The Financial Daily-Epaper-17-10-2010

International Karachi, Sunday, October 17, 2010, Zul-Qa’dah 8, Price Rs12 Pages 8

PM Gilani says good news on Kashmir soon

Taliban ready to walk peace talk: Rabbani

See on Page 8

Ban Ki-moon says UN stands by Pakistan

See on Page 8

Pak, India moot LoC trade affairs

See on Page 8

See on Page 8 Economic Indicators $16.97bn 13.77% $5.18bn $9.03bn $(3.85)bn $(944)mn $1.72bn $455.10mn Rs 310bn $55.63bn Rs 4863bn $100.90mn 3.05% 4.10% $1,051 170.80mn

Forex Reserves (8-Oct-10) Inflation CPI% (Jul 10-Sep 10) Exports (Jul 10-Sep 10) Imports (Jul 10-Sep 10) Trade Balance (Jul 10-Sep 10) Current A/C (Jul 10- Aug10) Remittances (Jul 10-Aug 10) Foreign Invest (Jul 10-Sep10) Revenue (Jul 10-Sep 10) Foreign Debt (Jun 10) Domestic Debt (Aug 10) Repatriated Profit (Jul- Aug 10) LSM Growth (Jul 10)

GDP Growth FY10E Per Capita Income FY10 Population

Gilani, Kayani call on President Zardari

Troika sets agenda for talks with USA Pak to discuss drone tech transfer, CSF fund, RoZ legislation ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has ing was held between Prime ing the meeting prepared its agenda regarding Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Foreign Secretary

besides Salman

Portfolio Investment SCRA(U.S $ in million)

48.35 -0.87 -0.25 2461

Yearly(Jul, 2010 up to 14-Oct-2010) Monthly(Oct, 2010 up to 14-Oct-2010) Daily (14-Oct-2010) Total Portfolio Invest (8 Oct-2010)

NCCPL (U.S $ in million)

FIPI (15-Oct-2010) Local Companies (15-Oct-2010) Banks / DFI (15-Oct-2010) Mutual Funds (15-Oct-2010) NBFC (15-Oct-2010) Local Investors (15-Oct-2010) Other Organization (15-Oct-2010)

2.88 -1.30 -0.56 -0.26 -0.21 -0.63 0.07

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Money Market Update T-Bills (3 Mths) T-Bills (6 Mths) T-Bills (12 Mths) Discount Rate Kibor (1 Mth) Kibor (3 Mths) Kibor (6 Mths) Kibor ( 9 Mths) Kibor (1Yr) P.I.B ( 3 Yrs) P.I.B (5 Yrs) P.I.B (10 Yrs) P.I.B (15 Yrs) P.I.B (20 Yrs) P.I.B (30 Yrs)

12.83% 13.07% 13.22% 13.50% 12.72% 12.99% 13.20% 13.61% 13.71% 13.63% 13.74% 13.78% 14.24% 14.34% 14.53%

06-Oct-2010 06-Oct-2010 06-Oct-2010 29-Sep-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010 15-Oct-2010

Commodities Crude Oil (brent)$/bbl 82.45 Crude Oil (WTI)$/bbl 81.25 Cotton $/lb 109.87 Gold $/ozs 1,372.00 Silver $/ozs 24.29 Malaysian Palm $ 960.80 GOLD (NCEL) PKR 38,252 KHI Cotton 40Kg PKR 7,984 Open Mkt Currency Rates Symbols Buy (Rs) Sell (Rs)

Australian $ 84.50 Canadian $ 84.80 Danish Krone 15.85 Euro 119.10 Hong Kong $ 11.00 Japanese Yen 1.042 Saudi Riyal 23.00 Singapore $ 65.40 Swedish Korona 12.90 Swiss Franc 89.35 U.A.E Dirham 23.35 UK Pound 135.10 US $ 86.05

84.80 85.20 16.55 119.60 11.30 1.068 23.25 65.60 13.30 90.35 23.50 136.10 86.35

Inter-Bank Currency Rates Symbols

Australian $ Canadian $ Danish Krone Euro Hong Kong $ Japanese Yen Saudi Riyal Singapore $ Swedish Korona Swiss Franc U.A.E Dirham UK Pound US $

Buying TT Clean

Selling TT & OD

85.13 85.44 16.16 120.52 11.06 1.055 22.89 66.13 13.04 89.85 23.37 137.36 85.93

85.33 85.64 16.20 120.80 11.09 1.057 22.95 66.28 13.07 90.06 23.43 137.68 86.11

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ISLAMABAD: President Zardari during meeting with Prime Minister Gilani and Chief of Army Staff General Kayani at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Defence Minister Ch Ahmed Mukhtar also present.-APP

the two-day strategic dialogue to be held with USA from Oct 20 in Washington and both political and military leadership have agreed that Pakistan would ensure protection of its basic national strategic interests.

To this effect a high level meet-

Gilani, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Saturday.

Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar and Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh were also present dur-

Bashir and Finance Secretary Salman Siddique.

Briefing the media, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting was held to deliberate upon the forthcoming Pak-US See # 5 Page 7

Pak defends military strategy in northwest ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Saturday defended its military policy in the northwest part of the country amid tensions in its relationship with the United States.

In a statement issued by the foreign ministry, Islamabad declared that there was no "lack of Pakistani resolve to fight terrorism".

The comments come as a wave of US drone strikes in the area continues, having killed

more than 150 people and raising tensions between Washington and Islamabad, which condemns the operations as a violation of its sovereignty.

A leaked White House report to Congress earlier this month also accused Pakistani forces of avoiding "direct conflict" in North Waziristan, while ground operations in South Waziristan were only progressing "slowly".

Militants fighting against

Appointment of NAB chairman

Nisar knocks at court door ISLAMABAD: Leader of the opposition and PML-N leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has challenged the appointment of Chairman NAB in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan filed the petition through his counsel Akram Sheikh Advocate.

The opposition leader pleaded in the petition that Justice (R) Deedar

Hussain Shah should be immediately stopped from working as Chairman NAB. Akram Sheikh took the stance that the appointment of Chairman NAB had been done without consultation with the opposition leader and is a violation of 15 articles of the Constitution of the country.

See # 7 Page 7

No regrets over Lal Masjid: Musharraf DALLAS Texas: Former president General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf has said that those killed in Islamabad Lal Masjid were terrorists and not a single women was killed, adding that out of 150, 94 terrorists including two foreign terrorists were killed in July 2007 encounter.

The former president was addressing a public meeting of all Pakistan Muslim League, Dallas on Saturday.

The former general dwelt at length on Pakistan's political situa-

tion, Dr Qadeer and on Taliban issue.

General Musharraf clarified that he never apologised on the Lal Masjid episode as according to him, Lal Masjid was the den of the terrorists and as a head of state it was his duty to restore the writ of the State.

He said that the government tried its best to settle the Masjid issue peacefully. "We also invited the Imam of Kaba for mediation, but all in vain", he said. Since, we never wanted to make See # 8 Page 7

more than 150,000 US and NATO troops of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan are believed to be holed up in the tribal region, as are operatives at war with Pakistani security forces.

Under US pressure to crack down on militant hideouts, Pakistan last year sent 30,000 troops into South Waziristan to See # 6 Page 7

Pak rejects India concerns ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan takes a serious exception to the reported statement of the Indian Army Chief about his threat perception from Pakistan, war under a nuclear scenario and uncalled for and gratuitous comments on the internal affairs of Pakistan.

The repetitive mentioning by Indian High Command about war under the nuclear scenario is not only irresponsible but also jingoistic and unwise, says a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here Saturday.

Such statements and grandstanding by India are evidently unhelpful to the cause of promoting peace, security and stability in South Asia.

Pakistan remains committed to a purposeful and result-oriented dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.-NNI

NWA missile attacks kill 9 MIR ALI: US unmanned aircraft launched two missile strikes in a tribal region along the Afghan border, killing nine people, Pakistani intelligence officials said.

The missile attacks targeted two villages near Mir Ali in North Waziristan, intelligence officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk with the press.

The officials said three were killed on Friday during the first missile strike, which hit a vehicle in Machi Khel. The dead have not yet been identified.

The second missile strike occurred several hours later, killing six suspected militants at a house in Aziz Khel.

Meanwhile, 2 terrorists were killed while one was arrested See # 4 Page 7

ECC rejects 2mn T wheat export proposal

Cabinet body stays wheat export ban Rs2450/acre to be given to affected farmers ISLAMABAD: In wake of flood situation, Cabinet's Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has rejected proposal of exporting 20 million tonnes additional wheat and decided to stay ban on wheat export.

While giving the briefing regarding decisions taken by Economic Coordination Committee here on Saturday, Salman Siddique federal secretary finance said that Economic Coordination Committee has rejected proposal regarding export of wheat as flood has put ruinous impact on country's economy while a committee has been formed regarding increase in support price of wheat.

The government would provide Rs2450 per acre land to small farmers in flood-hit areas.

He said that State Bank would grant loan to small farmers in flood-affected areas over 8 per cent interest rate.

He said that draft of reformedGST system would be dispatch to Parliament on 22 October and after approval from provincial and national assemblies the draft would be implemented.

He further told that the farmers who owned 12 to 25 acre land and have affected by flood would be provided 50 per cent relief while in case of non-payment of loans DFD a British development department would provide 30 per cent relief.

Secretary finance further told that investment of $173 million has been approved for installation of cool cement plant in See # 1 Page 7

PS-94 Orangi 21 stations declared sensitive

By-polls today amid tension ANP boycotts; Rangers warn of attacks Staff Reporter/ Agencies KARACHI: The polling for byelections of PS-94 Orangi Town area of Karachi would be held today amid fear of violence and attacks while Rangers said it has finalised all security arrangements for holding the by-polls.

According to the details, all See # 3 Page 7

8 more lost lives in target killing KARACHI: Target killing incidents were continued in Karachi with intervals. Fresh incidents have claimed eight more lives Saturday.

Media reports quoting rescue See # 2 Page 7

2 Emirates facilitates travel agents KARACHI: Emirates Airline, in association with the American Express Group, held an event to facilitate corporate travel bookers, the event was initiated by the Emirates Sales team and targeted towards educating corporate clientele, responsible for making corporate travel bookings, about the role of travel agents as well as Emirates Airlines newest offerings.

Through this event, Emirates intended to acknowledge their corporate clientele from both local and multi-national organisations and create greater awareness through one-on-one interaction regarding the function of Emirates as their valued airline partner.

Led by Sales Manager South Pakistan, Khalid Yousuf Khan, the program featured various speakers such as Noman Siddiqui, the Corporate Sales Manager in Pakistan; Christopher Trinidad, Tour Executive of Emirates Holidays; and Delilah Robinson, Senior Customer Sales Agent for Skywards (earning rewards as you fly) who all addressed the audience.-PR

SUNDAY Time Programmes 8:00 Pakistan This Week (Rpt) 8:30 Filmi Samaa (Rpt) 9:00 Awam Ki Awaz (Rpt) 10:00 Smithsonian Documentry 11:00 Tijarti Dunya (Rpt) 11:30 Dilkash Pakistan (Rpt) 12:00 Kamyab (Rpt) 13:00 Agenda 360 (Rpt) 14:00 Amnay Samnay (Rpt) 14:30 Music Scene (Rpt) 15:00 Awam Ki Awaz (Rpt) 16:00 Pakistan This Week (Rpt) 16:30 Tijarti Dunya (Rpt) 17:00 Kamyab (Rpt) 18:00 Dilkash Pakistan (Rpt) 18:30 Filmi Samaa (Rpt) 19:00 Chai Time (Rpt) 20:00 Badalta Pakistan 21:00 Amnay Samnay-2 21:30 Red Carpet 22:00 Uff TV 22:30 Sara Jahan 23:00 Agenda 360 12:00 Awam Ki Awaz (Rpt)

TV PROGRAMMES SUNDAY Time Programmes

7:00 8:00 9:05 10:05 12:00 13:10 14:10 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:05 19:30 20:05 21:00 22:03 23:05

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

Sunday, October 17, 2010

No reason to postpone elections: Sharmila

Finally, Mirza lifts pillion riding ban Karachiites take a sigh of relief Tauseef Razi Mallick KARACHI: Two-year long ban on pillion riding was finally called off by Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulifqar Mirza while addressing a press conference in Hyderabad.

The very decision generated a sense of joy and happiness among the citizens of Karachi, who were facing great hardships due to the ban on pillion ridding for the past two years.

The minister was addressing a press conference at Circuit House Hyderabad after a meeting of PPP activists. While discussing the recent law and order situation in Karachi during by-elections being held today, He said that the Police and the Rangers are fully capable of supervising the by-election in Karachi.

Home minister told media persons that 34 terrorists involved in targeted killing and more than 200 suicide attacks plan-

ners were arrested in 2010.

He pointed out that more than one million foreigners were living in Karachi. The PPP leader was of the view that MQM was the senior most ally and curbing violence was the responsibility of all. The Election Commission's request for Army deployment during polling has been sent to the Army Headquarters and if EC wanted the Army to supervise polling it should review the situation and request for it.

BY-ELECTIONS TODAY Meanwhile Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh on Information Sharmila Farooqi on Saturday said that there was no solid reason to postpone by-poll at PS-94 Orangi Town area Karachi, which is being held on Sunday.

In a brief telephonic interview with a private TV channel, she clarified that by-election will be held on its scheduled time.

FPSC Chairman speaks at Education seminar

Youth education stated as capital for economy R AWA L P I N D I : Emphasising the need of education, Chairman, Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), Justice (Retd), Rana Bhagwandas said on Saturday that the country could be made economically sound and prosperous by providing education to the youth across the country.

Speaking as chief guest at a seminar "Education Voucher Scheme" held under the aegis of Punjab Education Foundation (PEF)at Rawalpindi Arts Council Auditorium here, he said no nation can progress without education.

He said everyone including judges, lawyers, teachers, students, doctors, engineers should

exercise their duties honestly in their capacity for the nation building.

Giving Islamic references, he said that Islam also stresses the need of education saying that Holy Quran teaches and highlights the importance of education in the broader contest.

He said that Islam is a religion of peace, brotherhood and tranquility and also stresses men and women get knowledge during their entire life.

Rana Bhagwandas opined that extremism, terrorism and chaos cannot not be wiped out from the society unless we educate the people.

The FPSC Chairman observed that the teachers are not being given the

protocol which he deserves adding that teachers' respect should be the prime objective for the promotion of education.

"A better society can be flourished if we give special honour to the teachers" he added.

He lauded the services of national poet Allama Iqbal for promoting education and added that he always respects his teachers in the core of heart.

The FPSC Chairman said that "Education Voucher Scheme" for poor and destitute segments of the society will bring a positive revolution in the society and nation building.

Chairman PEF Raja Anwar and other notables also addressed seminar.-APP

KARACHI: Police Officials come out of vehicles as a large police contigent is deploed in Orangi Town on the Eve of by-election Karachi on Saturday. Everyone is set for a by-election on Sindh’s Assembly seat (PS-94) in Orangi Town amid fears of terror attacks. -PPI

Sabzwari deprived of govt car KARACHI: Two armed robbers snatched a car having government number plate outside the house of Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs in Gulshan police limits on Saturday morning.

Police said that two unidentified men snatched the car at gunpoint from the driver when he was parking it outside the house of Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs Faisal Sabzwari, located at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Block 13-D-2.

The snatched black Toyota Corolla car registration No GS-6886 was in possession of Sindh Youth Affairs Department, they added.

The police said that the driver went to the minister's home to get some official documents signed.

The police have registered an FIR and initiated further probe into the case.-PPI

Marri grieves media-man’s death KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Tourism Shazia Marri has expressed sorrow and grief over the demise of a cameraman of a TV channel S M Wahid.

In a condolence message, she extended condolence to the bereaved family members.-PPIa

Int’l auditors to visit Pak KARACHI: The City School Students presenting bouquet to the Chief Guest Dr Shahana Uroj. Amrana Ahmed (Regional Director), Rafiah Mudassir (Manager Training), Rehana Afzal (Director Inspection) also seen on the occasion..-Staff Photo

Faysal Bank acquires RBS Pakistan KARACHI, OCT 16(PPI): Faysal Bank Limited has announced takeover of the controlling interest in the Pakistan operations of Royal Bank of Scotland Limited (RBS Pakistan), from the RBS Groups for Euro 41 million, thereby achieving a significant milestone in its growth strategy.

Faysal Bank's commitment to Pakistan is reflected in the vision of its principle shareholder, Ithmaar Bank and its chairman Prince Amr Mohammed Al Faisal Al Saud. The acquisition will expand Faysal's Bank's footprint to over 200 branches, which combined business assets of over PKR 260 billion, fur-

ther strengthening its balance sheet and placing it amongst the top ten banks in Pakistan.

In a statement to the media, Naved A Khan, President & CEO Faysal Bank Limited said: "The acquisition is a significant milestone in Faysal Bank's strategy to expand its presence and commitment to Pakistan, whilst offering a wider range of products across all business segments, with continued focus on improving customer experience. This expansion will result in positioning the bank as one of the key players in the financial sector, which is undergoing consolidation. The bank remains

committed to all its stakeholders, customer and employees, while continuing to fulfill its corporate responsibilities."

Syed Naseem Ahmed, Chairman Faysal Bank Limited said: "This acquisition will significantly complement our ambitious growth plans. We will ensure that we optimize on the opportunities arising from this acquisition through providing the necessary support, investment and resources to the management of the bank."

The merger of RBS Pakistan into Faysal Bank Limited is expected to be completed by January 2011 subject to all regulatory approvals.-PPI

KARACHI: Chairman International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) Prof Arnold Schilder and Executive Director, Professional Standards, International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) James M Sylph will be visiting Pakistan, said a statement issued here on Saturday.

The three day visit starting from the 19th October will include meetings with the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP), government dignitaries such as Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Auditor General of Pakistan, Chairman FBR, Chairman SECP and senior members of ICAP to discuss developments and challenges of the accounting and auditing profession in Pakistan. The delegate will also conduct two seminars in Lahore and Karachi on Corporate Governance and IAASB perspective on standard setting.-PR

KCCI urges brain drain reversal KARACHI: Talat Mahmood, Acting President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry has called for medical reforms in Pakistan so that there could be a reverse brain drain.

"Unfortunately most of the doctors move abroad for better prospects and never return back to serve in homeland. We need to improve facilities for our professionals and provide conducive environment for their growth and sustenance. Reforms in the facilities are required to reverse the brain drain process. Moreover, the recent bloodshed of medical doctors is a painful dilemma and need immediate attention from authorities," Talat added.

Talat Mahmood was talking to medical students of DMC, running Patients Welfare Association (PWA), the only NGO managed by students. He encouraged the medical students running PWA that at a young age the students

have shouldered the responsibility of serving with a cause and this motto to serve is highly needed in today's fiasco filled society.

He appreciated students for their efforts of opening up a drug bank (medical store), follow-up clinics for Epilepsy, SLE, Diabetes, Asthma, H y p e r t e n s i o n , Tuberculosis and Thalassemia under PWA banner and providing long term treatment to over 200 patients under the supervision of skilled doctors, completely free of charge at Civil Hospital. This is not all, a modern and wellequipped Blood Bank and Diagnostic Laboratory is also operational, offering more than 250 tests, conducted on daily basis.

Talat urged the business and industrial community to come forward and encourage these young passionate doctors in championing their cause of supporting needy ones in finding cure.-PPI

LCCI officials meet GM NHA

Hub bypass to be completed soon KARACHI: The Hub bypass in Lasbela district of Balochistan will be constructed and made operational soon on the directive of President Asif Ali Zardari.

This was stated by Syed Shabbir Ali Shah, General Manager (Sindh), National Highway Authority (NHA), Karachi while talking to a delegation of Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) here Saturday.

The delegation of LCCI was led by chamber's vice president Ismail Suttar and former president Maqsood Ismail. Shabbir Ali said that President Asif Ali Zardari was given a briefing about the project during his last visit to Karachi

adding the PC-I of the project has been forwarded to concerned authorities for approval and work on this project will start very soon. On the occasion, Tufail Ahmed Shaikh G.M. (Construction) Aided Project, Hub Bypass Project also gave the details regarding the route, cost etc.

Syed Shabbir Ali Shah also informed that Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, Speaker of Provincial Assembly of Balochistan has taken keen interest for the completion of the project. He advised Chamber's delegation to pursue the project from the Chamber's platform as well to expedite the same.-APP

NADRA retains ISO certification KARACHI: National Database & Registration Authority NADRA successfully retained ISO 9001: 2008 Certification in surveillance audit conducted by internationally accredited Direct Assessment Services (DAS), said a statement issued here.

Auditors appreciated NADRA's system processes, commented positively on continual improvement and expansion of quality initiatives.

Deputy Chairman NADRA, Tariq Malik said "we are in process of promoting highest quality management standards coupled with efficient process to enable

fast paced registrations of Pakistani citizens. We will consistently monitor our technology, processes for improvement so that NADRA rises above most famous ID Solutions Providers in world market.

We are leading best practices for optimally managing quality standards".

NADRA already achieved CMMI Maturity Level II certification by Carnegie Mellon USA and working towards achieving level III by mid 2011.

It also has pride to benefit from ISMS (ISO 27001) and ISO 9001:2008 certifications for other directorates. -PPI

Jazz cricket tourney kicks off KARACHI: Nation-wide cricket tournament initiated

by Mobilink, titled "Jazz Cricket Hungama", kicked off in Jhang and Sahiwal inviting young cricketers between the ages of 15 to 25 years to compete for the title of cricket champions in their respective city while also winning attractive prizes including cash, scratch cards and CD players.

Mobilink Jazz will be holding the tournament in 15 cities. According to the format, 16 teams from each participating city will be registered through Mobilink's local franchises and the tournament will proceed on a knock out basis. The tournament comprises of day and night matches to enable maximum participation from the players and spectators.

The participating cities include Sheikhupura, Jhang, Sargodha, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Rahimyar Khan, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot, Burewala, Sahiwal, Abbotabad, Jhelum, Hyderabad and Sukkur.

Mobilink Jazz aims to provide a healthy avenue of recreation for the youth through this tournament.

As the official cellular partner of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Mobilink has a long standing association with cricket. The company has successfully organised nationwide cricket campaigns including the "Mobilink Hunt for Heroes" drive that attracted thousands of talented youngsters.-PR

STA tennis tourney from 22nd Staff Reporter KARACHI: Sindh Tennis Association (STA) is organizing 10th STA Development Series Tennis Championship from 22nd October here at City Sports Complex.

Events in the tournament are men's singles, ladies singles, juniors U17 singles, boys and girls U15 singles, boys and girls U13 singles, boys and girls U11 singles, boys and girls U9 singles, men's doubles, boys and girls U15 doubles.

STA will give a daily allowance of Rs200 to all out station players.

Coaches and ball boys are exempted from entry fee.

Last date of entry is 20th October.

All out station players should send their entries through their respective district and provincial tennis associations to Secretary STA M Khalid Rehmani.

The tournament is scheduled to conclude on 28th October.-PPI

Analysis & Feature

Sunday, October 17, 2010

3

CHILE’S PINERA BASKS IN GLOW OF RESCUE

l President boosted by miners' rescue, but for how long? l Pinera says Chile more respected than before saga l 2011 budget to be Pinera's next test in Congress l Leaders who respond poorly can get hammered in polls

C

hile and its billionaire President Sebastian Pinera have both burnished their images with the flawlessly executed rescue of 33 miners trapped deep underground for more than two months.

Already respected by investors looking for opportunities in largely left-leaning South America, Chile's reputation for efficiency was enhanced by the technically complicated rescue operation on Wednesday.

Pinera, 60, a credit card and airline magnate who took office in March for a fouryear term as Chile's first conservative president in two decades, is basking in the glow of success.

"Chile is not the same country that it was 69 days ago," he said, beaming, after greeting and hugging each of the miners lifted to safety in a metal capsule through a long shaft. "We are more respected."

The final rescue, which took less than 24 hours after weeks spent digging an escape shaft hundreds of yards (meters) down to the miners, was viewed by hundreds of millions of people around the world and sparked celebrations throughout Chile.

Pinera's approval rating surged to a new high in August for his efforts to rescue the men when they were first located alive 17 days after the mine caved in.

His handling of the crisis helped him push through a

bill to raise royalties paid by mining companies in the world's top copper producer.

The increased royalties are to help fund reconstruction after a devastating February earthquake.

The lower house of Congress approved the royalty bill on Wednesday, as the rescue was underway, in a major political victory for Pinera.

Any boost to Pinera's approval ratings may be short lived, said Carolina Segovia, a pollster at Santiago-based think-tank Centro de Estudios Publicos.

"Rally-around-the-flag issues like this one usually have a short shelf life," she said. "Long-running issues such as the economy and crime will dictate his popularity, and by extension his clout in Congress, over the long term."

Pinera's next test in the legislature will be passage of his 2011 budget proposal.

Lawmakers will debate the proposal this month.

"The rescue should have a very positive effect on Pinera. It showed an incredible amount of seriousness in terms of patience, planning and resources, which underscores Chile as a member of the developed world," said Walter Molano, head of research at BCP Securities in Greenwich, Connecticut.

"I do not know that it will have an immediate impact on investment, but it will have a lasting impact on the way that the world perceives Chile," Molano added.

Leaders who fumble crises like these often pay a high political price. Then U.S. President George W. Bush was accused of a sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina, which pushed his approval rating down by more than 10 points after the disaster.

U.S. President Barack Obama's ratings sank by seven points for what some saw as his failure to act decisively after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. And in Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari's decision to continue with a planned trip to Europe in spite of the monsoons that left millions of people homeless prompted vicious criticism at home.

Pinera's response to the miners has done the opposite.

SAFETY SHOCK The mine's collapse on Aug. 5 shocked Chile and unveiled the underbelly of its mining industry, which had made significant improvements in safety standards.

Pinera fired the government's chief mining regulator, moved to strengthen safety laws and increased regulation of Chile's coal mines in the south to the Atacama desert in the north, where the ill-fated San Jose gold and copper mine is located.

Serious mining accidents are rare in Chile, but the government said the San Jose mine had suffered a series of accidents and that 16 workers were killed in recent years.

Pinera ordered a "vast restructuring" of the state mining agency and was quick

to seek out world class experts to get involved in the rescue operation, consulting U.S. space agency NASA and drawing on the expertise of miners, geologists and drillers at Chile's state copper giant Codelco and beyond.

The result was an engineering feat that hypnotized the world as engineers located

the miners with a drill hole about as wide as a grapefruit, enabling them to send down food and water to keep them alive. Then came the next challenge: widening the duct to send down a capsule just big enough to hoist out one man at a time. The rescue prompted praise from many foreign leaders from Obama

to Venezuela's firebrand leftist President Hugo Chavez, who called to congratulate Pinera. Alberto Ramos, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, said the saga would have little impact in terms of pulling in new investment but added that Chile was already an attractive market and the competence with which it

handled the rescue underlines how well organized and efficient the country is. It also allowed Pinera to demonstrate he is not just an effective businessman and politician, Ramos said. "This has certainly helped President Pinera's popularity as it was the opportunity to show his human, caring side." -Reuters

In US election, Afghan war not on voters' mind N

ine years into one of the longest wars in U.S. history, conflictweary Americans are on the verge of electing a new Congress with barely a whisper of debate about the ongoing struggle in Afghanistan.

While a few candidates like former Army Green Beret Tommy Sowers and ex-combat pilot Adam Kinzinger address the conflict in their campaigns for the Nov. 2 midterm elections, surveys show very few voters see the Afghanistan war as a concern.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week found that Americans rated Afghanistan bottom of a list of seven issues that Congress should deal with in 2011.

"There should at least be a debate going on. It's time to get out of those countries,"

David Kramer, a retired steel mill worker, said recently while shopping at a mall in Lorain, Ohio.

"Every week we're burying another soldier," he added.

"We can't be the world's policemen, we have to end it."

President Barack Obama opposed the Iraq war as a candidate in 2008 but he has boosted U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan to 95,000. His course in Afghanistan sits easier with Republicans than it does with the more liberal wing of his own Democrats.

"You can really understand why neither party is talking a lot about it," said Karlyn Bowman, a public opinion analyst at the American Enterprise Institute think tank.

"For the president, it's a negative with his own party, which is why you don't hear

him talking about it," she said.

But Republicans "are not displeased with Obama" on the war.

The lack of voter concern about the war ahead of these elections is far different from four years ago, when thenPresident George W. Bush's Republicans lost control of Congress in large part from discontent over the Iraq war.

If Obama's Democrats lose control of one or both houses of Congress on Nov. 2 -- a real possibility -- the reason is more likely to be voter anger over the economy, high unemployment and the massive government bailout of Wall Street.

Progress in Afghanistan has been slow for U.S. forces.

After being driven from power when the war began in October 2001, the Taliban

regrouped and reasserted itself while the Bush administration focused on Iraq.

Obama's decision to boost troop levels this year has halted Taliban momentum after a tough summer of combat, U.S. officials say. But the war will not be won on the battlefield and a political reconciliation -still in its infancy -- is the only way out, they add.

The war entered its 10th year on Oct. 7, becoming by some counts the longest in U.S. history. Formal U.S. involvement in Vietnam, a far bloodier conflict, lasted 8 1/2 years. But experts point out U.S. involvement actually was much longer, and some Indian wars in the United States lasted longer than 10 years.

Few candidates have made Afghanistan a recurring theme in their campaigns. Sowers, a

Missouri Democrat and former Green Beret trying to unseat a longtime Republican incumbent, sells camouflage ball caps to raise money and speaks about the war.

ONLY GREEN BERET IN CONGRESS "I'd be the only Green Beret in Congress," he said in a debate on Monday. "I'd use that stature to end these wars, bring our troops home and invest here in rural America."

Kinzinger, an Illinois Republican trying to unseat a Democratic incumbent, weaves his personal story into campaign appearances -- how he joined the Air Force after Sept. 11 and has flown missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But many candidates are not pushing the war issue. As of Thursday, Ike Skelton, the Missouri Democrat who heads

the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, hadn't updated the Afghanistan page on his campaign website for months. It still referred to General Stanley McChrystal, ousted in June, as if he led U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Ken Ammann, a local Democratic official in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, said the war had not been discussed on the campaign trail because Republicans generally back Obama's approach, even while opposing his July 2011 date for beginning to pull troops out of the country.

"People should be talking about it," Ammann said while attending a local pumpkin festival parade.

"We have people dying over there when we should not even be there."

Defense Secretary Robert

Gates, in a recent speech at Duke University in North Carolina, put his finger on one reason the war is not provoking debate -- few people are affected.

"No major war in our history has been fought with a smaller percentage of this country's citizens in uniform full-time," Gates said. There are 2.4 million people, less than 1 percent of the population, serving in the military and reserves.

"For most Americans the wars remain an abstraction, a distant and unpleasant series of news items that do not affect them personally," he said.

Michael O'Hanlon, a national security analyst at the Brookings Institution think tank, said the fact the war is not an election issue is "actually healthy." -Reuters

Retaliation in reserve as China faces yuan tensions E

xpect harsh words but no concrete retaliation from Beijing if the United States labels China a currency manipulator in a report due later on Friday.

China is focused on trying to defuse tensions with the United States by yielding some ground in a mini-burst of yuan appreciation and hopes that these efforts will still pay off, even if Washington brands it a manipulator.

But should the United States ratchet up the pressure yet further by passing into law a bill that could penalise China, Beijing will not be so docile, Chinese analysts say.

"China is telling the United States that it is willing to help

to resolve the problems.

Things have not gotten out of hand yet and both sides still have some room to manoeuvre," said Zhao Xijun, an economist at Renmin University in Beijing.

President Barack Obama's administration faces a deadline on Friday to decide whether to formally label China as a currency manipulator.

A desire to look tough on "unfair" trade practices ahead of U.S. congressional elections on Nov. 2, in which Obama's fellow Democrats are battling to retain control of Congress, could tempt the administration to cite China for the first time in 16 years.

The Chinese commerce ministry made its feelings clear on Friday, warning the United States not to make a scapegoat of the yuan. Rhetoric aside, though, Beijing knows that the currency manipulator designation carries no specific consequences, apart from forcing Obama to seek consultations with China.

PREPARING FOR THE WORST A different calculus would apply if the Senate approved a bill already passed by the House of Representatives that would allow the United States to slap duties on countries with undervalued currencies.

"It will be a very serious issue if the U.S. legislation is

approved by the Senate and signed by the president," said Li Wei, a researcher under the commerce ministry.

For starters, China would challenge the U.S. law at the World Trade Organisation -- a case that some trade experts think China would be able to win.

Analysts say Beijing is also bracing for the law by considering possible retaliation, from imposing curbs on U.S. businesses in China to the socalled nuclear option of dumping its holdings of U.S. Treasuries.

But Beijing is not going to jump the gun. It is first taking what it sees as pre-emptive steps to keep U.S. anger from

boiling over -- and to keep the legislation from becoming law.

"If China doesn't let the yuan appreciate a little bit, foreign criticism will be stronger.

China wants to avoid a trade war with the United States," said Guo Tianyong, an economist at the Central University of Finance Economics in Beijing.

To that end, Beijing has allowed the yuan to gain 2.6 percent since it scrapped a 23month dollar-peg on June 19, quickening the appreciation in recent weeks as pressure mounted.

ON THEIR OWN TERMS Ever sensitive to appearing weak domestically, Chinese

leaders have insisted that the yuan's rise is not a response to U.S. pressure but part of a broader reform agenda to spur domestic consumption.

They have also said that currency reforms will be done on China's own gradual terms.

Central bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan told International Monetary Fund meetings in Washington that demands on China to let the yuan rise rapidly are akin to seeking a magic cure to a problem that requires a slow-working, herbal remedy.

Foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu tried to inject some levity into the dispute on Thursday: "If appreciation of a currency could solve all of the

world's economic problems, then what use would economists be?"

But it will be no laughing matter if the United States follows up the currency manipulator report with real punitive measures. Although retaliation

by China would likely hurt its own interests, rising nationalistic sentiment on the currency issue might force the government to take a tough stance, analysts say.

"China wants to use diplomacy before a confrontation. It will have no choice but to engage in a trade war if all courteous means fail," Guo, of the Central University of Finance Economics, said. Reuters

4 Sunday, October 17, 2010

The Financial Daily International Vol 4, Issue 72

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

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Stop looking at India for cotton supply Spinners in Pakistan have gone jittery because much talked about import from India seems in doldrums. Asking prices of cotton in the local markets are hovering at record level of around Rs7,650 per maund. There is a growing consensus that Pakistan may not succeed in getting any substantial quantity of cotton from India. Therefore, some strategy has to be developed to maintain Pakistan's share in the global textile market.

Spinners must recall that for the last couple of years manufacturers of value-added products have been demanding complete ban on export of raw cotton, yarn and unprocessed but they have been terming it discriminatory. Do they have the slightest idea what kind of adversities Pakistan can face if it can't get required cotton to keep the mills running. Cotton short fall estimates range from two million bales to four million bales. This brings the discussions back to square one necessitating complete bank on export of raw cotton, yarn and unprocessed cloth.

Various groups have conflicting views regarding cotton exports. Farmers' insistence on no restriction of cotton export is driven by the lust to get maximum price for their produce. However, spinners seem to be the biggest beneficiaries because of enjoys huge limits for purchase of cotton, which they export conveniently. On top of this spinners also benefit from unchecked export of yarn.

Some of the textile tycoons have integrated production facilities, starting from spinning to manufacturing of value added products. They seem reasonably immune to movement of cotton and yarn prices in the country. As against this small and medium manufacturers and exporters of made up are the worst hit because they do not enjoy huge credit limits and have to buy yarn, get it processed on daily basis. That is the reason spinners oppose any quantitative restrictions on export of raw cotton and yarn. However, as and when they fall prey to their own misguided strategies they start demanding maintaining buffer stock of cotton by the government and also some rescue package to save the backbone of Pakistan's economy.

Let this point be very clear to all the stakeholders that in the aftermath of floods Pakistan is likely to face cotton shortage and the most prudent option is to restrict export of textiles and clothing products of lowest value addition i.e. raw cotton, yarn up to 30 counts and unprocessed cloth. Ideally speaking due to exceptional conditions exceptional measures have to be taken, complete ban on the export of lowest value added products.

This can help in bringing down prices of cotton, yarn and unprocessed cloth to modes level in the domestic market. Since Pakistan is likely to get greater market access in the European Union, each gram of cotton must be saved to achieve the highest value-addition. It will be good if Pakistan could get the committed quantity of cotton from India.

However, the most prudent option is to try to live without any support from India. Pakistan should try to maximise cotton yield and discourage export of intermediate products to those countries, which ultimately become its competitor.

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.

Rice production and export Kamal Kazmi

R

ice is Pakistan's second food crop after wheat and contributes around 1.6 per cent to the country's GDP. Rice accounts for 6.4 per cent of valueadded in agriculture. Pakistan grows high quality rice to meet the domestic demand caters to the needs of global buyers. Rice is grown over 10 per cent of the total area under cultivation in the country. Different varieties of rice are grown that include Super Basmati, Basmati PK-385, Irri-6, Irri-9 and KS-282 etc. Two varieties of rice dominate the market Basmati and Irri mostly grown in Punjab and Sindh. Basmati accounts for two per cent of exports and is superior to Irri.

Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) has been successful in enhancing rice exports from Pakistan by developing rice milling machinery locally and importing latest technology and equipment from Japan, England, Europe, USA, and Asia to minimise losses and enhance value addition.

During April 2010 rice exports fetched Rs15,882.54 million as against Rs21,619.74 million in March 2010 and Rs12,731.23 million in April 2009 showing a decrease of 26.54 per cent over March 2010 and up by 24.75 per cent over April 2009. During JulyApril 2010, its exports amounted to Rs151,841.95 million as against the exports of Rs130,387.57 million during the corresponding period of last year showing an increase of

16.45 per cent. UAE was the leading buyer of rice during July-April 2010 with its share of 12.42 per cent in the total exports of this item. Other major buyers were Iran (7.14 per cent), Kenya (5.88 per cent), Afghanistan (5.54 per cent), Saudi Arabia (5.46 per cent), Philippines (4.55 per cent) and Sri Lanka (3.70 per cent). These seven countries accounted for 44.67 per cent of total exports of rice during this period.

Unit price of Basmati for April 2010 was Rs70,127.87 per tonne as

14.69 per cent compared to average unit price of Rs41,970.78 per tonne for the same period of last year.

Rice is the second crop affected by the floods. The damage to the rice crop is estimated at about Rs56.3 billion and it is expected that the rice production would decline by 29 per cent to 4.352 million tonnes as against the target of 6.176 million tonnes. The floods have mainly affected Irri-6 paddy growing areas.

Rice paddy was sown on 2.64 million hectares and damaged area is

“

Rice is the second crop affected by the floods. The damage to the rice crop is estimated at about Rs56.3 billion and it is expected that the rice production would decline by 29 per cent to 4.352 million tonnes as against the target of 6.176 million tonnes.

against Rs69,275.67 in April 2009 showing a rise of 1.23 per cent.

Average unit price of this variety for July-April 2010 was Rs70,109.78 per tonne as against Rs91,020.04 for the same period last year showing a fall of 22.97 per cent. Unit price of rice "other varieties" increased to Rs34,374.87 per tonne in April 2010 from Rs31,283.96 in April 2009 showing a rise of 9.88 per cent. The average unit price of rice "other varieties" for July-April 2010 of Rs35,803.08 per tonne was lower by

0.708 million hectares or 1.7 million acres.

Rice exporters estimate that production of non-basmati rice will fall short by 15 to 20 per cent from the earlier estimate. Low-income groups mostly use Irri-6, Irri-9 and other inferior varieties. Rice occupies 2.6 million hectares that is 10.9 per cent of the total cultivated area with production of 5.1 million tonnes of milled rice.

According to the World Bank, flood damaged crops worth one bil-

lion dollar. However, this figure will surely increase and final estimates of the losses to essential cash crops like rice, cotton, tobacco and sugarcane might exceed to three billion dollar.

The US Department of Agriculture report indicated that rice production in Pakistan would be about 4.4 million tonnes for 2010-11 and the rice export is estimated at 2.3 million tonnes.

It was expected that non-basmati rice production would be about 4.5 million tonnes in the current year but due to floods in various parts of Sindh, where much of this kind of rice is grown, the expected loss is 800,000 tonnes.

Basmati rice is grown in Punjab and most of the areas have not been affected significantly by the floods.

Because of supply constraints, the price of basmati rice has increased

by Rs10 to Rs70 per kg in wholesale markets while rates of non-basmati rice have risen by Rs5 per kg. The price hike was due to the Indian government's ban on export of non-basmati rice, while the prices have increased as intermediary is holding back stocks.

Despite a shortfall of about 1.5 million tonnes in rice production due to devastating floods, Pakistan will be able to export rice worth $2 billion during FY11. Moreover, Pakistan has about 0.8 million tons of milled rice worth $800 millions as a carryover of the previous crop. The demand of Pakistan's superior quality Basmati rice is high in the international market and prices hover around UU$1100 per tonne.

South Korea investing heavily in Saudi Arabia

E

conomic cooperation between South Korea and Saudi Arabia in trade and investment continue to expand.

Korean investment in Saudi Arabia has reached $1.4 billion in the first half of 2010 it was stated by South Korean Consul General Han Dal-jun recently. The bilateral business ties are close and strong, with 119 of Korean companies involved in ventures across the Kingdom, said the Counsel General while speaking at his country's National Day reception.

Korean companies are engaged in the execution of technology-intensive and value-added projects including petrochemical plants, desalination, power generation and IT. Saudi Arabia remains Korea's largest oil supplier, making up one-third of its total oil imports. Korea imported 265 million barrels of oil from the Kingdom in 2009.

Korea is the third largest trading

partner of Saudi Arabia, while the Kingdom ranks as the fourth largest trading partner of Korea, with bilateral trade totaling $39 billion in 2008. Korean construction and engineering companies have been successfully participating in the

the G20 summit scheduled in Seoul on November 11-12 will be very important for both the partners. In fact, the Kingdom is a key strategic partner both globally and bilaterally in coordinating policies toward improving Korean economy.

Korea is the third largest trading partner of Saudi Arabia, while the Kingdom ranks as the fourth largest trading partner of Korea, with bilateral trade totaling $39 billion in 2008.

Kingdom's economic development and construction of major industrial and infrastructural projects since the 1970s.

The participation of Saudi Arabia as the Middle East's biggest economy and the only OPEC member in

The 20 member-countries of the group will discuss the state of the global economy and take steps to reduce market volatility and help in achieving sustainable growth.

Participants have already welcomed the Korean initiative of hosting the

summit, which is expected to find long-term solutions to pressing global economic issues.

In the field of education, both countries have taken a big leap forward.

Several hundred Saudi students have been studying in Korean universities under the King Abdullah Scholarship Program. A number of South Korean students are also studying at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and other universities across the Kingdom.

As part of the cultural exchange initiative, a Saudi youth delegation will tour Korea in November in response to the visit of a Korean youth delegation to the Kingdom in October. This annual youth exchange programme comes within the framework of a cultural protocol endorsed by the two countries in 1974, which has led Korea and the Kingdom to step up efforts to promote understanding, friendship and cultural relations.

Indian following aggressive E&P plan Muhammad Irtiza India aims at achieving 10 per cent GDP growth rate. The country is highly deficient in energy but aims to overcome it by offering appropriate incentives.

Indian government expects to attract US$14 billion investment in its ninth licencing round for 34 exploration blocks. Oil and gas blocks are

being offered under the New Exploration and Licensing Policy.

The first roads show will be held in Mumbai on October 18. There are eight deepwater blocks, seven shallow water and 19 onshore blocks.

The Policy was initially launched in 1999 to offer better terms for contractors to attract investment in the domestic oil and gas sector. Since then, 235 blocks have been awarded

till date. This has resulted in enhancement of exploration coverage from 11 per cent to about 58 per cent of the country's sedimentary basin during last ten years.

The discoveries made under the Policy have led to hydrocarbon reserve accretion of a staggering 642 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas. A total of 87 discoveries have been made in 26 blocks under

NELP during this period.

Out of 81 oil and gas discoveries, natural gas production in by Reliance Industries in Krishna-Godavari block commenced in April 2009.

The eighth round, which closed on October 12, 2009 attracted investments in 36 blocks. Under NELPVIII, another 70 areas or blocks for exploration were offered -the biggest licensing round in the country to date.

Clever Plans

T

he despicable act of smuggling rare and endangered species of birds to unknown territories for petty gains shows clearly degradation of our values and also how clever we have become to trade anything and everything including humans as well. Cruel is the manner in which these birds are dealt as they are displaced and dislocated from the climate and geography that the Lord assigned to them that is instrumental to end their flights of freedom. That they would adapt to foreign climes in due time, which they would do eventually, is pointless.

The point is that our clever plans make our own lives dull and colorless while deserted and barren become our trees, mountains and skies. The once populous Asian ring necked parakeet population was the sight for sore eyes and the source of immense joy for children, has almost ceased to exist in most areas in Pakistan. Whereas, they now enjoy a life of peace, health and seclusion in Europe where they are multiplying and adding sparkling color to the once dull horizon as their population has grown over fifty thousand in England alone.

Now falcons, hawks and other such birds that had once been symbol of strength, glory and grandeur are nowhere to be seen these days, thanks to our clever thinking.

Will there ever be an end to this partition of birds, animals and humans to foreign lands that are forced out to adorn and profit to leave us at a loss.

Lubna Umar-Islamabad

Let’s not give in

T

he confidence that Mike Mullen exhibits as he claims to have secured a firm promise from General Kiyani to finally launch the much sought after operation in NWA, indicates his triumph. Pressure tactics have, it seems, finally borne luscious and succulent fruit for the US, as no denial to this assertion has yet reached the Pakistani media. Are we to think that the Pakistani leadership has bowed down and succumbed to further the damage already done by the protracted war?

Had this been the original intention, then, the Pakistani leaders should have saved the ignominy of being subjected to an incessant thrust of accusations and allegations that followed the prior refusal.

Considering the present situation in which we find ourselves between the devil and the flooded sea, what has brought about the sudden change of heart? Are our leaders patriotic enough to have suddenly become concerned about the welfare of the nation from the high rising wave of threats emanating from Washington? Or is it something else that emanates from there?

Would this venture be the last that Pakistan undertakes or will it evolve into a cyclical process until it ceased to exist? With scavengers on either side, Pakistan has to be extremely cautious and weary of every demand that is expected of it as the US connection with TTP is no more a mysterious obscurity. It has to be accepted that any organization backed by the superpower cannot be wiped out by all the military operations in the world till its purpose is fully and completely served.

Let's hope that sanity prevails and Pakistan gain back its original strength to refuse and repudiate the boastful claim of the US admiral to assert our national stance instead of fulfilling that of the US keeping the national interest at a primary position.

Umar Yayat-Islamabad

5

Sunday, October 17, 2010

WHO seeks investment in tropical diseases treatment T

ropical diseases that affect mainly poor people cost billions of dollars in lost productivity annually and companies must be encouraged to make medicines to eliminate them, the World Health Organization said.

The United Nations agency, in its first report on neglected tropical diseases, urged governments and donors to invest more in tackling 17 diverse infections often shunned by researchers, which can cause blindness, heart damage and death.

It said the diseases often cost only pennies to treat. They include Chagas disease, which affects about 10 million people in Latin America, and dengue fever, another virus transmitted by infected mosquitoes which the WHO said was rapidly spreading worldwide and now poses a risk to developed countries.

"Neglected tropical diseases blight the lives of a billion people worldwide and threaten the health of millions more," WHO directorgeneral Margaret Chan said in the report, "Working to overcome the global impact of neglected tropical diseases."

Leading drug makers have already

provided high-quality medicines free of charge for hundreds of millions of poor people suffering from such diseases, mainly in remote areas of Latin America, Asia and Africa, according to the WHO.

told a one-day meeting of experts. "In fact, if we keep doing the right things better, and on a larger scale, some of these diseases could be eliminated by 2015, others by 2020."

"Research and development in diagnostics, medicines and vaccines play a crucial role in the way forward," Chan

Earlier on Thursday, GlaxoSmithKline announced it would donate up to an extra 400 million doses of its de-worm-

ing drug albendazole, at a cost of some 12 million pounds ($19 million) a year, to the WHO to treat African children at risk of intestinal worms.

FIVE-YEAR COMMITMENT Chris Viehbacher, chief executive officer of Sanofi-Aventis, said it was renewing a five-year commitment to donate $25 million in drugs and cash for WHO programs against sleeping sickness, Chagas, leishmaniasis and Buruli ulcer.

"It is not just a problem of access to medicines but you have to ensure that people are properly screened and that health professionals are educated in how to use ... sometimes toxic drugs," Viehbacher told the talks.

Sanofi also had a one billion euro program to develop a vaccine against dengue fever, he added.

Swiss drug maker Novartis this week announced new support to treat 1.1 million leprosy patients. The fiveyear deal to provide multidrug therapy is valued at $26 million.

The cost of treating a patient with lymphatic filariasis using ivermectin and albendazole, donated by Merck and GlaxoSmithKline respectively, ranges from just five to 10 U.S. cents, according to the report.-Reuters

Newer vaccine effective in flu A

flu vaccine made through a speedier production method appears to be as safe and effective as one produced in the traditional way, a study suggests.

The conventional flu vaccine is produced using chicken eggs to grow the virus, a slow process that makes it hard to quickly boost production in response to a pandemic, such as the swine flu outbreak of 2009.

The new study looked at the effectiveness of a newer flu vaccine that is produced using dog kidney cells, rather than eggs. It is already approved in Europe under the name of Opta flu.

Such cell-culture technology is seen as a somewhat faster and more flexible means of vaccine production, and some companies, as well as public health officials, are interested in increasing its use in producing the yearly flu vaccine.

Because different strains of the flu virus circulate each flu season, vaccine makers have to alter the composition of the shot each year. Experts try to predict which strains are likely to predominate in the upcoming season, and manufacturers produce that year's vaccine based on those recommendations.

Sometimes, as in the case of the 2009

swine flu pandemic, an unexpected strain is identified after the seasonal vaccine has been produced. A more efficient means of production could allow vaccine makers to better respond to such outbreaks.

The Optaflu vaccine was approved as a seasonal flu vaccine by the European Union in 2007, and in the U.S., Optaflu maker Novartis received nearly $500 million from the federal government to help build a North Carolina facility to produce the vaccine. Optaflu is not yet approved in the U.S., however.

For the new study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, researchers tested the vaccine's effectiveness among 11,400 healthy adults younger than 50 from the U.S., Finland and Poland.

Past studies of young to elderly adults had found that the Opta flu vaccine appeared safe and produced an antibody response comparable to that triggered by conventional flu vaccination. The current trial is the first to test the vaccine's actual efficacy against infection, lead researcher Dr. Sharon Frey, of Saint Louis University Medical School, told Reuters Health.

Frey and her colleagues randomly assigned the volunteers to receive the

Opta flu vaccine, a standard egg-based flu shot or a placebo shot during the 20072008 flu season. Both vaccines are made

by Novartis, which funded the study.

Over six months, 42 Opta flu recipients -- or 1.1 percent of the group -- reported flu-like symptoms and had a flu infection confirmed by objective testing. That figure was 1.3 percent in the conventionalvaccine group and 3.6 percent in the placebo group.

Overall, the cell-based vaccine was 84 percent effective against the three flu strains included in the shot, versus the placebo; the conventional vaccine was 78 percent effective.

When it came to all circulating flu strains for the season, both vaccines, predictably, were less effective: the cellbased shot was 69 percent effective, compared with the placebo, and the conventional vaccine 63 percent.

Side effects were similar in the two vaccine groups, according to the researchers.

The most common problem -- pain at the injection site -- was reported by 30 percent of Opta flu recipients, 24 percent of the egg-based vaccine group and 10 percent of the placebo group.

Between 7 percent and 15 percent of all vaccine recipients reported short-lived

headaches, fatigue or muscle soreness. he findings offer "further reassurance of the safety and efficacy" of cell-based flu vaccines, writes Dr. David Bernstein, in an editorial published with the study.

"It appears that (the vaccines) will be useful and should begin to make up part of the vaccine supply shortly," writes Bernstein, director of the division of infectious diseases at Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Frey said that a cell-based flu vaccine has advantages other than more efficient production. It is safe for people with egg allergies, she noted, and it does not contain the preservative thimerosal; while a proposed link between thimerosal in vaccines and autism risk has been discredited by many studies, public concerns remain.

In his editorial, Bernstein agrees that cell-based flu vaccines would offer a number of advantages over conventional ones.

He also, however, points to some disadvantages and barriers that will have to be considered going forward -- including the general lack of experience in using the production system, the need to build expensive new manufacturing facilities, and the need for further study to ensure that cell-based flu vaccines are free of contaminants.

Traffic pollution & emphysema risk P eople who spend years living near high-traffic roadways may be more likely to develop emphysema and related lung problems than those who live in less-traveled areas, a new study suggests.

Research has shown that air pollution can exacerbate symptoms in people with lung diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of serious lung conditions that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

But whether long-term exposure to pollution affects the odds of developing COPD in the first place has been unclear.

In the new study, researchers found that among nearly 53,000 Danish adults followed for up to 35 years, those estimated to have the greatest cumulative exposure to traffic pollution were more likely to develop COPD than those with the least exposure.

The findings, reported in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, point to an association between traffic pollution and COPD risk. They do not, however, prove causeand-effect.

Cigarette smoking is the primary cause

of COPD, estimated to be behind more than 95 percent of cases. Other environmental factors, such as heavy exposure to dust from coal, grain or wood, may also lead to COPD. The current findings raise the possibility that long-term exposure to traffic pollution contributes to the risk in some people -- particularly those made vulnerable by certain health conditions, like asthma.

If that's the case, the risk of any one person developing COPD due to such exposure would be "very small," as compared with smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke, according to lead researcher Zorana J. Andersen, of the Danish Cancer Society in Copenhagen.

Still, she told Reuters Health in an email, on the population level, even a small risk associated with traffic pollution would "not be negligible," considering the millions of people living in hightraffic urban areas.

The findings are based on 52,799 adults ages 50 to 64 who completed questionnaires on their health and lifestyle factors, including smoking history, in the mid-1990s.

Andersen's team used data from the Danish national hospital register to find any first-time admissions for COPD in the group between 1971 and 2006. They also estimated individuals' long-term exposure to traffic pollutants based on their residential addresses throughout the study period.

Overall, just over 3 percent of participants had a first-time hospital admission for COPD during the study period.

When the researchers looked at participants' average long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide -- a pollutant produced by car exhaust -- they found that those in the top 25 percent for exposure were more likely to be hospitalized for COPD than those in the bottom 25 percent.

The association between traffic pollution and COPD risk was stronger among people with asthma or diabetes than those without the conditions.

This, according to Andersen's team, raises the possibility that people with health conditions that cause systemic inflammation in the body might be more vulnerable to any effects of traffic pollution on lung function.

However, the researchers also caution

that, in statistical terms, these associations were weak or of "borderline" significance.

This, they write, calls for "caution in interpreting the strength of the reported associations and replication of these results by other studies."

Other limitations of the study include the fact that participants' pollution exposure was estimated based on their addresses; individuals' actual pollution exposure, from a range of sources, was not known.

Even so, Andersen said that people should be aware that heavy exposure to traffic pollution has been associated with a number of health risks -- including asthma development and deaths from heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association suggests that people with heart disease and other at-risk individuals -- including the elderly and those with risk factors for heart disease, like diabetes and high blood pressure -- try to limit their exposure to congested roadways.

On a broader level, Andersen noted, links between air pollution and health risks are important in supporting policies aimed at pollution control.-Reuters

Mediterranean diet may trim diabetes risk

O

lder adults who stick with a traditional Mediterranean diet rich in plant-based fats may help lower their risk of type 2 diabetes -- even without counting calories or shedding weight, new research hints.

In a study of 418 older Spanish adults, researchers found that those instructed to follow a Mediterranean diet were less likely to develop diabetes over four years than those instructed to follow a low-fat diet -- about 10 per cent developed the disease, versus 18 percent in the low-fat group. And weight loss did not appear necessary to gain the benefit.

The findings, reported in the journal Diabetes Care, may sound too good to be true.

But they back up previous work by the same researchers showing that the Mediterranean diet, even without weight loss, appeared to curb the risk of metabolic syndrome -- a collection of risk factors for diabetes that includes abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar and triglycerides.

However, even if the eating pattern brings benefits in the absence of weight loss, that does not negate the importance of regular exercise or calorie-consciousness, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association told Reuters Health.

Instead, the findings support existing dietary advice for people with diabetes and those at risk of the disease, said Constance Brown-Riggs, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator based in Massapequa, New York.

"This pretty much backs up what we've been recommending," Brown-Riggs said.

The traditional Mediterranean diet is generally high in vegetables, fiber-rich grains, legumes, fish and plant-based sources of unsaturated fat -- particularly olive oil and nuts -while being low in red meat and high-fat dairy, prime sources of saturated fat.

All of those features are healthy choices for anyone, BrownRiggs pointed out.

But the study, she added, "does not, by any means, say that you don't have to exercise." Nor does it mean that calories are unimportant, she said.

For the study, researchers led by Dr. Jordi Salas-Salvado of the University of Rovira i Virgili in Reus, Spain, followed 418 initially diabetes-free adults between the ages of 55 and 80.

Each had at least three risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, smoking or excess weight.

At the outset, the men and women were randomly assigned to follow one of three diets: a traditional Mediterranean diet with added emphasis on boosting consumption of olive oil, a rich source of monounsaturated fat; the same diet, with a focus on getting polyunsaturated fats from nuts; or a low-fat diet that encouraged cutting down on all types of fat.

In addition, participants in the olive-oil group were given a free allotment of the oil (a liter per week), and those in the nut group were given enough mixed nuts to have about an ounce per day.

None of the groups were told to limit calories or get more exercise.

Over the next four years, the researchers found, 10 percent to 11 percent of participants in the two Mediterranean groups developed diabetes. That compared with 18 percent of those in the low-fat diet group.

When the researchers accounted for a number of other factors -- such as participants' weight, smoking history and reported exercise levels -- the Mediterranean diet itself was linked to 52 percent reduction in diabetes risk compared with the low-fat diet.

Moreover, both Mediterranean diet groups showed a lower diabetes risk over time without evidence that weight loss was the reason, according to Salas-Salvado's team. When comparing participants who did or did not develop diabetes, the researchers found that average weight and exercise levels were the same in the two groups at the end of the study.

In contrast, participants in the low-fat group who remained diabetes-free did lose a few pounds, on average. But those who eventually developed diabetes gained a few pounds, on average.

The findings support the idea that components of the Mediterranean diet have health benefits independent of any effects on weight. Past research in this same study group found that participants on the diet had improvements in blood sugar levels and sensitivity to blood-sugar-regulating hormone insulin -- in the absence of weight loss.

In addition, the researchers note, the unsaturated fats in the Mediterranean diet are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Researchers believe that chronic, low-level inflammation in the body may have a role in a number of disease processes, including those underlying diabetes.

Brown-Riggs agreed that the diet's anti-inflammatory effects may help explain its health benefits. But she also pointed out that for overweight individuals, shedding excess pounds can curb inflammation as well. Exercise, meanwhile, can have numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease.

So calorie control and regular exercise should remain goals, according to Brown-Riggs.

She also cautioned against seeing olive oil, or any single component of the Mediterranean diet, as a magic bullet.

"Sometimes individuals can get hung up on one item, like olive oil," she said, "But what we're talking about here is an overall eating pattern, and an overall lifestyle."

Acetaminophen no asthma trigger after all?

C

orrects para 10 in story posted Oct 13, 2010, as 20101013elin001, to state that the letter was reviewed by independent experts.

Doctors have been scratching their heads for years over the higher asthma risk in kids who use acetaminophen, a common painkiller known as Tylenol in the US. Just last August, researchers studying toddlers in Ethiopia said it was "increasingly likely" that the drug had triggered much of the wheezing that troubled eight percent of those children. And another study hinted it might be fueling a large part of the worldwide increase in asthma.

In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, however, researchers

from Germany say there is no cause for alarm.

Using long-term data for more than 3,000 children, they report that the link between asthma and acetaminophen only held when the medication was used to treat airway infections -not stomach flu or urinary tract infections.

"A lot of people associate (acetaminophen) with asthma," said Dr. Eva Schnabel, of the German Research Center for Environmental Health in Neuherberg, who worked on the new analysis.

"Perhaps they should think it over and read the studies again," she suggested.

Schnabel, who has no ties to drugmakers, said most earlier studies hadn't followed children from the get-go

and often relied on parents' recall.

But parents whose kids have fre-

quent airway infections might be more likely to remember using a

painkiller to lower the fever. And it's possible that the infections that led to acetaminophen use, and not the drug per se, could have caused asthma later on or revealed an underlying vulnerability to the disease.

"There have been several studies showing that viral infections are a risk factor for asthma," Schnabel told Reuters Health.

The letter by Schnabel and her colleagues, which was reviewed by independent experts, is based on published data from kids followed closely up to age six.

Parents were asked to record all cases of fever in their child's first year of life as well as airway, stomach and urinary tract infections. They also jotted down the medications they used in these cases.

Thirteen percent of the children developed asthma. Although use of acetaminophen -- the most common painkiller by far -- was more common in those who went on to have asthma that difference was only found for airway infections.

"This analysis indicates that increased respiratory tract infection morbidity and not (acetaminophen) use during infancy is associated with the later development of asthma," the researchers write.

"There is no argument anymore that (acetaminophen) shouldn't be prescribed during infancy," concludes Schnabel.

The researchers who suggested acetaminophen might trigger asthma could not be reached for comments.Reuters

6

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Mobile Prices Updated on 16 October, 2010

SYED ABUL ABBAS NAQVI

Nokia Nokia 1202 1203 1208 1209 1280 1616 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 2,700 4,500 4,400 4,950 5,200 6,900 7,500 12,900 9,600 3,000 7,750 10,400 13,400 11,500 12,400 14,900 17,200 17,200 23,000 21,700 11,700 17,900 10,800 11,300 11,000 18,900 17,800 19,800 19,800 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 37,000 9,400 11,900 25,000 28,000

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 B220 Guru B300 B3210 CorbyTXT B3410 B3410W Chat WIFI B5722 B7300 OMNIALite B7320 Omnia PRO Guru B100 E1080 E1100 E1125 E2125 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 C3200 Monte Bar 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 S8500 Wave I900 Omnia i5700 Galaxy Spica i8000 Omnia II i8510 INNOV8 i8910 Omnia HD i9000 Galaxy S 16GB BlackBerry Bold 9000 Curve 8900

2,050 3,900 3,600 9,700 12,000 13,400 15,400 24,000 19,200 2,450 2,200 2,450 3,200 6,050 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 6,900 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 29,900 42,500 25,000 49,500 37,000 43,700 49,000 Price 33,000 30,900

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

Sony brings in Google-powered internet TV

A

t a media event in New York, Sony launched its new line of Googlepowered Internet TVs, along with a Google TV-enabled Bluray disc player.

The Sony Internet TV is a Google TV, which is to say that it is built on the Google TV platform, an Android-based system for software and hardware that provides access to TV content, Internet content, and Android apps through a single search-oriented interface.

Google introduced i t s Google TV platform in May, 2010.

Logitech and Sony were present at the announcement as initial hardware partners. Logitech introduced the first Google TV hardware last week, its Logitech Revue set-top box.

"Sony Internet TV is the world's first HDTV that combines the big-screen impact of television and full Internet search to deliver an unrivaled entertainment experience," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony's Home Division, in a statement. "Finally, you can seamlessly search your favorite TV programs and Web sites on the same screen, at the same time."

For Sony, this is an opportu-

nity to recapture some of its Walkman-era glory. Having been overshadowed by Apple and its iOS empire for years, Google TV and Android offer Sony a chance to define the emerging market for devices that bring TV, the Internet, and apps together in one place.

"It really is a very big deal, I can't stress that enough," said Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, at the Google TV l a u n c h announcement in May. The Sony Internet TV l i n e includes the 24i n c h NSX24GT1, the 32-inch NSX-32GT1, the 40-inch NSX-40GT1, and the 46-inch NSX-46GT1. These HDTV models rely on an Intel Atom processor, run atop the Android platform, and include Google's Chrome Web browser.

The Sony Internet TV Bluray Disc player, NSZ-GT1, brings Google TV service to any compatible HDTV. The devices allow users to watch TV while surfing the Web through a feature called Dual View. They come with a keypad remote, which includes a built-in optical mouse for easier navigation.

They also include built-in WiFi networking.

Microsoft, FB join hands for social search

F

acebook, which is drawing closer to Microsoft as competition with Google heats up, is making it possible for Microsoft to display in web search results the recommendations of a person's Facebook friends.

The new capability, introduced Wednesday, marks an expansion of the partnership between Microsoft and Facebook. Microsoft is the exclusive web search provider on the social network.

Facebook users who use Bing or web search within the site will get with results the pictures of friends next to web pages they recommend. The Facebook results will be gathered from what people have indicated they "like" on the social network.

"Your friends have liked lots of things all over the web, and now instead of stumbling across a new movie or having to look at a friend's profile to see which restaurants they like, we're bringing everything together in one place," Bret Taylor, chief technology officer for Facebook, said in the company's blog.

Microsoft and Facebook plan to roll out the new fea-

tures in the U.S. over the coming weeks. The new features are worthwhile enhancements to Bing, but are not a game-changer, Ray Valdes, analyst for Gartner, said in an e-mail to InformationWeek.

"This alone won't change the dynamics of search engine competition between Bing and Google," Valdes said.

"Google will remain dominant, although likely Bing will gain a bit -- especially if it keeps following up with additional improvements."

Facebook is growing in importance. The site in August dislodged Google as the top online destination in the U.S., with Americans spending more time virtually visiting friends than they did on all of Google's sites combined, according to ComScore.

"Google has made mistakes in the social arena in the past, but has tremendous resources that it is marshaling for a new assault on this market territory," Valdes said. "For Facebook to hold on to its leadership position in the face of the challenge from Google, it needs to make more alliances such as the one with Microsoft."

Mozilla introduces Firefox 4 beta for Android

M

ozilla has launched Firefox 4 for mobile in beta, bringing many of the web browser's desktop features to Android smartphones through a major redesign.

While Mozilla has added some important mobile features, such as Sync and the Awesome Bar, the most dramatic change is under the covers. The open-source browser includes two big architectural changes, which Mozilla calls Electrolysis and Layers.

The other big design change, Layers, involves how the browser handles graphics in regards to such functions as scrolling, pinch-to-zoom and animations. The Layers architecture allows for hardware acceleration in driving graphics-related functionality, Mozilla mobile engineer Matt Brubeck said in his blog.

Acer programs dual boot Android, Windows netbooks A

cer this week reportedly decided to incorporate its dual-boot feature for netbooks to run both Android and Windows 7 in all of its upcoming dual-core notebooks.

The announcement follows the company's launch earlier this week of its first netbook with a dual-core Intel Atom processor, the Aspire One AOD255, for a suggested retail price of $330.

At a press conference to announce the new devices, Acer reportedly said that all of its future dual-core notebooks will run both operating systems. The move is expected to give users more versatility by having an operating system they know and can run advanced tasks, while also providing the option of using the Android OS for functions like surfing the

web, messaging and multimedia. That, in turn, is expected to translate into increased consumer demand, and Acer has reportedly said it will cost them little to produce, as manufacturers don't have to pay licensing fees to u s e

Android.

The dual-boot feature is already available in Acer's Aspire One D250 and D260 models, along with the Aspire One D255, which has a single-

core Atom N450 processor. Dell has also tried running Linux Ubuntu OS on some of its laptops, but with mixed results.

Running two operating systems on a laptop or desktop is not uncommon, but is generally done using Linux and Windows.

However, it is more unusual for the feature to be made a standard specification.

Android usage in tablets is becoming far more prevalent with several set to launch with the OS within the year, and there are predictions that more netbooks will be powered with Android as well.

By the end of 2010, Acer is planning to ship 40 million notebooks, of which 10 million will be netbooks, according to DigiTimes, which also reported that Acer Taiwan President Scott Lin said in a news conference that netbooks will not be replaced by tablet PCs.

AVG introduces security tools for SMBs A

VG announced its AVG Internet Security 2011 Business Edition and AVG Anti-Virus 2011 Business Edition, both intended for small and midsize companies, are available, Both products provide protection for file servers and for endpoint devices (desktop and laptop computers).

The Internet Security Suite also includes mail server protection, and endpoint anti-spam.

According to the company, the new features reduce performance impact on systems and make the security software easier for small business IT to install and manage.

According to the company, AVG Business Edition is a good match for companies using Microsoft Windows, particularly "Internet-active companies performing a wide range of online activities involving banking or purchasing transactions and customer, supplier or partner communications."

New features in both products include "smart scanning" to skip over files known to be safe; and AVG's Threat Labs information about threats on websites that AVG presents a user from visiting; a one-click Auto-Fix button "to resolve common issues on individual

workstations"; checking links exchanged in Facebook and MySpace when accessing these sites from a browser on a LAN or computer protected

by AVG software"; a desktop widget giving administrators a summary view including noncompliant workstations, and of server workloads; and reducing installation to five clicks.

Additionally, AVG has enhanced other components and functions including AVG LinkScanner Surf-Shield, anti-rootkit protection, integration with Active Directory and the remote administration console for installing and

managing AVG software across a company's network.

The Remote Administration Console is not available within AVG's consumer or free products.

Pricing for a one-year, five seat license for AVG Internet Security Business Edition 2011 starts at $247.99. A one year, two seat license for AVG Anti-Virus 2011 Business Edition starts at $89.99.00 and a two-year, two-seat license starts at $134.99. Existing AVG Business Edition customers can get free upgrades to AVG 2011 during the term of their current licenses.

Google Cars Drive Themselves

G

oogle researchers have created cars that can drive on public highways without a human at the wheel.

Using technology developed through participation in a series of autonomous vehicle races sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Google's self-driving Toyota Prius has already logged 140,000 hours on roads between the company's Mountain View, Calif., headquarters and its office in Santa Monica, Calif., with minimal human intervention.

The robot cars resemble Google's Street View vehicles.

Instead of a camera on the roof, the autonomous cars have an optical LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensor on top, with additional radar sensors mounted on

chassis.

"Our automated cars use video cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder to 'see' other traffic, as well as

"This is all made possible by Google's data centers, which can process the enormous amounts of information gathered by our cars when map-

detailed maps (which we collect using manually driven vehicles) to navigate the road ahead," explained Google software engineer Sebastian Thrun in a blog post on Saturday.

ping their terrain."

Google is pursuing self-driving cars to save us from ourselves and to help the environment. Noting that as many as 1.2 million people are killed

every year as a result of road accidents.

Thrun says that self-driving cars would allow people to be more productive by working rather than driving during their commutes, which average 52 minutes per day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Before such futuristic scenarios can really be considered, however, there will have to be changes in the legal system. Neither Google nor automakers will want to offer automated cars if they're held liable accidents. There will also have to be changes in the American psyche. Cars have long been associated with independence and personal identity in the U.S., and elsewhere. It will take a major social shift before most people will accept Google as their driver.

Latest Gadgets ZTE 7 Inch Android Tablet Unveiled ZTE has announced a new tablet device with a 7 inch screen. It runs Google Android 2.1. The official name of the tablet is the ZTE Light. The 7 inch screen has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Connectivity wise it has 3G and Wireless built in. GPS is also in there along with a camera, FM radio, Bluetooth, compass and an accelerometer

Logitech Revue Companion Box

Amazon has the Logitech Revue Google TV companion box available for pre-order at the moment. What the Google TV companion box does is integrate with a regular HDTV and allows you to use the Google TV services. With Google powering the companion box, it means that you have access to various Android features on your TV.

OLED Display Watch The OLED Display Watch is exactly what it says it is, a watch with an OLED display. The watch display lights up by pushing a button. It features all the usual stuff like alarms, hourly chime and is water resistant down to 30 meters deep.

DIY iPad and iPhone Connector Clip The latest device lets you connect both units together and allows you to use the two screens to surf on one while watching something on the other device. The iPad/iPhone connector is made from some U shaped plastic. To built it you just need a 24 CM length of the plastic along with some glue, scissors, paint and a Dremel to smooth the edges off.

Dell Venue Pro Windows Phone The Dell Venue Pro is powered by newly launched Windows 7 Mobile OS. It features a slide down QWERTY keyboard. This particular phone was originally spotted as the Dell Lightning, but for various reasons, switched to being called the Venue Pro at launch.

The Venue Pro has a large 4.1 inch AMOLED display. On the back a 5 megapixel camera can be found. Inside, it runs a 1GHz Snapdragon processor.

7

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Govt to continue medicines purchase from local companies

BERLIN: The logo of pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Aventis is seen at their Berlin office in the Sony Centre. Reuters

Piramal Health sees margin down in FY11 MUMBAI: India's Piramal Healthcare may report narrower margins in 2010/11 after it sold a unit to Abbott Laboratories earlier this year, its chairman told Reuters.

The Indian company sold its branded generics business to Abbott for $3.72 billion this year.

"It was a more profitable business... so, margins would be affected," Chairman Ajay Piramal told Reuters.

Revenue may fall by 12-13 billion rupees, or a third, from the 36.71 billion rupees it reported in 2009/10, he added.

No #1

Revenue "will obviously come down as formulations business was with us for only five months in the current year," said Piramal who also heads group firms Piramal Life Sciences, Piramal Glass and real estate private equity fund Indiareit Fund Advisors.

In FY10, about 19 billion rupees of Piramal Healthcare's revenue came from the healthcare solutions business, he said.

Even as analysts and investors are keen to hear how the firm plans to use the

Continued from page 1

Karachi Port Qasim while PT and Boards of Port Qasim have been held responsible for decisions in this connections and private sector would also be given representation.

The ministry for Water and Power proposed to specify Canal Pelski gas field for power production while the ministry has been asked to work on the project with coordination of ministry for petroleum. The meeting has been told that removal of 20 per cent subsidy over fertilisers increased fertilizers rates.

A committee has been formed to make transparent project of Kohala Hydro power. The committee would comprise of minister for water and power, secretary economic affairs, secretary petroleum and secretary finance so that the project could be accomplish in transparent way.

Answering to question he replied that statistics of Ogra and PSO regarding change in rates of petroleum products were different now the issue would be dispatched to Federal Cabinet for final approval. The government would give facilities to companies producing power from coal and such equipments would be import that has no duty. -Agencies

No #2

Continued from page 1

sources said, some unknown gunmen shot a person dead in Korangi area. Two handcuffed dead bodies were found in Sadia Market near Nazimabad Inquiry office during late hours of night.

The dead bodies were later identified as members of People's Peace Committee Shaukat and Salman Baloch.

According to police, the two persons were abducted from Garden area and were later gunned down.

Earlier 34-year-old Muhammad Saleem died of bullet injuries when some unknown motorcyclists opened fire on him in the Khamosh Colony. A truck cleaner Bakht Ali was also killed by the firing of motorcyclists near Afghan Camp on Super Highway. -Online

No #3

Continued from page 1

stationery ballot boxes and bundle of ballot papers have been sealed under the supervision of District Returning Officer (DRO) and Returning Officer (RO).

RO Syed Nadeem informed media that all the foolproof arrangement have been made the by-election and the police and rangers' personals are appointed at all polling stations in this regard.

It should be mentioned here that the political parties taking part in the elections demanded the deployment of Army; however no orders in this regard came to the fore.

Besides independent candidates, Saifuddin Khalid of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Riaz Gul of Awami National Party (ANP) are contesting the polls Meanwhile, there were some serious threats during tomorrow's by-polls in PS-94 including suicide attack and firing, Commander Sachal Rangers Brigadier Wasim Ayub citing intelligence reports said.

He was addressing a briefing at Rangers Sports Complex here.

DIG West Sultan Khwaja was also present.

Rangers' official told media man that they have received some intelligence reports about the threats during Karachi by-polls in PS-94.

Some terrorist-elements might attack poling stations, he said.

The official warned against the likelihood of suicide attacks, firing incidents and blasts.

At least 21 of 89 polling stations have been declared 'sensitive' in Orangi Town comprising five union councils.

'More than 1000 Rangers and more than 2600 police personnel would be deployed to handle any untoward situation.'

DIG West said ten suspected have been arrested.

No unconcerned persons would be allowed at the polling stations with a police officer assisted by 15 policemen to be deployed at every polling station. Police in plain clothes also would be positioned outside the polling stations.

No #4

Continued from page 1

along with heavy amount of weapons during the security forces search operation in Swat here on Saturday.

According to military sources, 3 suspicious persons were trying to enter in Iashary in the area of Swat, when security forces tried to stop them they opened fire on security forces, in retaliation 2 terrorists were killed and 1 arrested by security forces along with heavy amount of weapons. -Agencies

102.71 billion rupees of cash it received as the first tranche of the sale, Piramal said diversification is likely only in the next fiscal.

"We will have to create some new businesses... both within pharma and outside but it will take time," he added asserting not in the current year.

The company also recently shut its vitamin-making unit in Thane city outside Mumbai, freeing up about 40 acres of land. "It was a 50 year old facility and in the heart of a residential zone. -Reuters

LAHORE: Punjab government would continue the purchase of medicines from local pharmaceutical companies instead of multi-nationals.

Secretray Health Punjab, Fawad Hassan Fawad said this while talking to 50-member delegation of the pharma industry.

Speaking on the occasion, the Secretary Health assured to address the problems faced by the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharma industry would provide quality medicines to Punjab government so that poor patients can benefit,said Acting Chairman Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Khawaja Shahzad Akram during the meeting,stated official spokesman. -APP

PPMA Acting Chairman meets Secretary Health Punjab LAHORE: Acting Chairman Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Khawaja Shahzeb Akram has said that pharma industry would provide quality of medicines to government of the Punjab like past so that poor patients be benefited.

It was stated by him while leading 50 member delegation of pharma industry in a meeting with Secretary Health Punjab Fawad Hassan Fawad, said a press release. -Reuters

Sanofi denies it dangled higher bid before Genzyme PARIS/NEW YORK: SanofiAventis denied that it had dangled a higher price for Genzyme Corp before going hostile with its $18.5 billion bid, deepening the animosity in their transatlantic takeover fight.

Genzyme said that Sanofi Chief Executive Chris Viehbacher had proposed a deal price range of $69 per share to $80 per share at a meeting with Genzyme CEO Henri Termeer in late September, two weeks before it went hostile with a $69-pershare bid.

"We strongly disagree with Genzyme's characterization of the Sept. 20 meeting," Sanofi chief spokesman Jean-Marc Podvin said on Friday in response. "We offered no price range and Genzyme continued to refuse to engage with us on discussions on valuations."

Genzyme, however, said it accurately reported the facts in its regulatory filing. "We are unequivocally standing by our characterization of the meeting on Sept 20," Genzyme spokesman John Lacey said through an email.lucrative portfolio of drugs for rare diseases as it prepares for the loss of patent protection on topselling drugs, such as its biggest product, the blood clot preventer Plavix.

Underscoring that harsh reality, Sanofi said on Friday it

would cut 25 percent of its U.S. pharmaceutical jobs.

Most of the 1,700 positions from the unit would be cut from its U.S. sales force, Sanofi said.

Since news of Sanofi's interest in Genzyme emerged, the rhetoric between Termeer and Viehbacher has ratcheted up.

The exchanges could affect how quickly any deal would be resolved, with a hostile campaign likely to last well into next year. Analysts said the dispute highlights expectations that Sanofi will have to raise its offer. Genzyme shares closed 0.5 percent higher at $72.75 on the Nasdaq on Friday, after hitting a year high of $72.98 earlier. Sanofi closed down 0.17 percent at 48.96 euros.

A source familiar with the discussions said Sanofi could sit back and wait while its offer ticks toward a Dec. 10 expiry date, hoping Genzyme or its shareholders lose their nerve and blink first. The source added that a deal might not be struck until Termeer resigned or was removed by his board. "This could end up in a proxy fight again for Genzyme," the source said, referring to the company's battle with activist investor Carl Icahn earlier this year.

Genzyme settled with Icahn and named two of his representatives to its board.

DEEPLY INVESTED Termeer, a founder of Genzyme and deeply invested in the company and its legacy, appears ready for a long fight.

Viehbacher, who cut his teeth on a number of smaller deals both at Sanofi and as head of North American operations at GlaxoSmithKline Plc, seems prepared to shape his tenure around an ability to get the deal done on his terms.

The latest twist centers on their meeting on Sept. 20.

According to a Genzyme securities filing, Viehbacher proposed that the two discuss a deal price range of $69 to $80 per share. Viehbacher, according to Genzyme, said the price range was "manageable" but doubted he could reach the higher end based on his current understanding of the U.S. company's business.

Genzyme, which made the disclosure as it repeated its rejection of Sanofi's offer, said Termeer would not discuss that range or suggest an alternate price. Sanofi's Podvin dismissed the account of the conversation. "At that meeting we made a variety of efforts to move the process forwards, including discussing the merits of our $69 per share offer, and we tried to understand if media reports about Genzyme's price expectations were accurate," he said. -Reuters

my political companions of that time". However, he said categorically that he has no regrets on Lal Continued from page 1 No #5 strategic dialogue that is scheduled to be held in Washington Masjid episode and he never apologized on this issue.

On the issue of Dr Qadeer confession, the ex-dictator termed the nuclear scientist a "a liar" adding soon. He said that the last round of Pak-US Strategic Dialogue was held in Islamabad in July last to intensify strategic engage- that Dr Qadeer provided nuclear secrets to three countries and he (Musharraf) has valid proof.

Whatever Dr. Qadeer said on national television was voluntarily and he was not forced to do so, ment and pursue comprehensive sectoral track cooperation.

It may be recalled that various areas of mutual cooperation that said Musharraf. -Online included: security, defence, socioeconomic projects, enhancement Continued from page 8 No #9 of power generation capacity and infrastructure were thoroughly Crocker strongly criticised the US government and media for their attitude towards Pakistan which deliberated during the sectoral meetings in the last round of the interpret Pakistan as an opponent and not ally. dialogue. The spokesperson said the democratic government Any action by Isaf or Nato force inside Pakistan border could be proved fatal for US as interests wanted to pursue multi-faceted comprehensive cooperation of both countries were interlinked, he maintained. between the two countries while at the same time address issues Crocker said that US when needed Pakistan assistance in any issue extended all out financial assislike drone attacks, reimbursement of coalition support fund tance and when the other side needed help the US stepped back. arrears and RoZ legislation.

Despite large scale sacrifices rendered by Pakistan and other crisis which emerged due to alliance He said that the challenges being faced by the two countries vis- in the US war on terror its role was not admitted, he added. Ă -vis the security situation and promotion of intelligence sharing He also blamed that Obama led US administration was following dual policies and its conmechanism and the capacity enhancement of the security forces centrations were at self directed issues and policies.-NNI would also come under discussion during the strategic dialogue.

Continued from page 8 No #10 President has all along maintained that Pakistan had suffered a but regional countries and the international community want peace." colossal loss, both in human and material losses due to the ongoHe added during his presidency, he was a proponent of talks with the Taliban. ing fight against militancy and the recent devastating floods Rabbani said in the past, the international community as well as regional countries had intentionwhich further added to the economic woes.

President said the situation calls for the help of the internation- ally avoided to bring about peace and stability to Afghanistan.

"The warring parties are now agreed that war is not a solution and that conflicts should be resolved al community especially the US to support Pakistan and advocate its case for having greater access to its products in the internation- through talks," he said, adding the council members were committed to resolve the ongoing bloody al markets. The President said that he had been urging US visitors conflict.-Agencies to use their influence in expediting ROZs legislation and for helpContinued from page 8 No #11 ing Pakistan in creating new vistas of opportunities for the floodHe asserted Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, by virtue of its accession and what affected people.

President expressed hope that discussions during the forthcom- has happened over the last 60 years during which a number of elections were held in a democratic ing dialogue would be productive and helps carry forward the and transparent manner. Disagreeing that China's shift in position on J&K had put strain on the bilatprogress made so far in the mutually agreed areas of cooperation eral ties, he said Beijing looks at things from a 'different perspective' and hoped that 'they will go in which Pakistan needs more help from the United States. -APP along the Indian perspective'.

To a question on China issuing stapled visas to those hailing from J and K, he said New Delhi has Continued from page 1 made it clear to Beijing that it was not acceptable and that there was need to be sensitive to each No #6 destroy Taliban strongholds in the area, but no similar offensive other's concerns to build relations. "We have conveyed to them (China) that we do not accept the has been mounted in North Waziristan. But the foreign ministry stapled visas and we are not going to accept these," Krishna said.

Noting that China also expected India to be sensitive to its issues, he said New Delhi will be so said in a statement: "While we understand ISAF concerns, any question relating to when, how and what is to be done in North 'without compromising our national stand in respect of borders and stapled visas'. -NNI Waziristan is based on judgment, keeping in mind our capacities, Continued from page 8 No #12 priorities and overall national interest. "This in no way should be Unless the process of serving the warrant is completed and the court gets an opportunity to examinterpreted as lack of Pakistani resolve to fight terrorism," it said.

Military commanders have not ruled out an offensive in North ine witnesses like Ansari, the trial cannot move forward, the judge was quoted as saying by sources.

The judge also heard detailed arguments by the prosecution and defence lawyers on the governWaziristan, but argue that gains in South Waziristan and the northwestern district of Swat need to be consolidated to prevent their ment's application to set up a commission to visit India to interview 24 key witnesses, including Kasab, the magistrate who recorded Kasab's confession and the police officer who led the probe into troops from being stretched too thin. the Mumbai attacks. The prosecution was unable to satisfy the judge that Pakistan had received writThe ministry said that the army had conducted "calibrated operten permission from Indian authorities for the commission to visit India, the sources said. ations" against terrorist and extremist forces to establish the writ Defence lawyers produced clippings from the Indian media which said the Indian government of the state and disrupt al Qaeda and its affiliates. "Recently North would consider allowing the commission to visit the country if it received a request from Pakistani Waziristan has been under sharp focus. Despite battling with the authorities. The prosecution then sought four weeks from the court to complete various formalities worst floods in 100 years, (the) army continues to maintain a pres- and Judge Awan scheduled the next hearing for November 13.-Online ence of over 34,000 troops in North Waziristan," the ministry said.

Continued from page 8 "Constant pressure and squeeze, without going in for large scale No #13 ground operations, has been applied on the terrorists, with sucThe message was read out at the Brussels meeting by UN Under-Secretary-General for Political cess, gaining better control of the area," it added. -Agencies Affairs Lynn Pascoe. FoDP is a group aimed at extending support to the Pakistan government in its efforts to consolidate democracy, and support social and economic development in the country.

Continued from page 1 No #7 The third ministerial meeting was hosted by European Union High Representative for Foreign Hence the appointment should be declared null and void.

He also pleaded for a stay order against the appointment and Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and co-chaired by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah that Justice (Retd) Deedar Hussain Shah should be immediately Mehmood Qureshi. Foreign Ministers and senior representatives of 20 countries and four multilateral institutions also attended the meeting. NNI stopped from working as Chairman NAB. Sources told that PML-N counsel would be paid fee of this case Continued from page 8 No #14 from the party funds. While several senior party leaders have Trichet said European countries needed to pursue structural reforms, even in the face of public objected to paying of Akram Sheikh's fee from party funds and resistance, in order to increase their growth potential. "This potential for growth is too weak," he said that Ch Nisar should pay the fee from his own pocket. said. With the euro zone appearing to be out of immediate danger of a full-blown sovereign debt Earlier Shahid Orakzai had also challenged the aforementioned crisis and some governments facing large protests against austerity cuts, resolve to toughen fiscal appointment of Chairman NAB in the Supreme Court while rules may be waning. Trichet said the "positive but modest" underlying momentum of the recovBarrister Iqbal Jaffery challenged the appointment in Lahore High ery remained in place in the euro zone, but recent data confirmed expectations for a moderation Court. Barrister Iqbal Jaffery took the stance in his petition that the in the second half. Inflation would remain moderate in 2011, he said, and inflation expectations appointment of Chairman NAB has been done without consultation over the medium to longer term continued to be in line with the ECB's definition of price stabiliwith the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the opposition leader and is ty. a violation of 15 articles of the Constitution of the country. Hence Weighing in on the currency debate, Trichet said excessive volatility and misalignment in the forthe appointment should be declared null and void. -Agencies eign exchange market were adverse from the viewpoint of global stability and growth.

"Concerning emerging countries which ... have big surpluses and which have indicated that they Continued from page 1 No #8 Pakistan a Taliban-state we took action in the Lal Masjid, he are committed to the path of greater exchange rate flexibility: this we think is one of the elements added. "I apologised from the nation on the issue of the National of the re-establishing of a favourable balance, of growth and the creation of jobs on a global level," Reconciliation Ordinance, which I had to accept on the advice of he said. -Reutes

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Poverty eradication essential to win WoT: Gilani

PM says good news on Kashmir soon LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has congratulated the nation and Kashmiri people on international acceptance of demands of Pakistan on the issue and said people would hear good news soon regarding Kashmir.

Addressing a meeting after a briefing on the Kashmir issue

by Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Atique Ahmad Khan, on his arrival from a high-level meeting on Kashmir at Brussels, Gilani said that Pakistan was very much concerned about the solution of the issue and it would never step back from its principles.

Earlier, Sardar Atique told PM Gilani that it was a great achievement of the government in foreign affairs after 63 years that parliament of the European Union (EU) had accepted the issue of Kashmir as an international issue and initiated its hearing in the parliament.

He said the United Nation, EU and OIC had included the issue in their official documents by adopting a common mechanism on the issue.

Talking more about Kashmir issue Gilani declared the international appreciation of Pakistani perspective as great success of foreign policy of the

government and said the standing committee of EU parliament on Kashmir had restarted its work on the issue.

Meanwhile in his message in accordance to the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the premier said that success in fighting extremism and terrorism cannot be achieved comprehensively without forming global alliances and partnerships for the eradication of poverty.

"Eradication of Poverty day draws our attention to the phenomenon of poverty with its lasting impact on the poor and highlights their problems and predicaments," the Prime

Taliban ready to talk peace, says Rabbani KABUL: Former Afghan president and High Peace Council Chairman Burhanuddin Rabbani has observed that he is convinced Taliban were ready for peace talks, on some conditions, to end the nine-year-old war in the country.

The former president was talking to media-men in Kabul that Taliban have some conditions to start the negotiations process and had not completely rejected the idea of seeking a non-military solution to the conflict.

EU needs more strict reforms: ECB MARRAKESH, Morocco: European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet said on Saturday more ambitious reforms of euro zone budget rules were needed than those proposed by the European Commission.

Trichet's comments add further fuel to a debate over European Union fiscal reforms ahead of a meeting of European finance ministers on Monday in Luxembourg to complete the biggest overhaul of the fiscal rules underpinning the euro since the single currency's creation in 1999.

The ministers will seek to agree on a report for EU leaders on how to make the rules tougher to prevent another sovereign debt crisis, such as that triggered by Greece.

"A number of the commission's proposals are going in the right direction, but for the euro area more ambitious reforms are needed to ensure the smooth functioning of monetary union," Trichet said at the World Policy Conference in Marrakesh, stressing comments made last week in Washington.

The commission presented last month a set of proposals to impose sanctions much earlier, and with less ministerial discretion, on euro zone countries breaking the Stability and Growth pact, the EU fiscal rulebook.

Trichet said all deadlines under the excessive deficit procedure should be "significantly reduced" and sanctions should be applied "quasi-automatically."

Furthermore, when economic indicators reveal fiscal problems, the countries concerned should be automatically submitted to an in-depth analysis including missions from the commission and the ECB. An independent body of experts should be created to provide external assessments and the code of practice for European statistics should be enshrined in regulation.

Finally, member states should anchor the new surveillance framework in national legislation, he said.

See # 14 Page 7

Rabbani said it gave them hope for peace and stability in the country that the Taliban wanted to talk. "They are ready," Rabbani said.

President Hamid Karzai has confirmed unofficial talks were ongoing with the Taliban and other rebel groups.

Taliban on the other hand have denied that high-ranking figures from the group were in contact with senior Afghan officials.

Earlier, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said his country would be part

of the process.

Rabbani said their practical work would start from the day they reviewed previously initiated peace process. However, he said the council was busy developing its internal procedures, tasks and strategies and possibilities where to hold talks with Taliban.

Rabbani told the journalists that today conditions in Afghanistan were different than they were 20 years before.

"Now, not only Afghanistan, See # 10 Page 7

Minister said in his message.

Poverty remains a major hindrance in the realisation of potential of the nations and societies, Prime Minister said and added that the goal of sustainable national development cannot be achieved without improving the lot of the poor and converting them into productive members of society.

The government has undertaken a holistic reform agenda in the economic sector aimed at boosting growth, cutting down unemployment, mobilising indigenous resources and fetching investment, he said.Agencies

Ex-US envoy spotlights Pak importance WASHINGTON: Pakistan being an important ally in the ongoing war on terror should be taken into confidence prior holding dialogues with Taliban in Afghanistan, observed former US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan Crocker.

He expressed these views in an essay published in US daily Wall Street Journal, stating that Isaf and Nato forces deployed in Afghanistan should avoid action across Pakistani territory as it was against US interests in the region.

See # 9 Page 7

MARRAKESH: President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet speaks during the opening ceremony of the third WPC.-Reuters

Traders from Azad Kashmir meet Indian counterparts

Pak, India moot LoC trade affairs SRINAGAR: Traders from India and Pakistan discussed enhancement of trade between the two countries at the 'Chakan-da-Bagh' Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District, informed media reports.

A group of about 83 traders from Rawalakot (Azad Kashmir) met 65 Indian traders to discuss how trade between the two countries could be further improved.

The General Secretary of Poonch Traders Association, Krishan Singh, said that the Pakistan government should be slightly liberal in sending more vehicles.

"I would like to say one thing to the Pakistan government that for the last two years we've been approaching them and telling them that they send 25 vehicles so that we can also send 25 vehicles. The Indian government has given us the freedom to send 50 vehicles as well," said

Singh.

To settle all the litigation processes, the traders discussed and calculated the trade benefits and accounts. The Trade Facilitating Officer of Azad Kashmir, Raja Arshad, said such meetings provide a platform for the traders to discuss their trade processes at length.

"The biggest benefit of this trade is that both the sides experience profit in their earnings.

Their business is doing better. We are trying to make this trade better," said Arshad.

The Trade Facilitating Officer of Poonch District, Gurmail Singh, said that the meet is a good way of settling all trade accounts between the traders.

All the traders were of the view that the trade should benefit both the sides and symbolized brotherhood and harmony between the two countries. -NNI

Delhi urges Beijing to stay neutral on Kashmir NEW DELHI: India has asked China to stay neutral and respect its sensitivities on issues like Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh in order to further develop bilateral relationship.

Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna hoped that Beijing would maintain 'neutrality' on the affairs related to the state as it has always done, ceasing an end to recent Chinese actions that amount to questioning Jammu and Kashmir's integration with India.

Krishna made it clear that defence exchanges with China, which were put on hold in July after a Lt General was disallowed permission to visit that country because he was serving in Jammu

and Kashmir, will remain suspended.

He also maintained that the issue of Chinese assertiveness in the region recently will be one of the issues of discussion between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and US President Barack Obama during the latter's visit in New Delhi next month.

"We expect China to be sensitive to our core concerns. That is how relationships are built, relations are nurtured.

So we are asking China to respect our sensitivities like on Arunachal Pradesh and other issues," he said, PTI reported Krishna said during an interaction with a group of journalists in New Delhi.

See # 11 Page 7

26/11: trial against LeJ activists

Anti-terror Court seeks to probe Kasab RAWALPINDI: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) conducting the trial of Lashkare-Jhangvi's (LeJ) Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and six others being charged with involvement in the Mumbai attacks Saturday said the case cannot proceed unless key-witnesses like Ajmal Kasab and Fahim Ansari are probed, it also demanded non-bailable arrest warrants for Fahim Ansari.

Judge Malik Muhammad Akram Awan made the observation after prosecution lawyers were unable to satisfy him on two key issues - the serving of a non-bailable arrest warrant issued for Ansari and the receipt of written permission from India for sending a commission to interview

key-witnesses.

The judge, who conducted the incamera proceedings at the anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi, said a report submitted by the prosecution mentioned that another non-bailable arrest warrant issued for lone surviving Mumbai attacker Ajmal Kasab could not be served as he was on death row following his conviction and sentencing by an Indian court, according to media reports.

However, the prosecution's report was silent on the arrest warrant issued for Ansari, an Indian suspect who was acquitted by the court in Mumbai, the judge noted.

See # 12 Page 7

Ki-moon advocates democracy in Pak BRUSSELS: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his message read out at Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) ministerial meeting in Brussels has said that Pakistan needs an 'accountable, civilian-led democracy' for the stability of the country and the region.

"The United Nations will also stand with Pakistan in facing the challenge of violent extremism and in furthering the

democratic transformation of the country. Accountable, civilian-led democracy is critical for the stability of Pakistan, the region and the wider world," Ban was quoted as saying.

"I continue to urge the international community to support Pakistan's efforts to implement the recommendations of the Post Crisis Needs Assessment exercise," the message further said.

See # 13 Page 7

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