Published Monthly in Chicago, USA and distributed simultaneously to major cities of USA, Canada, UK and Pakistan
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ontents
4. Turkey visit
6.
PM Nawaz arrives in New York to attend UNGA session
5.
Prime minister condemns ‘gutless act’
7.
TTP distances itself from Peshawar church attack
8.
Ignoring US sanctions, Russia offers to build Pak-Iran gas pipeline
9.
Pakistan earthquake death toll rises to 355 now 10.Sindh ready to hold LB polls in November 12. A fundraising dinner was organized by Dr. Mubarak Mirjat
EDITORIAL The Hajj and Eid al-Adha 2013
The Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam and one of the largest religious pilgrimages in the world, is currently taking place in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Starting last Friday and continuing through Wednesday, some 3 million Muslims from around the globe are participating in several rituals, including the Tawaf -- the circumambulation of the Kaaba, the enormous cube-shaped building in the center of the Masjid al-Haram mosque. The pilgrims are are also taking part in the Sa’i, traveling back and forth between the mountains of Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, and Ramy al-Jamarat, in which they throw pebbles at three walls in the city of Mina to show their defiance of the Devil. Directly after the Hajj, Muslims all over the world will observe Eid al-Adha, or the Festival of Sacrifice. The feast honors Abraham who, according to Muslim tradition, was prepared to sacrifice his son Ishmael before God sent a ram in his place. To commemorate this event, worshippers sacrifice sheep, cows, and camels, and share the meat among family, neighbors, and the needy. Collected here are scenes of this year’s Hajj and Eid al-Adha, from Mecca and around the globe. Jawaid riaz
16. Investigations
14. Opposi-
stalled: Headless NAB stands paralysed
tion, govt fail to pick out NAB chief
17. Missing
11.
Restoring order: Govt ponders ruthless anti-terror law
13. An Evening
of Theatre and Dance to Benefit Koohi Goth Hospital
EDITORIAL BOARD Jawaid Riaz, Editor Armughan Asar, Queens, NY Mashood Ahsan, Saint Louis, MO Najeeb Ali Kidwai, Canada Rashid khan, Springfield, MA Shahid Alam, Dallas, TX Shahid Khan, London, UK Suhail Ahmed, Houston, TX Zafar Khursheed, Denville, NJ Zulikha Wahid Washington, DC
15. International powers want to undermine MQM: Altaf Hussain
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT FROM PAKISTAN Syed Tariq Abrar
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20.
21.
Art & Literature
proposed for acting HEC chief
Abid Ali Syed Andleeb Jawaid Baseer Naveed Madah Jawaid Dr.Naseem Shekhani Dr.Naveen Aman Dr. Tanveer Imam Tariq Khawaja
Sports
Showbiz
persons’ case:
18. Three names
PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
19.
22.
Beauty Tips Fashion & Horoscope
ADVISORY BOARD Abdul Aziz Memmon, Karachi, Pakistan Abdul Waheed Jamal, Karachi, Pakistan Dr. Azfar Malik, St. Louis, MO Ghulam Mustafa Majeed, Bahrain Dr. Hadi Zadi, St. Louis, MO Hassan Mahmood Jafri, Karachi, Pakistan Mark Asim, New York City, NY Mubbashir Aslam, Canada Dr. Naseem Shekhani, St. Louis, MO Dr. Naveen Aman, Chicago, IL Syed Ashiq Raza, Karachi, Pakistan Syed Mazhar Alam, Naperville, IL Tariq Khawaja Dr. Tausif Ahmed Khan, Karachi, Pakistan Art Director : Syed Tariq Abrar ( Pakistan ) Design by : Seema Niazi (Pakistan) 011 + 92 + 333 3270755
4 September - 2013
Turkey visit
NEWS Nawaz visited a low-cost housing scheme in Ankara and met with investors in the housing sector, also mentioning potential assistance in this area three times in his interactions with the media. It is to the prime minister’s credit that he is using these trips not just to shore up our alliances with important powers but also to sign the kind of economic agreements that are sorely needed to spur economic activity back home.
Nawaz
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Turkey can be seen as a success both in the security and economic realms as the two countries agreed to intensify their cooperation in various sectors. On the issue of militancy and radicalisation, Pakistan sought help from Turkey particularly in the field of cybercrime.
receives “Medal of Democracy” on visit to Turkey
Turkey, as a regional power, also has particular interest in Afghanistan once US troops pull out next year and so will be relieved to know that the PML-N government seems to be less committed to the idea of ‘strategic depth’ than previous governments and is more interested in maintaining better ties with the Afghans.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif received the highest Turkish Civil Award, “Medal of Democracy” on his three day visit to Turkey on Tuesday at the invitation of his The focus of Nawaz Sharif’s visit, Turkish counterpart. however, was primarily economic as can be ascertained by the fact This award will help further the ties that the ministers who accompa- between the two countries. nied the prime minister were from On receiving the award, Nawaz the finance, privatisation, water Sharif said “It is indeed a great and power and housing depart- honour for me to have been bements. stowed with the ‘Medal of DemocThe PML-N is perhaps the party most likely to get much-needed economic help from Turkey since it was the provincial government of Shahbaz Sharif in Punjab that managed to secure help from the country for its metro bus project. During the trip, Pakistan particularly sought cooperation in the areas of solar and wind energy – another area where Turkey has experience, having helped with wind energy projects in Sindh.
racy’ by your Excellency”. He further added “I am deeply touched by the exalted recognition granted for my humble contribution to furthering our fraternal relations, a calling close to my heart”. He also said “It is a renewal of an abiding commitment to work continuously and untiringly towards exploring new vistas for cooperation between our two countries”.
During the visit the PM also adThe most significant help Tur- dressed the business forum and key ends up giving us may be in signed important agreements as the field of low-cost housing. PM well as Memorandum’s of Under-
standing with the Turkish government. Nawaz Sharif also had separate meetings with leading Turkish entrepreneurs and investors. Leading businessmen from Pakistan also attended the forum to explore mutually beneficial entrepreneurial opportunities. Turkey and Pakistan have had a history of positive cooperation. In 2005, Turkey’s housing development administration assisted in the construction of 5,000 homes in earthquake-affected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Turkish companies are becoming increasingly active in Pakistan’s energy sector as well and in 2009, Turkish firms built Pakistan’s first wind turbines.
Talks with Taliban deemed not to move forward: Nawaz
The PM was speaking to the Pakistani media in London as he arrived here for a brief overnight stay on his way to the USA. When asked by ‘The News’ about the relentless attacks by militant groups and the government’s intention to start whathave been termed ‘peace talks’ with the Taliban, Sharif explained that the All Parties Conference (APC) was called with sincere intentions and “all the decisions made there were based on sincerity and the whole nation was represented in the decisions that were made.” Nawaz defended the APC’s decision to speak to the militants but looked frustrated at the total disregard shown by them to his offer. He said that the killing of innocent Christians had plunged the whole nation into grief. “It’s a national tragedy. No sane person can condone such barbarism. Everyone, no matter what his religion or creed is, will feel sad over this. This is the work of the enemies of Pakistan.” He said that terrorists had no religion and were targeting innocent people and this was against the teachings of Islam and all religions.
When asked if the government would now start an offensive against the militant groups, Nawaz Sharif was evasive about what would happen next when there was little hope left that political dialogue would result in anything. The militant groups seemed to be in an aggressive mood, believing LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz that the government was in a deSharif said that the behaviour and fensive mood. actions of the militants did not augur well for any kind of peace talks Nawaz Sharif said that he would as the government’s efforts for a hold talks with heads of states in dialogue with the Taliban were the US, including several ministers now deemed not to be moving for- from all over the world. “Pakistan ward despite the fact that the gov- has a solid point of view on many ernment had been very sincere in issues and we will raise them in the General Assembly. The whole its offer. world will be there to listen and we Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has must make the world aware of our conceded that the continuing at- concerns and position on various tacks on Pakistan’s interests by issues.” terrorists have dealt a blow to the sincere efforts of the government. Nawaz said that he had fond
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5 September - 2013 memories of London as it’s from this city that he had helped “run the movement for democracy in Pakistan against a dictator and for the establishment of the rule of law.” The premier said he had no option but to stay in London because “we were barred from entering Pakistan” and he stressed that the Charter of Democracy (CoD) should be implemented in letter and spirit. “We want Pakistan to prosper as a democracy. How wonderful it is that a democratic government has taken over from another and the transfer of power has been through the power of the ballot. It was all cordial and we have set a democratic example by sitting together with all political stakeholders as seen recently, including during the presidential takeover ceremony,” he said in reference to the tribute he paid to former president Asif Ali Zardari and vice versa. When asked by ‘The Media’ what would happen to accountability, Nawaz Sharif said that accountability as a process would continue. “The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is there to do its job and it’s the function of NAB to do so. We believe that democracy should function and deliver. We want to play our role to strengthen democratic values and we should meet the expectations of our people.” Nawaz Sharif announced that he would ensure that legislation was brought in for the rights of overseas Pakistanis and their rights were protected accordingly. “I love the overseas Pakistanis and the whole nation loves them. They are patriots, whether they carry Pakistani passports or otherwise. Their hearts beat with Pakistan.”
NEWS
Prime
Peshawar church
minister bombings condemns toll hits 81; over 145 ‘gutless act’ injured
“We carried out the suicide bombings at Peshawar church and will continue to strike foreigners and non-Muslims until drone attacks stop,” Ahmad Marwat, a spokesman for the group, told AFP by telephone. In June, the group claimed responsibility for killing 10 foreign climbers at a base camp of Nanga Parbat, the second highest mountain in Pakistan after K-2. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the “cruel” attack, saying it violated the tenets of Islam. Pope Francis also spoke out against the violence, calling it “a bad choice of hatred and war”.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister PESHAWAR: The death toll of twin Nawaz Sharif has condemned the suicide bombings at a church in IED attack which left three Paki- Peshawar has reached 81. stan army officials dead. The tragedy came to pass after In his message of condolence is- two suicide attackers blew themsued on Sunday, the prime minis- selves up outside a church near ter termed the incident a gutless Qissa Khawani bazaar here on act. He said, “The Pakistan Army Sunday. has made substantial sacrifices to protect the nation against the According to latest reports at least menace of terrorism and such 145 people were injured in the attacks. cowardly acts by terrorists cannot deter the morale of our Armed Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) cordoned off the site of crime after Forces.” what is said to be the Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain also deadliest attack on the Christian expressed sorrow over the martyr- community. dom of General Officer Commanding (GOC) Malakand Division Ma- The dead and injured, some of jor General Sanaullah, Lieutenant them seriously, were rushed to Colonel Tauseef and Lance Naik different hospitals of Peshawar including Lady Reading Hospital. Irfan Sattar. The President, in his condolence message, paid tribute to the senior officers for their service in the defence of the country and prayed for their eternal peace. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also telephoned the Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to express his condolences over the loss of lives and to discuss the likely response to such an attack.
When asked by ‘The Media’ whether overseas Pakistanis would be allowed to stand for Pakistan’s public offices, Nawaz Sharif said that the decision on this issue would be taken by parliament but “I personally feel that they should not be discriminated against and should not be given the proverbial step-motherly treatment. We must remember that they love Pakistan and it’s important.”
The minister expressed solidarity with the army on behalf of the government and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of Army for the defence of the country.
Earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Begum Kulsoom Nawaz were received at London’s Heathrow Airport by Pakistan’s envoy to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak condemned the incident as well. He conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families and declared the incident a great loss to the country.
AFP adds: The two attackers struck at the end of a service at All Saints Church in Peshawar, the main town in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has borne the brunt of a bloody extremist insurgency in recent years.
Sahibzada Anees, one of Peshawar’s most senior officials, told reporters the bombers struck when the service had just ended. “We are in an area which is a target of terrorism and within that area there was a special security arrangement for the church. We are in a rescue phase and once it is over we will investigate what went wrong,” Anees said. Former minister for inter-faith harmony Paul Bhatti and provincial lawmaker Fredrich Azeem Ghauri both said the attack was the deadliest ever targeting Christians in Pakistan. The small and largely impoverished Christian community suffers discrimination in the overwhelmingly Muslim-majority nation but bombings against them are extremely rare. Schoolteacher Nazir Khan, 50, said at least 400 worshippers were greeting each other after the service when there was a huge explosion.
Federal interior minister Chaudhry “A huge blast threw me on the Nisar Ali Khan confirmed the death floor and as soon as I regained my toll saying some of the injured senses, a second blast took place and I saw wounded people everywere in critical condition. where,” Khan told AFP. “There are 34 women and seven children among the dead,” Khan An AFP reporter saw shreds of told reporters in Peshawar, adding human flesh and bloodstains on that the federal government had the walls and floor of the church, announced a three-day period of whose windows had been ripped out by the blast. national mourning. Pakistan’s umbrella Taliban movement claimed responsibility, saying it had set up a new faction, Junood ul-Hifsa, to kill foreigners to avenge US drone strikes on Taliban and Al-Qaeda operatives.
Pages of a Bible were scattered near the altar and rice meals mingled with dust on the floor amid shattered benches. Walls were gouged with ball bearings used in the explosives, he said.
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6 September - 2013 Grieving relatives blocked the main Grand Trunk Road highway with bodies of the victims to protest against the killings, an AFP reporter said. Christians in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and other cities also staged protest rallies to condemn the attacks and demand state protection for their lives and properties, AFP reporters said. In the southern port city of Karachi angry protesters clashed with police when they tried to clear a road in Isa Nagri, a low-income Christian neighbourhood. Pakistan’s Ulema Council, an association of leading Muslim scholars, branded the attack as “shameful”. Sectarian violence between majority Sunni and minority Shiite Muslims is on the rise in Pakistan but Sunday’s bombings will fuel fears the already beleaguered Christian community, could be increasingly targeted.
NEWS
PM Nawaz arrives in New York to attend UNGA session
Nawaz urges world community on trade for economic
growth
UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the highlevel Political Forum on Sustainable Development on Tuesday as a keynote speaker, urging trade as the path to economic development and not aid since it fosters dependency.
Taliban talks
decision may be reviewed after PM gets back: Nisar
The Prime Minister was invited by the President of UN General Assembly to share his ideas and suggestions on the issue of Global partnerships for development to create jobs and improve sustainable lifestyles.
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on TuesMilitants have carried out hunday said the government might redreds of bombings targeting seview its decision to hold talks with curity forces and minority Muslim Nawaz Sharif said the develop- the Taliban in consultation with all groups they regard as heretical, ment agenda should not be based political parties after Prime Minisbut attacks on Christians have UNITED NATIONS: Prime Minister on aid alone. He said that he was ter Muhammad Nawaz Sharif got previously largely been confined Nawaz Sharif arrived in New York an advocate of trade and not aid, back home from the US. to grenade attacks and occasional to lead the Pakistan delegation to market access, economic partnerriots. the 68th session of the United Na- ships, and transfer of technology Nisar said this while addressing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a deeply tions General Assembly. a joint press conference with the and scientific know-how. conservative province bordering British Home Secretary Theresa the tribal districts along the Afghan The 193-member Assembly is The prime minister added he was May at the Punjab House after frontier which are home to Taliban set to begin its high-level debate against aid because it creates de- holding talks on various issues.The on Tuesday. The prime minister is and Al-Qaeda militants. minister admitted that the Peshascheduled to address the General pendency and stunts the growth war church carnage had jolted the of states. Provincial lawmaker Ghauri said Assembly on September 27. talks process but said the policy of there were about 200,000 Chrisgovernment could not change due Regarding poverty reduction, he tians in the province, of whom The prime minister will attend the also pointed out that despite ef- to one incident. opening session of the General 70,000 lived in Peshawar. Assembly today (Tuesda) where forts that have been made by the Earlier Ch Nisar and Theresa May “Now after this attack Christians US President Obama will deliver United Nations, “poverty is still signed a Memorandum of Unstalking the earth.” across Pakistan will fear for their speech. derstanding (MoU) to jointly fight lives,” he warned. Sources said that a meeting be- Sharif said his government was in- crimes. Different issues, including Only around two percent of the tween US Secretary of State John vesting maximum time and energy terrorism, security, immigration, country’s population of 180 mil- Kerry and Nawaz Sharif will take in indirect interventions, in reviving narcotics and organised crimes, the national economy and taking were discussed during the meetlion are Christian. The community place on September 6. complains of growing discrimination. His much-awaited maiden meet- the economic growth from the ing, Ch Nisar Ali Khan said. ing with his Indian counterpart present 3.6% to more than 7% in The minister said Pakistan was Christians have a precarious ex- Manmohan Singh is expected on next five years. looking forward to cooperation istence in Pakistan, often living in September 29 at the breakfast. in combating terrorism, narcotics This will give a strong stimulus to slum-like “colonies” cheek-by-jowl with Muslims and fearful of alle- The premier arrives in the New agriculture, industry, trade, and and organised crime. “Terrorism is gations of blasphemy, a sensitive York when over 80 Christians were services and create millions of new causing a bad name to Pakistan subject that can provoke out- killed in suicide bombing at a Pe- jobs. The government is also giv- which affects Pakistan’s position ing incentives to the private sector in the world,” the interior minister shawar Church. bursts of public violence. to generate maximum employ- said, adding, “We as Pakistanis In the town of Gojra in Punjab Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister’s Ad- ment, he noted. feel embarrassed on terrorism.” province in 2009, a mob burned visor on Foreign Affairs told Geo He said Pakistan had become a 77 houses and killed seven people News that Pakistan was commit- The premier also called on Micro- direct victim of terrorism due to the after rumours that a copy of the ted to protect minorities and will soft co-founder Bill Gates, who war against terrorism in the region. Islamic holy book the Koran had assure the international commu- assured Nawaz Sharif of his cobeen desecrated during a Chris- nity at the United Nations in this operation in eradicating polio from The interior minister thanked Britain for its cooperation with Pakiregard. Pakistan. tian marriage ceremony.
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7 September - 2013 stan in different fields and said Britain was a close ally and friend of Pakistan which respected the sovereignty of Pakistan and played a remarkable role in its socio-economic development. The minister said Pakistan wanted to enhance cooperation with the United Kingdom in various fields. Nisar reiterated the serious commitment of the Nawaz government to work with all countries to counter terrorism, narcotics and serious crimes.He said Pakistan was facing a grave crisis but hoped it would like to see a transition with the Nato troops withdrawal from Afghanistan. To a question, he said the Peshawar church attack and killing of army officials were serious and condemnable incidents but the decision to hold talks endorsed by the APC was made with a consensus and would be pursued.
NEWS would be an important milestone. Responding a question, she said the murder of Dr Imran Farooq was being investigated by the Metropolitan Police. “I cannot say anything about the latest development of the case as I have not any role in it as home secretary,” she added.
TTP
distances itself from Peshawar church attack
Addressing the media on this occasion, Theresa May said her country would continue to extend cooperation to Pakistan in its socio-economic development. She congratulated the Pakistani people for the smooth and peaceful PESHAWAR: The Tehrik-i-Taliban transition of power from one dem- Pakistan (TTP) on Tuesday denied ocratic government to another. any link with the shadowy organisation Jandullah which was one Theresa May condemned the Peof the two militant groups that shawar church attack and said her had claimed responsibility for the country acknowledged the sacrisuicide bombings on Sunday at fices rendered by Pakistan in the the All Saints Church in the city in war on terror. She also acknowlwhich 83 innocent persons were edged Pakistan’s leading role in killed. the war against terrorism and said her country would continue to However, the TTP, through its work jointly with Pakistan to coun- spokesman, conceded that anter it. other little-known militant group, Jundul Hafsa, was one of its offShe said Pakistan had been the shoots. It insisted that Jundul Hafmost-affected country from tersa had not claimed responsibility rorism and it could adopt any suitfor the Peshawar church attack. able strategy to counter terrorism. “Pakistan suffered more than any The TTP maintained that Jundul other country in the war against Hafsa had made no such claim, terrorism,” she said, adding that but reporters in Kohat and elsePakistan and Britain both were where insisted that its spokesman victims of terrorism. Ahmadullah claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on the PeIn a joint statement issued on the shawar church in a phone on the occasion, both countries reiterday of the incident. They recalled ated their commitment to jointly that Ahmadullah had tried to juswork in tackling the shared threats tify the attack by arguing that their faced by both countries. Theresa children and women too were beMay recognised the important ing killed in US drone strikes and steps taken by the new governin military operations in the tribal ment, particularly of a national seareas. curity strategy and new structures to coordinate the military and civil- Jundul Hafsa isn’t a strong and ian efforts. consistent militant group. It had May said Pakistan would have a claimed responsibility for an atkey role in the withdrawal of US tack some two years ago and then forces from Afghanistan, which gone quiet. Its first spokesman in-
troduced himself as Asmatullah and now one Ahmadullah, whatever his real name, has claimed responsibility for the church attack. It would be a challenge for the TTP to prove that Jundul Hafsa isn’t behind the Peshawar church bombing. The challenge would be bigger as Jundul Hafsa itself volunteered to call reporters on their cell-phones while claiming responsibility for the attack.
its men had carried out the attack. The media and the people believed the TTP claim rather than that made by Jandullah and Ahmad Marwat.
Ahmad Marwat once warned JUIF leader Maulana Fazlur Rahman not to visit Lakki Marwat for carrying out political activities as he was on Jandullah’s hit-list. The Maulana ignored the threat and contested and won the election for the sole National Assembly seat It is interesting that the TTP specif- from Lakki Marwat. He later camically mentioned Jandullah as the paigned in the by-election on the organisation that had claimed re- same seat for his younger brother sponsibility for the church bomb- Maulana Attaur Rahman, who ings. It apparently did so to absolve lost it to PTI candidate Col (retd) the Jundul Hafsa of responsibility Amirullah Marwat. for any wrongdoing and instead On one occasion, Ahmad Marwat focus attention on Jandullah. The even threatened attacks in France TTP stressed that neither it nor any and claimed that the French miliother mujahideen group had links tant Muhammad Merah, who had with Jandullah. killed seven people including three Jewish children in the French city The case of Jandullah and its commander and spokesman Ah- of Toulouse before the police shot mad Marwat is interesting. He has him dead, was a Jandullah fighter. been claiming responsibility for His claim turned out to be untrue. every terrorist strike in Pakistan and some even abroad. Some of his claims have been exaggerated and some journalists he used to call have now stopped taking his calls or treating him seriously. Some of the claims of responsibility of attacks made by Ahmad Marwat include the Bhoja Airlines crash that in his view happened due to the presence of two suicide bombers who blew up the plane. This wasn’t established by the investigation into the crash. Ahmad Marwat, who reportedly is based in North Waziristan with a small band of followers, had also claimed that Ajmal Kasab was innocent because the Mumbai attacks were carried out by his men. He promised to provide a videotape to prove his claim, but failed to do so.
Imran calls
for ceasefire to hold talks with militants
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan has expressed grief and sorrow over the killing of a two-star general of Pakistan army, a senior officer and a soldier in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack claimed He also claimed that Jandullah by the banned outfit Tehreek-emen had bombed the Ziarat Resi- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Upper Dir. dency where Quaid-i-Azam MuImran Khan defending his stance hammad Ali Jinnah had spent his of holding talks with the militants last days of life. He was proved said that the country has been wrong when the Baloch Liberation fighting the war on terror for the Army (BLA) claimed responsibility last nine years, adding that the isfor the attack and also put its flag sue could be resolved by holding on the destroyed building. negotiations. Jandullah’s Ahmad Marwat also The PTI chief called for ceasefire as claimed responsibility for the killing a first step of holding peace talks. of nine foreign mountaineers and their Pakistani guide at the base He further said that enemies do camp of Nanga Parbat mountain not want the state of Pakistan to peak in Gilgit-Baltistan. Soon af- hold conclusive peace talks with terwards, the TTP claimed that the militants.
8 September - 2013
Ignoring US sanctions, Russia offers to build Pak-Iran gas pipeline
ISLAMABAD: Russia is ready to execute the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, ignoring the US sanctions on Iran, a Russian minister has revealed in a meeting with Pakistan’s petroleum minister in Islamabad. This will be done in view of the new Russian policy to look towards South Asia.To this effect, Gazprom, a state-owned Russian company or one of its subsidiaries will soon make a formal contact with the Government of Pakistan to execute the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project. This message has been clearly conveyed by a Russian delegation led by Yury Sentyurin, Deputy Minister of Energy, at a meeting with the Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, here on Wednesday, a top official who was part of the meeting told The Media. The Russians have also decided to play a role in accomplishing the TAPI gas line project and want to become part of a consortium which is to execute the project. Apart from it, Moscow has also clearly indicated to Islamabad that it wants the electricity trade project (CASA-1,000) to be extended to Russia as it is rich in electricity and is currently exporting power to Mongolia, China and Europe.
NEWS Russian delegation also offered its services to install power projects based on the lignite coal of Thar.
Official sources told this news agency here on Wednesday that Afghan security forces opened indiscriminate fire on the Pakistani area of Qamaruddin Karez in Zhob district from Afghanistan that resulted in the killing of five Pakistani nationals and caused injuries to three others, a Levies Force soldier among them.
“In the meeting, the visiting team also expressed its willingness to install a 600MW coal based project at Jamshoro,” the official said, adding that both sides have decided to hold another meeting some time in November at the Joint Working Level to workout a “The indiscriminate firing by the roadmap for future cooperation in Afghan security forces killed five the energy sector. tribesmen of the Loion tribe living in the Qamaruddin Karez area A press release says the Russian of Zhob district located along the delegation led by Yury Sentyurin, Pak-Afghan border,” official sourcDeputy Minister of Energy, ex- es said.A district administration pressed the Russian intentions officer confirmed the incident and to invest in the energy sector of feared that the death toll may rise. Pakistan.Abbasi, while talking to He said that the incident of firing the members of the delegation, took place late on Tuesday night. said Pakistan has huge potential of investment in the energy sector, He further said that the cause of especially in the oil and gas sec- the firing could not be ascertained, tor. He welcomed the Russians’ adding that it was a violation of the desire for investment in oil and security of Pakistani borders as gas exploration and expressed the Afghan security forces personthe hope that this cooperation will nel opened fire without any provohelp a great deal in coping with the cation.The Pakistan law enforceenergy shortages in the country. ment agencies reached the area and shifted the bodies and injured The Russian delegation also had a to hospital. Further investigation meeting with the Pakistani delega- was in progress. tion led by the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources, The Afghan Charge d’ Affaires was Jam Kamal Khan, who assured summoned to the Foreign Office the Russian delegates that Paki- in Islamabad and a strong protest stan encourages foreign invest- was lodged over the indiscrimiment on equality basis, and a level nate firing by the Afghan Border playing field will be provided to all Police in Zhob district, which recompanies whether public limited sulted in the killing of five innocent or private. Pakistanis.
Five Pakistanis killed in firing by Afghan forces
The serious concern of the Government of Pakistan was conveyed to the Afghan government. The Afghan government was asked to hold an inquiry into the incident, adhere to the border coordination and cooperation mechanisms, and prevent the recurrence of such incidents, which are detrimental to the friendly relations and undermine goodwill between the two brotherly countries. Meanwhile, two persons including a member of the Hazara community, were gunned down in the Double Road area of Quetta. According to the police, the victims were near the CNG pump when armed motorcyclists opened fire on them and fled from the scene.
As a result, both died on the QUETTA: Five Pakistanis were spot after receiving multiple bullet The official said that Russia has killed and three others, including a wounds.The bodies were shifted also sought a role in developing Levies Force soldier, were injured to the Civil Hospital where the viccoal-based projects at Gadani, ar- in firing by the Afghan security tims were identified as Bunaid Ali guing that it has the best expertise forces in the Pakistani area of Qa- Hazara, resident of Hazara Town, in the world to make such coal maruddin Karez of Zhob district on and Muhmmad Hayat, a resident of Bannu. based projects.Additionally, the late Tuesday.
Online adds: Cardiologist Dr Munaf Tareen was abducted from Quetta city on Wednesday.Dr Munaf Tareen was kidnapped while he was returning to his residence from his private hospital at Pishin Stop. The abductors fired in the air and took him away on board his white vehicle.Meanwhile, two miscreants who attacked a police official at a picket were arrested.
Iran will not build nuclear weapons, says Rouhani
WASHINGTON: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that his government won’t build any nuclear weapons, as speculation grew here that President Barack Obama may hold direct talks with the new Iranian leader on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. In an interview in Tehran with NBC News, a leading American television network, Rouhani, who has struck a moderate tone, reiterated Iran’s stance that “under no circumstances would we seek any weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons, nor will we ever.” “We have never pursued or sought a nuclear bomb, and we are not going to do so,” he said. “We solely are looking for peaceful nuclear technology.” “In its nuclear program, this government enters with full power and has complete authority,” Rouhani said.“The problem won’t be from our side. We have sufficient political latitude to solve this problem.” Both and Obama will address the General Assembly in New York on September 24th. White House officials said Obama currently has no planned meeting with President Rouhani. But the two sides have communicated ahead of what diplomats could be the first face-to-face interaction
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9 September - 2013
NEWS
between an American President and a Iranian President.
has also communicated to Wash- National disaster agency officials ington his desire to meet with se- and local authorities confirmed the toll. Relations are so poor, officials said, nior US officials. The army has rushed medical staff that even a handshake would mark Zarif has engaged in more direct and troops to the devastated area a significant turning point. dealings with the US than any se- to help with rescue efforts, along No American President has met nior Iranian official. with seven tonnes of food and a a top Iranian leader since Islamic radicals overthrew the pro-American Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979.
Washington and Tehran have intensified their communications since Rouhani was elected by a landslide victory to succeed Iran’s hard-line President Mahmoud AhIn the interview, Rouhani also said madinejad in June. the tone of a letter he received recently from President Obama ex- On Thursday, Zarif also met UN pressing a willingness to resolve Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the issue was “positive and con- who said that he had very good structive.” talks with the Iranian official. “It could be subtle and tiny steps for a very important future,” he said. “I believe the leaders in all countries could think in their national interest and they should not be under the influence of pressure groups. I hope to witness such an atmosphere in the future.” Rouhani also spoke on the crisis in Syria, an ally of Iran.
Pakistan earthquake death toll rises to 355
“We are not the government of Syria,” he said. “We are one of the countries of this region which is asking for peace and stability and the elimination of all weapons of mass destruction in the entire region.” Asked if he thought Obama appeared weak by not pushing ahead with a military strike against Syria over the Assad regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons, Rouhani replied: “We consider war a weakness. Any government or administration that decides to wage a war, we consider a weakness. And any government that decides on peace, we look on it with respect to peace.”
AWARAN: The death toll from a huge earthquake in southwest Pakistan this week has soared to 355 people with more than 500 injured, officials said Thursday, among fears the toll could still rise.
The 7.7-magnitude quake hit on Tuesday afternoon in Balochistan Rouhani said his top priority is to province’s remote Awaran district ease punitive sanctions in place -- a dirt-poor expanse of land that against Iran over its nuclear pro- is roughly the size of Wales. gramme, while the West wants to continue them. Besides flattening homes and afA meeting between US and Iranian fecting more than 300,000 peoofficials runs the risk of undermin- ple in six districts, according to ing painstaking international ef- the Balochistan government, the earthquake also created a new isforts to pressure Iran. land off the coast. A senior US administration official said that even if no direct ex- “At least 348 people have been change occurs between Obama confirmed dead and 513 others inand Rouhani, the tenor of relations jured,” Abdul Latif Kakar, the head between the US and Iran seems to of Baluchistan’s Provincial Disaster be improving. Management Authority (PDMA), “The tone of confrontation has sig- told. nificantly diminished,” the senior “Only in Awaran district, we have administration official said. “We’re confirmed the death of 305 people, in the early stages here of testing while we have received informawhether or not this is real.” tion about 43 dead from the other US officials said Iran’s new Foreign worst affected district, Kech,” he Minister, Muhammad Javad Zarif, said.
tonne of medicine. Six helicopters are taking part in rescue work, the military said. The scale of the territory involved is daunting. Balochistan, Pakistan’s least developed province, makes up about 45 percent of the country’s total area, and Awaran’s population is scattered over more than 21,000 square kilometres (8,000 square miles). On top of the difficult terrain, the area is rife with militants as well as bandits. Tremors were felt on Tuesday as far away as New Delhi and even Dubai in the Gulf.
10 September - 2013
Sindh now ready to hold LB polls in November
NEWS “Due to the resolve and commitment of the government and untiring efforts of the members of the law enforcing agencies, criminals are being apprehended and shall be tried before the courts,” he said.
members have also recommended the addition of the provision against false accusers within the existing blasphemy laws.
CII member Allama Tahir Ashrafi said most members of the council Earlier, the council had ruled that agreed to the proposed move dur- the DNA test could only be admitted as primary evidence if the acing Wednesday’s meeting. cused denied charges of rape and “If made part of the law, this pro- if four witnesses were available as vision will discourage people from per Islamic law. using blasphemy laws for settling The ruling had triggered a counpersonal scores,” he added. trywide debate after the legal fraHe added that the recommenda- ternity described it as contrary tion has been a long-standing de- to the law. Civil society activists mand of civil society activists, who and rights campaigners also conhad been lobbying for relevant le- demned the verdict saying that gal measures to discourage false it would encourage rape in the accusations of blasphemy. country. DNA U-turn After severe criticism, the CII de-
According to the secretary, the government is making all efforts to ensure that the atmosphere is conducive for peaceful elections. “This may also require some time,” the secretary observed, adding that local government elections may need more preparations than the general elections so the govKARACHI - The Sindh government ernment will need more time. has decided to conduct local gov- Keeping in view all the facts and ernment elections on November circumstances and subject to In another significant move, the 27, according to advocate general preparations by the election com- CII members recommended that it was entirely up to the judiciary to SM Khalid Javed. mission, the Sindh government decide on the admissibility of DNA The Supreme Court (SC) was in- will be in a position to hold these evidence in rape cases. formed of this decision during a elections on December 23, he had The CII recommended that only hearing at its Quetta registry. The said. The report further had said apex court had ordered all the pro- that the government will accept vincial governments to submit the any decision that the apex court schedule of local bodies polls until makes in this situation. September 15. Earlier, the Sindh government had requested the Supreme Court to grant time until December to conduct the local government elections as the elections will require a favourable law and order situation, the completion of the delimitation process and some legal amendments but this was not accepted by the apex court’s larger bench.
the courts decide if a DNA test substantiated supplementary evidence, which is why the judiciary should decide on the admissibility of DNA tests as primary evidence.
cided to review its earlier decision and put the review on the agenda of its scheduled September meeting. However, Allama Ashrafi insisted that the council had never ruled against the DNA test as evidence.
NA proceedings: Signs of flexibility: Govt, False accusers of opposition trade blasphemy may sharp words ISLAMABAD: face death
According to some media reports, the provincial government have not yet taken different other political stakeholders into confidence on the issue but government sources said they would be con- ISLAMABAD: tacted soon and apprised of the A long-standing demand of civil reasons behind the decision. society appears to be nearing fruition as members of the Council of Earlier, on Tuesday, advocate general Khalid Jawed Khan submit- Islamic Ideology (CII) on Wednested a report of the chief secretary, day recommended death penalty who said that the government had for anyone convicted of making earlier reiterated that it would fully false accusations of blasphemy. comply with any order that may be passed by the apex court. After The recommendation, if formally the new act, the apex court had approved by the CII on Thursday, approved the summary to start the will mean that anyone convicted of process of delimitation, which may making false blasphemy charges be completed by October 15, he will be liable to the same punishrecalled. In discharge of its consti- ment as a blasphemy convict. tutional obligations and as guided The CII is a constitutional body that by the apex court in the Watan advises the legislature whether or Party case, the secretary said the not a certain law is repugnant to Sindh government in collaboration Islam. with the federal government has also started targeted actions in dif- In order to ensure that the recommendation is actionable, the CII ferent parts of the city.
Just a day after seeing passage of a unanimous resolution, tempers went high in the National Assembly on Thursday when the government accused the opposition of point-scoring over Balochistan earthquake. It happened after Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar censured the opposition over the walkout saying, “The opposition has created a scene by staging a walk-out over the disaster.” Nisar said that the government would not buckle under threats and attempts to make a political issue out of a natural disaster.
terior minister’s speech was rather too provocative,” Qureshi said. He censured the Balochistan government for its failure to finalise its cabinet till date. Briefing Briefing the house on the rescue and relief operation, Nisar informed that 348 had died and 530 injured in the quake. Providing the details, he said the earthquake had damaged an area of 500 km in Awaran and Kech.
The minister said the National Logistics Cell has been mobilised to transport relief goods to the Leader of Opposition in the NA quake-hit areas. Since roads were Khursheed Shah responded, “We nonexistent in some areas, aid can speak louder than the interior was being sent by helicopters and minister but we do not want to C-130 planes, he added. create a scene in the house.” He said certain elements were tryPTI MNA Shah Mehmood Qureshi ing to interrupt the relief operation clarified that opposition was not by road, and hence the governtrying to score points over the is- ment had initiated aerial supply sue and urged that the interior operation. minister need not be aggressive. Moreover, a sum of Rs100 million “The government is supposed to had been allocated for the relief bring the tensions down but the in- operation.
11 September - 2013
Restoring order: Govt ponders ruthless anti-terror law
NEWS
shall be signed and forwarded by the investigating officer directly to the court.
Wherein the investigation is not completed within 30 days from the date of recording of the FIR, the investigating officer or the JIT shall forward within three days an interim report to the court through the public prosecutor. Under the proposed amendments, a person arrested by the armed Faced with a resilient Taliban insur- forces or civil armed forces shall gency, deadly sectarian violence be handed over to the investigatand rampant crimes, the govern- ing officer of the police station desment is considering a slew of ad- ignated for the purpose by the proministrative and legal measures to vincial government in each district. restore peace in the country. On the legal side, the government The anti-terrorism court (ATC) will plans to amend the anti-terrorism proceed with the trial and if the laws to allow security forces to case is not decided within 30 days, the matter shall be brought to the shoot terrorism suspects. notice of chief justice of the high According to the documents avail- court concerned for appropriate able with Express News, the gov- directions. Before the commenceernment plans amendments in the ment of trial, the court shall scrutiAnti-Terrorism Act, 1997, including nise the case file to identify issues in Section 5 which authorises the and direct the prosecution to comsecurity forces to ‘use force’ to plete all pre-trial formalities so that prevent a terrorist act. Presently, the actual trial proceeds uninterthe security forces can ‘open fire’ rupted. ‘when fired upon’ by a suspect(s). Through an amendment the gov- For protection of judges, counsel, ernment seeks to omit the phrase public prosecutor and witnesses, the government proposes that ‘when fired upon’. screens be used during the trial to Similarly, if the proposed amend- shield witnesses, judges and prosments are approved, target killers, ecutors from public view. The govextortionists and kidnappers will ernment also proposes to conduct also be treated as ‘terrorists’. And such trials on the jail premises or the armed forces or civil armed through video link as well. The forces will be authorised to detain provincial government concerned a person involved in such offenc- shall take necessary steps to enes for three months for investiga- sure that prisoners do not have tions. Currently, they can detain a access to cellphones in jails. suspect for 30 days. Apparently, the move has been prompted by For protection and safety of judgthe law and order situation in the es, witnesses or prosecutors, the chief justice of high court conmegacity of Karachi. cerned shall transfer a case from According to the proposed amend- an ATC falling within its jurisdicments, these offences – target kill- tion to an ATC in another province ing, kidnapping for ransom and seeking concurrence of the chief extortion – shall be investigated by justice of the high court of that a police officer not below the rank province. of inspector or where the government deems necessary by a joint On completion of investigation investigation team (JIT) comprising and before submission of report, police investigating officer and of- the federal government may orficers from the armed forced, civil der that the case falling in the juarmed forces, intelligence agen- risdiction of a particular ATC may cies and other law-enforcement be forwarded for trial to another ATC in the same province or in any agencies. other province as may be speciThe investigating officer, or the JIT, fied by the federal government in shall complete investigation in re- this behalf in the public interest or spect of cases tri-able by the court for safety and protection of judges, within 30 working days. The report public prosecutors or witnesses. ISLAMABAD:
Malala Yousafzai receive top Amnesty award in Dublin
DUBLIN: Pakistani education rights activist, Malala Yousafzai, who was shot and almost killed by the Taliban, received an Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience award tonight in Dublin.
“They are not accepted as human beings but are neglected and marginalised. Women are deprived of their basic right of equality and freedom and justice,” she said. “I know that every time a person comes, delivers a speech, the audience claps and that is the end of it. Dear brothers and sisters, I’m not here to explain the issues that we are faced with. Rather we are here to find a solution to these problems. “You may be asking yourselves ‘what is the solution?’ What is the solution? I believe the only solution is education. Education. Education.” Earlier speakers reminded the audience that Malala was just 11 years old when she began to write a blog for the BBC’s Urdu language service in which she campaigned for women’s rights and the the right of girls to go to school. Her views cast her against the Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalist group active in neighbouring Afghanistan and also trying to exert control in the Swat Valley of northwest Pakistan where she lived. In October 2012 while returning home on a school bus, gunmen boarded the vehicle, singled Malala out and shot her in the head and neck. Remarkably, she survived and, transferred to hospital in England, made a remarkable recovery.
In a short speech to a Mansion House Round Room packed with human rights campaigners, rock star royalty and society glitterati, she had the rapt attention of her audience as she spoke in a careful and deliberate manner, delivering a clarion call for education as the route to freedom.
She received her award tonight from Bono who spoke of her “once in a century kind of courage”. Another speaker, the Iranian-born American writer and academic, Azar Nafisi, made a connection between Seamus Heaney, a strong presence throughout the ceremony, and Malala - “they both belong to imagination and to the “I want to live in a world where free, republic of conscience,” she said. compulsory education is available everywhere to every child,” she The same award honour was besaid, adding “and, let no one be stowed also on Harry Belafonforgotten.” te, the US singer and civil rights campaigner, “a warrior for human Her head covered by a colourful shawl, the now 16-year-old cut a rights,” said Orla Guerin, the Irishstriking figure as she stood alone born BBC journalist based in Pakion the stage, speaking slowly and stan who orchestrated proceedclearly with a mixture of confi- ings. dence and iron passion.
Reminding the audience that She spoke of continuing terrorism 86-year-old Belafonte was already and war in Afghanistan, of sexu- a wealthy and successful man al violence perpetrated against when the civil rights movement women and girls, of homelessness reached a crescendo in the 1960s visited on people caught up in the and “could have looked the other violence in Syria, of human rights way”, he joined Martin Luther King defenders abused, of child labour and campaigned for justice where and trafficking in India, of forced civil rights were being attacked in the southern states marriages and domestic labour.
12 September - 2013
NEWS
A fundraising dinner was organized by Dr. Mubarak Mirjat at his residence in the honor of Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois
Large number of family and friends attended this
prestigious event
Report by Jawaid Riaz Dr. Mubarak Mirjat hosted a fund raising dinner in the honor of Pat Quinn Governor of Illinois. A large number of family, friends, and community leaders attended this prestigious evening. Governor Pat Quinn, in his address, promised his support to the Pakistani community and also thanked the attendees for their support. Pakistani Commercial Consoler, Zahid A Zaman, Prominent Businessman Munir Choudhry, PTI Leader and Businessman Akhter Ali, Dr. Murtaza Arain, Dr. Tariq Butt and Dr. Safdar Ali addressed the gathering and pledge their support for Governor Pat Quinn. Bureau Chief, PTV Global and Pakistan Abroad Jawaid Riaz, Producer Ansar Rizvi and Waqar Ali Khan, producer of Safeer e Pakistan (GEO TV) also attended the event. The mother of the governor, Mrs. Eileen Quinn also attended the event. Dr. Mirjat’s family and Shamsa Naqvi presented the Quran and Nahhjul Balagha( Written by Hazrat Ali PBH) to Governor Pat Quinn, and an Ajrak, a Pakistani traditional scarf to the mother of the Governor. At the end, delicious food was also served and Dr. Mubarak Mirjat thanked the guests for their participation.
13 September - 2013
NEWS
An Evening of Theatre and Dance to Benefit Koohi Goth Hospital
Report by Jawaid Riaz The National Health Forum organized a memorable theatrical and classical dance performance presented by well known artist and women’s’ rights activist Sheema Kirmani and her team. The program was held in support of the Koohi Goth Hospital and their Fistula and Midwifery project. This inspiring event took place on September 6, 2013 at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in Saint Louis, Missouri.
es due to illiteracy, customs, traditions and their consequences. They also presented the following poems through dance: Aaj Rung Hae - Amir Khusro; Yaad / Dashte-Tanhai- Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Tarana - Raga Darbari.
Dr. Azfar & Maheen Malik; Prof. (Retd) Shamim Malik Dr Javed Qasim & Fauzia Javed, Dr.Shahid Ali, Dr. Mohammad Tahir, Dr Qasim Bajwa, Dr. Qalbani, Dr Shahzia Malik Dr Umair Ali, Inam Haider, A large number of community Tariq Faisal Malik, Mashood and members attended this noble Saima Ahsan, President NHF Dr. cause and gave warm hand of Naseem Shekhani, and Dr. Sherapplaud to Sheema Kirmani and shah of Khoi Goth Hospital also ather team after their moving play tended this prestigious evening to and classical dance presentation show their support for Khoi Goth based on the poetry of Ameer Hospital and their projects. Khusro and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. The highlight of the event was The masters of the ceremony the representation of famous were Dr Nadeem Ahmed and Dr. Urdu Poetry through dance. This Sajid Zafar. Dr, Naseem Shekmethod of poetic expression was hani, Dr Sajid Zafar and Dr. Shervery popular among Sufis includ- shah thanked the attendees for ing Ameer Khusro and Baba Bul- their support and pledges for this lay Shah. Sheema and her team great plight for the advancement presented a drama on the subject in healthcare especially to benefit of young and under-age marriag- women.
14 September - 2013
NEWS
An Evening of Theatre and Dance to Benefit Health Care Report by Jawaid Riaz The National Health Forum organized a memorable theatrical and classical dance performance presented by well known artist and women’s’ rights activist Sheema Kirmani and her team. The program was held in support of the Koohi Goth Hospital and their Fistula and Midwifery project. This inspiring event took place on September 1, 2013 at the Holiday Inn in Skokie, Illinois.
literacy, customs, traditions and their consequences. They also presented the following poems through dance: Aaj Rung Hae - Amir Khusro; Yaad / Dasht-eTanhai- Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Tarana - Raga Darbari.
Illinois State Senator Ira Silverstien; Alderman 50th ward, Deborah Silverstien; City Commissioner Avila; Cook County Judge Hayes; senior community leader Hameed Ullah Khan; renowned A large number of community local poets of Chicagoland Prof. members attended this noble Naqi Akhtar and Rasheed Shaicause and gave standing ova- kh; community activist Salman tion to Sheema Kirmani and her Aftab; President NHF Dr. Nasteam after their moving play and eem Shekhani, and Dr. Shershah classical dance presentation of Khoi Goth Hospital also atbased on the poetry of Ameer tended this prestigious evening Khusro and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. to show their support for Khoi Goth Hospital and their projects. The highlight of the event was the representation of famous The master of the ceremony was Urdu Poetry through dance. Dr Tariq Butt and Farhat Khan of This method of poetic expres- Lahore, Chicago’s sister-city. Dr, sion was very popular among Naseem Shekhani and Dr. SherSufis including Ameer Khusro shah thanked the attendees for and Baba Bullay Shah. Sheema their support and pledges for and her team presented a dra- this great plight for the advancema on the subject of young and ment in healthcare especially to under-age marriages due to il- benefit women.
Opposition, govt fail to pick out NAB chief
ISLAMABAD: Despite pressure from the Supreme Court, the government and the opposition have failed to agree on who should head the country’s top anti-graft watchdog. A consensus is unlikely until the prime minister returns from his New York trip where he is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly.
offer condolences to the family of Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi, who died in a Taliban roadside blast in Upper Dir last week.
The prime minister is scheduled to embark upon a week-long visit to New York sometime on Sunday and before that he would not be able to meet Shah for a second round of consultations. Nawaz will travel to Mianwali on Saturday to
The government had proposed the names of Khawaja Zaheer and Justice (Retd) Rehmat Hussain Jafri. The former was later appointed special assistant to the prime minister leaving only Justice (Retd) Jafri as the government’s choice.
“Then, he will head for Lahore before flying to New York on Sunday,” said an official of the Prime Minister’s Office. “The consultations would likely resume after the prime minister’s return on September On Friday, the prime minister, 29.” Nawaz Sharif and Leader of the Opposition in the National As- The Supreme Court had warned sembly, Syed Khursheed Shah, that the government might have discussed potential choices for to face ‘consequences’ if a NAB the office of National Accountabil- chairman is not appointed by ity Bureau (NAB) chairman. They, September 13 – a deadline set by however, failed to pick out a re- the top court. Once that deadline placement for Admiral (retd) Fasih passed, no new deadline was set Bokhari who was sent packing by by the court but the government the Supreme Court in May this year. was asked to make the appointment ‘as quickly as possible”. “The prime minister did not propose any new name,” Shah told Sources told The Express Tribune journalists after the meeting. He that the name of Justice (Retd) added that he has suggested the Javed Iqbal also figured during Friname of Ajmal Mian, a 79-year-old day’s meeting – but the two leadformer chief justice of Pakistan, on ers could not evolve a consensus. behalf of the opposition. However, Shah said Justice (Retd) Sardar Nawaz wasn’t impressed. Raza was still the opposition’s Constitutionally, the leader of the second choice. He had also sughouse (prime minister) has to con- gested the name of Justice (Retd) sult the opposition leader before Rana Bhagwandas who, however, excused himself. appointing a NAB chief.
15 September - 2013
International powers want to undermine MQM: Altaf Hussain
NEWS
KARACHI: The self-exiled supreme leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, Monday night alleged that British and American agents were propa- neuvers they subjected the party gandizing against him. to”, said he. “The international powers have spun into action to undermine MQM, but to their disappointment, the party is getting stronger every day in the face of all odds”, Hussain said while tele-addressing his party workers here on the occasion of his 60th birthday. Hussain added that American and British media even went as far as publishing reports that said that party’s days were numbered and it cease to exist before long, but they were disappointed. “Many world powers including these two superpowers tried their best but could not wipe out MQM no matter what slanderous ma-
The MQM leader also warned his followers to brace themselves as the enemies were closing in on them to deal a blow to the party. “I want you to prepare yourself mentally and physically as we have a lot of work to do down the line”, Hussain said. He also demanded of the government to produce those MQM workers before court who were picked up by the law enforcement agencies lately. “They party should be informed about the fate of its detained workers. It even must be told whether they are killed”, Hussain said.
Gabol’s ‘being framed for Baloch murder’ act of political revenge: MQM
Loose ends: Imran Farooq murder suspect given bail extension appear at a later date in December, the London Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday.
Hussain, who was arrested by the Met Police at Heathrow airport upon his arrival from Canada on June 24, is said to be a close relative of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain. He was taken into custody on suspicion of KARACHI: ‘conspiracy to murder’ but was reThe bail of a suspect detained in leased on bail to return to a police connection with Dr Imran Farooq’s station on September 24. murder case has been extended A Met Police spokesperson told till the end of the year. The 52-year- The Express Tribune that the susold suspect (unofficially identified pect has been ‘re-bailed’ and as Iftikhar Hussain) was present- would be brought to a police staed at a London police station on tion in December. The date of his Tuesday morning. He would now next appearance was not disclosed.
45 ‘unscrupulous’ Karachi cops sacked KARACHI: As many as 45 unscrupulous policemen were sacked from Karachi’s East and South Zone, electronic Media reported Wednesday.
against corrupt policemen. DIG South Abdul Khaliq Sheikh said six officials were suspended while 31 others were put on notices.
According to reports, the police- He said that the policemen were men were involved in receiving ex- accused of receiving bribes from tortion and other croupy practices. drug dens. DIG East Munir Sheikh The cops were removed as Ka- said inquiry against 39 policemen rachi Police launched crackdown was initiated.
KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supreme leader, Altaf Hussain has vehemently decried the registration of First Inspection Report (FIR) of Lyari ganglord Zafar Baloch’s murder against his party’s Member National Assembly Nabil Gabol. “This frame-up nothing but another act of political vengeance against MQM” he said in a statement is- “He was there to attend the Nationsued form London. al Assembly session”, the stateHe demanded that the case ment said. against Gabol, which was out- The committee said that Baloch and-out a false incrimination, be was killed near Bizenjo Chowk withdrawn immediately. Chakiwara, which was regarded Hussain further added that just a as the den of gangsters responfew days ago a similar case was sible for gangwar in Lyari. registered against an MQM’s former Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Nadeem Hashmi and now Gabol was being victimized for being a Haq Parast.
“Despite these facts, a case was registered against Haq Gabol out of bias”, the committee said.
MQM Coordination Committee On the other hand according to a appealed to the President Mamstatement issued by MQM Coor- noon Hussain, Prime Minister dination Committee, Gabol was in Nawaz Shariff, and Federal Interior Islamabad when Zafar Baloch was Minister Chaudhry Nisar to take notice of this illegal and unjust act. killed.
Amir Qazi 218-792-1120 Khursheed ul haq. 347-330-5167 M. Arshad Hussain 610-721-2488 Wasim Zadi 310-936-6236 Sohail Shams 773-787-6588 Jamshead Warsi 832-563-2595 Haseeb khan 678-531-4668
16 September- 2013
Investigations stalled: Headless NAB stands paralysed
LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the country’s top anti-graft watchdog, has almost become dysfunctional after the Supreme Court dismissed the then NAB chairman, Fasih Bokhari, through its May 28 judgment. In the absence of a chairman, most of NAB’s affairs have been halted, as inquiries and investigations are suffering due to an acute shortage of prosecutors and experts. According to the law and justice ministry, the NAB deputy chairman cannot approve contractual extensions of lawyers and prosecutors, documents available with The Express Tribune revealed. Furthermore, under the current circumstances NAB cannot file any new reference(s) before the respective accountability court, while no new inquiry and investigation can be authorised or closed in the absence of a NAB chairman. The contents of a letter issued by NAB Additional Director (CP & PM) Muhammad Younas states, “The undersigned is directed to inform the Law and Justice Division with request to clarify whether NAB Deputy Chairman can utilise powers delegated to him vide SRO 1450(I) 2012 dated November 20, 2012 by NAB Chairman regarding extension in lump sum, the contract period of lawyers and experts or otherwise, keeping in view of the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan dated May 28, 2013.”
NEWS Fazl was addressing the media at with a drone strike in Bajaur agency. a national conference on “Participatory Federalism and Decentrali- Responding to a question on the fact that the TTP is an outlawed sation” on Thursday. outfit and opening its office in PakThe JUI-F chief said that there was istan would give it legitimacy, Khan absolutely no need for Taliban to repeated that if America could alopen their offices. low a Taliban office to be opened, why is Pakistan reluctant? NAB officials, while talking to The On another suggestion made by Express Tribune on condition of PTI in the recent National Assem- ‘Rising above petty politics’ anonymity said that arrests of bly session to review and amend many accused culprits are cur- the existing blasphemy law, Rehm- Railways Minister Khawaja Saad rently pending because only the an said that the law was fine as it Rafique said on Thursday PTI chief NAB chief is a competent author- was, but issues regarding the mis- must not push for appeasing Taliban. ity to issue arrest warrants. use of the law must be addressed. “The government should not be
525/2013-Law-I informed the bureau that the notified order having been issued by the chairman by name had lost its efficacy because the delegation had gone along with the delegator (chairman) and powers stood reverted to the office of the NAB chairman.
The delay in the appointment of a NAB chairman is eventually benefiting many of the accused because according to the National Accountability Ordinance 1999, as well as the Supreme Court’s orders, NAB authorities do not have legal provisions to initiate new investigations.
Opening of TTP office: Imran’s remarks are childish, says Fazl
PESHAWAR / ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: Rebuffing Imran Khan’s call for a Pakistan Taliban office in the country, Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamFazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman used one word to describe his sentiments: “childish”.
Fazl said that in order to pursue the peace dialogue between TTP, PTI’s recent suggestion urging the government to allow the umbrella militant organisation to open officThe letter further elaborates that es in the country was not feasible the law ministry vide their O.M No. or productive.
‘No danger in opening offices’ When the United States decided to hold talks with the Taliban, it facilitated the opening of their office in Qatar, then how is it dangerous if the Taliban open an office here for dialogue, Khan questioned rhetorically, drawing an analogy.
compelled to open office for Taliban and start dialogue immediately,” he said talking to the media.
“We should rise above the petty politics of statements and come up with pragmatic solutions to the issue of extremism and militancy in the broader interest of the country,” he said referring to PTI chief’s Talking to reporters after chairing a statement demanding opening of party meeting in Lahore on Thurs- an office for Taliban and starting day, he said that dialogue with the dialogue process. Taliban would be within the ambit of the Constitution. Going ahead Separately, former law minister with the talks was decided at the Babar Awan has said the government should seriously consider All Parties’ Conference, he said. talks with Taliban and form a naIn the past, talks with Nek Muham- tional Jirga for initiating the peace mad were sabotaged by America process.
Missing persons’ case:
NEWS Missing retired major The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued notices to Ministry of Defence on a petition seeking recovery of a retired major of Pakistan Army Mujahid Azeem and his son Ali Tariq. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial passed the orders on a petition moved by family of the missing persons.
Lahore High Court issues notice to major general court that Ilyas had been arrested for allegedly embezzling Rs400 million.
ISLAMABAD / LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench has issued a notice to a serving major general on Wednesday in a missing persons case, giving him time till October 8 to reply.
The case was then taken by Justice Ibadur Rahman Lodhi who ordered the army to produce Ilyas before the court but they did not comply, citing security reasons. Afterwards, the court asked for the evidence of the alleged corruption but the army replied that he has been detained for taking kickbacks from companies. The court asked for the names of the companies but that order, too, was not complied with.
Justice Abdus Sami Khan issued the notice after Kulsoom, wife of the missing naib subedar Ilyas, filed a petition that despite court Justice Rahman then issued an ororders the army is not allowing her der asking the Commandant CMH to meet her husband. Major General Salahuddin to allow Ilyas’s family to meet him but when In the petition filed by Kulsoom’s the family went there, they found counsel Col (retd) Inam, the court that Ilyas was not there in his cell. was informed that neither the detainee’s trial had begun nor were Talking to The Express Tribune, his family members allowed to Col (retd) Inam said that Ilyas’s meet him. term had been completed and he retired on March 4, 2012. But afThe counsel submitted that when ter the lapse of six months, his reKulsoom went to the RA Bazaar tirement was cancelled under the Police Station to get her complaint Army Act. The army then informed registered, the SHO refused to the court that they would try Ilyas register an FIR against a serving in a military court. military officer. Earlier, the detainee had served in He also told the court that, accord- Siachen where he had developed ing to the Supreme Court’s order, serious health complications, Inam an FIR can be registered against said. He added that the army is serving military officers in cases bound to inform the person about pertaining to civilian matters. He the charges that led to his arrest cited precedence by submitting and his trial must be started within that recently an FIR has been reg- eight days. He should be released istered against Major Haider, an on bail if his trial starts after 32 officer of the military intelligence in days of the arrest. missing person case, and the generals in NLC scandal. “But after one year, neither has a charge sheet been framed nor his The naib subedar, a serving of- trial started,” the counsel said. ficer, went missing on April 2011 and the then Jhelum DPO, Tayyeb He said the naib subedar has not Hafeez Cheema, after being sum- been paid even his pension so far. moned by Justice Mazhar Iqbal “He has four daughters whose edSidhu to recover him, produced a ucation has discontinued due to report stating that the officer was financial constraints.” in the army custody. Justice Mazhar Iqbal issued a stay On March 18, 2011, Justice Dar order barring the army from proasked the DPO to go and collect ceeding against Ilyas till the filing of the detainee but he informed the comments before the court.
The petitioner through counsel said in his petition that the retired major has been missing for the last three months. When they approached the LHC for his recovery,
Nobody should take offense at Kashmir remarks: Nawaz
the major’s son Ali Tariq also disappeared. The lawyer argued that the security agencies had failed to recover both the persons even after three months. He requested the court to issue directions to the police and other security agencies to recover both the missing persons. A deputy attorney general requested the court to allow some time to file reply on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. The court accepted the request and adjourned hearing for two weeks.
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that nobody should take offense at his remarks about Kashmir in his address to UN General Assembly as he stat- stan and India during his meeting with Manmohan Singh. ed facts about the issue.
Talking to Media, the prime minister said that India should not forget that the facts he stated in his address about Kashmir were correct. He said that he would try to bridge the distance between Paki-
He hoped that misunderstandings between the US and Pakistan would soon be addressed. Nawaz Sharif didn’t root out possibility of using force to end terrorism in Pakistan.
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17 September - 2013
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18 September - 2013
Headhunt: Three names proposed for acting HEC chief
NEWS for Education, Trainings and Standards in Higher Education Balighur Rehman told The Express Tribune, “We are going to send the names to the prime minister next week,” he added.
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) had turned down the former army chief’s bail plea in the Bugti murder case. Musharraf’s counsel Ibrahim Satti had challenged the BHC decision in the Supreme Court in July.
arraf was abroad when the statements were recorded. It is his legal right that statements of the witnesses be recorded in front of him,” he said.
However, Malik Muhammad Rafiq A two-member bench of the apex – the lawyer representing former court, headed by Justice Nasirul Deputy Inspector General (DIG) The sources added that the minisMulk, heard the petition about the Saud Aziz and Superintendent try has sought PM’s permission to rejection of bail. Police (SP) Khurram Shehzad, obrelease an advertisement inviting applications for the post. The ex-president’s counsel plead- jected to it, saying that it would fured that his client’s plea for bail ther delay the case. Rafiq also obIt may be recalled that the previjected to Pakistan Peoples Party’s ous HEC chairpersons had been was rejected because he was not (PPP) General Secretary Latif Khodirectly appointed by the prime produced before the trial court or sa’s application to become party minister. “The summary to appoint within the territorial jurisdiction of in the case. “Why they [the PPP] HEC chairman through competi- the trial court in Balochistan due did not become a party when they tive process is surprising as the to security concerns. were in power?” post is equal to that of a federal Satti said it was his request that minister and cannot be offered the court should decide the matter Barrister Latif Khosa, representing the Management Position (MP-I) keeping in view the law and order Tauqir Akram Kaira who lost his scale,” said a source in the HEC situation and the facts surround- life along with former Prime Minon the condition of anonymity. ing the case. Issuing notice to ister Benazir Bhutto in the Liaquat Another officer called this a bu- Jamil Akbar Bugti, son of the slain Bagh blast in 2007, replied that reaucratic stunt for the reason Baloch leader, the court adjourned the PPP did not become a party in ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Edu- that an appointment through MP-I hearing of the case for two weeks. the case precisely because it was cation, Trainings and Standards scale will give sufficient space to the ruling party, adding that he in Higher Education is proposing red tape to rule the roost on such was then serving as the attorney three names for the acting chief an important academic slot. general and later as Punjab govof the Higher Education Commisernor. sion (HEC) following the refusal of Shamsh Kassim- Lakha, the Barrister Rafiq said the case had founding president of the Aga already been pending for the last Khan University. five years. “First Punjab Police carried out investigations then it was “We are sending these names transferred to Federal Investigation for the acting charge of the HEC Agency (FIA) under the supervision till the government finalises the name,” said a high official at the of former Interior Minister Rehman ministry. Malik and now restarting the trial would mean further delay,” he said. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the appointing authority for the top Khosa agreed to Rafiq’s argument slot of HEC, had refused to extend that the re-recording of statethe contract of the past chairman ments of witnesses would waste Dr Javaid R Laghari or to give the court’s time and national monacting charge to executive direcey. “Therefore the case must be tor of the commission,Dr Mukhtar started where it was left off,” he Ahmed. said, requesting the court to accelerate the proceedings for its Sources revealed that the three earlier disposal. names suggested for the acting chairman HEC include Vice ChanFIA special prosecutor Chauddy cellor (VC) of the University of Azhar Ai told the court that the forEngineering and Technology, Pemer FIA public prosecutor in the shawar, Imtiaz Gilani; VC of Balocase Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali had alchistan University of Information ready been gunned down and witand Technology, Farooq Bazai; ISLAMABAD: Upholding the decinesses had been convinced with and the former VC of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Dr Nilofur sion of Balochistan High Court, the RAWALPINDI: Anti Terrorism much difficulty. Supreme Court (SC) on Friday reSheikh. fused to grant bail to ex-president Court (ATC) on Tuesday reserved “Recording their statements once The three eminent educationists Pervez Musharraf in the murder its judgment in the Benazir Bhutto again will disappoint the witnesses are also members of the 17-mem- case of Baloch chieftain, Nawab murder case as attorneys for de- while a retrial will also give benefit ber HEC. fence and prosecution completed to the killers of Chaudhry Zulfiqar,” Akbar Khan Bugti. their arguments. Indecision he added. Akbar Bugti was killed in 2006 in The three-year term of Dr Laghari a military operation in Balochistan When the hearing started, the The court after completion of arguhas expired on August 27 and the and a case was registered later in former military ruler Pervez Mush- ments put aside the decision over government is yet to decide whom 2009 against Musharraf, who is arraf’s lawyer Ilyas Siddiqi urged retrial of the case and deferred the to appoint in his place. Confirming presently lodged in his farmhouse the court to re-record the state- hearing till October 1, 2013. ments of the witnesses. “Mushthis dilemma, the Minister of State on the outskirts of Islamabad. Post to be publicised?
Bugti murder case: Supreme Court refuses bail to Musharraf
High profile case: Judgment reserved on Benazir murder case retrial
19 September - 2013
The charges
SPORTS AWARDING THEATRICAL RIGHTS WITHOUT PROPER APPROVAL: He awarded the theatrical rights for broadcasting IPL matches in multiplexes without prior or proper approval from the BCCI or governing council.
questioning by police, the ICC issued a release saying that the umpire had been stood down from his duties in the Champions Trophy in England. Rauf was later dropped from the Elite Panel of Umpires but the ICC clarified that the situation SIGNING OF PARTNERS WITH- was not a factor in his exclusion. OUT APPROVAL: He signed on Rauf said he would explain his curagencies without informing the rent position to the ICC’s Anti-CorBoard. rpution and Security Unit. “I have WEB RIGHTS: He didn’t disclose been an employee of ICC. Like polinks to owners who had an inter- lice, they [ACSU] also investigate. est in purchasing web rights of the When they call me, I will answer them through my legal adviser. I tournament. have done five IPLs and my deciRELATED TO STAKEHOLDERS sions have been 100% correct. I The BCCI, on Wednesday, found OF TEAMS: Modi was the brotherformer IPL chief Lalit Modi guilty in-law of Suresh Chellaram, who will answer to ICC regarding these allegations.” on various counts. Here’s the list: had a stake in the Rajasthan RoySHADY TV RIGHTS DEALS AND als and he did not disclose that FACILITATION FEE: While World to the board. He also helped his Sports Group were granted global friends in the business and film TV rights of the IPL, Singapore- world to buy franchises by giving based Multi Screen Media were them prior information about the awarded broadcast rights in In- tenders. dia. Due to various breaches, the BCCI terminated the agreement with MSM. Soon, WSG Mauritius, a company with same ownership patterns as WSG India, got the rights and they were to pay BCCI a signing amount of Rs 112.5 crore. The BCCI never got the money. The awarding and cancelKARACHI: Farhan Zaman delation of rights including the payfeated Pakistan’s top ranked PSA ment of $80 million as facilitation player Nasir Iqbal 3-2 in their Chief fee from MSM to WSG was done of Air Staff (CAS) International with Modi’s knowledge. Squash Championship semi-final RIGGING OF BIDS DURING 2010 held at the Hashim Khan Squash IPL AUCTIONS: In 2010, as the Complex in Peshawar yesterday. BCCI mulled the inclusion of two Zaman, who recently won the DG new franchises to add to the exRangers (Sindh) Squash Champiisting eight, Modi suddenly added Pakistan umpire Asad Rauf has onship by beating Iqbal, was in trenew conditions to the auction pro- maintained his innocence and mendous form during the match cess and stated that the bidder called for proof regarding the alleas he won the first game. However, should have a net worth of $1 bil- gations of corruption against him, he conceded the second set delion and must provide a bank guar- after being named as a “wanted spite being 10-3 at one point. In antee of $100 million. The BCCI accused” in the Mumbai Police’s the end, it was Zaman who carried stressed that these conditions chargesheet for the betting scanthe day with game scores of 11-5, were not there in the tender and dal in IPL 2013. Rauf had been 10-12, 11-5, 7-11 and 11-6. were introduced only to exclude umpiring in the IPL but left India during the tournament, even as In the final, he will face Danish competition. it emerged that Mumbai Police Atlas Khan, who defeated elder ARM-TWISTING FRANCHISES: wanted him for questioning. brother and Asian champion Aamir While Pune Warriors and KoAtlas Khan 3-1 with a scoreline of chi Tuskers won the bids to be a When asked if he knew Vindoo 11-1, 7-11, 11-8 and 11-9. part of the 2011 IPL, Modi wasn’t Dara Singh, who was also named happy with it and he favoured an- in the chargesheet, Rauf was defi- Pakistan head coach Jamshed other franchise. That resulted in ant: “I have thousands of friends Gul was pleased with the perforhim threatening a few members of but that doesn’t mean that if my mances of youngsters Zaman and the Kochi franchise, asking them friends do something, then I have Danish as he believes that they to give up their stakes. When they anything to do with that. Let them have finally started to showcase didn’t relent, he tweeted the share- prove something. If it was the case their true potential. holding patterns of the franchise that I have taken a favour or a gift, “Zaman is in tremendous form and also threatened to expose a or money was given to me, you right now and if he carries on like few BCCI officials. It eventually led got to prove allegations. this, there is no reason why he to the resignation of Union minister After leaving India in May, Rauf re- shouldn’t make it to the top 30 in Shashi Tharoor. turned to Pakistan where he held the world,” Gul told The Express PLANNING A RIVAL LEAGUE: a press conference and stressed Tribune. “As far as Danish is conWhile in exile in London, he that he had not engaged in any cerned, he played well too but I planned a rival league with English corrupt activities. When news had think Aamir isn’t at 100% otheremerged that Rauf was wanted for wise he wouldn’t have lost so easily.” counties.
against former IPL chief Lalit Modi
Zaman sets
up final clash with Danish
Asad Rauf
maintains innocence, asks for proof
I’m not the greatest player: Serena
BEIJING: Serena Williams said yesterday she was not the greatest ever women’s tennis player after securing the year-end world number one ranking for the third time in her glittering career. But the 32-year-old American power-hitter, now on a career total of 55 titles with 17 major wins, told reporters in Beijing ahead of the China Open that she was ‘maybe top five’. Serena achieved the feat in 2002 and 2009, and joins Justine Henin and Martina Hingis as a three-time year-end number one, with only Steffi Graf (8), Martina Navratilova (7), Chris Evert (5) and Lindsay Davenport (4) ahead of her. “I’m not the greatest player,” said Serena. “I’m still playing and I’m still trying to reach records. And people like Steffi and Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova and Margaret Court, they are the greatest,” she said. “Maybe top five, but definitely not number one. For me it’s an honour to even be mentioned amongst those amazing ladies.” Serena also became the first woman to surpass $9 million in prize money in a single season, pushing her career earnings past $50 million. She is the top seed in the $5,185,625 China Open, while home favourite Li Na is seeded fourth. 31-year-old Li also received a boost with the news that she has become the fifth player to qualify for the $6 million end-of-season WTA Championships. Serena, along with Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Agnieszka Radwanska – the world numbers one, two, three and four – have already qualified for the WTA Championships.
20 September - 2013
SHOWBIZ
Zinda Bhaag: This Deserves An Oscar Nod
character is refreshing, it has hardly any contribution to the narrative. She doesn’t serve the purpose of eye candy, nor is she a good actor. More than that, her dialogue delivery is monotonous and she has a limited range of expressions on screen. Shoots and the ramp, it seems, are better places for Amna. All in all, Zinda Bhaag stylistically highlights one of the most central social issues faced by Pakistan-
is — the issue of survival. Those who can run away will, but only after accumulating adequate resources. Others dream of running away, even if it means putting all their resources at stake. Verdict: Zinda Bhaag is a must watch. In its modest, yet ingenious approach towards storytelling, Zinda Bhaag easily becomes the best film to have come out of modern day Pakistani cinema.
Pakistan Ready To Get Its First Singing Idol
I
n one scene of the film, an illegal ‘immigration expert’ is surgically recreating a passport for a man who is desperate to get out. He meticulously uses tweezers to peel off one passport picture and then replaces it with another. His hands are steady; after all, the consequences of getting caught are too frightening. This single act encapsulates the theme of Zinda Bhaag — a depiction of the essence of the ‘Pakistani dream’ as we know it today.
In the heart of a lower-middle class neighbourhood in Lahore, friends Khaldi (Khurram Patras), Taambi (Zohib) and Chitta (Salman Ahmed Khan) are living life to the fullest; they eat, drink and make merry. They look for love, get their hearts broken, and tease each other like any tightly-knit group of old friends would. Naseerudin Shah as Pehlvan is less of the mohalla’s ‘social worker’, and more the Godfather figure. He is introduced to us when he walks into the funeral of Booba, one of the residents of the area, who had managed to escape to France by hiding in a container. He eventually started his own restaurant called La Booba, so he became an inspiration to youngsters in the mohalla. The scene shows the obsession the residents of the neighbourhood have with finding success in foreign lands. In Zinda Bhaag, the film’s directors Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi manage to create a culturally accurate story world, while taking a limited amount of screen time. The naturally raw Lahori accent; the corny humour; a family’s obsession with Urdu soaps and the yearning of the boys to make an appearance at a funeral just to get a taste of free mutton qorma are examples of an apt cultural representation that Pakistani films fail to achieve. A pleasant combination of traditional cinema shots and snappy cinematography captures
provide them with the opportunity to showcase their hidden talent,” he said.
both, the soul of Lahore and the essence of a neorealist saga. The visuals are supported by a light hearted yet unsettling story with back to back powerful one-liners that keep you glued to your seats and leave you craving for more. Shah as Pehlvan has a largerthan-life persona, but also relates the ghosts of his past. Despite donning funky pink kurtas and wearing multi-coloured rings, there is a menacing darkness to Pehlvan, without whose blessings, it seems you cannot make it big in the mohalla. His proficiency in Punjabi is as immaculate as his fluency in Urdu. Khaldi, Taambi and Chitta are newcomers turned method actors. Their comfort in the atmosphere created by ZB plays a seminal role in making them believable. Bringing in nonactors was a smart choice, and an even smarter one to edit their shots well-enough to prevent their naivety from being translated on screen. That shouldn’t, however, take away from the well-performed long takes. Editing is the backbone of any film but very few (especially in Pakistan) have used it effectively, and it’s the clever cutting of the shots, along with tight pacing that keeps the audience of ZB wanting more. The songs are good, but they sometimes become a needless deviation from a very precise plot, preventing Zinda Bhaag from being considered perfect. One wonders whether the powerful words penned by Mohammad Hanif in Dekhainge deserved something better than a half-hearted retaliation and a whole-hearted celebratory dance by a bunch of socially suppressed waiters.
“From among them, the people will choose one voice that will reign in our hearts.”
A
Auditions for `Pakistan Idol` will also be held in other cities, including restive Quetta and Peshawar. Participants have to be between 15 and 30 years old.
fter making waves across the world and in India, Pakistan is set to get its own version of the Asif Raza Mir, managing director singing talent show `Pop Idol`, au- of Geo Entertainment, said the ditions for which began here today. network was aware that there are security problems in Quetta and `Pakistan Idol`, the local version of Peshawar but the two cities are the globally celebrated singing tal- equally important. ent show that has attracted 460 million viewers worldwide since “So we will provide our contestants, it was launched in 2003, is being judges and crew members with produced by the Geo TV network. security,” he said. The show was first aired in Britain Imran Aslam, the president of the in 2001 and immediately became network, said Pakistan has a hisa worldwide phenomenon, with tory of producing talented musilocal versions in Asia, Africa, Auscians across genres. tralia, Europe, North America and “The Idol will be a platform for peo- South America airing 199 series ple who sing in private, in the bath- across 46 territories and attracting room or in small family gatherings. upwards of a staggering 6.5 billion We will bring them together and votes worldwide.
Mahnoor Baloch Rubs Shoulders With Hollywood Actors
Birnbaum, Torn is a family drama that revolves around two families whose sons are killed in a bomb explosion. The age-defying beauty, who was recently seen shaking her toned leg in the much-hyped Pakistani movie Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, will be playing a lead character (one of the mothers) in the movie alongside Star Trek’s Captain Robau, Faran Tahir. Torn akistani actor Mahnoor Baloch also stars actors John Heard and has certainly kept us on her Dendrie Taylor. Mahnoor made her toes. After her recent stint in Main debut on television back in 1993 Hoon Shahid Afridi, the actor is with PTV’s hit drama serial Marvi The problems for Zinda Bhaag now seen in the trailer of Holly- and has been working on and off start as soon as Khaldi meets his wood film Torn. Facebook is flood- ever since. The movie was previlove interest Rubina (Amna Ilyas), ed with shared posts of Mahnoor’s ously titled Two Mothers but was a petite, animated girl who sells a new project, with people going then changed. It is scheduled to homemade soap called Facelook. gaga over her acting skills (and release some time this year. You While the humour surrounding her good looks). Directed by Jeremiah go, girl!
P
21 September - 2013
Art & Literature
Ahmed Hamaish remembered
Akhtar Raza Saleemi’s
collection of poetry Khawab Daan: Poetry as a mirror of evolving consciousness
I
slamabad As a Mirror of Integral structure of evolving consciousness, Akhtar Raza Saleemi’s collection of poetry ‘Khawab Daan’ marks his poetic moments of truth lived in the present and yet extended into a temporal existence outside of linear time and space. Touching on facets of space and time, Saleemi’s poems belong to the realm of the lofty and mythical. After grooming himself successfully as apoet of ‘ghazals’, Saleemi ventures into the world of versified poetry in ‘Khawab Daan’, seeking to revel in his poetic liaison to a larger consciousness, embracing the order of things from small to great and how they are interrelated, sharing a oneness with the nature and human existence. Saleemi’s verses paint portraits of individuals at a certain point in time representing the poets own varied experience over a span of time, yet the same themes run through all of them in a mystic connection. Going through Saleemi’s moments of truth, as intricate as the sound properties of poetry may be, it is difficult to imagine a poet more straight- forward and unadorned in modes of address.
ISLAMABAD hmed Hamaish was not only short story writer but also one of the pioneers of Urdu prose poEven metaphor and simile appear ems in Pakistan, said famous poet sparingly, and they often come Naseer Ahmed Nasir in his presimore in the form of a parable or dential speech in a condolence story than adornment, embellish- reference on prominent short story ment, modification, example, or writer, poet and intellectual Ahmed accessory. Hamaish under the title “Yaad-eRaftagan” arranged by Pakistan Selecting any single verse from Academy of Letters (PAL). his collection to define his poetic mood is difficult as he moves from Naseer Ahmed Nasir informed the moment to moment, rising and participants that Ahmed Hamaish falling in the rhythm of life as he was also a good Ghazal poet. He feels. In one of his verse ‘Manzar was also writing a biographical novel. He urged the government to ek Bulandi per’, Saleemi writes: arrange the publication of Ahmed ‘Mai kisi shaffaf manzar per, Hamaish’s unpublished writings. nazar se dastakhat kar ke abd Ahmed Javed commented that aasar hona chahta hoon, aise ek manzar pe, jo pehle kisi Ahmed Hamaish’s story “Makhi” is considered to be his masterpiece bhi aank per utra na ho’. and will be remembered for long. The simple words carries immense He was also claimant of being the depth with his desire to be famil- pioneer of Urdu prose poem in iar to the gaudiness and inane Pakistan. He remained cantrovenphraseology of many modern tial personality throughout his life. poets, yet stand out as different individual looking down the deso- Chairman PAL Abdul Hameed said late slope of a mountain-towards that Ahmed Hamaish’s services the valley of human abode, daring for the promotion of literature are to dream of seeing and touching commendable in the field of fiction something no one has seen or touched before, yearning to witness life free from all taboos, hate, and conflicts decaying the body and spirit of mankind.
A
Saleemi’s verses appears as a sum of experiences that he encounter while passing through life, day to day struggles and triumphs as experienced by all of the world’s creatures. By choosing to react differently, Saleemi makes his own choice of words that reverberates through each of his verse in a connecting bond. Among his other verses included in the book: Media azad hai, Poochiye humse hum bata saktey hain, Andhera, Eik Kahani, Daira, Maut, Apney abaai makan ke darwaze per, Hairat zindegi hai, Safar hai shart, Koi waqt ko rah pe laye.
Saleemi portrays a unique blend of Plain statements, often in simple reality and dreams expressed with declarative sentences, make up exacerbated sensibility, fine sharpmost of the verses, leaving no ness of his perception, clarity and room for decoration of any sort. splendour of his language.
and poetry but also in editing and research. Muhammad Hameed Shahid said that Ahmed Hamaish is placed in the rank of major symbolic fiction writers like Sajjad Ahmed, Rasheed Amjad, Parkash and Balraj Manra etc. His first collection of short stories “Makhi” made ripples in the literary scenario of Urdu in the decade of 70’s. While his second collection came out in 1970 in which migration and debacle of 1971 were the major topics. Parveen Tahir remarked that Ahmed Hamaish lived a long life but without making any compromise in any front of life. He remained in a suffering condition from within. In the start of the programme Haider Farooq and Ahmed Ijaz rendered selected writings of Ahmed Hamaish. The Proceedings were conducted by Akhtar Raza Saleemi.
Fashion-Beauty Tips-Horoscope
22 September - 2013
Monsoon Makeover: Look Fabulous This Season
what every girl wants to embrace in this monsoon. Makeup: When weather gets muggy, it means you have to be careful about your makeup. In monsoon, go with natural makeup. Say no to heavy makeup and creamy foundations as its application makes your face look like a creamy cake. When it comes to use of shimmery blush is a strict No! Dusty pink and peach shades give natural glowing skin and look great during rainy days.
It is important to keep your makeup natural and powdery in monsoon. onsoon is upon us. It is time Use waterproof mascara and eye to get all your colorful clothes liner because using waterproof and and funky accessories out of clos- oil free makeup is must. Bright lipet. Enjoy rain of the monsoon with stick shades like red and pink are beautiful colors of nature. Don’t let superb in monsoon. Imagine clear the monsoon blues get you down. glowing skin, with shiny bright lips Be bold and splash some colors and natural eye shades that is a great makeup look for monsoon. and enjoy the rains.
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Do you want to know what is hot in the cool rainy season? Which items and fashion accessories are in and can make you look fabulous this season? I must suggest you some important tips regarding your dressing, makeup and hairstyle that will help you in looking fabulous in this monsoon. Have a look. Dressing: It’s time to embrace nature’s bounty, unraveling hues and motifs that enthrall. Boost your simple outfit ideas and pierce some of the key style items of the monsoon season in your makeover project. This monsoon, try butterfly prints. While butterfly motifs and designs evidently flocked the runways and now it is your turn to host them. The colorful butterfly prints enhance the beauty of any dress. You must go with knee grazing dresses, jumpsuits, maxis and gowns and keep it stylish and trendy with chic butterfly prints.
Hairstyles: Tackle your hair with cool hairstyles like ponytails, messy buns and braids. Don’t let your hair to damage in rainy season. Braiding your hair is easy and there are plenty of options to choose from. Try different types of braided styles. Use a shampoo and conditioner that help you to moisturize your hair.
If you are considering to purchasing a pair of palazzo trousers, you have to consider the proportion of your outfit. Think balance. You must remember a few tips and tricks to balance your outfit. While wearing palazzo pants, wear well fitted and light fabric tops since they are bottom heavy and flare out from knees below. You can wear colorful tops to balance your dressing.
alazzo pants are a huge trend at the moment. The new trend The charm of a butterfly often seen of palazzo pant is feminine and elehovering over blossoming flowers, gant because of their light fabric and has definitely been a source of in- wide knee bottom in this summer. spiration for designers especially Palazzo pants are perfect for keepin this monsoon. Go for bold and ing you cool in hot summer days. bright hues like yellow, orange, red, Palazzo pants provide balance and green, blue and pink. Bright, bold flatter wider hips and thighs and are and funky is the trend in monsoon. easy to pull on and go. An ideal pair Wear bright clothes, carry a hot pink of palazzo creates a fashion staterain coat or colorful umbrella and ment with high heels. It is perfect for you will definitely make heads turn. those who want to look tall. Accessories: Fitted tops tuck in palazzo gives an High heels and big stilettos are big illusion of tall girl. Keeping the freeno during rainy weather. Try color- dom of pants intact, it also gives the ful waterproof shoes and sandals in illusion of maxi skirt. This trend was which you feel comfort. Go bold and very popular in 1930’s and then in funky with bright hues umbrella and 1960’s. Most celebrities and models rain coat instead of traditional one. flocked the runways by wearing suFunky and bright umbrella, trendy per stylish palazzo trousers as a part flip flops and girly accessories are of summer dresses.
September 24 October 23
If you are working women and want to wear palazzo in office then dress them with simpler pattern’s tops and minimal accessories to create a lasting impression. It is perfect for petite women. Petite women can rock and look their best if they have right palazzo wearing sense. Every petite woman must pair palazzo trouser with plain top tucked in with gorgeous heels for an instant slimming effect. It will give the illusion of taller you. For formal wear, dress palazzo with feminine tucked in top. It will give you instant catwalk look. This way you get to maintain a nice long and shapely silhouette. Pick up a tank top or blouse that snug to your body with the pants bloom bottom down your knee. If you love to wear bright colors then add bright and colorful palazzo pants with feminine tops in your wardrobe. It will give you an illusion of maxi skirt. It will look cute and stylish but don’t forget to pair it with gorgeous heels. You can also go with contrast. Grab dark and bright colors so that the look does not break at too many places. You can wear colorful tops to balance your look.
How To Wear Plazzo
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Monthly Overview
couple of unexpected interruptions and a bunch of delays and a few extra details could leave you feeling downright harried on the 1st. Rather than go along with it and let yourself get flustered, why not take advantage of the uncertainty and get in a little five minute walk? You’ll feel a lot better with a little fresh air. If you can, sneak out at lunch and get in a swim. You’ll feel better than ever, despite all the unexpected interruptions and nagging details, if you do.
You’re in a good spot to get creative on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th, so get creative! By the super terrific 7th and 8th, everything you want will be within reach. What could be better? Almost nothing. Except that awesome grilled cheese sandwich you get for lunch. Mmm, good. Give yourself plenty of downtime, especially if you’re feeling a little blue on the 13th, 14th and 15th.
You need to acknowledge your feelings and indulge in plenty of TLC. Give your major relationships some major thought on the 20th and 21st. How are things working, as far as you’re concerned? Make something more beautiful on the In palazzo pants, there are also 27th and 28th. End the month with many bold and interesting styles. a whole-hearted creative effort. Pair them with colorful tucked in top and you can also go with floral Born: September 24 to October 23 prints. Pair prints with solid color Your planet: Venus tops and accessories. For a diva look, you can add a lot of character Your element: Air in your look by supporting a stylish Sign Features: Friendly and Soft accessory. Do remember that your Keyword: Balance chic and stylish look would not be possible until you teamed it with More akin Signs: Leo, Aquarius and Gemini heels. Less related Signs: Cancer and Wear wedge heels to add height. Capricorn. For jazzing up your outfit, accessorizeit with contrasting jewelry. Positive traits: Kindness, Softness, Make a style statement this summer Will, Justice, Trustworthiness, by dressing your palazzo pants with Kindness, Faithfulness. tucked in tops and wedge heels to Negative traits: Insecurities, Little have diva look and vintage feeling. demonstration, Little Intuitive.
23 September - 2013