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interpol rejects request for red warrant against Pervez Musharraf
sC gives 2 weeks for effective legislation on organs transplant
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Pakistan’s first victory rekindles olympic hope
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Thursday, 2 August, 2012 Ramadan 13, 1433
Rs 15.00 Vol III No 38 19 Pages Karachi Edition
India allows investments from Pakistan Pakistan calls for a ‘new era’ in economic collaboration NEW DELHI
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NDIA on Wednesday overturned its ban on foreign investment from neighbouring Pakistan, the Commerce Ministry said, in a move designed to build goodwill amid a renewed push for a peace settlement. “The government of India has reviewed the policy... and decided to permit a citizen of Pakistan or an entity incorporated in Pakistan to make investments in India,” according to an official notification issued by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) in New Delhi. Pakistan was the only country in the negative list under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, or FEMA, which prohibits investing in India. The government removed Sri Lanka from the list in 2006 and Bangladesh in 2007. However, in April this year, DIPP initiated the move to remove Pakistan from this list and moved the Finance Ministry on the issue for amending the rules to allow Pakistan in-
vestments. A ban on investments in defence, space and atomic energy will remain and all propositions must be notified to the Indian government. The decision to accept foreign direct investment from Pakistan was taken in April this year when the trade ministers of the nuclear-armed South Asian rivals met in New Delhi. They also discussed ways to ease visa curbs on business travel and the possibility of allowing banks from both countries to open cross-border branches. India and Pakistan, which have fought three wars since independence, are channeling their efforts into “trade diplomacy” in a bid to build enough trust to tackle the more troublesome issues that divide them, such as Kashmir. The improved relations between the rivals stem from Pakistan’s decision to grant India “Most Favoured Nation (MFN)” status by year end, meaning Indian exports will be treated the same as those from other nations. MFN status will mean India can export 6,800 items to Pakistan, up from around 2,000 at present, and the countries aim to
unofficial trade routed through third countries is estimated at up to $10 billion. In fact, Pakistan made the first gesture to deepen trade ties with India in March by replacing its restrictive positive list of 2,000 items allowed to be imported from India with a negative list of 1,209 banned items. This move increased the number of exportable items from India more than three-fold. In further progress, the neighbours opened a second trading gate in April along their heavily militarised border, boosting the number of trucks able to cross daily to 600 from 150. “We welcome this decision,” Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman Moazzam Khan told AFP.
lift bilateral trade to $6 billion within t h r e e years, officials h a v e s a i d . India also agreed to reduce its sensitive list of 865 items that are not given preferential market access under the South Asia free trade agreement by 30 per cent. The matter is in the final stages of decision making. Official bilateral trade is just $2.7 billion and heavily tilted in New Delhi’s favour (India exported goods worth $2.33 billion to Pakistan last year, while imports from there were worth $330 million), according to most recent figures, but
“It will definitely benefit Pakistani investors and industrialists. We hope this decision will be fruitful for the people of both countries.” Pakistani businessmen also welcomed the move. “We do appreciate this action by the government of India, but what will be more interesting for me is when the Indian authorities lift its ban on Indian investors investing in Pakistan,” said Majyd Aziz, involved in the import and export of minerals and in shipping. “For a better economic future in South Asia, it will be a huge step when businessmen from both the countries can freely invest in each other’s country.” Zubair Motiwala, chairman of the board of investment in Sindh province, said it was the “right decision taken at the right time”. “Allowing our country to invest in India is a great confidence booster and will pave the way for more cordial bilateral relations,” he said. The warming commercial ties underline the new relevance of the private sector in the peace process, analysts said. Pakistan has called for a “new era” in economic collaboration with India to build “a legacy of peace and prosperity for our future generations”.
Public office holders not immune to prosecution: CJP Justice Chaudhry says parliamentarians involved in contempt of court cases to be tried under Article 63-C1 g
ISLAMABAD AgEnCiES
SUKKUR: People check their names in the new voters’ list 2012 at the Election Commission office on Wednesday. online
PAC orders inquiry AgAinst 4 generAls ISLAMABAD AgEnCiES
The Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday ordered the initiation of an inquiry against four former generals who got LGP quotas In a meeting chaired by Nadeem Afzal in Islamabad, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials informed the committee that NAB received a share of 30 percent on recovering looted money under the recovery and reward law. The NAB officials said they had received a total of Rs 1.6 billion from the government so far.
However, it had not been given any share since 2008. Committee member Khawaja Asif said police and audit officials also recovered looted money but did not get any share, adding that a uniform policy should be made for all departments. Expressing displeasure with NAB for receiving payments of Rs 10.3 million for anti-corruption campaign, the committee directed the officials to get audited the amount received by NAB under the head of donation and reward. NAB Chairman Fasih Bukhari said an amount of Rs 60.5 million received as a
reward was distributed among 2000 employees of NAB. Khawaja Asif said former NAB chairman Khalid Maqbool took a loan of Rs 2 billion but never returned it. Another former NAB chairman Munir Hafeez and General (r) Saeed Muzaffar and Gen (r) Moeenuddin Haider got LPG quotas. The committee directed launching an inquiry into corruption allegations against four former generals. During the session, Chairman NAB Fasih Bukhari assured the committee of presenting the investigation report into the allegations in a month’s time.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Wednesday said the constitution did not provide immunity to any public office-holder for contempt of court. A five-member SC bench of Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Shakirullah Jan, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani was hearing more than 27 identical petitions challenging the Contempt of Court Act 2012 on Wednesday. The federation’s counsel Abdul Shakoor Paracha concluded his arguments before the bench. Submitting his arguments‚ Paracha said legislation was the prerogative of parliament which could not be challenged. He said the new contempt of court law did not in any way undermine the dignity of the judiciary, adding that doubting the intention of parliament was equivalent to doubting the intentions of the nation. Paracha said parliament had the authority to grant immunity to anyone, adding that parliament could also legislate on the subject of immunity. “The constitution’s Article 204 refers to the powers of the judiciary,” Paracha added. He also said Yousaf Raza Gilani had been convicted by the court for contempt and that that could not become a precedent. “The new contempt of court law was passed not to grant immunity to persons but to the steps taken by public officeholders in line of duty,” Paracha said. The chief justice remarked that the law said that a few people were exempted from contempt of court no matter what they said in court, adding that parliament introduced a law while the judiciary elucidated it. He said if someone used contemptuous language against the judiciary and then said his intention was
not bad, how he could be pardoned. He further argued how could one prime minister be punished for not writing the letter to Swiss authorities while the other was left untouched. “Those found guilty of the contempt will be punished, and there is no categorization in this regard,” he remarked. During the proceedings, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said parliament should work within its jurisdiction, adding that it could not intervene in the legislative matters of the provinces. Meanwhile, Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani said a law passed by simple majority could not violate the spirit of the constitution. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry said parliamentarians who were involved in the contempt of the court case would face a reference under Article 63-C1. The bench later adjourned the hearing until today (Thursday) when Attorney General Irfan Qadir is expected to present his arguments.
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ANP’s scheduled APC out of steam as major opposition parties announce boycott PESHAWAR
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H E fate of the ruling Awami National Party’s proposed all-parties conference (APC) on energy crises and unprecedented electricity load shedding has become uncertain after three opposition parties in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, including the Jamaat-e-Islami, have refused to attend it. “The government needs to take action to resolve the issues,” said JI provincial chief Prof Mohammad Ibrahim Khan while announcing to boycot the scheduled APC on Wednesday. High-ranking ANP leaders had met JI leaders in Peshawar on Tuesday, wherein the JI leaders said a decision would be made after discussion and consulting leaders of other parties. Opposition leader in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Akram Khan Durrani, Pakistan Muslim League-N provincial general secretary Rehmat
Salam Khattak and Pakistan People’s Party-Sherpao leader Sikandar Hayyat Khan Sherpao also announced their opposition to the scheduled APC during a joint press conference. PML-N Senior Vice President Amir Muqam has already opposed the APC and called it an eyewash on part of leaders who were part of the ruling alliance. While opposing the scheduled APC, leaders of the four main opposition parties demonstrated similar and identical tones against the ANP leadership. “The ANP being a major partner in the coalition government is responsible for the existing energy crises.” Similarly, the opposition leaders expressed concern over the stock of issues, saying leaders of the ruling coalition had failed to run the affairs of the country, therefore, instead of convening the APC, they should resign. Two days ago, the ANP high command while opening up on load shedding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had demanded dissolution of WAPDA and transferring affairs of electricity transmission and distribution to the provinces according to
Another doctor abducted in Quetta QUETTA: Only a couple of days after the release of an abducted surgeon, unidentified armed gunmen kidnapped another senior doctor, presumably for ransom, in Quetta on Wednesday. According to police, Dr Ghulam Rasool, a senior professor at Bolan Medical College and psychiatric was going to his private clinic on Brewery Road when four armed men intercepted him. They pulled him out of his car, bundled him into theirs and fled. Capital City Police Officer Mir Zubair Mahmood told reporters that armed men had abducted Dr Rasool. However, he said the police were making efforts for his recovery. Sources in the police say a couple of weeks ago, some armed men broke into the house of Dr Ghulam Rasool and stole gold jewelry and cash worth almost a million rupees. On Monday, a senior surgeon Dr Deen Mohammad Bungalzai returned home safely last after remaining in the captivity for eight days. SHAHzAdA zUlfiqAR
Three more peacocks die in Tharparkar, toll rises to 165 ISLAMABAD: Three more peacocks died at Tharparkar desert due to the dreadful viral disease, Ranikhet, taking the death toll on Wednesday to 165 in a brief period of 24 days. According to a private news channel, two peacocks died whiel under treatment by the Wildlife Department at Bepohar, while the third one severely struck by the Rani khet died in Bhanbhan. As many as 129 peacocks have fallen prey to this mysterious disease in Tharparkar alone. Locals say the root cause of this viral disease is the hens. APP
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
the 18th Amendment. In this respect, the ANP leadership announced taking leaders of other parties into confidence through the APC on August 9. Arbab Tahir, provincial secretary general of ANP, said efforts were still underway to ensure participation of all political forces in the APC. He said, “We believe that the energy crisis and electricity load shedding is a serious issue, therefore, provincial government intends to take politicians into confidence regarding future line of action.” “Unfortunately, certain elements within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are toeing lines of a particular lobby which is familiar for its step mother attitude towards smaller provinces, particularly with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he added. According to Tahir, leaders of the PML-Q, PPP and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party had assured their participation in the scheduled APC, while contacts were being made with leaders of JUI-S, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and others. He was hopeful about a shift in the decision of the JUI-F, JI, PML-N and others.
Malik says The Sun reporter will be brought to Pakistan ISLAMABAD AgEnCiES
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Wednesday that Mohammad Ali Asad, the central character of Olympic visa scam, would be brought to Pakistan with the assistance of Interpol. The interior minister said that the details of his passport would “soon be shared with public”. Malik said anyone found guilty in the scam would be punished. He further said that the Pakistani authorities were “alert and ready” for the proceedings of the case. He said the procedure to compile information at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) was “foolproof”. Malik said the Pakistani investigation team would soon be sent to London for further investigation of the matter. Earlier on Monday, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had declared Asad as the “main accused” in the case and decided to contact Interpol for red warrants against him. The Pakistani government had registered a case against Asad for “fraud, impersonation and mis-declaration”, and is seeing his deportation from the United Kingdom.
PESHAWAR: A man throws water on his daughter from the main supply pipeline as the city experienced another hot and humid day on Wednesday. inP
SC gives 2 weeks for effective legislation on human organs transplant ISLAMABAD APP
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the federal and provincial governments to effectively legislate over the issue of transplant of human organs. A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, resumed hearing into a constitutional petition moved by Asma Jahangir, former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association. The bench directed the chief secretaries to give proper attention to the issue and submit a report over compliance of the SC’s directive within two weeks. They were also ordered to take action against illegal transplant centers. During the proceedings, representing the Capital Administration Transplant Authority, Dr Haider told the bench that they had dispatched hard and soft copies of the prepared rules to all provincial governments. However, the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments had not responded yet. He urged effective and coordinated efforts
on the part of all provincial governments, saying that regulations carried out by Iran had been regarded as the most effective throughout the world. The chief justice observed that the poor were forced to sell their kidneys but no one was serious about the issue. He said legislation over the issue should be simple so that the general public could understand it. He said the chief secretaries concerned should be held responsible for the illegal trade in their respective provinces. He lamented that the situation had deteriorated as the authorities done nothing to discourage the illegal trade. “This issue is the most sensitive one but there has been no law governing it,” he added. The CJP observed that illegal drugs were being sold at medical stores openly with no one to keep a check. He asked the chief secretaries to take cognizance of the plight of people and create public awareness on the issue. Further proceedings were adjourned for two weeks.
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World hockey champs Australia thrash Spain
Challenges before CEC A whole lot of them
CoMMenT Kamran Rehmat says; The bilateral envoy: Munter was, perhaps, the best friend US and Pakistan could have
dr James J zogby says; Romney’s world view: Not much different from that of the present Administration
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Shujaat serves show cause notices on seven defectors g g
notices served on five likeminded lawmakers, Amir Muqam and Awais Leghari Saifullah terms Shujaat’s election fake, says notices hold no ground as matter sub judice
KASHMALA TARIQ
AMIR MUQAM
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AKISTAN Muslim LeagueQuaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Wednesday initiated disciplinary action against seven defecting party MNAs by serving them show-cause notices, asking them to explain why they had violated the party’s discipline during the recent election of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. All seven lawmakers in question had abstained from voting held on June 22 for election of Ashraf as PM in violation of the party’s decision to vote for the PPP’s nominee. None of them voted even for the opposition’s nominee, Mehtab Khan Abbasi,
HUMAYON SAIFULLAH KHAN
who had bagged 89 votes. A source in the PML-Q informed Pakistan Today that the notices had been prepared and served through SM Zafar, veteran lawyer and senior party stalwart. “Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has prevailed and the process of sending references against the party’s defectors has been initiated. Under phase one, show-cause notices have been issued to at least seven party MNAs, five members of the likeminded group – Arbab Zakaullah, Humayon Saifullah Khan, Ghulam Hyder Samejo, Kashmala Tariq and Kishan Chand Perwani,” the source said. The source added that two more defectors who had left the party and joined Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) - Amir Muqam and Sardar Awais Khan Leghari,
SARDAR AWAIS KHAN LEGHARI
had also been served notices. Shujaat has yet not sent a show-cause notice to Sumaira Malik, who also did not vote for Ashraf and has unofficially joined the PML-N. The source said all party legislators issued show-cause notices had been given time until August 8 to explain their positions, failing which a reference would be sent by the party chief to the chief election commissioner (CEC), Justice (r) Fakharuddin G Ebrahim. “The notices have worried the lawmakers in question and they are involved in negotiations to deal with the situation. They can’t blame the government for bias as the new CEC enjoys absolute respect among all circles for his principles and integrity. This might also be the first test case for the CEC who was nominated by PML-N itself, while
GHULAM HYDER SAMEJO
the likeminded group has already announced seat-adjustment with the PML-N,” a source in the likeminded group said. “Likeminded people are thinking to contest the matter in the court and get stay orders against the move while Amir Muqam and Awais Leghari are mulling to resign quietly.” When contacted, PML likeminded Chairman Salim Saifullah Khan confirmed that show-cause notices had been received by at least two of his party’s MNAs, Kashmala Tariq and Kishan Chand Perwani, while the rest had not received any notice. Asked how they would react to the notices, Saifullah said they had already challenged the election of Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in Lahore High Court (LHC) for the past two years and since the matter was sub judice, such action could not be initi-
US report acknowledges Pakistan’s suffering in terror war WASHINGTON APP
Nearly 11 years after joining the fight against terror, Pakistan continues to be a crucial partner and remains one of the biggest victims of terrorist violence with the loss of another 3,170 lives in the year 2011. Over 2,500 civilians and 670 law enforcement personnel died in terrorist-related incidents in Pakistan in 2011, an “extremely significant” year, which saw elimination of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in May and several other high-value militants in the South Asian region, the State Department annual Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 revealed. The total number of worldwide attacks in 2011 was more than 10,000 in 70 countries, resulting in more than 12,500 deaths. But that figure, large as it may be, is a drop of 12 percent from 2010, Daniel Benjamin, State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism said. The report came the same day when Pakistan and the United States signed an agreement that would allow US and its NATO allies the use of key Pakistani routes into and out of landlocked Afghanistan.
The agreement underscores Pakistan’s importance to completion of the US-led Afghan mission. Pakistan provided the supply corridor to NATO soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which led to invasion of Afghanistan in November 2001. Since then, Pakistan has launched several operations against militants on its side of the Afghan border and has lost more than 38,000 civilians and 6,000 security personnel to retaliatory bombings. The fact was noted at a Congressional hearing on
Tuesday. In the annual State Department, data shows that once again, the largest number of reported attacks occurred in South Asia and the Near East. More than 75 percent of the world’s attacks and deaths occurred in these regions. “The victims of terrorist attacks remain overwhelmingly Muslim.” The majority of attacks occurred in just three countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan, which together accounted for 85 percent of attacks in
KISHAN CHAND PERWANI
these regions and almost 64 percent of attacks worldwide. Both Afghanistan and Iraq saw declines in the number of attacks from the previous year. While attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq decreased from 2010 by 14 and 16 percent, respectively, attacks in Pakistan increased by eight percent. Releasing the Congressionally mandated Report, Benjamin noted, “counterterrorism efforts in Pakistan continued to have wide-ranging regional and global implications.” “Pakistan remained a critical partner on counterterrorism efforts, actively engaging against al-Qa’ida (AQ) and the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP).” However, its cooperation regarding other terrorist groups, such as Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT), was mixed, he claimed. “Despite strained ties, Pakistani officials publicly reiterated that cooperation between the United States and Pakistan was in the best interest of both countries.” In addition to Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts, a deluge of politically and ethnically-motivated targeted killings in Karachi consumed the attention of Pakistan’s parliament, Supreme Court, and law enforcement agencies during the summer months.
ARBAB ZAKAULLAH
ated against his party colleagues. “Since the election of Shujaat is under question, he could not exercise any powers as party president. Hence his show cause notice is meaningless,” said Saifullah. He said his group would request the LHC to take up the matter and issue judgment to resolve the matter. Amir Muqam told Pakistan Today that he had submitted his resignation with the National Assembly speaker and no question of show-cause arose. “Has anyone seen me recently at the National Assembly? No, I have resigned from my NA seat since long and the showcause notice holds no ground,” he added. He also showered praises for Shujaat and said he had served under Shujaat and he had no grudge against his former party chief.
Interpol rejects request for red warrant against Musharraf
ISLAMABAD onlinE
The Interpol headquarters rejected Pakistan’s request to issue a red warrant against former president and army chief General (r) Pervez Musharraf in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case. The Interpol rejected the request on the grounds that Pakistani authorities and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had sent insufficient documentation for the purpose of issuing a red warrant. According to a statement issued by the Interpol, it could not issue red warrant based on the evidences and documentation offered for the arrest of the former president. Local authorities have again sent a request to the Interpol director with documentation in addition to the investigation reports, copies of statements by the then director-general of ISI’s counter-intelligence wing, Javed Iqbal Cheema, and the former director general of Intelligence Bureau, Ejaz Shah, US-based journalist Marc Siegel’s email to Benazir Bhutto and copies of the orders issued by the Anti-Terrorism Court.
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
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US warns of Lashkar-eTayyaba threat WASHINGTON
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XPRESSING concern over continued threat posed by Lashkar-eTayyaba to stability in South Asia, the United States has asked Pakistan to take more action against the terrorist group responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. “We’ve urged Pakistan to take more action against Lashkar-e-Tayyaba,” Daniel Benjamin, coordinator for counterterrorism told reporters in a special briefing on the State Department’s annual terror-
ism report. “We’d certainly like to see more progress on that trial regarding the atrocities in Mumbai,” he said noting that LeT “remains a major concern on the terrorist landscape, without a doubt”. Benjamin said he had not seen any decrease in LeT strength and “the threat to stability in South Asia that it poses”. The State Department report itself also warned that “terrorist opponents of better Indian-Pakistan relations, such as the LeT, have long planned to derail any progress by launching new attacks”. The overview of terror-
ism and terrorist groups around the world found that Osama bin Laden’s death in Abbottabad, coupled with the killing of top al Qaeda operatives in Pakistan, “puts the network on a path of decline that will be difficult to reverse”. The report says the June death of Iyas Kashmiri and the August killing of Atiya Abdul Rahman, al Qaeda’s second-in-command after bin Laden’s death, are among the top blows dealt to the organization in Pakistan. But it warns that “despite blows in western Pakistan, al Qaeda, its affiliates, and its adherents remain adaptable”.
China restricts Ramadan french Muslims, fasting in restive Xinjiang Jews unite against pig dumping at that “the county committee BEIJING has issued comprehensive mosque policies on maintaining soAfP
Authorities in China’s restive northwestern region of Xinjiang have banned Muslim officials and students from fasting during Ramadan, prompting an exiled rights group to warn of new violence. Guidance posted on numerous government websites called on Communist Party leaders to restrict Muslim religious activities during the holy month, including fasting and visiting mosques. Xinjiang is home to around nine million Uighurs, a Turkic speaking, largely Muslim ethnic minority, many of whom accuse China’s leaders of religious and political persecution. The region has been rocked by repeated outbreaks of ethnic violence, but China denies claims of repression and relies on tens of thousands of Uighur officials to help it govern Xinjiang. A statement from Zonglang township in Xinjiang’s Kashgar district said
cial stability during the Ramadan period. “It is forbidden for Communist Party cadres, civil officials (including those who have retired) and students to participate in Ramadan religious activities.” The statement, posted on the Xinjiang government website, urged party leaders to bring “gifts” of food to local village leaders to ensure that they were eating during Ramadan. Similar orders on curbing Ramadan activities were posted on other local government websites, with the educational bureau of Wensu county urging schools to ensure that students do not enter mosques during Ramadan. The holy month began in Xinjiang on July 20. The orders to curb religious activities were sent out across the region at different times, some before the start of Ramadan and some afterwards. During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious and charitable.
Zulfiqar Khosa jumps PMl-n ship MONITORING DESk Pakistan Muslim League– Nawaz (PML-N) Punjab President Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa resigned from his party membership over differences with the leadership, Geo News reported late Wednesday night. Per details, Khosa has resigned from his party membership and subsequently sent his resignation to the Punjab Chief Minister’s House. Khosa is a former governor of Punjab and father of former Punjab CM Sardar Dost Mohammed Khosa. The channel reported that the veteran politician
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
from Dera Ghazi Khan had decided to contest the elections independently from his home constituency.
MONTAUBAN AfP
French Muslim and Jewish groups were united in outrage Wednesday after two pig heads were dumped at a mosque in a town where an Islamist gunman killed two paratroopers in March. The French Council of the Muslim Faith described the defilement of the mosque in the town of Montauban as “a racist and xenophobic provocation” and urged the authorities to bring those responsible to justice swiftly. Pigs are considered unclean by Muslims, who are currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. France’s Union of Jewish Students said it was appalled by an incident that had occurred in a “worrying climate of hatred”. It was the first such incident in the southern Tarn-etGaronne region, leading to speculation it was a response to the March shooting spree of self-styled Al-Qaeda gunman Mohamed Merah.
HydERAbAd: Security personnel collecting evidence from the court room of High Court after a man Javed iqbal killed his sister Raheela Shiekh during court proceedings. online
Pakistan’s first victory rekindles hope Twin blasts LONDON AgHA AKbAR
While Aussies were awesome in their 5-0 demolition of Spain and South Africa displayed some rare spine by not disintegrating against Great Britain 2-2, Pakistan too found its feet to rustle up a most welcome 2-0 win against Argentina to be placed second behind the Aussies in the Pool A rankings. If it stays that way at the end of the pool games, Pakistan would have achieved something – and it would go to the semifinals for only the second time since 1992. But that is a long way off. But for the moment the other results – Spain diminishing and with two of its very best Santi Freixa and Pablo Amat walking wounded and out of the event, Great Britain’s campaign also slightly off with a draw while the Aussies reign
supreme – give them a glimmer of hope. If they could somehow win and get full three points from their two next games against Great Britain on Friday and South Africa Sunday, they might have done enough to barge into the top four. That at this point however seems a bridge too far, and it would be in the fitness of things if they tackled things as they come. Against Argentina, the best of the South African continent, Pakistan was at best scrappy. But the good thing is that while the forwards are shy of finding rhythm in their movements and the finishing is nowhere near one expects at such a level, the defence is holding exceptionally well. One could say that they have so far not really been tested, and a top outfit may indeed have been able to punch holes, but so far they have mostly been doing the basics right
without getting easily flustered. That is why they have been able to thwart both Spain and Argentina, allowing just one goal in a flash to Spain. Pakistani forays deep into Argentine side were many, but nothing really remotely threatening enough to land them a goal. The intent to get a short corner didn’t seem to be a priority – and that indeed was a surprise. Yet Pakistan drew its first blood through Muhammad Imran’s strike on the short corner when Muhammad Waqas was brought down inside the circle. Such was Pakistan’s domination in terms of possession that Imran Shah under the cross bar had remained idle throughout. The second half, Argentina came with intent to find the equalizer, but it was Pakistan that doubled its lead, this time Sohail Abbas scooping waist high tearing into the middle.
Pakistani hostages released by Somali pirates The Pakistani crew of a pirated Malaysian-flagged container ship, MV Albedo, held hostage by Somali pirates has been reportedly released, a private TV channel learnt Wednesday. According to sources, all the seven Pakistani seamen have been pulled through to safety. Of all 22 hostages, seven are from Pakistan and Bangladesh each, six are from Sri Lanka, and one each from India and Iran. One Indian sailor has already died since the vessel was captured in November 2010. MonitoRing dESK
Myanmar troops ‘opened fire on rohingya Muslims’ BANGkOk AfP
Myanmar security forces opened fire on Rohingya Muslims, committed rape and stood by as rival mobs attacked each other during a recent wave of sectarian violence, a rights watchdog said Wednesday. The authorities failed to protect both Muslims and Buddhists and then “unleashed a campaign of violence and mass roundups against the Rohingya”, New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a report. The violence which erupted in June in Rakhine state between Buddhists and Rohingya has left about 80 people dead from both sides, based on official figures — an estimate that HRW said ap-
peared “grossly underestimated”. Hundreds of Rohingya men and boys have been rounded up and remain incommunicado in the western region of the country formerly known as Burma, it said. Members of both Muslim and Buddhist communities committed horrific acts of violence with reports of beheadings, stabbings, shootings and widespread arson in Rakhine, also known as Arakan state, the report added. “What is remarkable is that if the atrocities that we saw in Arakan had happened before the government reform process had started, the international reaction would have been swift and strong,” said HRW Asia deputy director Phil Robertson. “But the international community appears to be blinded by a ro-
mantic narrative of sweeping change in Burma, signing new trade deals and lifting sanctions even while the abuses continue,” he told a news conference. The report, based on dozens of witness interviews, said that the events in Rakhine “demonstrate that state-sponsored persecution and discrimination persist” despite the government’s pledge to end ethnic unrest. Police and paramilitary forces “opened fire on Rohingya with live ammunition”, it added. It quoted one Rohingya man in the Rakhine state capital Sittwe as saying that security forces watched as a Buddhist mob started torching houses. “When the people tried to put out the fires, the paramilitary shot at us. And the group beat people with big
sticks.” Another Rohingya man said: “I was just a few feet away. I was on the road. I saw them shoot at least six people — one woman, two children, and three men. The police took their bodies away.” Decades of discrimination have left the Rohingya stateless, and they are viewed by the United Nations as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities. Myanmar’s government considers the estimated 800,000 Rohingya in the country to be foreigners while many citizens see them as illegal immigrants from neighbouring Bangladesh and view them with hostility. President Thein Sein in July told the United Nations that refugee camps or deportation was the “solution” for the Rohingya.
at Lahore fruit market injure 23 LAHORE StAff REPoRt
Two explosions at Lahore’s Badami Bagh Fruit Market on Wednesday left least 23 people injured, two of them critically. Rescue services and police officials were busy clearing the site and looking for clues for investigations until late night. There were no reports of casualties and the nature of the explosions was unknown by the time the report was filed. Reports said the first blast was caused by explosives placed under a vendor’s cart, while the second blast occurred in the parking lot near the main gate of the fruit market. Police said they had received some warnings about terrorists planning to target the city. Following the mishap, security in Lahore was put at high alert. It was earlier reported that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakeemullah Mehsud had decided to increase terrorist attacks in Punjab with an emphasis to inflict maximum damage, especially in Lahore.
wHo halts polio drive due to security risk kARACHI AgEnCiES
World Health Organization (WHO) has decided to shut its offices down for indefinite period over security concerns. Sources at WHO told a private TV channel that all operations would remain suspended until the security of the polio staff is guaranteed. The World Health Institute in Karachi has also suspended polio monitoring. This is the first time in history that polio service to any city has been put off. WHO sources said that the decision to restore polio services would be taken when the circumstances normalize.
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05 NA body directs OGRA to withdraw hike in petroleum products g
As many as seven militants were killed in a clash with security forces in the northwestern tribal region of Orakzai, NNI reported. According to the media reports, the clash took place in Orakzai’s Dabori area and wounded two security men. Security sources said the military operation in the tribal region had been able to recover 92 percent of its area from the control of militants, however, pockets of resistance still existed in parts of Orakzai. Meanwhile, unidentified miscreants blew up a government school with explosives in the Badhber area of Peshawar late Tuesday night, INP reported. According to details, anti-literacy militants had planted explosives along the boundary wall of the Government Primary School for Boys. The school building was destroyed due to the blast but no causality or injury was reported as the building was vacant at the time of blast and situated away from the residential area.
ISLAMABAD
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onlinE
The ministry had no hidden role in this regard, Dr Asim added. OGRA Chairman Saeed Khan and Dr Asim agreed to devise a mechanism to keep the decision of prices secret until the issuance of the notification. Dr Asim told the committee that Rs 50 billion subsidy had been given to the fertilizer sector as all plants were closed due to a shortage of gas. During the meeting SNGPL MD Arif Hameed told the committee that 1,865mmcfd of gas
Police downs ‘Taliban militant’ in Punjab MULTAN: The Punjab Police killed a suspected Taliban militant near Multan on Wednesday, officials said. According to police officials, a team of Crime Investigation Department (CID) intercepted a vehicle near Ghazi Ghat near Dera Ghazi Khan on Wednesday afternoon. Officials said the car driver tried to detonate the suicide vest he was wearing, but police opened fire and killed him on the spot. Officials further said that a team of Bomb Disposal Squad was called from Multan to defuse his suicide vest and to clear his bag which cops believed was full of hand grenades and other weapons. Police believe the deceased militant belonged to the Matiullah group of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). onlinE
was available in the system while its demand was 2,600 mmcfd with a shortfall of 624 mmcfd. He said that shortfall would increase to 900 mmcfd in December this year while in Jan 2013 it would be increased to approximately 1,100 mmcfd. The body showed annoyance over the slow pace of work on development schemes by MNAs and development funds of projects were adjusted elsewhere. The members said due to misman-
agement of departments, MNAs were asked about revalidation of funds. The SNGPL MD informed the committee that Rs 22 billion of development schemes were pending with the SNGPL, while four billion of development projects were pending with the SSGCL. In this regard, standing committee constituted a sub-committee under the chair of Jamshed dasti and directed it to see into the issue and devise a mechanism for its redressal.
Govt employees get a taste of not getting paid on the 1st ISLAMABAD AgEnCiES
The salaries of tens of thousands of federal government employees, including the president, the prime minister, federal ministers and top judges could not be released on the first day of August because of a strike by the staff of Accountant General Pakistan Revenue (AGPR)for the last 26 days in support of their demands for pay raise and improvement in service structure.
Houbara Foundation conducts annual seed broadcast
LAHORE: Pakistan Army and Houbara Foundation International jointly broadcasted seeds of desert plants over the Cholistan Desert. This is the 15th year of the Foundation’s annual Habitat Restoration project since 1988. Cholistan Desert is the prime wintering habitat of Houbara Bustard which migrates annually to Pakistan from breeding grounds in central Asia. PRESS RElEASE
PESHAWAR AgEnCiES
wants system to keep announcement of price hike secret to curb hoarding
HE National Assembly legislative body on petroleum and natural resources has directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and Ministry of Petroleum to revoke the recent hike in petroleum prices and maintain old prices. The National Assembly standing committee met at the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) building with Engineer Tariq Khattak in the chair. It strongly expressed annoyance over the recent increase in prices of petroleum products and said the hike would add to the miseries of common man and boost inflation in the country. The committee said another unfortunate factor was that price fluctuation was announced by OGRA or the ministry two or three days before the decision that resulted into a shortage of products and oil mafia earned billions of rupees through hoarding. Jamshed Dasti said Adviser to PM on Petroleum Dr Asim had no control and was playing into the hands of officers. Barjees Tahir said the ministry leaked the information of price increase and favored the oil mafia in the country. Adviser to Prime Minister Dr Asim assured the meeting that leakage of news regarding price increase would be controlled and officials would follow the code of conduct in the future. He said the ministry followed a transparent formula about pricing of petroleum products and any one could forecast the fluctuation in prices in the coming days.
Troops kill 7 militants in Orakzai clash
The AGPR employees have now called of their strike No work was being performed by the APGR employees, who simply came to their offices, marked their attendance and sat idle for rest of the day. They were calling for pay raise at par with salaries of other federal workers, besides demanding audit and pension allowance and a better service structure. The AGPR workers said they were forced to go on strike after their demands were
ignored by the government. On the other hand, federal government employees who are normally paid on the first of every month, went home with out any salary to the dismay of their families. The payment of government workers’ salaries follows a cumbersome procedure in Pakistan, as Finance Ministry allocates funds with which the relevant departments prepare salary bills, and the AGPR verifies the information and issues salary checks.
Five abducted FATA employees walk free after months PESHAWAR StAff REPoRt
At least five employees, including two officers of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Development Program, abducted in February were recovered from the Tank district. The officials at Tank, a city in the south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on Wednesday informed that the five employees had been abducted from the Maghzai area of the tribal region on February 29. All of them have been recovered, officials said. Though the officials were reluctant to comment on the possibility of a deal for the release of the hostages, however, local tribesmen said that the five officials had been freed after paying ransom. Taliban militants had earlier claimed the responsibility for kidnapping the officials. Meanwhile, Peshawar Police successfully freed a student abducted on July 19 from Dalazak Road. The kidnappers had demanded Rs 10 million for the release of Haseeb Ali. Superintendent of Police Asif Iqbal led a raid in Azakhel area of Matanai, and safely recovered the abducted student, besides arresting three kidnappers.
NATO supplies remain suspended for the 8th day PESHAWAR inP
NATO supplies to Afghanistan remained suspended on Wednesday for the eight consecutive day due to security threats through the Torkham border. The supplies to NATO forces were stopped when a driver was killed in a militant attack on a convoy that was heading to Afghanistan. Officials privy to the development said security arrangements had been tightened to ensure a safe journey for the convoys. They said the supplies would be restored once a foolproof security system was in place. On Tuesday, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding restoration of NATO supplies was signed by Pakistan and the United States. The accord became operational after formal signing by the two countries. It will be effective until December 31, 2015 and could be extended for one year after consultations.
Pakistan will also provide facilities for the security and quick transfer of the cargo and will keep the US government informed of the monitoring and transit points of the cargo. Containers traveling to Afghanistan will be
bound to return via Pakistan. There will be no tax or duty charged on the containers. However, commercial carriers will have to pay fees. New fees can also be introduced for the quick transfer of cargo.
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
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Thursday, 2 August, 2012
FiqAh-e-hAnFi FiqAh-e-jAFriA 07:14 iFtAr 07:24 iFtAr 04:20 seher 04:10 seher
‘Spy’ student gets into varsity for 3 years kARACHI
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AAMiR MAJEEd
HOWING himself as an agent of a spy agency, a 45year-old man, who was enrolled in Karachi University (KU) Department of Urdu for third regular degree, made teachers hostage to get his illegal demands accepted, it has been reliably learnt. Muhammad Zamir Siddiqui, son of Muhammad Idrees Siddiqui, is currently student of Department of Urdu. Earlier, he got two Masters’ degrees from Department of Criminology and Centre of Excellence for Women Studies. As per KU law, a candidate, who had got degree in any department of the varsity regularly, he/she can not be enrolled in any of the department of KU for the second degree. However, Zamir has already got two degrees from the varsity and now he is student of MA in Department of Urdu. But how Zamir got two Masters’ degrees and currently studying for another degree in Department of Urdu is an open question for the varsity administration. The 45-year-old called himself the agent of a local intelligence agency and he frequently visited the administration block and had close relationship with some of the officers in KU’s management offices. On the basis of information given by the KU officials, he blackmailed teachers to award him good marks so that he could pass the semester exams. Some of the varsity’s top officials also considered him as a spy agent and they could not dare to refuse him whatever he demanded from them. This is the only reason that Zamir got two regular Masters’ degrees from KU and enrolled for another one in Department of Urdu. Interestingly, Faculty of Arts Dean Prof Dr Zaffar Iqbal, who belongs to Urdu department, has allowed Zameer Siddiqui for enrolment in department for third degree. An official of the KU enrolment section, who wished not to be named, confirmed that Zameer had already got two Masters degrees in Criminology and Women Studies. As per record of the enrolment section, Muhammad Zameer
Siddiqui was first enrolled in Criminology for Masters in evening programme in 2008. His registration number was ART/CRI/EP-13183/2008. He completed his Masters degree in Criminology in 2010. Then, he was enrolled in KU again for Masters in Women Studies in evening in 2010 and his enrolment number was ART/WSC/EP-19307/2010. He got Masters’ degrees in Criminology and Women Studies by blackmailing teachers of the department to get maximum scores in the semester exams. In Urdu department, he also tried to adopt the same pattern, but this time a blind lecturer of the department refused to accept his illegal demands. When the said lecturer refused his unlawful demands, he started blackmailing him. He exposed himself as agent of the intelligence agency and warned him of dire consequences. The administration of the department instead of making hue and cry over blackmailing of Zameer, pressed the blind lecturer to keep his lips tight to avoid any confrontation. Muhammad Sajid Khan, Lecturer of Urdu department narrated his story as under: “I was teaching course No. 541 in Urdu department and Muhammad Zamir Siddiqui was my student. He used to come to my office and share with me secrets of other students. One day, I asked him about his source and he told me that he is agent of the spy agency and he was deployed in the varsity for intelligence sharing. Few days before the semester exams, he requested me to share with him the questions which would be asked in paper. I turned down his illegal request and since then he started blackmailing to me,” he added. “Sometimes he punctured my car’s wheel, sometimes he broke windscreen of my vehicle and sometimes he put glue in locks of my room in the department. A night before exam, he called me and adopted a very rude behavior by asking me about the question paper but I again refused him. During the exam, he went out of the centre for washroom and did not come back even after half an hour. I went behind him with my colleagues and we saw he was copying matter in the an-
swer script while sitting in his car. After passing one hour, he came back in the centre and took out copied answer script from his shirt. When we saw the answer script, the first and last pages of the copy were unwritten while the rest of pages of script were filled with answers,” the teacher narrated. “With the help of assistant, I checked his copy. The answers written in script were not those which were asked in the question paper. I informed chairperson of the department about this matter and wrote an application against him but the chairperson refused to receive the complaint. After passing few days, I was collecting assignments from students when he came into my room and forced me to receive his assignment first. I turned down his request. He turned down angry and attacked me. I asked the chairperson to call Rangers as he threatened me of dire consequences and left the room, but the chairperson did not listen to me and directed me to keep my lips tight over this issue.” “But I decided to raise voice against blackmailing of Zameer and wrote letters to the Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS), Student Advisor and Campus Security Officer. On this, Dr Tanzeem-ul Firdaus, the acting chairperson of the department called a meeting and formed a three-member committee. The chairperson was heading the committee and Dr Rauf Parikh and Dr Zulqarnain Ahmed were nominated as its members. The committee has yet to resolve this dispute due to fear of the student who shows himself the agent of a spy agency.” “As I announced result, the said student made hue and cry over his marks and filed application to the chairperson. The chairperson retaliated and ordered me to submit result of
course No. 541 along with answer sheets. As per KU law, if any student has objection over the marking, he should file an application with the dean. The dean forwarded the application to the chairperson. The copy of the said student was reassessed but the chairperson directed me to submit the results and answer scripts of all students, which is unlawful,” he concluded. Talking to Pakistan Today, Dean Faculty of Arts Prof Dr Zaffar Iqbal said he had received application of Muhammad Zamir Siddiqui for reassessment of his results. I accepted his application of recheck and directed the chairperson to form a committee of three senior most teachers of the department to assess the complainant’s copy separately. The average marks given by all the three teachers would be calculated and it would be final result, he added. When he how did the spy student get admission third regular degree, t h e d e a n replied that he had no idea when the KU banned more then one regular Master degrees. When contacted, KU Vice Chancell o r Prof
Dr Muhammad Qaiser was shocked. How it is possible that a student has been enrolled in the varsity for third regular degree despite academic council’s decision that no one could be allowed to get admission for another Masters degree. “I also have no idea about highhandedness of teachers by an intelligence agent. I will look in this matter and take action against the people involved after exhaustive investigation,” he assured. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Spokesman Major Waheed told Pakistan Today he had confirmed that they had no such operative in the KU. “I had confirmed from the department concerned and they verified that they do not have their operative namely Muhammad Zameer Siddiqui in the KU”, he said. He requested the varsity administration to contact local police for legal action against the said student.
Man kills sister for contracting love marriage HYDERABAD: A lawyer gunned down his real sister inside the court premises over love marriage dispute here on Wednesday. According to details, Raheela hailing from a sub-urban area of Hyderabad, got married with a man of her own choice. On Wednesday, when Raheela was present inside the premises of Sindh High Court (SHC) Hyderabad to follow a case, his real brother, Advocate Javed Sheikh, who was angry over her love marriage, shot her dead. The accused managed to flee from the scene. StAff REPoRt
ranger officials’ funeral prayers held KARACHI: Funeral prayers of two Rangers officials shot dead near Karachi’s Banaras area were held here on Wednesday. Police said the Rangers’ intelligence officials dressed in plain clothes were sitting outside a hotel in Ali Garh Colony on Tuesday when they were targeted by unidentified assailants. They were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital in a critical condition but succumbed to injuries. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah strongly condemned the incident and directed the Karachi Additional IG Police and all the law enforcement agencies to ensure early arrest of the culprits. He added that the two Rangers personnel embraced martyrdom while discharging their responsibilities with regard to restoring law and order in the city. Following the incident, Rangers cordoned off the area and conducted a search operation in Orangi Town’s Bukhari Colony and Ali Garh Colony areas. Some 25 suspects were taken into custody during the door to door search operation who were shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning. Rangers’ commandoes also took part in the operation. Moreover, police were deployed on all entry and exit points of the area. In another incident, a tortured body of a man was found on Jamshed Road No 1. The man appeared to have died from gunshot wounds. StAff REPoRt
CnG stations to remain closed for 20 hours
KARACHi: Closed Circuit Cameras are being installed on Cant Station Road to monitor the law and order situation. online
KARACHI: All the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in Sindh including Karachi region will remain closed from 1:00 pm today (Thursday) for 20 hours. The CNG stations will reopen on Friday morning at 9am. According to details, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) faces shortage of gas due to the maintenance work in Zamzama gas field. Usually, CNG stations will remain closed for 24 hours from 9:00 am Saturday till 9:00 am on Sunday every week across the province under the Sui Southern Gas Company’s weekly gas load management schedule. StAff REPoRt
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Karachi 07 women be encouraged in businesses: Subzwari kARACHI APP
The women should be encouraged at every level in the businesses. This was stated by the Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs, Faisal Subzwari. He was talking on the occasion of a presentation here on Wednesday by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA). The minister was of the view that encouragement of women in the businesses would enable them to exhibit their entrepreneurial skills and talents. He said that for provision of opportunities to women, projects would be initiated initially in Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur and that later this would be extended to other districts in the province. The Minister was informed in the presentation the SMEDA would provide finance to such businesswomen where the number of employees in the organization is below 30. These businesses would be run by the women and initially they would be extended loan of Rs. two million. It was further informed that the loan facility would be made available in education, publication, engineering, real estate, IT, tourism, fruits, vegetables, poultry and other important sectors.
SLA selects Shah Latif’s work for award KARACHi: Children collecting dead fish from the sea water at fish Harbour. online
10 families of bhagwandas building get allotment orders kARACHI
Conspiracies won’t work against PPP: Jam Mahtab
APP
kARACHI
KMC Metropolitan Commissioner Matanat Ali Khan has said that the construction work at temporary residence for residents of Bhagwandas Building was going on speedily. Temporary allotment orders have been given to 10 families and 45 residential units have been constructed. He said this in a meeting held in his office about the setting up of temporary residence for residents of Bhagwandas Building, said a statement issued by the KMC on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Director Accommodation Abdul Hafeez, Chief Engineer Building Shamim Ghauri and other high officials. He said that the arrangement of water and sewerage has been made whereas electricity and gas would be provided soon. Metropolitan Commissioner said that the problem of shifting residents of Bhagwandas Building would be resolved soon along with basic facilities at temporary residence. He also said that this problem was being resolved on non-political basis and Bhagwandas Building was not suitable for residential purpose. He further said that residence to the residents of Bhagwandas Building has been provided nearer as per their demand where KMC was trying to provide basic facilities also. He also said that KBCA has declared Bhagwandas Building dangerous and not suitable for residence and there were almost 63 families living in Bhagwandas Building who would be shifted to temporary residence gradually.
nni
Minor boy killed NAWABSHAH APP
A 6-year-old child was killed when he fell from the balcony of a three-storey building in Mohni Bazar area here on Wednesday. The child, identified as Hassan, was playing in balcony of the house when he suddenly fell on a road and died on the spot, police said.
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INDH Minister for Revenue Jam Mahtab Hussai Dahar said on Wednesday that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would have a country wide success in the upcoming general elections and the next Chief Minister Punjab would also be from PPP as the present democratic government had made new records of public service during the last four and half years. Talking to media during his visit to the newly constructed building of Degree College Obaro, he said that millions of needy and poor women were provided financial support through Benazir Income Support Programme. “Millions of young men were given employment on merit base besides millions of others who were provided skill training through
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Youth Programme,” he said. The provincial minister added, “Conspirators against PPP have never been successful in the past and will never succeed in future as well. The people of Pakistan love PPP very much and it has deep roots among the masses. Those who speak against PPP should sweep before their own doors.” Jam Mahtab said that the present government had launched many mega projects which brought prosperity to the masses. On the occasion of his visit, he directed the officers concerned to complete ongoing schemes at the earliest and also to maintain standard and transparency in this regards. ppp wORKINg fOR DEvELOpMENT Of pAKISTAN: RAfIQUE ENgINEER: Sindh Minister for Archives Rafique Engineer Wednesday said that Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) had been working day and night for the
improvement and development of Pakistan and its people. He said that PPP had become the role model for other political parties. He further said that under the dynamic and charismatic leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, the party had achieved many successes. “At the time when our party came into power, Pakistan was facing acute shortage of wheat, unemployment, power crisis, suicide bombing and many other problems. But our government worked day and night to eliminate the all the crises,” he added. Rafique Engineer said further that PPP would sweep in the upcoming elections. He said that though a few people were criticizing the president, the same would “bow their heads down after the elections.” Talking about Lyari, he said that the people of Lyari were loyal to their political ideal Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and to their party.
HYDERABAD: The Sindhi Language Authority has termed the book of Dr Tahmina Mufti, Professor of University of Sindh Jamshoro, as best book and selected it for award. According to university spokesman, Dr Tahmina Mufti book titled “Shah Jo Kalam Aen Un Jo Falsafo “(Verses of Shah and his philosophy) for award and her efforts were also appreciated. APP
Ku extends date kARACHI APP
The University of Karachi has extended the last date of submission of fee for `One-Time Special Examinations’ with a late fee of Rs 500 from 1-08-2012 to 09-08-2012 in the United Bank Limited Campus Branch in Semester Collection Account No.276 after the endorsement by the Bursar Office. This was announced by an official of the University of Karachi on Wednesday. SCHOOL UpgRADED: The management of University of Jamshoro has upgraded Syed Panah Ali Shah Model School from Secondary to Higher Secondary level for those girls who are residing in Jamshoro and its suburbs. Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nazir A Mughal has taken such decision in view of long-standing demand of the residents of Jamshoro. According to school management, the admissions in Higher Secondary School Certificate Part-I will begin from August 7, 2012 for girls and the students could get admissions in both pre- medical and pre-engineering groups.
Ku department of botany initiates scholarships KARACHI: The Department of Botany, University of Karachi, is initiating a `Merit-cumneed based departmental scholarship programme’. An official of the university said on Wednesday that this was aimed at providing opportunities of attaining unhindered higher education to those students of the Department of Botany who despite academic merit are unable to pursue their studies due to financial constraints. In this relation, a scholarship management committee (SMC) has been constituted comprising chairperson and faculty members of the department. University’s Students’ Financial Aid Office has also been taken into confidence. Funds for the programme have been generated by the teaching and non-teaching staff of the department. Some philanthropists of the city have also voluntarily participated in this programme. According to the Convener of SMC Committee, Prof Dr Raiha Qadri, donors are requested to submit their donation in the UBL, University Branch. APP
HydERAbAd: Activists of insaf Students federation hold a demonstration against the killing of Muslims in Myanmar (burma) outside Hyderabad Press Club. online
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
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08 karachi weATHer uPdATeS
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zuhr 12:39
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KARACHi: female workers are busy preparing clay tiles at Kumharwara. online
KMC conjures up solution to transport predicament Decides to start pilot project for bus rapid transit system kARACHI
bLood bAnK HuSSAini fATiMid PwA
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Thursday, 2 August, 2012
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APP
ARACHI Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Administrator Muhammad Hussain Syed said the bus rapid transit facility could solve the transport problems in Karachi. He said the Sindh government and KMC had decided to start RBTS “yellow line” as a pilot project on a 22 kilometers route from Dawood Chowrangi to Numaish Chowrangi and Lucky Star via 8,000 road Korangi and FTC, said a statement issued by the KMC here on Wednesday. He said this project will be executed under public private partnership mode where daily ridership is about 7,00,000 per day. The proposed RBTS would cater to the need 13,000 passengers per hour per direction, he added. The first meeting of the standing committee was held on July 30 in the committee room of finance department and attended by the Administrator Karachi Muhammad Hussain Syed, Director Gen-
eral Public Private Partnership Unit Sohail Rajput, Director General Karachi Mass Transit Cell Rasheed Mughal, and others. The standing committee on this occasion accorded the approval to go ahead for publishing the expression of interest (EOI). Besides approved draft RFQ documents to invite proposals from reputable and experienced parties to prepare a feasibility report covering technical, financial, economical, legal and environmental aspects along with transaction advisory services for the bus rapid transit system (RBTS) “Yellow
SCulPtureS Show
dATe: JuLy 17 To 21TH, 2012
line” under public private partnership mode. Muhammad Hussain Syed emphasized the need and necessity of transit facility. Later on DG, KMTC, Rasheed Mughal in his presentation briefed about the city’s demographic pattern, travel demand trend, JICA study recommendation for transit project and projected cost of infrastructure and various system. The DG also informed about the features of RBT system, its components w.s.r to IT infrastructure including signal priority, automated ticketing system, bus
eXhIBItIoN BY hAMrA ABBAS
dATe: June 19 To JuLy 19, 2012
information system and command & control system. He further explained that RBTS “yellow line” would be a 22 km route from Dawood Chowrangi to Numaish Chowrangi and Lucky Star via 8000 Road Korangi and FTC. The feasibility and transaction structure of RBTS would enable KMTC, KMC to make an informed decision which shall ensure an affordable, sustainable and replicable system. The committee also constructed a sub-committee under the chairmanship of DG, KMTC for evaluation of the RFQ documents. The meeting was further informed that JICA had prepared a mass transit network for Karachi with 2030 vision suggesting 2 metro system lines and 6 RBT lines, besides KCR revitalization program. JICA has also prepared feasibility study of two RBTS lines (Green line-Surjani to Jama Cloth market and red line-model colony to Regal Chowk via Safoora Goth, university road) and pre-facility of blue line from Sohrab Goth to tower.
GhAlIB MADe eASY
dATe: THurSdAy, 7:00 PM, weeKLy eVenT
Venue: fine ArTS PAKiSTAn KArACHi
Venue: CAnVAS GALLery
Venue: THe SeCond fLoor (T2f)
fine ArT PAKiSTAn GALLery Cordially invites you on the exhibition of sculptures by Akbar Khan, Latif Ghouri and M.K.Saleem on Tuesday, 17th 2012. Chief Guest: Anjum Ayaz inaugurates the show.
internationally acclaimed artist Hamra Abbas, recipient of the Abraaj capital art prize and the Sharjah biennale jury prize, exhibits her culturally loaded, iconographic works at Canvas Gallery on Tuesday June 19th 2012, from 5 pm - 8 pm. Hamra received her bfA and MA from the national College of Arts, Lahore and a Meisterschueler from universitaet der Kuenste, berlin. She lives and works between Lahore, Pakistan and boston, uSA. The show remains open daily until July 19th 2012, from 11 am - 8 pm (excluding sundays)
Join us at T2f every wednesday for interactive sessions on Mirza Ghalib’s poetry, conducted by author and translator, Musharraf Ali farooqi. Ghalib Made easy by @MicroMAfThe poetry of Mirza Ghalib (27 december 1797 – 15 february 1869) has been considered complex, abstract and difficult to comprehend. even for Ghalib’s contemporaries, his language and imagery presented a challenge.
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Foreign News 09
Indian police charge reporter in Israel diplomat attack NEW DELHI AfP
Indian police have charged a journalist with conspiring to carry out a bomb attack on an Israeli diplomat in New Delhi in February, a senior police official told AFP Wednesday. Syed Kazmi, a freelance journalist who worked part-time with Iran’s IRNA news agency, is accused of helping a group of Iranians to plan and execute the attack which saw a man on a motorbike attach a magnetic bomb to an Israeli embassy car. “We charged Syed Kazmi yesterday under the prevention of unlawful activities act. He has been charged with planning and conspiracy in the February attack,” said anti-terrorism official Ashok Chand, who is supervising the investigation. Kazmi is the only person to be charged in India in connection with the bombing. A 42-yearold Israeli diplomat, the wife of the defence attache at the embassy, was badly wounded in the explosion near the prime minister’s residence in the centre of the Indian capital. A report in the Times of India newspaper on Monday said Delhi police had informed Iran that the plotters were members of the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guards, a branch of the military.
Pentagon chief urges more time over Iran standoff ASHkELON AfP
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ENTAGON chief Leon Panetta on Wednesday reiterated US calls to “exhaust every effort” before considering military options for confronting Iran over its nuclear programme in top-level talks in Israel. Speaking alongside Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on a visit to an Iron Dome missile defence battery in the southern port town of Ashkelon, Panetta suggested there was still room for diplomatic manoeuvre. “We have to exhaust every effort before” taking military action, he said. “It is my responsibility as secretary of defence to provide the president with
a full range of options, including military options should diplomacy fail,” he added. Preventing a nuclear-armed Iran was “a top national security priority” for the administration of US President Barack Obama and in that respect “all options are on the table,” he said. As Panetta arrived late on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a series of TV interviews, in which he said he had not yet decided whether to strike Iran, which Israel and much of the West believes is trying to develop an atomic weapon under the cover of a civilian nuclear programme. But at the same time, Netanyahu warned that Israel would not rely on anyone else to guarantee its security — not even Washington.
Asked how the Obama administration would react in the event of a unilateral Israeli strike, Panetta would only say: “We respect Israel’s sovereignty and independence,” without commenting further. Barak said it was extremely unlikely that sanctions and diplomacy would convince Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, which Tehran insists are purely peaceful in nature. “The probability (of that happening) is extremely low,” he remarked. “We’ve seen sanctions and diplomacy fail in the past.” Despite the ongoing pressure on the Islamic republic, which was further ramped up a notch by Washington on Tuesday, Iran was continuing daily enrichment of “uranium needed for their weapon,” Barak said.
“We have clearly have something to lose by this stretched time,” he remarked. Speaking ahead of his arrival in Israel, Panetta ruled out talks on “potential attack plans” with the Israelis. “I think it’s the wrong characterisation to say that we’re going to be discussing potential attack plans,” he told reporters in Cairo. “What we are discussing are various contingencies on how we would respond.” Washington, he said, was continuing to “work on a number of options in that area.” He did not give further details. Speaking earlier, Barak thanked Panetta for bolstering ties between the two nations and said defence ties between Israel and the US were “stronger and tighter than they have ever been.”
‘Qaeda’ attack kills five in south Yemen ADEN AfP
Four Yemeni soldiers and a civilian were killed in an attack on Wednesday by AlQaeda militants on a police station in the southern town of Jaar, a local official said. “Members of Al-Qaeda attacked the station with automatic weapons and hurled a grenade, killing two soldiers and a civilian,” said the official. Two other soldiers died of wounds, the same official said later, adding that another soldier was wounded. The defence ministry news website 26Sept.net said that more than “20 terrorists” from the Al-Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Sharia attacked the post. Abdulaif Sayed, the chief of the local Popular Resistance Committees which fights the Islamists alongside the army, voiced fears of a return of Al-Qaeda militants to the town. In addition to Jaar, Al-Qaeda gunmen also controlled Abyan’s provincial capital of Zinjibar, which they overran in May last year before being driven out in a mid-June all-out offensive by the army. But militants remain in nearby mountains, Sayed said, complaining of an absence of security forces in the province.
AMRITSAR: An Indian consumer looks at ‘rakhi’ (sacred thread) on the eve of the Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan on Wednesday. AFP
EgyPt’S PM SElECtS nEW CAbinEt CAIRO AfP
Egypt’s Prime Minister Hisham Qandil has selected a new government in which the finance and foreign ministers from the outgoing cabinet will retain their posts, state television reported on Wednesday. Qandil was meeting with the ministers, including Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr and Finance Minister Mumtaz al-Said, a day before he was to formally unveil the cabinet, the Nile News channel reported.
A military official told AFP that army commander Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who served as Hosni Mubarak’s defence minister and then ruled the country after the dictator’s overthrow, will be defence minister. The premier selected Ahmed Gamal al-Din, a former deputy interior minister, as his new interior minister, the report said. Last week President Mohamed Morsi chose Qandil, irrigation minister in the outgoing cabinet, to select a new cabinet that would carry out an ambitious plan to quickly restore security and improve the economy. The military, which retains legislative powers after a court disbanded the Islamist-dominated parliament in June, just before Morsi took office, retains control of the budget in line with the country’s interim constitution. It was also expected to have a say in the appointment of the foreign minister and finance minister, whose budget was fiercely opposed by the parliament dominated by Morsi’s
Muslim Brotherhood. Qandil had said he wanted a government of technocrats selected on the basis of their competence. Secular allies of Morsi during the election have opposed his appointment of Qandil, also said to be an Islamist, and warned against a cabinet dominated by Islamists. Two of men whose appointments have been publicised — Education Minister Mostafa Mosad and Housing Minister Tareq Wafiq — belong to the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, a party spokesman told AFP. The new government will take office amid a power struggle between Morsi and the military, which aside from its legislative powers has the right to veto any articles in the draft of a new constitution. The military, which ruled Egypt between Mubarak’s overthrow in February 2011 and Morsi’s inauguration on June 30, will hold on to its powers until a new parliament is elected, possibly by the end of the year.
Police warn Parisians to keep clothes on in summer heat pARIS: French police have warned Parisians to keep their clothes on or face fines and even imprisonment as residents began flocking to parks and the banks of the River Seine to bask in the summer sun. In a statement posted on its website, the Paris police prefecture outlined rules for basking in the sun outdoors and at the popular Paris Plages annual event that has sandy beaches and deckchairs laid out on the river bank. Police said it is not forbidden “when the thermometer rises a few degrees to put on your best bathing suit and find a little corner of grass or the welcoming banks of the Seine to put down your towel.” But it noted that bathing suits should not be worn in official city parks and that dress should be “decent and in accordance with good morals and public order.” Those wearing inappropriate dress could be fined at last 38 euros ($47) and face fines of up to 3,750 euros and two years in jail if suspected of soliciting sex, police said. And nudity is completely out of the question. “Any outfit that allows for the genital area or breasts to be seen constitutes sexual exhibition and is punishable by a year in prison,” police said. AfP
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10 Comment Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami
Arif Nizami
The bilateral envoy Munter was, perhaps, the best friend US and Pakistan could have
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
Challenges before CeC A whole lot of them
MUSingS
s CEC Ebrahim put it on Tuesday, the first phase of electioneering has started with the publication of the voters lists. The claim that the lists are error free will be tested when they become accessible to the voters. For this they should be made available at the ECP website and, for a nominal fee, accessible in the form of CDs, as suggested by PILDAT. As fresh CNICs would continue to be made during the remainder of the government’s tenure, the EC should institute a system whereby future voter registration is automatically carried out at the time of issuance of CNICs. For the elections to be fair and free, the EC has to ensure effective curbs on the use of money and muscle power, which play a negative role in every elections, thus barring the entry of the middle class candidates in the legislatures. A realistic ceiling needs to be imposed on the maximum election expenses. Proper checks have to be maintained to ensure that the limits are not transgressed. An agreed code of conduct for political parties should be worked out to curb unfair practices. What is equally important is an effective machinery to enforce the measures. It has to be ensured that the President, Governors and key bureaucrats associated with the present governments at the center and provinces do not misuse their powers to influence the outcome of the elections. In certain constituencies women continue to be debarred from voting. The EC has to ensure that this does not happen. The fact that male voters have a numerical predominance in certain areas indicates that women are discouraged from getting CNICs. Thus already a fairly significant portion of the women remains disenfranchised. The CEC needs to take measures to remedy this. Disputes about elections also arise due to the centralised counting of votes. To stop any possible malpractices and allay apprehension, there has to be a live posting of polling stations-wise (progressive) voting results on the ECP website. What is highly important is a public awareness campaign before the elections to raise the voter turnout which compared to other Asian countries is much lower in Pakistan. Lawmakers reaching assemblies on the basis of the support of a mini minority lack prestige. One of the reasons for low voting is the relatively small number of polling stations requiring voters to travel long distances. The problem is particularly acute in Balochistan. For this there should be more polling stations while the EC should also arrange transport for voters as it did in the recent Multan by-elections.
hen I first met Cameron Munter, there was a light exchange of his travails, which I jokingly put down to his business — diplomacy — especially, in his position as ambassador. Quoting Sir Henry Wotton, the English author, diplomat and politician, I said, “After all, an ambassador is supposed to be (emphasis mine) an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country”. There is interesting history attached to what is one of the more famous quotes on the circuit. As the 36-year-old Sir Henry Wotton passed through Germany on his first foray into Italy as ambassador, he stayed some days at Augusta (Augsburg) in 1604: where, having been in his former travels many of the best note for learning and ingenuity, he was requested by Christopher Flecamore to write some sentence in his albo (a book of white paper). Sir Henry Wotton, consenting to the motion, took an occasion from some accidental discourse of the present company to write the definition of an ambassador thus: Legatus est vir bonus peregrè missus ad mentiendum Reipublicae causâ. This, Sir Henry Wotton could have been content, should have been thus Englished: “An ambassador is an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country”. This is not a comment on Munter though, whose pragmatism and holistic vim was best suited to the world’s most critical bilaterals. As much as he enjoyed the joke, the bare truth is that the ambassador was, perhaps, the best friend both the US and Pakistan could have hoped for in his avatar. Ironically, neither side showed much inclination to understand, much less appreciate, the demanding role he was pitch forked
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By kamran Rehmat
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into thanks to the mulish approach of the two sides as their ties deteriorated. He is leaving for home after only 18 months into the job. While Munter was regularly into the crosshairs of an agonizing battle for primacy between the Department of State, his parent body, and Department of Defense, over who should run America’s Pakistan policy, he also had the unenviable task of finding a consensus view in Islamabad with the PPP government and the military locked in their own bubble over owning up the decision to unblock the Nato supply routes following a long drawn out parliamentary review. Given to the historical view about the American envoy being a viceroy — an impression reinforced by Munter’s predecessor, the headmistress-like Anne W Patterson, who was always running up and down the country as if governing Pakistan — the incumbent also suffered from standard cynicism. One felt this was unfair given that while Ms Patterson simply carried out her brief from Washington with a starched eyebrow, and found plenty of genuflecting hosts in the higher echelons in Islamabad/Rawalpindi — WikiLeaks offered rich vistas of her ‘matriarchal reign’ — the astute Munter was always trying to find common ground with a sensitive handling of intricate issues at hand. It didn’t help that episodes like the one involving Raymond Davis, the raid that took out Osama bin Laden and the unfortunate blitz on Salala check post apart from the highly controversial drone policy regularly tested his resolve. It is common knowledge in the diplomatic circles of Islamabad that though Munter defended the drone strikes policy in public since that remains Washington’s uncompromised stance, he was privately, miffed at its unilateral and brazen use. Recently, he was quoted by The New York Times as complaining to his bosses that “he
did not realize his main job was to kill people” in reference to the high casualty figures, including innocent women and children, that the drone strikes have claimed. The CIA, whose ‘militarized avatar’ gained ground after the induction of General David Petraeus as director, is predictably gung-ho. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, who helmed the CIA from February 2009 till July 2011, is now comfortably ensconced to lead a hard edged policy. The general perception viz-a-viz the White House is that in an election year, it has willy-nilly gone along with the Department of State if only to look tough John Wayne-style. Munter’s call for restraint, for instance, in the wake of the highly controversial release of Raymond Davis last year was met by the deadliest drone strike hours after the CIA contractor was whisked away following a contentious compensation deal with the heirs of the Pakistani citizens he killed in Lahore. His deep frustration stemmed from how the Department of State had fallen in the shadows of the Department of Defense in terms of decision-making. Back in DC, Munter diligently pushed for a proactive mien to salvage ties with Pakistan, arguing that widespread anti-US sentiment in the country was not necessarily a sign of hostility to the US but one of overriding disappointment with the results of the relationship going back to the Cold War. If there’s some solace he will take back with him it is that he was able to contribute in putting the bilaterals back on track with the reopening of Nato supply routes after Secretary Clinton’s diluted expression of regret over the Salala blitz. His imploring that an apology be extended to get a move-on found no takers. Perhaps, the best service Mr and Mrs Munter did their hosts was to engage with all strata of Pakistanis on the social circuit, and those outside it, with warmth. They genuinely exhorted the younger generation to have confidence in their abilities and pull the country on her feet. Their charm, and pragmatism, will surely be missed. The writer is a senior journalist based in Islamabad and can be reached at kaamyabi@gmail.com
Romney’s world view not much different from that of the present Administration
Washington Watch By Dr James J Zogby
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epublican presidential aspirant Mitt Romney is visiting the UK, Poland, and Israel this week in an effort to broaden his foreign policy exposure. Pledging not to be critical of the President while overseas, in the days before his departure Romney laid out his differences with President Obama in an address to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and an interview with the Israeli daily newspaper Israel Hayom, which is owned by controversial casino owner and founder of Islamophobic propaganda, Sheldon Adelson. If Romney's VFW remarks were intended as a preview of the policies he would pursue, they were a disappointment. His speech was long on rhetorical flourish, but short on detail. His criticism
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
of President Obama was harsh and unrelenting. Romney charged that this Administration had "diminished American leadership”, “weakened the military”, fomented a "national security crisis,” and "betrayed the trust that allies place in the United States.” Delivering lines that sounded as if they had been prepared in the thick of the Cold War by speechwriters for President Ronald Reagan, Romney affirmed his belief that "our country is the greatest force for good the world has ever known"; that America must have "the strongest military in the world"; and declared his "one overwhelming conviction and passion" that "this must be an American Century" in which "we lead the free world and the free world leads the entire world.” If this all sounds Reaganesque or a replay of a George W Bush speech, it is precisely because many of Romney's foreign policy advisers come out of the "Project for a New American Century,” the group created by the acolytes of the Reagan era who then populated the Bush Administration. George W Bush's rhetoric often conflated the good/evil world view of neo-conservatism with the Manichaeism of right-wing Christian Fundamentalism. In Romney's case, there is a disturbing mix of neo-conservative hawkishness and militaristic American supremacy with Mormonism's narrative of divinely ordained American exceptionalism. Just as Bush's interpretation of Christianity was
not shared by most Christians, Romney's America-on-steroids is a minority view among Mormons. Beyond the rhetoric, there was little else that was noteworthy in Romney's foreign policy preview. As others have observed, many of his criticisms of the Obama Administration were either wrong on facts, splitting hairs, or just plain bad policy. For example, when Romney accuses President Obama of proposing "arbitrary, across-the-board...massive defense cuts,” he ignores the fact that these cuts are not Obama's but the result of a Congressionally-mandated agreement, owing to Congress' failure to behave responsibly and raise the debt ceiling. And Romney’s charge that this Administration would "weaken... the VA system" is off base. The President has, in fact, increased spending on veterans. In other areas it is difficult to see where the policies advocated by candidate Romney differ significantly from those of the White House. For example, despite his rejection of Obama's Afghan policy or current policy toward Syria, Romney ends up supporting very much the same approach to both. And the accusation that this Administration has betrayed European allies like Poland and the Czech Republic may score some points at home with disaffected ethnic communities hailing from Eastern Europe, but the reality is that both countries
appear quite satisfied with the commitments they have received from President Obama. Other than criticizing the way the US has handled relations with Egypt, a country undergoing dramatic transformations, and Russia, a country that is increasingly asserting itself, Romney offers no prescriptions for a meaningful change in policy. Romney reserves his sharpest criticism for the way President Obama has handled Israel's difficult Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. This may sit well with some pro-Likud American Jews and right-wing Christians, but it ignores recent history and the imperative for American policymakers to find a solution to the profoundly unsettling Arab-Israeli conflict—an issue Romney conveniently fails to mention. And while sounding more threatening toward and less willing to negotiate with Iran than the Obama Administration, it is not clear how Romney would deal with that country's nuclear program other than by going to war. What is deeply disturbing in all of this is the fact that Romney continues to demonstrate how out of touch he is with the changing world the Obama Administration has inherited. Romney describes the world of today as a "dangerous, destructive, chaotic” place. But it was the reckless and neglectful policies of the Bush Administration, not the Obama Administration, that created this state of affairs. Two failed wars, a failure to use
diplomacy when it might have made a difference, a penchant for unilateralism, and a reliance on practices that violated the rule of law and tarnished America's image, all combined to produce widespread anti-American sentiment, an expansion and emboldening of extremist movements, and a weakening of American allies. The Obama Administration started out determined to change course. There have been some successes in rebuilding frayed relations with NATO allies and some Asian and Latin American nations. But when faced with strong domestic pressure in other areas, notably in the Middle East, the Administration's resolve weakened. On too many occasions they failed to build public consensus around alternative approaches to peace-making, to fighting extremism, and to supporting democratic reform. Instead, they resigned themselves to a variation of existing policy—taking the path of least resistance. But even with the justifiable criticisms that can be offered of the Obama Administration's conduct, it must be said that Romney’s full-throated endorsement of the failed policies of the Bush era is far more worrisome. This is what we heard from the GOP's candidate this week before he left. We will, no doubt, hear more upon his return. The writer is President of the ArabAmerican Institute.
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Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan. Fax: +92-42-36298302. E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk. Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively.
Claims of an engineer A Pakistani engineer, Agha Waqar, has claimed that he has invented a water kit/ device which enables the automobiles to run on water instead of gasoline. During last few days, he has held various demonstrations to prove the device functioning, which were attended by several scientists, engineers and politicians. It has been a dream for scientists to find a cheaper energy source which can reduce our dependence on fossils fuels. A number of research based experiments at individual and corporate level were carried out across the globe during last several decades but none of them was commercially viable. Agha claims that with one litre of distilled water, a light car can run around 40KM. If true we are entering in a new era of unlimited and abundant energy. Agha’s device uses the car battery to draw current to electrolyze the water into its components – hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen is used to run the car engine which in turn keeps charging the battery to supply the required current for ongoing electrolysis process. In other words, it’s a perpetual action --- energy is producing energy, enough to run an engine and to regenerate itself. As per existing governing physics laws, it’s an impossible act --we need more energy to produce certain amount of energy. Agha has astonished the whole nation with this invention; but then again this is not the first time such claim has been made. Previously, several such claimants (scientists and engineers) died in mysterious conditions, or killed/poisoned, or jailed on fraud charges. It’s being suggested that if Agha is confident of his device’s functioning, he shall, without any further delay, apply to patent the water kit. By doing so, he will have to produce all the required scientific data and proofs to justify his claim. That will end any speculation about the functioning of such an unimaginable invention. Keep fingers crossed, interesting days ahead. MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arabia
Social transformation 9/11 has been the most potent conflict transformer for South Asia as it has not only altered the security dynamics of the entire region but has massively impacted the social, political and economical conditions to a considerable extent where we can kiss every prospect of a return to the pre-9/11 setting goodbye. The security situation has altered permanently. The sheer brutality of the suicide attacks that have rocked the Pakistani land have shaken the people on multiple levels and scales. The physical loss of lives, property and other possessions is just one aspect that may bring pain and misery but the trauma of living under a terrorized atmosphere of perpetual fear and apprehension, irreversibly impacts the psyche. The political climate is as chaotic as ever with vicious rumors of Zardari being re-elected for another five
women police The police system in Pakistan is still working with a command and control model where the males are dominating the overall structure. It needs serious attention in order to accommodate women. The present structure of police department is not providing a level playing field where women can be injected in this department, and the women that are already a part of this department are not being properly empowered. This lack of empowerment is a great hurdle for women police officers. We have to strengthen our women police by giving them proper trainings. It is very much important to bring women police officers in the mainstream so that they can be in a better position. Despite all these mounting challenges, women officers are still outperforming their counterparts with good results. They will also have a positive impact on our society. By empowering women police officers, we will be in a better position to indentify different problems related with our women and will solve them in a proper way. MUHAMMAD UZAIR NIAZI Mianwali
roadside iftar Pakistani people always stand at the front row when it comes to helping others. They have always stood together with the affected people of natural calamities in Pakistan. Their enthusiasm reaches to its peak especially in the month of Ramadan. And this is the way to reduce the intensity of the victims’ misery with their kindness and open handedness. For many years, the people of Karachi used to arrange roadside iftars, dastarkhwans/stalls voluntarily for travelers and needy people during
years. All state institutions at daggers drawn with each other, there hardly seems a political will being exercised in the country. The judiciary runs amok without achieving much in terms of law and order, while the armed forces are left to their own devices to take major decisions over policy matters. The growing trust deficit between Pakistan and the US can also be translated as the political inability to forge strong relationships with other nations to further the national interest. To become isolated at this crucial stage where the endgame draws dangerously near and Pakistan would be in the best position to consolidate its gains, is hardly a sensible decision. The mishandling of the Salala controversy and the issue regarding reopening of the ground lines of communication for Nato goods are just a few among hundreds that have served to damage Pakistan
the whole month of Ramadan and it has now become a tradition. People belonging to different strata of society set up free iftar stalls on the roadside to facilitate hundreds of passers-by without any discrimination of cast and ideology. An estimate suggests that thousands of small and big iftar dastarkhwans are set up in every Ramadan in almost all parts of the city. Even worst condition of law and order situation in the city and ever-rising inflation, couldn’t refrain Karachiites from their hospitality. Temporary roadside tables and mats are set up by charity workers preparing free iftar for the poor, needy and lonely. To one’s amusement there’s no shortage of funds for setting up these stalls as people of the metropolis are lionhearted in this regard. One can easily notice such iftar stalls at I I Chandigarh Road, M A Jinnah Road, Shahra-e-Faisal, Shah Waliullah Road, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, University Road, Shahra-e-Quaideen, Tariq Road, Zaibu Nisa Street, Khayaban-eShamshir, Main Saba, Gizri, Sea View, Rashid Minhas Road, Saphoora Chowrangi, Malir, Model Colony Hyderi Market, Meena Bazaar Karimabad, Laloo Khait, Five Star Chowrangi, Samama Market and many other areas. Residents of posh areas also set up iftar camps outside their residences and it can also been seen outside different mosques. Ramadan is a festive season in Pakistan when people make donations, do charities and perform all recommended good deeds to get blessings of Allah Almighty. Different volunteers distribute iftar boxes among commuters and passengers of buses, cars and vehicles. Burns Road is a famous food street in the southern part of the city in Karachi. The concept of street iftar stalls was originally introduced by the dwellers of Burns Road to help people trapped in massive traffic
in terms of tarnishing its image and proving detrimental to its interest. The social fabric is in tatters. Intolerance is on a continuous rise where the best policy one can adopt is of muted conformity. Multiple views and ideologies circulate and are thrust upon the public through brute force. What people have learned from the religious extremists or Taliban is that the best manner in which one can get ones message across is through forceful imposition. Where morality takes a nose dive, wickedness rears its ugly head to consume a society in its entirety. Keeping everything in view we must realize that not everything may be in our control, but surely not everything is out of it too. We need to see what we can actually do that may bring about the transformation that we are hoping for. LUBNA UMAR Islamabad
jam. The tradition has since moved to eastern and western parts of the Karachi as well. These roadside stalls clearly reveal the open-heartedness of Karachiites despite skyrocketing prices of basic commodities. This culture of setting stalls for iftar in the metropolis tell us that there is a lot more to praise about Pakistan rather than talking about its street crimes, pollution, target killings and traffic jams. AREEBA REHMAN Karachi
Massacre in Myanmar Hundreds of Muslims have been brutally killed in Myanmar (Burma) but in Pakistan few protests have been witnessed. Political parties, civil societies and so-called free media have not highlighted this issue. On Social networking websites, killing of Muslims has been discussed a lot and people have also condemned this hostile act. Jamaat-e-Islami has protested against killing in Rawalpindi. JUI-F has announced to hold protest rallies against killing of the innocent Muslims and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has also protested against these killings. But all of these protests which have been held till now have been on small scale and media has also not shown these protests. Pakistani electronic and print media which eagerly highlights the death news of Indian actors should realise the seriousness of this issue and should showcase these killings. MUBASHIR MAHMOOD Karachi
The audacity to ridicule Ex-Chief of Sarhad Hydel Development Organization (SHYDO) has the audacity to ridicule ANP leaders for load
shedding in KPK and Pakistan. The fact of the matter is that since 1960-70's when the thermal power units were installed (on 5-6 year contracts) no other power production project were undertaken in Pakistan until 2008, when PPP came into power and we first faced load shedding in Pakistan. SHYDO is a Provisional organization that was to develop all the 50MW and below hydel power projects in KPK. But in its 30 years of existence, SHYDO has not constructed any project. SHYDO has completed a number of feasibility studies (via funds from GTz and other foreign funded organizations) but has not acted on any of these studies in two decades. The last time I checked, in 2010, SHYDO had a fund of 200 crore rupees in the organizations NIB bank account. And in the last 2 decades, SHYDO has only been saving this fund in its accounts, and had not spent a single rupee in developing any hydel projects in KPK. KPK has more than 60,000 MW hydel potential, but with hydel power the construction time takes a very long time. For example, SHYDO had identified potential of 4500MW hydel dam at Dasu and also at Basha in 1970's. The feasibility of Dasu dam said that it would take 4 years to construct the dam, and then another 3 years to fill the dam with enough water so it can start producing electricity. So Mr Ex-Chief SHYDO, you should not be complaining about others work because you yourself has not done anything for this country, this province or these people. You, like many others in SHYDO, spent your time getting your salaries only and did not do a single days worth of honest work. If you had honestly worked, then today SHYDO would have completed all the old projects and we in KPK would not have to face any load shedding at all. SHAHRYAR KHAN BASEER Peshawar
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PEOPLE FIND ME SEX-CITING: MALLIKA B
OLLYWOOD superstar Rajesh Khanna, who passed away on July 18, has apparently left nothing for his estranged wife Dimple Kapadia in his will. The actress was by his side like a shadow, in his last days. According to reports, the veteran actor has given everything to his two daughters, Twinkle and Rinkie, which includes his bungalow Aashirwad, bank accounts and other assets. Reportedly, he made his will just weeks before his death. Rajesh Khanna-Dimple Kapadia tied the knot in 1973 and separated in 1984 but never formally divorced. Khanna was in a live-in relationship with Anita Advani, who had earlier said that she doesn't want any share in his property. The family is planning to convert his home into a museum. newS deSK
Pattinson shies from press after cheating scandal
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OBERT Pattinson has decided he's not ready to face the press in the wake of girlfriend Kristen Stewart's "momentary indiscretion" with 'Snow White and the Huntsman' director Rupert Sanders. According to Entertainment Tonight, the 26-year-old actor has canceled an upcoming press appearance in the US for his new film 'Cosmopolis,' Us Magazine reported. The film is set to premiere soon in NYC, but it is unknown if Pattinson will be in attendance. However, a rep for the actor has since told Gossip Cop, "No confirmed engagements have been canceled. Any reports to the contrary are inaccurate." According to reports on Tuesday, Pattinson has been easing his pain after the scandal by partying with friends in his hometown of London. newS deSK
Mila Kunis’ first ride in the bus
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CTRESS Mila Kunis once freaked out when she was forced to take the bus to the set of "That '70S Show" after one heated argument her dad refused to let her use her car. The 28-year-old found fame as a teenager on the show and lived with her parents for the duration of her TV stint. "I was living with my parents when I was working on 'That '70s Show' and one time I got into a fight with my dad and he threatened to take my car keys away," dailystar.co.uk quoted Kunis as saying. "I woke up the next morning to go to the set and my keys were gone and there was bus fare and a note saying: 'Good luck'. I freaked out as I had never taken the bus before and I had no idea how to do it," she said. newS deSK
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
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As Jism 2 gears up for release this Friday, the film gets embroiled in numerous controversies. While Sunny Leone's effigies were burnt in Amritsar yesterday, there're reports that the movie poster is copied. A few days ago, a PIL was also slammed against Sunny Leone in the Allahabad High Court. The film's track Yeh Jism, is also said to be copy of a Turkish song. Jism 2 is a sequel to 2003 flick Jism which had John Abraham and Bipasha Basu in the lead roles.The film is slated for August 3 release. Here's a look at the top 5 controversies bugging the film. Jism 2 poster It has emerged that Jism 2 poster got inspired from a Felix Bendish's visual for a fashion show in 2010. Designer Felix told missmalini.com, “I did this shoot with photographer Kenny Zaveri from Mumbai in 2008, which I only used two years later (as a promo poster) for my fashion show in Goa in December 2010. The collection was entitled ‘skin’. Kenny came up with this concept and then we proceeded with our stlying and shows in 2010. Because my collection, was a based on racisim and female foeticide, we thought this image was perfect for the concept. Thankfully its on record with the goa press.” NO SUNNY LEONE IN JISM 2 fIRST pOSTER: Yes, you read it right. The mystery girl in the first poster of Jism 2 is not Sunny Leone. In fact it's the Dan Dan girl Nathalia Kaur, who has graced the poster. Pooja Bhatt told a daily, "A year ago, when it was being speculated that the film will feature either Bipasha Basu
or Mallika Sherawat, I decided to whet people's appetite with a sexy poster. I called my friend, photographer Joy Datta, who deals with dusky Brazilian models, for options. I chose Nathalia from amongst the ones he showed me." Now we know why Ram Gopal Varma said that Nathalia is Pooja's discovery! pROTEST AgAINST SUNNY LEONE: Activists of Bhagwan Valmiki Shakti Sena shouted slogans against the film Jism 2, as they burnt effigies of actress Sunny Leone and director Pooja Bhatt during a demonstration in Amritsar. The demonstrators reportedly protested against vulgarity shown in the Bollywood film. pIL AgAINST SUNNY LEONE: A PIL has been slammed against Sunny Leone in the Allahabad High Court. The PIL was filed by Rakesh Nayayik, a resident of Varanasi. It seeks a stay on the release of the film, and has challenged the provisions of the law which define the powers of the Censor Board in India. It objects to the presence of the Canadian adult film actress Sunny Leone in the film. Advocate SMA Kazmi, the legal counsel who is handling the case, said, “We have sought a stay order on the release of Jism 2 because of the sexually explicit content of the movie, and the inclusion of Sunny Leone in the film, for the adverse moral impact
jessiCA siMPson
CELEBRITIES IN
rajesh ignores dimple Kapadia in his will
HILE the first look of her upcoming Bollywood film Kismat, Love, Paisa, Dilli was being unveiled in a mall in Mumbai, Mallika Sherawat kept talking about her Hollywood lifestyle in a candid chat with TOI. However, her hero Vivek Oberoi was not too impressed. Flaunting her Cannes connections, the actress said, "I told the producers and Vivek that we should have unveiled the first look at Cannes. The film is young and cocky. It would have been fun to see how people react to it. But they just did not agree." And though the actress looked a bit crestfallen, Vivek refused to agree even now. "I'm a realist. As a desi hero, I understand that the audience for a film based in Delhi is more in India than anywhere else. Why should I take KLPD to Cannes? Shouldn't I take a film that talks about Indian ethos and culture?" said Vivek. Though Mallika momentarily seemed to agree with Vivek, she could hardly get over her Los Angeles lifestyle. "Trust me, the lifestyle there is so hassle free. Clean air, cleaner roads, safety, security... everything there is perfect for a happy life. LA is so unlike Mumbai. Here, we are so tired traveling because of the traffic. The unhygienic conditions are also bad for the system," said Mallika, who interestingly wasn't too unhappy with the Mumbai crowd and happily wore just a tee shirt into the mall. When she suggested that Vivek too should shift base to LA, he simply shot back, "LA for me is Lonavla. And I believe the air there is far cleaner too." Obviously, the much married actor failed to take into consideration the several parties and dances that Mallika seems to be enjoying these days. But tell her that and she would only keep a finger on her lips and say, "Shush." But she did let slip that she may be on to a Hollywood project next. And with her fascination for all things Hollywood, its not too surprising either. "I like the fact that people find me sex-citing," the actress said and added that if she was to rate any one Bollywood actress who's as bold as her, it would be Vidya Balan. "She is an inspiration for me. And I really love the way she makes intimate scenes look effortless, which many actresses fail to do," said Mallika. CoURTeSy Toi
Cowboy hAts…
that her presence would have on society.” JISM 2 SONg COpIED: Pooja Bhatt's film Jism 2 has been in the news for all the wrong reasons -one of them being the tittle track Yeh Jism, which is said to be copy of a Turkish song. Debutant music composer Arko Pravo Mukherjee denies that and says these are just rumours. "I don't care about these rumours. There is some similarity in the beginning of three more songs but these things happen. It was not a conscious decision to copy. This song is totally different," Mukherjee told IANS . A doctor by profession, Mukherjee left Kolkata four years ago and came to Mumbai with a dream of making music for Bollywood and feels fortunate to start his career with Jism 2. It is very important to get the 'right break' in the industry, says Mukherjee. "It often happens that you make songs for a film but due to some reasons, the movie does not get made. It happened to me thrice. This is very common. I am lucky that I am making my debut with Jism 2," he added. CoURTeSy HT
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gotye on sex change rumors and video parodies
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E quickly squashed a death rumor soon after it hit Twitter earlier this month. But is the "Somebody That I Used to Know" singer becoming‌a woman?! "Apparently there's been a sex change hoax as well," Gotye told me the other day when I caught up with him in New York City. But he doesn't mind if you think he's becoming some man that you used to know. Oh? Asked if he wanted to set the story straight during this interview, the 32-year-old Belgian-Australian (real name: Wouter "Wally" De Backer) laughed, "Do I have to? Maybe it's fun keeping it open." Fun is also the gazillion or so video parodies of "Somebody That I Used to Know." "There are a bunch that I've seen that I've enjoyed," Gotye admits. "I've certainly had a good laugh at some of them. newS deSK
beyonCe
britney sPeArs
sArAh jessiCA PArKer MAry j. blige KAte Middleton And PrinCe williAM Cowboy hats are back with a vengeance. All the gloom and doom about cowboy hats early this year must have had some distributors wondering if they were going to eat their entire inventory of wholesale cowboy hats. First, many fashion reports said cowboy hats were finished. next Accessories Magazine ran their 2007 retail sales report that stated the worst performer in headwear for department stores in 2007 was cowboy hats. then the unoďŹƒcial start of the summer season arrived with Memorial day weekend and cowboy hats were suddenly back on the fast track.
jessica biel angry with Cameron diaz
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CTRESS Jessica Biel was furious when she found out fiance Justin Timberlake's exgirlfriend actress Cameron Diaz is still in love with him. Diaz, who dated Timberlake from 2003 to late 2006 and starred with him in the 2011 movie " Bad Teacher", said in an interview she will always love him in different ways. Sources says Diaz's comment sent Biel hopping mad. "Jessica has always been threatened by Cameron's close relation-ship with Justin. And she believed Cameron was saying that if Justin was having second thoughts about the wedding, she would be waiting for him with open arms," showbizspy.com quoted a source as saying. "Jessica was deeply concerned that Justin could be getting cold feet about marriage. She basically told him that if he didn't cut contact with Cameron, he could forget about marrying her," added the source. newS deSK
CONTROVERSIES Madonna concert causes riot
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ADONNA has hit back at reports that claimed that a riot broke out at her Paris concert because her show lasted just 45 minutes. Earlier reports had suggested that fans were angry that she played only ten songs, but the 53-yearold has taken to her official site to clarify the controversy. "Playing the Olympia was a magical moment for me and it was real treat to do this special show for my fans and be so close to them," News.com. quoted her as writing on the site. "Unfortunately at the end of the show - after I left the stage - a few thugs who were not my fans rushed the stage and started throwing plastic bottles pretending to be angry fans. The press reports have focused on this and not the joyous aspect of the evening. But nothing can take away or ruin this very special evening for me and my fans. When I looked out in the audience, everyone I saw had a smile on their face. I look forward to having this wonderful experience again," she wrote. TMZ had reported that the people in audience who staged the riot were not angry about the shortened set, but rather about the pop icon's use of a video featuring a swastika. newS deSK
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
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Infotainment 14 world’s biggest watergun fight held in ny New York-based “prank collective” Improv Everywhere have just pulled off their latest impressive stunt, which is well worth a watch if you’ve got six minutes (or thereabouts) to spare. In a nutshell? More than 4,000 people took place in the “MP3 Experiment”, which involved listening to an MP3 and collectively following the instructions of narrator, Steve The Omnipotent Voice From Above. (Ah, we do like a man with a catchy name.) Key activities carried out by the crowd included following and high-fiving unsuspecting passers-by, striding round with sheets over their heads and - best of all - taking part in a gigantic water gun battle. What japes! nEWS dESK
The strange story of Nelson Mandela’s clothing line controversy is brewing in South Africa over Nelson Mandela’s reported involvement in a clothing line. When news broke earlier this month that the former South African leader had launched a line of branded apparel, portions of the proceeds from which would support one of his charities, the media covered it as a curiosity: a Nelson Mandela clothing line? And Nelson Mandela’s involvement was, at least according to the media who covered the line’s launch, a given. “Nelson Mandela’s Clothing Line ‘46664’ Debuts In The U.S. (PHOTOS)” went the Huffington Post headline. Trade publication Women’s Wear Daily, which had been reporting on the clothing line since 2011, wrote that the Nelson Mandela Foundation “oversees” the clothing brand in question, which it said in another story was “founded by Nelson Mandela.” Styleite was just one of many news sources to refer to the brand, known as 466/64 after Mandela’s Robben Island prisoner ID number, as “Nelson Mandela’s Fashion Line.” (It helpfully noted that the brand name was “pronounced ‘four, double six, six four.’”) After the North American launch, the Daily Beast wrote in its lede: New York Fashion Week, held semi-annually in September and February, features collections from the likes of Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Diane von Furstenberg. But next season will feature an unusual addition to that lineup: Nelson Mandela. But now, a spokesperson for the Nelson Mandela Foundation says that 466/64 has no affiliation with Mandela and is misleading the public by claiming an association with the former president and humanitarian hero. Says the organization in a statement: “466/64 Fashion is making false claims that it is tied to Nelson Mandela — it is not, nor does it benefit him or his foundations. They are deliberately misleading people in the fashion industry — the name ‘Nelson Mandela’ is not to be used in conjunction with any commercial products. They cleverly use his quotes in their advertising, but this is not his line of clothing; he did not launch
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it, nor is he associated with it.” This is interesting because the clothing brand and the Mandela Foundation appeared to enjoy a much cozier relationship until recently. As late as September of 2011, Tokyo Sexwale — who is the South African Minister of Human Settlements, a former political prisoner held at Robben Island, and a Nelson Mandela Foundation board member — was telling the press nice, positive things about 466/64 and its relationship with Mandela and his legacy. “466/64 Apparel is not just another brand,” said Sexwale, “but a way of giving back to an organization that is intimately connected with the legacy of this country’s greatest leader.” For its part, 466/64 maintains that it is the official, licensed apparel brand of a charity associated with Mandela — just not of the Mandela Foundation: A spokeswoman for 466/64 Fashion explained that the 46664 trademark (which takes its name from the prison number given to Mandela when he was incarcerated for life on Robben Island, South Africa) is managed by 46664 South Africa, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 to promote Nelson Mandela’s humanitarian legacy. “46664 South Africa has its own board of directors and is a separate entity to the Nelson Mandela Foundation,” said the statement. “46664 South Africa has officially licensed 466/64 Fashion. 466/64 Fashion’s mandate from 46664 South Africa is to establish a global fashion brand that can create a sustainable income stream in order to fund various humanitarian projects. 46664 South Africa’s ethos is not to use Mr. Mandela’s name and image commercially. 466/64 Fashion is therefore not Mr. Mandela’s clothing brand or line and should not be reported as such.” That may be what the brand says now, but until recently it certainly has played up its association with Mandela. Images distributed to the press featured quotes from Mandela, it launched in the U.S. at the South African consulate on Nelson Mandela International Day — which was also Nelson Mandela’s 94th birthday — and the reason
uFo spotted at London Olympics opening ceremony
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
so many publications (including us) have reported that 466/64 South Africa was associated with Nelson Mandela is because that’s what the 466/64 press materials said. 466/64 recently updated its Web site to remove both an FAQ section and the entire company “About” page (which now just redirects to the homepage). Cached versions of those pages reveal only a little more about the 466/64 business model, and nothing about whatever disagreement or controversy seems to have led the Mandela Foundation to disavow the brand. 466/64 apparel seems to be the product of a licensing deal between the 46664 South Africa foundation and a South African company called Brand ID, which 46664 authorized to sell apparel bearing the 466/64 brand. According to 466/64’s old FAQ, the deal was a typical flat fee + points licensing arrangement — Brand ID guaranteed 46664 a minimum annual fee plus a percentage of annual sales. The fee was not disclosed, but 466/64 said the guaranteed minimum “assists 46664 with long-term planning, through a sustainable income stream.” The percentage of annual sales to be given to the charity was 7%-9% — which might not sound like a lot, but given the margins on apparel is actually considered quite substantial. (Most celebrities, by contrast, get “points” of only 1-5% on their licensed apparel deals, although the numbers may be higher if the points are on net sales as opposed to gross.) Still, it must be said that buying clothing and accessories is a notably inefficient means of contributing to any charity. 466/64 also said that it would be producing at least 60% of its wares in South Africa to support the local textile and apparel manufacturing industry. And while it certainly made a lot of its purported connection to Mandela, it also said, “An important aspect of the license agreement 46664 is the protection of Mr Mandela’s Intellectual Property. This guards against the commercialisation of Mr Mandela’s name and image and other elements related to him within the terms of the license agreement.” CoURtESy JEzEbEl
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ANT proof that Danny Boyle and the gang put on the greatest show in the galaxy for the London 2012 Opening Ceremony? Well, even mysterious beings from other planets showed up to catch a glimpse. Possibly. Yes, it seems a UFO appeared over the Olympic Park in London just as the firework display erupted into full force, reports Examiner.com. Don’t believe us? Just look at this video, and you’ll clearly - well, sort of clearly - see how a mysterious disc-shaped object makes its first appearance in the top left-hand corner then travels across the sky above the stadium as if hoping to get a better look. Explanations? Well, it could have been a satellite, we suppose. Or another world monarch preparing to parachute from a blimp. But maybe - just maybe - it was a spaceship full of Mike Oldfield fans from Mars who’d heard their hero was in the area. Yes, the more we think about it, the more we’re convinced that last option is the most likely scenario. nEWS dESK
bird causes near-fatal destruction to airplane
A single bird is believed to be responsible for the strike that tore a large chunk out of the nose of United Airlines flight bound for Denver. Flight 1475 en route from Dallas/Ft. Worth managed to land safely with no injuries to the 151 passengers on board. “It didn’t affect the engines. It didn’t affect the landing gear from coming down at all,” aviation expert Steve Cowell told 7NEWS. “Passengers probably wouldn’t have felt anything, but the pilot certainly would have heard the smack of the bird on the nose.” Smithsonian Institution scientists will analyze the animal’s remains to determine the species involved. Some 9,622 bird strikes occurred in 2010 — up significantly from 1,793 in 1990, according to ABC News. Nearly three-quarters of all strikes happen less than 500 feet above ground. newS deSK
iConiC writer gore VidAl dies Groundbreaking gay author, screenwriter, political essayist, and playwright Gore Vidal died Tuesday at age 86, as reported on his official website. Vidal’s legacy includes penning The City and the Pillar, one of the first mainstream American novels to feature overtly gay characters. He is commonly regarded as an important figure in LGBT representation and sexual liberation. Throughout his career, he continued to incorporate gay themes. In the documentary The Celluloid Closet, Vidal admitted he had added overt homosexual subtext to his screenplay for Ben-Hur. Vidal was also a prolific and controversial political activist. He was a member of the leftwing World Can’t Wait organization and advocated the impeachment of George W. Bush. Vidal’s other works include the novels Myra Breckenridge, Lincoln, and Burr; his memoir Palimpsest; and the screenplays for Suddenly, Last Summer, Is Paris Burning, and Caligula. A revival of his play The Best Man is currently running on Broadway. nEWS dESK
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thursday, 2 August, 2012
is Phelps the greatest olympian of all? Page 18
World hockey champs Australia thrash Spain w
ye answers critics by gold
LONDON AfP
ORLD champions Australia routed 2008 Olympic silver medallists Spain 5-0 in men's Olympic field hockey on Wednesday. Opening up Spain's defence with frequent interchanges, Australia posted their second straight win to stay on top of Pool A with six points. The Netherlands also took their points tally to six from two outings in Pool B after posting a 3-1 victory over Belgium in a tough contest where the last goal for the Dutch came in the final minute when their opponents were pressing for an equaliser and were playing without a goalkeeper. Australia opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Russell Ford who deflected in a ball from Mark Knowles. Matthew Butturini was on target five minutes later after creating space. Simon Orchard's field goal in the 29th minute gave Australia a 3-0 lead at half-time. Glenn Turner collected a long pass on top of the circle to slam past the goalkeeper in the 40th minute and Edward Ockenden rounded off the scoring with a penalty corner conversion in the 69th minute. Ockenden, Australia's captain, said the team had played better than in their 6-0 win over South Africa on Monday. "The free-flowing play is what we like to do, but it doesn't always work out like that," said Ockenden. Spain, who now have just one point from two matches, saw seasoned player Pol Amat going off the pitch after colliding with an Australian de-
british PM's gold wish comes true LONDON AfP
Prime Minister David Cameron's wish came true Wednesday as host nation Great Britain won a first gold medal -- at last -- at the London Olympics. Britain had to wait till day five of the Olympics to strike gold, with rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning taking the women's pair title at Eton Dorney, west of London. Cameron was visiting the Giant's Causeway, the spectacular coastal rock formation in Northern Ireland, when he heard the news. "Can I first of all say how delighted I am about Heather and Helen's gold medal in the rowing -- an absolutely fantastic effort," he said. One of the stones at the causeway, worn away by visitors who sit in it for good luck, is known as the wishing chair. "I was sitting in the wishing chair, I was told I could make my wish. I won't say what it was, but as soon as I got back to my mobile phone I had the good news," he said. "Fantastic news. Well done to them, a great success for the United Kingdom team." The British press had joked on Wednesday that Cameron had "cursed" the team because when he attended the men's road race cycling and the pair's diving event featuring teenage star Tom Daley, Britain had failed to win a medal. Members of the Great Britain squad hoped the medal would prove an inspiration.
LONDON AfP
London: Australia's edward ockenden (L) vies for the ball with Juan fernandez of Spain during their London 2012 olympic Games hockey. AFP fender. Amat's injury came after Spain's star striker, Santi Freixa, suffered a fracture in the last match against Pakistan. Freixa has been ruled out of the tournament and replaced on the Spanish team
roster. "We'll see what happens to Pol. Without him and Santi it might get tougher for us," said Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Cortes. Mink van der Weerden converted two penalty corners for the
Netherlands against Belgium. After a goalless first half, he score seven minutes into the second session, but Belgium equalise with a penalty corner goal of their own by Jerome Dekeyser in the 58th minute.
China guarantee table tennis gold LONDON AfP
China made sure of their first table tennis gold at the London Olympics when world champion Ding Ning and Li Xiaoxia both reached the women's singles final on Tuesday. Their success also guaranteed China will maintain a 100 percent record in the event, having won every Olympic women's singles since table tennis first appeared in the Games at Seoul in 1988. Top seed Ding ended the hopes of one of the sport's brightest stars, Ai Fukuhara of Japan, and then won a controversy-tinged semi-final against
Singapore's Feng Tianwei 11-7, 11-4, 911, 12-10, 6-11, 11-6. On match point at 10-3, the encounter seemed to have been settled in Ding's favour, but after Feng hesitated, the Chinese left-hander acknowledged the ball had clipped the table on the way down on her side. "The umpire said that I had won the point, but I said what happened to show I play fair -- to show I'm not so very bad," she said. Ding won because she mixed close-to-the-table hitting and counterhitting, with mid-court containment, and some spectacular long-distance looping and lobbing, which brought a thunderous response from the crowd.
China became certain of gold when Li won 11-5, 11-4, 11-13, 11-6, 11-7 against Kasumi Ishikawa, the fourth seed from Japan. She beat Chineseborn Dutch player Li Jiao in her earlier match on Tuesday. The Chinese won every individual table tennis medal at Beijing 2008, underlining a dominance described as "devastating" by the sport's top administrator. Countries are limited to two men's and women's singles players each at the London Olympics. Wednesday's final will be a rematch of last year's world championships final won by Ding, who is also the Asian titleholder.
Teenager Ye Shiwen calmly deflected controversy over her super-fast swimming as she spearheaded China's quest for Olympic glory on Tuesday. Ye, repeating her denial of ever using drugs, said suspicions voiced by some observers did not affect her -- and had even spurred her on. The 16-year-old was speaking after setting a new Olympic record to win the 200m individual medley, as China won four more titles to maintain their lead in the medals table. "I don't feel upset or sad about what the media have been saying about me," Ye said. "I feel calm, but it just encouraged me to prove myself." Ye had aroused comment with her worldrecord 400m medley win, which included a last lap that was faster than men's winner Ryan Lochte. But she said she was "absolutely not" a drug cheat. "I do two-and-a-half hours (of training) every morning, two-and-a-half hours every afternoon and I have trained for nine years," said the tousle-haired teen. "I think everyone can achieve their goal. In my mind everyone can be a genius. I think in other countries people have won multiple medals and no one says anything about them, so why should they say these things about me?" Ye kicked home with now-trademark speed in the 200m medley, adding to China's golds in diving, weightlifting and fencing as they reached 13 golds on day four, four better than the United States. Lin Qingfeng won the men's -69kg class weightlifting, Lei Sheng was victorious in the men's foil fencing and China made it three out of three in diving as Chen Ruolin and Wang Hao clinched the women's 10m synchro platform. And China unofficially pocketed the women's table tennis -- for the seventh consecutive Games -- when Ding Ning and Li Xiaoxia set up an all-Chinese final.
Eight disqualified over badminton fixing scam LONDON AfP
Eight players involved in a match-fixing scandal at the Olympic badminton tournament have been disqualified, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed on Wednesday. But the eight players -- four from South Korea, two from Indonesia and two from China -- are appealing the decision, the body said, confirming an earlier AFP report. The eight players who were found to be involved in fixing also lost theior appeal against their ban and will lose their right to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio - and the outcome of the appeal hearing. 8 DISQUALIfIED OvER BADMINTON fIxINg - SOURCE: Eight players involved in a fixing scandal at the Olympic badminton tournament have been disqualified, a senior source with knowledge of the case told AFP on Wednesday. The eight women's doubles players -four from South Korea, two from Indonesia and two from China -- were disqualified following a disciplinary hearing of the Bad-
minton World Federation (BWF), the source told AFP. "They have been disqualified," said the source. The eight are Chinese are top seed Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli, South Korea's Ha Jung-Eun and Kim Min-Jung as well as Jung Kyung-Eun and Kim Ha-Na as well as Indonesian pair Meiliana Jauhari and Greysia Polii. ExpULSIONS AppLAUDED fOR BADMINTON fIxINg: Olympic badminton officials and players cheered the Badminton World Federation decision on Wednesday to disqualify eight women involved in a match-fixing scandal. Chinese top seeds Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang, Indonesia's Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari and South Korean duos Jung Kyung-Eun and Kim Ha-Na and Ha Jung Eun and Kim Min Jung were thrown out of the women's doubles event. Angry spectators booed and jeered as China's gold medal favourites swatted shuttlecocks beyond the boundaries and into the net and seemed to deliberately serve into the net, pairs wanting to lose to secure a better draw in the knockout rounds after a Chinese duo had been upset earlier.
London: A combination of pictures on August 1, 2012, shows eight badminton players that were disqualified wednesday in a match-fixing scandal at the olympic badminton tournament in London. (Top row L-r) South Korea's Kim Ha na, Ha Jung-eun, Kim Min-Jung, Jung Kyung-eun. (bottom row L-r) indonesia's Greysia Polii, Meiliana Jauhari and China's wang Xiaoli and yu yang. AFP
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England gather up for comeback in second Test E LEEDS AfP
NGLAND will seek to bounce back after what spin bowler Graeme Swann described as a "public humiliation" when they face South Africa in the second Test starting at Headingley on Thursday. England's ranking as the number one Test team is under threat after they were beaten by an innings and 12 runs in the first Test at the Oval last week, with the hosts taking only two wickets while South Africa piled up 637 runs in their only innings. Swann revealed that the England players spent two hours analysing their defeat immediately after the first Test and England coach Andy Flower insisted that confidence remains high and that the team could come back strongly. "We get ourselves into the right frame of mind by doing the things that we have been doing very well for the last couple of years," said Flower. "I have every confidence in our players that we can come back and play good cricket."
England will lose their number one ranking if the tourists win what is only a three-match series and so they need to bounce back quickly. However, they can draw some comfort from recent South African defeats which have followed innings wins. The Proteas beat India by an innings in the first Test in an away series in 2009/10 and a home series in 2010/11 only to lose the second Test each time, and that dubious feat was repeated at home against Sri Lanka in 2011/12. They also won the first Test against Australia last summer, albeit not by an innings, only to lose the second clash. With conditions likely to be more bowler-friendly at the Yorkshire ground than they were at the Oval, England will seek to exploit the potential weakness of South Africa's batting from number six down. Specialist batsmen Jacques Rudolph and JP Duminy did not bat at the Oval and failed to strike form in four innings apiece in warm-up games against county teams, while the South African tail does not have the batting
credentials of the England lower order. However, Rudolph, who spent five years playing for Yorkshire, brushed aside any concerns when he spoke to journalists on Tuesday. "The way we play the game we are not too results orientated," he said. "Going into Thursday we just have to make sure we stick to the same processes which I thought we did brilliantly in batting and bowling down at the Oval." South Africa will almost certainly stay with the team that triumphed at the Oval, while England will make at least one change following the withdrawal for personal reasons of batsman Ravi Bopara. Uncapped James Taylor was called into the squad and will make his debut unless England decide to go in with an extra bowler. Flower said, though, that a fourman attack had served England well and he did not see any reason to change the strategy. If Taylor does play he will come into the match in good form, having made 163 not out for Nottinghamshire against
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Sussex in a county match at the weekend. Tall fast bowler Steven Finn, who was in the squad but did not play at the Oval, could be brought in to provide more penetration to the England bowling attack in place of Yorkshire pace bowler Tim Bresnan. Probable teams and officials for the second Test between England and South Africa starting at Headingley here on Thursday: ENgLAND (fROM): Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, James Taylor, Matt Prior (wkt), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions SOUTH AfRICA (LIKELY): Graeme Smith (capt), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (wkt), Jacques Rudolph, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir UMpIRES: Steve Davis, Rod Tucker (both AUS) Tv UMpIRE: Asad Rauf (PAK) MATCH REfEREE: Jeff Crowe (NZL)
State bank dominates Corporate T20 Cup LAHORE StAff REPoRt
State Bank defeated Candyland with a large margin of 83 runs in the Advance Telecom 2nd Corporate T20 Cup played at the DHA Sports Club – Moin Khan Academy on Tuesday. Naveed Malik the Man-of-theMatch award winner played an outstanding innings of 58 runs in 26 balls with 5 sixes and 5 fours. M. Afzal and Junaid Zia made 26 and 24 respectively to reach a final score of 160 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. In reply Candyland openers could face the fury of the SBP bowlers departing in two overs with the rest of the batsmen not being able to stay long at the crease. They lost wickets in quick succession. Hasan Mehmood bowled well for the bankers claiming 3 wickets for 16 runs as Candyland slumped to a lowly 77 in 14.3 overs. SCORES: State Bank beat Candyland by 83 runs. State Bank 160 – 6 in 20 overs (Naveed Malik 58, M. Afzal 26, Junaid Zia 24; Zahid Mehmood 2 – 29, Salman Ali 2 – 39) Candyland 77 – 10 in 14.3 overs (Fawad Khan 19, Israr Ullah 18; Hasan Mehmood 3 – 16, Saadat Munir 2 – 6, Ansar Javed 2 – 15). THURSDAY’S fIxTURE: National Bank vs Candyl
eCB extends Saqlain’s PoA suspends new zealand’s Vettori judo federation out of 2nd windies Test coaching period LAHORE StAff REPoRt
Former Pakistan leg-spinner, Saqlain Mushtaq Ahmed, may not have found any good turn with the officials of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). But the veteran bowler is in high spirits with another extension to his deal with the English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The deal will extend his four-year old spell with the English team as their spin coach till 2014. “The ECB has extended my contract till 2014 as their spin bowling consultant and I will rejoining the England team for the ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka,” PTI quoted Mushtaq as saying. In April, Mushtaq’s name appears among the foremost contenders to become the
bowling coach of the Pakistan team ahead of the Sri Lanka tour. It was reported that the Mushtaq has not only applied for the post but also had two meetings with the PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf. He wanted a three-year contract with the Pakistan Board with a condition of not dismissal him. However, PCB never got back to the spinner, giving him a clear signal of not accepting his conditions. "The PCB might not want to recognize my qualifications and experience but the ECB has extended my contract," he said. The former sussex bowler has taken 185 wickets in 52 Tests for his country, while also picking up 166 scalps in 144 One Day Internationals (ODIs) in a 13-year career across from 1990 till 2003. Mushtaq is also one of the most successful cricket exports from Pakistan to play in the English county, taking 1407 wickets (25.67) in 309 FirstClass matches, while plying his trade for Somerset, Surrey and Sussex.
LAHORE
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As a result of the recommendation of an arbitration committee set up by the Pakistan Olympic Association, the office bearers of the Pakistan Judo Federation has been suspended till the final outcome of the arbitration proceedings filed by Sindh Judo Association and the Punjab Judo Association. It may be mentioned here that Sindh Judo Association had filed an arbitration before the Pakistan Olympic Association against the office-bearers of PJF on account of financial embezzlements, misuse of official powers and unconstitutional acts. The Arbitration Committee held two meetings on May 26 and June 29 at Lahore. After hearing both the parties and on the basis of the available record, the committee came to the conclusion that their was a prima facie case. Immediately on filing the arbitration by SJA, the President PJF had suspended the SJA and appointed an Ad hoc Committee for Sindh which he was not competent to do. The Committee Arbitration Committee in its meeting of May 26 had ordered that the position of all the parties in the arbitration will be as it stood on April 2 when the arbitration was filed.
New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori will miss the second Test against the West Indies in Kingston with a groin strain, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said Wednesday. The 33-year-old managed to play on after suffering an adductor strain in the first Test, when the Black Caps slumped to a nine-wicket loss, but would not be fit for the Kingston match, NZC physiotherapist Paul Close said. "Dan will return to New Zealand where he will be monitored closely and undergo a period of rehabilitation," Close said. "He will require a rest from bowling and his return date will be determined by how well he responds to the treatment." New Zealand will be hoping to rehabilitate Vettori, the country's most capped Test player, in time for the Black Caps' tour of India, which begins on August 23. His absence in Kingston potentially opens the way for leg spinner Tarun Nethula to make his Test debut.
U-19 Cricket World Cup saved my career, says Gul LAHORE StAff REPoRt
Pakistan pacer Umar Gul has said that the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup had rescued his career at a time when he was at the verge of walking away from cricket. Umar, who is currently one of Pakistan's key bowlers with 158 wickets apiece from 45 Tests and 111 ODIs, played in the U-19 world cup in 2002 in New Zealand and finished with 11 wickets at 12.72 runs per wicket, even as it turned out to be an unsuccessful campaign for the green shirts who failed to progress to the knock-out stage of the Super League. "I was on the verge of walking away from cricket after a poor 2000-2001 domestic U19 tournament following which I was not selected in the Pakistan
Academies team. But then I gave myself a last chance, worked hard by attending the Academy side's training sessions as a net bowler until I was picked in the fast bowlers' camp that was supervised by Daryl Foster. "Lady Luck finally smiled on me when I was selected in the Pakistan squad for the ICC U19 CWC 2002 and though the event turned out to be a poor one for the side, personally I benefitted as I regained my form, picked up some key wickets and when changes were made in the Pakistan side following a disastrous ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, I was able to find my way in the side," Gul recalled. "I owe it big time to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2002. If that opportunity had not been provided to me at that time, I
would have left cricket and reverted my attention and focus to academics," he added. Citing the example of Azhar Ali who played in New Zealand 10 years ago as a bowler and is now the mainstay of Pakistan's middle-order, Umar said, "Azhar was a very keen batsman even then but ICC U19 CWC actually provided him that platform and opportunity where he evaluated and reworked on his strengths and is now one of the stars of international cricket. "The ICC U19 CWC provides you a launching pad and also gives you a chance to test yourself against the best players from all over the world in that age group. It gives you a very good idea which level of cricket you belong to and what you need to do to survive or excel at the highest level."
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17 Sports LONDON: US swimmer Michael Phelps prepares for the men's 200m individual medley heats swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games. AFP
‘world record needed to win 110m hurdles’ LONDON: Reigning world champion Jason Richardson is in no doubt about what it will take to win the men's Olympic 110m hurdles - a world record. The field for the men's high hurdles is of the highest class, featuring the likes of Cuba's defending Olympic champion and world record holder Dayron Robles, and 2004 Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang of China. Also racing in what is expected to be one of the track highlights of these Games will be US teammate Aries Merritt, who clocked 12.93sec in the London Diamond League meet earlier this month to finish ahead of Richardson. AfP
‘Sky’s the limit but focus not on Bolt’ Pistorius aim 45s barrier in olympics bow LONDON AfP
The sky's the limit but the focus is most definitely not on Usain Bolt, according to Yohan Blake, the fastest man in the world this year who will be going for the Olympic sprint double. The Jamaican sprinter, who long lurked in the shadows cast by teammates Bolt and Asafa Powell, has roared to prominence as the potential successor to the illustrious Bolt. Blake, 22, has come a long way since being sat at home in Jamaica watching on the television as training partner Bolt won three golds in the 100, 200 and 4x100m relay in Beijing four years ago. He took his chance to claim the world 100m title in Daegu, South Korea, last year after Bolt sensationally false-started in the final, and then stunned onlookers by beating Bolt in the sprint double in the Jamaican Olympic trials. "My philosophy is that the sky's the limit," Blake said.
"I've always wanted to be at the Olympics. It's everyone's dream. "I've got no message for Usain Bolt. He's a good guy. I'm not focusing on Usain. "It's all about going out there, focusing and executing the race. Me and Usain are friends. When we're training it's all fun. "We'll be
keeping all that good chemistry going. On the line, it all changes." He added that it was similar with his US rivals: "I try not to think about that rivalry. I just focus on me and what I have to do. "For me, I keep it simple. I want to beat those guys but it's all about the execution. "Come the track, I have to get my focus right, don't panic, just think about getting to that line," said Blake, nicknamed the "Beast" for his healthy appetite for work in training under the tutelage of Glen Mills. Blake contended that his lack of experience at the Olympics was completely irrelevant, and predicted an exciting race in the blue ribbon event of track and field. "The 100m is going to be great. In every race there are surprises. Everyone's been waiting for this for four years. It's going to live up to expectations," he said. Blake said usurping Bolt at the Jamaican trials had been less significant in terms of confidence than his 100m win in the worlds.
Gymnastics seeks to limit ‘trial by judges’ LONDON AfP
London: Liaquat Ali of Pakistan on the track of the olympic Stadium during the 2012 London olympics. The athletics competition begins on August 3. AFP
Thursday, 2 August, 2012
The confusion that marred the Olympic men's team gymnastics final shows the sport still has progress to make as it seeks to limit the influence of judges and improve the credibility of the scoring system. At the climax of Monday's final, Japanese superstar Kohei Uchimura was left aghast after seeing the score for his pommel routine, which knocked his country off the podium and into fourth place. "I just thought: 'It's wrong, it's wrong,'" said the triple world champion. The superior jury concurred, after an appeal was made by the Japanese team, and Uchimura's
score was increased by 0.700 -- elevating Japan to second, dropping Great Britain to third, and denying Ukraine a place on the podium. For the first gymnastics final of the London Games, the sport could have done without such drama, even if things were ultimately resolved without controversy. That was not the case at the 2004 Athens Olympics, when South Korean individual silvermedallist Kim Dae-Eun took his dissatisfaction with the result as far as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but in vain. The scandal, caused by an inadvertent judging error, pushed gymnastics into a period of deep introspection.
LONDON AfP
Oscar Pistorius said Wednesday he is targeting breaking the 45-second barrier in the 400m as he prepares to become the first double amputee athlete to compete in the able-bodied Olympics. The South African, known as 'Blade Runner' because he runs with carbon fibre prosthetic running blades, competed in the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Paralympics, but can now make his debut in the Olympics following studies that found his prosthetics give him no advantage over his able-bodied rivals. The 25-year-old's personal best is 45.07 seconds in the 400m and now Pistorius wants to smash the 45-second barrier when he takes his place on the London 2012 track. "I'd love to. I'm in good shape. I feel very strong. I've had a good season," he said. "I'm really hoping to at least make the semi-final and if I can run a personal best, I'd be really, really happy. "It hits you when you're standing on the starting blocks. At Athens and Beijing, that's when it really dawned upon me that I was there at that competition. "If I can imagine the excitement that I've had over the last couple of weeks, I can't imagine what it's going to be like when I'm finally out there on the track." Pistorius is set to compete in both the 400m and the 4x400m relay.
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Sports 18 Is Phelps the
greatest Olympian of all? LONDON AfP
ICHAEL phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time. But is that the same as being the 'greatest'? That was the question left hanging in the air after the swimming superstar won the 19th Olympic medal of his career by anchoring the US 4x200m freestyle relay team to gold in London on Tuesday. That saw him overhaul the record of 18 medals amassed by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina between 1956 and 1964. phelps's haul, which includes 15 golds, is outstanding. But swimmming opens itself up to producing multiple-medal winners by having categories for styles as well as distances. So while athletics has the 100m, in swimming the distance can be covered in several different ways. And there are those who argue longevity is a key factor in determining greatness -phelps is still only 27 and his medals have been amassed over the space of just three games. However, longevity wasn't an option for Jesse Owens, who overcame barriers of racial prejudice to win four track and field golds in Berlin in 1936 and was then stripped of his amateur status for accepted a few commercial offers. And even if he had still to be allowed to compete Owens, like many contemporaries, would have seen his career cut short by the Second world war when the games were suspended. That phelps could even contemplate winning eight gold medals at a single games, as he did four years ago in Beijing, was in a sense only possible because fellow US pool great Mark Spitz had, 36 earlier, won a then record seven -- and all in world record times -- at Munich.
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Dazzling Decosse
UNSTOPPABLE SERENA into judo semis POWERS INTO LAST 8
LONDON: World champion Lucie Decosse was at her brilliant best as she produced a dominant display of dynamic judo to advance into the women's under70kg semi-finals on Wednesday. The 30-yearold is bidding for her first ever Olympic gold medal following three world titles and four European crowns. Four years ago in Beijing she was favourite in the under-63kg category but was beaten by long-time rival Ayumi Tanimoto of Japan in the final. Here, though, she looked totally focused, waiting patiently for an opportunity before throwing Canada's Kelita Zupancic for the maximum ippon (a technical knock-out) with a kosoto-gari (minor outer reap) 30-seconds from the end of her bout. In the quarter-finals she was in a hurry and took just 10-seconds to humiliate 2009 world champion Yuri Alvear of Colombia with an uchi-mata (inner-thigh throw). She will face Hwang Ye-Sul in Wednesday's semi-final after the South Korean produced the most remarkable upsidedown o-goshi (hip throw) on Slovenia's Rasa Sraka. Hwang lifted Sraka off the ground and as she launched herself into the throw she managed to tip the Slovenian the wrong way up as she drove her into the mat, flat on her back.
LONDON AfP
London : Serena williams celebrates after defeating russia's Vera zvonareva during their women's singles tennis match. AFP
Wimbledon champion Serena Williams swept into the Olympic quarter-finals with a 6-1, 6-0 rout of Russia's Vera Zvonareva on Wednesday. Williams is bidding to win a singles gold medal for the first time and the American fourth seed remains on course to achieve her aim after a third successive demolition job at the All England Club. The 30-year-old, who faces former world number one Caroline Wozniacki or Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova in the last eight, had lost just nine games in her first two matches and she needed only 51 minutes to crush Zvonareva in an almost perfect display under the Wimbledon Centre Court roof. Williams, a two-time doubles gold medal winner with sister Venus, thrashed Zvonareva in the 2010 Wimbledon final and this
match was even more one-sided. It took just two minutes to determine the course of the match as Serena, a 14-time Grand Slam winner, easily broke the 13th seed in the first game. Even at this early stage, Zvonareva seemed resigned to her fate and she gave up on one Williams winner without even a token effort to return. After another break in the fifth game, Williams could have been forgiven for easing up. But she is in business-like mood this week and instead hammered down three successive aces to hold serve before storming back from 40-0 down to seal the set with one more break. This was ruthless stuff from Williams and the second set was just as painful for Zvonareva, who repeatedly slammed her racquet in frustration as a barrage of Williams winners ended her medal hopes.
WatCh it livE ESPN Sportscentre 07:30PM
Longest set in olympic tennis hisotry stats corner S. PERvEZ QAISER The longest set in Olympic history was played when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France defeated Milos Raonic of Canada 6-3, 3-6, 25-23 in the second round of men's singles in London 2012 at Wimbledon on Tuesday (July 31). The previous record in men’s singles was 30 games in 2004 when Fernando Gonzalez defeated Taylor Dent in the third set, 16-14, to win the bronze medal. The third set of a women’s doubles match in 1988 went to 20-18. The longest set in Tennis history also was played at the All England Club in 2010 when John Isner beat Nicolas Mahut 7068 in the fifth set in the first round of Wimbledon. The contest between Jo Wilfried Tsonga and Milos Raonic also had the most number of games 66 in a best-ofthree set match at the Olympics. The previous record was 63 games. Tennis was part of the Olympic Games from the inaugural 1896 Olympics, but was dropped after the 1924 Summer Olympics. It returned as a full medal sport at the 1988 Olympics and has been played at every edition of the Games since then. It was not played at the Olympics between 1924 and 1988. fIRST EvER MEDAL fOR AfRICA IN fENCINg: Egypt’s Alaaeldin Abouelkassem has won the first Olympic medal ever claimed by a fencer from Africa. He lost the final 15-13 to his Chinese rival, yet could barely believe what he’d achieved by earning a silver medal. Alaaeldin Abouelkassem, son of an Algerian mother and an Egyptian father, said his victory would not just boost fencing in Egypt, but in all over Africa. "They need this medal to improve the fencing in Africa," he said. On his way to the final, Alaaeldin Abouelkassem beat reigning world champion Andrea Cassara of Italy and former four-time world champion Peter Joppich of Germany. BRITAIN'S fIRST gOLD IN wOMEN'S ROwINg: Great Britain has collected its first gold medal of the London Games after Heather Stanning and Helen Glover won the coxless pairs with a stunning performance that will spark a mass outpouring of celebration and relief across the country on Wednesday (August 1). Facing the twice Olympic champions in lane one from Romania and the twice world champions from New Zealand, they dominated the race from start to finish and sealed victory in 7:27.13 in front of Australia and New Zealand. One had never stepped in a rowing boat until 2008, the other will return to serve in the Royal Artillery in September. But Helen Glover and Heather Stanning will now go down in the record books as the first homegrown gold medallists of the London 2012 Olympics. Not only that but, in their first Olympics, they have made British sporting history as the first female rowing gold medal winners in a sport that has reliably delivered over the years.
Clijsters ousts ivanovic to reach quarters LONDON AfP
FEdErEr kEEps Gold bid on traCk LONDON AfP
Roger Federer moved into the Olympic Games quarter-finals with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin on Wednesday. After securing a recordequalling seventh Wimbledon title earlier this month, Federer is desperate to complete a career Golden Slam by winning a singles gold medal for the first time. The 17-time Grand Slam champion, who won doubles gold with compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka in Beijing in 2008, was slightly below his best against Is-
tomin, but even at less than 100 percent Federer was still too good for the world number 34 in a rain interrupted clash at Wimbledon. Federer, 30, will play Serbian seventh seed Janko Tipsarevic or American John Isner for a place in the semi-finals. After a rain delay of over an hour, Federer finally made it onto Court One and the Swiss star looked set for a routine win when he broke in the second game of the match. But a commanding 3-0 lead for Federer swiftly disappeared as Istomin broke back and began to hammer down some powerful serves. Istomin, who be-
came the first player from Uzbekistan to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam at Wimbledon last month, was beginning to cause Federer some serious problems when rain forced a stoppage. Federer had to save two break points when they returned at 5-5 half an hour later and he made the most of that escape by converting his third set point in the next game. That signalled a resumption of normal service after Federer's brief wobble and a break in the second game of the second set was enough to get the Swiss great to the finish line.
Kim Clijsters won the battle of the former world number ones as the Belgian defeated Serbia's Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics on Wednesday. Clijsters is playing the penultimate tournament of her career as she prepares to retire for the second and final time after next month's US Open and she has admitted an Olympic medal would be the perfect way to sign off. The 29-yearold, competing in the Olympics for the first time, remains on course to fulfill that dream after cruising past former French Open champion Ivanovic in 58 minutes at Wimbledon. "I feel like I've been playing some really good tennis in the first three matches here, it's just a matter of trying to keep that up," Clijsters said.
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Thursday, 2 August, 2012
PMl-n accuses imran of ‘gambling away’ sKMCh money, Pti chief cries foul play
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Khawaja Asif alleges imran invested $4.5m gained from Zakat in foreign capital markets and lost 65 percent of the invested sum ISLAMABAD
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iSlAMAbAd: Pakistan tehreek-i-insaf Chairman imran Khan addresses a press conference on Wednesday. AFP
LAHORE/PESHAWAR StAff REPoRt
Countrywide protests against chronic load shedding continued unabated in several major cities and towns of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday, with
people taking to the roads and streets to vent their anger at apathetic authorities. Demonstrators burnt tyres, pelted stones at police and raised slogans against authorities as they blocked several major roads and highways across the country during desperate protests for electricity. The Cir-
cular Road in Peshawar was blocked early morning by thousands of people from villages in the districts suburbs. The demonstrators put barriers and torched tyres to block the road against prolonged and unannounced power outages that are now stretching over 20 hours a day in the area. A shortage of water has added to the miseries of the people as they fast in extreme humid conditions. Despite the road being blocked for over three hours, no official came to the scene to appease the masses. The demonstrators vowed to continue their protests until the load shedding issue was addressed to their satisfaction. In Kohat, lawyers and citizens staged a demonstration against load shedding at Peshawar Chowk. The power crisis in Punjab is getting worse by the day, evident from continued protests in Lahore and other cities and towns of Punjab. Prolonged load shedding and a subsequent
water shortage forced the people to come on to the Lahore Bund Road, which was blocked by agitating citizens for hours. A protest was staged in Gujranwala’s Alipur Chattha tehsil, while similar protests were held in Khushab and Nurpur Thal as well where protesters blocked the Jauharabad Road and voiced slogans against the government. Furniture industry workers also protested against power outages that led to the blockade of traffic on Jhang Road. In Hafizabad, a large number of workers of power looms and factories and businessmen took out a rally in protest against prolonged power load shedding from Wani Chowk to General Bus Stand. Enraged protesters attacked and ransacked a post office injuring three employees. Residents of Peshawar’s Armar locality also took to the streets to protest, erecting hurdles near Tarnab Farm and blocking the GT Road.
Senators demand talks with Baloch nationalists ISLAMABAD AgEnCiES
Senators from across the political divide on Wednesday expressed their concern over the worsening law and order in Balochistan, saying the way forward was meaningful dialogue between estranged Baloch leaders, army and the Frontier Corps (FC). During a debate in the Upper House on Wednesday, the senators said if the estranged Baloch leaders had no trust in the Pakistani government, they could be provided security guarantee from friendly countries like Saudi Arabia. While the House was debating the matter, the members strongly took exception to the absence of the interior minister, Rehman Malik. Members from the PML-N, ANP and JUI staged a token walkout of the proceedings to register their protest over the lack of seriousness on part of the minister. The members of the Upper House said cancer could not be treated by a medicine meant for fever, warning that if the situation
was not controlled, the country could face another tragedy like East Pakistan. Initiating the debate, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri said the Balochistan issue could be resolved by direct negotiations with the Baloch people and removing their sense of deprivation. He said problems of Balochistan had political and constitutional background that needed to be addressed with serious efforts at proper level. Suriya Amiruddin said Balochistan was facing a number of problems including kidnapping for ransom, shortage of water, unemployment and law and order. Kalsoom Parveen said the government had announced the Aghaz Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package for the people of the province, but unfortunately only a third of the package had been implemented so far. Sardar Fateh Muhammad Hassani said the discussion on Balochistan was an important initiative and all members from both sides of the divide must seriously give their suggestions to resolve the issue.
Mumbai evidence not valid, Pakistan tells india ISLAMABAD StAff REPoRt
In apparent effort to speed up the trial of the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, India has hinted at offering Islamabad a chance to cross examine witnesses by a Pakistani judicial commission set up for investigation into the incident. Indian Home Secretary RK Singh said New Delhi might consider such a request from Islamabad as it wanted conviction of those who responsible for the terror attacks. The news comes after Islamabad told New Delhi that recently obtained evidence of the Mumbai attacks was inadmissible in court because Pakistanis
were not allowed to cross-examine Indian officials, a lawyer said Wednesday. Pakistan’s Interior Ministry wrote formally to the Indian government after a court rejected the evidence in July on the basis that the Pakistanis could not question Indian officials, prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar said. The letter is likely to aggravate New Delhi, which has branded Pakistan’s attempts at prosecuting seven alleged conspirators a “facade” and has insisted it has already handed over enough evidence to convict the accused. Seven suspects, including Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, have been charged with planning, financing and executing the terror attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people in November 2008. Their trial in Pakistan has been hit by delays and the judge has been changed five times. “We have requested our High Commissioner in Pakistan to approach the government there and ask them how they want to proceed. If they send us a communication, we will look at that communication. “Once we get to know as to how they want to proceed, we will consult our legal team what is feasible and what is not. We want these people to be brought to justice,” he told reporters here.
Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 79, Sector 24, Korangi Industrial Area Karachi.
Editor: Arif Nizami
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ccusing its nemesis Imran Khan of money laundering, the Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday accused the Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf (PTI) chairman of “gambling away” millions of rupees donated to his hospital in real estate abroad. Meanwhile, the PTI chief mocked the PML-N’s allegations, saying the party should have at least investigated the matter a little more before going public. Addressing a press conference at Punjab House, PML-N senior leader Khawaja Asif handed out hard copies of “evidence” of Imran’s foreign investments. He alleged that Imran sent the funds, donated to his hospital Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre through money laundering. “Despite opposition from the board of directors of the hospital, Khan invested $4.5 million from the money gained from ‘Sadqaat’, ‘Fitrana’ and ‘Zakat’ in foreign capital markets. He lost 65 percent of the invested capital,” he said. Asif alleged that Imran sent Rs 210 million to Dubai through money laundering and bought property in Muscat. “In British Virgin Islands, a shell company was first registered. That company transferred money into a company, HBG in Dubai, then HBG bought shares of Sugarland company worth $3 million. During 2009-2010, Sugarland declared losses and in the coming two years, it faced 64% losses. Here, the money of Shaukat Khanum invested by Imran Khan also faced a loss but it was not shown,” Asif said while referring to the documents he had distributed. Asif questioned Imran that if the investment was so safe and profitable, then why did he not put in his own money rather than that of Shaukat Khanum. Asif also alleged that those working at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital are either Imran’s friends or family members. “Another important person is Imtiaz Haideri. He is a member of Imran Khan’s trust, is a chief executive in Dubai and a chief executive in British Virgin Islands too.” Responding to Asif’s money laundering allegations, Imran said, “Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital is not Imran Khan’s personal hospital; the patients are not my relatives, they are Pakistanis.” Imran said that by attacking the hospital, the PML-N has caused harm to many Pakistanis who receive free healthcare at the hospital. “It is the only free cancer hospital and PML-N should have thought before doing this,” he said. Lamenting that the PML-N dragged a welfare institute into politics, Khan said the accusers should have attacked him but not the hospital. Calling PML-N’s allegations baseless, the PTI chairman said the $3 million amount mentioned by Khawaja is already stated in hospital’s balance sheet. “If we had misused the money, we would have not mentioned it in our accounts,” he said, adding that the PML-N leader had in fact relied on their public balance sheet to pick out all the numbers for his accusation. Imran said that the hospital receives money from donors within the country and abroad. He said the amount of money the hospital gets in Zakat is never enough to provide free health service and so fund raising events are organized to bridge the shortfall. He said that the foreign donations are collected in a dollar account which is managed by the hospital’s endowment fund. “The endowment fund uses this money for investment and earn profit on it,” he declared. “The endowment fund has its own board which decides how to use the money, a board of which I’m not a member,” Imran said, adding that the board decided to invest money in Dubai as property prices were rising back then. Imran said the money never went abroad from Pakistan as it was a part of the endowment fund and the company, where the hospital’s endowment fund invested, was owned by Imtiaz Haideri, who is also the chief executive. “The investment crashed all of a sudden,” he admitted, but said the owner had promised them that they will earn profit on the investment and will not incur losses. “Khawaja might be upset by this but I want to tell him that we have received Rs 40 million from a Sialkot businessman and raised Rs 60 million through a fund-raising iftari in Lahore,” said Imran.