The Financial Daily 26-09-2010

International Karachi, Sunday, September 26, 2010, Shawwal 16, Price Rs12 Pages 12

Iran wills conditional end of higher enrichment

Tax returns submission date extended till Oct 15 US can ease Indo-Pak tension: Qureshi

See on Page 12

Brig Imtiaz released on Rs20mn bail

See on Page 12

See on Page 12

Enemies of democracy out to derail the system

Economic Indicators $16.63bn 12.79% $3.56bn $6.25bn $(2.69)bn $(944)mn $1.72bn $267.10mn Rs 185bn $55.63bn Foreign Debt (Jun 10) Rs 4705.40bn Domestic Debt (Jul 10) $100.90mn Repatriated Profit (Jul- Aug 10) 4.55% LSM Growth (Jul 09 - Jun 10) 4.10% GDP Growth FY10E $1,051 Per Capita Income FY10 170.63mn Population

Forex Reserves (17-Sep-10) Inflation CPI% (Jul 10-Aug 10) Exports (Jul 10-Aug 10) Imports (Jul 10-Aug 10) Trade Balance (Jul 10-Aug 10) Current A/C (Jul 10- Aug10) Remittances (Jul 10-Aug 10) Foreign Invest (Jul 10-Aug10) Revenue (Jul 10-Aug10)

Minus-all formula to fall flat too: PM Says MPs striving for stability of democracy

Portfolio Investment SCRA(U.S $ in million)

41.98 -43.90 0.78 2389

Yearly(Jul, 2010 up to 23-Sep-2010) Monthly(Sep, 2010 up to 23-Sep- 2010) Daily (23-Sep-2010) Total Portfolio Invest (17 Sep-2010)

Govt to deliberate issues in Parliament

NCCPL (U.S $ in million)

FIPI (24-Sep-2010) Local Companies (24-Sept-2010) Banks / DFI (24-Sept-2010) Mutual Funds (24-Sept-2010) NBFC (24-Sept-2010) Local Investors (24-Sept-2010) Other Organization (24-Sept-2010)

1.64 -6.17 1.26 -1.06 -1.14 4.17 1.30

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Swiss cases, Presidential immunity Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said after failure of minus-1 and minus-2 formula now enemies of democracy are applying minus-all formula but it would also fail because parliamentarians are active for stability of democracy.

ISLAMABAD: Government is contemplating over taking the Talking to private TV channel issues of reopening of Swiss cases and immunity of President to here Saturday Prime Minister the Parliament and Prime Minister Gilani is reported to have Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said made contacts with heads of other allied parties of PPP led govthat some elements are trying to ernment in this respect besides directing members of PPP to stay derail democracy and after fail- in Islamabad.

Well-placed government sources told Attorney General (AG) ing in minus-1 and minus-2 formula now they are trying to would present government stance in unequivocal terms about apply minus-all formula but reopening of Swiss cases in the Supreme Court (SC) and if SC they have to be failed again did not agree with AG stance and insisted on reopening of Swiss because we are active for stabil- cases then government would table a resolution in ongoing sessions of Senate and National Assembly wherein it would be statity of democracy.

He said that in past PPP suf- ed that President was part of the Parliament and no proceedings See # 1 Page 11 fered thrashing from the judici- could be initiated against him under ary and now the party is very he hoped that now in wake of would do justice. He said that careful in this connection while current situation judiciary See # 2 Page 11

NEW YORK: Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi speaks at the Ministerial Meeting of the UN Alliance of Civilization Group of Friend at UN Headquarter. -PPI

Qayum Jatoi resigns Monitoring Desk ISLAMABAD: After failing to satisfy Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani over his remarks, State Minister for Defence Production Abdul Qayum Jatoi was made to resign Saturday, media reported.

Earlier Saturday, replying to a question while talking media on the occasion of his meeting with Talal Akbar Bugti here at Bugti House, he said everyone including Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, Saraiki and Punjabis should get share in corruption.

Later, taking serious notice of it PM Gilani summoned the state minister to Islamabad.

Sialkot lynching

Ex-DPO out on bail SIALKOT: Former DPO Sialkot, Waqar Chauhan was released on bail by the Gujranwala Anti Terrorism Court on Saturday.

Chauhan had been charged with negligence in his duties with regard to the brutal killing See # 14 Page 11

SBP blesses Usmani as MCB CEO ISLAMABAD: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has granted its clearance for the appointment

of Mohammad Usman Ali Usmani as President/ Chief Executive Officer of MCB Bank.

According to a letter issued by the bank to stock exchanges, Usmani was already working on Acting charge basis. Agencies

SBP seeks to double Islamic banking assets in 3yrs

Gulf lenders branching out KARACHI: Pakistan's central bank, seeking to double Islamic banking assets in three years, is urging lenders from the Persian Gulf to open branches in rural areas.

Albaraka Banking Group, the largest publicly traded Islamic bank in Bahrain, is increasing branches to 80 from 30, Kaleem Iqbal, a senior executive vice president at the local unit, said in an interview in Islamabad.

Meezan Bank, controlled by Kuwait's Noor Financial Investment Co, is opening 25 outlets this year, said Amir Ali, head of investment banking in Karachi.

Gulf banks are looking outside of the region for expansion after lending that complies with Shariah law slumped 46 per cent to $3.3 billion in Europe, the Middle East and Africa this

year, compared with $6 billion in the same period of 2009.

Pakistan has six Islamic banks with 668 branches and plans to approve two more as it seeks to boost lending to rural communities, Saleem Ullah, director of Islamic banking at the Karachi-based central bank, said.

"The State Bank of Pakistan's policy encouraging banks to open branches in rural areas makes it easier to get new licenses," Ali said yesterday in an interview. "We may end up opening 225 more branches in the next four years and the majority of those will be in smaller towns."

SBP estimated in a December 2008 report that of the country's 6.6 million farmers, only 2 million had access to credit.

See # 6 Page 11

Danish embassy bombing suspects acquitted

PIA flight caught up in bomb threat STOCKHOLM: A plane carrying 273 people bound from Canada to Pakistan landed Saturday at Stockholm's Arlanda airport because of a bomb threat on board, airport and police officials said.

A man has been detained by Swedish police after a Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 777 was grounded following a call to Canadian police claiming there was a bomb on board.

According to details, the plane was enroute to Pakistan from Canada when it was diverted to Sweden due to a bomb threat.

The aircraft was carrying 243 passengers who were evacuated off the plane. One man has been detained by police.

Canadian police received a phone call from a woman after the plane had taken off from Canada, saying a man on board had explosives with him,

according to Stockholm district police spokesman Janne Hedlund.

The suspect is a Pakistani with a Canadian passport.

No explosives were found on the man, who was detained while passengers were being evacuated from the plane. The plane was diverted to Arlanda, the Swedish capital's main airport, after the pilot was informed by Canadian police of the threat to the plane while it was in Swedish airspace.

Furthermore, a Pakistani court acquitted three men accused of involvement in a 2008 suicide car-bomb attack on the Danish embassy in Islamabad, a public prosecutor said.

The court acquitted the trio on the basis of "insufficient" evidence against them, the prosecutor, Mohammad Tayyab, told Reuters.

See # 7 Page 11

PM cancels foreign tours ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has canceled visits starting this month to Europe, the foreign ministry said, a move which could intensify media speculation that pressure is mounting for a change in government.

The government's perceived poor handling of floods has raised questions over political stability in Pakistan.

"In view of his preoccupations with the post-flood situation, Prime Minister has decided not to go ahead with his scheduled visits to Paris and Brussels," said a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman in a statement.

"Prime Minister's official visit to France is being re-scheduled." Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi will lead Pakistan's delegation to the Asia-Europe summit in Brussels next month, said the statement.

See # 5 Page 11

Pak has to ink 2 treaties for repatriation of Afia: US ISLAMABAD: United States Embassy in Islamabad has said that Pakistan would have to sign two treaties for transfer of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the US to home.

Pakistan would have to sign the Council of Europe Treaty and A F Convention for return of Aafia Siddiqui who was recently handed 86 years jail term by an American court on seven counts.

The sentence has unleashed angry protests throughout the country. -Agencies

UK to lobby for trade breaks, aid for Pakistan

Flood makes targets unmeetable: Shaikh NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has feared that it may be hard for Pakistan to meet financial targets due to the worst devastations wreaked by deluge, media reported Saturday.

Addressing a mass gathering of think tank in New York, Qureshi worried that Pakistan authorities guaranteed IMF of bringing reforms in many sectors but the dismal situation emerged following worst spate of deluge, it appears second to impossible for them to meet the IMF targets.

"Finance Minister Dr Shaikh visited IMF officials in Washington some weeks ago to discuss the said worries", he

maintained, adding, a delegation will meet IMF officials next month for finding a way out in this wake.

"Now, the government will have to devise new plans by sorting out its priorities given the havocs inflicted by floods", he proposed.

Furthermore, UK has said that it would lobby with other countries for providing flood assistance and trade concessions to Pakistan.

Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom William Hague expressed these views in his meeting with Foreign Minister Qureshi on the sidelines of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

See # 3 Page 11

Minister rules out confrontation

Govt actioning SC verdicts: Kaira LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said Saturday that the PPP leaders and workers have made great sacrifices for the restoration of democracy in the country and any attempts to derail it would be foiled.

Talking to newsmen after the inaugural ceremony of an FM radio station at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here, the minister said the government is implementing all decisions of the Supreme Court.

"The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government has no confrontation with any national institution."

He said the government is obeying the SC verdict on the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) except a minor portion of it relating to Swiss cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, who had immunity in this regard.

To a question, Kaira said that a section of the press is engaged in spreading rumours against the present government.

See # 4 Page 11

Pakistan hails India’s Kashmir talks offer

India ready to bring Kashmir to table

NEW YORK: India Saturday said it was ready to discuss all issues with Islamabad, including Kashmir.

"Everything that they want to discuss and everything we want to discuss with them will be discussed" during Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's possible visit to India for talks, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said here, reported PTI. He was reacting to questions

on recent Pakistan Foreign Office statement that there can be no result-oriented discussions with India on Kashmir unless it stops treating it as its integral part and Qureshi's remarks seeking US intervention on the issue.

Krishna, who is here for the UN General Assembly session, said he looked forward to hosting Qureshi in India.

"Well I was in Islamabad and we did talk and I have invited

New Delhi hints at talk-offer to IHK leaders NEW DELHI: India hinted Saturday to hold talks with Indian Kashmiris and review the heavy security presence in the troubled Himalayan region to end a deadly wave of separatist civilian unrest.

The proposals were part of an eight-point formula proposed by Home Minister P Chidamabaram after he led an all-party mission to Muslim-majority Indian occupied Kashmir, shaken by violent pro-independence protests almost daily since June.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been See # 8 Page 11

Excellency Qureshi to come to India and he has very graciously accepted my invitation," Krishna said. "I am looking forward to hosting him in Delhi and the dates have to be worked out."

Rebuffing Pakistan's attempt to involve the international community in resolving the Kashmir issue, India has categorically said there is "no scope" of third party mediation on Kashmir which is an integral

part of the country.

Krishna, however, underlined that despite these recent remarks

by Pakistan, talks would continue.

"India wants to keep Pakistan engaged in talks because we do not see any other alternatives... talks are the only way to take this forward," the Indian minister said.

"I think India has already reacted to whatever Foreign Minister Qureshi has said and See # 9 Page 11

2

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Mock polls empower trade mafias Jamil Siddiqui

QUEETA: Federal Minister Abdul Qayyum Jatoi and Nawabzada Talal Akbar Bugti hold a joint press conference at Bugti house. -Online

I’ve no NRO tag, claims Mirza KARACHI: Sindh Home Minister, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, on Saturday said that he is not among the beneficiaries of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).

In a statement issued by PPP Sindh Media Cell here on Saturday, the Home Minister contradicted the reports aired by some of the television.

The Media Cell statement quoted Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza as terming these channels' reports as false and fabricated.-APP

SUNDAY Time Programmes 8:00

Pakistan This Week (Rpt) Filmi Samaa (Rpt) Doosra Pehlu Smithsonian Documentry Tijarti Dunya (Rpt) Dilkash Pakistan (Rpt) Kamyab (Rpt) Agenda 360 (Rpt) Amnay Samnay (Rpt) Tesri Nazar Music Scene (Rpt) Pakistan This Week (Rpt) Kamyab (Rpt) Dilkash Pakistan (Rpt) Sara Jahan Tesri Nazar (Rpt) Badalta Pakistan Agenda 360 Uff TV Red Carpet Awam Ki Awaz (Rpt) Agenda 360 (Rpt)

8:30 9:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 22:30 11:00 12:00

TV PROGRAMMES SUNDAY Time

Programmes

7:00 8:00 9:05 10:05

News News Manzil (Rpt) Subah Savere Sunday Special News Faisla Aap Ka (Rpt) The Anchor News News News News I Samaa Mutasareen The Reema Show News Tafteesh Faisla Aap Ka

12:00 13:10 14:05 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:05 19:30 20:05 21:00 22:05 23:05

BQATI slams unannounced loadshedding Staff Correspondent KARACHI: Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry (BQATI) to drawn an attention of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) The industries are seeking heavy loss due to unannounced load shedding, alleging that it is resulting in their industrial machinery idle besides there is no facility to repair these heavy machineries, hence the machines are sent abroad for repairing, there by business community bearing heavy losses for machinery repairing and inflicting huge financial burden to the industrialists.

In a handout sent to The

Financial Daily the spokesman of BQATI further added that despite many applications have been given to draw an attention on this issue but official always make excuses on low gas pressure. BQATI has been requested to KESC PQA areas to exempt to unannounced load shedding and to insure to electricity without any hindrance to make it possible the economical progress of country which depends on the production of industrial and also needs to control heavy losses.

They said BQATI and KESC have a great role the betterment and prosperity of the country.

Symposium on MDGs kicks off HYDERABAD: The 6th National Symposium of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences on the theme "Achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)" was formally inaugurated with participation of the personalities of national and international repute in the field of medicine at Liaquat University Jamshoro Campus on Saturday.

Chancellor of Ziauddin Medical University Karachi Dr Asim Hussain, who is also the President Pakistan Medical and Dental Council and Nursing School, was the chief guest while Vice Chancellor of Liaquat University Prof Dr Noshad A Shaikh presided over the session.

In his address, Dr Asim Hussain said that among all MDGs, the country requires achievements in primary education, poverty, hunger, empowerment to women, HIV, reduction in child mortality with improvement in maternal health, environmental sus-

tainability and global partnership for development.

Emphasising the achievements in reduction of child and maternal mortality rate, poverty and improvement of education, Dr Asim said that there is also need to achieve the tasks of provision of better health, education and environments with gender parity for which, good planning, finance and dedicated heard work are needed.

This symposium is being held at the time when the world is facing harsh consequences of multiple natural disasters and grappling with how to secure sustainable development in post conflicts state, he said.

He said that sustainability of progress increasingly depends on meeting unexpected obstacles such as natural disasters, environmental setback and world economy. "It is important that we must be clear and precise on, where we want to go, than we must be clear as well as on how to get their earliest possible way", he remarked.-APP

KARACHI: Taking full advantage of the flaws in the rules framed by the Trade Organisations Ordinance (TOO) under the Ministry of Finance the powerful business mafias further consolidated their grip through the mock elections by implanting their blue eyed persons in their respective trade bodies across the country, it has been learnt.

Gone are the days where there used to be the open

nominations and the opposition candidates fielded to secure the office bearers and Executive members body in the trade bodies across the country but with a closely guarded and tight lipped selection of the next cabinet in the trade bodies which has on one hand has driven away the interest of the general business community in large numbers while on the other hand it has lost its credibility in the eyes of bureaucracy who totally ignores their anomalies

Minister visits Bhutto family graveyard

and resort to unilateral actions which is severely hurting the interest of large section of business community.

"Business community headed by a bunch of mafias are only confined to throwing lunches and dinners to please the bureaucrats and to privately get their personal problems addressed," a notable businessman commented on the present election scenario while talking to The Financial Daily.

Flood affectees going home KARACHI: The flood affected have started returning to their native places. This was pointed out in a statement of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK) on Saturday.

It said that the number of flood victims lodged in the relief camps in the metropolis has now come down to 76,000.

The Executive District Office (EDO), Revenue, Roshan Ali Shaikh, chaired a meeting in his office regarding the state of relief camps set up by the CDGK. He said that those affected lodged at the relief camps are being provided all the basic facilities.

Shaikh also pointed out that the flood affected who are returning to their native places are being provided travel expenses as well as ration, utensils and other necessities.

He also told the incharges of the relief camps that the flood affected are our guests and they be taken care of and their complaints, if any, be redressed promptly.-APP

2500 schools affected by floods LARKANA: Sindh Senior Minister for Education Pir Mazhar-ul- Haq has said that 2500 Schools were hit by floods and education in the province was badly affected, adding he has requested the Chief Minister Sindh that the two weekly holidays in Educational Institution may be cancelled.

This he said while visiting the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Larkana last night. The Senior Minister said that the flood victims were being provided Watan cards besides the registration and provision of accommodation for them were being arranged in the relief camps.

He also said that the PPP government was elected by the people.-PPI

ISLAMABAD: Representatives of PTA and Comsats CIIT are signing MoU to enhance cooperation between the two organisations. Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Dr Muhammad yaseen and Rector Comsats S MJunaid Zaidi are also seen.-PR

Remittances be directed into rehab: ICCI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has witnessed an impressive growth of more than 14.5 per cent in remittances which have reached to about $ 841 million up to June 2010 and government should take measures to channelise these remittances towards the long-term investment for achieving better results for the country.

This was said by Zahid Maqbool, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry in a statement. He said channeling the flow of remittances towards investment sector will contribute towards sustained growth of the economy.

He said SME sector is the engine of growth for Pakistan and one good option for government is to motivate the returning migrants to set up small and medium size businesses, which will help in boosting SME sector. For this purpose, government should provide them fiscal incentives like tax breaks and other concessions.

He called upon the bankers to become

more proactive and increase the speed of remittance transactions so that overseas Pakistanis could feel encouraged to send their money through official banking channels.

He said such an approach will help develop the financial sector of the economy and contribute to the stability of macroeconomic fundamentals of the country and Pakistan will be able to cope with balance of payments problems. He said another choice to motive remittances through banking channels is to offer a special exchange rate to the remitters.

Zahid Maqbool said that tax structure related to remittances should also provide some incentives to expatriates so that they find incentive in sending more money through the formal channels.

He said promotion of remittances through official routes and channeling these to long-term investments could sufficiently compensate Pakistan for big decline in FDI.-Online

KARACHI: GSK representatives Dr Tariq Farooq and Muhammad Hafeez handing over the donated goods to army officials for flood affected persons at Central Ordanance Depot (COD). -APP

LARKANA: Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower Sindh Syed Khursheed Ahmed Ali Shah visited the graves of the martyrs of Bhutto's family in Ghari Khuda Bakhsh, here on Saturday.

He visited the grave of Shaheed Chairperson of PPP, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and laid a floral wreath at the grave and offered "Fateha".

The Federal Minister who was accompanied by the Sindh Minister for Law Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Vice President PPP Larkana District Khair Muhammad Shaikh, District General Secretary PPP Larkana Abdul Fateh Bhutto, Naseebaan Channa, DCO Larkana Abdul Aleem Lashari, leaders and workers of PPP and others sat there for sometime.

Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah also laid floral wreath at the grave of founder Chairman of PPP Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and offered `Fateha'.

Later, the minister also visited the graves of Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shaheed Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto and laid floral wreaths and offered fateha.-APP

Dr Baig leaves for Brussels KARACHI: Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Federal Advisor on Textile left for Brussels to attend World Federation of Consuls (FICAC) Board of Directors meeting on 28th Sept at their Secretariat in Brussels, Belgium, said an announcement made here on Saturday.

Dr Baig will also attend EU - FICAC Forum to be held at EU Parliamentarian meeting room in Brussels on 29th Sept. The Forum will be addressed by E Derycke Minister of State Belgium, Neyts-Uyttebroeck, Minister of State Belgium, Member European Parliament, Ambassador Van Daele, Head of Cabinet of the President Van Rompuy, European Council.

Dr Baig will give a presentation on the recent devastated flood in Pakistan at the EU Forum and would be attended by all its members. Pakistan side will be represented by Dr Ikhtiar Baig along with Ambassador of Pakistan to EU Jalil Abbas Jilani, our Economic Minister Qasim Mohammad Niaz, Commercial Counselor Ayesha Saeed and Press Councillor Saba Mohsen.

EU has recently allowed tariff concession to Pakistani textile products.

Dr. Baig will also discuss this matter and its implementation during his meeting to European Union Commission in Brussels.-PR

Doing best for economic revival: govt LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the government is putting in its best efforts for the revival of the economy that is a solution to a number of problems including unemployment.

The Federal Minister was speaking at the inauguration of LCCI FM Radio 98.6 here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday.

LCCI President Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, Senior Vice President Ijaz A Mumtaz, Vice President Faisal Iqbal Sheikh, newly elected office-bearers Shahzad Ali Malik, Sheikh Mohammad Arshad, Sohail Azhar, former LCCI Presidents Mian Misbahur Rehman and Mian shafqat ali also spoke on the occasion.

The Federal Minister said that the

government was well aware of the challenges being faced by the businessmen in the wake of terrorism and recent devastating floods and was making all out efforts to solve these issues.

He said that the government was not only taking care of the trade and industry but it was equally mindful of the issues being faced by the agriculture sector. It was in contact with international community including China for getting new technologies for the agriculture sector.

The Minister said that the recently signed and much criticized Afghan Transit Trade Agreement would not only help curb smuggling but it would pave the way for industrial revival of the country. This is an agreement that would give considerable boost the the

domestic industry, he added.

Talking about the trade concessions granted by the European Union, the Federal minister said that it was one of the achievements of the government that has opened a new window of opportunities for the business community. He said that the government was in constant contact the United States of America for winning trade concessions in the larger interests of the economy of the country.

He said government did not want clash of institutions and would obey all orders of the courts. He said the government would, however, exercise its right to appeal, review petition against judgments' but a final decision will even then be of the courts. Qamar Zaman Kaira termed sentence awarded to Dr Afia against

the norms of international justice. He said government was still making all out efforts to bring her back to Pakistan under its extradition treaty with the United States. He said government provided Dr Afia the legal aid to fight her case and the attorneys that pleaded her case were appointed after consultation with her family.

Regarding flood tax, the Information Minister said that the government expects to generate resources for the rehabilitation of flood victims from within the country. He said that the global donors also desire that Pakistanis should bear major burden of the rehabilitation process. He, however, added no suggestion on flood tax has yet been discussed at the federal level. However some provinces are contemplating a one

time property tax to generate funds for flood affected areas. The Federal Minister said that the floods, however, do not mean that we should not pursue our tax reforms agenda which is the reason that government is going to continue it as per schedule.

He said that increasing revenue base is in the interest of Pakistan and it has got nothing to do with IMF pressure. He said government would welcome any change that is supported by the constitution and strongly oppose any extra constitutional change. He said there is no bar on Musharaf as Pakistani national to come back.

However, he added, the ex-president would have to appear before courts if required. If he enters politics he will have to face the people of Pakistan, he added.-Agencies

3

Sunday, September 26, 2010

PDMA to restore water supply in flooded areas

Pagara foresees no change thru Houses KARACHI: Chief of Pakistan Muslim League (F), and spiritual leader of Hurs, Pir Sahib Pagara has said that he doesn't not see any change in the current setup through parliament in near future.

"I am not seeing any change in the country through parliament in near future, though I believe that there should be a change because the incumbent conditions are not good", Pagara said while talking to newsmen at his residence Kingri House after meeting a PML(Q) delegation led by its deputy secretary general, and former naib nazim Karachi, Tariq Hassan, and Amanullah Piracha here on Saturday.

Rejecting a popular notion that the government and the supreme court are heading towards a collision, Pagara said " I do not see any collision between the government and the supreme court till today".

Throwing his weight behind the superior court's judgment against NRO beneficiaries, the spiritual leader of Hurs observed that if the Supreme Court stuck to its guns, then all the NRO beneficiaries would have to go home.

"Those who have benefited from the NRO, must be removed, if we all have respect for the judiciary", he maintained.

To a question regarding presidential immunity, Pagara said it was up to the court what it would decide about that. "I haven't read the constitution, but I have heard that the Supreme Court can order the armed forces for implementation of its verdicts", he said.

Replying to a query about recent floods, he said that the floodaffectees were still facing hardships in Sindh because of the government's flawed policies.

He demanded that the

entire rehabilitation process be handed over to the army, which, according to him, was fully capable of accomplishing the task.

Pagara, who is famous for his hilarious political remarks, said that all the Muslim Leaguers would become "Muslims".

"The PPP has compelled the Muslim Leaguers to recite Kalma-e-Shahadat", he said in a lighter vein.

He reiterated that the PPP chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would be the secretary of the PML in near future. He was referring to Bilawal's maternal grandfather, Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto, who was a central leader of All India Muslim League before partition.

Pagara claimed that only the PML has a future as compared to other political parties, therefore, he added, everyone should join it.Online

MULTAN: Secretary General Pakistan Muslim League Mushahid Hussain Syed talking to the media persons at Multan Airport. -Online

US CG kudizes int’l aid to Pakistan KARACHI: US Consul General William Martin hosted a reception in honour of the consular corps at his residence here.

Speaking on the occasion, he congratulated the consul generals and their government for showing generosity and compassion to the victims of catastrophic floods in Pakistan.

"We have all been moved by the heartbreaking scenes of men, women and children fleeing their homes and struggling to survive.

You all have made a big difference to ensure a worldwide response to the ongoing tragedy", he added.

He also thanked the diplomats for accepting his invitation and attending the reception.-APP

Minister takes notice of garbage disposal at beach KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Environment and Alternative Energy, Sheikh Muhammad Afzal on Saturday directed the concerned official to submitted a report regarding disposal and setting the garbage ablaze at beach here.

Taking strict notice about news reports regarding trees cutting at different areas in the city and disposal and setting the garbage on fire at beach, the Minister has sought the report in this regard, said a statement.

He has directed the official concerned to present a report about the reported incidents so that action be taken against the responsible ones.

Sheikh Muhammad Afzal has expressed discontent on media reports which pointed out that some vehicles dispose off the garbage at the sea shore which degrade the environment and cause pollution.

The provincial Minister also directed the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), to visit the sites, where the reported incident were taken place and present its report.

The Minister has directed the Director General Sindh Environment Department to present reports about setting garbage on fire and trees cutting in different areas in the metropolis.-APP

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League- N Chief, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif hands over a cheque to Chief Minister Punjab, Shahaz Sharif for the relief and rehabitation of flood affectees in Lahore on Saturday. -PPI

Shujaat prescribes open heart surgery for country GUJRAT: Former Prime Minister and President PML Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has said that in the country's present situation an open heart surgery procedure is vital.

Speaking at the 29th death anniversary of a his late father Chaudhry Zahur Elahi in Gujrat here on Saturday, he said that in the last two and half years the government had been at loggerheads with the people as well as the judiciary and lately the government had started disobeying the decisions of the judiciary.

He said that the Prime Minister had himself admitted the fact that previously there were talks of minus one and minus two formulas but now a talk of "minus all" was abuzz.

Chaudhry Shujat Hussa further said that the opposition could not be blamed for the country's present dismal political environment as it amounted to one doth the blame another bears the shame.

He said at the Opposition members of the Parliament were neither indulged in corruption nor were they scuffing with the judiciary.

This is why he was advising open heart procedure but the government seemed to be heading towards this end.

Calling Dr Aafia Siddiqui a daughter of the nation, Chaudhry Shujat Hussain condemned her conviction and demanded her immediate release and repatriation. The PML President also demanded punishment for those who handed her over to the United States irrespective of their position and clout.

Chaudhry Shujat Hussasin also emphasised the need to desist form politicization of floods and warned that this trend could push the country further to the brink of disaster.-NNI

Civil Hospital Hyd to get Rs250mn HYDERABAD: The Sindh Government will provide Rs250 million to Civil Hospital, Hyderabad, so that it can provide better health service to the district's people as well as those who come from other parts of the province.

Provincial Minister for Fisheries Zahid Ali Bhurgari stated this on Saturday while distributing Zakat cheques worth Rs. 1.2 million at EDO

Health office for treatment of patients at taluka hospitals of the city.

On the occasion, he said the government was taking steps to promote health and education standards for the betterment of people of the province.

Bhurgari while appreciating the work of provincial Zakat department, underlined that there was a need to bring more efficiency in the work by covering greater number of

HYDERABAD: Members of a local NGO hold a peace rally outside Hyderabad Press Club. - Online

BADIN: Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza talking to a lady during her visit to a relief camp setup for flood affected persons. -APP

DHA head vows vibrant city future Staff Correspondent KARACHI: The Administrator DHA Brig Aamer Raza has said that DHA City Karachi would be developed as a modern and vibrant city of 21st century looking into the future which would be an example for others to follow.

Addressing the meeting chaired by Administrator DHA Brig Aamer Raza Qureshi discussed the basic parameters and the design requirements of the newly launched residential scheme on the Super Highway, DHA City Karachi.

A meeting of the con-

sortium of renowned master planning and urban architectural firms tasked with the master/town planning of DHA City Karachi project was held at DHA's Main Office here today.

The consortium of experts undertaking the most challenging task of master planning comprises renowned firms Doxiadis Associates from Greece (master planners of Islamabad City), globally leading urban architectural firm RMJM architects from UK and national consultancy firm Usmani and Co Ltd. Administrator DHA Brig Aamer Raza said

that the development strategy of the new city would flow from the broader planning concepts clearly outlining the essentials and desirable of the planning which focus on the development of the basic facilities and amenities as a prerequisite.

He stressed on the need of following pragmatic, holistic and nouveau approach of development planning and of strict adherence to the time lines. He added that the basic parameters of planning would be finalised in Oct' 10 followed by progressive master planning of the project.

Brig Raza said that the new satellite city of Karachi would be developed progressively incorporating the contemporary town planning concepts envisaging phase wise development of basic amenities, ensuring sound engineering works with no compromise on quality, economy of effort and sustainable development policy.

Dr Pollalis of Doxiadis Associates, who is a professor of architectural designing at Howard University USA and the chief designer of the project, described DHA City Karachi as a most unique and exciting proj-

people under the Zakat net.

Later, the minister handed over cheques to the medical superintendents of the district's taluka hospitals.

He was accompanied by MNA Syed Ameer Ali Shah Jamot, Chairman Sindh Zakat Council Justice (Retd) Zahid Qurban Alvi, PPP leader Pervez Ansari, EDO Revenue Barkat Ahmed Rizvi, EDO Health Dr Baksh Ali Pitafi and others.-APP

ect of the modern time which presents formidable challenges of planning and designing. He said that the basic contours of master planning of the project were being developed on progressive lines envisaging infrastructure development of roads, water sources, renewable energy and sewerage of international standard.

The master planning process of DHA City Karachi has started on a fast track basis and the initial master planning model would be ready

by April 2011 initiating tendering procedure for construction of major roads.

Modern

Geographic Information System (GIS) and satellite imagery have been used in master planning and the detail designing work would be completed by December 2011.

Dr Pollais stressed that in the initial phase, theme park, convention centre and farm houses would be developed to attract visitors to the area. He said proximity of upcoming education city spread over 9,000 acres, main gas line and the plans to develop a modern transit system unto the Super Highway were the most remarkable and encouraging features for the future development of new city.

KARACHI: Pakistan Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh chalked out a plan for restoration of damaged lines of water supply and sewerage at the flood affected areas in Sindh province.

A decision to this effect was made at a high-level meeting held at the office of the PDMA Sindh here, said a statement issued on Saturday.

Director General PDMA Sindh, Saleh Farooqi, Additional Secretary, Public Health and Engineering, Laiq Ahmed, the Chief Engineer Public Health and other notables were also attended the meeting.

The meeting made deliberations on the suggestions with regard to restoration of devastated water lines at the flood affected areas in the province.

The participants of the meeting decided that the team constituted for restoration of damaged water supply and sewerage lines at the flood-hit areas will visit the affected areas.

Consequent upon visit of the team, immediate steps will be taken to restore the damaged water supply and sewerage lines at the floodhit areas in Sindh, the meeting decided.-APP

UNFPA stresses mother care ISLAMABAD: We need to act together and coordinate humanitarian activities to deliver needed services to pregnant women, lactating mothers and new born babies through community workers, mobile and static clinics and hospitals, said Nobuko Horibe, United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA) Director, Asia and the Pacific Regional Office, Bangkok.

She completed her fourday visit to Pakistan.

During her stay Horibe met Minister of Population Welfare, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister of Health, Makhdoom Shahabuddin, and Secretary of Health of Sindh Province, Hashim Raza Zaidi and held bilateral meetings with other senior government officials, UN agencies, donors and civil society representatives. She also met with the Humanitarian Directors of WFP, UNICEF and WHO to discuss the survival strategy.

She stressed the importance of expanding partnerships to reach the huge number of people that have been affected by the current crisis. She also noted the challenge of implementing and monitoring humanitarian activities to ensure accountability to both donors and the affected people of Pakistan, as the relief and early recovery period is expected to prolong.-PR

Qaim pays visit to nine-zero KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah along with other leaders of the PPP, visited the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), headquarter at Azizabad here to condole the death of MQM's former convener Dr. Imran Farooq on Saturday.

Later talking to media, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said he met with the MQM leaders and condoled with them on the death of slain leader, Dr Imran Farooq.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Convener MQM Rabita Committee, Dr Farooq Sattar thanked the Sindh CM for express-

ing solidarity and condolence on death of Dr Imran Farooq.

He said as soon as the body of Dr Imran Farooq is received by the bereaved family, his party will formally inform the people and sympathisers of the party about burial arrangements.

Speaking about burial of Dr. Imran Farooq, the MQM leader clarified that some rumours and messages through cellular phones are also circulating, but any information is not received in this regard.

As soon as, the information is received, it will be conveyed through media, he added.-APP

4

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Apologising the High Defence Budget

The Financial Daily International Vol 4, Issue 53

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Amir A. Ashary Editor: Shakil H. Jafri Executive Editor: Manzar Naqvi Honorary Advisory Board Haseeb Khan, FCA

S. Muneer Hussain Rizvi

Asim Abbas Ashary, CPA

Khurram Shehzad, CFA

Akhtar M. Zaidi, FCA

Prof. Zakaria Sajid (KU)

Dr. A. Hadi Shahid, FCA

Zahid Bukhari SVP HBL (retd)

Muhammad Arif

Ismat Sabir Head office

111-C, Jami Commercial Street 11, Phase VII, DHA Karachi Telephone: 92-21-5311893-6 Fax: 92-21-5388428 URL: www.thefinancialdaily.com Email Address: editor@thefinancialdaily.com

Lahore office 24- Peshawar Block, Fortress Stadium, Lahore Telephone: 92-42-6675595 Fax: 92-42-6664349 Email Address: editor@thefinancialdaily.com

Pessimism on the up Many of Pakistanis are going paranoid, losing faith in society, and suffering from a genuine fear that writ of this government is, almost, nowhere to be found. Though, there are dozens of ministers and advisors both at the federal and provincial levels, but senselessness rules when it comes to making some strategic decisions.

The track record has been worst as far as appointment of people at key positions is concerned. While appointment of governor of the central bank was delayed for no obvious reason, appointment of chairman National Insurance Corporation and managing director of Oil & Gas Development Company also created unprecedented fuss.

Decision to borrow more against the advice of experts seems a bizarre move. While the government was adamant on borrowing more, no effort was made to contain lavish spending. The government is bent on upping the borrowing ante to meet the budget deficit, mainly arising from higher spending rather than revenue generation constraints.

Residents of Karachi are feeling insecure for a number of reasons from target killing to mobs indulging in vandalism and arson. The city continues to suffer from prolonged load-shedding of electricity and skyrocketing prices of edibles.

In other parts of the country starving families are selling their children and/or committing suicides. On top of this atrocities of police are peaking too. More and more incidents similar to Sialkot lynching are being reported.

Awarding of 86-year imprisonment to Dr Afia Siddiqui by a US court has started a new wave of demonstrations throughout the country. This has provided an opportunity to opposition parties to malign the present government.

Now it is being openly demanded that Pakistan should stop extending logistic support to the Nato forces and also pull itself out of the war on terror.

Both the US and Afghan governments are putting pressure to deliver more but secretly trying to workout a deal with Taliban.

While the recent torrential rain and subsequent floods were initially termed 'punishment by the God' the conspiracy theories term these a Chamatkar of HAARP technology being pushed by the US and also used in many parts of the world.

The worst devastation was witnessed in KP and it is being said that the technology was deployed to move people out of the areas and undertake certain action. Initially the US deployed helicopters for rescue and food delivery but joining of the Chinese choppers gave credence to the conspiracy theories that US was trying to get control over the land link between Pakistan and China. Who knows?

Ironically, the opposition parties are still busy in mudslinging and have failed to understand the threat to Pakistan's sovereignty. Pakistanis fear that musical chair programme has already started.

Though, the leaders are still talking about bringing in-house change political pundits are worried about another dismissal of the elected government and this time, maybe, by the apex court.

Disclaimer:

All reports and recommendations have been prepared for your information only. Summary and Analysis are not recommendation to buy or sell. This information should only be used by investors who are aware of the risk inherent in securities trading. The facts, information, data, indicators and charts presented have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but their accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. The Financial Daily International and its employees are not responsible for any loss arising from use of these reports and recommendations.

Shumaila Raja

T

here was a report (September 22) following an editorial the other day that the defence budget has been hiked by an astonishing 25 per cent from the budgeted figure of Rs442 billion to over Rs550 billion, which the defence experts justify because of Pakistan military's engagement in the war against terror, ongoing operations in Fata, and expenditures in the recent devastating floods.

Meanwhile the Public Accounts Committee the other day stopped short of urging Prime Minister Gilani to treat military pension budget as part of the overall defence budget after Secretary Finance Salman Siddique revealed that the three million retired armed forces personnel were getting Rs72 billion on annual pension under civilian head as against only Rs18 billion for 0.5 billion retired civilian employees.

Military pension bill, according to the report in English daily, was separated on orders of Gen Pervez Musharraf in 2001 to show decline in defence spending.

The PAC was asked to include the bill back in the defence budget and "people should know how much the military was getting in the name of defence budget."

Next day in its editorial (September 23) the same daily criticised the former dictator, Gen (R) Musharraf for deceitfully separating the pension bill from the defence budget which is obviously a matter of concern for masses from whose pocket the defence budget is fed. But the question is whether in the contemporary armies the precedent is available, like in China or India the pension bill is paid from government's civilian budget as the retired personnel very much become part of the civil society. They are regarded citizens and not the military personnel. Likewise the civil

employees retired from government institutions other than the military are not paid from the budget of same institutions they previously belong to then why are not the retired military personnel treated as citizens, part of the civil society, whose services the government can hire any time in their post-retirement period?

Three million getting Rs72 billion as against only Rs18 billion for 0.5 billion retired civilian employees are figures that need to be rechecked.

However, with this the question of huge defence budget should not come under discussion as the government had to quietly increase it from Rs442 billion to over Rs550 billion owing to the precarious security situation inside and outside the country.

In the past there had been very nominal increases in the defence budget as compared to India and other countries, even in the extreme circumstances of war against terror.

The most common phrase we hear quite often is that Pakistan is passing through the hardest of times. For Pakistan, it is almost Dickensian era with scarcities, shallowness, corruption and massive mismanagement.

Out of total outlay of Rs3.529 trillion, defence budget is Rs422.2 billion, which seems to be a whopping figure as compared to the last year budget of Rs387 billion.

Before explaining Pakistan's budget it will be prudent if we discuss the Indian defence budget as it will make the arithmetic more digestive.

Indian's budget estimates for year 2010 is Rs1,108,749 crores, an increase of 8.6 per cent over last year.

India is adopting a cyclic policy package to perpetuate the positive effects of longterm fiscal policies. Indian economists and financial wizards have generated a generic facade into the figures of defence allocation. There is no transparency as that of Pakistan defence budget

rather the actual estimates are disguised under intelligently coined heads and tricky figures. India divides its defence budget into two parts: the plan budget and the non-plan budget. The plan caters for Rs87,344 crores of revenue expenditure of Indian armed forces and non plan budget of Rs60,000 crore caters for the capital expenditure.

The catch lies in the non plan (capital) budget of Indian armed forces which is under the control of central government. The revenue budget of Indians caters for pay and allowances, stores and equipment, revenue works, transportation and miscellaneous expenditure. Even there is a proposal that net reduction of Rs1,096 crores will be made in revenue budget to bolster the capital budget for purchasing new weapons over and above the non-plan allocations. This is going to be achieved through curbing wasteful expenditures by making Indian armed forces a capability based force from that of threat based (PakChina specifics).

A new performance based logistic strategy is being introduced against that of in-house logistics (as that of Pakistan).

Transportation charges of crores of rupees are being saved by utilising the railways. These measures are not undertaken to give the benefit to poor people of India rather along an overall increase of eight per cent defence allocation, additional amount is being spared for lethal weapons and new defence and security programmes for a transnational armed forces.

Pakistan's defence budget is almost an opposite story; here the maximum of its complete budget is being expended on revenue expenditure and war on terror.

One thing has to be understood that Pakistan has become a war economy since year 2001. Even countries like Germany, Japan and Italy buckled under their war

expenditures, which crippled them to almost the last degree of economic paralysis. Instead of a help coming Pakistan way, only promises are made like that of to a damsel by a Prince Charming. From year 2002 till 2010 total 8,300 incidents of terrorism bedeviled the streets and roads of Pakistan. The loss to property is in hundreds of billions, the loss to economy is in trillions.

What recently came as bread crumbs is 735 million dollars through Coalition Support Fund that too after the delay of two years. War economy of Pakistan is fighting the war on terror not only for the sake of objectivity of Pakistani nation rather it is for the good of the whole world.

In Pakistan's defence budget a very little amount is left for modernisation and buying new equipment. To compensate, it is going for refurbished military hardware like that of F-16s, helicopters and ships etc. Even most of the civil relief operations like that of Swat, sea storms, earthquake and natural disasters like Attabad lake and recent devastating floods etc, army uses its own recourses initially, rather in some cases totally. Indian defence forces through jugglery of figures have hidden the teeth estimates, whereas Pakistan defence budget with apparent increase is benign in nature due to expenditures on war on terror, revenue defence budget, civil relief operations and rupee dollar disparity.

Another cause of worry is the grinding halt of economic engine of the country due to power failures and ever increasing cost of raw materials due to purchase in dollars. A cash starved defence forces of Pakistan will be the enigma for the world, as in the war on terror no one can take chances of waiting for ebb and flow of time to mend the menace of terrorism. From a reality check and actual realm of affairs, the defence budget allocations are not an inflationary

phenomena, rather it is merely to sustain the huge war machine of Pakistan army which is now stretched from Fata till eastern border, Balochistan, Line of Control and the Working Boundary.

Talking therefore of including the pension bill in the defense budget is tantamount to making the institution as parallel to government, which would not in any way be a right decision, especially when the military leadership is trying hard to integrate it with the mainstream nation. WoT is a very expensive war; army has given sacrifices in both blood and material and it is a time to pop up the morale and motivation level of the armed forces. There could be no better motivation than a bag full of dimes to buy new toys of balancing nature. Defence economists should also adopt other measures along austerity to siphon the saved amount towards new military purchases as India is undertaking.

The Pakistan nation is bearing the cost of war economy with the bravest gestures of supporting their armed forces by facing the economic brunt, not even weaning for a while against defense's allocations, bravado to a common Pakistan and petite bourgeois of this war economy's financial chain. The international community should come forward and support Pakistan by overcoming its economic woes of power crisis, food shortages, balance of payment and industrial uptake. The financial help to address the weak sectors of economy in a dignified way is most welcome. Mere chock full of promises, clichĂŠs of support and heart warming statements are also welcome but with a pinch of soul searching, kudos to friendly polemics rather than substance. At home front, we will have to take into account the financial constraints being faced by the military institution and resolve the pension bill matter at government level.

Cuba, Venezuela on the Verge of Change?

S

trange statements are emerging from Cuba these days, with Fidel Castro reportedly saying that "the Cuban model doesn't even work for us anymore." There is little hiding that Cuba's socialist economy has run out of steam. More interesting is what Cuba is prepared to do about it.

For decades, Fidel has maintained power by monopolizing the island's sources of wealth. The Cuban leadership has controlled social welfare, using that power to secure loyalty and neutralize dissent. But that control has come at a cost: For the revolution to survive, Cuba must have sufficient private investment under state control. That private investment has not been forthcoming.

So while Fidel has been busy making statements, his brother and successor, Raul, has been fleshing out a new economic strategy. This will see 500,000 workers, or 10 per cent of the island's workforce, laid off in a bid to develop private cooperatives to lessen the state's burden.

The feasibility of the proposed reforms is not as interesting as the message of reconciliation embedded in the plan. Alongside talk of Raul's reforms, Cuba has been making apparent political gestures to Washington. But these gestures are unlikely to capture Washington's attention, so Cuba will need something more - and Venezuela could fit the bill.

Cuba and Venezuela face similar geographic constraints. Both are relatively small countries with long coastlines and primarily resource-extractive economies. Both lack options in their immediate neighborhood for meaningful economic integration except with the dominant Atlantic power, the United States. This essentially leaves Cuba and

Venezuela two options - align with the United States or align with a stronger U.S. adversary.

Historically, both Cuba and Venezuela have swung between these two options.

For most of the past decade, however, Cuba and Venezuela have found themselves in adversarial relationships with the United States but without strong allies to fend off the United States. As a

was meant to bolster Caracas' security, Cuba's pervasive influence could become a threat - especially if Cuba shifts its orientation toward the United States.

Venezuela's aggressive nationalisation drive, role in drug trafficking and suspected support for Colombian rebel groups have soured US-Venezuelan relations. More recently, the United

For decades, Fidel has maintained power by monopolizing the island's sources of wealth. The Cuban leadership has controlled social welfare, using that power to secure loyalty and neutralise dissent. But that control has come at a cost: For the revolution to survive, Cuba must have sufficient private investment under state control. That private investment has not been forthcoming. result, Cuba and Venezuela have drawn closer to each other.

In the process, Cuba has entrenched itself in nearly all sectors of the Venezuelan state from the upper echelons of Venezuela's military and intelligence apparatus to its ports and factories. This gives Cuba significant influence over a Venezuela struggling with stagflation, power outages, food shortages and other woes. Though Venezuela's open-door policy to Cuba

States has watched with growing concern as Venezuela has enhanced its relationships with Russia, China and especially Iran. For the United States to take a real interest in Cuban overtures, it will likely want to see Cuba exercise its influence in Venezuela. More precisely, it will want to see whether Cuba can influence Venezuela's relationship with Iran.

We therefore find it interesting that Fidel Castro recently has sought to por-

tray himself as an advocate for Jews in contrast to the Iranian regime.

Following uncharacteristically proJewish remarks from Fidel, Chavez met with leaders of Venezuela's Jewish community, a departure from his typical vituperative stance toward Israel. That same week, Venezuelan state-run Conviasa Airlines canceled its CaracasDamascus-Tehran route, which had come under heavy US scrutiny due to a reinvigorated US sanctions campaign against Iran and concerns over Hezbollah transit through Latin America. Whether these Venezuelan moves were taken from Cuban cues is unclear, but we still find the developments interesting.

Each of these seemingly disparate developments does not make much sense alone. Looked at together, however, they begin to form a complex picture in which Cuba is cautiously orienting itself toward the United States and thereby increasing Venezuela's vulnerabilities - which in turn will need strong allies for leverage against the United States.

So far, China appears the most promising fit for Venezuela, although there are complications to such an alliance. In one important sign of cooperation, China and Venezuela signed a deal for Beijing to lend $20 billion to Caracas in exchange for crude-oil shipments and stakes in Venezuelan oil fields. Whether such deals will reach fruition remains a big question. Subsidising countries is not cheap, and China has yet to show a willingness to take a more confrontational stance with the United States over Venezuela. Venezuela's challenge is thus to persuade China (or another suitable ally) to move from economic partner to strategic patron.-Reuters

VIEWS & OPINION

Sunday, September 26, 2010

5

Volunteers Needed Rabia Rahim

A

one day experience of visiting the flood IDPs brought some clues to the otherwise blank mind due to the all-directional worst condition of Pakistan.The relief camp was situated in a Government college of Latifabad, Hyderabad. It was one of the most nearest to Karachi, apparently keeping it in a better form due to frequent 'visits'.

The idea to be presented here does not include much bigger things to start with but, the tendencies and attitudes matter a lot. It begins from: When on the very entrance to the college nothing but huge political banners and monuments could be seen. The political leadership's presence was in the air, but the air wasn't good enough, as the following scenario did not correlate with any leadership.

When the aid packages distribution saw a haphazard scenario, where the management complained that there is no cooperation from the IDPs, whereas, the other

side complained that they do not get anything and as a protest they can leave the relief camp. This attitude of flood affectees was strange, as a person whose everything is at stake and most of it is already lost, still can make loud claims? As if they are not dependent on the provided support system?

When finally the college Principal bursted out about the wasteful visits of Prime minister and other officials, at the end of our day there, it revealed many facets. The empty hands of Prime minister for the shattered IDPs can really be frustrating, particularly when all the resources get utlized for the protocol arrangements, inspite for the poor lot. In this way the flood victims get neglected.

When a talk with the IDPs drew an interesting picture, as they told that improper food is given to them without any regulation of timings.

They get the lunch at five in evening, while the dinner is given to them at one in the morning, after their children fall asleep with empty stomachs. This stood interesting because, not the college

management but an external group, members of Rotaract (Hyderabad) assured the provision of proper food on proper timings.

However, an ego issue was observed among the IDPs, that if the food gets half an hour late, they simply refuse to accept it. Thrown away food could be seen there.

In case the IDPs are lying, it is a serious a problem, as the aid reciever is not being honest. And if the management is lying then what use the PM's visit is serving, again?

The way back to Karachi even saw never ending meagre shelters with stranded people. On reaching the area of Maymar, there were literally people running across the road and snatching goods from vehicles. It was difficult to wonder, how the 'normal' ones have become beggars and snatchers.

They are all not IDPs, but poor residents of the area even come out on the road, trying their luck of getting hands on the packages. More interestingly, there too were political stalls, with their banners wide out.

This brings an end to the clearly formed first 'side' of the victims, the government respresentatives, the government workers and political parties. The second side is of the volunteering groups, the presence of a handful of young activists of Rotaract working in harmony. Completely non-political, non-ethnic and bias-free. As an observer, the first side stood non-productive, while the second was productively accomplishing tasks.

Certainly, they and many other groups like them are well fed, their pockets are never empty, neither their father's accounts are. It is not to surprise anyone on their organized, civilized and not-asking-forreward behaviour, but it is a point to hold on with.

This volunteering part of civil society is the only which is not facing trust deficit, as compared to the government, the political parties, religio-sectraian and ethnic movements. Students and young professionals from diverse backgrounds are being witnessed working with a zeal to overcome all barriers pre-

sented to them from parental generations.

The sponsored volunteerism is not being talked about here, as the corporate social responisibility cannot be taken as a major solution. The focus is the selfless home-based volunteerism needed to be inculcated in the brought ups, so that it can become difficult to change the direction of calamities to save one city or one province.

Pakistani youngsters, studying abroad, are also making their contribution in such groups, thus marking their presence in this system even if they are foreign system beneficiaries.

By inculcating vlounteerism in our youngsters, we make their bonding stronger with the community at large. When students get involved in aspects of society they apply their knowledge, their uncorrupt values and their fresh vigour to make things right. They also learn new values and their exposure to society make them able to set their realistic views and decisions, contrary to those who

decide and act by mimicing others.

Volunteerism makes individuals learn the fact that their every action has a consequence. The wrong can cause them worst, while the right can bring the best. It can lessen the gap between individual and society. If we encourage voluntary actions in our kids, beginning from our homes and schools, we can see a massive change. The little actions of helping eachother, can gradually develop a sense of national interest within them, which national songs or flag hoisting cannot produce.

Currently, in the absence of national interest from our governance, our economy, our education and our culture too, the only tool which can mend things up is to get the young generation involved in helping eachother. No council or committee is required, just the parents and teachers need to take a step forward and provide the kids outlets for making their bit. The observations and happenings of a single day brought this solution, let's ponder for more and not make it too late to implement.

Pullouters, Still Pulling Triggers S

ince President Barack Obama declared an end to combat operations in Iraq, US troops have waged a gun battle with a suicide squad in Baghdad, dropped bombs on armed militants in Baquba and assisted Iraqi soldiers in a raid in Falluja.

Obama's announcement on Aug. 31 has not meant the end of fighting for some of the 50,000 US military personnel remaining in Iraq 7-1/2 years after the invasion that removed Saddam Hussein.

"Our rules of engagement have not changed. Iraq does remain from time to time a dangerous place, so when our soldiers are attacked they will return fire," said Brigadier General Jeffrey Buchanan, a US military spokesman.

The American role in Iraq's battle to quell a tenacious Islamist insurgency has been waning since security in cities and towns was handed over to Iraqi police and soldiers in June 2009.

Officially, US forces remain in

Iraq to "advise, train and assist".

When they answered a call for help two weeks ago from Iraqi soldiers overwhelmed in a gunfight with militants hiding in a palm grove near Baquba in Diyala province, US troops brought in attack helicopters and F-16 jet fighters.

The F-16s dropped two bombs to help end the skirmish. They were the first bombs used in Iraq by the United States since July 2009, Buchanan said.

15 ATTACKS PER DAY Overall violence has dropped sharply since the peak of the sectarian slaughter in which tens of thousands of people were killed in 2006-2007. The US military says there are about 15 attacks in Iraq each day on average.

American soldiers are no longer supposed to be on the front line of the fight against Sunni Islamist al Qaeda, Shi'ite militias and other groups still active in Iraq.

They routinely ride along with Iraqi special forces in counter-ter-

rorism operations but no longer play a direct role, for example, in a raid on an al Qaeda hideout.

Colonel Mark Mitchell, commander of a US special operations training force, said Americans are routinely outnumbered by Iraqis two-to-one on such missions but

"We call it the Darth Vader model ... the imperial storm troopers, they'll go in, secure the target.

Once it's all secure then Darth Vader can go in and walk through," Mitchell said.

"The bottom line is, we're not in the house."

"Our rules of engagement have not changed. Iraq does remain from time to time a dangerous place, so when our soldiers are attacked they will return fire," said Brigadier General Jeffrey Buchanan, a US military spokesman. the ratio can be as high as eight-toone.

Iraqis plan and lead the operation and conduct the assault, while Americans hold back, watching, coaching and supervising, entering the hideout only when the Iraqis have secured it.

US officials say a senior American officer will be at the side of the Iraqi commander, coaching.

US troops will ensure the Iraqis are securing the scene perimeter, controlling crowds and properly gathering forensic evidence.

As in the Baquba shootout, they

will call up air support, bringing in weaponry the Iraqis lack. They will arrange medical evacuations.

They can support the Iraqis with technology by providing live video links from aerial drones, allowing ground commanders to see where their troops and their adversaries are positioned.

LOCAL OFFICIALS CRITICAL On Sept 15, US and Iraqi special operations forces raided a house in Falluja in darkness in pursuit of suspected al Qaeda militants, Buchanan said.

The assault force came under fire from several locations and shot back, according to Buchanan, who said four al Qaeda militants were killed with two other men who emerged from a house with weapons and appeared to be a threat.

Local officials criticised the raid and said seven people were killed including two women and three children.

In the Sept. 5 attack by suicide

bombers and gunmen on an Iraqi base in Baghdad, US troops got involved in the gunfight.

The US military routinely has personnel at the base and about 100 advisers were on hand that day. A US drone fed real-time pictures of the attack to commanders.

Buchanan said the Americans helped repel the attackers, who killed 12 people and wounded three dozen more.

"Our soldiers were there and they returned fire," he said.

With the slow-motion US disengagement from Iraq scheduled for completion at the end of next year, US commanders concede there is a sense of urgency in their training of Iraqi forces.

At the same time, they say they are confident the Iraqis can handle what the remaining insurgents can throw at them, with Americans in the background.

"This is their country," Mitchell said. "They are capable, they are willing and they are able to take the lead."-Reuters

The Worm that Gnawed at Nukes W

e may never know for sure whether the Stuxnet computer worm was really a state cyber strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but hard-to-trace computer attacks look set to be a feature of 21st-century warfare.

Western experts say the worm's sophistication -- and the fact that some 60 per cent of computers infected looked to be in Iran -pointed to a government-backed attack. Some speculated Iran's first nuclear power station, at Bushehr, may have been targeted, perhaps

by Israel.

But proving that is another thing altogether. Analysts say most major states -- particularly China, Russia and the United States -have invested considerably in cyber warfare and defence in recent years, but details are inherently sketchy.

"Attribution is extremely difficult in cyber attacks," said Derek Reveron, a cyber warfare expert at the US Naval War College in Rhode Island. "Given how data moves around the world, determining the point of origin is difficult.

Then there is the difficulty of determining if it was state-sponsored or not."

That, of course, is a key part of their appeal. Russia was widely blamed for cyber attacks on Estonia in 2007 after a dispute over a statue of a World War Two Russian soldier as well as Georgia during its 2008 war. But nothing was ever proven, and some pointed to "patriotic hackers" operating independently rather than government agencies themselves.

ONLINE ARMS RACE? What most experts do agree is that the increased reliance on computer systems for essential national infrastructure means such attacks

are increasingly damaging.

Lights could be turned off,

satellites blinded and warships left dead in the water.

option for countries that remain far outmatched by the conventional

What is Stuxnet?

A

computer virus that attacks a widely used industrial system appears aimed mostly at Iran and its sophistication suggests a state may have been involved in creating it, Western cyber security companies said on Friday.

"Stuxnet is a working and fearsome prototype of a cyber-weapon that will lead to the creation of a new arms race in the world," Kaspersky Labs said in a statement.

Here are some details on Stuxnet: HOW DOES IT WORK? ● The virus is malicious software, or malware, that attacks widely used industrial control systems built by German firm Siemens. Experts say the virus could be used for espionage or sabotage. ● Siemens says the malware spreads via infected USB thumb drive memory devices, exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Corp's Windows operating system that has now been resolved. ● The malware attacks software programmes that run Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, or SCADA, systems. Such systems are used to monitor automated plants -- from food and chemical facilities to power generators. ● Analysts said attackers may have chosen to spread the malicious software via a thumb drive because many SCADA systems are not connected to the Internet, but do have USB ports. ● Once the worm infects a system, it quickly sets up communications with a remote server computer that can be used to steal proprietary corporate data or take control of the SCADA system, said Randy Abrams, a researcher with ESET, a privately held security firm that has studied Stuxnet.

WHO CREATED IT? ● Siemens, Microsoft and security experts who have studied the worm have yet to determine who devised it. ● Mikka Hypponen, chief research officer at Finnish security software firm F-Secure, says he believes it was a state sponsored attack. Stuxnet is highly complex and "obviously done by a group with serious technological and financial backing". ● Ralph Langner, a German cyber expert, says the attack was by highly qualified experts, probably a nation state. "This is not some hacker sitting in the basement of his parents' house." On his website, http://www.langner.com/en/index.htm, Langner said investigations would eventually "point" to the attackers. "The attackers must know this. My conclusion is, they don't care. They don't fear going to jail."

WHERE HAS IT SPREAD? ● A study of the spread of Stuxnet by US technology company Symnatec showed that the main affected countries as of August 6 were -- Iran, with 62,867 infected computers, Indonesia with 13,336, India 6,552, United States 2,913, Australia 2,436, Britain 1,038, Malaysia 1,013 and Pakistan with 993.

FIRST REPORTS: ● Belarussian firm Virusblokada was the first to identify the virus in mid-June. Commercial director Gennady Reznikov told Reuters the company has a dealer in Iran, and one of the dealer's clients had computers infected with a virus that turned out to be Stuxnet. Reznikov said Virusblokada itself had no connection to the nuclear power plant at Bushehr. ● According to Siemens spokesman Michael Krampe, Siemens has identified 15 customers that found Stuxnet on their systems, and "each was able to detect and remove the virus without any impact to their operations."-Reuters streets turned to gridlock by targeting traffic light control systems,

Partly as a result, cyber warfare is seen as a particularly appealing

military might of the US. North Korea is seen as having

particular advantages in any cyber confrontation -- its own national computer infrastructure is so outdated that there would be little if anything for South Korea or . cyber warfare experts to counterattack against.

China's "great firewall", usually associated with censorship, is also believed to offer some defence against cyber attacks.

In his 2010 book "Cyber War", former White House cybersecurity expert Richard Clarke sketches out a nightmare scenario in which online attacks bring the US to a standstill -- and the experts can't even tell which country attacked them.

He says he believes the United States, China and others are already hacking into each other's critical national systems, burying "logic bombs" and other attack software in the event they are needed -- something he compares to the arms race and mechanisation that preceded World War One. "Invisibly, military units from over a score of nations are moving into a new battle space," he writes.

"Because the units are unseen, parliaments and publics have not noticed the movement of these forces... With attention divided elsewhere, we may be laying the groundwork for cyber war."

Even if such a doomsday scenario never unfolds, most experts believe hacking is already taking its place alongside air strikes and special forces as tools for limited military activity.

COMMERCIAL ESPIONAGE "It may prove to be a useful tool in Syria in the long term, assuming Damascus pushes ahead with its suspected nuclear program and Hezbollah is so well armed -- it already owns more rockets than

most states -- that Israel would think twice before launching air strikes ... as it did in 2007," said Maplecroft political risk analyst Anthony Skinner.

However, there is no guarantee that a state subject to a cyber attack -- even if was never able to categorically prove the source -might not retaliate in either a covert or open military way against those it is believed were responsible.

It's not just about attacks.

Experts say the main use of cyber capabilities by most countries is for hacking and spying, either for counterterrorism or commercial reasons. Authoritarian emerging states such as China and Russia are both frequently accused of using state spies to help government-linked businesses -- and many analysts suspect Western countries have been guilty of the same as well. Few see that changing.

"States will continue to develop more sophisticated asymmetric -and deniable -- cyber and information attacks," said Jonathan Wood, global issues analyst at Control Risks. "Some of these may be used for strategic and military aims, others for commercial or diplomatic espionage."

But so far, experts say cyber attacks have been limited to data theft or deletion. They have yet to come close to the physical damage of simply blowing something up the old-fashioned way.

"To my knowledge, there is no case of a cyber attack leading to physical destruction," said cyber warfare expert Reveron. "It is certainly possible and drives much thinking about cyber defence. But so far, there aren't any cyber "super weapons".-Reuters

6

Feature & Analysis

Sunday, September 26, 2010

P A K I S T A N

KEY CROPS AFTER FLOOD

COTTON IMPORTS TO GO UP

SMALLER SURPLUS FOR RICE EXPORTS

akistan in April hoped to produce 14mn bales of cotton in the 2010/11 season, compared with about 12.7mn bales the previous financial year (JulyJune), when the country had to import about 2mn bales.

The monsoon flooding damaged about 524,000 hectares (1.3 million acres), out of the total 3.20 million hectares, under cotton cultivation. Government and industry officials now estimate output of about 11.6 million bales of 170 kg (374.8 lb) each. Industry officials say Pakistan will need to import at least 4 million bales to meet demands. A U.S. Department of Agriculture attache report this month revised estimates for Pakistan's 2010/11 cotton production down by 17 percent to 8.75 million bales (480 lb). The decreased production is likely to increase cotton imports by an estimated 67 percent to 3.5 million bales, it said.

Attache reports are not official USDA data. Industry officials say Pakistan has already made contracts for about 1 million bales, more than half of it coming from neighbouring India. Despite being the fourth largest cotton producer, Pakistan often must import bales to feed its textile industry, which accounts for 50 percent of exports.

akistan had a bumper crop of 6.7 million tonnes of milled rice in 2009/10 and exported about 4.5 million tonnes, traders say.

The target for the 2010/11 crop was 6 million tonnes of milled rice after farmers switched to other crops.

Floods have affected more than 708,000 hectares (1.7 million acres) of rice out of the total 2.64 million hectares, according to government estimates.

Production losses are feared at around two million tonnes. But with about a half a million tonnes of milled rice from the previous crop, traders say Pakistan still have up to 3 million tonnes of rice available for export this year.

It consumes 2.2 million tonnes of rice a year. The non-basmati rice harvest begins in late September and the basmati harvest a month later.

SUGARCANE CROP DAMAGED, MUST IMPORT

T

he next crop, due in November, was expected to produce about 3.8 million tonnes of white sugar before the floods struck.

The food ministry now estimates the output at about 3 million tonnes against an annual demand of 4.2 million tonnes. The government this week waived a 25 percent regulatory duty and allowed millers and traders to import as much raw sugar as they want. The state-run Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) will have no role in raw sugar imports.

Millers estimated output at 3.6 million tonnes and said the country does not need more than 500,000 tonnes of raw sugar to meet the shortfall.

They also said raw sugar should be imported within three months to enable millers refine it by the end of February, the end of the crushing season. Pakistan produced a little over 3 million tonnes of sugar from the 2009/10 crop and issued a series of tenders this year to import 1.2 million tonnes to make up the shortfall. The TCP said this week it had so far received 478,155 tonnes and more was in the pipeline.

P

P

WHEAT STOCKS AND PROSPECTS FOR EXPORT

W

heat stocks soared this year after a bumper crop of 23.86 million tonnes in 2009/10, with a carryover of 4.2 million tonnes from the previous crop when Pakistan harvested 24 million tonnes.

Pakistan, Asia's third-largest wheat producer, said in April that after setting aside 1 million tonnes for strategic reserves, it still had 2 million tonnes of surplus which would be exported.

But the government on Aug. 30 said it had deferred plans to export its surplus after devastating floods washed away grain stocks and raised concern about the next crop.

Pakistan has lost at least 725,000 tonnes of wheat in the flooding, and experts say water and more rains could complicate planting of the next crop that is done between October and December.

Traders say that despite floods damage Pakistan can still export. It had a stock of 10.1 million tonnes of wheat as of Sept. 16 against 8.67 million tonnes of wheat stock recorded in the same period last year. Pakistan banned wheat exports in 2007 because of shortages and high prices in the domestic market.

No quick fix for banks' dependency for funds

l Policymakers dissatisfied with banks' reliance on ECB l ECB has limited room to move without renewing tensions l Difficult to force banks to take government aid

T

he European Central Bank's patience with commercial banks' addiction to central bank funds is wearing thin, but it is not yet in a position to force banks to go cold turkey.

Central bank insiders say Italy's Mario Draghi recently urged a serious ECB debate about how to manage the exit while so many banks rely on its funds, although officials stress discussions are at a very early stage.

The ECB has already phased out its 6- and 12-month liquidity operations, and said in March it would move to auctions in 3-month operations, but was forced to go back to full allotment due to the renewed market tensions.

Southern European banks are the most dependent on ECB funding, with Greek, Irish, Portuguese and Spanish banks sopping up more than half of ECB loans, even though they account for less than one-fifth of euro zone GDP. Austria's Ewald Nowotny said last week the problem of bank dependency on loans is primarily one for governments to solve, and the ECB regular-

ly calls for restructuring and consolidation of the banking sector with government help if needed.

While analysts say bank recapitalisation would be the best way forward, the ECB cannot force banks to do this, and battling the debt crisis consumes all the peripheral governments' energy -- and money -- right now.

"Their point has been to say that (bank) refinancing should not come at the cost of them postponing their restructuring and necessary reforms," said Nomura economist Laurent Bilke. "The question is whether governments can easily handle that."

One euro zone monetary official told Reuters the addiction needs to be broken through incentives and penalties, and another that ending national schemes to provide emergency liquidity assistance was a first step in tackling banks' addiction.

Other options mentioned in central bank circles include hardening standards on assets banks can submit as collateral or limiting the amount banks can bid for in lending opera-

tions.

Despite the numerous options to hand for the ECB, all have negative side effects.

Analysts said these should make the ECB wait with any measures until markets get back on their feet, especially because lending limits could cause renewed distrust in peripheral economies and spread from there like wildfire.

While the financial market situation has improved since September 2008, policymakers including Nout Wellink and

Yves Mersch admit it is still fragile.

And, as experience from drug wars suggests, limiting supply does not get rid of addiction -- for a healthy recovery, demand has to fall, and it will fall when banks trade with each other.

"Why would the ECB want to limit borrowing ... The issue of dependency on ECB liquidity is not dictated by the supply of liquidity by the ECB, but by demand for liquidity in malfunctioning euro zone money

markets." said Tullett Prebon economist Lena Komileva.

"The ECB is not in the financial markets because it wants to be, it is because it has to."

BOOMERANG One possibility in trimming demand for ECB cash could be measures similar to those taken in Spain, where the use of ECB loans fell 10 percent in August after Spanish repo operations became eligible for central counterparty clearing.

The ECB in July also set tougher collateral rules, which will come into force in the beginning of next year and it could make them even tighter at any time.

However, some analysts think limiting ECB lending to push banks towards governments might well boomerang and increase instability if banks chose to repair their balance sheets by becoming smaller instead of getting aid.

"If a bank cannot fund itself through the ECB or meet all of its funding needs in the market, then it will come under pressure to restructure its balance sheet, which means to shrink its balance sheet," Komileva said. "Asset sales could lead to

increased instability in the euro zone's peripheral capital markets."

The ECB could also choose to set maximum bid limits in tenders, the chance of which is included in its rulebook, although this has never been used in the ECB's main weekly liquidity operations.

Such limits could be attractive to the ECB once it returns to auctioning funds because they help avoid distortions in auctions. Without them a single bank could demand such a large sum that it would push up the interest rate for all.

"If they put limits on individual banks, it is probably because they think the problems are so large that they cannot be ignored and they would be an issue for overall auction result," said Nomura's Bilke.

Even then, systemic risk cannot be discounted. With fickle markets, one bank's troubles getting funds could increase concerns about the health of the whole system.

Auctions or adding spreads would also increase the price of money. With the ECB expecting moderate euro-zone growth with contained infla-

tion pressures, there is little need for higher market rates, which could crimp the economic recovery.

Tighter collateral rules would hit the weakest banks with the dodgiest collateral hardest by limiting their access to funds, but the ECB could choose to carefully tighten the screw on non-marketable assets to limit its own exposure to risk.

Increasing reserve requirements would cut banks' ability to lend, which could lead to a regional credit crunch.

In the end, the ECB's room to move is determined by the fragile markets, which do not permit a sudden change of course.

"If the ECB were to go down the route of accelerating its exit strategy in order to forcefully wean banks off its liquidity support, the result will be high Euribor rates and increased risk premia in the money markets," Komileva said.

"This would breed systemic risks, ultimately forcing a Uturn by the ECB in order to maintain financial stability." Reuters

Experts urge nimbler global response to crises U

nidentified attackers detonate a "dirty" bomb in the Strait of Hormuz, in minutes disrupting global trade and shipping and devastating financial markets.

A German trawler collides with a Chinese warship in the newly-opened Arctic.

Devastating floods hit a weapons bunker in nucleararmed Pakistan, raising fears for atomic security.

Would the world's Cold Warera security institutions be up to managing any one of these crises, in which systemic problems like climate change worsen traditional security flashpoints?

Not remotely, experts say.

Either too cumbersome or perceived as lacking legitimacy, the U.N. Security Council, the Group of 20 (G20) rich and developing nations and multilateral humanitarian bodies would struggle to make a rapid impact.

Specialists in disaster response say that nations are almost completely unprepared for the likely emergence of socalled convergent crises with the potential to plunge markets and regions into prolonged turmoil.

In these multi-faceted disasters, strains like a shrinking Arctic ice cap, theft of nuclear materials, oil or water shortages or cyber crime would worsen tensions among nations over traditional issues such as trade, territory and resources.

"Old" and "new" tensions would feed off each other, spurring nationalistic stances in world capitals. Losing faith in collective action, nations could blunder towards conflict.

"Diplomatic practice has not kept up with these complex threats," said Pauline Baker, president of the Fund for Peace, a non-profit group that seeks to prevent conflict. "We need a new international archi-

tecture of crisis prevention and response."

In a news-driven era where local crises can spread globally in minutes or hours, world leaders are still too parochial in their security planning and must be ready to act much more nimbly and closely to coordinate a response, analysts say.

Yet with the exception of progress in tracking pandemics and tsunamis, global crisis management is inadequate "everywhere", said Greg Austin, Vice President for Programme Development and Rapid Response at the EastWest Institute think tank.

He said the kind of warning and response system used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for pandemics and by Asian nations for tsunamis was needed in the fields of cyber security, energy, water, climate threats and other natural disasters.

Such systems would give nations time to grasp the potential ramifications of emerging crises and act to mitigate them.

The need is urgent, said Chung Min Lee, Asian security specialist at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

"Imagine a period of just a few years in which you have a succession of crises involving some or all of the following: peak oil, water, resource competition, cyber failure, pandemics, nuclear terrorism.

Crisis would flow into crisis," he said.

"There could be massive social and economic disruptions and movements of population as crises spread from country to country. This would overwhelm many governments at their present level of preparedness."

Celina Realuyo, president of CBR Global Advisors, said the problem was exacerbated by

the fact that in a globalised world nations were losing some influence to non-state powers including multinational companies, organised crime and terrorists.

The example of militants exploding a dirty bomb at Hormuz may not be the worst scenario, say analysts, for disasters of such gravity would eventually forge a unity of response.

But in crises that gain early momentum in remote areas, the attention of world leaders would be harder to engage quickly enough and tensions would be harder to manage, analysts say.

Ian Bremmer, president of Eurasia Group risk consultancy, said the global system was less well equipped than it was even two years ago to deal with simultaneous transnational problems.

"At the height of the financial crisis, there was an impres-

sive unity of purpose in coordinating a G20 response," he said. "As the uneven recovery continues, that unity is gone, and only another crisis of comparable scale can bring it back."

G20 CONFERENCE CALL? Recent crises that have raised potential global or regional complications include this year's heat wave in Russia and floods in Pakistan, last year's H1N1 swine flu pandemic, and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2002-03.

With larger, more complex crises in prospect, hurried Cold War-style "hotline" consultations between a handful big powers will be inadequate, experts say. But few would relish the prospect of handling the cacophony of a G20 conference call.

One solution, according to EastWest's Austin, is to pro-

mote joint exercises in vulnerable sectors. The institute this month proposed that Russia and the United States stage joint cyber war games, to build mutual confidence.

Another idea, reiterated this month by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg at a Geneva meeting of the International Institute of International Relations, is just to continue trying to make existing multilateral bodies more flexible and nimble.

He said no one devising an ideal framework to tackle 21st century problems would choose the "tangle of overlapping, and sometimes inefficient and often outdated institutions which are still acting on mandates established sometimes 50 years ago".

But to completely sidestep existing institutions and abandon any effort at reform would only made problems worse. Reuters

7

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Mobile Prices Updated on 25 September, 2010

SYED ABUL ABBAS NAQVI

Nokia Nokia 1202 1203 1208 1209 1280 1616 1680 Classic 1800 2220 Slide 2330 Classic 2600 Classic 2690 2700 Classic 2730 Classic 3600 slide 3610 Fold 5030 5130 5220 5230 5233 5310 5320 5530 5630 5730 5800 6120 6220 Classic 6300 6303 6303i 6600 Slide 6600 Fold 6700 Classic 6720 Classic 6730 Classic 6760 Slide 7210 7230 7310 7510 7610 C1-00 C3 C5 E5 E52 E55 E63 E66 E71 E72 E75 N78 N79 N82 N85 8GB N86 N97 N97 mini N900 X2 X3 X6 16GB X6

Price 2,100 2,050 2,200 2,250 2,075 2,350 3,650 2,750 4,300 4,450 4,950 5,300 6,700 7,900 12,900 9,600 3,025 7,750 10,400 13,400 12,200 12,400 14,900 17,300 17,200 23,000 21,700 11,700 17,900 10,800 11,300 10,700 18,900 19,000 19,800 20,200 15,200 18,800 8,550 10,750 11,000 14,000 13,200 3,200 12,500 14,200 21,300 21,200 23,000 16,800 20,000 21,300 27,500 24,000 19,800 26,300 26,000 22,800 31,500 39,000 33,000 39,500 9,800 11,900 31,500 57,000

Sony Ericsson T303 T707 W302 W380i W350i W395 W595 W705 W980 W902 W995 F305 S302 C510 C901 C902i C903 C905 G502 G700 XPERIA X1 Aino Jalou U100 Yari Satio Idou

8,700 16,800 9,600 8,800 7,700 9,700 13,200 19,000 18,200 43,500 25,600 9,400 8,200 12,700 14,800 15,600 16,100 21,400 14,500 12,800 33,000 30,800 17,300 18,700 38,700

Samsung B130 B200 B220 Guru B300 B3210 CorbyTXT B3410 B3410W Chat WIFI B5722 B7300 OMNIALite B7320 Omnia PRO Guru B100 E1080 E1100 E1125 E250 D980 (Dual Sim) J150 J700 M150 M200 M620 M3510 Beat b M3710 Corby Beat M7500 Armani M7603 Beat DJ M8910 Pixon 12 C3010S C3053 C3212 C3303k Champ C3510 Genoa C5212 DUOS S3310 S3653 Corby S3653 WIFI Star S5230 S5230W Star WIFI S5350 Shark S5550 Shark 2 S5560 Marvel S5620 Monte S7220 Ultra b S7350 Ultra s S8003 Jet S8300 Tocco Ultar Edition

2,050 2,600 3,900 3,600 9,700 12,000 13,400 15,400 24,000 19,200 2,450 2,200 2,450 3,200 5,200 20,300 6,550 7,550 5,100 6,200 6,250 9,200 12,700 30,300 32,000 40,600 5,700 6,000 8,000 7,600 8,800 9,800 7,900 10,600 13,400 11,000 12,300 12,000 14,500 15,600 15,500 21,000 22,100 24,000 28,200

LG KP110 KP199 KP220 KP320 KP175 KG288

3,700 6,600 6,500 8,500 5,950 2,450

NOTE: Always visit your local shop for the exact Mobile Phone prices.

Google Chrome Frame Officially Released

G

oogle has finally removed the beta label from Google Chrome Frame, a browser plug-in that brings HTML5 capabilities to Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8.

Introduced last year as a developer preview, Google Chrome Frame turns Internet Explorer 6, 7, or 8 into a "modern browser," to use the term favored by Google. It allows users of older versions of IE, or those on Windows XP, which won't run IE 9, can enjoy Web sites and Web applications that take advantage of HTML5 elements like the canvas tag and geolo-

cation.

In

order to take advantage of Chrome Frame, Web sites must employ a meta tag using the X-UA-

Compatible header.

The blog post announcing Google Chrome Frame's exit from beta makes it clear that Google is targeting corporate IE users. "If you're an IT administrator, we've also posted an MSI installer for deploying Google Chrome Frame in your network," state Google software engineers Tomas Gunnarsson and Robert Shield.

Gunnarsson and Shield add that Google plans to continue improving Chrome Frame and that release cycles for the software will be accelerated to match the Google Chrome release cycle.

Dell to Launch Second Tablet

C

hief Executive Michael Dell has unveiled computer maker Dell's second tablet computer, ratcheting up the company's competition against Apple's popular iPad. Dell on Wednesday gave attendees of Oracle OpenWorld in San Francisco a peek at a prototype of the 7inch tablet, the company reported in its blog. Dell brought its first tablet, called the Streak, to the United States in August, after first launching the Android device in Europe.

At about half the size of the iPad, the Streak fits between a smartphone and a tablet, offering many of the capabilities of both. The device packs a 5-megapixel camera with dual-LED flash, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and Qualcomm's 1GHz SnapDragon processor as the

engine.

Dell is only one of several computer makers lining up with tablets to challenge the iPad. Other vendors jumping into the market include

However, Dell has had little success in selling consumer electronics before, and it remains to be seen whether its tablet computers will catch on with consumers. In the

Hewlett-Packard, Asus, Samsung and others.

Apple's success with the iPad has shown that there's a market for tablets. Released in early April, Apple sold more than 3.3 million iPads in the first quarter.

meantime, the company has shown potential business applications for the Streak.

Earlier this month, Dell announced plans to offer the Streak with integrated healthcare applications. Starting in the fall, Dell will offer the Streak with clinical applications, such as e-medical records.

Nvidia Readies Next Generation GPUs Nvidia is planning to release two more general-purpose GPUs over the next three years, as the graphics chipmaker increasingly boosts the performance of its products for the high-performance computing market.

Nvidia Chief Executive JenHsun Huang says the two GP GPUs, codenamed Kepler and Maxwell, would debut in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Huang made the announcement Tuesday during his keynote at the company's GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, Calif., according to a live blog of the keynote on the Nvidia's website.

Huang also announced the release of Fermi, the latest generation of Nvidia's compute unified device architecture.

CUDA allows programmers to use the C programming language to code algorithms for

execution on the GPU. The Fermi GP GPU features up to 512 CUDA cores, compared to t h e 240 cores in its predec e s s o r Tesla.

Nvidis is not alone in adapting graphics technology to the HPC market, which includes the medical, financial and oil and gas industries, as well as scientific research. Advanced Micro Devices offers GP GPUs through its ATI graphics unit.

The general-purpose graphics chips are fairly new to the industry with the vendors introducing the technology roughly four years ago. How well GP GPUs will do against

other chipmakers, such as Intel and IBM, remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, adoption of Nvidia's technology appears to be growing. Many computer makers in the HPC market have announced systems based on the company's GP GPUs, including Appro, Bull, Cray, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, SGI, Supermicro, T-Platforms and Tyan.

Seagate introduces Portable Hard Drives

S

eagate has introduced what it claims is the first 1.5TB, 2.5-inch portable hard disk drive, which arrives less than three months after the company introduced a 3TB external drive.

The company, which has been pushing the capacity envelope for HDDs based on current standards, released its latest FreeAgent GoFlex drive Tuesday. The

portable device supports a Mac or Windows PC and can store up to 60 high-definition movies, 750 video games, or thousands of photos.

In addition, Seagate has included a USB 3.0 port and cable. When connected to another USB 3.0-supporting device, the drive can transfer data up to 10 times faster than devices using older USB 2.0 technology found on most devices.

For example, a 25GB file would take less than five minutes to transfer over a USB 3.0 connection versus 14 minutes over USB 2.0, Seagate said.

USB 3.0 is backward compatible. Besides offering lots of storage, the new drive can be used to play content on a highdefinition TV using the Seagate add-on GoFlex TV HD media player. For accessing stored content remotely over the web, Seagate offers the GoFlex Net media-sharing device. Both add-ons are available at an additional cost. In striving to produce higher capacity drives, Seagate and competitors are trying to stay ahead of the growing need for storage as people use their computers for storing high-definition video, pictures, and music. Seagate, however, has been staying ahead of the pack in terms of capacity.

Google Says iPad to Get Docs Editing Google is holding a small expose in Paris this week called Google Atmosphere. It used the event to showcase a few new enterprise features, including its new two-step verification for Google Apps Premier users. The event is meant to highlight the power of cloud computing to some of Europe's top CIOs. In addition to the two-step verification system, Google also showed off something else: what it looks like to edit a Google Docs doc from an Android-based smartphone.

This is something Google Docs users have been begging for, and now it appears that Google is primed to grant their wish.

One of my biggest and longest-standing complaints with Google Docs is the inability to interact with it from mobile devices.

Latest Gadgets Casio Exilim EX-Z16

Nikon Coolpix Etch A Sketch Projector iPad Case Camera Launches

Nikon has launched the Coolpix S1100pj camera. This particular model is fairly As well as announcing the unique in that it has a pico Casio Exilim EX-H20G, Casio style projector, the built in prohas also announced the Exilim EXZ16.

The camera is a slim, 12 megapixel camera that has a 3 times optical zoom lens. Features include a 2.7 inch LCD screen along with the ability to capture YouTube optimised videos at 640x480 pixels.

Twenty three individual scene modes can also be found in the camera.

jector is capable of displaying an image up to about 47 inches diagonally. Other features included in the Nikon Projector camera are a 14.1 megapixel sensor, a lens that is capable of 5 times optical zoom as well as a three inch touchscreen on the back.

Journo Bluetooth Keyboard

Mikey For Flip

Many iPad cases are available to protect the tablet from

The Journo Portable Keyboard has been designed

Mikey is a device that attaches to the bottom of Flip cameras that use FlipPort. The external microphone allows

getting damaged. The Etch A Sketch iPad case adds a unique look to the iPad. The Etch A Sketch case was previously made available, but it wasn't official or licensed. This new version is an official and licensed version allowing you to transform the look of your iPad.

to work with smartphones and tablet devices such as the iPhone and iPad. The keyboard connects up to devices via a bluetooth connection and once connected, provides you with a full sized portable keyboard that folds up to about the size of a phone.

professional quality audio whilst capturing video on the camera. The Mikey has two sensitivity settings which are Loud and Automatic. This lets the microphone capture audio at any volume level and capture it clearly.

Gmail for Android Gains Priority Inbox Google's update of the Gmail application for Android handsets is important for several reasons. First, it brings new features to Google's smart-

version of Priority Inbox.

Those who have enabled Priority Inbox in their desktop email will see "important" messages flagged, and users can

phone platform. Let's take a look at those.

One new behavior has to do with message actions. To-date, the message actions have been stuck up at the top of the email in the header information.

Now, Google says the message actions will float near the top of the screen even as users read through their emails. The main benefit here is that users can now skip scrolling back to the top of an email to star it.

Next up is better treatment of long message threads. Message threads are easy to handle in the browser-based version of Gmail, but not so much on Android handsets.

Last but not least, Google says that Gmail on Android handsets supports a limited

even set a shortcut to their home screen for faster access to "important" emails.

Beyond the specifics of the update itself, however, this marks a major shift for Google and Android.

Google had previously hinted that this was coming, and the change in update strategy should make long waits for new Android version updates less painful, as the best stuff will be available to more people sooner.

Of course, that doesn't mean every Android handset out there gets this new Gmail application. Google notes that Android 2.2 Froyo is required.

The new Gmail application is a free download from the Android Market

Twitter Worm Fixed Twitter says that it has fixed a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability that allowed several XSS worms to spread across the site early Tuesday morning.

"We've identified and are patching a XSS attack; as always, please message @safety if you have info regarding such an exploit," the company said in a status message posted at 6:25 am PT. Twenty-five minutes later, Twitter updated the message to say that the fix was complete.

The vulnerability involved improper input cleansing: Twitter failed to deactivate JavaScript code elements in user input. This allowed users to craft malicious tweets that executed when another user allowed his or her mouse arrow to pass over the tweet, sending more infected tweets to the victim's followers.

The discoverer of the vulnerablity was a Japanese developer by the name of Masato Kinugawa, according to The

Guardian. Kinugawa's work was then expanded upon by other developers around the world, several of whom created worms that redirect users to adult Web sites.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, a U.K.-based security company, notes that one of the victims was Sarah Brown, wife of the former British Prime Minister.

After being hit by the worm, Brown's account included a tweet redirecting visitors to a porn site in Japan.

F-Secure, a security company based in Finland, says that while Twitter may have fixed the problem, it expects problems to continue. "It's perfectly possible that there will be more malicious attacks, possibly combining this technique with browser exploits," the company said in a blog post.

A week ago, Twitter introduced "re-engineered" version of its site, promising a better user experience.

BERLIN: Visitors watch a bogie test stand NBT coach 2x250kN made by Swiss supplier of railway technology Nencki at the Innotrans in Berlin. Reuters

Beckham makes first start of season

8

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sami aims to make a comeback in test squad ISLAMABAD: Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Sami, who is presently out of the national squad, has said that he is looking forward to the upcoming domestic season, and had also set himself the target of returning to the Pakistani test squad against South Africa.

"I've not taken much time off during the close season and have been working hard on my game at the Rashid Latif Cricket Academy, as well as training on my own... but I want to ensure that I am 100% ready when the new seasons starts. I am hopeful that the hard work will pay off and I can be given another chance for Pakistan," Sami said.

Sami stated that if given an opportunity, he would prove that he was a better bowler than his statistics suggested.

"Sometimes statistics don't always tell the full story. I don't want to offer excuses, but those that have followed my career will appreciate that I have not had the best of luck. I am a better bowler than my statistics suggest and I will prove that in the coming months and years if given the opportunity," PakPassion.Net quoted Sami, as saying.

The 2011 World Cup is a target that is firmly in Sami's mind, and with bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir currently under suspension by the ICC after getting implicated in spot-fixing allegations, Pakistani selectors may once again have to consider taking him back to strengthen the team's bowling attack.

"Taking part in any World Cup is huge and something that players of all nations and abilities want to perform well in. The memory of the 2007 World Cup still haunts all of the squad... I want to put that terrible tournament behind me and to make the 2011 World Cup a success for Pakistan," he said. -APP

FATA names 22 under-16 cricket team probables PESHAWAR: A 22 short-listed probables for FATA Under16 team Saturday announced

by Academy coach Irfanuddin Babo here after two-day trials held at Cantt Academy.

The selected probables would represent FATA in the Under-16 Cricket Tournament to be held under the supervision of Pakistan Cricket Board, Cricket Coordinator for FATA Nisar Ahmad told APP. He said under a talent hunt scheme the trials was held in which players from different agencies took part and among them names of 22 short-listed probables announced. He said the selection committee headed by first class cricketer Irfanuddin, who also acted as Talent Hunt Officer of PCB, thoroughly monitored the performance of the players during the Cantt Academy.

The names of the selected probables comprising Zakir Ullah, Kifayatullah Khan, Basit Ali, Nisar Afridi, Umer Farooq, Asif Zai, Muhammad Usman, Sirtaj Aziz, Burhan, Aman Ullah, Shafique Ullah, Sabir Ullah, Raza Ullah, Adnan Afridi, Zubair Ullah, Hamid Ali, Naseer Orakzai, Miskeen Shah, Sandal Afridi, Inzimamul-Haq, Ismail and Muhammad Yousaf. -APP

Sharapova to defend Pan Pacific Open title TOKYO: Francesca Schiavone of Italy, Kurumi Nara of Japan, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, Vera Zvonareva of Russia, Samantha Stosur of Australia and Jelena Jankovic of Serbia pose during a press conference for the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis 2010 at Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba. -Reuters

Commonwealth Games future still unsure

Games chief says all countries will take part NEW DELHI: The Commonwealth Games Federation chief said on Saturday there was still work to be done amid concerns about security before India's showcase event starts next week, but that it would go ahead with all countries taking part.

Several athletes have pulled out of an event plagued by filthy accommodation, shoddy construction and security fears. The Indian government is rushing against time to ensure all is ready before the opening on October 3.

"There is still a lot of work to be done and it's not over yet," Michael Fennell told a news conference a day after he visited the Games Village.

"What is of great concern is the safety and security of athletes and officials. There will be full participation in the Games. All 71 countries will be attending."

Scottish athletes will begin traveling to Delhi on Saturday, while Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Northern Ireland and Wales have all confirmed that they are satisfied with preparations to send their teams.

The Games, held every four

years for mostly former British colonies, are estimated to have cost $6 billion. Asia's third-largest economy was awarded them in 2003 but did not begin proper preparations until two years ago.

India had hoped to use the Games to display its growing global economic and political influence, rivaling neighbor China which put on a spectacular 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Instead, they have become a major embarrassment for the world's largest democracy where infrastructure projects have remained slow paced and a drag on economic growth.

"A lot of damage has been done to India as a country," Fennell said.

Moody's rating agency said investment in India could be damaged as a result. "The negative publicity could deter foreign investment and give multinational businesses considering expanding in India reason to think twice," Moody's Analytics, a unit of the rating agency, said in a research note.

"PROBLEMS STILL EXIST" The first batch of athletes arrived in India on Friday, opt-

ing to stay at a hotel instead of unfinished accommodation.

English athletes stayed at hotels on Friday but planned to move to the athletes' village on Saturday.

Desperate officials on Friday asked the Indian Army to build a temporary bridge to replace the $1.1 million footbridge that collapsed on Tuesday. The bridge, providing access to the main Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, should be finished within five days.

The bridge collapse and a suspected militant attack on two foreign visitors had thrown the Games into crisis Fennell said the work that needed to be done was quite extensive.

"These center around the clean-up of the (Games) village ... You can see where there has been water in the basement, and this has proven very difficult to remove," he said. "There are matters relating to transport, and difficulties there, the security arrangements, the fire safety arrangements, evacuation of the buildings and certification of the buildings, the technological difficulties such as the wifi service."

INDIA'S CLOUT? The Delhi Games may turn out to be the most compromised since a 1986 boycott of the Games in Britain, when 32 nations stayed away because of then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's objections to sanctions against apartheidriven South Africa.

Cyclist Greg Henderson became the first New Zealand athlete to withdraw over concerns about health and security.

Olympic cycling champion Geraint Thomas, two English riders and one Isle of Man rider also opted out of the Games.

But the event seems to be coming together amid talk that India's huge market potential meant countries could not stay away. "India's cash and clout soften tough stand," read a front-page article in Saturday's The Times of India newspaper, noting India was Australia's third-largest export market and an important market for Canadian goods as well.

British Prime Minister David Cameron led a huge delegation of ministers, business executives and sports personalities to India in July to show his country was serious MACAU: Roger Federer about boosting economic trumps Rafael Nadal as a tennis exchanges. -Reuters great despite the Spaniard's stellar season, world number five Robin Soderling said in Macau on Saturday.

The Spanish number one became the seventh man in history to achieve a career Grand Slam as he earned his first US Open title with victory over Novak Djokovic in this pressure and handling it to the month's final at Flushing best of one's abilities. I don't Meadows. really feel any extra pressure."

The 24-year-old Spaniard has She though was quite opti- notched up nine major titles -misitc about winning gold in leaving him seven behind his the mixed doubles event along Swiss rival, whose tally of 16 with Leander Paes.

Grand Slams is the most in "We had won a bronze medal men's tennis history. at the Busan Asian Games in Soderling has lost to both 2002 and the gold medal in the players in consecutive years in Doha Asian Games in 2006. the French Open final but said I'm hoping we can re-create despite Nadal's completion of a that magic to win another career Grand Slam, Federer, medal for India in New Delhi." currently the world number Sania's career graph has three, remains the yardstick for dipped in the last two years men's tennis. due to injuries and lack of "He's won so many Grand form, though recently she won her ninth WTA doubles title in Slams already, so many titles but to me, Roger is still the Guangzhou.

The free fall of singles rank- best.

"But Rafa is still very young ing forced her to go through the qualifiers at the US Open so if he's going to be healthy, he has a lot more years to play since 2005.

Considering this, a good and he could definitely give it a show at the Games before shot."

"He has the chance to be the home fans, look a must as a medal winning perform- known as the world's best playance, would give it a massive er ever," added Soderling, in fillip in order to revive her Macau for an exhibition tournament featuring three other career.

Stars less CWG will not affect tennis’ debut: Sania Monitoring Desk NEW DELHI: The game of tennis has "enough depth" to negate the absence of star players when the sport makes its debut at the Commonwealth Games, feels India's star player Sania Mirza.

It would have been a treat for home fans had world No. 4 Andy Murray, former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt, French Open finalist Smantha Stosur and Cyprus' Marcos Bhagdatis, who recently stunned Rafael Nadal, not pulled out of the Games.

The Games are clashing with prestigious season-ending ranking events on the two professional Tours, forcing players to decide against playing in the Games.

Sania, who has been India's face on the WTA circuit in last half-a-decade, feels star-factor or rankings doesn't count much when one is on court.

"As a tennis player, one can only compete with the players

who are on the other side of the net! However, I can assure you that at least in a global sport like tennis, the depth is tremendous and stardom or rankings have no bearing once a player enters the court," Sania said.

India's men's squad is packed with legends such as Leander paes and rising stars in Somev Devvarman but the women's squad wears a complete contrast look.

AITA had to recall 33-yearold Nirupama Sanjeev for the Games and apart from Sania and Nirupama, another veteran Rushmi Chakravarthy (513) and youngster Poojashree Venkatesh (444) comprise the four-member women's team.

Sania acknowledged the bleak picture. "It is a great achievement for Niru to be still good enough to get into the team. However, it is disappointing that the cupboard of upcoming talent in Indian women's tennis looks bare," Sania said.

Sania will not compete in the women's doubles event as Poojashree and Rushmi will take part in the event. She will play in the singles and pair up with Leander Paes in the mixed doubles. Nirupama will pair up with Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles.

Talking about her own expectations at the Games, world's third largest sporting event in terms of particpation of countries, Sania said she just believes in giving her best shot and do not think much beyond that.

"I have always expected myself to give my best and to leave the rest to God. This is what I have done for every tournament that I have ever played in my life and till date my expectations from myself remain the same."

One being asked, if she feels pressure to put up a good show before home crowd since it has been an unimpressive season so far for her, she said, "International sport is all about

TOKYO: Maria Sharapova returns to a happy hunting ground to defend the star-studded Pan Pacific Open women's tennis tournament starting in Japan on Sunday.

Twenty six out of the world's top 30 players will take part in the two-million-dollar hard court tournament, with only Kim Clijsters, Serena and Venus Williams and Justine Henin missing.

Sharapova won her first WTA singles and doubles titles at the 2003 Japan Open in Tokyo, and earned her first professional title on the ITF Circuit series in Gunma, north of the capital, a year earlier.

The Russian has won four of her 22 WTA titles in Tokyo, including the Japan Open twice and the Pan Pacific Open in 2005 and 2009.

Last year, Sharapova put an end to a long lay-off caused by a shoulder injury by winning her first title since Amelia Island in April 2008, beating Jelena Jankovic of Serbia in the final.

The former world number one has slipped to 15th and will start her campaign from the first round against wild card entrant Kimiko Date Krumm of Japan, the winner in 1995.

The 2009 US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will lead the upper echelon, which includes fourth seed Samantha Stosur of Australia, sixth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and eighth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

It also includes 2008 champion Dinara Safina of Russia,

whose ranking went down to 59th in the world.

Wozniacki and other top seven seeds received firstround byes. The top seeded Dane will take on a qualifier in the second round.

The bottom half includes Sharapova, second seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia, third seed Jankovic, Beijing Olympic gold medallist Elena Dementieva of Russia, and French Open champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy.

Dementieva, also the Sydney Olympic silver medallist, won her career biggest title then by winning the 2006 event here.

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, who caused a sensation by reaching the semi-finals at Wimbledon, will make their Japan debuts. APP

Federer still the best, say chasing pack players ranked in the top 11 -Nikolay Davydenko, Tomas Berdych and David Ferrer.

World number seven Berdych, who beat Federer in this year's Wimbledon quarterfinal only to fall to Nadal in straight sets in the final, said the Spaniard had enjoyed a stellar year.

"It's not easy to win three Grand Slams (French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open)."

"Still, I think it's a lot to go for him to get the best player so far in history but he's a great athlete and a great person."

And David Ferrer, world number 11, said his fellow countryman, although the best player in Spain's history, could not yet claim to be the greatest ever.

"I think Rafa is the best player in history for Spain," he said.

But "in this moment maybe it's Federer because he has more Grand Slams and more titles," he said ahead of Sunday's Venetian Macau Tennis Showdown.

Nadal and Federer have won 25 of the past 30 Grand Slams, setting a blistering pace that the rest of men's tennis has failed to match.

But Berdych said: "For me, it's a good time to be in this era that you can be competing against these two great players.

-Agencies

PCB Chief consults legal adviser in open

9

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Spot-fixing allegations hit Pak-Eng relations

Tejada drives Padres to win over Reds in Baseball SAN DIEGO: Miguel Tejada drove in three runs, including the go ahead score in the seventh inning, as the San Diego Padres rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3.

The Padres remain a halfgame back of San Francisco in the National League West division race after the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 2-1 earlier on Friday.

Two-time defending Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum pitched eight masterful innings, allowing just two hits while striking out nine to lead the Giants.

While the Padres were unable to gain ground on the Giants in the division race, they did take the lead in the wild card race, moving a half-game in front of the Atlanta Braves who lost 8-3 to the Washington Nationals.

Trailing 3-2 in the seventh inning Tejada hit a two-out single to drive in a pair of runs and lift the Padres to victory.

"I was sitting on fastball from the first pitch," said Tejada.

"You can't look for a breaking pitch when the bases are loaded and two out. I just looked for something I could drive."

Padres starter Chris Young and Reds starter Bronson Arroyo both pitched solidly through five innings but neither figured in the decision.

Luke Gregerson picked up the win while Heath Bell earned his 44th save of the season, tying him with 1989 Cy Young Award winner Mark Davis for the third most saves in a single season by a Padre.

Tejada also drove in the Padres first run of the game in the fourth inning erasing a 1-0 Cincinnati lead off a solo home run by Drew Stubbs. -Reuters

Yankees lose but Pettitte form a greater concern NEW YORK: Falling out of first place in the AL East hurt, but of greater concern to the New York Yankees after their 10-8 defeat Friday by the Boston Red Sox was the form of starter Andy Pettitte.

With question marks in their post-season rotation after 20game winner CC Sabathia, the reigning World Series champions are counting on Pettitte to work his playoff magic after missing more than a third of the season with a groin injury.

The 38-year-old left-hander, who has an 18-9 record in 40 post-season starts and a sparkling earned run average of 2.31, was roughed up for seven runs, six earned, on 10 hits in three and one-third innings against the Red Sox. "I didn't think he had very good command of his fastball tonight and that got him in trouble," Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters after New York slipped one-half game behind the Tampa Bay Rays in their divisional race.

Pettitte had allowed only one earned run in six innings in his first start five days ago against the Orioles. "His first game was very good. I'd like to see him get back to that, the way he threw in Baltimore," the manager said. "If he doesn't, I'm not going to panic. Andy has a track history of being very good in the month (of October)." Pettitte, who has celebrated five World Series championships with the Yankees, said he was frustrated by his mediocre form on Friday that dropped his record to 11-3.

"I wasn't on the corners, I was more in the middle of the plate," he told reporters gathered around his locker. -Reuters

NEW DELHI: Members from New Zealand's team for the Commonwealth Games walk inside the athletes village in New Delhi. -Reuters

Ruthless Raina takes Chennai to final DURBAN: A steady drizzle, a slippery ball, a wet outfield and a shortened game did nothing to dampen the actionpacked tenor of the Champions League semi-final between two Indian heavyweights. Suresh Raina more than compensated for the loss of a Powerplay over in an electrifying innings that sealed Chennai Super Kings' place in the final in Johannesburg. Capitalising on a significantly weakened Royal Challengers Bangalore attack which was deprived of Dale Steyn due to a lower back injury, and with support from M Vijay, Raina treated the sporting crowd to an air show. It propelled Chennai to a massive score and put the game beyond the reach of a line-up even as power-packed as Bangalore's.

The turning point was Steyn's injury off a superblyjudged catch in the fourth over. Michael Hussey, looking to force the pace after a 153minute rain delay, tried to loft Vinay Kumar over mid-off where Steyn was stationed.

The shot was mistimed and Steyn back-pedalled several yards to snap the catch over his head, but fell backwards in the process. The impact of the fall left him gasping in pain and he had to be helped off the field, robbing Bangalore of the short-ball barrage he

would have unleashed in the middle overs, a strategy that had served them well.

Raina had little time to settle in with the Powerplay overs running out and the game reduced to 17 overs, but set about getting into his groove against a generous offering of length and short deliveries.

Bangalore captain Anil Kumble had to resort to Virat Kohili's dibbly-dobblies and the medium pace of Dillon du Preez, who was himself a replacement for Jacques Kallis, out due to a neck injury. Raina's response was ruthless, one that forced Vijay to cede the floor after he had himself set the tone with a couple of imperious pulls off the opening seamers.

The onslaught began, ironically, in the over after the Powerplay as two of Kohli's pitched-up deliveries disappeared over Raina's favourite zone on the cricket field - the deep-midwicket region. du Preez met the same fate and his attempt to show any spunk with the short ball, as his injured fast-bowling team-mate had so successfully done in previous attempts, was laid to waste.

Raina pulled him into the stands over deep square leg.

There was perhaps one moment when Bangalore could have rebounded against the psychological setback that Steyn's loss had dealt them.

Raina slog-swept Kumble to deep midwicket in the seventh over and Manish Pandey attempted an acrobatic catch but couldn't hold on. The effort was praiseworthy but incurred Kumble's wrath as Pandey had walked in a fair distance for that delivery rather than standing at the edge of the rope.

Vijay's supporting role in the partnership had its moment in the sun when he smashed du Preez for a six over midwicket. Bangalore's woes did not abate even after he was dismissed by Vinay in the 12th over; Raina slapped the next ball ferociously into the crowd to bring up his half-century.

It only got worse for Bangalore from there, and the helplessness was evident amid further catching lapses, missed run-outs, byes conceded by Robin Uthappa and the spate of no-balls and wides.

Cameron White had bowled just once in 37 Twenty20 games but Kumble had no option but to turn to him.

Bowling seam-up, White conceded two wides and as many no-balls in an over that yielded 13. The result was worse when Kumble reposed his faith in the final over where Raina deflated White with three fours, all off long-hops.

Nor was Kumble spared. On a track and in conditions where he could only hope to

ISLAMABAD: The relations between Pakistan cricket board (PCB) and English Cricket Board (ECB) worsened after leveling of unproven match-fixing allegations on each other during last one month, sources said Saturday.

According to the sources, a pre-action letter has been sent to PCB chairman Ijaz Butt, seeking a "full and unreserved apology" for what he said about British players' involvement in match-fixing.

The letter, sent on behalf of the England team, asked Butt that "if a satisfactory response is not received, legal proceedings will be commenced against him without further notice."

The authorities of ECB and some players rejected such allegations and declared them baseless. "We are deeply concerned and disappointed that our integrity as cricketers has been brought into question," said Andrew Strauss, England captain, while commenting on the situation.

The threat followed an interview given by Butt with a Pakistani TV channel after England lost the third oneday international on September 17 to Pakistan by 23 runs. Butt said there had been loud and clear talk in bookers' circles that some English players were bribed to lose the match.

His comments came after a wave of unstopped allegations of match-fixing on Pakistani cricketers by British media during last month followed by an inquiry launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) against Pakistani players.

PCB, acknowledging the ECB demands, "instructed its London lawyers, Addleshaw Goddard, to respond on its behalf to these demands," a PCB spokesman told media.

Pakistani cricket team finished its two-month-long scandalised tour to England on Wednesday in which they faced a number of unproven allegations and also lost all three series of Test, T20

skid the ball through, his variations were less potent and Raina cashed in. Two short balls were dispatched for fours in the 15th over and, as if to not deny the Bangalore captain of the treatment meted out to the rest, Raina gave him the customary swipe over cow corner. Kumble's spell was acrimonious one, Raina's victory sweet and Bangalore's woes endless. Not long after, Kohli injured himself taking a catch but he did come back to bat in what soon developed into a hopeless chase.

The signs were ominous for Bangalore in the first over of their response. Albie Morkel moved the ball prodigiously, beating the bat with a frequency normally witnessed on the first morning of a Test. The bounce was uneven and amid the mounting pressure, a wicket looked seemingly inevitable. Doug Bollinger snared Rahul Dravid off his first ball to an unconvincing drive, Morkel got Uthappa to produce a top-edge and Bollinger returned to undo Ross Taylor with some extra bounce. Kohli fell soon after and at 35 for 4 in the eighth over, there was no coming back. Manish Pandey and Praveen Kumar, though, did display some pyrotechnics of their own to give Bangalore some consolation on an otherLONDON: England off-spinwise dispiriting day. ner Graeme Swann has revealed that Pakistan fans 'with broad London accents' had hurled abuses at his team after the third ODI at The Oval.

"The taunts we received from the crowd were not pleasant.

As we left The Oval, people with broad London accents wearing the green shirts of he was good at the net."

Pakistan were slagging us off," Wang Xin, who became the Swann wrote in an article for new world number one in the an English newspaper."It was rankings issued on Thursday, hard hearing the England team said Baun's shots and her being abused by people who attacks are "very dangerous" as sound English," he added. she is tall.

The off-spinner admitted that "I just played tenaciously. I the England players were sadthink that's why I won. For me, dened to hear the foul-mouthed it's my second appearance in tirades, but said that the incithe Japan Open and the second dent "added to the feeling of time to reach the final. I'm very happy about it. Hopefully, I euphoria" when they won the series on can win this time," said Wang. five-match She lost to compatriot Wang Wednesday."To have lost that final match at the Rose Bowl Yihan in last year's final.

The other semi-final winner, would have been horrendous Jiang, said: "It's the first time especially after leading 2-0 and to play the Japan Open final for with everything that went on," me. I'll try to do my best to he added.

Swann also praised batsman play my usual game." -APP

International and One day international matches against England.

Pakistani Test captain Salman Butt, fast bowlers Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif, had been suspended after an investigation launched following newspaper's report that they had taken bribes to deliver noballs deliberately in the fourth Test match at Lord's cricket ground.

PCB, extremely troubled by the allegations, regretted the way these allegations had been handled as being a full member of ICC it only came to know through media about the investigations.

Pakistani cricket authorities further condemned sensationalization of these allegations, which harmed cricket in general and Pakistan in particular.

Tafazzul Rizvi, PCB legal adviser, said: "At this stage we don't believe these allegations that our players did fixing in any match against England."

Several Pakistani officials and former cricketers criticized the ICC for making its investigation public before anything was proven, and they also blamed British media and other responsible for making conspiracy against Pakistani cricket team.

Rizvi also said that if these allegations are not proven true then PCB would definitely consider filing damages case against newspapers that made those allegations.

Shahid Afridi, Pakistani team captain, was surprised to hear about the match fixing news. "It's shocking, I feel it is an attempt to bring the team under pressure to make it under perform in the ground."

"If anyone has any evidence it should be presented first before allegations are made," said Afridi while talking to a local sports channel."

Aijaz Jakhrani, Sports Minister, assured the National Assembly that the government would not take action unless there was clear evidence against the alleged players. -NNI

Eng team abused, slagged

by Pak fans: Swann

Lee Chong Wei to play Lin Dan in Japan Open final TOKYO: World number one and top seed Lee Chong Wei breezed past Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand on Saturday to set up a final showdown with old foe Lin Dan at the Japan Open in Tokyo.

The Malaysian, winner here in 2007, pulled off a 21-13, 2118 win in his semi, while Lin, China's Beijing Olympic gold medallist, powered his way through to a 21-11, 21-19 over European champion Peter Gade of Denmark.

It will be a re-match of the 2008 Olympic Games, when the Chinese defeated Lee 2112, 21-8 in the final.

In the women's singles, Wang Xin whipped European

champion Tine Baun of Denmark 21-17, 21-16 to make it an all-Chinese final against Jiang Yanjiao, winner over compatriot Wang Shixian 2119, 23-21. "I lost to Boonsak only once a long time ago, so I was confident to beat him today," said Lee, who needed only 37 minutes in winning.

Lin, the three-time former world champion, did not have it all his own way against veteran Gade, going down 3-7 in the second game as the Dane hit a couple of good smashes and a quick attack at the net.

Gade, two-time champion here in 1998 and 1999, kept the lead to 16-12 before Lin started to notch up points to catch

up at 18-18, when the Dane hit wide against Lin's low serve.

Gade made it 19-19 with an overhead drop shot, but his backhand landed in the net to go down again, allowing Lin to finish off the 45-minute match with a jump smash.

"I was in fine form. I think Peter was also in good form. It was a match that either of us could win. I'm very happy to win such a close match. I was able to play with speed," said Lin, winner here in 2005 and 2006. Gade said: "I know he is going to play very fast. I just wanted not to be stressed by the pace and just be calm and play my game. But he was playing very sharp and fast and

Eoin Morgan for helping the team win with another brilliant innings."You could tell from our huddle and in the changing room afterwards what it meant.

We just HAD to win that match," Swann said. England won the match at the Rose Bowl Stadium by 121 runs to win the five-match series 3-2.It concluded Pakistan's near three-month-long tour of England, which had been marred by 'spot-fixing' allegations.-Reuters

10

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Work Your Days for Heart

It Could’ve Been Wind M

oses might not have parted the Red Sea, but a strong east wind that blew through the night could have pushed the waters back in the way described in biblical writings and the Koran, U.S. researchers reported on Tuesday.

Computer simulations, part of a larger study on how winds affect water, show wind could push water back at a point where a river bent to merge with a coastal lagoon, the team at the National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University of Colorado at Boulder said.

"The simulations match fairly closely with the account in Exodus," Carl Drews of NCAR, who led the study, said in a state-

ment.

"The parting of the waters can be understood through fluid dynamics. The wind moves the water in a way that's in accordance with physical laws, creating a

3,000 years ago. The Red Sea parts to let Moses and his followers pass safely, then crashes back onto the pursuers, drowning them.

Drews and colleagues are studying how Pacific Ocean

safe passage with water on two sides and then abruptly allowing the water to rush back in."

Religious texts differ a little in the tale, but all describe Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt ahead of a pharaoh's armies around

typhoons can drive storm surges and other effects of strong and sustained winds on deep water.

His team pinpointed a possible site south of the Mediterranean Sea for the legendary crossing, and modeled different land for-

mations that could have existed then and perhaps led to the accounts of the sea appearing to part.

The model requires a Ushaped formation of the Nile River and a shallow lagoon along the shoreline. It shows that a wind of 63 miles per hour, blowing steadily for 12 hours, could have pushed back waters 6 feet deep.

"This land bridge is 3-4 km (2 to 2.5 miles) long and 5 km (3 miles) wide, and it remains open for 4 hours," they wrote in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS ONE. "People have always been fascinated by this Exodus story, wondering if it comes from historical facts," Drews said.

"What this study shows is that the description of the waters parting indeed has a basis in physical laws."Reuters

Is HIV Pandemic a Doctors’ Doing?

P

erhaps it wasn't sex workers and fast-growing cities that launched HIV onto its deadly global rampage, but well-meaning doctors using dirty needles in the first half of the 20th century.

While it's hard to know for sure today, more than 90 years after the virus emerged, two new studies hint that campaigns to eradicate tropical diseases in Africa might have helped HIV gain an early foothold among humans.

"This is sort of an example of good intentions gone wrong," said Dr. Thomas Strickland, an expert in infectious diseases at Baltimore's University of Maryland, who was not involved in the research.

"They were saving lives.

They just didn't know that they were also setting up the pandemic of HIV." The virus jumped from chimps to humans -- morphing from simian immunodeficiency virus, or SIV, to human immunodeficiency virus -- in central Africa in the early 1920s.

Most likely, scientists speculate, a hunter got infected through a bite or a scratch as he prowled for bush meat and

butchered it west of the Ubangi River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What is still a matter of debate is how a blood-borne disease infecting one or a few individuals in a remote area could ever spread to the more than 33 million people who were infected by 2008, and kill two million of them.

knocked on doors in dozens of villages in the Central African Republic to find seniors who'd been exposed to the sleeping sickness epidemic that ravaged the area between 1936 and 1950.

They asked a bunch of questions of more than 900 villagers, including whether or not they'd been treated for sleeping sickness -- at the

To try to answer that question, Dr. Jacques Pepin, of the Universite de Sherbrooke in Montreal, Canada, hopped on a plane to central Africa. His goal was to track the spread of less lethal viruses -- as proxies for HIV -- among villagers who remembered the colonial era.

For one of two studies published this month, Pepin's team

time a grueling, hard-to-forget series of injections, Pepin said.

The researchers also took blood samples. Because the villagers who first caught HIV would be long dead today, Pepin decided to use the less-deadly hepatitis C virus as well as another blood-borne virus (human T cell lymphotropic virus 1, or HTLV-1) as models for how

HIV could have been inadvertently transmitted by the French colonial doctors treating sleeping sickness.

What they found was striking: if a person had been treated for the sleeping disease before 1951, the chances that he or she had been infected with hepatitis C tripled. And HTLV-1 showed a similar pattern.

"What happened is that for a long time, the needles and syringes used to administer the intravenous drugs were not single-use," Pepin told Reuters Health. "There were a lot of patients and not a lot of needles, so the sterilisation of needles was not very efficient."

"If HIV was present in one of these patients 50 years ago, we can assume that they probably transmitted HIV," he said. "It is exactly like intravenous drug users who share needles."

According to Pepin, that would also explain why the number of people 65 years and older who'd been treated for sleeping sickness was six times lower than would be expected from historical data: the missing seniors could have died of AIDS, the immune system breakdown caused by HIV.-Reuters

C

ommuting to work on your own two feet, or while spinning two wheels, could help stave off heart failure, suggests a new Finnish study.

And if your job keeps you active during the day too, even better.

Not only is leisure-time physical activity an important component of a healthy lifestyle, but so is occupational activity and daily walking or cycling to and from work, senior researcher Dr. Gang Hu of Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, told Reuters Health in an e-mail.

Previous studies had found protective effects of regular physical activity on both coronary heart disease and stroke.

However, researchers had not yet explored the impact of exercise on the risk of heart failure, or the unique roles of leisure and non-leisure activities on the condition.

Heart failure is characterised by a heart unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body's needs, and currently affects more than 5 million Americans.

In an effort to tease apart the effects of occupational, commuting and leisure-time physical activity on the risk of heart failure, Hu and his colleagues studied nearly 60,000 Finnish men and women who participated in a series of surveys conducted between 1972 and 2002.

During an average follow-up of 18 years, about 3,500 (6 per-

cent) of the men and women developed heart failure.

Not surprisingly, leisure-time physical activity significantly lowered the risk among both men and women, with men who vigorously exercised at least three times a week enjoying the most benefit: a 47 percent lower risk of heart failure than inactive men.

After accounting for age and the year in which each participant started the study, the team found that men who participated in moderate or high occupational activity -- from a fair amount of standing and walking to heavy manual labor -had about a quarter lower risk of heart failure, compared to those who sat around an office all day. For women, drops in risk were 33 and 13 percent for moderate and high activity, respectively.

Women who commuted to work by walking or cycling also had a reduced risk of heart failure compared to those who did not, even after adjusting for leisure-time and occupational physical activity.

The more types of physical activities someone participated in, the greater the risk reduction, report the researchers in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Luc Djousse of Brigham and Women's Hospital, in Boston, noted that the findings are consistent with those from the Physician's Health Study, in which he and his colleagues also showed that leisure-time physical activity was associated with a lower risk of heart

failure in men.

The new study goes further by identifying the benefits of exercise beyond just our few hours of leisure, he noted in an e-mail to Reuters Health.

"Increases in computerisation and mechanisation that have resulted in ever-increasing numbers of people being sedentary for most of their time," said Hu, advising that people try to incorporate short spurts of exercise during work breaks, active commuting, and physical activity during leisure time.

"At the community level, effort should be devoted to infrastructure that favors commuting as well as leisure-time physical activity," added Djousse, highlighting the benefits of pedestrian and cycling paths, as well as parks.

He further suggested that employers focus on workplace design and policies that encourage various types of exercise, including the use of stairs instead of elevators or escalators, and adequate space for bicycle parking.

Besides physical activity, said Djousse, other lifestyle factors that can lower the risk of heart failure include not smoking and eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while also low in salt and red meat.

Treatment for heart failure can include drugs or implanted devices that stimulate the heart to beat properly, or surgery to correct mechanical defects.Reuters

Magnesium Mitigates Diabetes Risk

G

etting enough magnesium in your diet could help prevent diabetes, a new study suggests.

People who consumed the most magnesium in foods and from vitamin supplements were about half as likely to develop diabetes over the next 20 years as people who took in the least magnesium, Dr. Ka He of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and colleagues found.

The results may explain in part why consuming whole grains, which are high in magnesium, is also associated with lower diabetes risk. However, large clinical trials testing the effects of magnesium on diabetes risk are needed to determine whether a causal relationship truly exists, the researchers note in Diabetes Care.

It's plausible that magnesium could influence diabetes risk because the mineral is needed for the proper functioning of several enzymes that help the body process glucose, the researchers point out. Studies of magnesium and diabetes risk have had conflicting results, though.

To investigate the link, the researchers looked at magnesium intake and diabetes risk in 4,497 men and women 18 to 30

years old, none of whom were diabetic at the study's outset. During a 20-year followup period, 330 of the subjects developed diabetes.

People with the highest magnesium intake, who averaged about 200 milligrams of magnesium for every 1,000 calories they consumed, were 47 percent less likely to have developed diabetes during follow up than those with the lowest intakes, who consumed about 100 milligrams of magnesium per 1,000 calories.

He and colleagues also found that as magnesium intake rose, levels of several markers of inflammation decreased, as did resistance to the effects of the key bloodsugar-regulating hormone insulin. Higher blood levels of magnesium also were linked to a lower degree of insulin resistance.

"Increasing magnesium intake may be important for improving insulin sensitivity, reducing systemic inflammation, and decreasing diabetes risk," He and colleagues write. "Further large-scale clinical trials are needed to establish causal inference and elucidate the mechanisms behind this potential benefit."-Reuters

Talking to Death, Texting to Kill D

rivers distracted by talking or texting on cell phones killed an estimated 16,000 people from 2001 to 2007, U.S. researchers reported on Thursday.

The estimate, one of the first scientific attempts to quantify how many people have died in accidents caused specifically by mobile telephone distractions, also suggests a growing number of these drivers are under 30.

"Our results suggested that recent and rapid increases in texting volumes have resulted in thousands of additional road fatalities in the United States," Fernando Wilson and Jim Stimpson of the University of North Texas Health Science Center wrote in the American Journal of

Public Health.

Wilson and Stimpson used details on road deaths from each state, on cell phone ownership and data on text message volume from the Federal Communications Commission.

They got reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on deaths attributable to distracted driving.

"Since roughly 2001-2002, texting volumes have increased by several hundred per cent," Wilson said in a telephone interview. In 2002, 1 million texts were sent every month; this rose to 110 million in 2008.

"Since 2001 our model predicts that about 16,000 people have died since then that we attribute to the increase in

texting volume in the United States."

Just talking on a cell phone can distract a driver, and several studies have demonstrated that, even with a handsfree device. But Wilson said texting and using so-called smart phones that provide email access and other distracting applications take the problem to a new level.

US traffic deaths are down - in 2009 the Transportation Department said they hit their lowest level since the mid1950s in 2009 at 33,963.

But for every 1 million new cell phone subscribers, Wilson and Stimpson estimate a 19-per cent rise in deaths due to distracted driving.

"Distracted deaths as a share of all road fatalities

increased from 10.9 per cent to 15.8 per cent from 1999 to 2008, and much of the increase occurred after 2005," they wrote.

DEATHS TRACK CELLPHONE USE "In 2008, approximately 1 in 6 fatal vehicle collisions resulted from a driver being distracted while driving," the report said. It found 5,870 people died in accidents attributed to distracted driving.

Cellphone ownership and the number of text messages sent rose sharply over the same time, Wilson and Stimpson found.

Wilson said 30 states ban texting while driving, and some cities and states require hands-free devices for drivers using mobile telephones.Reuters

11

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Uncertainty in country

Pharmas may be facing huge losses l Sells US rights to bladder drug Enablex

l NEW YORK: A sign for Pharmaceutical company Pfizer is displayed on 42 Street in New York.

Novartis boosted by upbeat drug data ZURICH: Novartis AG's prospects brightened further on Friday after a raft of good drug news, a setback for Merck KGaA's rival MS drug in Europe and a divestment seen as a bid to streamline its portfolio.

European healthcare regulators backed the extension of the Swiss drugmaker's licence for cancer drug Tasigna, potentially giving its leukaemia franchise more protection once the patent of older drug Glivec expires.

"Tasigna has now been approved in the first line and Novartis now has five years to switch patients over to Tasigna ahead of Glivec patent expiration," Helvea analyst KarlHeinz Koch said.

"It should become the standard of care in newly diagnosed patients and should attract a fair share of Glivectreated patients based on superiority. It effectively prolongs the life-cycle of Novartis' $5

No #1

billion leukeaemia franchise," he said. News that Novartis' TOBI Podhaler for chronic pulomnary infection as well as its Aflunov and prepandemic H5N1 influenza vaccines had also won European backing also boosted the group's shares.

At 1520 GMT, shares in Novartis were trading 2 percent higher, outperforming a near flat European healthcare index. Sentiment surrounding Novartis has picked up over recent weeks as positive data have highlighted its promising pipeline, while investors are hopeful it will wrap up its buyout of US eyecare group Alcon Inc amicably.

The group was given an extra boost earlier this week when its multiple sclerosis pill Gilenya won backing from US authorities, putting it ahead of Merck in the bid to bring the first oral treatment for the disease to the US market. Novartis also moved closer to emerging triumphant in Europe after a key

Continued from page 1

article-248 of the constitution. Therefore, the sources added that Swiss cases against him could not be reopened till such times he holds his office of presidency. Sources further told a key advisor to the president had expressed his opinion during the meeting of PPP core and central executive committee that government should not show weakness to the judiciary and adopt aggressive policy. -Online

No #2

Continued from page 1

not judge's observations but their decisions should be published in newspapers because some people are running their business through judge's observations.

He said that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had been judiciary murdered and now we are very careful and are not in favor of confrontation with judiciary.

He said that size of Cabinet could not be reduced due to political compulsions. Answering to query he said that no matter whether it is Swiss cases or NRO, only President has immunity under the constitution while Prime Minister and all others are answerable before court.

He further said that PPP and specially he practices politics of principle. He said that he has directed Attorney General to speed up proceeding over the cases against NRO beneficiaries.

He said that so far summary of Law ministry regarding Swiss cases is concerned, it is public property and every one have right to see it.

Talking about Aafia Siddiqui case he said that the government has lost judicial war fight for release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui but political and diplomatic war would continue till her release. He said that Parliament can legislate for transfer of prisoners to ensure Dr Aafia's release.

He said that in light of 18th amendment size of cabinet would be reduced at suitable time but right now it is not suitable time due to political compulsions.

He said that Chairman PML-N Mian Nawaz Sharif's statements are right as leader of opposition but he is also in favor of democracy.

Talking about Kashmir issue he said that due to Mumbai attacks Kashmir issue has went back but we wanted settlement of all issues with India.

He further stated "we are heading forward in war against terrorism and military has to be strengthened and increase of defense budget is also necessary in this connection."

Answering to a question about major change in the country, he said that he has been listening to news about changing, and has to give statements in this regard so that reality could be brought in front of masses. -Online

European drug panel rejected Merck's cladribine on Friday, pushing Merck shares down some 10 percent as investors digested another blow to its pipeline.

"The cladribine news is positive for Novartis as it now looks like Novartis' Gilenya could reach a monopoly status in the oral MS drug segment in Europe. The EU regulatory decision on Gilenya is expected in early-2011," Kepler Capital Markets analyst Tero Weckroth said in a note.

The drugmaker also said it was selling the US rights to overactive bladder treatment Enablex to Irish-based pharmaceutical group Warner Chilcott for an upfront payment of $400 million, a move investors welcomed. "If the Enablex divestment is the first step in the clean-up of Novartis' portfolio, we could expect further action in sub-scale businesses such as animal health and/or diagnostics," Weckroth said. -Reuters

l Gets EMA backing in key leukaemia drug and others Novartis also boosted by Merck's MS drug setback in Europe

ISALAMBAD: The pharmaceutical sector exports are likely to decline during the current fiscal year because of prevailing uncertainty in the industry after the enactment of 18th Amendment, the top body of the pharmaceutical manufacturers said here on Thursday.

“The industry, which had registered a growth of 38 per cent in exports during the fiscal year 2009-10, hangs in the balance in terms of trade and registration due to transfer of powers from centre to the provinces under the 18th Amendment,” said Pakistan P h a r m a c e u t i c a l Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Chairman Mian Asad Shujur Rehman while addressing a press conference.

PPMA Zonal Chairman Dr Kisaer Waheed, Mohammad Asad and executive members were also present on the occasion “Provinces are lacking in the infrastructure and capabilities required to handle the drug administration that demands for highly skilled and sophisticated human resources already in short supply at the provincial level,” Mian Asad Shujur Rehman said.

“We understand that the trade barriers can develop amongst provinces due to the

PPMA appeals to form drug regulatory authority ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association (PPMA) has appealed the government to form a drug regulatory authority at federal level as practiced worldwide to properly control the growing industry of pharmaceutical.

Addressing a press conference here, Chairman PPMA Mian Asad Shuja-ur-Rehman on Wednesday said the government should establish regulatory authority instead of transfer of drug administration to the provinces from the Federal Health Ministry.

He said provinces are lacking in the infrastructure and capabilities required to handle the drug administration that demands for highly skilled and sophisticated human resources already in short supply at the provincial level.

He said trade barriers can develop amongst provinces due to the six different policy frameworks like separate Drugs Registration Boards, separate Licensing Boards, separate Pricing Committees etc. in place at the provinces, Gilgit Baltistan and FATA. He said the industry must remain under the auspices of the Federal Government as the pharmaceutical sector has registered an increase of 38% in export earnings with exports surging to 161.250 million dollars in fiscal year 2009-2010 as compared to exports of 116.286 million dollars in fiscal year 2008-2009. APP

of Punjab, all the provincial drug testing laboratories are non-functional. If the process of drug registration is shifted to provinces, it would come to a halt, he feared.

Mian Shuja said that like drug registration, licensing of new companies, renewal of the contracts, imports and exports of raw material and the furnished goods and fixation of drug prices would also

be affected during the establishment of new set up, he added.

Mian Asad demanded the government to form Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) like Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to save the industry from collapse. He warned that the country might face loss of foreign exchange if the PPMA demands could not be addressed.--APP

Abbott to lay off 3,000 employees

the government.

To a question on MQM chief Altaf Hussain's statement, the information minister said that the parliament is the only platform that could change the present set-up. "MQM is only our ally in the government as it has not merged into the PPP and its leadership CHICAGO: North Chicago- operations. about $650 million, accelerathas its own point of view," he said. -Agencies based Abbott Laboratories will Abott Laboratories will cut ed depreciation and asset cut roughly 3,000 jobs in the roughly 3,000 jobs but most of write-downs of about $105 Continued from page 1 No #5 wake of its acquisition of the layoffs will take place in million, and other exit costs of "No one knows if Gilani decided at the spur of the moment to Solvay SA's pharmaceutical Eurorpe, and there will be no up to $215 million related to cancel his visit, or he was advised not to travel abroad in the face unit, the company said in a cuts in Lake County, a the discontinuation of certain of the urgency the government is facing because of the floods and Securities and Exchange spokesman said. research and development the pressure for a change in government," said an article in Commission filing.

The restructuring and inte- (R&D) programs and the transPakistan's English daily newspaper on Saturday.

Most of the cuts will take gration of the Solvay business fer of certain product manufacGilani's press secretary, Shabbir Anwar, said he had been sched- place in Europe, and there will will result in pre-tax charges of turing and R&D to other uled to leave at the end of this month for Paris with a delegation be no cuts in Lake County, said as much as $1.28 billion over Abbott facilities, the company of 40 other officials to meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Abbott spokesman Scott the next two years, Abbott said. said. then travel from there on Oct 1 to Brussels. -Reuters Stoffel. The cuts, which repre- That includes pre-tax charges Non-cash charges included sent roughly 3 per cent of of about $810 million to $970 in the total will be about Continued from page 1 No #6 Abbott's work force, will take million over the next two $105 million, reflecting Policymakers plan to increase Islamic financing to 12 per cent place in manufacturing, years. accelerated depreciation and of the total by the end of 2012, from 6 per cent. research and development, Those charges include asset write-downs, Abbott Islamic banking assets in Pakistan reached 411 billion rupees staff functions and commercial employee-related costs of said.-Reuters ($4.8 billion) as of June, or 6 per cent of the total, Wasimuddin said. That compares with 303.3 billion ringgit ($98 billion) in of the religious alliance.

Malaysia, accounting for 19.6 per cent of the total, the central He said he cancelled his US visit to protest the 86 years sentence awarded to Dr Aafia Siddiqui bank said in March. The Southeast Asian nation is the world's by a US court. He said this development has further increased hatred among the Muslim against biggest market for Sukuk. -Agencies the US. He demanded of US President Barack Obama to end the sentence of Dr Aafia and send Continued from page 1 her back to Pakistan. -NNI No #7 "We produced 32 witnesses before the court. Two of those saw Continued from page 12 No #11 the trio on the spot signaling attackers to go ahead and later idenunemployment, hunger, and poverty from the country. tified them in a police station," said Tayyab.

Barrister Saif also announced that Pervez Musharraf would also address large gatherings of APML "But still the judge found insufficient evidence." Tayyab said he in Manchester and Birmingham. A larger numbers of leaders, former bureaucrats, and retired army would challenge the acquittal in the high court. -Agencies personnel are arriving London to show their power attend the event on 1st October. -Online

No #8

Continued from page 1

accused of not taking seriously enough the largest pro-independence protests in two decades in Kashmir this summer.

Saturday's announcement comes after a delegation of Indian lawmakers visited the region this week and met separatist leaders.

"We will request the state government to immediately convene a meeting of the (security) Unified Command and to review the deployment of security forces in Kashmir valley, especially Srinagar," Chidambaram told reporters after a meeting of the Indian cabinet's committee on security. -Reuters

No #9

Continued from page 1

I do not have to repeat," he said in response to a question.

Qureshi and Krishna had a "chance encounter" on Thursday at Continued from page 1 No #3 the UN, where they greeted each other warmly and talked about Foreign Minister thanked the Foreign Secretary for the assis- the floods in Pakistan. tance provided by the British Government and public for the flood Krishna is in New York till September 29 while Qureshi till victims of Pakistan.

September 30.

He underlined that this support was an indication that the bilatOn the other hand, Pakistan hailed the Indian offer regarding eral relationship between the two countries went beyond the gov- talks on Kashmir, media reported Saturday. ernment level and needed to be built upon. Foreign Minister also Pakistani Foreign Office, while reacting to Indian demand of appreciated the leading role played by UK in facilitating discus- unconditional negotiations for resolution of Kashmir issue, said sions within EU for provision of trade concessions, says a press Pakistan has always stressed on the fruitful and unqualified negorelease received here on Saturday. -Agencies tiations.

Talking to media, the Foreign Office spokesman said Pakistan Continued from page 1 No #4 "I am not blaming the whole media as media has played a very never made the dialogues with India conditional and always positive role for the restoration of democracy in the country." He stressed on the resolution of Kashmir issue through bilateral talks.

Pakistan wants continuity of negotiations with India and these said the credibility of this section of the press is at stake as the should be composite and fruitful as well, he added.-Agencies people are well aware of its tactics.

To another question on the statement of PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Kaira said that Nawaz Sharif had earlier stated that his party would not support any unconstitutional move and the government respects his viewpoint.

"The government will welcome constitutional moves to change the present set-up through parliament but any unconstitutional move will be challenged," he added. He maintained that any party or group claiming to have majority in the Parliament could change

six different policy frameworks (separate drugs registration boards, separate licensing boards, separate pricing committees, etc) in place at the provinces, GilgitBaltistan and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), he added.

The PPMA chairman said the industry might face losses worth billion of rupees because of uncertainty between the small and large drug manufacturers due to devolution of powers. He said the imports and exports would be affected while local and foreign investors are shying to invest in the sector because of ambiguity, he said.

Mian Asad Shujur Rehman said the drug manufacturers are concerned that the drug and medicine sector, which was the part of the concurrent list, had become provincial subject and provinces were asked to establish infrastructure for drug registration before June 30, 2011. He said the centre took 40 years to develop drug testing and registration mechanism, but it is not possible to create a similar system in a year.

Sketching the prevailing situation of drug testing laboratories in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, Mian Asad said except drug-testing laboratory

No #10

Continued from page 12

for the country if any unconstitutional method was adopted for bringing change. He said the opposition parties have never indulged into any activities which may harm the democratic process and there is no chance of military takeover.

To a question about the revival of the Muttahida Majlis-eAmal (MMA), the Maulana said the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has withdrawn its demand of quitting the government before revival

No #12

Continued from page 12

Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has reiterated the government's commitment to leave no stone unturned while bringing back Dr Aafia, also known as prisoner 650, and said that his government will use all means to seek her repatriation.

Reacting to Gillani's statement, Tariq said, "It is only lip service, neither the issue was taken seriously up by the government nor can Pakistan act against America's wish."

Azam added, "Americans will have to pay for this barbaric act; the act of injustice with Aafia is unbearable. Mujahideen will target the Americans all around the world and the infidels forces will meet their fate soon in the form of destruction." -Online

No #13

Continued from page 12

health care in flood-affected areas. It is estimated that approximately 485,000 pregnant women are among the affected population, of which 50,000 are expected to require some form of specialised healthcare. The OCHA observed that since the start of the emergency, WHO has provided essential medicines for 4.8 million people, including medicines for 216,000 diarrhea treatments.

The OCHA stated that so far no deaths have been recorded since the last situation report while a polio and measles vaccination campaign began in Charsadda district on 20 September. WHO has begun a damage and needs assessment in Nasirabad, Jaffarabad and Jhal Magsi districts in Balochistan, with support from the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Population Welfare and Provincial Health Departments.

The OCHA stated that there is now an urgent need to set up mechanisms to monitor the return of flood displaced people and to reinforce the delivery of coordinated recovery assistance.

It stated that out of 20 million affected persons, so far only 91,517 families (approximately 549,102 individuals) have been processed by Nadra so far.

At present, over 1.25 million households are yet to receive emergency shelter material.

There is concern that it may not be possible to rebuild in areas where soil is still saturated for several months. -APP

No #14

Continued from page 1

of two teenagers in Sialkot.

The Gujranwala ATC accepted the bail of Chauhan in the Sialkot lynching Case, and directed the former DPO to submit Rs100,000 bail bonds.

During the hearing of the bail plea, Chauhan's counsel Zarar Shah said the former DPO was not directly involved in the brothers killing and nothing had been proven against him. He requested the court to accept Chauhan's bail plea.

Meanwhile, Special Public Prosecutor said the Court should not approve Waqar Chauhan's bail as investigations were still underway. -Agencies

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12

Sunday, September 26, 2010

FM says US can help de-thorn Indo-Pak ties NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday said Washington can play a "facilitating role" in resolving Indo-Pak tensions.

Noting that Kashmir was an "outstanding issue" between India and Pakistan, Qureshi stressed that bilateral talks between India and Pakistan on Kashmir was always the first preference, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

"I know India is allergic to third party intervention," the minister said, in response to a question at the Asia Society where Qureshi was speaking, and further added that intervention did not mean "dictating terms."

"They (US) can play a facilitating role but ultimately we have to see what Kashmiris want," he continued.

"The US is a friend and ally of India," the minister pointed out, noting that President Barack Obama, speaking at the UN, had mentioned his visit to India and called the country a "thriving democracy."

Qureshi and Krishna are in Washington to attend the opening week of the General Assembly but plans of a bilateral between them have not been firmed up.

Qureshi told PTI that

"arrangements are under negotiation." Qureshi and Krishna had a "chance encounter" Thursday at the UN where they greeted each other warmly and talked about the floods in Pakistan.

The possibilities of a meeting between the two leaders are still being explored through diplomatic channels though "there is no decision as yet."

During his visit, Qureshi has been consistently calling for US intervention in Kashmir but Washington has showed no inclination to get involved in what India maintain are "internal matters."

Addressing a small gathering at the Asia Society, Qureshi described Kashmir as the "festering sore of South Asia."

"The United States, as the world leader, has special responsibility towards finding a just and peaceful solution of Kashmir," the minister said.

"Occupation and persecution cannot kill Kashmiri spirit. They are demanding their right to self-determination," he added. This follows his remarks at the Council on Foreign Relations, a New York based think tank, where he said, "We call upon the United States particularly, which is pressing so responsibly for peace in the Middle East, to also invest its political capital in trying to help seek an accommodation for Kashmir."

At the same time, Qureshi underscored that the need for peace between Pakistan and India, and underlined that there existed several areas of potential cooperation between the two countries including combating climate change, terrorism and poverty.

Describing Krishna's last visit to Pakistan as "useful," Qureshi stressed the importance of resuming the "composite dialogue" and get the peace process on track.

Krishna is in New York till September 29 and Qureshi is here till the 30th. -NNI

20.25mn suffered wrath of flood: UN ISLAMABAD: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Saturday said that Pakistan's floods have affected 20.25 million people in 78 districts across the country.

In its latest situation report on Pakistan's flood, the OCHA said over 1.9 million houses have been reported damaged or destroyed while severe flooding persists in parts of Sindh's Dadu and Jamshoro districts, and rescue operations are continuing.

The OCHA has been working to mobilise and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors.

The OCHA also confirmed that the government has commenced distribution of Watan cards to flood affected families, entitling each family to a Rs20,000 compensation payment and eligible persons are being registered by the National Database Registration

Authority (Nadra) in the regard.

The OCHA's Financial Tracking Service also indicated that 31 per cent of the US$2 billion that is required under fresh flash appeal made by United Nations, has now been provided.

The OCHA also reported that the number of schools reported as being used as shelters across the country has decreased further; and 692,000 people are now staying in 3,122 schools.

Some 9,970 schools are now reported as damaged by the floods.

The number of temporary learning centers (TLCs) established by the cluster has reached 454 (benefiting 38,879 children). Some 415 adult literacy centers are benefiting 7,028 flood-affected adults.

It is also reported that the army plans to rehabilitate a total of 170 flood-damaged schools in Punjab's DG Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah and Multan districts.

This work is already underway

in 75 schools and 32 TLC teachers and NGO volunteers participated in a first phase of training in Hyderabad in Sindh.

The Sindh provincial government has released funds for the initial cleaning and fumigation of schools in Khairpur and Sukkur districts.

The OCHA stated that 10 million people are in need of food assistance in different flood affected areas while further assessments are ongoing and will give a clearer picture of the numbers requiring food support, both in the forms of relief and early recovery.

The OCHA reported there is a continuing need to closely monitor health alerts in the flood affected districts adding that Malaria is of increased concern, with over 163,639 suspected cases reported over the last three weeks.

Acute diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, skin diseases and suspected malaria remain the leading causes of seeking See # 13 Page 11

Shujaat alleges govt godfathering ‘graftism’ GUJRAT: Chairman of Muslim League Quaid-eAzam, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain alleged rulers had amassed much wealth through corruption now they should take rest at home.

Talking on the occasion of 29th death anniversary of

Chaudhry Zahoor Alhai in Gujrat on Saturday, Chaudhry Shujaat said that the government is avoiding judiciary and public by rejecting court decision. He blamed that the government is pushing public toward corruption, inflation and lawlessness.

He said that clashes between institutions could take place if Swiss cases would not be reopened.

He said that sentence awarded to Dr Aafia is wrong and punishment should be given to those who handed over the daughter of Nation to America. -Online

2 killed, 7 injured in attack on mosque BAHAWALPUR: Two people were killed and seven injured due to firing of unknown armed persons at a Mosque. Angry people blocked the high way by burning tires and staged protest against the negligence of Police and Rescue 1122.

According to the details, three unknown armed persons opened fire at Al Qamar mosque after Fajr prayers on Saturday when Quran teaching was going on. As a result nine persons including Allah Dad, Abdul Jabbar, Dr Muhammad Nazeer, Alamgir, Abdul Karim, Javed and Muneer Rehmani were severely wounded. Injured persons were shifted to the Victoria Hospital but two men Dr Majid Qureshi and Jameel Kharak succumbed to their injuries.

After the incident the angry residents blocked the National Highway for Bahawalnagar and chanted slogans against district administration, police and Rescue 1122.

Protesters said we informed the police and rescue 1122 immediately after the incident but they did not respond and reach at the spot after an hour and due to their negligence the injured didn't get timely medical treatment thus leading to the death of two persons.

They blamed the police and said that incident occurred due to the negligence of police.

District Police Officer Baber Bakht Qureshi assured to the protesters that police will arrest the culprits within a week and said that they have recovered the firing pistol and thus it can be said that the attackers were not from outside.

On the assurance of the DPO that the culprits would be nabbed soon the angry mob disbursed peacefully. Jamat-eIslami has announced two days mourning after the sad incident. -Online

One killed as Nato supply tanker comes under attack KALAT: One person was killed when suspected militants attacked Nato supply tankers in central Balochistan on Saturday.

Attackers set on fire two supply tankers carrying fuel for Nato forces deployed in Afghanistan as the convoy passed through Mangochi area of Kalat in central Balochistan.

The attack was carried out through bouts of firing from the militants, which resulted in the death of one of the truck drivers, according to a private TV channel.

Nato supply tankers carrying goods and fuel for the Nato and Isaf forces deployed in Afghanistan are regularly targeted by militants.

The convoy was on its way from Karachi to landlocked Afghanistan, through the Balochistan province, when militants opened fire. -Online

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Brig Imtiaz buys release for Rs20mn-bail RAWALPINDI: Former Chief of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Brig (R) Imtiaz on Saturday said he has always respected the court decisions and will continue to do so throughout his life.

Brig Imtiaz, who was arrested during a hearing of a case on implementation of the Supreme Court verdict on the defunct National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), was released on Saturday from Adiala Jail on a bail of Rs20 million. Talking to media persons on the occasion of his release from the jail, Brig Imtiaz said he has paid the price for telling the truth, but he would continue to do so in future. He said he has always accepted the decisions of the courts and would continue to do so.

The former IB chief said he

is the son of a lawyer and he knows how to respect the judiciary and the court decisions.

To a question about Adnan Khwaja's release from the jail before his release, Brig Imtiaz said he was released after due process of law.

He strongly condemned the sentence of 86 years awarded to Dr Aafia Siddiqui by a US court and termed it extremely regretful and tragic. He said people would raise fingers at the US justice system after this verdict. He appealed to the civil society to continue struggle to secure release of Dr Aafia.

To another question regarding pardon to Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Brig Imtiaz said he don't want to comment on personal matters of the minister. -NNI

NRO a closed chapter: Fazl SHERGARH: The Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman while terming the defunct National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) as a closed chapter said Saturday that the court has neither friends nor enemies.

Talking to the media after offering Fateha for the departed soul of Maulana Muhammad Idrees, elder brother of Maulana Muhammad Qasim, Chairman National Assembly Standing Committee on Religious Affairs, here Saturday, the JUI-F chief said Benazir Bhutto, who invented the NRO is not amongst us now and Pervez Musharraf is not in the government anymore, so the document is no more than a dead horse.

The Maulana said all the state institutions including the army and judiciary supported

the NRO in the past but now it is being used for some "other purposes".

He took strong exception to the statements of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Quaid Nawaz Sharif about the judiciary which, according to him, may create clash between the judiciary and executive.

He said the rumours of "change" are restricted to the media, while everything is all right as far as parliament is concerned. "The government is strong and there is no chance of any change," he said, adding that some people want change but everything should be done in accordance with the constitution not on the whims and desires on any individual.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman said it would be catastrophic See # 10 Page 11

Call to spare textiles from reformed GST KARACHI: The Pakistan Yarn Merchants Association (PYMA) has urged the government to exempt the textile sector from the proposed enforcement of 'Reformed GST' which will be effective from October 1.

In a statement here Saturday, the association said that implementation of GST will increase the cost of the production of textile sector by at least 17 per cent.

The association observed that the Reformed GST will

also cause a cut in the production of textile units and trading yarn will be affected besides closure of industrial units.

A meeting of the association presided over by its zonal chairman Saqib Naseem further noted that the revenue to the government will be reduced and called upon the finance minister and chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to withdraw one per cent turnover tax and 3.5 per cent with holding tax. -Agencies

Local Taliban vows Dr Afia bring-back NEW DELHI: Pakistani Taliban has vowed to bring back Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a UStrained Pakistani neuroscientist accused of firing at US soldiers and FBI agents in Afghanistan in 2008 as she tried to escape from their custody by force.

Dr Aafia was handed a 86year sentence by a federal court in Manhattan, US on September 23.

Azam Tariq, Tehrik-eTaliban Pakistan spokesperson, told rediff.com, "Protests and rallies could not compel the Americans freeing Aafia

but only the holy jihad can do this job. If the Americans were targeted around the world, no infidel would dare to arrest or punish any Muslim daughter."

Talking via telephone from an undisclosed location, Tariq said, "Dr Aafia is innocent and the champion of justice has done injustice in this case. The mujahid forces will never implore the Americans for her release but will bring back the Muslim sister through sheer force."

See # 12 Page 11

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NAB cases against Badar quashed LAHORE: An Accountability Court has acquitted Secretary General of the Pakistan Peoples' Party Jahangir Badar from a reference of illegal assets.

After this acquittal, all NAB cases against Jahangir Badar have been revoked, according to media reports.

The court heard two NAB references against Jahangir Badar made in Musharraf government including the case of illegal assets and unwarranted appointments in the Sui gas department.

The court said that the cases against Jahangir Badar were politically motivated. Jahangir Badar talking to media said that fake cases were made against him including a case of illegal assets of worth Rs4.7 million.

He said that he had time and again maintained the cases were bogus. -Online

Tenures of key defence institutions’ chiefs extend ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani after consultation with the military leadership and taking President Asif Ali Zardari in to confidence has given extension in the tenure of the heads of important defence institutions.

According to official sources, Chief of Strategic Plans Division institute for the protection of atomic assets and its advancement, Lieutenant General (R) Khalid Ahmad Kadwai has been given two years further extension. Last year he was given on year extension after retirement from the Pak army.

The government also extended the tenure of Nescom Chief, Irfan Burni for further two years and also awarded two years extension to Director General of NDC, Anwar Muzaffar. Major General Bilal Ahmad has been appointed new chairman of Suparco as the post was vacated by Major General Raza Hussain, who was retired following completion of his service tenure. -Online

Musharraf to unveil party manifesto on Oct 1 ISLAMABAD: The spokesman of former President Pervez Musharraf, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, has announced that Pervez Musharraf would be formally announcing his association with APML (All Pakistan Muslim League) and manifesto of the party on 1st October at a local hotel located in London's Whitehall area.

He also announced that the event would be attended by APML representatives and delegations of USA, UK, and UAE, during which President Pervez Musharraf would be announcing the manifesto of the newly formed party, besides its membership drive and his personal future strategy.

Barrister Saif further said that after affiliation of Pervez Musharraf, APML would emerge as the largest political setup of Pakistan, and help alleviate the morbidities of See # 11 Page 11

Iran wills conditional end of higher enrichment TEHRAN: President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said Iran would consider halting its 20 per cent uranium enrichment if the west provides the fuel for a medical reactor in Tehran, ISNA news agency reported on Saturday.

"Whenever they give us the

fuel and we are in possession of it, we can examine a halt" in enriching uranium to 20 per cent, Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying at a press conference in New York on Friday.

In February, Ahmadinejad ordered Iranian atomic chief Ali Akbar Salehi to step up

uranium refinement to 20 per cent after a deal drafted by the UN atomic watchdog to supply the material to Tehran hit deadlock.

"Initially, we were not interested in building a new plant for the 20 per cent fuel. Based on the law, members of the

(International Atomic Energy) Agency were supposed to provide us with the fuel," Ahmadinejad said.

"We informed the agency of our demand that member states should give us the fuel, but they turned this issue into a political game," he said.

Iran had previously enriched uranium to just 3.5 per cent purity but it says the 20 per cent enrichment is required to fuel the reactor in the capital.

Since February, Iranian officials have said on several occasions that they could stop 20

per cent enrichment if negotiations with the West to exchange their lower level uranium for the fuel are successful.

World powers, led by Washington, strongly oppose Iran's uranium enrichment programme which they suspect

masks a nuclear weapons drive, something Tehran vehemently denies.

Experts say that by enriching uranium to the 20 per cent level, Iran has theoretically come closer to the 90 per cent purity needed for an atomic bomb. -Agencies

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