PML-N, PML-F, NPP agree on polls alliance No question of elections deferment: Nawaz IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—Pakistan Muslim League-N President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the party had made the Pakistan Muslim League-F and National People’s Party (NPP) as the allies to the PML-N and the alliance was both for the electoral politics and everlasting brotherhood. The alliance had been formed after long and detailed discussions with Pir Sahab Pagara and NPP leaders. The alliance would fight away the corrupt alliance in the NEW DELHI—A resolution of government and tactful the outstanding Kashmir issue maneuvours of the Pakistan would make Pakistan a “more People’s Party and its allies esnormal state” and reduce its pecially the Muttahida Qaumi preoccupation with India, according to a former CIA officer who was one of the architects of President Barack Obama’s Af-Pak policy in his first term. In his latest book Avoiding Armageddon: America, India, ISLAMABAD—President Asif and Pakistan to the Brink and Back, Bruce Riedel said that by Ali Zardari, Tuesday, signed the eliminating Pakistan’s desire to Instrument of Ratification for Pakistan to become a member of wage asymmetric warfare the International Renewable Enagainst India, it would also ergy Agency (IRENA). discourage Pakistan from Spokesperson to the Presimaking alliances with the dent Senator Farhatullah Babar Taliban [, Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Al Qaeda. Riedel and late said that the International Renewable Energy Agency that was Richard Holbrooke were the founded on 26th Jan 2009 in Bonn, Germany, aims to promote widespread and increased adoption and the sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. To-date 149 countries have signed the statute of IRENA while 76 have ratified it. The
Kashmir solution will make Pak normal: US expert
Movement for rigging the elections before the elections would never be allowed to be successful, he said. Sharif warned that there is no power in the country that could delay the coming general elections. The decision by the MQM to sit on the opposition benches was part of tactful political maneuvours of the PPP and the MQM so that they both could dupe the people of the province and gain sympathy from their voters but the trick would not work.He said that the PML-N had a couple of days prior to death of Pir Pagara held talks with him and it was agreed that both the parties would work together for the betterment of the
country. The relations between the two parties were 20-year old and would never fade in future. “We had decided that the PML-N, PML-F and NPP would contest coming elections together against the PPP and its partners”, said Nawaz. “The making of the opposition in the province and in the center was nothing but a plan to conduct the pre-poll rigging.” The PML-N chief said that the rulers had, in four years and 11 months, ruined the country and having realized that they would KARACHI: PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Pir Sahib Pagaro talking to media after a meeting at Kingri House on fall head down in the coming elec- Monday. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Mumtaz Bhutto, Murtaza Jatoi and Ghous Ali Shah are also present tions had created a friendly oppo- on Tuesday. sition by placing the MQM in opposition but the people of the province would never trust them fur-
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President signs IRENA membership for Pakistan
Mandviwalla: Budget preparations started SHARAFAT KAZMI ISLAMABAD—Finance
Minister Saleem Mandviwalla has said that a medium target of five percent GDP growth rate and 20 billion dollar remittances has been fixed. Addressing a news conference here Tuesday‚ he said current year’s target for remittances was proposed at 14.5 billion dollar but he thinks it is on the lower side and a revised target would be submitted next week. The
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Spokesperson said that recognizing the advantages of this international forum, Pakistan took active part in the formative phase of IRENA and participated actively in the preparatory meetings that were held before this forum was formally established. He said that Pakistan signed the Statute of IRENA in June 2009 and became the 87th country to sign the statute. The IRENA facilitates its member’s access to all relevant renewable energy information, including technical data, economic data and resource potential data. It shares lessons learnt
on international best practices, policy frameworks, capacity building, financial mechanism, technology transfer and related energy efficiency measures. In view of the current energy shortage, the growing demands of an increasing population, the financial constraints and environmental concerns, the President has continuously been urging for adoption of alternative means of energy generation at the earliest possible, the Spokesperson said. By becoming a member of IRENA, Pakistan stands to gain significantly, he said. —Online
Cops killed in attack on polio team
CJ: Balochistan situation can spread nationwide
I SLAMABAD —The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Tuesday heard the suo moto notice regarding Quetta carnage and termed government’s report on the incident dissatisfactory. The Supreme Court has directed the concerned authorities to apprehend elements involved in sabotage activities in Balochistan. A three-member of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry observed that none of the court orders on Balochistan situation were implemented by the provincial government.
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MQM protests in NA
ISLAMABAD—Muttahida PESHAWAR—A policeman was went inside a house to adminis- the highest figure for more than Qaumi Movement protested in shot dead Tuesday while protecting a polio vaccination team, police said, bringing the death toll in such attacks to 20 since December. No one has claimed responsibility for the killings. Tuesday’s killing happened at Ghalla Dher on the outskirts of the northwestern town of Mardan, on the second day of a three-day local anti-polio campaign. “The female vaccinators
ter the polio drops. A police guard accompanying the team was waiting outside,” Mardan district police chief Danishwar Khan told media. “Two people came on a motorbike. They opened fire and shot the policeman dead,” he added. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only countries where polio is endemic. Polio cases in Pakistan hit 198 in 2011,
a decade and the most of any country in the world, according to the UN. In January two polio vaccination workers, a policeman and seven members of a charity involved in polio vaccinations were shot dead in three separate incidents across the northwest. In December gunmen killed nine health workers carrying out polio vaccinations in Karachi and the northwest.
National Assembly on Tuesday against the statement of Pir Mazharul Haq. According to details, MQM leader Sajid Ahmed said that Sindh Education Minister, Pir Mazhar went against Hyderabad University and his party condemns his statement. Bill of construction of this varsity had been pending in the provincial assembly over the past one year, he
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New US energy aid package on the cards
AFZAL BAJWA ISLAMABAD—With Pakistan fast heading to sign transnational pipeline project with Iran, US is most likely to offer a comprehensive but conditional energy assistance package as alternate to the Iranian gas. According to diplomatic sources, the Obama Administration was contemplating to use a luring carrot this time to make Pakistan deliver in the so-called endgame in Afghanistan, besides refraining from translational gas pipeline from Iran. Since the American strategists were working on a longterm plan to keep an influence
centre in Afghanistan even after announced withdrawal of US/ Nato troops from the war-torn country, they need Pakistan as a strategic partner even beyond war on terror. “That is why you hear a lot of talk back in Washington about focussing on Pakistan as a long-term partner rather than just a war ally or a facilitator of the endgame,” the sources pointed out. The sources were of the view juxtaposition of anti-Iran and anti-drones sentiments in the American society may benefit this time in terms of a comprehensive American energy assistance package. “But this time the governments in Pakistan would
have to deliver, if they really need their energy woes to be done away with,” the sources added. Consistent voices against the drones from within and outside Pakistan have perhaps made US Administration to understand that drones were practically appearing to be counter productive to the war on terror entering the decisive phase now, they underlined. Other than strategic and political conditionality attached to prospective energy assistance package, the government in Pakistan would have to expand tax net, end blindfold government borrowing, and culture of vague
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PM: Govt wants to see Balochistan prosper STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The present government has an intense desire to see Baluchistan prosper which is only possible if the children of province especially girls are motivated and educated. This was stated by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf while addressing the third session of Prime Minister’s Schol-
arship programme for talented students of Baluchistan here on Tuesday. Dilating on the importance of education the prime minister said that not only Islam lays great stress on education but it is essential for leading a successful life. Praising the confidence of the students, the prime minister said that he was pleased with the performance of girls
who had come from far flung and remote areas of Baluchistan and were being educated in the finest schools in Islamabad. The prime minister urged the girls to seek more education so that they could move forward in life. Acknowledging the efforts of Special Assistant to Prime Minister Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, he said that he wanted to
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Govt launches 23 new Rs 32,186m development projects in AJK
Afghans’ voluntary return period enhanced to June 30 I SLAMABAD —Minister for States and Frontier and Frontier Regions Abbas Khan Afridi on Monday informed the National Assembly that currently sophisticated computerized system was in placed for the registration of Afghan refugees and period for voluntary repatriation of the refugees was extended till June 30. Replying to a various supplementary questions during Question Hour, he said the repatriation package for the refugees was also enhanced from $ 100 to $150 per returnee in order to encourage and motivate the Afghan refugees. Earlier, the amount was paid to them in Pakistan, now it was being
FAISALABAD: BISP beneficiaries sit outside a local bank to en-cash their cheques.
Protest against murder of six labourers RAFIULLAH MANDOKHAIL Z H O B —A complete shutter-down strike was observed against the brutal murder of six labourers in Pasni, here in Zhob. The strike was called by JUI Bashardost Caravan which was supported by Trade union. The protesters also blocked Zhob-Quetta-D.I Khan highways, connecting Balochistan to the Khyber Pashtoonkhwa by burning tyres and putting hurdles for several hours. During the strike all business centers and markets on Masjid road, Kandahari bazaar, Sharbat Khan road and Market road remained completely closed. Meanwhile, Pashtoonkhwa MAP activists also took out a protest rally from party office and culminated at the Shamsud-Din Shaheed chowk after marching through different roads of the city. They were carrying black flags and placards, chanting slogans against the killing of labourers and the government. Addressing on the occasion Pk-MAP leaders Haji Naseeb Khan, Ubaidullah Khan, Mirwais Khan, Juma Sarai, Amanullah, Basardost Caravan leaders Maulavi Nek Muhammad Maulavi Abdul Manan, Nawaz Khan, Haji Juma Rahim and Hafiz Hazrat Gul condemned the killing of innocent labourers and termed it an act of cowardice and terrorism. They said that the government has badly failed in protecting life of people, adding that despite the governor’s rule in the province innocent people were being killed by terrorists in broad day light.
Illegal appointments: JI cautions against violation of ECP Code M HALEEM ASAD TIMERGARA—The Lower Dir chapter of the Jamaat-i-Islami on Tuesday warned to surround offices of the officers involved in appointments on political grounds in health and technical education. Speaking at a news conference the JI nominated candidate for NA-34 Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, for PK-94 Muzafar Syed, district general secretary Syed Jehan Badshah, secretary information Malik Sher Bahadar, Haji Daud Syed and Shafiullah alleged that illegal appointments in health and techni-
cal education departments had been made while using previous dates without any prior advertisements. They said that election commission’s rules and code of conduct had been violated by sitting lawmakers of the Dir Lower which had provoked the JI workers. The JI leaders said that present lawmakers were busy in pre-poll rigging but no one was taking notice of it. They said the law and order situation could be worsened if grievances of the JI workers were not resolved. “We are not against employment but we will strictly
resist the process at this time,” Sahibzada Yaqub Khan said, adding the voters were being influenced by it. The JI leaders demanded of the government and concerned authorities to immediately withdraw the appointment orders and fill the vacant posts on merit. They warned to surround offices of the concerned authorities in the district if their demand was not met before the election. **** Also in the day several workers of the PPP announced to quit the PPP and joined the JI at Mera Khall in Dir Lower. They included
Killing of Hazaras condemned OUR CORRESPONDENT TIMERGARA—A local NGO,
ATTOCK: DPO Attock Ali Nasir Rizvi carrying a 4-year old boy after his recovery from the kidnappers during a Press Conference.
MQM wants legislation on Hyderabad Varsity
ISLAMABAD—The Muttahida Assembly to immediately ap- Hyderabad. Speaking on a Qaumji Movement on Tues- prove the bill for establish- point of university in day demanded of the Sindh ment of Jinnah University in Hyderabad in a meeting took place in February 2012; however the provincial education ministry kept on delaying the execution of the bill. He said during course of the time, the provincial assembly had passed six private members bill for establishment of universities including Liyari University and Sindh Madrassah University but the MQM never opposed the legislation. However, he said the government opined that Karachi University would cope with the needs of Hyderabad so there was no need to establish Jinnah University in the city. He demanded that the Sindh Assembly should immediately pass Jinnah University Bill or else the people of Sindh would continue their protest. Earlier, Muttahida Qaumi Movement criticized Sindh Provincial Minister Pir Mazharul Haq’s alleged statement against the setting up of KARACHI: Sindh Acting Governor Nisar Ahmed Khuhro with Consul General of the a public sector university in State of Kuwait, Naser Reden Al Motairi and other Kuwaiti diplomats at a reception Hyderabad and sought an apology from him. MQM memhosted by the Consul General. ber National Assembly Abdul pool area was beautifully Prominent among the per- Qadir Khanzada claimed in SALAHUDDIN HAIDER decorated, with Arabic and sonalities were journalists, National Assembly that Pir T was a colourful recep Pakistani dishes served all diplomats, including of Sri Mazharul Haq had issued a tion at the around for the large number Lanka Jindasa, the Turkish statement to oppose setting Kuwaiti Consul General’s of guests, crowding the area. consul general Mural M up of a university in the secresidence Acting Governor Nisark Onart, the Malaysian ond biggest city of the provM o n d a y Khuhro was chief guest, and consiul general Abu Bakar ince. A statement which the night. The cut the cake with consul gen- Mamat, the Russian consul Provincial Minister had denied o c c a s i o n eral Naser Reden Al-Motairi general Andrey Demidov in print and electronic media was the cel- in a separate room. Severla and many others.Leading and vowed to set up more ebrations for counsel generals including businessmen including than one university there. But, Khanzada claimed the 52nd na- of US, Michael Dodman, those from the Federation of tional day Francis Campbell of Britain, Pakistan Chambers of Com- that Pir Mazharul Haq had hurt and 22nd an- of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, merce and Industry, and the the sentiments of education niversary of Bahrein etc joining hands. Karachi Chamber of Com- lovers and people in Sindh the Liberation of Kuwait from National anthems of the two merce and Industry also were protesting against this statement. “Such a statement Iraqi invasion. The swimming countries were played. were present. is regrettable.”—APP
Kuwait’s was a colourful reception
I
Bazir Khan, Ghulam Syed, Hamidullah, Habibullah, Asghar Khan, Samiullah, Jafar Hussain, Sher Bacha and Yasir Khan. They made the announcement during a function which was addressed by the JI nominated candidate for NA-33 and former district nazim Sahibzada Tariqullah, for PK 93 Malik Behram Khan, Khall amir Hafiz Noorul Haq and others. They said that people were fed up with present rulers due to their corruption and bad record. The JI, they said would solve problems of the people if came in powers.
the Deehi Ijtemai Taraqiati Social Workers’ Council organized a rally to show sympathy with victim families of Hazaras in Quetta. People from all walks of life including youth and sportsmen took part in the rally. They were carrying banners and placards and chanted slogans against the killers and terrorists. Later addressing the rally Akbar Khan, chief of the NGO said that people of a particular community had been targeted in parts of the country. He said the state had lost its moral grounds and the rulers had no more right to rule this country. “It is the state responsibility to provide adequate security to all citizens and their properties,” Akbar Khan said, adding there had been no one to stop killings of innocent people in Pakistan. The NGO had also organized a hockey match during which players and spectators were asked to observe one minute silence to remember martyrs of Quetta. The organizers asked youth to come forward and play active role for peace and tolerance.
paid to them in Afghanistan to discourage their re-entrance practice, he added. The minister said that over 55,000 Afghan refugee families comprising 296,192 individuals (registered refugees) were repatriated during the last four years, bringing the total repatriation to over 3.8 million since 2002. He said that presently around 1.6 million registered Afghan refugees were in Pakistan and the Prime Minister has recently constituted a Cabinet Committee under the Chairmanship of the SAFRON minister to deal with repatriation of the remaining refugees. To another question, the minister said that seafood
worth Rs.104,753.6 million were exported during the last five years. In response to yet another query, he told the house that there were 49 items of pharmaceutical sector in negative list of Pakistan for trade with India. He said that India had given Most Favour Nation (MFN) to Pakistan in 1996 and Pak-India trade volume was being gradually increased. Meanwhile, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo on Monday apprised the National Assembly that the federal government had initiated 23 development projects worth Rs.32,186.95 million in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) since March 2008 till
Rain, snowfall likely in up-country
date. In response to a question during Question Hour, he said that the federal government is committed for the welfare of people of AJK and had allocated funds for the projects. To another question, the minister said that by virtue of Article 1(2) (d) of the constitution of Pakistan, GilgitBaltistan is a part of Pakistan which enjoys special status in accordance with international commitments. He said that maximum internal autonomy including legislative, executive, judicial reforms and self governance for the people of Gilgit Baltistan has been ensured by promulgation of Gilgit-Baltistan.—APP
Govt to resolve problems of masses: Shazia
I SLAMABAD —Pakistan Me- mir and Gilgit-Baltistan dur- I SLAMABAD —Member Nateorological Department (PMD) has predicted widespread rain/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills in the upper and central parts of the country on Wednesday. Spokesman of PMD informed that another westerly wave has entered in Balochistan that would grip upper and central parts of the country from Tuesday. Under the influence of this weather system widespread rain/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is expected in KhyberPakhtunkhawa with scattered heavy falls in Peshawar, Kohat and Bannu divisions on Wednesday. Scattered rain/thunderstorm is expected in Punjab with isolated heavy falls in Rawalpindi and Gujranwala divisions, Kashmir and GilgitBaltistan during the period. Scattered rain/thunderstorm is also expected in Northeast Balochistan including Quetta, Zhob, Kalat and Sibbi divisions. The possibility of hailstorm at isolated places in the plains of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa cannot be ruled out during the period. The barani areas of KP and Punjab are expected to receive good rains during the period. The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during the last 24 hours were Parachinar and Astore -06C, Kalam -04 C,Hunza and Malamjabba -03 C,Gupis and Kalat -02C. Lahore, Feb 26 (APP): Scattered rain and thunderstorm are expected in Punjab with isolated heavy falls in Rawalpindi and Gujranwala divisions, Kash-
ing the next 24 hours. According to a report issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), a fresh westerly wave is affecting upper and central parts of the country and likely to persist during next 36 to 48 hours. Weather remained cold and dry in most parts of the country, however, isolated rain occurred in Malakand, Quetta and Khuzdar divisions in the last 24 hours. QUETTA, Feb 26 (APP): The mountains surrounding Quetta valley received more snowfall on Monday night. The snowfall started lashing on mountains including Koh
Chiltan, Koh Takatao, Koh Murdar and Koh Zarghoon. Reports reaching here suggested that the areas of northern Balochistan including Ziarat, Khanozai, Rood Mullazai, Toba Kakarzai, Toba Achakzai and others have also received snowfall on Monday night. The Met Office sources said on Tuesday that due to westerly rain system, the cloudy and rainy weather would continue in the provincial capital and the city might receive rain for next one day. They said that about 9mm rain was recorded in Quetta on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the maximum temperature of 10 Celsius.—APP
tional Assembly of Pakistan
Peoples Party, Shazia Mari said that the present government is making efforts to resolve the problems of the masses. She said that democratically elected government after coming into power initiated several projects of public interest. She said that Pakistan Peoples Party government had faced the challenges like terrorism and other similar issues. She said that the government is completing its constitutional tenure with the support of coalition partners. Shazi Mari said “Taking forward reconciliation policy was not an easy task.” She said that the government is taking measures to provide health and water facilities to the people living in remote and far flung areas. She said that federal government had given powers to the provinces through 18th Amendment, adding that they the governments should take the responsibilities to resolve the problems of their respective areas. Replying to a question, she said that due to the efforts of the present government.—APP
Phalia lawyers demand library building SHER GONDL MANDI BAHAUDDIN—Phalia lawyers have demanded construction of library building at newly constructed sub-divisional judicial complex. Senior advocate Ch Naveed Iqbal Tarar said that in absence of library, lawyers were facing a lot of difficulties in preparing their cases. He further said that project for construction of bar room was approved by Punjab Government on the recommendation of Lahore High court but the project did not include construction of library. The lawyers in a meeting presided by the president bar association Phalia have unanimously resolved urged concerned authorities including Chief Justice Lahore High Court to consider their problems and take necessary measures for building library to facilitate them in performance of their duties efficiently.
ISLAMABAD: Chairman DTCE, BOD Danyal Aziz addressing a seminar at a local hotel.
Half of world food goes waste ISLAMABAD—Up to half of all the food produced worldwide ends up going to waste due to poor harvesting, storage and transport methods as well as irresponsible retailer and consumer behavior, a report said. The world produces about four billion metric tons of food a year but 1.2 to 2 billion tons is not eaten, the study by the UK-based Institution of Mechanical Engineers said, Arab Times Reported. In developed countries, like Britain, efficient farming methods, transport and storage mean that most of the wastage occurs through retail.—APP
Sindh mourns Dargah Hajan Shah bombing Women democratic role hailed S IALKOT —Federal Minister for National Regulation and Services Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan has said that womenfolk had played an instrumental role in strengthening democracy and for promotion of democratic norms across the country. Addressing the women convention in Bujwat she said women had capability and courage to bringing revolutionary changes in the society and fight global challenges more effectively. It was Shaheed Benazir Bhutto who struggled for women’s right and their respectable status in the society and PPP led government had played a pivotal in bringing womenfolk in mainstream, she said. Dr. Firdous further stated that government was making adequate efforts for resolving the problems and difficulties being confronted by the womenfolk adding that PPP government had taken practical steps for women empowerment whereas in the past nothing had been done for women empowerment in the country. The dream of national development could be materialized without involvement of womenfolk in the development process of the country she said. Meanwhile, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Sumsam Ali Bukhari brushed aside the rumours regarding delay in the election and termed some of the statements in this respect as baseless. Talking to a private news channel, he assured that election would be held on time in a transparent manner. He urged all political parties to promote democracy in the country. Replying to a question, he said government is ready for negotiation with those who would surrender the weapons and obey the writ of government according to Constitution of Pakistan.—APP
Blasts not outcome of inefficiency of any one: Qaim S UKKUR —Chief Minister well. Some one’s hand is be- stamp out terrorism, he Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said Hyderabad, Shikarpur blasts are not outcome of inefficiency on part of any one. “Hyderabad, Shikarpur bomb explosions have occurred not due to inefficiency on any one. We are fighting war against terrorism. So many blasts have been witnessed in Peshawar but no one has said these have occurred due to some one’s weakness. Explosions have taken place in Balochistan and Punjab as
hind these blasts”, he said this while talking to media men here Tuesday after inquiring about the health of those injured during bomb blast at shrine of Hajin Shah Mari Sharif. He went on to say that on one hand efforts are being made to enrage people due to the terror related activities and on the other hand these are sectarian killings to some extent. The shrines are being targeted. Steps are being taken to
added. He went on to say that bomb is planted but we have not as much expertise as is needed to counter this menace. Police cannot remain present everywhere, he said adding terrorism has surged following 9/11 episode. “We are suffering due to ill conceived policies of the previous government. Some terrorists have been nabbed in the recent time who have confessed their crime”, he held.
Meanwhile several cities of Sindh including Shikarpur, Hyderabad and Larkana are mourning the blast at a shrine in interior Sindh that resulted in four fatalities and left at least 12 people injured. According to Media Reports, Angry demonstrators protested against the incident and resorted to aerial firing in several areas of Hyderabad including Qasimabad and Hussainabad. Situation turned tense in Larkana as well where Rangers and po-
Shutter down strike against load shedding observed in Landikotal
lice were deployed to control the situation. Hussaini Party and other religious organizations have also called for a strike today. On Monday, a blast tore through Dargah Pir Hajan Shah Huzoori in Marri village near Shikarpur when a large number of devotees were visiting the shrine. Eyewitnesses said an unknown man was spotted shooting off after leaving a suspicious looking bag at the scene, but no one could do anything as the bomb in the
Musharraf arriving in Karachi early next month: APML IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—Pervez Musharraf would contest coming general elections from at least one constituency in Karachi while candidates of All Pakistan Muslim League would be nominated for all seats on the national and provincial assemblies in the country. The APML workers and office-bearers had been directed to kick off necessary preparations for contesting the general elections. APML Central Information Secretary Aasia Ishaq said this while talking to newsmen on the occasion of a high level party meeting held to judge the criteria for the eligibility of the contestants Monday evening in DHA. The preparations for a warm welcome of the party chief Pervez Musharraf had already been commenced. People of the country had deep love for the former President and they would receive him with warmth and would stand beside him so as to take the country out of the crises, said Ishaq. She said that the government had ruined the state institutions and the longest ever blackout in the country was a scar on the performance of the government that had utterly disappointed
Tenure completion big success
bag went off the next moment. “The explosion came on the heels of his throwing a bag full of explosives among a throng of visitors. He was nowhere to be found after the blast”, said an injured devotee. Sources said Syed Hajan Shah, the Gaddi Nasheen — a living descendant of the saint buried as well as the custodian of the shrine— was also among the critically injured. He was shifted to Larkana for medical treatment.—Online
the masses. She disclosed that Musharraf has finalized the schedule of his return to Pakistan in secod week of March and there was a strong likelihood that the party chief would chose Karachi for his landing. She said that Musharraf
ISLAMABAD—Senior Leader of Pakistan Peoples Party, Robina Qaimkhani said that democratically elected government is completing its constitutional tenure with the help of coalition partners. “It’s a big success for the present government for completing five years period with the support of coalition partners, “ she stated this while talking to Pakistan Television. She congratulated the government for providing jobs to the unemployed youth, controlling terrorism and restoring 1973 Constitution in its true spirit. She said that Pakistan Peoples Party government after coming into power initiated the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package, restored peace in Swat and provided basic rights to the people of GilgitBaltistan. She said that several projects to meet the growing demand of energy were also launched to bring speedy progress and prosperity for the people of this country. was the only leader ion the Robina Qaimkhani said that provincial governments were country that had defended given powers through NFC award for resolving the probthe country’s interests with lems of their areas. She said that a large number of poor courage and helped the and needy families were being supported through Benazir economy of the country to Income Support Programme to improve their life style. Rereach its apex. The value of plying to a question, she said that democracy was strength- LANDIKOTAL: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami FATA Noor Afridi addressing a JI protest rally against load shedding. Pak currency was maintained ened due to the full cooperation of coalition partners. against the US dollar and the TESCO and political adminonly few minutes light in 24 restored with in 24-hours Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Political Affairs Moula LANDIKOTAL—Hundreds of GDP ranged between higher istration officials for not payhours. Zarnoor Afridi said they will come on the roads Jamaat-i-Islami workers, Baksh Chandio said that democracy is the solution of all rates in the history of the ing any attention to their that dozens of tubewells have and would block the Pak-Afshopkeepers and civil socithe issues being faced by the country. Talking to a private country. She said that the grievances. Speaking on the become useless, shops and ghan highway as protest for television channel, he said that first democratic govern- ety members Tuesday party chief had a clear vision occasion, Zarnoor Afridi, business centres were all kinds of traffic. JI staged a protest demonstrament was going to complete its five year term despite of of enlightened democracy Naib Fata Ameer and JI canclosed or shifted to Peshawar Landikotal chapter leaders, number of challenges. He said that only people of the coun- tion against the prolonged and zero tolerance to corrupRauf Shinwari, try has right to elect their real representatives. The gov- power outage, water short- didate for NA-45, condemned due to unavailability of elec- Abdur tion and would make the the negative role played by tricity in the Landikotal baMuqtadar Afridi and Banaris age and observed complete ernment is sincere to ensure free, fair and transparent eleccountry stronger, prosperous MNA Noorul Haq Qadri durzaar. Shinwari also addressed the shutter down strike in tion in the country, he added.—APP and self-reliant. Zarnoor alleged that offi- protesters.—INP Landikotal bazzar. The pro- ing the last ten years of his cials of Landikotal administest demo organized by tenures. ‘Masses’ weal my mission’ He accused MNA that he tration are busy in making Jamat-I-Islami Fata also took Staff Reporter a rally from Landikotal press was setting in Islamabad black money while residents P ESHAWAR —Deputy Speaker, Khyber club to Bacha Khan Chowk since he was elected twice have started migration to but never returned to his Peshawar and other cities Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Khushdil Khan in Landikotal baazar. advocate has said that the progress and The protestors were people suffering from load due to lack of life facilities in prosperity of the people is his mission holding banners inscribed shedding, lack of clean drink- Landikotal. Urging the resiadding with completion of maximum de- with slogans to end the un- ing water and terrorism. He dents, Zarnoor Afridi said velopment schemes he had established lawful and immoral load said that TESCO officials di- that the game played with the a new tradition. He expressed these shedding in Landikotal. verted the tribal electricity local people would no more views while inaugurating various devel- They chanted full-throated supply to Peshawar while be tolerated. He threatened opment schemes in his constituency on slogans against MNA, Landikotal residents have that if power supply was not Tuesday. He said the practical completion of people welfare oriented development schemes is the ample proof of the performance of the government. He said that practical implementation of schemes mitigate the problems of the people. He said that Article 25-A in Khyber mainstream technologySTAFF REPORTER past rulers have done nothing except hallow slogans. The Pakhtunkhwa province. She based skills, which can be Deputy Speaker said the inauguration of four development schemes on one day reflects the sincerity of the present P ESHAWA R —To gear the said, “Today’s meeting will only solution to change government towards with the resolution of the problems of support for Right to Free and provide us an opportunity to the fate of millions of illitpeople. He said the completion of irrigation schemes will Compulsory Education for learn about vision, and erate boys and girls in this prove milestone in the bright future of the people. Amir Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Prov- plans of Provinces. We will province. Mr. Arshad Saeed Khan, Muqam likely to contest from NA-30 Swat: Senior vice presi- ince, United Nations Educa- discuss and debate various dent, PML-N and former federal minister, Engineer Amir tional, Scientific and Cultural strategies and approaches Senior Education Specialist Muqam is likely to contest election from NA-30, Swat-II. Organization (UNESCO) and towards bringing every UNESCO said, “I appreciate The PML-N leader has taken decision on wishes and de- Peshawar University Teach- child into school, starting the Provincial Governments mands of the local leaders and workers of his party. Simi- ers Association (PUTA) or- from legislation to increas- which have taken concrete larly, he will also contest election from NA-4, Peshawar and ganized provincial forum ing education budget, ex- steps like preparing draft Bills QUETTA: Activists of Lawyerers Action Committee protesting in favour of their demands. a provincial assembly constituency from Swat. However, Right to Education today in panding and diversifying but this is the time to legisno constituency is selected so far. Youth Wing vows to Peshawar. Education Minis- educational opportunities to late the Free Education Act – play role in PML-N win in polls: Pakistan Muslim League- ter and key officials from meet learning needs of chil- this is in benefit of all, then Nawaz (PML-N) Youth wing, Azakhel Bala has said it would provincial education depart- dren belonging to different why loose more time”. UNESCO, Islamabad is faciliplay active role for the success of their party’s nominees in ments along with education- groups and areas”. Minister of Education tating Government of Khyber ists, Parliamentarians and the upcoming elections. Senators attended the meet- in KP, Sardar Hussain Pakhtunkhwa in preparation Q UETTA —Daily about Babuk stressed to integrate of the draft Bill on the “Right 30,000 trucks loaded with ing. Baghbanan girls’ college opens Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata, skill-based training for stu- to Free and Compulsory Edu- goods used to ply on highStaff Reporter P E S H AWA R —Khyber Pakhtunkhwa UNESCO Representative in dents at school level. He cation. The similar Bill has ways linking Balochistan Minister for Sports, Syed Aqil Shah in- her statement expressed her said that education is the been approved already for with other parts of the counaugurated the newly constructed confidence on Provincial need of the time, and the Sindh and Islamabad Capital try and their frequent block- LAKKI MARWAT—Provincial the prosperity and progress ing in the pretext of strikes Bacha Khan Goverment Girls Degree governments to implement education system should Territory (ICT). of the province, especially have been badly affecting President of Pakistan People’s southern and tribal areas. College, Dheri Baghbanan here. While Party, Anwar Saifullah Khan the economy. Noor Khan addressing, Syed Aqil Shah said BabaHe said PPP would not Kakar, President of Tuesday said that putting make promises of provision e-Amn Bacha Khan considered eduKhyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Goods Truck cation necessary for the development of free of cost electricity to Transport Association said tribal areas on the path of the people, however we of Pakhtuns. Secretary Higher Educaprogress and removing sense Tuesday about 30,000 trucks tion Farah Hamid, College Principal promise that if given chance loaded with goods cross the of deprivation among people we would strongly focus on Safia Gul, ANP PK-4 President Zahid was the main objective of PPP. Balochistan border on daily Hussain, President Dheri Baghbanan Ward Aamir Sabir establishment of new dams basis and the blocking of The nation, he said must unite and power houses and get and Wards Presidents and Secretaries of PK-4 were also and vote for PPP to achieve these roads on the pretext of present on the occasion. Syed Aqil Shah said for the the nation rid of low voltage strikes badly damage the these objectives adding that and power outages. Promipurpose, Bacha Khan had establishment 100 Azad in coming days some of the imeconomy of the province, he Schools. He said the ANP led provincial government gives portant political figures would nent political figure join PPP said. full concentration to promotion of education in Khyber Lower Dir: A prominent announce to join PPP from He said trucks carrying Pakhtunkhwa. He said, 8 universities were established in political figure from Bajaur southern parts of the country. fruits and other goods from our five years tenure in the province. He said Bacha Khan He was talking to a del- and policital figure of Iran and other neighbouring Government Girls Degree College Dheri Baghbanan would egation led by president PPP Awami National Party, countries also use these prove a milestone in promotion of girls education in PKMalik Shah Naseem Khan highways, but the blocking Lakki Marwat, Iqbal Hussain along with his relatives on 4 and the whole Peshawar. He said best female staff has of these roads by the activ- Advocate. MNA, Humayun Tuesday announced to join been selected on merit for the college and hopefully they ists of religious and political Saifullah Khan was also Pakistan People’s Party in a would contribute a lot in the best education of their stuparties cause huge loss to present on the occasion. meeting at his hujra in dents. Syed Aqil Shah went on to say that education the business activities of the During the meeting Anwar Talaash area of the district. could not be completed without sports; therefore, the Saifullah expressed satisfacprovince. education institute should give equal focus to curricular Senator Ahmed Hassan He appealed the political tion over the functioning of Khan, Provincial Finance and co-curricular activities. He assured Safia Gul Princidistrict leadership of PPP and parties and other groups to pal of the college that all the required sports equipment Minister, Humayun Khan, avoid the blocking of high- asked the participants to fur- Provincial Minister for Techwould be provided to the students of the college. The ther gear up campaign of inways linking Balochistan to Minister specially thanked Chief Minister Khyber nical Education, Mehmud other parts of the country as teraction with masses and Zeb Khan, local General Pakhtunkhwa, Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Provincial Minisspread the party’s message thousands of people deter Higher Education, Qazi Muhammad Asad and SecreSecretary PPP, Khadimul pend for their livelihood on from door to door. He said Isalm and large number of tary Higher Education for their efforts and cooperation in we have no personal interest the goods transport busimaking the establishment of Bacha Khan Girls Degree but only wanted to work for PPP workers.—APP HYDERABAD: Activists of PPP staging a sit-in against DG HAD at Gul Centre. ness.—APP College materialized.
UNESCO pleads free edu in KP
Highways blocking affecting economy
Important political figures soon to join PPP: Anwar Saifullah
Power generation and not review is answer
MEDIA WATCH
Kerry’s first steps
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LMOST entire country plunged into darkness due to sudden break down in power supply between the night of Sunday and Monday and it could not be restored fully till Tuesday but shamefully no one knows for sure what actually happened and why. As usual, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf convened a meeting of the officials concerned, gave directions for action against those responsible for the chaotic situation and constituted a Committee to probe the incident. The oft-repeated exercise of holding high level meetings, issuing instructions for inconsequential action against negligent officials and purposeless probes are laughable and amount to rubbing salt to the injuries of the masses, who have been waiting for the last long five years for improvement in power supply situation but at the end of the day they face more problems and agonies just because of care free attitude of the Government and incompetent WAPDA officials whose only business is to fleece the general public at the time of electricity connections and later through inflated and bogus bills. We have been hearing about high level meetings at Presidency and PM House to discuss causes of energy shortages and strategies to address the challenge but ironically the situation is deteriorating day-by-day and now the entire system has been rendered unreliable despite tall claims that some of the major power plants and distribution system have been upgraded and modernized courtesy American assistance. Then what is point in convening hackneyed meetings when the issues are known even to the layman. Who knows better than the Prime Minister himself, who remained as Minister for Water and Power, about factors that have led to this sorry state of affairs but people saw no improvement then and are unlikely to witness now. The real issues are power generation, massive line losses including staggering level of theft in connivance with WAPDA and KESC officials, worn out distribution system and an army of incompetent officials that are mere burden on the national exchequer. Perhaps people around the top leadership do not allow them to get a real feel of the pulse as they lose precious time in playing meeting meeting. Though not much time is left for the incumbent Government but given the will, determination and vision, it can still set a direction to give a ray of hope to the otherwise disappointed people.
These tax evading wealthy businessmen D
ATA compiled by NADRA and shared with Federal Board of Rev enue reveals shocking details about tax evasion in the country as about 3.5 million wealthy people to do bother to pay any tax. Majority of them live in Karachi (726,375), Lahore (439,901) and Rawalpindi (208,274) while separate figure in respect of the Federal Capital were not available. Though large-scale tax evasion is no secret but for the first time close to reality figures have been made public and the data could serve as a basis for increasing the tax net. Low taxation base is one of the major factors behind Pakistan’s economic problems as just two per cent of the country’s population is registered with the tax authorities, but only about a quarter of those take the next step and pay what they owe. According to FBR, only 260,000 out of the country’s nearly 200 million citizens have paid taxes consistently for the past three years. Chairman NAB had recently revealed that Rs12 billion are siphoned off on daily basis because of corrupt practices while tax revenues worth Rs7 billion are evaded per day. A recent report also indicated that many of our lawmakers were paying no taxes and therefore, one can easily understand the magnitude of the problem, raising serious questions whether the ruling elite would ever take concrete and genuine steps to increase revenue collection on just and transparent basis, making wealthy to pay and avoiding burdening those who are already groaning under heavy indirect taxes. The problem would remain there until and unless all landlords and businessmen are made to pay their due share of taxes.
Indian media’s hardened mindset W
HILE many Indian politicians, particularly those in the BJP and other extremist groups are always in the forefront to indulge in anti Pakistan propaganda, the Indian media too is not far behind them. It often carries self-imaginary reports in an attempt to defame Pakistan at the international level for the happenings in their country. The latest example is a report carried by an Indian TV news channel that deceased Ex MQM MPA Manzar Imam was the mastermind of Hyderabad blasts last week. The fact is Manzar Imam was killed by terrorists on January 17, almost a month before the Hyderabad blasts. The report reflected the hardened mindset of the Indian media, which like the political leaders, never bothers to unearth the facts and starts accusing Pakistan for whatever wrong or unfortunate incident that takes place in their country. This is a clear proof that the Indians and their media don’t want peace in the region and they are bent upon creating tension at the behest of intelligence agencies and other institutions that are against peaceful relations between the two neighbours. Interior Minister Rehman Malik did well by condemning the allegations in the strongest possible words but we think that is not enough. The recently held South Asia Media Summit in Islamabad emphasised the need that the media should play its role to promote peace but the Indian media is following the opposite direction. We would suggest that in addition to lodging a protest with the Indian government, Pakistani media should also raise it with their counterparts across the border in order to bring an end to blame game that is serving the interests of those who want to escalate tension in the region.
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Pranab distanced from people cal and reflect his bent of mind as if he is still a memKuldip Nayar ber of parliament. His role should be that of a guide and Email:kuldipnayar09@gmail.com philosopher, but he endeavours to be an active politician. If President am surprised over the ease with Mukherjee had ears on the ground he which a public figure like Pranab would have returned the Ordinance Mukherjee has slipped into regal on sexual harassment to women. Recenvironment of President’s office. In ommendations by former Chief Jussix months’ time he is a different tice J.C.Verma should have been inperson in the midst of an array of corporated in toto. Women are opkamarbandh (a belt-like rope around posed to the Ordinance because it is the waist) who bow whenever he inadequate and does not cover the passes their way. I thought he would points they had raised. Strange, after the function change the office to bring it nearer to the people. But he has changed Mukherjee retreated to his presidenhimself, to enjoy the ostentatious tial quarters. His predecessors would ness that the British viceroys had mix with the invitees and even have displayed when they ruled the coun- tea with them.. He is listening too try. A function took me this week to much to bureaucrats who are creatPresident’s house (Rashtrapati ing a hiatus between him and the Bhavan). I was particular to find out people. I have seen President the difference between his style and Mukherjee’s entourage following that of his predecessors. But there him when he visits any place in Delhi. was none. A gilded chair looked odd The traffic is stopped as before and against three ordinary chairs placed there is a fleet of cars in the proceson the dais. A buttoned-up officer, sion. I once asked vice-president probably on deputation from one of Hamid Ansari why he had such an the three services, placed the speech elaborate security arrangement. He pad on the podium from where the said it was not in his hands because President addressed. I must admit the government wanted that way. I that what he spoke was relevant to am sure, if he were to make it an isthe present situation in the country. sue he would succeed. Like the vice-president, the Yet, this is where he should have changed. He must realize that he is President’s security is also in the only a figure head, like the Queen hands of the government and guided in England. No doubt, he is the cus- by the Blue Book which lays down todian of the constitution and all the quantum of security in the case power resides in his office. But it is of President, vice-president, the exercised by the elected government Prime Minister etc. First Prime Minwhich is answerable to the people. ister Jawaharlal Nehru did not want Most of President Mukherjee’s the traffic to be stopped for him. But speeches delivered so far are politi- I recall that Home Minister Govind
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Ballabh Pant, with whom I worked as Information Officer, rejected Nehru’s request in view of security. Perhaps the President should have his own protocol division which at present is looked after by the Ministry of External Affairs. The ministry is given to the old practices and emphasizes on the ceremonial aspect too much. When he has eliminated buglers to herald his arrival and when he has deleted the prefix “manniya,” he can make some drastic changes, especially in stoppage of traffic. Mukherjee should be a person easily accessible and the office of President should not come in the way. When I was India’s High Commissioner at London, I found that the Queen had only one pilot motorbike guiding the car. There was no vehicle following her and the traffic was not stopped. Agreed, the conditions in Great Britain are more settled than ours, although the terrorists have been located there as well. Still security is an obsession in our country. President Muherjee is a popular person who had practically no security till the other day. He should at least reduce it as well as the pomp and show which has become part of the office. Intelligence agencies always exaggerate threats because they do not have to do any home work to assess whether a particular person requires the paraphernalia of gun-totting guards around him or not. I recall another example of a cool attitude of the British in the security field. When President R. Venkataraman came to London on an official visit it began on an ominous note. An overzealous policeman mistook a shopping bag on a railway platform for a bomb. The Royal train was
waiting at a station near Gatwick airport to carry the President and his party to Victoria station where the Queen was to receive him. The policeman sent back the train. No one questioned his judgment till the bomb experts had ‘defused’ the harmless shopping bag. By then the President’s cavalcade had been diverted to a crowded highway. The four motor cycle outriders did a tremendous job, enabling a fleet of cars to weave through a maze of crowded roads to Buckingham Palace where the Queen welcomed him. Even I was informed about the change in the arrangement before we entered the Palace. Security apart, President Mukherjee has to change the functioning of Rashtrapati Bhavan and what the office entails. Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, did bring a whiff of fresh air when he stepped into Rashtrapati Bhavan which was until then the Viceroy’s residence. It was so different from the earlier functioning that the word went around that an Indian had stepped in. The ceremonial humbug should be changed so that it is in tune with the people’s thinking. My complaint is that the office is already too regal and it is turning into something imperial. President Mukherjee may not have taken part in the struggle for independence because he was too young. But he can at least behave in a way that the style of living and contact with the public does not have the distance which the viceroys had with the people. —The writer is a veteran Indian journalist, syndicated columnist, human rights activist and author.
Pioneers sacrifices gone in vain tition of India. Even the Hindus to this day censure PunAsif Haroon Raja dit Jawaharlal Nehru for reEmail: asifharoon7751@yahoo.com jecting Lord Pethick Lawrence Cabinet Mission plan in 1946 which ruled out akistan emerged on the globe partition and envisaged Hindu maas the largest Muslim country jority and Muslim majority groupof the world and was seen as ings of provinces for next ten years. In their bid to bludgeon Pakistan a miracle in the annals of Muslim world. Never before the world had out of existence, or to bring back the witnessed assembly of such a large erring newborn into the deathly emforce under the banner of Islam brace of Mahabharata, the Indian struggling to create a separate hawkish leaders within Congress homeland. The unity of the Mus- and Hindu Mahasabha helped by lims on a single platform gained Mountbatten burdened Pakistan with added significance in the backdrop plethora of difficulties. Some of of known forces that feverishly those were unjust and haphazard diworked to keep the Muslims di- vision of Punjab and Bengal which vided. It was equally novel that severed the entire communication Pakistan’s vast and heterogeneous system in terms of road network, population comprising different railway lines, telephone and teleraces, supporting different customs graph and postal services. These and speaking different languages, were centered on focal points of Delhi and Calcutta with regard to emerged as one people. The Muslims of India were for- West Pakistan and Bengal respectunate to have Mr. Jinnah as their tively. The two wings of Pakistan guide. Creating a new nation had were separated by 1600 kms of Intaken all the character, foresight, dian Territory with no land corridor faith and energy of Quaid-e-Azam. to link the two. Partition of Punjab His Herculean efforts saved the cut across the rivers and canals, makMuslims from permanent bondage ing India upper and Pakistan lower of the Hindu majority after the de- beneficiaries of waters. Other knotty parture of the British. He kept his problems were rehabilitation of 6.5 ailment hidden for he well knew million refugees in West Pakistan that he was the symbol of hope for and 0.7 million in East Pakistan, the teeming millions. Well know- non-receipt of rightful share of reing that he had very little time at sources, assets and expertise from his disposal, he worked feverishly India to run the state machinery, day and night and removed all the Indo-British efforts to block accesimpediments put in the way of cre- sion of princely states willing to join ation of Pakistan by the British- Pakistan, suspension of water flow Hindu combine and to make Paki- in canals and un-demarcated geostan stand on its feet. Lord graphical frontiers. Pakistan was Mountbatten revealed his intentions without a constitution and a seat of after the demise of the Quaid that if government or an administrative he had been aware of Jinnah’s ill- structure to enable it to exercise its ness and his short life expectancy, sovereignty. All ordnance and amhe would have deferred the parti- munition depots were in India, tion of India for some years and Pakistan’s armed forces were scatawaited his death. If the Quaid had tered throughout India and were condied, there was no one else who trolled by British officers, civil sercould compel him to allow the par- vants and administrative/technical
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hands were in the midst of migrating from India, Pakistan’s political and economic system was completely disrupted and communication system had broken down. Fuming Hindu leaders regarded Pakistan as a transient euphoria of Muslims. Its viability was doubted and its collapse considered imminent. The Hindu economic wizards had given Pakistan a mere six months to succumb to their diabolical scheme by depriving it every morsel of sustenance, which was due to Pakistan as a matter of right, under the internationally accepted share of the combined assets of the subcontinent. In struggling to create a state structure in the chaotic environments of partition and an early war with India over Kashmir, our managers remained tied down fighting the battle of survival and identity. Besides the irascible hostility of India, Pakistan had to contend with unfriendly Afghanistan and overbearing Soviet Union. There was no certainty that Pakistan would survive its traumatic birth. Regardless of the daunting problems, the newfound liberty had catapulted the morale and motivation of the people of Pakistan to dizzying heights. They endured those privations with exceptional courage and worked their fingers to the bone from dawn to dusk to turn Pakistan into an ideal state as envisaged by their beloved leader Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Spontaneous and generous donations rendered to the refugees housed in refugee camps by the public at the call of Jinnah were unprecedented. The pioneers of Pakistan, burdened with domestic constraints, uprooted unsettled refugees still haunted by cruel tragedies of their loved ones, spurned their personal compassion and took up the gauntlet to defeat the nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan. Pakistan suffered a huge setback when Quaid-i-Azam passed away on September 11, 1948. Grief stricken
people felt orphaned and vulnerable. Pakistan got another jolt when Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated in October 1951. Thereon, the country lurched from one crisis to another because of self serving leaders. Apart from Indian factor which contributed towards keeping Pakistan destabilized, defective electoral system is one of the major reasons which have let the same lot of crooked legislators belonging to feudal class to remain in corridors of power and prevented emergence of true leadership that could fulfill the dream of Quaid to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state. Pakistan instead of turning into an ideal state is now being called a failing state and the most dangerous country in the world. Love, affection and spirit of brotherhood have been replaced with antagonism, greed and selfishness. Sectarianism, ethnicity and corruption are eating into the vitals of the country. Muslims are killing Muslims with lunatic ferocity as is seen in Karachi and Quetta. Military intervened because of total failure of politicians and utter desolation of people. It is unfortunate that Pakistan created with so much of trials and tribulations fell in the hands of unworthy politicians and bureaucrats who instead of building it left no stone unturned to ruin it. Notwithstanding the shortcoming of military rules which were far from ideal, the fact cannot be denied that but for the ten-year golden period of Field Marshal Ayub Khan, eleven-year rule of Gen Ziaul Haq and over eight-year rule of Gen Musharraf during which all economic indicators remained in positive with GDP at 7%, the country might have fragmented under the sheer weight of poor governance, ineptness, nepotism and corruption of politicians, or dismembered by India. —The writer is a retired Brig and a defence analyst.
he new US secretary of state, John Kerry, started his first overseas tour in London with tough problems on his agenda, including the Syrian civil war. But he has some problems closer to home as well. The most important is to work out a proper relationship with his boss for, in spite of the amiable noises President Obama and Hillary Clinton project at each other, the record is not a particularly good one. One of the things an American president can do when he is stymied on the domestic front is to turn his attention to foreign affairs. He has a freer hand there, and a greater possibility of gaining bipartisan support. The services and resources of powerful departments and agencies, from trade and aid to the state department and the US armed forces, are his to command. Bill Clinton, blocked at home, turned with some success to foreign policy in the 1990s. Further back, even when President Nixon was flailing as a domestic leader, he and Henry Kissinger were still making strategic foreign policy decisions, some good, some bad. That is why it is puzzling that President Obama has made such a poor fist of foreign policy. He had a prestigious and hard-working secretary of state in Clinton, and the talents of experienced negotiators such as Richard Holbrooke at his disposal. Yet the evidence, both of the way Obama conducted foreign policy in his first term, and of the actual results, suggests he did not make full use of the skills of the people who worked for him. It also suggests he cared too much about public approval, and was overly concerned to make it clear to soldiers that he approved of them. Obama came into office with the mistaken idea that Afghanistan was an easily winnable war. He increased troop levels there in the expectation they would produce quick returns, then began looking for a quick way out when they did not do so. He was inconsistent, first coming on strong, then going out weak. He gave his diplomats in the region too little support, notably cutting out Holbrooke, making the difficult job he had assigned to him impossible. Then along came the drone, the answer, or so it seemed, to the problem of how to use force without losing men, and soon the principal instrument of American foreign policy in Pakistan. The equivalent in Iran was sanctions and covert cyberwar, but the carrots that should have gone with these sticks were lacking. Offering Iran anything substantive would not have gone down well at home, so little was offered. Similarly, with Israel and Palestine Obama shied away from anything that would upset the lobbies. We had not expected him to be so lacking in boldness. In his second term he has a second chance and should seize it. — The Guardian
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Remarkable resilience
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our bomb blasts in just over a decade, coupled with rising tension over violence on separatist issues, politically orchestrated communal friction and a woeful lack of governance is a recipe for any city to descend into chaos. But Hyderabad is bucking the trend with admirable fortitude. Despite the deeply unsettling atmosphere that pervades the city following the bomb attacks last week, Hyderabadis remain united against the brazen attempt made to rip them apart. It is a remarkable rite of passage for this city which has witnessed decades of divisive governance and repeated attempts by political parties to use its demographics as dry kindling. As an IT hub of India, Hyderabad is also beset with a history that is as glorious as it is contentious, a fact wily politicians and communal villains secretly glory in. But with this show of solidarity, the city has shown that when the system fails, it is the people, rather than the polity, who lead the way in maintaining harmony and order. A lesson both Congress and the BJP need to learn faster than they can point fingers at each other. — Gulf News I went to the bank and proposed that they lend money to the poor people. The bankers almost fell over. —M Younus
Why war not peace? Mahboob A Khwaja Email: kmaboob@yahoo.com
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f a new age of disharmony is dawning on the changing world, surely, the antagonist six Western nations and Iran will still meet next Tuesday in Almaty, Kazakhstan to discuss conflicting perceptions, hypothesis and realities of a nuclear Iran posing threats to the industrialized West. Many well-placed Western strategists have worked hard to transform some of the illusionary perceptions into workable acts of stage performance as was the case with the Israeli PM Netanyahu recently speaking at the UN General Assembly. Facts are denied access in the mainstream Western news media and fictions become frontpage headlines for public consumption and fear mongering. It is the same strategy used by George Bush and his accompanying psychopaths shortly after the September 2001 attacks on America. Bush- a single minded authoritarian absolute president wanted to demonstrate sense of power and security to the frightened America masses and to exploit the occasion to dominate the poor and destitute people with American military might and so he did bombed many nations and disturbed Muslim graveyards across the globe. What did America achieve out of this stigma of War? Nothing except massive and continued deaths and destructions of the mankind. What are they up to again in warmon-
gering against Iran? America is the lead nation and its political leadership and Israel under Netanyahu the instigator to imagine the perception of Iranian nuclear threat in a distant and perhaps unknown future. Throughout the 2012, the war hysteria was envisaged and accelerated by human psyche and news media perpetuated the coming age of darkness and siege by the industrial-military complex flourishing out of Washington. Dr Lasha Darkmoon, an academic in classic studies, author of many political viewpoints on America and Europe and a poet (“Armageddon Approaches” Occidental Observer 2/21/2012) provides the cautious insight: “Right now, Iran appears to be the object of universal detestation, at least among those who control the mainstream media and who are anxious to persuade the easily duped masses that Iran is a major threat to civilization…..Unlike Iraq, which the warmonger neoconservatives told us would be a “cakewalk”— easily conquered in six weeks — Iran is unlikely to offer its American and Israeli antagonists easy opportunities to indulge in their fishin-a-barrel fantasies.” What is increasingly becoming cautious and militarily rethinking approach in the West is the Iranian military sophistication and readiness capacity to defend itself against a Western onslaught. Whether Israel tries to hit for its own military supremacy or the US helps them to do the proxy war. Iran is not a “cakewalk” or President Obama
cannot dare to issue a 48 hrs notice to Iran as did Bush to his long time CIA ally Saddam Hussein. Iran has its own credibility and it appears that all the Non-Aligned Nations will stand by Iran if such an attack is ever materialized. It is probable that China and Russia would react and some of the Muslim countries could well move to oppose the American Israeli combined. attack. Iran is a member of the Organization of Islamic Conferences (OIC) based in Saudi Arabia. Kazakhstan currently chairs the OIC too. If the Islamic world had any physical existence: moral and intellectual valued presence or any political- military capacity, would it not rise to understand the emerging conflicts and play a decisive role in finding workable solutions for all? Why would the Islamic countries not stand up and show solidarity with Iran? Take the issue in a comparative context, no matter what issues are at discussion table, the West is always ready to launch attack on any Muslim countries even on hourly notice. If there was an organized and united Islamic world of people and nations, would they not stand up for a just cause to support Iran? The world should know that what is described as “Islamic world” is really a paper-based entity, not a political power to determine any change in global affairs. Dead conscience agents of foreign powers rule the Muslim world and for almost half of a century, this practice is well managed by the Western leaders. It is worldwide acknowledged and understood by
all scholars and experts that as of now, Iran does not have the capability to produce nuclear weapons and does not pose any threat of violence or military attack to any Western nation in the near future. So what is this non-sense of Iranian threat to the West? It is nothing else except continuing institutionalized warmongering by the few against the many- the living mankind. Recall that Russia supplied the nuclear processing plant to Iran. If the nuclear reactor and know-how were purchased from the USA-Western European, it would have been a business as usual. War involves feeling and emotions. Today, the Western politicians used news media as weapon to misinform and coerce the public for wars against Muslims. One of conveniently manufactured label is “Islamic extremism” or “terrorist.” The truth remains unchallenged that all Arab and Muslim nations are subservient to the Western political and economic hegemony. Paul Craig Roberts (“The Next War on Washington’s Agenda helps us to understand the agony and anguish of millions and millions of the Americans people who believe and long for global peace and harmony. Perhaps, the negotiators on all sides of the conflicting time zones be mindful what the global humanity expects from them surely, peace, and no more sadistic wars. —The writer specialises in global security, peace and conflict resolution.
An unconvincing secularism Usman Badar Email: uthmanbadar@gmail.com
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ome of the proposed topics of discussion at the Karachi Lit erature Festival which took place earlier this month caught my attention as I read about it in the press. In particular the panel discussion on ‘Secularism in Pakistan’ moderated by Irfan Hussain and featuring Hamid Khan, Javed Jabbar, Asma Jahangir, and Nasira Ibqal. I made an effort to attend to see what the latest arguments of leading advocates for secularism in Pakistan were, only to be met, I must confess, with profound disappointment. The arguments lacked depth, failed to deal with the substantive issues and were little more than old Western arguments renovated for the Pakistani context. The whole affair
was rather lacklustre. Firstly, it was rather odd that the panel was stacked with people all arguing for the same thing. Having both sides of the argument present on the panel would have been much more intellectually honest and rigorous. With such a setup – and things like an officebearer of the Forum for Secular Pakistan being randomly given time before the end of the session to simply read out the objectives resolutions of the group – the forum came across as a political exercise rather than an intellectual one. Secondly, one must ask what relevance the topic of secularism in Pakistan has in a literature festival. What does a group of predominantly legal professionals arguing for secularism have to do with literature? The conclusion that this was simply an exercise in propagating ideological positions beyond the cover of fine arts - a classical colonialist ap-
proach – is difficult to avoid. Whatever the reality, the panellists did not do a very good job of arguing for their position. Their basic argument, kicked off by Nasira Iqbal, was that the founders of Pakistan were secular and intended a secular state. The people of Pakistan were also largely secular but had been fed the wrong definition of ‘secularism’ as ‘la dinniyat’. This explained the survey after survey, cited by moderator Irfan Hussain, showing that the people of Pakistan were not in favour of secularism. Asma Jahangir emphasised that there were different models of secularism: the Turkish model, the French model, the American model, and that Pakistan needed to choose what was most appropriate for itself. Which one was that? She didn’t know, but, “I do know that I am against having a theocracy.” Javed Jabbar spent time explaining the “ambivalent and am-
biguous” approach used by Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the question of Islam and secularism in founding Pakistan, arguing that due to this ambiguity remains on the topic in Pakistan till now. The ambivalence he spoke of was the various positions on the nature of the state expressed by Jinnah, sometimes speaking of secularism whilst others times saying that the Islamic sharia would be the basis of the state. In sum, the panel sung from the same hymn sheet, arguing that Pakistan must be secular, such that there is a clear separation of religion from state but people are allowed to practice whatever beliefs they chose. They all argued against what they characterised as the alternative, a ‘theocratic’ state. In doing so they failed to address the substantive issues. This is typical of the approach adopted by advocates of secularism in Pakistan.
Views From Abroad
Gwadar control could constrain India Harsh V Pant
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he Pakistani government early this month gave its nod to a pro posal for Chinese governmentowned China Overseas Port Holdings Ltd. to purchase control of Gwadar port from Singapore’s PSA International, which had won the contract in 2007 to operate the port for 40 years. With this, operational control of the strategic deep-water Gwadar port will go to China. New Delhi’s reaction was as confused as ever with the Indian defence minister describing it as a matter of “serious concern” for India, but the external affairs minister suggested that India should not “overreact to everything that Pakistan does or everything that China is involved in.” China has always been keen on gaining a strategic toehold in the Arabian Sea and Gwadar has been an attractive option. Despite some suggesting that China’s role in Gwadar would remain limited because of mounting troubles in Balochistan and its keenness to avoid raising hackles in New Delhi and Washington, China has now
taken the plunge into the murky waters of Gwadar. The Gwadar port, opened in 2007 with $200 million in funding from China, has been a commercial failure so far because of the inability of Pakistan to use it effectively. China wants to overcome its “Malacca Dilemma,” as more than 80 percent of its oil imports travels through the Strait of Hormuz. Given its reluctance to rely on US naval power for unhindered access to energy, it has moved to build up its naval power at choke points along sea routes from the Persian Gulf to the South China Sea. The Gwadar port is central to this aim. Situated about 400 kilometres away from the Strait of Hormuz at the apex of the Arabian Sea, it could be a key asset for China. No doubt, the Gwadar port will need significant infrastructure investment before it can be viable but this is not an insurmountable problem. There are plans to build a 900-km road for transport from Gwadar to China as well as rail and road links to Afghanistan and Central Asia. India’s interest in Iran’s Chah Bahar port is often viewed as a re-
sponse to China’s presence in Gwadar. But where China’s ability to execute its projects in foreign lands in a time-bound and financially viable manner is becoming impressive by the day, India’s lacklustre approach to infrastructure development remains a major problem. The notion that China aspires to naval domination of the Indian Ocean remains a bit far-fetched. China would certainly like to play a greater role in the region, protect and advance its interests (especially Chinese commercial interests) as well as counter India. But given the immense geographical advantages that Indian enjoys in the Indian Ocean, China will have great difficulty in rivalling India in the Indian Ocean. Even the task of protecting sea lines of communication remains a challenging one for the PLA Navy as of now. It will be a long while before China can convert these facilities into military ports. But those who argue that China will not be able to develop the port into a military base are missing the point. If China is able to develop Gwadar and other such facilities in the Indian Ocean peripheral to In-
dia into viable strategic outposts, India’s options will be constrained very significantly. And given the close defence ties between China and Pakistan, New Delhi would be fooling itself if it believes that Beijing needs an actual military base in Gwadar to project power vis-à-vis India. It is possible to explain the construction of ports and facilities by China in the Indian Ocean, including Gwadar, on purely economic and commercial grounds, but regional and global powers like the United States, Japan and India inevitably view the sum total of China’s diplomatic and military efforts in the Indian Ocean as projecting power vis-à-vis competing rivals. Moreover, most Chinese naval facilities in the Indian Ocean are dual use in nature; therefore, no serious strategy can discount their future military use. There may be no pearls in China’s string as of yet, but New Delhi would do well to remember that even a pearl-less string is capable of doing great damage. The writer teaches political science at King’s College, London. — Courtesy: The Japan Times
Ready to go home..!
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’is said that the best way to judge a good holiday is whether you are ready to go home at the end of it. I am. Have had a wonderful ten days holiday, been wined, dined, by friends and relatives, loved and showered with gifts and now am ready to go home. Oh yes it was fun. It’s not everyday you are surrounded by childhood friends, classmates who pull
your leg reminding you of times when you looked different, “You remember Bob when you and the lamppost were look alikes?” It was fun at the wedding. I raised the toast and just before going up on stage was told that cake and wine for the toast had not been distributed as yet. “So what do I raise the toast with?” I ask. “Crack some jokes on stage till the wine comes,” he says, “You know how good you are with your jokes!” How was I to tell him that I had come prepared for a serious raising of the toast and jokes were the last thing on my mind. But I go up racking my brains for a joke and finding none and there on
stage seeing the audience, all friends and feeling good seeing them and jokes flow till I forget my speech! Then the house warming of another friend. The overnight trip and early morning pooja, watching the priest chanting his Sanskrit chants and nearly yawning with the left overs of sleep and then suddenly engrossed in something so ancient and mystical. Like I said there was love and friendship, and dollops of spicy incidents. Yesterday at the club sitting with dear friend and editor, a brigadier making overtures to pretty lady at the next table, getting rebuffed and quite shamefaced sits at ours. I watch him, he watches me, wondering
whether I’ve heard, and seeing my blank expression warms up and gives scintillating conversation of victories won and battles fought and suddenly I see same lady looking over at the brigadier with new interest. But today I return, with joy in my heart. My children are not there at home, both now in the US, but my wife and dogs I know count the hours for my return. I’m not sure about the dogs, but my wife I know does. T’is said the best way to judge a good holiday is whether you are ready to go home at the end of it. I am..! —Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com
Voice of the People Invalid National Identity Cards WHISTLEBLOWER EMPLOYEES OF NADRA
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he National Identity Cards of all Pakistani citizens issued since July 2012 are illegal and invalid. They bear the signature of Chairman NADRA who is not a Pakistani citizen. At present he is holding the nationalities of Canada and USA at the same time. The Supreme Court in its decision on Petition by Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Challenging the constitution of Election Commission of Pakistan said that a person cannot be citizen of Pakistan by merely carrying its passport alone. How can the Chairman of NADRA be allowed to head the organization and sign the document that bears the identity of all Pakistanis local and overseas. People are raising concerns about the composition of election commission but they fail to realize that NADRA the organization assigned the task of preparing voter lists and identifying tax defaulters in conjunction with FBR cannot be unbiased in its operation when its Chairman has dual nationalities of USA and Canada. Will the honourable judges and Chief Election Commissioner be willing to get National ID Cards from NADRA signed by Chairman who is not a citizen of Pakistan? What about those filing their nomination papers in upcoming elections and the voters casting their vote. The Supreme Court threw out the petition of a Canadian citizen. It should also declare the National ID Cards invalid signed by a USA/Canadian Citizen. —Via email
Unfair to dual nationals
be exposed to various threats of non observance of traffic rules and their importance in our life from primary to tertiary level. At the education level, students are found most responSYED ATIQ UL HASSAN sive to what they are taught. Stopping patriotic dual nationals —Karachi from political process in Pakistan is not fair. This unjust law must change, IFDNP will protest internationally Sydney (Press Release, IFDNP): This is absolutely unfair MUHAMMAD UZAIR NIAZI and unjust that the patriotic Pakistanis are not only barred from contesting election in Pakistan but they An institution is any structure or even cannot hold any party position mechanism of social order and coopsays Syed Atiq ul Hassan, the eration governing the behaviour of a Convenor & Organiser of IFDNP set of individuals within a given com(International Forum of Dual Na- munity. Institutions are recognized with a social rationale, individuals tional Pakistanis). ‘Political Parties are not the who excel and intentions by mediatgovernment or arm services of Pa- ing the rules that govern cooperative kistan... how biased and discrimi- living behavior. A network and an native this Political Order is... association plays a very important which should be changed’ says Mr role in main streaming certain goals Hassan. ‘Dual national Pakistanis and objectives in way, so that they are far more loyal to Pakistan then can be appropriately accomplished. those who made this unjust law’. A network with in an institution has In reaction to the recent announce- the aptitude to integrate the people ment by the ECP, Mr Hassan an- together, and make them able to nounced that the members of achieve certain goals and objecIFDNP are working and planning tives. The trend of networking and on a worldwide protest against this associations in state institutions unjust law, which is discriminating holds a great importance in the loyal Pakistanis not to take in the modern and developed world. Such associations are playing a vital role electoral system of Pakistan. in uplifting the society’s world wide, —Via email and are making institutions stronger. Every institution has the tendency to uplift its society, by navigating in a proper course. Emerson, Ralph Waldo said that “An institution is the lengthened DR GHAYUR AYUB shadow of one man.” Strong instituThe spine of ageing Fakhruddin tions play an important role in Ibrahim bent like wax when a heated strengthening the over all fragment response came from the opposition of the society, by stream lining its leader as a result of a letter sent to people in a proper direction. In order him by the Election Commission of to achieve a healthy social order it is important to equip the institutions Pakistan. I hope it doesn’t melt down with the notions of network and ascompletely when the burning heat sociations. Such positive developof elections starts scorching him. ments will help in cultivating an atThe reason for his waxy spine could mosphere, where people will work be, as Ansar Abbasi put it, his weak- together, and their focus will be on ness to stay in good books of every- such goals and results, that are collectively important for the whole sobody-good and bad ciety. The phenomenon of network—Via email ing and associations is gaining ground in the developed world, and it is important that we must also equip our with such positive develJAWED AHMED KHURSHEED institutions opments, so that our institutions can In Karachi, the sea of motorcycles become stronger and result oriented. At present the situation of our in the rush hours will make one realize that there is no traffic law institutions is not up to the mark, and against them. The government func- they are not able to deliver healthy tionaries implementing its traffic results. Few years back a healthy derules have almost failed to assert. velopment took place done in the Their two and three days drives dis- police department, of Pakistan as a seminating awareness among bikers network that was focusing the have a little to change their behav- women police in Pakistan was iniors towards for themselves and troduced. The Women Police Netother road users. They ride on pave- work (WPN) was basically estabments. They don’t follow the lights lished in July 2012. The motivation for networking of traffic signals. They don’t know how to overtake. They even over- and collaborative learning for women take on flyovers. They do a wheelie police was presented in the Gender on the thoroughfares of Karachi. Audit of Police Organizations (April They have even made some alter- 2010). The objectives of Women Poation in their two-wheeler to ride it lice Network are to inspire women at their wishes. Their madness seems officials to collectively think and act to increase day by day as many of for enhancing their role and recognithe motorcycles dealers provide tion within their organizations. Raise them a motorcycle on easy install- awareness and understanding of the ments as low as Rs500 per month issues affecting women within the to create problems for other vehicle police service. The Women Police Network owners. They don’t even bother to use silencer in their motorcycles. represents the women police of nine The motorcycles mechanics have police organizations namely Sindh, much time to ‘alter’ their motor- Balochistan, Punjab, KPK, AJK, cycles. In short, they use the thor- Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad Capital oughfares as their motorbike terrace Police, Motorways and National where everyone seems to strive hard Highways, FIA and Railways Poto win and the vehicles owners are lice. This induction of Women Potheir audience. They also expect lice Network in police department from them to act as their first aid of Pakistan will help in main streaming the women, and will also give workers in case of accidents. When traffic rules fail to keep them a chance to uplift their status the violators on track, awareness within this department. drives don’t even serve the purpose. —Mianwali The option to impose fine on them has also proved useless as taking bribe among the traffic constables MUHAMMAD SHADMAN is rampant. The fear of being hit by other vehicle has also had a little I do not know about people, but I am concern for the bikers. Increasing madness of bikers sure that “Democracy” must be enmay have also affected many of the joying watching a film with popcorn school goers who see them how they and why not? “Does this democracy” are riding their two wheelers day and has even been able to work for Pakinight. They will ultimately be fol- stan a single day? Its a million dollar lowing them if serious measures are question, which needs to be answered not taken. The behavior of the fu- now or else the “feudal” will answer ture bikers could be tamed through it for us. We waited and fought so education and they can be taught much for it but what in return has it basic traffic rules and ethics little by given to us except more negative ballittle in their syllabus. They should ance of payments due to fall in value
Women police network
Waxy spine of CEC
Unruly bikers
Why democracy?
of rupee against dollar. People are tired of listening that democracy will work out best for them because they have been suffering already too much from target killings and this psycho feeling of getting shot the moment they step out of their home. Now, I want to draw attention of readers please cast their vote to such a public figure who is free from any charges or any corruption scandal. —Karachi
Karachi bleeds M FAZAL ELAHI Karachi, Pakistan’s Jugular Vein and Business Hub, has been profusely bleeding since the past over half a decade. Citizens of Karachi are being ruthlessly killed everyday, no one knows by whom. While the killing spree goes on unabated the blame game continues to be audaciously pursued by different groups against each other, the killings of innocent people in Karachi seem to never stop. Not a day passes without people getting killed in double digits. Everyday Pakistan’s print and electronic media are replete with heart-rending news about the shameless murder of the people of Karachi by some cruel, unknown, killers. A brief pause in the killings does bring some respite to the scared and grief-stricken people but this is only for a very short span of time. Much to the shock and dismay of the people, the trigger-happy and merciless killers come back with vengeance of greater magnitude than before and brazenly perform their dastardly act. The killings in Karachi have now acquired a new dimension. Earlier, the killings were considered more of sectarian in nature and partly linked to the extortion mafias in the embattled city. Later, the security personnel and strategic installations also became their target. Now, bomb blasts and suicide bombing by target killers have started taking a heavy toll on the people of Karachi. The terrible mess that the business hub of the country is in has become a cause for serious concern of every segment of the Pakistani society, except those at the helm of affairs both in the city of Karachi and the country. They seem to be totally immune to the rapidly deteriorating law and order and economic situation that is unfortunately making the city fall apart in all respect. Killing of people by the target killers, sectarian killings, killings by the extortion mafia and suicide bombings and bomb blasts have created a sense of utter desperation not only among the ordinary citizens but also the business community of the city. It is being said that the business community of Karachi, because of the prevailing extremely vulnerable law and order situation in the city, have chosen to move their businesses to countries like Bangladesh, India and some countries of Central Asia. That already a large number of industries have moved and several are on the verge of moving to these countries, and elsewhere, should be a matter of grave concern for Pakistan. Those who should be perturbed and should be passing sleepless nights seem to be the least concerned about whatever is happening in Karachi. At least their callousness vis-à-vis the hapless Karachi situation amply proves that. Day-in and day-out they are intensely preoccupied in political wheeling and dealing and serving their personal interests. While every segment of the Pakistani society, including the judiciary of Pakistan, is highly concerned about the volatile situation in Karachi, and are demanding of the government to take immediate cognizance of the matter, none in the corridors of power seem to be moved or ready to retrieve Pakistan’s business hub-Karachi from its current predicaments. —Islamabad
READERS are requested to type their letters legibly with double spacing and only on one side of the paper.
—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net
HARRIET MARTIN
Fragile unity, seams draw apart
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OSTILITY prevails between the two Sudans, despite the peace deal signed last September. While the deal originally pulled the two states back from the brink of war, it is now causing troops to be amassed on either side of the have given everything and we do not have border. The peace agreement is disputed by anything new to offer.” The South Sudanese parties in both north and south, notably the government went a step further the next day, oil industry, the military, Islamist groups, and announcing their forces were ready for a poscivil society. To add to the discontent, South sible attack. “We are concerned again about Sudan’s independence has severely weakened this hawkish mindset, about the ruling elites in both economies, which has impacted the governments’ ability to implement the peace deal. Although the situation is being monitored in the Security Council, there is much competition for attention, given the Council’s heavy involvement with Mali, the DRC, Syria and upcoming elections in Kenya. In September 2012, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and his South Sudanese counterpart, President Salva Kiir, clasped hands grinningly in the international spotlight at the end of a successful summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They had just signed a comprehensive peace mapping out the relationship between the new neighbors, a little more than a year after South Sudan became independent in July 2011. It was also a deal that pulled the states back from the brink of war. In subsequent months, a polite game of diplomatic ping pong between the two Sudans repeatedly state a sincere commitment to peace. But these commitments look increasingly hollow as one deadline after another set by African Union mediators slip by. The promised peace has not left the piece of paper it was written on. This hiatus in the peace pro- Africa in midst of storms,..................... cess may be coming to an end, but not in the way the mediators had hoped. In recent weeks, Khartoum who would want to escalate the situreports have emerged of a build-up of troops ation along the border and possibly provoke a along the countries’ shared border, including war between the two countries,” Sudan’s in hotspots like the disputed Abyei area and deputy defence minister Majak D’Agoot said. Too weak for peace: South Sudan’s indethe oil fields of Heglig. Incidents along the
Peace Unravels in the Two Sudans pected Sudan would recoup some of its lost oil income by levying transit fees on South Sudanese crude, the two countries could not agree - until the September deal was signed – on the level these fees should be. The negotiations to resolve this issue broke down a year
ago when South Sudan discovered that Sudan had been selling some oil in lieu of payment for transit fees. In a self-destructive fit of anger, the South closed down its entire oil production - causing the government to lose 98
hardline elements in their own parties. In Khartoum it came from Islamist hardliners, who objected to the “four freedoms” agreement that would give southerners the right to remain and work in Sudan. The head of the far-right Justice and Peace Forum, Al Tayeb Mustafa (who is also President Bashir’s uncle), declared that his faction would fight the “four freedoms” by “all available political means”, adding: “If the government has failed to bear its responsibility, then it should concede power to the people so that they can choose who is capable of defending their rights and holy [lands].” In Juba, South Sudan’s capital, opposition to the Addis agreement came from within the military. Some generals were opposed to making peace with President Bashir’s government - a regime they had fought for more than 20 years - particularly when their former comrades in the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement North (SPLMN) across the border had gained nothing from independence. Faced with these internal threats, maintaining power - not delivering peace - became the priority for both sides. In November 2012, Sudan’s government announced it had locked up alleged Islamist coup plotters. A month earlier in South Sudan, President Salva Kiir warned his military against staging a coup and last month sacked more than 20 senior commanders. On February 18, Kiir removed 118 more senior military officers from active service. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, South Sudan’s minister for information and broadcasting, explained the move as security sector reform, dismissing suggestions this had anything to
President Bashir recently reiterated his government’s position that talks should only focus on the issue of South Kordofan and Blue Nile state, as outlined in the 2005 peace agreement. This is in line with the mainstream international approach in dealing with conflict in Sudan, which is to treat each matter separately, whether South Sudan, Darfur, or South Kordofan and Blue Nile states. border are already taking place, with reports that 24 people have been killed in recent weeks. The white gloves of diplomacy, it seems, are being peeled off for another fight. On February 11 in Khartoum, Bashir accused South Sudan of having become “devoted to creating conflicts”, adding: “We are advocates of peace, but peace will not be at any cost. We
pendence has left both countries’ economies in a perilous state, weakening their governments’ ability to implement the peace deal. The secession of South Sudan, home to 75 percent of the country’s oil reserves, shocked Sudan’s economy by depriving its government of more than half its revenues. Although many ex-
percent of its revenue. Both countries’ governments also face rampant inflation and rising food prices, creating the potential for popular discontentment. Politically weakened by their failing economies, both presidents returned from the signing in Addis Ababa last September to face criticism over the deal from
DPRK’s pursuit of nuclear capability is more than a military strategy MEI XINYU
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N the diplomatic field, Kim met more foreign guests, including ambassadors, more often than his father during the past year. And he frequently appeared in public accompanied by his wife Ri Sol Ju—a rare occasion among past leaders of
A look at far future, ...................... the country. Generally speaking, the DPRK is indeed trying to switch its policy focus from an emphasis on the military to boosting its economy through the introduction of a market system and conducting reform, innovation and opening-up. The recent
possessing nuclear capability, and follow up with economic expansion. In fact, DPRK officials consider a military-first policy, space technology and nuclear development as essential in riding itself of a U.S. military threat, and also as the precondition for concentrating on economic growth. Even at its worst times, the DPRK has never
forgotten its economic construction and livelihood goals. In recent years, the DPRK has adopted a series of reform measures, showing an eager desire to further reform and development, especially after 2009.
The United States, Japan and the ROK must not carry out actions that could intensify or complicate matters. They must accept that regardless of the domestic situation in the DPRK, the result of the Korean War is as unchangeable as the result of World War II. nuclear test and last December’s missile launch made DPRK leaders feel much safer. They hope Western countries like the United States and Japan will realize they cannot control the DPRK, and instead turn to normalizing their relationship with Pyongyang. Speaking of innovation in his New Year address, Kim might realize a normalization of relations with the West by
Nuclear for peace strategy: The key to the DPRK’s “nuclear for peace” strategy is limitation and timing. The DPRK should not forget that a smaller country doesn’t have equal endurance regarding the same strategy of a bigger country. The rationality of the original intention of possessing nuclear weapons cannot cover the side effects and high cost. The worst side effect is that
RICHARD COHEN
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N the movie “Lawrence of Arabia,” the attempt to unite the Arabs comes apart in Damascus. Lawrence bangs on his desk with the butt of his gun to bring the assembly to order, but to no avail. Chaos erupts. Now something similar is happening in Syria. A mountain of dead (70,000 or so), not to mention an approaching regional bloodbath, suggests that once again things are coming apart. Still, life does not exactly imitate art. Lawrence of Arabia at least tried to do something. Barack of D.C. just sat on his hands. Actually, he sat on his polling numbers. The president’s refusal to do anything material to end the Syrian civil war is a policy long suspected of having two elements fear of blowback and fear of the nightly news. Now comes a book from a onetime administration insider who bluntly and altogether convincingly outlines the role domestic political considerations played in the White House’s approach to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The goal of policymakers was “not
nuclear testing will damage the relationship between the DPRK and its most important neighbor, China. Uncertainties and turmoil during the process of acquiring nuclear capability will inevitably disturb China’s obtained and cherished peaceful development environment. And Chinese decisionmakers and the public worry about possible nuclear leaks. Besides, China fears the DPRK’s nuclear and space technology might be a hidden threat to China under unexpected circumstances. After the recent nuclear test, the DPRK is faced with two options: one is to put exceeding resources into development of weapons of mass destruction; and the other is to stop at the right time to cement traditional relationships with China and Russia. It can use existing political and military strength and realize normalization of relationships with Washington and Tokyo through political measures, and turn to a focus of economic construction sooner. The second way is obviously a more practicable path for the original intention of going “nuclear for peace.” The DPRK is in a favorable environment for concentrating on economic development. China has basically completed its power shift. In Russia, Vladimir Putin, who consistently projects a hard exterior to the West, was reelected as president. And the DPRK’s strategic partnership with Russia has been solid. Washington and Tokyo have begun to adjust their Korean policy after realizing that the DPRK is too stable to overthrow. The DPRK has cultivated many personnel to manage the economy after 10 years of sending talented people to study abroad. This provides good conditions for Kim to carry out economic development, reform and opening up. Moreover, the country’s economy has generally recovered from the devastating blow brought on by the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Its energy and power industry is the first sector to recover. Plus, China is transferring power to the DPRK to fulfill its demands. The promoted power supply has created preconditions for reviving the country’s transportation and processing industries. —Courtesy: Beijing Review
do with their potential disloyalty. “The president still trusts them [the generals]. He has hope in them and they should show good examples in accepting the changes,” Benjamin said. Back on track?: Despite domestic political pressure, last month the African Union made every effort to get the stalled process
America’s Dangerous Drift WILLIAM C MARTEL
T
HE U.S. faces tremendous challenges at home and abroad. Without a grand strategy, America’s perilous drift is likely to continue, and worsen. In light of today’s enormous domestic and international challenges, the United States today needs, more than ever, an effective grand strategy. Without one, the nation is in a dangerous state of drift. In the aftermath of the recent U.S. presidential elections and in the midst of grueling battles over spending and deficit crises, American politics is highly polarized with the electorate and their policymakers deeply divided on domestic issues. Turning to foreign policy, the picture is equally troubling. The United States struggles without a coherent grand strategy, while the American people, its friends and allies, and competitors wonder what principles guide Washington’s foreign policy. What, they must ask, does the United States want to achieve in its foreign policy, and what leadership role does it seek to play in this rapidly evolving world order. Worse, many fail to grasp that grand strategy involves far more than foreign and national security matters. Grand strategy is precisely about the broader, if often ignored, context of building and reinforcing the domestic political and economic foundations of American national power. Knowing full well the serious challenges facing the United States, there is no more pressing problem for the nation than to develop a grand strategy that gives policymakers and the public a clear, positive, and bipartisan vision of the principles and ideas that guide U.S. foreign policy. This strategy must articulate a vision for the U.S. that is more than the sum of the challenges the nation faces. To be effective, America’s new strategy must reinforce the domestic foundations of American power, reassure friends and allies that American foreign policy embraces a prudent balance between our principles and ideals, and avoid the twin perils of strategic overreach or neglect. While the challenges are daunting, failure is not an option. In a series of essays over the next several weeks, I will discuss the current void in Ameri-
can grand strategy at precisely the moment when the world faces increasingly dangerous sources of disorder. These essays will define the purposes American grand strategy should
of a diplomat who was forever erupting ideas, plans and strategies almost always to no avail. In his telling, the White House was some sort of high school cafeteria where Holbrooke was always being shunned and given the silent
strive to achieve, as the nation deals with a new set of international challenges. Next, the series will outline the main principles that define a new grand strategy for the United States, and then discuss how to put those principles into practice. Lastly, this series proposes that despite great challenges, America nevertheless has the will and determination to move toward greater clarity of purpose in its foreign policy. Why America Needs a Grand Strategy: Simply put, grand strategy is a broad set of principles, beliefs, or ideas that govern
treatment. He blames “a small cabal of relatively inexperienced White House advisers whose turf was strictly politics” for this. Mean Girls, not the Wise Men, made American policy. Nasr set down his views in a book called “The Dispensable Nation.” It will be published in April, but samizdat copies of it are already being circulated. In a sense, the book only
tempted to take actions without the guidance that a clear, purposeful strategic framework provides, we will see confusion, shifting policies, and “drift.” The failure to define a grand strategy and the problems it causes are not new, but the challenge is more urgent than ever. With the end of the Cold War, scholars and policymakers failed to formulate a successor to the grand strategy of containment. Policymakers instead adopted policies that relied on the residue of containment or, more commonly, on
U.S. foreign policy under stress................................. the decisions and actions of a nation’s piecemeal, ad-hoc solutions to probpolicymakers with public support on lems. The danger is that adhering to foreign policy. The need for grand the obsolete strategy of containment strategy is particularly acute in the will contribute to foreign policy failcase of the United States today. Its ures. After the Cold War, extraordinary power and influence policymakers believed the world was make it more necessary than ever for less dangerous. American actions to be guided by a —Courtesy: Diplomat
confirms the general impression that Obama is a man without a foreign policy. He had naive aspirations a world to be changed by the transformative power of a good speech but no clear path to achieve anything. Nasr describes his
The Kurds in Syria’s north may, as they have in nearby Iraq, establish an autonomous zone and Turkey will not be pleased. The jihadists are on the move, hungry for Syria’s vast store of chemical weapons. Israel watches, nervously. What if Hezbollah gets its hands on chemical weapons? An Obama administration, afraid of blowback, may well have allowed the Middle East to blow apart. School of Advanced International Studies, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, life member of the Council on Foreign Relations and, most pertinently, former senior adviser to the late Richard Holbrooke, President Obama’s special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan. In that capacity, Nasr says he saw the almost daily humbling of Holbrooke, a volcano
coherent grand strategy. The logic is inescapable: no nation can operate without a grand strategy. Without one, the nation faces a singular danger: when its policymakers are
Sources of Disorder: Conditions in 2013 directly put at risk the peaceful and secure world American policymakers and the public historically hoped to build. These sources of disorder, often defined by unique circumstances, fall into several categories.
When doing nothing is a policy to make strategic decisions but to satisfy public opinion.” Syria, it seems, has been no exception. The former insider is the resplendently credentialed Vali Nasr, dean of the Johns Hopkins
back on track, holding two presidential summits within three weeks. The first meeting on January 5 was a success, seeming to resolve the sticking points preventing implementation of September’s deal. President Kiir agreed once more to the complete withdrawal from a border zone known as the “14 mile area”, a point of deep contention with the South’s military. For its part, Sudan agreed to ease its condition that a demilitarised border zone be established before South Sudanese oil could be exported through Sudan again. Sudan had insisted on prioritising border security because it believes the SPLM North rebels on its side of the border, part of the South’s army before independence, continue to be supported by Juba - a charge Juba denies. Things looked like they were heading in the right direction. On January 17, South Sudan wrote to the UN Security Council that it had “completed the withdrawal of all its troops” from the border area in compliance with the agreement. But it had not. Instead, Kiir had apparently returned to Juba after the January 5 summit to find some of his generals unhappy at withdrawing from the “14 mile area”. “President Kiir’s biggest threat is not Sudan but his own army,” quipped one diplomat. With no progress on implementing the January 5 agreement, the two presidents met again in Addis on January 25. Khartoum had reverted to its previous stance of requiring a border zone be set up before oil were to flow again. Far from having withdrawn, South Sudan’s army was present in several places over the temporarily agreed-upon border. The second summit was a failure. Most negotiations are now on hold and meetings at the technical level are no longer taking place. Meanwhile, the one issue holding up the others - the 14 mile area - is being addressed at presidential level. Abibo Eric Ngandu, the AU’s spokesman for the High Level Panel running the mediation, said: “The Panel is facilitating discussions between the presidents on the unresolved matter of the ’14-mile area’, which can be resolved only by the presidents.” He added that the committee dealing with the issue of border security “will not be able to take its work any further” until this issue is resolved. Diplomatic oxygen: Until then, the peace process is lying limply in the emergency room, waiting to be killed off by more conflict or possibly revived at the last minute by some diplomatic oxygen. —Courtesy: Think Africa Policy
dismay when the surge in Afghanistan was announced in tandem with a pullout date. In his head, Secretary of State John Kerry, the new implementer of Obama’s contradictory policy, must now hear a reprise of the question he once asked about his own war: “How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam?” Nasr’s regional specialty was Af-
ghanistan and Pakistan. But the thrust of what he says supports the view that Obama shied from intervening in Syria out of domestic political considerations. A president who was campaigning as the peace candidate out of Iraq and, soon, Afghanistan, too could not risk anything bold in Syria. The country fell into the margin of error. “It is not going too far to say that American foreign policy has become completely subservient to tactical domestic political considerations,” Nasr writes. Boldness is what the situation in Syria demanded. A civil war that could have been contained has instead become a sprawling, regionwide bar fight. Arms could have been shipped to the insurgents; a no-fly zone could have been imposed. Much could have been done. Instead, Obama merely called for Bashar al-Assad to go and, for some reason he, like Rep. Eric Cantor or somebody, remains immovable. The stakes here are enormous. Lebanon teeters, swamped with refugees. Jordan, too, is overwhelmed. —Courtesy: Washington Post
New US energy From Page 1 subsidies. When asked to comment on possibilities of a new US energy assistance package, US Embassy spokesperson Rian Harris said such proposals and details are not known at the embassy level in advance. Asked what US law bars Pakistan or any other nation to indulge in business with Iran as India was also buying oil from the same country, she said, “US policy on Iran has not changed.” “U.S. policy on Iran is well known. We have made it clear to all our interlocutors around the world that it is in their interests to avoid activities that may be prohibited by UN sanctions or sanctionable under U.S. law,” she went on. “We recognise that Pakistan has significant energy requirements and US are committed to helping alleviate shortfalls,” Rain adds She reminded, that is why we have invested in major energy infrastructure projects, such as renovating the Tarbela and Mangla dams, modernising the thermal power plants in Guddu, Jamshoro and Muzaffargarh, and building the Satpara and Gomal Zam dams. These efforts have already added more than 400 megawatts of power to the national grid, and will add a total of 950MW — enough power for 2 million households — by the end of this year,” she said. Asked how India was exempted from sanctions and buying oil from Iran, she said, “the National Defence Authorisation Act provides the ability to grant exceptions of 180 days to those countries that demonstrate they are significantly reducing their volumes of crude oil imports from Iran. In December the Secretary of State granted exemptions to nine economies that demonstrated significant reductions of crude oil imports, including India. Economies must take continuous steps to earn a renewal of the exemption for another 180 days through continued reductions in their purchases,” she concluded.
PML-N, PML-F, NPP From Page 1 ther and would reject them for what they had done to them and the country. He claimed that the rulers had realized the people had risen against them for their anti-Sindh policies and they were the people of the province that had compelled the PPP to repeal the antiSindh local government system. He demanded of the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure strict compliance to the code of ethics and for the pre-poll rigging by the PPP and its allies. Commenting on Karachi, Nawaz said the city had been taken hostage and no action had been taken regarding the Supreme Court’s order on militant wings of political parties. “If action had been taken Shahzeb would not have been murdered.” Earlier, PML-F chief Pir Pagara Sabghat Ullah Shah Rashidi, in his address, said that he had discussed with Sharif in detail the ongoing political situ-
From Page 1
ation and strategy to contest the coming general elections so as to finish the PPP from the province of Sindh. He said that the PPP had already vanished from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and it was only Sindh where the PPP was making use of its capabilities to win the coming elections but it would not prove fruitful. He said that the country-wide blackout was a message that the PPP had given that they could do anything. Therefore, the PML-N chief Sharif, the Chief Justice of Pakistan and Chief of the Army Staff should take notice of the blackout. Pir Pagara addressing the media said he had formed an alliance with Nawaz Sharif in the interest of the country. He stated that if the PML-F was a greedy party they would have not ended the alliance with the PPP. According to Pagara the govern-
ment was making plans for election rigging. He said that he wanted to tell the rulers that their time was over and they would no more be allowed to loot the country. Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Leader of opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhary Nisar Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Ali Durrani, Syed Ghaus Ali Shah, Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Saleem Zia Awan Advocate, Sardar Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, and Marvi Memon from PMLN were present. From NPP leaders Murtaza Jatoi and Masroor Jatoi were present. From PML-F Pir Sadruddin Shah Rashidi, Imtiaz Shaikh, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Jam Madad Ali, Jam Mashooq Ali, Faqeer Jadam Mangrio, Ghulam Mustafa Khar, Fareedullah Jamali, Mir Zafarullah Jamali, Kamran Tessori and Dr Rafiq Bhanbhar were present.
Kashmir solution will make From Page 1 architects of Obama’s Af-Pak policy. He is currently a research scholar at the prestigious Brookings Institute. “The resolution of the Kashmir issue would go a long way toward making Pakistan a more normal state and reducing its preoccupation with India,” he wrote. He said it would also remove a major rationale for the army’s disproportionate role in Pakistani national security affairs; that in turn would help to ensure the survival of genuine civilian democratic rule in the country. “Former ambassador William Milam, a seasoned South Asia hand, has rightly stressed that the ‘India-Centricity of the Pakistani mindset is the most important factor and variable’ in the future of the country. Such an agreement would not resolve all the tensions be-
tween the two neighbours; however, their disputes on issues other than Kashmir are comparatively trivial,” he wrote. “A Kashmir deal would set the stage for a different era in the subcontinent and for more productive interaction between the international community and Pakistan. It could set the stage for a genuine rapprochement between India and Pakistan and nurture trade and economic interaction, which could transform the subcontinent for the better,” Riedel said. He said that “it is also in India’s interest” to find a solution to the conflict, which has gone on far too long. “Since the Kargil war in 1999, the Indians have been more open to an American role in Kashmir because they sense that Washington is fundamentally in
favour of a resolution to maintain the status quo, which India can accept,” he claimed. “The key to Indian cooperation will be whether the United States can make clear to Pakistan that some red lines regarding terrorism are real, especially a red line on Lashkar-e-Tayiba. If (Congress President) Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh can point to real evidence that LeT is being broken up and dismantled in Pakistan, then they will have the political clout to advance the back-channel talks to secure a peace breakthrough,” Riedel wrote. “It is clearly in the American interest to try to defuse a lingering conflict that has generated global terrorism and repeatedly threatened to create a full-scale military confrontation on the subcontinent,” he wrote.—Online
Balochistan prosper From Page 1
place on record her role and those who have played their role in the education of girls from Baluchistan. The Prime Minister accepted the demand of the children to increase their stipend from 750 rupees to 1500 rupees per month. Earlier Principal of the school Shaistha Pirzada apprised the Prime Minister that a number of young girls from remote areas of Baluchistan were presently benefiting from the Prime Minister’s Programme. Sara Khalid a student speaking on the occasion said that she belonged to Pashin and had never traveled before. She pledged to work hard and pay back the country by passing on
the knowledge. President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation Qasim Zia, called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in Islamabad on Tuesday. The Prime Minister directed the president PHF to focus on promoting the national game and work for welfare of the game and the players. He said sports are a most effective tool to positively utilize the energies of youth. He added that his government has done a lot for promotion of healthy activities like sports in the last five years. Qasim Zia briefed the Prime Minister on the affairs of PHF and discussed future plans chalked out to promote hockey in Pakistan.
Ethnicity issues resolved in new Afghan electronic ID cards K ABUL —According to Af- discussions as election offi- dent Hamid Karzai ordered to
In the Court of Syed Imam Ali Shah, Judge Banking Court No-II Gujranwala Suit No.64/2013 Faysal Bank Ltd Zia Plaza, Gujranwala —Plaintiff Versus Mr. Abbas Ali Sahi —Defendant Summons U/S 9 (5) of the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance; 2001 (Ordinance No.XLVI of 2001) Summons to: Mr. Abbas Ali S/ O Ch, Abbas Ali R/O Village P.O. Jaiser wala, Tehsil Daska Distt, Sialkot. WHEREAS the aforesaid plaintiff has instituted a suit against you and other for the recovery of Rs=40,74087/95- along with mark up/interest and cost etc, claimed to be payable by you A Summons u/s 9(5) Ordinance XIVI of 2001 referred to above is hereby issued requiring you to make within 30 days of the service of the Summon, an application for leave to defend the suit in the form of written statement U/S 10 of the said ordinance. Take notice that on your failure to file such application within time specified above, the Banking Court shall pass a decree as prayed for in the plaint, in the favour of the plaintiff Banking Company. Next date for further proceedings, in the case has been fixed on 08.04.2013. Given under my hand and the seal of the court, this 18.02.2013 Seal of the Court Banking Court II Gujranwala
Finance Minister said dollarrupee parity should not be as it is now. The Finance Minister said budget preparations have been initiated and they are making good progress on this end. He said a dollar bond scheme is under preparation and efforts are being made to streamline working and performance of Federal Board of Revenue. He said draft bill for Public Financing to strengthen public finance managed has been sent to the Law Ministry for vetting. Saleem Mandviwalla said that the ECC has approved a bailout package for PIA to meet its liquidity requirements as the Corporation has to procure aircraft. The meeting also approved a package for Pakistan Steel and as a consequence it would achieve production capacity of 40 to 50% very soon. The Finance Minister said instructions have been issued to officers and officials of the Ministry to ensure that every file is disposed of within three days. The Minister said he himself clears the file the same day and hopes similar speed by other officials. He said now the Finance Ministry is approaching other ministries to help resolve their problems vis-a-vis the Ministry. He said focus is being given to the Ministries of Water and Power and Petroleum and Natural Resources. It has also resolved issues of delay in transfer of funds for provinces‚ Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
MQM protests From Page 1 added. Sajid demanded of the government to approve this bill immediately, or else, people of Sindh would stage protest against it. On this, PPP MNA Nawab Muhammad Yusuf said Pir Mazhar had withdrawn his statement with in an hour, adding MQM also hurts their sentiments by issuing statements on some matters.
CJ: Balochistan PM: Govt wants to see Litvinenko lawyer From Page 1 A report was submitted in the court about the Quetta tragedy stating that checking and security has been tightened in Balochistan. It also stated that the security personnel number has been increased. At which the CJP, the bench said reasons behind killings in Quetta as well as Balochistan were not mentioned by government officers in their report. It ordered that arrested persons should be put under trial. The court directed Chief Secretary Balochistan, Secretary Defense and IG Frontier Constabulary (FC) to submit a comprehensive report on steps taken by the officials to improve law and order and round up the culprits involved in the Quetta carnage. The court later adjourned the hearing of the case till the 6th of next month.— NNI
COURT NOTICE
Mandviwalla: Budget
ghan telecommunication and information technology ministry officials around 14 million Afghan citizens will receive electronic identity cards during the upcoming Afghan fiscal year. The issue of electronic identity cards was under discussion between the Afghan government and international community during the past two years, with the Afghan independent election commission being the main focus of the
cials believe that fraudulent acts will be prevented through electronic identity cards. However Afghan interior ministry officials said only 50% of the Afghan population elgibible for the voting will receive electronic identity cards until the upcoming presidential election due to the lack of time, Khaama Press reported. One of the major concern regarding the ethnicity of the identity card holders was also resolved after Afghan presi-
mention the native language and ethnicity of the citizens in the electronic identity card. This comes as the issue of the electronic ID card language to be written only in Pashtu language was raised several times during the political events and Afghan lawmakers also raised concerns regarding the ID language which on other could create problem to clearly specify the statistics of the Afghan population. —NNI
Medical students advised to learn modern study approaches MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—People still trust the doctors most and the politicians least. Medical education should, therefore, be oriented towards health and community as opposed to disease and hospital. This was stated by noted British physician and medical educationist Prof. Parveen Kumar while delivering a lecture on ‘The Changing Face of Medicine’, here at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Tuesday. Prof. Kumar is a wellknown figure in medical profession as she is the author of Kumar and Clark’s Textbook of Clinical Medicine, taught in medical schools the world over. She currently teaches at Barts and the London, Queen Mary School of Medicine, University
of London, UK. Prof. Kumar said that it was needed to prepare doctors to fulfil the expectations of society, to cope with the exponential growth of medical and scientific knowledge, to inculcate physicians’ ability for lifelong learning, and to adjust medical education to changing conditions in healthcare delivery system. She was of the view that over the years, a major paradigm shift in medical education had been the move to learner-centred approaches, one major change being the development of problembased learning (PBL) and the move towards competency-based and outcome-based learning. “These new approaches have sought to place students as the focus of learning, with their teachers in supporting roles”, she maintained. Prof. Kumar further
said that in medical and healthcare education, this paradigm shift was prompted by many factors, not least the need to produce doctors capable of adapting to and meeting the changing healthcare needs of the communities they served. Prof. Kumar said that medicine is still the most trusted profession in the world. She quoted a research on various professions according to which 84 per cent people considered medicine the most trustworthy profession whereas only 22 per cent people considered the politicians most reliable. He said that effective performance as a healthcare professional was no longer predicted on memorizing a body of facts but depended on being able to assimilate, evaluate and use new information.
accuses UK of cover up to help Russia ties
LONDON—The lawyer for the family of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was murdered in London in 2006, accused Britain and Russia on Tuesday of colluding to try and shut down an inquiry into his death for the sake of trade links. Litvinenko, who had been granted British citizenship and become a vocal critic of the Kremlin, died after someone slipped polonium-210, a rare radioactive isotope, into his cup of tea at a London hotel. — Reuters
Judge warns of delay in agent poisoning inquest LONDON—A long-delayed inquest into the poisoning death of former Russian intelligence agent Alexander Litvinenko will likely not start on schedule, the British judge overseeing the case said Tuesday. Litvinenko, a Russian agent turned Kremlin critic, died in London in November 2006 after drinking tea laced with the radioactive isotope polonium210. Lawyers for his family say that at the time of his death he was working for the British intelligence services, and Britain accuses two Russians of the killing. Moscow authorities refuse to extradite them for trial. The inquest was due to start May 1. But coroner Robert
Owen said he was “becoming increasingly concerned that due to the complexity of the investigation which necessarily precedes the hearings, that may be a timetable to which it may not be possible to adhere.” At a court hearing Tuesday, British media organizations challenged a government bid to hold parts of the inquest in secret for security reasons. Government lawyer Neil Sheldon said that “the disclosure of the material in question would pose a real risk to the public interest.” But Ben Emmerson, lawyer for Litvinenko’s widow Marina, said the government’s quest for secrecy was delaying proceedings.
“We know nothing about why these applications are being made and we are dancing in the dark,” he said. In Britain, inquests are held to determine the facts whenever someone dies violently, unexpectedly or in disputed circumstances. The Litvinenko process has been delayed until now because, for a long time, officials thought there was a chance the Russian suspects could be prosecuted. But last year, it became clear that the U.K. would not be able to put the two suspects on trial. Emmerson said Marina Litvinenko was “extremely disappointed” by the prospect of further delays. “Not as disappointed as me,” Owen said.—AP
British police to review sex scandal claims at Lib Dems LONDON—British police said they would review accusations of sexual misconduct made against a former official of the coalition’s Lib Dems, intensifying a scandal that threatens to overwhelm the party ahead of a by-election. Detectives from London’s police force will consider whether “criminal activity” took place relating to the allegations of sexual impropriety made against the party’s former chief executive Chris Rennard, the Metropolitan Police Service said. Rennard, a member of parliament’s upper house, denies the allegations, but has stood down from party duties while they are investigated. The furore comes at a difficult moment for the party following the resignation of a former cabinet minister Chris Huhne this month after he admitted asking his then wife to accept a penalty for a speeding
offence he had committed. A local election to replace Huhne takes place this Thursday, with the Lib Dems, below 10 percent in national opinion polls, fighting a close battle with their Conservative coalition partners for the seat. The Lib Dems’ stumbling response to the reports that Rennard inappropriately touched female party members and activists several years ago has put it on the back foot since they emerged in a television news report last week. Lib Dem President Tim Farron, in an apparent criticism of party leader Nick Clegg, said the party had “screwed this up”. Conservative-supporting newspapers have leapt on the crisis, putting Clegg, who serves as deputy prime minister, on the spot after he appeared to change his position on when and how much he knew about the allegations. The Daily Mail accused Clegg of a cover-
up after he disclosed he had been aware of “indirect and non-specific concerns” about Rennard in 2008. Clegg denied hushing up the matter, saying his chief of staff had gone to Rennard at the time to put the concerns to him along with the warning that such behaviour was “wholly unacceptable”. “It is wrong ... to suggest that we could have acted further given that we didn’t have specific allegations five years ago. We have them now. That’s why we will act,” Clegg told Sky News. The party has now announced two internal inquiries, one into how the party handled the allegations, and another into the allegations themselves. “We don’t want there to be any no-go areas. If there are things which are criminal they need to pursued,” party deputy leader Simon Hughes told Sky News.—Reuters
Horse meat sold in beef products in Hungary: Watchdog BUDAPEST —Horse meat labelled as beef has been sold in Hungary, the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nebih) said on Tuesday. Gyorgy Pleva, director of Nebih told television channel TV2 that the authorities were looking into three separate cases of suspected horse meat found at the retail and wholesale level. “Horse meat certainly got into (shops),” he said, adding that all the shipments investigated by the authority took place last year. Horse meat has been found in beef products across Europe
in recent weeks, damaging confidence in the continent’s vast and complex food industry. A small amount of hamburger meat containing horse meat was sold last summer in a Hungarian restaurant, Pleva said, without disclosing the origin of the product. The Hungarian distributor of food brand Nowaco will withdraw a lasagne product in a few days, which is suspected of containing horse meat, he added. “What we can say is that even if there is such a product, that will be taken off from the shelves within days,” he said.
DNA tests in the Czech Republic have shown that two batches of frozen Nowaco Lasagne Bolognese in a branch of the Tesco supermarket chain contained horse meat, and authorities said the products listed Luxembourg as the country of origin. Pleva said another lasagne product, which was made in Hungary, was also being probed based on a report from Denmark, the intended destination of the product. He did not clarify whether this product got into Danish shops and could not immediately be reached for further comment.—Reuters
Afghanistan could be ‘second Kashmir’ after US pullout LONDON–British historian and of a King” uses sources never be- phe’ that the Raj ever suffered as and White Mughals he mined the writer William Dalrymple warned that Afghanistan could be ‘second Kashmir’ once the US forces pull out of the landlocked country. While speaking to audience during a presentation at the launch of his latest book ‘Return of a King - The Battle for Afghanistan’, William Dalrymple said, there might be another proxy war between India and Pakistan as India would arm Hamid Karzai and Pakistan would arm the Taliban. Dalrymple’s latest book “Return
fore translated into English to draw startling parallels between the First Anglo-Afghan War and today’s conflict. Dalrymple gave a chilling account of British forces’ humiliating defeat in the early 1840s during the presentation while drawing paralells between the British invasion of Afghanistan in the first half of the 19th century and the US occupation of Afghanistan in the beginning of the 21st century. He said, that the British invasion of Afghanistan (18391842) was the ‘biggest catastro-
out of the 18,000 British and East India Company troops only one survived. “There was a sensation in 2006 that history was in a general sense repeating itself but what usually happens is the closer you get to the detail, the parallels dissolve in the face of detailed evidence. What was so weird this time is the details lead to greater parallels,” he says. This is the third time Dalrymple has turned his eye to the complex relationship between Britain and South Asia in the 1800s. In The Last Mughal
Muslim history of India and the Raj. The British historian and writer gathered epic poems, letters, memoirs and even Shah Shuja’s autobiography guided to a bookseller in Kabul while on a research trip but Dalrymple says English historians have long denied the existence of indigenous sources from the period. Shuja had been the Shah or king of Afghanistan between 1803 and 1809 until he was overthrown by his brother Mahmud. His father and grandfather had been the first rulers of the Durrani empire. —Online
All out efforts for early repatriation of Aafia, Senate told
Zardari to visit Quetta today QUETTA—President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari is going to ISLAMABAD: Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui called on Interior Minister Rehman Malik. pay a visit to Quetta today (Wednesday). According to media reports during his visit he will have meetings with the leaders of PPP and those of the allied parties and discuss the issue related to the restoration of Balochistan Government.—Online
Gwadar handing over to China, IP pipeline bold steps: Magsi
Climate Change Policy announced ISLAMABAD—The first ever National Climate Change Policy has been announced. Announcing the policy in Islamabad on Tuesday‚ Minister for Climate Change‚ Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan said the policy will focus on tackling the climate issues on scientific lines. He said that the policy has been chalked with the financial and technical assistance of the UNDP. Rana Farooq said the country has suffered heavily due to natural calamities during the last decade. He said that efforts are underway to rehabilitate all those people who were affected by floods in 2010.— NNI
Ready to foil external forces’ ill-designs GHULAM TAHIR QUETTA—Governor
Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi declared here on Tuesday that the decision to hand over Gwadar Seaport to China and laying gas pipeline from Iran is a bold step and a landmark in revolutionizing the economy of Pakistan, particularly of immense benefit to people of Balochistan in the wake of opposition by certain external elements. In an interview with this scribe Nawab Magsi apprehended that inhospital external elements, inimical to these important developments, would not hesitate to create internal problems in Balochistan but we are prepared to meet such chalFC repulses lenges for the development, militants attack rapid economic uplift of PakiBANNU—The security forces stan and prosperity of the and frontier Corps (FC) on Tuesday repulsed militants’ attack at their joint camp in Janikhail area of Bannu. According to security forces, a group of unidentified armed militants attacked at a camp jointly set up by security forces and FC personnel in the area. Immediately the security ISLAMABAD—A three-member forces and FC personnel retaliated the attack and the miscre- bench of the Supreme Court ants managed to flee from the headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesscene.—INP day heard the Adiala Jail missing prisoners’ case. 6 dead in Sahiwal Attorney General Irfan Qadir informed the court that the Adiala road mishap missing persons’ release was SAHIWAL—Atleast six persons Jail impossible in the absence of Civil died while 44 sustained severe Authority’s regulations. Qadir told injuries in a collision between the court that the suspects were bus and truck on Tuesday. Ac- arrested in the semi-autonomous cording to reports, a bus of Al northwestern tribal belt, where the Madina Company bearing reg- army has been fighting militants istration Number T-1179 was for around a decade. He said none heading to Sialkot from Hasilpur of the suspects could be freed unroute. When it was overtaking til the end of operations in the another bus across the road it tribal belt, and declined to say how collided with non-functional long they had been in Trailer bearing number Plate SA- custody.“The detained men can be 3485 resultantly six persons died handed over to authorities only on the spot while 44 sustained se- after the operation is halted in the vere injuries. —Online tribal regions.” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said the suspects must be put on Loadshedding trial and holding them indefinitely irks people violated their human rights. LAHORE —Three to four hours “These people cannot be kept in of unannounced electricity illegal custody for an indefinite loadshedding in various areas of period because it is against the provincial capital perturbed constitution and basic fundamenpeople. Faisal town, Johar town, Dharampura, Gari Shaho, Wasanpur, Shahdra, Gawalmandi, Gulberg, Model town, Nishtar Colony and others areas are facing 8 to 9 hours of ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN — loadshedding. People in the areas World powers, fearful of scutcomplained that they are facing tling negotiations beginning shortage of water due to the pro- this week with Iran, are offering the Islamic republic some longed loadshedding.—Online small new sanctions relief in return for curbing its nuclear program. But officials warned Quetta security Monday that it’s unlikely that plan any compromise will be QUETTA —Balochistan Gov- reached soon. Negotiators set ernment has evolved a compre- low expectations for the latest hensive security plan for the pro- round of high-level diplomatic vincial capital after thorough re- talks to begin Tuesday in view and consultation on vari- Kazakhstan’s largest city — the ous levels in the wake of first since last June’s meeting Alamdar Road and Kirani trag- in Moscow that threatened to edies. Talking to news men in derail delicate efforts to conQuetta, the provincial Home and vince Iran to stop enriching uraTribal Affairs Secretary said nium to a level close to that Southern Command of Pakistan used for nuclear warheads. Army, Balochistan Frontier The stakes couldn’t be Corps and the police have jointly higher: the Obama administraworked to finalize the plan tion is pushing for diplomacy aimed at ensuring sustainable to solve the impasse but has not peace in the city. —Online
‘Adiala jail missing persons’ release impossible until end of military operation’
Balochistan people. cision would not only change the Nawab Magsi declared, life style of people of Balochistan but give boost to the economic activities of entire Pakistan. Nawab Magsi said that the people of Balochistan have widely acclaimed this decision as they would accrue the immense benefit from these projects in removing traces of poverty. The Governor maintained that with the start of activities of Gwadar Seaport the communication system in Balochistan would be improved to provide trade transport facilities to the central Asian countries besides “We are prepared to meet any road and rail link with China. challenge from any quarter Nawab Magsi pointed out that aimed at destabilizing the politi- people of Balochistan have apcal situation in the province and preciated the historic decision of would be dealt with an iron the Government to activate comhand.” mercial activities and providHe said that the historic de- ing job opportunities.
PAT decision to contest polls by March 17: Qadri Refuses to drop Canadian citizenship MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Pakistan Awami Tehrik and Minhaj-ul-Quran International chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Tuesday said that Pakistan Awami Tehreek will announce by March 17 its decision whether or not it will take part in upcoming elections. He also confirmed that he will visit Canada for a week for “routine checkups”. “The dates of all my medical checkups were spread over several weeks, but I had them consolidated in one week to shorten my trip,” he said while speaking to the media at his secretariat here. Tahir-ul-Qadri further said that he will depart on Wednesday or Thursday and will return by March 10. It means that Qadri will not be in the country at a critical juncture as announcement of the caretaker government is expected in the next two weeks. Qadri, in his agreement with the government, had sought ruling PPPs’ assurance for consultation with him
over the nomination of caretaker prime minister ahead of general elections. He said he will support every step of the Election Commission of Pakistan to hold free and fair elections. Answering a query he said he said his party Pakistan Awami Tehreek has formed a parliamentary board for candidates interested in participating in election. He asked the interested candidates to submit their applications to the board ahead of the party rally on March 17 in Rawalpindi where the final decisions will be announced. The party chief had earlier said that he will tell the nation in his Rawalpindi rally whether to vote in an election or pursue a revolution. “My final contest will be on March 17 in Rawalpindi’s Liaqat Bagh,” he added. He said he wants to throw the “criminals” out of Pakistani politics. He also said his reservations about the constitution of the commission have not entirely been removed. Talking about terrorism‚ Qadri termed government’s ac-
Sanctions relief offered in Iranian nuclear talks ruled out the possibility of military intervention in Iran to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon. And Israel has threatened it will use all means to stop Iran from being able to build a bomb, potentially as soon as this summer, raising the specter of a possible Mideast war. Tehran maintains it is enriching uranium only to make reactor fuel and medical isotopes, and insists it has a right to do so under international law. It has signaled it does not intend to stop, despite harsh international sanctions on its oil and financial sectors, and U.N. nuclear inspectors last week confirmed Iran has begun a major upgrade of its program at the country’s main uranium enrichment site. The clerical regime’s refusal frustrates the international community, which has responded by
slapping Iran with a host of economic sanctions that U.S. officials said have, among other things, cut the nation’s daily oil output by 1 million barrels and slashed its employment rate. But, in a twist, negotiators now hope that easing some of the sanctions will make Tehran more agreeable to halting production of 20 percent enriched uranium — the highest grade of enrichment that Iran has acknowledged and one that experts say could be turned into warhead grade in a matter of months. Negotiators from the six world powers — United States, Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — also want Iran to suspend enrichment in its underground Fordo nuclear facility, and to ship its stockpile of high-grade uranium out of the country.—AP
Talks can be held with Taliban: Malik SHARAFAT KAZMI ISLAMABAD—Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that there should be no election alliance with any defunct organization and talks could be held with Taliban if they nominate a reasonable person for the purpose. Talking to media outside the parliament building here Tuesday, he asked the defunct organizations to lay down their arms and enter into the national stream. The Interior Minister urged Punjab government to take action against the defunct organizations in the province.
ISLAMABAD—Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday told Senate that all out efforts are being made for early repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui from United States. On a point of order moved by Mushahid Hussain Syed, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that all out efforts are being made for early repatriation of Aafia Siddiqui from United States. He said that the Foreign Office is looking into the matter. He said that in this regard a meeting would be held with Fauzia Siddiqui and we will proceed in the manner she and her counsel desire. He told the house that India has apologized for taking the name of deceased Pakistan MPA for his involvement in the Hyderabad blasts. Senator Kamil Agha said that despite passage of 10 years the Pakistani governments failed to bring about the release of Aaafia Siddique from the hands of US. He said that why hasn’t the government responded to Ramzi
Clark letter, which was written 8 months back. He said that if this letter had reached president Zardari he could have signed the agreement for Dr Aaafia release and she could have spent her remaining sentence in Pakistan Replying to a call attention notice regarding partial award of the international court of arbitration on Kishanganga hydro electricity project in response to Pakistan’s appeal for interim measure against the dam, Minister of State for Water and Power Tasneem Ahmad Qureshi informed the House that in the short order Pakistan’s reservations have been considered and final judgement will be announced in December this year. He said the judgement is not against Pakistan rather it is in our favour. He said under a convention if the US President comes to the power second time then the foreign prisoners in America can appeal for mercy or can undergo imprisonment in their respective countries. He said letter has been
written in this regard and the case will be pleaded according to the demands of Fauzia Siddiqui the sister of Aafia Siddiqui. Leader of the House, Jahangir Badar presented annual report of the National Economic Council for the financial year 2011-12 in the house. The Senate also unanimously passed “The Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2013” The Senate today unanimously passed “The Islamabad Capital Territory Private Educational Institutions (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2013”. “The Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Shaheed Medical University (PIMS), Islamabad Bill, 2013” was introduced in the House on Tuesday. The chair referred the bill to the concerned committee of the House and sought report till Thursday. The House has now been adjourned to meet Wednesday morning at 10:30.—Online
MNA Riaz Fatyana Arbitration award on Kishanganga protects Pak right quits PML-Q ISLAMABAD—Pakistan MusI S L A M A B A D —Presidential ticular decision very significant lim League-Q (PML-Q) leader Spokesman and Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Farhatullah Babar has said the arbitration award on Kishanganga hydro electricity project has protected Pakistan’s right to receive uninterrupted water supplies on the Western rivers Farhatullah Babar said that India has planned 150 run-ofriver power plants on the western rivers of which 47 are above 50 MWs which made this par-
for Pakistan. Without such clear direction by the Court‚ the construction of these storage-oriented power plants by India‚ in the manner it has been seeking to build in the past‚ could have seriously undermined Pakistan’s right of uninterrupted water flows from the western rivers. He said the court also ordered that in a run of the river plant like the Kishanganga Hydro Electric Plant. —NNI
MNA Riaz Fatyana on Tuesday announced to quit PML-Q over some differences with leadership of his party. Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House, Fatyana said: “I have informed the party leadership about my decision to part ways with the PML-Q.” “Party leadership doesn’t have time to address my reservations,” he complained.—Online
Non-disease virus kills breast cancer cells in lab
A
VIRUS that infects humans without causing disease kills breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) College of Medicine in the US, tested an unaltered form of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) on three different human breast cancer types representing different stages of cancer and found it targeted all of them. They hope by uncovering the pathways the virus uses to trigger cancer cell death, their work will lead to new targets for anti-cancer drugs. A paper on this work appeared recently in the journal Molecular Cancer. In earlier studies, the team also showed that AAV2 promotes cell death in cervical cancer cells infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). Cells have different ways of dying. When a healthy cell gets damaged, or starts behaving in an abnormal way, this normally triggers production of proteins that cause apoptosis or cell suicide: part of this process also involves switching off proteins that trigger cell division. The problem with cancer cells is that apoptosis fails, and the proteins that regulate cell division and proliferation stay switched on, so abnormal cells continue to multiply and create new abnormal cells and that is how tumors develop.Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world and the main cause of cancer-related
death in women.First author Dr Samina Alam, research associate in microbiology and immunology at Penn State, told the press in a statement released on Thursday that breast cancer is also “complex to treat”. Senior investigator Dr Craig Meyers, professor of microbiology and immunology at Penn State, explained why: “Because it has multiple stages, you can’t treat all the women the same. Currently, treatment of breast cancer is dependent on multiple factors such as hormone-dependency, invasiveness and metastases, drug resistance and potential toxicities.” However, he went on to say that in their study, they showed that “AAV2, as a single entity, targets all different grades of breast cancer”. He and his team believe that AAV2 is switching back on the apoptosis pathways that were switched off in the cancer cells. For their study they used lab tissue cultures of cancer cells and found AAV2 killed 100% of them within seven days, with most of the cell death proteins activated on day five.In another experiment, working with cancer cells from an aggressive form of breast cancer, they found the virus took three weeks to kill the cells. Alam said they can see the virus is killing the cells, but exactly how it is doing it remains somewhat of a mystery.
ISLAMABAD: Women are busy in their work at a farm in the suburbs of the capital where colourful flowers are blooming marking arrival of Spring season.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir
Raja to inaugurate bird aviary ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister
ISLAMABAD: Students presenting a Kashmiri song depicting Kashmiri Culture at a seminar on Pakistani Regional Languages at NUML.
SC disposes of Rawal Dam pollution case ISLAMABAD—Supreme Court has disposed of the Rawal Dam Pollution Case after the Special Secretary Cabinet Di-
vision Mushahidullah Baig gave written guarantee that no refuse is being dumped in Rawal Lake. A three-member
bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary heard the suo motu case on Tuesday.—Online
Raja Pervez Ashraf would inaugurate the bird aviary in Capital Development Authority (CDA) administered Lake View Park in the first week of March as construction of the country’s largest aviary has been completed. CDA Director Parks, Khalid Malik said that birds of different genus have been procured for the bird aviary, adding that this is a pleasant addition in recreational facilities for visitors. The Lake View Park’s bird aviary — gigantic cage for confining birds with larger living space where they can fly — has been constructed at a cost of Rs80 million and would feature large variety of birds. The visitors would be able to roam freely in the area to enjoy the presence of beautiful birds.It may be noted that the project was to be started in March 2008, but owing to shortage of funds it was delayed for many years. The bird aviary is likely to attract large number of visitors.—INP
Education essential for successful life: PM CITY REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The present government has an intense desire to see Baluchistan prosper which is only possible if the children of province especially girls are motivated and educated. This was stated by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf while addressing the 3rd session of Prime Minister’s Scholarship programme for talented students of Baluchistan in Islamabad on Tuesday. Dilating on the importance of education the prime minister said that not
only Islam lays great stress on education but it is essential for leading a successful life. Praising the confidence of the students‚ the Prime Minister said that he was pleased with the performance of girls who had come from far flung and remote areas of Balochistan and were being educated in the finest schools in Islamabad.The Prime Minister urged the girls to seek more education so that they could move forward in life. Acknowledging the efforts of Special Assistant to Prime Minister Begum
Shahnaz Wazir Ali‚ he said that he wanted to place on record her role and those who have played their role in the education of girls from Balochistan.The Prime Minister accepted the demand of the children to increase their stipend from 750 rupees to 1500 rupees per month. Earlier Principal of the school Shaista Pirzada apprised the Prime Minister that a number of young girls from remote areas of Balochistan were presently benefiting from the Prime Minister ’s I SLAMABAD —The National Programme. Assembly has passed “The Capital University Islamabad Bill 2013”. The bill was moved by Yasmeen Rehman proprophet (PBUH). vides for the establishment Speaking on the occa- of the Capital University sion, Begum Nusrat Pervez Islamabad. said that we could become Shireen Arshad Khan insuccessful by acting upon troduced “The Pakistan Citithe teachings of the Holy zenship (Amendment) Bill‚ Prophet (PBUH) not only in 2013”. It further amends the this world but also in the Pakistan Citizenship Act‚ hereafter.—NNI 1951.—NNI
Capital University Bill
First Lady attends Mehfil-e-Naat I SLAMABAD —Mahfl-e-Naat Mushtaq. was held in Islamabad in connection with Holy Prophet’s birth anniversary celebrations. Begum Nusrat Pervez, the First Lady, was the guest of honor in the ceremony which was organized at the residence of Begum Haji
The ceremony was attended by a large number of women belonging to various walks of life. Renowned women Naat khawans recited Naat and offered salutations and greetings on the Holy
Kuwait National Day
Oil-rich Kuwait and Pakistan always stayed close together in ordeals Over 1.6 million Pakistanis transforming Kuwait into modern state; Pakistan’s support to Kuwait during occupation was taken as highest gesture: Nawaf Abdulaziz Alenezi; PM’s participation in celebrations reflected ever-present feeling of closeness LIAQAT TOOR
K
UWAIT, a small but highly potential oilrich state was always close to Pakistan historically as linkages with this land existed even in pre-independence period. Situated on north-east of the Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait, a home of over 1.6 million Pakistanis never lacked behind in assisting Pakistan in hours of trial and in the same way Pakistan was always in the forefront in supporting and helping Kuwait against illegal occupation by Iraq under Saddam Hussain in 1990. A large number of Pakistanis belonging to different segments of society were clustered in a glittering evening thrown out by Nawaf Abdulaziz Alenezi, ambassador of Kuwait to Pakistan to celebrate 52nd anniversary of the Independence Day and 22nd anniversary of the Liberation Day on Monday in a local hotel. The energetic ambassador was the moving spirit on the occasion as he was mov-
ing in the hall from one corner to the other extending his warm hospitality to his guests including politicians,
parliamentarians, members of Prime Minister Raja diplomatic corps, ex-diplo- Parvez Ashraf was the Chief mats, businessmen, scholars Guest on the occasion which and friends of Kuwait. reflected the ever-present
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Ambassador of Kuwait Nawaf Abdulaziz Alenezi, Advisor to PM on Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain, Ambassador of Iraq Dr Rushdi Al-Ani, Ambassador of Palestine Walid A M Abu Ali, Ambassador of Yemen Abdo Ali Abdul Rahman Al-Shawafi, Ambassador of Algeria Dr Ahmad Benflis, Ambassador of Egypt Said Hindam and others cutting the cake on the occasion of the 52nd Anniversary of the Independence Day and the 22nd Anniversary of the Liberation Day of Kuwait at a local hotel.—PO photo
feeling of closeness between the two states. Advisor Dr. Asim Hussain, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Wasim Shahzad and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed were among eminent personalities who attended the celebrations. On arrival of the Prime Minister National Anthems of both the countries were played. Raja Parvez Ashraf joined the ambassador in cake cutting ceremony amidst applause by the participants. The Prime Minister stayed in the colourful ceremony for sometimes talking with the Kuwaiti ambassador and other guests. Nawaf Abdulaziz Alenezi is a pleasant personality and ever keen to promote relationship between the two Islamic, brotherly countries. In his message to the Pakistani brethren on this happiest occasion of his country, he welcomed and appreciated Pakistan’s support to his country during illegal occupation by Iraq in 1990. Kuwait and Pakistan enjoy cor-
dial, honorable relationship based on mutual interests and trust, he said. Kuwait is hosting over 1.6 million Pakistanis who are contributing to its development. Recently a large number of Pakistani doctors were recruited in the health sector of Kuwait. Kuwait never lacked behind in assisting Pakistan during massive earthquake in 2005 and floods in 2010.The International Islamic Charitable Organisation (IICO ) of Kuwait has spent $ 770 million on humanitarian charitable projects in more than 139 countries. The IICO allocated $ 24680000 for Pakistan only to carry out relief and rehabilitation projects in different corners of Pakistan. Pakistan and Kuwait are two brotherly countries with Islamic flavour which stood by each other in hours of trial and they would continue such cooperative relationship in future also.
05:17 01:30 04:45 07:45
February 27 LITERARY Conference in connection with 31st death anniversary Josh Malihabadi, organized by the Josh Literary Foundation, at the Pakistan Academy of Letters, Pitras Bokhari Road, Sector H-8/ 1, Islamabad, 2:30 pm. ***** RAWALPINDI Arts Council in collaboration with Embassy of Republic of Cuba is organizing Cuban Jazz and Pakistan Folk Music Concert on Wednesday at 3 pm. Many renowned Singers from Republic of Cuba and Pakistan Folk Singers will perform at the occasion and Rawalpindi Arts Council would also arrange a display of fashion designing at 2 pm. ***** DR. FEHMIDA Mirza, Speaker, National Assembly will administer the oath to the newly elected office bearers of Parliamentary Reporters Association at 4:00 pm in Speaker ’s Lounge, 2nd Floor, Parliament House, Islamabad.
530 vehicles challaned R AWALPINDI —Commuters continue to suffer despite City Traffic Police (CTP) claims to have challaned 530 public service vehicles for not completing their routes in the twin cities during the current month. Chief traffic Officer (CTO) Ishtiaq Shah said that special squad had been established at Faizabad after numerous complaints were received from commuters against private transporters, particularly wagon drivers, not completing routes. He said that CTP has accelerated action against vehicles and 530 vehicles were challaned during this month. In addition, several vehicles were impounded in police stations for incomplete documents. On the other hand, commuters talking to INP complained that the problem still persists despite traffic police attempts against transporters for violating designated routes.—INP
No compromise on wages of journalists: CJP CITY REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked it should be kept in mind by the government that no compromise would be made on the wages of media employees and journalists. CJP gave these remarks while presiding over a 3-member bench of SC during the course of hearing of implementation of 7th Wage Board Award (WBA) case Tuesday. He remarked “government should keep in mind that no compromise will be made on the wages of media employees and journalists. Implementation of 7th WBA be ensured at every cost”. Supreme Court (SC) sought detailed report from the government on practical implementation of 7th Wage Board Award (WBA) on March, 26. Afzal Siddiqui advocate appeared in the court and he told that court’s orders on wage board award has been implemented. CJP inquired if he was sure that 7th WBA had been approved finally. Afzal Siddiqui advocate said certain important points
ISLAMABAD—The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has started construction work of two new roads in Park Enclave. The CDA official told that the construction for new roads located at park enclave started one week before and this project would be completed with an estimated amount of Rs 700 million. Meanwhile, the CDA Engineering Member Sana Ullah Aman has given special direction to contractors that they should start swift work of roads so that it would be completed till December respectively.— Online
President condoles death of Khushnood ISLAMABAD —President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the death of Chief Reporter Associated Press of Pakistan Khushnood Ali Shaikh. Khushnood Ali Shaikh died in a road accident in Karachi late Monday night. In his condolence message‚ the President lauded the services of Khushnood Ali Shaikh for journalism and prayed to Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace. He also prayed for the courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.— NNI
ees of the media. Afzal Siddiqui said there are two kinds of journalists, working and non working. CJP remarked “ if you will not give arguments then we will call Abdul Hafiz Pirzada. Fakhar, a reporter from a private TV channel told the court that owners of private TV channels were not paying the salaries and the news papers are facing worse situation than electronic media in this connection. Several employees have committed suicide, he said. Afzal Siddiqui said the statement that salaries have not been disbursed is not correct. Khalid Azim told the court that protest rallies by the journalists are continuing outside the offices of news papers and press club. Who are journalists, the law is very clear on it. Date of hearing of the case may please be fixed now, he prayed. Afzal Siddiqui said he would have to contact the concerned quarters in connection ISLAMABAD: A lady taking interest in the floral arrangements displayed during the General Body meeting of Floral Art with the fixation of date. Society Pakistan, at a local hotel.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir The court adjourned the hearing till March, 26 besides seeking the detailed report from the federal government with respect to practical implementation of 7th wage board award.
Non-removal of slums in Sector I-11
PTI condemns stoppage of party polls
Senate hands over bill on SZABMU to Standing Committee
be changed to Shaheed He said that the bill should I S L A M A B A D — P a k i s t a n ISLAMABAD—The senate has will Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical not be passed in haste as there is handed over the bill about givTehreek e Insaf (PTI) has con-
MQM also opposed two week times left in the tenISLAMABAD—The eviction of the Cabinet Secretariat of the However, the spokesperson for demned in the strongest possible ing university status to Pakistan University. the bill. ure of National Assembly so it Institute of Medical Sciences National Assembly (NA) has its police told the committee that the squatters from sector I-11 terms the interference of lingers on as Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), police and Capital Development Authority (CDA) are raising accusing fingers at each for non cooperation in removal of slums from the sector awaiting development work for last two decades. The Standing Committee of
expressed annoyance and took notice of non-removal of the squatters from Sector I-11. The CDA representatives told the committee that the civic authority had planned to conduct an operation but police party reached the site five hours late due to which operation was suspended.
a search operation to clear the areas of criminal elements was to be launched prior to conducting grand operation for removal of the occupants to ensure that there was no untoward incident. The NA body directed police to initiate the steps immediately and report to it.—INP
Rawalpindi Police and PML (N) led Punjab Government in its intra party election on Tuesday. By an order issued last night the Central Police Officer Rawalpindi issued an order stopping the PTI party election. It made a lame attempt to take cover of an order of Civil Court in the matter of a union council election. Taking note of this illegal order by the CPO, PTI Information Secretary Shafqat Mahmood said that this police officer has no legal authority to any such order. Even if there is a stay order by a court, which in this case is not, the police do not go enforcing stay orders. If any one has any grievance the correct procedure is to move a contempt application in court. CPO, said Shafqat, has no authority under law too stop the party election. Shafqat Mahmood went on to further say that actually this is an attempt by the PML (N) to interfere in internal party elections of PTI. N League like other dynastic parties conducts sham elections to fulfill a legal requirement. They are now terrified of a real internal party deISLAMABAD: VC Allama Iqbal Open University Prof Dr Nazir Ahmed Sangi offering dua mocracy that PTI has started he after planting a sapling of orange in the premises of Academic Complex of the University to added.—Online launch Spring Tree Planting campaign.
156 persons handed over ownership Road construction right in Jinnah work in Park Abadi Scheme Enclave
need arguments on this count. We are making it clear with reference to implementation of 7th WBA that it will be implemented in its true letter and spirit and salaries will be paid accordingly”, he added. It is correct that certain newspapers are paying far less salaries still, he said. CJP observed “it is best for the industry that you enforce wage board award for the sake of better working relationship between owners of the news papers and the workers. As many as 12 years have been elapsed but award could not be implemented, he further observed. He remarked “ we have not issued notices so far. If the salaries have been revised or otherwise. It is correct that we are hearing review of this case today. Afzal Siddiqui said salaries will be enhanced under wage board award. Justice Azmat remarked they are making no payment. Afzal Siddiqui said there are certain legal points involved therein. “I don’t say that previous decision be set aside. CJP remarked nothing will be accepted from your side with reference to salaries of employ-
AIOU launches spring tree-planting campaign
(PIMS) to the standing committee due to the protest of opposition in the house. On Tuesday the bill of making Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University in Islamabad 2013 came under discussion in the upper house of the parliament . Opposition leader in Senate Ishaq Dar said that PML(N) respects national personalities but it will not be appropriated that the name of Quaid-e-Azam Medical College , which is already used in PIMS,
He said that opposition has also apprehensions on the content of the bills . Government is making a regulator instead of university as according to the bill all the public and private sector medical colleges functioning in federal capital Islamabad as well as medical faculty of Quaid-e-Azam University will automatically be deactivated and become the part of the new university , with the formation of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University.
should be given to standing committee. He said that Senator Raza Rabbani may be invited to the committee to elucidate the legal aspect of the bill. Federal Minister Nazar Gondal assured the house that government is making separate university without changing the name of Quaid-e-Azam Medical College. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University will be largest medical university in the country even bigger from Agha Khan University of Health Sciences.—Online
NA Business Advisory Committee meets ISLAMABAD—House Business Advisory Committee of the National Assembly met in Parliament House, Tuesday evening with Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly in the chair to discuss the business for the 50th Session of the National Assembly. After thorough discussion, it was decided that the current session of the National Assembly will continue till 12th March, 2013. It was decided that National Assembly besides taking up legislative
business for passage would also take up other matters of public importance for discussion. The Members of the Committee individually paid tribute to Madam Speaker for her role as the custodian of the House and conducting proceedings of the National Assembly, impartially. They also thanked the Speaker and the Secretariat for cooperation extended to them in discharge of their responsibilities as Members of the National Assembly.
The meeting was attended by Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Defence, Sardar Bahadur Ahmed Khan Sihar, Minister for Defence Production, MNAs, Nawab Muhammad Yousaf Talpur, Sheikh Aftab Ahmad, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Ch. Muhammad Barjees Tahir and Dr. Abdul Kadir Khanzada attended the meeting.—NNI
Private schools with no fire extinguishers
I S L A M A B A D —The Vice- healthy and students friendly RAWALPINDI—Directives have Chancellor , Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmed Sangi has launched Spring Tree Plantation Campaign with planting a sapling of Orange in the premises of Academic Complex of the University. Those present on the occasion were included, Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Dr. Nowshad Khan, Controller of Exams, Hamid Khan Niazi,Incharge, Department of Horticulture, Dr. Zaiba Hameed, Senior academicians , officers and employees. The Vice-Chancellor called upon the employees of University to participate in the national cause of making the University green by planting saplings aimed at providing
environment. He also urged the AIOU students to play their due role in making the country green as maximum plantation is national obligation. The Vice-Chancellor said trees are beauty of the land, which provide pleasant impacts on both environment and human life, so strict monitoring, he said should be carried out to ensure maximum survival of the planted saplings. Dr. Sangi said that AIOU actively participates Tree Plantation drives during each planting season and the department of horticulture of the University and its gardeners deserve to be congratulated on making the University green.—Online
been issued to install state of the art fire- extinguishing equipment in all the private schools and multi-storey buildings in all RAWALPINDI—As many as 156 the districts of Rawalpindi division. persons have been awarded with This action has been taken ownership right certificates of in pursuance of Commissioner five marla plots in Malukal, Rawalpindi directives, which union council Kolain Hameed in were issued in the aftermath of Jinnah Abadi Housing Scheme. fire, incident in a building of Over 11,000 applications private school at Lahore, which had been submitted with assishad claimed several lives of chil- ISLAMABAD: Members of National Assembly Business Advisory Committee with Speaker tant commissioner office for National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza. dren. seeking five-marla plots in District administration of all Jinnah Abadi Housing Scheme the four districts including in union council Kolian Hameed Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum out of that 205 applicants were and Attock have issued necesdeclared eligible. sary directives to the owners of After a balloting ceremony, all the schools and sky scrappers 156 applicants were handed to ensure installation of modern over ownership right certificates fire extinguishing equipment by of five marla plots in said housISLAMABAD—Huge discrepan- 33b of NAB ordinance XVIII of IAMARA conference held in March, 16.—Online ing scheme.—INP cies, tampering of record and 1999 says that holders of public Cape Town with the approval of fiscal misappropriations of bil- offices shall furnish copy of any president PM&DC but did not lion of rupees including foreign contract of the minimum mon- settled the advance against the trips of former top brass of Pa- etary value of fifty million ru- rent a car charges bills to date. Dr Ahmed Nadeem Akbar kistan Medical and Dental pees or more to NAB within Council (PM&DC) has raised such time as is reasonably prac- spent $ 1523 on TA/DA over his ticable from the date of signing foreign trips and Rs 460,212 on many eyes brows. air tickets of these foreign trips. According to available such contract. Documents further revealed Ex-registrar also approved documents it is learnt that during the tenure of Ex-registrar Dr that that Ex-registrar of Pakistan 13 forged registrations during Ahmed Nadeem Akbar and Prof Medical and Dental Council Dr his tenure and ex-president and I SLAMABAD —Government Dr Syed Sibtul Hasnain, Presi- Ahmed Nadeem Akbar ap- ex-registrar both were responowned flats under the use of dent PM&DC initial contract of proved his own air tickets worth sible for fake registration and government-servants pose a thirty two million three hundred of millions for foreign tours and other financial embezzlements. Talking to Online Registrar threat to the life of its residents, twenty five thousand (Rs surpassed from his sanctioning PM&DC Dr Raja Amjad told as their miserable condition can 32,325,678) was given for con- financial powers. Dr Nadeem Akbar visited that auditor General of Pakistan lead to a serious accident. struction and renovation of PaIt has been reported that kistan Medical and Dental USA to participate FAIMER would address the financial irgovernment-flats situated in Building however this amount meeting held on 22nd Oct 2009 regularities and operational isSector F-6, G-6, G-7 and G-9 has been increased upto Rs one and in the invitation it was stated sues that done during last few can turn into rubble any time and hundred twenty four million that organization will pay all years. He said that an enquiry has need immediate repair. seven hundred fifty six thousand kind of travelling and accommoThe residents are of the view fiver seventy two (Rs dation charges but Dr Nadeem been launched for fact finding Akbar claimed Rs 146,863 for about Dr ahmed Nadeem declarthat CDA should allocate bud- 124,756,572). get for this purpose. When conThis contract was violation air ticket and Rs 66,568 of TA/ ing himself unopposed member of the Council without taking tacted, CDA officials said that of Public Procurement Regula- DA from PM&DC. It is also learnt that Dr NOC from the Executive Comthe organisation is unable to re- tory Authority (PPRA) rules and solve the matter as it is suffer- without fulfilling codal formali- Nadeem Akbar took advance of mittee and with out the announceISLAMABAD: Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Pakistan Chairman Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan speaks dur- ing from paucity of funds.— ties and National Accountabil- $ 500 as rent a car charges ment of any voter list for doctors ity Bureau (NAB) rules section against 8th International of the federal capital.—Online ing the reception in honour of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Syed Munawar Hasan at a local hotel. Online
Misappropriations of former PM&DC registrar under scanner
Miserable condition of govt owned flats
Ratanpuri aghast over Geelani’s illegal detention Condemns GoI for discriminatory treatment towards Kashmiris S R I N A G A R — Member of Kashmiris in the country. We man has been “illegally con- him incommunicado—some- was arrested “for the same Begum Sahiba came out to re- Geelani Sahib’s flat. He with for which he spent almost two Parliament and National Conference leader, Ghulam Nabi Ratanpuri has termed the restrictions imposed on Syed Ali Geelani as “unconstitutional” and “unacceptable” and said that he would be raising the issue in the Parliament. Ratanpuri was denied a meeting with the Hurriyat (G) chief in private by Delhi police officials who have put Geelani under house arrest. Ratanpuri said he was made to wait for 55 minutes before being kept five steps apart from Geelani. “It is discriminatory and differential treatment of
are not given the rights that are being enjoyed by others in the country,” the MP said. “It is unacceptable that an elderly person is kept away from his family members. It is too much and complete highhandedness of the authorities. It is shameful for a civilized society that claims to be the largest democracy that an aging person is kept under illegal detention. I felt very sad that Geelani Sahib’s wife is also under house arrest and are not allowed to venture out of their house.” After the meeting from a distance, Ratanpuri said the Hurriyat Conference (G) chair-
fined to his residence and his stand on right to self-determination is same for which the National Conference founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was imprisoned for 22 years.” Days after writing a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying ‘given a chance, Kashmiris will opt for Azadi’, Ratanpuri visited the Malvia Nagar residence of Geelani in New Delhi, where the veteran leader has been put under house arrest since the hanging of Afzal Guru on February 9. Geelani’s mobile phones have allegedly been seized by the Delhi police from February 18, rendering
thing that has raised concerns among his kin and people. “My conscience prompted to me to pay a visit to a person who is aged and ailing,” Ratanpuri Greater Kashmir over phone from New Delhi. While he was not allowed to shake hands with the profreedom leader, Ratanpuri said he somehow managed to talk to Geelani from a distance “for at least five minutes.” “I talked to him from a distance as policemen deployed outside his residence did not allow me to enter inside his room,” Ratanpuri said. He said his party founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah
cause which Geelani is fighting for at this juncture.” “Sheikh sahib was put behind bars for 22 years for demanding the right to self-determination for people of Jammu and Kashmir. Geelani sahib is saying the same thing today. The only difference is that people were allowed to meet Sheikh sahib in prison while nobody is allowed to meet Geelani sahib at his residence,” he said. Ratanpuri referred to his visit to Geelani’s residence on the social networking site Facebook. “Just returned from Geelani Sahib’s residence. Reached the entrance of his flat at 10:50 am. He along with his
JKPFL denounces arrest of youth in IHK
Police Bill, another weapon to terrorize people: Mirwaiz
SRINAGAR—The Jammu and
S RINAGAR — The proposed
Kashmir Peoples Freedom League (JKPFL) has strongly denounced the arrest of Kashmiri youth by Indian police and troops across the territory. The JKPFL General Secretary, Ghulam Ahmed Parray, in a statement issued in Srinagar said that arrests and use of force could not suppress the Kashmiris’ resole to continue their liberation struggle. He maintained that Indian suppressive tactics had failed to intimidate the Kashmiri people into submission. Parray maintained that the Kashmiris would continue their struggle at every level MUZAFFARABAD: AJK Education Minister (Colleges) Ch Muhammad Inquilabi talking to secure the mortal remains of to Dy Speaker Kausar Dar. Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru, who were hanged in New Delhi’s infamous Tihar Jail and buried in the premises of the prison.—KMS SRINAGAR —Describing the or the elected representatives cially-oriented.” The proposed proposed Police Bill as an at- will set the rules of the society,” law unfortunately negates any tempt to “institutionalize the she said. “On the one hand the such purpose, she said. Mehbooba said this draft dreaded Ikhwan culture” in the government is making noises on State, Peoples Democratic Party scrapping the AFSPA and on the legislation has all the criteria of (PDP) has said it would strongly other it is proposing to provide a systematic undermining of oppose passage of the Bill in its similar immunity and unbridled democracy: namely, “the abdipowers to its own police and cation of authority to security present form. In a statement issued here, taking them out of all civilian forces by an elected government, military-style ‘civilizing’ the party president Mehbooba control and guidance.” S RINAGAR — Opposing the Mufti said police in the State Mehbooba said the proposal of civilian society by insultingly government proposal to carve definitely is in need of drastic to create special security zones presuming to teach them how to out different security zones in reforms but many provisions in (SSZs) and legalisation of Vil- stand in line, urinate and defJammu Kashmir, the Jammu the Bill are “undemocratic and lage Defence Committees is ecate.” “It also has ring of an Kashmir Liberation Front (R) anti-people and will take the dangerous for any society. “But effort to appease the muscular has termed it a deep conspiracy State back to medieval times for a conflict ridden area it could nationalists in Delhi with an arto snatch away fundamental when khaki uniform struck ter- be a sure prescription for con- gument against AFSPA by human rights and delegate more ror in the hearts of people.” tinuing the disturbed conditions morphing it into a non-military powers to police and other Mehbooba said J&K has the and denial of basic rights,” she AFSPA that is supposedly armed forces under AFSPA. willed by the people of our “dubious distinction of having said. In a statement, a spokesman been reduced to a police state Mehbooba said police in state,” she alleged. of the Front said, “There is vir- outside the democratic system fact needs to be “brought out of Mehbooba said many tually police rule in Jammu of the country but the proposed the colonial mindset and prac- backdoor offences have been Kashmir. The state government bill would actually convert it to tices that were followed by feu- included to increase the “crimiis enacting and implementing a lawless state.” “If this Bill is dal forces to stay in power and nal liability” of the public. “It anti-people laws to please its allowed to pass in its present the objective of any new law not just means taking people to lords New Delhi. It wants to form we will have an Ikhwan- should be to make it more ac- jail for petty offences but is also give extra-ordinary powers to State in which a thanedar and countable to democratic institu- a negation of social policing and police only to make more mis- not the democratic institutions tions, people-friendly and so- larger public morality.— NNI erable the life of people in the state.”—NNI
NC creating Ikhwan-State: PDP
JKLF (R ) flays move to carve out security zones
Coordination committee calls for strike on Friday SRINAGAR— In an effort to chalk out a joint strategy for return of Muhammad Afzal Guru’s body, various pro-freedom and religious organizations met in Srinagar at an undisclosed place and gave a four day calender of Protests.The committee has called a valley wide strike on the Friday this week and asked the Bar association to protest on Tuesday and Wednesday. The committee has also asked the people of Kashmir to attach red flags on their vehicles on Saturday as a mark of Protest. The meeting which was apart from the two factions of the Hurriyat Conference, was attended by representatives of Hurriyat (M), Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Jamaat e Islami and Dukhtaran e Millat, sources said.—NNI
State govt rejected Afzal’s plea to shift him to Srinagar: Ansari
SRINAGAR–Lambasting National Conference for repeatedly ignoring the plea of Muhammad Afzal Guru to shift him to Srinagar Central Jail, Peoples Democratic Party senior leader, Moulvi Iftikhar Hussain Ansari said, “NC is befooling Kashmiris by shedding crocodile tears on Afzal issue. He (Afzal) had requested two time that he should be shifted to Srinagar Central Jail so that his family could meet him easily but the National Conference ignored his requests and told Centre to keep him lodged in Tihar Jail till his death,” Ansari told local news gathering agency CNS and claimed that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was taken on board on this issue before two months and he was knowing everything but acted as a mute spectator
just to appease New Delhi. Ansari accused Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of misleading people of Kashmir and said that he wonders that they (NC) are now claiming that the party would support the resolution aimed at the returning of the mortal remains of Muhammad Afzal Guru. “State is passing through a crucial stage. Supreme Court had not fixed the date for the execution of Afzal Guru then why was he hanged in a haste. Being the Chief Minister of the State, Omar Abdullah could have easily persuaded the Central Government but the fact is that in order to appease Central Government and to prove that he was more loyal than a King, Omar Abdullah assured the Central Government that state would
take care of the law and order situation which resulted in the early hanging of Afzal,” Ansari said and added that there is no question of bailing out CM in this issue. Accusing National Conference of playing dirty politics on Afzal Guru issue, PDP leader said that to appease both Central Government and people of Kashmir, the leaders of the party issue different statements. One NC leader lashes at Centre for hanging Afzal while the other leader of the same party claims that it is not an issue for the people of Kashmir. “National Conference is trying to kill two birds with a single arrow but the people are well aware about the designs of this party and it can no longer befool people of Kashmir,” Ansari said.—NNI
Police Bill continues to draw flak with Peoples Conference and Hurriyat Conference (M) opposing it and describing it yet another weapon to terrorise people. Peoples Conference criticised the government over proposed J&K Police Bill 2013, calling it a covert attempt to impose martial law in the State by putting civil liberties and rights into permanent abeyance. PC Chairman Sajad Gani Lone, while expressing bewilderment at proposing such a ‘draconian and dictatorial legislation, said that Chief Minister has the audacity to make such a ridiculous proposal while he pretends. What is the difference between AFSPA and the J&K Police Bill 2013 The J&K Police Bill is in fact a potential validation and incorporation of AFSPA into the State’s law and order machinery and raises serious concerns about NC led governments stand on draconian laws. Meanwhile Hurriyat Conference (M) Monday expressed concern over the proposed Police Reforms Bill saying such legislation would put Jammu and Kashmir into lawlessness. Mirwaiz said that on one hand the government is singing tunes of revocation of AFSPA, but on the other it is turning Jammu and Kashmir into a police state. Rather than making the people who are involved in killing Kashmiris accountable the government wants to give extraordinary powers to them he alleged. He said Hurriyat and the people of Kashmir would oppose any such bill and if need arises would launch an agitation against it.—INP
Doctors rename heritage park after Afzal Guru
ceive me but we were kept five steps away by police,” he wrote on the Wall. He added: “Geelani replied to my Salam (greeting) with a smile and said his health was okay.”Ratanpuri claimed that Geelani told him that he has been detained without any formal orders, illegally. “I spoke to concerned Assistant Commissioner of Police (New Delhi). He told me there is no permission [to meet Geelani].” Rattanpuri said he also called on the Commissioner of Delhi Police. “He did not respond to my repeated calls and messages. Before leaving the place, I went again to the entrance of
his Begum Sahiba and daughter smiled at me,” the NC MP wrote on Facebook Wall. “I felt sorry for the duplicity of world’s largest democracy. This differential treatment and discrimination has contributed immensely to complexity of Kashmir problem and the wedge between Kashmir and Delhi. But we have to continue peaceful fight for our rights.” Ratanpuri said many years ago “our tallest leader Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah was detained at Kotla Lane for the same reasons.” “We may go through the related pages of Atish-e-Chinar (Autobiography of Sheikh). The man and
decades in captivity remain unresolved and burning even today [Sic],” Rattanpuri’s post read. His post has evoked huge response, both positive and negative. “Is it rhetoric or heart feeling?” asked a follower on FB. “Why don’t you resign and join pro-freedom ranks?” Many others termed his move as a “vote-bank politics.” This is for the second time that Ratanpuri has attempted to play a separatist. Recently, he wrote a letter to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stating that “Given a chance, Kashmiris will opt for Azadi (freedom).”—NNI
Protest calendar issued to get mortal remains of Butt, Guru SRINAGAR—The Muttahida Kashmir High Court Bar As- remains of martyrs.’ On ThursMajlis-e-Mashawrat (United Advisory Council) constituted by pro-liberation organisations has issued a five-day protest calendar to seek the mortal remains of Kashmiri leaders, Muhammad Maqbool Butt and Muhammad Afzal Guru, from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail to Kashmir. The MMM announced the protest calendar after a meeting in Srinagar attended by the representatives of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, the forum led by the veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, Jamaat-eIslami of the occupied territory,
sociation and other organisations. A statement issued by the MMM after the meeting said that there would be a sustained campaign to seek the mortal remains of Maqbool Butt and Afzal Guru from Government of India. It urged the people to observe a complete strike on Friday and stage protests after congregational prayers. “The Imams of masjids should make people aware of the present situation like the life sentences awarded to people of Kashmir,” it added. As per calendar, lawyers will stage protests on Wednesday and raise slogans like ‘we want freedom’ and ‘return the
day, people of South Kashmir will hold protests at district headquarters of Islamabad, Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam, demanding the mortal remains of Butt and Guru during the protests. On Saturday (March 2), people have been asked to hoist red-ribbons on houses, vehicles and shops. “The red ribbons would be a reminder of the blood of thousands of martyrs,” the statement said. It urged the people to compensate the Friday strike by normal business on Sunday (March 3). “We request the people of Kashmir to follow the protest calendar religiously,” the statement added.—KMS
CRPF occupies valley hospitals S R I N A G A R — Paramilitary CRPF continues to occupy the buildings at premier health institutions of the Valley despite Government claiming that forces have vacated all the important buildings across Kashmir. The erstwhile Animal House of the SK Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, with multistory building and over 20 Kanal of land, still continues to be under the occupation of CRPF, with multistory building is being occupied by CRPF along with over 20 Kanals of land. “Forces had occupied the building in early nineties and they still continue to be there. Expansion of the Emergency Department was also affected due to their unwillingness to leave the vital space despite several requests,” a senior official in SKIMS told Greater Kashmir.
He said the CRPF has also erected dozens of prefabricated barracks illegally on a large piece of land around the building. “Though we had already shifted the Animal House to other place but the expansion projects of the Institution were badly affected by their presence,” he added. A few years ago CRPF higher-ups had assured the SKIMS administration that CRPF would be relocated. “The issue reached the Home Ministry officials also. But instead of leaving they occupied more land in the institute,” the official added. Similarly, the CRPF is occupying an old building near Superspeciality Hospital of Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar at Shireen Bagh that hampers the expansion of the hospital project. “We have already taken up the issue with the Divisional
Commissioner as we need the land for the construction of Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) for the new hospital. But he is yet to respond,” Principal GMC Srinagar Prof Rafiq Pampori said. He said the requests were also sent to the CRPF higher ups regarding the space occupied by the forces in the SMHS Hospital premises, they too did not respond. Pertinently, the paramilitary forces have erected two bunkers inside the SMHS Hospital and the Medical College premises since many years. “This place gives look of a garrison as you can see CRPF personnel moving everywhere. It is nuisance for the visiting doctors and patients coming to the hospital,” said a group of doctors. At Valley’s lone Maternity Specialty, LD Hospital the CRPF personnel are occupying the Staff Quarters leaving the employees short of space.—NNI
S RINAGAR — Doctors and medical students at Government Medical College held a protest demonstration against the hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru in Tihar Jail. Holding placards “I am Afzal, hang me”; “Why murder Kashmiris to satisfy your collective conscience”, the protesters raised slogans against the decision of execution. “It is the worst form of human rights violation that Delhi has committed against Kashmiris. We have always been pushed to the wall,” they protestors said. “As doctors we cannot remain immune to the happenings in our society.” Pertinently, students of GMC Srinagar have renamed a heritage park in the college after Afzal Guru.—NNI
MUZAFFARABAD: Executive Director Paish Group welcoming a US delegation at Chehla.
J&K Police Bill ensures more powers for cops akin to AFSPA J AMMU — Contrary to the judgement of Supreme Court (SC) in 2011 and ignoring persistent demands to disarm and disband them, the draft of ‘Jammu and Kashmir Police Bill, 2013’ proposes not only legalization rather extension of much controversial armed groups and personnel patronized by the State in the form of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs) across J&K. Para 62 and para 63 of the draft bill, made public since February 15 for suggestions, propose the constitution of armed Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and engagement of Special Police Officers
(SPOs), though ‘subject to the approval of the government.’ Para 62 reads: (1) Subject to the approval of the government, the Director General of Police may constitute as many Village Defence Committees as he may deem necessary and District Superintendent of Police engage members thereof on voluntary basis for the protection of life and property of the inhabitants of that particular Village. (2) The members of such Village Defence Committees may also be issued suitable arms and ammunition of prescribed specifications.” Para 63 of the draft bill reads as: (1) Subject to the approval of the government, the Director
General of Police or any other officer authorised in this behalf by the government, in consultation with the Director General of Police, may engage temporarily, any able-bodied and willing person to be a Special Police Officer to assist the police on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the government from time to time. Provided a Special Police Officer shall be liable for disengagement on the grounds of indiscipline, misconduct or failure to discharge the duties lawfully assigned to him. Ironically, in July 2011, the Supreme Court of India in a judgement had struck down as ‘unconstitutional’ the practice of
arming local tribal youth of Chhattisgarh as Special Police Officers (SPOs) in order to fight the Maoists. It had asked the Chhattisgarh state government to immediately stop using SPOs, recall all firearms distributed to them, desist from funding the recruitment of any other vigilante groups, ensure the filing of FIRs into criminal activities committed by them, and offer protection to those who need. Noted legal luminaries, civil society groups and human rights activists had interpreted the Supreme Court judgment as a clear guidance, binding on all the states in India for not using the unconstitutional methods for
dealing with political or armed dissent. However, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while responding to the Supreme Court judgment on Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Naxal-hit areas had said that the judgment was not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir as the SPOs in the state were part of the regular police force. While the civil society groups’ argument was that the judgment was more relevant to Jammu and Kashmir state where the idea of privatization of human rights violations was conceptualized and crystallized in early 1990s by the government using the services of known human rights violators or people
with the history of violence. Notably in the nineties, the constitution of VDCs in militancy infested districts of Jammu region had evoked great resentment on the ground that they had bred a feel of enmity and hatred between the two major communities besides letting loose a reign of terror with their unconstitutional unbridled powers. Similarly, armed groups patronized by the State in the form of counter insurgent groups were created in Kashmir region. These groups too were blamed for heinous crimes and human rights violations. Many of their (VDCs and counter insurgent groups’) members were later integrated or accommodated in
regular forces like Territorial Army and the Special Police Officers (SPOs). Almost ditto were the complaints against SPOs, which were later made part of regular police force in the state. As far as the draft Bill is concerned, it also proposes powers for the sate police quite similar to the controversial Armed forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). Under para 122, the District Superintendent of Police or any Police Officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector, authorized in this behalf by the District Superintendent of Police, may stop any assembly or procession which violates the condition set under section 121 (1) (h) (vi) and or-
der such assembly or procession to disperse. Any assembly or procession which defies or refuses to obey any order given under sub-section (1) above will be deemed to be an “unlawful assembly” under Chapter VIII of the Ranbir Penal Code. Under para 123, the District Superintendent of Police or any Police Officer authorized by him in this behalf, through a general or special order, may give reasonable directions in respect of the whole District or any part thereof to the public to keep order on public roads and streets, thoroughfares, or any public place, in order to prevent obstruction, injury, annoyance
Power breakdown hits textile industry Staff Correspondent LAHORE—Textile industry suffered heavily due to a sudden power breakdown, leading to a complete blackout in the country as the power supply remained suspended until late in the Monday evening. Majority of the textile units were denied power supply by the concerned DISCOs with no idea as when the supply would be restored. The power authorities were of the view that a synchronisation of both Tarbela and Mangla dam supplies takes time therefore supply was disturbed for long. It may be noted that power supply was sudden Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Saleem H Mandviwalla chairing Economic Coordination Committee dropped in the Monday night, meeting. which remained suspended for long hours.
Isuzu tops sales in Japan
S M Muneer appeals to Zardari, Altaf for return of Ebad
Staff Reporter IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—Isuzu Motors strengthened its reputation as Japan’s top-selling commercial K ARACHI —Eminent businessmen of the country that vehicle brand last year by had played their vibrant role leading the country in no less for the economic development than three sales categories for and industrial growth had a company first. According to stressed upon the leaders of the Isuzu-compiled figures, N two major political parties, the Series light-duty trucks Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) commanded a 39.6 percent and the Muttahida Qaumi share among trucks between Movement (MQM) to concede two and three-ton payloads. F the need of the businessmen Series medium-duty and C&E community by allowing Dr heavy-duty trucks captured a Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan to resume combined 34.9 percent share his office as Sindh Governor. among trucks from four-ton In this regard, Korangi Aspayloads. And finally, Isuzu sociation of Trade and Indusbuses placed first with a 35.8 tries (KATI) patron-in-chief S percent share among models seating 30 or more passengers. M Muneer and KATI Chairman Muhammad Zubair The N Series has led its category for 1 2 straight years, and all but one year since 1970. A total of 30,269 units were sold in 2012. F and C&E sales amounted to 24,157 units, enabling Isuzu to reclaim the number-one position after last holding it in 2010. N, F and C&E sales STAFF REPORTER combined led all brands of all trucks from two-ton payloads. KARACHI—United Bank Limited achieved a profit after tax HBL announces second of Rs.18.0 billion for 2012; 16% higher than last year translating interim dividend into earnings per share of Rs. Staff Reporter 14.71 (2011: Rs. 12.66). The KARACHI—The Board of Board of Directors also apDirectors of HBL Asset Management Limited and the proved a final cash dividend of 35% (Rs. 3.50 per share) bringManagement Company of ing the total cash dividend for HBL Income Fund, in its the year 2012 to 85 %, i.e. Rs. meeting held on Monday 8.5 per share. UBL has achieved announced second interim dividend in the form of bonus a pre-tax profit of Rs 27.0 bilUnits for ‘A’ and ‘B’ Classes lion, 12% higher than last year. This was achieved despite seof Units and Cash dividend vere spread compression, for ‘C’ Class Units for the through a growth in the balance year ending June 30. The sheet, improved non fund inBoard has approved second interim dividend at Rs1.5 per come and lower provisions. The continually declining unit in the form of Bonus Units for ‘A’ & ‘B’ Classes of Units and cash dividend of Rs1.5 per unit for Class ‘C’ Units for the year ending June 30. The bonus units will be STAFF REPORTER issued based on the ExDividend NAV as on February ISLAMABAD —Pakistan’s ex24. Unit holders, who have ports to European countries and opted to en-cash the bonus Units at the Ex-Dividend Net the US witnessed decline during the past five-year owing to Asset Value (NAV), will receive cash payout based on prevailing law and order situation and prolonged and unschedEx-Dividend NAV as on uled gas and electricity outages. February 24. Minister for Commerce, Makhdoom Muhammad Amin ADB approves Fahim, in a written reply to a $150m loan question, informed the House that deteriorating law and order KATHMANDU—The Asian Development Bank said Tuesday situation and energy crisis in the country had adversely affected it had approved a $150-million loan for a giant hydropower plant the performance of the industrial to ease Nepal’s chronic electricity and manufacturing sector, resultantly Pakistan’s exports to shortages which lead to power 22 European countries and the cuts of up to 14 hours a day. Electricity demand is growing at US had decreased drastically. He said that Pakistan’s ex 10 percent a year but a lack of investment has resulted in short Continued on Page 14 supply, with loadshedding forcing homes and businesses across the impoverished nation to use costly and polluting diesel generators. “Nepal has an energy crisis and this is affecting badly AMANULLAH KHAN economic prospects.—APP
Chayya, All Karachi Industrial Alliance President Mian Zahid Hussain and vice chairman Najmul Afreen and Niaz Ahmed appealed to the President Asif Ali Zardari and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain to bring Dr Ebad back to his office as the Governor of the province because the businessmen community had believed that Dr Ebad was inevitable for the growth and prosperity of Sindh. They were talking to Pakistan Observer at the KATI office Tuesday. They said that Dr Ebad had served the people of Sindh with utmost devotion and sincerity and his tenure as the Governor had witnessed remarkable achievements in the province. S
M Muneer said that Dr Ebad had always acted as bridge between political parties having mandate in Sindh and always found best solutions for the disputes, wherever emerged between various political parties, which were acceptable to all. Muhammad Zubair Chayya said that the businessmen had no hesitation to say that he was the most popular Governor of Sindh they ever had. Mian Zahid Hussain said that the political acumen of Dr Ebad was second to none, which was in fact imperative at the point of time as the elections were close and tenure of assemblies was at fag end.
UBL achieves 16pc higher profit in 2012
Pakistan exports decline
rate environment resulted in lower yield on earning assets, while cost of funds reduced marginally as the increase in the minimum PLS saving rate limited rate reduction on deposits. Consequently, the net interest margin for 2012 was lower than 2011. The Bank was able to offset most of this spread compression through balance sheet growth, with net interest income declining by 2% to Rs 38.6 billion in 2012. Total provisions declined by 40% from Rs 7.5 billion in 2011 to Rs 4.5 billion for 2012, while net credit loss ratio improved from 2.1% to 1.1%. Non-interest income increased from Rs 12.7 billion to Rs 17.1 billion, 35% over last
year. Fees and commissions grew by 17% to Rs 8.2 billion, mainly attributable to increase in remittances, FI commissions, improved general banking fees and cross-sell of bancassurance. Higher investments in mutual funds resulted in dividend income rising to Rs 2.7 billion, while derivatives income increased to Rs 3.0 billion, primarily on account of one-off gains. UBL grew its balance sheet by 15% over Dec 2011. This was primarily funded by a growth in deposits which increased by 14.2% to Rs 700 Billion in Dec 2012. The domestic low cost deposit ratio also improved, as did the CASA ratio, which improved from 80% in Dec 2011 to 83% in Dec 2012.
Drug production threatened TARIQ KHATTAK
ISLAMABAD—Pharma sector experts have said that a new crisis is developing for the interim or newly elected Govt as some of the low priced drugs production has been stopped by the industry due to denial of price adjustments by the DRA despite repeated requests from the companies. Executives of pharma industry in last few meetings hinted towards the crisis in making as the companies had continued production of these drugs without any price adjustments for last few years. However, these executives have now stated that the situation has become financially untenable for the continued supply
of many of these medicines and they will soon start to notify the Drug Regulatory Authority of the suspension of supply. Shortage of medicines is on the cards, unfortunately the low priced medicines used by common man will vanish first, remarked a pharma industry director requesting anonymity. This alarming situation has already resulted in many pharmaceutical companies having suspended some important daily use drugs which they were previously producing either at loss or at very low margins, he said. The drugs feared going out of production are Augmentin tablets, Amoxil, Penbritin, Penbritin syrup and complete
Continued on Page 14
ISE sheds 2 points
STAFF REPORTER
PSM not to be privatized: BoD KARACHI—Board of Directors dustry PSM would not be al- a delegation led by chairman (BoD) of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) has decided that the mill will not be allowed to be privatized. The decision was taken in the meeting of the BoD held here under its chairman Fazal Qureshi Tuesday. Meeting was attended by federal secretary Gul Muhammad Rind, chairman CBA Shamshad Qureshi, CEO PSM, Muhammad Javed and others. It was unanimously decided in the meeting that national in-
Frequent blocking of highways in Balochistan affecting economy STAFF REPORTER
STAFF REPORTER ited has announced its results for the year ended 31 December 2012 posting highest profit after tax in last six years. The Chairman of the Bank, Alauddin J Feerasta, presided over the Board that met in Lahore on 23 February 2013. The Board noted with satisfaction that bank has outperformed the market in both advances and deposit growth and achieved strong growth in all areas of the Bank’s operations. Deposits grew by 21.15% over 2011 and advances (gross) recorded a growth of 17.14% over 2011. The bank’s after tax profit increased to
Rs 1,104 million, up from Rs 784 million, primarily due to a solid growth in Net Interest Income of 23.82%, (up from Rs 3,912 million to Rs 4,844 million) and effective monitoring of non-performing loan portfolio. The Bank’s EPS went up to Rs 1.10 from Re 0.78 as a result. As of 31 December 2012, the Bank is in compliance with Minimum Capital Requirement of the State Bank of Pakistan. Analyzing the reasons for successful performance in 2012, Bank sources explain that the increase in core revenue was registered mainly on account of growth and restructuring in its main areas of activity; advances, deposits and trade, which al-
KARACHI—If the proposed
“Business is a game, played for fantastic stakes, and you’re in competition with experts. If you want to win, you have to learn to be a master of the game.”
changes in cigarette excise are actually executed by FBR, thousands of tobacco farmers will go out of job in already suffering KPK regions. Cigarette Industry buys nearly 70/ 80 million kg of green crops from tobacco farmers every year, generating income of Rs 12/13 billion for those farmers. Those farmers have already sowed their crops for 2013 season. Pakistan To-
mum price of a duty paid cigarette will go upto Rs. 50. This will obviously negatively impact cigarette demand. With reduced demand, the manufactures will be needing much smaller quantities of crop. As a result the tobacco farmers will not be able to sell their crops. Hence, a more in depth and serious analysis of these proposed changes is required. If done hurriedly, this may not only cost national exchequer billions of rupees in lost revenue, but will also create un-
lowed the bank to enhance its earnings from both investments and foreign exchange. Furthermore, the Bank continued to follow a prudent policy for making provisions for the infected loan portfolio in line with regulatory requirements and is confident that actions taken in 2012 would further help in controlling future infections and securing upcoming recoveries. Soneri Bank at year end has a branch network of 233 and intends to continue with its growth strategy. The Bank will maintain its focus on technology, branch upgrades and human resources to meet customer expectations in an increasingly competitive environment.
Guidelines to prevent deceptive marketing in telecom sector STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—As part of its efforts to protect consumers from anti-competitive behaviour and promote voluntary compliance of the law, the Competition Commission of Pakistan has prepared Deceptive Marketing Guidelines to provide guidance in respect of the Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010 to undertakings providing telecommunication products and services (telecom companies) in Pakistan. The Draft Guidelines, prepared pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Competition Commission (General Enforcement) Regulations, 2007, have been shared with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, all telecom companies, and placed on the Commission’s website for soliciting feedback and suggestions from stakeholders. The Draft Guidelines are meant for telecommunication
companies to comply in their sales, marketing, advertising, and communication in all forms across all mediums, online and Point of Sale (POS). Effort has been made in the Guidelines to provide guidance on what may constitute as deceptive marketing practices and avoid actions that may amount to violating section 10 and other provisions of the Competition Act. Companies have been advised to bear in mind the legal implications that may arise out of certain practices dealing with, i.e. distribution of false information, deception, fine print, disclaimer and qualifications, importance of substantiation of claims, essential terms and conditions, omissions, puffery, price disclosure, comparative advertising, promotional contents and, telemarketing. The Draft Guidelines present the approach taken by the Commission in its decisions
regarding deceptive marketing practices and the approach that it may take towards certain marketing practices by telecommunication service providers. However, the Guidelines are not exhaustive and the approach of the Commission shall depend upon the particular facts and circumstances of each case. As it is not possible to predict future behavior of the undertakings involved in the telecommunication sector, the Commission will not, in any way, be restricted to look into matters that have not been mentioned in these Guidelines. The Draft Guidelines have been prepared in light of best international practices after reviewing several documents and guidelines published by jurisdictions namely, the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and Hong Kong, and draw knowledge and experience from jurisdictions that have similar provisions as those of Section 10 of the Competition Act.
QUETTA—Daily about 30,000 trucks loaded with goods used to ply on highways linking Balochistan with other parts of the country and their frequent blocking in the pretext of strikes have been badly affecting the economy. Noor Khan Kakar, President of Balochistan Goods Truck Transport Association said Tuesday about 30,000 trucks loaded with goods cross the Balochistan border on daily basis and the blocking of these roads on the pretext of strikes badly damage the economy of the province, he said. He said trucks carrying fruits and other goods from Iran and other neighbouring countries also use these highways, but the blocking of these roads by the activists of religious and political parties cause huge loss to the business activities of the province. He appealed the political parties and other groups to avoid the blocking of highways linking Balochistan to other parts of the country as thousands of people depend for their livelihood on the goods transport Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar presiding over a board meeting of AEDB to review its progress. business.
Proposed changes in cigarette tax to hit industry, growers bacco Board has already announced the minimum price to be paid to farmers. If the FBR proposal goes through the tax-paying cigarette manufactures would not be able to or need to buy the crop already sowed by the farmers in the field. The farmers who sowed crop will be left high and dry as demand for their crop will decline drastically. The reason is simple. As a result of drastic tax increase, the price of duty paid cigarettes is expected to increase. The mini-
CBA Shamshad Qureshi met federal secretary for production Gul Muhammad Rind in PID House and apprised him of their reservations and unrest prevailing among the employees. Federal secretary assured the delegation that PSM would further progress and bring improvement in the national economy. Full protection is being provided to the employees and this entity is out of the list of privatization, he said.—Online
Soneri Bank announces results for 2012
ISLAMABAD—Islamabad Stock KARACHI—Soneri Bank LimExchange (ISE-10) here on Monday witnessed bearish trend as the index was down by 12 points to close at 3531.11 as compared to the previous day’s trading. The local stock market remained under the pressure due to the profit taking by the investors, a stock analyst Ibrahim said, while talking to media. “The punters has taken the positions since last many days and off-loaded on Monday to book the profits leading the market to downward”, he stated. During the trading session of market, the most positions were taken by the investor in PTCL which helped to increase the turnover of the market, Ibrahim added. Total volume of shares traded was 467,000, which was up by 392,000 as compared to a day earlier’s closing. Out of 151 companies’ shares traded, the price of 64 was increased while the price of 87 decreased. The price of top gainer Unilever Pakistan was increased by Rs.31.82 while the price of top loser Mitchell Fruit Farma decreased by Rs.8.00. PTCL, Maple Leaf Cement and KESC remained volume leaders, with volume of 400,000, 35,000 and 20,000 shares respectively.
lowed to be privatized and no such proposal was under consideration at present. This entity will soon be able to stand on its feet with the cooperation of the government, they declared. It was told in the meeting that supply of raw material has been started in PSM. It was also decided in the meeting that perks and privileges in respect of officers and subordinate staff will continue. Earlier ahead of the meeting
employment and unrest among farmers. Revenue from cigarette sector is going to decline and not increase due to the proposed changes. The detailed analysis required to understand the elasticises of demand in different segments, the different excise regimes and tiers in different countries and implications of different options has not been thoroughly worked out. The current FBR proposal, presenting a two-tier excise structure, with staggering tax
hike within the lower tier catering to bulk of the existing industry volume, is likely to create a serious dent in the demand of such brands, while promoting purchase of cheaper alternatives like Pine and other smuggled and non-duty paid brands. Rather than plugging the leakages in existing taxation regime and further broadening the tax base, FBR authorities are instead going for the easiest course of burdening the existing tax payers with enhanced FED without considering the adverse
impact on the economy and the revenue projections. Moreover there are a plethora of laws governing the industry ranging from Federal Excise Act and Customs Act to regulations on retail and printing of packs, which are blatantly violated by the illicit players. Any improvement in enforcement of these laws are likely to yield great returns, as the illicit cigarette sector is estimated to cost more than 20 billion rupees to the government every year.
Shahbaz urged to promote agri sector STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Agri Forum Pakistan (AFP) Chairman Muhammad Ibrahim Mughal has urged the Chief Minister Punjab to work with same spirit and dedication for agriculture, livestock and irrigation sectors, with which he worked for completion of metro bus project. He said our agricultural sector needs to improve its production by using latest knowledge and contemporary technology.
USA
98.10
97.90
UK
149.22
148.92
EURO
128.02
127.76
Canada
95.66
95.47
PIA gets a nod for fleet expansion
FBR counsel requests for adjournment of Containers’ case
for additional funding to provide fiscal space to the Corporation. The ECC meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs Mr. Saleem Mandviwala whereas Minister of Defence, Syed Naveed Qamar, Secretary Defence and Chairman PIA, Lt. Gen (Retd) Asif Yasin Malik, Managing Director PIA, Muhammad Junaid Yunus and Chief Financial Officer PIA, Mr. Aftab Ahmed were also present. The ECC took up PIA’s request to extend expired and expiring GoP guarantees and fresh
STAFF REPORTER
AMANULLAH KHAN
Switzerland
105.52
105.30
KARACHI—The Economic Co-
Australia
100.71
100.50
Sweden
15.13
15.10
Japan
1.0660
1.0638
Norway
17.20
17.16
Singapore
79.17
79.01
ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet has accorded in principal the approval for the acquisition of newer narrow body aircraft on dry lease which will improve PIA’s schedule reliability as well as save on fuel costs. PIA spokesman said here on Tuesday. The ECC also approved the extension in all GoP guarantees as requested by PIA and has also approved the airline’s management request to provide support
Denmark
17.16
17.12
Omani Riyal
255.00
245.00
Saudi Arabia
26.16
26.11
Hong Kong
12.65
12.62
Kuwait
346.70
346.00
Malaysia
31.62
31.56
Newzeland
81.81
81.64
Qatar
26.94
26.65
UAE
26.71
26.65
KR WON
0.0901
0.0900
Thailand
3.285
3.278
Power cos start recovery of fuel adjustment charges STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—The electricity dis-
Gold Tezab Silver Tezabi
52028.00 942.85
Gold Tezabi (24-Ct) Gold 22 Ct SilverTezabi Silver Thobi
53,850.00 48,600.00 970.00 895.00
Biz management moot MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—The University of Management and Technology (UMT), Lahore, is organizing the 3rd International Conference on Business Management (ICoBM) at its campus on February 27-28, 2013. The theme of the conference is “Entrepreneurship, Competitiveness, and Academia”. The conference will be attended by a large number of dignitaries, educationists, intellectuals, government representatives, public policy makers, representatives of the corporate world and students of business schools. It presents an ideal opportunity to network with top corporate leaders. Research scholars and corporate speakers will make their presentations their papers on the conference theme. Three parallel tracks for academic researchers, MS/MPhil/PhD Students and corporate speakers, will take place during the twoday event. National and international speakers from Malaysia, Latvia, India, Australia, China and UK will speak at the conference.
Buffett, Brazil’s 3G team up for $23b Heinz buyout Y ORK —Warren Buffett and Brazilian financier Jorge Paulo Lemann are teaming up to buy ketchup maker H.J. Heinz Co for $23.2 billion, in what could be the first step of a wave of mergers for the food and beverage industry. Analysts and people close to the deal said Heinz could be a good starting point to consolidate similar staple food companies, particularly given the larger ambitions of Lemann’s private equity firm 3G Capital. Including debt assumption, Heinz valued the transaction, which it called the largest in its industry’s history, at $28 billion.— Newswire
funding for the acquisition of new aircraft on dry lease. PIA presented an interim Business Plan for the period 2014-18 which was highly appreciated by ECC and the strategic direction envisaged by the new management in turning around the airline in due course of time. The ECC also provided valuable comments and desired that a monitoring mechanism should also be put in place. The Finance Minister Mr. Saleem Mandviwala advised that the Ministry of Finance will carry out the monitoring on behalf of GoP. The spokesperson said.
tribution companies including Lesco, Fesco and Gepco have started recovery of fuel adjustment charges from the industrial and domestic consumers who use more than 350 units per month retrospectively following judgment of the Lahore High Court last month. The court allowed the recovery conditionally that domestic consumers who are consuming
350 units or less per month are not liable to pay the fuel adjustment price and the government is bound to refund the already recovered fuel adjustment charges to them or may adjust the refundable amount in future monthly bills. Disposing of several petitions, the court observed that though Federal government is providing subsidy on electricity, yet it is collecting sales tax, TV license fee, Nelum Jhelum surcharges from all consumers in-
cluding mosques, church and other religious institutions. With regard to fuel adjustment surcharge, the court observed that after examining the determinations placed on record it is prima facie established that Nepra has not properly attended to the alleged illegalities pointed out by one of member of Nepra and has permitted the government to recover the cost of stolen energy, which is stolen either with the active connivance of the employees of the Wapda.
CFOs want new recruits to remove finance professionals deficiency MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Arif Masud Mirza, Head of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Pakistan said that the environment in which finance professionals now work – one which is increasingly volatile, complex and competitive - requires them to have a broader range of finance skills and this is certainly the case in Pakistan. In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Arif Masud Mirza said
Asian markets mostly slip HONG KONG—Asian markets mostly fell on Tuesday, with dealers spooked by an election in Italy that left no clear winner, leading to political uncertainty and fresh fears about eurozone stability. The dollar and euro clawed back some of the losses suffered in US trade as investors absorbed the Italian results, while there was also concern about the lack of progress in Washington to avoid spending cuts due to take effect Friday. Tokyo tumbled 2.26 percent, or 263.71 points, to 11,398.81, with profittakers also moving in after the index enjoyed a big surge on Monday.—AFP
finance functions have to excel in a wide range of capabilities, including supporting businesses, managing risk, developing effective strategies for growth, driving financial insight and ensuring statutory and regulatory responsibilities are met. He further said the fact that finance staff should have a broad range of skills and expertise is important to CFOs, should also ensure it is of equal importance to individuals looking to plan their careers and maximize their employability.
Adamjee Yakoob, FCCA and CFO of Citibank Pakistan, said that a strong grounding in accountancy, finance and management as well as the regulatory and legal context is what gives him confidence in new hires. “This is also where the ACCA qualification differentiates itself from generalist degrees,” adding he said that finance professionals are nowadays not only expected to provide a reality check but be business partners by managing funding sources and analyzing investment proposals.
Intel announces new products SALIM AHMED LAHORE—Intel Corporation has announced a range of new products, ecosystem and enabling efforts that will further accelerate the company’s presence in mobile and help usher in a range of new devices and richer experiences with Intel Inside®. The announcements include a new dual-core Atom™ SoC (“Clover Trail+”) platform for smartphones and Android* tablets, and the company’s first global, multimode-multiband LTE solution. Other disclosures included “Bay Trail” momentum, a new multi-
platform enabling program, and continued smartphone momentum in emerging markets with the Intel® Atom™ Z2420 processorbased platform. “Today’s announcements build on Intel’s growing device portfolio across a range of mobile market segments,” said Naveed Siraj, Country Manager for Intel Pakistan. “In less than a year’s time we have worked closely with customers to bring 10 Intel-based smartphones to market in more than 20 countries, and have also delivered an industry-leading low-power tablet solution running Windows 8.”
ISLAMABAD—The counsel for Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Monday excused to give his arguments in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) containers’ case and requested the Supreme Court for the adjournment as he was going for a cardiac operation. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumed hearing in the ISAF containers scandal. Meanwhile, Rana Shamim KARACHI: CEO Dawood Capital Azra Dawood addressing a press conference.—PO Photo the counsel for FBR also sub- by Sultan Chaki mitted the report in the apex court regarding the looted money and its recovery. Giving more time, the bench accepted the plea of the counsel and adjourned the case till March 4.
Chambers conference rejects Trade Organization Act
Pakistan From Page 13 ports to European Union (EU) had been declining since 2005 due to withdrawal of Drug-related special concession by the EU. De-listing of Pakistan’s fisheries establishments in 2007 by the EU further decreased the volume of exports to the region. Meanwhile, Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, while replying a question, told the lower House that Pakistan Railways (PR) was in financial troubles when the current government took over, but its woes compounded further as it registered a steep increase of Rs20 billion in its debts over the next five years. The company’s losses also went up by Rs6 billion from 2008 to 2013. He said that the international and local debts of PR were Rs58.7 billion in January 2013, while they were Rs38 billion in March 2008. The PR losses stood at Rs28.9 billion in March 2008, which surged to Rs34.1 billion in January 2013 with an increase of Rs 6 billion, the minister added. He said the national carriage company was running on merely 180 locomotives functional at present, while the PR purchased no new locomotive during the last five-year. In March 2008, the total number of functional locomotives was 406.
Drug production From Page 13 series of Septran tablets. The absence of legitimate profits due to rejection of industry’s plea to allow a reasonable price increase against inflation and heavy increase in input costs is scaring further investments from the pharmaceutical sector, an official of pharma firm said. “No doubt, the pharmaceutical sector is the most regulated sector of the country as they cannot even improve packaging of their products without prior approval from the concerned authority,” he added.
PC hotel, Global Swim Marathon event ‘End Polio’ ends today
NEW
STAFF REPORTER R AWALPINDI —The Rotary Global Swim marathon event was held at Pearl Continental Hotel, Rawalpindi. The Global Swimarathon was organized to create Polio eradication awareness from the World. The event was participated by a team of Rotarians and swimmers of Pearl Continental Hotel, Rawalpindi. All the swimmers swam 100metres in different styles. At the end of the competition, Mr. Sheharyar RAWALPINDI: Sheharyar Mirza, GM, Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalpindi, along with the Mirza distributed certificates, participants of the Global Swim-marathon, 2013 to Support the Global campaign ‘End and polio books among all the Polio Now’ at the Hotel. participants.
STAFF REPORTER BHURBAN—Business commu-
nomic reforms, RCCI president said that government should adopt a long term policy which should be followed by every successive government. Presidents and delegations of different chambers of Commerce & Industries expressed their grave concerns over the mounting corruption in different national institutions and federations including PIA, Railways, WAPDA, Steel
mills, Utility Stores and NHA. Manzar Khurshid has said that government should cut the size of its cabinet to achieve the targets of good governance. While expressing his concerns over mounting corruption, RCCI President said that capable and eligible people should be given fair chances to run different national institution for better production and services.
nity of the country has rejected the trade organization act 2013 and has urged the government to take the decision back to frame a national trade policy otherwise they wouldn’t submit their tax returns. Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industries President Manzar Khurshid said this while briefing the media at Bhurban after the closing session of a two-day conference of All Pakistan Presidents of Chambers of Commerce and Industries. He was accompanied by presidents of different chambers. RCCI President said that Presidents and delegations from all the chambers have come to the point that in upcoming national elections, nationwide business community will support the political party which will portray a national economic agenda to eliminate unemployPresident RCCI Manzar Khurshid Shaikh speaking during ment and poverty. While talking about eco- All Pakistan Chambers Presidents’ conference.
From poverty to a tailor-made life OBSERVER REPORT ISLAMABAD—A 48 year old resident of Shah Baharo Colony, Larkana, Mukhtiar Khatoon has been a perfect example of resilience for women around the country, as she has managed to support her husband and her family despite her background, lack of funds and resources. Instead of losing hope, this brave woman put her entrepreneurial wisdom and skills to work and started her own tailoring business. Upon hearing of Khushhalibank’s microloan facility, Mukhtiar Khatoon approached the bank and obtained a loan of Rs. 10,000, which she invested in a sewing machine and clothes for quilts. With time
she managed to establish a successful tailoring business alongside making quilts, which helped her sustain herself and her family of eight. Mukhtiar has helped her daughters by training them in the business, enabling them to stand on their own two feet and make a livelihood for themselves and be a source of strength and support to their respective future families. She has also managed to successfully marry them off, thanks to the profit she has been making through her business venture. Mukhtiar has also been a pillar of support for her husband, helping him through the tough times and building their own home. She has also been very
instrumental in helping out other underprivileged women in her community as well, by employing two workers from her neighbourhood. Mukhtiar Khatoon is now financially stable, with monthly sales of around Rs. 20,000 selling quilts around the city. She has already paid off her first loan and has bought a second sewing machine with her second and third loan cycle from Khushhalibank to further broaden her business. She is currently living a happy and prosperous life with her husband and family, and thanks Khushhalibank for being there for her when she needed financial support to stand on her own feet with her head held high.
New range of Dawlance microwave ovens comes with free tawa STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Taking cooking convenience to the next level, Dawlance, Pakistan’s No.1 home appliances brand extends its range of Cook-King Microwave Ovens that comes with Teflon-coated microwave tawa and can be used to cook homemade Naan, Taftan, Parhata, QeemaNaan, TikkaNaan, Garlic Naan, Sheermal as well as Pizza. This innovative tawa is available in Dawlance 125 CHZ, 115 CHZ and 112C microwave oven models. Dawlance fully equipped Microwave Oven with big cavity and features such as BBQ Rotisserie Rod, 7 Built-in Pakistani Recipes with attractive LED Display, Rust resistant steel body, Calorie Indicator and Deodorizer. This aesthetically pleasing oven can be a cooking delight bringing the power of
cooking right in the hands of today’s housewife with features that make cooking as simple as a piece of cake. Dawlance microwave oven provides the luxury of microwave baking; from appetizers to delicious cakes and traditional dishes, making cooking easy yet fun for the modern household female. this particular model a must have for the modern woman of today; be it a housewife or a working woman. Speaking at the launch event, Ms. Naushin Shahid, Category Manager for the microwave ovens, said, “With the specially designed Tefloncoated microwave tawa available in our selected microwave ovens, cooking delicious naans and sheermals of all kinds is now possible. Breaking the norms of cooking in a microwave oven, Dawlance contin-
ues to exceed consumer expectations and help them enhance their culinary skills with comfort and ease.” “With our extended range of Cook-King microwave ovens, we are literally redefining the cooking experience in microwave ovens and changing the misconception that microwave cannot cook everything. Introducing cutting-edge technology in our microwave ovens, you can cook almost everything from BBQ and traditional dishes to international cuisines as well as naan variants and pizza. It is these impressive features that have made our microwave ovens win the hearts of the millions of Pakistani homemakers who now rely on Dawlance microwave ovens to cook delicious food in just a few minutes,” said Mr. Hasan Jamil, Head of Sales, Dawlance.
general election, same parties are expected to rule the country, and what can we expect from them. There is a great need of good governance, honesty and support of a National Think Tankin developing a National Economic Strategy and to ensure timely implementation on the action plan to bring Pakistan out of the economic turmoil. The Government should focus to rely and utilize the available resources to generate revenue and do efforts to turn the loss making public organizations into profitable one, instead of borrowing more money from the World Bank and IMF to run the country.
The private sector, which is bravely performing in challenging circumstances, should be given confidence and weightage to their recommendations while formulating various policies. Public private partnership should be encouraged to bring efficiency in the system. Pakistan is already lagging much behind in the comity of nations and there is an urgent need to take corrective measures, otherwise, despite being well placed strategically, Pakistan even would have to fight for its survival. — The writer is Secretary General Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Economy in doldrums MAJID SHABBIR
P
AKISTAN is situated at a strategic location in South Asia and is endowed with plenty of potential and resources. It has huge human wealth as about 60 percent of the total population is below the age of 25 years that can be converted into a useful and productive resource by imparting quality education and providing them the opportunities to come forward to play their role in the economic development of the country. It has been a big dilemma that despite having enormous potential, Pakistan after its existence of more than 60 years,
is facing serious economic challenges. The dictatorship and democratic governments could not evolve a compressivestrategy for the economic development of the country and to give relief to the common man. The energy shortage has put very serious impact on the industrial productivity and in increasing unemployment in the country. The foreign investment is drying up with every passing year and also local investors are looking toother destinations for survival. The textile exports have declined by 52 percent, which was around 65 percent of total exports a few years back. The GDP has been hovering
around 2 to 3 percent in the last daily used consumable items have badly impacted the lives of common people and it has become extremely difficult for them to survive in this tough situation. Street crime rate is going high and especially youth feels great frustration because of shrinking job opportunities in the market. The education and health sectors are unable to deliver reasonablygood services to the people, due to low allocation of funds in the budget. Majid Shabbir The corruption has also few years that presents a dismal eaten the economy and increaspicture of the economic outlook ing foreign and circular debts of Pakistan.The high inflation provide opportunities to the and constantly increasing prices lenders to dictate their terms to of electricity, gas, petrol and our governments while formu-
lating national policies. The terrorism has sent a very wrong messageto the external world about Pakistan’s soft image and on top of it media is unable to play its role in portraying good image of the country. The problems are many and are compounding day by day but apparently no serious attempt has been made by any Government to find the solution and to give relief to masses. There have been serious governance and mismanagement issues. Every year a large amount of water goes into the sea, without any purposeful use. Small and medium size dams could be built to generate hydroelectricity but due to po-
litical issues and poor planning, not a single unit of electricity could be generated from available source of water in the last 8-10 years. Other options to produce electricity from the alternate sources could have been explored and put in place in a timely manner to bridge the gap between the supply and demand. The democratic government is completing 5 years term and gave the message to the external world that democracy is flourishing in Pakistan. The question arises that what is the benefit of the democracy to the people of Pakistan, because they are suffering the most. In the next
Russia wants US help in Syria talks
Syrian govt missiles kill 140 in Aleppo
MOSCOW—Russia will urge the United BEIRUT—At least 141 people, hoods in an offensive on the city Syrian government finds ways overwhelmingly suggest that ter, a network of local activists. challenge to the regime in its seat
States on Tuesday to press the Syrian opposition to hold direct talks with Damascus, but fears “extremists” now have the upper hand among President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said before leaving for Berlin to meet Secretary of State John Kerry that the new U.S. top diplomat seemed to grasp the gravity of the crisis in Syria. He said Washington should lean on the Syrian opposition to drop demands that Assad must leave power before talks can start. “In our contacts with other countries that can influence the parties in Syria, we have noticed a growing understanding of the need to influence both the government and, first of all, the opposition so that they do not come up with unrealistic requests as preconditions for the start of dialogue,” Lavrov said after talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans. “This is what we will discuss with John Kerry today. During our latest phone conversation I had the impression that he has an understanding of the acuteness of the situation in Syria.” Moscow and Washington have been at loggerheads over Syria, where 70,000 people have been killed in a nearly two-yearold conflict that began with a crackdown on street protests against Assad’s rule. Russia has been Assad’s staunchest ally and, with China, blocked three U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at mounting pressure on him to end the violence. Washington has sided with the Syrian opposition in seeking Assad’s removal from power. Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said in Moscow on Monday that the government was ready for talks, but opposition leaders and rebel commanders insist Assad must go first. Kerry responded dismissively to Moualem’s offer, saying it was hard to understand how people having Scud missiles fired at them would take an offer of dialogue seriously. Syria denies using ballistic missiles in the fighting.—Reuters
half of them children, were killed when the Syrian military fired at least four missiles into the northern city of Aleppo last week, Human Rights Watch confirmed Tuesday after a researcher visited the area. The international rights group said the strikes hit residential areas and called them an “escalation of unlawful attacks against Syria’s civilian population.” Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, has been the scene of some of the heaviest fighting of the civil war pitting President Bashar Assad’s regime against rebels fighting to oust him. Rebels quickly seized several neighbor-
in July, but the government still controls some districts and the battle has developed into a bloody stalemate, with heavy street fighting that has ruined neighborhoods and forced thousands to flee. A Human Rights Watch researcher who visited Aleppo last week to inspect the targeted sites, said up to 20 buildings were destroyed in each area hit by a missile. There were no signs of any military targets in the residential districts, located in rebel-held parts of Aleppo, said Ole Solvang, the HRW’s researcher “Just when you think things can’t get any worse, the
to escalate its killing tactics,” Solvang said. Human rights watch said 71 children were among the 141 people killed in the four missile strikes on three opposition-controlled neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo. It listed the names of the targeted neighborhoods as Jabal Badro, Tariq al-Bab and Ard alHamra. The fourth strike documented by the group was in Tel Rifat, north of Aleppo. “The extent of the damage from a single strike, the lack of (military) aircraft in the area at the time, and reports of ballistic missiles being launched from a military base near Damascus
government forces struck these areas with ballistic missiles,” the report said. Syrian anti-regime activists first reported the attacks last week, saying they involved ground-to-ground missiles, and killed dozens of people. The reports could not be independently confirmed because Syrian authorities severely restrict access to media. Human Rights Watch said it compiled a list of those killed in the missile strikes from cemetery burial records, interviews with relatives and neighbors, and information from the Aleppo Media Center and the Violations Documentation Cen-
Najib’s public support dips ahead of polls KUALA LUMPUR—Voter approval of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his ruling coalition is falling ahead of an election he must call within weeks, according to an opinion poll released on Tuesday, highlighting the tough task he faces despite a robust economy. Support for Najib slipped to 61 percent in February from 63 percent in December and 65 percent in October, according to the poll by the respected Merdeka Center, one of the last surveys before the election that must be called by the end of April. Support for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which Najib leads, fell to 45 percent from 47 percent in the two previous polls. In another potentially worrying finding for Najib, the survey showed a slide in support for the coalition among majority ethnic Malays to 73 percent from 77 percent in the previous survey. Ethnic Malays are a bedrock of support for the coalition, which has been largely abandoned by ethnic Chinese voters who make up more than a quarter of Malaysians. The survey found that approval among ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian voters remained unchanged at 34 percent and 75 percent respectively. The coalition suffered its worst electoral showing in 2008, losing its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time against a resurgent opposition led by a former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim. The BN is expected to win this election, but a failure to improve on 2008’s result could cost Najib his job and raise uncertainty over policy. Despite robust economic growth of 5.6 percent last year, those polled said they were most concerned about economic conditions, ahead of crime and political issues. Malaysia’s growth accelerated to an annual pace of 6.4 percent in the fourth quarter, the statistics department said last week, beating expectations with the fastest pace since 2010.—Reuters
Italian election inconclusive ROME—Italy emerged from elections Tuesday with no clear winner, driving markets around the world markedly lower as investors worried that one of Europe’s biggest economies would be unable to build a governing coalition that can stay the course on unpopular austerity measures. A day after polling ended, a few seats in Parliament based on Italians’ voting abroad still remained to be decided, but their numbers won’t ease the gridlock. European leaders pleaded with politicians in Italy to quickly form a government to continue to enact reforms to lower Italy’s critically high debt and spare Europe another spike in its four-year financial crisis. If Italian parties fail to form a governing coalition, new elections would be required, causing more uncertainty and a leadership vacuum. “What is now decisive for Italy — but, because Italy is such an important country for Europe, also for the whole of Europe — is that a stable government that is capable of acting can be formed as quickly as possible,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle told reporters in Berlin. The results of the election are a rejection of the tough austerity approach of the previous technocratic government led by Mario Monti. A centerleft coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani appears to have won a narrow victory in the lower house of parliament, while the Senate looks split with no party in control. Italy’s FTSE MIB index was trading 4.7 percent lower at 15,586, having earlier been nearly 5 percent down at one point Tuesday. Some of its banking stocks were briefly suspended after precipitous falls at the bell. Berlusconi is a key player as his coalition is now the secondbiggest bloc in the upper chamber. “Markets go their own way. They are independent and also a little crazy,” he said, adding that a government can be cobbled together if rival politicians are willing to “make some sacrifices.” There were some indications that he could be right: An Italian treasury bond sale totaling •8.75 billion ($11.75 billion) sold out Tuesday morning despite higher rates.—Reuters
of power. U.S. and NATO officials have previously said that Syria has a significant ballistic missile capability and is believed to have a few hundred missiles with a range of some 700 kilometers (440 miles) that could hit targets deep inside Turkey, a NATO member and one of the harshest critics of the Assad regime. NATO has in recent weeks deployed Patriot missile systems along Turkey’s border with Syria. The missile attacks have outraged the leaders of the exiled opposition who have accused their Western backers of indifference to the suffering of the Syrian people.—AP
Palestinian jail death
Gaza fired rocket explodes in Ashkelon town
Castro successor lacks charisma HAVANA—When Cuban President Raul Castro named former engineering professor and long-time Communist Party insider Miguel Diaz-Canel as his first vice president and potential successor on Sunday, he chose managerial skills over flair. DiazCanel, 52, is the youngest non-military man to come so close to the pinnacle of power in Cuba since the Castro brothers took power in 1959. He was appointed first vice president on Tuesday at a meeting of the National Assembly where Castro also announced he would step down in 2018 at the end of his second five-year term as president. DiazCanel would step into the presidency if Raul Castro could not complete his term. He rose through the ruling Communist Party’s ranks including key posts outside the capital and enjoys some name recognition at home, though is far less well known abroad. While he has only two years of routine military service under his belt, Diaz-Canel’s ascent through the provincial ranks has earned him strong ties with the military, connections that other up-andcoming figures who fell by the wayside in past reshuffles have lacked. “This is a major change in Cuba, not just generational,” said Arturo Lopez-Levy, an analyst at the University of Denver who used to work for the Cuban interior ministry on intelligence issues and U.S. relations. “The promotion of Diaz-Canel should be seen as part of an institutional change in the way the Cuban elite is promoted.” Before joining the government in Havana, Diaz-Canel held top Communist Party posts in two important provinces, Villa Clara and Holguin, centres of the booming tourism industry as well as new private-sector activity, both key elements of an economic reform process being pushed by Raul Castro. That experience makes Diaz-Canel well-equipped to help Castro advance those reforms, designed to make the economy more efficient and bring in more foreign currency, without loosening the Communist Party’s political control.—Reuters
The rebels control large swaths of land in northeastern Syria. In recent weeks, Assad’s regime has lost control of several sites with key infrastructure in that part of the country, including a hydroelectric dam, a major oil field and two army bases along the road linking Aleppo with the airport to its east. A key focus for the rebels in the Aleppo area is to capture the city’s international airport, which the opposition fighters have been attacking for weeks. Opposition forces have also been hitting the heart of Damascus with occasional mortars shells or bombings, posing a stiff
Members of the media photograph the remains of a rocket, displayed by Israeli explosives experts, at Kibbutz Zikim near Ashkelon.
Colombia committee to rescue German hostages BOGOTA—Colombia’s govern- their word.” ment on Tuesday authorized a committee of civilians and Red Cross officials to travel to a jungle zone where it hopes two German hostages will be freed by the nation’s second-largest guerrilla group. The National Liberation Army (ELN) said in early February they had captured two German men in Catatumbo, near the border with Venezuela, the second time in a month it seized foreigners. “They sent us a message saying that if we authorized the Red Cross and a committee that already exists to interact with the ELN ... they would immediately release the two German hostages,” President Juan Manuel Santos said “I’m going to give the authorization so those German citizens are free as soon as possible. I expect the ELN to honor
The ELN identified the two captives as Uwe Breuer and Gunther Otto Breuer. The rebels initially said they considered them to be intelligence agents because they could not explain why they were in the area. The German government, however, said they were pensioners traveling in a fourwheel drive through South America. The ELN is not engaged in talks currently underway in Cuba to bring an end to five decades of war between the government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the country’s largest rebel group known as FARC. Attempts by previous governments to halt the war ended in shambles and helped energize the FARC and intensify fighting. Santos’ popularity has been falling for about a
France rejects talks with hostage-takers
PARIS—France will not negotiate with gunmen claiming to be from Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram who have taken a French family of seven hostage, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Tuesday. The three adults and four children were seized in Cameroon’s far north near the Nigerian border last week. In a video posted online on Monday, the gunmen threatened to kill them unless authorities in Nigeria and Cameroon released Muslim militants held there. “We do not negotiate on that kind of basis, with these kind of groups,” Le Drian told RTL radio. “We will use all (other) possible means to ensure that these and other (French) hostages are freed.” “We do not play this bidding game because that’s terrorism,” he said, deploring the fact that children were involved. The kidnapping has brought to 15 the number of French citizens being held in the region, with the risk heightened since Paris sent thousands of troops into Mali last month to help the country oust Islamists operating in the north. Boko Haram has killed hundreds of people in an ing themselves for a new attack. attempt to establish an Islamist And the Congolese government state in Nigeria.—Reuters is making alliances with other rebel militias. The result is that eastern Congo remains tense and unsettled. Just over three months ago, on Nov. 20, the M23, who are allegedly backed by neighboring Rwanda, seized this strategic city of 1 million and threatened to take the rest of mineral-rich eastern Congo. Two weeks later, ISTANBUL—Emerging briefly as a result of international pres- from solitary confinement in his sure and the Congolese army’s island prison near Istanbul, pledge to negotiate, the rebels Kurdish militant leader Abdullah withdrew from Goma. But now Ocalan said Turkey could beit appears the rebels are poised come as troubled as Syria or Iraq to strike again. The rebels have if it does not take steps to end his reinforced their positions and are group’s decades-old insurgency. just 3 kilometers (2 miles) from A paunchy and greying Ocalan, cut off from the world since his Goma airport.—Reuters capture in 1999, told a delegation of pro-Kurdish MPs visiting him at the weekend of his plans to end a 28-year conflict that has killed 40,000 people. Ocalan has been negotiating the outlines of a peace deal with Turkey’s government from his cell since he intervened to end a Borisov, though he has to main- hunger strike by jailed Kurdish tain a neutral position - is ex- militants last year. With a Turkpected to name an interim tech- ish intelligence official listening nocrat administration next week in the background, he spoke for with the aim of maintaining fis- two hours on Saturday about Turcal stability and a currency peg key, the changing Middle East and his political beliefs, relishto the euro. The BSP, which was voted ing attention he has long been out of office in 2009 as the denied. “We must establish a new economy crashed and budget gap ballooned, wants power democratic republic in line with price cuts and three months’ lee- the new world and the new way for unpaid bills, Stanishev Middle East. The Kurdish probsaid. The party also called for lem can only be solved with funds to help poorer people pay Turkey’s democratisation,” the their energy bills, due to be paid 63-year-old Ocalan said, his later this year, to be disbursed words relayed to Reuters by parliamentarian Altan Tan.—AP immediately.—Reuters
year, in part because many perceive the rebels are gaining ground. A poll by Invamer Gallup released on Monday showed Santos with 44 percent of support, the lowest since he took office in August 2010, and down from 53 percent two months ago. The poll was conducted February 13-20 with 1,200 people and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points. The 61-year-old president has not said if he plans to run for re-election in May 2014, and analysts say that may depend on the success of the peace talks. In January, the ELN kidnapped six mine workers including a Canadian and two Peruvians in northern Colombia, as the group stepped up pressure on the government in an apparent bid to be included in peace talks with the FARC.—Reuters
Eastern Congo’s peace deal tattering GOMA—Despite the signing of a Congo peace accord on Sunday, this Central African country remains unsettled by signs of a return to war. The peace agreement, signed in Ethiopia by 11 neighboring countries and backed by the United Nations, elicited much praise from African and other world leaders who said it points the way to stability in Congo. But on the ground here in eastern Congo, there are signals that fighting may soon erupt between the Congolese government and the M23 rebels. The regional peace accord is helpful but it does not have specifics to immediately improve the tense security situation, said an expert on eastern Congo. “I think it is a step in the
right direction. But the ag eement is more a statement of principles than a concrete action plan. It is lacking in details, such as what an oversight mechanism for its implementation would look like,” Jason Stearns, a Congo specialist for the Rift Valley Institute, said to The Associated Press. The agreement did not mention the much-awaited intervention forces that would come to reinforce the UN peacekeeping troops in eastern Congo, nor did it state how a drone force could patrol the border. Another problem is that no conclusion has been reached in the negotiations between the M23 rebels and the Kinshasa government of President Joseph Kabila. Instead the M23 rebels appear to be position-
Bulgarian leftists call for help on power bills SOFIA—Bulgaria’s leftist oppo- smaller protests continuing this sition called on Tuesday for the quick formation of a caretaker government to raise pensions and cut power bills to help the Balkan country’s poorest people. The centre-right government of Prime Minister Boiko Borisov resigned last week amid nationwide protests against high power bills in the European Union’s poorest member. But the resignation failed to quell public discontent with low wages and pensions and a discredited political elite, and tens of thousands marched though Bulgarian cities on Sunday, with
week. “We need a government that solves people’s problems,” Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Sergei Stanishev told a news conference. “It should take urgent measures to stabilise the financial situation in the country.” Borisov’s departure has failed to calm voters fed up with low living standards and rampant graft, and his GERB party is now running neck-and-neck with the BSP. With both at around 22 to 23 percent support, neither is expected to win a majority in a probable early election. The president - a political ally of
Kurdish rebel leader warns of disaster if no Turkey peace
JERUSALEM—A rocket fired from Gaza exploded in Israel on Tuesday, the first such attack since a November truce and an apparent show of solidarity with West Bank protests after the death of a Palestinian in an Israeli jail. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militant group in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s West Bank-based Fatah movement, claimed responsibility for the rocket strike, the Palestinian Ma’an news agency said. No casualties were reported. Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip, said it was investigating. There was no military response from Israel, hours after the rocket slammed into a road near its southern city of Ashkelon. The rocket was the first to hit Israel since a November 21 truce brokered by Egypt that ended eight days of cross-border air strikes and missile attacks in which 175 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed. Tuesday’s strike came after a surge of unrest in the occupied West Bank, that has raised fears in Israel of a new Palestinian Intifada (uprising). On Monday, thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank turned out for the funeral of Arafat
Jaradat, 30, who died in disputed circumstances in an Israeli prison on Saturday. Israeli police shot and wounded five Palestinian youths during confrontations in Bethlehem and outside a West Bank prison later the same day, leaving a 15-year-old boy in critical condition, Israeli and Palestinian medical sources said. An Israeli military spokeswoman, commenting on the incident, said troops had opened fire at Palestinians who threw homemade hand grenades at a Jewish holy site called Rachel’s Tomb, in the Bethlehem area. Before the rocket attack from Gaza, media reports said Israeli officials had hoped the Palestinian protests were winding down a week after they were launched in sympathy with four prisoners on intermittent hunger strikes. The U.S. State Department said American diplomats have contacted Israeli and Palestinian leaders to appeal for calm. The United Nations coordinator for the Middle East peace process, Robert Serry, called for an investigation of Jaradat’s death. Jaradat had been arrested a week ago for throwing stones at Israeli cars in the West Bank.—Reuters
Elections land Italy in econo-political confusion ROME—The Italian state borrowing costs rose, maket crashed, on Tuesday as investors took fright at political deadlock after a stunning election that saw a protest party lead the poll and no group had a clear majority in parliament. “The winner is: Ingovernability” ran the headline in Rome newspaper Il Messaggero, reflecting the stalemate the country would have to confront in the next few weeks as sworn enemies would be forced to work together to form a government. In a sign of where that might lead, former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi indicated his center-right might be open to a grand coalition with the centerleft bloc of Pier Luigi Bersani, which will have a majority in the lower house thanks to a premium of seats given to the largest bloc in the chamber. Results in the upper house, the Senate, where seats are awarded on a region-by-region
basis, indicated the center-left would end up with about 119 seats, compared with 117 for the center-right. But 158 are needed for a majority to govern. Any coalition government that may be formed must have a working majority in both houses in order to pass legislation. World financial markets reacted nervously to the prospect of a stalemate in the euro zone’s third-largest economy with memories still fresh of the crisis that took the 17-member currency bloc to the brink of collapse in 2011. The Milan bourse was down more than four percent at its opening and the spread between yields on 10-year Italian and German government bonds widened to 338.7 basis points, the highest since December 10. An ally of conservative German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Italy to stick with reforms pursued by the outgoing technocratic emergency government of Mario Monti.—Reuters
Tunisia police launch manhunt for politician’s killer TUNIS—Tunisian police have square for several days before identified the killer of opposition leader Chokri Belaid as a member of a radical Islamist Salafi group who is on the run, Prime Minister-designate Ali Larayedh said on Tuesday. Larayedh, who remains Interior Minister until his government is formed, told a news conference police had arrested three accomplices who are also ultra-orthodox Salafis. The assassination of secular politician Belaid on February 6 ignited the biggest street protests in Tunisia since the overthrow of strongman Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali two years ago. A security source said on Monday a Salafi had been arrested in connection with the killing, while Tunisia’s Express FM radio cited a senior security official as saying police had arrested three Salafis, including a police officer, over the murder. “Now we have identified the killer of Belaid and he is on the run. The police are looking for him,” Larayedh said. One of the arrested suspects had accompanied the gunman who shot Belaid outside his home before escaping on a motorcycle, he said, adding that the group had mounted surveillance of Belaid’s home and a nearby
the attack. The Interior Minister did not confirm the Express FM report that one of those detained was a police officer. “Identifying the killers of Belaid reinforces confidence in the judiciary and in the neutrality of security (forces),” said Larayedh, who belongs to the moderate Islamist Ennahda party. After his announcement, Belaid’s widow Basma said it was still not clear who had orchestrated her husband’s assassination, which was the first in Tunisia for decades. “It’s good to know who killed Chokri, but it is very important to know who gave the order because it was a very organized crime,” she told Europe 1 radio in Paris. No one has claimed responsibility for the killing. Ennahda and the Interior Ministry have denied accusations by some in the opposition that they were behind it. Last year, Salafi groups prevented several concerts and plays from taking place in Tunisian cities, saying they violated Islamic principles. Salafis also ransacked the U.S. Embassy in September, during international protests over an Internet video.—Reuters
India vs Australia, 1st Test 5th day
India take 1-0 lead with eight-wicket win C HENNAI —An Indian vic- sort of cricket best played openers and Lyon showed tween Moises Henriques and far greater consistency of line and control of length than he had managed while being taken for 3 for 215 in the first innings. India’s eight-wicket win is their 13th in Chennai. It is their most successful venue followed by Delhi, where they have 11 wins. India have now won three of their last four Tests against Australia in Chennai (draw in 2004). The last defeat for India against Australia in Chennai came in 1969. This is only the third time that Indian spinners have picked up all 20 wickets to fall in the match. The previous instance was against New Zealand in Auckland in 1976. Australia 1stinnings:3 8 0 65, 4-101, 5-121, 6-131, 7-137, Pakistan have done so twice India 1st innings: ...... 5 7 2 8-161, 9-175, 10-241 and England once (Old Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Trafford 1956 when Jim Laker Australia 2nd innings: Cowan lbw b Ashwin ... 32 R Ashwin ............ 32-6-95-5 picked up 19 for 90). Watson b Ashwin ........ 17 Harbhajan Singh 27-6-55-2 The win is India’s bestWarner lbw b Harbhajan RA Jadeja ........... 31-8-72-3 ever against Australia in Singh ............................... 23 I Sharma .................. 3-1-2-0 terms of wickets. Overall, Hughes b Jadeja .............. 0 India 2nd innings: they have won eight times Clarke lbw b Ashwin ..... 31 Vijay b Pattinson ............. 6 chasing (seven at home). Wade b Harbhajan Singh 8 V Sehwag b Lyon ......... 19 With the win, MS Dhoni Henriques not out ......... 81 Pujara not out .................. 8 now moves level with PM Siddle b Jadeja ......... 2 Tendulkar not out ......... 13 Sourav Ganguly on the list Pattinson b Ashwin ...... 11 Extras: (b 4) ...................... 4 of Indian captains with the Starc b Ashwin ................ 8 Total: (2 wickets) ........... 50 most Test wins. His winLyon c Vijay b Jadeja .... 11 Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W loss ratio (1.75) is also Extras: (b 15, lb 2) .......... 17 JL Pattinson ......... 3-1-13-1 slightly superior to Total : (all out) ............. 241 NM Lyon ........... 5.3-0-29-1 Ganguly’s 1.61. Fall of wickets 1-34, 2-64, 3- PM Siddle ............... 3-2-4-0 The 66-run stand be-
tory that seemed imminent minutes after tea on day four was eventually completed by Sachin Tendulkar, 40 minutes before lunch on day five. Australia’s resistance over that period arrived too late to change the result, but in it may be found the clues to a tighter contest when the second match begins in Hyderabad on Saturday. MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Virat Kohli and Tendulkar were the pivotal contributors to India’s 1-0 series lead, showing greater discipline and awareness of the
on the MA Chidambaram Stadium’s clay court. Save for Michael Clarke’s firstday century and James Pattinson’s fiery pace, it was not until Moises Henriques stood up with the bat in the second innings that the tourists showed evidence of catching up. A target of only 50 to win was reached with the help of some Tendulkar fireworks towering sixes from his first two deliveries against Nathan Lyon - but Pattinson again bowled well to the
Nathan Lyon is the secondhighest last-wicket stand for Australia against India. The highest is 77 between Allan Border and Dave Gilbert in Melbourne in 1985. India were left with some questions about their opening pair, M Vijay and Virender Sehwag doing little in either innings, and they may also wonder about subtracting another seam bowler from their XI should the Hyderabad surface be anything like this one. Australia have found a steady batting hand in Henriques, but much of their display in this match will be the cause of serious introspection. Henriques and Lyon had put on 66 for Australia’s last wicket, a defiant gesture after the earlier batsmen had failed to stand their ground. Henriques’ unbeaten innings completed a fine double for the debutant, who has surely made his place safe for the second Test. Ultimately it was Ravindra CHENNAI: Sachin Tendulkar smashes his first ball for a six, India v Australia, 1st Test, 5th day. Jadeja who ended the stand after 25 minutes on the final morning, switching from over to around the wicket against Lyon and coaxing an inside edge onto pad that was snapped up by short D UNEDIN —The bike rides leg.—AFP around Queenstown’s stunning shoreline and the helicopter flights to snow-capped DUBAI —Roger Federer sur- it was Federer who Mikhail Youzhny overcame mountains now get put to one prisingly dropped the first struggled. Serving at 5-5 and Slovenia’s Blaz Kavcic 1-6 6side. England’s Test squad - set against little-known 15-30, Federer double- 1 6-3. Top seed Novak virtually at full strength with Malek Jaziri before putting faulted and then put a backDjokovic was in action on only the injured Tim Bresnan the Tunisian upstart in his hand in the net. Federer looked much day one with his brother not part of the 15 - are now all place with a 5-7 6-0 6-2 win in the same place, on New to reach the second round better in the second set, Marko but their doubles adwhich he won in just 23 min- venture ended in round one. oxygen and train for climb- Zealand’s South Island, to of the Dubai Champion- utes, and from 2-2 in the de- They were beaten 4-6 6-3 10ships. prepare for the Test series ing the snowy trail to the Jaziri, ranked 128th in the cider he lost only three more 4 by Nikolay Davydenko and peak. The weather usually which starts in Dunedin on Dick Norman. world, had not played a points. March 6. improves for a few days in On a relatively low-key Britain’s Heather match on the ATP Tour for The Test-only players May when they line up to opening day, seventh seed Watson has climbed to 39 in six months but that did not Nick Compton, Kevin the summit.—Online Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graham stop him snatching the first Andreas Seppi beat French- the world rankings, while Onions and Monty Panesar set from the 17-times grand man Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-3 Laura Robson remains at 7-5 and Russian eighth seed 43.—Agencies - along with team director slam champion. After watching Swiss Andy Flower arrived in Queenstown last week for a Federer squander three training camp that has not all break points in the opening been about cricket. The play- set, Jaziri could barely behave been posting regu- lieve his eyes when his more ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister ers opponent lar updates on Twitter, mar- celebrated Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday veling at the beauty of the slapped the ball into the net directed the president Pakistan location and the chance to to go a break down at 5-6. Hockey Federation (PHF) to undertake some of the more Jaziri, 29, made sure his focus on promoting the na- touristy aspects of the town bragging rights did not end tional game and work for the rather than nets and fitness there as he took the first set welfare of players. The Prime drills all the time. with a rip-roaring backhand Minister was talking to Qasim However, now joined by down the line passing shot Zia, President PHF who called the Test names from the one- winner that left Federer flaton him at the PM House here. day squad, who are not going footed and the fans sensThe Prime Minister said to have the same opportunity ing a night-time upset. sports is the most effective for too much downtime - alHowever, if Jaziri started tool to positively utilize the though some of the players to wonder what it would feel energies of youth. were hurling themselves off a like to beat a champion like He said his government suspension bridge on Tues- Federer, those dreams were had done a lot for promotion day in one of Queenstown’s brutally snuffed out as the of healthy activities like sports adrenalin-filled options - there second seed exacted rein last five years. Qasim Zia are four important days ahead venge by racing through the DUBAI: Roger Federer of Switzerland serves to Malek briefed the Prime Minister on to get back into red-ball next two sets. Jaziri of Tunisia during their men’s singles match at the the affairs of PHF and dis- cricket.—Online In the first set, however, ATP Dubai Tennis Championships. cussed future plans chalked out to promote hockey in the country.—APP
Pak batsmen were lacking in technique: Hanif Muhammad
Everest climb twice put Nepalese woman in record book
disappointment over Pakistan’s humiliating 3-0 defeat at the hands of South Africa, batting legend Hanif Muhammad said on Monday that the team was lacking in technique, application and determination. “Though South Africans possessed the quality fast bowlers our batsmen were clearly lacking in application, determination and technique to defy the bowlers,” he said while recording his reaction on team’s massive loss. He said better shot selection could had made the difference. But our batsmen failed to learn from their mistakes and lacked in technique to handle deliveries on the off-stumps,” he said. Former Pakistan captain said had Pakistan shown a bit of courage and planning they could have won the second Test in Cape Town. “With a better shot selection Pakistan batsmen could have done better in the series,” he asserted.—APP
tered the record book by scaling Mount Everest twice in the same climbing season. In fact, she did so a week apart. Guinness World Records said she is the first woman to climb the world’s highest mountain twice in the same season —the brief window of good weather each year that allows climbers to reach the summit. Nepal’s Tourism Minister Posta Bahadur Bogati handed over the Guinness World Records certificate issued to 29-year-old Chhurim on Monday. She scaled the 8,850-meter (29,035-foot) summit on May 12, 2012, descended to the base camp for a couple of days’ rest and then scaled the peak again a week later on May 19. Chhurim, who uses only one name like most Sherpas, said she is not ready to quit. “Everest is the first of the highest mountains that I have climbed, but I will continue mountaineering and hope
K A T M A N D U — N e p a l e s e to scale more peaks,” she K ARACHI —Expressing his mountaineer Chhurim en- said.
Chhurim said there are not many women mountaineers and only a few of them have records. “The male mountaineers have set many records but women have fallen behind. It can be difficult for women because they are considered not as strong as men and face many problems like finding toilets,” she said. The Nepal Mountaineering Association said Everest has been climbed by nearly 4,000 people since New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal did so in 1953. Women are a small number of them. The extremely harsh weather conditions that batter the highest Himalayan peaks limit the climbing season to just a few weeks every year. Spring is the most popular season on Everest when hundreds of mountaineers attempt every year. The climbers generally reach the mountain in March or April, acclimatize to the higher elevation and low
Federer puts journeyman Jaziri in his place after blip
England get back into Test mode
PM asks PHF president to promote national game
Pakistan in South Africa 2012-13
Abbott hungry for more Test cricket K YLE A BBOTT —Test cricket’s latest pace-bowling sensation, is one of many South Africans ruing the international schedule’s plans for his country. South Africa do not play Test cricket for the next seven months, with their next assignment a return series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. With the team ranked No.1 in the world there is a disappointment from many quarters, including the players, that they do not feature sooner. Abbott played his first Test at Centurion against Pakistan and, after becoming the country’s second-most successful bowling debutant, he wants more. “I’ve had a taste and it tastes really good. It’s going to be a little frustrating not playing for a while. I feel like I’d love to have another series to showcase my skills again,” he admitted. Graeme Smith, the Test captain, agreed, calling it “disappointing,” to be away FAISALABAD: A large number of students sitting on a car during the Annual Sports Day of Punjab Group of Colleges. from Test cricket for such a
length of time. South Africa’s break would have been shorter but their tour to Sri Lanka was truncated and the Tests postponed to 2015 on request from the SLC. They also have the Champions Trophy to occupy them in the winter. Smith’s major concern is that the sizeable gap between Tests is followed by a challenging tour so “preparation is going to key,” he said. “You can’t focus on keeping guys on top of their game for six months so the time just before is when we will have to put in a lot of work.” He may be reassured by the strength of South Africa’s domestic competition, which will resume before the visit to the UAE and provide a base to restart Test training. According to Abbot, the franchise system is at its healthiest and, given the amount of time he has spent there, he may know. Until last Friday, Abbott had only played first-class cricket at domestic level, with
the exception of one match for the South African Invitation side against the touring Pakistanis. He believes his time in the franchise prepared him adequately to make the step up to the international stage. “The domestic circuit is at its strongest,” Abbott said. “There are a number of bowlers knocking on the door. It’s a real credit to the system that we’ve got, the High Performance Programme and the even the South Africa A which is run really well now. There are good coaches and good structures to prepare guys to the next level so the guys stepping up are ready. I’d say the core of South African cricket is really strong.” Abbott is the fourth pace bowler to be called up to the Test team under Gary Kirsten. All of Vernon Philander, Marchant de Lange and Rory Kleinveldt enjoyed varying degrees of success at international level as proof that the domestic circuit is
functioning as it should and producing players regularly. Only de Lange was selected on potential in the absence of experience. The young quick was part of the South African A side that played against Australia A in October 2011 and his five wickets got him noticed. Due to his express pace, he was invited to national training and picked for the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka later that year. Injuries have since hampered his progress. The other three players picked were included on the weight of their performances at the tier lower-down. Philander was the leading wicket-taker in the first-class competition for two seasons before he got a look in, Kleinveldt succeeded him and was rewarded in the same way and Abbott followed suit. He topped the 2012-13 bowling charts with 49 wickets at an average of 15.36 and considered himself ready for the next level.— Agencies
Non-disease virus kills breast cancer cells in lab
A
VIRUS that infects humans without causing disease kills breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)
College of Medicine in the US, tested an unaltered form of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) on three different human breast cancer types representing different stages of cancer and found it targeted all of them. They hope by uncovering the pathways the virus uses to trigger cancer cell death, their work will lead to new targets for anti-cancer drugs. A paper on this work appeared recently in the journal Molecular Cancer. In earlier studies, the team also showed that AAV2 promotes cell death in cervical cancer cells infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). Cells have different ways of dying. When a healthy cell gets damaged, or starts behaving in an abnormal way, this normally triggers production of proteins that cause apoptosis or cell suicide: part of this process also involves switching off proteins that trigger cell division. The problem with cancer cells is that apoptosis fails, and the proteins that regulate cell division and proliferation stay switched on, so abnormal cells continue to multiply and create new abnormal cells and that is how tumors develop.Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world and
the main cause of cancer-related death in women.First author Dr Samina Alam, research associate in microbiology and immunology at Penn State, told the press in a statement released on Thursday that breast cancer is also “complex to treat”. Senior investigator Dr Craig Meyers, professor of microbiology and immunology at Penn State, explained why: Because it has multiple stages, you can’t treat all the women the same. Currently, treatment of breast cancer is dependent on multiple factors such as hormone-dependency, invasiveness and metastases, drug resistance and potential toxicities.” However, he went on to say that in their study, they showed that “AAV2, as a single entity, targets all different grades of breast cancer”. He and his team believe that AAV2 is switching back on the apoptosis pathways that were switched off in the cancer cells. For their study they used lab tissue cultures of cancer cells and found AAV2 killed 100% of them within seven days, with most of the cell death proteins activated on day five.In another experiment, working with cancer cells from an aggressive form of breast cancer, they found the virus took three weeks to kill the cells. Alam said they can see the virus is killing the cells, but exactly how it is doing it remains somewhat of a mystery.
KARACHI: Women protesting in front of Supreme Court Registry office during a demonstration against murder of a worker of Ahl-e-Sunnat Waljamaat who was killed in a firing incident at Sadr area.
PPP laid tremendous network of roads in 5 years: Sharjeel km long roads and repaired, car- with hefty funds worth ment had constructed 665-km IRFAN ALIGI peted 2968-km long roads. The Rs1093.75 along with construc- long roads with Rs 2653 million. KARACHI—Sindh Information construction of roads had helped tion of 51-km long dual track of The government had also
Minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Central Deputy Information Secretary Sharjeel Enam Memon said that the PPP-led government had laid a network of roads in the country. The government had launched development projects worth Rs 58.90 billion in Sindh province, which also included construction of buildings. The works and services department had so far constructed 5726-
Five more killed in violence KARACHI—At least five per-
KARACHI: Relatives demanding release of fishermen arrested by India at a demonstration at Ibrahim Haideri on Sunday.
Jamia Binnoria cleric gunned down IRFAN ALIGI K ARACHI — Qari Ubaid Ul Haq, a student of religious seminary (Jamia Binnoria) succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. He was shot in Tariq Road area and was shifted to hospital for resuscitation. Unidentified armed men had intercepted the deceased near Tariq Road. His driver Nazar Bakht sustained bullet injuries and was being treated. Unidentified outlaws had attacked a petrol pump with grenade located on Nishtar Road near Patel Para. Four were injured in the incident. Police said that the incident had occurred after the owner of the petrol pump had refused to pay extortion money.
In targeted operations, Police and Rangers had held 19 suspects. The targeted operation was conducted in Rizvia Society, Orangi Town, Usmanabad and Garden East areas. Large caches of arms were also recovered from the possession of the arrested suspects. In Gulbahar area, Police and Rangers had in a Commando Operation nabbed 8 suspects. The arrested had been shifted to undisclosed site for further investigations. A body was found in Kharadar Kaghzi Bazaar area. He was murdered after unidentified had kidnapped him. A woman was gunned down in Machhar Colony area. Unidentified armed men had gunned down one in Muslimabad area
in Orangi Town while 2 were injured in an incident of firing in Asso Goth in Malir and 1 was killed in North Nazimabad. A 35-year old Punjabi speaking Ikhlaque son of Ghulam Hassan, owner of a marble factory was gunned down in Kanwari Colony in Orangi Town. A local trader was kidnapped from Tariq Road. Naseer Ahmed son of Munshi Khan, aged 65 was injured during resistance in a bid of robbery in Korangi No 2 near Millat School. In Korangi No 6, angry mob had caught and tortured one robber while severely injured his accomplice. Meanwhile, 5 died and 20 injured in a road mishap on Super Highway near Nooriabad.
sons including a woman and a member of a religious organisation were killed in separate incidents if violence in Karachi on Tuesday. An activist of a religious organisation was killed when unknown gunmen opened fire in Karachi’s Lines area. Enraged protestors set out to the streets burning tyres and blocking roads in Saddar area. The demonstrators marched towards the Supreme Court’s Karachi registry near Shaheen complex demanding actions against the killers, from where they dispersed off after authorities held negotiations with them.—APP
APP Chief Reporter Khushnood laid to rest K ARACHI — The Namaz-eJanaza of Khushnood Ali Shaikh, Chief Reporter of APP Karachi Bureau was held at Masjid Imam-ul-Ambia, block 3, Gulistan-e-Jauhar here after Zuhr prayer on Tuesday. Khushnood Shaikh died in a traffic accident Monday night as he was trying to return to his car after visiting a shop. His funeral prayers were attended by a large number of people, relatives, colleagues and friends.—APP
the trade and economic activities to improve in the country. The Minister said this on the occasion of distribution of government’s 5-year progress report to the newsmen on Monday. He said that the elected democratic government had in past five years constructed 58.7-km long dual track on Hyderabad-Mirpurkhas while the Jhark-Mulla Katiar Bridge was also being constructed
roads on Hyderabad-Tando Muhammad Khan-Thatta. He said that the government had also reconstructed 1900-km long roads with Rs 554 million that had been inundated in heavy floods and were ruined and 950km long roads were being constructed under the annual development programme with Rs 131 million. Under the MPA development programme, the govern-
constructed a 90-km long road on Coastal Highway Gakhar Phatak (Keti Bundar) and the works and services department had also constructed a 30-km long for Thatta-Sajawal. Further, 134-km long road was being constructed in Nawab Shah, Pud Eden, Ranipur and with the assistance of JICA, 500-km long roads were being constructed with Rs 8875.19 million.
Dialogue with Taliban a better option: KP IGP AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK), Muhammad Akbar Khan Hoti said on Tuesday that the dialogue with the Taliban was better option than waging war against them in the country. This he said while talking to media men after inaugurating 10th International Safety and Security Exhibition titled “Safe and Secure Pakistan” which was organized by Pegasus in collaboration with Capital Development Authority (CDA) here on Tuesday. “If we fight against them, there would be big loss in the country”, he said adding that if they were brought in the mainstream, it would be beneficial for the province.
Besides, Taliban are also the Muslims and they should be brought in the mainstream which can help us to change their ideology also, he stated. However, the process of the capacity building of the province’s police has been initiated to overcome the issue of security, the IG told media. The total strength of the police in the province is 74000. Hoti said that if any police man faced martyrdom, the government of KP would provide Rs.3 million and one plot for building house to the martyr’s heirs and in addition, one of his children of over 18 years would be appointed in the police department. Appreciating the exhibition, he said that such exhibition would create awareness
STAFF REPORTER KARACHI–The Co-ordination
among the public about the solution for security-torn country. “The imported products of security do not fit in our environment like the laptop that do not work in high temperature”, IG KP said adding that the local companies should come forward in the sector for manufacturing the products of security. Later, IG police KP visited each the stall and was briefed about the products and its functions. 165 exhibitors from 30 countries have participated in the exhibition by displacing their products and even some of them have held the practical demonstration about the function of the products. The products displaced in the exhibition include the solution for fire, alarm security and cameras.
SC serves show-cause notice to IG, suspends 423 policemen K ARACHI — The Supreme tation of the court’s earlier or- posted for duties. Court (SC) has issued a showcause notice to the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh police and ordered the suspension of 423 personnel of Sindh police involved in illegal activities. A larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Anwer Zaheer Jamali on Tuesday resumed the hearing of the case pertaining to the implemen-
der over the Karachi law and order situation at the Supreme Court’s Karachi registry. During the hearing the court expressing its dissatisfaction issued a show-cause notice to Sindh Police IG Fayyaz Leghari. In its remarks the court inquired as to why were 430 policemen, who were involved in illegal activities, not suspended and still
No differences between MQM leadership, Dr Ebad Committee of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has termed the analysis on a private TV channel about serious differences between the MQM leadership and Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan over the latter’s resignation. The Committee termed the analysis as baseless, highly speculative and misleading. It said that certain elements were trying to create misconceptions in the minds of the MQM workers over its political differences with the PPP. These elements were trying to propagate that MQM leader Altaf Hussain no longer wanted Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad to hold the office of Governor Sindh under any condition.
Bid to smuggle liquor from UAE to Pakistan foiled K ARACHI —Custom intelli-
The court further remarked that not only were the corrupt policemen performing duties but were posted at sensitive locations as well. The court ordered the suspension of 423 police personnel suspected of involvement in illegal activities, instructed Sindh’s IGP to submit a reply within a day and adjourned the hearing of the case until Wednesday.—INP
gence and maritime security jointly foiled a bid to smuggle 60,000 bottles of liquor from UAE to Pakistan, arresting nine accused in Arabian Sea. The custom intelligence and maritime security jointly carried out a raid at a launch, pronounced as Al-Khair, in Arabian Sea. The bottles of liquor have been seized while nine accused were also arrested in the raid.—Online
301 schemes worth Rs 8,422m carried out in Sindh
KARACHI: Children holding a placard during a rally organized by Ilm Dost Forum— PO photo by Sultan Chaki.
KARACHI —Central Deputy Secretary of PPP and Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that during last five year of PPP Government has carried out 511 development schemes including 301 ongoing projects by the Irrigation Department with the Cost of Rs. 8422 Million. This he said while talking to a group of media here at his office here today.
He said to boost up the national economy, to alleviate poverty in rural areas of Sindh and ensured delivery of drinking water to urban areas, the elected government started 3420 miles canal banks strengthening, 1895 miles resectioning of canals, 247 miles stone pitching, 5277 numbers of modules and 33 bridges are in progress, 73 % percent work has been completed. Minister further men-
tioned in his statement that unfortunately the devastation of Super Flood 2010 and heavy rain fall in 2001 damaged the irrigation infrastructure of both sides of River Indus. The department prepared 76 different development schemes for remodeling of flood protective bundhs at the estimated cost of Rs. 18.00 Billion. The project has been executed with the assistance of Asian Development Bank, 70% work of this project
has been completed. The Minister further mentioned that the project of right bank outfall drain (BROD) is under construction from Sehwan to Sea. The project is being supported and monitored by 5-Corps engineer. He said that the completion of project will provide the facility to carry out the drainage effluent of Sindh and Balochistan provinces from Karam Poor to
Sea at Gharo Creek and Manchar Lake and will be pollution free. Information Minister further told that the present government assigned top priorities to Rehabilitation of Sukkur Barrage to improve its structures and allied works with the assistance of World Bank. Government focuses to establish small dams for agriculture and drinking purpose in Sindh ,he concluded.
Oxygen treatment may not help foot ulcers
D
ESPITE past clinical trials demon strating that expo-sure to pure oxy gen can help stubborn wounds heal, a large new study of diabetes patients with severe foot ulcers finds no benefit from oxygen treatments and possibly some harm. Researchers following more than 6,000 diabetes patients receiving treatment for deep foot wounds found that patients who got oxygen-chamber treatments along with standard wound care were no more likely to heal and more than twice as likely to undergo amputations as those getting standard care alone. The results, published in the journal Diabetes Care, surprised the study team from the University of Pennsylvania, not least because they defy so much previous research. “We really thought we would see a replication of what occurred in the randomized trials. The data demonstrates that didn’t come to pass,” said Dr. Stephen Thom, a professor at the Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia who worked on the study. For more than 20 years, people with serious open wounds or burns have been put into pressurized chambers or rooms that expose them to pure oxy-gen, in the belief that it helps to promote tissue growth and speed healing. Because of nerve and blood vessel damage, people with diabetes are at risk of persistent ulcers forming on their toes and
heels - wounds that can become infected and even lead to gangrene and amputation. Oxygen treatments are sometimes added to standard care of diabetic foot wounds to enhance healing. For the new study, researchers wanted to see whether the oxygen therapy was making a differ-ence in real-world settings. They analyzed data on 6,259 diabetes patients treated for foot ulcers at wound care centers around the U.S. between November 2005 and May 2011. Of those patients, only 793 ended up having the oxygen therapy on top of standard care. Their sessions lasted from 45 minutes to two hours in the pressurized chambers, and were done once or twice per day over four to five times per week. Thom told Reuters Health that such treatments typi-cally cost between $300 and $600 per session. After 16 weeks, about 43 percent of oxygen therapy patients had fully healed wounds, compared to about 50 percent of patients who did not use oxygen therapy. And about 7 percent of oxygen therapy patients had an amputation, compared to just 2 per-cent of those who did not get oxygen treatments. “It does not only say it’s not equal, it says it may be worse. You’re seeing a higher amputation rate and a longer healing of a foot wound,” said Dr. Nicholas Morrissey, a vascular surgeon at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
PPP leader for dismantling terror organizations STAFF REPORTER LAHORE —Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Vice President PPP Punjab, Mr. Aslam Gill, has advised the leadership of PML (N) and its Punjab government to concentrate on eliminating terrorists organizations in the Punjab who had unleashed wave of terror in other provinces as well. Their alleged collusion with terrorist organizations for the promotion of political interests at the expense of the peace and security of the people was inexcusable, he added. He said that it was no more secret after Punjab Law Minister ’s presence in the meetings of proscribed terrorist organizations in the past. He said that the PPP was committed to defeat extremism and terrorism in its all manifestations Pakistan and would not allow these evil forces to make the nation of their hostage in their bid to impose their obscurantist ideology. He said that the PPP had suffered badly in the hands of terrorism and extremism adding Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by the same mindset, he added. He reiterated that the PPP would continue its relentless struggle for the continuity of democratic process in the country aimed at empowering the people of Pakistan in the real sense. He further said that the credit for the completion of the 5 years tenure of the present democratic government was due to the policy of reconciliation given by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and faithfully pursued by the President Asif Ali Zardari.
Punjab govt let loose terrorists: Imran Khan
LAHORE: PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif addressing the launching of Senator Zarina Alam Khan’s new books ‘Suno Meri Piyari Baiti’ at Punjab University.
Medical students advised to learn modern study approaches MUZAFFAR ALI L A H O R E —People
still trust the doctors most and the politicians least. Medical education should, therefore, be oriented towards health and community as opposed to disease and hospital. This was stated by noted British physician and medical educationist Prof. Parveen Kumar while delivering a lecture on ‘The Changing Face of Medicine’, here at the University of Health Sciences (UHS) on Tuesday. Prof. Kumar is a wellknown figure in medical profession as she is the author of Kumar and Clark’s Textbook of Clinical Medicine, taught in medical schools the world over. She currently teaches at Barts
and the London, Queen Mary School of Medicine, University of London, UK. Prof. Kumar said that it was needed to prepare doctors to fulfil the expectations of society, to cope with the exponential growth of medical and scientific knowledge, to inculcate physicians’ ability for lifelong learning, and to adjust medical education to changing conditions in healthcare delivery system. She was of the view that over the years, a major paradigm shift in medical education had been the move to learner-centred approaches, one major change being the development of problem-based learning (PBL) and the move towards competencybased and outcome-based learning.
“These new approaches have sought to place students as the focus of learning, with their teachers in supporting roles”, she maintained. Prof. Kumar further said that in medical and healthcare education, this paradigm shift was prompted by many factors, not least the need to produce doctors capable of adapting to and meeting the changing healthcare needs of the communities they served. Prof. Kumar said that medicine is still the most trusted profession in the world. She quoted a research on various professions according to which 84 per cent people considered medicine the most trustworthy profession whereas only 22 per cent
LAHORE—Pakistan LAHORE: JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl ur Rehman addressing Ulema convention at Jamia Rahmania.
Punjab EC completes purchase of polling material, printing work L AHORE —Punjab Election Commission has completed the purchase of polling materials and printing of electoral rolls. According to Media Reports, Over 3.7 million new voters including 515 eunuchs have been registered in the electoral rolls, while 2,797 new polling stations have been added.
Foolproof security for AIOU exams LAHORE—Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Regional Director Rasool Bukhsh Behram has said elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure foolproof security to conduct exams of the university in a peaceful and transparent manner. The AIOU regional director, talking to APP, said here Monday that zero tolerance policy would be adopted against miscreants and persons using unfair means during exams. He directed the examination staff to perform duty honestly and maintain discipline at centres failing which stern action would be initiated against them. He said the AIOU vice chancellor had declared the year 2013 as a year of quality education and staff of the university would render services to achieve the task. Behram said “The last date for new admissions for spring semester with single fee is March 4 and forms would also be received with double fee till March 25.”—APP
Election Commission sources said that the total number of voters in 2008 elections stood at 4, 45, 45, 385, which now with the increase of 37, 63, 259 tallied at 4, 83, 8, 644. In the previous elections, the number of polling stations stood at 38, 021, which has been increased to 40, 818.
The list of district and session judges to be posted as district returning officer, while civil judges as returning officers has also been prepared. Punjab Election Commissioner, Tariq Qadri told that besides preparing the scheme, purchases for the polling materials have also been completed.—Online
BB’s murder a secret to open soon: PML-N STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Member National Assembly Pervaiz Malik has said that Rehman Malik cannot mislead the nation by leveling allegations against Pakistan Muslim League-N of having relations with sectarian organizations, neither can he evade blame for failure in protecting life and property of the people. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-N has no contacts with terrorists but Rehman Malik has contacts with them and he keeps giving prior information regarding explosions but does not arrest the saboteurs. Commenting upon the statement of Rehman Malik, Pervaiz Malik said that Rehman Malik’s disappearance from the scene at the time of attack on Benazir Bhutto Shaheed is highly meaningful and the nation asks him as to why did he go to Bilawal House instead of protecting and ensuring security of Benazir Bhutto.
He said disappearance of Rehman Malik at the time of martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto is a secret which will ultimately be revealed by the time. He further said that when leaders of Peoples Party were escaping from the scene, Quaid Pakistan Muslim League-N Muhammad Nawaz Sharif reached Rawalpindi hospital to inquire about Benazir Bhutto, by risking his own life. Pervaiz Malik said that record of interior ministry bears witness that federal Interior Ministry which is under the control of Rehman Malik issued licenses of lethal weapons to the leaders of the banned organizations. He said, instead of wasting his time on giving proves of contacts of Pakistan Muslim League-N with banned organizations, Rehman Malik should give details to the media regarding issuance of arm licenses by federal and the governments of Sindh and Balochistan.
Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday said Punjab government has let loose terrorists in the province and an election alliance is being forged with them. Addressing party workers‚ he said the Punjab government with the help of Police sabotaged their party elections in the province. He said Police sealed their offices‚ which is deplorable. Imran Khan said the PML-N government in the Punjab is using Police for political vendetta instead of disposition of justice and maintenance of law and order in the province. Imran Khan said those LAHORE: Students performing during Sports Day at Queen Marry College. who used Police officials are responsible for the disruption the party elections. He said that after two days party elections will take place in Islamabad instead of Punjab to avoid any action by Punjab police. He also alleged that reL AHORE —The Pakistan cruitments were made in Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is holdPunjab Police without followSenator Pervaiz Rashid ing intra-party elections SALIM AHMED ing merit.—NNI said that the record bears wit- across Punjab Tuesday. L AHORE —Spokesman for ness that Punjab government Mian Mahmud-ur-Rashid Pakistan Muslim League-N, has always taken vigorous and Abdul Aleem Khan are Senator Pervaiz Rashid has action against terrorist orga- top contenders for PTI’s said that Sharjeel Memon nizations and arrested a num- Lahore presidency. should inform as to why the ber of accused, whereas Polling is underway in Sindh government had issued Peoples Party has not only Lahore, where 10 polling staarm licenses to terrorists, and provided patronage to the tions have been set up for L A H O R E — G o v e r n m e n t when will Sharjeel Memon sectarian organizations, but voters. Shahdara Hospital, a 300 bed come to collect those culprits also awarded ministership to As many as 2160 voters, health centre along GT Road, who have been arrested by persons belonging to such who were elected in 150 outfits. will be inaugurated on March the Punjab government. union councils, will cast their He said it is a matter of votes. In each union council, 2. Commenting upon the This was stated by DCO statement of Sharjeel Memon, record that Peoples Party there are 13 seats, out of them Noorul Amin Mengal while Senator Pervaiz Rashid said struck an agreement with nine are general seats and four visiting the hospital along that Sharjeel Memon should Maulana Azam Tariq, which special seats are for women. with the EDO Health and provide the list containing also bears the signatures of In today’s elections, panother officers of the district names of the accused and he Asif Ali Zardari. els of Nazriati and Unity Senator Pervaiz Rashid groups are contesting in nine government on Monday. will personally hand them over The DCO said the hospi- to Sharjeel Memon. He said said that, instead of leveling towns. tal would facilitate not only Punjab Chief Minister baseless allegations against Abdul Aleem Khan of locals but also to nearby ar- Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif the Punjab government, Unity Group and Mian eas besides emergencies of has never forgiven any cul- Sharjeel Memon should con- Mahmud ur Rashid of Nazriati GT Road etc. prit, but Sharjeel Memon must centrate on improving the per- Group are in the run for the He added that medicine inform as to when he will en- formance of government of position of President of and vaccines would be avail- sure accountability of those Sindh, where target-killings are Lahore. While Farooq Amjad able for patients at the hos- who helped law-breakers flee order of the day and in which Mir is an independent candidozens of lives are being lost. date.—NNI pital.—APP the country.
PML-N spokesman rejoinder to Sharjeel Memon
Inauguration of Shahdara Hospital on March 2
Mahmud, Aleem vie for Lahore president in PTI intra-party polls
people considered the politicians most reliable. “It is the job of medical teachers to make sure future doctors are prepared to deliver nothing but absolute excellence in patient care”, she emphasized. Earlier, in his welcome address, UHS Vice Chancellor Maj Gen (R) Prof. Muhammad Aslam emphasized the need of adopting new pedagogical approaches for the education of healthcare professionals. He said that effective performance as a healthcare professional was no longer predicted on memorizing a body of facts but depended on being able to assimilate, evaluate and use new information. On the occasion, UHS VC conferred the status of Adjunct Professor on Prof. Parveen Kumar. Prof. Abdul Majeed Chaudhry, Prof. Humayun Maqsood, Lt.Gen (R) Dr Syed Afzal Ahmad, Prof Ghias un Nabi Tayyab, Prof. Zahid Bashir, senior faculty and a number of medical students attended the lecture.
Man gunned down over property dispute LAHORE—A man was killed and another injured in firing of rival faction over property dispute here on Tuesday. According to details, unidentified armed motorcyclists sprayed bullets at two real brothers in Gawalmandi area of city injuring them critically and fled the scene. The injured were rushed to hospital where Abdul Basit succumbed to his wounds while Ahmed was under treatment in serious condition. Relatives of the deceased told police the two brothers were in dispute with a person named Bilaj over property dispute. The police registered a case against unknown murderers and started search for them.—INP