SBP: Pak should come out of FDI fascination SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT least, give attention to the Out- tile. And it is the volatility in
ward Foreign Direct Investment such flows that keeps any central banker awake at night,” said This he said at the 4th CEOs he. The governor also stressed Summit and book launching of the need for developing and “100 Business Leaders of Paki- implementing good governance stan” held here at a local hotel. practices to stimulate economic Anwar pointed out that FDI growth in the country. was investment in tangible assets He said good corporate in the real sector. “That means governance regimes cannot be that money and capital flows underscored more as they crethrough FDI are not very vola- Continued on Page 7
KARACHI —Yaseen Anwar, (OFDI). Governor State Bank of Pakistan, on Thursday said Pakistan’s economy should now move away from persisting fascination with inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as a metric of the country’s economic health. The economy, the governor said, should now, at
Blast at Rangers HQ kills 3, injures 21
Anti-Islam filmmaker sentenced
TTP claims responsibility
LOS ANGELES—The man behind an anti-Muslim film that led to violence in many parts of the world was sentenced to a year in federal prison for probation violations in an unrelated matter. The sentence Wednesday was the result of a plea bargain between lawyers for Mark Bassely Youssef and federal prosecutors. Youssef admitted in open court that he had used several false names in violation of his probation order and obtained a driver’s license under a false name. He was on probation for a bank fraud case. Shortly after Youssef left the courtroom, his lawyer, Steven Seiden, came to the
The injured include nine blast smashed the window panes STAFF REPORTER KARACHI: Rangers personnel standing at the site of suicide bomb blast at Rangers 72 Wing Headquarters in North Rangers personnel, a policeman of the building into pieces folNazimabad. KARACHI—At least three Rang- and a civilian, the hospital lowed by a fire that erupted in ers personnel were killed and 21 sources said. They were named one part of the headquarter’s preothers injured in a suicide attack as Ghulam Mustafa, Qadir Khan, mises. Some walls of the buildon the headquarters of Pakistan Tariq Mohammad, Farooq, ing collapsed. The fire-brigade, bomb disRangers in North Nazimabad on Wazir, Adeel and Mohammad Anwar of Pakistan Rangers while posal squad, ambulances and Thursday. The deadly incident shook the policeman and the civilian other rescue teams rushed to the the authorities and residents of were identified as Wajid Ali and site soon after the explosion was heard. Wali Khan. this violence-hit L ONDON —The founder and DIG West Javed Odho told Rushed to Abbasi Shaheed According to the statement leader of Muttahida Quami of wounded Rangers personnel, Hospital by the rescue teams, the media that initial inquiries Movement (MQM) Altaf the bomber used a Shehzor truck three of the injured are said to be suggest that explosives weightHussain has said that the crisis in a critical condition. Heard in ing 150 kilograms was used. The of CCI which would be headed The tariff should be such that it in which the country has been laden with hundreds of kilograms far away areas of the city, the SHARAFAT KAZMI Continued on Page 7 by Secretary, Inter-Provincial should provide incentives and plunged after exchange of words explosives in the blast. ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Coordination Division as Chair- attract the investors. The meet- between the army and the judiRaja Pervez Ashraf has said that man. The Committee would ex- ing was also informed that work ciary was far from imagination. the determination of up front tar- amine and scrutinize the issues on Draft Electricity Law needs Hussain said that he is the iff was of national interest which enumerated in Federal Legisla- to be expedited. The Prime Min- only person who had warned in ISLAMABAD—The 136th birth Continued on Page 7 would pave the way for investors tive List (Part II) which are to be ister directed Secretary Water & his statements and public adanniversary of poet of the East Power in her capacity as Secre- dresses, after sensing friction to make investments in the power placed before the CCI. A l l a m a While debating the working tary Cabinet Division to coordi- between state institutions, that the sector without wasting time. Muhammad Jersey reported that nearly Senate informed This was stated by him and functioning of National Elec- nate with NEPRA for working country needed stability and WASHINGTON—Adding to the Iqbal would be 60,000 customers who lost power woes of thousands of people still while chairing a meeting of the tric and Power Regulatory Au- out a front tariff. unity. In the present circum- reeling from Superstorm Sandy’s because of Sandy lost it all over observed today The meeting was informed stances, it would not be advisable Council of Common Interests thority (NEPRA), the Prime (Friday) with (CCI) convened after the pas- Minister said that NEPRA should that the governments of Punjab to rake differences between the blow, another significant storm again as a result of the nor’easter. national zeal New York had taken signifihit already-ravaged New York sage of 18th Amendment in the have in house capability and ex- and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had army and the judiciary in public and zest. pertise to determine up front tar- notified the police officials and and to complicate the issues that and New Jersey states bringing cant precautions ahead of the new Constitution. The day storm, including halting conin high winds, storm surge and The meeting also decided to iff for Power Plants run on coal, other staff to help the distribution could otherwise be solved easily. has been destruction, closing city parks, ensnow in some areas. constitute a Standing Committee wind, solar, bio-gas or gas, oil. Continued on Page 7 He said that all state instituThe storm, termed as the couraging drivers to stay off the clared as a pubISLAMABAD—State Minister Continued on Page 7 Nor’easter, brought down tree road after 5 pm and urging people lic holiday and all the schools, for Defence Sardar Salim limbs and electrical wires, and without heat to take shelter to stay government offices, and banks Haider said Thursday that a utilities in New York and New warm.—Online Pakistan Air Force aircraft was Continued on Page 7 IDEAS-2012 used by Information Minister I SLAMABAD —Chief Justice ul-Haq Mian he applauded joint run by chosen representatives Qamar Zaman Kaira on Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry struggle of the Supreme Court should be strong in the country.” October 15, after getting Extolling the role of out gohas stressed that there should be and SCBA for supremacy of permission from the Prime no rule except Constitutionalism constitution and rule of law The ing SCBA President Yaseen Minister. delegations called on CJP on Azad, CJP said that the Supreme in society. Replying to a question in Thursday. He said. “we are united Court Bar Association performed Bidding fare well to the outthe Senate, he informed the going members of Supreme with sincerity, commitment, very well during its term. house that Pakistan Air Force Addressing the meeting, the (PAF) aircraft was given to the Court Bar Association headed by dedication and devotion that we STAFF REPORTER would be working; with our outgoing SBA President Yaseen Yaseen Azad and welcoming inMinister for Information and cause being to administer jusAzad thanked CJP for his full Broadcasting on the directive of coming members of SCBA KARACHI—Foreign diplomats, headed by its new president Israr- tice”, stressing that democracy cooperation.—Online Prime Minister for travelling Chiefs of the Armed Forces and from Islamabad to Karachi, senior officers visited the GIDS Hyderabad and then back to staff on the second day of the Islamabad the same day. IDEAS-2012 here on Thursday He said Prime Minister has and expressed keen interest in the the authority to allow the use of products of the company. The federation’s petition, ISLAMABAD—The federation ment had constitutionally failed The GIDS stall is the biggest Continued on Page 7 on Thursday filed a petition in to curb human rights violations, filed Thursday states that the of all other stalls of the IDEASkillings and order was “extremely danger- 2012 exhibition and is deriving the Supreme Court requesting it targeted to review its order in the kidnappings for ransom in the ous” for the country and was immense attention of the particibased on assumptions, adding pants of this mega event. In adBalochistan law and order case. province. The order had stated that the that, through the ruling, an at- dition to important personalities On October 12, the apex court had issued an interim or- provincial government had tempt had been made to revive of the country, Chief of the Air der on a petition on the law and failed to establish the writ of law the spirit of the 17th Amend- Staff Air Marshal Tahir Rafiq order situation and human rights and had lost the authority to gov- ment. The federation’s stance Butt and Federal Minister for QILA SAIFULLAH: A large number of people listening to the address of Maulana Fazlur BEIRUT—Syria’s embattled violations in Balochistan, stat- ern the province in accordance states that running a government Continued on Page 7 Rehman, chief of JUI-F on Thursday. ing that the provincial govern- with the Constitution. President Bashar Assad says Continued on Page 7 he will not leave his country. In an interview with Russia TV, Assad said he will ‘live and die’ in Syria. His comments come two days after British Prime Minister David Cameron suggested that Assad could be QILA SAIFULLAH—Chief of allowed safe passage out of Jamiat-e-Ulema-i-Islam (JUI the country if that would (F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman has guarantee an end to the opposed armed struggle for the nation’s civil war. attainment of political rights and Assad spoke in English ISLAMABAD—The Supreme Habib had confessed to distrib- Marshal (retd) Asghar Khan’s tions. The court ruled that both any letter/notification to the ex- far, otherwise the same might said his party believes in politiuting Rs40 million. The verdict petition filed in 1996 accusing Durrani and Beg brought a bad tent of creating any such cell/debe deposited in the treasury acwith Russia Today TV. Court (SC) on Thursday issued cal movement. Excerpts of the interview were detailed verdict of Asghar further says the elections should the ISI of distributing Rs60 mil- name to Pakistan and its armed partment (by any name whatso- count of the Pakistan governAddressing Sheikhul Hind posted on the TV station’s Khan case with observations be held on time without any fear. lion among politicians to ma- forces as well as secret agencies ever, would stand cancelled ment. conference here on Thursday, in the eyes of the nation. “NotIt said the president is the nipulate the general elections of forthwith). The court ruled that general website on Thursday, with an that the secret agencies had no Fazlur Rehman said it was bewithstanding that they may have The court ruled that an elections held in 1990 were sub- yond his comprehension that the Arabic voiceover. right to make election cell and head of state and it does not suit 1990. Ruling that the 1990 polls retired from service, the federal amount of Rs80 million was jected to corruption and corrupt supreme court held the Federal Assad says he is not a were duty bound to safeguard him to support any group. Crepuppet of the West. the borders, Elections of 90 ating a political cell in the Presi- were rigged, the SC on October government shall take necessary stated to have been deposited in practices as in view of the over- Security institutions responsible He says: “I am Syrian, were rigged and the then Presi- dent House is illegal, it added. 19 directed the government to steps under the Constitution and Account No 313, titled ‘Survey whelming material produced by for missing persons and recovA three-member bench of take action against former army law against them,” said the short and Construction Group the parties during hearing in the ery of defaced bodies but ruled made in Syria, and I will live dent, Army Chief and DG ISI Karachi’ and maintained by MI, case, “it has been established that Balochistan government and die in Syria.” —AP exercised their power illegally. the apex court headed by Chief chief Gen (retd) Mirza Aslam order. The court ordered that any therefore, be transferred with that an ‘election cell’ had been had lost its constitutional authorThe 140-page verdict is Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Beg and former chief of the Inwritten by Chief Justice Chaudhry comprising of Justice ter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt election cell/political cell in profit to the Habib Bank Lim- created in the Presidency, which ity to govern the province. Iftikhar Mohammad Jawwad Khawaja and Justice Gen (retd) Asad Durrani for vio- the Presidency or ISI or MI or ited (HBL) with further direc- was functioning to provide fiHe said while the supreme Chaudhry. In the detailed ver- Khilji Arif Hussain, had an- lating the Constitution by ma- within their formations be tion that if the liability of the court takes notice of Continued on Page 7 dict, SC stated that Younis nounced a short order, on Air nipulating the 1990 general elec- abolished immediately and HBL had not been adjusted so
CCI approves equitable power distribution
Altaf foresees army, judiciary crisis
PM: Govt committed to constitutional obligations
After Sandy, new storm hits New York, New Jersey
Iqbal Day today
Kaira used PAF aircraft on PM’s approval
CJP for constitutionalism
Pilotless planes attract attention of delegates
Balochistan case: Review petition filed
Assad not leaving Syria
Detailed SC verdict in Asghar Khan case
Fazl opposes armed struggle for political rights
ISI, MI have no right to make election cells 90’s polls were rigged; Recovery of money with interest ordered
Continued on Page 7
APNS condoles demise of Najam STAFF REPORTER K A R A C H I —Sarmad Ali, President, Masood Hamid, Secretary General, APNS on behalf of the Office Bearers and members of the Society have expressed their profound grief over the sad demise of a veteran and senior colleague, Mr. Najamul-Hassan, Publisher Managing Editor, Fortnightly Engineering Review, Karachi. The APNS Office Bearers expressed their condolence and prayed that Almighty Allah may rest the departed soul in peace and give patience to the bereaved family and to bear the irreparable loss.
‘Culture activities to provide pleasure to people’ STAFF REPORTER P E S H AWA R —Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Culture and Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that revival of cultural activities in the province were meant to provide some pleasure moments to the terror-hit dwellers of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This, he said, while addressing a function held for prominent literary figures, Saeed Khan and his wife Noshi Gilani under the title “Ek Sham Saeed Khan and Noshi Gilani Ke Naam” at Nishtar Hall here. The function, besides, Saeed Khan and Noshi Gilani was also addressed by the prominent literary personalities including Hassan Abbas, Zia Muhammad, Sajjad Babar, Mushtaq Shabab, Iqbal Sikandar, Aziz Ejaz and Nasir Ali Sayed and paid rich tributes to the literary work of young couple. Secretary Culture and Information, Azmat Hanif Orakzai and renowned personalities attended the function. Mian Iftikhar maintained that present critical situation has pushed the society in a state of uncertainty adding that in such a situation, the writers could play a key-role to encourage the society through their pen.
Pak participates in Sharjah Books
Exhibition ISLAMABAD—Books are the means to keep the youth close to their culture, religion and values. It is an extremely positive development that 26 publishers from Pakistan have participated in the International Books Exhibition at Sharjah. This is the first time that His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah has announced a subsidy of US$ 1500 equivalent to AED 5400 for translation of books from Urdu and English to Arabic. This was said by Ambassador of Pakistan to the United Arab Emirates, Jamil Ahmed Khan during the inaugural ceremony of 31stInternational Books Exhibition in the UAE His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi exclusively inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion of the exhibition in the presence of a large crowd. This time, the special focus was made on the books from Pakistan which indeed is a benchmark in such exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates. Ambassador Jamil Khan further said that frustration and odds of society can be prevented if society is able to keep them self close to authors, books.
World Science Day tomorrow STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—World Science Day (WSD) will be observed on November 10 to raise awareness of the benefits of science worldwide. This year’s theme for the day, as declared by UNESCO, is “Science & Global Sustainability, Interconnectedness, Collaboration and Transformation”. Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) in collaboration with Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), UNESCO and National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) will mark the WSD by organizing a special event to renew commitment for using Science for Peace and Development.
Allama Iqbal’s message defeats USAID set to rebuild quake-hit zones militants’ ideology: Zardari I SLAMABAD —The
STAFF REPORTERS ISLAMABAD/LAHORE—President Asif Ali Zardari has called for propagating Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s message of Islam to defeat militant’s ideology, who try to impose their political agenda on the people by force. In a message on the 135th birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the President said Islam has been ruthlessly exploited by extremists and fanatics in the country envisioned by Iqbal. He said the militant mindset seeks
to impose their political and ideological agenda on the people by force, behind the facade of religion. He said not long ago dictators in Pakistan used Islam to perpetuate themselves in power; today the extremists were exploiting the name of religion for the same purpose. “We can defeat the militant’s ideology by propagating Iqbal’s message of Islam,” the President said. He said the nation today was free and independent because of the vision of the great visionary and poet philosopher of the
South Asian subcontinent Allama Muhammad Iqbal. “Indeed we are indebted to the teachings of that great intellectual and thinker who not only first propounded the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent but also taught us the value of imbibing a spirit of free enquiry and debate for forward movement in human thought.” President Zardari said apart from giving the idea of Pakistan, Iqbal gave the true message and spirit of religion to the Muslims.
US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission to Pakistan is committed to develop a reconstruction programme in collaboration with Pakistan’s Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) in earthquake hit areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. USAID has already 51 out of a total 77 buildings in various parts of AJK and KPK especially in districts Bagh and Mansehra according to USAID office Islamabad. This Programme will “build back better” by using international standards for
seismic design and construction, engaging local communities and developing the capacity of Pakistani workers. In recognition of the programme, International Design-Build Institute of America has awarded this year’s “Education Buildings Honour Award” to USAIDfunded earthquake reconstruction project in Pakistan. The award was presented to the company representatives Thursday during a ceremony held in New Orleans in United States of America. The Design-Build Award was conferred in the United States of America, on CDM Smith Inc., a US-based engi-
neering and construction firm implementing the USAID funded Pakistan earthquake reconstruction and recovery program for designing and constructing earthquake-resistant schools, basic health units and a hospital in Bagh and Mansehra districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa respectively. According to USAID office Islamabad, the award went to four of the schools designed and built by CDM Smith with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). These schools, located in District Bagh of Azad Jammu
and Kashmir, are Government Boys High School Village Dharray, Government Girls High School 2 Village Chatter, Government Girls Intermediate College Village Rerrah and the Boys Higher Secondary School in the same village. These schools were completely destroyed in the earthquake of 2005 that approximately damaged 272,000 buildings, including 585 health care facilities and 15,000 schools. USAID selected CDM Smith as the design-build firm with single- point responsibility for the Pakistan Reconstruction Programme to build earthquake-resistant schools and health facilities.—APP
Afghan refugees’ repatriation Marvi raps PPP politics Our Correspondent
HYDERABAD—PML-N’s Central leader Ms Marvi Memon has accused the PPP of doing politics of terrorism and forced occupation of land. Talking to media here on Thursday, Marvi Memon expressed her serious concern over increase in the incidents of target killings in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities of Sindh. She said the PML-N would form the Government in Sindh in cooperation with nationalist parties after the general elections and bring an end to the politics of PPP. She said the PML-N is the only party which has the capacity to resolve the problems of the people. She alleged that the PPP was indulging in politics of victimization against PML-N in Thatta. To a question, Marvi Memon said the nationalist parties were justified to protest over the local government system in Sindh. Leader of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Marvi Memon has strongly supported the action against militants and extremist groups following acid attack on girls’ students claimed by Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistan (TTP), saying the state was responsible to maintain law and order, and to take prompt action against the anti-education and peace elements. “We condemn the acid attack on girls’ students by a militant group, who came sudden under attack near Durrani Bangash area of Parachinar three days back while heading to Kohat University for appearance in vive-voce examination.
UNHCR offers new assistance package to returnees STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions, Engineer Shaukat Ullah and the Representative of the UN Refugee Agency in Pakistan, Neill Wright Thursday visited UNHCR’s facilitated Voluntary Return Centre in Chamkani, Peshawar in order to assess the repatriation process following the increase in the return package for repatriating Afghan refugees. Since the start of November, UNHCR Pakistan has enhanced the return package available to every registered refugee returning to Afghanistan under the agency’s facilitated return
programme. The visiting delegates received a briefing on return procedures and met with Afghan refugee families present at the departure centre. Engineer Shaukat Ullah said at the occasion that they acknowledge the efforts of UNHCR in implementing the agreement between the UNHCR High Commissioner and the Government of Pakistan in facilitating a surge in voluntary repatriation for the remainder of the year. The minister added that they are in the process of formulating a new strategy for Afghan refugees in Pakistan in 2013 and beyond which, of course, will require the approval of the Cabinet. “I wish to reas-
sure everyone here that the goodwill which the people and the Government of Pakistan have earned by hosting Afghan brothers over the years shall not go to waste. The return of Afghan refugees back to their homeland will continue to be voluntary and dignified,” assured the minister. Talking to the reporters, Mr. Neill Wight said, “Witnessing and facilitating voluntary repatriation is always a pleasure, as it marks the start of the end of being a refugee for those who are returning to their own country.” Mr. Wright noted that, UNHCR has supported the Government of Pakistan and provided hundreds of mil-
lions of dollars of assistance to refugees hosted on the sovereign territory of Pakistan over the past three decades. Continuing this long tradition of hospitality by the people of Pakistan, the Government continues to respect the fundamental principle that repatriation is voluntary and that no refugee will be forced back. The new assistance package offered by UNHCR includes the provision of nonfood item (NFI) kits distributed to the returning families at the Chamkani, Timargara and Quetta Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRCs). These items include jerry cans, buckets, soap, mosquito nets, sleeping mats,
blanket, cooking set, plastic tarpaulins, quilt, sanitary cloths and winter clothes. Refugee families are also being offered limited transport assistance from the Voluntary Repatriation Centres in Pakistan to the Encashment Centres in Afghanistan. This assistance package is in addition to the USD 150 cash grant provided to returning families, and will continue until the end of December 2012, by which time a review of whether the cash grant should be increased in line with inflationary costs, will have been completed. Since September this year, UNHCR has also started facilitating the group return of families that origi-
Muharram security arrangements reviewed
Dy Speaker visits victims in hospital
STAFF REPORTER
Staff Reporter
P ESHAWAR —Deputy Speaker, Khyber
PESHAWAR—A joint meeting Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Khushdil Khan of the administration, police advocate Thursday visited surgical and and agencies held here on cardiovascular wards of Lady Reading Thursday to review measures Hospital (LRH) and enquired after health to prevent terrorism and enof injured of Qissa Khwani blast. Medisure peaceful observance of cal Superintendent (MS) LRH, Dr. Iqbal Ashura with the CommisAfridi was also present on the occasion. sioner, Hazara Division, The deputy speaker went to each and Mohammad Khalid Khan every injured of the incident and and Umerzai in the chair. The meetprayed for their early recovery. He on ing took a detail review of sethis occasion also expressed sympathies with the injured curity arrangements, relations and heirs of those who had lost their lives in the incident among the leaders of differand got awareness about problems faced by them in medient sects and maintenance of cal treatment. He directed the hospital administration for peace during the month of extending full cooperation to the patients. Meanwhile, Moharram across Hazara DiKhushdil Khan advocate also visited injured of Badhber vision in general and particupolice firing incident, Mujahid Khan and enquired after his larly in Haripur, Abbottabad health. He expressed sorrow and sympathies over the inciand Mansehra. dent occurred with the injured Mujahid Khan and assured Those who attended that responsible for the incident will not only be brought to were included DIG, Hazara justice, but provision of justice will also be guaranteed to Division, Dr. Mohammad maximum level. Central Chief of ANP, Asfandyar Wali Khan, Naeem, D.C.Os, DPOs of Provincial presidents of the party, Afrasiab Khattak and Shahi Haripur, Abbottabad, Syed has strongly condemned suicide attack outside Rangers Headquarters in Karachi and expressed shock over the FAISALABAD: PML-N leader and MNA Hamza Shahbaz giving Laptop to a student during the ceremony of second Mansehra, TMOs, security phase of Chief Minister’s Laptop Scheme and Internship Programme at University of Agriculture. agencies and regional head martyrdom of rangers’ officials in the brutal act.
PPP serving masses Staff Reporter
P ESHAWA R —Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Labour, Sher Azam Wazir has said that Pakistan Peoples Party draws its strength from the masses and its politics revolves around serving the people of the country. Talking to media persons here on Thursday, Provincial Minister said that the popularity graph of PPP was on the rise in the southern districts of the province that would result in the clean sweep of the party in the upcoming general elections from PK 71. He said that the country was passing through hard times and all political parties in the larger interest of the country should work for the welfare of the people and let go off personal differences. Sher Azam Wazir said that PPP has a long history of sacrifices and struggle starting from the journey of the party founder Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the never ending efforts of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for safeguarding democracy in the country. He said that due to the people’s friendly policies of the government employment opportunities have been created for the youth both in public sector and in private sectors.
nate from the same areas inside Afghanistan. So far, four groups consisting of some 1,300 Afghan refugees have returned home under the Facilitated Group Return (FGR) programme from the Provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Overall, this year’s voluntary repatriation trends indicate a 34 per cent increase in the number of Afghan refugees returning to their home country, when compared to 2011. A total of over 63,000 individuals have returned so far this year. UNHCR has assisted more than 3.7 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan to return to Afghanistan since 2002 in the world’s largest voluntary repatriation movement.
Qasim Fort beautification to be completed next month M ULTAN —The beautification of Qasim fort, located on an historically important mound in the heart of the city that is supporting monuments, was under execution and is expected to complete the next month, officials said on Thursday. The historical mound also underwent a three-day long operation wherein the district administration remained fully busy in removal of decades old illegal structures from the site. People also suffered troubles like traffic jam on circular road for three days
after the administration blocked traffic operation on an alternate road that passed through the Qasim fort to demolish encroachment and to move ahead with Qasim fort beautification plan smoothly. The exercise has completely cleared the view of the mound for tourists who can enjoy the view of centuries old mausoleum of Hazrat Shah Rukn-e-Alam and other historical structures while passing through the clock tower cross-section.—APP
FATA ad-hoc lecturers’ service tenure extended P A R A C H I N A R —Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Barrister Masood Kausar has approved one-year service extension to 340 lecturers hailing form Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), who were recruited in 2011 on ad-hoc basis. The governor held open court at Parachinar Press Club on Thursday and listened to the problems of the tribesmen. On the demand of ad-hoc lecturers, the governor gave one year service extension to 340 lecturers belonging to FATA.—INP
of PESCO. The meeting while agreeing in principles on effective and consecutive contact in administration, agencies and police and exchange of information and took several important decisions. Commissioner, Hazara, while briefing the participants of the meeting on the importance of security plan and its details said that some organizations had accelerated their activities, saying foolproof security and strict arrangements. He said that due to the prevailing situation the upcoming Muharram is likely to be different and difficult from past. He said that 71 Muharram programmes will be held in district Haripur followed by 10 in Mansehra and 6 in Abbottabad respectively and directed making foolproof security arrangements and facilities in this regard.
No Taliban presence in Karachi: Sherpao STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—President of Pakistan People’s Party (PPPSherpao) and former federal minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Thursday said that the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) wanted an operation to take place in Karachi on the pretext of Taliban’s presence in the city. Speaking at a press con-
ference in Peshawar, the former interior minister claimed that there was no Taliban presence in Karachi, adding that the issue in the city was one of law and order. Sherpao further said that certain individuals and groups were using the name of Taliban to take extortion money. He added that the ANP and the MQM were using the Taliban’s name to play politics. Sherpao moreover demanded
of the government to carry out a transparent census in FATA, adding that, the government should take steps for the resettlement of the 800,000 people who had been displaced in the wake of military operations in the tribal areas. On the re-election of US President Barack Obama, the former minister said that it would not bring any significant change with regards to the issues of peace.
Germany to impart vocational training to Balochistan youth OUR CORRESPONDENT QUETTA—About 6.5 million working age group people in Balochistan, some five thousands were being imparted the technical and vocational trainings. Germany is keen to extend its all-out assistance to the private and public entities to impart vocational trainings to maximum youth of the province. These remarks was made by the speakers during a day- long consultation workshop organized by the Department of Labour and Manpower in
collaboration with GIZ and National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) for the journalist here at local hotel on Thursday. Mohamamd Ali and Raja Saad of GIZ Communication Reform Support Program during the introductory remarks deplored that instead of finding the current demand of the market, much stressed is being laid on the supply of the manpower, thus causing chaos and unemployment. “About five thousands were receiving technical education in Balochistan whereas
people who fall in the working groups could be numbered in millions”, they said while referring a latest data collected from various reliable sources. They said that under the TVET reforms Support program GIZ in collaboration with the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) is mobilizing government and other institution to initiate labour market information services (LMIS) for better employability of the people coming out of technical education PESHAWAR: Chairman Qaumi Watan Party Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao talking to media during a Press Conference at Central Secretariat Hayatabad. streams.
IDEAS and POF: Alliance for a stronger Pakistan MUHAMMAD TAUFEEQ
T
HE capricious and fluid geopolitical climate has resulted in rapid changes in the global security scenario thus turning the attention of government towards growing needs of national security mechanism. In their quest to boost and amplify the national security frameworks, majority of nations have allocated sizeable funds and resources for modernization of their armed forces, with United States and China defence spending of $711 billion and $143 billion respectively, the world’s defence budget stands at a staggering 1.5 trillion dollars. Governments and security forces are now devising and implementing strategies for a secure world, to keep pace with the latest developments in the defence sec-
tor and to establish peace and security in the international security situation. In this vista; outsourcing, joint ventures and collaborations are deemed significant to cope up with the arising challenges, in a cost effective manner. This is what led to the concept of international defence exhibitions; where participants can interact directly with high-profile delegates and procurement experts of the world, secure new leads for their products and seek active alliances for sharing of technologies and ideas. International defence expos thus serve as an excellent platform for the introductions of new defence products, helping firms establish prowess and lure new buyers to their doorstep. Pakistan’s ever-growing defence industry is always on
the look out for mutually beneficial international collaborations in order to meet the requirements of its armed forces and growing demand of its products from regional forces. This is how its defence products present a perfect mix of indigenous and foreign technologies. The International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, IDEAS, is a defence sector event, held biennially, in Pakistan. The Government and defence industry of Pakistan, attaches a high level of importance to this event, demonstrated by their active participation. IDEAS showcases a wide variety of technology, ranging from equipment used in the third world countries to the most sophisticated systems from the West. This exhibition provides a perfect interactive platform for the defence
forces to assess the best products and technology to cater for their respective defence-related requirements. Besides, it also presents an ideal opportunity to the defence manufacturers for entering into collaboration and joint ventures with Pakistan or other respective international partners. Pakistan Ordnance Factories, since the inception of IDEAS, actively partake in this event. POF, a conglomerate of 14 factories, and six subsidiaries and affiliated departments, employing over 26,000 skilled workers, engineers and scientists is a modern defence industrial complex that produces approximately 70 major products including automatic rifles, light/medium and heavy machine guns, a wide range of mortar and artillery ammunition, aircraft and
anti-aircraft ammunition, tank and anti-tank ammunition, bombs, grenades, landmines, pyrotechnics and signal stores. Being exposed to typical operations against extremists POF has launched two purpose made weapons. One is POF Eye and the other is Sniper Rifle. Both the weapons are distinctive with regards to their utilization for urban warfare and counterterrorism operations including hostage situations. Pakistan Ordnance Factories also specialize in the manufacture of commercial explosive, hunting ammunition and posses extensive facilities for the manufacture of brass, copper and aluminium ingots, extrusions and sections for non-military applications. The precision and reliability of POF’s arms and ammunition have led to
creation of growing demand in international market; with clientele spread over 40 countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Over a period of six decades, POF has established its reputation as a supplier of quality goods in the international market. This fact is adequately endorsed in POF’s strict adherence to QHSE Policy across the board, and acquisition of international quality certifications such as ISO 9001 – 2001, ISO – 14001, ISO – 17025, and OHSAS 18001 – 1999. Today’s POF is imbued with a deep drive to serve the cause of peace and stability. It is this conviction that translates itself into a softer side of POF in terms of welfare initiatives and commitment to contribute to the general fund of human happiness.
Upgradation of relations with GCC
MEDIA WATCH
What Obama’s win means
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URING his visit to Qatar, President Asif Ali Zardari utilized the opportunity to further cement bilateral relations in diverse fields to the advantage of the two countries. He particularly referred to maintaining and strengthening the strategic relationship and for intensifying cooperation in trade, commerce, energy, infrastructure and investment. The long-standing relations between the six Gulf States, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman and Pakistan are multifaceted and encompass political, economic, cultural and security aspects. These could be further expanded to mutual benefit through high level contacts. Pakistan has vast potential to meet the manpower and food requirements of the Gulf countries while the oil rich States can invest in energy, infrastructure and agriculture projects. Keeping this in view, Mr Zardari sought support of Qatari leadership for holding the third round of negotiations on Pak-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He stressed the need for early conclusion of the proposed FTA as it would further concretise the extraordinary ties between Pakistan and GCC countries. It is satisfying that the leadership of Pakistan and Qatar reiterated to enhance cooperation particularly in development projects and investment in energy sector. The focus certainly was on import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar to Pakistan, which when finalized would be a win win situation for both the countries. Proposal for the import of LNG is under consideration for a long time and there is urgent need to finalize it as Pakistan is facing severe energy crisis. Upgradation of relations between Pakistan and Qatar would help attract investment at a time when foreign investment is drying up due to the law and order situation in the country. Also as Qatar is developing into a modern state, there is scope to export the Pakistani highly qualified, skilled and unskilled manpower. At the same time the private sector should also be encouraged for greater interaction and the officials of the two countries should follow the visit of President Zardari so as to reap the fruits of understanding between the leadership of the two countries.
More terrorist attacks on security forces T
ERRORISTS struck twice in as many days targeting the members of the security forces in Peshawar and Karachi to implement their grand agenda to demoralize the security personnel and terrorize the masses. The two attacks indicate that anti state terrorists are well organized and carry out their missions at will while the intelligence agencies have miserably failed to get hold of the planners, executioners and their backers before they strike. In the first terrorist act in Peshawar on Wednesday, nine persons including SP Investigation were killed as a suicide bomber blew himself up near the vehicle of SP in Qissa Khawani Bazar. The second and more organized attack was at the Rangers Headquarters in Karachi when an explosives laden vehicle was smashed at the gate of the building. According to police at least 100 kg of explosives were used in the blast that caused huge losses and created scare among the people. After coming under pressure at the hands of the Pakistan army at their bases in FATA, the terrorists with the help of their sponsors have moved to major cities for attainment of their nefarious designs. Certainly they cannot break the will and determination of the law enforcement agencies and the government to defeat them but the attacks are causing huge losses in men and material and destabilizing the country. We have been emphasising in these columns that intelligence agencies need to widen their scope and utilize modern gadgets to pre-empt any attack but the two attacks are proof that they have not been able to make inroads in the terrorist network. In the past, terrorists attacked the GHQ in Rawalpindi, Mehran base in Karachi and the Aeronautical complex in Kamra but except for those killed at the hands of the security forces, there have been no major arrests which could have led to netting those behind the attacks. The country is in a state of war and in such a situation intelligence agencies have crucial role to play. Therefore we would stress that the strategy adopted to deal with terrorists need to be revisited in order to bring an end to attacks on the security forces personnel. We would suggest that an awareness campaign may also be launched to motivate the people at large to rise to the occasion and give information about suspects living in their neighbourhood as the terrorists have hired houses for carrying out their attacks from civilian residential areas.
The letter ultimately lands in Switzerland T
HE government has finally delivered the letter to the Swiss authori ties relating to reopening of graft cases in Swiss courts which were closed when former government of Pervez Musharraf issued the National Reconciliation Ordinance after an understanding with the PPP. The foreign office sent the letter on November 5 which was written in accordance with an order of the Supreme Court What would be the fate of this letter and whether the cases could be reopened against President Zardari on charges of corruption is yet to be known but in our view, the issue could have been resolved much earlier after the Supreme Court had declared the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) as never to have existed and against the Constitution thus reviving all cases and reversing acquittals of its beneficiaries. If the government had bowed its head before the Supreme Court verdict earlier there would not have been lengthy court proceedings during which former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani had to quit. According to legal experts, cases against President Zardari cannot be reopened within the country and abroad because being head of State, he enjoys immunity. After writing letter to the Swiss authorities, this issue is now over but the matter should not end there. There are hundreds of corruption cases before the judiciary and the NAB and these needed to be expedited to bring back the looted money and punishment awarded to the plunderers as that would give a clear message and serve as a deterrence against corruption.
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An Iqbal Day gift to Nation portance to a state that he said. “Individual exists by virtue of his social contacts. He is Farzana Raja nonentity without that association. He is like a wave in the river and has no existence outside it.” We must realize that oday the nation is celebrat Iqbal talked about a state where eving the Birth Day of Sir. ery citizen should be treated equally Allama Dr. Muhammad and given equal rights in one’s purIqbal, the poet of the East, a great suit for happiness. Every citizen visionary thinker and the philoso- must enjoy the fruit of liberty and pher of Pakistan. He was a dy- be provided ample opportunities namic legislature and a politician along with just distribution of whose greatest achievement was to wealth. Well being of all its children create the ideology of Pakistan, is the responsibility of the state which later became the very basis which should behave indiscrimiof independence of Pakistan. nately with all of them without conAllama Iqbal, as a pragmatist, laid sidering caste, creed, religion, color, emphasis on the doctrine of self- ethnicity or political affiliation. realization (Khudi), which means After the independence, over the the realization of divine attributes span of long 65 years, much has been forming the essence of man’s na- tried to achieve this dream. There ture and ultimately leading to have been policies, steps and efforts progress. The major components of trying to materialize the aspirations the self realization of Iqbal are of Iqbal but of little use most of the one’s self respect, dignity, self-un- times. Thanks God, I must say, this derstanding and understanding the dream of human welfare is heading Greater Being. This realization towards reality by virtue of Benazir comes through various sources. It Income Support Programme (BISP). is not a divine knowledge that is BISP has been a standout endeavor bestowed upon the men but it is throughout the history for socio-ecosomewhat derived and adopted nomic upbringing of the deprived from inherited values, societal people of Pakistan. It is the first step norms, trainings, education and in making Pakistan a welfare state experiences. as per the aspirations of Allama Iqbal According the Iqbal’s dream of and has developed into a comprehenPakistan, it would be a state which sive social protection Programme. will take care of its citizens in most Along with providing relief to the affectionate manner. It will become poor, it is helping them to graduate a cause of welfare and happiness out of the vicious poverty circle by by giving equal opportunities to its virtue of the initiatives like Waseelacitizens as per the aspirations of e-Haq (Interest Free Micro-FinancIslam. This state in the centre of ing) and Waseela-e-Rozgar (DeSouth Asia, according to Iqbal, mand Driven Vocational and Techwould be a unitary force and all nical Training). It is providing sothe individuals will assimilate into cial safety measures in the form of it in a manner to benefit and love Health Insurance and Life Insurance each other. Iqbal gave so much im- to help beneficiary families tackle
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the catastrophic impacts of health and life hazards. Along with that, transparency has become the hallmark of BISP due to its technology and globally recognized systems. Along with that, it has gained credibility, trust and confidence of the masses within the country and financial institutions and governments around the globe. I can only humbly say that BISP has taken a step forward in the right direction as per the dream witnessed nearly a century ago. In a short span of 4 years, we have shown the world what we can do with our utmost efforts, dedication and motivation with the cause. Coming back to Allama Iqbal’s concept of ‘Khudi’ or ‘selfrealization’, one important emphasis he makes is on one educated being. For Iqbal, education is the sole of a human being which creates selflessness and self-reliance at the mean time. Education for Iqbal is the primary notion when it comes to building a human personality which in turn builds a great state as the latter is a magnified individual. Today on this very day, BISP in connection with the vision and knowledge of Iqbal, is launching Waseela-eTaleem i.e. Co-responsibility Cash Transfer for Primary Education. Through this new initiative, BISP is encouraging its beneficiary families to send and retain their children in primary schools so that they can become literate and economically selfsufficient in the future. Incentive in the form of additional monthly cash transfer will be provided to recipients who send their children to primary school. Under this initiative, up to three children of each beneficiary family shall be supported and the family shall be provided with an additional monthly benefit of Rs. 200 per child per month subject to at least 70% attendance. This Programme, no doubt is a great gift to a great nation
from Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). Through this programme 3 million children of beneficiary families will be sent to schools for provision of free quality education. This step is taken in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals as set by the United Nations. BISP can prove to be an ideal platform for providing education throughout the country for various reasons. One, over the years, BISP has developed its reach out to millions of families including those whose children are not going to school and secondly, through nationwide poverty scorecard survey, it has compiled qualitative data to evaluate the problem and present a solution for it. Third, as BISP has been playing significant role in helping millions of poor families, it can put some sort of compulsion and condition for the cash transfer for education of the children of such families. It is my firm belief that as per the message of Allama Iqbal, no nation can flourish unless and until it takes all segments of society on board. By leaving millions of people families behind, we cannot fulfill the dream of the Pakistan that Iqbal witnessed. Waseela-e-Taleem (Right to Education) is a programme meant to change the future of Pakistan. By providing basic education to the children from deprived segment of society, we are trying to follow the wisdom of Iqbal. I am quite hopeful that Insha-Allah we will make Pakistan a country, where we can eliminate the difference between have and have-nots, provide all the children their basis right of education and food, provide very citizen the basic health and livelihood facilitates while marching together towards welfare and prosperity. —The writer is Federal Minister and Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme
China’s foreign returnees 2002),who gave preference to Big Business and even gave billionaires prominent positions within the Chinese Communist Party President Hu ( 2002-2012) M D Nalapat adopted a “sunEmail: mgnalapat@gmail.com shine” policy tow a r d s Taiwan,offering the island major economic concessions in the form he last ten years have been of a Comprehensive Economic Cospectacular ones for China. operation Agreement. The missiles Under Hu Jintao,the coun- and artlllery were put back into try has quadrupled its gross na- storage,and formal and informal tional product and more impor- contacts with Taiwan got tantly, ensured that it is rapidly multiplied.Such a “peaceful” apcatching up with Japan,Gernany proach enabled the relatively more and the US in hi-tech items. His pro-China candidate,Ma Yingpredecessor Jiang Zemin was jeou,to win the 2008 presidential among those who prodded au- elections. thorities to crack down harshly on Over the past four years,the destudent protestors in Tienanmen velopment of ties between the two Square in 1989, and who as Presi- former rivals across the Taiwan dent of China brutally suppressed Straits has been phenomenal. More the Falun Gong sect. than a thousand flights leave each It was also Jiang who resorted week from Taiwan to the PRC and to “missile diplomacy” witrh vice-versa,while more than two Taiwan,sending off volleys of million Chinese tourists have vismissiles into the sky and mobiliz- ited Taiwan since Ma became Presiing artillery and naval vessels in dent. Although both sides retain a bid to terrify the Taiwanese. their own governmental Instead,they embraced the anti- structures,yet the improvement in China candidate in the 2000 elec- atmospherics has ensured that tention, Chen Shui-bian. In sions have all but contrast,President Hu has adopted disappeared.Those close to Presia much more tolerant attitude to- dent Hu are even sending out feelwards public protests in ers to the pro-independence China,where these days sustained party,the DPP,rather than simply opposition from people can suc- demonizing it the way Jiang did.At ceed even in getting huge indus- the core,it may be said that Jiang trial projects cancelled. This never Zemin’s approach reflected the valhappened under Jiang ( 1992- ues and attitudes of the Western
Geopolitical notes from India
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world (which he admired and sought to emulate),while the much gentler approach of Hu Jintao is in sync with traditional Chinese values and culture During the Jiang decade, thousands of Chinese youth were encouraged to go to the countries that the then President of China admired, which is those forming part of the NATO bloc. These elements were given top jobs once they returned.In turn,they ensured that other top jobs went to those with a similar background of working in foreign companies or studying in foreign universities.Today,across what calls itself a Communist country,there are several intsitutions where those with a 100% Chinese education or work experience are treated as secondclass citizens.The top jobs get monopolized by returnees from abroad. Several of them fail to filter what they picked up in the NATO bloc with the sieve of Chinese needs and interests. The consequence is that many push lines of policy that are designed to meet the interests of the foreign countries and companies they were once part of,rather than the people of China. Each NATObloc financial enterprise that was responsible for the criminal conduct which led to the 2008 financial crash has employed the sons and daughters of those at the top in China,thereby giving themselves a seat at the dinner table of the mighty,so to speak. Speculators operate in a manner almost as free as they do in neighbouring India,another country where such NATO-bloc financial enterprises are pampered and listened to. There is a difference between going abroad and studying technical sub-
jects such as engineering or medicine,and learning the humanities or matters of finance. The former are value-neutral,while the latter are laden with (invisible) assumptions that at the base regard only Western institutions and ways as desirable,and the others including Chinese and Indian - as inferior. There are too many in high positions in China who have become suffused with the same uncritical admiration for the NATO bloc that was seen during Jiang Zemin’s time in office. In Hu Jintao’s ten years,efforts have been made to recover the essence of Chinese civilisation.but the swelling numbers of people filled with values that they have picked up from the NATO bloc make such a task difficult. It is time for the Chinese leadership to change course,and to give a higher value to those who have been educated in China and who have China-relevant experience over those whose exposure is almost entirely to the NATO bloc. Those returning from that bloc need to ensue that they put in place filters that would make them better able to unerstand and appreciate their own country.Hopefully Xi Jinping,the successor to Hu Jintao, will not return the country to the mores and conventions of the Jiang Zemin period,but will continue on the path trod by his predecessor Hu. Only that way can China re-align itself with its ancient civilisation and harmonious ways. —The writer is Vice-Chair, Manipal Advanced Research Group, UNESCO Peace Chair & Professor of Geopolitics, Manipal University, Haryana State, India.
he people of the US have spo ken. Barack Obama is back at the White House. It’s the second time in several decades that a Democrat has won a second term in what has been a tightly-fought battle between him and Mitt Romney, a battle that deeply divided the nation, a battle that was one of the costliest in the history of the country and a battle that had gone on far too long. At this time, four years ago, the global economy was collapsing like a house of cards and Obama rode in on a wave of hope and change. Four years on, that hope and faith in Obama remain despite a bruised economy, despite the country holding a $1 trillion annual deficit and a $16 trillion national debt despite a gridlocked US Congress. His victory was a victory of hope over the harsh realities that most Americans — pushed to the wall from losing their jobs and their savings — have faced in the last four years. In 2008, Obama fought the election on just one plank: Change. He did bring about change for the most part, but found his hands tied on any number of counts, weighed down by a ruthless opposition that shot down his reform agenda. The task ahead is a daunting one and the same problems that dogged Obama in his first term are still there to confront him again. His victory will set the country’s course for the next four years on spending, taxes, healthcare, the role of government and foreign policy challenges such as the rise of China and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Obama has had the toughest last couple of years when even his most ardent supporters deserted him, disillusioned by a bleeding economy, inflation and joblessness. It can’t have been easy for the man from the wrong side of town, with the wrong lineage and the wrong colour of skin, to get so far in a country that’s mostly been ruled by the rich. But he dug in his heels, refused to buckle or give in to slander. Minorities, women and the poor can now hope for a more sensitive handling of their problems by a president who has consistently said that his is a country of vast inequities where the rich get richer, while the poor are left to fend for themselves. Obama’s victory ensures that the health reform law— the signature accomplishment of his first term — will move forward. Throughout the campaign, Governor Mitt Romney vowed to repeal and replace the law if he became president. The law, also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, will, for the first time, guarantee all Americans access to health insurance starting in 2014. How will this victory affect countries such as India and China who he occasionally targeted on the election trail, blaming IT companies in those markets for taking away American jobs? Obama will, it’s hoped, learn to strike the right balance about blaming the world for his country’s problems. India probably runs the most back offices of his country’s income generating firms and he should learn to respect that. Ditto for China. His re-election has been widely welcomed, as there will be continuity in the policies of the US administration. Had Mitt Romney won, it would have derailed many of the delicate equations between the US and other emerging and established powers. A Republican at the White House would have been perceived as a more hostile president especially by countries like China, Russia and Venezuela. Leaders in crisis-ridden Europe would also have found it difficult to deal with Romney and convince him of the need to be more understanding towards the needs of nations like Greece, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. In the Middle East, where many countries including Iraq have still to emerge from the devastation wrought by a previous Republican administration headed by George Bush, Obama’s return means four more years of hopefully stable US policies. Ultimately, many leaders around the world expect Obama to continue with a gentler and more understanding relationship with the global community at large, especially now that the elections are over and he does not have to play to the domestic gallery. It’s good to see that in a battle that was fought so viciously, on the back of mega funding by the biggies of Wall Street who did their best to keep Obama out of the race, the best man still did win. —Khaleej Times The manner of giving is worth more than the gift. — Pierre Corneille French dramatist
Expressing gratitude to Allah G
ratefulness is one of the best qualities a person can possess. Gratitude lies at the core of man’s relationship with Almighty Allah. It may be expressed by the heart or tongue, or through deeds, words, and gestures. As to the gratitude flowing from the heart, it is the proper response for innumerable divine favors. A grateful person is always mindful of being indebted for Allah’s bounties, big and small, and articulates his or her feelings at every step to express gratitude. This feeling of constant gratitude has a very significant bearing on everyone’s deeds. This is because a grateful servant finds great happiness in doing the deeds that are pleasing to his or her Benefactor and Master — Almighty Allah. Conversely, he or she is averse to anything that amounts to ingratitude toward a divine bounty. One who truly appreciates Allah’s bounties and favors can never reconcile oneself to abusing them by acting against Allah’s will. If someone gives us a weapon that can help us to defend ourselves, only a wicked person would abuse that weapon to hurt the one who gave it to him. One who
truly appreciates divine bounties is satisfied with the blessings that have never ready to abuse them in the been given by Allah then Allah will cause of Satan. Gratitude towards increase his blessings or will replace Almighty Allah is rethe current blessing ally a great virtue for The Spirit Of Islam with a better blessing. the Muslims. The In the other case, if Arabic meaning of we are unthankful to gratitude is Allah, the most mer“suabrun”. ciful, then the conseThe word quence of this will be “suabrun” usually really hazardous. In means to express this condition, thankfulness, to praise Allah’s rebuke will or to acknowledge. be severe. Showing Technically speaking, gratitude to the Aladmitting the support mighty Lord is part of the benefactor and and parcel of having being gratified by the faith in Him. activities of the bene- Atif Noor Khan This means that a factor is called Gratiperson who is untude. On the other hand, the antonym grateful to Allah has no true faith in of gratitude is ingratitude which his or her heart. On the other hand, a means to express thanklessness to- servant who thanks Allah the alwards the benefactor. Allah, the most mighty for His blessings will receive powerful, said in the holy Quran that even more of them. This is related in if we remember him, he will also re- the Qur’an as: “(And when your Lord member us, and he wants us to be made it known: If you are grateful, I thankful to him. We should never be would certainly give to you more, and unthankful to Almighty Allah, no if you are ungrateful, My chastisematter how hard the situation is. ment is truly severe.) (Ibrahim 14:7)” Allah has common rules regardFurthermore, that Satan vowed to ing our gratitude and that is if we are lead most of humankind to be un-
grateful to their Lord clearly indicates how important gratitude to Allah the almighty is. He, the accursed, measures his success in achieving his malicious goal by making us thankless to our Lord. What he said is related in the Qur’an thus: “(Then I will certainly come to them from before them and from behind them, and from their righthand side and from their left-hand side; and You will not find most of them thankful.) (Al-A`raf 7:17)” Having realized this, we should exert our best efforts to be among the grateful servants of Allah the almighty with whom He is well pleased. Gratitude (shukr) is about expressing thanks and appreciation to those who do any favor to us. Obviously, none can come close to our creator, Allah the almighty, who gave us everything. As the Quran states: “Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion” [Infitar 82:7]. As humans, Allah has bestowed on us the nature to be grateful and we should thus express that gratitude not just to Allah the almighty but to the people whom we deal with as well.
National Interests & Supremacy Cauldron Abid Latif Sindhu Email:abid.latif26@yahoo.com
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amuel P. Huntington is famous for his most debated thesis in the modern history, Clash of Civilizations. Academically his Magnus opus is another scholarly work written in 1950s, The Civil Military Relations – The Soldier and The State. This was the direct result of a desire to know the reasons of WW-II discrepancies in military affairs. The underline conclusion was an eye opener for the greatest democracy of the world. The US army also lost the Vietnam War because of only one reason, the over centralization of command by politico-military pyramid. Consequentially the troops in the field were left high and dry waiting for orders to react to guerilla’s shenanigans, resulting into chutzpah, later called as military blunders. The US army took the brunt of everything, for the reasons that by then the civil military equation were not clearly defined. One of the lessons was to increase the swagger and self-respect of a soldier, so that the morale curve is achieved. Wars are not fought with weapons, in most of the cases the acts and events in military exuberance become
supra legal; wars are only fought with one major weapon, that is morale of the rank and file. Politics is and should not be the forte of any military, even if the cliché of war is politics by other means hold good in human history all along its political evaluation. State as per the political theory and the modern social contract has three pillars, the executive, the judiciary and the legislature. Fourth one is added in quas-intellectual terms after the emergence of third wave in the present information age that is the media. After the emergence of this phenomenon a new space for media is not created, rather a squeezing effect was seen in which all the other three pillars rendered some space to the media. Pillars of state are destined to look after the national interests; the issue of supremacy comes as the sequence of pecking order. The latest press release highlighting the concerns of generalissimo about the morale and pride of soldiers who are fighting a long war is actually the start of a new evolutionary mechanism which will define the national interests and the supremacy of different institutions. Pakistan is probably moving towards a new regime of institutional equality amongst different institutions of state. No institution is supreme, it is the official intent in the
light of national interests which should have a sway, when it is the matter of rule of law the judiciary is to be respected and obeyed by all means, when it is war and national security it is the army, when it is the human security it is the legislature and when it is the security of ideology and national ethos it is the media which becomes quasi superior for that particular time. In the context of Pakistan, the army has acquired the status of fifth pillar of state not in physical terms but by means of a long history of martial laws and political clout even when it was outside the loop. Still today it is part of the same mechanism, although the excessive fat is melting due to emerging of civil society and political awareness amongst the masses. Army has probably decided to render space to the other pillars in an institutional way, as all the hierarchies do. Judiciary is also a hierarchy. Judiciary, both bar and bench have made colossal strides in steering the country towards a new era of equality and justice, the activism is actually to rectify the ills through speedy means. It is in the best interest of country that the morale readjustments should not be taken as the war of titans .This is not a struggle for domain and space, neither, it is
only the efforts to appease the principal constituencies. Those who are trying to make a mountain out of the mole should understand that they are doing a dis service to both judiciary and the army. Civil military relations are being redefined in the context of emerging realities which no one can deny. Historical grievances against army is a fact frozen in time ,as today you cannot rectify the wrongs committed by individuals in arms by blaming the institution which is already flat footed with its historic baggage. Nations support their armies in the hours of ordeal as if left alone; too many hungry eyes will home on to destabilize the security cauldron. The US elections and Obama becoming the president again is the clear indicator that American people, the principal constituency of American power does not desire a change in their policy, the continuity will also perpetuate into this region. The lesson for Pakistan to accrue from US election is, to concentrate on its Human security which will result into a progressive, modern and economically viable state. Invest in people and harvest in dime and solace, this will also absolve the state institution from their extra institutional forays.
What a PM should learn! IQBAL HADI ZAIDI
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M Raja Pervez Ashraf has gone to attend ASEM in Laos which is quite but natural but how come neither Pakistan taught him what to do in a foreign land when he goes on official tour nor he has the brain to understand the simplest rule. He was received at Vientiane international airport where he inspected guard of honor but my goodness. I wonder why he has not been pulled off right from airport back to Pakistan to face at least an inquiry if not termination on two different counts. 1st he should not have taken his wife with him to inspect guard of honour which is only for the official VIP and not his / her spouse. Secondly PM should have been on left near to the soldiers presenting guard of honor but in photo one can see that his wife is near to the khaki while he was on right to his wife. Incidentally if the host is accompanying the guest then the guest of honor will be next to khaki and the host will be on the right of the visiting guest. What punishment does he deserve unless PPP decorates him with HP on his return from Laos? —Kuwait
Maternal deaths MUHAMMED JAMIL ATHER Every day many women die during childbirth in the world. Apart from medical issues, there are some non medical issues (indirect causes) that should be taken into serious consideration to reduce maternal death. Studies show that 35 percent mothers die due to non medical causes. Non medical causes include superstitions, age-old beliefs of elderly members of the family regarding pregnancy and birth rituals, women’s lack of decision making power, poverty, low rate of female education, unfriendly hospitals, discrimination, religious barriers, early marriage and so on. Still, especially in the rural areas of Pakistan expectant mothers are not allowed to seek ANC (Ante Natal Care) on religious grounds and some other social reasons. Elderly members in the family compel the expectant mothers to eat less so that the child in the womb will become smaller and the delivery will be easy, which is causing severe malnutrition to both the mother and the child. Poverty is the root cause of all types of inequalities that needs to be eradicated, otherwise we wi;;not get satisfactory results in this case. Early child bearing is one of the major causes of maternal death which is happening due to early marriage. Besides, most of the service providing agencies are not womenfriendly. However, a very little research has been done so far in the field of indirect causes behind maternal death. So, more research should be conducted by both the government and other stakeholders to recommend the ways to root out the indirect causes of maternal death for achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. —Karachi
Views From Abroad
Leaving Assad scot free
A time for Obama to be bold
KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ
the policy equivalent of David Plouffe, his senior campaign adviser. Plouffe’s genius was to decide early on that the David Ignatius race depended on nine battleground states; if he could deliver those states by a relentless and sometimes ruthless assault, he would win here’s a telling moment at the the larger victory. He was like a genbeginning of Robert A. Caro’s eral who concentrates his forces at the new book when Lyndon points of greatest vulnerability and Johnson’s advisers are gathered, four then prevails through sheer force of days after he has become president, will. to draft his first speech to Congress. Obama’s performance as presiCapitol Hill is divided, the country is dent has often lacked this decisive, grieving from the assassination of his strategic quality. The notes are there predecessor and some of LBJ’s ad- but not the policy “music.” In both visers are urging him to take it slow. foreign and domestic policy, the im“Well, what the hell’s the presidency pression of Obama, after his blunderfor?” Johnson replies. buss, first-year battles on health care Barack Obama will be getting ad- and the Israeli-Palestinian issue, has vice by the boatload over the next few been of a careful president who reweeks, but the best guidance may be acts to events, waits for others to what emerges from Caro’s biography make the first moves and plays to “The Passage of Power”: Think big. avoid losing rather than to win. Well, Find strategies and pressure points Mr. President, what the hell’s the that can break the gridlock in Con- presidency for? A strategic second gress, which was as rigid in 1963 as term would begin by identifying a list it is today. Surprise your adversaries of necessary and achievable goals, with bold moves and concessions that and then pursuing them with the uncreate new space on which to gov- yielding manipulative skill of a ern. As I watched Tuesday’s triumph, Lyndon Johnson. On the top of it seemed obvious that Obama needs everybody’s list would be a budget
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deal. Everybody knows, more or less, what it will require: Changes in Social Security and Medicare that slow the growth of entitlement spending; reform of the tax code that produces a fairer and simpler system that raises revenue without limiting growth. A road map is there in the SimpsonBowles deficit-reduction plan, and Obama administration officials have been thinking privately for months about how to tweak the plan so it’s better and fairer. Mitt Romney’s generous concession speech Tuesday night opened a possible door, and the president should follow up his statement that he will “look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.” In foreign policy, Obama will need to be equally strategic. What does he want to accomplish? My list: a deal with Iran that verifiably limits its nuclear program and avoids war; a deal in Afghanistan that averts civil war when U.S. forces leave in 2014; a deal for a political transition in Syria (a shorthand Syria summary would be to organize the opposition so that it’s strong enough to bargain, then help win a Nobel Peace Prize for Vladimir Putin). And, finally, a deal to create a Palestinian state so that Israel has secure borders and the Arab world can
get on with the process of becoming modern and democratic. All these primary foreign policy goals are “deals,” and it follows that the president needs a dealmaker as secretary of state. Who could do that, after Hillary Clinton leaves, probably at the end of January? John Kerry is an experienced man who thinks outside the box and is willing to take risks. Even if the president is said to have found him somewhat windy as the stand-in for Romney during debate preparation, Kerry has shown over the past four years a willingness to negotiate with adversaries, in secret, to achieve results. A longtime Democratic adviser argues that Obama needs the “Bolten Plan,” as in Josh Bolten, the White House chief of staff who mobilized the machinery of government to get it moving in the same direction in George W. Bush’s second term. This will never be a happy model for Democrats, but it captures an important point: A successful second term is less about ideology than about results. Think big. Take risks. Get it done. Maybe someone should slip a note in Obama’s desk drawer that asks: What would Lyndon Johnson have done to make it happen? —Washington Post
A police state..!
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Voice of the People
he police in many cities have become brutal, with a free hand given by the politicians: A journalist visits a police station: “Inspector sahib, I believe many criminals die in your lock up every year?” “Shut up!,” said the inspector. “Do you think it has to do with police brutality inspector sahib?”
“Shut up. I said to shut up!” “Inspector sahib, I am not a criminal.” “I will make you one if you don’t shut up.” “Inspector sahib I hear many die in your lock up every year.” “Take off your clothes.” “What?” “I said take off your clothes.” “Why should I?” “Constable take off his clothes.” “You are hurting me inspector sahib.” “Constable hold him while I get my rubber truncheon.” “Why the rubber truncheon constable sahib?” “It won’t leave any marks when inspector sahib hits you,” said the constable. “But why does the inspector sahib want to hit me?” “Because you
are questioning him.” “Inspector sahib let me go free.” “Take one for being impertinent, two for being rude, three for questioning the police..! Twenty five, twenty six, fifty, hundred..!” “Oh God it hurts. I am dying . I am dying.” “Pour some water on him constable.” “Why are you pouring water on me?” “So that you won’t die,” said the constable. “Constable give him something to eat.” “I can’t eat inspector sahib, I am bleeding inside.” “Take him to the hospital, quick!” “I am dying. I am dying..!” “Die in the hospital then. It is not
lock up death.” “I am dying.” “Don’t die here. Get out!” “It is too late inspector sahib. I am bleeding inside.” “Doctor treat this man at once. “Yes inspector sahib, yes.” “Am I dying doctor?” “I am afraid you are sir.” “It was that inspector doctor, that inspector.” “He is a good man, he brings all of you here. So much caring.” “But he is the one who hurt me doctor.” “Sssh...sssh..!” “Doctor what are you writing is the reason for his death?” “Here inspector sahib. Write whatever you want..!” —Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com
According to media news UK Prime Minister David Cameron says he would back offering President Bashar al Assad safe passage out of Syria if he agreed to end recent bloodshed in Syria. It seems true that after Russia and China adopted tough stance in UNO Security council world powers are looking for other options. Now British Prime Minister’s statement is astonishing for everyone. A person who is responsible for killing of thirty two thousand own people including innocent women and children how can the deserve safe passage? Asad air force is destroying own cities and targeting civilians, homes, buildings and public places on daily bases and know using cluster and phosphorus bombs against own people. Several mutilated bodies of innocent civilians have been found in rubble of destroyed buildings including women and children. Only week ago an air strike on public Bakery killed several innocent people. True reality is that every day of Asad rule is adding more miseries in lives of Syrian people and due to his policies whole region is paying a high price. Due to Asad policies thousands of his own people have migrated to Jordan and Turkey and are living in camps without any necessities of lives. Instead of providing safe passage Asad and his regimes must be brought to justice for the crime they committed against own people in International criminal court. —Jeddah, KSA
Killing in Hyderabad MALIK ATIF M MAJOKA I am to give my response on the killings in Hyderabad. This has surprised many, across the country. I have lived in the city for few years and have had close contact with common people on daily basis. These killings are the manifestation of rising influence of right wing salafis in a city which has other-
wise been very moderate. It is also a clear signal to left wing nationalist elements and centre left ideology of Peoples party and MQM. Left wing forces have banked on promoting Sindhi nationalism through “Sindhi topi Ajrak day” to counter the ever increasing influence of a particular sect throughout Sindh. I have travelled across the province and personally seen the spread of extreme right wing ideology. I am sure this must have worried all left wing and followers of Sufi Islam. Killings of Bohris and followers of traditional Sufi ideology is a clear signal of an ideological war interior Sindh would be locked, in the years to come, I think all left leaning forces and Sufi inspired Islam would now join hands for their survival. —Melbourne, Australia
Traffic jam is avoidable DR ALFRED CHARLES Many people suffer because of alternative traffic route adoption as announced by the traffic police. Busy main university road is affected because of one exhibition. Every year organizers choose expo center as venue and in result citizens face hardships of traffic diversions. In result of this there is always traffic mess and chaos. Traffic jam on this busiest road cause congestion on alternative routes. Two major hospitals are also situated on the arterial roads therefore patients and their relatives also suffer a lot. Many stuck in traffic gridlock for many hours reach late at their workplace and offices. Because of diversion, all drivers are in great hurry as usual causeing traffic jam on other roads. I do not know whose idea is to have this IDEAS (International Defense Exihibition and Seminar) but I would like to give them idea to have these kind of exhibitions somewhere out side of the city area like Super or National Highways. So there will be such problem for people of Karachi who are really fed up with daily traffic jams. —Karachi
Society’s way forward MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM TARIQ In the present day Pakistan, the sectarian groups have strengthened up to a height that people are now being judged on the basis of their complexion and style. If one fails to satisfy the narrow-minded beings through his race, he might fail to return home, ever. The violent society which we are a part of has been progressively contaminated with all types of evil and at times people do not feel ashamed of even being called criminals. It has regressed to a barbaric life where one human being kills the other without impunity and the ordeal can not be described in a sentence or two; rather not even in an article of a thousand words. The era we are living in, makes us ashamed to call ourselves saviors of humanity or rather even human beings. How at all can we imagine slaughtering our own siblings and then say that we are still humans? Yes we are indeed a part of a society where the inhabitants have criminalized to an extent that no one feels safe, not even babies with little sense. Pakistan is now a state, where the parliament, executive, judiciary, military, mullah and media are the power houses and are widening the gap between have and have not’s, and are creating an unjust society. We every day helplessly watch the poor committing suicides for socioeconomic deprivations and for want of justice. All perks and privileges, jobs and lucrative business opportunities are taken for granted for the powerful; be it connections or money. There is bribery, killings, dishonesty, defoliation, and each and every other social evil, that completely diminishes peace in a society. What is worth required to alleviate the sufferings of the 180 million victims? Hope is definitely what we all have. But something which can defeat the rifle even beside hope is education. Knowledge is every-
thing required for a society to flourish. Getting educated through quality education is a right which each one of us deserves. Education primarily begins at schools. We must improve the standard of education and standardize the present infrastructure. Most importantly, the teachers should be hired for their good teaching skills and not their connections. And they must be able to teach about religious and political tolerance by picking out references from the civilized world’s history. Today, about nine and a half million children (half of them girls) obtain primary education in Pakistan, but surprisingly only a third of their mothers are literate. To change the destiny of our future generations, it is needed to give our female population, the best education and improve their status as members of our society. Through education we can combat the groups who are working fearlessly to fight against peace. We can teach them that a rifle might take away a life or two, but can never compete with the extreme power of knowledge. And most importantly through education, we can teach them about Jihad under the lights of Islam. Through education, we can reject the worthless concept that Jihad is the meaning of butchering innocent human beings. Otherwise, change is what we all are hoping for. I am quite optimistic that a change in the society would come soon. But I believe that this change would come only and only through education. —Via email
Of public parks and pavements HASHIM ABRO It is an historical fact that Public Parks and Pavements always deserved a special place in the city and urban planning of Indus valley civilization- more or less all cities and towns used to have public parks and pavements even before the partition of the subcontinent. But nowadays, barring a few outstanding examples, for the most part, parks and pavements in Sindh cities and towns are a joke! Pavements, wherever present, are rarely more than three-four feet in width. Pedestrians have to contend with broken tiles, cables being laid, open pits without any barriers around them, hawkers encroaching on the pavements to sell their ware, people talking at random on their mobile phones, rustic and rude people who have the temerity to honk when they’re riding two wheelers and cycles on a pedestrian pavement! Garbage dumped on pavements everywhere. It is, indeed, the easiest thing in the world to blame the “Government”. But what about the people they govern, the officers they hire including the local government, district administration etc.? It is not out of place to call such breed of officers as uncaring and boorish. They are unconcerned about the quality of life in their cities and towns and vulnerability of the citizens. Our provincial rulers are doing fabulous work on rallies and selfprojection but doing nothing to raise civic engagement and awareness within cities. Why this apathy? You know the reasons – garbage dumps, litter, drying plants, vandals who deface trees, a public who couldn’t care less and several such issues. Is there anyone in power to arouse moral conscience of our present provincial rulers and planers so that they focus on public parks and pavements in different cities of province as the native planners of Sindh including the Muslims, Hindus, Parsis etc. used to pay their head and heart to beautify the cities with parks and pavements in the past? —Islamabad
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—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net
DING YING
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HINA continues to fight for its sov ereignty and territorial integrity through words and actions. The country’s marine surveillance fleet has expelled a number of Japanese vessels sailing illegally in waters around the Diaoyu Islands while maintaining routine patrols in the East China Sea. Chinese fishery officials look at a map of the Diaoyu Islands aboard a patrol ship in waters off the islands on October 22 (YANG JINZHI) Four China Marine Surveillance ships spotted Japanese Coast Guard ships and other vessels on October 29, and informed them of the Chinese Government’s stance on the Diaoyu Islands. The Japanese ships were told to immediately leave China’s territory. The fleet also monitored the ships to collect evidence of infringement on China’s sovereignty. Since mid-September, China has conducted routine patrols over the waters around the Diaoyu Islands. At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has clarified China’s stance on the Diaoyu Islands on numerous occasions. Chinese observers stressed that both sides should make more effort to repair weakened bilateral relations before more harm can been done. China’s position on the issue has been consistent and clear-cut. Any form of “island purchase” by Japan is illegal and invalid, and is firmly opposed by China. On October 26, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun gave a briefing to Chinese and foreign news organizations. He stated China’s position on the Diaoyu Islands issue, urging Japan to return to peaceful negotiations. China pursues a policy of friendship and partnership with its neighboring countries and stays committed to a path of peaceful development, said Zhang. “However,” he added, “should anyone try to challenge China’s bottom line on the issue of sovereignty, we will have no alternative but to respond forcefully so as to remove disturbance and obstacles and move steadily on the path of peaceful development.” Liu Jiangyong, a professor of international relations with Tsinghua University, believed that Zhang’s briefing illustrated to Japan and the world that China will not concede on the Diaoyu Islands issue. “No bit of land, water and vegetation on the Diaoyu Islands can be traded away,” said Zhang, condemning Japan’s recent “purchase” of the
Continued Calls for Peace islands. Zhang said that Japan has no right to buy or sell Chinese territory in any way
malization 40 years ago, said Zhang. “No external threat or pressure could weaken, not
China again implores Japan to stop violating its sovereignty and repair bilateral relations. and that no transaction is allowed over any part of the Diaoyu Islands. Japan’s “purchase” is a grave violation of China’s territorial sovereignty. The Diaoyu Islands had not been an issue
and their sovereignty had never been questioned until Japan illegally seized and occupied them in 1895, initiating the ongoing dispute. The islands are China’s inherent territory both historically and legally. The two sides reached an understanding and common ground on leaving the issue to later resolution while normalizing relations in 1972. The Japanese Government’s decision to “purchase” the islands in spite of China’s firm opposition is a gross violation of China’s territorial sovereignty and has had the most severe impact on China-Japan relations since the relations’ nor-
even in the slightest way, the resolve of the Chinese Government and people to uphold China’s territorial sovereignty,” stressed Zhang. Japan recently called off a planned island retaking drill with the United States that
was scheduled for November 5. The drill was supposed to take place on Irisuna Island in southwestern Japan and would have played out a scenario involving the retaking of a territory occupied by foreign forces. Analysts believed that the cancellation was intended to avoid rising tensions with China. Tensions between the two Asian powers have been ongoing for months. Chinese observers worry that rising right-wing forces in Japan, who orchestrated the “purchase” farce, intend to create more conflicts between China and Japan. They called for more efforts to save the relationship
Post-polls perspective
Time for a reset on human rights based on secret information and unreviewable judgments. The administra-
SUZANNE NOSSEL
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N 2008, Barack Obama’s election thrilled many human rights ac tivists. For eight years under George W. Bush, the U.S. government had used torture, held hundreds in long-term detention without trial, and committed abuses at wartime prisons such as Iraq’s Abu Ghraib. Rights advocates hoped — and, based on many of Obama’s election-season remarks, reasonably expected — that the unlawful renditions, secret prisons, and unfair trials would give way to a new American commitment the Constitution and international law. Although Obama faced truculent political opposition in his first term, his weak record on human rights cannot be explained away by economic exigencies or even congressional defiance. Obama now openly embraces the concept of a global “war on terror” as grounds to override international human rights norms and reinterpret the Constitution. Osama Bin Laden’s killing was not only the chief talking point of his campaign but a synecdoche for his approach to the terrorist threat, one in which the administration writes its own rules. Although preventing attacks on U.S. soil represents an important human rights victory, this should not overshadow the worrisome direction of U.S. human rights policy and its long-term consequences. If the president’s legacy is to include reclaiming U.S. human rights credibility, he needs to face up to his troubling record, and fix it. The Obama administration has led in some areas of human rights policy; examples include advancing gay and lesbian rights, bolstering U.N. human rights mechanisms, and promoting Internet freedom. But where human rights norms are pitted against counterterrorism tactics, it has fallen down. Blocked by Congress, Obama broke his first-term promise to close Guantánamo. Four years later, that failure barely seems to register as a disappointment; 167 men languish in the prison, including 55 who are cleared for release but have not been transferred. Recent weeks have revealed details of an Orwellian “disposition matrix” — a kill list of top terrorist targets that keeps getting longer. The administration claims the authority to kill those named, anytime and anywhere,
other government with a kill list of its own.
Obama’s record has been a disappointment. Now he has a second chance to get it right. tion has declared any man killed by a drone to be an enemy terrorist, and defends such killings regardless of resulting civilian casualties. With the U.S. withdrawing from Afghanistan, these extraordinary powers are detached from any major battlefield or conventional war. The administration is now backed into claiming that a war exists because it has convinced itself it cannot function without a broad license to kill. Short of al Qaeda suing for peace, this war may never end. The administration’s reshaping of the concept of war risks undoing over 100 years
lsewhere into terrorist sympathizers, stoked anti-American sentiment, and set an exA foreign policy centered on killing and countering terrorists poses risks for the global human rights order, and for U.S. security and global standing. Obama acknowledged these dangers not so long ago. In a 2007 article, he wrote that “to build a better, freer world, we must first behave in ways that reflect the decency and aspirations of the American people. This means ending the practices of shipping away prisoners in the dead of night to be tortured in far-off countries, of detaining thousands
of evolution of the laws of war, and the protections those laws have delivered. The next four years will define whether this rewriting of the rules becomes a bipartisan “new normal” in the United States, and implicit permission for the rest of the world to sidestep human rights. Absent swift progress to close Guantánamo, the men now held will likely die there of old age decades from now, since no future president is likely to renew Obama’s ill-fated pledge to close the facility. And even if the Guantánamo detainees are transferred to a U.S. prison, bringing indefinite detention onshore, it is hard to fathom the practice will not be used again to deal with future threats. The bipartisan affirmation of drone use will make those weapons routine for the United States and any
without charge or trial, of maintaining a network of secret prisons to jail people beyond the reach of the law.” While the president has ended some of these practices, he has endorsed others with equally corrosive effects. By stepping up drone attacks, he has turned angry families in Pakistan, Yemen, and eample that other regimes use to rationalize abusive behavior. Obama now faces a fateful decision: Is the killing of bin Laden the emblem of a foreign policy in which counterter rorism goals automatically trump human rights? Or will he use his second term to revive his 2008 assertion that America’s “global engagement cannot be defined by what we are against. It must be guided by a clear sense of what we stand for”? This latter course dictates several steps. —Courtesy – FP
and repair the damage caused by current tensions. In his briefing, Zhang said China and Japan have maintained close contact on the Diaoyu Islands issue through various channels. On September 25, the two sides held vice foreign ministerial-level consultations over the issue in Beijing. No clear progress has yet emerged from the consultations. Japanese For-
to live in friendship with all countries including Japan, but we have to uphold our principles and bottom line,” he stressed. While the Chinese Government adopted countermeasures against Japan’s “purchase,” Chinese people spontaneously organized protests and boycotts of Japanese products throughout the country. “If the actions taken by China exceeded Japan’s expectation, it only shows that Japan has from the outset seriously misjudged the situation and underestimated the will and determination of the Chinese Government and people to uphold the territorial sovereignty of our country,” Zhang said.
“The situation is not what it once was following Japan’s illegal ‘purchase’ of the islands, which has destroyed an important consensus reached by the older generation of leaders regarding the islands,” Hong said. “Japan should not have any illusions in this regard any more,” he added, calling on Japan to solve the dispute through negotiations. Zhou Yongsheng, a professor with China Foreign Affairs University, pointed out that if rightwing forces came into power in Japan, there would be more friction between the two Asian neighbors. “There is but one step from hard-line diplomacy to expansionist diplomacy,” Zhou stressed. eign Minister Koichiro Gemba insisted on October 29 that there is no sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyu Islands. The next day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei responded that it is “self-deceiving” for Japan to allege that there is no dispute over the islands. Vice Foreign Minister Zhang prompted Japan to stop the current dangerous trend of the Japanese right wing, which plunged Asia into chaos during World War II. Such forces, if not stopped, will become further emboldened and lead Japan further down a dangerous path. If this tendency continues, it is not impossible that the historical tragedy will be repeated and throw Asia and the entire world into turmoil. Japan has, until this day, remained reluctant to explicitly recognize the nature of its war of aggression. If Japan cannot face up to history, examine its conscience and sincerely correct its mistakes, it will never stand up morally or psychologically no matter how developed its economy is, said Zhang. Zhang said China has maintained from the start that international disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue and negotiations. “China will not create trouble but neither will it fear trouble. We want
Economic cooperation between China and Japan had long been prosperous in spite of the cold bilateral political relationship. Now the situation has started to change. Jin Baisong, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, pointed out tensions caused by the Diaoyu Islands issue are impacting bilateral trade, as Japan’s economy suffered heavily in the wake of September’s “purchase.” According to statistics from Japan’s Finance Ministry on October 22, Japan’s trade deficit from April to September reached 3.219 trillion yen ($40.2 billion), creating a new record since 1979. In September, Japan’s exports to China suddenly dropped 14.1 percent. Japan’s automobile sales in September decreased 40.8 percent from the same period last year. If the diplomatic friction continues, the Japanese economy will continue to sink and may even plunge into a full contraction. “Japanese business has gained tremendous profit through bilateral trade and economic cooperation during the past four decades. Now they must play the role of a non-governmental mediator, so as to improve bilateral relations,” Jin said. —Courtesy - Beijing Review.
Is a War over the Nile Still Imminent? DEBAY TADESSE
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NTIL the recent positive signs of cooperation be tween some of the Nile ri parian states, disputes between the downstream and upper riparian states over rights to the waters of the Nile have been a contentious issue for centuries. The outcome of the Nile water negotiations could have profound consequences for the region and the African continent. In May 2010, five upstream states signed a Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) to access more water from the Nile. This move was strongly opposed by Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania were original signatories with Burundi signing in February 2011. The CFA is designed to replace both the 1929 treaty and the 1959 bilateral agreement between Sudan and Egypt, which is now considered to be the main bone of contention among the riparian states. Egypt dismissed the CFA out of hand. Subsequently, Ethiopia began to construct the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is expected to be a 63 billion cubic metre reservoir. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will be Africa’s largest hydroelectric facility and its construction started 40km upstream from Sudan on the Ethiopian portion of the Blue Nile. Although Ethiopia has agreed not to use the reservoir for irrigation, the new dam has become a problem for Egypt. According to a recent Wikileaks report, Sudan agreed to host an Egyptian airbase in Kuris in the west of its Darfur region. Consequently, this base could be used to launch an Egyptian assault on the Ethiopian dam, if diplomatic efforts fail. The Wikileaks report, emanating from Stratfor, a private intelligence agency, also claimed that Egyptian officials said: ‘If it comes to a crisis, we will send a jet to bomb the dam and come back in one day, as simple as that. Or we can send our special forces in to block/sabotage the dam.’ It is clear that Ethiopia’s giant hydroelectric dam project, which is underway, signals the seriousness of regional resentment over the previous treaties on sharing the waters of the Nile. Egypt and Sudan hold absolute rights to 100% of the river’s water under the treaty signed in 1929 between Egypt and Britain, which was then the colonial power in Kenya, Sudan and
Uganda. This treaty was reinforced by the 1959 agreement between Egypt and Sudan where the Nile waters were divided between the two downstream
cooperation concerning the use, development and protection of the Nile River Basin and its water resources, Nile Basin states shall on a regular basis ex-
Rights to the waters of the Nile have been long disputed between downstream and upstream countries. According to the 1929 and 1959 colonial treaties, Egypt and Sudan hold absolute rights to the Nile’s waters. However, after independence, these agreements have been contested. Ethiopia is currently constructing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which would provide the country with hydroelectric power as well irrigation flow. Downstream states, especially Egypt, have felt threatened by Ethiopia’s actions. If diplomatic efforts were to be fail, these tensions could potentially lead to serious regional conflict. nations. Both the 1929 and the 1959 agreements were rejected by many of these countries after they had attained independence. Amid the mistrust, sus-
change readily available and relevant data and information on existing measures and on the condition of water resources of the Basin.’
picion, controversy and threat of conflict over the use of the Nile waters, on 8 October 2012 a ten-member committee of experts and professionals from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia began to discuss the possible impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The committee also visited the construction site, in accordance with Article 3(8) of the CFA that states the principle ‘that the Nile Basin states exchange information on planned measures through the Nile River Basin Commission as part of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)’. This is also in accordance with Article 7, which states: ‘[I]n pursuance of their
At the same time, on the sidelines of the meetings, the Nile Tripartite Committee composed of experts drawn from Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan and four international experts, including the International Panel of Experts (IPoE), also met. Conflicts emerging here might spread political, social and economic instability to surrounding areas. However, instead of conflict, the Nile waters could lead to greater interdependence through cooperation and mutual benefits. By coming together to jointly manage their shared water resources, countries could build trust and prevent conflict. —Courtesy - ISS.
US-Russia ‘reset’ hasn’t changed stance ILAN BERMAN
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OU might not be familiar with Sergei Magnitsky, the 37-year-old Russian lawyer who died of medical compli cations while languishing in a Moscow prison back in 2009. You should be Magnitsky’s case is worth knowing, both because of what it says about the nature of the Russian state and because it could soon prompt a substantial shake-up in U.S.-Russian relations. A lawyer for the Moscow-based Hermitage Capital investment fund, Magnitsky ran afoul of Russian authorities when he stumbled across, and dutifully reported, evidence of massive official corruption. For his trouble, he was imprisoned and held without trial for nearly a year in squalid conditions on trumped-up charges of tax evasion and tax fraud. Toward the end of his incarceration, Magnitsky developed gall stones and pancreatitis, but he was denied proper medi-
cal attention by prison authorities. He died in November 2009 as a result. To add insult to injury, Russia’s Interior Ministry has since posthumously moved ahead with prosecuting Magnitsky. Like the rest of the circumstances surrounding Magnitsky’s demise, the current case is fraught with absurdity. Hermitage lawyers believe that documents relating to the affair have been falsified, but so far — in time-honored Soviet tradition — they have been denied permission to see the case file for their client. The Magnitsky case has generated considerable public outrage internationally. The White House, however, hasn’t had much to say about it. In fact, it has done a great deal to try to sweep the Magnitsky affair under the political carpet. The reason is obvious. Since 2009, the Obama administration’s obsession with a “reset” of relations with Russia has resulted in an attempt to forge a new political relationship with
the Kremlin on everything from arms control to normalized trade relations. To be fair, the “reset” has had some tactical successes — most notably, Russia’s acquiescence to the use of its airspace to resupply troops in Afghanistan, following Pakistan’s closure of overland supply routes into Southwest Asia last year. There is little evidence that larger Russian attitudes toward America have changed. To the contrary, the Kremlin’s adversarial stance on an array of foreign policy issues — from Syria’s civil war to Iran’s nuclear program — suggests strongly that Moscow still sees Washington as the “main enemy.” Worse still, the “reset” has come at a tremendous cost: a laissez faire American attitude toward the capricious, unaccountable and deeply anti-democratic nature of the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin. That blind eye, in turn, has only served to reinforce the Kremlin’s authoritarian attitudes at home. This point has been hammered home
by numerous recent instances, from the legal lynching of a punk band to the politically motivated prosecution of socialist opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov. Last month, the lower house of Russia’s legislature rubber-stamped a controversial new bill expanding the legal definition of treason — a step that opponents say paves the way for the Kremlin “to put any civil activist, let alone rights defender, in custody.” Fortunately, other parts of the U.S. government haven’t been so sanguine. The Magnitsky case has become a significant rallying point in Congress, where new legislation — colloquially known as the “Magnitsky Act” — enjoys broad bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. When Congress reconvenes in lame-duck session later this month, passage of the act will rank high on its legislative agenda. The stakes are significant. If adopted, the House version of the bill will impose biting sanctions on a number of high-level Russian offi-
cials. The Senate version, meanwhile, has even broader reach, making it a potential vehicle for the United States to penalize not only human rights abusers in Russia but their counterparts in Iran, North Korea, China and other countries as well. The Obama administration, however, isn’t keen to implement either. Administration officials are worried that holding the Kremlin to account on human rights grounds might fundamentally undo the “reset” they hold so dear. They also fear that Moscow might make good on threats of retaliatory measures if the act is actually signed into law. This hesitation misses a fundamental point. The way Russia treats its own people has direct bearing upon its attitudes toward the outside world, the democracies of the United States and Europe most of all. The road to a true “reset,” therefore, cannot lie in keeping silent about the Kremlin’s criminalized domestic conduct. —Courtesy - Washington Times.
Kaira used PAF From Page 1 an aircraft to any minister and PAF does not charge for the flights, once approval is given by the Prime Minister or President. Therefore, no amount was paid to PAF for the aircraft used by Information Minister, he added. Salim Haider said PAF arranges special flights for Prime Minister, President and ministers and they use them under established rules and regulations. In 1992, he said, during the PML(N) government the rules were amended for using PAF aircraft by the government.—APP
‘Jehadi Council distributing weapons to units’
Blast at Rangers HQ kills 3, injures 21 From Page 1 officer said the vehicle used in the terrorist act carried fake registration and chassis number. The police sources said the law enforcers had cordoned off the area and were probing the deadly incident. The police are said to have arrested two suspects who were found filming the injured Rangers personnel in the hospital. Meanwhile, various po-
litical parties condemned the deadly assault saying lack of the government’s writ had made Karachi and Hyderabad soft targets for the terrorists. In a statement, Imtiaz Sheikh, Sindh-chapter secretary general of Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, slammed the Sindh government for its failure to establish its writ in the two cit-
ies where, he said, terrorists were waging attacks at their convenience. PML-F itself is a coalition partner of the ruling People’s Party in Sindh and centre. He was also critical of the government politically-motivated targeted killings in Hyderabad.Taliban have accepted claimed the responsibility for the attack.
Fazl opposes armed struggle From Page 1 situationin Balochistan and become a nation. He said the JUI (F). He asked the intelli-
KABUL—The Jihadi Council led Karachi but no body was lis- first responsibility of the state is gence agencies to clear hurdles by Afghanistan’s Energy and Water Minister Mohammad Ismail Khan has started distributing weapons to its members in western Herat province, the provincial spokesman Mahiuddin Noori said. Noori warned that armed groups apart from the Afghan security forces are against the law and the distribution of weapons is a criminal offence. “In the past several months, the non-government Council of the Mujahedeen [Jihadi Council] has distributed weapons to the residents which is against Afghanistan’s laws,” Noori said, adding that there is proof of this claim.He showed a signed piece of paper with the Jihadi Council’s appointment of a commander or “security official”. “Anyone who distributes weapons apart from the government commits a crime. It is against the national interests of the government and the country and it will be prosecuted. The justice and security organs are investigating this issue,” he said.—NNI
COURT NOTICE In the Court of Syed Imam Ali Shah, Judge Banking Court No-II Gujranwala Suit No.360/2012 The BOP, Hafizabad — Plaintiff Versus Muhammad Feroz —Defendant Summons U/S 9 (5) of the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance; 2001 (Ordinance No.XLVI of 2001) Summons to: (1) Muhammad Feroz S/O Rehmat Ali by Cste Bhatti Tehsil Jalal Pur Bhattian Distt, Hafizabad. (2) Muhammad Nazir S/O Karamat Ullah R/O Village Khitty Shah P.O Jalal Pur Bhattian Tehsil Jalal Pur Bhattian Distt, Hafizabad. WHEREAS the aforesaid plaintiff has instituted a suit against you and other for the recovery of Rs=206,741/along with mark up/interest and cost etc, claimed to be payable by you A Summons u/s 9(5) Ordinance XIVI of 2001 referred to above is hereby issued requiring you to make within 30 days of the service of the Summon, an application for leave to defend the suit in the form of written statement U/S 10 of the said ordinance. Take notice that on your failure to file such application within time specified above, the Banking Court shall pass a decree as prayed for in the plaint, in the favour of the plaintiff Banking Company. Next date for further proceedings, in the case has been fixed on 10.01.2013. Given under my hand and the seal of the court, this 06.11.2012 Seal of the Court Banking Court II Gujranwala
COURT NOTICE In the Court of Hamid Ali Tulla Civil Judge Malakwal Dost Mohammad etc Vs Mohammad Bashir etc. Suit for Declaration & Permanent injunction. Memo. Mohammad Bashir S/o Yousaf , Mohammad Azam S/ o Ghulam Mohammad Caste Lohar R/o Miana Gondal Tehsil Malakwal Dist Mandi Bahauddin Whereas the services of above mentioned respondents is not possible through ordinary means, therefore, he is directed to attend this court personally or through his council on 20-11-12. Otherwise the ex party proceedings shall be taken against him. Given under my hand and seal of the Court. Sd/Civil Judge Malakwal
tening to the problems of Pakhtoonkhwa people. He said army is present in the province and there is an unannounced martial law while the civil administration is helpless. He said Pakistan came into being on the basis of two nation theory but despite the passage of sixty five years we could not
to protect life and property of the people but the state has failed in this task. He said for the development of the country, the top most requirement is peace but we are trying to conquer our own nation. He said that hidden forces were conspiring to defeat the
in the way of JUI (F) so thatit could come to the parliament through the votes of the people. He said his party would accept the verdict of the people. He said the army and government institutions are very respectable for them but they should also avoid confrontation with politicians. —INP
ISI, MI have no right to make election cells From Page 1 nancial assistance to the favoured candidates, or a group of political parties to achieve desired result by polluting election process and to deprive the people of Pakistan from being represented by their chosen representatives.” After hearing the petition filed by Air Martial (retd) Asghar Khan pertaining to allegations against the ISI of distributing money among politicians before general elections of 1990, the bench said in its order, “The general elections held in the year 1990 were subjected to corruption and corrupt practices as in view of the overwhelming material produced by the parties
during hearing it has been established that an Election Cell had been created in the Presidency, which was functioning to provide financial assistance to the favored candidates, or a group of political parties to achieve desired result and to deprive the people of Pakistan from being represented by their chosen representatives.” The court said that the money given to politicians should be taken back along with interest. “ISI or MI may perform their duties as per the laws to safeguard the borders of Pakistan or to provide civil aid to the Federal Government, but
such organizations have no role to play in the political activities/ politics, for formulation or destabilization of political Governments, nor can they facilitate or show favour to a political party or group of political parties or politicians individually, in any manner, which may lead in his or their success,” the court said in its order. In an unprecedented move, the Registrar of Supreme Court handed down the detailed judgment of Mehrangate case along with its Urdu version. The reason that is cited for doing so was avoiding any misreporting on the part of the media.—INP
Anti-Islam filmmaker sentenced From Page 1 front steps of the courthouse and told reporters his client wanted to send a message. “The one thing he wanted me to tell all of you is President Obama may have gotten Osama bin Laden, but he didn’t kill the ideology,” Seiden said. Asked what that meant, Seiden said, “I didn’t ask him, and I don’t know.” US District Court Judge Christina Snyder accepted the plea agreement and immediately sentenced Youssef after he admitted to four of the eight alleged violations, including obtaining a fraudulent California driver’s license. Prosecutors agreed to drop the other four allegations under the plea deal, which also included more probation time. All parties agreed that none of the violations had to do with
the content of “Innocence of Muslims,”. However, Assistant US Attorney Robert Dugdale argued Youssef’s lies about his identity have caused harm to others, including the film’s cast and crew. Deadly violence related to the film broke out Sept. 11 and spread to many parts of the Middle East. “They had no idea he was a recently released felon,” Dugdale said Wednesday. “Had they known that, they might have had second thoughts” about being part of the film. He said they have had death threats and feel their careers have been ruined. Seiden said his client admits to being the film’s scriptwriter but had no other involvement except what he described as being a “cultural adviser.”
Youssef, 55, was arrested in late September, just weeks after he went into hiding when the deadly violence erupted. Enraged Muslims had demanded severe punishment for Youssef, with a Pakistani cabinet minister even offering $100,000 to anyone who kills him. Federal authorities initially sought a two-year sentence for Youssef but settled on a one-year term after negotiating the plea deal with Youssef’s attorneys. Prosecutors said they wouldn’t pursue new charges against Youssef, namely making false statements, and would drop the remaining probation-violation allegations leveled against him. But Youssef was placed on four years’ probation and must be truthful about his identity and his future finances.—INP
CCI approves equitable power distribution From Page 1
COURT NOTICE In the Court of Judge Banking Court-III, Multan.12-B Allah Shafi Chawk Pul Bararan Road Multan Suit No.357/2012 ZTBL Branch at Dunya Pur—Plaintiff Versus Mst. Near Jahan W/O Ishaq SPA Muhammad Shabbis (SON) R/O Mouza Bapper Tehsil Dunya Disst, Lodhran. —Defendant Proclamation U/S 9 (5) Financial Institution Recovery of Finances Ordinance 46 of 2001 WHEREAS the aforesaid plaintiff has instituted a suit against you and others for recovery of Rs-627162/alongwith mark up/interest and costs etc claimed to be payable by you Proclamation u/s 9(5) Ordinance 46 of 2001 to the above is hereby issued requiring you to make within 30 days of this proclamation, an application for leave to defend the suit. Taken notice that on your failure to file such application within time specified above the Banking Court shall pass a decree as prayed for in the plaint. Next date for further proceedings, in the case has been fixed on 12.11.2012. Given under my hand and the seal of the court, this 26th day of September, 2012 Seal of the Court Judge Banking Court III Multan
companies in the recovery of dues and check theft. The issue of renaming of Ministry of Professional and Technical Training as Ministry of Education and Training was deferred for the next meeting of the CCI. The meeting also discussed the report of the Committee constituted by the CCI for giving its recommendations for equitable distribution of electricity in the country. The Committee held meetings on 11th August, 15th August and 15th September, 2012 and came up with recommendations:The Prime Minister directed that Federal and Provincial Governments should clear their current electricity bills promptly. If any person or body has any complaints about over billing, it should be settled within a month, he added. The meeting decided that the recommendations of the 10-member committee on equitable distribution of electricity be accepted in principle. The Council further decided to include Principal Officer, Ministry of Finance in the committee to work out the mechanics of implementation of the decision. The meeting also debated the issue of provincial representation in federal entities. Another item on the Agenda of the meeting was approval of National Mineral Policy 2012. The matter was discussed in detail and approval of the Policy was given by the CCI subject to concurrence by Chief Minister Sindh. The Council while discussing the progress made by the Council in implementation of its decisions, was informed that in
its nine meetings it had considered 54 issues from federal as well as provincial governments and most of the decisions taken, have been implemented. Earlier the Prime Minister in his opening remarks said that the government honours the decisions of the courts and appreciates their role in strengthening institutions and democracy in the country. The meeting also took up Council’s second annual report, required to be placed before both the houses of the Parliament under Article 153 (4) of the Constitution and approved the same. The report covers meeting of the CCI held on Feb 9, 2012 and August 27, 2012. The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raeesani, Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan Minister for Communications, Mir Changez Khan Jamali Minister for Science & Technology, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Minister for Finance, Syed Naveed Qamar Minister for Defence, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour Minister for Railways, Sheikh Waqas Akram Minister for Education & Training, Secretaries Cabinet / Water & Power, Finance, Planning & Development, Education & Training, Law & Justice, Railways, Economic Affairs, and other senior officials.
136th Iqbal day today From Page 1 would remain closed on Iqbal Day. On the day the speakers would pay homage to Allama Iqbal. Newspapers would publish special editions and TV channels would telecast special program in this connection. Iqbal had a great impact on the Islamic culture and education system for the entire country. The poet was a great legislature of subcontinent and important personality of Pakistan movement who gave the awareness message to the muslim youth. Iqbal was born on November 9 in Sialkot in 1987. He was Sufi poet of the modern age. He created revolutionary spirit in the nation through his poetry. Sophism and Islamic touch is prominent in his poetry. His poetry has been translated in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, English and other different languages due to this he is considered a great philosopher all over the world. As a great politician his great achievement is giving the ideology of Pakistan which later became the base of independence of Pakistan. Unfortunately, he could not see the independence of Pakistan and died on April 21 1938 but due to his vision of a separate homeland he has been granted rank of national poet of the Pakistan. Various cultural, educational, and literary organizations organize different programs across the country to mark the day and pay homage to the great poet who envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims.—APP
Altaf foresees army, judiciary crisis From Page 1 tions must solve their issues and differences through dialogues as the welfare and the good of the country also lies in this. The image of the country should not be tarnished among the civilized countries for satisfying the personal ego and desires of a few individuals. He said that we should reflect the wishes and aspirations of 180 million people of the country and show complete unity. All august state institutions must respect each other and work within their own framework. Hussain hoped that both the powerful institutions would pay heed to his submissions and arrive at some positive result.
Governor for stable Pakistan LAHORE —Governor Punjab Latif Khan Khosa has expressed government’s resolve to take all measures to keep Pakistan peaceful, stable and secure. “We shall employ all that is required to take Pakistan towards path of progress and prosperity,” he said. “It will be our tribute to Allama Iqbal on his birth anniversary”. —APP
Balochistan case From Page 1 or evaluating the performance of governments was outside the mandate constitutionally delegated to the superior judiciary. The petition moreover states that the judiciary’s involvement in the country’s politics was a violation of Article 5 of the Constitution, adding that, judges could not violate their oaths. It further states that the court’s order was not in accordance with the authority that the Constitution had placed in the judiciary. It said that in the order, the bench employed Article 58(2)(b) which had been discarded through the 18th Amendment. The petition also states that the ruling was incomplete as the bench had not stated whether or not the restive province was in a state of emergency.—INP
No strike From Page 1 Punjab government’s counsel informed that provincial government has accepted all the demands of young doctors and recommendations in this regard have been finalized. He further said that a report has also been prepared to withdraw murder charges against the accused doctors. In response, YDA’s representative remarked that association has no problem with the Punjab government anymore, as their demands have finally been addressed. While ending the standoff, Young Doctors Association assured the court they would avoid going on strike in the future.
SBP: Pak should come From Page 1 ate an attractive investment climate necessary to maintain investors’ confidence, resulting in positive impact on the share price and creating possibilities for raising low cost capital. Leaders must be visionary to see the future trends, anticipate institutional bottlenecks, remain competitive and be able to adapt rapidly to changes, he said and added that leaders need also to take into account their corporate social responsibility so that profit seeking is balanced against the objective of social service and well being of society. Anwar observed that Pakistan’s corporate sector has survived in perhaps one of the most challenging environments and yet it has flourished. “There are challenges to expanding abroad – challenges that our companies may not have encountered previously. But I, for one, would like to see more of our corporate sector aggressively targeting the regional and global market. I challenge you to dream larger than
ever before,” he added. Anwar noted that the millions of Pakistanis abroad will give you an edge as you venture abroad. “They will be familiar with your brands, and with the quality of your products. They may just hold the key to giving you a foothold in international markets,” he added. He observed that the world today is passing through a turbulent phase that requires a realignment of our leadership approach to managing businesses. “Today’s business leader is faced with a multitude of challenges, both on external and internal fronts. The complexities arising in the eco-system of any business may arise in the shape of macro economic imbalances that include sagging demand, inflation, volatility in financial markets, etc.,” he said. The Governor said: “The most significant lesson that we have learnt from recent events is the importance of fundamentals in risk management. For in-
stance, there is a basic rule since inception of banks which says “do not put all your eggs in one basket. Had this simple rule been followed, many institutions could have avoided huge losses”. Anwar cautioned that elevating corporate governance should not be confined to banks, but commercial concerns must also do the same. “We all know the pace of globalization has accelerated, resulting in increased domestic and global economic integration,” he added. “The current breed of Pakistani CEOs is the street-smart entrepreneur, who will learn to adapt to any environment. That is going to be our competitive advantage in the global market,” he noted. “Twenty years from now, I would like to hear the story of how a Pakistani corporation entered the global market, the challenges it faced and overcame, and became the first Pakistani company to be consistently featured in the Fortune Global 500 list of companies,” Anwar concluded.
Pilotless planes attract attention of delegates From Page 1 Defence Production Sardar Bahadur Khan also visited the GIDS stall and showed deep interest in its products. Delegates coming to the exhibition for commercial purposes enquired about the UAVs, the pilotless planes prepared by the
AERO and Xpert Engineering Services and that is totally prepared by the Pakistan’s defence industry. This plane is capable to go 250 KM away and fly at the height of 17,000 feet and could remain in flight for more than seven hours. It is also capable of
conveying very important information to the Ground Control Station directly. Pakistan’s Army is already using this plane. This pilotless plane could be operated from Ground Control Station which is very easy for its operation and use.
Shahbaz assures all possible facilities to journalists SALIM AHMED LAHORE—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab government of Pakistan Muslim League-N has always solved the problems of journalists community on priority basis, while, in future as well journalists would be extended every possible facility in performance of their professional duty. He asserted that Punjab government has taken concrete steps to retrieve land which had been grabbed in the journalists colony as a result of which, a large portion of land has been retrieved. On the demand of the delegation of journalists, the Chief Minister announced formulation of a committee, headed by Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, to resolve all issues relating to the journalists colony. Apart from the concerned authorities, office-bearers of Lahore Press Club and Punjab Assembly Press Gallery would be included in the committee. The Chief Minister was talking to a representative delegation of Lahore Press Club and Punjab Assembly Press Gallery at Model Town, here today. Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Information Punjab, Director General Public Relations, Vice President Lahore Press Club Shahbaz Mian, Secretary Zulfiqar Mahtoo, Finance Secretary, Afzaal Talib, President Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Shahzad Malik, besides other members were present on the occasion. The Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the role of media has become of utmost significance in the
present era, as responsible media plays a very vital role in progress and development of the society, besides providing guidance to the government and the people. He said metro bus project is a great public welfare development project, upon which less than Rs.27 billion have been spent. He said that a visit to the great metro bus project would soon be arranged for journalists’ community, which has been made structurally so strong that even a train can also ply on this route. He said that metro bus project is for the common man, who is happy over the project but a specific mafia is feeling perturbed over this project, however the mouths of so-called critics would be shut, once the metro bus started operating.
Mailk warns against sectarian violence
PTI leader Sarwar Cheema passes away
GUJRANWALA—Former federal minister and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Colonel (Retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema passed away here on Thursday after protracted illness. According to details, Col (Retd) Ghulam Sarwar Cheema was suffering from various diseases which proved fatal and he gious as well as CD channels breathed his last on Thursday SHARAFT KAZMI would be suspended during ISLAMABAD—Interior Minister Muharram-ul-Harram. PEMRA evening. During his political carrier, Rehman Malik has said that the should take necessary measures counter sale of the mobile sims for enforcing these instructions”, would be banned and companies he added. would dispatch it at the address ‘Youtube’ could be opened of the customer from the next on the condition that entire month. anti-Islam matter would be reHe was talking to the media moved from it. after a high level meeting at his Responding a question he said that office on Thursday. He said that the security of those cities, that third power has planned to create were declared sensitive, would not conflict between Shias and Sunnis only be beefed up but air surveilduring the holy month of lance well also be carried out Muharram. there, during the Muharram. The He said that no one would be interior minister claimed that seallowed to use satellite phone curity agencies had reached near without getting registration from to the attackers on Malala. Pakistan Telecommunication AuHe told the reporters that he he served as state minister for dethority. had talked with his Indian coun- fence during Benazir Bhutto’s The PTA has been given the terpart to improve the Indo-Pak deadline of December 31for the ties and soon a memo would be first government and was elected registration of prepaid SIMs after sent to Indian authorities to con- MNA several times after defeatthat unregistered SIMs would be stitute judicial commission to ing chairman Pakistan Muslim League Like Minded (PML-LM) blocked. probe the Mumbai attack. Hamid Nasir Chattha.He started He said shifting of SIMs from “We have told US that she his political carrier as PPP MNA. one network to another network has to review her policy towards is banned immediately. SIMs will Pakistan. Peace in the region Later, he quit PPP and joined be issued on showing CNIC and could not be maintained by ig- PML-N and in last days was in PTI.—INP utility bills. noring Afghanistan and Paki“Transmission of all the reli- stan”, he added.
Mobile SIMs sale at shops banned
Gilanis submit nationality affidavits ISLAMABAD—Two sons of former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani have submitted their affidavits regarding dual nationality to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). Ali Musa Gilani and Abdul Qadir Gilani, MNAs, said that they are Pakistanis and have no nationality of any other country.—INP
Two killed in Mardan firing
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in a meeting with Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Balochistan Aslam Raisani and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Hoti prior to Council of Common Interests meeting at the Prime Minister Secretariat.
Rental power plants case hearing
National exchequer was plundered: CJP I S L A M A B A D — D u r i n g the court’s order in its entirety. whereas Hayat was quoting an-
Thursday’s hearing of the rental MARDAN—Two persons were power projects case, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad killed and two others injured Chaudhry said the national exin firing by two armed motorcycle-riders in Mardan. chequer was plundered through corruption in the projects. According to sources, two A three-judge bench of the motorcycle-riders on apex court heard the case. Thursday opened fire on four The chief justice said in persons travelling in a car. Resultantly, two persons were spite of the court’s directives, the National Accountability Bureau killed and the other two were injured. The attackers managed (NAB) had failed to initiate proto flee the scene. According to ceedings against those involved police, the incident seemed like in the corruption. During the hearing, petian outcome of old enmity. tioner Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Police registered a case and Hayat told the bench that the started searching for the NAB had failed to implement attackers.—INP
20 dead in Bara operation BARA—In the ‘Bara Clearance Operation’ started on October 23 in tehsil Bara of Khyber Agency, 20 extremists have been killed and nine others arrested. Twenty five centres of the extremists and two factories of remote control bombs were also destroyed during the operation. Security officials said this during a media briefing regarding the ‘Bara Clearance Operation’ to maintain law and order in the area. They informed that the tehsil has been divided into five regions for the operation.—NNI
Groom killed in aerial firing MUZAFFARGARH—A groom was killed and two other persons sustained injuries during aerial firing in a wedding ceremony in Mehranshah area here on late Wednesday night. According to details, some armed people opened aerial firing during Hina ceremony of marriage party at night when some bullets hit groom and two other persons, killing the groom, Sarwar, on the spot and injuring two others. The police reached the spot and registered case against some accused.—INP
Pak, India border trespassers to return within 24 hours
He further said that the NAB had also allowed the Karkay, a 232MW Turkish ship-mounted power plant, to sail out of Pakistan. Hayat said the Karkay plant, which was anchored at Port Qasim, had been allowed to leave without repaying Rs22 billion and requested the bench to probe the matter. The counsel for the NAB told the bench that the concerned Turkish firm would have to return $17.20 million and that the NAB was active in that regard. Responding to which, Justice Gulzar remarked that the NAB was quoting one figure
ECP issues conduct code to political parties STAFF REPORTER
I SLAMABAD —The Election MUNABAO—Pakistan and India Commission of Pakistan (ECP) have agreed to release innocent intruders caught by both sides found to have crossed by mistake and did not have wrong intentions. The intruders will have to be verified for release within 24 hours through an inquiry by the forces of the two sides. The decision was taken by both the sides at Munabao during the meeting of the India-Pakistan border guards. India was represented by a 13-member delegation led by Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat) DIG Raj Singh Rathore and Pakistani side was led by Sindh Rangers’ deputy director Gen Brig Mohammad Rafiq. The meeting also agreed to launch a Indo-Pak joint campaign for maintenance and early repair of border pillars. Senior officers who attended the meeting said the 13member Pakistan delegation reached Munabao at 9.30 am and the meeting started at 10am. The meeting concluded in harmony and in cordial atmosphere, they said. Sources said India raised the issue.—INP
has sent copies of revised Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates to all the major political parties for obtaining their valuable comments/suggestions and feedback as per decision in the Consultative Meeting held on September 27, 2012 with the representatives of Political Parties. In a letter addressed to the Presidents/Quaid/Ameer and General Secretaries of the political parties, Muhammad Afzal Khan, Additional Secretary, ECP has invited their attention to the importance of their precious feedback and said that the perusal of the said Code of Conduct would reveal that it aims at creating a level playing field for all the Political Parties/Candidates and an environment in which fair, transparent and peaceful elections could be held without causing any tension, harassment or inconvenience for all involved in this electoral exercise as well as for the public at large. The Additional Secretary has requested all the political parties to send their comments within two weeks to the Commission and in case no comments are re-
Musharraf deprecates aspersions on Army M UMBAI —Former Presi- sions cast on the military that they could use nuclear weapdent Pervez Musharraf has said a solution to the Kashmir problem was possible with both the governments and military of his country favouring it and deprecated “aspersions” cast on the army for blocking such a move.The former General, who lives in self-imposed exile in England, also said Pakistan’s nuclear assets were in safe hands and that there was no “finger-on-the-button” situation between Islamabad and New Delhi as nuclear assets were “not mated with the delivery systems”. “Yes, I do believe it (solution to Kashmir) is possible. There have been asper-
it does not want a solution but this is absolutely baseless”. “Everyone including the Mujahedeen want a solution but the solutions differ, the nuances differ. But I would say that any Government of Pakistan and the military would like to have a solution,” Musharraf, who was President between 2001 and 2008, said. Musharraf expressed these views on the TV show “The Outsider” hosted by Tim Sebastian. The show, also featuring senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh, will be telecast on Bloomberg channel at 8 pm on November 10. To a query on both countries being nuclear powers and apprehensions that
other. The judge inquired as to why the difference between the two figures was so stark. Moreover, the chief justice asked why the bureau was “afraid of initiating proceedings against the responsible parties” when the court had already directed it to do so. Chief Justice Iftikhar further said that the NAB’s role pertaining to action against the involved parties was negligible, adding that, if the NAB could not take action, the matter could be handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).—INP
ons against each other, Musharraf, said, “I would not like the audience or you to go with the idea that the situation on the nuclear issue between India and Pakistan is the same as (was between) the NATO (and) Warsaw Pact (nations), between the USA and the Soviet Union, where it was a finger-on-the-button situation. “There is no finger-onthe-button here because the nuclear assets are not mated with the delivery systems and therefore it is safe. Pakistan’s nuclear assets are absolutely safe and I know the military will guarantee their safety,” he said.—NNI
ceived from parties, it will be assumed that they have agreed with the draft Code of Conduct. The Election Commission has taken several concrete initiatives for ensuring fair, impartial and transparent elections in the country said Ishtiak Ahmad Khan, Secretary ECP while briefing the participants of the 97th National Management Course (NMC), who visited the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on their inland study tour here Thursday. Of ECP,s initiatives he said they included electoral rolls bearing photograph of voters, obtaining thumb impression of each voter casting his/her vote to avoid impersonation, preparation of non-market ballot papers with special security features, result management system for making the result compilation process fast, preparation and implementation of Code of Conduct for political parties, establishment of permanent polling stations and placement of its on website, a comprehensive voters’ awareness campaign, establishment of District outreach and Security Committee.
Senate committee orders arrest of KESC CEO STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Senate’s Standing Committee on Water and Power has ordered to issue arrest warrants of Tabish Gohar, Chief Executive Officer of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), for not attending a crucial meeting of the committee. The meeting, headed by Senator Zahid Khan, was held in Islamabad to analyse the production capacity and to determine the output of the KESC. The meeting was also to find the per unit production cost to the KESC and to obtain the details of the power supplied to the KESC by the Wapda.
Asfandyar for independent judiciary STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan said on Thursday that independent judiciary was mandatory for the supremacy of the Constitution and the parliament. In a statement issued from Peshawar, the ANP chief said that his party valued army’s sacrifices, which it rendered during, war against terrorism. He said the ANP believed in supremacy of law and independent judiciary. Khan said that May 12 would keep reminding the party of its workers who had been killed for their struggle for the judiciary in the streets of Karachi.
CJ satisfied over ECP response I SLAMABAD —Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry expressed satisfaction over a report submitted by Election Commission (ECP) in bogus voter lists case and directed that voters should be approached for their consent over the location of their choice where they would want to cast votes.—NNI
Govt formed in 1990 was fake: Kaira
Zardari stresses strengthening of institutions
ISLAMABAD—President Asif Ali
ISLAMABAD—Federal Minis- set-up, which conducted the Zardari has stressed the need for ter for Information and Broadcasting on Thursday said that the government formed in 1990 was fake. The then assembly was bogus, he said and termed all the decisions taken by that parliament illegal and unconstitutional. Talking media Kaira said that all the unconstitutional decisions of the government formed through fraudulent elections to be revisited. He said that the Supreme Court verdict in the Asghar Khan case had proved that the 1990 government was formed as a result of stolen mandate. The interim government
strengthening of the institutions to confront the challenges being faced the country. He was addressing the participants of 97th National Management Course of National School of Public Policy in Islamabad on Thursday. The President said efficient and dedicated civil servants could play a decisive role in finding solutions of the problems and steering the country towards socio-economic progress and prosperity. He said civil servants are the backbone of the administrative machinery of the country and have a unique role in policy formulation and ensuring its effective implementation. President Zardari said it is the duty of every civil servant to meet the challenges of administration regardless of any consideration spiracy against the Muslims of which political party was in and also interference of the the power.—NNI foreigners in the internal affairs of the Muslims,” Ihsan added. The TTP spokesman said the outfit will continue fight against conspiracies. Durand Line draws its name from Mortimer Durand, I SLAMABAD—Foreign Office the Foreign Secretary of Brit- spokesman Muazzam Ahmad ish India, who demarcated the Khan on Thursday affirmed 2,640-kilometre-long and po- that Pakistan would continurous borders between Pakistan ously work with President and Afghanistan following a Obama’s administration to treaty with Afghanistan’s Amir achieve the common interests Abdur Rehman Khan in 1893. in the region. The spokesperson said PaGrossman ignited a controversy when he told an Afghan kistan and the US have good private television channel that relations. Both countries are “our policy is that the border is trying their to achieve comthe international border”.—INP mon interests.—Online
1990 elections, rigged the elections through various tactics, he added. Kaira said that the removal of elected governments through unconstitutional steps in the past had affected the national institutions. However, the present government is trying its best to strengthen the democratic system, which had been weakened by the dictatorial regimes, he added. Replying to a question, the minister said that the government had made the constitutional changes through the Parliament and now the democracy could not be derailed. —APP
TTP condemns Grossman’s Durand Line remarks I SLAMABAD —The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) central spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan has strongly condemned the statement of US special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Marc Grossman that the Durand Line was an internationally recognized border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. In an email message to INP, Ihsan said that Grossman’s statement regarding the Durand Line, the 2,640 kilometer long border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, is an obvious move to inflame differences among the people living on both sides of the border.“TTP considers the statement of Grossman a con-
Pak to continue work with Obama admin: FO
What is the glycemic index and how can it help to lose weight?
T
HE glycemic index (GI) is a measure ment developed by Dr. David J. Jenkins and his associates at the University of Toronto in 1981. They were researching diabetes, and how to reliably predict the effect of certain foods on the body’s blood sugar and insulin levels. The glycemic index rates carbohydrate-rich foods on a scale of 1 to 100, pure glucose being the highest (100). A food’s GI rating indicates how rapidly it is digested or absorbed by the body; the higher a food is on this scale, the faster your body will use it up. This is important information – not only for diabetics but also for those interested in losing weight – because foods high on the glycemic index scale tend to give you a “sugar rush.” They cause insulin to be released into your bloodstream to process the sudden rise in blood sugar. Unfortunately, once the blood sugar levels have been normalized, your body then has a tendency to crave more food to boost them again, causing a kind of “yo-yo” approach to eating. Also, insulin is considered a “fat storage hormone” because it causes sugar to enter the body’s cells more quickly, so that it can be converted to energy, but at the same time causes them to store the excess sugars as glycogen or body fat. So the glycemic index can be quite useful when trying to lose weight, and a useful complement to other diets. Foods
with high GI ratings – white bread, cakes, white rice, baked potatoes, jams, jellies, and many processed breakfast cereals – will trigger this “yo-yo” effect, and leave you craving more food very quickly. These foods also tend to be high in calories. Foods with a GI rating lower than 55 – fruits and vegetables, milk products, high-fiber grains and cereals, beans and lentils, sweet potatoes, and pasta – have the opposite effect. They take longer to be digested, leading to an increased feeling of satiety. Because these foods are less processed, and because of their high fiber or particle size, they take up more space in your stomach and leave you feeling more satiated and full. As a result, you are less likely to “binge eat.” Paying attention to the GI ratings of foods has been proven to be a useful adjunct to many famous diet plans. Studies have shown that people on low-GI diets tend to lose more weight and keep it off than those on high-GI diets. One of the most successful commercial diet programs, Nutrisystem®, is largely based on glycemic index research. Whatever the diet program you choose, paying attention to the GI index of the foods you eat can help you make wiser choices. A diet rich in protein (which does not cause the same glycemic response in the body) and low-GI foods is going to be more likely to succeed.
RAWALPINDI: Less privileged children find a place to play near Mareer Chowk.
Iqbal urged youth to inculcate love I SLAMABAD —Poet of East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal focussed youth in his poetry and disseminated the message to inculcate the qualities of love for everyone, innovative thinking, brotherhood, and fearlessness among them to become a strong personality. Speakers urged this while addressing a function held by Pakistan Qaumi Yekjehti Council, at Islamabad College for Girls (IMCG) to celebrate Iqbal Day. Speakers said that Iqbal is not the Iqbal of a certain era but will always perform the obligation of guiding the followers of the faith of the Holy Messenger (PBUH).—APP
Iqbal Day at AIOU I SLAMABAD —The Depart-
Iqbal Day celebrations: BallsignState,MoUQAU Homage to a national hero CITY REPORTER
SANA JAMAL I SLAMABAD —An inspirational and vibrant culture show, held here on Thursday, highlighted the ideology of Pakistan’s national poet, Allama Muhammed Iqbal. The performance marked the 135th birth anniversary of the Allama Iqbal, being commemorated today nationwide. Iqbal is regarded as the Shair-e-Mashriq ( Poet of the East) and the Thinker of Pakistan, who envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for the Muslims. Children of different ages from several schools and colleges participated in the Iqbal Day Celebrations programme arranged by Children Art Workshop (CAW) at Pakistan National Council
of the Arts (PNCA). The kids presented skits, speeches and tableaus based on stories portraying Iqbal’s messages for the modification of the society. The lyrical, melodious poems from Iqbal’s poetry, presented by the children, included Kalam-e-Iqbal, Khudi ka Sir hai Nehan, Ya Rab Dil-e-Muslim ko, La phir Ik Bar, Lab pay aati hai Dua, Zamanay ke Andaz. The verses reflected on simple yet meaningful theme. “Iqbal’s philosophy and poetry is beacon for humanity” said DG of PNCA, Tauqeer Nasir at the award distribution. Iqbal’s message, he said, is that action is the essence of life and without self-confidence and faith nothing could be achieved.
Allama Iqbal is admired as an eminent poet by international scholars of literature, and is also a highly acclaimed “Muslim philosophical thinker of modern times.” His poetry books include: Asrar-e-Khudi, Rumuz-i-Bekhudi, Payam-iMashriq and Zabur-i-Ajam. Amongst these his best known Urdu works are Bang-i-Dara, Bal-i-Jibril, Zarb-i Kalim and a part of Armughan-e-Hijaz. Iqbal’s Urdu and Persian poetry which is the best embodiment of poetically mediated thought, precisely in the traditional continuity of Islamic literature is perhaps the finest flowering of wisdom poetry, or inspired poetry in the modern times.
I SLAMABAD —An international memorandum of understanding was signed between Ball State University, Muncie Indiana, USA and Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. The memorandum calls for collaboration in research, instruction, and faculty exchange between Ball State and Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America, QAU. The memorandum was signed on behalf of President Ball State University by Mr. Peter Brennan, MinisterCounselor US Embassy, Islamabad and Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, ViceChancellor QAU.
Chrysanthemum and Autumn Flower Show
ISLAMABAD: A stall holder displaying pottery during ‘National Festival of Culture & ment of Iqbaliyat, Allama Iqbal Open University with Democracy’ at Lok Virsa. cooperation of Rebaat-eIqbal has chalked out a special programme with the refSTAFF REPORTER erence of Iqbal Day which is going to be held today ( 9th R AWALPINDI —A three-day November at 9:30 a.m.) at its “Chrysanthemum and AuBegum Nusrat Bhutto Auditumn Flower Show” orgatorium to mark the day in a nized by Pir Mehr Ali Shah befitting manner and pay Arid Agriculture University rent workshop will continue exposure to the skilled arti- homage to the great poet STAFF REPORTER Rawalpindi will begin from till November 21. sans in value chain develop- who envision the idea of a 21st of this month. I SLAMABAD —The National The participants of these ment and marketing practices separate homeland for the The main objective of the Institute of Folk and Tradi- workshops are home-based through hands-on experi- Muslims of subcontinent. show is to provide a platform tional Heritage, Lok Virsa workers living in far flung ence in the exhibition/marketFarzand-e-Iqbal, Justice ( for different organizations to here Thursday started a train- deprived areas, with no or ing facility at Lok Virsa. R ) Dr. Javed Iqbal would be show their expertise in the ing workshop for rural craft limited linkage with big marMaster artisan will get the Chief Guest while Prof. field of horticulture and to persons with expertise in vari- kets to sell their products. Rs. 5,000 as honorarium for Dr. Nazir Ahmed Sangi, Viceprovide healthy entertainous craft fields as part of a Besides getting trained training 5 fellow crafts per- Chancellor, AIOU will prement to the residents of series of workshops. in various fields, the partici- sons and this will be given side over the function. Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The series of master arti- pants will also display and to them on successful Justice ( R ) Dr. Javed On the sideline of Chrysan training workshops is sale their products at Lok completion of the training Iqbal will deliver a key-not santhemum and Autumn providing capacity building Virsa shops adjacent to open during the marketing expo- address on the idea of the Flower Show a “Flower Arfor 768 marginalized craft per- air theater, the organizers sure/exhibition at provincial national poet and philosorangement Competition” and sons/artisans, mainly from said. level such as craft, industrial pher Dr. Allama Muhammad “Rangoli Arrangement” has rural districts with poor lower The important aspect of and Mela exhibitions by Iqbal for a separate homeISLAMABAD: Students singing Iqbal’s poetry during Iqbal Day celebrations at PNCA also been scheduled among income groups while the cur- these trainings is to provide chambers of commerce, etc. land.—Online Auditorium. ladies, students and children of different institutions. The last date for registration is November 19, 2012. The competitors will be awarded certificates of participation and the winners will be honored with special trotended by representatives STAFF REPORTER education policy that sets suitable use of disburse- phies. from different sectors: Eduthe minimal standard of ment of funds would lead education should be to greater effectiveness.” It I SLAMABAD —Experts, at cation, civil society, foreign implemented prior to re- was suggested that all doan annual conference on donors, political parties, and gional standard implemen- nors must have a strong Education, suggested that the media. The panel of speakers tation. exit strategy that leaves the a uniform education sysAll political parties as- projects self-sustainable tem across the country is included Ms. Razina Alam Chaudhry sented that the Education and be independent on vital for Pakistan’s educa- (PML-N), GDP budget should be in- fluctuating political scetion sector, whereas ac- Manzoor (PPP), Syed Waqas creased to 5-7%. narios. countability is the key to Jafri (Jamat-e-Islami), Mr. Sadqat Abbasi (PTI), and Dr. Discussing the effec“The quality of infraeducation quality. tiveness of donor aid pro- structure provided by the More than 200 civil so- Farooq Sattar (MQM). During the discussion vided for education sector aid agencies should be a ciety representatives from development, the experts sustainable project rather 40 different districts gath- on education agendas of Insisted that the donor than fulfilling short term ered here at the Third An- the various political parties agencies and the Govern- goals.” nual Convention by the Pa- in Pakistan, the political ment should work to bridge Participants highkistan Coalition for Educa- representatives called for a the gap between donor lighted that political instation to discuss and formu- uniform education system practices and Government bility and weak civic struclate collective actions to that focuses on quality and ture was the major cause improve the status of edu- across the board medium ISLAMABAD: CEO CCEP Zafarullah Khan addressing during Annual Convention on policies. of instruction on a regional Investing in Education for a Progressive Nation at a local hotel. I. A. Rehman, Mazhar The panel demanded behind unstable foreign cation in Pakistan. that: “Accountability and funding. The conference was at- level and a single national Arif, Musadiq Sanwal and Shamim Anjum are also seen in the picture.—PO photo
Rural artisans get training in various craft fields
Experts call for strengthening education sector
Strong, effective parliament must for strengthening democracy: Bokhari CITY REPORTER I S L A M A B A D —Chairman Zohr
05:50 01:30 04:00 07:00
November 9 MR. JUSTICE Javed Iqbal will be the chief guest to deliver a special lecture at 3:30 pm on “Iqbal and Pakistan of Today” in connection with Iqbal Day arranged by Nazriya Pakistan Council (Trust). Zahid Malik, Chairman NPC will preside over this sitting. November 10 LAUNCHING of Pakistan United Christian Movement 5 pm at Liaquat Memorial Hall, College Road, Rawalpindi. ***** International Human Rights Observer Pakistan has arranged ‘First Malala Zindabad Convention’ to celebrate ‘International Malala Day, 2:00 pm at Holiday Inn Islamabad. ***** GENERAL Body Meeting of the Human Resource Development Network at the HRDN Secretariat, House No. 41, Street 56, F-6/4, Islamabad. ***** OPENING of a panting exhibition by Rajaj Changez Sultan, Mobina Zuberi, Nafisa Athar, Athar Mahmood, Naeem Pasha, Nusratji, Saran Sultan and Shahla Rafi, to be inaugurated by Iftikhar Gillani, Patron-in-Chief of the Tumair Studios, at the Gallery Changez, Islamabad, 11 am to 6 pm.
Senate Sayyed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari has said that a strong and effective parliament is one of the key elements to foster capable, accountable and responsive governance. The central role of parliament in advancing democracy nationally as well as globally should not be underestimated. He was expressing these views as a chief guest at launching ceremony of ‘Improving parliamentary performance in Pakistan (IP3) Project funded by EU to help opti-
mize working of the parliament in Pakistan. The Chairman said that this project is being launched at a crucial time when the parliament of Pakistan is in the process of redefining the roles and responsibilities of the democratic institutions and establishing its democratic values and parliamentary practices. Bokhari said further that centrality of the parliament can only be possible with inclusiveness and true representation of all segments of the society including women and men on equal footing. The Chairman said that the processes have to be consultative, inclusive and
participatory. This is the true spirit of democracy as well as the constitution of Pakistan. He said that in fact the special measures provided in the constitution give an extra hand in bringing the women and the minorities into the parliament through quota system. He deliberated upon gender equality and empowerment of women that stands recognized as central to democratic values as it impacts the development of any society globally as well as nationally. He told the audience that its matter of great pride that our government has always believed in women empowerment to ensure equal rights through
Roots holds largest Youth Model United Nations Conference STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Roots International Schools held the Opening Ceremony of the largest Youth Model United Nations Conference RYMUN’12 at Islamabad Serena Hotel on Thursday 08th November 2012. This mega conference was honored by the presence of Mr.Mir Changez Khan Jamali, Ministry of Science and Technology; Mr. Manzar Khursheed Sheikh, Pressident Rawalpindi Chanmber of Commerce and Industry; His Excellency Mr. Hasrul Sain Bin Mujtabar, High Commissioner of Malaysia and His Excellency Mr. Daurewoo, High Commissioner of Mauritius as Chief Guests. Model United Nations is an academic technique of representing the real United Nations work that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplo-
macy and the United Nations agenda. The participants roleplay as diplomats representing a nation session of United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems. What makes RYMUN’12 different from other MUN’s is the introduction of the General Assembly Session for the first time in the history of MUN’s. This year RYMUN also had the privilege of having international delegates as part of our conference. Roots College International aims not only at excellent academics but also in improving the leadership qualities of students and bringing awareness about global issues, letting the students to analyze and criticize these issues, therefore, Roots Youth Model United Nations,
hosted by Roots College International, Metropolitan Campus, G-8 Islamabad. The opening ceremony included memorizing performances by the students of Roots depicting and highlighting the different colors of different cultures. These depictions included the Russian, German and Sri Lankan Cultures. These performances were thoroughly enjoyed by the guests as well as the delegates. The ceremony officially commenced by the speech of the Secretary General RYMUN Fahad Imran. On this occasion CEO Roots International Schools addressed the delegates and expressed his expectations from this conference. He hoped that the delegates would be able to come up with better policies that will enable to .Mr. Mushtaq believes in the holistic development of students with latest academic, social approaches and global exposure.
I SLAMABAD —Dr. Fehmida
LAUNCHING of book ‘Confronting the Bomb’ edited by Pervez Hoodbhoy at 4:30 pm at Kuch Khaas, House No 1 Street 1, F-6/3 Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD: CEO Roots International Schools Walid Mushtaq, High Commissioner of Malaysia Dr. Hasrul Sani bin Mujtabar, High Commissioner of Mauritius Muhammad Rashad Daureeawo, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Manzar Khurshid Shaikh, members of Malaysian delegation and representatives of UN pose for a group photo during a ceremony of Roots Youth United Nations at a local hotel.—PO photo
***** HUSSANIA conference organised by the Markazi Imam Hussain Council, at the Pearl continental, The Mall Rawalpindi, 2 pm.
Dialogue process essential for peace in Afghanistan
TWO-DAY 35 th annual ‘World Haseenia Conference’ will be held at Pearl Continental Hotel, Rawalpindi at 2:00 pm. Ulema and Mashaikh will address on the occasion.
Strategy to lessen school dropout ratio R AWALPINDI —The Punjab government would from now on gather number of students from grade one to 11 in all the schools of the province thrice a year in its new strategy to lessen the ratio of school dropouts. According to sources, district education officer, EDOs and the heads of the schools would be answerable in case of increase in the dropouts in a school. The decision was made in a meeting of EDOs of Punjab, which was headed by Secretary Education Punjab, Muhammad Aslam Kamboh. The issue of increasing ratio of school dropouts was specifically discussed in the meeting. According to a report presented in the meeting, number of students in grade one decreased significantly when reach in grade eight; the ratio has risen to 20 percent in smaller districts, while 40 percent in larger districts.—INP
ISLAMABAD—Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Tariq Mehmood Pirzada has directed the contractor and project director CDA to complete first phase of Bari Imam Complex on time i.e. December 31, 2012. According to sources, a meeting, chaired by the chief commissioner, was held in this regard, which was attended by the member CDA, Director Finance Rana Akbar Hayat, the contractor and project director CDA. On the occasion, the contractor told the meeting that 80 percent work has been completed on the first phase of the complex and the work is in progress. 99 percent work on the main building of the mausoleum has also been completed, he said. The chief commissioner directed the contractor to hire more labourers and complete the work as early as possible. Meanwhile, the meeting also reviewed the design of the third block of the offices of Revenue, Excise and Taxation and other institutions, which would be constructed adjacent to ICT Administration Complex in G-11/4.—INP
SHARAFAT KAZMI
November 12
ISLAMABAD—Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production while addressing a group of participants of 97th National Management Course (NMC) observed that Parliament has to play an assertive role keeping in view the emerging realities at national, regional and global levels. He said the Senate Standing Committee would revisit the Defence paradigm and would prepare a Defence Policy Strategy Document. The document, he said, would reflect the view point of all the stake holders.
Senator Mushahid further stated that there were multiple power centers in the country playing their role. He remarked that parliament is alive to the needs of the people, Judiciary is independent, media is vibrant and civil society is actively participating in decision making. He said that national security, in view of the changed scenario needs broader definition. He briefed the participants about the changed and expended role of the Parliament. It was Parliament, Senator Mushahid Hussain observed, which took stand on Iraq war. Balochistan
ing the federation by giving more autonomy to the provinces. The Chairman said that with emerging perspectives and entailing needs in democratic governance, it has become equally important to attune our democratic institutions and practices to international standards and tailor our work-culture accordingly both within the parliament and the respective secretariats. This however, does not mean that we only import the best practices, but it means that we also share our own parliamentary best practices at the international levels so as to establish a realistic approach in setting stan-
dards. Capacity building at all levels and orientation mechanisms have to be put in place and institutionalized appropriately. It is with the same vision that the Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS) has been established under an Act of Parliament and mandated to help enhance professional skills of parliamentarians as well as support staff in their respective domains through orientation and training sessions. With gracious support of EU’s distinct IP3 Project and the PIPS, I am confident that the core parliamentary and legislative processes would be made more reflective of people’s aspirations because
parliaments is supreme forum where will of the people resides. The Chairman urged parliamentarians and the respective secretariats to extend their full cooperation in making themselves available for the project activities and to draw as much as they can in terms of learning modern techniques within the spectrum of democracy and parliamentary practices. He emphasized the need to take it as window opportunity for learning and establishing best parliamentary practices in Pakistan as that is how we could actualize the democratic principles in our country.—NNI
Early completion of Bari Imam Complex ordered
Speaker, Deputy Speaker condemn Karachi blast
***** GENERAL Body meeting of the Human Resource Development Network, at the HRDN Secretariat, House No 41, Street 56, F-6/4, Islamabad.
*****
economic, social, legal and political measures. The Chairman appreciated the outstanding role of women parliamentarians in Pakistan in recent years, particularly under the able support and guidance of Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Honorable Speaker of National Assembly. Bokhari said that Pakistanis undergoing a phase of re-defining the role and responsibilities of its key state organs and setting standards for its democratic institutions. The unanimous passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment has not only re-kindled the spirit of the Constitution, but will also go a long way in strengthen-
Mirza, Speaker and Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly have strongly condemned the bomb blast in Sachal Rangers Headquarters, Karachi and expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. In their separate statements, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker termed it a barbaric and shameful act of terrorism. They said that the elements involved in such activities were the enemies of humanity and the country. They said that such shameful acts could not deter the Government from its firm resolve to fight against terrorism. They were confident that the culprits involved in such activities will not be spared and will be brought to justice. They prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the souls of martyred in eternal peace and sympathized with bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of injured.
Committee report was another initiative of the Parliament to address genuine grievances of Baloch people. He termed it extremely unfortunate that the recommendations of the Committee were not implemented in letter and spirit. Moreover, the Parliament, after Salala incident, took a unanimous decision to redefine terms of engagement with United State and NATO. He said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security unanimously approved recom- R AWALPINDI —Two overmendations in this re- head bridges would also be constructed for the pedestrigard.—INP ans under Chohr Chowk Renovation Project. According to sources, the construction of the bridges would cost Rs39 million. One of the bridges would be built for the citizens going from Chohr Chowk to Saddar, while the other would be constructed for the pedestrians going from Chohr Chowk to Borh Masjid.Foundations for one bridge have been constructed and it would be completed in next week, according to the sources. Meanwhile, work on the Pirwadhai Morr Flyover might be delayed as issue of alternative route for heavy traffic could not be resolved yet, though the construction work on the underpass was underway, the sources said, adding that SE Punjab Highways Department, Farhat Munir said that he had informed the comRAWALPINDI: Railway workers coming to repair track while a train waits behind them missioner Rawalpindi about near Mareer Chowk. the issue.—INP
Two overhead bridges to be built
ISLAMABAD: Chief Commissioner Islamabad Tariq Pirzada, Chairman Pakistan Qaumi Yakjehti Council Naseem Ahmad Usmani, Principal IMCG F-7/4 Ghazala Khalid and students praying during a ceremony to celebrate the birthday anniversary of Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir
F-6 residents protest supply of dirty water CITY REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Residents of Sector F-6 of the federal capital are being supplied polluted drinking water due to the leaking potable water supply lines and sewerage pipes but the CDA is not taking any remedial step in this regard. According to sources, the residents are forced to buy costly drinking water from private companies. Earlier, the CDA was struggling to fulfil the water demands in the city, now the problem of mixing of sewerage is also mounting. Moreover, dirty water has been supplied to the dwellers of Lane 32 of Sector F-6/1 for last six months, making them bath and wash their clothes and utensils with the stinky water. The residents are also complaining that they have to clean the water storage tanks in their houses after every few
days due to the supply of dirty water.Shafiq Khan, a resident, said that lines of water supply and sewerage are damaged and the supplied water could not be used for any purpose. They have to either bring water from water filtration plants or buy from private water suppliers, he said, adding he had complained to the CDA Inquiry Office many times, but to no avail. Amanullah and Ramazan, residents of Sector F-6/1, said that once officials of CDA came to check the problem but they could not understand the problem and never visited the area again. The residents demanded of the Chairman CDA and other high officials of the authority to change the water supply lines and sewerage lines to stop the mixing of sewerage water in clean drinking water.
IRI & IRD to hold seminar on Iqbal Day I SLAMABAD —To observe Iqbal Day with zeal and zest, the Islamic Research Institute (IRI) and the Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue would jointly organize a seminar on (Iqbal Ka Fahm-e-Islam) on Friday (today). The seminar would be held on Iqbal Day at 10 am at the Faisal Masjid Campus of the International Islamic Campus, Islamabad. Leading Scholar on Iqbal, Dr Ayyub Sabir and Director General Islamic Research Institute, Dr. Muhammad Khalid Masood would shed light on various aspect of the topic. The seminar secretary of the Islamic Research Institute Syed Muzammil Hussain has requested all those who have interest in the topic and media persons to attend this seminar and oblige.—INP
RAWALPINDI: Students of Govt Degree College for Women, Muslim Town, reciting Naat during Mafil-e-Milad.
Costly plots allotted to Bhaika Syedian affectees ISLAMABAD—The Capital De- Multan Khan, Assistant Di- against package deal as price velopment Authority (CDA) under political pressure has allotted plots worth Rs700 million in posh sectors through non-transparent balloting to 56 allotees of Bhaika Syedain.Sources said that on the pressure of chairperson standing committee on Cabinet Secretariat (Senate), allotment letters were issued to affectees while CDA Director Land Sultan Fayyaz Kiani and Deputy Director Land Khizar Hayat Satti refused to approve the allotments against rules. Moreover, in the light of refusal to issue allotment letters, deputy director was made officer on special duty (OSD) and CDA administration after giving current charge of deputy director land to
rector Land, issued allotment letters to affectees. Former Chairman CDA, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi has termed the allotment of the plots worth Rs700 million to the affectees of Bhaika Syedain against the rules and regulations.CDA had announced award of sub sector in Bhaika Syedain F-11/3 back in 1980, sources said, and added, on the pressure of standing committee chairman and other influentials, the CDA administration disregarding the rules and regulations not only allotted plots to affectees through nontransparent balloting but also issued allotment letters. Out of the 56 plots, 44 plots have been allotted
of a single plot in Sector F-11/ 3 is said to be over Rs12 million, sources said. Member Estate CDA, Shaista Sohail, when contacted, said that plot allotment case of the Bhaika Syedian affectees was genuine and allotment was approved by CDA board meeting, however, expressing unawareness to the statement of the former CDA chairman terming the balloting nontransparent, she said the matter would be investigated.To make the balloting process more transparent if any complaint was received in this regard, re-balloting would be conducted, said Member Estate and added; transfer of these plots has been banned for six months.—INP
3-day Intra-Kashmir Women Dialogue ends
Calls for demilitarization of Kashmir, Siachen travel facility to post-1990 urged that landmines that obIt called for setting up of STAFF REPORTER refugees living in AJK and struct free movement of the an independent Truth and RecM UZAFFARABAD — At the hassle free travel for senior people and are responsible for onciliation Commission in
conclusion of the 3-day intraKashmir cross LoC women dialogue here from Nov 5 to 7 issued a joint declaration Thursday urging easing of cross LoC travel by further simplifying security clearance procedures relating to entry permit system and introduction of scanners at cross LoC points, says a PID press release. The joint declaration also stressed extending of
citizens including emergency travels. It demanded increased cross LoC interactions between women entrepreneurs, educationists, lawyers, journalists, students and conflict resolution experts and setting up of a Task Force for women for both sides of the divide with mandate to address human rights and humanitarian issues. The declaration further
Ashura march ban withdrawal urged
Brussel body to present Kashmir issue in EU parliament
SRINAGAR—The chief patron of the Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen, Maulana Abbas Ansari has demanded repealing the 20-yearold government ban on major Muharram processions in central Srinagar, saying that Kashmiri Shias too should be allowed the freedom of religious practice as people of other faiths. Significantly, appealing for a joint strategy to tackle the ban, Maulana Abbas asked Shia organisations to cancel all small processions taken out on Muharram 8-10 locally in various Srinagar neighbourhoods and forge single unified processions on their historic routes. “The state government has adopted double standards,” Maulana Abbas said in a statement. “On the one hand there is a ban practically in force on the processions of 8th and 10th Muharram, and on the other, the state government resorts to lies to create an impression that the shia community in Kashmir is free to observe its religious practices.” All claims of the state government of making Muharram arrangements are absurd, futile and baseless unless the unwarranted ban on all key azadari processions is lifted,” he said. At a high-level session headed by the Maulana, the IuM resolved to proceed with the Muharram 8 procession on its traditional Guru Bazaar-Dalgate route. It asked people to join the presently-banned procession in large numbers to pay tribute to Imam Hussain (AS).—NNI
Love blossoms across LoC SRINAGAR—Even as Indo-Pak rivalry over Kashmir has turned the region’s dividing line deadly again, love has blossomed across the LoC over the facebook, making a Poonch girl dare the barrier’s huge perils and be thwarted by the subcontinent’s bitter reality. Overwhelmed and ardent with her cyber relationship, 22-year-old Iram Fatima of Golat, Mendhar, apparently thought nothing of cannon fire and bullets when she set out to brave the military forces of two nations contesting her homeland. She wanted to meet Mukhtar Ahmad, the love of her life from Azad Kashmir, whom she had met on the facebook. According to reports, the girl was apprehended by Indian troops near the forward village of Phagwari in the Balakote sector of Poonch, close to the LoC. “The girl was handed over to the police, and then back to her family, after sustained questioning,” officials said.—NNI
civilian casualties should be removed. It emphasized on gradual demilitarization including that of Siachen glacier and converts it into peace park, providing justice to the victims of the conflict, especially widows, half widows, disappeared persons, displaced youth, end of abuse of human rights; scrapping of draconian laws and impunity.
J&K to address grievances of victims of the conflict, free legal aid and consultations to widows and half widows. This was the third intra Kashmir cross LoC dialogue and the first held in AJK. The previous two were held in Srinagar and Gulmerg, IHK. The theme of this third women dialogue was “building bridges, briging women voices into peace building in Kashmir”.
ISLAMABAD—In order to in- in the great university of Leuven Council-EU members are strugvite the attention of international community to the Kashmir problem and to fight for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people the International Council for Human Rights Development (ICHD) and Kashmir Council-EU has launched Kashmir problem awareness campaign in Europe at various forums and academia. Chairman ICHD and Kashmir Council-EU Ali Raza Syed on Thursday accompanied by Sardar Sadiq and Chaudhry Khalik Mehmood Joshi during a press conference held here at National Press Club Islamabad said that in fact the real fight for the international influence is fought in academia. Ali Raza Syed said that last month first ever symposium was organized
on the topic titled ‘Kashmir languishing under the brutal forces of India’, adding that in foreign universities there are human right groups of the students and they did research on various global problems but the need is to create awareness among the students of foreign countries regarding the Kashmir issue. Raza said ‘One Million Signature Campaign in 2011’ has been launched by the ICHD and Kashmir Council-EU to get signatures of one million EU citizens in order to bring Kashmir issue at the agenda of EU parliament. Raza said that the council succeeded in getting signatures of half a million EU citizens and claimed that goal of one million would be achieved as ICHD and Kashmir
gling for the cause. Raza said that European Parliament has set a target of one million signatures of EU citizens for any global issue to initiate debate in the parliament. “We are happy as India and Pakistan are again coming closer and trying to sort out problems on the table,” he said, adding that “we are demanding the neighboring countries not to forget thousands of Kashmiri martyrs, thousands of rapes, murders and disappearances in Kashmir.” Raza said that struggle for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people will continue, adding that if Scottish people can achieve their goals, then Kashmiris also have the same rights as equal human beings.—INP
MUZAFFARABAD: Opposition leader in AJK Assembly Raja Farooq Haider with delegation of British High Commission led by Susan Marare Hyland.
Resignation spree continues in Held Kashmir `SRINAGAR—Panchayat repre-
sentatives in Kashmir continue their ‘resignation’ spree through advertisements in local newspapers, days after Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin issued a fresh warning to them, even as government has denied receiving any resignations. Around 60 Panchs and Sarpanchs have made their resignations public through paid advertisements in various local dailies here citing threat to their life as the reason for the resignations. The fresh resignations through paid advertisements have taken the total to nearly 800. However, authorities maintain that they have received only 50 resignations since the landmark elections were held last year after a gap of nearly three decades. Hundreds of Panchayat members announced their resignations through advertisements following killing of a deputy Sarpanch in Pattan area of Baramulla district in the second week of September this year. Dozens more quit after militants issued a fresh threat in the third week of September.—NNI
Kashmiri pilgrim dies after Haj in Makkah SRINAGAR—A Hajj pilgrim of Kashmir died of cardiac arrest after performing the Haj, offiISLAMABAD: Chariman ICHD and Kashmir Council EU, Ali Raza Syed addressing a cials said. A resident of press conference at National Press Club. Srinagar, Abdul Razak Bhat died due to the heart attack in Makkah after performing the Haj, the officials told GNS. They said Bhat was buried in the holy Muslim city while his wife, who was accompanying him, will be flown back home on Friday.—NNI
NC-led govt afraid of Hurriyat: Geelani
NC for Seeks release of activists Mir Hafizullah, Amir Hamza uninterrupted S —The chairman of dint of power,” he said adding Hurriyat office at Islamabad Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed that “I take pity on them. Their (Anantnag). Meanwhile, casti- Indo-Pak dialogue Ali Geelani has strongly con- attempts failed even in 1975 af- gating the Government of saboRINAGAR
demned the detention of amalgam district president for Anantnag (Islamabad) Mir Hafizullah and arrest of other leader Amir Hamza, terming the police action as an “act of cowardice and violation of freedom to express.” Lashing out at state administration, Geelani alleged that “Omar Abdullah led National Conference - Congress regime was afraid of Hurriyat activists.” “They cannot face us at political level. They are trying to suppress the voice of people and wish to win this battle by
ter Indra-Abdullah Accord, when they presumed that there could not be any reaction to their dynastic regime.” The octogenarian leader warned that local administration should understand that every family and each person in the state had offered sacrifices. He said the policy makers of New Delhi should understand that the situation like 1975 could not be repeated. Geelani demanded immediate release of all the detainees including those of Hurriyat office-bearers. He termed as highly deplorable the sealing of
taging the seminar being organized by the Muslim League J&K in memory of the Jammu martyrs of 6th Nov 1947, the acting chairman of the League Muhammad Yusuf Mir said the Government is so much scared and terrified that even talking about the atrocities being inflicted on the martyrs has become irrepressible for them. “It has been the endeavour of such regimes to keep the youth particularly the young generation away from the mission and sacrifices rendered by these martyrs.—NNI
ISLAMABAD — Stressing the need for uninterrupted and unhindered parleys between India and Pakistan, National Conference (NC) leader Dr Mehboob Beg has said that dialogue is the only way forward to address problems confronted by the two countries. “Dialogue process has to be taken to the logical conclusion and Kashmiris would be the main beneficiaries of Indo-Pak dialogue”, Dr Beg said while addressing the concluding session of the SAARC parliamentarians conference here.—NNI
Hurriyat seeks cross-section views on visit to Pakistan S RINAGAR — The Hurriyat people including traders, intel- kistan. “At the time when the Conference led by Mirwaiz Umer Farooq has said the amalgam has decided to consult different sections of society for getting their inputs in order to represent the emotions and sentiments of Kashmiris during the forthcoming Pakistan visit of its delegation. “The Hurriyat delegation will leave for Pakistan on Dec. 17 for a week-long visit to Pakistan,” the spokesman said. “The program will be finalized soon.” The Hurriyat during their visit are likely to meet the president and the prime minister of Pakistan, besides different leaders and civil society activists. “To make the talks with Pakistan meaningful and result oriented, the APHC would talk with different shades of prudent
lectuals, lawyers, civil society and several more belonging to different parts of society,” said the Hurriyat (M) spokesperson in a statement issued here. The decision was taken at a meeting of Hurriyat executive members held here today with its chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in chair. The meeting was attended by Agha Syed Hassan Al Mosvi, Bilal Gani Lone, Moulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Moulana Abdullah Tari, Musadiq Adil and Abdul Rashid Untoo. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the ongoing situation in Kashmir and about the forthcoming Hurriyat delegation visit to Pa-
Seminar in Kuala Lumpur
Kashmir crying out for solution of dispute OBSERVER REPORT KUALA LUMPUR—Speakers at a seminar in the Malaysian capital have urged the international community to pay heed to the plight of Kashmiris suffering from the bondage of the Indian yoke for more than six decades, says a press release issued on Thursday. “Kashmir is crying out for a solution and it is time the world took stock of the miseries of Kashmiris and came forward in a big way to ensure a solution to this lingering dispute,” was the consensus of
speakers at a seminar in Malaysia to mark the Kashmir Black Day observed all over the world on 27th October to protest against the occupation of the Kashmir Valley by the Indian troops 63 years ago. A large number of civil society representatives, members of Kashmiri and Pakistani communities, academicians and students attended the function addressed by various speakers, including Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia Mr. Masood Khalid and noted Malaysian academician and scholar Mr. Rafiq Bin Fazal Din.
Govt’s inefficiency affects trade-deficit SRINAGAR—Kashmir Centre criticized central government for for Social and Development Studies Tuesday criticized the government for failing to address the LPG crisis in the state. KCSDS, during a daylong conference at Baramulla, said state government has brought humiliation and dishonor to people at the hands of various authorities of the central government and oil companies. The conference was held under the chairpersonship of Prof Hameedah Nayeem, a statement issued here said. “We have been making repeated appeals to the government for increasing the cap on subsidized LPG but we are being treated as beggars,” read the statement. The KCSDS members
being insensitive to the ground realities of hilly state of Jammu and Kashmir. It said the continued discrimination with the state on growth and development has resulted in huge trade deficit, growing unemployment, dependence on central devolutions and imports. “Jammu and Kashmir as an independent entity was self reliant till 1947 with balance of trade but today the trade deficit of the state has reached to Rs 33000 crores out of total inter-state trade of Rs 40000 crores.” The statement said the successive state governments have failed to invest in the areas that could have generated enough resources for the state.—NNI
political scenario of the world is changing and in the context of the improving Indo-Pak relations, the Hurriyat delegation visit would provide a chance to discuss solution of Kashmir in detail with Pakistan. The delegation would represent the emotions and aspirations of Kashmiris before Pakistan,” the spokesman said, adding that during the visit the delegation would keep Kashmiris’ stand and viewpoint paramount. Paying glorious tributes to the martyrs of Jammu in 1947, the participants said the people of Jammu region have offered tremendous sacrifices for the ongoing movement. Hurriyat (M) has strongly condemned the arrest of Peoples’ Movement chairman Ghulam Ahmad Mir.—NNI
IFJ resents women’s visit to Muzaffarabad SRINAGAR—Chairman of International Forum for Justice and Human Rights Forum Jammu and Kashmir Muhammad Ahsan Untoo has strongly condemned the Muzaffarabad visit of the women who, according to him, belonged to bureaucrat families of Kashmir, saying it was tantamount to ‘adding insult to the injuries’ of the affected people of Muzaffarabad. Lashing out on the women who are on a visit to Muzaffarabad, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, said, “These women have never visited home of any martyr or any place in the valley where women suffered the most like Kunanposhpora. This visit to the Muzaffarabad is tantamount to rubbing salt on their injuries.” NNI
Plebiscite in Kashmir stressed S RINAGAR — APHC leader and Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement, Zaffar Akbar Bhat has urged world community to support people of Kashmir for their right to self-determination and asked India to pave the way for plebiscite in Kashmir as per UN resolutions. According to a press statement, Zafar, while addressing a function at party head office in Srinagar said, “During the past sixty five years Kashmiris had been offering sacrifices to take the ongoing struggle to its logical conclusion.”—NNI
Mapping the geography of Kashmir resistance ARIF AYAZ PARREY
W
hen we term occupied Kashmir a vast jail, I wonder if we ever real ize how literally true it is. The ar chitecture of a modern prison is based on two important premises, an outer perimeter to restrict the movement of inmates and an arrangement of watchtowers – all together form a panopticon. [Panopticon is a term used for a building designed in a manner to allow a watchman to observe (opticon) all (pan) inmates without their being able to know whether they are being watched or not.] Here in Held Kashmir, and in the contiguous areas of the erstwhile Doda district, PoonchRajauri, Kargil and the valleys along the IndoChina de-facto border, the highlands around the valley-beds form the outer perimeter of the prison while the valley-beds themselves are speckled with hundreds of military camps and thousands of bunkers, resulting in a panopticon. Analogous to the prison, there is anxiety about the consequences of going near the outer perim-
eter and thus have we abandoned our forested, glacial highlands to the corrupt whims and ruinous vagaries of the occupying military apparatus. The anxiety is not without good reason. All of us have been witness to cases of hikers and trekkers being disappeared. Still others have been killed in fake encounters. Closer observation might reveal cases belonging to that flawless symptomatic category: killings by the Indian occupying armed forces due to “mistaken identity”. More commonly, we have to bear the routine harassment and inquiry when we want to tread past the limits they have set for us. We are required to obtain permission to visit our mountains and jungles, that too from people who have looted those jungles and vandalized the mountains. After all, it is not there home. On the other hand, the valley-beds are full of frightened people worried about being ceaselessly watched. This Indian military grid works both as a classical Benthamian physical-psychological structure as also a Foucaultean sociological-normative constitution. We know that they can’t watch everybody all the time but we can’t be sure if we are being watched at any given time or not. Since the
price of a miscalculation in such matters at best results in the utter destruction of our life and at worst the end of our, or a loved one’s, life, we choose not to calculate at all, just behave as they want us to, except when we have the freedom of numbers. We keep an eye on “trouble-makers” among ourselves and tell on them to the “authorities” so that we are saved from more wrath of those authorities in the immediate future. The structure of shame of betraying comrades is not dissimilar to the one in a childhood classroom and recollected from memory, personal and collective, by all. For the authorities, this self-infantalization within us is an achievement. The panopticon of the military grid therefore functions as a two-way street. It is used to inject fear, confusion, hopelessness, amnesia, drugs and alcohol in the people and this yields submission and control in the opposite direction. The walls and the panopticon are characterized by a thick opacity and an absolute lack of accountability. One of the main aims of this modern model of prison is to convert the challenge of the inmates to
the authority from fundamental questions like: “What is the need of this prison?” or “Why are we prisoners at all?” or “Who are they to imprison us?” to such questions as improving the civic conditions in the jail, giving reprieve from being watched for a fixed length of time or protection from perverted and dangerous prison guards and maddened fellow prisoners. How much we have internalized this jailed existence can be gauged from the number of times we use the expressions ‘tsalun’, ‘bhaagna’ and ‘escape’ when we want to communicate a desire to leave this place. This brings us to the crux of the matter. When your home has been transformed into a jail, where do you escape to? We struggle between the violence of imprisonment and the violence of losing home. If matters could be made any worse, our rulers cheerfully harping on the desirability of our home, its heavenly beauty and our good fortune to be born here surely ensure so. We wince. They feign incomprehension. How is a woman who is told, by way of a compliment, that her beauty is the reason she is raped supposed to behave? Our
violence is absolute. We deface ourselves, our enemies and our friends. We wish that our rulers construct a temple on every single peak, glacier, water body and tree in Kashmir. Let us turn into a desert so that the grains of sand escape through the links of the chains they have put on our existence. After the sobering rage, we turn taciturn. This is our home, our past and our future. We cannot let it go to waste. So we decide to pay attention to education, environment, agriculture, business, electricity etc. But of course we know very well that we are playing a game of make-belief. In a jail, the prisoners do not control anything; howsoever well they might pretend otherwise. Nevertheless, the architecture of the jail contains a map of the geography of resistance. Our struggle is a four-tier one. First, against limits which are not mutually agreed upon and beneficial, and subject to infinite review; second, against panoptical normative systems; third, for transparency and structural accountability; and finally, against structures which engender insincere living. We have a single word for all of this: Azadi. Courtesy—Kashmir Watch.
Foreign reserves over $14b ISLAMABAD—The total liquid foreign reserves held by the country stood at $ 14,100.5 million on November 2, 2012. Giving the breakup of the foreign reserves position a statement of the Central Bank said that Foreign reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan stood at $ 9,547.4 million while the net foreign reserves held by banks (other than SBP) stood at $ 4,553.1 million as on November 2,2012.—APP
Rs 48.49b projects okayed Staff Reporter L AHORE —Punjab Planning and Development Board approvedRs.48.49 billion funds for uplift projects in the province from July to September 2012. According to quarterly report issued by P&D here on Wednesday, the total volume of development projects in the provincial budget 2012-13 is Rs.185.32 billion. The Punjab government divided its core development budget into five parts which are called social sector, infrastructure development, production sector, services sector and miscellaneous. On the uplift schemes, the government spent Rs.16 billion during the 1st quarter of the current financial year showing 34.79 percent spending of funds on development projects, says report. According to the report, out of the allocation of Rs.87.19 billion Rs.20 billion were approved for uplift projects of social sector.
PMEX posts profits Observer Report KARACHI—The Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) has posted profits for the first time after its establishment on the back of substantial increase in volumes at the leading commodity exchange in the country. The PMEX has booked profit in the quarter ended September 30, for the first time, PMEX Chief Executive Officer Amjad Khan said. He was talking to a group of reporters at his office here. Although the profit is nominal but the PMEX has posted profit for the first time after its establishment, he said. Replying to a question, Amjad Khan indicated that the PMEX might not continue with its plan of making initial public offering (IPO) for sale of its shares to general public.
Asia crude up SINGAPORE—Crude prices bounced on bargainhunting in Asia Thursday after suffering big losses in New York where dealers were spooked by concerns over the US “fiscal cliff” and European debt, analysts said. New York’s main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in December, added 55 cents to $84.99 a barrel in the afternoon and Brent North Sea crude for December gained 68 cents to $107.50. “We had quite a large move down (Wednesday) as the worries over the fiscal cliff and European woes started to more than usurp the euphoria” over the reelection of President Barack Obama, Jason Hughes, head of premium client management for IG Markets Singapore told AFP. “In Asian trade prices have pushed back up... it’s probably people covering positions after a big move.”—APP
There is a great difference between knowing and understanding: you can know a lot about something and not really understand it.
Hydropower projects instrumental in controlling floods: Raja STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Prime Minister, Raja Pervez Ashraf Thursday said that completion of Kachhi canal, Rainee canal, RBOD-1 and RBOD-III projects would be instrumental in controlling floods as well as bringing more areas of land under cultivation. The Prime Minister was talking to Chairman Water and Power Development Au-
Euros 2.5m EU grant for Mangla Training Centre ISLAMABAD —The European Union (EU) will provide 2.5 million Euros grant to Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for improving training infrastructure for employees. This grant will be spent for up-grading Hydel Training Centre Mangla and French development agency, AFD was also providing 1.5 million Euros for the purpose, said a press release. Mangla Hydel Training Centre, the exclusive training facility for hydel engineers and the staff, was established in 1977. Since there were a few hydel generating units at that time, scope of the centre was also limited with only two technical courses.—APP
thority (WAPDA), Syed Raghib Abbas Shah, who called on him here at Prime Minister House. The Chairman WAPDA apprised the Prime Minister about progress on various hydropower projects of WAPDA with cumulative capacity of about 1500 M W. The Prime Minister said that the completion of hydropower projects was critical to
both for controlling of floods and mitigating water and power shortfall in the country. He said that the government was prioritizing water storage projects as these were essential for overall progress and prosperity of the country to ensure adequate provision of water to meet the ever growing requirements of the country.
SECP to amend NBFC regulations TARIQ KHATTAK I SLAMABAD —The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has proposed amendments to the Non-Banking Finance Companies and Notified Entities’ Regulations, seeking to safeguard the interests of shareholders. The proposed amendments pertain to Regulation 65 of the Non-Banking Finance Companies and Notified Entities’ Regulations (NBFC&NE Regulations), 2008. The SECP is seeking comments and feedback from stakeholders on proposed amendments. The S.R.O. 1359(I)/2012 of November 5, 2012, has been placed on the SECP’s
website for public information, and comments on it may be submitted at comments.nbfcregulations@secp.gov.pk by November 19. These amendments have been proposed primarily to ensure smooth implementation of Regulation 65 which in case of the most CEFs has empowered the share/certificate holders to decide whether to convert these CEF into an open-end scheme or revoke it. The proposed amendments are in line with the best international practices and are expected to strengthen the existing regulatory framework in the larger interest of the NBC sector and for better investor protection.
Accurate selection of beneficiary families achievement of BISP: WB S TAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The accurate identification of beneficiaries is vital and provides the basis for the success of any programme in Social Protection sector. Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has achieved this important objective remarkably and thus able to bring positive change in the lives of millions of beneficiary families. These were the views expressed by a delegation of the World Bank during a meeting with Federal Minister and Chairperson BISP, Farzana Raja here at BISP Secretariat Wednesday. The delegation comprised Jesco Hentschel, Sector Director World Bank, Pablo Gottert, Sector Manager
ISLAMABAD—The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) signed a risk distribution agreement to support trade in emerging Asian countries, including Pakistan under ADB’s Trade Finance Program (TFP). The agreement will support an estimated incremental trade flow between $800 mil-
NHA to expedite work on road projects STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Chairman, National Highway Authority (NHA), Javed Iqbal Awan called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at the Prime Minister ’s House Thursday. The Prime Minister directed the Chairman NHA to expedite work on the ongoing roads network, especially those having economic impact for the country. He further directed that quality of the roads must be maintained at international standards. The Prime Minister said that directions have already been given to the Ministry of Finance to release all necessary funds in time for the communication projects so that space of work does not suffer. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of National Highways in rehabilitation of roads and bridges effected by recent floods in Southern Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. The Chairman NHA briefed the Prime Minister about the progress on the ongoing projects by the Authority.
EPZs in Islamabad and Chakwal STAFF REPORTER Chairperson BISP Farzana Raja talking to officials of the World Bank. and IftikHar Malik, Senior tion expressed appreciation Social Protection Specialist for the fact that the Progarmme is able to imthe World Bank. The members of the del- prove the lives of benefiegation while appreciating ciary families through its the performance of BISP various schemes which are termed it a right step in the introduced as ‘One Shop social sector. The delega- Stop Idea’.
ADB, OFID sign risk-sharing agreement STAFF REPORTER
The Prime Minister directed the Chairman to prioritize work on small and medium sized dams in the country. The Prime Minister also directed the Chairman to work on war footing to repair the breaches in the canal networks affected by recent floods in Sindh and Balochistan, so that the infrastructure could be restored.
lion and $1.2 billion in countries such as Bangladesh, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan, and other markets where financing from private financial institutions is limited. “By supporting trade transactions in emerging Asia, OFID and ADB will help create economic growth and jobs,” said Philip Erquiaga, ADB’s Director General for Private Sector Operations Department. According to
ADB press statement received here Thursday, ADB’s TFP fills private sector market gaps in trade finance by providing guarantees and loans through over 200 partner banks to support trade. TFP supports hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises in developing Asia and is expected to do approximately $4 billion in annual turnover this year through more than 2,000 transactions.
ISLAMABAD —Deputy Prime Minister, Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi has said that close liaison with business community is vital for reducing communication gap between private and public sectors which would give a boost to business and industrial activities. Speaking to business community, he said that they are pursuing policies of state as a facilitator, adding that Government is trying to create a business friendly environment for flourishing business activities in the country. Deputy Prime Minister said that many mega projects were underway for the economic revival of the country, including establishment of Export Processing Zones all over the country to enable the businessmen of those areas to increase their exports.
Chairman WAPDA Syed Raghib Abbas Shah called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.
CCOP decides to distribute 25pc dividends of state enterprises STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Cabinet Committee on Privatization (CCOP) which met here Thursday under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs discussed Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS) in order to make it more rational, sustainable and fully aligned with its objectives. The meeting aimed to discuss various operational issues faced by Privatization Commission affecting the true spirit of the scheme. Secretary Privatization Commission gave a detailed
presentation to the participants highlighting the BESOS objectives, salient features, issues in implementation and recommendations. With the broad objectives of enhancement of employees motivation, loyalty and commitment for improvement of state owned entities (SOEs) efficiency, enabling employees to participate at highest level, ensure participation of employees in profit and increased worth of entity, the Cabinet approved BESOS on 5th August 2009 which envisaged transfer of 12% GOP shares to eligible workers in 80 state owned entities free of cost by which about 500,000 workers were ex-
Rs 47.53b tea imported in two years STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Pakistan has spent Rs. 47.53 billion to import 0.229 million tons of black tea during last two years from 19 different tea producing countries with major share of 55 per cent from Kenya. The country has also imported 6,346 tons of green tea and spent Rs. 717 million during the same period which is mainly being imported from China, Vietnam and Indonesia, official sources said here on Thursday.
The sources said to save precious foreign exchange the government is working on local production and started tea cultivation in the northern parts of Khyber pakhtunkhwa, planted tea on 607 acres by National Tea Research Institute (NTRI) in districts Mansehra, Battagram and Swat. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) imported a processing plant with the capacity of one ton tea per day from China and installed at NTRI, for pro
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Minister assures assistance to flood hit farmers STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Minister Agriculture Malik Ahmad Ali has said that all possible assistance would be provided to the farmers, whose crops were destroyed due to recent torrential rains and floods in South Punjab. He stated this in a high-level meeting held at the committee room of Punjab Assembly today. The meeting was attended by Muhammad Mushtaq Ahmad, Secretary Agriculture, Punjab, Dr. Anjum Ali, Director General
Agriculture, Dr. Noor-ur-Islam, Director General Agriculture, Dr. Abid Mehmood, Director Cotton Research Institute, Fayyaz Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner, Melsi, Natiq Hussain, Chief (P&D), Shahzad Sabar, EDO Agriculture, Vehari and Revenue Department, representatives of farmers organizations and farmers of affected areas. Minister Agriculture said that complete survey of the affected areas would be
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pected to get benefits. In the light of objectives set for BESOS, Secretary Privatization Commission placed before the CCOP recommendations, already approved by the sub committee after its detailed consideration and examination, for approval of the CCOP. CCOP considered and analyzed each recommendation given by Secretary Privatization Commission and made necessary amendments where required. It was agreed that: (1) benefits of BESOS would be extended to employees joining the concerned SOE, after 14th August 2009, (2) 75% of the an
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Tech care increases yield STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Control on post harvest losses can result in availability of 25-40% more fruits and vegetables in the country. These losses bring low return to growers, processors, traders and country suffers in terms of foreign exchange earnings besides reducing availability of vegetables and fruits for consumers, experts said at a training programme organized by Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) in collaboration with Post Harvest Research Centre, AARI, Faisalabad and Sargodha Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Thursday, a spokesman of SMEDA said here. Such a loss is not acceptable in the country like ours having huge portion of fertile lands and dependence on agriculture, they said. They mentioned that Agro-climatic conditions of Pakistan ranging from tropical to temperature allow growing 40 different kinds of vegetables and 21 different types of fruits, and there was need to reap maximum benefits out of these agriculture produce.
Int’l CEO Summit
Speakers: Pakistan has huge potential to grow OBSERVER REPORT K ARACHI —The speakers at the 4th International CEO Summit Thursday emphasized that there is immense potential and resources in Pakistan and if the resilient people are properly guided they can push the country into a developed nation as they overcame devastated floods and earthquakes within the shortest possible time. However, they said, the people could not harness the national resources because Yaseen Anwar Governor State Bank of Pakistan along with Ijaz Nisar, Hussain Dawood Chairman Engro Corp, Asad Umar Ex-President Engro of various reasons including Corp, Kamran Rizvi, Executive Director, Navitus; Atif Bajwa, President & CEO, Bank Alfalah; Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui Chairman, Pakistan State lack of professional approach and the ever-worsening law Oil, Sirajuddin Aziz, President Habib Metropolitan Bank at the 4th International CEO Summit.
and order situation across the country that is inter-related with structural problems. This mess has created fear of uncertainty in all spheres of life, the speakers added. Themed as “Growth in Testing Times: Challenges & Opportunities”, the summit also witnessed the launching of a book titled “100 Business Leaders of Pakistan”. The event took place under the aegis of Manager Today magazine and CEO CLUB. Those who spoke on the occasion included chief guest Yaseen Anwar Governor State Bank of Pakistan;
Continued on Page 14
All items to be importable soon thru Wagha STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —The Indian High Commissioner Sharat Shabharwal has said that all items would be importable through Wagha Border very soon as the government of Pakistan has given an assurance to this regard. The High Commissioner was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar presented the business community point of view while, Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad, SAARC Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik, former Presidents Mian Misbahur Rehman, Mian Muzaffar Ali, Convener
Call to lift ban on kinnow export SARGODHA—Kinnow Growers Association in its meeting on Thursday demanded the ministry of trade to lift ban on kinnow export and fix rate of produce Rs 1,000 per 40 kg. In a press release issued by the association expressed deep concern over the imposition of ban on kinnow export till December 1. The growers said that a delegation of kinnow growers association would meet the Secretary of Commerce Ministry. The growers and land owners of kinnow gardens lauded the efforts of the government especially the commerce industry and investment department for registering kinnow in World Trade Organization’s export list. The meeting was chaired by Chairman Kinno Growers Association, Ch. Hamid Saleem Warriach and attended by Munir Sherazi, Mian Abdul Hameed, Naveed Aslam Warriach, Ahmed Khan Ranjha, Rai Ahmed Nawaz Dhudhi, Sardar Khaliq Nawaz, Shokat Mehmood Meken and others.—APP
Economy to skirt direct hit from Sandy
LCCI Standing Committee on Pak-India Trade Promotion Aftab ahmad Vohra and former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik also expressed their views. The High Commissioner said that presently only 138 items can be imported through Wagha-Attari land route but this restriction will go very soon. Sharat Shabharwal said that once the restriction is lifted, the India will cut down its SAFTA Sensitive list by 30 per cent and by April 2013 this sensitive would be curtailed to only 100 tariff lines and the peak tariff will not be more than 5 per cent. He said
that Pakistan would be doing so in five years time availing the advantage of bigger and smaller economy concept. The High Commissioner said that Pakistan can import Petroleum products besides having LNG through a very short pipeline. Over the issue of Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), Sharat Shabharwal said that on the identification of government of Pakistan, India focused on Customs facilitation, Laboratories for sampling certification and redressal of grievances of business community. He said that intra-region trade is very low as compared to ASEAN and EU.
We are doing less than five percent trade in this region while ASEAN are doing 25 per cent and EU is at 65 percent. The High Commissioner said that Pakistan and India should move in a manner to create a win-win situation for the stakeholders in two countries. Speaking on the occasion, the LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar said that regular exchange of delegations will positively impact the normalization of trade and economic relations between Pakistan & India. He said the potential gains from increased economic integration are large whereas the trade between the two countries is unnaturally small.
PTCL participates in educational expo STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Pakistan Telecommunications Company (PTCL) participated in Afaq Educational Expo-2012 in Quetta to extend support for education in Baluchistan and create awareness about latest Information and Communications Technologies. The three day long expo aimed to provide the most effective and efficient educational & learning environment to the youth of Baluchistan. The expo provided a platform for educational institutions and teachers to share their expertise with students. Various companies also showcased their products and services. PTCL sees it as its corporate responsibility to support and participate in such events to harness the creative potential of the youth. Students, teachers and public visited PTCL stall where
Participants examining PTCL products at educational expo. they experienced the latest offerings of PTCL through live demonstrations by highly trained PTCL staff at the occasion. The exhibition provided a tremendous opportunity to the youth to showcase their skills and talents through Science Exhibition, Science Quiz, Art Competition, Games and Mathematics Quiz. The expo also held Book
Fair, Encyclopedia, Principal Acknowledgement Award, Best Teacher Award and various Talent Awards. Over 300 schools from all across Quetta participated in the expo, making it one of the largest exhibitions held in Baluchistan. PTCL latest 3G EVO Wingle and other wireless products remained one of the highlights of the exhibition and generated tremendous interest.
World’s fastest electro magnetic interference receiver on display
tools such as spectrogram and their suppliers. OBSERVER REPORT display, real time spectrum The R&S ESR from W ASHINGTON —Hurricane K ARACHI —Rohde analysis and IF analysis help Rohde & Schwarz is yet an& Sandy is shaping up to be one of the biggest storms ever to hit the United States but even with the severe damage that is expected, the blow to the economy is seen as short-term. Economists say some of the impact caused by businesses closing will be offset by reconstruction efforts, and point to catastrophic storms like Katrina, which devastated New Orleans but did not deal lasting damage to the national economy. Still, Sandy’s sheer breadth - 10 states have declared a state of emergency - means it could hurt this quarter’s economic output, even if the long-term impact ultimately proves neutral. Gross domestic product in the region between New York and Washington amounts to some $2.5 trillion, so every day the region’s economy is halted amounts to about $10 billion in lost output, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Peter Morici at the University of Maryland estimates that Sandy will cause about $35 billion to $45 billion in losses.—Newswire
Schwarz Pakistan Private Limited showcases its new world’s fastest Electro Magnetic Interference Receiver at 7th IDEAS 2012 at Karachi Expo Center which was launched earlier this year at the Head Quarters of the company in Munich. The company claims its new R&S ESR EMI test receiver to have a broadband architecture that allows standard-compliant EMI measurements up to 6000 times faster than other solutions. Comprehensive diagnostic
developers detect and eliminate EMI. The R&S ESR is impressively easy to use thanks to its intuitive touch screen interface. The new R&S ESR test receiver is available in two different models for frequencies ranging from 10 Hz to 3 GHz or 7 GHz to meet the requirements of all users who perform EMC certification on commercial equipment. The R&S EMC32 covers all commercial standards relevant for test houses and EMC labs used by electrical equipment manufacturers
CCOP
Brig (Retd) Tariq Izaz, Project Director FFCEL activating the commissioning of Pakistan’s first 50 MW wind-farm to the National Grid at a ceremony held at Jhimpir, Thatta.
ADB building SCFP to aid small businesses STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is creating a Supply Chain Finance Program (SCFP) that will bring over $1 billion to help cashstrapped small and mediumsized enterprises in Asia and the Pacific access capital that can help them grow. The ADB is supplying up to $200 million for the SCFP, which will revolve at least twice a year because of the short-term maturities involved in supply chains, said ADB press statement received here. Furthermore, the $200 million is estimated to attract an additional $300 million, at least, in private sector investment through the SCFP, it
other example of the company’s technology leadership in the field of EMI test receivers. The test receiver features time domain scan, an FFTbased receiver technology that allows it to perform measurements up to 6000 times faster than other EMI test receivers. Standard-compliant EMC measurements which took hours in the past can now be completed in just seconds, saving users valuable time on the way to obtaining desired results.
added. “Many small companies currently face lags of 30 to 180 days between the time they ship goods and when payments are received, leaving them short of cash flow that forces some to slow production or delay the processing of other contracts,” said Philip Erquiaga, Director General of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department. Philip added that this program would unlock financial resources caught in the supply chain and thereby improve companies’ access to affordable working capital that helps support jobs and incomes. The ongoing global economic downturn has exacerbated the challenges facing
many companies, with buyers putting greater pressure on suppliers to extend their payment terms, and on distributors to shorten their payment terms. The SCFP will improve suppliers’ and distributors’ access to cash flow within a supply chain, meaning that they will be able to expand operations and employ more people. ADB, an AAA-rated multilateral development bank, has made substantial progress in supporting trade through the Trade Finance Program (TFP) which has an annual turnover of approximately $4 billion without any defaults and which focuses support for trade in the poorest developing Asian countries.
From Page-13 nual dividend would be transferred to Central Revolving Fund to buyback the claims instead of 50% of annual dividend, (3) 25% of the annual dividend would be distributed amongst employees of respective entity, (4) Maximum payout per employee would be capped at Rs.1.0 million, (5) A number of SOEs, which were already privatized, would be de-listed from BESOS.
Rs 47.53b From Page-13 cessing the black tea from the raw material obtained from tea gardens at NTRI and farmers fields. The sources said a pilot green tea plant with the capacity of 80-100 kg tea was also installed with the financial assistance of Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Islamabad at NTRI, Shinkiari. Similarly, a pilot green tea processing plant of 50 kg capacity was installed for Tea Development Cell, KPK at Matta, Swat by NTRI (PARC). They said the successful plantation has been demonstrated, its yield potential and quality have been assessed to be economically viable and finally a production package has been evolved through the research efforts of scientists of National Tea Research Institute (NTRI) under Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC).
IP facilitation desk open STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Chairman of the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPOPakistan) Hameedullah Jan Afridi on Thursday said that the government was striving to extend intellectual rights protection facilities at grossroot level by seeking cooperation of stakeholders in SME sector and business community. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the IP Facilitation Desk at Regional Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), he said the facility would be helpful to support IP right holders for service delivery and public awareness at their door steps. Provincial Chief SMEDA Muslim Raza Rawjani, Registrar Trademark Khalid Hidayat Khan, Controller of Patents Sabir Gul Khattak, Manager Mukesh Kumar, Manager Legal Feroz Ahmed, Deputy Director IPO-Pakistan Muhammad Ismail and representatives of business organizations also attended the ceremony. The IPO-Pakistan has signed an MoU with SMEDA to promote mutual cooperation to protect IP rights and development of SME sector in the country. Afridi further said that IPO-Pakistan has taken various initiatives for effective enforcement of IP laws and protection of IP rights in the country by providing opportunities of capacity building and training to enforcement agencies, judiciary, business community, academia, media and SMEs. He said SMEs are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy as they cover 90 percent of business sector. He emphasized the need for training and awareness among this sector to protect national IP assets at local and International level.
Federal Minister for Production Ch Anwar Ali Cheema chairing 96th Board meeting of PIDC.
WB sponsoring several Punjab govt projects STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—World Bank’s Country Director Rachid Ben Messauod called on the Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here on Thursday. Ongoing economic and development activities came under discussion during the meeting. The Chief Minister informed the Country Director about the steps taken by the government for development projects of education, health, energy, besides promotion of economic and investment in the province. Talking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive
programme of development, the basic objective of which is to bring improvement in the lives of the people. He said that World Bank is sponsoring Punjab government in many projects and the role of World Bank regarding rehabilitation of flood-hit people, increase in facilities in education and health, is praiseworthy. World Bank’s Country Director Rachid Ben Messauod said that even in the critical conditions, the pace of development work under the leadership of Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is encouraging. He said that World Bank will continue cooperation with Punjab government in future.
Winners of Science Fair announced STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD —Intel Pakistan
today concluded the Sindh Provincial Science Fair in the run-up to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, one of the world’s largest pre-college science competitions, to be held in Phoenix, Arizona in May 2013. During the Sindh Science Fair, students from across the province presented research-based projects in the categories of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Mathematics and Physics. More than 90 projects from all over Sindh competed in the fair. Present at the occasion was Cdre (Retd.) Talib Hussain, TI (M), Education Director, Defence Housing Authority, as the Chief Guest. Winners of the Sindh Provincial Science Fair will be eligible to compete at the National Science Fair, which will take place in Islamabad early next year. Projects will be assessed by a panel of renowned judges, with winners eligible to compete at the 2013 Intel ISEF which will be held from May 12th to May 17th in Coca-Cola Pakistan donates Rs 4 million to Rising Sun Phoenix, Arizona. Education and Welfare Society for Mobile Assessment Van. Fahad Qadir, Director Public Affairs, Coca-Cola, Ramzan From Page-13 made, under the leader- Sheikh, Mehmood Ahmed, Lieutenant General (Retd) ship of concerned DCOs, and Khalid Maqbool, Dr and Mrs Abdul Tawwab Khan and the farmers would be ex- Rizwan U Khan present on the occassion. tended prompt help and assistance after reviewing the STAFF REPORTER damages caused by floods. He said crop farmers affected I SLAMABAD —Thai Airways by recent torrential rains is increasing its flights in Pawould not be left alone, and kistan which shows its comdirected taking steps on emertries should collaborate mitment to our Pakistani pasOBSERVER REPORT gency basis to provide assismore by increasing the I- sengers,” Thai Airways tance and guidance to the Manager Polapat I S L A M A B A D — D e l e g a t e s OSMs to fully capitalize on Country farmers of the area. Neelabhamorn said at a press Minister Agriculture in- from 20 Asian Productivity NPOs’ productivity en- conference. hancement initiatives and Organization (APO) member formed that on the direction “Our passenger base is of Punjab Chief Minister a states took part in the 53rd also should increase linkage growing continuously in Pacommittee has been consti- international workshop of with other international Pro- kistan and we felt the need tuted, headed by the Minis- Heads National Productivity ductivity Organization like to increase flights for custer and consisting of agricul- Organization (NPO) in Bali the WNPO and other major tomer convenience,” he agencies ture experts, representatives with Indonesian Minister of International added. of Irrigation, Revenue, Agri- Manpower and Transmis- working in this field. He also The new flight from H.E. Muhaimin pointed out that more Paki- Karachi will start from Noculture departments and Dis- sion stani resource persons Iskandar, said a press release trict Government which should be utilized by APO vember 30, from Islamabad it would submit its reports af- issued here. will begin from December 1 CEO of NPO Khawaja as there is active engage- and from Lahore the flight ter carrying out survey of the ment done with other memaffected areas on priority ba- Yousuf along with Abdul will start from February 20, sis and farmers would be pro- Basit, Additional Secretary ber countries. While talking about the 2013. vided assistance in the light Food Safety represented Responding to a quesgovernment of Pakistan’s of the survey report for all Pakistan In this session tion about fares, Khawaja affected districts of South Pakistan’s proposal for ex- medium-term socioeco- Ghiasuddin (SVP North) said nomic development panding APO membership Punjab. despite financial constraints was accepted discussed agenda, Yousuf said that and rising operating cost, the which was already by GBM. the main focus was on is- airline kept its fares competiWhile speaking to the del- sues of energy, water, in- tive in Pakistan over the egation CEO-NPO K Yousuf ternal security, human de- years to keep up with comFrom Page-13 stressed that non-member velopment, civil service reIjaz Nisar Founder and Presi- country missions should forms and provisions of in- petition. dent The Manager Today’s be revived, member coun- frastructure. & CEO CLUB; Hussain Dawood Chairman Engro Corp; Asad Umar Ex-President Engro Corp; Kamran Rizvi - Executive Director, STAFF REPORTER Navitus; Atif Bajwa – PresiISALAMABAD—Samsung dent & CEO, Bank Alfalah; Electronics is bringing a Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui that PLI offers ten profitable range of exciting sports acSTAFF REPORTER Chairman, Pakistan State Oil; options including whole life tivities at the different Sirajuddin Aziz – President, Habib Metropolitan Bank; ISLAMABAD—Postal Life In- policy, joint life endowment schools and colleges of Kashmala Tariq, MNA; surance has an unbeatable policy, education and mar- Lahore, on the 10th to 14th Muhammad Zubair presence in the rural areas riage endowment assurance, of November, 2012. This exMotiwala, Chairman SBI; M due to extensive network of accidental death and perma- travaganza of sports and athnent disability benefit con- letics is titled as the Rafiq Uddin Mehkari – Presi- post offices. dent, Askari Bank; Irfan This was stated by senior tract, annuity policies, en- Samsung 5th - Punjab InterSiddiqui - President & CEO, official of PLI while talking to dowment policy, anticipated school/Inter-college Games Meezan Bank Limited; media, he said every post of- endowment (three payment) organized by Punjab OlymShireen Naqvi – Lead fice serves as its outlet, add- plan, child protection policy, pics Association. More than 25 competitive Trainer, Navitus; Adnan ing that this gives Postal Life non medical policy and events will be held during the Siddiqui – Country General an enormous advantage over group insurance Special Features of PLI “Samsung - 5th Punjab InterManager, IBM Pakistan; its business rivals and helps Sikandar Sultan – CEO, Shan offer a wide range of insur- includes lowest premium s c h o o l s / I n t e r - C o l l e g e s Foods (Pvt.) Ltd; Hasan A ance policies to customers at rates, all policies including Games”. The events will feaBilgrami – CEO, Bank Islami the lowest premium while paid up participate in profits, ture male and female student Pakistan Ltd; Duraid ensuring highest bonus on premium payable on monthly competitors. Two Hundred basis and only up to the and fifty schools and colQureshi, CEO HUM Net- their investment. work; Shehryar Ali Taseer – He said for purchasing month of claim, payment of leges hailing from different CEO, Media Times Ltd; a policy any local Assistant premium in cash at any post areas of the capital of Punjab Jamshid Iqbal Cheema – Director Postal Life Insur- office in Pakistan, no maxi- will be participating in these Chairman, Auriga Group of ance can be contacted. Of- mum limit for ordinary poli- games to win valuable prizes Companies; Asad Said Jaffar fices of the Assistant Di- cies, revival of lapsed poli- and popularity. The Managing Director – Chairman & CEO, Philips rectors PLI are mostly lo- cies on easy terms, loan on Electrical Industries of Paki- cated in General Post Of- policies, highest rate of bo- of Samsung Pakistan comnus, open to all, rebate on mented on the benefits and stan Ltd; Syed Saquib fices. Mohyuddin – CEO, SME He said that for query, advance payment of premia, enthusiasm of the 5th Punjab BSF; Usman A. Ghani – In- clarification or settlement of payment of premia through Inter-school/Inter College ternational Consultant claims, Assistant Directors salary bill deduction, non- games by saying; “The CONFLUENTC; Tariq M. PLI are the focal points. “For lapsing of policies of two youth of Pakistan have alRangoon Wala Chairman, those who are working years duration, liberal surren- ways proved their competiICC Pakistan Chapter & Dr. abroad can purchase PLI der value of PLI policies and tive talents and excellence in Kamran Shams Executive Di- Policy during their visit to payment guaranteed by gov- numerous sports and athletics. rector Akhuwat and others. Pakistan” he added. He said ernment.
Minsiter assures
Thai Airways to add flights
Meeting of NPOs’ heads concludes
Int’l CEO Summit
PLI an unbeatable service in rural areas
Samsung sponsors games
Nejad slams big us polls spending INDONESIA—Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Thursday dismissed US elections as a “battleground for the capitalists,” a day after Barack Obama’s reelection. Ahmadinejad, whose own 2009 disputed re-election sparked protests that were brutally crushed, told a forum in Bali island intended to promote democracy that the Western system meant only the wealthy few held power. At the start of the two-day Bali Democracy Forum, attended by leaders including Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the Iranian president criticized the situation in Europe and the US. “An election, which is one of the manifestations of the people’s will, has become a battleground for the capitalists, and an excuse for hefty spending,” he said. An estimated $6 billion was spent in US federal races, making the 2012 general election the most expensive poll in American history, experts have said. Ahmadinejad, who did not comment directly on Obama’s victory over his Republican rival Mitt Romney, added that “democracy has turned into the rule of a minority over the majority.” He said problems continued “even in countries who claim to be the forerunners of democracy.” “Slavery, colonialism and rights abuses continue to be imposed on human beings,” he said, without singling out any countries in particular for criticism. Iran is regularly criticized for its own human rights record, such as the high number of executions. The president, whose country’s disputed nuclear program has led to crippling international sanctions, made only passing reference to nuclear activities. “Today there is the development of some weapons even more dangerous than atomic arms,” he said without elaborating.—Arab News
Corruption threatens state: Jintao warns BEIJING—China’s outgoing President Hu Jintao warned that corruption threatened the ruling Communist Party and the state, promising political reform as he formally opened a party congress that will usher in a once-in-adecade leadership change. More than 2,000 hand-picked delegates gathered at Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People for the start of the week-long session, held against a backdrop of growing social unrest, public anger at graft and a yawning gap between rich and poor. “If we fail to handle this issue (corruption) well, it could prove fatal to the party, and even cause the collapse of the party and the fall of the state,” Hu warned in an opening speech. “Reform of the political structure is an important part of China’s overall reform. We must continue to make both active and prudent efforts to carry out the reform of the political
structure and make people’s leadership transition. democracy more extensive, “We must never let words fuller in scope and sounder in act in place of the law or (perpractice.” sonal) power replace the law; nor will we allow the ignoring of the law for personal benefit,” Hu said. During the congress, Hu will give up his role as party chief to anointed successor Vice President Xi Jinping. Xi then takes over state duties at the annual meeting of parliament in March. Just weeks after anti-Japan riots swept city streets following a row over disputed islands, Hu also said China should strengthen the armed forces, protect its maritime interests and be prepared But nobody expects a for “local war” in the informamove towards full democracy tion age. and party spokesman Cai “We should enhance our Mingzhao made clear on capacity for exploiting marine Wednesday that one-party resources, resolutely saferule was inviolate. The party guard China’s maritime rights has expelled senior regional and interests and build China leader Bo Xilai and accused into a maritime power,” he him of abusing his office, tak- said. China is also locked ing huge bribes and other indispute with Southeast crimes in a dramatic fall from Asian neighbours on dispower that has shaken the puted areas in the South China
Sea. Relations with the United States have been bogged down by accusations of military assertiveness in the region from both sides. The government has tightened security in the runup to the congress, even banning the flying of pigeons in the capital, and has either locked up or expelled dozens of dissidents it fears could spoil the party. Security was especially tight on Thursday around the Great Hall and Tiananmen Square next door, the scene of pro-democracy protests in 1989 that were crushed by the military. Police dragged away a screaming protester as the Chinese national flag was raised at dawn. The party, which came to power in 1949 after a long and bloody civil war, has in recent years tied its legitimacy to economic growth and lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty. Hu said China’s development should be “much more balanced, coordinated and
Clean up Afghan politics or risk civil war
P RAGUE —The Czech parliament on Thursday approved an ambitious plan to return billions of dollars worth of church property that was confiscated by the communists in a vote that represented a victory for Prime Minister Petr Necas. The law envisages handing churches land, property, and financial compensation worth about $7 billion over a period of 30 years. Under the plan, the churches would become independent from the state and gradually stop getting government financing. The agreement should unlock about 6 percent of the country’s forests and fields that once belonged to mostly Christian churches but which have been tied up pending a resolution of the restitution question. That land, which was confiscated by the communists after 1948, could in future be developed, rented or sold. The 200-seat lower house of parliament approved the necessary legislation with 102 MPs voting in favor, overturning a veto by the Senate, the upper house, which opposed the move. After two decades of negotiations among politicians led by the Roman Catholic Church, the churches are delighted with the agreement, hoping it will restore their fortunes and reverse their declining role in Czech society. The vote was a victory for Necas, whose unstable coalition quelled a backbench rebellion on Wednesday, rushing through tax hikes and changes to the pension system. The deal was supported by Necas.—Reuters
Torture suit against Rumsfeld rejected
Gaddafi’s jailed ex-spy chief sick TRIPOLI—Muammar Gaddafi’s former right-hand man is languishing in a Libyan jail with kidney cancer and no access to lawyers, his daughter said on Wednesday, calling for him to get a fair trial. Abdullah al-Senussi, who as spy chief was one of Libya’s most feared men, fled the rebellion that toppled Gaddafi, but was captured in Mauritania and extradited back to Libya in September in an operation his daughter compared to a kidnapping. “I haven’t spoken to him in over 60 days and his lawyer hasn’t been allowed in to see him,” Sarah Senussi said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. “Human rights organisations have asked repeatedly to visit him in jail and they have been refused also,” the 27-year-old told Reuters from an undisclosed location. He did not have his medications with him and it is not known if he is receiving medical treatment in jail, she said. Senussi is suspected of playing a central role in the killing of more than 1,200 inmates at Tripoli’s Abu Salim prison in 1996. It was the arrest of a lawyer acting for relatives of the victims that sparked the revolt in February last year. Both the International Criminal Court (ICC) and France - which suspects him of involvement in a 1989 airliner bombing over Niger in which 54 of its nationals died - wanted to take him into custody. The United States is also keen to question Senussi about the 1988 bombing over Lockerbie.—Reuters
Greek govt rejects austerity protests A THENS —Greece’s government voted by a razor thin margin on Thursday to approve an austerity package needed to unlock vital aid and avert bankruptcy, despite an internal rift and violent protests at the gates of parliament. Despite the abstention of their junior ruling partner the Democratic Left, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s New Democracy Party and its Socialist PASOK allies passed the 500-odd page bill shortly after midnight. They mustered 153 of parliament’s 300 seats, with New Democracy and PASOK expelling seven deputies from their ranks for not backing the measures. The euro rose briefly to around $1.2780 from $1.2765 before the vote. “We’re seeing little bit of a bounce in the euro because the threat of a Greek exit from the euro zone is dissipating now that the Greeks have made the difficult decision to move forward with painful austerity measures,” said Kathy Lien, managing director of BK Asset Management in New York.—Reuters
down on dissidents. “My internet has been cut off, I can’t receive telephone calls and three people follow me when I leave the house to walk my dog,” Xinna, the wife of one of China’s longest-serving political prisoners, Mongol rights activist Hada, told Reuters. “All I want from this congress is my husband to be released and for our lives to get back to normal,” she said from her home in the frigid northern Chinese city of Hohhot. A Tibetan rights group reported that three teenaged Tibetan monks in the southwestern province of Sichuan set themselves on fire on Wednesday in protest against Chinese rule, bringing to almost 70 the number of self-immolations by Tibetans in 18 months. China has branded the self-immolators “terrorists” and criminals and has blamed exiled Tibetans and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, for inciting them.—Reuters
Afghans to Obama
Govt to return church property
WASHINGTON—Two American citizens cannot sue former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over allegations that they were tortured by the U.S. military in Iraq, a federal appeals court ruled on Thursday. Donald Vance and Nathan Ertel had said Rumsfeld and unnamed others allegedly developed, authorized and used harsh interrogation techniques against them in Iraq. In an 8-3 ruling, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, in Chicago, found that the two men had no right to sue Rumsfeld and others in the military chain of command for damages. The decision overturned decisions by a three-judge panel of the same appeals court and a federal judge in Illinois, which had allowed the suit to proceed despite efforts by the former Bush and current Obama administration to get the case dismissed. The ruling brings the 7th Circuit in line with two other federal courts of appeal, the 4th Circuit and the District of Columbia Circuit, which have also rejected suits for damages against U.S. officials over allegations of torture. In the latest case, the two men worked for a private security company in Iraq in 2006 and said they became concerned the firm was engaging in illegal bribery or other corruption activities. They notified U.S. authorities and began cooperating with them. In early 2006, they were taken into custody by U.S. military forces and eventually taken to Camp Cropper near Baghdad’s airport. Vance and Ertel claimed they were subjected to harsh interrogations and physical and emotional abuse.—Reuters
sustainable”, and it should double its 2010 GDP and per capita income by 2020. But China experts say that unless the new leadership pushes through stalled reforms, the nation risks economic malaise, deepening unrest, and perhaps even a crisis that could shake the party’s grip on power. Chinese growth slowed for a seventh straight quarter in July-September, missing the government’s target for the first time since the depths of the global financial crisis, but other data point to a mild yearend rebound. Advocates of reform are pressing Xi to cut back the privileges of stateowned firms, make it easier for rural migrants to settle permanently in cities, fix a fiscal system that encourages local governments to live off land expropriations and, above all, tether the powers of a state that they say risks suffocating growth and fanning discontent. As the congress began, authorities clamped
An Afghan policeman walks at the site of a suicide bomb
KABUL —Prominent Afghan opposition leader Ahmad Zia Masood has urgent advice for President Barack Obama in his second term - clean up Afghan politics before the next election or risk civil war. Masood said a number of factors could trigger another internal conflict after most NATO combat troops leave at the end of 2014, including growing fears of another Taliban takeover. Most importantly, Obama must focus on ensuring that a 2014 election is free and fair after President Hamid Karzai’s re-election in 2009 was blighted by allegations of fraud. A marred poll could be the tipping point in a country where frustration is growing over corruption, poor governance, dilapidated infrastrucblast targeting a police checkpoint in Kandahar. ture and high unemployment, said Masood. “On top of all these problems if the election is rigged then the people will lose patience and that opens up the door for a massive civil military as the figurehead of war,” said Masood, leader of the pro-democracy movethe National Front of Afghaniment and was elected to parstan, a major opposition party. liament in April, will be in In- KABUL—At least 18 people, “If the political process is including 10 civilians, were dia just before the mooted transparent here there won’t killed in three attacks in date for Obama’s visit to Afghanistan’s south and east Myanmar. “She is leaving for India on Thursday, provincial offion a week-long visit on No- cials said, the highest death vember 12 but I am not sure toll in a single day since a when exactly she will be spate of killings over the Eid back,” Nyan Win, an official festival last month. A roadside of her National League for bomb killed 10 civilians who BOLOGNA—Named after the Democracy party, told were driving to a wedding in demonic Eye of Sauron from Reuters. Obama is coming to the Musa Qala district of the Lord of the Rings films, a Southeast Asia to attend Helmand province, Helmand new species of flesh-ripping meetings in Cambodia cen- police chief ’s spokesman dinosaur terrorised North Aftered around an annual sum- Farhid Ahmad Farhang said. rica some 95 million years ago, Another roadside bomb National Geographic Daily mit of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian killed five soldiers in the News reports. The species Nations (ASEAN), which is Badpakh area of Laghman, a Sauroniops pachytholus, or usually extended to take in province in the east, said “eye of Sauron” in Greek was leaders of partner countries. Sarhadi Zwak, a spokesman identified from a single fossil Preliminary details for this for the provincial governor. In unearthed in southeastern year show the event will run the third attack, a suicide Morocco in 2007, says a new from November 15 to Novem- bomber on a motorbike deto- study. ber 20 and the Cambodian nated his explosives at a poThat fossil included only government has said Obama lice station in Kandahar city, part the upper skull including will be in the capital, Phnom killing three policemen and the eye socket, study leader Penh, on November 18. The wounding four, local officials Andrea Cau, of the Museo U.S. administration has not said. Violence has been in- Geologico Giovanni Capellini confirmed that. The heads creasing across the country as in Bologna, Italy, said by of government of China, Ja- the deadline of end-2014 email. “The idea of a predator pan, Russia and other coun- looms for most foreign com- that is physically known only tries are also expected in bat troops to exit Afghanistan, as its fierce eye reminded me Cambodia for the meet- leaving the 350,000-strong of Sauron, in particular as deAfghan security forces in con- picted in Peter Jackson’s movings.—Reuters trol.—Reuters ies,” Cau explained. “The skull bone of Sauroniops is very broad and particularly thick: This suggests an animal as big as Tyrannosaurus [rex],” Cau said.
Obama to visit Myanmar on Nov 19 Y ANGON —U.S. President States suspended sanctions Barack Obama plans to visit Myanmar on November 19 and meet both his counterpart, Thein Sein, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, a senior government source in the Southeast Asian country said on Thursday. Obama’s visit would be further strong endorsement by the international community of Myanmar’s transformation under the quasi-civilian government of Thein Sein, who took office in March 2011 to end half a century of military rule. Obama would be the first serving U.S. president to visit Myanmar, also known as Burma. “So far as I understand, President Obama is coming to Myanmar on November 19 and he will meet both President U Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, of course on separate occasions,” the government official told Reuters, using honorifics and asking not to be identified as he is not authorized to speak to the media. Neither the government nor the U.S. embassy would confirm the date. The United
on Myanmar this year in recognition of the political and economic changes under way, and many U.S. companies are looking at starting operations in the country, located between China and India, with abundant resources and low-cost labor. In November 2011, Hillary Clinton became the first U.S. secretary of state to visit in more than 50 years. Obama has sought to consolidate ties and reinforce its influence across Asia in what U.S. officials have described as a policy “pivot” toward the region as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down. Myanmar grew close to China during decades of isolation, reinforced by Western sanctions over its poor human rights record, but is now seeking to expand relations with the West. Obama met Suu Kyi during her visit to the United States in September. President Thein Sein was also there in September for the General Assembly of the United Nations but the two men did not meet. Suu Kyi, who spent years in detention under the
10 civilians among 18 killed in Afghan attacks
New ‘Sauron’ dinosaur found, big as T rex
Women out of Syria’s opposition leadership
8-month-old conjoined twins separated
D OHA —The leadership of ship. SNC chief Abdelbaset those efforts may have come PHILADELPHIA—Surgeons at Syria’s main opposition group in exile is an all-male affair after elections failed to promote a single woman to the decision-making group of 41 members. Some of the female delegates at the Syrian National Council conference in the Qatari capital of Doha rushed the podium in protest after the results were announced in the early hours of Thursday. They said the new leadership fails to reflect the key role of women in the push to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad. On at least this point, the SNC appeared to fall short in its attempt to showcase a new diversity in the face of international criticism that it is not representative enough of the whole spectrum of the opposition. After the vote by more than 400 members of the SNC’s general assembly, the group tried to redress the lack of women in its new leader-
Sieda said he was “so sad” and would try to add four women to the general secretariat by decree. “The bottom line is that there is a recognition that the women got shafted, and that it has to be fixed,” said delegate Muna Jondy, 37, an immigration lawyer from Flint, Michigan. “It’s “not going to cure the underlying problem, which I think was the lack of recognition of the importance of the voice of women at the decision-making table,” she added. The SNC, formed a year ago from a pool of long-term Syrian exiles and academics, has faced mounting criticism from within Syria and the international community that it is out of touch with those inside risking their lives on the frontlines. The group’s Doha conference was largely intended to deflect such claims and present a more broadbased membership. However,
be a reason for a civil war. We expect Obama to pressure the government for a free and fair election.” Opponents of Karzai, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, are worried he is trying to install an ally or relative as his successor to maintain a grip on power. Karzai has suggested foreign members be removed from the election watchdog, a step that could be seen as bolstering his influence. Karzai says he is committed to democracy. The president’s older brother, businessman Abdul Qayum Karzai, has said he is interested in running for president. There is also widespread speculation that Abdullah Abdullah, a former foreign minister who opposed Karzai in the 2009 poll, will make another bid. Masood’s party brings together some former leaders of the Northern Alliance which toppled the Taliban. They include ethnic Uzbek General Abdul Rashid Dostum, who earned a reputation for brutality in Afghanistan’s last civil war following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989.—Reuters
too late. The United States and other foreign backers of the Syrian rebels are promoting the idea of a new leadership forum where the SNC may play only a small role. The women’s marginal role in the SNC is in marked contrast to their active participation in the 19-month-old conflict. In the early days of the uprising, women organized mass rallies and featured prominently in local grassroots organizations, risking arrest and torture just like their male counterparts. As the uprising became militarized, their role receded somewhat, but the civil war, fought in populated areas, is hitting them just as hard as the men. The SNC, trying to boost its image, had set a 15 percent women’s quota for its new, expanded general assembly of some 420 delegates attending the Doha conference that began on Sunday.—Reuters
a Philadelphia hospital have successfully completed operations to separate 8-monthold twin girls who were joined at the lower chest and abdomen. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia says the sevenhour procedures to separate Allison and Amelia Tucker were completed Wednesday afternoon. The twins are from Adams, N.Y. They shared their chest wall, diaphragm, pericardium and liver. Officials had said they were “excellent candidates” for separation. Lead surgeon Holly Hedrick says the complex surgery “went very well and as expected.” She says the twins will be monitored closely during their recovery and should be able to live “full, healthy and independent lives.” Officials say the surgery was the 21st separation of conjoined twins performed at the hospital.—AP
But without more fossils, “a more precise estimation of its size is currently impossible,” the paleontologist added. The fossil also revealed that the dinosaur had a distinctive bump on its forehead, which sets Sauroniops apart from other carcharodontosaurs, according to the study, published recently in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. This lumpy growth may have been used for head-butting clashes during male mating displays, the team speculates. Sauron Dinosaur Was a Giant Among Giants As the fourth carcharodontosaur known from Africa, Sauroni ops shared its Moroccan stomping ground with the equally ferocious Carcharo dontosaurus saharicus. Though these top predators may have given each other the evil eye, it’s quite possible they targeted different prey and weren’t direct competitors, Cau said.—Star
More people trapped in Ghana mall debris A CCRA —More people than initially thought remain trapped beneath a collapsed four-storey department store in a suburb of Ghana’s capital Accra that killed at least seven people the previous day, officials said on Thursday. The authorities had initially estimated that around 55 people were inside when it collapsed due to a suspected structural failure, but that figure was based on the number of employees working there at the time and did not factor in the number of shoppers too. By Thursday morning, emergency personnel had pulled out 61 survivors and recovered seven dead bodies from the building, which housed a mall operated by Indian retailer Melcom Ltd. A team of Israeli experts was due
to arrive in the West African nation on Thursday to assist a search for remaining survivors as rescue workers said they feared their condition was quickly deteriorating. “It is now clear that more people were in the shop than initially estimated, and it is difficult to tell the actual numbers at this moment,” Kofi Portuphy, the head of Ghana’s National Disaster Management Organisation, told Reuters. “Certainly the conditions of any survivors down there will be deteriorating and it is our hope to get them out as quickly as we can,” he said. The ambulance service shuttling victims from the site to a local hospital said survivors had sustained injuries of varying seriousness.—Reuters
Lahore goes in sports history books SALIM AHMED L AHORE —Lahore wrote new history in sports with the start of Punjab international sports festival when international competitions were held in baseball, rugby and kabaddi at different venues and Pakistan got the honour of winning the Dosti Cup wrestling Cup defeating India 4-2 here on Thursday. It is the first time that a number of international events are taking place simultaneously as a part of the festival and other attractions of the day were PakIndia wrestling Cup, hockey series and Pak-India deaf Dosti cricket Cup in which a T-20 match was played. In Dosti wrestling cup home side won the four bouts as the Indian got success in two in the one day event. In the first bout Sajjad Iqabal of Pakistan beat Prince in 55 kgs, Pakistan’s Basharat Ali beat Indian Ranjeet Singh in 60kgs, Haider Ali gave Pakistan its third success beating Indian Visho Deep in 74kgs, Omair Butt beat beat Indian Satveer Singh in 84kgs, Indian Gorpaul beat Pakistans
India assures best possible security to Pak cricket team
GHulam Hussain in 96kgs, Indian Mundeeb beat Pakistans Saeed Ahmed in 120kgs . Baseball event marked the start of the international events and the hosts Pakistan gave baseball lesson to lowly rated Afghanistan 150 to take a confident start in the competition. Mohammad Ahsan Baig and Zubair scored three score each and Usman, Omair,Sameer and Asif shared two score. A heavy programme was gone through in Ruby event in which ten matches were decided at DHA Rugby ground. Rugby is the only international event of the festival in which eight international teams are taking part. Cambodia All Stars staged the biggest upset of the day beating strong home team Pakistan Gold 19-17 by collecting seven points in the last minute. The opening day proved a nightmare for the home teams as a thee ,out of four ,were beaten in their respective matches. In other nine matches, New Zealand College Riders beat Pak White 47-0, Holly Wood Ireland bt Pakistan Universities 48-0, Afghan
Club Kabul United bt Hong Kong Chinese University 260, Delhi Hurricanes India bt Pakistan White 22-5, Uzbek Club beat Pakistan Universities 26-0, Kabul United drew with Pakistan Golf 14-14, NZ college beat Delhi 15-5, Irish club bt Uzbek club 22-0. In the only match of kabaddi , Afghanistan beat Nepal 40-30 before wrapping up the first half 27-17 In PakIndia Dosti hockey Cup the match ,India made desperate efforts in the last ten minutes to earn a 2-2 draw against Pakistan at Johar Town ground before the hose side led 1-0 at half time. Imran Malik gave lead to Pakistan as Sitandir Singh leveled from India in the second half. Imran become centre of attraction by hammering his second goal which helped Pakistan to restore edge. Three minutes before the close Indian side made a great effort to lock the score at 2-2 Harpareet Singh who shone with solo efforts. In Pak India deaf T-20 match, Pakistan scored a fine 19 runs at Iqbal Park sports complex. The home side batted first scored 148 runs for the loss of six wickets in allotted 15 overs .Man of the
match, Kashif was the top scorer with a fluent half century ( 58). In reply the Indian side reach could manage 129 for the loss of seven wicket as Mandeed emerged as the best scorer with 26. On the side lines of the international sports festival, the national festival also began and competitions were held in Ahltetics (men) and table teniis (women). Following are the results of the events. In Table tennis (female): Balochistan defeated Fata 3-0.Punjab beat Balochistan 3-0.Punjab beat Fata 3-0, NWFP outplayed Balochistan 3-0 and NWFP beat Fata 3-0.In Athletics(male):100 M race: Tanveer Abbas of Punjab got first position,200M: Mohammed Anees of Punjab scored first ,in 400 Mohammad Raza of Balochistan achieved first position while in 800 M: Mohammed Shahid of Punjab achieved first positions. In 1500 Mohammad Abdul Samad of Punjab secured first ,Mohammed Imran of Punjab in long jump, Mohamemd Mushtaq in shotput and Altaf Hussain in Javelin throw won the events.
Azharuddin relieved after lifting of life ban
N EW D ELHI —Against the NEW DELHI—Former captain gave relief to Azharuddin, al- things positively. I am happy backdrop of Shiv Sena’s threat to disrupt the upcoming IndoPak cricket series, the Indian government on Thursday said it would provide the best possible security to players and spectators of the neighbouring country. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde also said that sports and politics should not be mixed as the cricket series will pave the way for improving bilateral ties between India and Pakistan. “When cricketers from other countries come to India, not only Pakistan, it is our duty to protect them. We will discuss and provide best possible security. We are going to be very alert,” he said when asked about Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s threat. Shinde said there would be no compromise on the security of Pakistani cricketers and spectators.“We should not mix sports and culture with politics. There should be different views. This series will pave the way for the revival of better ties between the two countries,” he said. The home minister said the limited over cricket series should not be mixed with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The Shiv Sena chief had on Monday had called upon “staunch Hindus and patriotic people of India” to disrupt cricket matches between India and Pakistan.—INP
Mohammad Azharuddin was on Thursday a relieved man after the life ban imposed on him for alleged involvement in match-fixing was set aside by the Andhra Pradesh High Court but refused to take legal action against the Indian cricket board. The 49-year-old, who is now a Lok Sabha MP from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, sought to struck a conciliatory note with the body which slapped him with the ban, saying that he would not want to blame anybody for the pain he suffered in the past 12 years. “It was a long drawn out legal case and it was painful. We fought in the court for 11 years. There were lots of adjournments, changes in the case. But finally the verdict has come and I am happy that the ban has been lifted by the court,” Azharuddin told a hastily-called press conference at his residence here Asked if he would take any legal action against BCCI, the former captain said, “I am not going to take any legal action against any authority and I don’t want to blame anybody for this also. It is about destiny and whatever had to happen has happened. I don’t have any complaint.” A bench of justices Ashutosh Mohanta and Krishna Mohan Reddy of the Andhra Pradesh High Court
lowing his appeal challenging the order of a local court, which had upheld the decision of the BCCI. The bench lifted the ban agreeing with Azharuddin’s
counsel K Ramakant Reddy’s argument that there was no evidence against the former cricketer that he succumbed to any pressure while playing cricket. Asked persistently if the ban was illegal, Azharuddin said, “That is why it was lifted. But I don’t want to say much about this. I have said whatever I wanted to say at the court through my counsel.” “My conscience was clear and I was not happy by the ban. But I am the person to take
now and want to move on,” said the former captain who ended his Test career at 99 matches because of the ban. Azharuddin refused to talk about the Hansie Cronje match-fixing episode, saying, “Hansie Cronje is no more and it is not right to talk about it now.” The then South African captain, Cronje, in his confession for match-fixing, had indicated that Azharuddin was the one who introduced him to the bookies. Azharuddin said it was important for him to clear his name in front of the eyes of the people of his constituency in Moradabad. “It was important for me to clear my name as I am representing the people of Moradabad. I am happy now in front of them,” said the Congress MP. He said that he would be happy if he gives back to the game whatever he had learnt in his career. “I want to give back to the game and I want to share the experience I have gained in my career to a youngster,” he said. Asked about the India-Pakistan limited-over series in December, Azharuddin said, “It’s a welcome development and we should encourage cricket ties between the two countries.”—AFP
Top-ranked Djokovic holds off Murray at ATP finals LONDON—In what is shaping up to be the new top rivalry in tennis, Novak Djokovic held off Andy Murray at the ATP finals. The top-ranked Serb got the big break when he needed it late in the third set and beat Murray 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 at the O2 Arena. ‘’Another great match. Another great performance from both of us,’’ said Djokovic, who has known Murray since they were 11 years old. ‘’I didn’t expect anything less, other than a tough match that went down the wire and was decided in the last point.’’ Despite the win, Djokovic still hasn’t advanced to the semifinals at the season-ending tournament for the top eight players in the world. Tomas Berdych beat JoWilfried Tsonga 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 in the late Group B match, keeping all four players alive in the tournament. On Friday, Djokovic will face Berdych, while Murray will take on Tsonga. Djokovic is 4-3 against Murray in 2012, with his biggest win coming in a five-setter in the Australian Open semifinals. But Murray had won two of the previous three, including in the semifinals of the Olympics and in the U.S. Open final - another five-setter. Overall, Djokovic leads the third-ranked Murray 10-7 in head-to-head meetings. ‘’I think both of us probably see each other’s games pretty well. Especially this year, because we’ve played so much,’’ Murray said. ‘’But the one thing I would say is, this year I think both of us probably have seen things in each other’s games probably improve, and that’s why there’s
LONDON: Novak Djokovic of Serbia holds the ATP World Tour No 1 Award trophy after being presented with two ATP World Tour Awards during a ceremony at the ATP World Tour Final. a lot of long rallies, and the But Djokovic was able to the match probably is what matches are incredibly tight.’’ convert break chances in each decided it,’’ Murray said. ‘’He Murray looked unbeatable of the next two sets, and then broke from 15-40, and then I at the start Wednesday, break- for a third time at 5-5 in the had 15-40 next game and ing Djokovic in the first game final set to serve out the didn’t break. So that was the and losing only three points match. moment that decided the on his serve in the first set. Djokovic still didn’t have match.’’ Murray has had a ‘’I don’t think I played bad an easy time as Murray breakthrough season. He bein the first set. It was him play- quickly earned two break came the first British man ing really well, serving ex- points in the final game. But a since 1938 to reach the tremely well,’’ Djokovic said. forehand smash and a service Wimbledon final, and soon ‘’He lost only couple of points winner erased the danger be- after won the Olympic gold on his first serve throughout fore a pair of errors from medal by beating Roger Federer on the same grass at the whole set. So that says Murray ended the match. enough about his quality.’’ ‘’The last two minutes of the All England Club.—AP
Asif, Asjad in Dubai Snooker quarters K A R A C H I — P a k i s t a n ’s Muhammad Asif and Asjad Iqbal advanced in the quarter-finals of Dubai International Snooker Championship after winning their matches on Wednesday night. National number one Asif maintained his domination over Muhammad Shehhab of United Arab Emirates (UAE) 4-2. He earlier defeated Asian Indoor Games gold medalist Shehab in the his opening league round. Asjad Iqbal defeated Mohsen Bukshaisha of Qatar in four straight frames, according to message received here on Thursday. Sargodha-based Asjad Iqbal was due to meet Andy Lee of Hong Kong and Muhammad Asif was pitted to meet Omar Alkojah of Syria in the quarter-finals today evening,—APP
Malakand shock DFA Swabi in NBP Inter-Distt Soccer P E S H AWA R — M a l a k a n d
shocked District Swabi by 31 in a thrilling match of the ongoing 8th NBP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inter-District Football Championship being played here at Sumbal Khan Football ground, Qayyum Sports Complex on Thursday. The match was started on fast tempo and the forwards of both Malakand and Swabi raided on each other territory time and again. Swabi was first opened its account in the very 6th minute when center striker Tauseef netted a fine goal on the pass of left winger Tahir Ali. Tahir got the ball from the center line and dodged two defenders before sending a perfect cross in front of the goal-post where unmarked Tahir Ali netted it nicely to make the tally 1-0. The early lead really jolted Malakand District team but their players played with great determination, putting the rivals CHAMAN: Players of KPT and Muslim Football Club in action during Pakistan Premier Football League match. defence under tremendous Muslim Football Club won the match by 2-1 goals. pressure.—APP
BRISBANE: Michael Clarke and Graeme Smith with the International Cricket Council Test Championship mace.
Pataudi Trophy for the family and not for any individual : MCC clarifies BIPIN DANI OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT M UMBAI —It is not clear whether the actress Sharmila Tagore wanted the upcoming India-England series be named after her late husband (Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi) or her late father-in-law Nawab Iftikhar Ali Khan of Pataudi. However, the series played between the two nations last year was played in honour of both Tiger Pataudi and his father. This was revealed by Neil Robinson, the Research Officer at Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Lord’s.
Interestingly, the trophy was initiated not by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), as widely believed, but the MCC. Speaking exclusively, Neil Robinson says, “the Pataudi Trophy was so named (by MCC’s Arts & Library sub-committee) in honour of both Tiger Pataudi and his father, given the fact that both were significant cricketing figures in both England and India”. Indian statistician, Sudhir Vaidya points out, “the Wisden 2012 writes in their preview on the India in England, 2011 on page 303 “In fact, the one Indian on show who looked truly distraught was Tiger Pataudi, whose fi-
nal public duty before his death a month later was to hand over the trophy that has borne his family name since 2007”. “It means that the Trophy for the family and not for any individual - nor senior or junior. And it was floated by MCC unilaterally and not by either of the Boards”, Vaidya further added. “The presentation of trophies is largely a matter for ECB, but as far as I am aware the Pataudi Trophy will continue to be presented at the conclusion of every Test series in which England plays host to India”, the MCC official concluded.
What is the glycemic index and how can it help to lose weight?
T
HE glycemic index (GI) is a measure ment developed by Dr. David J. Jenkins and his associates at the University of Toronto in 1981. They were researching diabetes, and how to reliably predict the effect of certain foods on the body’s blood sugar and insulin levels.
The glycemic index rates carbohydrate-rich foods on a scale of 1 to 100, pure glucose being the highest (100). A food’s GI rating indicates how rapidly it is digested or absorbed by the body; the higher a food is on this scale, the faster your body will use it up. This is important information – not only for diabetics but also for those interested in losing weight – because foods high on the glycemic index scale tend to give you a “sugar rush.” They cause insulin to be released into your bloodstream to process the sudden rise in blood sugar. Unfortunately, once the blood sugar levels have been normalized, your body then has a tendency to crave more food to boost them again, causing a kind of “yo-yo” approach to eating. Also, insulin is considered a “fat storage hormone” because it causes sugar to enter the body’s cells more quickly, so that it can be converted to energy, but at the same time causes them to store the excess sugars as glycogen or body fat. So the glycemic index can be quite useful when trying to lose weight, and a useful complement to other diets. Foods with high GI ratings
– white bread, cakes, white rice, baked potatoes, jams, jellies, and many processed breakfast cereals – will trigger this “yo-yo” effect, and leave you craving more food very quickly. These foods also tend to be high in calories. Foods with a GI rating lower than 55 – fruits and vegetables, milk products, high-fiber grains and cereals, beans and lentils, sweet potatoes, and pasta – have the opposite effect. They take longer to be digested, leading to an increased feeling of satiety. Because these foods are less processed, and because of their high fiber or particle size, they take up more space in your stomach and leave you feeling more satiated and full. As a result, you are less likely to “binge eat.” Paying attention to the GI ratings of foods has been proven to be a useful adjunct to many famous diet plans. Studies have shown that people on low-GI diets tend to lose more weight and keep it off than those on high-GI diets. One of the most successful commercial diet programs, Nutrisystem®, is largely based on glycemic index research. Whatever the diet program you choose, paying attention to the GI index of the foods you eat can help you make wiser choices. A diet rich in protein (which does not cause the same glycemic response in the body) and low-GI foods is going to be more likely to succeed.
KARACHI: Supporters of a socio-political group Pasbaan urge US President for release of Aafia, during celebrations for his re-election. President Obama defeated his Republican rival Mitt Romney in the US presidential election.
Ebad vows to restore peace in city KARACHI—Sindh Governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan Thursday said all possible steps will be taken up to restore peace in the metropolis. Talking to media after paying a visit to the mausoleum of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi and laying flowers at the grave, he said the incidents of terrorism are taking place around the country. The government will make all-out efforts to maintain the law and order situation in the city, he asserted.—NNI
Altaf condemns blast at Rangers Headquarters STAFF REPORTER KARACHI: Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad offers fateha at Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s KARACHI—Muttahida Qaumi shrine on his annual urs day.—PO photo Imran Gilani. Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the suicidal blast at the Headquarters of Sachal Rangers in Karachi. He expressed his grief and sorrow on martyrdom of two rangers and injuring of several other personnel, said a stateK A R A C H I — Commissioner after a meeting with ulema and work round the clock and ment issued by the MQM here Karachi, Syed Hashim Raza officials of law enforcement would coordinate with the of- on Thursday. He said that the Zaidi has said that exit and en- agencies in connection with ficials concerned for redressal terrorists wanted to create intry to the main procession of Muharram arrangements at his of the complaints of masses in- stability in the country by carcluding mourners during rying out such cowardly acts Ashura-e-Muharram in Karachi office here on Thursday. Addressing the meetings, Muharram. will only be allowed from nomiin order to achieve their nefariHe informed that the offi- ous designs. nated points and nobody will be he said control rooms will be allowed to join or leave the set up at the offices of deputy cials of law enforcement agenHe sympathized with the main procession till its culmi- and assistant commissioners of cies, KMC, KSE, Water Board grieving families of the pernation. He said extraordinary South, East, West, Central and and other department con- sonnel martyred in the blast security arrangements will be Malir and in the office of Com- cerned will be deployed at the and prayed for speedy recovmade for peaceful holding of the missioner Karachi to respond complaint centers. He said ery and well-being of the inMuharram procession in the to the complaints on Muharram Ulema will also be taken into jured. Altaf Hussain called confidence to ensure proper se- upon the government to take processions and majalis. city. He said the control room curity arrangements for serious notice of the blast at The Commissioner Karachi said this while talking to media and complaint centers will Muharram-ul-Haram.—APP the Rangers Headquarters.
Exit, entry to Ashura processions through nominated points
US awards 155 scholarships for Pakistan’s future teachers SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT sion is to design programs that would prepare teachers who KARACHI—Education Project can inform, instruct and inspire
of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Thursday awarded 155 scholarships to students enrolled in twoyear Associate Degree in Education (ADE) and four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Education programs in the province. Together with other projects to rebuild flood-damaged schools and other education initiatives, supporting Pakistan’s goal to have qualified teachers is a significant investment in Pakistan’s future. It would lead to work opportunity for the newlytrained teachers, better education for students and raise Pakistan’s global competitiveness. Speaking at the award ceremony, Jo Lesser-Oltheten, Director Education Office USAID, said: “Our shared vi-
future generations. This scholarship program is yet another expression of the US government’s long-term commitment to help build a stronger more prosperous Pakistan.” Among others Provincial Secretary Education Mukhtar Soomro attended the ceremony to demonstrate support for the US–Pakistan partnership in improving the overall quality of basic education. The scholarship program is being implemented by the Teacher Education Project in close collaboration with the provincial and regional departments of education, universities and elementary teacher education colleges. A total of 1,900 students would be awarded scholarships through this program to enroll in partner colleges.
IGP for expeditious action against criminals STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Inspector General of Sindh Police,Fayyaz Ahmed Leghari on Thursday directed the officials concerned to expedite the targeted operations against criminals and gangs in the unplanned settlements of the metropolis. He issued these directives keeping in view the blast at Rangers headquarters in Karachi, said an official statement. He directed for augmenting the intelligence to ensure protection of life and property of the people. He called for sharing intelli-
gence with the CID, Special Branch,SIU and local police and said targeted operation be conducted in the light of these reports. The Sindh Police Chief directed to ensure implementation of the Muharram security plan to maintain peace and provide peaceful environment to mourners in the processions and majlis. He said directed to exercise vigil at all entry and exit points of the city to watch movement of criminals and an immediate action be taken on any suspicious activity, he said. He stated extra-ordinary security arrangements be made
at venues of Namaz-e-Jumma in Karachi.There are 3328 Mosques and 305 Imambargahs in the metropolis, he said. He directed to remove encroachments from the surroundings of the Mosques and Imambargahs. Parking of vehicles should be allowed at a distance from the Mosques and Imamgargahs while regular police personnel be deployed at the parking areas. He directed the Additional IGP Karachi to submit the report about the police action taken in view of the blast at Rangers headquarters.
Treatment protocols for drug use in Pakistan launched addiction besides officials of sity syndicate. STAFF REPORTER Dr. Muhammad Shahid, DiKARACHI—Dow University of Narcotic Control Board and Health Sciences in collaboration with Ministry of Narcotics Control & United Nations Office on Drug and Crime launched “Treatment Protocols for Drug Use in Pakistan” Thursday at Arag Auditorium of Dow Medical College, Karachi. Javed Iqbal, Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control, Dr. Muhammad Shahid, Director General, Ministry of Narcotics Control, Jeremy Douglas, UNODC Country Representative, Prof. Dr. Masood Hameed Khan, VC, DUHS, Associate Professors of Psychiatry Prof. RazaurRahman and Dr. Ishaque Sarhandi including many experts involved in treatment of drug
UNODC attended the Launching Ceremony. Copies of the drug treatment protocols was also distributed to the experts and organizations involved in the treatment of drug addicts. The proposed “Treatment Protocol for Drug Use in Pakistan” in collaboration with Ministry of Narcotics Control and United Nations Office on Drug and Crime Control were given to Dow University for review and subsequent endorsement was extensively looked in and following modifications was put forward for approval. The modifications were then reviewed by independent experts and finally the draft was prepared for approval by the Univer-
rector General, Ministry of Narcotics Control giving the “Drugs situation iIn Pakistan” said that Pakistan is the primary transit country for opiates produced in Afghanistan. In Pakistan, the opiate abuse is a serious problem. It is estimated that there are 6,25,000 opioid users in Pakistan and 125,000 injecting drugs users. Out of which 60% of the drug addicts falls in the age group of 15-30 years. Provincial estimation of drug use shows that there are 200,000 drug users and 100,000 Injecting Drug Users in Punjab, 87,000 and 44,000 in Sindh, 90,000 and 8,000 000 in KPK and 45,000 and 4,500 in Balcohistan.
Intelligence warns about attack on Karachi airport KARACHI—The secret agencies have issued warning to the concerned departments about the threat of terrorists’ attack at Karachi airport, after which Home Department beefed up the security. A sensitive department has sent a letter to the Home Secretary, IG Police , Civil Aviation Authority and Airport Security Force in which it was revealed that one terrorist group was planning to assault on Jinnah International Airport Karachi. The letter also contained some classified information. After receiving the letter, concerned departments took some measure to avoid any untoward incident at airport. The General Manager CAA Haider Abbas told this scribe that there is already red alert within the airport premises but now security of airport from outside has also been tightened. —Online
Pakistan’s progress in defence production aimed at maintaining peace: CJCSC STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Gen. Khalid Shameem Wynne on Thursday expressed Pakistan’s stance on regional peace and said that “We are a peace loving nation and our progress in defence production is aimed at maintaining peace, thus the apt theme Weapons for peace is evident in all facets of this exhibition”. Talking to visiting delgates, he said that IDEAS-2012 provides a common ground to all defence production related institutions to interact with each other and learn from each other’s technological prowess which would enable them to develop technologies for the ever changing secu-
Kamoli, Chief of Defence Forces, Lesotho, Major General Yun Tong Hyon, Deputy Minister, North Korea, Brigadier General Qaseem Fadeel Al Nahar, Comd Royal Jordanian Naval Forces, Jordan, Brigadier General Mofareh Al Tarawneh, Deputy Managing Director Engineer, Jordan and Lieutenant General Mohammad Awad bin Sohaim, Commander RSADF called on the CJCSC. The delegates appreciated the well organized exhibition and congratulated the Chairman JCSC on success of IDEAS-2012. Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Tahir Rafiq Butt also visited the IDEAS2012 stall and showed deep inKARACHI: Left; General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee meeting General Sher terest in its products. PAF offiMohammad Karimi, CGS Afghan National Army on the sidelines of IDEAS-2012. Right: Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal cials briefed him about funcTahir Rafique Butt being briefed about a plane at IDEAS-2012 tions of pilot-less planes. rity needs, says a press release issued here by ISPR. On the second day of IDEAS-2012, General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee spent a busy day here meet-
ing visiting dignitaries and delegations. Gen Sher Mohammad Karimi, CGS, Afghan National Army, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan , Rear Admiral LV Sukhanov, Deputy Chief of Main
Naval Headquarters, Russia, Brigadier General Djibo Tahirou, Secretary General of Ministry of Defence, Niger, Lieutenant General Mohammad Elhassan Abdalla Ahmed, Chairman of
MIC, Sudan Major General Omer Zainulabdeen, Assistant Director General Military Industry Cooperation for Development of Security & Defence, Sudan, Lieutenant General Kennedy Tlali
Five easy ways to cure food poisoning
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TOMACH cramps With the festive season in full swing, it becomes ex tremely difficult to refrain from overindulgence in food. Festivities are an easy excuse for people to set aside there diet plan and gorge on delicacies that they otherwise tend to avoid. From roadside chat to home made puri kachori; relishing on boxes of sweets sent by friends and relatives and a cup of coffee with every guest dropping by - what more does one need to feel the cramps in stomach at the end of the day’s long celebration. Unchecked and unhealthy eating habits during the festival season can, and in most cases do lead to food poisoning and disturbance in the bowels. Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or stomach cramps, a low-grade fever, headaches, and muscle aches are symptoms that one experiences with food poisoning. Here are the top five easy and quick home remedies to get instant relief from food poising: 1. Ginger: Ginger is a well known remedy for various gastrointestinal distresses. Loaded with potent anti-inflammatory compounds ginger helps quell nausea and gastric distress. Chewing a piece of ginger tossed in honey helps relieve the severity of nausea. Ginger tea relieves stomach cramps and upset caused by food poisoning. 2. Cumin: Add a tablespoon of crushed
cumin seeds to the soup to soothe the inflammation in your stomach. Crushed cumin with fenugreek powder mixed with a glass of water or half a cup crud helps relive abdominal pain and vomiting. Cumin seeds are of great benefit to the digestive system as they help stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, compounds necessary for proper digestion and nutrient assimilation. 3. Basil: Basil is another excellent home remedy to cure stomach infection due to its anti-bacterial properties. Taking juice of basil leaves with water empty stomach in the morning enhances digestive power. Basil juice helps stop vomiting immediately. Strain the juice of a few basil leaves and add it to a tablespoon of honey to get instant relief. Mix chopped basil leaves, sea salt and one shake of black pepper to three tablespoon of crud. Take the mixture three times in a day till you are totally cured of food poisoning. It will also cure any cramps or gas problem associated with food poisoning. 4 Lemon: The acidity of the lemon juice kills the micro-organism and toxins in the gastrointestinal tract. Squeeze juice of a lemon and add a pinch of sugar to it and drink, or you can even add lemon to your tea. Since fluid intake is very important as one tends to lose more water through diarrhea taking lemon juice in short intervals helps you keep hydrated.
LAHORE: Secretary Information and Culture, Punjab Mohyuddin Wani cutting a ribbon to inaugurate Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Chinese Cultural Exhibition.
GCU wins record 27 awards in CM debates STAFF REPORTER L A H O R E —The Government College University Lahore Debating Society (GCUDS) has backed into glory as it breaks its own previous record by winning 27 awards at the Chief Ministers Debates, Essay Writing, Naat & Qirat Competition 2012. The GCU orators secured 5 positions at provincial level, 10 division level and 12 at district level contests. Saad-ul-Hassan, president of the GCU Debating Society was declared the Best Urdu Speaker of Punjab at the postgraduate level, while Shoaib Ahmed secured third position in English Postgraduate Debates. At the provincial level, Ahmad Ch stood second in
English Degree Level Debates, Zalid Ali third in Urdu Degree Level Debates, while Muhammad Fahad Anjum was declared second best speaker at English Intermediate Level Debates. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman congratulated Saad-ul-Hassan, Shoaib Ahmed, Ahmad Chaudhary, Zahid Ali, Ayesha Urooj, Aitazaz Arif, Ammara Shah, Afzaan Muneer, Burhan Ahmed, Mudassir Seemab, Muhammad Fahad Anjum, Hafiz Omair Qasim, Shehzad Khan and Ismail Sherwani on their tremendous achievements in the Chief Minister’s Debates. The Vice Chancellor also appreciated the initiatives of Punjab Chief Minister in the realm of aca-
demic, sports and co-curricular activities. He said that the competitions like such did not only create positive and healthy competition among students but also proved useful in their character building. The Vice Chancellor also said that the university debaters had proved themselves to be the most outstanding torch bearers of the university pride. He said that last year Government College University received 17 awards in Chief Minister’s debates and this year they have improvised their own performance and made a record victory of 27 distinctions. The Vice Chancellor expected of the GCU orators to keep enhancing their efforts to maintain and improve their existing records.
Governor for stable Pakistan LAHORE —Governor Punjab Latif Khan Khosa has expressed government’s resolve to take all measures to keep Pakistan peaceful, stable and secure. “We shall employ all that is required to take Pakistan towards path of progress and prosperity,” he said. “It will be our tribute to Allama Iqbal on his birth anniversary”. In his message on the birth anniversary of the national poet Dr Allama Iqbal, he said the spirit of accommodation, firm belief in coexistence, respect for interfaith sensitivities and adapting to the changing realities should remain the basic guidelines for all the citizens working for a vibrant society and a modern Islamic state.—APP
Exhibition, film festival opens STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Information and Culture Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani opened a four-day international cultural and handicrafts exhibition and film festival at Al-Hamra Arts Council on Thursday. Khana-e-Farhang Iran (Irani Cultural centre) Director General Dr Abbas Famuri and representatives of Turkey, Iran and China were also present. Stalls of historic and cultural art pieces, handicraft, and food have also been showcased. Speaking on the occasion, Wani said the Punjab government was making efforts to strengthen ties with friendly countries. Such activities encourage people to people contacts, besides promoting art and culture, he added. Cultural and historic movies of Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and China will also be screened. The exhibition and festival will conclude on November 12.
3 special trains for Tableeghi Ijetma L A H O R E —Pakistan Railways is operating three special trains for Raiwind on the second phase of Tableeghi Ijtema (Congregation) on November 13 and 14 to facilitate the visitors. According to a notification issued here on Thursday, the first special train will leave from Quetta on November 13 at 12:00 (noon) which will arrive at Raiwind via Jacobabad, Sibbi and Rohri on next day at 11:30 am while the next special train will be operated from Karachi City on November 14 at 8:00 am and this will reach Raiwind on next day at 8:15 am. The third special train will leave Karachi for Raiwind on November 14 at 9:00 am and it will arrive at its destination on November 15 at 9:30 am.—APP
LAHORE: Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif meeting with World Bank Country Director Rashid bin Masood.
Shahbaz assures all possible facilities to journalists SALIM AHMED L AHORE —Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Punjab government of Pakistan Muslim League-N has always solved the problems of journalists community on priority basis, while, in future as well journalists would be extended every possible facility in performance of their professional duty. He asserted that Punjab government has taken concrete steps to retrieve land which had been grabbed in the journalists colony as a result of which, a large portion of land has been retrieved. On the demand of the delegation of journalists, the Chief Minister announced formulation of a committee, headed by Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, to resolve all issues
relating to the journalists colony. Apart from the concerned authorities, officebearers of Lahore Press Club and Punjab Assembly Press Gallery would be included in the committee. The Chief Minister was talking to a representative delegation of Lahore Press Club and Punjab Assembly Press Gallery at Model Town, here today. Provincial Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Secretary Information Punjab, Director General Public Relations, Vice President Lahore Press Club Shahbaz Mian, Secretary Zulfiqar Mahtoo, Finance Secretary, Afzaal Talib, President Punjab Assembly Press Gallery Shahzad Malik, besides other members were present on the occasion. The Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the role of media has
Ghazi through his counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique. The petitioner, in his petition, submitted that the LHC in September 2011 ordered the Punjab government to restore the Doongi Ground park after removing all constructions from there. The court also ordered to take action against the officers who allowed the construction work at the park, he mentioned. He contended that despite the court orders, the
project, all segments of the society, including workers, farmers, students, employees and other would benefit from the modern transport facility. The Chief Minister said the fare of metro bus project would be kept within the range of the common man, while Punjab government would provide subsidy to ensure modern, comfortable and affordable travelling facility to the people. He said the metro bus project would prove to be torch-bearer of revolutionary changes in the style of travelling. During the meeting, various matters pertaining to the journalists’ colony came under discussion. The representative delegation of journalists paid glowing tribute to the Chief Minister for formulating a committee for solving the problems of the journalists’ colony and initiating the great metro bus project.
Rehman Malik is foreign agent, accuses Sanaullah
IG orders strong security
young doctors, he said the government did not agree to demands of the young doctors under the threats of doctors’ strike but now after fulfilling of their demands, young doctors would never go on strike in future. He said the high level committee constituted by the government debated on each point of their demands and those points which were not acceptable for the government were segregated rationally with mutual understanding. He said a draft was signed a week ago but Young Doctors Association (YDA) gave a call of strike to prove itself a powerful entity in their community. “ It is agreed on in the draft that doctors will not go on strike in future since such strikes are against their professional ethics,” adding he said if any doctor will go on strike again, he will be implicated in criminal
STAFF REPORTER
MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah Thursday said that Rehman Malik is a foreign agent and responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi, adding he said Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) is not in talks with MQM over seat adjustment or electoral alliance. He was addressing the media outside Punjab assembly. Rana Sanaullah said the federal government was equally responsible of deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi and Rehman Malik was busy in babbling despite extending cooperative hands towards the provincial government of Sindh for controlling the surging crimes in Karachi. Expelling the impression that Punjab government was being pressurized by the
Doongi case hearing adjourns LAHORE—The Lahore High Court on Thursday adjourned hearing of a contempt petition against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for disobeying court orders in Gulberg Doongi Ground case till November 20. The court also sought record of the Gulberg Doongi Ground case from the Registrar office. Justice Nasir Saeed Sheikh was hearing the petition filed by Ahmad Imran
become of utmost significance in the present era, as responsible media plays a very vital role in progress and development of the society, besides providing guidance to the government and the people. He said metro bus project is a great public welfare development project, upon which less than Rs.27 billion have been spent. He said that a visit to the great metro bus project would soon be arranged for journalists’ community, which has been made structurally so strong that even a train can also ply on this route. He said that metro bus project is for the common man, who is happy over the project but a specific mafia is feeling perturbed over this project, however the mouths of so-called critics would be shut, once the metro bus started operating. He said as a result of great metro bus
construction were neither removed nor action was taken against the officers involved which was contempt of court. He also claimed that the chief minister also approved construction of a library on all 39 kanal area of Doongi Ground in violation of court orders. He prayed the court to initiate contempt proceedings against Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and LAHORE: Two electors waiting to meet their MPA outside Punjab Assembly. others.—APP
charges in case of a patient’s death that is under his treatment. Answering a question about explanation of Chief Minister Punjab in the verdict of Asghar Khan Case, he said no allegation was leveled against CM Punjab Shahbaz Sharif so he was not morally bound to give any explanation in this issue. He said the Supreme Court directed FIA to investigate the case and if any one will be found guilty in investigation then his trial will be conducted in the court so till that no one can convict any politician.
Double Shah scam affectees get cheques L AHORE —National
Accountability Bureau Punjab has distributed Rs 265.496 million to affectees of Syed Sibtul Hassan Gillani (Double Shah) scam and Mujahid Aziz Butt case. Director General NAB Punjab, Khurshid Anwar Bhinder distributed cheques to affectees in a ceremony held here at NAB Complex on Thursday. The cheques of Rs 260 million were distributed among 300 affectees of Sibtul Hassan Gillani scam. An amount of 30% of the claims has been distributed. These affectees had already been paid 20% of their claimed amount. In another case, an amount of Rs 5.496 million was handed over to the affectees of Mujahid Aziz Butt and others case.—APP
L AHORE —Punjab Inspector-General (IG) Haji Habibur Rehman on Thursday issued directives to beef up the security of the province following the suicidal attack in Karachi. Meanwhile, orders have also been given to improve the security plan for sensitive areas of the province during the month of Muharram. According to Punjab IG Haji Habibur Rehman, about 19 districts have been declared sensitive. He has also asked to get surety bonds from residents of those areas through which the procession will be taken out during Muharram. A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden pickup truck into the gate of a government paramilitary base in Karachi on Thursday, causing a huge blast that killed at least three and wounded more than 20 people.