffield Athletchallenger to the Lib Dems in monwealth Games in Melbourne ics Club. Launched in 2004, the Broomhill ward, said, “Creating , where she was a surprise bronze Sheffield Legends are nominated jobs means more taxpayers and medal winner in the heptathlon. by local people and chosen by an City councillor and Green group more money coming into the exJessica is now a double Outdoor independent Selection Board rep- leader for Sheffield, Jillian Creasy, chequer. Not only that, but when and Indoor World Champion after resenting various sectors within has set out the local party’s vision people are employed, they have winning the Gold medals in Ber- the city - the arts, sport, education, for the Green future of Sheffield. more money to spend, so local lin and Doha. She became World media and business - which is Sheffield Greens launched their businesses benefit. Combining Outdoor Heptathlon Champion chaired by the Lord Mayor. local election campaign and re- this with closing tax loopholes leased a local election broadcast and taxing those who can most on April 15th, detailing their top afford it will generate the revenue priorities for a fairer, greener necessary to address the deficit without cutting vital public servSheffield.

Jillian Creasy, Sheffield Central ices. Greens know there is a betward councillor since 2004, said: ter, more positive way to handle “We want to give voters a real Britain’s economy – and Sheffield alternative to Labour and the Lib could lead the way in manufacturDems, who simply aren’t tackling ing for renewable energy, public many of the challenges of the fu- transport and local food producture. We are in favour of jobs not tion.” Cllr Creasy, who is standcuts, tackling tax loopholes and ing for re-election this year, has taxing the very wealthy. We want had notable successes in the past, secure tenancies and better stand- including persuading the Council ards in private rented housing. We to hold an investigation into afwould invest in energy saving and fordable housing and opt into the renewable energy, saving money Government’s Sustainable Comand creating jobs. We have shown munities Act, initiating a review how these principles can be ap- of noise nuisance and opposing plied in the city council, even in Sheffield’s bid for a supercasino. the face of draconian government A GP herself, she is also cam-

2,707 Reports Of Vermin Made To Bradford Council Over 15 Months

Bradford Council is paying pest controllers more than £1 million a year to get rid of rats and mice, new figures have revealed. There were 2,707 reports of vermin to the Council from the beginning of 2010 to March this year. The authority’s pest controllers visited 2,460 homes and businesses during that period to get rid of the rodents which spread disease. A total of £1.18m was spent treating rodent infestations. They showed that of 2,640 reports of rats and mice in the district in 2008, pest controllers treated 2,370 infestations at a cost of £1.23 million.

In 2009, there were 2,332 reports, with pest controllers being called out to 2,071 incidents. The total cost was £1m.

So far this year pest controllers have already treated more than 400 premises infested by rats or mice. The highest number of pest controller call-outs was in Barkerend, Bradford, with 54 so far this year. The lowest number

was in Queensbury with just one.

Three homes and two businesses in the city centre needed treatments for infestations.

A local pest control expert said he was not surprised by the number of rat reports made to Bradford Council over the year, but was taken aback at how much the Council was paying to keep on top of the problem. He said: “I know for a fact Leeds Council has a budget of £350,000 for its rat control and it covers a much bigger area than Bradford.” He said the best way for Bradford to cut the cost was for the city to clean up its act and for residents to stop throwing food onto the streets, piling up rubbish, and for bins to be regularly emptied.

Rats are only supposed to breed in summer when they are out in the fields eating grain but the problem with cities is that food and rubbish is on the streets all year round so there’s no stopping them.

Councillor Jillian Creasy Leads The Way In Sheffield

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paigning against the proposed changes to the NHS, which are already threatening to force the closure of two care homes caring for patients with dementia: “The PCT says it can’t find the money to fund nursing staff at Birch Avenue and Woodland View Care Homes. This flies in the face of claims by the coalition government that the NHS is not under threat with no cuts to front line services.” Like Caroline Lucas in Parliament, Jean Lambert and Keith Taylor in Europe and Green councillors nationwide, Jillian and her fellow councillors in Sheffield have had influence beyond their numbers. She adds “Electing Green Councillors really does make a difference – to individuals, local communities, the city, and at national level. We bring a positive approach to politics: working hard, listening to our constituents, and providing innovative and considered solutions to issues locally and nationally. We know people are looking for a real alternative and that’s just what the Green Party can provide. I hope all those who agree with us will come out, take positive action, and vote Green on 5th May.” Key issues for Sheffield Green Party in this election campaign are : Jobs not cuts - Unlike Labour and the Lib Dems, we would reduce

the financial deficit by closing tax loopholes and taxing wealthy people and banks more. We must invest in jobs and public services.

Sheffield could lead the way in manufacturing for renewable energy, public transport and local food production. Secure housing - We want long-term, secure tenancies. We would bring Sheffield Homes back into the council and force better standards in private rented houses. We would spend more on repairs, green energy and energy saving for all homes.

Strong communities - Good local facilities and support for volunteers, not cuts to public services, are the only way to build communities and cut crime. We support local schools, groups and campaigns. We consult local people and help them get their voice heard. In the council budget for 2011/12, we proposed making a small charge for green garden waste sacks and cutting top executive pay. The money would have funded investment in renewable energy and stopped cuts to: - advice centres like Sharrow Citizens Advice Bureau - Sure Start Children’s Centres - Police Community Support Officers - day care and respite for elderly people.

14

Betts Says Lettings Policy Implementation Unfair To Those Who Wait

Sheffield MP Clive Betts has challenged Sheffield City Council on its lettings policies which discriminate against people who have been on the waiting-list a long time. He is urging for the Council to review what is actually happening to re-housing in various parts of the city and to ensure that the spirit of SCC’s own re-housing policies are implemented.

Effectively, this means that those with waiting-time only will not be allowed to bid for a home. Clive Betts said: “The way in which the re-housing policy is being implemented runs contrary to the actual policy which states that ‘one in four properties can be offered to

people with waiting-time only’.

But, in areas like Hackenthorpe, people are effectively being denied from ever being re-housed.It is absolutely right that people who have to be re-housed because of demolition. It is absolutely wrong that homes which are not required for that purpose will never be offered to people who have waitingtime only. This is completely contrary to the guiding principles and spirit of the letting policies.”

Mr David Pemberton & his partner Ms Helen Barnsley have a six month old baby and rent privately having been on the City Council housing waiting list for 20 years.

They have no other housing pri-

ority. They have been bidding persistently for homes that become available in Hackenthorpe, but completely unsuccessfully.

Tenancies in Hackenthorpe are reserved for people over 40, over 60 or with mobility problems, but priority ring-fencing is given for people with a demolition priority.

If the property is not required for ‘demolition priority’, the home is only being offered to those with other re-housing priorities. The effect of this is that no properties becoming available are being offered to or allocated for those with waiting-time only.

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Bradford College has announced its intention to charge higher education tuition fees of £6700 from 2012, subject to Government approval.

The College, one of the largest providers of higher education in the UK outside of the university sector, made its announcement at a time when two thirds of universities have declared their intention to charge the maximum £9000 fee. The College said that it can afford to charge lower fees than most universities and still deliver an excellent higher education because it operates more efficiently due to lower overheads and lower levels of funding historically.

Explaining the difference between the higher education experience at Bradford College and that at universities, David Smith, the College’s Dean of Higher Education, said:“Bradford College’s HE courses tend to have a vocational and professional emphasis and are often designed with the direct input of employers. The College typically provides a higher number of teaching hours than the HE sector average. It also provides excellent levels of tutor access and support, class sizes that are below the sector average and attracts predominantly local students who are often the first in their family to study at higher edu-

cation level. “But Bradford College is also more like a university than probably any other Further Education College in terms of the breadth and depth of its higher education courses. We offer more full degrees, including postgraduate degrees, than any other FE College.” “It is most important that lower fees are not associated with lower quality degrees. The quality of Bradford College’s higher education provision was underlined in 2010 when it was awarded the highest judgement possible by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), the body responsible for academic quality and standards in UK higher education.”

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Bradford College:Fees for 2012

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Bradford College is rapidly becoming one of the leading players in boxing education - making huge strides since the opening of the Bradford Police & College Boxing Academy in September 2008. Now with an international reputation for excellence, elite boxers are jetting in from across the world to train at the high performance boxing centre.

Paul Porter, Bradford Boxing Development Officer, reflected: “We didn’t even have a pair of gloves when I first joined the College. Now we’ve got the Boxing Academy and we host a lot of national events in conjunction with the Amateur Boxing Association,

where potential Olympic class boxers are training. We have an extremely talented coaching setup, led by Mally MacIver (Head Coach) and Kevin Smith (former Scotland National Team Coach and now running our Advanced Apprenticeships in Sporting Excellence Programme).” Paul added: “In addition to training within the College, the lads will travel to venues across the country with Kevin Smith for sparring and training.

This will include spending a day at the English Institute of Sport working with the Great Britain Development Squad. They will also be accompanied by physio

and Team Manager Vaibhav Patil.

Bradford College’s women’s boxing programme has also been granted the ‘Inspire Mark’; the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises innovative and exceptional projects directly inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Academy is also one of only six colleges in the country to become a designated High Performance Boxing Centre for aspiring boxers aged 16-19 years by the (ABAE) and (ECABA).

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