e-paper PakistanToday Karachi 13th Nov, 2011

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Vol ii no 138 100 pages islamabad — peshawar edition

SC warns army against ‘illegal actions’ g

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cJp says action taken by armed forces without direction from govt will be unconstitutional says assumption of power by authority not mentioned in constitution won’t be recognised by any court ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry reminded the country’s armed forces on Saturday their functions as prescribed in the constitution, saying any action of the armed forces taken without direction from the federal government would be unconstitutional, illegal, void ab initio and consequently of no legal effect.

During his address to the visiting officers from National Defence University at the Supreme Court (SC), he recalled the SC verdict in the case of the Sindh High Court Bar Association vs The Federation of Pakistan to make it clearer that any illegal action of the armed forces would be unconstitutional and invite the wide and varied application of Article 6 to all who abrogate or attempt to abrogate or subvert the constitution. He added that the SC judgement had laid down that the assumption of power by an authority not mentioned in the constitution would be unconstitutional, illegal and void ab initio and not liable to be recognised by any court, including the apex court.

The CJP said the responsibility to interpret the constitution had been assigned to the SC. In the same judgement, he said, the SC had also added a new provision to the Code of Conduct prescribed for judges of the superior courts, prohibiting them from taking fresh oath on any instrument not in consonance with the constitution.He said keeping in view the importance of the armed forces, a complete chapter was introduced in the constitution which contained provisions for the command, oath and functions of the military. He said according to Article 245 of the constitution, the functions and role of the armed forces was, under the directions of the federal government, to defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and secondly, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.

He told the visiting officers that the oath provided in the Third Schedule of the constitution bound every member of the armed forces to bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the constitution, which embodied the will of the people.

Moreover, they were bound by the oath not to engage in political activities whatsoever and serve the country honestly and faithfully, as required by and under the law. The CJP said further that the constitution of any country was a supreme document that defined the composition and powers of various organs of the state and harmonised the relations between them.

The constitution, he said, provided basic framework for governance of a country and its fundamental values. Various constitutions of the world provided different schemes for distribution of powers between the organs of the state, he said, adding that it was important for the state functionaries to be aware of the principles of the constitution and the law. He quoted an excerpt from Quaid-e-Azam’s address to the officers of Staff College, Quetta in 1948, in which he said: “The executive authority flows from the head of the government of Pakistan and, therefore, any command or orders that may come to you cannot come without the sanction of the executive head.”

Continued on page 04

pakistantoday.com.pk

Sunday, 13 november, 2011 Zul-Haj 16, 1432

Pakistan Army wants peace too, says Singh indian pM says another Mumbai-like attack would be a ‘setback’ g says he will visit pakistan only when it takes solid steps against Mumbai attack accused

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MONITORING DESK

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ITH a combative opposition accusing him of going soft on the Mumbai attack, Indian Prime Minister said he was optimistic about the resumed with Islamabad and Pakistan Army was fully on board in carrying forward the process, the Times of India said in a report on Saturday.

But the Indian premier stressed that if another “barbarous” attack were to happen, it would be a “setback”. “I did discuss with Prime Minister (Yousaf Raza) Gilani whether the is fully on board to carry forward with the peace process,” he was quoted as saying.

“The sense I got was that after a long time, Pakistan’s armed forces are fully on board,” he added.

He told reporters on board his special aircraft while returning from the in the Maldives: “I did discuss with [Prime Minister ] the Mumbai terror attack. Those who perpetrated the barbarous attack must be brought to justice.”

“I left Prime Minister Gilani in no doubt that if public opinion in

India is not satisfied that justice is being done to those responsible to the barbarous attack, it won’t be possible to move forward with the peace process,” the Times of India quoted Singh as saying. “We both recognise that if there is another attack like Mumbai, it will be a setback to the normalization of relations. And that was understood by Prime Minister Gilani,” the Indian premier said.

VISIT TO PAKISTAN: He said his visit to Pakistan would take place only when Pakistan took solid steps against the Mumbai terror attack accused. Singh’s clarification came two days after he held wide-ranging talks with his Pakistani counterpart on the sidelines of the SAARC summit and amid the Bharatiya Janata Party’s accusation that he had gone soft on terror emanating from Pakistan barely days before the third anniversary of the Mumbai attacks.

Pointing out that the relations between India and Pakistan were “subject to accidents,” Singh took positive note of the decision of Pakistan to grant Most Favoured Nation status to India and stressed on encouraging development in areas such as trade and the willingness of Pak-

istan to discuss all issues, including that of terror.“I told [Prime Minister Gilani] that terror as an instrument of state policy has no takers in the world and it has given rise to Pakistani terrorism. Terror has to be dealt with firmly,” he said.

“Trade and economic relationship is one area where progress is possible,” said Singh. Reacting to criticism in India about him describing Gilani as “a man of peace”, Singh said: “I have met Prime Minister Gilani four or five times. He agreed

with me that there is no way but to find a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues.”

“In fact, he (Gilani) has gone ahead and expressed his reservations that terrorism is a common enemy, it has not helped advance Pakistan’s cause. I tend to believe that Pakistan has a democratic government. We would like to strengthen the hands of the democratic government,” he said.

However, Singh pointed out that his decision to resume the peace process with Pakistan was not an individual-centric one, said the report.

“Our approach to Pakistan is ‘trust but verify’. We are not putting blind faith in one individual. I do hope it will genuinely lead to the normalisation of relations,” he was quoted as saying.“If our government gets solid evidence that terror is continuing (from Pakistan), it will be a negative factor. If trade relations move positively, it will be a positive factor,” Singh said.“I come back with the expectation that the second round of resumed dialogue, which will commence very soon, will have the advantage of more informed dialogue.

I am optimistic,” he added.

LJ terrorists kill army major, four security personnel

SHABQADAR: Policemen collect evidence from the site of a bomb explosion in Shabqadar, a town close to Peshawar, on Saturday. A remote-controlled bomb exploded near a police checkpost, killing one policeman and wounding another. staff photo

CHAKWAL/JHELUM: A major of the Pakistan Army and four intelligence personnel were reportedly abducted and later killed by militants of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorist group in Jhelum on Saturday.

According to the Jhelum DPO, Dr Arshad, a top commander of the Lashkar-e-Jhanvi and his men abducted Major Afaq and four other intelligence personnel for ransom.

Reports from the area said that more than 200 police and military personnel launched a search operation in the area and killed five militants, including Dr Arshad, in the Pir Chambal area of Pind Dadan Khan tehsil, near the Gharibwal cement factory.

However, military sources claimed that the operation was conducted by the police alone.

The DPO told a private TV channel that Dr Arshad had killed the security officials during the encounter. He said that Dr Arshad was also wanted by police in a murder case in Mandi Bahauddin Saddar Police Station. agencies

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

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today’s

Four gunned down at Pindi district courts

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woRLd view

The nine lives of ‘Karachi’s toughest cop’

The world of Richard Holbrooke

Quick Look

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Railways likely to get Rs 6 billion next week LAHORE: Pakistan Railways is likely to get a loan of Rs 6 billion next week from the consortium of nationalised banks to repair its 96 locomotives. Railways General Manager (operations) Saeed Akhtar on Saturday said an agreement in this regard might be signed very soon.

He said 96 faulty locomotives would be re-inducted to the railways fleet with the amount obtained from the banks. Under the plan, four locomotives would roll out of workshops within next two to three months and all the faulty locomotives would be brought back on track gradually, Akhtar said. He said freight train operation would also be restarted by next month and would help the organisation earn revenue. He said all out efforts were being made to restore the glory of Pakistan Railways. Akhtar said business train would start its operations by the end of the current moth under public-private ownership. Meanwhile, operations of 116 mail trains were suspended owing to the shortage of locomotives and only the main trains on the Lahore-Karachi, Lahore-Quetta and Lahore-Rawalpindi sections were operated. According to sources, railways had a few operational engines out of total 502, but on Saturday, just 88 locomotives were left in a position throughout the country to be operated. On the other hand, regular payment to the staff, including TA/DA and GP, has become a dream for employees, as railway authorities have used up the funds of staff for paying salaries and now waiting for the release of payment under the bailout package. STAFF REPORT

Sharifs to donate retrieved Rs 110m to Sharif Medical Trust LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and their family have decided to donate the retrieved amount of Rs 110 million to the Sharif Medical Trust. The amount retrieved on the orders of the Lahore High Court was recovered as penalty from the Sharif family in the defunct plane high jacking case during former president Pervez Musharraf’s regime. The announcement was made by the spokesman of the Sharif family on Saturday. He said it was evident from the LHC order that the action of Musharraf’s government against the Sharif family was based on mere injustice. The family decided to donate this amount as a token of gratitude to the Sharif Medical Trust, the spokesman said. STAFF REPORT

Another 7 succumb to dengue in Lahore LAHORE: The dengue virus claimed another seven lives in the provincial capital on Saturday. According to reports, Riffat Bibi, 45, died in Jinnah Hospital while Muhammad Aslam, 55, lost his life owing to complications due the fever in Services Hospital.

Meanwhile, INP reported Muhammad Ijaz, 47, a resident of Davis Road died at the Mayo Hospital late on Friday night.

Another dengue victim, 46-year-old Kishwar Khatoon, resident of Sanda, lost her fight against the disease. Muhammad Afzal, 30, resident of Kot Khwaja Saeed died at Ganga Ram Hospital. Two dengue patients from Model Town, Ahsan-ul-Haq and Muhammad Hussain, died at Ittefaq Hospital. The official death toll reached 332 in Punjab of which 288 died in the Lahore alone whereas independent sources claimed that 362 people had died in the provincial capital alone while there was no system in place for recording data in other cities. STAFF REPORT

3 injured in attack on police vehicle QUETTA: Three people, including a woman, were wounded in a remote-controlled bomb explosion in Dera Murad Jamali area of Naseerabad district, some 300 kilometer southeast of Quetta, on Saturday. Police said unknown militants attached explosive devices to a motorcycle parked in a cattle market in Dera Murad Jamali. The explosives went off when a police vehicle passed by.

A large blast occurred that injured three people, including a woman, while the police vehicle was partially damaged. However, police personnel remained unhurt. The injured were shifted to a hospital for medical aid, where the condition of two injured, Nasir Ahmed and Bibi Naz Gul, was stated to be serious. Police officials said the police vehicle was the main target of the blast.

The bomb weighed about one and half kilogram. After the blast, police and Frontier Corps personnel started a search operation to find the accused involved in the blast. No group has claimed responsibility for bomb attack. However, police suspected Baloch militants. STAFF REPORT

WELCOME BACK: A florist decorates a car with fresh flowers to welcome pilgrims returning from Saudi Arabia after perform Haj.

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pia engulfed by financial woes, unions’ wrath LAHORE ImRAn ADnAn

The cash-strapped national flag carrier is facing serious hardship in running smooth routine and Haj operations.

On one hand, foreign aviation organisations are fast losing their trust in Pakistan International Airline (PIA)’s financial health; while on the other, various employee associations are giving tough time to the management on virtually every issue.

Aviation industry sources have disclosed that a Saudi Arabian vendor had asked the national flag carrier to release payment of $4 million outstanding fuel bills. PIA was warned that if it did not clear the outstanding bill in 72 hours, it would stop fuel supply to PIA’s aircraft at Jeddah airport, which could jeopardise the smooth post-Haj operation.

Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation (CAOIRI) has already closed its airspace for PIA aircraft over a delayed outstanding payment of $0.6 million, which resulted in that the national flag carrier is incurring the higher fuel cost for Lahore- and Islamabadbound return Haj flights as aircrafts have to take a slightly longer route over Oman’s airspace, sources maintained.

Apart from financial irregularities and mismanagement, the national flag carrier is facing hard resistance from several staff unions and associations. In a recent episode,

PIA Managing Director Captain Nadeem Yousufzai had to surrender before the employee associations by scrapping the proposal of wet lease of two aircraft.

The sources said the national flag carrier had planned to acquire two Airbus A320 on wet lease, which meant PIA had to pay hourly rent for aircraft, complete crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI). However, upon protest by Pakistan Airline Pilots’ Association (PALPA) and a number of other staff associations, the management scrapped the proposal.

As PIA is passing through its most difficult times, PALPA and other PIA unions are of the view that instead of acquiring aircraft on lease, the airline should strive to restore six grounded aircraft. In a recent meeting with the PIA MD, union office-bearers asked the management that if aircraft acquisition on lease was unavoidable, the airline should opt for some Boeing variant for which PIA had expertise and overhauling or maintenance

facilities. In another move, PIA’s senior management decided to constitute a Counter Corruption Committee to rein in leakages. But, interestingly, PALPA, Society of Aircraft Engineers PIA (SAEP), Flight Engineers Association (FENA) and Aircraft Technicians Association of PIA (ATAP) again opposed the development by withdrawing their names from the committee. Office-bearers of employee associations are of the view that the committee is comprised of non-serious representatives who could not bring any change by preventing corruption.

Talking to Pakistan Today, a senior PALPA member said all professional bodies, including PALPA, wanted to ensure transparency in the airline’s affairs, but PIA management had to be serious about it.

He said earlier the national flag carrier acquired two air crafts from a Greek company on wet lease in which millions of dollars were wasted, as none of the two aircraft joined Haj operation. Despite several attempts, PIA’s spokesman could not be reached for a comment.

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

FoReigN NewS

ARTS & eNTeRTAiNMeNT

SPoRTS

Obama to press medvedev, Hu on Iran

I’m not getting married: Kareena

Aisam-Bopanna in Paris masters final

News 03 CoMMeNT So far so good but...

Making the right noises?

Building bridges SAARC could be a regional power hub.

Humayun Guahar says: The Sting: Of deceit and double-standards.

m j Akbar says: The honourable idiot: A dust storm gathers all kinds of specks.

Sarmad Bashir says: The runaway general: And the Balochistan quagmire he created.

Story on Page 20

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Articles on Page 12-13

PPP govt using Imran Farooq murder case as ‘pressure tactic’ g

officials told to ‘just keep quiet’ when asked about murder KARACHI

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TARIQ HABIB

HE Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government has raised controversy by ordering government officials to “just keep quiet” on the matter of the murder of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) central leader Dr Imran Farooq, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Whereas accused in the Imran Farooq murder case were arrested in August 2011, the government, Interior and Home Ministers have maintained their silence on the matter.

On August 27, Pakistan Today revealed two ex-students of Karachi University, linked with a student organization, had been arrested for the murder of Dr Imran Farooq.

However, Interior Minister Rehman Malik denied any arrest from Karachi Airport in connection with the Imran Farooq murder case. Subsequently, all government personnel denied the arrest.

North waziristan militant leader threatens govt MIRANSHAH REuTERS

The most powerful militant leader in North Waziristan has threatened to tear up a peace accord and turn his fighters against the government. Hafiz Gul Bahadur has an unofficial non-aggression pact with the military, focusing instead on attacking US troops in Afghanistan. Bahadur is known to have links with notorious militant groups in North Waziristan, including the Haqqani network, which has emerged as the most highprofile threat to US forces in Afghanistan.

Bahadur criticised Pakistani leaders for allowing the US to conduct drone missile strikes in North Waziristan and said the council of militant groups he heads would no longer hold talks with the government. “We have been showing patience because of problems being faced by common people but now the government has also resorted to repression on our common people at the behest of foreigners,” Bahadur, who heads a Pakistani Taliban faction, said in a statement distributed in North Waziristan. He accused the government of firing mortar bombs and cannons on civilians and demolishing a hospital and other buildings in North Waziristan. Army officials were not immediately available for comment. Local military officials said “terrorists” had used public buildings to launch rocket attacks at military checkpoints.

However, on Monday, London Commissioner Bernard Howe Hougan said two suspects had been arrested in Pakistan by Pakistani intelligence agencies for involvement in the murder of Dr Imran Farooq.

After the London commissioner’s statement, while the main allies of the PPP government come up with a strategy to control the damage, the PPP leadership has decided to enforce silence on the subject.

Talking to media on Saturday, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was investigating the murder of Imran Farooq and he could not comment on the matter.

However, internal sources claimed the PPP leadership had met and decided to follow a policy of “wait and see.”

There are issues outstanding amongst the PPP and MQM leaderships on the Local Government’s system and the PPP is trying to take advantage from the pressure

pti cec meeting of ‘far-reaching impact’ today ISLAMABAD ARIF TAj

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaaf (PTI) is going to hold an important meeting today (Sunday), in which the party said decisions having far-reaching impact would be made.

“The important issues being taken up tomorrow in the meeting are possible alliance with various nationalist parties in Sindh and Balochistan, matter pertaining to joining the party by several politicians and establishment of a cell by party to collect details of the assets of politicians, including those of the PTI. These are important issues and CEC’s decisions in this regard would cast far-reaching impact on the country’s overall political situation,” PTI spokesman Chaudhry Rizwan told Pakistan Today on Saturday. He said PTI chief Imran Khan had met certain nationalist leaders during his visit to Sindh last month and discussed matters related to alliance. “Now the CEC meeting will take up and discuss the matter in detail,” Rizwan said. He added that this would be the first

meeting of the CEC after PTI’s successful public gathering in Lahore.

When questioned about the dialogue between the PTI and Likeminded Group of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q, the spokesman said the CEC would decide if the PTI would side with any party or ask them to formally join the PTI. He said the PTI was likely to announce the establishment of a cell which would collect details of politicians’ assets. “Imran Khan said in Lahore while addressing the historic public gathering that the PTI will establish a cell to collect details of the assets of different politicians, including those of the PTI, and formal establishment of the cell is likely to be announced after the meeting,” the spokesman said. Rizwan said a large number of people were aspiring to join the PTI and the CEC would make a final decision in this regard. “PTI’s successful public rally in Lahore is a watershed in the political history of the country and new political situation has emerged after it. A large number of people are contacting the PTI to join the party. The CEC will discuss the matter in detail,” the PTI spokesman.

on the MQM after the London commissioners’ statement.

On the other side, intelligence agencies are yet to have shown the arrest of the suspects which asks the question: under what law have they not revealed the arrests of persons after 24 hours of their arrest. Sources said it is possible intelligence agencies had not produced the suspects as a favour to the governing alliance.

Sources said it appears that the Imran Farooq murder case has been solved and the PPP government is now using it as a pressure tactic.

Sources said the only hope to know who was involved in Imran Farooq’s murder lies in London since the PPP is using the matter to save their government.

Sources said the PPP’s silence also raising questions about the interior and home ministries since both ministers were confusing the people of Pakistan. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has yet to have commented on the matter after the statement issued from London.

Federal govt alone can talk about dr imran’s murder, says wasan KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh government has refused to reveal or mention anything about two men arrested in Pakistan in connection with the murder of Dr Imran Farooq in London, saying the federal government alone had the authority to talk reveal anything regarding the incident. The two men were arrested in August at Qauid-e Azam International Airport Karachi but they were not produced in any court for remand nor were their identities and affiliation revealed.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the British High Commissioner had denied any such arrest. However, London police commissioner Bernard Howe-Hogan had said that investigation into the murder of Farooq was underway. He accepted that two men had been arrested in Pakistan in for their alleged involvement in the murder.

The reports regarding the arrest were carried in Pakistani media on August 26 and 27 however there no body was produced to confirm the reports. Neither local police, nor the FIA or the British administration had accepted the reports.

Even after confirmation by the London police commissioner, the Sindh government was not ready give any detail regarding the men with Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan closing the chapter altogether saying that federal government alone could talk about the issue. “The federal government alone can talk about the arrests in connection with the murder of Dr Imran Farooq,” he said.

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04 News

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

PPP to take disciplinary action against 2 Punjab MPs for defection LAHORE nASIR BuTT

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POWER TO THE 99%: Two protesters, one of them wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, hold up banners as they take part in a demonstration in front of the Reichstag building housing the Bundestag in munich. afp

fo denies reports gilani, Karzai meeting was ‘tense’ ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Foreign Office on Saturday denied media reports suggesting the meeting between Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit in the Maldives was held in a ‘tense’ atmosphere and did not conclude on a positive note.

Reporting on the meeting between the Pakistan and Afghanistan leaders from Addu in the Maldives, an English daily had claimed efforts to defuse tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan appeared to suffer a setback on Friday when a meeting between Gilani and Karzai did not conclude on a positive note.

It said, “According to a member of the Pakistani delegation, President Karzai adopted a rather aggressive

6 killed in Khyber Agency attacks PESHAWAR AFP

Two separate militant attacks left at least six civilians, including children, and as many militants dead in Khyber Agency on Saturday, officials said. “At least six people including two children and a woman were killed when a mortar fired by militants fell on a house in Tirah valley,” a senior local administration official, Saeed Ahmad Jan, told AFP. He said the militants apparently wanted to target a nearby check-post of security forces but missed. And in Bara town a group of 20-25 militants from the Lashkar-eIslam (LI) group attacked a check-post of the paramilitary Frontier Corps, triggering a gunfight. “The exchange of fire left six militants dead and 10 others wounded,” Jan said, adding that troops arrested all the injured rebels.

posture at the meeting held at the Shangrila resort in Addu and bombarded us with a number of demands laced with accusations.”

Another newspaper quoted a federal minister saying, “The meeting took place in a highly tense atmosphere as the Afghan president was not in a mood to listen to anyone.”

According to report, the minister said, “Frankly speaking, PM Gilani was taken aback since he had expected a friendly gesture from the Afghan president.”

Commenting on what she dubbed “speculative media reports” on the meeting between PM Gilani and President Karzai, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit in the Maldives was held in a cordial atmosphere and provided a good opportunity for

a frank and in-depth exchange of views.

She said Gilani recounted Pakistan’s efforts to improve relations with Afghanistan and had taken several initiatives in this regard.

She said, “Pakistan supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of reconciliation and peace and will continue to work to strengthen relations with Afghanistan.

She said the PM had asked Afghanistan to specify and lead the reconciliation and peace process.

She called Professor Rabbani’s assassination ‘tragic’ and a ‘set back.’ She said Karzai had affirmed the importance Afghanistan attached to its relations with Pakistan. “Both sides agreed decisions reached at the recent Istanbul Trilateral Summit should be implemented,” she said.

sc warns army Continued fRom page 1 He said further that the constitution provided for a system of separation of powers between the three organs: the legislature, executive and judiciary. Each organ was required to perform its functions to the fullest extent and avoid intervention in the domain of the other, he added. He said this was how the business of the state could be conducted in an organised and coherent manner and peace and security could be maintained in the country.

He said there was a separate part of the constitution dealing with the composition and jurisdiction of the country’s judicature. However, under the scheme of the constitution, the judiciary had not been defined as a part of the state, he added.

“The Constitution of Pakistan provides the system of checks and balances between the organs of the state. The judiciary has been given the power of judicial review of executive and legislative actions.

The constitution has guaranteed the protection of fundamental rights including right to life, safeguard as to arrest and detention, protection of property, right to information, right to education and guarantee of freedom of movement, association, speech, trade, business or profession. The said object of the constitution can only be achieved through an independent judiciary. The constitution guarantees that the independence of judiciary shall be fully secured and for this purpose it must be separated from the executive,” said Chaudhry.

PPP Punjab cancels rallies, gatherings LAHORE

HE Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is going to take disciplinary action against two party lawmakers from Multan division for announcing a forward bloc of PPP in the Punjab Assembly and the members would be served show-cause notices next week.

Malik Muhammad Abbas Rana and Doctor Muhammad Akhtar Malik on Saturday warned of defection after voicing concern over Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s working.

Rana was elected from PP-201 (Multan-VIII) on PPP ticket and Malik from PP-202 (Multan-IX). Rana on Saturday threatened the party leadership of making a forward bloc.

Talking to reporters, he said that he along with others 25 MPAs would part ways with the PPP if former

foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi asked them to do so.

“I would resign from the House along with 15 other MPAs if Shah Sahib orders me,” he said. The MPA added that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani had stopped his development funds. Meanwhile, Doctor Muhammad Akhtar Malik accused the prime minister of dividing the party.

He said that he would be compelled to form a forward bloc along with 50 disgruntled PPP MPAs. He said Gilani was destroying the PPP, as he benefited those who wanted to divide the party.

After the news broke out of party defectors in the Punjab Assembly, the PPP parliamentary party was in a shock, as the announcement exhibited the differences within the party.

However, party sources said that informal contacts between party stalwarts were renewed and a parliamentary party meeting was

scheduled to be held next week under Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

The PPP Deputy Parliamentary Leader in Punjab Assembly Shaukat Basra said the move by the legislators was unexpected, as they were attached with former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who had tried all to change the loyalties of other PPP lawmakers in Punjab Assembly, but failed.

Basra said disciplinary action against the two MPs would be taken and in the first step they would be served show-cause notice next week and then a reference against them would be forwarded to Election Commission of Pakistan.

He strongly dispelled the impression the two MPs had the support of 25 other PPP legislators who were ready to defect. He said the PPP in Punjab Assembly was completely intact and there were no chances of more defections.

STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Punjab chapter on Saturday cancelled all its rallies and public gatherings throughout the province, which were meant to show its political strength.

Following the announcement of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, PPP Punjab General Secretary Samiullah Khan said that as the PPP was in government and keeping in view the critical circumstances in the country, it was decided to defer all rallies and meetings. He said that in the larger public interest, the PPP would not hold any public meeting or rally on patterns of the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) or the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). “We are in the government and the government doesn’t need to show its power or muscles to prove its strength,” he said.

sherry slams killing of three hindu doctors

Shots fired near white House WASHINGTON

ISLAMABAD

OnlInE

STAFF REPORT

A shooting incident involving a police chase near the White House has closed streets in the US capital of Washington, according to initial reports.

Shots were reported fired on Friday night between the White House and the Washington Monument, setting off a flurry of law enforcement activity, CNN reported citing a US Park Police spokesman. The incident was reported shortly after 9pm, according to Sergeant David Schlosser, spokesman for the Park Police. Responding officers found an abandoned vehicle in the vicinity of the reported incident and were searching it “trying to figure out what happened”.

President of the Jinnah Institute and former federal minister Sherry Rehman has joined voice with all human rights organisations in condemning the murder of three Hindu brothers in Shikarpur district on November 9.

Sherry also moved an adjournment motion in the National Assembly yesterday against this heinous act.

Three Hindu brothers, Dr Ajeet Kumar, Dr Naresh Kumar and Dr Ashok Kumar, were gunned down due to an altercation with the Muslim Baban Khan Bhayo tribe over a dancing girl, meters away from the

local police station.

The family members of the victims have expressed dissatisfaction over the FIR registered against the Bhayo clansmen, believing it to be fabricated and providing benefit of doubt to the accused.

Badin rallies against Wasan, then Mirza KARACHI QAZI ASIF

Though Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari has asked provincial ministers not to issue any statements against Dr Zulfiqar Mirza nor reply to his provocations, the differences between Sindh Home Minister Wasan and former home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza have surfaced in Badin, where their supporters took out rallies in different towns against each other.

The first rally led by Peeroz Shahani was held in Golarchi town of Badin district, where PPP workers while showing support to Mirza, chanted slogans against Wasan, his brother and some other ministers also.

Afterwards, PPP activists came out to organise

more rallies in different towns of Badin, including Matli, Danbalo, Tando Ghulam Muhammad, Khorwah, in favour Wasan and against the former Sindh minister.

According to people, these rallies were organised

by PPP Badin chapter to remove the stance that Badin is supportive of Mirza’s an-

tics. “The district leadership of PPP wants to show that they are committed to party decisions and not one personality,” they said. The people were of the view that if a line is drawn between PPP and Mirza, the PPP will not support Mirza and he will stand alone. With differences between Mirza and

the PPP-led Sindh government rising, District Police Officer (DPO) Ashfaq Khan went on leave for three months and DPS Golarchi and Matli tehsils were also changed on Saturday. These police officers were reportedly loyal to the former home minister.

Another defining moment was that despite being present in Badin, National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza did not attend the video conference held by President Zardari on Friday with elected representatives and administration of Badin to know about relief and rehabilitation in the district after recent flooding. However, independent observers are of the view that if differences between President Zardari and Mirza reach a point of no return, the loser will not be Mirza only.

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

‘Singh-gilani bonhomie something fresh’ Mani Shankar Aiyar in city 07

PPP switches to damage-control mode in Sindh ■ Keeping the next elections in view, party decides to overhaul Sindh cabinet and party structure KARACHI RAZZAK ABRO

W

ITH new elections in its hindsight, the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership has given the go-ahead to bring about some necessary changes in the government as well as the party structure in the province.

The decision was made on Saturday at a Bilawal House meeting of the PPP, presided over by its cochairman and President Asif Ali Zardari, where some senior leaders of the PPP Sindh chapter and

provincial cabinet members empowered the party co-chairman for taking decisions in this regard The president is likely to announce the changes in cabinet and party’s organisation during his next week visit to Sindh.

The meeting – held in two parts – was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah among senior PPP leaders, federal and provincial ministers including Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Raza Rabbani, Naveed Qamar, Nisar Khuhro, Ayaz Soomro, Faryal Talpur, Agha Siraj Durani, Pir Mazharul Haq, Murad Ali Shah, Jam Saifullah Dharejo and Mir Nadir Magsi.

Regarding PPP’s reorganisation, it was decided to recruit personnel for the vacant positions at district and tehsil levels, motivate the office-bearers currently inactive and take disciplinary action against party leaders and members involved in violating discipline.

According to insiders, the party leaders also decided to make changes in the PPP Karachi chapter’s structure. “It is likely that former Karachi chapter president Senator Faisal Raza Abidi will be reappointed on his position while some other office-bearers of the city may also be changed,” they told Pakistan Today.

Talking with journalists after

the meeting, provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, while not confirming the decision about changes in the Sindh cabinet, however said that some “important” decisions will be made during the upcoming visit to Sindh of President Zardari.

“Decisions have been taken for reorganisation of party and action against those violating party discipline and filling vacant party offices,” he said. “The president has directed the provincial government to fill vacant posts above 17-Grade in different government departments and formulate legislation for increasing the number of Sindh Public Service Commission members.”

Responding to a question re-

garding a new local government system, Soomro said the legislation in this regard would be made after developing consensus among all coalition partners. “No legislation would be made against the wishes of the people and interests of the province.”

Federal Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar told the journalists that issues pertaining to the upcoming Senate elections, general elections and party issues at provincial and national levels were discussed during the meeting.

Answering a query, he said that Dr Zulfiqar Mirza’s politics did not come under discussion.

Speaking to the media, Sindh

Mr nabeel Khokhar are you for real?

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Posted on numerous blogs, this picture has become quite a sensation for the past few days, so much so that there is a fan page on Facebook for the person on it.

The picture was first posted on kalam.tv and then on huffingtonpost.com, later turning into a bloggers’ favourite.

The billboard in the picture is supposed to be situated along the Shahrah-e-Faisal in Karachi.

The billboard carries a picture of a man and his message in which he is apologising to “Princess” for being a “dirty, sneaky, immoral, poorly-endowed slimeball” and wants to “make things right”.

“Nabeel Khokhar” also goes on to write at the end that “This is not a public service message”.

There is no confirmation as to whether the billboard really exists or not. The picture might be a Photoshop trick, but it has certainly managed to flood blogs with comments. The manner in which “Khokhar” has expressed his feelings have not gone down well with

KARACHI

many who think he has only wasted money at a time when floods have ravaged Sindh, thousands lost their homes and 1,600 people committed

suicide in the country this year alone, whereas others find it hilarious. There are also those who believe it is a prank, while some even

sympathise with the man. “Mr Khokhar” might not even be a real person, but for now, he is a celebrity on the Internet.

■ ongoing investigation suggests lecturer provoked students ■ varsity management delaying probe as students involved in incident affiliated with political party currently part of govt KARACHI An investigation into the manhandling of a University of Karachi (KU) lecturer at the hands of some students on November 3 has taken a U-turn after a witness reported that the lecturer, Alam Shah of KU’s Department of Philosophy, had provoked the students, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Moreover, according to sources, the varsity’s management has started adopting delaying tactics to protect the students involved in the lecturer’s manhandling because the attackers are believed to be activists of the student wing of a political party currently part of the government.

Shah, who had reprimanded some students over reckless driving, was beaten up by those students after an exchange of heated words. The students then returned with a mob that attacked the lecturer until the

‘Curriculum needs fixing to stem growing religious intolerance’ STAFF REPORT

KU lecturer’s ‘attackers’ likely to dodge punishment AAmIR mAjEED

Food Minister Mir Nadir Magsi said that the PPP co-chairman made it clear during the meeting that nobody [in the party] should try to take a solo flight.

About changes in the Sindh cabinet, he replied that he was unaware of any such decision.

Meanwhile, President Zardari also chaired two other meetings regarding development of Sehwan and the availability of urea for the Rabi season.

PML-F leader and Sindh Auqaf Minister Dr Rafiq Banbhan told journalists that the president has directed for the establishment of a hotel and a branch of Sindh Bank in Sehwan.

KU security rescued him.

A senior KU employee said when he had reached the scene of the incident, he found no student there.

“Meanwhile, the two students (who were accused of reckless driving) arrived with a mob. One of the students pointed towards Shah, saying that the lecturer had beaten him up. Following that, the crowd attacked Shah,” he added. He also said, “The statement of the two students and the circumstances suggest that Shah might have provoked the students.”

Following the incident, the university’s teachers boycotted classes until the KU administration told them that the case was pending before the disciplinary committee, which would resolve the case by November 10, causing the teachers to end the boycott. However, sources said, the case was transferred from the high-power inquiry committee to the disciplinary committee on November 11.

The Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) had called a general body meeting on November 10 and decided to resume academic activities after the varsity management assured them that the disciplinary committee is dealing with the matter.

KUTS President Dr Muttahir Sheikh said the KU management had sought a week’s time on November 3 to resolve the case. He said the deadline expired on November 10 and the teachers’ meeting was called to review the development in Shah’s case.

However, he added, the management told us that the disciplinary committee needed another week to resolve the case, so the teachers have postponed the meeting until the new deadline expires.

On the other hand, KU Disciplinary Committee Convener Prof Dr Abuzar Wajdi said the case was handed over to the committee on Friday, November 11. Wajdi said the

committee met on Saturday to review the case and sought details of the case from the inquiry committee.

He said the findings of the inquiry committee would be reviewed and then the medico-legal officer’s report analysed, following which the committee would issue show-cause notices to the students identified.

He also said if the students respond to the notices, then the committee would take their written and verbal statements and match them with the witnesses and victim’s statements. He added that if the statements of the victim, students and witnesses clash, then cross-examination would be conducted.

It is pertinent to mention here that the KU vice chancellor has suspended the results of the two students accused of attacking the lecturer, and barred them from attending classes and taking examinations until the disciplinary committee resolves the case.

A minorities group including members from Christian, Hindu, Bahá’í, Ahmedi, Zoroastrian and Sikh among Muslim communities has come forward to analyse and propose changes in the curriculum that are acceptable for students of minority communities in Pakistan.

This was decided on Saturday by participants at the meeting of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)’s Working Group on Rights of Communities Vulnerable Because of their Belief.

The HRCP minorities’ workgroup – launched last year – has decided to give priority to initiatives highlighting human rights’ violations and concerns, analysis of discriminatory laws and practices, and recommending appropriate changes and scrutiny of circumstances that allow advocacy of hatred based on religious beliefs, which constitutes as incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

The group will also look into the Hindu marriages act, forced conversations, equal rights and citizenship, and class differences within the minority communities.

The group was set up in response to the growing vulnerability of members of minority communities over the past several years as extremists and militants have increasingly resorted to violence and incitement targeting them.

HRCP chairperson Zohra Yusuf and Secretary General IA Rehman among other members, Kishanchand Parwani, Petambar Kumar, Amarnath Motumal, Akthar Hussain Baloch, Pushpa Kumari, attended the meeting.

Teenager’s death takes dengue toll to 14 KARACHI STAFF REPORT

A teenage boy breathed his last at a private hospital in Karachi on Saturday due to the dengue virus, raising the dengue death toll to 14 in the metropolitan.

Sindh Dengue Surveillance Cell Provincial Focal Person/Civil Hospital Karachi Additional Medical Superintendent (General) Dr M Shakeel Aamir Mullick informed the media through a statement that on November 1, 17year-old Hamza Hayat – resident of Block 40, Cement Lane, Keamari Town – was taken to a private hospital where he was conf i r m e d dengue positive, and on Saturday, breathed his last.

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

President orders quick renovation of Qalander’s shrine ■ wants work on shrine’s dome and courtyard completed by January 30 KARACHI STAFF REPORT

President Asif Ali Zardari directed the provincial government on Saturday to ensure that the renovation and extension work of the historic shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalander in Sehwan Sharif is completed as soon as possible.

“The work on the shrine’s dome and the courtyard should be completed by January 30,” he instructed while presiding over a meeting at the Bilawal House.

He also directed the authorities concerned to maintain quality and transparency in the construction work and told the provincial government to ensure security and cleanliness in and around the shrine to facilitate the visitors and uphold the sanctity of the place.

Provincial ministers Pir Mazharul Haq, Murad Ali Shah, Ayaz Soomro, Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Sharjeel Memon, MNA Fauzia Wahab, Sharmila Farooqui and senior officials were present at the meeting.

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The president stressed the need for preserving cultural monuments for researchers and for those who want to know, learn and experience the heritage and Sufism.

Zardari also asked the federal and the provincial governments to ensure release of the necessary funds needed for completion of the shrine’s renovation work.

During a meeting held earlier on the same subject, it was decided that both the federal and the provincial governments would share the cost of the work.

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‘Media can be effective in increasing public health awareness’ KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Media can play an effective role in increasing awareness about public health issues, said Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Vice Chancellor Prof Masood Hameed Khan at a certificate distribution ceremony of the first Introductory Short Course for Health Journalists held at the Dow Medical College (DMC). The introductory course is a capacity-building programme of a series of short courses for health journalists being offered by the DUHS in collaboration with the Association of Health Journalists Pakistan.

Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, Khan said proper understanding of health issues by media personnel is very important. He said the DUHS would provide computer and technical training to the children of health journalists to help them develop their future careers. As part of its social responsibility, he added, the university is already providing computer and technical training to the children of the faculty members of the DUHS and other varsities.

Khan said for the first time in Pakistan, the DUHS has introduced this course for health journalists to enhance their professional skills of reporting on health issues. DUHS Pro-Vice Chancellor/DMC Principal Prof M Umer Farooq said health reporting is not an easy job and the media has to play its role by creating awareness among the masses. Farooq said raising the quality of public health and medical reporting is one of the aims of this course along with developing a deeper understanding of health sciences in journalists who would be able to develop the skills to quickly identify unreported stories regarding public health, properly analyse them and then accurately report the important health issues.

AHOy, MAtEyS! this ‘pirate’ steers his ‘ship’ at the Drigh Road. asiM RehMani

Female student raped, killed and dumped ■ Five more die in violence and mishaps KARACHI

A

STAFF REPORT

female student was first raped and then tortured to death before being thrown away inside a school building in Orangi Town on Saturday.

Police found the body of the deceased from a private school located in Sector-14, Orangi Town shifted it to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Doctors said the victim had been raped and tortured to death.

The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained until the filing of this report.

Separately, a man was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Bilal Colony area of Quaidabad.

Police said the attackers sprayed Fazal Ameen with bullets while he was returning home.

The body of a man was found near the People’s Stadium at Mauripur Road.

Police said the deceased identified as Mehrab Hussain had been shot twice on his chest.

The victim was a resident of Bihar Colony and owned a shop in the area.

In the Garden area, a man was electrocuted while trying to hook an illegal connection from the main line. His body was shifted to the Civil

Hospital.

Eyewitnesses said the victim had lodged several complaints with the KESC for electricity outage but did not get any response and decided to get a connection for himself.

Three people suffered bullet injuries in the Mithadar area when allegedly some policemen opened fire in the area. Hammad Ishrat, Faizan and Ghafoor were shifted to the Civil Hospital.

The injured persons were at a shop when the Mithadar police opened fire for an unknown reason. However, the Mithadar Police station duty officer said that no such incident took place.

A man died and two others were injured in a road accident at Guru Mandir when a passenger bus collided with a taxi. Rescue workers shifted the deceased and the injured to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

A 45-year-old man was killed when a dumper truck crashed into his motorcycle at the 2-minute chowrangi in North Karachi. The body of the deceased was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Meanwhile, security forces arrested nine suspects allegedly involved in different crimes on Saturday.

The Darakhshan police arrested two suspects named Tasawor Ali and Ashraf, who were wanted in a case of robbery, when they had entered a

house and cut the ears and hands of a 70-year-old man.

The Anti-Encroachment Cell arrested three alleged land grabbers. The suspects identified as Sikandar Barohi, Faizullah and Inayat were involved in selling government properties in Gulshane-e-Raheem, police said.

Four motorcycle snatchers were arrested after a brief encounter with police near the Hamdard University on Northern Bypass. Police claimed to have recovered two stolen motorcycles, three mobiles and other valuables from the suspects.

Two bandits were caught redhanded by police while they were looting a passenger bus.

Police also claimed recovering weapons from the suspects, identified as Khair Muhammad and Asghar, and registered a case against them.

A 12 year-old boy was recovered from a police check post situated in the Clifton area when Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan conducted a surprise raid.

The boy was taken into custody by the law enforcers nine days ago without any reason.

Talking to journalists, the boy said that police had arrested him and declared him a thief but did not register any case against him. “[Police] were demanding a bribe for my release,” the child said.

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karachi 07 ‘Singh-Gilani bonhomie something fresh’ Sunday, 13 November, 2011

PakistaN today

■ indian parliamentarian Mani Shankar Aiyar says he has always advocated the need for uninterrupted dialogue between india and Pakistan KARACHI

I

APP

T was for the first time in the history of India and Pakistan that a sitting Indian prime minister was all praise for his Pakistani counterpart and termed him “the man of peace”, Indian parliamentarian Mani Shankar Aiyar said on Saturday.

“It was a historic moment for people of both countries that our Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh praised your Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for his efforts to bridge the gap between us,” he said while talking to the media after speaking at an international conference on “The situation in South Asia-Global and Regional Implications” organised by the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST).

Referring to the recently concluded 17th SAARC summit in Maldives, Aiyar said that he has always advocated the need for “uninterrupted dialogue between the two countries”.

“It is a good omen that leadership from both sides are seeking peace for the people and even your Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar advocated the same cause,” he said while replying to various queries.

He said that it was an open message to ‘non-state elements’ that they

Mani Shankar Aiyar

have been exposed and could not hinder the current peace process between Pakistan and India.

“We need to achieve the peace agenda at the earliest,” he maintained.

Aiyar was of the view that Pakistan should have granted the most favoured nation status to India much earlier.

“Instead of trade between Pakistan

and India via Dubai, it would be much better to have direct commercial links between our two countries,” he added.

Earlier the conference was also addressed by former foreign secretary Najamuddin Shaikh, defence analyst Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, economist Dr Kaiser Bengali and scholars from Canada and France.

hurry up with the fertilisers please!

UniVeRsaL chiLDRen’s DaY on 20th

‘spreading smiles’ promotes welfare of ailing children KARACHI STAFF REPORT

The Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) and the Pakistan Youth Forum (PYF) organised an event titled “Spreading Smiles” on Saturday to mark the Universal Children’s Day, to be held on November 20, for promoting the welfare of ailing children being treated at SIUT’s paediatric wards.

The staff and volunteers of SIUT and PYF entrancingly decorated the wards and thoroughly entertained the bedridden children in the institute by arranging a vast array of fun-filled activities, including, among many others, face/hand painting of multicoloured fancy designs and cartoon images as requested by children.

Exquisite magic shows were also arranged with a variety of spectacular and enthralling tricks that really captivated the children, following a fabulous film session featuring latest phenomenal blockbuster animated film “Rio”, which was displayed at the huge screen of the Agha Hassan Abidi Auditorium to the sheer delight of the children.

Moreover, to invigorate the aesthetic skills, different drawing and sketching exercises were carried out with the provision of plain pencils, coloured pencils,

crayons and paints, etc.

To top it all off, sumptuous healthy refreshments and delightful gifts were distributed among all the children.

While speaking on the occasion, SIUT’s Prof Dr Anwar Naqvi stressed on the need of enhanced attention and investment for the children in the form of time, quality education, good health, value building, etc.

“It shall be immensely beneficial as these children are the future of our country,” he added.

PYF representatives Sanam Ashraf, Tooba Hatif, Syed Fahad Ali and Syed Arsalan Ashraf also expressed their views at the event.

While highlighting the aims, visions and aspirations of the forum, they reiterated their commitment for similar programmes in the future.

SIUT’s Prof Dr Naqi Zafar welcomed the gathering and especially thanked the PYF members and the SIUT staff for their contributions in ensuring a high-quality event.

The event turned out to be a huge success as the glowing faces and cheerful smiles of bedridden children reflected the fact that the day was a very memorable and special experience for them, one which would be etched in their memories forever.

■ President orders speedy provision of commodity to flood-affected farmers KARACHI STAFF REPORT

President Asif Ali Zardari directed the Sindh government and National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC) on Saturday to ensure that fertilisers are supplied to farmers in the rain- and flood-affected areas at the earliest for the scheduled cultivation of Rabi season crops.

“Early supply of fertilisers will enable growers to sow their crops in time,” he said while chairing a meeting at Bilawal House, according to an official handout.

Provincial ministers Murad Ali Shah, Mir Nadir Khan Magsi, Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Ayaz Soomro, Sharjeel Memon, Secretary to President Malik Asif Hayat, NFC Chairman

Khalid Malik, heads of fertiliser companies and senior government officials were also present in the meeting.

Zardari demanded swift implementation of the ‘Rabi Assistance Plan’ in the rainaffected areas without any further delay and instructed speedy provision of seeds to farmers so that sowing of Rabi crops in lower and upper parts of the province can start in time.

Earlier this week, the president had directed the provincial government and NFC to arrange locally produced fertilisers for farmers as the availability of imported fertilisers would take time.

The provincial Agriculture Department has proposed a package costing Rs 4.4 billion for the growers of rain- and flood-hit districts

that would equally borne by the federal and provincial governments Under the package, wheat would be cultivated on an area of 1.100 million acres whereas wheat seeds would be provided to the affected farmers at the rate of Rs 50 per acre with one bag of urea weighing 50 kg.

The Agriculture Department estimated the total requirement of wheat to be 55,000 metric tonnes to cover the proposed area for which the Sindh government has already released Rs 1 billion from its share in the first phase.

It was also informed during the meeting that 25 percent of the wheat seed equalling to 13,750 metric tonnes is initially being provided in the affected districts.

48 Hindu couples tie the knot at mass wedding

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Around four dozen Hindu couples tied the knot at a collective wedding ceremony held in Karachi on Saturday evening.

The event was arranged by the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) – a non-governmental organisation (NGO) of the upper-caste merchant class Hindus of the city – with the help of several cellular phone companies, banks and other companies.

The mega event was organised at the YMCA Lawn where the couples sat in a colourful mandap (temporarily erected covered wedding structure with pillars) and a pundit (one adept in the Sanskrit language) performed the religious rituals of the wedding.

The PHC organises the annual event with the help of different companies, for which the NGO collects huge sums of donations from these companies to provide the underprivileged couples with jewellery, beds, quilts, blankets, clothes, utensils and televisions.

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PakistaN today

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

Country’s medical fraternity just got better!

■ 4 Phds among 317 graduates at AKU’s 24th Convocation KARACHI

T

AmAR GuRIRO

HE 24th Convocation of the Aga Khan University (AKU) on Saturday marked a special day in the lives of 317 graduates as they were awarded degrees in recognition of their hard work and perseverance.

Four students were awarded Doctor of Philosophy degrees this year, one in Education and three in Health Sciences.

In addition, 313 other degrees were also conferred during the course of the day-long event. During the morning session, graduands from two academic entities received their degrees. The Institute for Educational Development awarded 40 Master of Education degrees. The Medical College awarded 95 Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and 10 Master of Science degrees in the fields of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Health Policy and Management and Clinical Research and 19 Master of Bioethics degrees.

Speaking to the audience, the chief guest, the acting public health minister of Afghanistan Her Excellency Dr Suraya Dalil, highlighted how the AKU has enabled its students and alumni to soar to academic heights, setting the highest standards of professional excellence, which are internationally recognised and nationally prized.

“Not only has AKU broken new ground in the delivery of health care and education, but also by combining education and health de-

livery it has built a synergy that has mutually reinforced both disciplines,” she added.

Dr Dalil pointed out there were six Afghan graduands at the convocation: two with Master of Education and four with Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.

The afternoon session belonged to the School of Nursing with 149 students graduating; these included 10 Master of Science in Nursing, 29 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 50 Post-RN Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 60 Diploma in General Nursing.

Asif Jafferani and Zara Rafiq, recipients of the Best Graduate Award from the Medical College and School of Nursing, respectively, were greeted with rapturous applause by the entire gathering.

Highlighting the AKU’s commitment to nurturing the leaders of the future, the university’s president Firoz Rasul highlighted the professional competence and capacity to solve problems that the university had ingrained in each of the graduands.

“A shifting global order, like the one we are witnessing today … offers tremendous opportunities for you, as individual graduates, and for this region of South and Central Asia overall. Your ability to reap the benefits from these opportunities lies firmly in your willingness to invest time and energy to participate in building civil society institutions, governance systems and social structures so that stability can take root,” he added.

The event was attended by a large number of dignitaries including the delegation ac- Addressing the audience, the chief guest, Her excellency dr Suraya dalil, Afghanistan’s acting public health minister. companying Dr Dalil.

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dr Humaira Qureshi, a Phd student receiving her degree.

dr Mohsin yakub, a Phd graduate receiving his degree.

AKU Medical College’s dr Asif Jafferani receiving best graduate award.

AKU graduate receiving her degree.

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REKHTE KE uSTAAD

STATE OF BEInG...

STATE OF BEInG...

STUDY CIRCLE ON NOVEMBER 13 AT 03:00 PM VENUE: T2F 2.0

ART EXHIBITION UNTIL NOVEMBER 15 VENUE: VM ART GALLERY

ART EXHIBITION UNTIL NOVEMBER 24 VENUE: IVS GALLERY

‘Rekhte ke Ustaad: Mir Anis’ with Zahra Sabri on November 13 at The 2nd Floor. Call 35389033 for more information.

‘State of Being So Divided’ is running until November 15 at the VM Art Gallery. Call 34940411 for more information.

‘State of Being So Divided’ is running until November 24 at the IVS Gallery. Call 35861039 for more information.

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

News 09

start ‘new chapter’ with geelani warns pakistan demilitarisation: Mirwaiz against befriending india Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman urges both countries to bury past differences, take bold steps for resolution of all issues including Kashmir g

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Hurriyat (g) chairman says such policies against wishes of Kashmiri people g

SRINAGAR

SOPORE

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A L L I N G the meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit in Maldives a welcome step, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has urged both countries to bury past differences and take bold steps for the resolution of all issues including Kashmir.

Addressing a Friday gathering at the historic Jamia Masjid, Mirwaiz said both the countries could start a new chapter by demilitarising Jammu and Kashmir. He was referring to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement that time had come to write a “new chapter in the history of two countries” and leave behind the era of “accusations and counter-accusations”. “Let both the countries start this new chapter by demilitarising both parts of Jammu and Kashmir first,” Mirwaiz said, adding that the process should be extended to the Indo-Pak border. Mirwaiz said both countries needed to reduce the trust deficit and demilitarisation by both sides can give Indo-Pak ties a new direction. He said if the two countries started the withdrawal of troops from both regions, “black laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act will automatically go”. In view of the “changing global scenario”, Mirwaiz said the two countries had no option but to take steps to resolve all outstanding issues.

“Instead of conflict management, the two countries will have to now shift their focus on conflict resolution,” he said.

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Mirwaiz reiterated that the dialogue process would not succeed until the Kashmir issue was “resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people”. “Kashmiris will have to be taken on board in any process,” he said. Expressing his concern over the conversion of Kashmiri Muslim boys and girls to Christianity, Mirwaiz said he was keeping an eye on the issue. “As the Mirwaiz of Kashmir, I am aware of my responsibilities. A team has been set up to gather information on the issue,” he said, adding that the Awami Majlis Amal had convened a meeting to chart out the future course of action in this regard. The APHC chairman maintained that there was hue and cry on revoking draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act from some parts of occupied Kashmir. “I feel if the forces are pulled out then these laws would become redundant,” he added.

EACTING sharply to Pakistan’s decision to confer India with the most favoured nation (MFN) status and move towards a preferential trade agreement with its neighbour, Hurriyat (G) Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said such policies were against the wishes of Kashmiri people.

He warned Pakistan that any step that goes against the aspirations of Kashmiris will land the country in big trouble.

“Pakistan’s decision to grant MFN status to India and the move towards a preferential trade agreement with it are against the wishes of Kashmiris. As Kashmiri nation, we will never acknowledge such policies.

If Pakistan reaches any agreement with India against the wishes of Kashmiri people vis-à-vis Kashmir dispute, then Pakistan will not remain safe,” Geelani warned while addressing a public gathering in Iqbal Park Sopore. He said that as a nation “we are fighting against the Indian rule for the past 64 years and are committed to fight till freedom”. He said the government claims that Geelani had no credibility now “but at the same time they keep me under continuous house arrest”. “From March 4, I am continuously under house arrest and only on November 8, when my brother died, I was allowed to visit my native place. If they claim that peace has prevailed then why I am not being allowed to move freely and why youths are languishing in jails under notorious PSA?” Geelani questioned. He said two youth from Lal Bazaar Srinagar were put behind bars for 14

Head constable killed in Charsadda bombing PESHAWAR: A police head constable was killed and another cop was injured when a remotecontrolled device exploded in Dando bridge area of Charsadda on Saturday. Sources said the explosive device had been planted close to a checkpost near Dando Bridge in Shabqadar area. The blast was severe in intensity and its sound echoed across Shabqadar tehsil.

Police officials rushed to the blast site and cordoned off the area. They collected evidence from blast site, saying around a kilogramme of explosives had been used in the attack. District Police Officer Nesar Marwat told Pakistan Today that security had been tightened at all entry and exit points in the area, while search operation was underway to apprehend those responsible. The deceased was identified as Head Constable Ayaz, while Fazal Rahim was injured in the attack. STAFF REPORT

Mother and Child week begins

PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

HOlY PIlGRImAGE: Sikh pilgrims performing religious rituals at Gurdwara Panja Sahab in Hassanabdal. onLine

oil and gas companies must deliver to Karak locals: Kp governor PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

The grievances of the residents of oil and gas-producing regions in Karak District must be resolved, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K) Governor Barrister Masood Kausar told OGDCL, SNGPL and MOL representatives, who are engaged in the oil and gas exploration in Kohat Division.

Masood said the concerns of residents with respect to taking their lands on lease and providing gas facilities to them must be addressed. He said oil and gas companies should work with respective district administrations to ensure the interests of people are fulfilled.

KP Prisons Minister and MPA Karak Nisar Gul Kakakhel told the governor

years and finally they were declared innocent. “This reflects how Kashmiri youths are being treated in India,” he said. He warned the people that they should not allow “cultural aggression in Kashmir’ and termed it ‘more dangerous than occupation”.

He advised people that they should not allow their daughters to go on army-sponsored tours. He also urged youths that they should guard in their areas and ensure that youths are not falling prey to drug addiction. He said efforts were being made to change the demography of the state by allowing outsiders to settle in the valley. He urged the people to lodge strong protest when the Bill will be discussed in the assembly. He also demanded the immediate removal of CRPF camp near the martyrs’ graveyard in Sopore. He said all the waste from this camp was being dumped in the graveyard which is not acceptable to the people.

about the concerns of the residents.

Provincial Secretary for Planning & Development, senior divisional and district officials from Kohat and Karak were also present.

The KP governor desired to expedite efforts to complete the gas supply project for 36 villages in Karak District. He said locals must be preferred for jobs in the projects. Meanwhile, he said a 100 kilometer pipeline had been laid to provide Karak residents access to natural gas. He said another gas supply project to provide a 14 kilometer gas line will be launched in 2 days and competed in a month while another 46 kilometer gas pipeline will be laid before the end of the current financial year.

Mother and Child Week launched in Peshawar on Saturday in 24 districts and three IDP camps with a target to provide health care and awareness services to 12.2 million people, including 1,825,660 children aged under-5 and 413,636 pregnant women. The speakers included Provincial Secretary Health Capt (R) Munir Azam, KP Health Services Director General Dr Sharif Ahmed Khan, LHW Programme LHW coordinator Dr Ihsanullah Turabi, and UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist Dr Abdul Jamil. The Mother and Child Week will be observed from 14 to19 November. The purpose is to increase awareness on the health of mothers and young children. Each year 432,000 children under-five and 20,000 mothers die during pregnancy in Pakistan. Among under-five deaths two-thirds occur within 28 days of birth while the remaining deaths are through pneumonia and diarrhoea. In the KP, 100 out of 1,000 children die before their fifth birthday, with 76 dying within first year of life due to seasonal and preventable diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia. The lives can be saved through basic knowledge about prevention and treatment at home. The Mother and Child week will focus on creating awareness about pneumonia and diarrhoea. The week-long campaign includes a number of activities including de-worming for children and tetanus toxoid vaccination for pregnant women. A total of 13,288 LHWs and 565 Lady Health Supervisors will participate.

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10 News

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

Clerics urged to promote religious harmony GUJRANWALA STAFF REPORT

Clerics from all sects should contribute in promoting religious harmony, Regional Police Officer Ahmed Mubarik said in a meeting held in his office on Saturday.

He said different sects should be tolerant towards each other, adding that Muharram is approaching and Clerics should play their role in spreading the message of peace and tolerance. Ahmed said that the ban on loud speaker usage and wall chalking should be implemented effectively, adding that hateful literature and sermons should also be checked.

Rickshaw driver commits suicide MIRPURKHAS STAFF REPORT

A rickshaw driver committed suicide in Hirabad on Saturday. According to sources, 35-year-old rickshaw driver Mohammad Abid drank a pesticide and died on his way to the Civil Hospital. He is said to have killed himself over a domestic issue.

Mother ‘accidentally’ kills child GUJRANWALA STAFF REPORT

A child died on Saturday as his mother tried to commit suicide along with her children after quarreling with her husband. The First Information Report (FIR) revealed that Irfan and Razia married five years ago and had two sons, 4-year-old Faizan and 15-month-old Azan.

Razia threatened to kill herself and her children after she quarreled with Irfan at his brother’s wedding. She attempted suicide by pouring petrol over herself and her children. While she was lighting the match stick, Irfan’s brother tried to stop her and accidentally the match stick fell over Azan. Azan received severe burn injuries and died of them in a hospital in Lahore. Irfan told Pakistan Today that Razia had been demanding a divorce but he had ignored it. He demanded that Razia be tried for murder.

GASSED OuT: Workers sleep in a garments factory shut down due to gas load shedding in Faisalabad. onLine

Pakistan to expedite construction of Neelum-Jhelum project ISLAMABAD

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AmER SIAl

HE government has decided to approach friendly countries to expedite the construction of 969MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP), whose estimated cost has escalated to Rs 333 billion from Rs 130 billion.

An official source said the government was negotiating with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), Saudi Fund for Development and Exim Bank of China to bridge the huge financial gap due to the escalation of the project cost. Pakistan wants to complete the

construction before the completion of the 330MW Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project by India in the Indianheld Kashmir.

The project had a foreign exchange component of $775 million, but due to the escalation in cost, the government decided to seek more financing from friendly countries for the project. The government is seeking a loan of $1.5 billion from the Saudi Fund for Development and IDB, while a $450 million-loan from Exim Bank of China is near finalisation.

The source said financing was required for immediate deployment of tunnel boring machines (TBM) that would reduce the implementation on

project by at least 18 months. Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development has already provided $40 million for the project. IDB and Saudi Fund have already provided $138 million and $40 million for the project, respectively.

The government had imposed a surcharge at the rate of 10 paisa on electricity bills to provide financing for the project which generates about Rs 5 billion every year. The government had generated more than Rs 18 billion during the last few years, but due to financial constraints, the pace of the project was quite slow.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has also expressed serious concern

over the delay in the project and had recently directed the Ministry of Water and Power and WAPDA to work out financial plan in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. The project was initially approved by ECNCE in 1989 at the cost of Rs 15 billion, but constant delays have raised the cost to Rs 333.1 billion. Pakistan and India are separately constructing two hydropower projects on Neelum River.

The Court of Arbitration in Hague has already stopped India from carrying out construction of any permanent works on or above the Kishanganga River bed at the Gurez site that may inhibit the restoration of the flow of the river to its natural channel.

the nine lives of ‘Karachi’s toughest cop’ g

Karachi version of dirty Harry, who has been shot five times, makes pledge after suicide attack blows the front off his home MONITORING DESK

If the lucky really have nine lives, then Chaudhry Aslam Khan, Karachi’s toughest police officer, has exhausted his last.

One morning in September, Aslam was sleeping when powerful shockwaves rippled through his house. Falling out of bed, he discovered that a Taliban suicide bomber had rammed a van into his front gate, with devastating consequences, The Guardian reported. The blast sheared off the entire front of his palatial home. Windows were shattered across Defence, one of the city’s most pricey neighbourhoods. And eight people lay dead: policemen, house guards and a mother and child who had been strolling to school.

Stepping through the rubble and blood, Aslam, who had survived eight previous attempts on his life, helped load the dead and injured into ambulances. (Miraculously, his own family was largely unhurt.) Then he turned to face the media with an extraordinary message of defiance.

“I will bury the attackers right here,” he told the cameras, pointing to the two-metredeep bomb crater, and vowing to launch his own “jihad” against his assailants. “I didn’t know the terrorists were such cowards. Why don’t they attack me in the open?” Then, sleepless and smeared in dust, he turned on his heel and went back to work.

A WITCH’S bREW: Few know the dark

streets as well as Aslam, a grizzled police veteran of 27 years’ experience. Profane, chainsmoking and usually armed with a Glock pistol, he has earned a controversial reputation as Karachi’s version of Dirty Harry — the cop who will do whatever it takes to keep the peace.

He has fought on the frontline of the tangled conflicts that have bedevilled Pakistan’s commercial capital since the 1980s. He cut his teeth during the vicious street warfare of the 1990s, when police and soldiers fought street battles with militants from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a powerful party.

Later, Aslam turned his guns on the city’s mobsters: racketeers, extortionists and kidnappers, several of whom perished in murky circumstances after being apprehended by Aslam’s men. Last year, they killed Rehman Dakait, a legendary Baloch gangster, in self defence in what was described as a shootout on the city limits. The dead man’s relatives have another version: that he was arrested, tortured and shot in cold blood — circumstances Pakistanis euphemistically refer to as an “encounter.” It was not the first such accusation against Mr. Aslam: he spent 18 months in jail in 2006 after being accused of killing an innocent man; a superior court later cleared him.

Working from an unmarked compound with military-style defences, Aslam roams Karachi at night in an armoured jeep. Pro-

tection comes from a team of heavily armed officers, many of whom resemble the gangsters they are pursuing: like their boss, they do not wear uniforms.

He typically works through the night because, he says, “that’s when the criminals are out and about”. He is proud of his gunslinging reputation. He has earned 45 million rupees in government rewards over the years, he says, producing copies of the cheques.

That has made him prey as well as hunter: he has been shot five times during eight assassination attempts, he says. But, he added, God is behind him. “I’ve seen so much that nothing scares me,” he said. “As a

Muslim, my faith tells everyone has to die one day. I’m not afraid of it.” Although flamboyant, Aslam is by no means unique among Pakistani police. A 2008 report by the International Crisis Group said they had “a welldeserved reputation for corruption, high-handedness and abuse of human rights”. Officers retort that they are underresourced (Karachi has 26,000 officers for perhaps 18 million people) and labour under a sickly criminal justice system with a conviction rate of five to 10 per cent.

And, in a city where crime, politics and ethnicity are inter-connected, police suffer from massive interference: even junior ap-

pointments are controlled by politicians who pressure officers to go easy on their favourite gangsters. After September’s attack on Aslam, a Taliban spokesman named five senior officers on its hit list. Since then, senior officers have taken new measures to outrun the suicide bombers: bulletproof cars, moving office without warning, sending out decoy convoys.

Still, few doubt the Taliban will strike again.

“We are worried,” said Raja Umer Khattab, a senior officer who recently erected a sixmetre-high wall around his home. The militant violence has also bred tensions with the wider community. Aslam’s neighbours in Defence have launched a court petition to force him to move to another area.

“Our police are not like the English ones: when you see them, it means trouble,” said Sami Mustafa, principal of an expensive private school across the street, pointing to classroom windows that had been shattered.

“It would be no big loss if he moves.” The petition has elicited a furious reaction. “People should think about the work we do,” said Khattab. “If our children are being targeted, it is because we are protecting those people.”

Aslam, meanwhile, is back on the beat, unbowed by the threats from militants or neighbours. “I will fight till the last drop of my blood,” he said, pulling on a fresh cigarette. “When these people are killing children, I think it is right for us to kill them.

They shouldn’t even be called Muslims.”

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

Editor’s mail 11

why is US mad at iran?

Why is US so angry and upset with Iran? What leads US to think that Iran is an irresponsible state that threatens the world’s peace? Is the “Iran threat” only a pretext for US to yet again undertake another military adventure against a Muslim state after it is almost finished accomplishing its agenda in Iraq and Afghanistan? Or is it time for again a Muslim country to become a ladder, climbing which US Presidents normally run for re-elections?

Consider what the world looks like to Iran. It is surrounded by nuclear powers (Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel) and across two of its borders sit tens of thousands of US troops (in Iraq and Afghanistan). Is Iran not being encircled

by US troops’ deployment? For what else is the objective of the aggressive US policy towards Iran if not to eliminate Iran’s potential as a rival power in the region as well as in the Middle East? If you were in

our blind dolphins Tehran, would this make you feel like giving up your nuclear programme? I guess not.

Iranians are proud people with ancient culture and history. The US accuses it of sabotaging peace process in Middle East. Alright, but has US pumped any oxygen in the dead peace process that remains at the mercy of Israel? Iran is accused of supporting international terrorism. Can’t the US see the brutal policies of the Israelis against the Palestinians? And why shouldn’t the Iranians protect their interest in Afghanistan?

Northern Alliance fighters may have trained in camps in Eastern Iran but has the US, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan not trained and supported Taliban when it suited them?

Even if Iran’s nuclear technology is for military purposes and it wishes to make a nuclear bomb why would it want to use it? It is more likely to turn out as

an insurance policy against the joint US and Israeli military threat rather than a weapon threatening world’s peace.

Surely, the chances of a military conflict between US and Iran would minimise if Iran goes nuclear. Israel may also realise that it’s time it resolved the Palestinian issue. If ‘balance of power’ is a guarantee of peace then acquiring nuclear capability is what Iran needs to balance against the joint threat posed by US and Israel.

Israel never carried out hot nuclear tests to demonstrate its nuclear capability. If the whole world including Arabs could live with its nuclear blackmail then the US and the world must learn to live with a nuclear capable Iran as well.

Half of the 75 million people in Iran today were born after the revolution and are not older than 32 years. These young people form part of a proud nation state.

US cannot impose its will on them through threats (military action, sanc-

tions), insults (Iran termed part of axis of evil) or doctrine of preemption. What the US needs to do is not to condemn and isolate Iran but respect a nation that represents an old civilisation that wants to survive and progress.

It would do well to help Iran come out of ‘international isolation’ and open itself to the West. This will not be possible through military threats. Iran has demonstrated in the past that it could sacrifice a million soldiers (Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988) if it comes to resolving issues through conflict. It is hoped that this region will not witness yet another conflict and the US ‘war appetite’ is over after its stint in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wars are never short, and they hardly follow the paths that are anticipated by the actors in war, that is one lesson the US must have learnt by now.

LT COL (retd) MUHAMMAD ALI EHSAN Karachi

Hidden power We have seen many leaders claiming to bring peace, prosperity and progress to this troubled land but we they have always disappointed us. I think the time has come that we should not only try new faces but also the people with admiring agendas and policies.

Apart from looking into our internal sectarian, ethnic and caste differences, we should focus on the hidden power of our collective vote bank which can actually make a difference. A sensible and proper use of it can change the future of our beloved homeland.

ANUM AFROZ Karachi

Computerised FiR

Friends forever The chairperson of Pakistan Tehrik-iInsaf (PTI) Imran Khan had a great jalsa on 30 October at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. No doubt he has a great numbers of supporters with him, especially the youth who are the future of Pakistan.

In the coming elections, the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf will have many votes but I don't think the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf can win without the support of PML(N) because in Punjab it is the most popular party and. Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf and PML(N) should be together because we don't want a corrupt party again in power.

Imran Khan has said to PML(N) Chairperson Mian Nawaz Shareef that if he declares his real assets, he will then shake hands with them. We, the common people, request both parties that they should be together to save Pakistan and change its future to a brighter one.

HINA KHAWAJA Karachi

Blind dolphins are found in the muddy river waters of Indus where they lose their eyesight due to difficulty in seeing through muddy waters. There is a parallel case of our blind politicians of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh who have muddied the waters over Kalabagh Dam (KBD) so much that they have lost their vision to see the benefits of the dam that are so obvious to people in general.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would never get their share of 14 percent of water from any other dam other than from the right bank canal off KBD. They have at present only five percent area of Pakistan under irrigation. Sindh would never get enough water for Rabi crops unless water is stored in a mega dam upstream while Bhasha Basha dam would need 12 years to build with only six years needed for KBD. Central Punjab, that is the grain basket of Pakistan, would never get enough water other than from KBD from a left bank canal. The conclusion is clear.

Would we allow our blind dolphins or blind politicians to sacrifice future of 180 million people of Pakistan for their vested interests?

DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI Lahore

Fight for the white stripe The growing acts of intolerance against the minorities in Pakistan should be cause for great concern for everybody in the country.

We keep harping on about why this country was created but it is undeniable that it was envisaged as a place where people of every creed and religion would have the freedom to practice their religion.

Many Hindus, Christian and minority Muslim sects call this place home where there fellows treat them like second-class citizens. There can be no tolerance of such heinous crimes and it

falls on the government to activate the law apparatus to nab the criminals and award them exemplary punishments. Intolerance has no place in a civilised democratic society and each citizen is their fellow citizen’s keeper.

Everyone has a duty to their fellow citizens to raise a voice when they are persecuted. Otherwise, one will have no excuse when the bigots come for oneself. And if they are allowed to perpetuate their hatred, it is inevitable that one day they will.

NAJAM NIZAM Hyderabad

Computer has become a slave-machine in every walk of life in the developed countries. But in the developing countries, like Pakistan, we still lag behind others in computerising our routine business system though the government has introduced a system of serving to the general public by computerising the record of various departments including banks, revenue and excise etc in a befitting manner.

Police is an utmost important part of justice system of a country. There is a dire need that our police system technologically should be advanced. The First Information Report (FIR) of an incident is the base on which civil or criminal proceedings initialize. It is such an important document that on its basis, a man can be hanged or acquitted. It is very important for the cause of justice that the person, whose fate is being decided, must know himself all aspects of the case in which he is being tried.

Normally, the police record is so illegible, especially because of hand written documents of the police personnel.

In order to circumvent such problems the FIR should be computerised so as to be clear and self-speaking not only for the accused but also for the judge of the case. In many of the foreign countries, computer technology has facilitated the public to lodge FIR just on a click by email.

MUHAMMAD NAEEM SIDDIQUE Lahore

the game design

By Ubeid Kamran

“I

f the world were an egg, Hurmuz would be its yolk” says a historian few centuries back. Even today in this speedy world of communication, 90 percent of global trade and 65 percent of oil, travel by sea.

Globalisation has been made possible by the cheap and easy shipping of containers on tankers, and the Indian Ocean accounts for half the world’s container traffic.

Moreover, 70 percent of total traffic of petroleum products passes through the Indian Ocean, on its way from the Middle East to the Pacific, slithering through the world’s principal oil shipping lanes, including the Gulf of Aden and Oman, as well as some of world commerce’s main chokepoints, the straits of Hurmuz, and Malacca. Some 40 percent out of all traded crude oil passes through the Strait of Hurmuz.

Throughout history, sea routes have mattered more than land routes; India’s trade with the Arab countries of the Persian

Gulf and Iran, with which India had long enjoyed close economic and cultural ties, is flourishing.

Approximately 3.5 million Indians work in the six Arab states of the Gulf Cooperation Council and send home $4 billion in remittances annually.

As India’s economy continue to grow, so will its trade with Iran and it is also looking forward with Iraq once the country recovers. Afghanistan has been made a strategic rear base for India against Pakistan. That way blocking all trade routes by land from Pakistan to Central Asian states, realising Pakistan’s strategic importance as the main overseer, having a capacity to monitor all the traffic coming out from the Strait of Hurmuz.

Mohan Malik, a scholar at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Hawaii, raised his concerns over India’s dependence on imports passing through the straits close to the Pakistan’s Makran coast at Gwadar, where the Chinese are helping Pakistan develop deep water ports, as ‘Hurmuz Dilemma’.

This is unnerving for India, with China building deep water ports to its west and east, India

fears being encircled by China unless it expands its own sphere of influence. The United States is quietly encouraging India to balance against China, whereas it is seeking greater cooperation with China.

Aware of how much the international economy depends on sea traffic the US admirals are thinking beyond the fighting and winning of wars to responsibilities such as policing global trading arrangements. Indian Ocean and its adjacent waters are going to be a central theatre of global conflict and competition. This was the conclusion made in a document, ‘Marine Corps Vision and strategy 2025’. If oil exports from the Persian Gulf were significantly reduced, the effects on America’s well-being would be profound. To prevent this, the United States shall keep on preventing any local power from establishing hegemony in the gulf.

United States, India and Iran are doing the right thing: formulating a foreign policy whose goal is to ensure the safety and prosperity of their own people. It sounds incongruous when our political elite expects or demands world powers to watch

our economic interests, instead of working for their own people.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, in an interview aired on Sunday, said Pakistan was doing more than its share in fighting the Frankenstein of terror created jointly by many world powers including the United States. She is right, but have we ever realised, why this Frankenstein was created? A foreign minister is supposed to address the cause, effect and the solution to combat this Frankenstein. Why are we petrified of talking to the world powers, looking into their eyes and telling them that this Frankenstein was created by them for their long term vilified objectives, and that they should now stop meddling in our homeland?

In the presence of so many unsolved bilateral issues between Pakistan and India, it was a horrible idea to give a direct role to India in Afghanistan by the US. The strategy sends a strong signal to Islamabad about the US foreign policy vision in this region for the 21st century, where India clearly holds a key position. Pakistan is entitled to its strategic objectives and US is

being unappreciative in ignoring these objectives. We have already committed a miscalculation by giving up to the American demands in the Soviet-Afghan war as well as in 2001, without spelling out our strategic objectives and then extending any cooperation.

We are now paying a price for our faulty policies in Balochistan where all our ‘friends’ and foes are squandering money, arms, and all pertinent support to make the province unruly. Balochistan is strategically the most important province of Pakistan and will play a very important role, especially in the country’s economic future. What needs to be addressed is to define the real issue of Balochistan? Gwadar’s proximity to the Strait of Hurmuz is the main reason of the unrest in Balochistan. Robert Kaplan’s statement can easily help us in determining the mindset of our allies, who pronounces that Gwadar’s development would unlock the riches of Central Asia.

However, we have to promote our national interests and to turn this strategic port into a global economic hub. For this we

will have to tell between the covert enemies and the real friends, domestically as well across the frontiers. There are concealed hands that support insurgency in Balochistan through safe havens provided to the radical elements in different countries to destabilise Pakistan.

The ban on jihadi organisations and their resources being frozen are common international phenomena. This creates a feeling of fretfulness and cynicism amongst the Pakistani intelligentsia.

Our political leadership, writers and media need to recapture the souls and minds of our Baloch brethren, revise strategies based on lessons learnt from our past crises, place programmes that help Baloch people to build robustness, achieve resourcefulness, enhance their ability to recover swiftly so that they turn into an insurmountable impediment for the plentiful foreign intelligence agencies who are working fervidly to make Pakistan a failed state and undermining its strategic muscle.

The writer is an architect and a freelancer.

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12 comment So far so good but…

Can he walk the talk?

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he views expressed by Imran Khan about civilmilitary relations would help dispel a growing perception regarding his being the army’s protégé. He says he stands for the supremacy of the civil authority over military and with him as the country’s prime minister, the army and ISI would not be allowed to act without his permission. He argues that weak-kneed governments have been responsible for the erosion of civil authority, encouraging the army and intelligence agencies to create an autonomous niche for themselves. The promise to have the army’s budget audited by a civilian setup would institutionalise a modicum of civilian oversight ensuring transparency in military spending. One fails however to understand why Imran stopped short of promising to bring the defence budget to parliament to examine military demands in the context of overall national priorities.

Imran’s commitment not to allow anyone to use Pakistan’s territory to commit acts of terrorism abroad is equally welcome. Imran inexplicably chose an interview with CNN-IBN to express views on these vital issues instead of saying all this at Minar-e-Pakistan. The views were aired while answering pointed questions that left little room for ambivalence. Combined with his earlier interaction with the BBC Urdu where he claimed that he was a liberal and did not support the terrorists, the CNNIBN interview would be used by a section of his critics to maintain that, like the leaders of the two major mainstream parties, Imran was also cozying up to the West. Happily though the expression of the views would relieve Imran of some of the extremist ballast he has been carrying with him all along. One hopes Imran would now get rid of the notion that talks alone are the way to rein in the terrorists.

Imran’s statement that he would resign if he failed to establish the supremacy of the civilian authority may go well with the West but would dishearten some of his potential voters. A politician is not supposed to give in when confronted with problems. This is what neither Jinnah nor ZAB, the two leaders mentioned by Imran, would have ever done. “I will never allow this to happen,” would have been a more defiant and inspiring response.

building bridges The SAARC summit

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ore promises, more pledges. That’s how one can sum up the SAARC summit that concluded the other day in Maldives. The regional organisation has never been known for its efficiency but has been considered a mere formality. This however may change with the conclusion of its 12th summit in Addu. Major stakeholders of the region – India, Pakistan and Afghanistan – are seen opening new chapters in their bilateral and multilateral relations, among many other important measures to promote regional cooperation, stability and trade.

One of the nagging issues that have kept the organisation from delivering optimally is a lack of proper economic relations framework that visualises free trade and does away with non-tariff barriers. A silver lining is though visible as the two largest economies of the region, Pakistan and India, have agreed to open up to each other on this front. Terrorism and security are also a weak link in this chain. None of the member countries can develop unless it has peaceful relations with the other. Afghan and Pakistani authorities need to overcome their differences soon in order to make the region a true regional power hub on the line of Euro zone.

For economic and political clout, China wants to upgrade its observer status to dialogue partner. The demand does carry some weight as China has invested heavily in many of the member countries. Moreover, its inclusion would boost the clout of the organisation at the international level. With two of the world’s fastest growing economies in this organisation, the issues of trade, finance, investment, and capital flow can be handled in a much better and comprehensive manner.

Other such regional entities, such as SCO and ECO, also make a case study for the SAARC as to how it can improve and perform better. While Pakistan and India wield influence in the region, no progress is possible without peace between the both. Same is true for terrorism and trade related issues. The Addu Declaration is a step in the right direction as it can help build bridges between member states for a South Asia that is truly a power hub, economically and politically.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

Lahore – Ph: 042-36298305-10 Fax: 042-36298302 Karachi – Ph: 021-34330811-3 Fax: 021-34330900 Islamabad – Ph: 051-2287414-6 Fax: 051-2287417 Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

the sting Of money, morals and mortals

By Humayun Gauhar

W

e live in a very convoluted world where thieving is fine as long as you can get away with it. The ‘crime’ is to get caught. The biggest crime of our cricketers was to get caught.

Fast bowlers Mohammed Asif and young Mohammed Amir took bribes to deliberately bowl predetermined ‘no balls’ with captain Salman Butt part of the scam. It was called ‘fancy fixing’ once, now it is ‘spot fixing’. They were found guilty by a British Crown Court and got what they had coming. They thought they were enabling some punters to make oodles of money, not knowing that they had being inveigled by an even more corrupt newspaper to get a juicy story, helped along by their greedy agent. That was their second big mistake.

An honest writer, however, must have balance even if justice does not. Justice is singleminded, its methodology limited. It is imperative to go behind the media frenzy and pious comments to see how far the malaise has spread in world cricket establishments, governments, rulers and society at large. The malaise infects the weakest link in the illegal betting chain for which the undoubtedly guilty cricketers took a convenient fall. Convenient because they unwittingly took the spotlight away from the sources of the crime – the illegal betting syndicates and their rich, powerful patrons.

Problem is, there are many more cricketers and athletes who should be punished too, but not many are or get away with a mild rap on the knuckles. This includes match and spot fixing in lesser domestic matches the world over, in nearly every sport. Why? One: because the culprits are ‘superstars’ that pull the crowds and big bucks TV. Two: because the possibility that punished cricketers might sing and sink them all is a nightmare. If that happens they would have to be silenced somehow, even killed, which is a messy business.

Recall how South Africa’s captain Hansie Cronje paid for it with his life, killed in a private plane crash that conventional wisdom regards as deliberate. Or how one of Pakistan’s most famous bookies, ‘Hanif Cadbury’ was killed in South Africa and his body hacked to pieces?

Sure some athletes have taken the fall, but not many. A few have been banned for life, but only when it became inevitable. Corrupt sportsmen have existed before, exist now and will continue to exist given human nature and the attraction of the Golden Calf. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try and kill the disease instead of just its symptoms.

If the biggest mistake of our cricketers was to get caught, their other big mistakes were to

trust their agent, get caught virtually redhanded leaving a trail of video evidence, get caught in the wrong place where justice is ‘blinder’ than in most countries, and commit the crime in a country where its media have been itching to ‘get’ Pakistani cricketers since Waseem and Waqar humiliated England in England in the eighties with their reverse swing. Media there are so ‘free’ that immoral ‘sting’ operations are not only allowed but also condoned, even if done by an odious newspaper that has since bitten the dust because of illegal phone hacking.

Yes, when it comes to phone and social media hacking, justice takes an about turn: how pray is phone hacking any worse than sting operations in which they exploit the weaknesses of people, in this case one who had not even achieved majority, and seducing them into doing wrong? They overlook the obvious, that every person has a price tag; the only question is how much and what form of payment will seduce him – the poorer and more uneducated, the cheaper. For example, even the most moral person will break if his child is kidnapped for ransom and pay the price to obtain its release. In this convoluted world, kidnapping for ransom is illegal, phone hacking is illegal but immoral seduction that goes by the name of ‘sting operation’ is not?

Some justice.

The foregoing in no way mitigates the crime of the three cricketers. But what it cries out for is a comprehensive investigation into cricket’s officialdom – the ICC, cricket boards and their personnel, managers and assistant managers, coaches and assistant coaches, the betting syndicate’s headquarters in Bombay with branches the world over. Investigate parliamentarians, ministers, businessmen, lawyers and even some sports journalists everywhere to get to the bottom of the malaise. Investigate the impotence of the ICC in the face of undue Indian ingress and influence. How, for example, did the ‘purists’ of the ICC legitimise the ridiculous IPL that is better known as ‘Indian Paisa Laundering’, custom-

made for illegal betting and ruining techniques? I’m told it raised $50 billion last year?

Second only to the scams of banks, what? You will never eradicate corruption by so doing, but you will certainly lessen it.

Those that speak the truth are trashed.

When a star like Sarfraz Nawaz raises alarms, he is labelled a ‘nut’ because he speaks Urdu (and English) in Bhati Gate Punjabi. Surprising how Rashid Latif, Basit Ali and Aamir Sohail have been crying wolf for years but have not yet been labelled ‘conspiracy theorists’ like all truth tellers are. Why was the Justice Qayyum Commission report ignored? He named certain superstars who should never be allowed near a cricket field yet the Pakistan Cricket Board gives most of them lucrative jobs that put them in such close proximity to young, impressionable cricketers in awe of them that they are in danger of being polluted.

What lessons do young cricketers learn then: that if superstars can get away with it, why can’t they; if the country’s leadership can be corrupt top down and yet gets crowned again and again, why can’t they? The whole thing is ridiculous and criminal. It seems that the most important item on the agendas of all national and international cricket authorities is to somehow ensure that money keeps flowing via the illegal betting syndicates.

Once when my friend Izzat Majeed was flying PIA from London to Lahore, nothing on the plane was working. When the food tray of the Pakistani-British passenger sitting next to him fell on his lap, he turned to Izzat and declared plaintively, “Vaat is airline, that is country.” Similarly, “Vaat is cricket, that is country” – not just Pakistani but the whole jing-bang lot. The quick buck culture has overtaken everything, which is why the world’s economic and political systems are in meltdown. Why not cricket, once a ‘gentlemen’s game’ that has now become a casino? Money, big money, has hijacked the people’s game.

The writer is a political analyst. He can be contacted at humayun.gauhar786@gmail.com

Regional Press

APC in Peshawar Daily Pakhtun Post

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ike other parts of the country, electricity and its availability (or lack thereof) is of much concern to the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The thinking prevalent here is that despite being a production region for power generation in the country, the province is faced with its curse of loadshedding more than any other federating unit.

The recently held All Parties Conference at the Chief Minister House, Peshawar was attended by the leadership of several political parties as well as that of the incumbent provincial government. It has demanded of the central government that while keeping the suffering of the people in the province due to power cuts in mind, it should help by giving away the due profit in lieu of electricity to the province. It was maintained during the APC that they demanded the handing over of the due share of profit in lieu of power urgently.

The provincial government also expressed the intent to start work

promptly on certain power projects. The leadership of various political parties on the occasion stressed on the central government to fulfil their promises and take substantive steps in removing hurdles in the way of solving this crisis. Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain maintained that the provincial government seeks the support of the masses on every matter that poses a challenge to them but the onus of solving the problems falls on the government and it should use its resources in ameliorating the conditions of the people. He said that the federal government should honour the promises made to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

These demands on the part of participants of APC reveal that the provincial government in support with other political parties wants to take emergency steps to initiate work on several projects of power generation in various parts of the province to help meet the growing need of electricity in future.

– Translated from the original Pashto by Abdur Rauf Khattak

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

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the honourable idiots the runaway general Every campaign has its good, bad and ugly

Third Eye

By M J Akbar Hazrat-e-buddhu bhi Gandhi ke saath hain.

Zarra-e-khaq hain magar aandhi ke saath hain.

There is little justice in translation. Akbar Allahabadi, the iconic 19th-20th century satirist, would have been especially amused at any transition of his Urdu into English. How do you convey to an alien culture that Hazrat, an honoured title for a holy man, can also become an acerbic appendage for any holierthan-thou hypocrite? I hope this transliteration will serve: Even the Honourable Idiot is with Gandhi; He may be a mere speck of ash, but he is with an aandhi (storm).

Allahabadi wrote this during Gandhi’s first great mass movement, for swaraj, between 1919 and 1922, the wonder of its age. An astonished British Raj watched the Muslim clergy, led by Imam-eHind Maulana Azad and Maulana Abdul Bari, gladly cede leadership of its Khilafat jihad to a frail Gujarati Bania. For a century the British had played off Hindu against Muslim with the impunity of an umpire who can change the rules to suit his decision. Communal violence lay at the deadly edge of this game. As the perceptive Jinnah told the viceroy Lord Chelmsford in 1918, “I know very well that in the Indian states you hardly ever hear of any Hindu-Muslim riots.” (We should make a comparative study of riots under British rule and Indian princely states part of our curriculum).

For those three shining years, Gandhi inspired the magnificent power of Hindu-Muslim unity. His call for swaraj rose from a welter of intermeshed whispers to a storm that shook the impregnable oak of British rule till it trembled

like a leaf. But an aandhi does not pick and choose each speck of dust that collectively turns it into a historic force. It diminishes differences of character or ideology, and eases contradictions because it is propelled by a single purpose that is far higher than individual or sectarian interest. And so the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind mobilised Muslims for Gandhi while the Hindu Mahasabha worked its field since both wanted India’s liberation from colonial rule.

All mass movements have this ability to step over internal hurdles. The CPI(M) was on the left flank of the anti-Emergency upsurge between 1975 and 1977 and Jana Sangh on the right, and neither saw the other as a problem for

Balochistan still seething from his sins ple? If it did, then it mattered far less than the common cause.

Those who believe they can dilute Anna Hazare’s impact through pinpricks at his associates understand neither him nor India. He does not really have associates; he has an issue, corruption. He would have remained a fringe figure if this cancer had not aroused the doctor in him. He does not run a political party. He does not aspire to become President or Prime Minister. It is immaterial what stand he took on the Babri mosque, as some Urdu newspapers have been inspired to write in the hope of deflecting Muslim sentiment away from him. He is not the guardian of secularism, or whatever passes for it currently. It

Those who believe they can dilute Anna Hazare’s impact through pinpricks at his associates understand neither him nor India.

He does not really have associates; he has an issue, corruption. their larger cause. In 1989, after at least two years of coordination in Parliament, the CPI(M) and BJP not only supported the minority government of V P Singh but ate weekly dinners with their Prime Minister while Singh said grace with as much grace as he could muster. No one called Singh communal; at least no one in his senses did. The Bofors bribery scandal had created space for competing ideologies to cultivate common ground, and control an election that catapulted V P Singh to the job he coveted: Prime Minister.

So did this mean that everyone in Singh’s Cabinet possessed a certificate of honesty from Mother Teresa? I could name half a dozen ministers who took money with one hand and another six who raked it in with both. Every campaign is a mix of the good, the bad and the ugly; even Khilafat leaders like the famous Ali brothers, Muhammad and Shaukat, were accused of putting their hands in the donation till in the name of expenses. Did this matter to the peo-

makes absolutely no difference whether there is saffron in his audience or green. It is immaterial whether there is a cat watching him or a queen; he wants both to be honest with public money. The controversies over his core team, or outer ring, or the net on his periphery are unimportant to the voter, who is only interested in a cure that will keep this cancer in remission.

The establishment believes that it can deflect Anna Hazare by generating contempt for some Hazrat-e-Buddhu among the specks of dust. Waste of time.

Anger against corruption rages in bursts, and then falls silent. A tree will tell you that the only way to survive a hurricane is to bend. We shall soon learn if Delhi understands nature, and human nature.

The columnist is editor of The Sunday Guardian, published from Delhi, India on Sunday, published from London and Editorial Director, India Today and Headlines Today.

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usharraf would have us believe that the people literally wept when he resigned from the presidency in 2008. The people of which part of the world is he referring to? They can’t be the generalissimo’s fellow countrymen for he was and will continue to be a symbol of hatred for them.

In an interview on BBC HardTalk early this week, he was subjected to tough questioning by presenter Stephen Sackur who asked him about the existence of Quetta Shura, Osama bin Laden’s discovery from Abbottabad despite his constant denial of Al-Qaeda Chief’s presence in the country, his double-crossing the Bush Administration and his plan to launch a political comeback when his popularity remains at the lowest ebb. But what was neither asked nor answered was the source from which he was getting enough funds to pay a staggering 25000 dollars a month to an American lobbying firm.

The interview was aired at a time when his arrest warrants along with those of Shaukat Aziz and Jam Yousaf have already been issued on the orders of the Balochistan High Court in connection with Nawab Akbar Bugti’s murder. There are cynics who are trying to tarnish the late Nawab’s reputation and believe that the vacuum created by his death will not be hard to fill.

By Sarmad Bashir This is tantamount to discredit not only the departed soul but also the entire Baloch nation which hasn’t recovered from the shock of the gruesome murder.

Former Governor Balochistan Owais Ahmad Ghani must have realised with hindsight that he was wrong to claim that the Baloch youth was fed up with the sardars and wanted to liberate themselves from their tyranny.

Bugti was a father figure who inspired a great deal of admiration among the younger generation.

It would always remember him for his endeavour to strengthen the federation and, while he was alive, Talal Bugti would not have even thought of talking about his province being on the verge of break-up.

By ordering the Nawab’s assassination, Musharraf had actually lent strength to the elements nursing separatist tendencies. During his nine years of military rule he had committed countless crimes but the one for which he deserves the harshest punishment was his having subjected the people of Balochistan to the worst kind of repression.

Politics Bazaar

Military’s intelligence agencies had been given a free rein to kill and kidnap innocent citizens on the mere suspicion of their links with the terrorist networks.

Many of them were handed over to the Americans for questioning at Guantanamo Bay. The whereabouts of those who disappeared under mysterious circumstances remain unknown despite repeated court orders for their recovery.

Deceit being the inherent characteristic of his personality, Musharraf had constituted a two-member troubleshooting committee with master mumbler Ch Shujaat Hussain as its chairman. But while the committee kept shuttling between the federal capital and Balochistan trying to engage the “rebellious” sardars he gave a go ahead to the spy agencies to eliminate Bugti then hiding far away from his ancestral home in Dera Bugti. The civilian leadership had been kept out of the loop of the secret mission. It was in no way a partner in crime. So there’s no point in Shaukat Aziz writing a letter to IG Balochistan and passing the buck on to the provincial government. He simply panicked; he could have simply taken a cue from Ch Shujaat who is on record having told the National Assembly that “certain hands” were trying to create roadblocks in the away of restoring peace to the restive province.

Musharraf has been consigned to the pages of history but it is unfortunate that the current democratic dispensation has not so far been able to do anything to mitigate the accentuated sense of deprivation among the Baloch. That Interior Minister Rehman Malik and PPP’s enfant terrible Babar Awan were tasked to engage the enraged Baloch youth and the insurgents fighting against the government forces was a clear manifestation of the lack of seriousness on the part of the federal government to give a boost to the peace initiative of Senator Lashkari Raisani who managed to bring some insurgent groups to the negotiation table after hectic efforts.

Those who keep basking in the glow of the so-called Aghaz-i-Huqooq-i-Balochistan can ignore criticism from them for not taking any interest in resolving the crisis prevalent in their province. But they have to be receptive to the calls from their diehard supporters voicing serious concerns about the victimisation of their fellow citizens. Senator Raisani is perturbed he sees no let up in the incidents of forced disappearance; those involved in kidnapping and killing the people continue committing the crime with impunity.

The writer is Executive Editor, Pakistan Today.

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14 comment

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

on tip-top english no urdu, no Hindi, accented Angrezi only

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ast night, I was watching Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai’s interview on TV. He speaks in an American accent! Two years ago when I went to Karachi, every cool dude I met in T2F was speaking in an American accent. The artsy place in Delhi where I live – Hauz Khas Village – too has become a ‘Yankee hang out’. Artist types still come but the ageless rich have infiltrated in large numbers. These people look successful, cocky and aggressively happy as if they are residents of Los Angeles, the city of eternal sunshine.

By Mayank Austen Soofi These people have great bodies and they are plushly underdressed; they speak accented English among themselves and broken Hindi with the auto-rickshaw drivers; their biceps are tattooed with slogans in Hebrew; they always have at least one white friend; they are constantly laughing and screaming and exchanging hugs. They seem to be in a state of permanent vacation.

I’m only slightly exaggerating.

Recently, a new night club opened near my home.

Three bulky bouncers in black would stand outside, their eyes scanning every visitor. Each time I tried going in, my courage failed.

Feeling seedy, I feared what if I was refused entry? I don’t have an iPhone, my jeans brand is of Indian origin and I can’t speak English with an accent.

Two years ago, I’d set-

Delhi Calling

tled in the village hoping to be inspired by its quiet loveliness. I have written about this place in these pages earlier too. Snuggled towards the deep end of a semi-wild park, the village used to be visited by those who were into monuments, or who were taken in by its listless boutiques, curio stores and restaurants. The villagers rented out their rooms for cheap. This was a ghetto of kurta-wearing painters, longhaired guitarists and aspiring novelists – many spoke in Hindustani and that was no judgment on their cool quotient. Trying to build the persona of a starving writer (actually I always had money for food), I felt at home in the village.

But now, I feel out of place. The village’s easygoing bohemian character is being beaten black and blue. One painter who has a lake-facing studio has been asked to leave. The landlord is giving it to a restaurant chain at a rent that is four times higher. The village’s sole secondhand bookstore hasn’t opened for months. The monument-facing apartments are furnished for foreigners, Non Resident Indians and anybody else who can pay a fortune and can speak accented English.

Meanwhile, my landlord has called me in the evening. Is some white American eyeing my monument-facing room? Am I being served with an eviction notice? Will I have to move to a ghetto where no one speaks English? May be I could shift to Dr Ubaidul Aleem’s neighbourhood. I met him a few days ago. He needs me.

Dr Aleem was watching TV placed beside his desk in his medical clinic when he told me, “My dream is to speak fluent English” – a pause followed here – “… and correct English.”

Dr Aleem, 40, is a bachelor of

Unani medicine and surgery from the city’s Jamia Hamdard University. His clinic is in Chiniot Basti, behind Sheila Cinema in Paharganj, central Delhi.

Named after a district in present-day Pakistan, the basti was started by Partition refugees. Today, it has migrant labourers from Bihar who make leather bags and footwear in the area’s sweatshops. When they fall ill, they come to Dr Aleem’s clinic.

Dr Aleem, whose forefathers have been in Delhi for centuries, speaks flawless Urdu. A man of literary inclinations, he quotes Urdu couplets in ordinary conversations. Isn’t it enough to excel in that language alone? Why is he obsessed with English?

“Besides doctor, I’m also in legal profession.” Hearing Dr Aleem’s flawed English gives a sense of that language’s elusiveness in a land where it is highly esteemed but is not the first language of its people. “Every morning I sit in Delhi High Court and work for causes pertaining to Muslim community. There, majority of problem solving authorities belong to upper class who speaks only English and that is why English speaking is very much necessary to take your problems solved.”

Framed photos decked the clinic’s walls: Dr Aleem with Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi; Dr Aleem with Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit. A large poster of the Swiss countryside was pasted on the wall behind his desk.

“You can say that I want to learn English to hide my inferiority complex. It is the tendency of every Indian that he wants to be a good English speaker. If I’m not a good English speaker, then the inferiority complex is there. This inferiority complex is because of our system.”

Pointing to the television, Dr

He speaks in an American accent! Two years ago when I went to Karachi, every cool dude I met in T2F was speaking in an American accent. The artsy place in Delhi where I live – Hauz Khas Village – too has become a ‘Yankee hang out’. Artist types still come but the ageless rich have infiltrated in large numbers.

Aleem said, “Very big example of inferiority complex is in front of your eyes.

You see a idiot box and see the coverage of the programmes hosted by Barkha Dutt and Karan Thapar.” Dr Aleem is referring to two of India’s most influential television newscasters who conduct interviews and talk shows in English. “On the other hand, see the Hindi news anchors. Difference is always there. The gentry that watches the English news programmes is always top class. I was invited twice to be a part of the audience in Barkha Dutt’s show but I did not go.

My English is bad. What if I was insult?”

Dr Aleem who went to Anglo Arabic Senior Secondary School, Delhi’s oldest educational institution, has been winning debating competitions in Urdu since he was in 3rd standard.

“My problem is I think in Urdu and Hindi, not in English. In 2006, I go to British Council and do a 3-month capsule course in spoken English. The classes were two times a week. The

fees was Rs 7,000. In the end of the course, I was still same.”

What, according to Dr Aleem, is wrong with his English?

“First, I can’t explain myself what I want to say according to my wish in English. But if it comes to explaining myself in my language, then I can explain myself better than millions of people.”

Coming back to his dream, Dr Aleem said, “I think I can achieve it. I need some good friends who speak good English and I need some time with them. I can learn from them.” Dr Aleem, don’t worry. My Hauz Khas days are numbered; I’m coming near your place. I will teach you tip-top English.

Mayank Austen Soofi lives in a library. He has one website and four blogs. The website address: thedelhiwalla.com.

The blogs: Pakistan Paindabad, Ruined By Reading, Reading Arundhati Roy and Mayank Austen Soofi Photos.

the election cycles are here How will it impact the Afghan endgame?

PoliTact

By Arif Ansar

A

s the search for endgame in Afghanistan picks steam, the election cycle of Pakistan is also picking pace, just as it is in US. The attention of Pakistan’s politicians is shifting to politicking at a time when it should be on dealing with the Afghan transition and worsening economic prospects. Presidential elections are slated for November 2012 in US, for 2013 in Pakistan, and for 2014 in Afghanistan. The political strategies that President Karzai, Zardari and Obama develop to deal with their domestic challenges would significantly influence the Afghan reconciliation.

The future of President Hamid Karzai is most threatened from the peace process and US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Although his relation with the US has been a fluctuating affair, it’s no secret that Karzai would not have survived without the protection and patronage of the US. The charges of corruption and controversy surrounding the results of last Afghan election diminish his credibility. Many would comment that his continuing as the president perhaps is most attributable to the

lack of a viable alternative. However, that would be underestimating his strengths.

Skilfully navigating the complex regional tribal and ethnic landscape has been Karzai’s strongest ability. Moreover, preventing the rise of a competitor is as much a tradition in tribal politics as it is in the modern day politics, and he has successfully managed that. Additionally, he has masterfully exploited the sensitivities of Pakistan’s relations with India and the US. The recently agreed Afghanistan-India strategic deal is a case in point. When it comes to connecting with Afghans, Karzai has consistently projected Pakistan as desiring to dominate them and has raised the issue of civilian causalities when it comes to NATO. In short, Karzai benefits from prolonging the endgame, as oppose to quickening the peace process that can potentially end his political career as well.

On the other hand, there would be no qualms about how global economic realities are pushing Europe and US for an early resolution of the Afghan situation. As the elections approach in US, the public attention would become more attuned to matters of jobs and less to foreign wars. Since the elimination of Osama bin Laden, it has become harder and harder to justify the hike in defence spend-

ing that had followed 911. These pressures are pushing US to reduce its foreign spending and shrink American military presence abroad. The US Congress has already warned to cut foreign aid to Egypt, Palestinian Authority and Pakistan because these countries have lately failed to look after the foreign policy interests of the US. In October, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had threatened to veto the UN reform bill proposed by House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. In a letter to the chairwoman, Clinton said the" bill mandates actions that would severely limit the United States' participation in the United Nations, damaging longstanding treaty commitments under the United Nations Charter and gravely harming US national interests.” It is clear that differences are growing between the Administration and the Congress as ‘isolationist’ ten-

dencies gain. Under these circumstances, it’s the domestic economic realities that will shape President Obama’s re-election strategy.

As these economic and political realities force US to seek speedy settlement in Afghanistan, its reliance on Pakistan has increased but its leverage has decreased. Prime Minister Gilani recently commented that his government needs political breathing space to cooperate further with US. The political and military setups no longer have this room to continue with the kinetic approach, especially after the Raymond Davis incident and the Osama operation. This probably is one of the other stark facts pushing US towards a political solution.

For President Zardari and Pakistan Peoples Party, a wining re-election strategy would mean to focus more on transforming the economic prospects of the country, battered acutely by the nations

fight against terrorism, energy shortages and floods. The improvement in Pakistan-India relations and granting of the MFN status to India is a step in that direction. However, it’s unlikely the dividends from the agreement would start trickling in fast enough to improve the public opinion, and counter the negative perception caused by accusations of rampant corruption. These dynamics, in turn, would stress on US to be more accommodating towards the leading contenders in the emerging political landscape of Pakistan, and attempt to influence the position of these players as it relates to the war against extremists. This is going to be a hard sell, especially when these emerging players will likely excel by exploiting the negative perceptions created by American policies in the region.

Furthermore, as the election cycle gets going in Pakistan, the politicians are increasingly distracted with politicking and ‘horse-trading’.

Just as the US would like Pakistan to focus on Afghanistan and the extremists, it would be least inclined to do so.

This would inadvertently increase reliance on the military, to provide continuity during this crucial phase of the Afghan conflict.

As the election timeframe nears in the US, President Obama finds himself with the

daunting task of finding the right balance between economic and national security. He went with the hardliners early on by allowing a surge, and this makes it easier for him to now take the route of a political solution and to focus on improving the economy. At the time of the unveiling of new Afghan Strategy, in December 2010, President Obama had commented: "Over the past several years, we have lost that balance. We've failed to appreciate the connection between our national security and our economy. In the wake of an economic crisis, too many of our neighbors and friends are out of work and struggle to pay the bills…

So we can't simply afford to ignore the price of these wars."

However, while the US is moving to a political solution, its closest allies may not be in a position to fully support this shift mainly due their domestic realities. President Karzai does not necessarily benefit from speeding up the political solution; therefore, his strategy is likely to be overtly cooperative but covertly resistant.

Zardari, on the other hand, lacks political capital to be any more helpful than his administration has already been in the fight against extremists.

These dismal prospects are likely to cause Zardari to become more supportive towards US goals, as compared to the military, in hopes that this works in his favour.

Although it’s clear, his ability to deliver on any of the promises is minimal.

The writer is the chief analyst for PoliTact (www.PoliTact.com and http:twitter.com/politact) and can be reached at aansar@politact.com.

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15 Foreign News

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

Obama to press Medvedev, Hu on Iran g

Hillary Clinton says iran has long history of deception and denial regarding its nuclear programme

ADEN

HONOLULU AFP

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Qaeda-linked militants lash five yemenis for drug use

RESIDENT Barack Obama will personally impress upon the leaders of Russia and China deep US concerns over a UN watchdog's report that Iran has worked on nuclear weapons systems. But Moscow and Beijing are cool to a US call for more sanctions on Tehran following the release of the International Atomic Energy Agency report which heightened fears of Israeli military action against Iranian nuclear sites. Obama will get his first chance to discuss the report with President Dmitry Medvedev of Russia and China's President Hu Jintao in his native Hawaii in bilateral meetings on the eve of an Asia-Pacific economic summit.

Ben Rhodes, a deputy US national security advisor, said Friday that the president would seek international consensus on new action against Tehran.

"I think the report just recently came out. I think everybody needs to take the time to review the report," he said, when asked about vehement Russian criticism of the study. "We will want to communicate directly with the Russians about our concerns with the report," said Rhodes, who told reporters aboard Air Force One that Obama would also bring up the issue in talks with Hu. Rhodes also signaled however that should UN Security Council permanent members Russia and China oppose further multi-lateral sanctions on Iran, Washington would seek to build support for sanctions elsewhere. He said Washington would work with "likeminded

israeli strike would ‘ensure’ iran seeks bomb, warns Blix

AFP

VIENNA: An Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities will only strengthen Tehran's resolve to develop atomic weapons, Hans Blix, a former head of the UN atomic watchdog, warned in a new interview. "I don't think you can convince anyone to give up an atomic programme through the threat of violence," Blix said in an interview with the Austrian news weekly Profil to be published on Monday.

"Rather, it will cause them to move even faster on it, in order to defend themselves," he added, according to a short transcript in German of the interview.

Speculation has been rife that Israel may launch a strike on Iran with President Shimon Peres warning last weekend that an attack was becoming "more and more likely." "I think that would be really foolish," Blix reacted in the Profil interview.

"First of all, nobody knows where all the atomic facilities are located. Secondly, I would be really surprised if Iran did not have prototypes and construction plans that it could fall back on after an attack." "Thirdly, if the decision to build a bomb has not yet been taken, a military strike would ensure more than ever that it is." AFP states" to tighten a sanctions regime which US officials believe has brought the Iranian economy to a near standstill.

Earlier Friday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussed the nuclear tensions with Asia Pacific Ministers.

"Iran has a long history of deception and denial regarding its nuclear program and in the coming days we expect Iran to answer the serious questions raised by this report," she said.

Tehran denies its program is meant to produce nuclear weapons. The IAEA report however said there was "credible" evidence to doubt its denials. Russia's foreign ministry said on Tuesday it would take its time assessing the report.

But Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov made clear that Moscow would resist the tougher sanctions no

matter what the UN report said. "Any additional sanctions against Iran will be interpreted by the international community as a means of changing the regime in Tehran," Gatilov told Interfax.

"This approach is unacceptable to us, and Russia does not intend to review this proposal," he said. Russia has previously backed four rounds of UN Security Council restrictions on Iran while resisting the most crippling measures that could directly impact the two sides' military and energy ties. Medvedev has also condemned Israel's warning that it was getting closer to launching a military strike on Iran for its suspected efforts to develop a nuclear bomb, with Medvedev slamming "extremely dangerous rhetoric." Winning Russia's cooperation for deepening the isolation of Iran

was a centerpiece of the "reset" of relations engineered with Moscow by the Obama administration. The policy also produced a new nuclear disarmament pact between the two old War foes and resulted in the United States reconfiguring its plans for missile defense in Europe which have angered Russia.

But some observers are now questioning whether the policy has peaked, given that Medvedev, with whom Obama established a personal rapport, is expected to step aside next year to allow hardline Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to return to the presidency.

China also appears to be reluctant to permit further UN sanctions on Iran, after foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday such measures "cannot fundamentally solve the Iran issue."

Suspected Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen handed out 80 lashes each to five youths they said had taken narcotic pills in the latest show of summary justice in the restive south, witnesses said on Saturday.

The punishment was carried out in a large field in front of dozens of witnesses summoned to watch in the militant-controlled town of Jaar in Abyan province on Friday night.

The five young men were given 80 lashes each and then set free, the witnesses said. Since May, Al-Qaedalinked militants have taken control of several towns in Abyan, including the provincial capital Zinjibar, as 10 straight months of protests against veteran President Ali Abdullah Saleh's regime have weakened central government control.

In recent weeks, the militants of the Partisans of Sharia (Islamic law) group have enforced their own very strict interpretation of Islamic justice.

On September 25, the militants severed the hand of a 15-year-old as punishment for stealing electrical cables. He later died from blood loss.

15 dead in iran military base blast TEHRAN AFP

A massive explosion hit a Revolutionary Guards base in the west of the Iranian capital on Saturday, killing 15 people, a spokesman for the elite unit told state television.

"The number of martyrs in today's explosion in one of our ammunition depots stands at 15," commander Ramezan Sharif was quoted as saying.

The explosion hit the base in Bid Ganeh, near the town of Malard on the western outskirts of Tehran, some 20 kilometres (12 miles) west of the city centre, according to media reports.

Roadside bomb kills eight Afghan civilians ASADABAD AFP

bANgKoK: People make their way through floodwater on Saturday. The Thai government says that 533 people have died in the country's worst floods in half a century, with the slowly advancing waters now threatening the heart of bangkok, a city of 12 million people. afp

five dead in blast, shooting in Kazakhstan

Morocco gears up for poll with eyes on islamists, turnout RABAT AFP

ALMATY AFP

Five people, including an apparent suicide bomber, were killed on Saturday in a combined shooting and bomb attack in the southern Kazakh city of Taraz, the Interfax news agency reported.

An unknown individual attacked a weapons shop, stealing two Saiga rifles and killing a security guard, the interior ministry said in a statement quoted by the agency.

He then escaped in a vehicle, shooting dead two police

officers on his way. When finally apprehended, the gunman detonated his charge, killing himself and a traffic policeman.

"After being arrested, the wounded criminal blew himself up and as a result a member of the traffic police was killed," the interior ministry said. Kazakhstan, which this month passed a new law tightening control over religious organisations, has seen an unprecedented spate of small-scale attacks over the last year blamed on Islamist extremists.

Eight civilians including a newly-wed groom were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan Saturday, the latest innocent victims to die despite a Taliban call to limit their deaths.

The victims, which also included a woman and a child, were killed in the eastern province of Laghman when their car was blown up as they returned home after the man's wedding party late Friday.

Laghman province is located towards the border with Pakistan. It has long been troubled by insurgents, particularly the Hezb-e-Islami faction led by former prime minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar.

Morocco opened its campaign for November 25 legislative elections Saturday, with moderate Islamists seen as possible winners and fears of a low turnout in the country's second vote this year.

In the last parliamentary elections in 2007 turnout was a mere 37 percent, a sign of Moroccans' lack of interest in public affairs.

"Turnout - the great fear," ran a headline in L'Economiste ahead of the start of the campaign. The newspaper said the issue was "key for the success of dynamic reforms". The election comes less than five months after a July 1 ref-

erendum on a new constitution which had been proposed by King Mohamed VI as regimes in neighbouring Arab countries were being swept away by public anger.

The amended constitution was to make the kingdom more democratic, strengthen parliament and the prime minister while leaving the outstanding role of the monarch untouched.

Under the new constitution the king will appoint the prime minister from among the party which garners the most votes.

Morocco's February 20 reform movement of mainly youthful independent protesters, left-wing activists and Islamic fundamentalists has called for a boycott of the up-

coming vote. For the first time experts believe that the moderate Islamist Justice and Development party (PJD) -- the main opposition party with currently 47 deputies -has a real chance of winning.

If so, its victory would match that of Tunisia's long banned Ennahda party which won 90 seats in a 217-member constituent assembly last month, and before elections in Egypt where Islamists are also popular.

The PJD's main rivals are eight parties grouped around the liberal National Rally of Independents (RNI) which seek to counter the Islamists' influence.

Overall around 30 parties are vying for the 395 seats in parlia-

ment -- 70 more than in 2007, all of which are reserved for women and younger deputies in a bid to give an assembly so far dominated by ranking public figures a more modern look.

Of 13 million Moroccans elegible for voting 57 percent are 35 or younger.

Their vote is therefore seen as decisive as the government has so far pretty much ignored demands to fight high unemployment, illiteracy, inequality and corruption in a country where poverty is pervasive.

Unemployment is staggering among people under 35, hitting 31.4 percent in the third quarter of 2011, according to official figures.

Karachi 13-11-2011 pages_Layout 1 11/13/2011 2:04 AM Page 16

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

Foreign News 16 Japan opens Fukushima reactors to outside eyes FUKUSHIMA AFP

Japan took a group of journalists inside its crippled nuclear plant for the first time on Saturday, stepping up efforts to prove to the world it is on top of the disaster. More than 30 members of the press, wearing protective masks and anti-radiation suits and confined to buses, saw the devastated buildings housing the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, the scene of the planet's worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl a quarter century earlier. One journalist reported how four reactor buildings were in varying states of destruction, with the one around reactor number 3 largely collapsed. He said the bases of the buildings, which stood on ground just 10 metres (30 feet) above sea level, were filled with crumpled trucks, twisted metal fences and large buckled water tanks. Other buildings in the compound also showed signs of the destruction wrought by the 14-metre-high tsunami. Crows and dragonflies could be seen around the reactors, in an area the reporter's dosimeter recorded radiation at 50 microsieverts per hour. Nearer to the reactors the reading rose to 300 microsieverts (0.3 millisieverts), the highest of the trip. The Japanese government-set threshold for evacuation from a normal area is accumulated radiation of 20 millisieverts per year. The tour, in which just four representatives from foreign media were allowed to participate, is part of efforts by TEPCO to show they are close to solving the problem.

oKUMA: The crippled Fukushima dai-ichi nuclear power station is seen through a bus window on Saturday. afp

EU commits to Libya as Ashton opens Tripoli mission g

Ashton says 27-nation bloc would continue to support civil society in Libya, particularly women and young people BRUSSELS

T

AFP

HE European Union plants its flag in Libya on Saturday when EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton officially opens a new delegation and heads into talks with the interim authorities.

Heralding the bloc's commitment to assist recovery from the

conflict and "build a new Libya based on the rule of law, democracy and human rights," Ashton is to meet the country's interim leaders after the noon opening.

But she will also address the first Libyan Women's Rights Forum, a significant move on the heels of announcements of the introduction of sharia law in Libya.

Asked for comment on the impact on Libyan women of polygamy and a ban on divorce,

Ashton's spokeswoman last month said that "we expect the new Libya to be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles." In a statement Saturday, Ashton said the 27-nation bloc would continue to support civil society in Libya, "in particular women and young people, who have a major role to play in shaping Libya's future."

"Opening a fully fledged EU Delegation in Tripoli underlines

the EU's commitment to our close relationship with the Libyan people, both during the political transition and in the long term," Ashton stated. In Tripoli, she will meet National Transitional Council (NTC) chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib. The interim premier, who has until November 23 to form a government, said Friday that Libya's transitional post-Gaddafi govern-

ment will be transparent and will not include anyone from the late strongman's regime.

"We will be frank and transparent", he said, warning Libyans "not to expect miracles".

Ashton's visit comes 48 hours ahead of a meeting of the EU's 27 foreign ministers, who Monday will look at means of helping Libya recover from the monthslong conflict. Diplomatic sources said the ministers were likely to

call for an inclusive transition process and express concern about reports of human rights violations, such as revenge attacks and summary executions.

They would also confirm the bloc's readiness to assist Libya in a range of sectors. The EU is taking part in an UN-headed assessment of Libya's needs, including border management, civil society and women's rights as well as communications and media.

32 dead in fresh Turkey quake

Abnormal radioactivity also in Hungary, no risk seen BUDAPEST

ISTANBUL

AFP

AFP

Hungary was the latest European country on Saturday to confirm higher than usual levels of radioactivity in the air, although like others it maintained that this did not pose any health risks.

"In Hungary, a higher-than-usual concentration of iodine-131 particles was registered in Budapest and Miskolc (in the northeast)," Geza Safrany, the head of the national research institute for radiology OSSKI, said in a statement.

He added that the increase was very slight and did not pose any health risk.

What lay behind this elevated radioactivity is still unclear, he also said.

On Friday, the UN atomic watchdog in Vienna said it had received information from Czech authorities that "very low levels of iodine-131" had been detected in recent days in the air in the Czech Republic and in other countries. Poland, Slovakia and Austria quickly confirmed they too had detected abnormal levels in the last few weeks. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said however it did not believe this presented any risk to human health nor that it was caused by the nuclear disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant earlier this year. In Poland, a spokesman for the atomic energy agency told AFP that the cause may lie in Pakistan, where officials were forced to repair a leak at the nearly 40year-old Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) on October 19. After the incident, an official from KANUPP had told AFP that no radioactivity had been recorded and none of their staff had been affected.

The death toll from a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Turkey rose to 32 on Saturday, including two journalists, authorities said. Announcing the new toll, which stood at 27 earlier Saturday, the emergency unit of the prime minister's office said on its website that 30 people had been rescued since the quake on Wednesday. Rescuer workers overnight retrieved the bodies of two reporters from the private Dogan news agency -- 26-yearold Cem Emir and 58-year-old Sebahattin Yilmaz -- from the debris of a hotel which was toppled by the earthquake. The journalists were in the area to report on last month's much deadlier earthquake, which killed more than 600 people. Wednesday's quake hit Edremit town, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Van province, according to the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory.

New deLHi: An indian kite-flying enthusiast flies a hundred kites on a single string during a kite-flying festival on the india gate lawns on Saturday. afp

clashes and protests erupt in Yemen for second day SANAA AFP

Fierce clashes erupted in Yemen's second city Saturday as protesters in the capital Sanaa condemned international silence in the face of a government crackdown that left more than 15 dead the previous day.

"Oh world, the children and

women of Taez are being killed...where is your conscience?" chanted tens of thousands of protesters in Sanaa who for 10 months now have been calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. "To the world and the (UN) Security Council, don't you see Saleh is shelling Taez?" they chanted.

On Friday, government forces shelled a protest site in the flashpoint

city of Taez, south of the capital, killing 15 civilians, including at least three women and three children, medics said.

Friday's violence, which also left at least 40 people wounded, erupted when security forces loyal to Saleh began shelling areas around Freedom Square, the epicentre of the protest movement in Taez. Witnesses blamed the violence on the Republican Guard,

an elite unit commanded by Saleh's son Ahmed, accusing it of firing tank and artillery rounds into a crowd of protesting civilians. The violence continued Saturday as armed tribesmen who have thrown their support behind the protest movement clashed with government troops in the Hassab district of Taez, witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Karachi 13-11-2011 pages_Layout 1 11/13/2011 2:04 AM Page 17

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

Foreign News 16 Japan opens Fukushima reactors to outside eyes FUKUSHIMA AFP

Japan took a group of journalists inside its crippled nuclear plant for the first time on Saturday, stepping up efforts to prove to the world it is on top of the disaster. More than 30 members of the press, wearing protective masks and anti-radiation suits and confined to buses, saw the devastated buildings housing the reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, the scene of the planet's worst atomic disaster since Chernobyl a quarter century earlier. One journalist reported how four reactor buildings were in varying states of destruction, with the one around reactor number 3 largely collapsed. He said the bases of the buildings, which stood on ground just 10 metres (30 feet) above sea level, were filled with crumpled trucks, twisted metal fences and large buckled water tanks. Other buildings in the compound also showed signs of the destruction wrought by the 14-metre-high tsunami. Crows and dragonflies could be seen around the reactors, in an area the reporter's dosimeter recorded radiation at 50 microsieverts per hour. Nearer to the reactors the reading rose to 300 microsieverts (0.3 millisieverts), the highest of the trip. The Japanese government-set threshold for evacuation from a normal area is accumulated radiation of 20 millisieverts per year. The tour, in which just four representatives from foreign media were allowed to participate, is part of efforts by TEPCO to show they are close to solving the problem.

oKUMA: The crippled Fukushima dai-ichi nuclear power station is seen through a bus window on Saturday. afp

EU commits to Libya as Ashton opens Tripoli mission g

Ashton says 27-nation bloc would continue to support civil society in Libya, particularly women and young people BRUSSELS

T

AFP

HE European Union plants its flag in Libya on Saturday when EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton officially opens a new delegation and heads into talks with the interim authorities.

Heralding the bloc's commitment to assist recovery from the

conflict and "build a new Libya based on the rule of law, democracy and human rights," Ashton is to meet the country's interim leaders after the noon opening.

But she will also address the first Libyan Women's Rights Forum, a significant move on the heels of announcements of the introduction of sharia law in Libya.

Asked for comment on the impact on Libyan women of polygamy and a ban on divorce,

Ashton's spokeswoman last month said that "we expect the new Libya to be based on respect for human rights and democratic principles." In a statement Saturday, Ashton said the 27-nation bloc would continue to support civil society in Libya, "in particular women and young people, who have a major role to play in shaping Libya's future."

"Opening a fully fledged EU Delegation in Tripoli underlines

the EU's commitment to our close relationship with the Libyan people, both during the political transition and in the long term," Ashton stated. In Tripoli, she will meet National Transitional Council (NTC) chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil and Prime Minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib. The interim premier, who has until November 23 to form a government, said Friday that Libya's transitional post-Gaddafi govern-

ment will be transparent and will not include anyone from the late strongman's regime.

"We will be frank and transparent", he said, warning Libyans "not to expect miracles".

Ashton's visit comes 48 hours ahead of a meeting of the EU's 27 foreign ministers, who Monday will look at means of helping Libya recover from the monthslong conflict. Diplomatic sources said the ministers were likely to

call for an inclusive transition process and express concern about reports of human rights violations, such as revenge attacks and summary executions.

They would also confirm the bloc's readiness to assist Libya in a range of sectors. The EU is taking part in an UN-headed assessment of Libya's needs, including border management, civil society and women's rights as well as communications and media.

32 dead in fresh Turkey quake

Abnormal radioactivity also in Hungary, no risk seen BUDAPEST

ISTANBUL

AFP

AFP

Hungary was the latest European country on Saturday to confirm higher than usual levels of radioactivity in the air, although like others it maintained that this did not pose any health risks.

"In Hungary, a higher-than-usual concentration of iodine-131 particles was registered in Budapest and Miskolc (in the northeast)," Geza Safrany, the head of the national research institute for radiology OSSKI, said in a statement.

He added that the increase was very slight and did not pose any health risk.

What lay behind this elevated radioactivity is still unclear, he also said.

On Friday, the UN atomic watchdog in Vienna said it had received information from Czech authorities that "very low levels of iodine-131" had been detected in recent days in the air in the Czech Republic and in other countries. Poland, Slovakia and Austria quickly confirmed they too had detected abnormal levels in the last few weeks. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said however it did not believe this presented any risk to human health nor that it was caused by the nuclear disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant earlier this year. In Poland, a spokesman for the atomic energy agency told AFP that the cause may lie in Pakistan, where officials were forced to repair a leak at the nearly 40year-old Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) on October 19. After the incident, an official from KANUPP had told AFP that no radioactivity had been recorded and none of their staff had been affected.

The death toll from a 5.6 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Turkey rose to 32 on Saturday, including two journalists, authorities said. Announcing the new toll, which stood at 27 earlier Saturday, the emergency unit of the prime minister's office said on its website that 30 people had been rescued since the quake on Wednesday. Rescuer workers overnight retrieved the bodies of two reporters from the private Dogan news agency -- 26-yearold Cem Emir and 58-year-old Sebahattin Yilmaz -- from the debris of a hotel which was toppled by the earthquake. The journalists were in the area to report on last month's much deadlier earthquake, which killed more than 600 people. Wednesday's quake hit Edremit town, some 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Van province, according to the Istanbul-based Kandilli Observatory.

New deLHi: An indian kite-flying enthusiast flies a hundred kites on a single string during a kite-flying festival on the india gate lawns on Saturday. afp

clashes and protests erupt in Yemen for second day SANAA AFP

Fierce clashes erupted in Yemen's second city Saturday as protesters in the capital Sanaa condemned international silence in the face of a government crackdown that left more than 15 dead the previous day.

"Oh world, the children and

women of Taez are being killed...where is your conscience?" chanted tens of thousands of protesters in Sanaa who for 10 months now have been calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down. "To the world and the (UN) Security Council, don't you see Saleh is shelling Taez?" they chanted.

On Friday, government forces shelled a protest site in the flashpoint

city of Taez, south of the capital, killing 15 civilians, including at least three women and three children, medics said.

Friday's violence, which also left at least 40 people wounded, erupted when security forces loyal to Saleh began shelling areas around Freedom Square, the epicentre of the protest movement in Taez. Witnesses blamed the violence on the Republican Guard,

an elite unit commanded by Saleh's son Ahmed, accusing it of firing tank and artillery rounds into a crowd of protesting civilians. The violence continued Saturday as armed tribesmen who have thrown their support behind the protest movement clashed with government troops in the Hassab district of Taez, witnesses said. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Karachi 13-11-2011 pages_Layout 1 11/13/2011 2:04 AM Page 18

17

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

geNevA: ‘The Taj Mahal diamond,’ a heart-shaped diamond believed to have been a gift to the great emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666) and offered by Richard burton to elizabeth Taylor at her 40th birthday. The jewel will go under the hammer in New york on december 2011 and is expecting to fetch about 300,000 to 500,000 US dollars. afp

FASHION

Zarmina

GENEVA

A

AGEnCIES

selection of iconic jewellery belonging to late Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor went on display in Geneva ahead of its auction in New York in December. Among the pieces were a diamond tiara gifted to her by one of her seven ex-husbands, the producer Mike Todd, a diamond and platinum bracelet from her friend Michael Jackson and several necklace and earing sets decked with emeralds, diamonds, sapphires and rubies.

The most spectacular piece, a gift from Richard Burton, who Taylor married twice, is the Peregrina, a 16th century pearl worn by a succession of Spanish and Austrian queens which Burton bought for $37,000 at an auction in 1969 and became the centrepiece of a pearl, diamond and ruby necklace. When sold by Christie’s on December 13, the Peregrina is expected to

fetch between $2-3 million.

A ring inlaid with diamonds and a huge ruby, said by Burton to be “the perfect red” is valued at between $1-1.5 million.

Another gift from the actor to his wife, a hulking 33.19-carat diamond ring Taylor always wore, is worth an estimated $2.53.5 million. Francois Curiel, international head of jewellery and president of Christie’s in Asia, said he was “amazed” by the depth of the film star’s jewellery knowledge when he met her in 1998 in Los Angeles to asses her collection.

The jewellery is being sold at the request of Taylor’s family and will be followed the next day by an auction of 269 other items. The total value of the sale could reach $30 million, Christie’s said.

About 400 dresses, lavish accessories and other mementoes were previously sold at the Rockefeller Center in New York following Taylor’s death in March. A percentage of the money raised will go to charity, notably the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation.

i’m not getting married: Kareena MUMBAI AGEnCIES

With all the reports of her and Saif’s big fat shaadi, Kareena is most amused...

Actress Kareena Kapoor, who is only too happy, to have been the first to star opposite all the Khans and is on cloud nine that her movies are doing well at the box office, says she is in a happy phase of life.

After all the actress is all set to tie the knot in February 2012, right? “Wrong!” says

inab Qureshi Saad and Za

, Nomi Faraz Manan na Kardar Am Ansari and

Jenny with Mehvish

Munib and Rabia Nawaz

Juggun Kazim

Angelina’s Pax to

Angelina Jolie keeps quite the busy travel schedule. And though it’s often for work, her current trip is in line with her desire to keep her three adopted children familiar with their roots. Her latest destination: vietnam, where she was photographed with her son Pax, 7. “we owe vietnam a visit, because Pax should,” Jolie, 36, told the Financial Times in July, adding of her six children with brad Pitt: “They are all learning about each other’s cultures as well as being proud of their own. They all have their flags over their beds and their individual pride.” According to the photographer, the actress and Pax went out for lunch together in Ho Chi Minh City, and the rest of the Jolie-Pitt brood is along for the trip as well. Pitt, 47, and Jolie adopted eldest son Maddox, 10, from Cambodia, Zahara, 6, from ethiopia.

Their daughter Shiloh, 5, was born in Namibia, and twins vivienne and Knox, 3, in France. mOnITORInG DESK

Vietnam

Mehdi, Zeba and Shahzad Nina Akbar

the Bebo! “It’s great that people have set my wedding date, have designed my wedding dress and planned my honeymoon without me being aware of it! It’s flattering, but no, I’m not getting married, yet!” On further pushing, Kareena said, “Saif and I are happily in love and happy with each other; We are taking our time. And I assure you, nothing - absolutely nothing - is fixed as yet: no marriage date, no marriage dress, nothing!”

Kareena says the next big thing she is looking forward to is Agent Vinod. “It’s a special film.

The movie is made on a huge canvas. I am hoping it’ll be my next hit. Our fingers are crossed. We have worked so hard on it. Let’s hope the effort is worth it,” she signs off.

visit

Zara Qureshi, Shafaq Habib and Zahra Saeed

fans camp out as brides

lOS AnGElES: We’re officially a week away from the release of “Breaking Dawn - Part I,” but those in los Angeles are focusing first on monday’s premiere. Fans have pitched their tents in front of the nokia Theater in downtown l.A. to secure prime R.Patz/K.Stew/Taylor lautner-sighting real estate.

According toDeadline, more than 700 Twihards have been rallying and waiting for the fourth installment of the “Twilight” saga to premiere since Thursday. Cnn’s cameras even spotted a fan or two arriving dressed as brides, so that they could take a picture with a cutout of “Edward” (played by Robert Pattinson) dressed for a wedding, complete with cake. (Hey, we all have our fantasies.)

Deadline reports that “Breaking Dawn - Part I” is already contributing to 72 percent of movie ticket eretailer Fandango’s weekly sales - 7 days ahead of the release. AGEnCIES

Moeed and Faryal of Muse

to host Academy Awards

Billy Crystal

Karachi 13-11-2011 pages_Layout 1 11/13/2011 2:04 AM Page 19

18

Ensemble expands with

new outlet LAHORE

E

Honey Waq ar

Aaminah Haq and Ammar Belal

STAFF REPORT

NSEMBLE opened a new outlet in Lahore at the centrally located and renowned 10 Q. Having first opened their boutique in the city about two years ago, the newly opened Ensemble outlet now retails a diversity of Karachi’s and Lahore’s premier designers and is in keeping with the brands’ commitment of providing a comfortable retail experience, with an evermore extensive fashion selection.

The Ensemble launch was attended by media, designers, fashion and social personalities alike, including: fashion designers Nomi Ansari, Faryal and Moeed of Muse, Honey Waqar, Ammar Belal, Fahad Hussayn, Munib Nawaz, Kuki, Zarmina, Mehdi, Faraz Manan and Rana Noman Haq; stylists Khawar Riaz, Shehzad Raza, Nabiha Bukhari of The Square, Annie of Allenora and Jenny; jewellery designers Shazia Deenand Shafaq Habib, among others.

As one of Pakistan’s pioneering multilabel boutiques, Ensemble’s relocation to larger premises was in line with their expansion within Karachi, with the opening of Xander’s Café within their premises, and also follows the success of their recently held Fashion’s Night Out. Ensemble’s new boutique in Lahore also marked the introduction of Nomi Ansari, Umar Sayeed and Ritu Kumar’s separate spaces within the outlet.

The multi-label boutique in Lahore currently hosts numerous coveted fashion brands such as Ali Xeeshan, Ammar Belal, Deepak Perwani, Delphi, Fahad Hussayn, FNK Asia, Hunar, Maheen Karim, Mahin Erum, Mahin Hussain, Muse, Nida Azwer, Nomi Ansari, ONE by Ensemble, Pencil Sketch, Preen, Rana Noman Haq, Rehana Saigol, Ritu Kumar, Rizwan Beyg,

Sabyasachi, Sadaf Malaterre, Sana Safinaz, Sana Tariq, Sania Maskatiya, Sanya Muneer, Sarah A Jilani, Satya Paul, Shehrnaz, SozanKaar, Tarun Tahiliani, Umar Sayeed, Zara Shahjahan, Zahra Habib and Zarmina.

Speaking about the launch of the Ensemble boutique at 10 Q, Ensemble Creative Director Shehrnaz Husain said: “We at Ensemble are proud to expand within Lahore, which has always had such a vibrant fashion retail scene. The response to the opening was humbling and we hope the buyers will enjoy the shopping experience offered at the new Ensemble store. Our new space at 10 Q will make fashion more accessible to our clients, given its central location. We look forward to introducing more additions to the Ensemble brand in Lahore next year.”

Ensemble is one of Pakistan’s premier independent luxury boutiques and houses designer prêt-à-porter apparel from over 40 top Pakistani and Indian designers. Located in the upscale neighbourhood of Block-4, Clifton, now with a newly relocated store in Lahore and a presence of its in-house line in various fashion capitals, it has in the past four year grown into a recognisable Pakistani label.

Indeed, Ensemble’s new and expanded premises in Karachi as of 2010 offer a larger outlet, additional personalised services and a more extensive collection of apparel. Some features of the new location include a bridal room by appointment and a full service salon on the mezzanine level, with the newly introduced Xander’s Café.

Ensemble looks forward to bringing the same innovations and personalised services to their new Lahore outlet in 2012.

As a pioneer in the industry, Ensemble was the first to bring seasonal fashion shows to Pakistan and the first multi-brand store to host its own shows. The House of Ensemble’s debut show was the relaunch of design stalwart Shamaael at a critically acclaimed

ensemble announced the opening of their new outlet in Lahore at the centrally located and renowned 10 Q. Having first opened their boutique in the city two years ago, the ensemble launch was a major success, attended by leading designers, media personalities, fashionistas and the cream of Lahore.

November event in 2007, followed by the launching of Kamiar Rokni’s solo label in Karachi the same year. Ensemble’s Spring/Summer showcase was held in 2008 where Umar Sayeed, Sadaf Malaterre and Kamiar Rokni took to the ramp for the first time ever and where Nilofer Shahid also showcased her debut Prêt collection. This was subsequently followed by a Fall/Winter fashion show the same year where the iconic Bunto Kazmi showcased her Prêt collection for the first time in her career and young designer Adnan Pardesy debuted. Ensemble also recently adapted the international Fashion’s Night Out concept, bringing it to their boutique in Karachi in 2011. The Ensemble brand has also in the past held two fundraising fashion shows in aid of the Teacher’s Resource Centre (TRC) in 2009, thereby putting fashion’s socially responsible foot forward to promote education and progression in Pakistan.

Zeba from Ensemble has been supporting charity through fashion initiatives such as Carnivale De Couture in aid of TRC, the MALC annual ball and fund raisers and balls in aid of the Kidney Centre and the Lady Dufferin hospital. In 2010, Ensemble Karachi organised a fundraiser qawwali and charity sale to raise funds for the assistance of flood relief affectees and their 2011 Fashion’s Night Out also channelled a significant percentage of sales to the flood affectees.

jacko’s verdict is no closure MONITORING DESK The reigning emotion in the wake of the Conrad Murray guilty verdict on Monday was of hollow victory rather than catharsis. At the end of the ordeal, Michael Jackson was still dead and no amount of prison for his doomed doctor would bring him back. Surprisingly, the spectacle of Murray’s public humiliation didn’t seem to interest the normally voracious consumers of celebrity trash. The story had little traction in the tabloids, drove even less TMZ traffic and the live feed of the sixweek trial was neither the subject of water cooler debate nor late night comics across the nation. Herman Cain’s sexual harrassment rumors nabbed more time on cable news than the courtroom account of how Conrad Murray injected the King of Pop with a fatal dose of hospital-grade sedative, and then lied about it to save himself.

The Casey Anthony trial riveted Nancy Grace. Not Conrad Murray. Where was the outrage? Maybe we were just tired of it. Rather than peel back the curtain on a celebrity’s private life, the Conrad Murray trial showed us a sordid picture of Michael Jackson that we no longer wanted to see. With his death at age 50, we had finally deified the King of Pop. His sudden demise led to an outpouring of global emotion.

Those of us who had casually mocked him for years or reviled him for suspected child abuse, suddenly let all that fall away. Instead we remembered the Michael Jackson we loved – his childlike innocence, his talent, and the outright joy his music brought to millions across the world.

Will ‘all-american Muslim’ understand american Muslims?

WASHINGTON AGEnCIES

Annie of Alle'nora

After eddie Murphy exited his hosting duties for the 84th Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made quick work of finding a replacement, and they went with a familiar face. (This will be Crystal’s ninth time hosting the awards show - not including the 2006 show he opened.) The news spread quickly following the actor’s tweet, “Am doing the oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when i pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show.” This oscars ceremony has had a few behind-the-scenes tweaks over the past week, starting with former co-producer brett Ratner’s resignation. The “Tower Heist” director used a gay slur during a screening last weekend, and critics quickly called for Ratner to be stripped of his Academy Awards production duties. Ratner apologised for his comment, and on Tuesday resigned from the job. eddie Murphy quit next, saying he understood the perspectives of all parties involved, and wished the new producer and host the best. So now we have veteran filmmaker brian grazer in the co-producer seat along with don Mischer, and billy Crystal as host.

The 84th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, February 26, 2012. mOnITORInG DESK

It’s been a decade since the September 11 attacks and many Americans still don’t know quite what to make of their 2.75 million Muslim compatriots. Could a reality TV series help?

‘All-American Muslim’, which premieres today (Sunday) on the TLC cable channel, lifts the veil

on five Arab American families in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan and finds their lives are, in many ways, not so un-American at all.

There’s the Amen family, whose outspoken tattooed daughter Shadia is engaged to an Irish American from Chicago who accepts her family’s request to convert to Islam on the eve of their wedding - and upsets his Catholic mother.

Newlywed twenty-somethings Nader and Nawal Aoude embrace teamwork like a new-age couple as they prepare for the birth of their first child, even as they adhere to a devout Islamic lifestyle.

Nina Bazzy is a glamorous blond party planner on a collision course with both her traditionalminded parents and the wider community over her bold plan to open her own trendy nightclub.

Mike Jaafar upholds the law as Dearborn’s deputy chief sheriff, while his wife Angela tries to keep their four high-strung children in line in one of those big suburban houses that signifies the American dream.

And the patriarch of the Zaban family, Fouad “Haj Walker” Zaban, is as passionate about his religious obligations as he is about leading the high

school football team he coaches to the Michigan state championship.

“It seemed like a really, really good opportunity to dispel some of these misconceptions that we’ve been dealing with all our lives,” Shadia Amen said on Thursday, explaining why she agreed to do the show. “We’re not here to represent Islam. We’re just five American families who happen to be Muslim.”

Big B says Ash is still home mumBAI: bollywood can’t seem to wait for Aishwarya Rai bachchan’s baby. while she hasn’t delivered yet, the rumours about Ash and Abhishek’s baby’s arrival are flying thick and fast. So much so that Aishwarya’s pa-in-law Amitabh bachchan has had to clarify. Amitach bachchan posted on his Twitter page yesterday (November 11), “getting congratulatory messages on Aishwarya delivering a boy!!! guess they know more than even she does !! False and incorrect news.” Aishwarya

had appeared at the Seven Hills Hospitalin Mumbai on November 10, raising speculation that she was being admitted for delivery. However, her spokesperson reportedly denied that she had actually been admitted. A tweet of the statement by the spokesperson doing the rounds read “Aishwarya is still at home, please do not believe or spread rumours,” Apparently, Aishwarya was at the hospital just for a routine check-up on November 10 and left soon after that. AGEnCIES

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Pakistan cricket squad looking good Page 4

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Aisam-Bopanna

Sunday, 13 November, 2011

in Paris Masters final

PARiS: Pakistani Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi (L), watches teammate indian Rohan bopanna return the ball to bulgarian Max Mirnyi and Canadian daniel Nestor. afp LAHORE STAFF REPORT

PARiS: Swiss Roger Federer hits a return to Czech Tomas berdych. afp

Pakistani tennis star Aisam-ulHaq Qureshi and his Indian partner Rohan Bopanna are one step away from winning their third ATP title of the season as they stormed into the final of the Paris Masters after edging past Max Mirnyi of Belarus and Daniel Nestor of Canada, on Saturday.

The seventh seed Indo-Pak pair eked out a 6-3, 7-6 win in the semifinals over the third seeded Belarusian-Canadian combination in one hour and 27 minutes.

On Friday, Indo-Pak express had shocked second seeds Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic 3-6, 6-4, 10-6 in the quarter-finals of the euro 2,750,000 event.

Now Aisam-Bopanna will face the winner of the other semifinals between French Pair of Julien Benneteau/ Nicolas Mahut and Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Kas Christopher of Germany.

AFP adds: Roger Federer defeated Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-3 here on Saturday to reach the final of the Paris Masters for the first time in his career.

The 30-year-old Swiss holder of 16 Grand Slam titles will play on Sunday the winner of the other semi-final which sees 2008 winner Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France take on giant American John Isner.

A break of serve in the first game of each set was all the former world No.1 needed to see off the challenge of Berdych who beat second seed Andy Murray in a marathon quarter-final on Friday.

The day after chalking up the

800th match win of his career, Federer made a storming start against a player who had given him problems in the past.

He immediately had the big Czech on the defensive and clinched a first break of serve when a rasping cross-court forehand forced an error.

The third seed powered through his own serve and had a break point to go 3-0 up in the next game before Berdych finally started to find his range.

Federer though was comfortable on his own serve and took the first set 6-4 despite a double fault at 40-15 ahead in the 10th game.

Berdych stumbled again at the start of the second set handing Federer two break points by netting an easy-looking overhead smash and he then netted a routine forehand from the baseline.

Federer, who won just his second tournament of the year last week in his hometown of Basel, smoothly moved 2-0 up and he never looked like being caught from there on in.

Berdych saved a break point after double-faulting in the seventh game, but two games later Federer went 40-0 up and clinched the win when a demoralised Berdych netted a weak forehand. A win on Sunday would be just the second time that Federer has lifted a title in the French capital with his only triumph at Roland Garros in the French Open coming in 2009 when he beat Sweden’s Robin Soderling in the final.

It would also set him up perfectly for the season-ending ATP Tour finals in London which start the week after next.

PARiS: Czech Tomas berdych hits a return to Swiss Roger Federer. afp

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

THE COMEbACk kId

It took seven long years but the ‘Professor’ now seems to have finally arrived COMMENT

O

MUHAMMAD BUTT

NE man’s loss is another man’s gain. This age old idiom is perfectly embodied by one Mohammad Hafeez; with Salman Butt fighting court battles and Kamran Akmal on the sidelines learning new ways to drop a catch, Hafeez has swooped in and cemented himself not only as an opener but as the number one allrounder in the team.

Hafeez is not some new kid on the block. Since making his debut in 2003, Hafeez remained on the fringes of the national squad and never looked like fulfilling the potential he showed early in his career. The inevitable as some called it then, eventually took seven long years but such has been the upturn in fortunes over the last 18 months that the man known as the ‘Professor’ is now being tipped as the successor to Misbah Hafeez, over the last year or so has become an integral member of the national team and more importantly across all formats. His handy off-spin has been transformed into a reliable and economical proposition so much so that his captains have often employed him early on in the piece, most notably against West Indies, in the quarterfinals of the World Cup 2011, where his metronomical accuracy laid the foundations for an emphatic victory. Never a big turner of the ball, the hallmarks of his bowling have been the unerring control and the subtle variations which ensure that his efficiency is not reduced when playing on unproductive surfaces.

The most important change though, has come in the shape of his batting, which after all is his primary job. While his overall numbers are modest and his recent exploits far from being earth shattering, it is the improvement and consistency Hafeez has shown which is most encouraging.

Post-2010, Hafeez, in ODI’s has scored his runs at an average of almost 40, a far cry from his pre-2010 days when he averaged a pathetic 17.5. All his three

centuries have come in the year 2011 and while the opposition on all three occasions was not the most intimidating; the knocks reflect a growing sense of maturity. Prior to his purple patch, Hafeez was often at the receiving end of accusations labelling him a selfish player but he has shown what an extended run in the national team can do to your confidence.

Stodgy and stifled performances with the bat have given way to authoritative and fluent displays coming at a strike rate of 78, which used to dwindle to the mid 60s Hafeez, it appears, has finally struck a balance between style and substance.

The general consensus in and around the team is that he is a thinking cricketer, meticulous in his approach and looks to be part of the solution rather than the problem – all good signs if you’re being talked about as the future captain.

The captaincy at the moment may prove to be premature even though he appears to tick all the boxes. It should be worth mentioning that he does have some experience with regards to the job, having captained Pakistan A in the past. At 31, he has the ideal blend of experience and having enough cricket left in him to lead the side for some time If the PCB do feel that he is the man to take over after Misbah retires, it may not be a bad option to hand over the reins to Hafeez in the shorter format sometime in the near future and look to build from there.

All said and done, Hafeez is not the finished article by any stretch of imagination. He must look to sustain his recent form with both bat and ball and consolidate his standing by converting those stylish thirties and forties into bigger and more substantial scores in both ODI’s and Tests if he wishes to stay in the team, let alone lead the side. Question marks remain over his ability to perform against the best and in demanding conditions but such is the paucity of good opening batsmen in the country that Hafeez’s adequacy will have to do for now.

The general consensus in and around the team is that he is a thinking cricketer, meticulous in his approach and looks to be part of the solution rather than the problem

CriCket at a Credibility Crossroad ExPERT COmmEnT

SiR PAUL CoNdoN The case of the Pakistan cricketers found guilty and sentenced for spot fixing for money is a very loud wake-up call for world cricket. For while much has been achieved by the International Cricket Council, the sport is once again at a credibility crossroad.

Decisive action will keep cricket corruption to an occasional embarrassing episode.

No action, or the wrong decisions, will allow corruption to gain a stronger foothold and the game will return to the bad old days of the 1990s, when Test and World Cup matches were fixed for betting purposes.

Cricket will always be the global sport most vulnerable to corruption because of the nature of the game and the consequent heavy volume of betting. The fixers do not have to fix the outcome of the whole match to arrange a betting coup. The players involved use the twisted logic that they are not affecting the outcome of the match. In theory, they could deliver the fixed event for the betting coup and still go on to win the game and even the man-of-the-match award.

Gambling on cricket is a massive indus-

try, primarily in the Indian subcontinent, where it is unlawful, unregulated and sometimes linked to organised crime. Informed sources suggest that up to the equivalent of $1billion is bet on a single match if it involves Pakistan and India.

Routinely, betting on cricket outstrips the volume of betting on all other global sports. Cricketers and their families have been intimidated in the past to encourage them to become involved in fixing.

The last time cricket was forced to respond to serious scandal was in 2000 after the Hansie Cronje saga. The Indian police, as a by-product of a telephone intercept, proved that Cronje and others had been fixing the outcome of matches for gambling purposes. At the time, the gambling environment was less sophisticated and betting on every ball was uncommon. Consequently Cronje and others were prepared to fix the outcome of matches for cash payments.

The ICC asked me at the time to look at the problem and I submitted a report in April 2001 All 24 of my recommendations were accepted by the ICC executive board.

Some were embraced with more enthusiasm than others. My recommendations for an awareness and education programme for anyone playing international cricket were implemented very well, as were recommendations for better security and the formation of a specialist anti-corruption unit.

This relatively small unit of former police officers has developed expertise and operating methods that have been studied and copied by other sports.

The Anti-Corruption and Security Unit has successfully led investigations against

players and disrupted the grooming and preparation of many others who were in danger of being drawn into the fixers’ web.

I remain confident that, despite the exposé of the malpractice by members of the Pakistan team, the overwhelming majority of international cricketers are not involved in fixing. However, if the ICC and national cricket boards do not make a renewed effort, cricket could quickly regress to the bad old days epitomised by Cronje and others.

Some of the recommendations I made in 2001 that received the least support within the ICC are still relevant today. I hope they will be revisited. At the time of my report I wrote: “The players are not sufficiently involved in the administration of the game and ownership of the problems. Consideration should be given to enhancing the role of the players and their representative bodies.”

Although some progress has been made, I believe cricketers are still not an integral part of the solution to corruption. The anticorruption endeavour is applied to them rather than with them. Consequently, over the past 10 years, cricketers have grudgingly accepted the anti-corruption measures rather than being the eyes and ears on the front line, reporting suspicious events. The MCC World Cricket Committee and others are now actively speculating about what more can be done. That is encouraging. The other recommendations that were more challenging to implement concerned the ICC itself. In 2001, I wrote: “The ICC will be in a stronger position if it continues to evolve from its origins as a loose and fragile alliance into a modern regulatory body whose role is clarified and whose transactions are trans-

parent and accountable.” Corruption in cricket will flourish again unless the ICC and every national board show leadership and determination to keep malpractice to a minimum, as it is unlikely to be totally eradicated. Complacency and the growth of Twenty20 tournaments in recent years have opened the door for the return of the fixers.

Corruption relies on opportunity, human weakness and greed. The growth of T20 has changed the dynamic of world cricket and created new challenges. While 20x20 is an exciting, unstoppable and commercial format, it has a potentially more sinister underside that needs to be understood. In the frenzy of commercialisation, cricketers are immersed in a heady world of monopolymoney bids for franchises, teams and players. An “anything goes” party atmosphere, with more and more agents, celebrities and even previous fixers re-emerging at matches, can seduce cricketers into a toxic justification for occasional spot-fixing. They see so many people making huge sums of money that they can be tempted to agree to a prearranged no-ball here or a duck there.

So, although I do not think the case of the Pakistan cricketers is a tip of an iceberg of corrupt players, I have real concerns for the future and more must be done to preserve the integrity of the game. Experts have argued that legalising gambling in the subcontinent and banning bets that enable and encourage spot-fixing is the way forward.

If only it was that simple. Even if gambling was legalised, it is highly probable that the legacy of the past and current demand would maintain a significant, underground and unlawful gambling industry. This sector

would still offer the sort of bets that facilitate spot-fixing and betting coups, because gamblers love the immediacy and gratification of being able to bet on every ball.

So what is the best way forward? The ICC must have the courage to support its current anti-corruption infrastructure. More resources may be necessary to monitor the growing volume of matches and tournaments. The ICC must insist and ensure that every national board, team management and tournament organiser has accredited measures to prevent and detect malpractice.

In future, if cricketers are found guilty of corruption, consideration should be given to punishing national boards and if possible tournament organisers, if they have been negligent with regard to the guilty behaviour. In the same way that the new Bribery Act in the UK seeks to hold to account companies who have not done enough to prevent their employees being drawn into corruption, the ICC should explore ways to hold national boards more accountable for their cricketers’ integrity. But, above all, the biggest advance in the fight against corruption will come from international players themselves. They must be empowered and encouraged to become more active stakeholders and guardians of cricket integrity.

The ICC and national boards must rise to the challenge to find a more productive partnership with players and their representative bodies. For the past 10 years cricketers have too often been passive observers of the fight against corruption. They owe it to themselves and all who love the game to do more.

The writer is former head of ICC Anti-Corruption Unit

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Light at the end of the tunnel Throwing light over Misbah’s brilliant captaincy, tennis’ enlightening tales and the flash of Euro playoffs All BAsEs COvErEd KUNWAR KHULDUNE SHAHID

P

AKISTAN Cricket’s reply to all the off-field turmoil has been lionhearted and awe-inspiring. While the media vultures around the globe continue to nourish their biases against us, our cricket continues to beget reasons for sanguinity. With the test series in the bag and a resounding win in the first ODI, the column takes a look at the man

istan had their eyes on pursuing the 255 in the allotted 60 overs – Hafeez’s thumping strokes through the off side uptop were a clear heads-up. However once the wickets began to tumble, the prudent thing to do was to shut up shop. This is exactly what Misbah, along with Asad Shafiq, seamlessly did. We were four down and another wicket could’ve resulted in Lankan inroads into our tail.

Those who fail to tell apart the T20 and Test stages, and believe that any sort of a total is reachable these days, need a reality check. There is a prodigious dif-

mISBAH-ul-HAQ: Unlike his predecessors, Misbah carries the team along. behind the upsurge. And with both the tennis season and Euro 2012 qualification reaching their climax, the piece tries to visualise the light at the end of the tunnel – which is bona fide for some, and something akin to a false dawn for others.

MISbAH’S RAdIANT bRANd Of CAPTAINCy: After the first Test in Abu Dhabi proved to be infertile in terms of a positive result, the team and the captain was castigated from all quarters. Abysmal fielding, defensive tactics, lack of a ‘cutting-edge’; were some of the most popular rants. However the team geared up for the second test and triumphed emphatically. That we didn’t wrap up the series ‘in style’ with a win in the third Test proved to be a spiky thorn for some voices– the pseudo connoisseurs, if you will.

Whilst denying the credit that the current cricket captain deserves became our ethos post Mohali 2011, the recent show of miserly acclaim is simply unfathomable! Even after we had completed the Test series win, there were critics apropos Misbah’s conservative play – both in his batting and in his captaincy. Please cut the man some slack! We have not lost a Test series since he took over in August 2010 – after the spot-fixing episode, under the most arduous circumstances that one can think of.

Then the rise in the team’s level is there for all to see. We have beaten a team ranked above us in Test standings, but our neurons seem to be stuck upon the amusement that an ‘86 balls for 9 runs’ innings ostensibly causes.

It was clear from the onset that Pak-

ference between the spanking new surface of a T20 or ODI game and the deteriorating fifth day pitch in a Test match. Chasing anything over four runs per over is a Herculean task on a disintegrating surface with neither the batsman nor indeed the bowler being able to fully keep track of the trajectory of the ball. Although many a Hercules have performed that task, being 1-0 up in the series only a dim-witted captain disguised in a cloak of courage would’ve gone for the kill – but then we are fond of that creed of leaders, aren’t we?

Apart from the obvious stability that Misbah has brought to the fore, there is uniqueness about his captaincy that makes him the quintessential leader. Neither does he crave the spotlight nor does he have the lust for power. He ‘carries the team’ – while most of our captains in the recent past only claimed to do so – and ensures that he orchestrates matters from behind the scenes, so to speak.

After Hafeez had a torrid time in the first slip during the first test match, most other captains would’ve either vented their frustration by shouting at him or at best would’ve immediately removed him from the fielding position resulting in a profound dent in their comrade’s confidence. Misbah, au contraire, stuck with Hafeez in the slip cordon for a couple of overs and then moved there himself.

Hence, he did not undermine his teammate’s morale and eventually plugged the gaping hole as well. Misbah has the mettle to grab the gauntlet only when it is thrown – he does not synthesize imagi-

nary gauntlets for self-exaggeration – and he does so, with class and composure.

Another example that showcases Misbah’s encouraging leadership could be cited from the staggering ODI triumph on Friday. After we were on the brink of the 132 runs – presented on a platter by a hapless Sri Lankan batting in front of our spinning repertoire – Misbah sent Sarfaraz up the order to amass the last few runs that remained. Being at the crease when the winning runs are scored not only enhances the self-belief of the youngster, it also gives him that winning feeling and the invigorating experience of playing a crucial part in the triumph. The captain could’ve gone there himself, to have a nice little run out and be there to give an over-the-top triumphant gesticulation at the end. But, instead of making self-pointing noises and portraying every win as a result of his personal genius, Misbah prefers to stay in the background in the sunny days and is there to fight it out when the storms arrive.

These are the little things that we ignore that result in our failure to justly gauge the influence of personnel. Misbah took over the reins in the most turbulent moment of our cricketing history and he has majestically driven our favourite sport forward. From being a silver lining, he has evolved into the dazzling sun that overpowers all clouds. bLAzINg ENd TO THE ATP SEASON: Berdych halted Murray’s 18-match unbeaten run in a three-set humdinger at the Paris Masters on Friday to book a place in the semis. Federer, after notching up his 800th career win – the seventh man to do so – waits in the wings for the Czech number one. We all know R-Fed’s affinity with numbers and history, and after reaching a milestone on Friday, he’d be geared for a first ever Masters crown in Paris – to add to his illustrious collection of accolades – and would be buoyant about his chances of defending his title in London.

Speaking of London, the lineup for this year’s Barclays ATP World Tour Finals is complete, with Tsonga, Berdych and Fish joining the already qualified Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Federer and Ferrer – courtesy their exploits in Paris.

Murray has put together a phenomenal run recently and would be hoping for a positive showing in front of the home faithful – something he has failed to do in the past. One gets the impression that 2012 is going to be the defining year of Murray’s career and if he remains steadfast in his quest for underachievement – especially at the biggest stages – I believe that’s going to be that, as far as hope and expectation is concerned.

Nadal, meanwhile, might’ve pulled off a masterstroke by opting to sit out the Paris Masters. An ATP Word Tours Finals title has eluded the Spaniard thus far, and he’d be mustering up all his energy to have a serious shot this year. And maybe, just maybe, a win over his bogey man this season, Djokovic, in London might give Rafa a massive boost before next season gets underway. Also, the small matter of the Davis Cup final against Argentina is also something Rafa would have his sights upon as he primes himself up for a late assault on individual and team silverware.

Djokovic has had a record shattering year, but it has clearly taken its toll on his body. We have witnessed yet another injury withdrawal from the Serbian in Paris; and after conjuring up the greatest season in the history of tennis the repercussions are ominous. The world number one has not managed his season properly – especially after his U.S Open triumph – and the apprehensions about the aftereffects are already vindicating themselves. Let’s hope No-Djo can return to his superlative fitness levels and continue his purple patch in 2012, if not in London this year.

On the domestic front, the Indo-Pak express’ rejuvenated exploits off-late have been striking. After the duo petered out for a considerable time span,

RAFAEl nADAl: gearing up for a late surge on tennis silverware. following the last major of year in Flushing Meadows, their recent upsurge, that has seen them qualify for London, has been hard-wearing. Aisam and Bopanna have reached the business end in Paris, and they would’ve set their sights on a possible title in London which would be a crowning achievement for the awesome twosome.

EURO PLAyOffS UNdER THE SPOTLIgHT: Three of the four ties in the Euro 2012 playoffs have been all but settled. A Robbie Keane inspired Ireland thumped nine-man Estonia in Tallinn 4-0 as the hosts’ defense, togetherness and the big game mettle was at shambles. The Croatian side did something similar to Turkey in the Ataturk Stadium, taking a 30 score-line back home and should go through comfortably. Sivok gave his side the breathing space ahead of the return leg in Montenegro with an injury time finish to give the Czechs a 2-0 lead. Czech Re-

public clearly have a foot in the finals now.

The only matchup hanging on a knifeedge – at least in terms of the score – is Portugal’s tie with Bosnia-Herzegovina, as the first leg in Bosnia ended in a stalemate. The visitors dominated possession but were guilty of profligacy in front of goal, with Postiga being the guiltiest party. The Bosnian side would feel that they missed out on making the most of home advantage as they gear up for the Portuguese expedition.

Cristiano Ronaldo was lackluster again in the national colours, even though he is setting La Liga ablaze with his showings. He failed to combine well with his teammates and took it all upon himself to deliver the knockout punch – and when that didn’t materialise, his frustration escalated. He needs to be on his A-game in the return leg or else the Bosnian side, filled with attacking talents like Dzeko and Pjanic, could upset the applecart.

CRISTIAnO ROnAlDO: Need to translate his club form in national colours.

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Pakistan are looking like a well

oiled machine

Pakistan cricket squad looking good spOrTs This WEEk ALI AKBAR

S

OUTH Africa beat Australia in a startling Test match at Cape Town. On a wicket that had a Jekyll and Hyde character, Shane Watson ran through South Africa with remarkable figures of five for almost nothing. With a sizeable lead in hand, the Aussies must have felt as if the match was in hand.

But before one could say Aussie, Aussie, Aussie… they found themselves at a shocking 21 for nine and a ball away from breaking the record for the lowest ever total in Test cricket, of 26, held by New Zealand. Some adventurous hitting by the last pair avoided this embarrassment. The Australian batting was conspicuous for the absence of any willingness to stay at the crease. South Africa then played as if the wicket was pancake flat, knocking off the 200 plus runs with Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith both getting hundreds.

thought he had slept through one day of cricket and that this was the fourth day!

The wicket was seaming but was not unplayable as the South Africans proved by easily chasing down the winning target. In the recent past, Australia have showed a weakness against the swinging seaming ball, as was the case against Pakistan in England as well as the Ashes.

But there may be more to this abject capitulation than just a seaming wicket. Is it possible that the increasing importance of T20 cricket and the resultant financial rewards has eroded the art of Test batsmanship? Certainly the attention span of the Australian batsmen with the notable exception of Michael Clarke in the first innings was fleeting at best. With Dale Steyn at the top of his game, the Australian batting quickly became a procession.

pouted with only their own image their primary concern. Even Shahid Afridi, who in the past, could not be excluded from this clique, looked a team player in the first ODI on Friday. Some of this credit should go to the admirable Misbah, a cool customer, who has injected some much needed calmness into the side. Mohsin Khan as coach looks good as does Naushad Ali the manager.

RESuRGEnT, AISAm AnD FEDERER

WISE WORDS

OVER TO DuBAI

THE AuSSIE lACK OF SPInE

The lack of backbone shown by the Australian batsmen was unprecedented for a nation renowned for its tough uncompromising sportsmen. Former captain Mark Taylor went to sleep with South Africa struggling and woke up to find Australia 21 for 9. He

Over in Dubai, the Sri Lankan batsmen found the going tough against the Pakistani spinners, managing only 130 odd, with Pakistan knocking off the target for the loss of two wickets. The Sri Lankans have possibly been away from home too long, because their batting showed a lack of application that should send chief selector Duleep Mendis into further paroxysms.

Ever since the departure of Muttiah Muralitharan, the Lankans have failed to win a Test match and rarely have they won any ODIs. Rarely has the absence of one player had such an effect on the fortunes of a team. Perhaps not even Don Bradman’s retirement did have this effect. From a top class outfit, the Lankans are looking strictly mediocre.

Pakistan, meanwhile are looking like a well oiled machine. Gone are the prima donnas who sulked and

The newly installed president of the PCB Choudhry Zaka Ashraf has been making some statements since taking over his position. He has stated that he does not believe in change for the sake of change, that he will let the current PCB setup continue until he feels there is a need for change. Wise words indeed, but Mr Ashraf would be well aware that apart from good management, he needs people on board who know the sport and have the international respect that would enable them to introduce Mr Ashraf to the closely knit international cricketing community.

Ijaz Butt has taken a lot of flak from almost everyone, but it is felt that history will judge him with some benevolence. The World Twenty20 win in 2009 and the semifinal position in the ODI World Cup 2011 are some of the achievements in his time.

The Sri Lankan team attack, the match-fixing controversies and some controversial statements in its aftermath, are crosses that he will have to bear.

There are, however, some question marks, such as the 120 million reportedly given to a politician for construction of a cricket stadium which may or may not have been built. Mr Butt would be well advised to clear the air with this and other controversies that are being thrown around.

Aisam Qureshi and Rohan Bopanna have qualified for the year ending ATP Tour Finals at the O2 in London starting on the 19th of this month. This is a creditable achievement and they look to be back in form, beating Llodra and Zimonic in the Paris indoors to reach the semifinals. The long season is taking its toll with several players dropping out to rest injuries and niggles in preparation for the big event.

Novak Djokovic has shoulder and back complaints while Rafael Nadal is also resting. Both have very physical styles of play, with Djoker’s serve an issue that could be causing his back problems.

Roger Federer is enjoying resurgence – winning in his home town of Basel and cruising through the draw in Paris. His effortless, classical style is the reason for his durability and could be the catalyst for one last hurrah next year. The forecast for Nadal and Djokovic is mixed for next year. Injuries and niggles will keep bothering them. Should Federer stay healthy, he could look forward to a last dash for the big ones in 2012.

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

COMMENT GARETH DAVIES

O

N Frazier’s death, Ali, 69, said he would pray for his old opponent.

“The news about Joe is hard to believe and even harder to accept. Joe was a fighter and a champion and I prayed for him.”

“My family and I are keeping Joe and his family in our daily prayers. Joe has a lot of friends pulling for him - and I’m one of them.”

Frazier beat Ali on points in the 'Fight of the Century’ at Madison Square Garden in 1971, Ali’s first professional defeat.

But in two further fights, including the epic 'Thrilla in Manila’ in 1975, it was Ali who triumphed. The pair have had a fractious relationship over the years, stemming from the Ali’s taunting of Frazier in the run-up to their famous trilogy of fights. Ali called his rival a 'gorilla’ and 'Uncle Tom’, insults which Frazier found difficult to forget. On his last speaking engagement, in Britain last year, he said there were certain things he could not forgive.

“I don’t mind talking about the rivalry I had and have with Muhammad,” Frazier said. “I know it’s what most people remember me for.

"But you know - I had better fights than when I beat him, but at that time the world wanted me to kick his butt, so that is the one people see as the best of them.”

Although he admitted it seemed “unfair to kick a man when he is down” referring to Ali’s fragile state due to

The mother of all

rivalries

Parkinson’s disease, he still could not forgive him for his taunts.

“Forgiveness? It’s not up to me to forgive him, only the Lord can do that.

There’s no forgiveness.

"Who will be the best guy in the final

round, who is the one of us two who is going to heaven and who is going to hell?

I know which one it is and I sure ain’t the one who is going to hell.”

Ali has attempted to make amends in recent years, telling one interviewer: “I

Joe Frazier: “Who will be the best guy in the final round, who is the one of us two who is going to heaven and who is going to hell? I know which one it is and I sure ain’t the one who is going to hell”

said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn’t have said. Called him names I shouldn’t have called him. I apologise for that. I’m sorry. It was all meant to promote the fight.”

Bert Randolph Sugar, the American

boxing historian who has covered the sport for five decades, gave his own insight into the hurt which Ali’s words inflicted. “I’ve sat with Joe many times, and he’ll never forgive Muhammad Ali the things that he said about him. Ali was pretty cruel to Frazier, who was basically a nice, simple guy.

"Ali was toying with him all the time, and called him all kinds of things. Joe never got the point that Ali was playing a game, building fights, goading him. It cut deep.”

The heavyweight scene has certainly changed since the 1970s, but not necessarily for the better, according to Frazier.

“We don’t know who is the champion any more,” he said on his UK visit.

“I’d like President Obama to go in there and straighten the sport out. There should be a commission to oversee boxing and just have one world champion in each division. It needs to be done. I love fights but I never look at the little guys.

It’s not enough power to excite me.

“They don’t have the sort of rivalries that me and Muhammad had anymore because there are so many different champions. I’d love to see it go back to those days of the world knowing the champions. Boxing is my game, it took care of me and I want it restored to its former glory.”

There have been several attempts to bring about a reconciliation between Frazier and Ali, only for them to have fallen out again. Perhaps by fate, and not design, they were always destined to remain foes.

TElEGRAPH

sledging destroying Ferrari should halt revolving door beauty of cricket I've been lying low after arriving back from India. I'm now on sabbatical until January when we head out to Abu Dhabi and Dubai to play Pakistan. India were far too good for England, who will be very disappointed with their performances over there. They will need to go away and think long and hard and dismantle their approach to playing on the sub-continent.

It needs to be different next time. In those conditions, India were too strong and the captain MS Dhoni was excellent. The young players responded to his leadership and they can take away plenty of positives. However, it was a bad-tempered series and I would say both teams were as bad as each other. I'd like to see heavier punishments handed out by the match referees and the ICC when players misbehave on the field. The one word that young players should be fully aware of is "respect". By that I mean respect for each other, respect for the game and respect for the officials. The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) must now take a role in telling every player how to behave and how to respect the game.

The costly spot-fixing court case was a sad episode for cricket and on the face of it I felt the punishments seemed very lenient. I also feel the cricketers involved should never play cricket again. Ever. That would be the ultimate punishment for Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir. I believe that has to happen because if I had to go and watch or commentate on these blokes again, I wouldn't trust anything that they did. It's very disappointing to discover that sort of thing has been going on in the game and it'll be interesting to find out if there's any more. It's sad that the authorities now have ongoing investigations. When things are brought to light, sometimes you look back at incidents and think they were quite odd. You don't detect them in the heat of a game, but in the cold light of day it comes to home to you. It's a very good thing that it's come to light, but I think the punishments should have been stronger. The biggest news of the week is that I went up to visit my beloved Accrington Stanley, having bought some shares in the club.

You can still buy yours from the official website! I had a chat with the manager John Coleman ahead of their FA Cup tie at Notts County on Saturday.

abu dhabi grand Prix 2011

ExPERT COmmEnT

dAvid LLoyd

ExPERT COmmEnT

dAvid CoULTHARd It is easy to forget, given what has happened this season, that 12 months ago we were preparing to crown Fernando Alonso a triple world champion here at Yas Marina. Ferrari's strategy error that day changed the course of recent Formula One history. Sebastian Vettel won the race to become the sport’s youngest world champion and his absolute dominance from that moment on has lent both him and Red Bull a sort of unbeatable quality.

Ferrari, by contrast, entered last winter in introspective rather than celebratory mood and have had another year of chopping and changing; of playing catch-up.

As with a football club such as Real Madrid for whom success is demanded rather than hoped for, the approach of another barren off season has got people asking questions. Have they got the right

people in place to take the fight to Red Bull’s Adrian Newey?

My view is that these periods of domination are cyclical. Ferrari need to remain calm. The revolving door is not the way forward. I have a lot of time for guys like Stefano and Pat. The latter I worked with at McLaren and he is the sort of person who is able to deliver in the F1 environment, no question. He will systematically work his way through the organisation and make improvements.

Ferrari will be back. They are so big they have their own theme park on this island. I spent Friday morning on the rollercoaster there; the fastest in the world. I have no doubt their cars will back on top sooner rather than later.

have to sit and watch an empty conveyor belt. Everything out here makes sense.

WHO’S HOT

I wouldn’t say that technically it is the most interesting of tracks — and we haven’t had a truly exciting race here yet in two attempts — but let’s hope for third time lucky. With two DRS zones and KERS we will see overtaking here for sure.

I have to admit this venue is growing on me. You can say what you like about the tastelessness of a race track build in the desert but it really is a field of dreams. It was built literally out of nothing. After three years it really feels like it has an identity; the harbour, the hotels, the golf course. You have to see it to believe it.

What happens here during the rest of the year I have no idea but it is a spectacular grand prix. From not having to fill in a landing card on arrival — why can’t every country do that? — to having a Starbucks in the baggage reclaim area so you don’t

WHO’S nOT I wouldn’t say Williams driver Rubens Barrichello is not hot but his future is certainly on the line.

I hope for his sake that if he wants to continue next year he achieves his goal.

But what I would say is that if he doesn’t think he’s going to achieve that goal then please give us the chance to give him the send-off he deserves in Brazil; to clap him out of the paddock. The worst thing would be if he left Interlagos without knowing his future and then over the winter it is announced he is dropped.

THE CIRCuIT

WEATHER WATCH 30C and sunshine. Wish you were here.

PREDICTIOn Just as they did two weeks ago in India, McLaren set the pace on Friday. I suspect, as in India, it will be rather closer between them and Red Bull on Sunday.

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An inevitABle trAnsition

RENAMING NEWCASTLE’S HOME GROUND

Disrespecting

Pakistan golf growing slowly and gradually

a heritage too rich

COMMENT KHAWAJA PERVAIz SAEED

F

ROM a laid back affair, the golf scene in Pakistan is changing slowly and gradually. Not at a great pace though, but the change is reflected in players’ passion which is delightfully extravagant. Whereas some of the professionals and amateur players of substance are giving it their life and blood, the allied stakeholders are dawdling the pace and as a result it would be appropriate to say that the phase is still transitional, which ultimately might lead to the game becoming a well organised professional sport, setting up lucrative careers for a large number of the talented ones with ability, expertise and avidity.

Weather wise, our country is fortunate. Conducive climate bolsters golf and for about eight months the perfect weather conditions exist and help the game to flourish. Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar have similar temperatures, not too harsh in winter, unlike Quetta, and this factor alone entices the intent ones to the golfing areas. As for Karachi, it is comfortable the year round and over the weekends the eager ones virtually invade the golf courses. Golf playing enthusiasts are increasing by hundreds and in the past five years alone, the graph of new entrants shows a cheerful rise. In the last three years, juniors talent hunt programme launched by the Pakistan Golf Federation, Punjab Golf Association and Sind Golf Association brought forth considerable talent.

Golf clubs like Lahore Gymkhana, Royal Palm Golf and Country Club, Lahore Garrison Golf Club and Karachi Golf Club encouraged the young ones to take up this game.

Summer vacations were an ideal time and the younger ones literally swarmed the golf courses with visible zeal. Through this programme, 50 talented juniors have managed to get noticed and through a continuous formal coaching programme, in the year ahead we just might have a few champions in the forefront if the academic compulsions do not steer them away from this fine sport.

Lately we have lost quite a few very talented ones to careers and academic constraints other than golf.

Youngsters like Ali Hai (Karachi), Hamza Amin (Islamabad), Muhammed Rehman (Royal Palm) and Wasim Rana have already made it to the national fold – playing overseas in Malaysia, Sri

COMMENT USMAN AHMAD

THE TWO TOP OnES: Shabbir iqbal, top golfer of the country, honoured by gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, President of the Pakistan golf Federation.

Lanka, Singapore and Bangladesh.

These young one by consuming selfowned resources-as a lot of money is required to stay focused on national level golf, have caused sufficient waves through performances that can be graded as forceful. The ultimate victory was not theirs, but if they continue to gain international experience through regular outings, the big breakthrough seems likely. Some more impressive looking teenagers seeking recognition are Mubraiz Ahmed, Mahad Zafar and Salman Jahangir.

GOlF COuRSES The golf courses across the country are nestled in a splendour-oriented environment and in particular the ones in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar have significantly improved playing conditions so as to create a unique golfing experience. Defence Authority Golf Course in Karachi has been professionally designed and poses a challenge to both amateurs and professional golfers.

Then there is the Arabian Sea Golf and Country Club Golf course which can rightfully boast of carpeted fairways and a bite of its own. Karachi Golf Club Golf Course is landscaped by water features and exotic greens and served as an acceptable arena for international open golf events luring players from 45 countries.

As for Lahore, the Royal Palm Country Club Golf Course has certainly attained a glamorous touch

and the setting is exquisite. Also available is a clubhouse with full recreational facilities and a 20 bay driving range and practice rounds on this golf course have already helped many golfers to hone their game to high competitive levels. Shahid Javed Khan is one example and Muhammed Rehman another.

Developments carried out at the Lahore Gymkhana golf course over the years have made it a challenging layout and players from overseas have always given it a high score.

A welcome new addition to Lahore’s golf scene is the Defence Raya Golf Course and although club house facilities are in the work in progress category, the golf course is majestic, every fairway awesome and facilitates crisp hitting. In the years to come we are going to see world class players converging to this place for a share and feel of its splendour.

Major development work was also carried out on the golf courses in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar and not far behind are the 18 holes layouts in Gujranwala and Jehlum. Two new golf courses, professionally designed, are in the construction phase in Lahore.

PROFESSIOnAl CIRCuIT In this decade, Muhammad Shabbir Iqbal emerged as the conqueror of Pakistan’s professional golf circuit.

During the open competitions at leading golf courses of the country, Shabbir virtually assailed through

amazing shots and spotless putting.

Other notable names are: Matloob Ahmed, M. Munir, M. Tariq, Waheed Baloch, Shahid Javed Khan, M. Siddique and Amjad Yousaf. A heartening feature is the emergence of young professionals with a will to play quality golf. Aadil Jehangir and Shafiq Masih are names capable of swarming the international arenas.

Already Aadil, Shafiq and Shahid have cast their spell in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Golf in Dubai. During the four competitions of this golf circuit tournaments, their performances were extraordinary. They now have to use the platform of the Asian Tour to enrich themselves through victories on the Asian tour competitions and in the process become celebrities internationally.

PATH TO GlORY Need of the hour is to spread the base and help the game prosper.

The Pakistan Golf Federation in association with provincial golf bodies (Punjab, Sindh, KPK) have a major role to play, as it is their duty to enable the golfers to raise their level of excellence to the extent that they can perform well on the international circuit. Bold initiatives relating to coaching and competitive golfing activities are already yielding results, and in spite of restricted economic activity, the golf loving affluent ones will readily sponsor players and golf competitions.

Just when it seemed that the relationship between the Newcastle United board and the fans was on the up and up after a stupendous start to the season which has seen the team from the North East rocket up to third in the Premiership table, club owner Mike Ashley has once again gracelessly managed to disrespect the rich heritage of one of England’s most venerable sporting institutions.

The conversion of Newcastle’s home ground, St James’ park to the Sports Direct Arena would be comical if it weren’t so depressingly tragic. For all the arguments about the need to generate extra revenue and compete financially with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, the tactless washing away of 119 years of history has unsurprisingly antagonized an allready sensitive fan base. Mark Jensen, editor of the Mag fanzine, said, “It's very hard to take. Everyone understands the economics of football in that you need to maximise the revenue but I think most fans would rather the ground not be renamed at all. Most fans will see this as pretty opportunist.”

St James’ has been the home of Newcastle United since 1892, and has earned an iconic status for being the only stadium in the UK to be located in the centre of a major city. It is one of the most atmospheric and revered grounds anywhere in the world and the name leant it the kind of grandeur and glory which fit with the aspirations of the club and the city. The rebranding is not only a kick in the teeth for all those associated with Newcastle, but the whole incident is another beleaguered reminder to football fans everywhere that heritage and tradition have no place in the modern game.

In the case of stadium naming rights, some of football’s most hallowed ground names have been lost to sterile branding over the past decade or so. When Arsenal moved out of Highbury in 2006, the ‘Emirates’ was, given the location, somewhat bizarrely announced as the name of the new ground. Manchester City’s Maine Road has long given way to what is now the Etihad stadium, while Leicester City who once played at the charmingly named Filbert Street, now entertain visiting teams at the ‘Walkers Stadium’ – named after a brand of crisps. The future does not look bright either. Everton, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have for some time know made it known to the clubs’ supporters that when their new stadiums are built all three will sell the naming rights to the highest bidder, meaning that three of British football’s most famous and loved ground names, Goodison Park, Anfield and White Hart Lane will be lost forever. It is not just through their stadia that football clubs are selling away their heritage. Current Spanish and European Champions, FC Barcelona, finally gave into market forces this year by agreeing a shirt sponsorship deal with the Qatar Foundation and ending their 111 year tradition of not having a shirt sponsor. Their only previous deal with UNICEF was unique in world football as it was the club who paid money to the organisation for having their logo appear on the kit. Suffice it to say the Catalan Giants’ ‘more than a club mantra’ – no longer has the same appeal.

The iceberg could be detected with ‘unexplained wealth’ concept COMMENT SCYLD BERRY

C

RICKET’S Anti-Corruption and Security Unit is set to be overhauled to make it more effective in the sport’s fight against match-fixing. An International Cricket Council report is understood to recommend that the Unit should give more priority to detection by employing more cricket-savvy officers than hitherto, while a new measure will put the ball in the court of the cricketer who has unexplained wealth to explain how he acquired it, otherwise he will not be selected.

The ICC, under pressure from major stakeholders like sponsors and broadcasters, ordered this review of the Unit before the criminal trial of three Pakistan players.

And the evidence presented in Southwark Crown Court over the last month suggests the review needs to be implemented urgently. The iceberg above the surface was revealed during the trial: the world in

which the agent Mazhar Majeed acted as a rogue trader, bragging and boasting, contacting Pakistan players directly by phone, and waving around £50 notes.

But the iceberg beneath the surface was also glimpsed – the iceberg towards which cricket is heading if corruption is systemic in more than one dressing-room.

This is the far more discreet world of the match-fixing mafia in Dubai, Pakistan and India; of texts and phone calls that cannot be traced; of bank accounts in Switzerland and other countries that cannot be accessed by the police. And just how remote the Unit can be from illegal gambling was shown when the former chief investigator, Ravi Sawani, who only gave up his post earlier this year after three years in the job, revealed during the trial that he did not know what a ‘bracket’ was.

A ‘bracket’ is the basic unit of spot-fixing and illegal gambling, a block of 10 overs during a side’s innings – although Mr Justice Cooke, in his summing up, described it as an eight-over block in Pakistan.

Sawani said he had heard of the term ‘session’ to describe a block, but there was still overt amazement in Court Four when he appeared not to know the term ‘bracket’ – as if the Governor of the Bank of England had not heard of ‘account’.

In its 11 years the Unit can claim to have done a lot of prevention work in discouraging players from getting involved in match- and spot-fixing.

Yet nothing would have deterred young cricketers so much as seeing an established player caught, convicted and severely punished by the game’s governing body, although it was only in 2009 that the ICC assumed the responsibility to bring charges rather than leaving it to national boards.

The bans handed out by the ICC Tribunal earlier this year to Salman Butt (10 years, five of which were suspended), Mohammad Asif (seven years, two of which were suspended) and Mohammad Amir (five years) were not severe enough to be a major deterrent.

Neither were the prison sentences

handed out this week, as they will all be halved and the prisoners released on licence.

If the Unit had provided further evidence to supplement the News of the World sting, then the ICC tribunal’s sanctions might have been the life bans that would have acted as exemplary punishments.

The signs are that the patience of the game’s stakeholders has been wearing thin, like the Unit’s stock defence for never catching anyone: show us the suspect’s bank accounts first, then we will nab him.

It is understood the review will recommend a change in the present policy of staffing the Unit with former police officers and military men who know little or nothing about cricket. The five regional security officers cover two Test-playing countries each.

The Unit needs security officers who can read the game and smell a rat when a bowler stops in his run-up at the start of a 10-over bracket (one of the signs that a spot-fix has started, as revealed during the trial).

This might include a former poacher who is ready to become a gamekeeper, if

– a big if – he is not tied for life to the south Asian mafia who run cricket’s illegal gambling.

A second recommendation is understood to include the concept of ‘unexplained wealth’. Cricketers from ordinary backgrounds who have amassed sums of money far in excess of their official earnings continue to be selected by their countries.

The principle of ‘unexplained wealth’ has been introduced in governments and other sporting organisations. If the Unit uncover significant money that you cannot account for, you won’t be selected until you do.

The ICC has done well in forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board to phase out the majority of the 16 players who represented Pakistan in the Tests against England last summer.

But it would benefit the game if every country introduced this concept of ‘unexplained wealth’ – not to eradicate corruption from cricket, because that would appear an unattainable goal, but at least to keep it in some sort of check.

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Pakistan’s middle-order trio under the scanner COMMENT FAIzAN zAKARIA POLANI

W

HILE last year’s Lord’s Test between Pakistan and England will always be etched in everyone’s memory due to the infamous no-balls by Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, it was also the last time that we saw one of the most elegant of Test batsmen ever – none other than Muhammad Yousuf.

His axing from the Test squad was followed by recalls for Younus Khan and Misbah ul Haq, it became evident that the selectors’ intent was to blood the young batsmen, for they had realized that it was time to look for the next generation of middle-order batsmen.

Over the years, Pakistan cricket has been blessed with some outstanding middle-order batsmen. Imtiaz Ahmed, Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal, Javed Miandad, Saleem Malik, Inzamam ul Haq and and more recently Yousuf and Younus have been the Pakistani middle order stalwarts over the years. Given this extraordinary class, one cannot help but wonder whether the fresh crop of middle-order batsmen is good enough to carry in the same vein?

The three batsmen who have been given a chance in the recent past, and have been persisted with, are Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. While Azhar and Asad did feature in the recently concluded Sri Lanka series, Umar was dropped, following a dip in form. He remains part of the trio under the scanner because he showed such promise in the early days of his career. Maybe that is why he might survive some serious question marks on the integrity on his elder sibling.

The batting averages of the threesome are fairly decent, with Azhar leading the pack with an average of over 42 from 16 matches, Umar having at over 35 after the same number of matches, and Asad having an average of over 32 after eight matches.

These numbers are no match for the current batting averages of Younus, Yousuf and Misbah, a look at the respec-

ASAD SHAFIQ

umAR AKmAl tive batting averages of the trio after they had played 16 matches, shows a different picture. Yousuf, who currently has an average of over 52, averaged a tad below 34 after 16 matches, and that too when his first five 50-plus scores were against Zimbabwe. However, with the passage of time he developed the ability to spend more time in the middle and pile on runs, peaking in 2006, when he amassed a record-breaking 1788 Test runs in a calendar year.

Similarly, the numbers for Younus and Misbah went up over time. After a century in his debut Test against Sri Lanka, Younis pulled up his average from 41 to 51, while Misbah who averaged 37 after 16 matches, has taken his average beyond 46 in the 13 matches that he has played ever since. Considering that in 10 of these matches, he also had the additional responsibility of captaincy, and it

looks seriously impressive – making him one of those select few who have raised their game as first among equals. Ever since his recall as a captain against South Africa last year, he has averaged more than 80, and has gone past a fifty runs in an innings 10 times!

As the latest generation of middleorder batsmen take centre stage, it is obvious that there is way to go before they match or get anywhere close to Younus and Misbah.

While Azhar has been as consistent as anyone at number three, having scored one century and 11 fifties in 16 Tests, his knack of getting bogged down and losing the plot later in his innings is something that needs to be addressed. Hopefully, the century that he scored at Dubai would help in enhancing his self-belief levels, but he needs to be told that batting at number three, and having the solid de-

AZHAR AlI fence that he possesses, he needs to play through the innings. And at a scoring rate that keeps the opposition under pressure.

Asad Shafiq commenced his career with a defiant fifty against South Africa in Dubai in his first innings last year, and made another against New Zealand at Hamilton in the next match. He has shown the potential to stay in the middle while batting in the lower middle-order.

However, the pressure of retaining his place in the team seems to be quite pronounced, and he has gone into his shell too often when all he should have done was play his natural game.

Umar Akmal, on the other hand, resembles a Shakespearean tragedy. The aggressiveness and the fearless attitude that earned him a lot of praise early in his career, soon led to his tragic demise. He was criticized for throwing away his wicket too often, and that eventually led

to him being axed from the Test squad.

While the talent is definitely there, what these youngsters require is learning at the job and maturing quickly. Historically, all the middle-order stalwarts that Pakistan have had, benefitted from playing alongside the more experienced middle-order batsmen in their early days.

Yousuf and Younus played with Inzamam, who in turn had shared the training net and the pitch with tainted but classy Saleem Malik. And that is not to mention the redoubtable Javed Miandad – a child prodigy but nonetheless having the advantage of Majid, Zaheer and Asif’s class at the other end.

It is high time the likes of Younus and Misbah took this trio under their wings so that at the time of quitting, they can enjoy the satisfaction of having ensured a rock solid middle order that could take Pakistan cricket to new heights.

Pakistan’s new-look line-up restores old order table below lists batmen with the lowest strike rates (with a cut-off of 500 runs). Expectedly, the list is dominated by Pakistanis, with three of them in the top five. Then there's Asad Shafiq too, with a strike rate of 38.07 in eight Tests so far. Azhar and Misbah, batting at numbers three and five, both have terrific batting averages but have scored their runs slowly, while Taufeeq is another who prefers to go slowly. That's also reflected in Pakistan's tendency turn down challenging run-chases, but for a side which has had a bit of a history of collapses, they won't be complaining about a top-order line-up which prefers to play safe.

COMMENT S RAJESH Over the last year, Pakistan's batting line-up has changed considerably, both in terms of the personnel and the type of cricket they play. Usually, Pakistan's batsmen are known to be flashy strokeplayers, with one or two defensive players thrown in to redress the balance and ensure that the entire innings doesn't go on overdrive. In the five-and-a-half years between 2005 and the middle of 2010, for example, Pakistan's list of batsmen in the top seven included Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Kamran Akmal, Salman Butt and, for the first couple of years during that period, Inzamam-ul-Haq. Throw in Umar Akmal, who appeared on the scene briefly and brightly in 2009-10, and the names are largely those of strokeplayers (though most of them could adapt their game to the situation).

During that period, the top four run-getters for Pakistan all had strike rates of more than 55. Butt, who can also play shots all around the park, was the relative laggard, scoring at only 46.24 runs per 100 balls. The current line-up, though, consists of the following: Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq. Barring Hafeez, who has remodelled his Test game recently and added more aggression, the others are intrinsically defensive batsmen. Hafeez was too - between 2005 and August 2010 his strike rate was 43.67 - but over the last 15 months he has lifted it to 62.41, in the process also ensuring that there's some aggression at the top of the order for Pakistan.

The others, though, have been rooted in defence. That isn't a bad thing for Pakistan, for their batsmen have often been accused of too much flamboyance in the past. Between 2005 and August 2010, the strike rate for Pakistan's top seven batsmen was 52.63. Only three teams - India, Australia and Sri Lanka - scored at a quicker rate.

BATSmEn WITH lOWEST STRIKE RATES SInCE SEP 2010 BATSmAn Tharanga Paranavitana Azhar Ali Shivnarine Chanderpaul Misbah-ul-Haq Taufeeq Umar Angelo Mathews Mahela Jayawardene Rahul dravid

STRIKE RATE 44.42 45.25 45.67 46.62 49.67 49.98 56.53 58.24

100S/ 50S BAllS/ DIS DOT-BAll %* 7/ 31 98.42 78.23 9/ 29 82.67 76.97 6/ 21 68.99 76.35 5/ 18 72.76 75.66 11/ 25 75.12 76.16 11/ 44 73.09 75.31 21/ 27 105.61 71.76 10/ 7 95.16 69.13*

In the last 15 months, though, Pakistan's strike rate is the lowest among all teams, and about 15% lower than the earlier period. Their stickability is also apparent in their balls-per-dismissal figure of 98.42

RunS 664 852 689 889 774 506 546 1370

AVERAGE 34.94 53.25 53.00 80.81 40.73 56.22 27.30 52.69

STRIKE RATE 35.52 38.88 39.87 41.89 42.11 42.30 42.52 43.23

100S/ 50S 0/ 6 1/ 9 2/ 2 1/ 9 2/ 2 1/ 4 1/ 4 6/ 3

CHAnDERPAul'S OnE-mAn ACT

TOP-ORDER (nOS.1-7) BATTInG STATS SInCE SEP 2010 TEAm TESTS AVERAGE Pakistan 10 43.72 Sri Lanka 12 37.41 west indies 11 31.51 New Zealand 6 33.92 Australia 11 37.31 india 16 36.53 england 12 59.70 South Africa 6 55.42 FOR All BATSmEn In THE TEAm

TESTS 12 10 10 10 10 9 12 16

TAuFEEQ umAR - only England's top-order batsmen face more deliveries per dismissal.

Those are encouraging numbers for a team whose biggest problem used to be their brittle batting, but some of these stats are also a function of the venues and conditions in which Pakistan have played these matches. Of their last ten Tests, five have been hosted in the UAE, a couple in the West Indies, and one in Zimbabwe - all of them present conditions where it's relatively easy for players to bat long periods.

Pakistan's batsmen have been difficult to dismiss, but they haven't tried to impose themselves on the opposition bowlers: their dot-ball percentage is the highest of all teams. This is despite their relatively high average and balls per dismissals, numbers which imply there would have been periods when the pressure on batsmen was relatively low. And the

Meanwhile, another batsman who's among the slow scorers has been waging a lone battle for his team in India. Standing tall amid wickets falling at the other end is nothing new for Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and at the Feroz Shah Kotla he was at it again, scoring 165 out of 484 runs that West Indies scored in the match. Chanderpaul has been doing this for a while now: since the beginning of 2007, he averages 66.40, which is third among all batsmen who've scored more than 2000 runs during this period. The average is higher than those for Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar, among others. And Chanderpaul has flourished in most places where he has played, averaging more than 60 in six of the eight countries he has played in during this period. (Click here for his career summary since 2007.)

Among West Indians, Chanderpaul has scored more than 800 more than the second-highest run-getter, and close to twice the runs of the third-highest. He has often batted with inexperienced players at the other end, and with the opposition in control of the match. But Chanderpaul has survived all this for years, and looks good to last many more years.

BEST TEST BATSmEn SInCE jAn 2007 (QuAl: 2000 RunS) BATSmAn Kumar Sangakkara Thian Samaraweera Shivnarine Chanderpaul Jacques Jallis Sachin Tendulkar

TESTS 39 29 35 43 48

RunS 4103 2594 2922 3875 4458

AVERAGE 67.26 66.51 66.40 61.50 59.44

100S/ 50S 15/ 16 7/ 14 10/ 16 16/ 14 16/ 20

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

Fixing trio face deportation after jail term LAHORE

Mohsin happy with players’ handling of spot-fixing scandal DUBAI

STAFF REPORT

Jailed Pakistani cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir could be deported from Britain once they finish their terms.

The trio were found guilty by the Southwark Crown Court of spot-fixing during the Lord's Test between England and Pakistan last August.

Butt and Asif have been sentenced to 30 months and 12 months in prison respectively. Amir, 19, got a lighter punishment of six months after he pleaded guilty. The trio's agent Mazhar Majeed, a British citizen, has also been sentenced to 32 months in jail.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Home Office rules state that overseas prisoners serving jail terms of a year or more face deportation at the end of their sentences. Amir's deportation will depend on whether he has a valid visa at the time of release.

"The Border Agency will consider the removal of foreign prisoners serving 12month sentences or more but each case is considered on its merits," a Home Office spokesman was quoted as saying by the daily.

Butt and Asif have been transferred from Wandsworth Prison to Canterbury, a category C prison, that has provisions for immigration officials to easily process and deport inmates at the end of their sentences.

Deportation from Britain means the cricketers won't be allowed to enter the country for the next 10 years.

The daily said that legal teams for the players will fight deportation, which will be avoided if the three agree to leave Britain on their release.

P

AFP

AKISTAN coach Mohsin Khan on Saturday told AFP he was satisfied with his team’s ability to put behind them the spot-fixing scandal which ended in three of their former team-mates being handed down prison sentences in England. Former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were sent to prison over their roles in fixing parts of the Lord’s Test against England last year.

Khan agreed the scandal could have been distracting for his team during their series against Sri Lanka here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The spot-fixing saga was sad,” Khan

told AFP. “I made sure that all the boys should stay away from it mentally and I am glad that the boys responded very well and are performing well.”

Pakistan won the three-Test series 1-0 and went 1-0 up in the first of five matches by registering an eight wicket win on Friday. The second match will be played in Dubai on Monday. Mohsin, 56, said he was satisfied with his team’s performance. “I am 90 percent satisfied with the team’s performance and since there is always room for improvement we are looking for that in all the departments of the game,” said Khan, a

former opener who is also the current chief selector. Khan said the squad had shown responsibility and character. “The best thing about this set of players is that they are assuming their responsibilities and they know that playing for the country is the biggest honour for them,” said Khan, who has also been retained as coach for the Bangladesh tour. Khan was made coach for an interim period after Waqar Younis quit the post in September because of health problems.

After the one-day series, Pakistan play a Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on November 26

Vettel equals Mansell pole record

AbU dHAbi: McLaren Mercedes’ british driver Lewis Hamilton (R) and Mercedes’ german driver Michael Schumacher drive at the yas Marina circuit. afp in dazzling fashion to create a dramatic fiABU DHABI AFP

Newly-crowned double world champion Sebastian Vettel drew level with Nigel Mansell in the Formula One record books on Saturday when he delivered a stunning fastest lap to secure pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old German steered his Red Bull car round the Yas Marina circuit

nale and steal pole from Lewis Hamilton, who will start second on the grid alongside him for Sunday’s 55-laps day-night race. It was Vettel’s 14th pole this year and the 29th of his career, in his 80th Grand Prix. Briton Mansell reeled off his record 14 poles in a single season with the Williams team in his drivers’ title winning year of 1992. "I wasn't very happy with the car on Friday," said Vettel. "We

thought there was more (performance) in the car, but we couldn't really get to it.

This afternoon was quite a bit better, but this place is tricky in many ways.

"You practice in day conditions when the sun is up and the track is hot.

Then in qualifying, it's getting dark and cool, so the car behaves differently. "In this qualifying, I had a much better feeling, especially on the soft tyres. It is difficult getting everything into one lap - it's a long lap and there's plenty of opportunities to gain time, but a little mistake and it's easy to lose time.

"I wasn't so happy with my first run in Q3, but I was happy with my second." Hamilton said he was happy with the overall performance over the two days. "It's a big improvement for me from the last race. We were quick in qualifying. The car is feeling good.

"Just at the end, that was as fast as I was able to go on that lap. It was not particularly great.

"That's the way it is. Well done to Sebastian - he did a great lap, but the race is tomorrow and that's most important day..." Hamilton was second quickest ahead of his English compatriot and McLaren team-mate Jenson Button with Australian Mark Webber fourth in the second Red Bull.

rAmiz likely to Become pcB’s coo

PCb to convince sri lanka, india to visit Pakistan LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Pakistan Cricket Board is assessing different options to bring international teams to Pakistan and is also devising programmes to educate the players, it was learnt Saturday. PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf said before leaving for the ICC meeting that all-out efforts would be made to bring international cricket back to Pakistan.

He said that all important measures would be taken to make the players skillful and as part of his future plan he also meet former chairmen of the PCB to take their feedback on ways for the improvement in the working of the board.

He said everything possible will be done to address the reservations of neighbours like Sri Lanka and India so

that they visit Pakistan. “The PCB wanted to see the teams of two countries play on Pakistani grounds,” he maintained.

On spot-fixing, he said the scandal and the conviction of three Pakistani players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamir by a British court had created bad a image of the country, which was very unfortunate.

He said that in future, the PCB would be more vigilant and the activities of players would be monitored to avoid recurrence of such events.

He said three Pakistani players were very talented and it was very unfortunate incident.

He said: “The PCB wants to play a role on this issue and has offered help to the ICC in probing the matter.”

He suggested that the ICC should also take all the cases of corruption and spot fixing and those countries involved in this activity would be given equal treatment.

The PCB Chairman said that there was a dire need to have close coordination among all the cricket boards of world to stamp out corruption from cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to upgrade all education programmes for the country’s young cricketers to ensure that no other cricketer falls in to traps of ‘spot fixing’, which has landed three of the country’s cricketers behind bars in London.

“Strict vigilance protocols will be introduced to monitor the game, devise appropriate rules and procedures of conduct, and keep away bad elements always on the lookout to trap players,” he said.

Meanwhile reports from different quarters suggest that former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja would be the next Chief Operating Officer of the PCB. Reports said that Ramiz had been offered the job by none other than the chairman himself.

Ramiz has held the position under Lt Gen Tauqir Zia and later resigned when Shaharyar Khan was made the chairman on difference of opinion. That was the period when India first visited Pakistan after 13 years gap in 2004. He is presently working as a commentator in the ongoing Pakistan-Sri Lanka series.

before leaving for Dhaka, where they open the tour with a T20 game against Bangladesh three days later.

Pakistan also play three one-day matches and two Tests in Bangladesh.

Khan praised veteran Misbah-ul Haq’s captaincy.

“Misbah is doing a sensible job,” said Khan of the 37-year-old captain. “When ten players are in support things become easier for the captain and Misbah is doing a great job.

“Our combined task is to make the players mentally strong and make sure that the team does not lose track, which is very important,” said Khan, vowing to serve the country in every capacity.

“My motto is to serve the country because I owe it to my country,” said Khan, who played 48 Tests and 75 one-dayers between 1977-86.

iTF Ranking Tennis begins LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The ITF International Ranking Tennis Tournament started here at the Bagh-i-Jinnah’s PLTA courts under the sponsorship banner of Grand Avenue. Addressing a press conference here, President Punjab Lawn Tennis Association Rao Iftikhar said that they have written to a number of countries but did not get any positive response due to security concerns. However, there will be a couple of singles entries from players from Japan and some other far eastern countries. “We wrote to Sri Lanka, India and Bhutan but they have reservations. Despite all the issues the event will go on which will bright a patronage gap between elders and the youngsters,” he maintained.

ireland, Croatia coast as Portugal struggle PARIS AFP

The Republic of Ireland, Croatia and the Czech Republic all took giant strides towards qualifying for Euro 2012 on Friday but Portugal were left with plenty of work to do after their stalemate in Bosnia.

In Tallinn, Ireland swept aside nine-man Estonia 4-0 to put themselves on the brink of their first European championships since 1988 and erase memories of their painful 2010 World Cup play-off defeat to France. Giovanni Trapattoni’s men mastered minnows Estonia in this play-off first leg with a double from inspirational skipper Robbie Keane after first half contributions from Keith Andrews and Jonathan Walters. Estonia did not help their cause when Andrei Stepanov was red-carded for a foul on Keane on 35 minutes, with captain skipper Raio Piiroja following him off the pitch in the last quarter of an hour.

iSTANbUL: Turkey’s gokhan Tore (L) vies with Croatia’s vedran Corluka. afp

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Sunday, 13 November, 2011

PPP switches to damage-control mode in Sindh KARACHI RAZZAK ABRO

With new elections in its hindsight, the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leadership has given the go-ahead to bring about some necessary changes in the government as well as the party structure in the province. The decision was made on Saturday at a Bilawal House meeting of the PPP, presided over by its co-chairman and President Asif Ali Zardari, where some senior leaders of the PPP Sindh chapter and provincial cabinet members empowered the party co-chairman for taking decisions in this regard The president is likely to announce the changes in cabinet and party’s organisation during his next week visit to Sindh. The meeting – held in two parts – was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah among senior PPP leaders, federal and provincial ministers including Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Raza Rabbani, Naveed Qamar, Nisar Khuhro, Ayaz Soomro, Faryal Talpur, Agha Siraj Durani, Pir Mazharul Haq, Murad Ali Shah, Jam Saifullah Dharejo and Mir Nadir Magsi.

Regarding PPP’s reorganisation, it was decided to recruit personnel for the vacant positions at district and tehsil levels, motivate the office-bearers currently inactive and take disciplinary action against party leaders and members involved in violating discipline.

According to insiders, the party leaders also decided to make changes in the PPP Karachi chapter’s structure. “It is likely that former Karachi chapter president Senator Faisal Raza Abidi will be reappointed on his position while some other office-bearers of the city may also be changed,” they told Pakistan Today. Talking with journalists after the meeting, provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, while not confirming the decision about changes in the Sindh cabinet, however said that some “important” decisions will be made during the upcoming visit to Sindh of President Zardari. “The president has directed the provincial government to fill vacant posts above 17-Grade in different government departments and formulate legislation for increasing the number of Sindh Public Service Commission members.”

Pakistan to table 233 items before india under SAFTA LAHORE

No need to prove government’s muscle through rallies, says prime minister g

gilani says intelligence agencies support government LAHORE

I

ADnAn lODHI

NTELLIGENCE agencies are with the government and it does not need to show its strength or muscle through public rallies, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.

The prime minister was talking to reporters at Aitchison College’s 125th Founder’s Day on Saturday. Asked whether the PPP would show its street

power to respond to the show of public strength by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz, Gilani said it was not worthy of the government to indulge in such activities. Gilani said terrorism and extremism were actually “a war of ideas”, which could effectively be defeated through better ideas. “The nation is confronted with the menace of terrorism… it is not merely a physical fight but a battle of ideas, and to eliminate terrorism and extremism, we need to

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

ROmE: A woman holds a placard reading ‘finally’ in front of Palazzo Chigi, Italy’s Prime ministry on Saturday. Italian Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was set to resign the same day after a parliamentary revolt and a wave of market panic that has shaken the eurozone, leaving behind an uncertain political future. afp

arab League suspends syria, calls for sanctions AFP

Pakistan will table a list of 233 sensitive items under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) before the Indian trade authorities during the two-day commerce secretary-level trade talks scheduled to begin on Monday.

An 11-member delegation, headed by Federal Commerce Secretary Zafar Mahmood, left Lahore for New Delhi on Saturday to discuss the modalities of the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status that Pakistan recently granted to India. Mahmood told reporters at Allama Iqbal International Airport that Islamabad would strongly persuade New Delhi to remove trade barriers for Pakistani merchandise. He said the federal government had given the go-ahead to the Commerce Ministry to liberalise trade between the two neighbouring countries. He said further that during the session the two sides would discuss ways and means to increase bilateral trade from the current level of $2.7 billion to $6 billion per year within the next three years. Issues related to nontariff and para-tariff barriers were also on the agenda, he added.

eral government, in consultation with provinces and other stakeholders, had prepared the National Educational Policy 2009 under which each province would chalk out its own action plan for the promotion of education. Gilani also congratulated the management, faculty and students of Aitchison College on the festive occasion. He said since its inception the institution had lived up to its reputation and had undoubtedly produced leaders over a period of 125 years, who had set up a high benchmark of success and showed outstanding performance.

defeat the idea, which generates image in the first stage.”

Gilani stressed upon intellectuals, religious scholars, academia, and students to come forward and play their due role in this regard. “An inferior idea can be killed by a superior idea,” he quoted Benazir Bhutto as saying. He said it was incumbent upon teachers of educational institutions to eliminate terrorism by inculcating brotherhood, love, peace and harmony in students.

He said after the passage of the 18th Amendment, education had become a provincial subject, adding that the fed-

pML-n believes establishment conspiring against it

CAIRO

STAFF REPORT

27

The Arab League on Saturday suspended Syria until President Bashar alAssad implements an Arab deal to end violence against protesters, and called for sanctions and transition talks with the opposition.

A statement, read by Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani, said the League decided “to suspend Syrian delegations’ activities in Arab League meetings” as long as it stalls on the plan and to implement “economic and political sanctions against the Syrian government”. Syria angrily denounced the suspension as illegal and said it spelled the end of any Arab role in resolving the deadly anti-regime protests sweeping the country. The decision was “illegal and contrary to the treaty” that set up the pan-Arab organisation, said Syrian Ambassador Yussef Ahmad, quoted by Syrian official media. He said the moves “put an end to joint Arab action and show that the

[League’s] administration is subjected to US and Western agendas”.

Apart from the suspension, which had been sought by the Syriann opposition, the League also called for the withdrawal of Arab ambassadors from Damascus but left the decision to each member state. Sheikh Hamad told a

press conference the decision would take effect on November 16, and that Arab ministers would meet again to decide on specific sanctions. The statement also called for the protection of civilians and said Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi would contact international organisations concerned with human rights, “including the United Nations,” if the bloodshed continued.

It called for a meeting in Cairo with Syrian opposition groups in three days to “agree a unified vision for the coming transitional period in Syria”.

The opposition would later meet with Arab foreign ministers. A week of deadly violence in the city of Homs overshadowed the meeting, in which ministers had appeared divided on what measure to take but eventually voted by majority on the final statement. On Saturday, three people were killed in clashes in the northwestern region of Idlib, near Turkey, after between 50 and 60 soldiers defected to the opposition, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Training its guns with full force at the establishment, agencies and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on the third day of a series of consultative meetings, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said on Saturday that PTI Chairman Imran Khan, being President Asif Ali Zardari’s “chessman”, was trying to make “PML-Q Part II” by embracing dissidents of both Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the PMLQuaid at the behest of the agencies. The PML-N also warned the agencies against putting on a “political puppet show”, saying the results would be catastrophic. In a highlevel meeting held in Model Town on Saturday, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif said if anyone tried to impose martial law, the nation would resist. He said the one who was raising a slogan of change did not know the meaning of change. “I know the meaning of change. I also know how it is brought and what price is paid,” he added.

During meeting with lawmakers and party workers hailing from Faisalabad, he expressed deep concern at the role of the agencies and their steps to introduce a new game plan At the meeting, he also reconciled MNA Abid Sher Ali and Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and told both leaders to work in harmony to make the Faisalabad rally on November 23 a success.

Later, National Assembly Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan held a press conference and said he would bring the issue of the “ongoing puppet show” to parliament to unmask the conspiracy. “We have sound evidence about secret agencies’ hands in the game and are ready to present them before the government and the army.

It is now an open secret as Interior Minister Rehman Malik and PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussein have also hinted about it,” he said. Nisar challenged Imran Khan that if he had any proof against the Sharifs, he should bring it to court. He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was used against the Sharifs on political grounds. Now the Lahore High Court had given a decision in favour of the Sharifs and fined NAB Rs 1.5 million, which the PML-N had decided to spend on welfare projects, Nisar claimed. He said Nawaz Sharif did not talk about the PTI and Imran Khan. He said over the last several weeks, specific people had been inducted into the PTI to form “PML-Q Part II”.

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