E-Paper November 16, 2012

Ban on bike riding in Karachi, Quetta today SHC suspends Malik’s order STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Citing security reasons the government of Pakistan has slapped an ex-emption-less ban on riding motorcycles in Karachi and Quetta. Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, in a statement announced that motorbikes would not be allowed to come on the roads from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM on

Moscow, Nato mull conventional forces cuts MOSCOW —Russia is ready for talks with NATO on limiting conventional military forces in Europe as long as the Western alliance does not bring politics into the picture, Russia’s new envoy to NATO was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Alexander Grushko’s remarks indicated Russia is prepared to return to discussions about limits on non-nuclear forces five years after President Vladimir Putin suspended compliance with the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty.—Reuters

Petraeus scandal amuses Taliban ISLAMABAD —The scandal that has brought down CIA chief David Petraeus may be causing heartache in the Washington security establishment but the affair has prompted laughter among the Taliban.

Petraeus resigned last week to preempt revelations of an affair with his married biographer Paula Broadwell, bringing to an end a glittering military career that included a spell commanding NATO forces fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan.

A stonyfaced Taliban official burst into laughter at the mention of the Petraeus affair during an interview with AFP in northwest Pakistan this week. “What a bastard!

But all Americans are the same, it’s nothing new,” the official said, who did not want to be named. The Islamists dealt harshly with adulterers during their brutal 19962001 rule in Afghanistan, dishing out public floggings for offenders. The traditional moral code of the Pashtuns, the main ethnic group the Taliban draw their members from, also demands severe punishment for adulterers.—AFP

Friday.

He also added that no one would be exempt from this ban. Malik said, his ministry, had in-formation that motorcycles would be used in ter-rorist attacks at public places.

“The decision to keep the bikers off the road has come on the heels of intelligence reports that terrorists are hatching plans to carry out

attacks using motorcycles” Malik said while talking to media. The interior minister added displaying weapons would also be strictly prohibited in Karachi.

It is pertinent to mention that there are at least 1.4 million registered motorcycles in Karachi and about 0.12 million in Quetta. Mobile phone services in Karachi

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Rumpus in Sindh Assembly over PSLGO Culprits of suicide attack on Rangers detected: CM KARACHI: PML-F leader Jam Madad Ali walking out of the provincial assembly session. in the face of Sindh Public stan Muslim League-Func- Muharram moon S C Procurement (Amendment) tional (PML-F), National K —The Sindh As- Bill, 2012 which was passed People’s Party (NPP), Paki- sighted: Ashura sembly Thursday witnessed into law unanimously in the stan Muslim League-Quide on Nov 25 one of the noisiest pandemo- absence of newly-formed (PML-Q) and Pakistan MusPECIAL

ARACHI

niums of its history with lawmakers shouting and hurling full-throated derogatory remarks at each other marking one of the most disorderly sittings ever seen in the provincial legislature. Amid politicking, the house however undertook some legislation

opposition alliance.

Amid intermittent hotworded verbal clashes between the treasury and opposition members, the day marked the allotment of opposition seats to the legislators representing the Awami National Party, (ANP), Paki-

lim League-Likeminded.

The ministers from the above parties, like Jam Madad Ali Khan, Amir Nawab Khan, Shehryar Meher etc, however preferred to boycott the Assembly sessions until the acceptance of

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Reko Diq case

SC accepts plea against Int’l Court of Arbitration I SLAMABAD —Accepting a petition against intervention from the International Court of Arbitration and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on the Reko Diq mining lease dispute for hearing, the Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to all parties in the case.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar

Muhammad Chaudhry, admitted the petition for hearing and subsequently made it part of the Reko Diq case constituting of identical petitions filed against the federal government’s decision to lease out gold and copper mines in Reko Diq in Balochistan’s Chagai district to foreign companies.

Petitioner Maulana Abdul Haque Baloch, who is also

one of the petitioners in the main Reko Diq case, stated that the International Arbitration Court did not have the authority to hear the dispute.

The counsel for Baloch, Raza Kazim, said no agreement pertaining to arbitration was signed between the licensing authorities and the concerned companies.

Kazim said neither the

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K ARACHI —The moon of Muharram-ul-Haram has been sighted and first of Muharram would fall today.

The meeting of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was held at Karachi on Thursday under the headship of its chairman Mufti Muneeb-urRehman , which announced that the moon of Muharramul Haram has been seen.

The Ashura-e-Muharram would be held on November 25th (Sunday). It would be pertinent to mention here that Moharram is first month of Islamic calendar.—Online

Pakistan role vital in Afghan reconciliation: US I SLAMABAD —US Deputy Chief of Mission Richard Hoagland Thursday hailing the Pakistan’s decision to set free several Afghan Taliban prisoners said that Pakistan can play a vital role in Afghanistan reconciliation process.

Talking to media in Islamabad, Hoagland said that the US had already asked Afghan government to pursue reconciliation process.

He stressed upon the release of those groups who abide by the law of Afghan government. The groups who will lay their arms for safeguarding human rights can become the part of reconciliation process, he added.—INP

First prisoner execution in five years

Four terrorists arrested in Wazirabad

M IANWALI —Pakistan has

OUR CORRESPONDENT WAZIRABAD—Police foiled a major terrorism plot and arrested four terrorists in Wazirabad near Gujrat.

According to sources, the terrorists are members of Al-Qaeda. Fifteen suicide jackets, mines, hand grenades and a large cache of ammunition were recovered from their possession.

Intelligence sources added that the terrorists planed to target government offices, police and minorities.

ECP wants greater administrative authority

ORRESPONDENT

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari decorating Commander UAE Naval Forces, Staff Maj General (Navy) Ibrahim Salim Mohamed al Musharrakh, with Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military) during a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Kabul welcomes Pak plan to free Taliban

President confers Hilal-iImtiaz on UAE Commander

KABUL—The Afghan government Thursday welcomed Pakistan’s agreement to release several Taliban prisoners, but a Taliban official dismissed the move as irrelevant to the country’s peace process. Details of the deal remained unclear a day after the agreement was reached at a meeting be-

ISLAMABAD—President Asif

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LIAQAT TOOR Ali Zardari decorated Commander UAE Naval Forces, Staff Maj General (Navy) Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al Musharrakh, with Hilal-iImtiaz (Military) on Thursday during a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-eSadr. The citation read on the occasion said that Staff Maj

General (Navy) Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al Musharrakh is a sincere and close friend of Pakistan. He has played a prominent role in expanding cooperation between UAE Navy and Pakistan Navy and strengthening the bond of friendship between the two nations.

“In recognition of his professional achievements

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carried out its first execution in over five years, sparking criticism from human rights activists. Jail official Abdullah Khan Niazi says authorities hanged Muhammad Hussain early on Thursday morning in Mianwali city.

Muhammad Hussain was an army soldier and a resident of Langarwala Pul of Sahiwal tehsil Sargodha district. He was sentenced to death in 2009 because he had killed his senior officer Havaldar Khadim Hussain in 2008 when they were on leave.

It was the first execution since the current government came to power in 2008. President Asif Ali Zardari had placed an unofficial moratorium on executions after he was elected. Every three

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STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD–Pakistan’s election commission has urged the government to grant it more administrative powers before the upcoming general elections.

Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan on Thursday said that the ECP did not have the authority to transfer or suspend the chief secretary, inspector general and other such officers, adding that it could only recommend the government to act against the officers. The ECP should be given more rights to transfer or suspend officers as it sees fit, added the ECP Secretary.

Khan was speaking at a

meeting of the Senate Special Committee for Elections chaired by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Jahangir Badar in Islamabad.

The secretary of the ECP and National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) Chairman Tariq Malik briefed the meeting.

Khan told the meeting that the decision on whether to give voting rights to overseas Pakistanis or reserving legislative seats for them remained with the parliament.

He further said that increasing the representation of Balochistan in the parliament would resolve many issues and added that it was the parliament’s job to pass legislation about

China assures Pak of its full support

Balochistan.

The ECP secretary also said that, chief secretaries, interior secretary and director general of Rangers would be summoned next month and given directives to ensure the implementation of the Electoral Code of Conduct.

Moreover, he added that even if the Supreme Court did not allow the appointment of a district and sessions judge, the ECP would still remain prepared to conduct the elections.

Nadra Chairman Tariq Malik also informed the committee that 1.98 million deceased people, who had earlier been erroneously included in the electoral rolls, had been removed from lists.

Crucial Kashmir talks

Mirwaiz to lead 4-member APHC Ruling Chinese party outlines nation’s policies team visit to Pak ASHRAF ANSARI I SLAMABAD —Ambassador Liu Jian of China in a media briefing on Thursday highlighted the vision of the ruling Chinese Communist Party on the basis of 18th National Congress session that has just ended in Beijing.

Explaining salient features of the roadmap of the Chinese policies and programmes, the ambassador said China has embarked on a journey to domestic development in socio-economic fields as well as attainment of peace and security around the world especially in the region.

He said China will continue its full support for Pakistan’s efforts to maintain its sovereignty and integrity.

China will help in promoting Pakistan’s economic development by all means. The Ambassador said, China will also continue its help to Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. He appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to stem the tide of terrorism.

He said China believes that its progress and prosperity must also serve the world at large. China would continue its help to the developing countries in their quest for prosper-

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HAMEED SHAHEEN ISLAMABAD —Mirwaiz Umar Farooque, Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference will be leading a 4-member of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) on a five-day Pakistan visit from December 15, 2012. In the current context of South Asian dialogue process between Pakistan and India, the timing of the visit of the APHC assumes extraction politico-regional dimension and depth.

The latest APHC visit is taking place in response to

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FBI includes LeT militant in its most wanted list W A S H I N G T O N —A

little known banned Lashkar-eTaiba militant, suspected to be operating long in shadows in Pakistan and an American, believed to be operating with terrorists in Somalia have been put in the FBI’s most-wanted terrorists list.

Sheikh Aminullah, head of a madarasa in Ganj district of Peshawar and Alabama-born Omar Shafik Hammami on Thursday were put under scanner by the American federal agency blocking their assets in the US and banning American from doing business with them.

FBI spokeswoman Lindsay Godwin said the two had been put on the most wanted list for providing support to foreign terrorist organisations.

A third man Raddulan Sahiron, a native of the Philippines, was also put on the list for his involvement in the 1993 kidnapping of an American in the Philippines by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

FBI said Aminullah was linked to LeT, which had links with al-Qaeda network.

The agency said he was wanted for providing material support such as currency or financial services to the

LeT and for planning terrorist plots.

Aminullah is also wanted for threatening the security of US nationals.

The other prominent terrorist to figure in the new list Shafik Hammami is reportedly a senior leader in al-Qaeda linked al Shabaab in Somalia. Hammami, FBI said, travelled to Somalia in 2006 to join al Shabaab.

The FBI’s most wanted list was created in October 2001 in the wake of September 11 attacks and contains 31 people including terror masterminds like the new Al Qaeda chief Ayman alZawahiri.—Online

Kaira hopeful of consensus on interim setup OUR CORRESPONDENT

MULTAN: Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashood distributing laptops during a ceremony at BZU.

WISE Book probes EducationEmployment gap OBSERVER REPORT ISLAMABAD—The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) has launched Learning a Living: Radical Innovation in Education for Work, a book that explores ways to improve links between education and today’s rapidly changing job markets on the 3rd day of the summit in Doha, Qatar says a message received here Thursday.

The book focuses on a critical issue: the failure of education systems to equip students adequately for today’s labor market. With the number of college graduates rising, unemployment rates among under-25-yearolds have reached virtually unprecedented levels.

Learning a Living argues that change is necessary in both education systems and the workplace, Making it easier to acquire skills is no longer enough; today students must also acquire entrepreneurial values in order to create the opportunities. Previously, The first WISE Book, Innovation in Education: Lessons from Pioneers Around the World, was launched at WISE 2011. Learning a Living: Radical Innovation in Education for Work is launched at the WISE 2012 Summit in Doha, Qatar.

Irregularities in laptop distribution

23 students blamed for getting double sets MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —Student

laptop racket is likely to face the music as the Punjab government is gearing up to take stringent action against those students who obtained laptops twice on double enrollments in different universities. According to sources, about twenty three students obtained laptops in a ceremony held at Faisalabad Stadium last year but later they enrolled themselves at Government College University Lahore and got laptops again.

Secretary Higher Education Ijaz Munir said the Higher Education Department took serious notice of irregularities

in laptop scheme and started screening of the lists. He said after investigation, it was found that about 23 students enrolled their names again through fake documents to obtain laptops. He said these students would be expelled from the university on the charge of obtaining laptops through bogus entries.

The sources said those students involved in getting laptops through bogus entries were the students of Arts and Science disciplines of Government College University Lahore. These students enrolled themselves with GCU Lahore after getting laptop in a ceremony

held at Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad last year. In November 08, 2012, Pakistan Muslim League (N) MNA Hamza Shahbaz distributed about 2300 laptops among the students of GCU Lahore in a ceremony and these 23 students again obtained laptops by enrolling themselves with laptop scheme through their respective departments of the university.

Acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of GCU Lahore Prof Dr Azeem confirming the irregularities said that the Higher Education Department provided them a list of those students who got laptops twice after screening their documents.

Pak funds clean drinking water projects in Sri Lanka

Robbers daylight loot NAZIR SIYAL L A R K A N A —The unknown robbers looted the cash from traders on gunpoint in the broad daylight and escaped from the scene in Larkana city, the business community expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation and increasing criminal activities.

The civil society and citizens have deplored slackness of police for failures to take robbers and criminals, those who committing crime in Larkana without any fear, the local police are seemed helpless to control the unabated crime in the city.

The police are playing the role of silent spectators, inspite of the arrest of culprits in Larkana. They have demanded of the higher authorities to take notice of the increasing crime rate in Larkana district and other areas and maintain law.

Seema Illahi, Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka inaugurating water supply project

STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Government of Pakistan through High Commission of Pakistan has funded the construction of two clean drinking water projects for the resettled vulnerable communities in Mullaitivu district in the Northern part of Sri Lanka.

These projects were implemented in the Neerayipitty East and Kumarapuram villages in the Martainpattu DS division after under taking vulnerability assessment for

the provision of drinking water, said the press release received here on Thursday from Colombo.

Respecting the community, Ambassador Seema Ilahi Baloch visited the beneficiary communities and handed over the projects in the presence of Additional Government Agent Mullaitivu Mr Mohandas, Head of Programme, Muslim Aid A.W.M. Fahim, and the community leaders. The first beneficiary village is Kumarapuram where approximately 300 Tamil families are

living. The people of this village were greatly affected by the war. They were displaced and living in the Menik Farm welfare camps for more than two years and were resettled in the places of origin in early 2011.

The other village Neerayipitty East is predominantly a Muslim village where approximately 450 families were resettled during the last two years. These families were displaced in 1990s and were living in welfare camps in Puttalam.

Diamer-Bhasha Dam construction

‘US keen to conclude bilateral investment treaty with Pakistan’ ISLAMABAD —US Ambassa- is actively supporting Paki- Bilateral Investment Treaty dor to Pakistan Richard Olson has said his country is prepared to make its contribution for construction of DiamerBhasha dam‚ which is a high priority with Pakistan. In an interview with Radio Pakistan conducted by Director General Murtaza Solangi, Richard Olson pointed out that this is a costly project for which a consortium of countries and multilateral institutions will have to be formed to arrange its funding.

He said the United States

stan to overcome its energy shortfall. “The US has helped Pakistan upgrade hydroelectricity projects to add 400 MW to the national grid and the target is to add 900 more MW by the next year‚” added Olson. The ambassador said the US appreciates Pakistan’s emphasis on trade-not-aid. He said expansion of trade would remain high on his priority as US envoy to Pakistan.

Olson said the United States wants to conclude the

as soon as possible as it would support investment in both countries. To another question‚ he said the United States is working on a number of programmes to help expedite socio-economic development in FATA. He said their focus is on health‚ education and water. He welcomed visit of the Afghan High Peace Council delegation to Pakistan hoping that it would lead to concrete steps towards reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The US Ambassador said Washington appreciates the invitation by Pakistan to the delegation and the visit of Salauddin Rabbani was a very welcome development. Replying to a question Richard Olson said the United States and Afghanistan are beginning their negotiations on Bilateral Security Agreement this week in Kabul. He clarified that the proposed agreement is not about permanent bases as the US is not seeking any such facility.—INP

D I K HAN—Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira Thursday said that general election would be held on time and consensus would be made on formation of interim setup. Talking to media after offering fateha for departed soul of father of Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Faisal Karim Kundi here, the Information Minister said free, fair and transparent election would be held on time and there should be no doubt about it.

The Minister said “if 2008 general election could be held in very difficult conditions than why not today when law and order situation in the country has improved”. He said consensus would be

made on formation of interim setup as per the frame work laid down in the constitution.

The Minister said completion of tenure of the present elected government would be an historic day in the parliamentary history of the country. He said the government did not believe in politics of confrontation and took every decision in the larger national interests.

Kaira said that PPP did not afraid of accountability and faced it in the past with steadfastness. He said that demand of Saraiki province was the right of people of Southern districts of Punjab and a high level commission has been formed to analyze its various aspects. The Minister said that PPP wanted cordial relations with all political parties, believed

in political tolerance and respected the mandate of other political forces, adding the government had laid the

foundation of tolerance in politics through adaptation of reconciliatory policies.

The Minister said law and order situation in the country and Karachi in particular

has improved owing to effective government’s policies.

Kaira said that share of provinces in NFC award had been enhanced manifold. He said there was no political prisoner in the country and democracy had been further strengthened during the present government tenure.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Kurshid Shah, Chairman Public Accounts Committee Nadeem Afzal Chan, Parlimentary Secretary for Petroleum, MNA, Tariq Khattak , members national assembly Dr Talat Maysar, Dr Mustafa Shah and others parliamentarians went to the residence of Faisal Karim Kundi and offered Fateha for the departed soul of his father.

Dense fog accidents claim seven lives

Light rain, foggy conditions likely

Service regularization demanded

STAFF REPORTER

I SLAMABAD —Pakistan Me- where in the region over the

STAFF REPORTER

L A H O R E —As many as seven people lost their lives in various traffic accidents caused by low visibility as most parts of Punjab, including Lahore came under thick fog cover consecutively on Thursday. The dense fog minimized visibility on highways and posed serious threats of accidents as the winter is expanding its foothold. On Thursday, three people were killed and two severely injured at Punjab’s Jhang town when a trailer collided with a motor-rickshaw on Faisalabad road near Mochiwala area.

The injured were moved to nearby hospitals. In another accident, a man was killed and nine others were wounded when a bus flipped over a highway near Kalar Kahar salt range. Police said the bus, going to Raiwind from Kohat, overturned due to break failure.

Meanwhile, a similar fogrelated mishap took place in Punjab’s Muzaffargarh district near Kot Addu town where a fast-moving car collided headon with a trailer on G.T Road.

A man was killed and three others injured. Moreover, a bus-truck collision near Bhakkar town of Punjab left five people injured, three children among them. At least 11 people were reported killed in fog-related mishaps across Punjab on Wednesday.

teorological Department (PMD) on Thursday forecast light rain for one or two places of Makran division and Gilgit-Baltistan during the next 24 hours. Foggy/ misty conditions are likely in the plain areas of Punjab, Peshawar and Sukkur divisions during night/morning.

Mainly dry weather will prevail in most parts of the country during the next 24 hours.

According to the synoptic situation, continental air is prevailing over most parts of the country. The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during the last 24 hours was Skardu -07 C, Astore and Gilgit -02, Kalat and Rawalakot -01 C. The Multan Met office has forecast dry weather with chances of mist in the morning for Multan and its suburbs during the next 24 hours. On Thursday, the maximum and minimum temperature was recorded as 27.2 and 14.0 Celsius respectively.

The humidity was recorded as 94 per cent at 8 am and 58 per cent 5 pm. According to Met office weather report issued on Thursday, the minimum temperature is expected to remain in the range of 19 to 21 degree celsius.

According to Met Office a very cold weather is likely to prevail in Quetta and Kalat divisions of Balochistan. Dry weather is expected else-

period. The Met Office said, cold/very cold weather is likely to prevail in Quetta and Kalamat divisions of Balochistan. Dry weather is expected elsewhere in the region over the period.

The Peshawar Met Office here Saturday forecast dry weather in Khyber Pakthunkhwa and most parts of FATA during next 24 hours. According to Met Office, continental air is prevail-

ing over most parts of the country leading to dry weather in Khyber Pakthunkhw and FATA. In last 24 hours, the weather remained dry in most parts of the country. Minimum -05 and -02 Celsius temperature was recorded at Skardu and Astore respectively while pollen count remained 12 per cubic meter. Dry weather forecast for Multan. The Multan Met office has forecast dry weather for Multan and its suburbs during the next 24 hours. Mainly dry weather is expected in most parts of the country during the next 24 hours. Foggy/misty conditions are likely to prevail over Central/Southern areas of Punjab.—APP

I SLAMABAD —The teachers of Gilgit-Baltistan working under Social Action Programme (SAP) and National Education Foundation Programme (NEF) have demanded of the government to regularize their services and equalize salary structure with other regular government educators. The office bearers of SAP Teachers Association were of the view that currently there were 1456 teachers throughout Gilgit-Baltistan working on very nominal wages of Rs 3000 to Rs 4500 per month, and providing education to a large number of students, majority of whom belong to poor families.

They claimed that they were getting meager salaries and that too were being paid after a gap of six to eight months. The SAP Teachers Association representatives further said that they were educating over 52,000 students across the area, but in return they were getting very small amount in salaries. The SAP Teachers Association have appealed to the authorities concerned to take notice of the situation and take steps for the redressal of their problems as soon as possible. The representatives of the SAP teachers association told media that provincial minister for education Ali Madad Sher after his meeting with Federal Minister for Education.

Wattoo, Makhdoom brief district, UCs party cadre Water supply scheme completes Staff Reporter

P ESHAWAR —Pakistan Muslim League (Like Minded) President and former Federal Minister, Salim Saifullah Khan has inaugurated a clean drinking water supply scheme at village Ahmedkhel in Lakki Marwat district. The project has been completed with an estimated cost of Rs.2 million that would benefit a large number of people of the area. Speaking on the occasion, Salim Saifullah Khan said today he feel proud on fulfilling the long standing demand of people of the area. He said our politics revolved around masses and provision of basis amenities of life to people was the top priority of Saifullah family. He said a network of educational institutes, roads and water supply schemes have been established in Lakki Marwat to improve the socio-economic conditions of downtrodden and poorest of the poor. The inclusion of Lakki Marwat in natural gas project and approval of Chesma-Darra Road have clearly reflected our commitment with people. Saifullah Khan said election was nearer and urged people to elect honest and upright representatives. Political jugglers would again fail in their designs, he said. On this occasion, the local leaders and elites of the area welcomed the inauguration of the project and assured full support to him. Saifullah has also been focusing on reactivating party workers and stalwarts. In this respect, he holds daily meetings with PPP workers, and supervises arrangements for the upcoming elections. In order to win over the conservative population, he recently called Taliban “brethren”, saying the PPP “intends to hold talks with them.” He has also remained quiet about terrorist attacks, particularly on ANP leaders. In the run up to the upcoming elections, Saifullah is eyeing seat-to-seat adjustments with other political parties.

‘Victory of justice’ Staff Reporter

P E S H AWA R —Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Labour Minister and Provincial Vice President Pakistan Peoples’ Party, Sher Azam Wazir said on Thursday the withdrawal of contempt court notice against Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is another success of party policies and victory of justice. Talking to media persons here, he said this decision would help bury the propaganda of political opponents regarding clash and confrontation among institutions and will strengthen democratic institutions in the country. He said the Supreme Court decision in Asfghar Khan case has exposed the real faces of conspirators and political jugglers for stealing the mandate of PPP during 1990 election. Wazir said PPP is ready for election and will win it with overwhelming majority because it enjoys the trust of masses. He said we have already completed our homework and we will contest election on the basis of performance and expressed optimism that masses will not disappoint us. Wazir said democratic system and institutions are being strengthened with each passing day. The effects of strengthening and stability of democratic system are becoming visible and practical works on the Government’s welfare agenda has already been started showing tangible results. He said hundreds of thousands of poor people are being financially assisted under Benazir Income Support Programme to bring them into national mainstream. He said people have identified faces of those elements who believe in politics of negativity and confrontation and will reject them with ballots.

Saraiki province move soon MULTAN —Former Prime Minister and Senior Vice Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that movement would be launched for creation of Saraaiki Province. Addressing a party worker meeting at PP 197, Gilani said that he would prefer to made more development projects in South Punjab if he gets another chance. He said that he had given funds of 100 billion to Punjab government under NFC award which was spent only on upper Punjab instead of given to South Punjab. He said that federal government had given billions of rupees for development in sewerage, water supply, roads, education and health departments although these departments were under the provincial government.

He pledged that cancer hospital and burn centre in Multan would be completed at any cost. He urged the party workers to start their activities for elections and maintain unity among each other. He said that workers’ problems would be solved after victory in next general elections. Talking on the occasion, Former Member Provincial Assembly Dr Javed Saddique said that by raising voice for the rights of the people of South Punjab Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has won hearts of 450 million people of this area. Four gamblers held, stake money recovered: Police arrested four gamblers in separate incidents and recovered stake money from their possession during last 24 hours. According to police sources, Lohari Gate and Haram Gate police raided at various locations and arrested four gamblers - Waqas, Nayeer, Shahid and Raheel. Police have also recovered stake money from their possession and registered separate cases against them.—APP

PPP braces for forthcoming elections OUR CORRESPONDENT SARGODHA\MULTAN—Various delegations of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) workers called on Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, President of the party’s Punjab chapter and discussed issues pertaining to the party here on Thursday. The delegations from Mianwali, Bhakkar, Khushab and Sargodha led by heads of the respective districts discussed issues with regard to organization and position of the party.

They also apprised the Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo about the party’s activities, organization and programmes in their areas.

They said efforts were being made for welfare of the people in addition to holding regular meetings with masses’ representatives at grass-roots level for early solution of their problems. The PPP Punjab President directed to strengthen the party at grassroots level and adopt a proactive approach to contact the party workers and general public. On the occasion, “Dua” was also offered for Shuhada of the Party.

Earlier, the PPP Punjab President was accorded warm welcome on arrival and received by Tasneem Ahmad

Qureshi, Minister of State for Water and Power along with other party’s workers including PPP Punjab General Secretary Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Chairman PM Inspection Team Nawab

Sher Wasir, MPA Ajaz Ahmad Khalu, MPA Sardar Kamil Gujjar and MPA Rana Munawar Ghaus of the district.

Tasneem Qureshi thanked PPP Punjab President for vis-

this while addressing a meeting here with PPP office bearers of tehsil, city, union council and district level from across south Punjab, also attended by those injured in Karsaz tragedy.

The meeting was held at the residence of PPP MPA, gen. secretary PPP south Punjab Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar late night Wednesday. Prime Minister’s media coordinator Khawaja Rizwan Alam and PPP south Punjab information secretary, deputy parliamentary leader in Punjab Assembly Shaukat Basra were also present.

Shahabuddin said that dedicated workers are asset of the party, adding that all out steps would be taken to resolve their problems. The meeting was a part of the initiative to activate party at grass roots level for the general elections. Meetings with same objective have already been held at Bahawalnagar, Lodhran and Bahawalpur.

Malik Muhammad Amir Dogar informed that meetings in other parts of south Punjab would be held after Ashura-eMuharram.He said that the meetings would focus on SARGODHA: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, President Pakistan Peoples Party Punjab, strengthening further the party Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Minister of State for Water and Power, Tasneem Ahmad Qureshi, Chairman PMIC, at union council level to adNawab Sher Waseer and MPA Tanweer Ashraf Qaira, praying for Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed Benazir Bhutto dress streamlining issues and resolve workers’ problems.

Shaheed, in a meeting with divisional party members.

Crisis Management Cell to oversee Muharrm events STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—A Crisis Management Cell (CMC) has been established at WAPDA House Peshawar with the special target to deal with any emergency during Muharrmul Harram. In this regard it is decided that no load shedding will be carried out at night from 1st Muhaaram to 7th Muharram on these feeders where Imambargahs are located or on the routes of mourning processions. All necessary arrangements have been made to keep the power supply smooth during Muharrmul Harram.

Necessary equipment have been provided to all PESCO sub Divisions and complaint centers so that emergency could be tackled promptly. Chief Executive PESCO issued special in-

structions to field formations to ensure continued power supply during Muharram. In order to deal with any untoward situation a Crisis Management Cell has been established at Wapda House Peshawar under the supervision of Chief Engineer Operation Abdul Latif Khan.

Circle, Divisional and sub divisional complaints cells of Pesco would remain in operation to cope with any emergency. In case of any emergency customers are requested to contact their concerned local complaint offices for emergent attendance of their complaint or in case of delayed response please contact Crisis Management Cell at Telephone No.091-9212010, 091-9212037.

UAN.111-000-128 In addition to that local Complaint Centers work round the clock, customers may con-

tact their concerned SDOs phone Nos printed on back side of their Electricity Bills or may contact on 118. The following telephone Numbers are published for the redressal of any complaint . 1. Crisis Management Cell Wapda House Peshawar. 091-9212010 / 9212037 UAN.111-000-128 2 Peshawar Circle. 091-9212523 3 Khyber Circle. 0919217576 4 Mardan Circle. 0937-9230288 / 118 5 Swat Circle 0946-9240367 6 Hazara Circle. 0992-9310089 7 Bannu Circle. 0928-613173/ 611575 Foolproof security arrangements for Moharram-UlHaram:All emergency and security arrangements have been completed for Moharram-UlHaram in the district. This was stated by District Emergency Officer Rescue 1122 Dr.Ijaz Anjum here on Thursday. He said a meeting with local stakeholders of majalis.

iting the district, saying the trip would further encourage the party’s workers for resolving the masses’ problems.

Meanwhile, Federal minister for textile industry, PPP south

17,000 SMBBT plots distribution soon OUR CORRESPONDENT HYDERABAD—The Board of Revenue Sindh has earmarked more than 17,000 plots under Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Township (SMBBT) scheme in various districts of the province which would be distributed free of cost among poor families.

Under the scheme each deserving family will be allotted 120-square yards plot with all civic services in 46 towns or cities of 23 districts of the province, an official of the Board of Revenue Sindh told APP on Wednesday.

He said that 10,000 plots at Karachi and about 7,400 plots at Hyderabad, Thatta, Jamshoro and Tando Mohammad Khan are available for allotment while planning and development of more then 26,000 plots has already been undertaken.

He said that planning and development of one thous.

Punjab president Makhdoom Shahabuddin has asked the party workers to prepare for forthcoming general elections while aiming to secure another victory for PPP. He said

Service to masses PML-Q’s 1st priority RAZA NAQVI

ment opportunities.

Pervez Elahi said, in the A T T O C K —Deputy Prime forth-coming election PML Minister Chaudhry Pervez (Q) will be victorious and will Elahi has said that the first serve the country and people priority of his party is to serve the masses. The development during the last tenure of PML (Q) is a record and now Punjab govt is trying to take its credit. He said this while talking to newsmen during his visit to village Bahtar where he had come to offer fateha for the departed soul of Zaigham Abbas the cousin of Maj (R) Tahir Sadiq.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that PML (Q) with collaboration of allies was utilising all efforts to serve with a new spirit. While rethe people. He said, in poli- plying a question the Deputy tics tolerance was the utmost Premier said that decision rerequirement. He said, PML garding contesting elections (Q) in its reign completed from Attock will be taken with record development projects the consent, opinion and while established Rescue strategy of Former Distt 1122 and PHP (Punjab High- Nazim Attock Maj (R) Tahir way Patrolling Police) and its Sadiq. On the occasions sole purpose was to serve Malik Amanat Khan, Jamrez masses and in result thou- Khan and Haji Muhammad sand of youth got employ- Akram was also present.

‘No compromise on Govt writ’ STAFF REPORTER P E S H AWA R —Deputy

floods, he said the development work in Khyber Pakthunkhwa continued and mega projects were completed. He urged party workers to inform masses about the achievements of the government.

Khushdil Khan asked party workers to elect honest and upright representatives in their larger interest as next election would be very important keeping in view the current geo-political situation.

On this occasion, PK 10 President Abdul Baqi, Vice President Bacha Khan and others elites of the area also addressed and assured full support. Child-Mother week observed in Bajaur Agency: The Department of Health in collaboration with UNICEF here organized Child-Mother Week with an objective to disseminate necessary informa-

tion regarding preventive measures to control occurrence of diseases in children and mother.

Talking to media-men, Agency Coordinator, National Health Program, Dr. Zakir Hussain said that purpose of the effort is to create awareness among local populations to save the precious life of children and mothers by adopting preventive measure against various diseases. He said that more than three thousand children below five-year of age were immunized against different diseases while hundreds of females were examined by highly qualified lady doctors. He said that endeavors of health department and UNICEF would improve overall health condition in far-flung areas besides help prevention of diseases in local population.

Speaker Khyber Pakthunkhwa Assembly, Khushdil Khan advocate said on Thursday no compromise would be made on writ of government and rights of people and ANP is ready to give every sacrifice for the country. Addressing a public gathering at Mera Sarozai Bala here, the Deputy Speaker said ANP believed on pratical work instead of hollow slogans and will continue struggle for safeguarding the rights of people.

He said record developCHITRAL: A girl making decoration pieces from marble stone at valley of Shoghoor ment projects have been Karimabad. launched and completed in Democracy resolves all issues Khyber Pakthunkhwa during Staff Reporter this government’s tenure, proISLAMABAD—Former minister for reliducing tangible results, he regious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi has marked. Despite the colossal said that democracy could resolve all challenges of militancy and the issues and ensure progress and prosperity in the country. Talking to mediamen outside the Parliament House, he said that all issues of Pakistan and the existence of the country RAHMATULLAH KHAN Education, Rashid Khan, Di- graduates level he informed rector Higher Education, Prof that a total of 22,000 female stuare associated with democracy. To a question, he said that the opposition P ESHAWAR —Speakers at a Ghulam Hassan, Maulana dents were enrolled, while the Maulana male literacy ratio is about has an important role in any democratic dialogue over female educa- Ihsanullah, system and the government has given importance to its tion urged the government to Rohullah Madani, Arshad 30,000 in the province. “More positive role. General election will be free, fair and trans- promote of the female literacy Haroon from SPO, women than 16 colleges have been parent: Federal Minister for Political Affairs Senator Mola rate in the province and take rights activist, Rakhshanda functionalized for promotion of Bux Chandio on Thursday said that the up-coming gen- steps for tangible steps for Naz, senior journalists, mem- post-graduate study for both eral election would be free, fair and transparent on its rebuilding of the damaged bers of civil society boys and girls”, he maintained.

Rakhshanda Naz,while due course of time. While Talking to mediamen, he told girls education institutes organisations and others.

The Additional Secretary speaking on the occasion said that this was the first time in the political history of Paki- blown up by the militants. stan when a democratic political party was completing its The dialogue “Female Edu- for Elementary and Secondary according to censes carried tenure successfully although some people put many a cation and Government Re- Education, Rahsid Khan out in 1998, that adult illiteracy hurdles on the way during all the period but it went use- sponsibilities’ organized by briefed the participants about ratio was about 67.3 per cent. less. “Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) believed in democ- Directorate of Information, the existing literacy ratio, said She stressed the formulation racy and it had given a number of precious lives for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in col- the female literacy ratio was of women national policy, restoration of democracy throughout the history”, em- laboration with Peshawar about 35.1 percent, while male which she was dire need of phasized Chandio. He expressed the hope that the fol- Press Club (PPC) and Khyber enrollment is around 72 per the hour. Maulana Ihsanullah, lowing election would be swept by PPP with a huge man- Union of Journalists (KhUJ) cent in the province. He fur- a religious scholar explained ther added that about 53 per the important of female edudate. PPP restored constitution in its original form: Fed- on Thursday.

Those spoke on the oc- cent literacy ratio of Khyber cation in Islam. He said the eral Minister for Capital Administration and Development (CAD) Nazar Muhammad Gondal on Thursday said that casion, including the Khyber Paktunkhwa out of the total education is compulsory for Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government was utilising Pukhtukhwa Information education rate in the country. both male and female, there all resources to provide facilities to people at their door- Minister Mian Iftikhar Ghulam Hassan, Director was not any prohibition in resteps. Talking to APP outside the Parliament House, he Hussain, provincial informa- Higher Education, KP while ligion, He said the perception said that the PPP government restored the Constitution tion secretary, Azmat Haneef sharing current education fig- was totally wrong that the re- CHAMAN: Traffic jam on Mall Road Chaman, creating problems for the school stuOrakzai, Additional Secretary ures at higher secondary and ligious clerics. in its original form. dents and others.

Female education, school buildings repair urged

Raja shows prudence, is off the hook

MEDIA WATCH

Cut entitlements to control debt

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HE issue of writing of letter to the Swiss authorities and the contempt of court notice to the Prime Minister on this account has amicably been resolved with the Government informing the Supreme Court on Wednesday that the needful has been done and the apex court withdrawing notice against Raja Pervez Ashraf.

With this an issue that kept the national scene engaged for years is over, affording opportunity to all concerned to focus their attention to other but real issues.

Some circles had all along been advocating that a way out was possible to avoid stand off and confrontation between the state institutions but their views were not entertained by those at the helm of affairs then. One wonders if Raja Pervez Ashraf has done this then why Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani could not do that and instead insisted on not writing the letter as, according to him, it was against the spirit of the Constitution and the law.

But the incumbent Prime Minister has shown remarkable maturity and prudence by adopting a reconciliatory and soft tone on the issue and has successfully overcome the crisis. One must give credit to Raja Pervez Ashraf for his sagacity as his accommodative approach has avoided the much-talked-about clash between the institutions, which the country can ill-afford.

There is, instead, need for taking steps for strengthening of the institutions, which would lead to strengthening of the democracy and the federation. The Prime Minister has aptly remarked that closing of this chapter is victory of justice and that it has silenced those who were propagating clash of institutions. However, we would urge them that this approach should not remain confined to this issue alone and conscientious efforts should be made to promote harmony among institutions. It would be only then that the much-needed political stability would come and the country can be steered on the path of economic prosperity as well.

Karachi: Mere concern is not enough T

HE fast deteriorating situation in Karachi has once again forced the leadership of the country to focus on the issue. In his address to the Eid Milan Party at Malikwal, President Asif Ali Zardari indirectly acknowledged gravity of the situation by saying that nosedive in law and order is not failure of the Government. He also blamed some hidden hand for the problem and vowed to foil designs to destabilize the country. And addressing the Cabinet, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf too voiced concern over the violence and directed the law enforcing agencies to take all possible measures for improvement of the situation.

There are genuine concerns that Karachi is sinking deep into chaos and lawlessness and urgent measures are needed. But mere expression of concern is not enough as rhetoric has failed to address the challenge in the past and is unlikely to have any salutary impact on the situation in future. We have been emphasizing in these columns that the financial and business capital of the country is bleeding and we have no time to waste. It is, however, unfortunate that despite verbal concern and anxiety being expressed by those at the helm of affairs every now and then, no concrete measures have so far been taken to stem the rot. We believe that the Prime Minister should have visited Karachi and held meeting of the Federal Cabinet there to ponder specifically over the situation. He should also have convened a meeting of the heads of Federal and Provincial agencies to hammer out an effective strategy. It is strange that if the parties with stakes in the city are either unable to devise a strategy or are not genuinely interested in bringing about a change for the better then who else will do the job. It is because of the critical situation in Balochistan that the Supreme Court had to pinpoint failure of the Raisani Government and the same could happen in Sindh as well if the provincial Government failed to respond swiftly and effectively.

Pakistan continues to back Afghan peace process S

TAKE holders have ultimately realised that Pakistan cannot be side lined if a long lasting peace is to be realized in Afghanistan. In view of the 2014 draw down by the US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, the Kabul regime appears to be in a hurry to reach some understanding with the Taliban to avoid a run of the situation witnessed after the withdrawal of Soviet forces.

The visiting Afghanistan’s High Peace Council (HPC) delegation received a categorical assurance from Pakistan that it would continue to back the Afghan peace process and as a goodwill and positive gesture agreed to release some of the Taliban prisoners to facilitate reconciliation process. The two sides also urged the Taliban and other opposition groups to disassociate themselves from Al-Qaeda and enter into dialogue to bring an end to over three decade old war. Pakistan has all along been supporting an Afghan led and Afghan owned reconciliation process but some vested powers wanted Islamabad out of the process hoping that the resistance to presence of foreign forces would die down in due course of time. As expected, the proud Afghans continued their struggle forcing the US and NATO leadership to announce withdrawal after suffering heavy losses in men and material. Now that President Karzai is to step down after his tenure in office, it is time that he must show his impartiality and reach out to all the stakeholders in Afghanistan urging them to arrive at an understanding and participate in the elections due in April 2014. To help in the process, Pakistan has told the HPC Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani during series of meetings to let it know how it can make the peace and reconciliation process meaningful. The release of the Taliban prisoners is a step in the right direction and we hope both sides would give up their extreme viewpoint and find a lasting solution for the sake of Afghan people and peace in the region.

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Xi must initiate new eco-reform wave defeated the feared Japanese Itagaki division in the 1940s,among other victories, all achieved despite having only illequipped, poorly trained soldiers unM D Nalapat der his command.

Lin was the ideoEmail: mgnalapat@gmail.com logical progenitor of later Asian nationalists such as M a h a t h i r Mohammad, who he new General Secretary of believed that Europe would once the Chinese Communist again decline relative to Asia. His faParty (CCP), Xi Jinping, was mous theory was that the “villages” exposed to both great power as well of the world (ie the poorer countries) as great controversy. While he was would in time “encircle the cities” (ie still in his teens, he watched help- the richer countries) and overwhelm lessly as his father - one of the he- them. In that sense, he deviated from roes of the struggle against both the Marx, who with his German heritage Japanese as well as the Kuomintang saw the developed countries of Eu– was humiliated by the Red Guards rope as the hub of the future commuset loose by Mao Zedong against nist revolution. To the surprise of his the top echelon of his own party. followers, it was peasant Russia Subsequently, Xi was again a by- where the first communist state came stander when relations soured be- into being, in 1917. Again, it was ecotween his boss Lin Biao (then De- nomically impoverished China where fense Minister) and Mao. Al- the first economic communist success though Lin had ensured that the story got scripted in the three decades Chinese military, the PLA, stood following Deng Xiaoping’s full takefoursquare behind Mao in the over of power in 1979.

While Jiang Zemin adopted the latter’s battle against party elders, his earlier closeness and familiar- US Republican Party ideology of ity with the USSR became a li- “trickle down” economics during his ability by 1970,when Mao de- decade in power (1992-2002), his cided that Moscow was an enemy successor Hu Jintao sought a more rather than a friend. A year later, equalitarian set of policies than the in was dead, killed in a mysteri- billionaire- friendly steps initiated by ous air crash while reportedly en Jiang. However, the continuing influence of Jianf Zemin over the media, route to the USSR. Although he has been almost military and state-owned enterprises totally expunged from the written in China prevented Hu and Premier annals of the CCP, the fact remains Wen Jiabao from carrying out a new that Lin Biao was a hero, having wave of economic reform following

Geopolitical notes from India

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the 2008 financial collapse in NATObloc money markets. Jiang saw to it that the monopoly privileges of stateowned enterprises continued, so that his numerous protégés continued to fatten themselves because of state privileges. Had Hu and Wen had their way, in 2008 they would have given the Chinese private sector more freedoms and rights, thereby sparking off a fresh wave of reform after the bold steps initiated by Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s and the reform of stateowned enterprises carried out by then Prime Minister Zhu Rongji in the 1990s. While Zhu was able to ensure that state-owned enterprises became more efficient, he was unable to ensure the complete professionalisation of management within them because of the hold that the new CCP economic elite had over the state sector because of the backing of their patron and protector, Jiang Zemin.

Had Hu and Wen been able to free the Chinese private sector from the constraints placed on them by policies designed to perpetuate the monopoly interests of state-owned enterprises, China would have been able to avoid the economic slowdown that it is now facing. Because of tight credit policies and the absence of a level playing field, several tens of thousands of private companies in China have gone bankrupt since 2008,throwing millions of people out of work. Fortunately for China, by 2011,the alliance of Hu Jintao and his successor as General Secretary of the CCP, Xi Jinping, has ensured that the elitist policies favoured by Jiang can no longer be thrust down the throats of the people of China, leaving 98% of the population underprivileged and 2% superprivileged, exactly as has been the case in the US, where the billionaire-centric Republican Party still controls the

House of Representatives and seeks to ensure that policies favouring the top 2% rather than the other 98% continue despite the 2012 re-election of President Obama.

Now that the Xi-Hu alliance controls the CCP, it is possible for Xi Jinping and his effective Prime Minister-to-be Li Keqiang, to finally do away with “2%” policies in favour of “98%” measures. A start would be to give more rights to migrant workers, who till now have very few privileges and lead a difficult life. Also to ensure that the population get access to good quality (and inexpensive) education and healthcare, both of which were priced out of the reach of ordinary Chinese during the period when Jiang Zemin was the boss. Now that China’s population has stabilised, the One Child Policy needs to be relaxed, while private Chinese companies need to be given the same access to funds and benefits as stateowned enterprises. Should Xi achieve all this, he would put China on track to overtake the US as the single largest economy in the world by the time he demits power in 2022.

Xi Jinping is known to have a powerful intellect fused to a warm and very human nature. His wife is still among the most beautiful women in China, and a very popular singer. The Chinese, indeed the world, expects much from him, and all those who respect the great civilisation of China will wish him success as he begins the task of leading the second-most important country in the world.

—The writer is Vice-Chair, Manipal Advanced Research Group, UNESCO Peace Chair & Professor of Geopolitics, Manipal University, Haryana State, India.

Rise & fall of Petraeus highly decorated and a much revered military hero of the US Army. Prior to Sultan M Hali his assuming the directorship of Email: sm_hali@yahoo.com the CIA, Petreaus was a four-star General serving over 37 years in f someone had mentioned last the United States Army. His last asweek, the way General David signments in the Army were as ComPetreaus, erstwhile Director of mander of the International Security the Central Intelligence Agency Assistance Force (ISAF) and Com(CIA) would fall from grace, it mander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan would have appeared implausible. (USFOR-A) from July 4, 2010 to July The fact is that the high and mighty 18, 2011. His other four-star assignhave fallen and that too over a taw- ments include serving as the 10th dry affair with another married Commander, US Central Command (USCENTCOM) from October 13, woman.

David Howell Petraeus gradu- 2008, to June 30, 2010, and as Comated from the US Military Acad- manding General, Multi-National emy, West Point in 1974. He Force-Iraq (MNF-I) from February earned the General George C. 10, 2007, to September 16, 2008. As Marshall Award as the top gradu- commander of MNF-I, Petraeus ate of the US Army Command and oversaw all coalition forces in Iraq General Staff College Class of and is remembered for his success.

The question then arises, why 1983 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

He subsequently earned an M.P.A. would a General of the high caliber in 1985 and a Ph. D degree in In- of David Petraeus, a family man, ternational Relations in 1987 from married for over 37 years, father of Princeton University’s Woodrow two children, one of whom is servWilson School of Public and In- ing in the US Army in Afghanistan, ternational Affairs, then served as indulge in the indiscretion of an exan Assistant Professor of Interna- tra-marital affair? Allegedly, the cotional Relations at the US Military author of his biography, All In: The Academy from 1985 to 1987. His Education of General David doctoral dissertation was entitled Petraeus, Paula Broadwell, forty and “The American Military and the married also with two children deLessons of Vietnam: A Study of veloped amorous relations with him.

Military Influence and the Use of The affair was discovered owing to Force in the Post-Vietnam Era”. He Paula’s indiscretion, when fearing also completed a military fellow- being scorned, she allegedly sent ship at Georgetown University’s threatening emails to an suspected Edmund A. Walsh School of For- love rival from the retired general’s eign Service in 1994–1995, al- own Gmail account. The recipient though he was called away early of those emails, fearing for her to serve in Haiti as the Chief of safety, contacted the FBI - which Operations for the UN force there found that Broadwell had sent them. in early 1995. General Petreaus is A government official told the New

I

York Post that the emails contained such language as: ‘I know what you did,’ ‘back off’ and ‘stay away from my guy.’ The official added: ‘[Broadwell] clearly thought something was going on’ and thought she was in a ‘lovers’ triangle.’

A senior US military official has since, identified the woman who allegedly received the harassing emails from Paula Broadwell as Jill Kelley, 37, of Tampa, the Associated Press reported. Kelley serves as an unpaid social liaison to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, where the military’s Central Command and Joint Special Operations Command are located. Ironically, Jill Kelley has since been named in an extra-marital affair with General John Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan.

The married general had exchanged potentially inappropriate emails with Ms. Kelley, and the revelation has caused a maelstrom in the US. Kelley, who is married to cancer surgeon Scott Kelley and has three daughters, hosts frequent parties at her home, and newspaper accounts indicate Petraeus and his wife, Holly, have attended.

President Barack lauded Petraeus’s decades of “extraordinary service,” which includes his time as general in charge of US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and as head of the CIA, where Petraeus would have been in charge of Obama’s “secret” drone program into Afghanistan and Pakistan. Conspiracy theorists are concluding that it was the curse of the innocent victims of the drone attacks, which kill children and other civilians in several countries with no oversight or control from anyone that brought about the downfall of the CIA Director. While pundits in the US are mourning the fall of the CIA chief, Israel considers it a loss for it. The Haaretz writes: “A hero of the kind America loves, the out-

going CIA chief also understood both Israel’s security needs and the need to advance peace with the Palestinians.” This adulation comes despite the statement by Petraeus that Israel is a liability for the US. In March 2010, when Petraeus was still head of the US Central Command, he gave testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee which included an observation about one of the “challenges to security and stability” faced by the United States: “Israel is gradually turning from an asset to the United States to a burden.”

Petraeus was required to appear before a US power House and Senate committees into the murder of the US Ambassador to Libya at Benghazi and may still have to do so despite his resignation. The GOP has accused that the US Consulate at Benghazi was being used as a CIA operations center. It has come about that the U.S. supported opposition which overthrew Libya’s Kaddafi was largely comprised of Al-Qaeda terrorists. According to a 2007 report by West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center’s center, the Libyan city of Benghazi was one of Al Qaeda’s main headquarters – and bases for sending Al Qaeda fighters into Iraq – prior to the overthrow of Gaddafi. Many speculate that Petraeus has not resigned owing to the affair – but the desire to avoid testifying on Benghazi – which was the real reason for Petraeus’ sudden resignation. Whatever the case, it is an opportunity for President Obama to appoint a suitable official to lead the CIA in extremely trying times and try and put the cases of the amorous Generals behind him.

—The author, a retired PAF Group Captain, served as Air & Naval attaché at Riyadh and is currently a columnist, analyst and TV talk show host.

henever talk turns to the federal deficit, activists on the political left have a common refrain: Don’t touch our benefits! Since Nov. 6, they’ve been trying out a variant that goes something like this: Because our side won the election, definitely don’t touch our benefits! This argument, being made by labour and seniors groups in an advertising and grass-roots campaign, is as nonsensical as it is mistaken. It rivals Republican intransigence on taxes as an obstacle to taming the deficit and averting the year-end “fiscal cliff” of spending cuts and tax hikes.

Yes, taxes need to go up, and not just for the wealthiest Americans. And yes, there’s room for cuts in the Pentagon and other federal departments. But changes in these areas, as needed as they may be, would still be overwhelmed by the burst in spending on Social Security and Medicare as the Baby Boom generation retires and life spans increase. Of the two programs, Social Security is by far the easier to fix. In 1983, a bipartisan agreement shored up the program for decades. It can be rescued again, much as it was then, by gradually raising the retirement age for able-bodied workers and bumping up the payroll tax. Other options include slowly reducing the rate of benefit growth, raising the wage cap and tightening eligibility requirements for disability.

The more urgent and difficult issue is the surge in spending on Medicare, Medicaid and related programs. The numbers tell the story. In 1990, Washington spent $180 billion on health care, accounting for 14% of federal spending. In 2017, the expected tab is $1.4 trillion, or 30% of federal spending. As President Obama said at his news conference Wednesday, “Health care costs continue to be the biggest driver of our deficits.”

One obvious place to start is bringing the Medicare eligibility age in line with that of Social Security. In their failed budget negotiations in 2011, Obama and House Speaker John Boehner tentatively agreed to raise it from 65 to 67.

Such a rise would cut the government’s bill while increasing the share of the population in market-based health care. A major argument against raising the age has been that people near retirement often can’t find health coverage if they don’t get it through an employer. But with ObamaCare set to take effect in 2014, Americans will have access to affordable insurance no matter their age or medical history. Some of these people would have to be subsidized, but under Medicare they all are.

Additional health care savings could be achieved by having the government pay for the quality of results, not for the quantity of services rendered. ObamaCare moves in that direction, but only gingerly.

Asking wealthy seniors to pay higher Medicare premiums and copays than they do now is another worthwhile idea. And so is charging veterans more than the $45 a month they pay for family coverage as part of the military’s Tricare program.

Beyond these are a number of Republican ideas for saving money and reducing waste in the health care system. Lawsuit reform would reduce unnecessary tests and other forms of “defensive” medicine. Ending the unlimited tax exemption for insurance premiums would put downward pressure on health costs. And if ObamaCare’s cost-control experiments don’t work, vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s Medicare voucher idea merits another look. Interestingly, RyanCare has striking similarities with ObamaCare. These are the types of changes that would turn the fiscal cliff from a crisis into an opportunity. It won’t be comfortable. Budget-cutting never is. Nor is change. But the aging of the Baby Boom, combined with runaway medical inflation, makes both unavoidable. Now is not the time to take anything off the table.—USA Today It is a good rule in life never to apologies. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them P G Wodehouse British humourist

Religion is love, humanity A n increasing source of conflict in the world today is centred on religious believers’ demand for respect. Muslims demand “respect” that would forbid criticism, satire, or mocking of their religion.

Christian’s demand “respect” that would amount to something very similar. Nonbelievers are caught in a bind when it’s not clear what “respect” is supposed to entail and how it is supposed to be achieved. If respect is so important to believers, they need to be clear about what they want.

Islam is peaceful religion which gives respect to everyone but in these days or so called fake religious scholars portray it in a very wrong way.

Today we need to convey the right message of Islam and stop killing innocent people in the name of religion.

We must discourage fake religious scholars who pretend to be the Thakedar of Islam. At least don’t use religion for dirty politics . I have seen many females and males who keep telling lies most of time and give tension to other people and keep on hurting their co-workers etc yet they pretend that they are the very religious persons. This is called double stan-

dards. They are playing games even Ramadhan, and to make the pilgrimwith religion they are the people who age to the House if you are able to do don’t care about the punishment af- so.” “Those who believe (in the ter death.

Quran), and those The purpose of The Spirit Of Islam who follow the Jewall the religions of the ish (scriptures), and world is to make huthe Christians...and mans more civilized (all) who believe in but people fight in the God and the last day name of religions. and work righteousThe fake religious ness, shall have their scholars portray reward with their wrong impression of Lord; on them shall religious parties and it be no fear, nor shall make people irritate. they grieve.” The The wrong sayings Qur’an and act damaging the The Islam is religions as well as most popular reliArzoo Kazmi gion of the world. the unity of the people so badly.

But the killings, Well, should we respect religious bomb blasts and fights in the name people? Yes - as long as they are not of Islam giving what kind of mesanti-social and don’t aim to impose sages? No it’s not Islam there is no their religious views on others. But space for Violence and hurting any even if we respect them as good-liv- other human in Islam. In fact Islam ing people, we cannot respect their is the most moderate religion of the beliefs. The messenger of Allah said: world it teaches humanity and “Islam is to testify that there is no god brotherhood it advice to gain but Allah and Muhammad is the mes- knowledge and Education Islam senger of Allah, to perform the gives full rights to women to be prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast in educated and powerful. Mostly fake

religious scholars are destroying the beauty of Islam.

Islam is the youngest of the three monotheistic world religions (with Judaism and Christianity) We must give full respect to all the religions it will bring unity, love and faith in the world. It will make life and world beautiful. Islam is most beautiful religion of the world it spread love, dignity, and brotherhood. Islam giving the message of tolerance but in these days we have lack of tolerance. Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle. What is tolerance? — it is the consequence of humanity.

We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other’s folly — that is the first law of nature. Tolerance comes of age. I see no fault committed that I myself could not have committed at some time or other. The highest result of education is tolerance. In Islam the main lesson is tolerance one must behave properly and listen to the other person’s point of view the religious tolerance is very important for all the religions.

—Email:arzukazmi@gmail.com

Importance of tolerance Faiqa Abdul Hayee Email: faiqaabdulhaye@hotmail.com

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olerance is the capacity of rec ognizing and accepting reli gious or social characteristics that differs from one’s own. Tolerance is a personal decision that comes from an attitude that is learnable and embraceable, a belief that every person in earth is a treasure, vital to the health and prosperity of all. Webster defines tolerance as an act or practice of tolerating and ability to understand another person’s opinion, action etc, without accepting them or changing one’s own.

Its synonyms are “forbearance” and mercifulness”. It is respect, acceptance and appreciation of the rich diversity of our world’s culture, our forms of expression and ways of being human. We foster it by knowledge, openness, communication, freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Tolerance is harmony in difference. It is not only a moral duty but also a political and legal requirement.

Tolerance is the virtue that makes peace possible, contributes to the replacement of the culture of war by culture of peace. Tolerance is not concession, consideration or indulgence.

Tolerance is above all, an active attitude prompted by the recognition of universal human rights and fundamental freedom of others. Tolerance is to be exercised by individuals, groups and states. Firstly, at a physiological level tolerance means allow-

ing your body to heal itself from the effects of negative thoughts which you may have with regard to the person in question. As explained in Chopra’s book “Quantum Healing” negative thoughts have a direct impact on your physical body. The brain can be considered as the world’s most sophisticated pharmacy.

Every thought results in the production of certain chemicals in the brain. This is the chemical explanation of what happens in the brain during the thinking process. By keeping negative thoughts with regard to someone, you are infact ensuring that your body receives a regular supply of the poisonous material associated with negative thoughts. And the effects will manifest themselves at physical level, that is to say, in the form of ailments such as stomach ulcers or even cancers. Secondly, at a spiritual level tolerating means letting go of the emotions that are preventing you from experiencing love in your life. When anybody understands that experiencing love is an integral part of developing your spirituality then it only stands to reason that anything that prevents you from experiencing that love in your daily life can only help in bringing your spiritual level down again.

There are three levels of tolerance. Enduring a situation which you don’t like any way, from long checkout lines and highway gridlock, to physical illness. Simply enduring only increases feelings of anger, hostility and pent up stress. Many people see tolerance only this way. Finding

a way to adapt and deal with a situation i.e. making some kind of a deal with yourself to take action. So that we don’t feel out of control and victimized by the situation. Taking bitter pills for the cure of a disease is an example of this. Being open and receptive to the beauty of differences.

Through understanding and with a genuine appreciation for the value of diversity, a person demonstrates tolerance in a practical way. A person has no need to endure or make a deal.

As a result, relationship blooms and a civil society is the result.

In the field of politics, the accommodation of the opinion of rival camp is more needed for the growth of all.

The politician’s tolerance would lay the foundation of a healthy political culture where freedom of expression is found which is basic to the needs of the society and state. The most important casualties among the human passions are due to religious intolerance. Many nations have experienced the tragedy of war due the inability to accept the religious views of others, such as the crusades. There have been a massive loss of human lives, millions of people fell victim because of intolerance towards other religions.

Religious intolerance has led to massive destruction and brought misery to human life. Tolerance is cordial effort to understand another’s belief, practices and habits without necessarily sharing them or accepting them originally. Religion expresses the deepest aspirations of human person and shapes peoples vision of the world. Religion is a great force which

guides human action towards their ends. Tolerance prevents criticism of the others beliefs. Thus it stops the production of negative sentiments within the individual or the members of society. Religious tolerance conveys that idea that all religions are essentially good and should be respected. Religious tolerance means to refrain from discriminating against others who follow a different religious path. The world would be a much better place to live if everyone was religiously tolerant. Every religion preaches peace and mercifulness.

The principle entails tolerance of wide range of beliefs and moral values. It gives, individuals and groups, the opportunity to express fully their diverse beliefs, practices and life styles. It gives birth to an open, pluralistic and democratic society which respects civil liberties and human rights. The intellectual, artistic, scientific and moral freedom is possible in a tolerant society. It grants value to the individuals and they are able to exercise autonomy and freedom of choice. People in a tolerant country tend to be more creative and innovative since they get room for new discoveries of truth and new insights, thus expanding the reservoir of human experience at large. It gives an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation which lays the foundation of peaceful society. As long as we are willing to learn from others we are more able to negotiate and compromise our differences.

Views From Abroad

Afghans wary of internal situation: Survey Emma Graham-Harrison

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early half of Afghans think their country is not moving the right direction, fear for their family’s safety, or are frightened to run into a member of their police or army, according to a nationwide poll.

Concerns about corruption are at the highest level in more than half a decade, and more than a third of people said they would leave Afghanistan if they could. Sizeable numbers also felt job opportunities were down and that electricity supplies had got worse.

Although the proportion of people who think Afghanistan is on the right track rose from last year, the Asia Foundation, which carried out the survey, admitted it might be skewed towards positive opinions because they could not access Af-

ghans in the most dangerous parts of the country. “Respondents living in highly insecure areas – who might be more pessimistic about the overall direction of the country – are likely to be under-represented,” the report says.

Around one in six places where surveys were conducted in the past had to be changed because of security problems. In some provinces – including Logar, south of the capital, Kabul, and Kunar and Laghman in the east – there were 10 or more changes owing to the Taliban extending their control. A similar number of survey sites had to be changed because of weather, remoteness, transport problems or because villages could not be found; the last of these also raises questions about the accuracy of previous surveys. The results were not all negative. Four out of five people questioned said they sup-

ported government efforts to end decades of conflict by negotiations, while three-quarters gave a positive rating for the central government.

Four out of five people also said they had some degree of confidence in the police and army, although police approval ratings were down slightly compared with 2006, before billions of dollars were poured into the training and expansion of the force. But there was a strong perception that people in authority were more focused on serving their own interests than those of their country – from ministers and MPs to court officials to Afghan and international aid organisations. Only ordinary government employees and religious leaders were more often seen as putting the best interests of Afghan society first. A strong majority of respondents said they believed people should subsume their own political instincts to

those of their community; more than 80% agreed with the statement “a person should vote the way his or her community votes, not how they feel individually”.Only half had noticed improvements to education or efforts to build roads, and even fewer were aware of aid projects for health, water, electricity or mosque construction.

Nearly three-quarters of Afghans own mobile phones, a more than 50% increase compared with five years ago, and the radio is still the most popular source of news, with a set in four-fifths of homes.

And while in many western countries journalists are battling to hold on to their credibility, the survey found that electronic media was the country’s third-most respected institution, ahead of religious leaders and the official judicial system.

— Courtesy: The Guardian

Toothpaste..!

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as pressing the tube of toothpaste onto my tooth brush this morning and decided I would pay a little more attention to the task I normally do quite absentmindedly. I mean who among us concentrates really hard on a mundane task like pressing paste onto your brush?

We’ve been doing it from childhood, and can do it blindfolded right? No. No, we can’t do it blindfolded. There are many of us who have been pressing toothpaste for two score years and ten, and even

more, but if you take your eyes of the paste pressing onto your brush, you’ll find yourself either having too much or too little paste, and an unpleasant, smelly odour from your mouth at the end of the day.

So, like it or not, we have to concentrate on the amount every day of our lives even if it’s an activity we’ve been doing for decades. Now why would I want to waste your thoughts on toothpaste, except, that the paste in the tube reminded me of blessings we ask for each day.

Like the toothpaste tube you press, you press the prayer button and ask for much everyday. We then wonder why we didn’t get all we asked for. It’s the toothpaste principle. We just don’t need all that we asked for.

I know you asked God for a Mercedes last year, and He gave you a Maruti

800, but that’s about the amount of toothpaste you can take.

Imagine your toothbrush overflowing with paste. What would you do with it? Nothing. It would spill over the side of the bristles, and onto the ground.

What you needed was enough to clean your mouth, anything more would have been wasted, unless of course you got yourself a bigger mouth, which you know is nigh impossible. So with that Mercedes. You got just what you needed for today.

So when do you need more toothpaste? Watch a mother with small children in the morning, just before they go to school. You will see her doling out toothpaste to all her children. If she has two children that’s double the amount she would give a

single child, and if she had ten, that could be the end of a small tube.

But the more children the more that is used.

So with blessings: Pray blessings on others; pray for your brother, your neighbour, the person who doesn’t have too much of toothpaste on his brush. Pray blessings on them. Strange things happen. As you pray for others, and as the tube of blessings empties itself, you will find yourself mightily blessed too.

It might not be a Mercedes, it could be just the joy of seeing others happy, but that joy will give be a bigger dose of paste, than that Merc can give you! Just some thoughts my toothpaste taught me today..!

—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

Voice of the People US Generals face the music IQBAL HADI ZAIDI

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ost of us irrespective of our topographical location generally very vehemently criticize USA for many reasons and from different angles and perspectives which is quite an acceptable situation and none should either raise eye brows or grumble about them whatsoever. But at the same time what I differ with is that in such like fray we either totally or partially ignore the virtues what USA has. I am not at all initiating any conflicting debate among my respected readers simply because my view point is that we must have moral courage in us to condemn USA when it is found to be wrong and must commend too USA when it is right. We all must be very judicious while commenting about any country or a person or both. To the best of my knowledge, never before as many as three USA generals have faced so embarrassing situations almost at the same time. Just 5 days back General David Petraeus, Director, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) resignation admitting that he had extra marital relations with someone and now another Genearl William ‘Kip’ Ward, Commander, US Africa Command has been netted and demoted to the rank of Lt Gen position because he has spent more cash money on overseas trips than what was entitled to. The third one, Marine General Johan Allen, Commander; CENTOM has been bracketed for exchanging sexual emails with the lady named Jill Kelly who has worked with him. He had been tipped to be posted as Commander of NATO forces but it has been put on hold till investigations are completed and he has been proved as innocent. The news is not only embarrassing for the three generals in person but also they brought bad name for US forces as well but I will say the beauty is that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta straight away ordered for conducting if thorough investigations against all of them very well proves in quite crystal clear terms that when such like situations arises, US authorities did not wait even for a fraction of a second as to what to do. I wish Pakistan which has always depended upon US Aid must learn some lesson from its master on this account as well.

—Kuwait

Investigation

by FIA ASGHAR MAHMOOD PSP It has been reported in the media that leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, MNA Ch. Nisar Ali Khan has said that he will not accept investigation by FIA against beneficiaries in Asghar Khan case, as directed by the Apex Court. I will leave the contempt of court aspect to experts, but would like to comment that FIA is different from the DG and personnel working in the Agency. FIA is a national institution, which was headed by illustrious police officers with spine in the past like Mian Aslam Hayat Watto. As a team leader, he had the guts to tell the Interior Minister (Mr. Haroon) and the Chief Martial Law Administrator (General Zia Ul Haque) that FIA will follow the law only. I attended a meeting with Mr. Wattoo at the CMLA Office, chaired by General KM Arif, Chief of Staff to CMLA, regarding frauds in the nationalised banks. Mr. Watto took the same stand in the meeting and we were allowed to conduct investigations strictly in accordance with law and rules.

Though the times have changed, we should have faith in FIA, though differentiating between institutions and individuals. FIA is counterpart of FBI of USA. Mr. Nawaz Sharif has already expressed confidence in the Federal Investigation Agency.

Mr. Nisar should follow his leader.

—Islamabad

Corruption killing organisations KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ With government silence and weak laws corruption is becoming part and parcel of daily lives of Pakistani people. Due to political influence, corruption, non merit and miss management profitable institutions like Pakistan Railways, Pakistan International Airlines, Pakistan Steel Mills, Banking sector and several others are taking their last breaths.

According to media news the Supreme Court was informed that the Pakistan International Airlines had suffered a Rs119 billion loss last year alone.

Only month ago national assembly was informed that Pakistan railways suffered 27bn rupees losses due to hike in diesel prices. After worse financial crises of its history Railway has closed several operations in different parts of country and now find, it hard to pay salaries and pensions to employees.

Despite receiving 8.5bn bailout package from government, Pakistan Steel Millis is also passing through worse stage of its history. In national assembly Minister of State for Production accepted that Pakistan Steel Mills is giving worst performance for which we are ashamed. True reality is that all appointments in government institutions are politically motivated which is a main cause of disaster. Most of the organizations heads belong to ruling political party and these people consider themselves above all accountability and laws. Despite worse performance of leading government institutions and serious charges of corruption several heads of these organization are enjoying luxury lives and taking huge salary packages which is very unfortunate.

—Jeddah, KSA

Forgiving, not forgetting KHALID IDREES Print media reports about Prime Minister’s recent visit to Gwadar state that he, while speaking to reporters on Balochistan situation, urged that we forget the past mistakes and atrocities committed by the previous government in Balochistan and move forward to

achieve the goal of development and make it a prosperous province.

Now, it is both easy and convenient for the perpetrators to push into oblivion the memories of the wrongs committed by them on their compatriots. This can be achieved by giving a self serving twist to the happenings in the area. By doing so the slate of consciousness is wiped cleaned and perpetrators of wrongs can continue in their old way without feelings of guilt or remorse. On the other hand, for the people who have been the victims it is impossible to forget the various wrongs and excesses committed on them by their compatriots in the past. Asking them to do so would not only be callous but also tantamount to detracting from their humanity. This is so because a people’s collective consciousness is formed, among other things, from their perception of the wrongs and excesses perpetrated on them over the years in the past. Truth and reconciliation commissions that were constituted in different countries over time to find a way out from the situations of serious conflict and strife recognized this reality. Through the mechanism of these commissions the parties to the conflict were tasked to reveal and acknowledge the various wrongs and excesses committed by them and to abjure from them in future whereupon the victims were to forgive them. This act of forgiving is done as a matter of rational, pragmatic and conscious policy. It may be noted that the victims are not asked to forget but to forgive.

I may add that forgetting the past wrongs and excesses, particularly at the instance of others, has pathological implications whereas forgiving someone consciously is morally edifying and places the forgiver on higher pedestal morally. In view of the above I seriously think that the Prime Minister while speaking on the situation in Balochistan during his recent visit to Gwadar was thinking of forgiveness and that use of word forgetting with reference to past mistakes and atrocities there was an inadvertent slip of tongue.

—Islamabad

Indo-Russian rift BISMAH MIRZA Indian Russian relations are facing a number of issues such as the Sistema’s telecom investment, The Nuclear liability legislation to units 3 and 4 of Koodankulam Nuclear Project, delay in the delivery of aircraft carrier, Vikramaditiya, previously known as Admiral Gorshkov.

Sistema is Russia’s top ten companies by revenues and is one of the largest investment companies in the world. Indian Supreme Court in an order in February cancelled the licenses of Sistema along with nine other countries on the grounds that 122 permits issued by the then Telecom Minister A Raja were “arbitrary and unconstitutional”. Sistema, which has interests across a host of sectors like telecoms, oil, banking and retail, said it had invested $3.54 billion in its Indian unit and is losing $50 million every month following the cancellation of its licenses by the apex court. Russian ambassador to India has criticized the act in strong words that it is Russia’s tax payers’ money and it will not be wasted due to India’s internal rift, and will go for international arbitration.

Tensions between Moscow and New Delhi does not end here, the Koondalkum nuclear project is another one, over which these two old partners are at row with each other.

This project was commissioned by Russia in November 1998, now there are severe problems of the leakage of the radiation, causing several deaths and diseases in the adjacent localities’ and population of the reactor. That has created resentment and serious demonstration are being staged against Russia, which Russian consider being sponsored by US and

by Indians interested in doing business with United Staets of America..

The dissolution of Soviet Empire and the reduction in soviet ambitions,

many atomic reactors, air craft carriers are burden to Russia, therefore she is interested to sell and to lease to other friendly countries, one of the aircraft has already been handed over to India but the commissioning which means ready to operate, has been delayed to increase Indian anxiety. India has ambition to become blue navy country and therefore anxious that this air craft is commissioned as early as possible. Since Indo Russian relations are not as warm as it used to be before American indulgence, so Russians are not taking keen interest in commissioning this air craft carrier, which is creating tension among Indians. India plans to discuss the delays in the delivery of these carriers on Putin’s visit to India in December. The delivery of the carrier has been delayed twice, since 2005 when $947 million deal was signed between Russia and India. The delay has cost India $2.3 billion dollars and India is thinking of imposing a $110 billion penalty over Russia and is determined to discuss it during Russian President visit in a big way.

—Via email

Accountability ‘Commission’ DR IRFAN ZAFAR The PPP-led government has transformed the National Accountability Bureau established during the Musharraf era with immense powers to tackle plundering of the state kitty into National Accountability Commission (NAC). An excellent decision considering it’s main objective of taking “commission” to bailout the swindlers of Government resources.

Naming National Accountability “Commission” (NAC) will do justice to it’s real mandate.

—Islamabad

Election of Mayor and SPLGO MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL The elections of Mayors through out world are generally held directly but in the newly controversial SPLGO2012 passed from Sindh Assembly within five minutes and without any discussions envisaged the elections of the Mayors would continue be held indirectly.

Further, if some members want to present vote of non-confidence against Karachi Mayor, two third majority would be mandatory to remove him. Not only this but in case vote of non-confidence fails, those who initiated the move, would loose their original positions.

To clarify further, I can give an example. If the said law is made applicable to the Prime Minister and in case no-confidence movement fails against him, the members of National Assembly who presented such movement would be no more members of the House. This does not happen through out the world. Only the said example is sufficient to prove that controversial SPLGO-2012 was a black law.

The recently held Congress of writers and intellectuals in Hyderabad (Nov. 04) in which more than 350 writers attended, also condemned such black law passed from Sindh Assembly as undemocratic way in the presence of speaker Nisar Khuhro. I appeal to the PPP Govt. to withdraw the said black law immediately and it should not make it question of ego and also restore the old law and if there are any amendments to be made in old law, it should be made through House in real democratic atmosphere.

—Karachi

READERS are requested to type their letters legibly with double spacing and only on one side of the paper.

—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

Competitive, not confrontational, politics SHAHEDUL ANAM KHAN

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HIS piece has been motivated by the cover picture of the latest edition of The Economist. I am told that this is the world’s most twittered picture since it appeared on the internet, reaching nearly a million. It is a picture of the reelected President Obama hugging his wife, his face showing distinct signs of happiness and, perhaps even more, of relief. Different people will read the picture in different ways but the poignancy of the picture is equally matched by the sublimity of the caption which reads: “Now, hug a Republican.” It is difficult to miss the underlying message of the heading which urges the president to reach out to the other side. Nobody knows better than President Obama the need to involve the opposition in conducting the affairs of the state, something that he made abundantly clear in his victory speech last Wednesday. And given the character of the House and the Senate there cannot be any other way. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh reaching out to the opposition is not a part of the political culture.

And that is what made me relate so deeply and so intently with the weekly’s cover. That would be so for anyone who wants to see an end to the nature of politics in Bangladesh.

The caption could not be more applicable to Bangladesh politics, deeply divided as it is by hostility, confrontation and exclusiveness. The outcomes affect the people severely. What can one expect in a situation where the political

opposition is considered an “enemy” not an opponent who needs to be engaged for the larger interest of the people? Is reaching out to one another by the two major parties so difficult? It is the function of the minds of the leadership, particularly the two leaders, that creates the psychological rift and sustains the hostility that has historical reference.

For Sheikh Hasina, the incumbent prime minister, the events of August 1975, when her father and leader of Bangladesh’s independence struggle Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and many other of the family were assassinated, understandably pervade her mind and predominate her thoughts and actions.

And it is not unnatural for that to spill over into the realm of politics. And the well-planned attack on her and her party leaders on August 21, 2004, which by all indications was designed to wipe off the Awami League (AL) leadership, has reinforced her conviction that her main opposition is out to eliminate her, in the same manner, she is convinced, the founder of the BNP was complicit in the killing of her father and members of her family.

That is the psyche of the leader of the Awami League which has come to inform the collective consciousness of the senior leaders of the party too. And this mindset is what is resented by the Bangladsh Nationalist Party (BNP). As for its chairperson Khaleda Zia, she feels the accusations are wrong; on the other hand it is the AL that is out to see the end of BNP as a political party.

Thus the starting point of our politics is

antagonism and mistrust.

I do not think that sinking differences is not impossible by either. And I base my comment on the past understanding and cooperation between the two parties when they came together against President Ershad in the late eighties.

If Ershad was the common cause that brought them to a common ground 20 years ago than there are enough causes for them to effect a meeting of the minds. It will be a folly on AL’s part to disregard the political realities.

BNP had been twice chosen to run trhe country, and in the two elections that it lost the BNP managed to garner more than 30 per cent of the votes. In discounting the BNP is the AL not in fact ignoring the more than 30 per cent of the electorate? Can it afford to do that? And in any case a parliament without the opposition invalidates the position of the ruling party to a very large extent.

The BNP on its part can ill afford the state of continuing confrontational politics. It has chosen to boycott the parliament thereby depriving its voters of their right to be heard in the parliament. And even the BNP supporters are not convinced that the reasons for keeping away from the parliament, which their leaders offer as reasons for doing so, has to do with politics. I am told by wiser minds that changing such a mindset will require changing our political culture.

That is a tall order since cultures cannot be changed overnight; it needs mutation of the mind to be able to change the culture of poli-

tics. Can we wait that long? And the chance of the present crop of leadership of the two par-

third party surviving its gestation period is remote, given the pathological hatred the two

ties passing on the baton to a lot that will not be weighed down by the baggage of the past seems remote, in which case one can only see deliverance from the present state coming in the form of third party offering the voters a free choice. On the other hand, the chance of a

major parties have displayed towards the idea of an alternative political party. We can only hope the two would think of the country and shed the past baggage. —Courtesy - Daily Star [The writer is Editor, Oped and Defence & Strategic Affairs, The Daily Star].

Strange are the world ways

From freeze to unfreeze

The Ultimate ‘Grand Bargain’: A The Kissinger Transcripts: CIA was blackmailing him US China Climate Deal ALLEN CARLSON

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S a result of these develop ments many have specu lated that we may see dra matic shifts and changes within Sino-U.S. relations, especially as, what we are likely to see during a second Obama administration will contrast markedly from what would have unfolded should Governor Romney emerged victorious from last week’s election. There is some merit in such speculation. However, much of it is overblown, as it greatly overstates the differences on China between the two presidential contenders. In a campaign where both candidates attempted to paint each other as polar opposites on so many issues, America’s China policy was one area where the distance between them was not great.

Romney did place a greater emphasis on criticizing Chinese economic practices, especially in relationship to the value of the RMB, than Obama. He also took a somewhat sharper tone than the president in regard to how extensive the U.S. military presence in Asia should be. However, Obama was far from soft on China during the campaign. Over its course he initiated a number of actions designed to counter allegedly unfair Chinese trade practices, and to counter the country’s increasing assertiveness in Asia. During the third debate it was Obama, not Romney, who mentioned America’s need to “pivot” in the region.

As a result, while much was on the line on election day, America’s approach to China was likely to similar no matter which candidate won the election. There is, though, one potential exception to this generalization, and it is not an inconsequential one. If Romney had been elected it is difficult to imagine, even post-Sandy, that dealing with climate change would have been given a priority by his administration.

In contrast, it is distinctly possible that during his second term President Obama may focus upon this issue as forming a crucial part of his historic legacy. There are hints that he feels falling short on this front constitutes one of his major regrets about his first four years in office. In addition, it is clear that there is

a degree of momentum on the domestic front generated by the recent storm that he could capitalize upon to garner support at home for a new American

onstrations around the country, even a source of social instability there.

Given such a context, it is conceivable that China’s leaders may be moti-

A great deal has been written in the last few weeks about the remarkable convergence of new developments within the top leadership positions in the United States and China. We now know that President Obama will have four more years in office. It is also clear that Xi Jinping has cemented his stature within Beijing, even if there continue to be questions about which groups and factions will benefit the most from his rise. initiative on climate issues.

This being the case, the domestic response to such a move is probably of less consequence than the international one, especially China’s. Indeed, it is clear that developing a meaningful

vated to subtly shift their stance on climate change from the generally uninvolved, even obstructionist, positions they have taken in the recent past – most notably in Copenhagen in 2009.

In light of such a confluence of factors,

American-led response to climate change requires finding a way to bring China into whatever proposed solution that ends up being forwarded. While we still know very little about the next generation of China’s leaders, and what their own priorities are, it is clear that environmental concerns within the Chinese population are growing, and, as illustrated by a series of recent dem-

it is then possible to imagine that Obama, freed of constraints of running for another term, motivated by an interest in his legacy, and China’s leaders operating within a different system of costs and benefits, might be able to find common ground in fostering the development of a new, rigorous multilateral agreement on climate issues.

—Courtesy - The Diplomat

Global pivot

Interdependent Asia and Europe DING YING

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NFLUENCE Asia and Europe are interdependent due to the com patibility of their economies. With the looming threat of the global financial crisis, cooperation between Asia and Europe becomes more significant. Being the only intercontinental dialogue mechanism between Asian and European governments, the ASEM Summit is a platform for closer dialogue and more effective cooperation between the two sides. During the ninth summit in Laos’ capital of Vientiane from November 5 to 6, leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in dealing with global challenges. Founded in 1996, ASEM now has a membership that represents half of the world’s population, more than half of the world’s GDP and 55 percent of world trade volume. The figures show the centrality of Asia-Europe relations in today’s world, noted European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. “But more important than statistics and figures is the common political will to jointly address today’s challenges. This relation is indeed key for the world’s prosperity and security,” he said. The global economy has started to recover. But the recovery is slow and fragile, said Shen Jiru, a senior research fellow on global eco-

TOM BLANTON

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ITH this “memcon,” the reader can be a fly on the wall in the Oval Office, as Ford and Kissinger review issues that are familiar even now: from stalled Middle East peace negotiations to congressional investigations of the CIA, from oil prices and our leverage with the Saudis to covert operations involving assassinations. Even the opening lines, about a “screwed up” Iranian deal, resonate today — the front page of that day’s New York Times heralded Iran’s commitment to spend $15 billion in the United States over the next five years, as announced by Kissinger and the Iranian finance minister, including “as many as eight large nuclear power plants in the next decade.” The Times story commented, “Iran has made a major policy decision to develop nuclear power, anticipating that her oil supply will decrease sharply in the next few decades. Iran has already agreed to buy two power plants from France and two from West Germany.”

The next section of the conversation refers to Portugal — although the country name has been redacted. It was no secret even in 1975 that the United States opposed communist participation in the Portuguese government and thought NATO was at risk from the Eurocommunism virus. Here, the debate was whether the CIA should covertly fund the non-communist press, just as the United States had in Chile. Kissinger was concerned that such aid would “leak and hurt the parties.” The president, who later that day would meet with the leaders of the special Senate committee investigating CIA illegalities, asks whether he should warn committee chair Sen. Frank Church (D-ID) about leaks. At this point, Kissinger makes perhaps the most remarkable remark of the whole conversation: “[CIA director William] Colby is now blackmailing me on the assassination stories.” Kissinger goes on to explain: “Nixon and I asked [then CIA director Richard] Helms to look into possibilities of a coup in Chile in 1970 [against the newly-elected Marxist president Salvador Allende]. Helms said it wouldn’t work. Then later the people who it was discussed with tried to kid-

“we just can’t go to Geneva as the lawyer for Israel.” Ford asks for “a good faith effort,” to which Kissinger re-

The CIA director was blackmailing the secretary of state; a nuclear deal with Iran was in the works; and the U.S. president wanted to pursue Middle East peace. President Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger — then serving as both secretary of state and national security adviser — discussed all of this and more on the morning of March 5, 1975. Loyal assistant Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft took notes to provide this practically verbatim Secret memorandum of conversation, published here for the first time, which the National Security Archive obtained through a Mandatory Declassification Review request to the Gerald R. Ford Library.

— including an unsuccessful lawsuit

by Schneider’s family — have tried to address this particular episode. The CIA’s own report to Congress, compelled by then Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) in 2000, acknowledged that the CIA and the U.S. government as a whole (meaning Kissinger and President Nixon as well) agreed with multiple potential coup plotters in Chile that Schneider’s devotion to the Chilean Constitution meant his “abduction... was an essential step in any coup plan.” CIA claimed, “We have found no information, however, that the coup plotters’ or CIA’s intention was that the general be killed in any abduction effort.” As Shakespeare wrote, methinks thou dost protest too much. After the fact, the CIA passed $35,000 to the murderers. But here, Kissinger quickly changes the subject, to OPEC and its difficulties in allocating production cuts to keep the world price of oil high enough to meet each producing country’s income goals.

He bemoans “this discrimination campaign of the Jews” for keeping the United States from getting a deal with the Saudis against cutting production (i.e., keeping oil prices lower).

Then they launch into the most extended part of the conversation, about the Middle East, the possibility of getting the parties to Geneva for negotiations, what Syrian dictator Assad would want, and how Israel’s recalcitrance was holding up progress. Kissinger says,

sponds, “A good faith effort is bound to fail.... Israel won’t even look at it.”

Ford ups the ante: “A good faith effort to me is one where we put the screws on.” This candid memcon testifies to the extraordinary historical value and contemporary relevance of the documentary record of Henry Kissinger’s years at the White House and the State Department, 1969 through 1976. The sheer volume of the Kissinger documentation qualifies for the Guinness Book — no top presidential adviser before or since has maintained such an extensive and practically verbatim record of his every conversation and meeting. Kissinger’s secretaries listened in on and memorialized in “telcons” more than 15,000 of his telephone calls from “dead key” lines, while his aides would stay up into the wee hours of the morning after talks with foreign leaders — or with the president himself — writing up from their own (and the interpreters’) notes the detailed memcons of the meetings, which number well into the thousands as well.In the 1990s, when State Department historians began preparing the Foreign Relations of the United States documentary volumes on the Nixon years, they asked for access to the collection, which Kissinger granted (with significant restrictions — no photocopies, no note-taking), and in going through it.

—Courtesy - FP

Obama’s Second Term Foreign Policy Plan DR ROBERT FARLEY

I

T wont take long for the national cooperation. security implications of the elec Their population and land area are tion to begin playing out. The “fis big enough to form a comprehensive cal cliff,” including significant tax and independent circulatory system, which brings both sides tremendous increases and defense cuts, will come economic benefits, Wei said. Accord- into effect next year unless the two poing to statistics from the EU, trade be- litical parties hammer out a deal to reduce the fiscal deficit. President Obama comes away from the elecThis year’s Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit could obviously tion with a stronger hand than he had be summarized in two sentences: Europe hoped Asian part- before, and some prominent members of the Republican Party have begun ners would be more cooperative to get through the spreading calling for compromise. Bill Kristol, a pundit known for being more hawkish financial crisis; and China promised its economy would on defense than fiscal issues, argued remain robust. Given the complementary economic relation- that the GOP shouldn’t “fall on its ship between Asia and Europe, the realization of these hopes sword” for upper class tax cuts, while Speaker of the House of Representawill benefit both. tives John Boehner has called for the from other countries, especially from tween Asian nations and EU members raucous GOP House caucus to fall in Asian nations, with which they have has grown quickly. From 2000 to 2011, line. Given its electoral victory, the high economic compatibility,” he said. the share of the ASEM partners in EU Obama administration itself may resist According to the latest report reexports rose from 22 percent to 30 per- a deal that does not involve some of leased by the International Monetary cent, and in imports from 36 percent to the defense cuts promised in sequesFund, the crisis in the euro zone remains 44 percent. “There will be huge room tration.

With domestic political conditions the most significant threat the global for win-win cooperation between developing in a manner favorable to economy faces. Geographically, Asia them,” he said. Strengthening Asiaand Europe are on the same continent, Europe cooperation is also of strategic Obama, his national security team will the Eurasian continent, so fostering co- significance, Wei added. The United undergo significant change. Secretary operation is a good thing, said Wei States, Europe and emerging Asian of State Hillary Clinton, Assistant SecLiang, a researcher with the China In- economies have been the most influ- retary of State for East Asia and Pastitutes of Contemporary International ential forces since the outbreak of the cific Affairs Kurt Campbell and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, are all Relations. He pointed out both eco- global crisis.” expected to leave the administration nomic and strategic advantages of their — Courtesy - Beijing Review nomic and political studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointing out that how to make the recovery easier is the common task of different countries. “Euro-zone countries, victims of the ongoing European sovereign debt crisis, need cooperation and help

nap [army commander Gen. Rene] Schneider and killed him.”

Multiple investigations and reports

in the very near future, and the David Petraeus scandal has unexpectedly removed another key member of the national security team. The loss of talented people creates a challenge for the administration, but also gives Obama greater freedom to construct a new national security team. While Obama’s first term foreign policy team performed relatively well, virtually all

Democratic Party. Robert Gates reassured the national security community of continuity in the wake of the difficult 2008 campaign. Leon Panetta also served as reassurance, first to the CIA and then a Defense Department concerned about the prospect of cuts.

David Petraeus held a commanding, if controversial, position within the national security community, making it

of the selections were driven by defensive, political logic. Hilary Clinton’s selection as secretary of state ensured the loyalty of the Clinton wing of the

difficult for Obama to exclude him even if he’d wanted. Now, suddenly, Petraeus is out of the picture.

—Courtesy - The Diplomat

Rumpus in Sindh Assembly over PSLGO

Mirwaiz to lead 4-member APHC team visit Pak From Page 1 the long-standing visit invitation from the government of Pakistan. Besides the Mirwaiz, other visitors include Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat, Bilal Ghani Lone, Maulana Abbas Hussain Ansari and Agha Hssan Budgami, all senior cadre in the APHC. In both parts of Jammu and Kashmir state the APHC is considered as the representative voice of the entire 18 million population of the State as it wants the settlement of Kashmir dispute via exercise of UN-granted right to self-determination to the Kashmiris.

The APHC delegation in Pakistan will stay for five days devoted to a tiered range of meetings with the leadership of Pakistan and of AJK besides their open interactions with the governmental as well as opposition parties and others. Their meeting with Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khan is viewed crucial from many live aspects of the Kashmir issue.

Because of his important visit to Pakistan the Chairman of the APHC Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is skipping over his participation in the forthcoming OIC meeting on December 17, 2012.

Before visiting Islamabad, the APHC leadership is seeking occupied Kashmir public’s political input as contents of their meetings with the Pakistani leadership and political parties.

Meanwhile, Senior Executive Member of APHC Syed Faiz Nuqshbandi has said that the process of talks on Kashmir within the region would continue which shall not curtail Kashmir’s international disputed status at all. So long as Kashmir solution promises made to us are not fulfilled, the fire of struggle cannot be extinguished at all. Our sacrificial blood is rewriting the Kashmir history before the whole world.

MIRPUR: Chairman PTI Imran Khan addressing a public gathering.

SC accepts plea against KabulPakwelcomes plan Int’l Court of Arbitration to free Taliban ICC nor any other arbitration tribunal could hear the dispute, adding that, his client was awaiting the court’s interim order on the issue of arbitration. He said companies should respect the mining regulations and courts of the country in which they operate.

During the hearing, the chief justice said provision of requisite documents was necessary to better understand the issue. He said the documents would show whether the company in question was real or simply

From Page 1 on paper, adding that the court did not accept companies based solely on paper.

He said that 1,000 square kilometre area could be allotted to explore reserves under the law but 13,000 square kilometre area was allotted to the company by issuing 10 licenses, thus, easing conditions in the regulations. The chief justice remarked that the Balochistan government should assist the court on the issue, adding that the court had on Wednesday directed the provincial government to

provide the bench with relevant documents.

Justice Iftikhar also remarked that the Balochistan government was not cooperating and it appeared that the state did not want to fight the case. The chief justice added that parties in the case should furnish information and documentation, adding that, if the records could be provided to the court, the bench could proceed better on the matter.

The case’s hearing was adjourned till today (Friday).—INP

First prisoner execution in five years China assures Pak From Page 1 of its full support months the Presidency issued a letter through respective home departments, staying all executions.

But Niazi said that the president and the head of the Army, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani rejected

Muhammad Hussain’s mercy petition. Zaman Khan, an official at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, criticised the execution, saying it indicates the government has changed its policy.—INP

From Page 1 ity. The ambassador said, China’s emphasis will remain on promoting peace and security in the region and throughout the world. China believes in the principle of coexistence.

Touching on China’s domestic scene, the ambassador said the new leadership of the country would not only maintain process of domestic reforms but also increase the pace of reforms with a view to providing more social benefits and amenities to the Chinese people. He said, China is also conscious of preserving natural environment while it remains true to its ambitious industrial programmes.

From Page 1 tween the Pakistani government and Afghanistan’s High Peace Council in Islamabad.

Kabul had pressed for the release of senior Taliban leaders held in Pakistan. It believed they could help bring the militants to the negotiating table to end 11 years of war before the withdrawal of US led Nato troops in 2014. But the seniority of those to be released and plans for their future have not been disclosed publicly by Pakistani or Afghan negotiators.

“We welcome this move as a positive step toward Afghanistan’s peace process,” presidential spokesman Aimal Faizi said, declining to comment further.—AFP

their resignations by the Sindh government.

The atmosphere was very much charged when Speaker Nisar Khuhro called the house to order at least two hours belatedly at 12:15pm with the opposition members striping their arms with black bands.

The bone of contention was the People’s Sindh Local Government Ordinance 2012 that the protesting opposition members termed as a “black law” the passage of which, Nusrat Seher Abbasi of POML-F claimed, had proved the PPP as the traitors of Sindh.

The treasury side countered its opponents by recalling their past “misdeeds” like siding with a dictator Pervez Musharraf, supporting antiSindh Kalabagh Dam and Legal Framework Order (LFO) etc. Having been allotted seats on the opposition benches by the speaker, the opposition members resorted to hooliganism as soon as the speaker announced the Sindh Governor’s assent to three bills, including the disputed PSLGO 2012.

While the alleged “abuses” went unheard because of the distance factor, the members from two divides of the PPP-dominated house waged personal attacks against each other to the extent that unparliamentarily words like “donkey” and “bastard” were uttered by the clashing sides. Prominent from the opposition side were Seher Abbasi, Jam Madad Ali and Marvi Rashdi confronted by

From Page 1 PPP ministers like Murad Ali Shah, Pir Mazaharul Haq, Sharjeel Memon, Rafique Engineer and Siraj Durrani while others prominently Imdad Patafi and Tauqeer Fatima Bhutto hooting staying off the mike.

“Shut up” and “you shut up” were the shouts Finance Minister Shah and Abbasi exchanged when the later interrupted the former’s speech against her side by saying “shame shame”. The opposition side gathered in front of the speaker in the hall and tore apart copies of the day’s agenda and perhaps that of PSLGO 2012. Abbasi went a step further and slashed a file of “official documents” lying before Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani.

The opposition members walked out at least thrice from the house and then came back to respond to the criticism made by the treasury benches in their absence. It was a solo fight for the PPP as none its coalition partners from the MQM spoke even a word throughout the pandemonium. At one point, Jam Madad and Murad Ali Shah exchanged “abuses” that Humera Alwani later said were incommunicable.

The treasury members, subsequently, tabled in the house a “censure motion” against what Pir, Durrani and Alwani said the “unruly and unparliamentary behavior” of the opposition members who took the house hostage for sometime.

The motion was adopted by the house with the

speaker giving the ruling that the members should always show tolerance while act or react in the legislature.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2012 passed under a supplementary agenda by the house empowered the Sindh government to exempt the procurement of an object or class of objects required in the national interest. The law also enabled the government to make suitable amendment in the Sindh Public Procurement Act, 2009.

Other business witnessed lying before the house the Audit Report on the provincial government’s accounts for the year 201112.

PPP lawmaker Anwar Meher tabled a privilege motion against Manager Toll Plaza Jamshoro colonel (rtd) Muhammad Nasir and his staff for misbehaving with him and Women Development Minister Tauqeer Fatima on Oct 3. The motion was referred to the privilege committee on the request of the law minister.

Claiming to have detected culprits behind the November 8th deadly suicide attack on the Rangers headquarter in the metropolis, the Sindh government on Thursday said it had established security checks on all entry and exit points of the city.

The Leader of the House said the provincial government had taken the ongoing sectarian violence in the city as a challenge and had effectively strategized to check the menace.

President confers Hilal-iBan on bike riding in Karachi, Imtiaz on UAE Commander Quetta today From Page 1

and Quetta will be off the air today.

The markets in both the cities have been directed to conduct business only between 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court on plea of a Karachi citizen suspended order of Rehman Malik to ban movement of motorcyclists today (Friday).

and endeavors for strengthening friendship and cooperation between UAE and Pakistan Navies and between the two countries, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been pleased to confer the award of Hilal-iImtiaz (Military) on Staff Maj General (Navy) Ibrahim Salim Mohamed Al MusharrakhCommander UAE”, the citation said.

Later the President also had a meeting with the UAE Naval Commander. Those who were present during the meeting included Ambassador UAE Mr. Eisa Abdullah Al-Dasha Al-Nuaimi, Staff Col (N) Abdullah Al Shehhi, Col (N) Arif Muhammad Saeed Al Ali, Col (S) Ghanem

From Page 1 Ali Ghanem Al Ali, and Major Ali Suleman Nasser Al Shamsi.

Defence Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Secretary General Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Senator Farhatullah Babar, Naval Chief Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila, Secretary to President Malik Asif Hayat, Foreign Secretary Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani, Rear Admiral Farrokh Ahmmad, Additional Secretary Defence, and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Briefing about the meeting, Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President during meeting underscored

close and fraternal relations between Pakistan and UAE saying that these were rooted in cultural affinities, shared faith and traditions and interests.

He said that around 1.2 million Pakistani nationals working in UAE and contributing towards its socio-economic development served as a strong bridge between the two countries. The President also highlighted the great potential that existed between the two countries to further strengthen their relations especially in the area of trade and commerce.

The President expressed satisfaction on the ongoing collaboration between the two navies and their keenness to further cement the existing ties.

Indian delegation meets PML-N chief

Nawaz stresses for improving lot of people of two countries SALIM AHMED

Maulana Fazl falls ill

L AHORE —Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Nawaz Sharif has said that India and Pakistan can achieve the goal of economic prosperity for the benefit of people of their countries through increased mutual cooperation in economic field.

He said this while talking to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar who alongwith his delegation members called on him at his Raiwind residence on Thursday.

During the meeting, views were exchanged on Indo-Pak relations, economic cooperation between the two countries and other matters of muISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf exchanging views with the parliamentarians while sitting on the tual interest. back benches in the National Assembly on Thursday.

Talking to the delegation, Nawaz emphasized the need for resolving issues between

I SLAMABAD —Jamiat Ulema Islam chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman has fallen seriously ill. According to sources, he is suffering from severe pain in his body and is unable to move around. Due to his illness, Maulana Fazl ur Rehman has cancelled all his personal and political engagements. Doctors have SHARAFAT KAZMI also advised him complete rest, sources said.—Online ISLAMABAD —Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has warned that attempts by antiGilani likely to elements to weaken the shift from Lahore state democratic agenda of the LAHORE—PPP vice chairman government will be thwarted. and former prime minister Talking separately to ParSyed Yusuf Raza Gilani is liamentarians from Punjab‚ likely to shift along with his Sindh‚ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa family from Lahore to Multan and Balochistan here Thursor Islamabad. He is likely to day‚ the PM said the govopt for new shifting arrange- ernment is about to complete ment, as certain media re- its term and will hold general ports have feared terror at- elections in the country on tack.—Online time.

He said numerous development projects have been CM Bihar initiated particularly in farvisits Data flung and remote areas to improve the living standard shrine L AHORE —Chief Minister of of the people. The Prime MinIndian province Bahar Nitish ister urged the parliamentarKumar on Thursday visited the ians to oversee and ensure grave of great sufi saint Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhush. He also laid traditional “chadar” at the grave of the saint. He was accompanied by Punjab Auqaf Minister Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi and other officers.

Talking to media Nitish Kumar said, “He felt cordial satisfaction on visiting the grave of Data Gunj Bakhush.” He said that teachings of ‘sufia karams’ I SLAMABAD —A committee given message of love, peace of the National Assembly has summoned the Interior and tolerance.—APP Secretary and the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) NDC meets investigation officer over the issuance of notices to tomorrow prime minister Yusuf I SLAMABAD —Meeting of former Raza Gilani and his son National Judicial (Policy Abdul Qadir Gilani in conMaking ) Committee will be nection with the so-called held on Saturday,17th No- Haj scandal of 2010. vember at the Supreme Court The session of the NaBuilding Islamabad. The tional Assembly’s Standing meeting will be presided over Committee on Rules of Proby the Chief Justice of Paki- cedure and Privileges, prestan Mr Iftikhar Mohammad sided over by Abdul Chaudhry.—INP

Elections on time: PM timely completion of development projects in their respective constituencies.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government’s flagship programme‚ Benazir Income Support Programme has acquired international recognition as a success story. The government has already given go ahead to the BISP to expand its operations in other fields and target poverty so that poorest of the poor can be provided relief.

He said that despite the difficult economic situation internationally‚ an economic policy aimed at containing inflation and encouraging growth has been pursued. The government is targeting vital areas like energy security‚ food security and social security of the masses.

Talking to a delegation of MQM led by Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping‚ Babar Khan Ghauri in Islamabad on Thursday‚ Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf expressed the resolve to restore peace and order in Karachi which is the economic hub of the country.

The Prime Minister said all possible measures would be taken by the Federal Government to assist the Sindh Government in ensuring safety and protection of the life and property of the citizens.He urged the people to demonstrate unity so that extremism‚ militancy‚ intolerance‚ sectarian violence and terrorism can be defeated.

The MQM delegation apprised the Prime Minister of the latest law and order situation in Karachi.

Notices to Gilanis

NA body summons Interior Secretary, FIA officer

Dr Shakil phone inquiry completes P ESHAWA R —An inquiry into how Dr Shakil Afridi had a phone with him while being imprisoned in Peshawar has concluded. According to the findings of the inquiry, two staff members from the prison were involved in providing the phone to Afridi. IG Jails has ordered that action be taken against these staff members. A satellite phone was recovered from the possession of Dr Afridi in Peshwar Central Jail. Dr Afridi helped the US in tracing former Al-Qaida Chief Osama bin Laden prior to the operation in Abbottabbad by carrying out fake anti-polio campaigns.—Online

Dacoits loot villagers G UJRANWALA —Three villagers were injured when they tried to retaliate a robbery attempt in Adhurai village in Gujranwala, media reports said Thursday. According to sources, armed robbers entered a village in Gujranwala at 8 pm on Wednesday night and held the villagers hostage while they deprived them of their cash and valuables. Meanwhile, some men tried to retaliate upon which the robbers opened fire and injured three persons.—Online

Ghafoor, was held here Thursday.

The session was called after Abdul Qadir Gilani complained of receiving threatening notices from the FIA and his father to appear before it.

Director General FIA Anwar Virk appeared before the privileges committee after yesterday’s fiery speeches by Abdul Qadir in which he threatened to resign if no action was taken against the FIA notices.

The standing committee

showed its displeasure over the absence of the investigation officer before the meeting and summoned him and the interior secretary later today.

Abdul Ghafoor asked that the DG FIA to issue arrest warrants for the investigation officer over his absence. He said that if the interior secretary and the investigation officer refused to appear before the committee, then the committee would ‘deal with the matter’ on its own.— NNI

No military solution of Kashmir issue: Imran OBSERVER REPORT MIRPUR—Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan Thursday said the purpose of his politics was to serve the people and to improve their socio-economic conditions.

“India should know that military force is no solution

to Kashmir (dispute). They should learn lessons from the US invasion of Afghanistan. USA couldn’t win Afghan war with military force.

The PTI shall resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue which will usher in a new era of prosperity for the peoples of whole South East Asia, Khan said while ad-

dressing a huge public gathering at the Mirpur Cricket Ground.

Referring to the deployment of 700,000 Indian troops in Kashmir, Imran said that despite heavy presence of its armed forces in Kashmir, India could not win hearts and minds of Kashmiri people.

JWP concerned over centre’s tackling of Balochistan issue

R AWALPINDI —Chief of Jamhoori Watan Party Talal Akbar Bugti on Thursday expressed deep concern over the way the federal government tackle the Balochistan issue.

While talking on telephone with Difah-e-Pakistan Council member and chairman of Pakistan Amn party Haji Mohammad Gulzar Awan he said the law enforcement agencies including F.C. were mishandling the situation.

“These agencies are also involved in arresting and harassing the member of Hindu community forcing him to raise hue and cry against Pakistan”, he said. He said the government was utilizing its machinery to create more and more hatred among the Balochi people.

Bugti urged the government for giving due rights to the people of Balochistan in order to heal their wounds.— Online

the two countries through purposeful talks. He was of the view that people of the two countries would be real beneficiary by improving relations between the two countries.

“With the strengthening of economies of India and Pakistan, the living standard of people of both sides would improve,” he said. He welcomed frequent exchange of delegations between India and Pakistan. Nawaz also apprised Bihar Chief Minister and his delegation members about progress made in education, health, transport and infrastructure, police and other fields in Punjab. He said the Punjab government of PMLN has promoted good governance, merit and transparency in the province. Nitish Kumar told PML-N President that increased contact between the

Pak condemns deadly Israel offensive in Gaza

people of both countries will help increase cooperation and brotherhood between the people and governments.

He said both countries want to have peace, stability and progress in the region. He said the goal of economic prosperity could be achieved through cooperation in economic field between the two countries.

Moreover, Nawaz Sharif has felicitated the Chinese people on election of new leadership of Communist party of China.

In his message, the PMLN chief said he was happy to know about the election of Mr Xi Jinping as General Secretary of the Communist party and added that transfer of power to new generation is a proof of intellectual and political maturity of the Chinese people.

Judiciary is a role model for others: CJ STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad

UNITED NATIONS—Pakistan meeting that lasted nearly 90 Chaudhry Thursday said that

has strongly condemned Israel’s new anti-Palestinian offensive in the Gaza Strip, and urged the Security Council, which met in a private emergency session on Wednesday night, to demand an immediate cessation of its military action, according to Council sources.

Ambassador Masood Khan, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, told the 15-member Council that the deadly Israeli offensive of more than 20 airstrikes in Gaza in which Hamas’s military commander was among the 10 people killed, threatened international peace and security, the sources said.“Grave developments today in Gaza portend to threaten international peace and security. The Council must play its part in arresting this trend,” he added. After the closed-door

minutes, Indian Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri, who is the president of the Council for this month, said the upshot of the discussion was to seek de-escalation of the situation and to try and diffuse the tensions.

He said that a statement would be issued soon.

In his remarks, the Pakistani envoy condemned the targeted killings as well as Israeli missile strikes against civilian areas in Gaza, which have killed a number of Palestinians, including a sevenyear old girl. “These are senseless killings,” he is understood to have told the Council. The Israeli retaliation is excessive, the response disproportionate.”

Masood Khan said that excessive use of force by Israel on peaceful protesters in a number of Palestinian cities was unacceptable. —NNI

no institution on its own could ensure good governance in the country adding that the judiciary is a role model for other institutions.

Addressing a full court meeting here on Thursday, the chief justice said that the people’s confidence on the judiciary has increased.

He said that it is a usual full court meeting, which is convened to review the rate of disposal of cases.

The Chief Justice said that the Supreme Court reserved the right of judicial review in any matter. He said that the judiciary ensured that no institution intrudes in the working parameters of other institution.

Fourteen judges of the apex court attended the meeting. Justice Athar Saeed didn’t attend the meeting due to his illness while Justice Jawad S Khwaja is out of the country.

One gunned down in Quetta, two Hazaras injured Q U E T TA — U n i d e n t i f i e d gunmen killed a man in Sarghai area here early on Thursday morning According to Levies sources, unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets on Ahmedullah in Sarghai area of Zarghonabad in Quetta that killed him on the spot while the attackers managed to flee from the scene. Levies personnel shifted the body to Civil Hospital, Quetta.

Meanwhile, two persons were injured as a result of gunfire in another firing incident in Quetta.

Police said the men were wounded when unknown gunmen riding motorbikes opened fire on them in the provincial capital’s Akhtarabad area.Both injured men were from the Hazara Shia SAILIN PINAR: A Turk soldier chasing a Syrian civilian who crossed into Turkish border. community.—INP

Some conservatives see conspiracy behind Petraeus scandal W ASHINGTON — It’s the scandal is linked to a closed September and his fear for his skin when he said that the at- effort to keep him quiet. “In the knows Gen. Petraeus, and soever in this story up to soap opera that shocked official Washington and ensnared a previously squeaky clean CIA director at a time when he was supposed to play a role in the accounting for a possible security misstep in Libya.

We don’t know all the facts of why the FBI started investigating David Petraeus’ biographer and how it ultimately led to his resignation.

But a growing number of conservative commentators contend that the resignation of former CIA Director David Petraeus is more than simple amends made for a personal wrong.

Charles Krauthammer, the Fox News and Washing-ton Post commentator, believes the Petraeus’ sex

briefing that he gave two days after the attack that killed four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens, in Benghazi, Libya.

Petraeus is set to speak about circumstances surrounding the tragedy again before a House commit-tee on Friday and possibly at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, as well.

Petraeus’ resignation from his post at the CIA in light of his extramarital affair raised the possibility that he would not testify. But on Wednesday morn-ing, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told ABC News Petraeus had agreed to do so. Krauthammer said on Fox News Tuesday that ties he sees between what Petraeus’ told the Congress in

future at the CIA make his affair with biographer Paula Broadwell important to the public. “The reason that it’s important is here’s a man who knows the administration holds his fate in his hands, and he gives testimony completely at variance with what the Secretary of Defense had said the day be-fore, at variance with what he heard from the station chief in Tripoli and with everything that we had heard,” Krauthammer said. “Was he influenced by the fact he knew his fate was held by people in the administration at that time?” Krauthammer’s comments seemed to imply that the man who wrote the book on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq lied to the House Intelligence Committee to save his

tack was a spontaneous mob spurred by the film, “The Innocence of Muslims.”

At the time of his briefings, no one in the White House was aware of the FBI investigation into Pet-raeus’ relationship with Broadwell.

As ABC News’ Martha Raddatz reported on “World News with Diane Sawyer,” the FBI got involved around May or June tracing emails from Broadwell to Jill Kelley in Tampa, Fla., but President Obama was not informed about Petraeus’ indiscretions until November Former New Jersey Superior Court Judge Andrew Napolitano wrote an op-ed for the Washington Times Wednesday in which he said Petraeus was clearly forced to resign his post in an

modern era, office-holders with forgiving spouses simply do not resign from powerful jobs because of a temporary, noncriminal, consensual adult sexual liaison, as the history of the FDR, Ei-senhower, JFK, LBJ and Clinton presidencies attest. So, why is Gen. Petraeus different?”

Napolitano wrote. “Someone wants to silence him.”

Napolitano offered no guesses as to what those pressuring Petraeus might be hoping to suppress.

Rudy deLeon, senior vice president for national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, said the American people should allow Petraeus to “speak for himself.”

“Anyone who

I’ve known him since my Pentagon days, knows that his integ-rity comes first, that he’s not a political guy, and that being straightforward is what his considerable reputation has been based on,” deLeon said.

In late October, Petraeus personally traveled to Libya to investigate the CIA personnel who were in Benghazi on the night of the attack.

On the night Petraeus first announced his resigna-tion, Krauthammer said the affair would spur the mainstream media to dig deeper into what transpired in Benghazi.

“It will now become the hottest story around and you can be sure that even the mainstream papers, which did not show any interest what-

and into the election, are going to get on it,” Krauthammer said. “It will unravel.”

Implications that Petraeus was covering for the White House play into a larger theory floating around conservative circles that Obama administra-tion officials like Petraeus and U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice purposely misled the American people following the attack in Benghazi.

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John McCain, R-Ariz., told ABC’s Jon Karl Wednesday that they would oppose Obama’s hypothetical nomination of Rice to Secretary of State, with Graham saying he didn’t “trust her.”—AP

7 ways to stop eating out

O

NE of the best ways to tighten your budget is to cut back on the amount of money you spend on take-out and restaurant food. Besides, not only is eating at home cheaper, it’s most often healthier, too. Here are nine ideas to help you avoid the fast food temptation.

1. Grab and eat foods rule. One of the reasons we love fast food is because it’s fast. In just a few minutes, we’re chowing on hot, tasty foods that satisfy our need for immediate gratification.

Healthy foods to keep on hand are trail mix, fresh fruits and veggies (precut for easier consumption), granola bars (yes, you can make your own at home), pudding or Jello, pretzels, cottage cheese, salads, and sweet treats like miniature candy bars or Hershey’s kisses. Packaging foods in baggies makes it easy to take snacks with you when you leave the house, too.

2. Money saved is money earned. Start a special savings fund for something you’ve always wanted, like that new fishing boat motor, an iPad, or an exotic vacation. Every time you’re tempted to eat out, take the money you would have spent on take out food and add it to your dream fund.

The knowledge of saving for something worthwhile is often enough of a motivator to keep you from turning into that McDonald’s after work.

3. Make cooking at home enjoyable.

Turn up your favorite music, involve the whole family, or splurge on a nice set of spices. Whatever it takes to make cooking enjoyable for you is an investment

worth investing in. Trying out new recipes, creating your own dishes, and filing your home with the smells of home cooked food can all be great starting points for fostering a love of cooking. If it’s enjoyable, cooking at home can be healthy and relaxing, making it an ideal hobby.

4. Planning ahead helps you avoid temptation. Menu planning and preparing foods in advance can really help out when you’re feeling unmotivated to cook, and tempted to eat out. You can make your own Hot Pockets and freeze them for later, or keep a prepared menu every week to take the pain out of deciding what’s for supper.

5. Learn to make your favorite fast foods at home.

If you simply can’t live without that Big Mac, or get a weekly hankering for KFC chicken, you can learn to recreate your favorite fast food recipes at home.

6. Make meals a social occasion. Another way to take the pain out of eating at home is to create a meal rotation plan with your neighbors and friends.

You rotate meeting at everybody’s own homes one day a week to showcase everyone’s cooking skills and to enjoy some fun times. Quite often, the company makes even the most mundane meals exciting.

7. Spruce up your kitchen and dining area. If you take time to make your kitchen and dining area attractive and appealing, you will be extra motivated to spend time in those areas of your home.

RAWALPINDI: An enchanting view of colourful butterfly sitting on flowers.

Students enthral audience with Iqbal’s poetry I S L A M A B A D —Students of Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG) F-7/2 here on Thursday highlighted Iqbal’s poetry and his message during a function held in connection with the Iqbal Day The programme aimed at familiarizing the young minds with the richness of ideas embodied in Iqbal’s poetry.

After recitation from the Holy Quran and Naat, Rabiya Kiran from Persian Department recited verses of Maulana Rumi.

Faiza, a student of Second Year, presented a piece explicating Iqbal’s idea of Mard- e-Momin.

Lyrical renditions of Iqbal’s poetry were also a part of the programme.

The programme ended with a quiz on Iqbalyat with cash prizes for the winners and a speech by the Principal IMCG, Tallat Samiullah.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Staff Major General (N) Ibrahim Salim Mohammed Al-Musharrakh, Commander UAE Naval Forces is being received by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila at Naval Headquarters.

Commander UAE Naval Forces briefed on PN role in maritime security STAFF REPORTER I S L A M A B A D —Commander UAE Naval Forces, Major General (Naval) Ibrahim Salim Mohammed Al Musharrakh on Thursday called on Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila in his office, where he discussed professional matters with his counterpart.

A comprehensive brief on PN role in Regional Maritime Security Situation and Opera-

tional developments was also given to the visiting dignitary.

Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, the Commander of UAE Naval Forces, who is on official visit to Pakistan was received by Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila.

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy, clad in ceremonial dress, presented him the Guard of Honour.

The visiting dignitary

was then introduced to Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at Naval Headquarters.

The visiting dignitary is on a second leg of his tour and had earlier visited PN units & installations at Karachi and also attended IDEAS 2012. Major General Al Musharrakh will also call on the Defence Minister and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Major General Al Musharrakh joined the UAE Navy in 1980.

Chinese calligraphy STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —“Chinese calligraphy epitomizes enrichment and longevity of Chinese Culture and art learning enables a student to get an easily access of knowledge that is centuries and generations old” said Huang Ao Jon, a known Chinese calligrapher and artist.

He stated this while meeting Director General Brigadier Azam Jamal during his visit to National University of Modern Languages (NUML) today.

Edu programme for enhancing capabilities CITY REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Australian High Commissioner, Peter Heyward has said that his country is providing assistance to Pakistan in education of youth so as they use their skill for the development of their country.

He was addressing to a pre-departure briefing of 55 Pakistani professionals who have been awarded scholarships to undertake Masters level study at Australian Universities in 2013 through AusAID’s ‘Australia Awards’ Program.

He said that the Pakistani scholars will study subjects agreed with Pakistani government that address key development needs in the country

including maternal, neonatal and child health, primary education, food security and agriculture.

He said that Australia Awards program targets emerging leaders in Pakistan.

Scholarship recipients are required to return to Pakistan after completing their studies, ensuring that they bring their newly acquired skills home to contribute to the development of their country.

“The Australian government has been providing scholarships to Pakistani students since 1991, and the scholarships program highlights the strong development partnership between Australia and Pakistan”, the High Commissioner added.

He told the audiences

Australia’s development assistance program to Pakistan has grown steadily in recent years, reaching Australian dollar 96.4 million in 2012/13 with a focus on health, education and agriculture.

The Australia Awards are an important component of Australia’s investment in education under which she provides long and short term study and professional development opportunities to citizens from less-developed countries around the globe.

The Awards aim to develop capacity and leadership skills so that individuals can contribute to development in their countries, and to build people to people linkages at the individual, institutional and country level.

Calligraphic exhibition showcased at RAC

ISLAMABAD —More than 50 art pieces of different artists were put on display in calligraphic exhibition, Thursday at Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC).

General Manger Operation, Safari Club Rashid Malik along with Naheed Manzoor and Resident Director RAC Waqar Ahmed inaugurated the exhibition.

The work of Elahi Bux Mattee, Khwaja Muhammad Hussain, Imran Tahir, Ashraf Heera, Abdul Rehman Tabani, Nadeem Shiekh, Younis Roomi and Azeem Iqbal was showcased at the exhibition. The art pieces were comprising different writing styles. After inaugural ceremony, Rashid Malik said the work of artists is rich with texture, style, color combination and material.

He said “Traditions of Islamic Calligraphy are old and our calligraphers are guardians of these traditions”. Naheed Manzoor said all the artists are perfect in their work and their ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador Liu Jian briefs the media persons about the change work is eligible for international level.—APP of leadership in China at a Press conference.

Character building of young generation as future leaders stressed SANA JAMAL I S L A M A B A D —Scholars, addressing the youngsters here on Thursday, stressed the need of character building of young generation as future leaders of the country. “Observing the principles and following the messages of our three great leaders & role models, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Q u a i d - e - A z a m Muhammad Ali Jinnah, can lead the young people to success,” remarked Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, former Rector of International Is-

lamic University. Knowledge and skill alone are not enough; Young people need role models so they can become mature and responsible young adults.

Speaking to the students at a symposium, held to celebrate Role Model Day at Aiwan-e- Syed Islamabad, Prof. Fateh Malik added that: “There is the need of reliable character building of individuals as well as the nation and wise nations remember their past great leaders and that help them overcome the increasing challenges of the world.”

ISLAMABAD: Fateh Muhammad Malik, former Rector, International Islamic Univer“Young people need sity and Brigadier Iqbal M Shafi (Alig) President of SSMS with the participants of character building training “Role Models Day” at Aiwan-e-Sir Syed.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir

to be successful future leaders and to build a strong nation” said Senator Razina Alam Khan, former chairperson of senate standing committee on Education.

Brigadier Iqbal M Shafi (Alig) President of Sir Syed Memorial Society (SSMS) in his speech enlightening talk asked the audience to deliberate on the key traits of the three great role models and forefathers of the nation. “It was their honesty of purpose truth & love for nationhood along with unbending character that made dream of Pakistan a reality.”

Syed Mansoor Aqid,

chairman of Al-Aqraba Foundation, gave detailed description of the way Sir Syed had to fight the odds of Hindus and the British and get the rights of the South Asian Muslims.

It was Sir Syed who laid the foundation of modern & scientific education along with character building among the Muslims of the sub-continent followed by Allama Iqbal’s Philosophy which gave a dream of independence, and later the Quaid-e-Azam who within seven years of the 1940 Pakistan resolution, realized the dream of Pakistan, an independent country for the Muslims of the Sub-

continent.

Wali Muhammad, Director SSIL addressing the youngsters, said “cooperative actions of youth can solve the problems of the Nation.” He cited the example of four students who started cleanliness drive in Pakistan and have 3500 students in their team now. He informed that, Sir Syed Memorial Society has also started a motivation program for the students of Islamabad in collaboration with the federal Directorate of Education.

Students of Sir Syed School recited the poetry of Iqbal and the National Anthem at the occasion.

No more open ‘katcheries’ to solve people’s problems CITY REPORTER Zohr

06:00 01:30 04:00 07:00

November 16 DEPARTMENT of English, International Islamic University would organize a three-day international conference at Faisal Mosque Campus.

The conference “The Literary Present and the Postcolonial Condition” will be held on 14-16 November. ***** MINISTER of State IPC Malik Azmat Khan will be the chief guest in prize distribution ceremony of 2 nd semi final of the 1 st Bhutto Shaheed Blind Cricket Tournement 2012 at Shalimar Cricket Ground, F-6 at 3:30 pm.

November 16-18 FACULTY of Management Sciences of the International Islamic University Islamabad is organizing to hold 3-day event on ‘Women Model United Nations’ for November 16 to November 18. The inaugural ceremony of the seminar to be held on November 16 at 3 pm to 7 pm at Quaide-Azam Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus of the university.

R AWALPINDI —Heads of different provincial departments operating in the Rawalpindi district have stopped holding “Khuli Katcheries,” which were considered an effective platform for prompt redressal of public grievances, setting aside clear directives of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The Punjab Chief Minister had directed all heads of the provincial depart-

ments for addressing grievances of the common man through open courts thrice a week on regular basis from 08:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Chiefs of various departments including Commissioner, District Coordination Officer, Executive District Officers, Education Board, Allied Hospitals, Police, Food, Livestock, Rawalpindi Development Authority, Park and Horticulture, Housing and Physical Planning, Excise and Taxation, Water and Sanitation Agency, Town

Municipal Administration and Regional Transport Authority have not arranged such public forums for last two and a half months.

Expressing anger over the blithe attitude of the concerned officers in resolving their genuine problems, people have demanded stern action against those showing negligence to comply with orders of the Chief Minister.

People have started sending their complaints to the Chief Minister Secretariat

Govt focusing on peaceful society to promote harmony STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—European Union Delegation to Pakistan aiming at mapping the initiatives of countering radicalization and violent extremism called on the Advisor to Prime Minister on Human Rights, Mr. Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar at his office.

The Advisor said that the Afghan war, lack of education and awareness and the economic constraints pushed the youth into ditches of radicalization and the violent extremism. He further indicated that the terrorist organizations have also contributed in increasing the extremism.

While responding to a question the Advisor mentioned that in order to sup-

press the extremism education, awareness and the economic uplift of the poor masses are the most vital steps to be taken.

He said that the present democratically elected government is focusing on creating peaceful society by promoting culture of dialogue, respect and harmony.

Additionally he reiterated that it is the first time that Political Parties Act has been extended to FATA that will provide opportunity to the people of that area to participate effectively in the coming elections which in turn be helpful in countering radicalization and violent extremism.

He apprised them about recent legislative initiatives of the present Government

such as the Women in Distress & Detention Fund Bill, National Commission for Women Bill, and Prevention of Anti Women Practices Bill (Private Member Bill) for addressing violence against women.

The Advisor told them about the proposed media campaign which will be initiated by identifying three core issues like terrorism, violence against women and religious freedom.

He said that the proposed media awareness campaign will create space for legislators to take initiatives for harmonization of legislation, regulations and practices with the international human rights covenants and agreements and creating pluralistic, tolerant, progressive and open society.

Fine imposed for non-completion of routes, overcharging RAWALPINDI—Taking action on the complaints of the citizens on the free helpline 1915 of City Traffic Police (CTO) during the last month, traffic wardens collected Rs69,600 fine by issuing challan tickets to more than 100 public transport vehicles on noncompletion of routes and overcharging.

According to the traffic police officials, the wardens also provided on-road help and guidance to more than 250 citizens.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO), Syed Ishtiaq Husain Syed told INP that the traffic police provided information to 1,247 citizens on the helpline 1915.

He further said that the police also informed the citizens about the traffic plan during the development works going on in the city and about the diversions made in the working areas.

He said a special squad always remains present on helpline 1915 to help the citizens in need, adding the citizens are encouraged to call the helpline for help and guidance and can give their suggestions.—INP

Students advised to focus on physical fitness RAWALPINDI—Director Federal Government Educational Institutions Cantonment and Garrison (FGEI-CG) Brigadier Raheel Ashraf on Thursday underlined the importance of physical fitness for mind enlightenment of students aimed at better grooming of the younger generation. “The young students must focus upon the enlightenment of mind, coupled with fitness of the body”. he addressing a prize distribution ceremony.

The FGEI had organized the annual All Pakistan Sports and Co-curricular Activities under which Qiraat, Naat, English and Urdu Declamation, Fine Arts and Home Economics competitions were held in the year 2012.

Brigadier Ashraf said 311 institutions run by the FGEI are not only producing literate beings with bookish knowledge, but also to groom young minds teaching them a purpose and meaning in their lives besides providing them a platform to discover their hidden potentials.—APP

Lahore as no open courts are being held to resolve their problems.

Muhammad Azeem Butt, a resident of Karimpura, said people of the area are facing the problem of contaminated water for several months and Water and Sanitation Agency is not ready to repair the broken pipelines of water supply.

He said complaints have been registered with WASA time and again but the concerned staff have turned a deaf ear to the issue, putting

start a business without the authority’s support.

Now, hundreds of such applications are being forwarded to provincial departments every month by the Chief Minister Secretariat for disposal of complaints, which otherwise would have been dealt at local level.

The City Police Officer (CPO) is also avoiding to hold “Yaumia Khuli Katchery,” while junior officers are sent in the open courts being held on weekly basis for last several weeks.

RAWALPINDI—Chaklala and Cantonment Board Rawalpindi have issued notices to the old grant holders of the houses in the area to renew their lease agreement according to new rules and regulations till December 31.

According to sources, both the boards also notified the residents that the old grant scheme of the houses has been cancelled. The properties of the residents, who would not renew the lease of their residential and commercial properties till December 31, would be confiscated on January 1, 2013 and the old grant holders would be ousted from the property.

To the property on lease again, the old grant holders would have to pay Rs1 to 5 million per marla fee, Rs200,000 to 300,000 development charges and 100 percent fine, in case of commercial property. Then if the lease is approved, the property holders have to vacate 15 to 20 foot land in front of the property.

While, all the social and trade organizations and citizen councils rejected the scheme, terming it against the interest of people. They also announced to challenge it in the high court, besides holding a protest demonstration in Kamran Market after Jumma prayer today (Friday).—INP

I SLAMABAD —The new administration of the Capital RAWALPINDI: Minister of State for National Harmony Akram Masih Gill participating Development Authority in Dewali celebration at a Mandir.

(CDA) has failed to demolish illegal kiosks established at various points at green belts and shopping areas, as 75 percent out of over 1,000 kiosks are illegal, sources said.

However, some of the R AWALPINDI —The Punjab kiosk owners have illegally government has released occupied surrounding areas Rs960 million for uplift which damage the beauty of schemes for Rawalpindi dis- the Islamabad and shopping R AWALPINDI —In the wake work on the project was trict under members of par- centres give look of Raja Bazaar, a congested and heavily of under construction stopped when Rawalpindi- liament package. project of Pirwadhai Mor Islamabad traffic police failed The provincial govern- encroached shopping area in Flyover, the road will be to reach consensus to allow ment had provided Rs40 mil- Rawalpindi.

In office, CDA Chairman closed for heavy traffic com- heavy traffic to enter the lion each to six MNAs and ing from Peshawar to federal capital due to secu- 14 MPAs of the district which Syed Tahir Shahbaz had conRawalpindi from November rity concerns and frequent become Rs680 million while stituted a committee compris22.According to the traffic movement of VVIPs on the Rs280 million were granted to ing Members Planning, plan, heavy traffic would be route. non-elected leaders of PML- Admin, Finance and EnvironIt was also decided in the N including Raja Javid Ikhlas, ment. The committee was supdiverted from Tarnol to Kashmir Highway and Ninth meeting that digging for un- Chaudhry Riaz, Iftikhar posed to devise a policy and Avenue while heavy traffic derground piles on road go- Warsi and others for the up- inspect establishment of illegal kiosks in large number at going to Peshawar from ing towards Saddar from lift work in the district.

Pirwadhai Mor would be Pirwadhai after crossing After the release of every nook and corner of the Meherabad would be made completed till Nov 22 and funds, uplift schemes have federal capital.—INP half of the road be blocked been started in the relevant one-way.

The decision was made for the purpose. constituencies, the sources NHA Punjab, Xen added. It should be menin a meeting held at the DCO office the other day which Jamshid Khan said that tioned here that weekly was attended by CTO Pirwadhai More project in- meeting of development reRawalpindi Syed Ishtiaq volve a flyover and under- view committee would be Shah, SSP Traffic Islamabad pass, adding that 50 percent regularly held to review pace Moin Masood, SE NHA digging for the underpass of work on the development R AWALPINDI —AdministraPunjab Farhat Munir, has been completed. The schemes. On the other hand, tor Rawal Town, Saif Anwer project Xen Jamshid and flyover will have under- third party evaluation of the Jappa has directed the conground 124 piles including same would also start from cerned officials to complete other officials. the repairing of roads and Earlier, construction 11 pillars, he added.—INP the next month.—INP manholes on the routes of the religious processions till 5th Muharram-ul-Haram.

According to sources, the administrator Rawal Town allocated duties of the concerned workers under the supervision of Town Municipal Officer Ahmed Kamal to repair the roads, streetlights and manholes till Muharram 5.

While, Ahmed Kamal issued directives to Town Officer Regulation, Aftab Chohan to visit and examine routes of the rallies on daily basis and take action against encroachers. He said that the authority filed cases against encroachers and confiscated the goods.

The administrator TMA also formed a complaints cell, which would remain open round the clock, and approved three relief camps for 7 to10 Muharramul-Haram at three points in the city, including Committee ISLAMABAD: Goats passing in front of Prime Minister’s Secretariat, declared Red Chowk, Pull Shah Nazar and Fowara Chowk.—INP Zone area for public for Prime Minister’s security.

Traffic to be blocked from Nov 22

the Punjab chief minister, he informed APP that residents of Khyaban-e-Iqbal (old Badar and Bangash colonies) have complained that illegal commercial activities in the area have made their lives miserable because of noxious fumes given off during recycling and leather refining coupled with noise pollution.

Javed alleged that the residential areas are being used for commercial activities in connivance with the Tehsil Municipal Administration staff as no one would dare

Chaklala, Cantt Board residents asked to renew lease

75pc out of over 1,000 kiosks illegal

Pirwadhai Morr Flyover

the health of residents at risk Javed Hussain Naqvi, another complainant said that a number of health-hazardous activities are continuing in various residential colonies of the city, violating clear directives of the district government.

He said around 130 illegal factories are functioning in various residential areas of the city, out of which 40 are located in Khyaban-e-Sir Syed, Bagh Sardaran and Khyaban-e-Iqbal areas.

In a joint application to

Rs960m for uplift schemes

ISLAMABAD: Inspector General Islamabad Police Bani Amin Khan is looking at a fake dollar after Press conference.

29 stolen cars and fake currency recovered CRIME REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Crime Investigation Agency and AntiCar Lifting Cell of Islamabad Police have arrested 113 persons during the last one month for their alleged involvement in dacoities, snatching and lifting vehicles, fraudulent activities and recovered 29 cars, stolen items worth Rs. 37,00,000, two motorbikes, 23 pistols and gold ornaments from their possession.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Inspector General of Police Islamabad Bani Amin Khan said that SP (Investigation) Mustansar Hussain Feeroz was assigned special task to resolve the crime cases of heinous nature. He along with various police teams including DSP Zubair Ahmed Sheikh, Sub-Inspectors Asghar Ali Bhatti, Shamas ul Akbar, Zulfiqar Ahmed , Muhammad Ali, Gulzar Ahmed, ASIs Tariq Rauf, Zafar Iqbal, Riaz Macon, Syed Haider Ali Shah, Abdul Hafeez, Javed Iqbal and others worked day and

night to accomplish the task and busted five criminals gangs for their involvement in burglaries, car theft, selling diesel and petrol of official vehicles, possessing fake foreign currency and drug peddling activities.

CIA Police teams recovered gold ornaments, cash Rs. 3,76,000, three stolen vehicles, two motorbikes, laptop, computer, amplifiers, digital cameras, televisions, eight mobile phones, generator, UPS, mobile cards, 845 liter diesel, 230 liters, fake US dollars, 25 fake driving and weapon license, 23 pistols, 3.675 kilogram hashish, 432 wine bottles, 650 liquor bottles, seven drums of liquor and 12 cartons of beer from these nabbed persons.

Meanwhile, teams of AntiCar Lifting Cell of Islamabad Police headed by DSP Rukhsar Mehdi also arrested 33 car lifters and recovered 26 stolen cars from their possession worth millions of rupees.

Out of these 26 stolen cars, eight cars were lifted from jurisdictions of various police stations of Islamabad.

SNGPL manager served legal notice for poor services RAWALPINDI—District Consumer Protection Council (DCPC) Rawalpindi has served a legal notice of Rs500,000 to the manager Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) Peshawar on provision of poor services.

According to sources, in his complaint, Hafiz Muhammad Usman Ghani, a consumer, said his gas meter was removed for non-payment of bill. After the complete payment of the bills, the consumer submitted the copies of the paid bills in the company’s consumer office and the officials reinstalled the meter.

“After the meter was reinstalled, I did not receive the bill,” Usman said in the complaint, adding, “I visited the gas concerned offices many times to get the bills but could not get it as the officials said that he would be provided manual bills later.”

The officials removed the meter again on November 5 without giving any reason and Usman had to suffer financially and mentally, the complainant said, appealing to get compensation in 15 days.—INP

Roads repair on routes of Muharram processions

RAWALPINDI: Students present drama during final prize distribution ceremony at FG Post Graduate College for Women, Kashmir Road.

Court decision defied

RBISE accepts online registration only R AWALPINDI —Rawalpindi facilitate the candidates by tion.

Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (RBISE) is accepting only online registration for the ninth and 11th grade examinations of 2013, defying the court’s decision to provide manual registration as well.

According to sources, thousands of candidates are facing problems in online registration for the exams.

Keeping in view the problems faced by the candidates registering online for exams, the court had bound all the education boards of the province to

allowing them to register online as well as manually.

But the RBISE has made it mandatory for all the candidates willing to appear for the exams of ninth and 11th grades to register online.

The board gave the deadline of September 15 for ninth grade and October 30 for 11th grade for online registration but the board had to extend the deadline three times as the problems in opening the board website, uploading documents and attaching pictures were hindering the candidates’ online registra-

After the end of the deadline, rooms of registration branch of the education board were filled with the forms of the candidates appearing for both exams as thousands of candidates could not register online.

According to the board sources, the candidates, who could not register, would not be eligible to appear in exams as regular candidates and the students with practical subjects would have to change their subjects at the end of their educational year.— INP

None to stop speaking against Delhi till promises to Kashmiris materialise SRINAGAR—Senior National Conference (NC) leader Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal has said he was hurt by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s tweet but he had nothing against his nephew as he knew Omar was sitting on a chair of thorns. Kamaal also urged the Chief Minister not to make “home matters” public and added that he will continue to speak against New Delhi until it ‘falls in line and fulfills the promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.’

The Chief Minister tweeted on micro-blogging site Twitter: “Funny thing is I don’t need anyone to make things difficult for me when I have relatives to do it for me. They say never work with animals & children.

ISLAMABAD: AJK President Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan being presented a gift by Chairman ERRA Mr Hamid Yar I think it’s safe to add relatives Hiraj. Deputy Chairman ERRA Maj Gen Mohammad Azim Asif and Social Welfare Minister Ms Farzana Yaqoob also present.

Didn’t have know-how of Hurriyat’s Pak visit: Shah

Females role in Kashmir peace process demanded

Jail authorities to produce Masarrat in court on 27th

to that list as well.” The message was taken as a veiled attack by Omar against his uncle who had made some alleged anti-India comments a day before.

“This is a childish act. I am hurt but it is alright as I know Omar is treading a path on a horse which is full of thorns. I never hurt my nephew intentionally, after all he is my blood and blood is thicker than water,” Kamaal told Greater Kashmir.

He urged the Chief Minister not to make “home matters” public.

“There are differences in every home, but that doesn’t mean they should be made public,” said Kamaal, who is also the Additional General Secretary of the ruling National Conference.

He said Omar seems to be perturbed by the people around him from Congress. “I can understand his compulsions and pressure under which he is working. He is sitting on a chair of thorns as it is not an easy job to head a coalition,” the NC leader said.

He said Omar is young and should understand that ‘I am his father’s brother.’ “I am in politics long before him (CM). I am in politics even before he was born,” Kamaal said.

On whether his anti-India remarks had created problems for Omar, the Chief Minister’s uncle said, “I speak truth and truth is always bitter. I will continue to speak against New Delhi till they fall in line. How can I forget what happened be-

tween 1953 to 1974?” said an emotionally charged Kamaal.

Pertinently, during a public meeting in Kishtwar district of Jammu, Kamaal had termed Government of India as “biggest enemy of Kashmir” and that New Delhi was reluctant to sign no-war treaty with Pakistan. “I want to remind New Delhi about its promises. How long they want to keep the Kashmir issue hanging.

First Kashmir Committee was formed, then Working Groups and then interlocutors but nothing happened on ground. We don’t even know whether interlocutors are alive,” said Kamaal. “This won’t do. Kashmir continues to remain sandwiched between India and Pakistan.—NNI

No peace in Asia till Kashmir resolved: Waza

S RINAGAR — Senior APHC mir are principle stake hold- fected. He appealed the S RINAGAR — Terming their organized in Srinagar in No- needed us most at the time of SRINAGAR—Reacting to the visit to the other part of Kash- vember 2007 and the last was earthquake in 2005 but we could S R I N A G A R —In occupied Leader and Chairman of ers in the dispute and any United Nations to impress statement of Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq where he had said that Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Chairman Shabir Shah was in the know-how of the Delhi visit of Hurriyat members, DFP has said they were never in its know-how. “To say and portray that the DFP Chairman was aware of the Delhi visit is not good,” a statement of DFP said.

“What the DFP had proposed in the executive meeting is that Hurriyat should delay the Pakistan visit for some time as Pakistan was engaged in the elections. It was also said that Hurriyat should first set its house in order and then decide on the Pakistan visit,” DFP said.

From DFP’s side, the last meeting of Hurriyat (M) was attended by Muhammad Abdullah Tari.

“A visit to Pakistan at this crucial time when the elections were in full swing in the country will not be fruitful for Kashmir which is the question of the aspirations and sacrifices of lakhs of people of Jammu and Kashmir, Shah said in the statement.—NNI

1/3rd Kashmiri population suffer from diabetes’ SRINAGAR — On the eve of

mir a historic and emotional moment, the 10-member delegation of women activists from Jammu and Kashmir returned from Muzaffarabad after attending a 3-day cross-LoC conference. The delegation members said the visit will serve as a roadmap for future dialogues.

Returning home with a bagful of memories, the activists said they are proud of being the first batch of women delegates to cross LoC and hold discussions with women activists and civil society members of Muzzafarabad.

The 10-member delegation comprised of Prof Nusrat Andrabi, Nighat Shafi Pandit, Prof T Joldan, Prof Qurat-ulAin, Prof Effat Yasmeen, Prof Ravinderjit Kour, Prof Rekha Chowdary, Prof Yasmin Ashai, Ellora Puri and Ayesha Saleem.

This was the first visit of women activists from Held Kashmir to Muzaffarabad since 1947. First such conference was

held in Gulmarg in September 2011. The main motive of the visit was to include women in the peace-building process.

“Women form 50 per cent of the total population but ironically when it comes to peace building in our state this 50 per cent is neglected. We are the ones who are worst hit by turmoil and deserve to have a say in the conflict discourse,” said Nusrat Andrabi who was heading the delegation. Maintaining that the team urged government to make the procedures and security permits for travelling to Muzaffarabad hassle free, Andrabi said travel needs to be facilitated as people from both sides need each other.

“We have appealed both the governments to make the travel hassle free to the other side so that visit of people especially senior citizens, students and women groups engaged in holding of such conferences can be facilitated. People of that side

not reach them because of travel formalities.” Andrabi said things that came fore in the discussions mainly revolved around women empowerment in peace building and representation of women in political arena. “Women should get active representation in politics then only can our voices be heard. We want at least 33 per cent representation for females in political arena. This will help in addressing women issues in a better way.”

“It was resolved that a cross-LoC women team be constituted for working on women issues and the victims of conflict. It can work as a pressure group for addressing the women issues and in delivering justice to the half widows and widows.” Chairperson HOPE, Nighat Shafi Pandit said the women discourse needs to get proper recognition. “We want that the voices of women should be heard at all levels.—NNI

Kamaal’s anti-India rant triggers row JAMMU—Taking strong exception to National Conference (NC) leader Mustafa Kamaal’s remark on Indo-Pak talks, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has asked the party to clear its stand on the issue. “We have taken a strong exception to Mustafa Kamaal’s remarks.

This is a serious issue. This not the first time that this gentleman (Kamaal) has been giving statements like this,” Azad told PTI. Kamaal, while addressing NC workers at Kishtwar, slammed India saying Kashmiris are closer to Pakistan. Calling India the enemy of J&K, Kamaal alleged, “Time

and again India has backtracked from its no war pact with Pakistan.” Kamaal, is the younger brother of Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah and the uncle of J&K CM Omar Abdullah.

Kamaal also hit out at his coalition partner Congress and main opposition, PDP, saying “coalition is compulsion for us” and “we have plunged into power to keep away both of our enemies from each other, otherwise both had numbers to finish us.” Azad said it is high time that NC should clear its stand on which side of the page they are. Individual statements can

be tolerated but no Indian can tolerate anti-India statements.

We cannot tolerate it”, he said.

Farooq Abdullah had termed Kamaal’s remarks as “irresponsible”. “His (Kamaal’s) statement is irresponsible. Delhi has never been the enemy of Kashmiris,” he had said. Distancing from Kamaal’s statement, Omar had tweeted, “Funny thing is I don’t need anyone to make things difficult for me when I have relatives to do it for me.” In another tweet, he said, “They say never work with animals and children. I think it’s safe to add relatives to that list as well.”— NNI

World Diabetes Day, VicePresident, Diabetes-India Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar revealed “More than one-third of adult Kashmiri population has either diabetes or pre-diabetes”.

Speaking at a seminar, Zargar said the most important predisposing factor for this high prevalence of abnormalities of blood sugar is obesity. “The epidemic of obesity is taking place in most of the developed countries and is now becoming an issue of increasing significance in developing counties as well,” said he.

“There is growing evidence that at present, perhaps due to decreased physical activities, sedentary lifestyle, altered eating patterns, and increased fat content of the diet, children, adolescents and adults of affluent families are overweight as compared to their contemporaries in the past. This is leading to a concomitant epidemic of diabetes,” said he.

Giving the stats about diabetic patients in India Zargar said, “This time India alone has more than 5 crore diabetics and if no preventive measures are taken then number of diabetics by 2025 would exceed 9 crore MUZAFFARABAD: AJK Health Minister Sardar Qamar Zaman talk to Education Minister Mian Abdul Waheed. in India alone.—NNI

Kashmir, a court has directed the Superintendent of Kathua Jail to produce Hurriyet leader, Masarrat Aalam Butt in a case of ‘attempt to murder’ on November 27, the next date of hearing.

Counsel of Masarrat Aalam Butt told newsmen that the court directed the Kathua Jail Superintendent to ensure production of Masarrat Aalam Butt on the next date of hearing.

On October 19, the High Court of occupied Kashmir had quashed the detention orders under the black law, Public Safety Act (PSA) against Masarrat Aalam Butt, but he continues to be under detention.

It was the fifth time in last one year that the court quashed his detention orders under the draconian law, PSA. —KMS

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL), Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, has said that the permanent peace in South Asia is not possible without resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris’ aspirations. Mukhtar Waza while addressing party workers during a daylong meeting at party headquarters at Srinagar Wazirbagh, stressed that the United Nations could play a constructive role in facilitating meaningful engagement and dialogue between Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris for final resolution of the dispute.

“People of Jammu Kash-

settlement of the dispute on Jammu Kashmir should satisfy the aspirations of the people,’ Waza said. “Peaceful resolution of the dispute of Jammu Kashmir is in the interests of enduring regional peace and stability in south Asia besides in the interests of economic development in the region,’ he said.

He stressed upon India and Pakistan to start a meaningful dialogue process, as the dialogue process in the way by which Kashmir issue could be resolved. He said that by this issue kashmiri people are suffering from last 63 years and were badly af-

upon India to revoke the draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the territory, withdraw its troops and release all the illegally detained pro-liberation leaders and activists including youth and minor boys.

Meeting was attended by senior Peoples League leaders activists including, Mohd Maqbool Sofi, Imtiyaz Ahmad Reshi, Parvez Ahmad Dar, Molvi Shaheen, Syed Hilal, Rouf Kashmiri, Imran Ahmad, Farooq Ahmad Dar and district president Srinagar Gulzar Ahmad Katjoo.—NNI

India blockes resolution of Kashmir issue ISLAMABAD—The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Freedom League (JKPFL), Muhammad Farooq Rehmani has said that the rigid and unrealistic approach of India is the main cause of unresolved Kashmir dispute.

Muhammad Farooq Rehmani addressing a meeting of his party’s office-bearers and activists in Srinagar over telephone said that India was tying to suppress the Kashmiris’ indigenous movement for right to self-determination through use of brute force but it would never succeed in its sinister designs.

He said that Kashmir dispute was an internationally recognised and the United Nations yet to settle it in accordance with its resolutions but India was using delaying tactics to kill the time. Muhammad Farooq Rahmani also urged India to give up its unrealistic approach towards the dispute and come forward to settle it, once and for all.—KMS

Forum’s seminar on Sunday S RINAGAR — In occupied Kashmir, the forum patronised by the veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani will hold a seminar on Sunday at its Hyderpora head office to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Husain (RA).

The forum spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar said that prominent religious scholars would deliver speeches and pay tributes to the martyrs of Karbala.—KMS

MANEEL (KOTLI): Senior Minister Ch Mohammad Yasin opening party officer here.

Pandit police officers taking revenge from Muslims: Geelani SRINAGAR—Lashing out at SSP under the draconian law and sent Anantnag Ramesh Kumar Jalla for “constantly harassing” Tehreek-e-Hurriyat leader Mir Hafizullah, Chairman Hurriyat Conference(G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said that some “communal-minded” Kashmiri Pandit officers in the Jammu and Kashmir police were “exacting revenge upon innocent Muslims.”

“Although Kashmiri Pandits are our brothers and an inseparable part of the society, over the years some black sheep from the community have made their way into the higher ranks of police department and are now exacting revenge upon the Muslims for sins they never committed ,” Geelani said in a statement here.

“The communal-minded SSP Anantnag, Ramesh Kumar Jalla, has left no stone unturned to see Mir Hafizullah behind the bars. In 2011, Jalla got Hafizullah booked under the Public Safety Act on the flimsy pretext of organizing a seerat conference .

Now , only after 29 days he was released from jail last month, Jalla again got Hafizullah booked

to the Kathua jail on the charge of planning to organize an EidMilan function,” Geelani said.

Geelani said the Hurriyat’s legal cell would challenge the PSA and also bring the “communally motivated actions of the said police officer” into the notice of global human rights watchdog Amnesty International.

“Had Hafizullah been arrested for being prevented to address a public rally or lead a pro-freedom procession it would still have made some sense since most police officers are too eager to prove themselves more loyal than the king.

But the fact that Hafizullah has been now twice booked under the draconian Public Safety Act for organizing religious events is proof that Ramesh Kumar Jalla’s actions are purely motivated by malice and communal thinking,” Geelani said. Geelani warned that “such attitude could cause harm to communal harmony in Kashmir.”—NNI

Pak HC team visit Malik’s in hospital S RINAGAR — A high level delegation from Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, headed by its Deputy Ambassador Babar Amin, visited Fortis Hospital Delhi to enquire about the health of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik.

The Ambassador prayed for Malik’s speedy recovery. He extended his and the government of Pakistan’s best wishes to him, a JKLF spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the Front has expressed its grief and sorrow over the demise of a wellknown social worker from Qazigund, Abdul Hamid Malik.

The deceased was the father of JKLF senior activists Javed Ahmad Malik and Shuiab Malik.

The vice-chairman advocate Bashir Ahmad Butt, Mushtaq Ajmal, Manzoor Mustafa and Muhammad Ishaaq visited Qazigund and participated in the Nimaz-e-Jinaza of the deceased.—INP

Roots of IHK Mess

NC and Congress are linked by congenital mutual bad faith

T

HANKS to Dr Mustafa Kamal, the opportunistic alliance be tween the National Conference and the Congress is once again into public focus for the wrong reason.

True to his grain, Dr Kamal, during his visit to Doda district, has recalled the long history of betrayal suffered by the National Conference at the hands of the Congress and its successive governments in New Delhi.

Making a fine distinction between variants of this betrayal he described union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad as ‘sweet poison’ and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti

Mohammad Sayeed as ‘bitter poison’. Dr Kamal justified NC’s decision to still befriend the Congress on the ground that the former wanted to ‘save’ the state from being ‘ravaged’ by the Cong-PDP alliance.

He came down heavily upon government of India over its ‘inimical’ attitude towards Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that New Delhi had become an obstruction in normalising the ground situation in J&K as well as in promoting bilateral relationship with Pakistan.

Whatever the merit or demerit of his utterances, coming as it does from the reappointed spokesperson of the NC, it would not be correct to dismiss it sum-

marily. On earlier similar occasions when things got too hot for them, Dr Kamal’s family members, Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah, sought to play down his utterances suggesting as if their kin was suffering from waywardness or disorientation.

Dr Kamal was unceremoniously taken off from his position to save the throne for their dynasty. As the dust settled down, Dr Kamal was quietly restored to his position as the NC additional general secretary as well as its spokesperson. To be fair to him, Dr Kamal did not change his tone and tenor at any time and continued to fire from the hip.

Now that he has commenced his second term from where he had left in his first term there is no doubt that the NC leadership has again found the need to have him in place. Some in the Congress suspect that there was method in the (NC’s) madness in firing the man when things became too hot and hiring him soon after to resume his ‘mission’.

Leaving aside the question of how the NC and the Congress deal with each other, the state has been subjected to the worst kind of misgovernance under this coalition. The coalition government is internally divided, along party and regional lines, with the result that the administra-

tive machinery down below has been functioning along parallel often mutually contradictory lines. In the latest instance, the NC and the Congress are locked in head on collision over the issue of panchayati raj system.

The result is that the initiative generated by the panchayat elections has virtually died down and elected representatives have been pushed into unseemly spectacle.

Similarly, on the issue of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) the NC and the Congress are opposed to each other.

Congress ministers in the coalition make no secret of their disregard for the authority and prerogative of the chief minister

even as they enjoy unconcealed backing of their masters in New Delhi. The manner in which the issue of ‘restoration’ of the education and public works portfolios to the Congress is being debated in public makes mockery of the chief minister’s constitutional prerogative.

Instead of functioning as a team, the coalition ‘partners’ appear as mutually warring clans belonging to two dynasties with a huge historical baggage. Dr Kamal’s latest outburst against the Congress and its government in New Delhi shows that the disease afflicting the coalition is not curable because it is rooted in its congenital deformity.—Kashmir Watch.

LSM grows 4.06pc Staff Reporter ISLAMABAD—The country’s Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) has registered positive growth of 1.85 percent during the first quarter of the current fiscal year over the corresponding period of the last financial year. On year-on-year basis, the LSM grew by 4.06 percent during the month of September 2012 when compared to the same month of last year, according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The Quantum Index Numbers (QIN) of LSM stood at 105.67 points during July-September (2012-13) against 103.74 points during July-September (2011-12).

During the period under review, industries monitored

by Oil Companies Advisor Committee (OCAS) registered increase of 0.25 percent growth while the indices of Ministry of Industries grew by 0.29 percent and that of Provincial Bureaus of Statistics by 1.31 percent.

Kam Air flights off KABUL—Afghan private airline Kam Air has suspended flights to the United Arab Emirates saying competition from foreign airlines has made the route unviable for the carrier. Kam Air officials blamed the Afghan government for allowing foreign competitors to unfairly undercut prices, or price dump, and said that local companies face bankruptcy because they cannot compete with the foreign companies. “We have informed the Ministry of Transport and Aviation about the price dumping strategy of the foreign airlines, but no one there is chasing our problem, so we have temporarily suspended our flights to Dubai,” Head of Kam Air Zmrai Kamgar said in a phone conversation, adding that other, newer Afghan companies will collapse if this continues. Kam Air suspended the flights last week, officials said. Its website still has notices promoting trips to Dubai and offering assistance with UAE visas.—NNI

PQ shipping activity

Asim fears worst national gas crisis STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Advisor on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain has said that gas consumption by CNG stations has increased after reduction in the prices of the commodity, which could aggravate the energy crisis.

Answering questions in the National Assembly Thursday, Dr Asim Hussain said there is a need to evolve a comprehensive strategy to redefine the role of OGRA. He said that a committee of stakeholders should be constituted to address the issue of CNG. He said that the CNG should only be used in the public transport so that its benefit could reach to the common man.

He told the House the government is cognizant of the energy crisis and taking concrete

steps to resolve it. He said the LPG policy is currently lying with the Council of Common Interests which is expected to be approved by next week.

Dr. Asim Hussain said that comprehensive steps has been taken to manage gas load-shedding for the upcoming winter season. As short-term measure gap between the demand and supply is bridged through curtailment of gas supplies to fertilizer, power, general industry and CNG sectors. He said a campaign is being launched through Print and Electronic Media for creating awareness amongst general public and domestic consumers on conservation of natural gas.

He said SSGC would receive 10 MMCFD gas from Nur Bagla field after the laying of pipeline which is expected to be

completed soon.

Responding to a supplementary question, the Advisor said the country is currently producing sixty-four thousand barrel of oil which is expected to increase by one hundred thousand barrel next year.

Responding to another question, Dr. Asim Hussain said that Pakistan and Russia are negotiating the possibilities of participation of Russian companies in Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project for financing and implementation. He said we are also working on TAPI project and vowed that this project will be materialized.

Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah told the Ambassador of Australia Peter Heyward meeting with Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim.

House that a number of schemes are on the cards to transform Pakistan Post into a profitable entity.

ADB provides $1.1m to push TeleTaleem project TARIQ KHATTAK ISLAMABAD—The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide a technical assistance (TA) grant of US$ 1.1 million to Pakistan’s TeleTaleem (Pvt.) Limited to boost access to quality education and vocational training in Pakistan using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

“This project will open new vistas of online learning opportunities for students and teachers, currently without access to quality educational and training resources. With a click of a button, students will be able to avail quality educational services regardless of their geographic location. The project will hugely benefit stu-

FBR collects Rs548.8b in 4 months ISLAMABAD—Federal Board of

Revenue collected 548.8 billion rupees in taxes during the first carrying containers, chemical, four months of current fiscal year as compared to 506 billion and project cargo were rupees collected during the corallotted berth at Qasim responding period last year.

International Container Responding to a call attention Terminal and Multi Purpose Terminal during last 24 hours. notice moved by Abdul Rashid Godil and others in the National Meanwhile tow more ships Assembly Thursday, Minister of scheduled to load/offload State for Production Khawaja containers also arrived at Shiraz Mahmood said the FBR outer anchorage of Port has set a target of Rs 2381 billion Qasim during last 24 hours.

Berth occupancy was 75% at for the fiscal year 2012-13 which is higher than the previous years. the Port Qasim on Thursday He clarified that this target has not where total number of eight yet been revised. He termed tax ships namely CGM Chopin, Nasico Eagle, Leo Pard-B, Al collection in the first four months as satisfactory.—INP Soor II, Cos Glory, Harsanadi, Rosario and Fuji Galaxy are currently occupying respectively during last 24 hours. A cargo volume of 75,063 tonnes comprising 62,873 tonnes imports and 12,190 tonnes exports inclusive of containerized cargo carried in 952 containers (Boxes) were handle at the Port Qasim.—APP

KARACHI—Three ships

dents and teachers, particularly girls in remote parts of the country who seek access to good educational opportunities,” said Philip Erquiaga, Director General of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department.

Leveraging Pakistan’s fast growing ICT sector, TeleTaleem will provide ICTassisted advanced learning environment to service basic education and technical education and vocational training (TEVT) segments. The company plans to setup 500 learning centers/points-of-access over the next 5 years, reaching out to 100,000 students and 10,000 teachers across the country.

Werner E. Liepach, ADB’s Country Director for Pakistan,

and Asad Karim, Chief Executive Officer of the TeleTaleem (Pvt.) Limited, today signed the TA implementation agreement.

This is ADB’s first-ever private-sector led investment in an education project.

Pakistan has made impressive gains over the last decade with spectacular ICT growth through the use of mobile phones, Internet and personal computers in the urban, semiurban and the rural areas.

TeleTaleem will be using this widespread ICT footprint to deliver exciting and engaging teaching-learning practices and content to students and teachers, with the objective of enhancing student achievement and teacher competency.

CDNS can fund for Diamer-Bhasha dam STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Director General (DG) Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) Zafar M. Sheikh has said that funding can be provided for the construction of much-needed Diamer-Bhasha dam if the Directorate given the status of an autonomous body.

Addressing the launching ceremony of ‘Students Welfare Prize Bond’ here on Thursday, Zafar M. Sheikh said that according to the constitution, CDNS has been working under the directions of the Ministry of Finance but if the government grants the status of an autonomous body to CDNS, then the Directorate will

be in a position to lessen the reliance of the government on commercial banks for domestic borrowing and provide financing to the Bhasha Dam within the 3 years of the grant of status”. The Director General said that the prize bonds are most Cost Effective Avenue for the government to bridge the Fiscal Deficit.

“CDNS will make all out efforts in assisting the government to curb the currency in circulation and inflation,”.

The main objective, Zafar Sheikh said, behind the launch of Student Welfare Prize Bond was to tap the currency in circulation all over the country and to curtail the inflationary pressure on the economy.

A man is known by the company he organizes. Chairman PARC Dr Iftikhar Ahmad and former chairman PARC Dr Amir Muhammed being briefed by experts.

NFC contributed to fiscal deficit, borrowing STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The Ministry of Finance and Revenue has admitted that following the 7th National Finance Commission Award (NFC),the country’s fiscal deficit and borrowing have swelled to a alarming position.

Advisor to ministry of Finance and Revenue Assad Amin stated this during the meeting of Senate Standing committee on Finance and Revenue that met here on Thursday with Senator Nasreen Jalil in the chair.

Giving briefing to the committee Rana Assad Amin informed that under 7th NFC award 70 per cent of the resources are being transferred to the provinces and the remaining 30 per cent resources are being utilized by the federal government. He said that during current fiscal year 2012-13 an amount of Rs.1450 billion will be transferred to provinces against Rs.1200 billion transferred in the same period last year. During financial year 2010-11 an amount of Rs.1000 billion were transferred to provinces.

During briefing, Assad Amin told the committee that currently, saving ratio was 9.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which was 12 per cent two years back. He said saving ratio has been decreased mainly because of two reasons.

Firstly, 80 to 85 per cent income consumed without saving while the second reason was that an amount of Rs.2 trillion is out of circulation which was needed to be brought in banking channel.

He however said that the government was making all-out efforts to bring this amount in banking channel by introducing various National Saving schemes. He informed that the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) is all set to launch student welfare bond scheme from today (Friday) which will help generate Rs.1200 billion.

Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour remarked that banks have no amount to provide to the private sector for businesses as government has been taking huge loans from banking sector.

“Corporate sector should not be disturbed by the government by taking huge loans to run the affairs of the government,”Sentor Hamayun Khan Mandokhail said, adding that government was needed to raise its revenue instead taking loans from banking sector.

Industries shifting from Karachi

‘Business community united for economic vibrancy’ AMANULLAH KHAN

KARACHI—The business community in Karachi has forged unity on the issue of saving Karachi’s economy and striving hard to keep the industry’s wheel rolling despite the fact that a large number of industrial units have shifted from Karachi to safer places.

S M Muneer, prominent business leader while speaking at the luncheon meeting hosted by the association to honour Civil Award recipients of Sitarae-Imtiaz, MNA Khushbakht Shujaat, Chairman Pakistan Pe-

troleum Dealers Association, M Sami Khan and Shujaat Ali Baig on Thursday.

S M Muneer, who is the Patron In-Chief Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI said that Situation in Karachi extremely worrisome and the business community is altogether vying for the survival of Karachi economy.

He said that Karachi is the economic capital of Pakistan and should be saved at all costs. He said that there is no difference between the KCCI and other stakeholders on the subject of Karachi’s survival.

Many industrialists have shifted their business from Karachi and a number of businessmen planning to relocate due to the grim situation in the city. He mentioned that following some measures taken by the Governor Sindh situation has started improving. He said that Governor Sindh is also taking interest in community policing and those areas where CPLC Neighbourhood Care project has been established, crime rate has gone down significantly. MNA Khushbakht Shujaat said that

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IPRs ensures promotion of socio-economic activities: Afridi STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Chairman Intellectual Property Organization (IPO-Pakistan) Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said Thursday that Pakistan considered Intellectual Property Rights as basic instrument for the promotion of healthy economic and social activities.

A delegation of US Embassy headed by Deputy Counselor for Economic Affairs Sarah M. Beran, Second Secretary Matan Meyer and Ayan Ali Khan here on Thursday called on Chairman IPO Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi. Matters pertaining to mutual interest specially relating to enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights came under discussion. Hemeed Afridi said that IPO-Pakistan has taken

Deputy Counselor for Economic Affairs of US Embassy Miss Sarah M Beran called on Chairman IPO-Pakistan Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi. various initiatives for the awareness bly and Senate through which IPOand promotion of IP culture in the Pakistan would be able to take vigcountry. Afridi specially referred to orous steps besides initiating sevthe recently passage of IP Ordi- eral projects for strict implemennance 2012, from National Assem- tation in IP area.

SECP, KCDR MoU to help alternative dispute resolution STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the Karachi Centre for Dispute Resolution (KCDR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to provide for an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to regulated enterprises.

Chairman SECP, Mr. Muhammad Ali and Former Chief Justice of Pakistan, President KCDR Mr. Justice (Retd) Saiduzzaman Siddiqui, signed the MoU here Thursday.

According to the MoU, the SECP will encourage its regulates and the investing public to incorporate a mediation clause in their inter-party agreements.

The SECP will also initiate appropriate legal amendments to its administered laws to make mediation a mandatory pre-requisite for formal dispute resolution before courts.

Terming it a paradigm shift, Mr. Muhammad Ali said that the signing of MOU would have a positive impact on investor confidence as disputes will be resolved in a timely manner. It will

also reduce the direct and indirect cost of dispute resolution.

The MOU will allow SECP to better handle investors’ complaints and also reduce number of pending litigations in courts and SECP appellate tribunal, he added.

Mr Justice (Ret) Saiduzzaman Siddiqui, President KCDR said that the consequences of MoU with the KCDR are in line with the SECP’s statutory functions which include promoting investor education and investor confidence.

Strenuous growth to overcome national economic problems: Ishrat Husain STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Today was the 3rd and last day of the 28th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE). Over the three days of the Conference more than 500 participants representing academia, policymakers, students, and other national and international organizations participated in the event. The final day ended with the prestigious Quaid-i-Azam Lecture, which was delivered by former Gov-

ernor State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Ishrat Hussain on “Economic Reforms in Pakistan: One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards”.

He shed light on the issue of economic reforms from a perspective of an international development economist, a public policy maker and an independent analyst. His lecture was focused on the three main questions regarding reforms; (i) Why is Pakistan slipping relative to other developing and emerging countries?; (ii) Why is the record of reforms so poor and uneven? and (iii) Why are policy and in-

stitutional changes not sustained over time?

He further explained that the nature of reforms that Pakistan should embark upon consists of two components – stabilization and long term structural reforms. He examined the record of last sixty five years in respect to those reforms.

Starting from the 1960s, Pakistan was known as the modern developing country. It was a mixed economy model in which the state set up the industries but then divested them to the private businesses. Its manufactured exports were higher than those

of Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia and Pakistan was averaging six percent annual growth rate. Economic reforms were initiated in Agriculture, Education, Legal, Land and other Trade and Taxation at the same time. Planning Commission of the 1960s was a powerful, technocratic institution, corruption and parochial interests had not permeated the higher level decision making to the degree that subverted the economic progress or institution building.

The 1965 War with India gave a serious setback, also gave

a sense of vulnerability to the people of East Pakistan. Thus the incipient economic and sectoral reforms that were beginning to make positive difference were overturned. The separation of East Pakistan and the political situation in the new Pakistan gave an abrupt death knell to the reforms of the 1960s.

All major industries, banks, insurance companies, educational institutions were nationalized overnight without adequate thinking or preparation in the 1970s. Private investment in these industries and sectors was prohibited and the intrusive

hands of the bureaucrats in granting licenses, permits, financial resources became too entrenched. Risk taking and enterprise took a back seat and bureaucratic controls, inertia and malfeasance dominated the economic landscape. In the name of redistribution to the poor, economic growth was sacrificed making the poor worse off. Debt capital was provided by government controlled institutions to the politically influential borrowers who never repaid the loans. By the end of the 1990s, more than half of the non-performing loans advanced

by the Nationalized Commercial Banks (NCBs) and DFIs were blocked in sick industries. The losses incurred by the banks and DFIs were, in turn, borne by the tax payers.

The military regime, in the 1970s, carried on with the business as usual with the exception that new investment and industrial expansion was opened up to the private sector. The Middle East Oil boom that started in 1970 also favored Pakistan as the workers employed in those countries remitted foreign exchange which eased the balance of payments situation. The war

in Afghanistan was also benefited Pakistan as international aid flows relaxed the foreign exchange and budgetary constraints. The compulsions for domestic policy reforms therefore became weak.

The package of outwardoriented private sector –led development strategy known as Structural Adjustment Program was widely promoted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the late 1980s. Nawaz Sharif Government in 1991 introduced a major reform program

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SBP gains microfinance regulatory int’l recognition KARACHI—The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has gained international recognition for its regulatory role in microfinance and branchless banking by creating an enabling environment for their development in Pakistan.

The world-renowned newspaper, Financial Times and the World Bank have praised SBP for its innovative approaches in expanding the access to financial services for the unbanked and underserved population of the country.

An article published in Financial Times on November 06 says: ‘Pakistan has one of the best regulatory environments in

the world for microfinance and one of the fastest-growing microfinance sectors, with 3 million borrowers. It is also one of the most innovative places in the world for mobile banking services, partly due to the State Bank of Pakistan’s moves to encourage the market’.

The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) of the World Bank in its recent publication has also highlighted Pakistan as the fastest growing branchless banking market in the world and a laboratory of innovation.

SBP has been playing a leading role while working

PTCL customers cautioned about hoax calls

‘Low gas pressure ruins industries’

STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—It has come to PTCL’s knowledge that some unknown individuals are making hoax calls to PTCL subscribers claiming to be the representatives of PTCL and announcing huge cash prizes for subscribers.

PTCL, therefore alerts its existing and potential customers NOT to entertain, trust or fall for any such calls initiated by certain individuals offering any cash prize that either requires them to call back on a particular number or give serial/PIN number of prepaid scratch card in case of Vfone subscribers.

PTCL is not in any way affiliated with any prize draws or offering cash prizes or in any way disclosed any of its subscriber’s phone numbers to any third parties for this purpose.

It is advised to the public, especially its customers, to be careful and vigilant when receiving and responding to such messages or phone calls. They are advised to always call the PTCL Call Centre at 1236 for any information or for any clarification regarding any inquiries, related to prize schemes or otherwise.

PTCL shall not be liable for any loss to any person in resulting from such fraudulent activities and deceptive practices by third parties.

American Suzuki files for bankruptcy protection BREA—American Suzuki Motor Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and said it will cease selling automobiles in the U.S. as part of a plan to restructure its business.

The company, based in Brea, Calif., is the sole distributor of Suzuki Motor Co. vehicles in the continental U.S. In documents filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Central District of California, the company estimated that its debts and liabilities range from at least $100 million to as much as $500 million.

It also said it has between 1,000 and 5,000 creditors.

American Suzuki Motor said it has enough cash to operate during the restructuring and intends to honor all car warranties and buyback agreements. It will work with its car dealerships to help them transition into partsand-service operations. In some cases, the dealerships will be shuttered, it said.

Once it exits bankruptcy protection, American Suzuki Motor said it will focus on selling Suzuki motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and marine outboard engines. It said that it is exiting the car business because of slow sales, unfavorable foreign exchange rates and high costs due to U.S. regulatory requirements.—Newswire

STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Shortage of natural gas with persistent low pressure has a widespread impact on a host of industries including fertilizer, textile and now the latest victims is the leather industry almost inoperative due to poor gas pressure.

The low gas pressure has massively affected the production of leather industry in Korangi Industrial Area Sector 7/A. Chairman Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA, S.Z) Amanullah Aftab has demanded to the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Managing Director SSGC and the government to restore adequate pressure in gas supply to the largest national cluster of exporting

closely with the industry through various policy and strategic initiatives to transform the financial market into an equitable system of efficient market-based financial services to the hitherto excluded poor and marginalized segments of the society. It may be mentioned here that the SBP has moved beyond its traditional role for modernizing the market infrastructure and improving risk management framework for microfinance industry. In particular, SBP has invested substantially for establishing microfinance-specific Credit

leather industry located in Sector 7/A, KIA. He pointed out that at present it is peak tanning period of the year and most of the exports depends on tanning under process. “At present tanneries are engaged in processing the huge quantities of hides and skins of sacrificial animals which are continuing to pour in here from across the country”, Aman said adding that the delay in their processing, would cause damage to the hides and skins which are in fact foreign exchange earner for the country.

He explained that the hides and skins of sacrificial animals are stored and serve as raw material for the leather Industry during the whole year. He urged the high ups in Islamabad to come to the res-

Bureau, launching nationwide Financial Literacy Program, carrying out various market surveys and studies, transforming Microfinance Banks (MFBs), and channeling Rs. 6 billion commercial funding for MFBs through credit enhancement mechanism for lending to new borrowers. The central bank is also supporting capacity building and innovations through smart subsidies for microfinance players and larger financial services providers under the DFID-funded Financial Inclusion Program (FIP).—NNI

cue of this Industry. He mentioned that exports are continuously sliding down for various reasons over the past few years and he emphasized for early restoration of gas supply with full pressure along with a conducive atmosphere for this export-oriented leather industry as apart from other things, livelihood of large number of workers is at stake since we lose business to other countries of the region if we fail to deliver on stipulated dates.

It may be mentioned that due to low gas pressure, CNG stations remained closed for 48 hours on Tuesday and Wednesday in Sindh while Sui Southern Gas has notified for a third time shut down of CNG stations this week starting from 9am Saturday to 9am Sunday.

Lawari Tunnel to open new int’l trade route DIR UPPER—Federal Minister for Communication Dr. Arbab Alamgir Thursday said that the construction of Lawari Tunnel would open up a new international trade route via Pakistan to the landlocked Central Asian States making this region a hub of enhanced commercial activities.

The present PPP Government would complete the dream project Lawari Tunnel costing Rs. 18.13 billion initiated by the founding leader of the Party Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1974.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf who was to perform ground breaking ceremony of construction work on widening of Lawari Tunnel project was postponed due to inclement weather.

This gigantic project connects Dir with Chitral District which remained cut off from rest part of the country for five months due to heavy snow fall during winter season.

The commencement of construction work on widening of Lawari Tunnel from 5.3 meter to 7.5 meter formally started on

Warid Telecom joins hands with TRG

Syed Adnan, CFO TRG, Fahad Shameem, Director Sales TRG, Muneer Farooqui, CEO Warid Telecom, Nadeem Elahi, Country Head TRG, Younas Sheikh, CCO Warid Telecom and Nauman Fakhar, Head of Customer Services Warid Telecom.

CEO Warid Telecom said “We STAFF REPORTER are pleased to partner with TRG, KARACHI—Warid Telecom and who have the expertise in proThe Resource Group (TRG) have viding world class customer sersigned an agreement whereby vices. Our objective is to further TRG will provide a significant enhance the customer experiset of Call Center services to ence and make it worthwhile.”

Warid Telecom’s subscriber base “We are very excited about our in the country. The company has partnership with Warid Telecom,” outsourced its Karachi Call Cen- said Mr. Nadeem Elahi, TRG’s ter operations to TRG. This Country Head for Pakistan. “TRG outsourcing will ultimately trans- is not only Pakistan’s largest exlate into greater operational effi- porter of IT-enabled services, but ciencies and better customer ex- a leader in providing Business perience for Warid subscribers. Process Outsourcing solutions to While speaking on the oc- renowned brands across the globe casion Mr. Muneer Farooqui, and in Pakistan.

November 15.

Talking to mediamen at the site of Lawari Tunnel the Federal Minister declared in clear terms that this is our project and we will complete it at any cost.

This project envisioned by our great leader Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in 1974 would be gifted to the people of Chitral with whom Shaheed ZAB had special affiliation.

Resource constraints would not be made a hurdle in the completion of this project, he added.—APP

$4.5b airport cash smuggling foiled KABUL—Passengers flying out of Kabul carried with them more than US$4.5 billion (Dh16.52bn) in cash last year, leading to new rules restricting the amount of foreign currency that travellers can take out of the country to $20,000 at a time.

“I am very concerned about cash leaving Kabul Airport in dollars,” said the central bank governor Noorullah Delawari.

“We believe much of the currency outflow last year was destined for Iran. It’s one thing to make transactions via the banking system, but it’s worrying when it’s leaving in cash.”

Traders are flocking to Herat and other cities across Afghanistan to sell Iranian manufactured goods, such as home appliances and cookware and crockery with payments made in dollars.

As a result banks have witnessed a surge in demand for foreign currency. “It is hard to control this situation. We have always had trade with Iran and we share a border with them,” The National quoted Mr Delawari as saying.

The government last month introduced the new regulations that set the $20,000 limit on cash being carried out of Kabul International Airport by individual travellers.—NNI

Uniform gas rate, taxation to keep CNG price affordable STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday said uniform taxation and provision of gas on equal rates can help keep prices of CNG affordable across Pakistan.

Conspiracies are being hatched to destroy Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector which will hurt millions and sink investments to the tune of billions, it said.

The prices of CNG has been delinked from petrol on the directives of the Supreme Court after which legality of

Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) has become questionable, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA and Central Chairman APCNGA Abid Hayat while speaking at a press conference here.

They said that the Apex Court had directed to reduce price of CNG by Rs 20 but prices were slashed by Rs 31 which amounts to destroying the business of owners of CNG filling stations.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and OGRA didn’t reduce any tax and conveniently diverted the entire bur-

den on CNG sector which is unjust, they added.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said that no where in the world the production cost of any business is brought down to zero except Pakistan where this has been done in violation of CNG Production and Marketing Licence by OGRA. CNG sector is paying GIDC up to Rs 300 mmbtu while industrial sector is giving Rs 50 for the same which is injustice, he said, adding that we are being made to pay 500 per cent additional cess which if identical will help reduce gas price by Rs 13 per kg.

Such a step will not bring

any major change in the prices despite adding production cost and profit of the owners CNG stations which are presently unable to pay utility bills and salaries of the staff.

Paracha said that CNG prices were deregulated until 2008 but afterwards mistake of a federal minister get prices regulated while there was no mention of production cost in the whole episode.

He said that Petroleum Ministry has presented onesided and wrong stance in the Supreme Court to defame and put an end to the CNG sector which was a conspiracy.

‘Germany investment confirms national stability’ STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—There are at least four German firms that are seriously looking at investing in Pakistan which shows that the security issue in the country is not so bad. This was said yesterday by the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Dr Tilo Klinner, while inaugurating the exhibition “Germany on the Road” Germany On The Road is an active effort to present and highlight the activities and efforts of German corporations and organisations operating in Pakistan said the German envoy.

The exhibition organised in cooperation with the Pakistan German Business Forum (PGBF), has been designed to present the multitude of linkages between Germany and Pakistan by giving German companies, Germanylinked companies and German institutions the opportunity to display their activities in Pakistan in a concise and vivid manner. The event also marked the launch of the new PGBF website.

The event was sponsored by Allianz EFU Health Insurances Ltd., BASF Pakistan Ltd., CEI Supply Chain (Pvt) Ltd., Deutsche Forfait AG, Linde Group, Merck Pakistan, Nordex SE Germany, Rastgar (CompAir/Ultrafilter), SAP Pakistan, Siemens Pakistan and SolarWorld. These companies as well as German institutions in Pakistan gave a presentation of their activities in a relaxing atmosphere in attractive stalls specially set up for the event.

This exhibition comes to Karachi after being held successfully in Lahore, Sialkot, Faisalabad and Multan earlier this year. It was hosted in Islamabad last week before coming to Karachi.

Microsoft kicks off WOWZAPP 2012 STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —Microsoft Pakistan along with Nokia Pakistan recently held WOWZAPP 2012: Worldwide Hackathon for Windows in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

WOWZAPP 2012 has been dubbed as the first simultaneous global Hackathon for students, start ups and professional developers in Microsoft’s history. Pakistan was part of more than 100 locations across five continents that held the weekend-long Hackathon for students and other participants to create apps for the Windows ecosystem following the recent Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 launches.

WOWZAPP 2012 gathered students, developers and professionals to create apps on the latest windows version. A total of 180 + apps came out as a result from the Hackathon held in Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad.

Participants worked together for 48 hours, creating apps for consumers to enjoy, and building off the momentum of the release of Windows 8.

Microsoft and Nokia Pakistan provided students at each location with free software to create apps, such as Visual Studio Express for Windows 8, and free Windows Store registration codes through Microsoft DreamSpark. Developer experts and trainers were available around the clock to answer questions and help the participants achieve their end goals.

Business community From Page-13 VIP culture in the country has devastated the entire political system. She said that law and order situation in Karachi is deteriorating and stakeholders are receiving threats by some elements.

She advised the businessmen to establish community policing system in their respective areas. Chairman KATI, Mohammad Zubair Chhaya expressed his great anguish on country’s dwindling economy. He said that while the entire country’s industrial sector is facing sheer crisis of electricity and gas shortage while Karachi is facing dual crisis of utilities shortage and law and order deterioration. He said that federal and provincial governments should give top priority to restoration of law and order situation in Karachi for the sake of Pakistan’s economy.

Consul General of Germany Dr Tilo Klinner presenting a shield to Guenter Zwick, MD Siemens Pakistan during a recent Expo.

Pak products making deep footprint at Delhi Trade Fair STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—A large variety of Pakistani Textile and Garments particularly the ladies Garments, much sought after in India for their quality, design and stitching and branded textile products of different Pakistani Exhibitors were selling like hot cakes at Delhi International Trade Fair currently the center of attraction for a huge number of visitors.

According to FPCCI, the second most attractive products is spices and recipies which are like a hot cake in IITF. Cosmetic products have also a great attraction, following other items like Khusa, Melamine, ready to Cook Food, Handicrafts, Footwear, Onyx & Marble products, Baby products, etc. The first 5 days are only for business days and it is expected that Pakistani Companies will obtain good number of export orders during these business days. It is worth mentioning that the Pakistan

Pavilion has always been very attractive and visited by large number of visitors.

President of India Mr. Parnab Mukerjee while addressing the inaugural ceremony said that it was his brain child of holding first ever IITF 32 years back in 1980 when he was the Minister of Commerce. The intended goals set 32 years back are being achieved to some extent today when a Prime Minister of Republic of Belarus visits India alongwith a business delegation specially to attend the IITF. This is the first ever visit of any Prime Minister to India for IITF, which itself is an achievement and source of inspiration for the participants/ exhibitors said the President. He thanked the 22 foreign countries participants for participating in IITF2012 and wished them luck.

On the annual Children’s day and birthday of Pandit Jawahal lal Nehru, Parnab Mukerjee, President of Repub-

US workshops guide Pakistani entrepreneurs STAFF REPORTER

lic of India inaugurated the colorful event. 6000 exhibitors from 22 countries are participating in this year’s event. FPCCI, which is organizing biggest participation amongst the participating countries at IITF2012 with 176 Pakistani exhibitors who exhibit their commodities in Pakistan Pavilion at Pargati Maidan from 14th to 27th November, 2012.

The ceremony was attended

by Mr. Mikhail Myasnikovich, Prime Minister of Republic of Belarus, Mr. Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Trade, Commerce & Textile, Ms. Elizabeth Thabethe, Deputy Trade Minister South Africa, Mrs. Sheila Dixit, Chief Minister New Delhi, Lt. General Bhupinder Singh, Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Diplomats, senior bureaucrats, High Government officials, Exhibitors, and Trade delegations of different countries visiting India at the time of IITF2012.

Strenuous growth From Page-13

entrepreneurial mindset and to discover financial independence.”

The Embassy partnered with the U.S.-based Kauffman Foundation, the largest foundation dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship in the world, to carry out these workshops in celebration of “Global Entrepreneurship Week” - the State Department’s global celebration of the innovators who bring new products and services to the marketplace.

“Entrepreneurship is the economic engine of this country,” said U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland, at a workshop on how entrepreneurs can access financing to grow their businesses. “In fact, most new jobs are created in start-ups and small businesses so workshops like this are vital venues for entrepreneurs from both our countries to connect, build skills, and learn about how to succeed in business.”

through Economic Reform order consisting of liberalization, privatization and deregulation.

Foreign exchange regime was liberalized, investment controls were relaxed, state owned-enterprises were privatized, and incentives were provided for domestic and foreign private investment. But it is argued that political instability and poor governance acted against these reform efforts. Afterwards Benazir Government did not reverse these reforms but they were unenthusiastic in owning and implementing them because the credit would have gone to their opponents.

The period 1988-99 saw frequent changes in government because of four general elections with four interim governments. Benazir Government introduced a policy to bring private investment into power generation sector. But this policy was put in the cold storage and inquiries against the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were initiated soon after the Government was dismissed. Had that policy been continued uninterrupted over time along with governance reforms in the energy sector we would not have faced the supply shortages which we are facing today.

The Musharraf Government that assumed power in October 1999 did undertake major economic reforms in the six year period between 2000 and 2006 which slowed down in 2007 due to the impending elections and KARACHI: Usman Ahmed, Director, Nizam Energy, Bob confrontation with the judiciary.

Zhang, Sales Director Canadian Solar Inc and other from Pakistan successfully met all the performance criteria.

Canadian Solar at a Press conference.

I SLAMABAD —During

a weeklong series of workshops sponsored by the U.S. Embassy and held at Abasyn University, the United States is helping talented Pakistani entrepreneurs sharpen their business skills, bring new products and services to market, and achieve profitable growth. This week, more than 720 aspiring Pakistani entrepreneurs attended the workshops to learn the nuts and bolts of running a successful business and to pitch their business ideas to potential investors from the United States.

“The U.S. Embassy acknowledged the hard work of Pakistan’s entrepreneurs,” said Murtaza Zaidi Hon, a Pakistani entrepreneur. “These workshops encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation. They are helping many graduates, who would otherwise be unemployed, to develop an

Lahore-Karachi double track to complete by March 2013 STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Lahore-Karachi Double Track will be completed

by March 2013 while two more trains under Public Private Partnership are being started soon.

This was stated by General Manager Operations Pakistan Railways Junaid Qureshi while speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday. LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar, in his opening remarks pointed out a number of issues behind the deterioration of Pakistan Railways.

LCCI former Vice President Aftab Ahmad Vohra, Executive Committee Members Amjad Chaudhry, Mian Zahid Javaid

and Tanvir Ahmad Sufi also spoke on the occasion. Chief Traffic Manager, Dryports, Altaf Hussain, Additional General Manger Asad Ahsan and Imtiaz Hussain Rizvi also attended the meeting. Junaid Qureshi said that not a single locomotive has been added to railways fleet since 2008 thus coming in the way of its revival. He said that the Railways is ready to provide track facility to private sector if it wants to run own locomotives.

He said that Track Access Policy is likely to be finalized soon as a meeting to this regard is being held today (Friday).

About trade with India, he said that the Railways is willing to enhance free day demurrage

period from existing 24 hours to 48 hours. He said that the railways is fast heading towards revival as a number of steps are being taken to turn it into a profitable institution. He said that the Railways earned Rs 650 million more than what it earned last year. He said that fuel and utility bills are eating up a bigger portion of Federal government funding to Railways.

He said that since 1995 the fuel prices registered a surge of 800 per cent while Railways made a raise of 105 per cent of freight train fares and 70 per cent in the fares of Passenger trains. On the pointation of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the GM agreed that Mughalpura Dryport needs uplift on urgent basis.

EU to arm Syrian rebels

Pre-Obama visit lets Myanmar free prisoners

The election of democ- its poor human rights record, Y ANGON —Myanmar re- about 800 political prisoners first U.S. president to visit other political prisoners in PARIS —France will discuss supplying leased prisoners on Thurs- as part of a dramatic reform Myanmar when he travels jail,” Farmaner said. racy champion Aung San but it is now seeking to ex-

arms to Syrian opposition forces with its European partners in the coming weeks now that an opposition coalition has been established, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Thursday. France is wary of militarising the 20-month-old conflict, but is also reluctant to leave areas under opposition control unprotected against bomb attacks, Fabius told RTL radio. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius gives an update on his Ministry during a news conference at the Quai d’Orsay in Paris. “At the moment there is an embargo on arms, so no weapons are being delivered from Europe. The question will undoubtedly be raised for defensive arms but it’s something we can only do in coordination with the rest of Europe,” Fabius said. He said Paris was talking to Moscow and United Nations special envoy Lakhdar Brahimi over a solution, as it waited for the Syrian coalition to form a provisional government in the weeks ahead that could open the door to supplying arms. “We want to avoid going towards militarisation. On the other hand we must prevent liberated zones from being destroyed. We must find a fair balance,” Fabius said. France has thus far ruled out sending weapons, concerned they could get into the hands of radical Islamists, but the coalition is urging European states to allow it access to arms. President Francois Hollande will meet leaders of the new opposition coalition in Paris on Saturday, including its chief Mouaz Alkhatib.—Reuters

day in a goodwill gesture ahead of a historic visit to the former military state by U.S. President Barack Obama, but activists and the main opposition party said there seemed to be no political detainees among them. State media said early in the day that 452 prisoners would be freed with the “intent to help promote goodwill and the bilateral relationship”. A Home Ministry official said some “prisoners of conscience” would be among them.

However, the National League for Democracy party of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi said that was not the case. “It’s so disappointing that none of those freed today are political prisoners,” said senior party official Naing Naing, himself a former detainee.

Myanmar has released

program over the past year and a half but it is believed to be still holding several hundred. The prisoners released on Thursday included people who had been jailed for deserting the army or committing some other military offence, Naing Naing said. “Maybe these people are political prisoners by their yardstick.”

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) had not heard of any political prisoners being among the 144 people it said had been released by midafternoon. Families are often told by the authorities to prepare for the release of prisoners who can be in jails in distant provinces, but AAPP representative Bo Kyi said he was not aware of any being given such notice on this occasion.

Obama will become the

there during a November 1720 tour of Southeast Asia that will also take in Thailand and Cambodia. He is due to meet President Thein Sein on Monday but the U.S. president risks criticism for rewarding the new government too soon, especially with political prisoners still behind bars and after security forces failed to prevent ethnic violence in the west of the country last month.

“The manipulative use of prisoner releases just before key international moments is getting more blatant than ever,” said Mark Farmaner of the London-based advocacy group Burma Campaign UK. It, too, had not been able to confirm the release of any political prisoners. “At some point the international community will have to start asking why Thein Sein has decided to keep hundreds of

Over the past year, Myanmar, also known as Burma, has introduced the most sweeping reforms in the former British colony since a 1962 military coup. A semicivilian government stacked with former generals has allowed elections, eased rules on protests, relaxed censorship and freed some dissidents. About 700 were freed between May 2011 and July 2012. An amnesty was announced in September but it included only 88 dissidents, the AAPP said.

The United States has called for the release of all political prisoners. International human rights activists met senior White House officials in Washington this week to press Obama to take a tough line with leaders in both Myanmar and Cambodia during his Southeast Asia tour.

Controversial media regulation pessed approved on Wednesday a new legal regulation that critics say President Cristina Fernandez could use to force a conclusion in her long-running battle with the country’s biggest media group. The regulation, which applies to the use of a legal mechanism called a per saltum, would let the Supreme Court intervene to decide cases of “institutional seriousness” even when they are being handled by lower tribunals. Opposition lawmakers say the mechanism could be used by Fernandez’s government to force the country’s top court to rule in a high-profile legal case brought by the Grupo Clarin conglomerate over a broadcasting reform law. Three years since the combative leader hailed the law as the start of a new era of media diversity, Clarin has refused to start selling off radio, television and internet licenses and she has given the company until December 7 to comply or have them auctioned by the state instead. Clarin has vowed to resist and says it was protected by court injunctions for as long as there was no definitive ruling on the constitutionality of the law. Under the per saltum regulatory clause passed by 135-95 by the government-controlled Congress, the Supreme Court would be able to reject any government request to intervene. If the government asked the court to decide on the Clarin case, and it accepted jurisdiction, the media conglomerate could have less time to comply with the broadcast law’s stipulation that it sell off “excess” licenses, lawyers say. However, legal specialists say a refusal by the court to intervene.—Reuters

A BIDJAN —Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara disolved his government in a surprise move on Wednesday, citing a lack of solidarity within his coalition cabinet. Ouattara became president in the West African state after beating incumbent Laurent Gbagbo in a 2010 runoff election with the backing of other parties. Gbagbo rejected the results, triggering a brief civil war last year. “The president of the republic ... ended the functions of the members of the government,” Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Ouattara’s secretary general, said following a cabinet meeting in the commercial capital Abidjan. He said the decision was taken after Ouattara’s coalition partners in a parliamentary committee voted against a government-proposed change to the country’s marriage law that the government said aimed to boost the rights of married women.

The proposal advanced despite the opposition of some coalition members. “That poses a problem of solidarity within the alliance, and support in parliament for the government created through this alliance,” Coulibaly said. The dissolved government was headed by Prime Minister Jeannot Kouadio Ahoussou, a member of the PDCI party of Henri Konan Bedie, who was one of Ouattara’s rivals in the first round of the 2010 election. Since taking office last year, Ouattara, a former International Monetary Fund official, has overseen a much-lauded revival of the economy, with growth of 8.6 percent projected for 2012 following a contraction of 4.7 percent last year..—Reuters

Georgian PM to support Saakashvili BRUSSELS—New Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili has said that “from today” he will work closely with his bitter political rival President Mikheil Saakashvili, rejecting suggestions that he has used the courts to settle scores after his election win. The billionaire businessman seized a parliamentary majority from Saakashvili’s party last month, and the detention of an ex- minister and two army commanders for allegedly insulting servicemen a year ago has raised fears of a witch-hunt. Some of the Western governments that would like to see Georgia as a stable and democratic partner fear setbacks for the rule of law as Ivanishvili “cohabits” with Saakashvili until a presidential election next year. But in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, he pledged to start a more constructive approach. “Starting from today, I personally will address and have relations towards Saakashvili and the previous government the way Georgian culture ... deserves,” he said. “We will not address them the way they deserve, as they have acted against us as the Georgian opposition.” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Ivanishvili during a visit to alliance headquarters in Brussels that any perception that trials were politically motivated would hurt the image of Georgia and of his government. Ivanishvili, who signalled that relations with the West were a priority by making Brussels his first foreign trip, played down any differences with Rasmussen. Before the election.—Reuters

Bashir returns after surgery KHARTOUM —Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir returned to Khartoum on Wednesday after undergoing surgery in Saudi Arabia, his second operation in less than a year. Sudanese blogs and newspapers had been speculating about Bashir’s health because he has held fewer public rallies in the past few months.

Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir addresses the crowd after arriving at Khartoum. The 68-year-old leader, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on war-crimes charges, travelled to Saudi Arabia for what officials described as a “minor surgery”. Bashir appeared on television after the operation last week, saying he was in “perfect health”. On Wednesday, some 3,000 people came to Khartoum’s airport to greet Bashir, who waved his walking stick in the air in greeting as he descended from the airplane.—Reuters

pand relations with the West.

On Tuesday, about half a dozen human rights activists took part in the talks at the White House, which included Samantha Power, a top Obama adviser and outspoken expert on genocide.

Power, considered a “humanitarian hawk” within the administration, wrote a blog on the White House website last week signaling that Obama would use the Myanmar trip to put pressure on the government to do more on human rights.

The activists left the White House meeting satisfied that Obama intended to push hard on human rights and political and economic reform in closed-door talks with the Myanmar president and in his public remarks, including a speech.— Reuters

Egypt wants US to stop Israel’s Gaza offensive

BUENOS AIRES—Argentina’s Congress

Ivory Coast’s Ouattara govt dissolved

Suu Kyi, a former political prisoner, to parliament in April helped to transform Myanmar’s pariah image and persuade the West to begin rolling back sanctions after a year of reforms. The United States eased sanctions on Myanmar this year in recognition of the political and economic change, and many U.S. companies are looking at starting operations in the country located between China and India, with its abundant resources and low-cost labor.

Obama has sought to consolidate ties and reinforce U.S. influence across Asia in what officials have described as a policy “pivot” toward the region as wars in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down. Myanmar grew close to China during its decades of isolation, reinforced

by Western sanctions over

C AIRO —Egypt asked the rocket attacks from Islamic United States to push Israel to stop its offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, warning that the violence could “escalate out of control,” the Foreign Ministry said Thursday. Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton late the night before, asking for “immediate U.S. intervention to stop the Israeli aggression,” the ministry said in a statement. The call came after Egypt recalled its ambassador to Israel to protest the offensive.

Israel barraged the Gaza Strip with airstrikes and shelling Wednesday and killed the Hamas military chief in a targeted strike, launching a campaign aimed at stopping Residents inspect the site of a car bomb attack in Kirkuk, north of Baghdad

Putin widens defence ministry reshuffle M OSCOW —Russian President Vladimir Putin fired two Defence Ministry deputies on Thursday, broadening a reshuffle at the ministry whose head was sacked last week over a fraud investigation. Putin dismissed deputy minister Yelena Kozlova, who oversaw finances, and Dmitry Chushkin, naming two associates of the new Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as their replacements. The move strengthens the grip of Putin and Shoigu at the ministry, which channels billions of tax dollars every year through Russia’s huge defence industry, the world’s second largest arms exporter.

“With his order, the president has released the Defence Ministry deputies ... from their positions,” said a statement published on the

Kremlin website. Putin fired Anatoly Serdyukov as defence minister on November 6 and replaced the head of the armed forces General Staff three days later.

Shoigu and his allies are expected to push through root and branch military reform and oversee spending of 23 trillion roubles ($724 billion) to replace Russia’s ageing armaments by the end of the decade. One of the new deputy ministers is Ruslan Tsalikov, a trusted Shoigu ally who worked directly under him in the Emergencies Ministry and then again in the Moscow region when Shoigu moved to become governor of the province.

The other newcomer is Yuri Borisov, the first deputy chairman of a defence industry board. Serdyukov was dismissed last week soon

Humanists call for African age of “Enlightenment”

One dead in Jordan fuel price riots

after the start of an investigation into suspicions that a defence ministry firm sold property to insider companies at a loss of almost $100million. However, the ex-minister has not yet come under investigation himself.

The public announcement of Serdyukov’s dismissal was likely meant to show that Putin entering his third term as president was serious about cracking down on corruption, rife in the armed forces and defence industry. Thursday’s Kommersant daily said that following his dismissal Serdyukov had been appointed as a consultant to Sergei Chemezov, the head of defence firm Russian Technologies.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, which answers only to Putin, has said its defence ministry fraud probe will continue.—Reuters

G ENEVA —African Human- A MMAN —Riots that broke as a guarantor of stability, ists atheists, secularists and freethinkers gather next week in Ghana, one of the world’s most religious countries, to look at ways to promote an “Enlightenment” they argue is vital to bring their continent into the modern age. But despite stirrings of dissent over the power of preachers and imams, they recognise they have an uphill battle to convince ordinary people to question faiths Christianity and Islam brought to Africa by missionaries and conquerors.

Just as difficult, they say, is the fight against traditional African beliefs often supported by new “churches” like sorcery which lead to the killings of children and albinos accused of being witches. “At a time when the dark and destructive forces of religious fundamentalism and superstition are ravaging the continent, the Ghana conference is a sign of light, hope and renewal,” said prominent Nigerian humanist campaigner Leo Igwe.“We do not wish to eradicate religion from our culture but to show there are alternative ways of viewing the world.—Reuters

out in Jordan after the government raised fuel prices left one protester dead on Thursday, the first fatality of violence that has spread to several impoverished towns in the kingdom, witnesses and security sources said. Hundreds took to the streets on Wednesday after the government decided to raise gasoline, cooking gas and heating fuel prices. They blocked roads, set government buildings alight and vandalized shops in the towns of Maan, Tafila and Karak.

The protestor was killed and scores were injured during an attack on a police station in the country’s secondlargest city of Irbid, the witnesses said. Jordanians have held occasional protests inspired by the Arab Spring revolts, demanding democratic reforms and curbs on corruption. But the gatherings have been peaceful and the security forces did not use weapons.

Demonstrators sometimes chant against King Abdullah but there seems to be little enthusiasm for revolution. The monarchy is seen

balancing the interests of tribes native to the east of the Jordan river with those of the majority of citizens, who are of Palestinian origin. Riot police chased scores of youths throwing stones overnight in the main commercial district of the capital Amman after police foiled an attempt by Islamist and tribal opposition figures to stage an anti-government rally.

Security officials confirmed that clashes had erupted and said police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of masked youths and rioters who had attacked government property and burnt cars.

Most of the civil unrest is in outlying areas inhabited by powerful tribes who are the original inhabitants of the country. They supply the army and security forces with recruits and form the backbone of support for the ruling Hashemite dynasty.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour said lifting hefty subsidies that cost at least $2 billion annually was unavoidable to avert economic collapse caused by a ballooning budget deficit.—Reuters

Greek protesters storm German meeting, target diplomat A THENS —Public

sector workers stormed a building where Greek and German officials were meeting in the northern city of Thessaloniki on Thursday and pelted a German diplomat with water bottles in a protest over austerity measures. Riot police used teargas and truncheons to break up a crowd of 250 city employees outside the building and formed a shield around German Consul Wolfgang HoelscherObermaier as he entered.

Protesters chanted “It’s now or never!” and held up mock gravestones and banners proclaiming “Fight until the end!”. They said they were furious at comments by German envoy Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, who told journalists on Wednesday that Greece could do more to reform its bloated local government sector, the head of the workers’ union said.

“Experts say that as far as local government is concerned the work carried out by 3,000 Greek employees can be done by 1,000 Germans,” Fuchtel said. On Thursday he said his remarks had been misinterpreted. Fuchtel was appointed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel late last year to explore ways to boost grass-roots cooperation between the two countries, and has been lampooned as overbearing in Greek media.

His comments struck a nerve in Greece at a time when its lenders, the European Union and International Monetary Fund, have demanded layoffs and steep spending cuts in exchange for a second, 130-billion-euro ($165-billion) bailout. At the Thessaloniki city hall, a woman who answered the switchboard phone said: “No one can talk to you now. They have occupied the building.”

A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said: “No one was hurt and there was no material damage. The meeting continues as planned and that’s what’s important.”

Municipal employees have held several nationwide protests and strikes in recent weeks against the new wave of budget cuts, triggering severe disruptions in public transport.—Reuters

militants. The assault killed 10 other Palestinians, including two children and seven militants . On Thursday, militant rockets fired into Israel killed three Israelis, raising the likelihood of a further escalation.

Amr told Clinton that if Israel’s offensive does not stop, “matters will escalate out of control” and asked the U.S. “to use what contacts it has with Israel.”

President Barack Obama on Wednesday spoke with Egypt’s Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netany ahu, expressing his support for Israel’s right to self-defense and saying Hamas rocket fire must end.—AP

Hamas rocket kills 3 Israelis, wider war looms G AZA —A Hamas rocket a crucial partner in the 1979 killed three Israelis north of the Gaza Strip on Thursday, drawing first blood from Israel as the Palestinian death toll rose to 13 and the military showdown lurched closer to all-out war. Israeli warplanes bombed targets in and around Gaza city, where tall buildings trembled and thick plumes of smoke and dust furled into the sky.

The Palestinian Islamist group claimed it had fired a one-tonne, Iranian-made Fajr 5 rocket at Tel Aviv in what would be a major escalation.

But there was no reported impact in the Israeli metropolis 50 km (30 miles) north of the enclave. Israel’s sworn enemy Iran, which supports and arms Hamas, condemned the offensive begun by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as “organized terrorism”.

Israel was more concerned about the mood in Egypt, whose new Islamist government brokered a truce between the two sides on Tuesday only to see it shattered a day later when Israel assassinated the top Hamas military commander. Hamas is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood which now controls Egypt, Israel’s most powerful Arab neighbor and

peace treaty that stands between fragile stability and regional chaos.

Cairo condemned the offensive and recalled its ambassador to Israel. Israel’s ambassador left Cairo on what was called a routine home visit and Israel said its embassy would stay open. srael’s Iron Dome interceptor system shot down dozens of some 130 rockets fired from Gaza in the first few hours of daylight on day two of Operation Pillars of Defense, the army said. But one of those that got through caught its victims before they could reach the blast shelters that are everywhere in the Negev region, prey to sporadic Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza for the past five years.

Israeli police said the three died when a rocket hit a four-story building in the town of Kiryat Malachi, some 25 km (15 miles) north of Gaza. They were the first Israeli fatalities of the latest conflict to hit the coastal region. Israel on Wednesday assassinated Hamas’s military mastermind Ahmed AlJaabari and shelled the enclave from the land, sea and air, killing 13 people, including five militants.—Reuters

Gunmen kill six in Nigeria’s Kaduna state K ADUNA —Gunmen have killed six people in a village in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state, a government official said on Thursday, in a region with a history of inter-ethnic violence. The attack late on Wednesday was in a village in the Zango Katak region in Kaduna state, witnesses said, an area at the heart of post-election violence last April that left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.

Largely Muslim Northern Nigeria has been beset by violence for more than two years and it worsened when President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian southerner, won the election last year. The bulk of the unrest has been caused by Islamist sect Boko Haram but religious and ethnic tensions on the dividing lines between the mostly Muslim north and largely Christian south still stir up unrelated deadly

clashes.

“Six people, including two pregnant women, were shot inside their houses and set ablaze, while a 2-year-old baby is injured,” Domininc Yahaya, Zango Kataf local government chairman, told Reuters. “Youths in the community are restive and threatened reprisal attacks but we are trying to calm them down as we hold meetings with their leaders and various security agencies,” he added.

The police confirmed the attack but gave no details on casualties. One witness said he heard the gunfire at around 2200 GMT on Wednesday and saw burnt corpses in the morning. Boko Haram, which is based in the northeast of Nigeria, wants to impose sharia, Islamic law, more widely in a country of 160 million split roughly equally between Christians and Muslims.—Reuters

1st Test: Naeem Islam’s ton leads strong Bangladesh reply DHAKA: Middle-order batsman Naeem Islam made a maiden Test century while Shakib Al Hasan smashed a dominating 89 to help Bangladesh thwart the West Indies in the first Test in Dhaka on Thursday.

The pair made a record fourth-wicket stand of 167 to help the home team close the third day on 455-6, just 72 shy of the visitors’ imposing first innings total of 527-4 declared.

Islam, whose previous Test best was 59 not out against England in Dhaka in 2010, added another 76 runs for the fifth wicket with Mushfiqur Rahim (43) to end West Indies’s hopes of enforcing the follow-on.

At stumps, Mohammad Mahmudullah was unbeaten on 42 and Nasir Hossain 33 not out.

The pair have so far added 87 on the unresponsive Shere Bangla stadium pitch.

The West Indian bowlers laboured for wickets as the home team had done on the first two days.

Paceman Ravi Rampaul has been the pick of the attack with three wickets for 101 runs. Skipper Darren Sammy has two wickets and debutant spinner Veerasammy Permaul one.

Spinner Sunil Narine has failed to translate his Twenty20 success into the longer form of the game, conceding 89 runs in his 21 wicketless overs.

Islam finally lost concentration after tea, caught behind from a tired shot off Sammy’s bowl- MIRPUR: Naeem Islam celebrates his century during Bangladesh vs West Indies 1st Test on Thursday.

West Indies first innings: 527 Bangladesh 1st innings: Tamim c Narine b Sammy 72 Junaid c Bravo b Rampaul . 7 Shahriar b Rampaul ......... 31 Naeem b Sammy ............ 108 Shakib b Rampaul ............ 89 Mushfiqur c&b Permaul .. 43 Nasir Hossain not out ...... 33 Mahmudullah not out ....... 42 Extras (b 8, lb 11, w 3, nb 8)

ing. His 108 included 17 boundaries and lasted 255 balls.

In the morning session 30 Shakib provided the aggression Total (6 wickets) ............ 455 while Islam proved a rock at the Fall of wickets 1-25, 2-88, 3- other end as they added 88 runs 119, 4-286, 5-362, 6-368 before lunch. Shakib, who hit 10 fours and a six in his 143-ball Bowling: ............. O-M-R-W innings, was dismissed by Rampaul ............. 26-2-101-3 Rampaul for 89 soon after lunch.

TL Best ................ 20-3-68-0 He failed to keep a drive Sammy ................. 23-3-83-2 down and was caught in the covNarine .................. 21-5-89-0 ers, showing great disappointPermaul ................ 27-7-60-1 ment at missing out on a wellGayle ...................... 3-0-14-0 deserved hundred. His stand with Samuels ................. 6-0-21-0. Islam was the best fourth-wicket

partnership for Bangladesh in all Tests, topping the 120 by Habibul Bashar and Manjural Islam against the West Indies at Kingston in 2004.

Naeem reached his first Test century with a four to fine leg off paceman Tino Best.

Captain Mushfiqur Rahim also gave a gutsy performance, hitting seven fours and a six in his 43 before giving Permaul a return catch for his first Test wicket. The second and final Test will be in Khulna from November 21.—AFP

Sindh Games set to start on Nov 30 H YDERABAD —16th Sindh Games will start here at Niaz Stadium on November 30, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat ul Ebad Khan will inaugurate the 3-day sports gala in which around 2100 players would be seen in action.

District sports officer Makhdoom Irshad Ali Thursday, told APP that Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah will be the chief guest at the concluding ceremony on December 2.

Five divisional teams including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana and Mirpur Khas will take part in different sport events.

Each divisional team would LAHORE: Chairman PCB Zaka Ashraf and Haroon Logart addressing Press conference at consist of 300 sportsmen and PCB Headquarters on Thursday. officials and 125 female players and officials while 175 technical officials, he added.—APP

Sohag Gazi advised to back himself

BIPIN DANI OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT MUMBAI—Sohag Gazi, the 21-year-old off-spinner has been advised to back himself. Chris Gayle of West Indies welcomed the Bangladeshi bowler’s Test debut by smashing his very first ball over long on for a big six.

The piece of advice has come from Australia’s Gavin Robertson, whose first balls in debut Test and ODIs’ were hit for boundaries.

Speaking exclusively from Sydney, the 47-year old former Off-spinner said, “in 1994 I was selected to play my first one day international cricket match in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

I ran into bowl to Arjuna Ranatunga, he and Ian Healy had held me up for about 2 minutes whilst having a conversation between each other. I came into bowl and lacked rhythm bowling a full toss at stomach height to Ranatunga and was quickly dispatched for 6 from

my very first ball”. “My next One day game for Australia was back here in Australia , so on my debut on home soil in one day cricket I came into bowl my first ball ,and after a small pep talk from Steve Waugh who asked me to make sure I made this delivery at least bounce on the pitch , I duly came into bowl the first ball and focused on making it bounce , problem was it bounced halfway down the wicket to Graeme Hick and was duly dispatched over the square leg fence for 6 runs”, Robertson added.

“4 years later in 1998 Indian Test match series I was picked to tour India and was picked in the first Test match at Chennai. I was brought onto bowl by Mark Taylor. Steve Waugh decided to give me another small pep talk and said, “Any chance of keeping this delivery inside the fence, I duly rolled into bowl to Nayan Mongia, a 5 ft 7 inch wicket keeping batsman who was opening the bat and obviously had the Internet and must of checked on google that my previous 2 first

ball deliverys on different continents were hit for 6”.

“Mongia didn’t want to spoil the story and I bowled my first ball, with good flight and shape as Mongia launched into a huge swot over the wide mid wicket boundary, as I watched the ball sailed through the air. I only prayed for the sequence to be broken”, he recalled.

“Luckily history showed the ball bounced 70 cms inside the Chennai Test ground boundary, and I finished with figure of 4 for 72 off 32 overs, I was well and truly over the first ball angst and especially over Steve Waughs motivational speeches”.

“One thing Shane Warne always knew, you always get the ball back and the batsman has to do it again, keep bowling well until the batsman make a mistake, they will sucumb to a lack of concentration and wickets come. my advice to the new bowler would be always .... Back yourself......”, he concluded.

Sehwag, Pujara steer India to 323-4 on first day AHMEDABAD—India made 323 for four on first day of the first Test against England here at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera on Thursday.

After captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat, experienced opener Virender Sehwag and young batsman Cheteshwar Pujara played a key role in India’s dominating batting display despite a fine bowling performance by off-spinner Graeme Swann who captured all the four wickets fell during the day’s play.

Sehwag hit 117 — his 23 rd Test hundred and Pujara was unbeaten on 98 and needed just two runs to complete his second Test century.

Sehwag along with Gautam Gambhir provided a sound start of 134 and then added further 90 runs with Pujara for the second wicketLater, star batsman Sachin Tendulkar and consistent batsman Virat Kohli were cheaply dismissed for 13 and 19, respectively.Yuvraj Singh, remained not out on 24 along with Pujara when the play ended on first day.

PCB chief Zaka Ashraf wishes Thackeray well L AHORE —The head of Pakistan’s cricket board has sent a “get well soon” message to firebrand Indian politician Bal Thackeray who has demanded Delhi cancel next month’s tour by the Pakistani team.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf said he has wished the 86-year-old founder of the hardline Hindu Shiv Sena party, who is in a critical condition in a Mumbai hospital, a speedy recovery.

“I have sent a message of get well soon to Mr Bal Thackeray,” Ashraf told. “Our religion and our Prophet Mohammad (SAW) taught us that we should wish everyone good health and life and following that I have wished him well and sent him a bouquet.”

Thackeray vociferously opposed the limited overs series which starts next month between India and Pakistan, saying New Delhi should not revive cricketing ties until Pakistan has brought the perpetrators of 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to justice.

The attacks, which saw 166 people killed, forced New Delhi to freeze all sporting ties with Pakistan.

However, the Indian government earlier this month cleared a tour of two Twenty20 and three one-day internationals by a Pakistan team in December-January — the first between the arch-rivals in five years.

Ashraf said leaders like Thackeray must help improve relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours. “I hope that Mr

Thackeray gets well soon and plays his part in bringing the two nations together by supporting both the teams during this series,” said Ashraf.

Pakistan are due to fly to New Delhi on December 22.

They play the first Twenty20 in Bangalore on December 25. The second Twenty20 will be played in Ahmedabad two days later, followed by one-day internationals in Chennai (December 30), Kolkata (Jan 3) and Delhi (January 6).— AFP

No Big Bash for Afridi, Ajmal and Umar Akmal: PCB LAHORE— Pakistan on Thurs- ahead of the matches against since 2007. “Since the Big Bash day refused Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Akmal permission to play in Australia’s Big Bash Twenty20 competition, ordering them to prepare for next month’s tour of India instead.

The trio had all signed up to play in the Big Bash from next month, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said they must take part in a domestic Twenty20 event being used to test players

arch-rivals India.

Afridi was due to play with Sydney Thunder while Ajmal had signed for Adelaide Strikers and Umar for Sydney Sixers but the PCB insisted they gear up at home for the hotly anticipated India tour.

The two sides will meet for two Twenty20 matches and three one-day internationals between December 25 and January 6 — their first full series

Tennis: Stepanek, Ferrer to open Davis Cup final P RAGUE —The

Czech Republic’s Radek Stepanek and Spain’ David Ferrer will open the action at the Davis Cup final here on Friday, following Thursday’s draw.

Ferrer, the world number five and Spain’s number one, will face 37th-ranked Stepanek at 1500 GMT on Friday on the hardcourt of Prague’s O2 Arena.

After their meeting, world number six and Czech number one Tomas Berdych will take on Spain’s Nicolas Almagro, the world number 11.

In Saturday’s doubles, Czechs Lukas Rosol and Ivo Minar are due to face ATP Tour Finals winners Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez - but the Czech team is likely to make a change and rely on Berdych and Stepanek instead.

On Sunday, Berdych will face Ferrer before Stepanek takes on Almagro.

The 100th edition of the Davis Cup final will be played in front of almost 14,000 people—a crowd that pushed the Czech women’s team to a successful Fed Cup defence following a final victory over Serbia two weeks ago.

A Davis Cup win would give Czechs a rare team double—last achieved by the United States in 1990.

Spain are looking to add another crown to their three Davis Cup trophies from the last four years.

They also won the competition in 2000 and 2004.

In 2009, Spain thrashed the Czech Republic 5-0 in the Davis Cup final in Barcelona.

Czechoslovakia, which split peacefully into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, won the Davis Cup in 1980 with a team led by the then 20-yearold Ivan Lendl.—APP/AFP

was clashing with our Twenty20 tournament we have asked the players to feature in the national event so that selectors can check their form and fitness for the selection of the squad for India,” PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf told.

Afridi had already offered to feature in the domestic Twenty20 tournament, saying he would forgo his Australian contract to prepare for the India series.—APP

Governors Cup golf tees off LAHORE—The 29th edition of Millat Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament to be contested over three rounds will commence at the par 72, Lahore Gymkhana Golf Course here on Friday.

This was stated by Maj (r) Javed Nasrullah, Convenor Golf of Gymkhana at a press conference at Gymkhana Golf Club on Thursday. Also present on the occasion were Shahid Gul Qureshi, Captain Golf, Ahsan Imran, CEO, Millat Tractors and Khawaja Pervaiz Saeed, Director Media of the champyonship and Tariq Malik,Tournament Director.

Khawaja Pervaiz explained that weather and playing conditions at the golf course are extremely conducive for competitive golf and this championship provides the aspiring amateur golfers of the country a chance to demonstrate their golfing skills and achieve success in this prestigious Governor’s Cup Golf Tournament and thereby get noticed as golfers of substance. —APP

Lancashire coach to work for improvement of NCA L AHORE —English county Lancashire coach, Peter Morris has said that he is ready to work with Pakistan Cricket Board for improving the National Cricket Academy besides strengthening domestic cricket structure.

“There are few options ahead of me and I may consider working as a part time consultant with NCA for making it a more result oriented institution to contribute in the overall development of cricket in Pakistan,” he told mediamen at a news conference here on Thursday. Director General, PCB, Javed Miandad, Director International Cricket, Intikhab Alam were also present.

Morris said he would be submitting a report to PCB within next ten days regarding working of NCA suggesting ways and means to lift its performance as an institution to produce finish cricket prod- ISLAMABAD: Squash winning players hold trophy during closing ceremony of 2nd All Pakistan Inter-University Squash ucts.—APP Championship at Sports Complex.

7 ways to stop eating out

O

NE of the best ways to tighten your budget is to cut back on the amount of money you spend on take-out and restaurant food. Besides, not only is eating at home cheaper, it’s most often healthier, too.

Here are nine ideas to help you avoid the fast food temptation.

1. Grab and eat foods rule. One of the reasons we love fast food is because it’s fast.

In just a few minutes, we’re chowing on hot, tasty foods that satisfy our need for immediate gratification.

Healthy foods to keep on hand are trail mix, fresh fruits and veggies (precut for easier consumption), granola bars (yes, you can make your own at home), pudding or Jello, pretzels, cottage cheese, salads, and sweet treats like miniature candy bars or Hershey’s kisses. Packaging foods in baggies makes it easy to take snacks with you when you leave the house, too.

2. Money saved is money earned. Start a special savings fund for something you’ve always wanted, like that new fishing boat motor, an iPad, or an exotic vacation. Every time you’re tempted to eat out, take the money you would have spent on take out food and add it to your dream fund. The knowledge of saving for something worthwhile is often enough of a motivator to keep you from turning into that McDonald’s after work.

3. Make cooking at home enjoyable.

Turn up your favorite music, involve the whole family, or splurge on a nice set of spices. Whatever it takes to make cooking

enjoyable for you is an investment worth investing in. Trying out new recipes, creating your own dishes, and filing your home with the smells of home cooked food can all be great starting points for fostering a love of cooking. If it’s enjoyable, cooking at home can be healthy and relaxing, making it an ideal hobby.

4. Planning ahead helps you avoid temptation. Menu planning and preparing foods in advance can really help out when you’re feeling unmotivated to cook, and tempted to eat out. You can make your own Hot Pockets and freeze them for later, or keep a prepared menu every week to take the pain out of deciding what’s for supper.

5. Learn to make your favorite fast foods at home. If you simply can’t live without that Big Mac, or get a weekly hankering for KFC chicken, you can learn to recreate your favorite fast food recipes at home.

6. Make meals a social occasion. Another way to take the pain out of eating at home is to create a meal rotation plan with your neighbors and friends.

You rotate meeting at everybody’s own homes one day a week to showcase everyone’s cooking skills and to enjoy some fun times. Quite often, the company makes even the most mundane meals exciting.

7. Spruce up your kitchen and dining area. If you take time to make your kitchen and dining area attractive and appealing, you will be extra motivated to spend time in those areas of your home.

KARACHI: A large number of vehicles standing in a queue to collect CNG on Nomaish Chowrangi, MA Jinnah Road.

Matanat visits various Masajid, Imambargahs STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Municipal facili-

KARACHI: British High Commissioner Adam Thomson calls on Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan.

Sindh CNG stations to remain close KARACHI—Stations reopened on Thursday after a 48-hours break, the Sui Southern Gas Company announced that the fuel gas supply will remain suspended on Saturday as well.

SSGC spokesman said the filling stations would be closed across the province at 9am Saturday for 24 hours, reopening on Sunday morning, under the loadmanagement plan of the government. He warned that any gas filling station which violated the schedule would be closed for further 24 hours.

The 48-hour shutdown on Wednesday added to miseries of people using CNG-powered vehicles or relying on CNG-run transport as public transport turned thin on roads, making it hard for office workers to make it to their destinies. NNI

203 Ulema entry banned in Sindh STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Sindh government has imposed a ban on entry of 203 ulema in Sindh for two months. According to the notification issued by Sindh Interior Ministry, the entry of 72 ulema of Hyderabad Region, 17 from Mirpur Khas Region, 54 from Sukkur Region and 60 ulema of Larkana has been banned in other parts of the Sindh and other provinces for a period of two months. It is interested to mention here that names of two dead ulema, Maulana Ziaul Haq Qasmi of Faisalabad and Maulvi Abdullah Shah, are also included in the list.

Meanwhile, the Shia Ulema held a meeting with theDirector

General of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) here on Thursday. A Rangers statement said that the mee0ting considered security during Muharram-ulHaram. Shia Ulema assured their cooperation during Muharram-ul-Haram.

The meeting reiterated that concerted action to be taken against miscreants and the elements that spread hatred. Regarding security measurements Chief Secretary Sindh, Raja Muhammad Abbas, I.G Police Sindh, Fayaz Ahmed Leghari, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Waseem Ahmed, AIG Police Karachi, Iqbal Mehmood, Senior Special Assistant to CM, Rashid Rabbani, also attended a meeting at CM house.

ties would be ensured before Ashra-e-Muharram-ul-Haram, said Chief Officer Matanat Ali Khan while visiting different Imambargahs of District Malir, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town and Gulberg Town, here on Thursday.

On this occasion Administrator Malir Dr. Mukhtar Palejo, Administrator Gulshan Town Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Administrator Gulberg Town Latif Lodhi, Chief Engineer Raheem Shaikh, Representatives of KWSB and other high officials were present.

While visiting central Imam Bargah in Jaffer-e-Tayyar Society he directed concerned officers to complete arrangements of cleanliness, repairing of street lights and road fast.

Matanat Ali Khan also asked KWSB officers about details of installation of sewerage and water lines in Jaffer-eTayyar Society.

He also instructed to provide the cement barriers in the ways of various Imam Bargahs for safety measures and to ensure the availability of municipal facilities for Azadars in Ashra-eMuharram-ul-Haram. Speed breaker for safety measure will be constructed on central route in Abbas Town, Sohrab Goath.

He also visited Khair-ulAmal Imam Bargah in Al-Noor Society and Islamic Culture & Research Trust in Aisha Manzil areas and instructed concerned engineers to ensure the availability of street lights.

Chief Officer said that Sr. Director Municipal Services Dr. Shaukat Zaman and Director Noman Arshad had been posted as focal persons who will be in contact with Religious Scholars and the representatives of different organizations and work for the resolution of municipal problems of Masajid, Imam Bargahs and Azadars.

PPP Parliamentary meeting STAFF REPORTER K A R A C H I — Parliamentary

Party meeting of PPP in Sindh Assembly was held in the Chamber of Chief Minister Sindh at Sindh Assembly Building.The Parliamentary leader Pir Mazharul Haq presided the meeting, said a statement issued on Thursday.

The meeting discussed various issues and adopted strategy for assembly session.

The meeting was attended by 63 members including Chief Minister Sindh and leader of the House Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

The CM Sindh also reKARACHI: SSP ACLC Imran Shokat talking to media at a press conference briefing. Dur- ceived applications from Mining the briefing recovered cars, ammunition and fake number plates were also displayed. isters and MPAs and issued spot orders.

Photo Imran Gilani.

City violence claims eight more lives STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—The never-ending violence claimed 8 more lives including a woman. Meanwhile Special Investigations Unit claimed to arrest an alleged target killer and recovered arms from his possession. SSP Farooq Awan said that the alleged target killer Saeed Alam alias Menna Bengali is invoilved numerous cases of target killings.

Five kalashinkovs rifles, two pistols and hundreds of bullits were recovered on the information

provided by the accused.

According to police a youth was shot by unknown assasins in Ghazi Goth within the precinct of Manghopir Police Station. Three persons including two women were wounded by firing during a dispute in Mobeena Town, Saeedabad.

They are iedntified as Sumaira, Talat and Waseem. Sumaira died on the way to the hospital while other two are listed in critical condition. A woman was injured from firing in Baldia Town No. 9 while tortured

body of a woman was found near Sakhan Police Station, Bhans Colony.

Another tortured body was found from a garbade dump in Block H of North Nazimabad.

None of the bodies are being identified as yet. One Jehangir died from the bullit accident fired by a security guard of a factory in Shah Faisal Town No. 1. Three people injured from firing late night near Meena Bazaar, PIB Colony succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. Two od them are identidied as Javed and Zia.

CM orders probe into police manhandling of journalists SPECIAL CORRESPONDET a walkout from the press gal- demned such an irresponsible lery. Senior journalist Habib behavior of the police, the pro-

K ARACHI — Chief Minister Khan Ghauri and KUJ Presi- vincial information minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah has ordered an inquiry into the police who on Wednesday had manhandled two journalists and lodged a fake FIR against the media persons. In the FIR the SHO Kharadar police accused the two reporters of a local television channel of waging an encounter against the police.

Thursday saw the journalists boycotting first sitting of the Sindh Assembly to register their protest against the highhandedness of the police.

As soon as the house was brought to order by Speaker Nisar Khuhro at 12:15pm on Thursday the journalists staged

dent G.M Jamali, who led the protest, said the two mediamen were arrested by the police for pillion riding a bike, which is banned nowadays owing to security consideration during Muharram. The journalists, they said, were harassed by the police despite knowing the fact that they were legally exempted from the ban.

Meanwhile, MQM lawmaker Khwaja Izharul Hassan and Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon visited the media center where the protesting media persons had gathered and tried to pacify them. While Hassan con-

told the journalists that the chief minister had nominated DIG South as an inquiry officer to probve into the matter.

He said if found guilty the concerned police officer would be taken to task. Later, Hassan also raised the issue on the floor of the house calling upon the law minister to elaborate on the law relating to journalists’ immunity form pillion riding ban.

Memon repeating the same statement, while the speaker said all should realize gravity of the situation as the ban was put in place to avoid an untoward situation during Muharram.

Ulema meet DG Rangers KARACHI—The Shia Ulema held a meeting with the Director General of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) here on Thursday.

A Rangers statement said that the meeting considered security during Muharram-ulHaram. Shia Ulema assured their cooperation during Muharram-ul-Haram. The meeting reiterated that concerted action to be taken against miscreants and the elements that spread hatred.—APP

Impediments being removed for completion of Lyari Expressway STAFF REPORTER

KARACHI—The impediments in the way of Lyari Expressway would be removed for the early completion of this project. This was stated by the Commissioner Karachi, Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi, here on Thursday.

During a visit to the project, the Commissioner said that every possible step is being taken for the execution of the Rs.8 billion scheme aimed at provision of prompt and signal-free travel facility to the people.

He said that in this regard he has the cooperation of Administrator Karachi, Muhammad Hussain Syed, and the relevant departments. Hashim Zaidi directed the Deputy Commissioner West, Ghanwar Ali leghari, and Deputy Commissioner Central, Dr. Saif ur Rehman, to ensure that after removal of impediments, the project is handed over to the National Highway Authority (NHA) for its early completion. He was optimistic that this would be done by the end of January 2013 and KARACHI: Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Tilo Klinner cutting the 5.3 km area would be handed over to the NHA. the ribbon to inaugurate the ‘Germany on the Road’ exhibition.

Administrator visits Mehran Highway KARACHI—KMC Administrator Muhammad Hussain Syed has said that the citizens using National would be facilitated with a well standard alternative route after the construction of Mehran Highway which would help in reducing traffic pressure on National Highway.

The surrounding industrial

and commercial areas of the National Highway would also improve business activities and trading delegations from foreign countries would have convenience in visiting Export Processing Zone.

He said this while visiting Mehran Highway where he was accompanied by Director Gen-

eral Technical Services Altaf G. Memon, concerned Chief Engineers and other officers.

The Administrator Karachi said that the initial arrangements for Mehran Highway Phase-II had been made and tenders had been called for the construction of Mehran Highway Phase-II from Hospital Chowrangi to Port

Qasim Road so that construction work could start immediately.

He said that in second phase of Mehran Highway construction of 5km long road would cost Rs 450 million whereas the third phase of this road which would be 2km long and connect hospital chowrangi to Pakistan Steel.—APP

Migraines linked to brain lesions in women

R

ESEARCHERS report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that women, who are three times as likely as men to experience migraines, may suffer from other consequences of the painful headaches apart from the common symptoms of nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light. Women who have migraines are twice as likely as non-sufferers to show structural changes, or lesions, due to inadequate blood flow in certain parts of the brain.

The role that these lesions may play in health, however, still aren’t obvious. “Patients should not live with the idea that each migraine attack is potentially ‘damaging’ their brains,” corresponding study author Mark Kruit says in an email to TIME discussing the results. “Patients should know that the [volume] of changes is small, and that they are not related to worse cognitive function. [T]here is no need for changes in the way migraine patients are treated, based on the study results.”

Previous MRI brain scans of migraine patients found unusual “hyperintensities” — bright areas suggesting areas of poor blood flow. But those studies could not determine which came first — whether people with migraines tend to develop brain lesions, or whether the brain lesions trigger migraines. Those studies also could not track whether each successive migraine would expand the size of the brain lesions, leading to worsening symptoms.

So Kruit, a radiologist and neurologist working in Leiden in the Netherlands, joined with a Dutch team of doctors to study migraine in nearly

300 adults living in that country. Most of the participants suffered from migraines, but some did not. Researchers scanned the brains of all of the participants at the start of the study, in 2000, and again in 2009. By comparing the images taken in the same year, Kruit and his colleagues could measure differences in brain lesions between the migraine patients and those who did not suffer from the headaches. And by comparing scans for the same patients taken nine years apart, they could also record whether those with migraine history are more likely to develop new brain lesions over time, whether existing lesions grow faster among people with more migraine attacks.

The researchers found no difference in outcomes among men. Both men with migraines and those without the headaches were equally likely to show hyperintensities on the MRI scans.

But it was a different story for the women. Both in 2000 and in 2009, women with migraines had higher lesion volume than those without migraines, and during the study period their lesions also progressed faster than those among women without migraines. However, the growth of these lesions was not associated with the frequency or intensity of migraines, or to the presence of aura — the vision disturbances and other sensory changes that may precede migraine headaches. That, say the researchers, suggests that the lesions are not part of the collateral damage resulting from the migraine attacks but rather related to whatever is responsible for the headaches.

Nawaz greets Xi Jinping L AHORE —Pakistan Muslim League (N) President and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has extended greetings to the new leadership of Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese people saying that it was a proof of Chinese nation’s unity and sincerity and political maturity of the party leadership.

In a congratulatory message to the General Secretary of the Party Mr Xi Jinping on Thursday, said the PML(N) for several decades has the honour of enjoying close relations with Chinese Communist Party. He said the PML-N and the Pakistani people welcome the new far sighted and committed leadership of the CPC whose founding fathers had laid the basis of close relations between Pakistan and China.

Nawaz Sharif expressed the hope that under new leadership, Chinese people will continue their march towards greater progress and prosperity.

The PML-N President said LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Indian Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with the members close relations between Pakistan of Indian delegation and teachers. and China are pre-requisite for peace, security and stability of the region. He said he was particularly happy over the election of Mr Xi Jinping as General Secretary of the party whom he med during visit to Beijing in January 2010. —INP

Governance, social sector progress seminar

CM Bihar visits Data Gunj Bakhush Shrine

Shahbaz praises Nitish for Bihar betterment via good governance SALIM AHMED

LAHORE—Punjab Chief MinLAHORE—Chief Minister of ister Muhammad Shahbaz

LAHORE: Fine Arts students preparing paintings at Lahore College for Women.

BHUs, RHCs coordination must for quick healthcare HABIB KHAN L AHORE— Secretary Health Punjab Arif Nadeem has said that mutual coordination between Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centers (RHCs) and Tehsil Headquarters Hospitals is essential to provide better medical care to the people living in rural areas. He said a healthy mother means a healthy society, country and the nation.

He expressed these views while addressing inaugural ceremony of a “Health Mela”, held under the auspices of Health Department at Basic Health Unit(BHU) Ferozwala in connection with Healthy Mother and Child Week, being observed in Punjab. He said Healthy Mother and Child Week and “Health

Plea against advisors to Punjab CM adjourned

Mela” would go along way in playing an active role in creating awareness among the general public about health issues. He said the lives of pregnant women, mothers and newly-born children can be saved by adopting preventive measures.

Secretary Health further said that the Punjab government has included pneumococcal vaccine as part of preventive vaccination for the children to safeguard them against pneumonia.

He said that this vaccine was previously only available to the children of rich persons, however, on the directive of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, this vaccine is now being made available free of costs, which cost over rupees four thousand per dose.

He said this vaccine which saves the children against pneumonia, would reduce mortality rate among children which currently stands at 30 thousand children per year in the country. Secretary Health said that many illnesses can prevented by adopting a habit of washing hands, among the children and adults.

He called up mothers to bring their children to government health centers and hospitals so that they could be provided proper care as well as awareness in this regard.

Provincial Coordinator for Family Planning and primary Health Dr. Akhtar Rashid Malik, District Officer of Health Department and representative of UNICEF were also present on the occasion.

Indian province Bahar Nitish Kumar on Thursday visited the grave of great sufi saint Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhush. He also laid traditional “chadar” at the grave of the saint. He was accompanied by Punjab Auqaf Minister Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi and other officers.

Talking to media Nitish Kumar said, “He felt cordial satisfaction on visiting the grave of Data Gunj Bakhush.” He said that teachings of ‘sufia karams’ given message of love, peace and tolerance.

Auqaf Minister Ehsanuddin Quershi briefed him and his delegation about the teachings of Data Gunj Bakhush. Chief Minister of Indian province Bihar Nitish Kumar along with a delegation visited Gurudawara Dera Sahib here on Thursday.

Members of Evacuee Trust Property Board received the CM Bihar. He visited different parts of the Gurudawara and appreciated the maintenance of the religious place of Sikh religion.

Pakistan Sikh Gurudawara Parbandhak Committee Pardhan Sardar Sham Singh presented him a special souvenir and gifts.—APP

Rescue employees holidays cancelled LAHORE—The administration of Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) has cancelled holidays of its officials during Ashura-e-Moharram ul Harram.

According to Rescue 1122 spokesman, ambulances and team of doctors will remain present at all places of majalis and processions. Staff of fire brigade will also remain alert to cope with any emergency.

As many as 24 ambulances of Rescue-1122 will be deputed along the Ashura processions, the spokesman added.—APP

Sharif has said that many values between Indian province of Bihar and Pakistani Punjab are common.

He said as Chief Minister Bihar Nateesh Kumar transformed Bihar province through good governance transparency, and determination, similarly the Punjab government of PML-N has also promoted good governance, merit and transparency in the Punjab. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said Chief Minister Bihar Nateesh Kumar is a socialist while he is an Islamic socialist.

He said before Nateesh Kumar, the province of Bihar was full of corruption and cronyism as Punjab was being plundered through corruption before Pakistan Muslim League-N rule.

Chief Minister said as Nateesh Kumar had changed the situation after coming into power, similarly we have also transformed the graveyard of corruption into minarets of progress.

He said Nateesh Kumar is a successful Chief Minister whose people love him. Muhammad

Shahbaz Sharif said Pakistan and India must move forward for peace and amity to resolve their mutual issues by promoting bilateral relations through negotiations.

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed these views while addressing a seminar on governance and social sector progress held at Government College University Lahore here today.

He said that the rule of dictator General Musharaf and his cronies had made the lives of poor masses miserable, despite his raising the slogans of Pakistan first. He said corruption was order of the day during the dictatorial rule and 900 millions of rupees project was prepared to install imported white marble on Bab-e-Pakistan.

He said in a country where the poor does not have two meals a day, a citizen dies without getting proper medical care such profligate attitude is an extreme cruelty. He said on the one hand the people do not have basic facilities, while on the other we install imported marble so, is this the Pakistan of Quaid-a-Azam and Allama Iqbal? Chief Minister said he stopped the project of

installing white marble at Babe-Pakistan project and saved rupees 60 cores by using local marble. He said Lahore-Kasur Road which was to be completed in 2008, at a cost of rupees five billion, but Musharaf and his cronies did so much loot and plunder that this project could not escape from corruption.

He said without constructing shoulders around the roads, crores of rupees were extracted from the national exchequer. He said people’s hard-earned money up to rupees 70 billion was looted from the Punjab Bank and it is miracle that the bank has been saved. He said during the previous era secret funds worth rupees 30 cores were gobbled, without any record. He said every institution was destroyed in the era of the dictator and cronies of dictator resorted to worst corruption.

Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said the cronies, contractors and concerned departments made an unholy alliance to loot the national exchequer however now no political interference is being made in any sector nor he tolerates it as all matters are now being performed in a transparent manner.

STAFF REPORTER

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial Thursday adjourned hearing of the petition against appointments of Advisors and Special Assistants to the Punjab Chief Minister till January 15.

The chief justice adjourned the matter on the request by the petitioner’s counsel.

The petition was filed by Advocate Rana Mehtab Ahmad submitting that an advisors and special assistants was appointed by the CM Shahbaz Sharif, which were good for nothing but burden on national exchequer.—APP

LAHORE—Senior Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Senator Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa has said that, under the leadership of Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab government has made significant progress in the field of good governance, frugality, transparency and meritbased use of funds on development projects, including in the fields of education, health, agriculture and transport.

He said law and order situation is extremely satisfactory

in Punjab, due to exemplary political stability, and commercial and business activities are continuing in a healthy social atmosphere, due to which the Punjab government has become the role model for the people of Pakistan and other provincial governments.

He expressed these views, while talking to the participants of Air War Course, who had called on him, under the leadership of Air Commodore, Nadeem Shujaat Khan, of Air War College Karachi of Pakistan Air Force. The participants included officers from Pakistan Army,

Pakistan Navy, Jordan, Nigeria, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, China and Turkey. He gave detailed briefing to the participants, during which Secretary Finance, Secretary Health, Member Planning & Development and senior officers of Police were present.

Senator Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said that Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps in education and health sectors during its five years rule, and have made progress not only in urban but in rural areas as well.

He said that Daanish school system has been introduced to pro-

STAFF REPORTER L A H O R E —Commissioner Lahore Division, Jawad Rafiq Malik has urged the ulema to play their due role in foiling nefarious designs of terrorists and miscreants.

He was presiding over a meeting with all leading Ulema from the four districts of division regarding Moharram-ul-Haram.

The Commissioner said the Punjab government was paying special attention towards security arrangements to observe the holy days of Muharram in a peaceful atmosphere.

Haji M Nawaz, Molana Abdul Khabir Azad, Agha Mansoor Qazalbash, Peer Usman Noori, Molana Abd-ur-Rahman, Allama Abd-ur-Razzaq Alvi, Molana Sardar Muhammad Laghari, Ajmal Naqvi, Syed Misbah-ul-Hasnain Kirmani, Allama Mushtaq Jafri, Qari Azizur-Rahman, Taqweem-ul-Haq etc attended the meeting.

All religious scholars unanimously assured their cooperation to ensure peace. All DCO’s and DDO’s of the division attended the meeting.

13 Addl District & Sessions Judges confirmed LAHORE—The Administrative

Committee of Lahore High Court, headed by LHC Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, confirmed 13 additional district & sessions judges(AD&SJs) and 49 civil judges-cum-judicial magistrates.

According to a press release issued on Thursday, the decision was taken in a meeting of the administrative committee held on November 14.

The AD&SJs who were confirmed include Muhammad Akram, Waseem-ur-Rehman Khan Khakwani, Muhammad Yar Gondal, Amjad Nazir Chaudhry, Muhammad Naveed Iqbal, Muhammad Asghar Khan, Muhammad Shabir, Syed Dawar Zafar Ali, Naseem Ahmad Virk,Asad Ali,Tariq LAHORE: PML-N leader Mariam Nawaz addressing a meeting with students of different Mahmood Bajwah,Tariq Javed universities at PML-N Secretariat. and Nasir Hussain.

The civil judges who were confirmed include Qaiser Hussain Mari, Naveed Abbas, Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman and Saif Ullah Babur.—APP

Punjab makes progress thru good governance: Khosa

LAHORE—Lahore High Court

Ulema’s role sought to defeat miscreants

vide modern facilities to the brilliant students of rural sectors, out of which five Daanish schools are operating, while further three are under construction.

He said that 20 thousand vacancies have been generated in the education system to overcome problems, while 2500 schools have been upgraded from primary to high school level. He said that Punjab government has distributed more than one lakh laptops among brilliant students while provision of more than one lakh laptops to the students, in the current fiscal years, has also been initiated. He said that Punjab

Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) which was established in 2008 with Rs.2 billion, has now reached upto Rs.10 billion. He said that four women universities have also been established in the province.

He said that Punjab government has asked the federal government to solve the energy crisis to ensure social progress. He said that the Punjab government has chalked out a comprehensive strategy and programme for the energy sector in Punjab, and in the current fiscal year, an amount of Rs.10 billion, has been earmarked for the energy sector, and

Rs.one billion has been allocated for solar panels.

With regard to the Health Department, Senator Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Khosa said that during the current fiscal year, Rs.16.5 million have been allocated, along with Rs.0.5 billion, for the rural ambulance service. He said that in order to provide free of cost medicines at hospitals to the people, 5.846 million rupees have been allocated, while Rs.2 billion have been earmarked for upgradation of DHQs of Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Sialkot and Gujranwala.