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STORY ON PAGE 03

Saturday, 14 September, 2013

Zil Qa’ad 7, 1434

Rs 17.00 Vol IV No 71 16 Pages Islamabad Edition

STORY ON PAGE 03

STORIES ON PAGE 02

STORIES ON PAGE 12

Stocks market ‘shocked’ over unexpected rate hike

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saturday, 14 september, 2013

PPP Punjab Moves Court against Holding of lg Polls on non-Party basis LAHORE ONLINE

The PPP Punjab has challenged the Punjab government’s decision of holding local bodies’ elections in the province on a nonparty basis in the Lahore High Court (LHC). The petition has been filed by the counsel for PPP Punjab chief Latif Khosa.

The petitioner has taken the plea that holding local bodies polls on a non-party basis was against the real spirit of the constitution. He contended that the national and provincial assemblies and the sitting government came into being through the polls held on party basis. “Therefore, holding local bodies’ elections on non-party basis is a sheer breach of the constitution. Such elections will fuel corruption in the society,” he pleaded. He said certain fundamental clauses of the Local Government Act also ran contrary to the constitution.

He requested the court to nullify the decision for holding local bodies’ election on a non-party basis in the province.

kP govt to Hold aPC for restoration of PeaCe in ProvinCe PESHAWAR INP

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to hold an all parties conference (APC) at the provincial level for chalking out a joint strategy to restore peace in the province. KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak, KP Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar, senior provincial ministers Sirajul Haq, Sikandar Sherpao and minister hailing from the Awami Jamhoori Ittehad (AJI) Shehram Tarkai had been tasked to contact political parties and begin consultations in this regard. Besides all political parties, representatives of the civil society and clerics would also be invited.

The provincial APC would chalk strategies and plans for the future in line with the resolutions and decision taken in the APC held by the federal government.

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary. –H. L. Mencken

CjP says god’s naMe being used to evade justiCe ISLAMABAD

chief justice stated that it was wrong to use Quranic verses and religion for personal gains. He said most HIeF Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry suffering individuals on Friday said pardoning someone convicted and families were of murder by a court of law in the name of It is wrong usually pressured God was tantamount to evading the law. The into pardoning the chief justice's remarks came days after the parents and to use Quranic convict, adding two sisters of Shahzeb Khan, who was murdered in cold verses and religion that it was the reblood by a business tycoon’s son and his three accomplices, approached the Sindh High Court to seek acquittal for personal gains sponsibility of the court(s) to prevent of the convicts after pardoning them “in the name of acts that harmed not Allah”. The pardon of the only certain people men convicted of and families, but society Shahzeb's murder trigat large. The CJP declared gered a widespread dethat if an agreement between the bate over whether the parties failed to bring peace to either of the two, country’s elite could be it could not be regarded as such. “The agreeheld accountable for ment between the parties has to be valid for a crimes they committed, court of law to allow the pardon for the conas the prime accused vict(s)”. The chief justice asked Attornery Genbelonged to a powerful eral Munir A Malik, all four provincial feudal family. Chief prosecutor generals and Advocate Shahid Justice Iftikhar was Hamid, who is representing a party in the case speaking on the matter heard today, for their opinions on the issue relatduring the hearing of anIftIkhar MuhaMMad Chaudhry ing to pardon in murder cases by September 23. other murder case. The APP

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PHC takes notiCe of easy availability of unregistered siMs PESHAWAR INP

Peshawar High Court (PHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Justice Dost Muhammad Khan on Friday took notice of the easy availability of unregistered SIMs in the province.

“Vegetables are difficult to purchase but SIMs can be easily purchased,” the judge said, taking notice of the abundance of illegal mobile phone SIMs. “The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and federal organisations are not ready to take action against unregistered SIMs,” he said.

The PHC CJ summoned the PTA chairman, chief executive officers of telecommunication companies and chief secretaries to explain the situation. “Corruption is rampant in Pakistan and there is no law to check the sale and purchase of SIMs,” he said, adding that extortionists used unregistered SIMs to harass people and the authorities concerned did not have any record in this regard. Law enforcers have repeatedly said that unregistered SIMs were the main tool in the hands of terrorists and criminals across the country, as after using a SIM, the criminals discarded it and bought a new one, which made the arrest of terrorists and criminals a hard task.

Govt hiding incompetence behind Afghan excuse: SC ISLAMABAD ONLINE Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has remarked that the government used the name of Afghanistan every time it was questioned over missing persons. “The court is made to chase a truck’s lights in the name of Afghanistan every time,” the CJP said while presiding over a three-member bench hearing cases concerning murder and kidnapping. “The federal government and its institutions should give in writing that they are absolutely helpless in the cases of missing persons and lawyers and can do nothing. Court is made to run after the light of a truck every time by mentioning the name of Afghanistan. Non initiation of action against the accused despite enjoying all facilities by all the national institutions, including ISI and MI, is a clear evidence of utter failure of state organs,” CJP remarked. The deputy at-

torney general (DAG) that two brothers told the court efforts are involved in were underway for terror acts, how the recovery of Zahir come Zahir advoAhmad Gondal advocate was picked cate and the Interior up?” Justice Ministry had filed a Jawwad remarked report in this connecthat certain spetion that no clue had cific circumstances been found about were also being him. The CJP restated with refermarked, “You have ence to disappearall the resources, inance of these cluding ISI and MI, lawyers. “Do these and still the missing lawyers fall in this lawyer is not being category.” The recovered.” The CJP remarked, court was told that “Produce them beTanvir Gondal was fore the court. We missing for the last should be insix years and he had formed about the connection with jiIFTIKHAR MOHAMMAD CHAUDHRY name of officers hadi outfits. He is involved therein also involved in the we will summon murder of Chaudhry Zulfiqar. The JP them irrespective of their ranks and remarked, “If your stance is accepted post. If you don’t tell it means that

The federal government and its institutions should give in writing that they are absolutely helpless in the cases of missing persons and lawyers and can do nothing

you don’t want to work. Court be told to whom notice has to be issued. State will have to give reply. Wherever he has gone, the court will have to be informed about it.”

DAG said he could go to Afghanistan.

To this, the CJP remarked, “He be produced before us wherever he is, either in Afghanistan or any where else. We be told in writing that certain someone is responsible.” The court also asked for a report from the government of Punjab in respect of murder of two lawyers. The court was told that Punjab IG had told that no progress could be made in this regard. Vehari SP said the deceased was businessman and had several rivals. “He was not practicing law and was engaged in poultry business.” While declaring the performance of law enforcement agencies nil, the court gave a time of 15 days to the federal and provincial governments to initiate action against the accused.

The hearing of the case was adjourned until October 1.

Pakistani family found dead in Leicester home LONDON MAJID KHATTAK

The Leicester Police has launched a murder investigation after bodies of a British Pakistan woman and her three teenage children were found in a house that was set on fire in Leicester early Friday morning.

The victims, described as a “humble, spiritual and learned family”, have been named as Shehnila Taufiq, the mother and

her teenage children, Zainab, Bilal and Jamal Sattar. Mrs Taufiq was in her late 40s and the children 19, 17 and 15, respectively, said the police.

The family is originally from Karachi and but had now settled in Leicester. The children's father, Dr Muhammad Taufiq Al Sattar, worked as a neurosurgeon at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, and the family sources said that at time of incident he was in Ireland. At a press confer-

ence on Friday, the assistant chief constable of the Leicester Police, Roger Bannister said officers were investigating a possible link between the fire and the murder of a man in his 20s in Highfields, Leicester last night.

Bannister said the possibility of the fire being a revenge attack was one of the lines of inquiry being pursued by officers. He added that the circumstances and the cause of the fire, and where the fire started, were

under investigation. Bannister said, “At this stage we believe they have died as a result of the fire, but inquiries will continue."

He did not believe that either the family in the house blaze, nor the man killed in Highfields, were known to the police.

He added, "I really do understand the level of concern in the community."

Local Muslim, Ibrahim Mogra said the four who died in the house were "a spiritual, humble and learned family, and well

respected within the community”, adding, “This is a tragic loss of life.”

Officers said they were called by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service at 12:35am today to the house in Wood Hill, off Spinney Hill Road, in the Spinney Hills area of the city.

The four people were found dead in an upstairs bedroom. The upstairs windows of the mid-terrace bay-fronted property were severely blackened by the blaze.

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Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct. –Thomas Jefferson

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appoint nab chief pronto, sC warns govt ISLAMABAD MIAN AbrAr

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He Supreme Court on Friday warned the government to appoint National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman sooner than later, or be ready to face the consequences. The slot of NAB chairman is lying vacant following the apex court’s order terming the appointment of former anti-corruption body, Fasih Bokhari, null and void on May 28.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Sh Azmat Saeed resumed hearing in the case regarding the fresh appointment of the NAB chairman.

During the hearing of a case pertaining to appointment of NAB chief, Attorney General Munir A Malik requested the court to allow the prime minister time for consultation with Opposition Leader Syed

violation of the judgment of May 28, Khurshid Shah, who was out of the country. passed by the five-member larger Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad bench of the apex court, in Chaudhry remarked it was not the which the Supreme Court had court's business whether the prime It is not the court's directed to appoint NAB minister or the opposition leader chairman without any were in the country or abroad. business whether delay. Subsequently no He said the government the prime minister or appointment of chairman should submit that the deciwas made and the apex sion was not being implethe opposition leader court issued notice to the mented. are in the country or attorney general (AG) to The court observed that clarify why the orders the NAB was meant to elimabroad. The government were not complied to yet. inate corruption but the antishould submit that the He further stated that on corruption body had been last date of hearing, the AG working without its boss for the decision is not being sought more time, assuring past three months. implemented the bench that orders of this The CJP said had the governcourt would be implemented rement been serious in appointing the garding the appointment and termed NAB chief, several suspects would have it a procedural delay. been jailed. The chief justice said it would be

Conducive atmosphere essential for PM-level talks, says Khurshid Sartaj aziz SayS ‘diplomatic channelS will continue to facilitate talkS’ between the two prime miniSterS BISHKEK AGENCIES

even as ground appears to be prepared for talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in New York later this month, India on Friday underlined that a conducive atmosphere was essential for the meeting.

Ahead of the planned talks, Pakistan has informed India that it has named a new prosecutor for the muchdelayed Mumbai attack trial and will send a judicial commission on September 23 to cross-examine key Indian witnesses, meeting New Delhi's demand to some extent for substantive progress in the probe. Indian external Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Friday said Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz had informed him about these developments during an informal chat in the Kyrgyzstan capital last night.

Aziz said he had a good meeting with Khurshid and "diplomatic channels will continue to facilitate talks" be-

tween the two prime ministers on the sidelines of the UN ing." Khurshid said he conveyed to Aziz that a possible General Assembly later this month in New York. Khur- meeting between the two prime ministers will require a shid and Aziz are here for the Shanghai Cooperation Or- conducive atmosphere. “This is a position reiterated by ganisation (SCO) Summit. "We expected and hoped that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,” he said. Singh last Saturday said he will have to factor in "certain the prosecutor harsh realities" on the ground relating to terrorwould be soon ism and progress in Mumbai attack probe before appointed – the arriving at a "final decision" on meeting Nawaz. previous prose"We told him (Aziz) that in view of the cutor was assaswish of the people for positive talks, there has sinated – and to be a conducive atmosphere. Whenever a also that the evhigh-level talk process is on, the atmosphere idence collected should be good," Khurshid said. Stressing the by the judicial need for peace commission can along the Indo-Pak be made availborder, Khurshid able to the (Paksaid the ceasefire istani) trial on the Line of Concourt," said trol (LoC) must be Khurshid, who shared a table with Aziz at respected. "That is an official dinner. Khurshid also said Aziz also part of the attold him that the judicial panel would mosphere. If there travel to India on September 23. "We is no peace and welcome that and we welcome the aptranquility on the pointment of the prosecutor," he told reborder and LoC, porters. "And we genuinely, honestly then all our efforts hope that now things can proceed faster go waste frankly," and that we would see through court proSaLMan khurShId he said. ceedings something substantive happen-

PAKISTAN HAS INFORMED INDIA THAT IT HAS NAMED A NEW PROSECUTOR FOR THE MUCH-DELAYED MUMBAI ATTACK TRIAL

Altaf’s iron grip, wielded in opulent exile, begins to slip MONITORING DESK For two decades, Altaf Hussain has run his brutal political empire by remote control, shrouded in luxurious exile in London and long beyond the reach of the law, according to a report in the New York Times on Friday.

He follows events through satellite televisions in his walled-off home, manages millions of dollars in assets and issues decrees in ranting teleconferences that last for hours — all to command a network of influence and intimidation that stretches from North America to South Africa.

This global system serves a very localized goal: perpetuating Hussain’s reign as the political king of Karachi, the brooding port city of 20 million people at the heart of Pakistan’s economy. “Distance does not matter,” reads the inscription on a monument near Hussain’s deserted former house in Karachi, where his name evokes both fear and favor. Now, though, his painstakingly constructed web is fraying.

A British murder investigation has been closing in on Hussain, 59, and his party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. His London home and offices have been raided, and the police have opened new investigations into accusations of money laundering and inciting violence in Pakistan.

The scrutiny has visibly rattled Hussain, who recently warned supporters that his arrest may be imminent. And in Karachi, it has raised a previously unthinkable question: Is the end near for the untouchable political machine that has been the city’s linchpin for three decades?

hydEraBad: Workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement sign a banner on the occasion of party chief altaf hussain’s birthday on friday. ONLINE “This is a major crisis,” said Irfan Husain, the author of “Fatal Faultlines,” a book about Pakistan’s relationship with the United States. “The party has been weakened, and Altaf Hussain is being criticized like never before.” Hussain, however, shows no sign of going back. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has an office in Edgware, in northwest London. But these days Hussain is mostly at home, in a redbrick suburban house protected by raised walls, security cameras and a contingent of former British soldiers he has hired as bodyguards. From there, he holds court, addressing his faraway followers in a vigorous, sometimes maniacal style, punctuated by jabbing gestures and hectoring outbursts. “The cult of personality sur-

rounding Altaf Hussain is quite extraordinary,” said Farzana Shaikh, an academic and the author of “Making Sense of Pakistan.” “He is immensely charismatic, in the way one thinks of the great fascist leaders of the 20th century.”

In Karachi, his overwhelmingly middleclass party is fronted by sharply dressed, well-spoken men — and a good number of women — and it has won a reputation for efficient city administration. But beneath the surface, its mandate is backed by armed gangs involved in racketeering, abduction and the targeted killings of ethnic and political rivals, the police and diplomats say. Other major Pakistani parties indulge in similar behavior, but the Muttahida Qaumi Movement fre-

quently brings the most muscle to the fight. An American diplomatic cable from 2008 titled “Gangs of Karachi,” which was published by WikiLeaks, cited estimates that the party had an active militia of 10,000 gunmen, with an additional 25,000 in reserve — a larger force, the dispatch notes, than the city police. In the West, the party has avoided critical attention partly because it has cast itself as an enemy of Islamist militancy. Critics of the party have frequently questioned the role of British officials in facilitating its unusual system of governance.

Pakistani exiles from Baluchistan, also accused of fomenting violence, have faced criminal prosecution. But Britain is not the only node of Hussain’s international support network.

Through the Pakistani diaspora, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has active branches as far afield as the United States, Canada and even South Africa, which has become an important financial hub and a haven for the group’s enforcers, Pakistani investigators say.

Two police interrogation reports obtained

by The New York Times cite militants from the movement who say they traveled to South Africa in between carrying out political assassinations in Karachi.

Hussain has receded from public view during the recent furor. There have been rumors about mounting health problems, which Hussain’s aides deny. But he cannot return to Pakistan, they say, because the Taliban could kill him. “In Pakistan,” said Muhammad Anwar, a longtime aide, “nobody can guarantee your life.”

“But despite of clear directions of the apex court, no progress was made which shows non serious attitude of the federation,” he maintained The AG said no one could think of violating the apex court’s order, but some more time was needed to fill this post.

He said he was no more asking for more time on behalf the government, but only because the opposition leader was abroad.

The CJP expressed annoyance and stated that even after passage of three months and ten days, no progress was made on behalf of the federation, which showed lack of interest of the government.

Highlighting the importance of NAB, the chief justice said due to the vacant post, many scandals of corrupt-practices were not attended, which caused loss to the public exchequer.

Giving a last chance to the federation to appoint the NAB chairman immediately, the proceedings of the case were adjourned for an indefinite time.

resPeCt national Consensus on taliban talks: fazl

ISLaMaBad: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl chief Maulana Fazl Rahman has called for respecting the APC's national consensus on talks with the Taliban, saying undermining the talks option will not help efforts aimed at ending terrorism in the country. According to his spokesperson Jan Achakzai, Maulana said, "There is already a consensus on the talks with the Taliban agreed by national leadership in the APC and debating merit and demerit of talks have passed". He said some quarters were not happy with the decision but they had to respect the military and political leadership's agreement on holding talks with the militants, if they believed on democratic decision making process. Fazl also regretted that the second tier leadership of certain political parties was also speaking against the APC’s outcome, despite the fact that their top leaders had signed up to the agreement. He said holding talks with the Taliban was a very serious issue and should not be sacrificed at the altar of point scoring and petty politics. STAFF rEPOrT

negotiations witH taliban to ensure lasting PeaCe: kHan

ISLaMaBad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has said the all parties conference remained successful‚ as all participants agreed to overcome the issue of terrorism.

Talking to a private TV channel‚ he lauded Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for convening APC to reach a consensus on the issue. Khan said negotiations with Taliban should be initiated for lasting peace in the region. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will support the Centre on dialogue with the Taliban. Regarding Balochistan‚ he said strong local bodies’ election and a revamped police system were needed to resolve the problems of the province. ONLINE

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You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. –C. S. Lewis

news saturday, 14 september, 2013

Pta axes ‘immoral’ cell phone love chat ISLAMABAD

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AGENCIES

He Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has cracked down on “immoral” love chat services offered by mobile phone companies, stifling hopes of illicit romance. The PTA said the ban was enforced last month due to protests from parents and lawmakers, but critics warn it is the latest attempt at creeping censorship.

The PTA first pulled the plug on dirt-cheap chat rates and late-night discounts in November, but operators simply started offering the services under different names.

So the regulator tightened the ban late last month, ordering telecommunication companies to scrap immediately “all kinds of chat services, irrespective of the time of day”. In a country, where parents keep young people on a tight leash and dating is considered inappropriate, latenight chatting over the phone or Internet can be a way to find love below the radar.

A 20-year-old university student who did not want to give his name told AFP that the ban had hit him hard as he is now unable to chat with random girls and find new dates. “The cruel world has once again conspired against lovers and made it difficult for them to communicate,” he told AFP. “It was so inexpensive and an easy

way to find a date,” he added. The 25-year-old manager criteria. Two of Pakistan’s five mobile phone compaof a boutique in Islamabad told AFP that he had found nies said they had shut down romantic chat rooms, but would continue to offer calling services that the “love of his life” through the service. “I am stick to general interests such as hobbies. going to marry her,” he said. “We chatAnother company said they had shut ted, we exchanged numbers, we down all chat rooms and two othstarted talking and I was surprised ers were not reachable for comto find out that she lived nearby,” There is no public ment. Saeeda Khan, a he said. There is no public data data about how 45-year-old mother of three, about how many people used welcomed the ban. “I am the romantic chat, but of the many people used the worried as they’re busy all 68.6 percent of the popularomantic chat, but of night on the phone with tion with access to a mobile their friends and cousins,” phone, it is likely to have the 68.6 percent of the she told AFP. Khan said she been a small number. Norpopulation with access worried about “what kind of mal call charges are about people” are in the chat rooms $0.02 a minute and Rs1.50 to a mobile phone, and that children “are exfor a text message, but chat it is likely to have been posed to strangers”. “I would services were offered at an never approve of chatting with hourly rate for a fraction of those a small number unknown people,” she said. Mobile rates. A customer would dial a parphone companies have filed petitions ticular number after which a computer in the Supreme Court against the ban, but generated voice or text message guided no date has been set for a hearing. Dawn newssubscribers through various options. For example, if you want to chat to a girl press 1, a boy press 2, paper has accused the PTA of acting as an “unwanted then you select your preferred age group before being morality brigade”. “The intermingling of young men connected to another caller by SMS conforming to your and women is not a matter that should concern the state

37 dead in fire at russian PsyCHiatriC HosPital

Govt withdraws Secretary civil aviation transfer notification ISLAMABAD STAFF rEPOrT

NOVGOROD AGENCIES

A pre-dawn fire swept through a Russian psychiatric hospital Friday, killing 37 people, Russia's top investigative agency said.

Authorities had long warned that the mostly wooden building dating to the 19th century was unsafe. It was the second such deadly blaze in less than five months, underlining the widespread neglect of fire safety standards in Russia. The fire in the one-story hospital in the village of Luka, about 450 kilometers (280 miles) northwest of Moscow, erupted around 3 a.m. Friday and quickly engulfed the structure, the emergency Situations Ministry said. The ministry said rescuers so far have recovered 26 bodies. The Investigative Committee did not explain how it confirmed the other deaths. The agency added that the blaze was apparently inadvertently sparked by a patient, but the hospital's chief doctor insisted the fire was a deliberate arson. State Rossiya 24 television reported that a witness said a smoking patient caused the fire.

The federal government has withdrawn the transfer notification of Civil Aviation Secretary Muhammad Ali Gardezi. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhamamd Chaudhry heard the case pertaining to the transfer of the official. Attorney General, Munir A Malik submit-

ted a written reply in court which said that the prime minister believed in transparency. The statement added that the secretary was not transferred because he referred the matter of the delay in the construction of Islamabad airport to the FIA. The decision to transfer Gardezi which was taken on September 10 was cancelled while additional charge of Secretary Civil Aviation was also taken back from Nargis Sethi.

‘Overwhelming’ signs of chem arms use in syria: Ban UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES

UN experts will give “overwhelming” confirmation that chemical weapons were used in Syria, UN leader Ban Ki-moon predicted on Friday, as he blasted President Bashar al-Assad as a war criminal.

Ban did not say that Assad's forces carried out a suspected chemical arms attack near Damascus investigated by UN experts. But he said the Syrian leader has “committed many crimes against humanity.” A UN team is expected to send its report on the August 21 attack to Ban on Monday. The UN leader stressed that he still does not have the report. But he predicted: “I believe the report will be an overwhelming report that the chemical weapons were used.”

Ban also gave a UN estimate that 1,400 people were killed in the August 21 attack at Ghouta, east of Damascus, which led to western

threats of a military strike on Assad's forces. UN inspectors were in Syria to investigate the general use of chemical weapons in the country's 30-month-old conflict when the suspected sarin gas attack took place. The United States, Britain and France blame Assad for the attack. The Syrian government, backed by Russia, say opposition rebels used the banned gas.

UN investigation leader Ake Sellstrom is expected to send his re-

port to Ban on Monday. Sellstrom is not allowed to say in the report who carried out the attack.

Diplomats say however that details, such as the type of chemical and missile involved, could indicate who carried out the attack.

If the report is delivered Monday, Ban is expected to brief the UN Security Council within hours on its findings. Ban has stepped up criticism of the Security Council for its failure to act over Syria. But he has never hidden his disdain for the tactics used by the Syrian leader in a civil war in which well over 100,000 people have died. In his new outspoken attack, Ban said that Assad must face “accountability”as part of any political solution to end the conflict. “What happened is that he has committed many crimes against humanity.

Therefore, I'm sure that there will be surely the process of accountability when everything is over,” he said. Ban said last year that Assad had “lost all humanity”.

which has nothing to gain except opprobrium by acting as self-appointed guardian of society’s morals,” Dawn wrote in an editorial earlier this month. “It (the PTA) should mind its own business.” The PTA defends the move as a response to public anger, but the ban has raised fears about growing censorship in Pakistan.

The government frequently shuts down mobile networks to prevent militant attacks and access to YouTube has been blocked for a year over a low-budget American film deemed offensive to Islam. In November 2011, the PTA also tried to ban nearly 1,700 “obscene” words from text messages, which included innocuous terms such as “lotion”, “athlete’s foot” and “idiot”.

In 2010, Pakistan shut down Facebook for nearly two weeks over blasphemy and continues to restrict hundreds of online links. Independent technology think-tank Bytes for All, Pakistan told AFP that the fresh ban was a violation of human rights. “Any regulation on the basis of ‘morals’ falls under moral policing, which is unjustified, undemocratic, dictatorial and a violation of fundamental rights,” Furhan Hussain, Coordinator Advocacy and Outreach at Bytes for All, Pakistan, told AFP. One engineering graduate, when asked if he had ever used the chat service, said he regretted only hearing about it after the ban. “Damn! I could have been dating girls, now I regret it.”

3 killed in Us consulate attack in Afghanistan HERAT AGENCIES

At least three people were killed and 10 others injured early on Friday morning when a blast and ensuing firing hit the US consulate in Herat city, the provincial capital of western Afghan province of Herat.

“Militants numbered three or four armed with heavy weapons and suicide vests stormed the consulate building at around 0515 local time.

They tried to enter to the facility and take control of the building. Gunfight is still going on there,” a source said.

He said one attacker and two security guards were killed and seven civilian passers-by were wounded in the incident so far in the city 640 km west of Kabul.

“The number of the casualties might go up,” he said. The blast also damaged the compound and several houses nearby.

Meanwhile, Gen Rahmatullah Safi, chief of police in Herat province, said an Afghan translator who apparently worked at the consulate died, while two police and two private Afghan security guards at the US post were injured. One police officer was caught under some rubble in the area, and it was not immediately clear if he was killed.

“An unclear number of civilians also were wounded,” Safi said. The governor put the number at seven.

The police chief, speaking around an hour after the attack started, said the situation had been brought under control, but that security forces were searching for any militants who might have escaped. Qari Yousef Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Taliban, claimed responsibility on behalf of the militant group, which has often staged combined car bomb and gun attacks in the past.

uS, russia see Syria arms deal aiding peace talks GENEVA/BEIRUT AGENCIES

Russia and the United States agreed a new push to negotiate an end to Syria's civil war as they discussed a plan to destroy President Bashar alAssad's chemical weapons in order to avert US air strikes.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met for a second day in Geneva to work on Moscow's disarmament proposal; Washington remains skeptical and Kerry has said US military action is still possible to punish Assad for a poison gas attack in rebel territory last month.

However, after meeting the UN envoy for Syria, both Kerry and Lavrov said progress on the arms issue in their talks could help relaunch their efforts to bring Syria's warring sides together and negotiate an end to a conflict that has inflamed the Middle east and divided world powers since it began in 2011.

There is little sign of compromise inside Syria, however, where sectarian and ethnic hatreds have been deepened by two and a half years of war that has killed over 100,000 people and forced up to a third of the population from their homes.

Air strikes and artillery bombardments on rebel-held suburbs of the

Syrian capital on Friday followed defiant comments from Assad a day earlier after he agreed, at prompting from his Russian ally, to sign up to a global ban on chemical weapons.

Kerry told a joint news conference: "We are committed to trying to work together, beginning with this initiative on the chemical weapons, in hopes that those efforts could pay off and bring peace and stability to a wartorn part of the world."

He hoped a date might be set for peace talks, but added: "Much ... will depend on the capacity to have success here in the next hours, days, on the subject of the chemical weapons."

Talks with Lavrov, which also in-

volved US and Russian weapons experts, are expected to last until Saturday in Geneva.

After meeting UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, Lavrov and Kerry said they hoped to meet in New York in about two weeks, around September 28 during the UN General Assembly, to see if they could schedule a new international peace conference on Syria.

Lavrov, voicing regret at the failure of an international accord reached at Geneva last year, said he hoped a "Geneva 2" meeting could lead to a political settlement for Syria.

"We agreed ... to see where we are and see what the Syrian parties think about it and do about it," he said.

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“As an animal lover, I don’t like zoos. I feel the only creatures that should be caged behind bars are politicians, lobbyists, and lawyers. And rapists, but I’ve already listed that three times.” — Jarod Kintz Technologies developed by pARc musT ReAch To fARmeRs: bosAn

IsLAMABAd saturday, 14 september, 2013

WeatHer Updates

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turkISh Envoy CaLLS on GEn WynnE: Ambassador of Turkey M Babur Hizlan called on Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Chairman General Khalid Shameem Wynne on Friday. He remained with the chairman for some time and discussed matters related to mutual interests. agencies

naP Could reduCe droPout rate: Minister

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Pr strengtHens vigilanCe to eradiCate CorruPtion ISLAMABAD APP

Pakistan Railways (PR) has strengthened its Vigilance Cell to eradicate corruption from the organisation.

A PR official said, “Present government is committed to eradicate corruption from the organisation and the Vigilance Cell is being strengthened to work as an eye of the government.”

Sharing the restructuring plan, he said, Railway Board will be reconstituted shortly and private sector will also be given representation in the board. He added that legal department of PR will be restructured by appointing a professional as director general/legal advisor in Management Position Scales (MP) and the professional fee of the legal counsels will be enhanced considerably.

Under to plan the junior officer working at senior important posts will be replaced by honest and dedicated senior officers. Moreover, Railway Police Department will be restructured on modern lines and given a motto of serving the people.

To a question he said transfer and posting will be made on purely merit and no political influence and pressure will be cared. He said recruitment for PR employees will be made purely on merit and it has also plan to computerise all PR land record.

About the steps being taken to make PR a profitable department, he said, freight train operation will gradually be increased and by the end of this year at least six trains will be operated to daily basis, which will help generate revenue of Rs 20 to 25 million per day.

At present three freight trains are being operated on daily basis which has resulted in increase of revenue by ten million rupees.

In passenger sector, the fair structure has been readjusted to facilitate and attract more passengers to avail the facility of train services. This, he said, will help increase revenue generation by seven to ten percent. He said that special teams have been constituted to conduct surprise raids to control the menace of ticket less revenue.

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced 50 percent rebate on payment of property tax to the selfoccupied owners for their houses built on up to 250 sq yards plots.

According to the rules and regulations, the revenue directorate of the civic authority would give 50 percent relief to the self occupied owners. However, if the owners have rented out their homes, they would have to pay 100 percent property tax bill.

One residential house, flat or apartment owned and selfoccupied by the owner/allottee or his family including his parents would pay 50 percent bill.

If an apartment or residential house

belonging to a widow and she owns no other built up property anywhere in Pakistan. 100 percent exemption shall also be available to widow minor sons and un-married daughter of a widow after her death. The CDA has requested the taxpayers for timely payment of property tax and other arrears to avoid the monthly surcharge at the rate of 1.5 percent.

It may be mentioned here that the property tax bills are issued before August 15 every year. Owner may contact the Directorate of Revenue for Duplicate bill in case of nonreceipt or via www.cda.gov.pk.

Multi unit buildings are billed on pro-rate basis. Five percent rebate allowed on payment of current tax up to September 30.

SENATOR FOR ENFORCEMENT OF QUOTA FOR DISABLED

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for education eng Muhammad Baleeghur Rehman has said that National Action Plan (NAP) could take steps like literacy walk and commitment to provide standard education which will help reduce the dropout rate. He said this during his meeting with representatives of Department of International Development (DFID) and UNICeF, who called on him here and discussed preparation for the UN General Assembly upcoming session. Pakistan is one of the six countries that will present its progress on MDGs in the UN General Assembly. The representatives asked about the areas where Pakistan would need technical and financial support, and said that they would come out of their way to support Pakistan. The representatives included Atif Rafique (DFID), Joene Simpson (DFID), Dan Rohrmann (Country representative UNICeF), and euphrates Grobina (UNICeF). Dan Rohrmann said that Gorden Brown UN Special envoy for global education is taking keen interest in promoting the cause of education in Pakistan. He wants to increase and expand education in Pakistan by building more schools and bringing out of schools children into school. The representatives of DFID and UNICeF also appreciated the recent

ISLAMABAD Senator Dr Saeeda Iqbal Friday urged the government to enforce persons with disabilities (PWDs) quota in letter and spirit in all organisations across the country.

Dr Saeeda was addressing a seminar on ‘Decent Work and Persons with Disabilities’ as a chief guest, organised

by Health, education, Rehabilitation and Awareness (HeRA) Trust in collaboration with International Labour Organisation (ILO), held at AlFarabi Special education Complex.

The senator stated that the government has already allocated two percent quota for PWDs but it had not been implemented yet by a number of organisations. “For building PWDs confidence up, it is our duty to take extra care of the legal rights of this ignored segment of the society”, Senator Saeeda opined.

Rabia Razzaque, Project Manager of ‘empowering Vulnerable Group through

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said on Friday that technologies developed by the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) must reach to farmers so they could contribute to the economy and food security. This he sated while visiting the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Chak Shahzad on Friday. Ministry of National Security and Research (NFSR&) secretary Seerat Asghar and National Animal, Plant and Health Inspection Services (NAPHIS) Director General Malik Zahood Ahmed and other high officials of the ministry were also accompanied the Minister during this visit.

Bosan while visiting the experimental farm fields and laboratories where he was briefed by the NARC Chairman Dr Iftikhar Ahmad, Dr Muhammad Azeem, NARC Director General Dr Muhammad Ali, Food Science and Product Development Institute (FSDPI) Director Dr Aamina Khalil, API Director Dr Muhammad Aslam, Dr Mujeed Qazi, an international wheat expert, and other senior scientists. Bosan stressed the scientists that an effective mechanism must be devised in collaboration with provincial agricultural institutions for dissemination of new knowledge to end users to get positive results of our efforts. He also urged the agricultural scientists that olive cultivation and its extraction will play a tremendous role in the economy; therefore the scientists should work hard for production of olive. Bosan while inspecting the cotton and other crop experiments farm field area at NARC appreciated the agricultural scientists’ efforts for producing various varieties of crops including horticultural crops. During the visit he was taken to Food Science and Product Development Institute (FSPDI), Wheat-Cross Laboratory, Gene Bank, Horticulture, Farm Machinery, among other places. He was much impressed to see the activities being carried out at the NARC. APP

education, employment and Training’ launched by ILO, pointed out that in 2012, only three countries in the world remain polio-endemic. Persistent pockets of polio transmission in northern Nigeria and along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan were key epidemiological challenges. “eradicating polio from Pakistan depends on delivering oral vaccine to each and every child, including the most vulnerable and the hardest-to-reach. This massive undertaking can succeed but only with the tireless efforts and commitment of the people of the country”, she added.

HeRA Trust President Farhat Abbas said that despite the presence of National Policy and National Plan of Action for PWDs, there were various challenges hindering on its implementation. “The eighteenth constitutional amendment has developed the subject of ‘Special education’ for PWDs both at federal and provincial levels. Now each of the four

efforts taken by the Government of Pakistan to accelerate progress on MGDs. The minister briefed the visiting delegates about his commitment and sincere efforts to promote education in the country.

The minister appreciated the efforts of donor agencies and the special interest of Gorden Brown to promote the cause of education in Pakistan. He thanked Gorden Brown for appreciating the recently launched National Action Plan in his letter to Governor Punjab Chaudhary Sarwar. He said that Gorden Brown is keen in the implementation of this plan. APP

provinces need to develop their policy and plan of action in the betterment of PWDs,” he added. The main objective of the seminar was: to sensitize stakeholders about disable workers’ right to decent employment, especially those affected by Polio and to identify gaps in policies and corresponding future roadmap for integration of PWDs through equal opportunities of education, skill development and employment. Dr Maryam Mallick, Technical Advisor on Medical Rehabilitation of World Health Organisation (WHO), Rolando, a representative from The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICeF), Ghayoor Sultana, Director General for Special education were also spoke on the occasion. Additional, National Training Center for Special Persons, National Library and Resource Center, Hamdard Welfare Society and Nisa Impex (Pvt) Ltd. established stalls of PWDs related items. APP

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IsLAMABAd saturday, 14 september, 2013

Parking violators to Pay rs 1,000 fine RAWALPINDI ONLINE

Rawalpindi City Traffic Police has sent recommendations to government of Punjab for raising fine amount by 400 percent on account of violation of no parking and wrong parking norms.

Chief Traffic Officer said incidents of no parking and wrong parking are on rise despite the fact that city traffic police fines the violators. The major reason behind rise in violations of parking norm is this that fine amount is very minimal which is only Rs 200, he added.

Keeping in view this situation summary has been sent to government of Punjab suggesting that fine amount be increased from Rs 200 to Rs 1000 to curb violations of parking rules, he stated.

“I just want to sleep. A coma would be nice. Or amnesia. Anything, just to get rid of this, these thoughts, whispers in my mind. Did he rape my head, too?” — Laurie Halse Anderson, Speak

HELMETS IN RAWALPINDI — Metre

A RARELY WITNESSED SIGHT down ISLAMABAD

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APP

eLMeTS are meant to protect motorcyclists from fatal injuries in the case of accidents, but they are being treated as useless objects in Rawalpindi where motorcyclists rarely bother on putting them on while riding their bikes.

Helmets on the heads of motorcyclists are a rare sight in Rawalpindi where the safety device is either not there entirely, or seen lying on fuel tanks which is not only a sheer violation of the traffic rules but which also puts the lives of the riders at risk.

Due to the congested roads and encroachments in the city, its residents prefer travelling via motorcycles but they rarely bother using helmets.

“In such disorderly traffic it is really hard to ride wearing a helmet as one has to keep his eye in almost all directions,” a resident, Shehzad Awan said.

Another motorcyclist Mujeeb-urRehman said he felt comfortable riding his motorbike without the helmet as its use caused suffocation.

“This impression is wrong that motorcycle riders are given a clean chit in the city, rather Challans are being issued on a regular basis for not using helmets,” a traffic warden said.

He said that the traffic police was striving to promote the culture of using helmets which had totally been ignored in the past. A survey revealed that the

riders immediately wore helmets after crossing the Faizabad Interchange which showed that the traffic rules were more strictly followed in the capital city. “In Islamabad, you cannot travel without a helmet as the traffic rules here are comparatively strictly enforced and the vehicular movement is also quite fast, so riding a motorcycle without a helmet is highly risky,” a daily traveler from Rawalpindi to Islamabad, Shoaib Ahsan said. Though a lot of improvement in vehicular traffic was witnessed in Rawalpindi after the introduction of traffic wardens, a lot still needs to be done in this respect.

ITP TO EXTEND ITS EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR SAFER ROADS

ISLAMABAD APP

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) is striving to make Islamabad a model city and minimise the accident ratio by educating road users and ensuring strict implementation on traffic rules.

It was stated by AIG (Operations) Sultan Azam Temuir while addressing `Road Safety Workshop’ organized by ITP here at to educate staff and drivers of Islamabad Club regarding traffic rules, regulations and road safety tips. The concluding ceremony was attended by AIG (Operations) Sultan Azam Temuri, Islamabad Club Secretary Arif Mehmud, ITP education Team Inspector Fayyaz Tanoli and other officials as well as staff members of Islamabad Club.

AIG (Operations) in his

address said the aim of holding of such programme is to create a traffic sense among the citizens, advising them that a driver should honor others rights especially the pedestrians while driving. He said a minor negligence of a driver can cause an accident and endanger the lives of many. ITP is striving to provide safer journey to road users and utilizing all available resources.

At conclusion certificates were awarded to the participants and AIG (Operations) presented a shield to Mehmud.

Temuri said that ITP had become model of excellence through its service-oriented policies and further endeavoring to come up to the expectations of the general public by ensuring traffic discipline in the city. He said that such education programs would be extended and maximum

participation of staff members of various organizations would be ensured in it. Tanoli said that traffic police has arranged several workshops in various organizations and would continue to hold lectures in future as well.

This exercise would prove helpful in providing a disciplined traffic system to the masses, he added.

Islamabad Club secretary stated that the ITP has improved the image of police and ensured community policing through public cooperation and eliminated the VIP culture. He said that merit is being followed by this force which had made it as the role model for other law enforcement agencies. The staff of Islamabad Club also appreciated efforts of ITP in maintaining traffic discipline in the city and assured to follow road safety tips for exemplary road environment in the city.

CHILDREN FESTIVAL HELD AT RAC

ISLAMABAD APP

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has launched crackdown against those violators involved in using private cars or vehicles as taxis without necessary permits and fulfilling legal requirement.

ITP received complaints from the citizens regarding use of private cars as taxi without getting necessary permit from the competent authority under the motor vehicle rules. Taking strict note of this illegal practice, SP (Traffic) Asmat Ullah Junejo has directed the traffic policemen to take action against the violators and bring to end this illegal activity. ITP teams conducted surprise traffic checking near Saudi Pak tower as well as other areas of the city and impounded several vehicles in Kohsar Police Station. These vehicles and cars were found being used as taxis without lawful permit. SP (Traffic) Asmat Ullah Junejo said that constant traffic checking will be ensured for putting this illegal practice to an end.

POLICE IMPOUND 51 BIKES AND 12 VEHICLES: Islamabad Capital Territory Police on Friday impounded 51 bikes and 12 vehicles during general hold up while black sheets from 27 vehicles were also removed besides fine to them, a police spokesman said. According to details, Islamabad SSP Muhammad Rizwan has directed all police officials to ensure effective security and patrolling measures in their respective areas. Police officials have been directed to take strict action against vehicles being driven without documents and criminal elements.

In compliance of the directions, Islamabad police impounded 51 bikes and 12 vehicles during general hold up. Black sheets were removed from 27 tinted glasses vehicles. The police also apprehended 08 suspects during search operation in various areas of the city.

Meanwhile, Sub Inspector Muhammad Ishaq from Bhara Kahu police station arrested two drug pushers Munir and Imran and recovered hashish from their possession. ASI Muhammad Iqbal from Koral Police Station arrested Ghazanfar and recovered one 30-bore pistol from him. Separate cases have been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway.

lok virsa’s arts and Cultural festival froM 19tH ISLAMABAD ONLINE

RAWALPINDI INP

A one day children festival was arranged by Rawalpindi Arts Council in collaboration with Aims School System. Former federal tax ombudsman Dr Shoaib Suddle was the guest of honor while Aims School System Chairman Almaas Ayub Sabir and RAC Resident Director Waqar Ahmed were also present on the occasion.

A large number of people including parents and children attended the colorful ceremony. The children staged tableau and skits on the importance of education and other contemporary issues.

Addressing at the occasion, Dr

itp launcheS crackdown aGainSt violatorS uSinG private carS aS taxiS

Shoaib said applauded the performance of children and said that children are precious asset future of the country. He said that good training of children means to provide a good leadership to the

country. RAC resident director said that co-curricular activities increase confidence of the children. At the end of ceremony, Dr Shoaib distributed awards among children.

Arts and Cultural Festival under Lok Virsa will start from September 19 in federal capital. Lok Virsa administration has Informed Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage in writing in this regard. As soon as green signal is received from the ministry, the festival will start at Shakarparian. Lok Virsa executive director Khalid Javed said arrangements for holding festival are being given final shape. Folk singers, artists, skilled persons from across the country will participate in this festival.

Handicrafts bazaar, regional dances show, musical concerts, stage show, bhangra, puppet show and magic show will be held in the festival , he added.

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The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.— Confucius

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20,000 US TROOPS, 100,000 CONTRACTORS TO STAY IN AFGHANISTAN pakiStan, afGhaniStan SiGn a memorandum of underStandinG (mou) for launchinG talkS on defence, Security and military-related iSSueS ISLAMABAD STAFF rEPOrT

T

He United States has decided to keep 20,000 US and NATO troops and 100,000 US contractors at different bases in Afghanistan for its strategic interest and a security agreement between the US and Afghanistan will be inked in the next two months.

This was disclosed by Pakistan Muslim

no vegetables, only fresH juiCes and Meat for islaMabad gunMan STAff REPORT Islamabad gunman Muhammad Sikandar is fond of having fresh juices and meat dishes while he is hospitalised at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a local Urdu daily reported on Friday. Sikandar also doesn’t like eating cooked vegetables, the paper said.

According to the news report, around Rs 0.2 million have been spent on his medical care, out of which around Rs 0.1 million was spent on antibiotics. Sources told the newspaper that Sikandar’s medical expenditure has been currently deducted from the hospital’s budget.

PIMS spokesperson Dr Waseem Khawaja said Sikandar recently had his eyes tested and that the wounds inside his stomach and on the body are healing. On August 15, accompanied by his wife and children Sikandar brought Islamabad to a standstill by waving two semi-automatic guns and occasionally firing into the air. Despite being surrounded by police personnel, Rangers and Anti-Terrorism Squad, Sikandar continued the hold-up for over five hours, at the end of which both he and his wife were arrested.

new delHi gang raPe: four aCCused sentenCed to deatH NEW DELHI ONLINE

Four men convicted for fatally gang raping a 23-year-old student on a bus in New Delhi were sentenced to death on Friday. According to Judge Yogesh Khanna, the case fell into the “rarest of rare category”, which justified capital punishment. “In these times, when crimes against women are on the rise, the court cannot ignore this gruesome act,” he said.

One of the accused, Vinay Sharma, started crying loudly when the sentence was announced. As the judgment was issued, crowds inside the building and outside the courtroom rejoiced and applauded the judgment. Members of the prosecution team also congratulated each other, with lawyer Dayan Krishnan saying, “We did our job. We are happy with this sentence.”

The victim’s father expressed satisfaction over the statement, saying, “We are very happy. Justice has been delivered.”

ing the visit, Pakistan and Afghanistan decided to “institutionlise” dialogue by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for launching talks on defence, security and military-related issues, which would pave the way for cementing defence ties between the two neighbours. Mushahid said the two countries also issued a mutually agreed-upon joint declaration and presented a common view on problems faced by the countries.

During the visit, both sides agreed that their peace, security and stability were intertwined. Mushahid termed the committee’s visit as “first of its kind, historic, path-breaking” as the parliamentarians of both the states decided to institutionalise the firstever dialogue on defence, security and military-related issues, he said.

Mushahid said the the delegation was unique since it was composed of leaders of five major political parties belonging to both the government and the opposition and so it represented all segments of public

League-Quaid Secretary General and Senate Committee on Defence and Defence Production Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed during a press conference at the Parliament House on Friday regarding a parliamentary delegation’s four-day visit to Kabul. The delegation, led by Mushahid, held meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other high-ups of the war-torn state. “During the visit, we were informed that within the next two months, a bilateral security agreement between Kabul and Washington will be signed, as a result of which approximately 20,000 US and NATO troops will remain stationed at nine different bases in different parts of Afghanistan,” Mushahid said. He also said that according to sources in Kabul, there were over 100,000 American contractors engaged in security and other related matters of Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding that the number would not be affected by the 2014 NATO troops’ withdrawal from Afghanistan. He said that dur-

opinion. “For the first time, we discussed defence, security and military related issues, which was a unique experience,” Mushahid said, adding that as a result of the visit, the

MODI CROWNED AS BJP’S PRIME MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE NEW DELHI AGENCIES

Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi was crowned as the candidate for prime minister of India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday, cementing the remarkable rise of a leader adored by business but tainted by deadly religious riots that broke out on his watch. On a path that from humble roots as the son of a tea-shop owner to running for leadership of the world’s biggest democracy, Modi has methodically built a fervent fan base.

But, a deeply polarising figure, he has made many enemies along the way, even within his BJP. Supporters believe he has the drive needed to salvage a sagging economy and make India a regional superpower. Detractors see an authoritarian extremist who could fan sectarian tension in the religiously diverse nation. India is due to hold its largest-ever general election within eight months. Modi’s elevation means the poll will pit the business-friendly chief minister of Gujarat state against the centre-left Congress party, which critics say looks jaded after a decade at the head of a fractious ruling coalition.

Modi’s success at chaperoning

Gujarat’s economic growth was for years overshadowed by religious riots just months after he took office in 2002. At least 1,000 people died in the violence, most of them Muslims at the hands of Hindu mobs. A crowd of jubilant Modi supporters gathered outside the BJP’s headquarters in New Delhi ahead of the formal decision to name him the party’s candidate for prime minister, dancing, setting off firecrackers and handing out sweets.

BJP president Rajnath Singh made the announcement in a brief statement to journalists. “I will work hard to achieve victory for the BJP in 2014 elections,” Modi said afterwards, describing himself as a “small party worker” from a small town.

Modi, anointed as candidate just days before his 63rd birthday is known for rousing speeches and biting attacks on the NehruGandhi dynasty

that leads the Congress party. The government’s final years have been tarnished by graft scandals and the poor performance of Asia’s thirdlargest economy. Modi’s main opponent may be Rahul Gandhi, an establishment insider who represents the fourth generation of a dynasty that has governed India for more than two-thirds of the 66 years since independence from Britain in 1947.

next round of Pak-Afghan dialogues will be convened in Islamabad following the Afghanistan presidential elections scheduled to be held in April 2014.

nine nato Containers torCHed in kHuzdar, driver killed KHUZDAR ONLINE

Nine NATO containers were torched and a driver killed on Friday by unidentified armed men in Sorab area of Khuzdar. According to reports, the containers, carrying fuel and military hardware for the NATO forces in Afghanistan, were parked outside a local hotel when a group of armed men fired rockets and bullets at the containers, putting the containers on fire and killing a driver. The assailants managed to flee the scene.

labourer’s faMily reCeiving life tHreats SIALKOT STAFF rEPOrT

The family of a Waseem Ahmad, a labourer in village Talwandi Bhindran in the limits of Niddoke Police Station has received a letter of threat from some unidentified people. Waseem’s brother, Naveed Akhtar, has submitted an application to the local police in which he stated that Waseem works abroad as a labourer and some unidentified men had started an enmity with Waseem and his family. He further said that few years ago, one of his brothers was kidnapped and murdered by unidentified men. He demanded the local police to provide protection to his brother and his family. Police have started investigation.

us to scrap $7b military equipment in Afghanistan: Wp KABUL INP

Facing a tight withdrawal deadline and tough terrain, the US military has destroyed more than 170 million pounds worth of vehicles and other military equipment as it rushes to wind down its role in the Afghanistan war by the end of 2014.

The massive disposal effort, which US military officials call unprecedented, has unfolded largely out of sight amid an ongoing debate inside the Pentagon about what to do with the heaps of equipment that won’t be returning home. Military planners have determined that they will not ship back more than $7 billion worth of equipment, about 20 percent of what the US military has in Afghanistan, because it is no longer needed or would be too costly to ship back home, a report in Washington Post said on Friday.

That has left the Pentagon in a quandary about what to do with the items.

Bequeathing a large share to the Afghan government would be challenging because of complicated rules governing equipment donations to other countries, and there is

concern that Afghanistan’s fledgling forces would be unable to maintain it.

Some gear may be sold or donated to al-

In Afghanistan, the military has labeled about 2,000 of its roughly 11,000 MRAPs “excess.” About 9,000 will be shipped to the United States and US military bases in Kuwait and elsewhere, but the majority of the unwanted vehicles, which cost about $1 million each, will probably be shredded

lied nations, but few are likely to be able to retrieve it from the war zone.

Therefore, much of it will continue to

be shredded, cut and crushed to be sold for pennies per pound on the Afghan scrap market. “We’re making history doing what we’re doing here,” said Major General Kurt J Stein, head of the 1st Sustainment Command, who is overseeing the drawdown in Afghanistan. “This is the largest retrograde mission in history.”

The most contentious and closely watched part of the effort involves the disposal of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, the hulking beige personnel carriers that the Pentagon raced to build starting in 2007 to counter the threat of roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan. The massive trucks, known as MRAPs, came to symbolize the bloody evolution of wars that were meant to be short conflicts but turned into quagmires.

The Pentagon has determined that it will no longer have use for about 12,300 of its 25,500 MRAPs scattered at bases worldwide, officials said. In Afghanistan, the military has labeled about 2,000 of its roughly 11,000 MRAPs “excess.” About 9,000 will be shipped to the United States and US military bases in Kuwait and else-

where, but the majority of the unwanted vehicles, which cost about $1 million each, will probably be shredded, officials said, because they are unlikely to find clients willing to come pick them up.

Those MRAPs that the Pentagon has deemed unnecessary have been arriving by the dozen at scrap yards at four US military bases in Afghanistan in recent months. In another section of the scrap yard, a massive grinder gobbled slabs of steel, turning them into small scraps. The debris is packed into US-owned shipping containers that also have been deemed unfit to return home. Last month, the Kandahar yard produced 11 million pounds of scrap that was sold to Afghan contractors for a few cents per pound, said Morgan Gunn, a Defense Logistics Agency employee who runs the site. Afghans use the scrap mainly for construction and as makeshift spare parts.

As they have debated how much excess equipment to shred or sell, officials have considered whether the defense industry would suffer if the Pentagon unloaded tons of used equipment on the market at vastly reduced prices.

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Experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you. — Aldous Huxley

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A‘SPECIFIC THREAT’KEEPS US CONSULATE SHUT T LAHORE

UMAIr AZIZ

He ‘technicalities’ remain unsolved to re-open the US Consulate in Lahore, as the Punjab government has provided all requisite security, while the US officials still see a ‘specific’ threat, Pakistan Today has learnt.

The US Department of State had ordered closure of its Lahore’s consulate in August over security threats. The State Department also requested for enhancing the security by building some concrete structures. The matter was referred to the City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) which forwarded it to the provincial government for approval. A senior Punjab government official, on the condition of anonymity said, all security demands have been met by the government and there is no

‘pending’ agenda. “There are other stakeholders as well: girls’ school, private companies and residencies. We have ascertained their opinion on the matter as well and all agreed to beefing up the security as they felt threatened. The wall has

jab Police will manage the entrance to the consulate after it re-opens. However, despite all the security, the US embassy has decided not to open the Lahore consulate till an indefinite period. Currently not only is the consulate closed to public, but even the em-

The consulate will remain shut for an indefinite period.

There was a specific threat the US was facing after which the consulate was closed down. We appreciate the assistance provided by the Punjab government in providing security, but that specific threat still exists MEGHAN GREGORIS SpokeSperSon, uS embaSSy

been built along with other requirements, now it’s up to the US officials to open up the office,” the official added.

The official further added that the Pun-

bassy employees are not attending office. Insiders however maintained that the US will not open its consulate unless all its conditions are met by Punjab government. More-

Tauqir sadiq sent to jail on 14-day judicial remand ISLAMABAD ONLINE

The Islamabad Accountability Court (AC) has sent former OGRA chairman Tauqir Sadiq to Adiala Jail on a 14-day judicial remand in the 82 billion rupees mega corruption case.

Sadiq was produced in ATC on Friday on completion of his 67 days physical remand. He was taken into court under stringent security measures.

Counsel for Tauqir Sadiq filed two applications in the court on the occasion with regard to allocation of A class in the jail and provision of security to the accused. NAB on the other hand prayed the court to grant judicial remand of the accused. The court ordered sending Sadiq to jail on 14 days judicial remand.

Counsel for Tauqir Sadiq requested the court to grant A class in jail to the accused. The court remarked, “Let the accused reach the jail first. Matter of allowing A class in jail will be judged later.”

NAB Additional Prosecutor General (APG) Saeedur Rehman took the plea that power for granting any class in jail to an accused rested with the government.

The court ordered the prosecutor NAB to prepare jail warrant to send the accused to jail.

NAB sources said Sadiq would be summoned from jail if needed. NAB so far recovered Rs 54.08 billion of the scam so far, directly or indirectly.

As per NAB sources, physical remand of the accused could be obtained for up to 90 days in accordance with laws. The challan will be presented in the court for sending the accused to jail. Talking to reporters after hearing of the case, counsel for Sadiq said the accused remained a highly professional lawyer and was promoted as chairman OGRA in grade-20, therefore, he be granted A class in jail by virtue of his educational qualification and office. He said there was no substance in claims of corruption being made with reference to Sadiq, as he did not even own a house.

FOUR DEAD AS ROOF FALLS IN ABBOTTABAD PESHAWAR APP

As many as four people died and a woman was injured in Abbottabad when the roof of a dilapidated house caved in on Friday. The incident occurred at village Pakan Pesar in the limits of Lora Police Station Abbottabad where the

people had gathered in the house of Munsif Khan for his daughter’s wedding.

Many people were present on the house’s roof when it caved in, killing two women and two children. Local residents rushed to the spot and retrieved the bodies of deceased and shifted the injured to a local hospital. The deceased include Tayyab, Talib, Bilqees and Saeeda.

Plot to kill Indian author hatched in Pakistan: Afghan officials KABUL INP

A week after Indian author Sushmita Banerjee was killed in Afghanistan, Afghan authorities have told the Indian embassy in Kabul that the plot was hatched in Pakistan, and the Pakistani Taliban, Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network were involved. Sources said the four persons arrested on Wednesday revealed three militants from the Pakistani Taliban were involved. “The plan was made in Pakistan and they worked with Akbar Musafir, the local commander of Afghan Taliban in Paktika, where it is also part of the Haqqani network,” said government sources. earlier, two Haqqani network militants were arrested.

over, the US does not really rely on Punjab Police for the security of its officials. The sources further maintained that now only the technicalities need to be discussed, as the rest has been resolved. Talking to Pakistan Today, US embassy’s spokesperson Meghan Gregoris said the consulate will remain shut for an indefinite period. “There was a specific threat the US was facing after which the

consulate was closed down. The staff was drawled down, with some employees even sent back to the US, while those belonging here asked to work from home,” she added.

To a question, she said, “We appreciate the assistance provided by the Punjab government in providing security, but that specific threat still exists and hence the consulate has been closed to public.”

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Crime and legal stories, broadly speaking, are just where my interest happens to lie. –William Landay

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the road to hell though paved with good intentions!

COMMenT saturday, 14 september, 2013

sartaj, salman talks in bishkek meaningful? remains to be seen!

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meeting between Sartaj Aziz and Salman Khurshid has finally taken place in Bishkek where both were present to attend the ministerial moot of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). There are indications that the informal meeting ended to the mutual satisfaction of both sides. The meeting would be considered meaningful only if it leads to higher level talks between Nawaz Sharif and Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in the last week of this month, presumably on September 29. As things stand the most that one may reasonably expect from the expected meeting between the two prime ministers is peace and calm on the LoC and a willingness to resume the process of composite dialogue which was thrown off the track after the border incidents in August.

With India preparing for general elections due next year, there is little hope of any worthwhile development in Pak-India relations at this stage. The ruling coalition and the opposition would both be so engrossed in domestic politics that it would be expecting too much from the government to take any courageous decisions to bring the two countries closer.

Whenever in opposition, the Hindu nationalist BJP becomes virulently opposed to an improvement of ties between India and Pakistan. A hawkish section of the Indian media too follows a similar course. This is what happened after the border incidents last month. In this milieu, Manmohan Singh’s government cannot afford be seen to be soft on Pakistan as this can cost it votes in the polls. Any significant move towards promotion of goodwill will have to wait till the elections are over in India.

A report in the Indian daily The Hindu maintains that both Aziz and Khurshid agreed on implementing measures to ensure peace and tranquillity on the Line of Control (LoC). Further that Sartaj Aziz mentioned the appointment of a new public prosecutor for the trial of seven men accused of training and guiding the Mumbai attackers. Still further that an eight member Pakistan panel of lawyers would visit India on September 23, less than a week before the two premiers meet in New York, to cross-examine some officials handling the Mumbai terror case.

One awaits Pakistan government’s version regarding what transpired during talks between the Indian foreign minister and Nawaz Sharif’s advisor on foreign affairs and national security.

New Delhi has been demanding concrete progress on issues of concern to it to create ‘the right atmosphere’ before agreeing to a prime ministerial meeting. These issues include effective and speedy prosecution of those in Pakistan behind the Mumbai terror attack and action against elements involved in anti-India activities. Much will depend on whether the visit by Pakistan’s panel of lawyers proves really helpful in collecting evidence that can prove the guilt of those accused in Pakistan of involvement in Mumbai terror attacks in an independent court.

Pia under the auctioneer’s hammer due diligence a prerequisite

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ReAT people to fly with’ remains its slogan. But unlike the 1960s through to the late 1980s and a few years thence, its excellence reflected the superlative Omar Kureishi copy. Or why would it have been approached by 30-odd airlines to make them learn to take flight? The irreversible rot started setting in – like so many other spheres of life – the Zia era in the early 1980s when Jamaat-e-Islami’s cadre was placed in the airline. The spate of political appointments did not stop since, with the PPP, PML and MQM too stuffing their workers PIA, Railways and Karachi Steel Mills – to name three of the three-score plus state-owned enterprises (SOes). Though the malaise of the PIA is more pronounced, most SOes are similarly positioned: altogether bleeding public exchequer by Rs500 billion annually – nearly one-fourth of the entire revenue through taxation.

While ordering to divest 26 per cent of the government’s holdings in PIA along with management transfer, the prime minister said, a loss of Rs3.3 billion every month was impossible to suffer. His recipe: involve the private sector to redeem the airline. The two major opposition parties, the PPP and the PTI, have vowed to oppose the move. While all sorts of views would find some support from one quarter or another, the opposition needs to act more maturely than in the past, and should either draft its own blueprint for PIA and other SOes or let the government do its job. For its part, particularly with the economy in such abysmal shape and the IMF breathing down its neck, the government is not really spoiled for choices. It’s options are narrowed down to just two: Major SOes incurring heavy losses – power generation and distribution companies, the Railways, the PSM and the PSO – either have to be restructured and turned into efficient and profitable ventures or they have to go under the hammer.

That said, there are countries where public sector utilities are being managed in costefficient manner under state control by professional managers. Across the border, in India the Railways and the Delhi Metro are gigantic units providing superb service, employment and excellent financial returns. It would be ideal to turn around the loss making giants into profitable entities, but with the poor quality of available human resource and the inevitable political meddling being a given, this seems no longer possible in our neck of the woods. That being the unfortunate situation, it is best to privatise but not in the manner of the 1990s when the PML-N is said to have given away sizable parts of what is tantamount to family silver for a song. Due diligence before each deal is sealed, signed and delivered must be observed – and also be clearly visible to all. That is only way it can ensure that the SOes are actually turned around, and, as in the case of KeSC, do not continue to remain an albatross around its neck.

ArIF NIZAMI

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eSPITe protestations to the contrary, freshly inducted PML-N government was forced to walk into the bear hug that is an IMF programme. The international lending agency’s high-level delegation headed by director of the Middle east and Central Asia department Masood Ahmed – a Pakistani originally belonging to Lahore – is here to review the implementation of the programme.

Main Nawaz Sharif has personally assured the review mission that his government would fulfil all the conditionalities agreed upon for the $6.6 billion loan awarded to Pakistan.

It is a case of ‘easier said than done’.

Pakistan is one of the most IMFed countries. Since its inception, it has gone into 19 programmes, most of them front-loaded including the present one. Most IMF programmes after first few tranches – some in the 1990s after just ‘one tranche’, leading to dubbing it as ‘one-tranche nation’ – were invariably abandoned owing to lack of will to implement them.

Now the same economic managers who had vowed ‘to break the begging bowl’, have assured the IMF that Pakistan will fulfil the conditionalities through this 13-tranche disbursement.

The federal economic Czars have already jacked up energy prices several times over, have allowed the rupee to slide, sought savings from the provinces and have made concerted efforts to reduce the fiscal deficit.

Despite these measures, and the associated pain for the common man, the prognosis does not look good. According to the IMF delegation whom I met in Lahore, the prime minister is quite aware if the dire economic straits.

‘We did not realise that things were so bad’, is the oft-repeated mantra of the PML-N. This is not a good enough excuse for a party that remained in power in the largest province during the past five years and has been ushered in at the federal level for the third time.

With a bevy of stalwarts in their party ranks, the Sharifs were – or at least should have been – aware of the country’s continuous economic slide.

While in the opposition, it was good politics to lambast the Zardariled coalition for its corruption and malfeasance. And it was even better politics to promise that once in power, with the magic wand under his com-

rorists who refuse to adhere to the mand, he would fix things in a jiffy.

Perhaps belatedly the PML-N constitution of Pakistan and want to government has realised that time is of replace it with a state based on their the essence to attempt to resolve the narrow interpretation of sharia.

That said, if the state wants to go myriad complex issues confronting the nation. Those who would previously through the motions of talking to those claim ad nauseam on different talk who are willing to remain within the shows that the problem of load-shed- ambit of the constitution of Pakistan, ding would be fixed in three months so be it. This could mean talking to the Punjabi Taliban, who hitherto has now are often found eating crow.

The real problem facing the gov- spared the Sharifs stronghold. But can ernment is the spiral of rising expec- they be allowed, along with Lashkartations. Thanks to the media hype and e-Jhangvi, to continue to treat the Shia the PML-N own rhetoric, people have community as fair game?

The government and the security become impatient. They want immediate results, which are simply impos- establishment can take its own time sible to achieve in the face of stark going through the circuitous process of conducting negotiations with the ground realities.

The IMF at the end of its mission militants. But perhaps in the ultimate has given a sobering assessment of analysis using force against terrorists Pakistan’s economy, saying that it was is the only answer.

Similarly on the economic front at a high risk of deteriorating into crisis and growth was too slow to signif- the prime minister and his economic icantly improve living standards. An team need to reset their bearings.

IMF programme in itself is not a Grandiose schemes of constructing motorways, tunnels, new cities and recipe for growth.

As a result of the conditionalities bullet trains from Karachi to Khyber electricity tariff for industry has incre- can wait for better times.

Right now fire-fighting is needed mentally gone up and the rupee has been allowed to go into a freefall. to put the economy on a sound footing.

Consequently our industrial sector has The present low growth rates, high inflation and a precarious balance of paybecome even more uncompetitive.

The Fund has acknowledged that ments situation is a recipe for disaster.

With the absence of the will to tax inflation hovering around 6 percent would now go into double digits. Sim- those vested interests that form the ilarly, rising oil and commodity prices core of the PML-N’s traditional supas a result of the Syrian crisis have not port base, tax to GDP ratio will remain abysmally low. Simply put, helped matters.

Mian Nawaz Sharif is probably without bringing structural changes, fully aware of the serious risks the the economy cannot move forward.

Thankfully the government has country is facing owing to rampant terrorism and deteriorating law and decided to privatise PIA, the ailing order situation. Nonetheless mixed flag carrier by divesting itself of 26 percent of its signals are emashareholding. nating from the Who will buy an prime minister. airline that has He has made concerted efforts With the absence of the will to become a botpit to fix law and tax those vested interests that tomless though is a moot order in Karachi.

Launching an form the core of the PML-N’s question. Ultiit just operation after traditional support base, tax mately might shut down. building a conA similar sensus amongst to GDP ratio will remain recipe should be stakeholders was abysmally low. Simply put, applied to the a smart move. As expected, the without bringing structural Steel Mills that has bled the exMQM is crying changes, the economy chequer for bilfoul, claiming lions of rupees. It that Mohajirs cannot move forward. would have been were being sinprivatised during gled out. the Musharraf Unforturegime, but the nately the MQM backed posse of thugs roaming the apex court threw the baby with the streets of Karachi and inflicting may- bath water when it declared the hem on the citizens is the nub of the process non-transparent. The present problem. Instead of complaining, its government could face a similar probstalwarts should resist the tendency to lem as has been pointed out by the IMF team while citing reasons for a protect criminals in its fold.

The MQM has protested that why non-performing economy.

Mian Nawaz Sharif is running a the Taliban in control of certain areas of Karachi are being spared. This is a tight ship. His intentions seem to be good with his team not tainted even legitimate complaint.

However the government having by a whiff of scandal so far. But he gone into the negotiating mode as a must keep in mind: ‘the road to hell is result of the recently concluded APC paved with good intentions.’

(All Parties Conference) is not keen to The writer is Editor, Pakistan ruffle the Taliban feathers. Admittedly negotiations cannot be held with ter- Today.

whiteLIES apollo

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor Lahore – Ph: 042-36375963-5 Fax: 042-32535230 Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 Fax: 021-35381208 Islamabad – Ph: 051-2287273 Fax: 051-2818125 Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

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He now former president chose to spend his last hours as the head of state with members of the journalist community.

It was a lavish feast, followed by, believe it or not, fireworks. A pleasant break from routine, actually. Usually rivals ignite fireworks and distribute sweets when they see their political foes go.

Here, it were the jiyalas celebrating the end of their president’s tenure.

Conspicuous by his presence was one nonjournalist, Aitzaz Ahsan, which set the rumour mills whirring. Speculations about him being handed over an important position in the party’s Punjab chapter were already rife.

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rather regal wedding ceremony for the grand-daughter of a PPP senator. The wedding card: in a grand box. The trousseau jewelry: rumoured to go into the crores. The “buzz” was immense.

Irony: the senator in question couldn’t make the trip back from London. He’s wanted by the NAB. Moreover, his son has declared bankruptcy in england, regardless of the spectacular wedding festivities back home.

The NAB: is anyone minding the store here?

For feedback, comments, suggestions and, most importantly, tips, contact us at whitelies@pakistantoday.com.pk

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The fact is, society is made more hospitable by every individual who acts as if 'do unto others' really was a rule. –Gary Hamel

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saturday, 14 september, 2013

something to cry about concerns of an agricultural activist

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why americans join syrian jihad the country’s civil war is a ‘jihad magnet’

ELI LAKE

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He US intelligence community has grown increasingly concerned in recent months about the flow of european and American nationals to fight with al Qaeda-linked affiliates in Syria’s civil war.

While the number of Americans who have travelled to join the jihad in Syria is low, some members of the US intelligence community worry that fighters who receive training and battlefield experience in Syria could return to the West with skills honed by fighting in the country’s civil war.

“At some point all of these people from europe are going home. All the folks there from all over the world, including the United States, will be coming home if they do not meet their end on the battlefield,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republican chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, on Tuesday.

US intelligence estimates differ on how many Americans have joined the fight with al Qaeda.

Some officials say the number could be as high as 60 US citizens, while others put it much lower, at 10. Hundreds of european nationals have joined al Qaeda-linked groups since the civil war began more than two years ago, say US intelligence officials.

Aaron Zelin, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near east Policy and an expert on al Qaeda affiliates in the Middle east and Africa, echoed those estimates. “I have seen anywhere from 10 to 20 Americans based on jihadi forums and Arabic and Western media who have joined extremists in Syria,” he said. “In terms of the european numbers, it’s definitely in the hundreds.

It’s closer to 700 or 1,000, according to european officials I have spoken with.”

Fred Hof, who served in 2012 as the State Department’s special adviser for the transition in

Syria, said: “I have seen plenty of reporting of foreign fighters coming from around the world. Obviously there are plenty from europe, there may be [some of] Tunisian or Algerian ethnic background.”

Rogers told The Daily Beast that the civil war in Syria is a “jihadist magnet.” He added, “From europe, from northern Africa and other places in the Middle east, and in some rare instances from the United States of America, they are getting training and further radicalisation in Syria.” The US government is aware of conversations between al Qaeda’s core leadership and al Qaeda affiliates in Syria and that parts of eastern Syria would make a “great safe haven,” he said. Other US intelligence officials confirmed his account to The Daily Beast.

The pattern of volunteers travelling long distances for a chance to fight with al Qaeda is reminiscent of the war in Afghanistan against Soviet occupation in the 1980s, when Osama bin Laden raised money and helped funnel foreign fighters into that country to fight with the Islamic warriors supported by Pakistan’s military intelligence service. The Afghanistan war predated the formation of al Qaeda, but as in Syria today, the jihadists were only one faction of the overall opposition to the Soviet-aligned government in Kabul.

More recently, the US war in Iraq and the civil war in Somalia have served as rallying points for the world’s Islamic extremists. Since the middle of the last decade, al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia, al-Shabaab, has tried to recruit fighters from the Somali-American community in Minneapolis.

One problem in tracking the flow of Americans and europeans into Syria is the difficulty of assessing the hundreds of cells that comprise the opposition. At the Aspen Security Forum in July, the Defence Intelligence Agency’s deputy director, David Shedd, estimated the number of Syrian rebel groups at 1,200.

The two main al Qaeda-related groups among the rebels are alNusra and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

(ISIL). ISIL, an extension of the al Qaeda affiliate that fought US soldiers and the Iraqi state in the last decade, launched a wave of assassinations this summer and has struggled for leadership of the jihadist wing of the Syrian opposition with alNusra. There are also other extremist militias that share the ideology of al Qaeda but not any formal connections to the organisation.

In Aspen in July, Shedd warned, “If left unchecked, I am very concerned the most radical elements will take over larger segments of those 1,200 groups.” He added that he believed most of the fighters opposed to Syrian regime were interested in local issues and not the wider goals of al Qaeda.

Nonetheless, Shedd said al Qaeda’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahri, had provided “spiritual direction to the fight” for al Qaeda’s affiliates in Syria.

He also acknowledged that fighters from al Qaeda’s core have migrated to Syria to help wage a war against the Syrian regime.

Some Americans who have joined the jihad in Syria have already received attention from US authorities. In April, a federal court charged eric Harroun, a former US Army private from Arizona, with firing a rocket-propelled grenade while fighting with al-Nusra. In May the Detroit Free Press reported that FBI agents were interviewing the family of a convert to Islam named Nicole Lynn Mansfield. Her family told the paper that she was killed fighting with the Syrian opposition.

Eli Lake is the senior national-security correspondent for Newsweek and The Daily Beast.

JAZ Ahmad Rao, farmer and agricultural activist, is concerned about a particular Bt ‘Cry’ gene. He has reason to be. Among the crops he grows is cotton – the non-GMO variety. He is concerned that, as in all other cotton-growing countries, his may get contaminated by adulterated – even fake Bt varieties, heavily promoted by some Pakistani scienNAJMA SADEqUE tists and local seed companies the past decade. — For which reason Rao suspects the damage has already been done where poorly-informed farming businessmen have been swayed by one-sided claims and promises of profits. earlier Rao had put his concerns to rest when in 2010, Shahbaz Sharif had rejected Bt cotton Introduction Model proposed by Monsanto. It therefore came as a great shock to him on learning from a “leaked” letter (No. DS(ReGU)/13/OT-4/A/ 2871 dated 6th August, 2013) signed by Shahbaz Sharif early last month, seeking 15 more varieties of Bt cotton pending approval, to be given easy passage. Although test reports of 2012 from four government laboratories were discouraging. That made Rao so desperate – since violations of farmers rights and food security don’t make headlines the way violence and crooked politicians do – he wrote to the Punjab chief minister directly as a last resort. Not that he expects a reply – but he would still be happy with corrective action.

He felt the Punjab chief minister had been “misled by elements in the bureaucracy and had not informed him about the true picture,” and appealed to him to save the situation as he had done three years ago. Rao pointed out that in 2010 and 2012, the government’s own laboratories showed all proposed Bt Cotton varieties were tested and proved to have low Bt toxin levels of the gene known as “Cry 1Ac” , drawn from Monsanto’s Bt variety Bollgard I (now discarded by Monsanto in favour of its nextgeneration dual-gene Bollgard II). Low toxin results in rapid development of Bollworms resistance and was therefore hazardous for crops, he warned. enough to make any farmer cry!

A National Biosafety Committee (NBC) meeting at the Ministry of environment raised the “substandard” low toxin issue. Yet the Punjab Seed Council intervened and approved eight Bt cotton varieties and one Hybrid cotton from China. It merely agreed to review the varieties performance after one year or season. To date, this has not been done.

Thereafter a Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Minfa) committee discussed the Reports continue to emerge on the concerns raised by the damaging effects of Bt, on cotton, NBC, and agreed with on the soil and the indispensable them. Germination was also unacceptably low – microorganisms in it, on common below 40 per cent; it food crops, on biodiversity, should be above 80 per wildlife and human health. cent if farmers are to avoid buying twice as much seed. Fiber characteristics and quality were also poor, yet the regulatory bodies took no action.

Instead the Punjab Seed Council considered 15 new Bt cotton cases, without any discussion. Nor did they question the eight previously approved Bt cotton varieties that failed.

Rao provided USDA data on average yields of Bt Cotton in India which have been declining since 2007 – including the latest Bollard II. He also refuted the claim that pesticides usage has been reduced due to Bt Cotton in Pakistan. “The fact is,” he said, “spray is used extensively to fight Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV), mealybug, and other bugs against which Bt Cotton is not effective.”

Our yields have not increased due to Bt Cotton either. “Our highest was in 1992-93 – approximately 12 million bales. Highest ever recorded was in 2004-5 of over 14 million bales – when local non-Bt cotton varieties were used.” He decried the juggling of figures by authorities to show increased number of bales by using a lower bale weight of 155 Kg for the past several seasons, instead of 170 Kg which it’s supposed to be.

“Instead of investing more and more on Bt Cotton varieties, researchers should develop solutions for CLCuV disease which destroys 2-3 million bales virtually every season and are a far bigger problem than bollworms,” he asserts, “Nobody knows how much pests are actually in our crops. Bt claims it can control Pink Bollworms, Spotted Bollworms and the American Bollworm.

However, Bt Cry 1ac does NOT control the Army Bollworm.”

What bothers Rao is that once a gene is cleared for biosafety, it can be used in any other variety thereafter without the permission of NBC – it would permanently become free, open hunting ground for Monsanto whose global wealth and power elicits undue influence among decision-makers, to bulldoze through its double-gene Bollgard II Bt variety, as it did in India.

While elsewhere reports continue to emerge on the damaging effects of Bt, not only on cotton, but also on the soil and the indispensable microorganisms in it, on common food crops, on biodiversity, wildlife and human health, our scientists remain oblivious.

Finally, our indigenous varieties which have broken into the global organic cotton market, is already being threatened at takeoff.

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This is how memories are made... by going with the flow. –Amanda Bynes

NOT-SO-

ARTS

PREITY ZINTA!

saturday, 14 september, 2013

Meet tHe world’s largest living Cat

ARREST WARRANTS ISSUED FOR ACTRESS

With a name like Hercules, you know he's got to be big. But at 922 pounds, big is an understatement for the world's largest living cat, according to the 2014 Guinness Book of World Records. Hercules is a liger -- the hybrid offspring of a male lion and a tigress -- who lives at the Myrtle Beach Safari wildlife preserve in South Carolina. He is 131 inches long, and measures 49 inches tall at the shoulder. Ligers, which do not exist in the wild, can grow to twice the size of their parents and weigh about a hundred times more than the average house cat. The safari, also known as TIGERS –- The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species –where tours are given by reservation, is owned by Bhagavan “Doc” Antle, who also founded the Rare Species Fund in 1982, to help endangered wildlife around the world such as elephants, rhinos, orangutans and other big cats. COUrTESy HP

N Andheri court has issued a non-bailable warrant against Preity Zinta in a chequebounce case. Zinta has been going through a rough patch ever since her first production venture, 'Ishkq in Paris', bombed at the box office landing the actress in huge debts. Abbas Tyrewala, who was commissioned to write the dialogues for the film filed a case against her after a cheque worth Rs 18.9 lakh bounced. The warrant was issued after Zinta failed to mark her presence in court in spite of repeated orders. She was slapped fines worth Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,000 for failing to appear before the concerned magistrate on two occasions. The warrant was issued in spite of Zinta's advocate, Ratneshwar Jha's application stating that Zinta was not in town. Talking to TOI, he levelled a string of allegations against Tyrewala. "They did not deliver on time. The dialogues were to be submitted within three days, which was not done. In fact even when it was handed over, it was not up to the mark and couldn't be used in the film.

As far as the cheque is concerned, it was collected from our office and not given by Preity. Even the date on the cheque was filled by Tyrewala. "Preity is not in Mumbai. I will challenge the magistrate courts order in the Bombay High Court," he said.

When contacted, Tyrewala refused to comment. COUrTESy TOI

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FRIGHT’S BEST FRIEND PATRICK WILSON TO HORRIFY IN ‘INSIDIOUS 2’

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ATRICK Wilson is having a terrifyingly big year at the box office. First, the actor appeared as Ed Warren in the surprise blockbuster "The Conjuring," a terrifying tale of New England exorcism. The modestly budgeted horror film won critical acclaim and grossed over $135 million at the box office, making it one of the summer's biggest success stories. Now Wilson's hoping to repeat that success with "Insidious: Chapter 2," the sequel to 2011's horror hit that pairs Wilson once again with "The Conjuring" and "Insidious" director James Wan. The sequel picks up where the first film's cliffhanger left off, with Wilson's character Josh Lambert not alone inside of his own body.

Despite the similarities behind the scenes, Wilson believes his characters could not be more different. "The fact that it's me and [director] James [Wan] and the same genre is about where the similarity [between 'The Conjuring' and 'Insidious: Chapter 2'] ends," reveals Wilson.

"It's one thing when you're being possessed; it's another thing when you're trying to get rid of the possession." One other thing that makes the two characters different? Wilson's "Conjuring" character was based on a real-life paranormal investigator. "They really couldn't be further apart, when you have one guy that's real, so you have whole books and photos and things you can look at to see, [and] tapes to listen to. That was

The Black Swan star shines in satin at Marc Jacobs's Spring 2014 Collection runway show during New York Fashion Week. a very sort of realistic approach. With ['Insidious: Chapter 2'], you can sort of take what's on the page and what my relationship is like [with Rose Byrne], and that drama, and see where that goes." While Wilson's co-star Rose Byrne may not have as many hit horror films on her resumé, she revealed that she has the reallife chops to survive a terrifying experience.

When asked what she would do if she heard a bump in her house similar to the kind otherdimensional visitors cause in "Insidious," Byrne told her own home invasion story. "There was one time I could hear some rattling going around in my house when I was about 15, and I went upstairs and there was a guy trying to break in," said Byrne. "I was like, 'What are you doing?'

Putting my hands on my [hips] in my pajamas.

And he was like, [slurring] 'I just thought I was...' He was drunk! He was just trying to get into the house. I said, 'I'm going to call the police if you don't get out of here,' and I went back to bed... I lie awake and I could hear him go." Don't expect to get a story as neat and pat as Byrne's in "Insidious: Chapter 2," though.

Wilson revealed that fans who've enjoyed the first film's disturbing take on classic Hollywood haunting films had better prepare themselves for something different in this film. "I think with this one also, we get into such a fantasy element, which is what this movie does more so than the first one," explained Wilson. "It really pushes that, which is good, which is what you should do.

You should push the envelope."

"InSIdIouS: Chapter 2" hits theaters on September 13th. NEWS DESK

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The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. –Bertrand Russell

12 A saturday, 14 september, 2013

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WO different artists from two different countries but one agenda — pop singer Shehzad Roy and band Guns N’ Roses will be seen performing together at the Peace through Music Gala in Los Angeles, for improving and promoting quality education. Clearly, it is an exciting venture for fans of both the artists and surely an exciting one for Roy as well. “It’s a big honour to perform with such names. Guns N’ Roses is the number one band in US. [Sadly], Pakistan is known internationally to export other items however, this is something different and way beyond it,” says Roy, adding that music is a powerful medium for driving change.

While for a Pakistani artist, it is a huge opportunity, Storum, too, feels that is a great, peaceful effort to bridge the gap between the two countries. “I feel this collaboration is a solid step towards building bridges of peace between the East and West. Music is the universal language of humanity. If Shehzad and I can join hands to help children, then maybe others will join us in a global effort to educate younger generations about each other’s cultures,” says Storum. Roy’s line-up consists of songs like Apney Ulloo and Kangna. However, he will also be performing on a new song called Land of Pure, in collaboration with the band called. NEWS DESK

Clint eastwood sPotted first tiMe following sPlit The 83-year-old Oscar winner was spotted for the first time out in public without his wedding ring since it was announced that he and his wife, Dina, were calling it quits after 17 years of marriage. The sighting occurred on Wednesday as Clint was working on his latest directorial project, Jersey Boys, on the Santa Monica Pier.

Meanwhile, on the same day, E! News confirmed that Dina has officially filed for legal separation citing irreconcilable differences. Per a petition filed Monday in Monterey County Superior Court in Northern California and obtained by E! News, 48-year-old Dina is asking for spousal support and physical custody of the duo's 16-year-old daughter, Morgan, while sharing joint legal custody and visitation rights for Clint. Court docs also note that the former TV news anchor and the Hollywood legend have a premarital agreement.

Clint and Dina married in March 1996 and welcomed Morgan 9 months later. NEWS DESK

niCole kidMan knoCked down

by PaParazzo Nicole Kidman looked none the worse for wear, but we knew that today hadn't been the greatest for her. "It was awful, but I got back up," she told E! News tonight on the red carpet at a Calvin Klein pary for New York Fashion Week about being knocked over by a paparazzo on a bicycle outside The Carlyle hotel earlier Thursday. Asked if she planned to press charges, Kidman said that didn't know anything about the man who ran into her. "I was shaken up and I'll deal with it later," she said.

"I'm here for this now." The shutterbug was identified by fellow paparazzi as Carl Wu. A source told us that Kidman had been on her way back to her hotel following Calvin Klein's runway show this afternoon when the accident occurred. NEWS DESK

SRK’s house an some very annoyed pilgrims

ITH the Bandra fair held annually in Mumbai, thousands of residents and worshippers who visit the Mount Mary Church, seem to have been inconvenienced once again this year. SRK's bungalow Mannat is located next to the Mount Mary Church in Mumbai where thousands of pilgrims stock to during the annual Bandra fair. A road strategically located between SRK's home and the church has been blocked for SRK's safety and this has caused a nuisance to the pilgrims. According to a report in MidDay, devotees went through a tough time while visiting the holy shrine due to blocks and barricades on Cement Road, put by the Bandra police in order to safeguard the

W

Why chillies make your lips tickle f

OR some people when it comes to spicy food, the hotter the better, yet for others the mouth numbness and tingling caused by eating chillies is just painful. But what causes this sensation and why does it vary from person to person? Previous theories found that chillis contain chemicals that activate hot and cold sensors in the mouth, yet new research from the University College London has discovered another chemical capable of activating the sensors that respond to touch. Called sanshool, it is found in Sichuan peppers and can access parts of the lips that connect to the area of the brain associated with touch. Although study co-author Nobuhiro

Hagura, a cognitive neuroscientist at the university admits he is unsure exactly how or why it happens. Sichuan peppers, also known as zanthoxylum piperitum, are found predominantly in China and across the Himalayas. It is a common ingredient in spicy Chinese cooking and has a reputation for

palatial house of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan.

SRK's bungalow Mannat falls to the right of Cement Road and further to reports in MidDay, cops who had previously blocked the road promised not to do it this time. But in vain! But the thousands who will be inconvenienced due to the badhshah's presence in the locality, has irked the residents of Bandra and a residents' association has planned a huge protest on Saturday outside the church.

A senior level police officer was also quoted saying that SRK's security was only one aspect but the barricades were also there to protect the pilgrims in order to avoid a stampede due to narrow road and steep slope. COUrTESy TOI

causing tingling lips and making the mouth feel numb. The authors compare this to the same feeling created by touching a live electrical current.

Chillies are part of the capsicum family of plants that contain chemical compounds called capsaicinoids, such as menthol and, the most prevalent, capsaicin. When placed inside the mouth, these chemicals activate the parts of the tongue that can determine if food is hot or cold.

The peppers from Sichuan additionally contain a chemical called sanshool, that activates touch sensors.

During tests, Hagura placed Sichuan pepper powder onto the lips of 28 male participants. Each of the men reported numbing and

gyllenHaal tHuMbs uPs gay ruMours wHiCH followed brokebaCk Mountain The Drew Berrymore does some shopping in New York City.

tingling sensations. Their fingers were then vibrated using a machine and Hagura asked them whether the tingling on their lips felt faster or slower than the movement on their hands. By changing the vibrational frequency, Hagura was able to determine that the Sichuan peppers created a feeling of about 50 vibrations per second. This is the rate in which nerves sense light touches on the skin. Hagura told LiveScience that the findings could be used to discover exactly how taste affects the brain and why it differs from person to person. Earlier this year, an American scientist claimed that personality might determine whether someone likes spicy food or not. Pennsylvania State University's research examined the link between peoples' personality types and whether they were fans of food packed full of hot spices such as chilli. It found that people who seek adventure and intense sensations like spicy food more than those who avoid risky situations. NEWS DESK

Jake Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Oscar for his work on Brokeback Mountain, and apparently his portrayal of a gay cowboy opposite the late Heath Ledger convinced more than just the academy. People started to question his sexuality after the movie came out, but the Prisoners star never sweat the rumors. On next week's episode of Inside the Actors Studio, Gyllenhaal talks to James Lipton about his multifaceted career, and when asked about the gay rumors that swirled after Brokeback Mountain, the 32-year-old actor insisted he took it as a "huge compliment." Other notable points of conversation from the episode include the tragic passing of his costar Heath Ledger, whom he actually first met when they both auditioned for 2001's Moulin Rouge. "Heath and I knew each other for years before that because we had both auditioned for Moulin Rouge together," he tells Lipton. "And I remember thinking, 'I like this guy. He's just like, super lovable." Gyllenhaal also reveals that Ledger's death was like "losing a family member" and he still misses him "to this day." Jake also talked about working with the "sharp and courageous" Anne Hathaway on Love & Other Drugs, what turns him on (it's more obvious than you think), and his relationship with sister Maggie Gyllenhaal. Catch an exclusive sneak peek at his Inside the Actors Studio interview below, and be sure to tune in to the episode next Thursday, Sept. 19 only on Bravo. NEWS DESK

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It's a round ball and a round bat, and you got to hit it square. — Pete Rose

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Harare ProMises thrillinG final day

sPOrTs saturday, 14 september, 2013

HARARE

t

AGENCIES

HIS Test has been played with pay strife and load shedding as the sightscreens, but Zimbabwe were five wickets short of lifting that gloom momentarily. Misbah-ulHaq stood between them and only their fifth Test win against teams other than Zimbabwe, their first since 2001. It seemed they had given up a significant bit of their advantage as they lost their last six wickets for 78 and as the Pakistan themselves were chasing a bit of a landmark: a win here will be their third-highest successful chase, and their first of a 200-run target in close to last 10 years. Having fallen behind over the first three days, Pakistan tried the classical bigteam trick: bowl tight and let the opposition batsmen make the mistake, and try to demoralise them when they bowl.

The first part worked well. Rahat Ali led a bowling unit that aimed for the cracks as opposed to trying anything spectacular. The scoring stalled with in-and-out fields in place. Three of the six Zimbabweans to be dismissed today fell to poor shots. When their batsmen try to dominate the bowlers, though, they couldn't keep it up for long enough. Chatara struck the first blows with wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali, and Utseya accounted for the dangerous Khurram Manzoor for 54, and Asad Shafiq.

That batting freely would be difficult was evident for the morning session. Rahat and Abdur Rehman began with the simple plan of landing the ball near the crack that runs down the middle of the pitch. The ball would jag either side after hitting the crack, and a wicket always looked around the corner. Rahat first got Vusi Sibanda, who batted at No. 6 because he was unwell on the third day.

The pressure - the two bowled the first 12.4 overs of the day for just 25 runs - was palpable. When Saeed Ajmal came on to bowl, Malcolm Waller saw release in a short and wide ball, but failed to keep it down and gave point the catch. Junaid Khan, the other change, hit the crack even more regularly. Once when he did, the ball moved away from elton Chigumbura, beating his outside edge. From a similar area, the next ball didn't move, but the muscle memory had already drawn Chigumbura across, and the edge was taken.

The chaos continued after lunch when Brendan Taylor ended his fighting innings with a limp drive at a full and wide

delivery. The lead hadn't yet reached 250.

Richmond Mutumbani now began to attack, scoring 21 off the 25 balls he faced after Taylor got out. Those crucial runs added, he got a leading edge to Ajmal, followed shortly by a flailing pull from Tendai Chatara.

Chatara was much more effective when it came to bowling. The Pakistan openers had somewhat rattled the Zimbabwe bowlers a bit as they began to walk at them and drive prodigiously. By the end of the seventh over, they had reached 29. Only one of those 29 was run.

Taylor then called on Chatara. Hafeez continued to walk down the wicket. His premeditation consumed him. First he pulled a ball he should have been cutting.

If this one fell short of mid-on, the next early walk down the wicket resulted in a leading edge that was swallowed by midon. It was followed up by a beauty to Azhar, a length ball that held its line in front of off, squaring the batsman up and hitting the off stump.

All this didn't deter the first-innings half-centurion, Manzoor, who remained positive and kept attacking loose deliveries.

The attitude seemed to rub onto Younis Khan too: they added they added 54 in 11 overs. Zimbabwe refused to let up, though.

Utseya, despite being hit for two fours by

(PIZZA HUT TENNIS C’SHIP)

yasir to face aqeel in final LAHORE STAFF rEPOrT Yasir Khan is set to face his brother Aqeel in the men’s singles final of the 10th Pizza Hut Open Super Series Ranking Tennis Championship. Yasir Khan beat Jalil Khan 7-6 (retired) and Aqeel Khan defeated Nomi Qamar 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals here at Karachi Gymkhana on Thursday. In ladies’ singles semi-finals, Neha Khan overpowered Wania Khan 6-4, 6-7, 10-4 and Hania Naveed smashed Rida Khan 6-0, 6-0. In the under-17 quarter-finals, Dawar Rehan beat Jalaluddin Baber 6-3, 6-4. In the pre-quarter-final, Marib Malik defeated Syed Yawar from Islamabad 63, 6-5 (retired). Raza Sawani beat Saad M Ali 6-0, 6-3 in the under-15 semi-final. In the quarter-finals, Raza Sawani defeated Jalaluddin Baber 6-0, 6-4 and Saad M Ali got walkover against Sahibzada M Ali. In the under-13 semi-final, Mohammad Bilal Imran beat Mohammad Ahmed 6-3, 6-1.

The final of under-9 was won by Mohammad Yahya who beat Saim Danish 8-4.

Manzoor, troubled him with the dip he got.

Soon after Manzoor reached his second fifty of the match, he fell to the dip. He pushed forward to defend, but the ball dropped shorter than he expected, and popped up for a bat-pad catch.

Younis soon moved too far across to a

straight delivery from Brian Vitori, losing his leg stumps. Between them, the top four hit 21 boundaries in 99 runs. Attacking the inexperienced bowlers seemed something that was discussed beforehand. With four wickets down for 100, though, Misbah went back to the way he has become used

SCOrEbOArD 294 ZIMbAbWE 1st INNINGS 230 PAKISTAN 1st INNINGS ZIMbAbWE 2nd INNINGS 58 TMK Mawoyo lbw b Abdur rehman 5 P Utseya c Asad Shafiq b rahat Ali 44 H Masakadza lbw b rahat Ali 0 T Panyangara c Azhar Ali b Abdur rehman 27 brM Taylor* c Azhar Ali b rahat Ali V Sibanda c †Adnan Akmal b rahat Ali 10 MN Waller c Khurram Manzoor b Saeed Ajmal 3 E Chigumbura c †Adnan Akmal b Junaid Khan 3 r Mutumbami† c Abdur rehman b Saeed Ajmal 29 TL Chatara c †Adnan Akmal b rahat Ali 1 0 bV Vitori not out EXTrAS: (b 3, lb 11, w 5) 19 199 TOTAL: (all out; 89.5 overs) FALL OF WICKETS: 1-13 (Utseya, 5.3 ov), 2-117 (Mawoyo, 48.6 ov), 3-121 (Masakadza, 49.4 ov), 4-121 (Panyangara, 50.2 ov), 5136 (Sibanda, 59.2 ov), 6-149 (Waller, 66.1 ov), 7-156 (Chigumbura, 71.5 ov), 8-177 (Taylor, 81.3 ov), 9-199 (Mutumbami, 88.5 ov), 10-199 (Chatara, 89.5 ov) bOWLING: Junaid Khan 19-6-37-1,rahat Ali 24.5-5-52-5,Saeed Ajmal 22-7-56-2,Abdur rehman 24-5-40-2 PAKISTAN 2nd INNINGS Khurram Manzoor c Waller b Utseya 54 Mohammad Hafeez c Vitori b Chatara 16 Azhar Ali b Chatara 0 29 younis Khan b Vitori 26 Misbah-ul-Haq* not out 14 Asad Shafiq c †Mutumbami b Utseya 17 Adnan Akmal† not out 2 EXTrAS: (w 1, nb 1) 158 TOTAL: (5 wickets; 49 overs) TO bAT: Abdur rehman, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, rahat Ali FALL OF WICKETS: 1-30 (Mohammad Hafeez, 7.4 ov), 2-46 (Azhar Ali, 11.2 ov), 3-90 (Khurram Manzoor, 22.2 ov), 4-100 (younis Khan, 25.5 ov), 5-133 (Asad Shafiq, 39.2 ov) bOWLING: T Panyangara 10-2-32-0,bV Vitori 12-2-55-1,TL Chatara 13-2-29-2,P Utseya 13-2-40-2,H Masakadza 1-0-2-0 MATCH DETAILS TOSS Zimbabwe, who chose to bat PLAyEr OF THE MATCH tba UMPIrES SJ Davis (Australia) and rEJ Martinesz (Sri Lanka) TV UMPIrE O Chirombe MATCH rEFErEE J Srinath (India) rESErVE UMPIrE TJ Matibiri

to. For company was Asad Shafiq. They defended and defended, but they - Shafiq in particular - never really looked comfortable. Vitori especially troubled him from round the stumps, a wide angle that has got him more than once in this series.

Shafiq's end, though, came to Utseya when he went back to cut a ball that wasn't short enough, and edged it through to Mutumbani. Misbah and Adnan Akmal saw off the remaining 9.4 overs without further incident, making sure neither team could sleep more comfortably than the other.

RAHAT'S SECOND BEST BOWLING FIGURE IN TESTS S PERVEZ QAISER Rahat Ali recorded his second best bowling performance in ongoing Test by taking five for 52 on the fourth day at Harare Sports Club on Friday. The left-arm fast-medium figures bowler venue season result bowler's best bowling in Test cricket is six for 127 against South Africa at Centuion in 2012-13. Rahat Ali who is 7-66 Saqlain Mushtaq bulawayo 2002-03 Pakistan won playing fourth Test match, also became only sixth 7-95 Saeed Ajmal Harare 2013-14 Pakistan won Pakistani bowler to take five or more wickets against 5-43 Wasim Akram bulawayo 1994-95 Pakistan won Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe. Adnan Akmal equalled Rashid 5-46 Aamer Nazir Harare 1994-95 Pakistan won 5-52 rahat Ali Harare 2013-14 Awaited Latif's record of most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in a 5-106 Waqar younis bulawayo 1997-98 Match drawn Test match against Zimbabwe by holding six catches in this Test match. Rashid Latif also caught the same number of Zimbabwean batsmen at Bulawayo in 1997-98. Khurram Mazoor who made 51 in the first innings and 54 in the second, became sixth Pakistan batsman on eighth occasion to score a fifty in each innings of a Test match against Zimbabwe. Inzamam-ul-Haq (71 & 65 in the first Test and 101 & 83 in the third Test match at Harare in 1994-95) did the same twice while Taufeeq Umar (75 & 111at Harare in 2002-03), Saeed Anwar (81 & 50* at Faisalabad in 1996-97), Mohammad Yousuf (60 & 64at Bulawayo in 1997-98), Asif Mujtaba (54* & 51at Rawalpindi in 1993-94) and Misbah-ul-Haq (53 & 52 at Harare in the first Test match of the current series) scored fifties in each innings of a Test match once each.

best bowling PerforManCe for Pakistan in ziMbabwe

pcb hopeS to convince bcci for tri-SerieS LAHORE STAFF rEPOrT

Desperate for regular cricket clashes with India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hoping to convince theBoard of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host a tri-series later this year when the officials from the two Boards come face to face during an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Chennai on Saturday.

Reliable sources in the PCB told PTI that Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmad will not only attend a meeting of the ACC but also hold discussions with BCCI officials.

"There is a strong chance that the BCCI might propose to have a tri-series sometime in December in India with Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the PCB is ready to accept this invitation," one source said.

He said even if the tri-series led to some rescheduling of Pakistan's home series against Sri Lanka in the UAe in DecemberJanuary, the PCB and Sri Lanka Cricket WASIM AKRAM would work former pakiStani captain out a joint

PAKISTAN AND INDIA NEEDED TO HAVE BILATERAL CRICKET TIES.

solution. "The PCB has got feelers from India that it is contemplating having the tri-series after having decided to curtail its tour to South Africa late in the year," the source said.

The BCCI is presently in disagreement with Cricket South Africa (CSA) over the number of matches to be played in the series and on Wednesday even the International Cricket Council (ICC) came out in favour of South Africa.

"But the Indians are clearly not happy with the reentry of Haroon Lorgat into Cricket South Africa and are now thinking about the tri-series with Pakistan and India," he added.

Pakistan had toured India last December to play a short one-day series that marked the revival of bilateral series between the two nations after 2007. The source said the PCB is hoping that Ahmad would convince the Indian board to also talk in terms of a bilateral cricket series soon.

"PCB is keen for the tri-series as it will guarantee good money for both Pakistan and Sri Lanka," he added.

But the possible tri-series also comes at a time

INDIAN VISAS ISSUED FOR FAISALABAD WOLVES LahorE: Indian visas have been issued for the Faisalabad Wolves and the team will now be able to participate in the Champions League T20 tournament. The Indian government had initially denied visas to the team citing safety and security concerns. The Misbah-ul-Haq lead squad will depart for India on Saturday and play their qualifying round match on September 17. Prior to being issued the visas, the team’s manager Haroon Rasheed said the players were focused on their cricket and hopeful of appearing in the tournament. STAFF rEPOrT

when the Indian government has not issued visas to theFaisalabad Wolves team to take part in the Champions League tournament.

"Subhan might also discuss this issue with the Indians. But apparently one thing is clear he is going there after the PCB got some sort of signal from the government," he said.

Pakistan's former captain Wasim Akram also told reporters here that Pakistan and India needed to have bilateral cricket ties.

ISB 14-09-2013_Layout 1 9/14/2013 2:13 AM Page 16

I don't want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it. — Rogers Hornsby

14 S

sPOrTs saturday, 14 september, 2013

PertH's waCa Misses out on india test

SydnEy: Perth's WACA ground will be without a Test match when India tour Australia during the 2014-15 season, Cricket Australia has announced. The WACA, a regular Australian Test venue since 1974, missed out when CA allocated its schedule of four Tests against third-ranked India. CA said Adelaide, scheduled to complete a Aus$535 million ($500 million) redevelopment for the upcoming Ashes series against England, and Brisbane will join Melbourne and Sydney in hosting Tests against India. "Unfortunately, due to the unique nature of the schedule next season, with a World Cup year (2015), there was going to be a couple of (Australian) states disappointed about our Test match allocation," CA chief executive James Sutherland said.

"Although the WACA has missed out on a Test match, they will play host to up to four limited-overs matches in the 201415 season against South Africa as well as India and England competing in a triseries in January prior to the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup (in Australia and New Zealand)," he added. WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said her association was "extremely disappointed and devastated" by the decision. "The WACA has been undergoing a planning process to look at increasing the size of the ground and improving patron facilities and unfortunately this takes time and could not be done in time for the 201415 season," Matthews said. AGENCIES

(MTFA INTRA FUTSAL TOURNAMENT)

laHore fC tHrasH faisalabad fC by 4-2 LahorE: Lahore F.C, Islamabad F.C and Quetta F.C in group C1-A earned victories against their respective rivals in the MTFA Intra Futsal Tournament 2013 here on Thursday at Model Town Football Ground. Lahore F.C thrash Faislabad F.C 4-2. Nabeel struck two while Fahad and Tayyab shared one goal each while Islamabad F.C beat Multan F.C 4-3 and Quetta F.C defeat Sahiwal F.C. In Group “B“ Karachi F.C defeated Sahiwal F.C 3-0. Shameer , Ibrahim and Shaheer produced one goal.

Saturday fixture: Lahore F.C Vs Islamabad F.C (6:15 pm) in Group C1-A Fiasalabad F.C vs Multan F.C (6:15 pm) in Group C1-A Okara F.C vs quetta F.C F.C (5:15 pm) inGroup b Peshawar F.C Vs Sahiwal F.C (5:15 pm) in Group b Sialkot F.C vs Sahiwal F.C (5:15 pm) om Groiup b.

STAFF rEPOrT

rana MujaHid Confident of hiS election aS phf Secretary the pakiStan national hockey haS not been able to qualify for the next year world cup, for the firSt time in hiStory, after failinG to win the recently concluded aSia cup in malaySia LAHORE STAFF rEPOrT

r

eCeNTLY appointed secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Rana Mujahid Ali has expressed the hope that he would win the same post in the upcoming PHF elections as well. “I will contest for the same post [secretary] in the upcoming election, and will hopefully win it for the next term as well”, said Rana Mujahid in a television interview.

Rana Mujahid was previously working as the Associate Secretary however, the executive board of the PHF appointed him in place of Asif Bajwa, who stepped down as Secretary, on Wednesday.

Rana Mujahid also brushed aside the continuous criticism from a section of

former Olympians which demand the imposition of an ad-hoc setup on the PHF. “Ad-hoc isn’t a democratic way of dealing with things. The well-wishers of Hockey should do it in a constitutional and democratic manner”, said Rana Mujahid.

“Contest the elections and acquire a

position of their liking”, said Rana Mujahid while referring to the former Olympians. “I have always wanted to seek guidance from former greats and even today my doors are open for their valuable suggestions”, added Rana Mujhahid Former greats Islahuddin, Samiullah,

Shehnaz Sheikh, Qamar Zia, Waseem Feroz, Qamar Ibrahim and a lot of other former players have come down hard on the PHF management after the national team’s ouster from the World Cup, and have urged the imposition of an ad-hoc setup on the PHF.

Learn from warner, Gower tells Broad LONDON AGENCIES former England captain david Gower believes Stuart Broad can win over fans in australia during the upcoming ashes series if he follows the lead of david Warner. Broad is set to become the England player, above all others, australian fans love to hate following his controversial decision not to walk in the first ashes test at trent Bridge this season. But Broad’s decision to stand his ground on his nottinghamshire home ground still rankled with australia coach darren Lehmann, even though australians have traditionally refrained from walking and instead waited for the umpire’s decision. Gower though suggested the best way for Broad to defuse any illfeeling was to respond with a smile, much as Warner did when England fans made him their pantomime villain following his bar-room attack on Joe root. he (Broad) might have a tough time to start with. not everyone will be as crass as to just pick up on those words the other day and make life hard for him all the time. he is a good player and a tough individual but the best thing for him to do would be to take a leaf out of david Warner’s book and just play with it. “If you go down there and you are expecting to cop a bit, and whether or not Lehmann said what he said, they would cop it anyway because it is the nature of the beast. But if you can run with it and smile with it to win people over and perform well it would sort out any.

4 PLAYERS FOUND GUILTY, PROBE PANEL SUGGESTS BANS NEW DEHLI AGENCIES

Ravi Sawani’s panel that investigated into the Indian Premier League (IPL), 2013 spot-fixing controversy is said to have found four players guilty and has suggested bans from five years to life.

It was reported that the accused Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan will be attending the meeting.

Harmeet Singh, the young left-arm spinner will also be present along with Siddharth Trivedi. Ajit Chandila may not come as he very recently got bail.

The one-man Sawani panel investigated allegations that the three Rajasthan Royals players — Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila — conceded a predetermined number of runs per over in exchange for money during the IPL this year. The trio had served some time in jail after being arrested on May 16.

Sawani’s report will now be studied by

the BCCI’s Disciplinary Committee, which comprises Board vice-Presidents Arun Jaitley and Niranjan Shah. Sawani, who heads the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and

Security Unit, handed over the report to the Board during its Working Committee meeting in Kolkata last month.

After examining the report, the

Disciplinary Committee will present the coming out on bail. The disciplinary findings at the BCCI annual general committee originally had BCCI President N Srinivasan as well but he stepped aside meeting to be held on September 29. after the arrest of his son-inSawani had earlier submitted an law and Chennai Super interim report, which was Kings Team Principal put on hold by the BCCI The Gurunath as he had not spoken Meiyappan on to Chandila, who one-man sawani charges of was in judicial panel investigated betting. custody till a few Sreesanth, days ago. allegations that the three Chavan and Chandila, who rajasthan royals players — Chandila was granted bail were arrested on August 6 for sreesanth, Chavan and on May 16, two days to Chandila — conceded a along with perform the last rites of his pre-determined number of eleven bookies, and deceased brother, runs per over in exchange were charged has denied the charges but is yet to for money during the under the Indian Penal Code section meet Sawani.

IPL this year 420 and 120B, which The other two deal with fraud, cheating implicated players have also and criminal conspiracy. maintained their innocence after

ISB 14-09-2013_Layout 1 9/14/2013 2:13 AM Page 17

Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple. — Barry Switzer

15

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saturday, 14 september, 2013

real unlikely TO OVERBURDEN BALE AT VILLARREAL portuGal winGer criStiano ronaldo, Spain playmaker iSco and brazil fullback marcelo all returned from international duty with problemS of varyinG deGreeS of SeriouSneSS

rANKINGS 1. Spain 2. Argentina (+2 places) 3. Germany (-1) 4. Italy (+2) 5. Colombia (-2) 6. Belgium (+4) 7. Uruguay (+5) 8. Brazil (+1) 9. Netherlands (-4) 10. Croatia (-2) 11. Portugal (-4) 12. Greece (-1) 13. USA (+6) 14. Switzerland (+1) 15. Russia (+) 16. Chile (+5) 17. England (-3) 18. Bosnia-Herzegovina (-5) 19. Ivory Coast (-1) 20. Ecuador (-3)

wAtCh It LIve TENSPORTS PAK VS ZIM 2ND TEST DAY 5

1:00 PM

STAR CRICKET AUS VS ENG 4TH ODI

2:15 PM

MADRID

b

jaHangir says olyMPiC figHt to go on

AGENCIES

ARCeLONA have been careful to break new recruit Neymar in gently during the opening weeks of the La Liga season and Real Madrid are likely to follow a similar policy with Gareth Bale, even with several key players carrying injuries.

Football’s richest club by income, who like champions Barca have a perfect nine points from three matches, splashed a record 100 million euros to secure Bale will make his debut at promoted Villarreal in Saturday’s late kickoff.

The 24-year-old winger played the final half hour of Wales’s3-0 World Cup Bale will qualification defeat at make his debut home to Serbia on Tuesday, his first at promoted competitive action since Villarreal in July, and coach Chris Coleman warned saturday’s afterwards it would be late kickoff the rest of the squad on unwise for him to play a full Wednesday, while Marcelo match this weekend considering had treatment from medical staff his relative lack of fitness.

After arriving in the Spanish capital on along with long-term absentee Xabi Wednesday, Bale had his first workout Alonso.

Villarreal, along with Atletico Madrid with his new team mates and although Real have a number of players injured, the only other team to win their opening coach Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to deploy three games, are eager to test themselves against opponents of Real’s calibre after him from the start at the Madrigal.

Ronaldo and Isco trained apart from spending a year in the second division last

BELGIUM UP TO SIXTH, ENGLAND SLUMP IN WORLD RANKINGS ParIS: Belgium’s rise as a footballing power has been underlined in the latest FIFA rankings, published on Thursday, in which the Red Devils climbed to sixth place. However, England continued to slide down the list despite collecting four points from their last two World Cup qualifiers. Reigning European and world champions Spain remain in first place, with Argentina — who this week clinched qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil - up to second ahead of Germany. Italy and Colombia complete the top five, but Belgium have climbed four places to sixth this month. England’s ranking of 17th is their lowest since 2001, but they were not the only nation to slide down the list. Bosnia-Herzegovina dropped five places to 18th and the Netherlands slid four to ninth, despite this week qualifying for the World Cup finals. AGENCIES

term.

Under coach Marcelino they have shown real attacking flair and their performances so far this term suggest they are more likely to be challenging for a place in europe than flirting with relegation come the end of the campaign.

Barca meanwhile, are waiting on the fitness of midfielder Sergio Busquets and fullback Daniel Alves as they prepare to host Sevilla on Saturday (tomorrow).

Coach Gerardo Martino has used Neymar sparingly in the early stages of Barca’s title defence, although he did play 90 minutes of the 3-2 victory at Valencia in their last league outing before the international break.

The Brazil forward shone for his country in friendly victories against Australia and Portugal over the past week, scoring a goal in each game including a trademark sprint through the Portuguese defence followed by a clinical finish.

Barca’s World Player of the Year Lionel Messi also returned on Wednesday after helping Argentina secure qualification for next year’s World Cup in Brazil with two penalties in a 5-2success in Paraguay.

Messi missed the 1-0 win La Liga at Malaga last month before notching a hattrick at Valencia to take his tally for the season to five goals in two games including a double at home to Levante in the opening round of matches.

LahorE: Legendary Pakistan squash player Jahangir Khan vowed Thursday to keep fighting for a place for his sport in the Olympics despite the failed bid to join the 2020 Tokyo Games. The International Olympic Committee voted Sunday to put wrestling back on the roster. Squash trailed in third place, winning 22 votes out of 95 cast, behind 49 for wrestling and 24 for baseball/softball. Khan, who set a record of 10 British open titles in 1991, said he would not be deterred from fighting hard for squash. “I have been very passionate about squash’s inclusion in the Olympics, so the decision is not only surprising but also shocking,” Khan told AFP. “But we will not lose hope and will continue the fight.” Khan, who won six world titles and had three stints as president of the World Squash Federation, said his sport had come the closest yet to being inducted into the Olympics. It has been a disappointment for squash fans. In 2005 the sport topped the vote but failed to get the required two-thirds majority. It failed again in 2009. Khan said squash had everything needed for the Olympics. “Squash meets all the demands of an Olympic sport, we have a big audience and as a global sport it has its importance,” said Khan. The decision was a blow to “millions of youth who play squash with a passion and want to win an Olympic medal, but I am sure they will continue with this dream”, Jahangir added. STAFF rEPOrT

Federer COMBInes wITh ChInese AT shAnGhAI MAsTers roGer federer iS to team-up with china'S top male player at next month'S ShanGhai maSterS

SHANGHAI AGENCIES

The organisers have revealed that the 32year-old, 17-time Grand Slam champion, will partner Zhang Ze in the Masters Series event.

Federer, the world No 6, has played

just one doubles event this year although he did win an Olympic gold medal alongside Stanislas Wawrinka at the Beijing Games of 2008.

The 23-year-old Ze has a world ranking of 180 and tournament director Michael Luevano said: "We know that Roger does not play a lot of doubles through the year so having him take to the doubles court in Shanghai is a wonderful addition to what is already shaping up to be a fantastic week.

"It is just amazing Zhang that Roger has chosen to play with added: "I a Chinese player. know I am It is a great testament to his going to be affection for quite nervous China and his Chinese fans. to be the He really could doubles have played with anyone."

The partner of Shanghai Masters roger." starts on October 6 with Federer yet to book his place at the end-of-year ATP World Tour Finals in London.

JOVANOVSKI INTO TASHKENT FINAL

SPORTS DESK Top seed Bojana Jovanovski booked her place in the final of the Tashkent Open with a straight-sets victory over Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor of Spain. The 21-year-old Serbian was in control from the start in the semi-final and overcame Torro-Flor 6-2 6-2 in just over an hour. Jovanski recovered from one set down in Thursday's quarter-final against Galina Voskoboeva and is aiming to add to her single WTA title win on Saturday. Jovanovski will face Olga Govortsova in the final, after the Belarusian defeated Luxembourg's Mandy Minella in the second semi-final. Govortsova claimed a 6-2 7-5 victory over Minella after 90 minutes in the Uzbekistan capital.

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Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad.