Quetta, Skardu shiver in minus 10 degree Rains, snowfall in upper regions GHULAM TAHIR Q UETTA —The people in Quetta Valley and Skardu Friday experienced worst winter as the day temperature dropped to minus ten degree centigrade. The streets and shopping centres presented deserted look. Public and private transport
were off the road. The attendance in the Government offices was thin. The people remained in doors to escape from the chilly winds. In fact it was miserable day with little social and commercial activities. The biting Siberian winds added misery to the sufferings of the poor people who
were living hand to mouth due to escalation of prices of escalates and fuel. Since the people were confidence heaved a great sigh of relief as the city experienced peace and tranquillity which they considered blessing in dis-
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100% hike in N-J power Punjab Govt to bill surcharge on cards give free hand Qadri’s long march
Project hits snag
LAHORE—Punjab government on Friday decided to avoid creating obstacles during the long march of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, starting from Lahore to Islamabad, on January 14, 2013. According to sources, the decision was made during a meeting presided by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. In his December 23, speech at Minar-i-Pakistan, Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) Chief Tahir-ul-Qadri gave 18 days time (till January 10, 2013) to government to change the current system as per the constitution of the country and said that he would hold a public meeting of 4-million
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Bhootani challenges no-trust move in BHC QUETTA—Former speaker Balochistan Assembly (BA) Aslam Bhotani has challenged in Balochistan High Court (BHC) procedure adopted in no trust move against him in the assembly. The court has issued notices to the secretary assembly and deputy speaker of BA directing them to appear before it on December, 31 Former BA speaker took plea in his petition that the members of assembly committed flagrant breach of the law and constitution in connection with the resolution tabled in the assembly. They cast their ballots by showing
ALI SYED ISLAMABAD—The 100 percent increase in Neelum-Jhelum (NJ) surcharge on electricity bills is on the anvil as the WAPDA authorities are going to pitch its proposal in meeting with Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to be held on Monday next seeking raise of the said surcharge up to 20 paisa per unit, a senior
Qadir Gilani’s degree proved ‘fake’ ISLAMABAD—The graduation degree of ex-prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani’s son Abdul Qadir Gillani has proved bogus, Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) claimed. Abdul Qadir Gillani was elected Member of National Assembly from NA-151 (Multan-IV), vacated by former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani after being disqualified by the Supreme Court. According to sources, the FIA investi-
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official told Pakistan Observer. This will inflate the power tariff by 10 paisa per unit more in case the chief executive of the country gives the nod. This proposal is the part of the alternate financing plan for the Pakistan ’s most important project of Rs 274 billion Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower project of 969 MW that has virtually landed in hot waters be-
cause of non-arrangement of CHAMAN: Three persons pushing their vehicle on snow covered Chaman-Quetta Highway on Friday.—APP photo funds from China and Abu Dhabi fund. “Now we are going to sensitise the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Monday next about financing crisis that TARIQ SAEED erupted on account of the refusal mainly by China .” Right now the project is fac- P ESHAWAR —The American ing the deficit of $ 1.5 billion drones continued their ISLAMABAD—Just as the clock has managed to put in place in- quests were received from those Continued on Page 7 adventurism in the Tribal belt as ticked towards the 101st day that dividual blocks on urls for the governments. Google though a fresh missile hit in North video sharing site YouTube was video in a work around to reopen unilaterally blocked access to the videos in Egypt and Libya. Waziristan agency Friday killed blocked in Pakistan, Interior the site. The site had been blocked on It took a threat to be blocked at least four people, causing in- Minister Rehman Malik tweeted juries to others. Unconfirmed re- on Friday evening that a decision September 17, 2012 by the Cabi- and a court order in Brazil for the ports say those killed were the has been taken to unblock the site net in the aftermath of mass riots service to block access to the spein Pakistan reacting to a clip from cific videos. However, Google fugitives. in “24 hours”. Reports reaching here from The move comes almost a an amateurishly produced sacri- did not comply with requests Miran Shah, the headquarters of month after the minister, whose legious film. The film had from the Pakistan government, NWA say the CIA operated pi- ministry is not linked to either the sparked violent riots across the which then proceeded to block lotless planes commonly known Ministry of Information Technol- Muslim world after a translated the website completely. In addiversion was aired on Egyptian tion to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Khwaja Salman Rafiq to head to as drones targeted a compound ogy, nor the blocking agency Pa- television. The violence saw Bangladesh and Sudan blocked in Guraiz area of Tehsil Datta kistan Telecommunication AuGujranwala to monitor the situaAmerican embassy in Cairo and access to the video sharing site tion and submit immediately a Khel some 40 kilometres from thority (PTA), formed a commit- in Libya attacked. after it refused to remove the Miran Shah killing four inmates tee to look into ways how the report on it. Following the violence, video or block access to it. of the house that was destroyed video sharing site could be unThree people, all from YouTube had been requested by Google had also twice reGujranwala, died of overdosing completely. “The American blocked while not in conflict with a number of countries to either fused requests by the White planes fired three missiles”. The court orders on blasphemous the cough medicine on Friday in block the film in their countries House to remove the video claimMayo Hospital bringing the security officials said those killed material. or to completely remove it from ing the video did not violate its may be foreign militants. The Malik has maintained on nudeath toll during the past 48 YouTube servers. While community rules and thus there foreign news agencies said all merous occasions that any decihours to 22. Nineteen people had Continued on Page 7 sion to unblock the site would be YouTube, and its parent company was no reason to remove the Continued on Page 7 taken by the Cabinet, where it Google Inc explicitly refused to video. Malik added that those who was decided to block the site in comply with the latter of the dethe first place. His tweet indicates mands, it did endeavour to block had been pressing him to unblock that the government, after failing access to the content in India, the site should be happy now. Continued on Page 7 to convince Google, or YouTube, Malaysia, Indonesia after re-
4 killed in US NW drone attack
YouTube to be unblocked within hours: Malik
Toxic cough syrup incident
Death toll reaches 22 in Punjab MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—The death toll on account of use of toxic cough syrup has risen to 22 in Punjab, as four more people died on Friday.Taking notice of the lives by the syrup, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif instructed Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Health,
Indian soldiers kill two Kashmiris in IHK SRINAGAR—Indian forces on
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India beat Pak by 11 runs; level T20 series AHMEDABAD—India beat Pakistan by 11 runs and levelled the series after a nail-biting finish in the second and final T20 of MUMBAI: Women of an Indian NGO display placards demanding protection of their rights on Friday. the ongoing bi-lateral series against India, here on Friday. Main feature of the Pakistani innings was captain Hafeez’s quick 55-run knock off just 26 balls with the help DERA ISMAIL KHAN—The day. The attacks underline the ganda. “Wali ur-Rehman is sit- his speech and said the politihead of Pakistan’s Taliban said Taliban’s ability to strike high- ting with me here and we will cal party, the largely Pashtun Detailed story on Sports Page his militia is willing to negoti- profile, well-protected targets be together until death,” said Awami National Party, would ate with the government but even as the amount of territory Mehsud, pointing at his compan- continue to be a target along of three 6s and four 4s. with other politicians. not disarm, according to a mes- it controls has shrunk and its ion. Earlier, Pakistan won the leaders are picked off by U.S. Pakistani officials did not “We are against the demosage delivered in a video given toss and chose to field. immediately respond to calls cratic system because it is unto a British news agency on drones. From Indian side Yuvraj “We believe in dialogue but seeking comment. Islamic,” Mehsud said. “Our Friday. Singh played a superb innings it should not be frivolous,” The Taliban said in a letter war isn’t against any party. It The release of the 40and smashed 72 runs. minute video follows three Hakimullah Mehsud said. “Ask- released Thursday that they is against the non-Islamic sysYuvraj and Dhoni added high-profile Taliban attacks in ing us to lay down arms is a wanted Pakistan to rewrite its tem and anyone who supports 97 runs for the fourth wicket laws and constitution to conform it.” the northern city of Peshawar joke.” Continued on Page 7 Mehsud said in his interIn the video, Mehsud sits with Islamic law, break its allithis month: an attack by multiple suicide bombers on the cradling a rifle next to his ance with the United States and view that although he was airport, the killing of a senior deputy, Wali ur-Rehman. Mili- stop interfering in the war in open to dialogue, the Pakistani politician and eight others in a tary officials say there has been Afghanistan and focus on India government was to blame for bombing and the kidnap of 22 a split between the two men but instead.Mehsud referred to the the violence because it broke paramilitary forces on Thurs- Mehsud said that was propa- killing of the senior politician in Continued on Page 7
Pak Taliban ready to negotiate, reject disarming
Friday killed two suspected rebels in a gunbattle and injured seven civilians separately during anti-India protests in southern Kashmir, police said. Two army officers and one policeman were injured in the fighting in Chandigam, a village 45 kilometres south of Srinagar, the main city in the Indian portion of Kashmir, said a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to reporters. A police statement said those killed were Kashmiri cadres of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-
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Lal Masjid probe
294 to appear as witnesses
Cellular services remain suspended in Karachi KARACHI—Cellular services (PTCL) has also been closed. were suspended in Karachi for several hours to avert any act of terrorism on final Friday of the year. The cellular services were suspended by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), remained terminated from 11am till 6:00 last Friday. The sources further said that the mobile phone services also remained shut in Peshawar Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Wireless service of the Pakistan Telecom Company Limited
STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—Some two-dozen men in uniform, abducted by the
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Abductees Levies still not recovered
ISLAMABAD—The Commis- Taliban militants in the outskirts
sion probing into Lal Masjid/ Jamia Hafsa incident has registered 294 persons who voluntarily offered to depose about the facts or produce evidence relevant to the incident. According to Commission sources of the 294 persons, 146 are Males & 148 Females who got themselves registered as voluntary witnesses to appear before the Commission and the process of their summoning has begun. The Commission shall start taking down the evidence
PTA has not gave any the reason behind the shutting of the cellular service. NNI Earlier, Interior Ministry has warned Sindh and KPK governments of terror threats in Karachi and Peshawar, two metropolitans of Pakistan on Friday. According to sources in interior ministry, a letter was conveyed to the governments of the two provinces informing that the militants had planned to sabotage the peace in the two cities by at-
of Peshawar on Thursday wee hours, could not be recovered till Friday despite hectic efforts by the security forces. The political authorities sought help of the Tribal elders to get the kidnapped released. As many as 23 soldiers of the Levis (a Para-military force), were abducted when the terrorists launched attack on three security posts in FR area in the outskirts of Peshawar Thursday wee hours resulting in martyrdom of at least two men in uniform and injuries to several oth-
ers. The security forces kicked off major search operations in the adjoining areas to win early releases of the hostages. The forces blocked major roads and started combing the region but failed to trace their abducted colleagues. Ultimately, the authorities decided to seek the help of the tribal elders to realize the release of the abducted jawaans. “The political authorities have asked the tribal Maliks to use their influence and ensure the release of the abducted levis men”, officials told Pakistan Observer. A senior official in the political administration Naveed Akbar KhanAfridi said Friday
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KP Govt makes consequential administrative arrangements to be effective from new calendar year STAFF REPORTER P ESHAWA R —The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced the consequential administrative arrangements to take effect from January 1, 2013, segregating the district setup of government departments from Local Government Institutions established under the KP Local Government Ordinance, 2001 and shall realign with their administrative departments at provincial level under the Act. Similarly the functions of erstwhile District Coordination Officer (Revenue & Es-
tate) are integrated in the office of Deputy Commissioner with the provision of Additional Deputy Commissioner in each district. The sub-divisional setup of Deputy District Officers (Revenue) and Deputy District Officers (Judicial) is replaced with Assistant Commissioners and Additional Assistant Commissioners. The Board of Revenue will process relocating the functions of Collector and Assistant Collector in the office of Deputy Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners in accordance with the new administrative setup; Each dis-
trict shall be provided a District Officer (Finance and Planning), a Planning Officer, a Finance Officer and a Secretary District Public Safety Commission. The positions of Assistant Coordination Officer, Human Resource Development Officer and Deputy District Officer (Finance) shall stand abolished. The positions of Executive District Officer at district level shall stand abolished; Local Government and Rural Development Department shall notify constitution of each Local Council and make transitional interim arrangement and management in pur-
suance of section 224 of the Act. The Agriculture Department at district level shall be re-organized. Agriculture (Extension) shall be manned by District Director, Subject Matter Specialists, Agriculture Officers, Plant Protection Officers, Assistant Horticulture Officers and Assistant Agronomists. Livestock and Dairy Development (Extension) shall have District Director, Senior Veterinary Officers and Veterinary Officers. On-Farm Water Management shall have District Directors, District Officers and Water Management Officers. Soil Conservation shall have District Officers Soil
Conservation and Soil Conservation Assistants. Elementary and Secondary Education Department at district level shall be re-organized under District Education Officers separately for Male and Female assisted by Deputy District Education Officers (Male and Female) and Sub Divisional Education Officers. Health Department at district level shall be re-organized under District Health Officers assisted by Deputy District Health Officers and Coordinators. The Public Health Engineering Department and Communication and Works Department will continue with
Journalists condole with Zahid Malik
Land for media colony acquired A BBOTTABAD —40
Kanal land has been acquired to establish media colony for journalists in Haripur, said Commissioner Hazara Khalid Khan Omerzai here. He was addressing at a reception arranged by the Press club. The Commissioner was given honorary membership to recognize his services for the journalists of Hazara division as earlier 47 Kanal Land has been set aside for media colony at Abbottabad and 50 Kanal land at Mansehra. The Commissioner said that funds for the re-construction and extension of press club building were approved and released by the Chief Minister KPK Amir Haider Khan Hoti while land was provided by the late Bashir Ahmed Bilour.—APP
OUR CORRESPONDENT L ARKANA —Sindh Journalists Foundation has expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Abdul Hayee Malik, the younger brother of Mr. Zahid Malik, Editor-in-Chief, Daily Pakistan Observer and Chairman, Nazriya Pakistan Council. Larkana journalists including Prseident Sindh Journalists Nazir Siyal, Zakir Hussain, Mohammed Sameer, Nadeem Ahmed, Abdul Aziz, Zulfikar Ali and others in a condolence meeting expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace. They also prayed to Allah Almighty to give courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude. HYDERABAD: Activists of PML-N Youth Wing protesting in favour of their demands outside press club.
Aslam Marwat elected Attock Tremendous steps taken to promote education PMA President RAZA NAQVI A TTOCK —The Progressive Penal has won the election of Pakistan Medical Association Attock district with clear majority by defeating the rival Panther Group in the 2013-14 elections and Dr Muhammad Aslam Marwat Khan was elected PMA’s Attock district president second time. The election was held here under the supervision of a election committee headed by PMA’s chief election commissioner Dr Khalid Saeed Khan. For this purpose, the district headquarters hospital Attock and all five tehsil headquarters hospitals of Jand, Hasanabdal, Fatehjang, Hazro and Pindigheb were declared the polling stations and the PMA’s members across the district have participated the elections very enthusiasm. Dr Col (Rtd) Muhammad Aslam Marwat Khan of “Progressive Penal” was elected President PMA second time with the majority of 93 votes as he has scored 215 votes against 122 votes of his rival candidate Dr Ali Asghar . Such as, Dr Col (Rtd) Sajjad Hussian Naqvi , Dr Saeed Ahmed and Dr Muhammad Ayub of Progressive Penal were elected General Secretary , Senior Vice President and Vice President with 205 votes, 228 votes and 206 votes respectively by defeating their opponents Dr Amjid Kazmi of 113 votes, Dr G.A. Khan of 93 votes and Dr Ishfaq Khan of 114 votes . Similarly, Dr Sheikh Inam Rabani, Dr Awais Abbasi.
their existing organizational hierarchy at the sub-divisional, district and regional level. Account-IV modality for transfer of funds to districts shall remain operational with Deputy Commissioners as Principal Accounting Officer for Account-IV and Chairman of the District Development Committee (DDC) of their respective districts. In addition to oversight of the accounting aspects of the reorganization, the Finance Department shall notify the deletion of existing posts and creation of replacements as per requirements of Government Departments.
Position holder students complete Punjab visit STAFF REPORTER
R AWALPINDI —Punjab Government is taking tremendous steps for promoting education in the Province and its steps for encouraging talented students like awarding cash prizes of lakhs of rupees, offering recreational and study visits to students in the country and abroad and providing scholarships to students for higher education are really commendable. The all credit goes to Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif for such revolutionary steps for promo-
tion of education in Punjab. These views were expressed by top position holder students on the occasion of their visit to Digital Lab and Resource Centre Murree and their return after conclusion of 3-day recreational and study visit of Murree on the invitation of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Director General Protocol, Punjab, Asjad Ghani, Lady Protocol Officer Miss Nadia Awan, representative officers of Education Departments of all provinces also accompanied the students.
The position holder students from Sindh, Balochistan, KP, Gilgit Baltistan, Federal Education Board and AJK who were currently on three-day recreational and study visit of Murree returned to their respective provinces and areas after completing about oneweek long visit of Punjab on Friday. These students visited Digital Library and resource centre Murree, and had a ride of soft wheel train, chairlift and cable car in Patriata and also visited PC Phurban where a dinner was hosted in their honour.
Pirated textbooks seized from a dispatching unit SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ternational Goods Transport New Countdown, Amazing LAHORE —As
a part of continuing efforts to eradicate book piracy, the police personnel of Thana Jhang Bazar Police Station teamed up with Roving Source a security concern engaged in providing trademark and copyright protection services in Pakistan to conduct a successful raid at Pak International Goods Transport Company, a shipment dispatching unit located in Faisalabad. During the raid at Pak In-
Company, hard evidence was found against the consigner Butt Book Depot and the consignee—Insaaf Book Depot—which established the unlawful roles they played as book pirates. The owner of Insaaf Book Depot, Ejaz, was apprehended for pirating Oxford textbooks and taken into custody by the local police and put behind bars. The raid resulted in the recovery of 28 bags containing 5,300 books of My First Book of English, New Oxford Modern English,
Science and New Active English. An FIR has been lodged against the perpetrators on the charge of book piracy, which constitutes a violation of the Copyright Laws of Pakistan.
Arfa Nagar to be made model village OUR CORRESPONDENT F A I S A L A B A D —Divisional
Tyno syrup death toll rises to 17 OUR CORRESPONDENT GUJRANWALA—Death toll due use of toxic cough syrup in Gujranwala has mounted to 17 as two more people died on Friday. According to Medical Superintendent (MS) District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Gujranwala, Dr Anwar Amanullah more than 30 people affected by consuming poisonous cough syrup were shifted to hospital during last few days. Out of them, eleven patients were rushed to Lahore’s Mayo Hospital for emergency treatment.
PMA continues token strike against MS kidnapping NAZIR SIYAL LARKANA—The members of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) District Larkana chapter continued their protest and token hunger strike on 14th consecutive day for the safe recovery of Medical Superintendent Mirokhan Taluka of District Kamber Shahdadkot who was kidnapped about 2 weeks back. The leaders of PMA Sindh Joint Secretary Dr. Sharif Pirzado, Larkan PMA President Dr. Shah Baig Chandio, Dr. Ikram Tunio General Secretary, Dr Manzoor Phulpoto, Dr Zulifqar Ali Rahujo, Dr. Saeed Ahmed and President PMA Sindh chapter Dr. Samrina Hashmi and others condemned the abduction of former Executive District Officer (EDO) and present Medical Superintendent Mirokhan tehsil Dr. Abdul Wahab Wadho, he was abducted at NasirAbad-Wagan Indus Highway road late evening a with his driver. The police still failed to find any clue of kidnapped Doctor; despite of protest of doctors’ community no any elected representative has
arrived at protest camp to enquire their problems. The PMA Leaders have demanded of the higher authorities to take immediate notice of abduction of Doctor and safe recovery of M.S Mirokhan tehsil of KamberShahdadkot, otherwise the PMA Sindh will extend their protest circle on province. Meanwhile, Magsi community in Larkana held protest demonstration against the Market police SHO for creating conspiracies to support the killers, otherwise the tribal clash would be expected Magsi community threatened here on Friday. Magsi community staged protest demonstration led by Zulfikar Magsi, Sudheer Magsi, Saddardin Magsi and others and demanded of higher authorities for removal of Market police SHO in Larkana and protects communities from tribal clashes in Larkana. They also demaned of the arrests of killers of innocent Magsi community people among Bakhat Hussain, Nasir Ahmed Magsi and Suhna Magsi here in Bhains Colony in Larkana they told.
Severe cold wave persists
Rain spell to continue ISLAMABAD—The prevailing during next 24 hours. rain spell in different parts of Upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan has increased chill in the weather and subsided the foggy weather conditions. The western disturbance is still affecting upper parts of the country and scattered rain, started from Friday night, will continue at the upper parts of the country till Saturday. The met office has predicted the prevalence of severe cold wave conditions for the next few days. Rain/thunderstorm with snowfall over hills is expected at scattered places of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Sargodha divisions during next 24 hours. Foggy conditions are likely to subside over plain areas of Punjab during next 24 hours. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rain/thunderstorm with snowfall over the hills is expected at scattered places of Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu
Mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the Sindh during next 24 hours, however in Balochistan, mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts with chances of
light rain and snowfall over the hills at isolated places of Quetta and Zhob divisions. Rain with snowfall over the hills is expected at scattered places of Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan during the next 24 hours. The recent recorded rainfall from Friday morning till present was Pattan 5 mm, Malamjabba 8mm, Skardu 4 mm, Risalpur 11mm, Abbotabad 11mm, Saidusharif 4mm, Peshawer airport 6mm.—APP
Commissioner Syed Tahir Husian said Chak No 4 Ramdewali, an ancestral village of World youngest Microsoft Certified Professional Arfa Kareem Randhawa, which was renamed as Arfa Kareem Nagar, would be made as a model village by the Punjab government. Chairing a meeting at Arfa Kareem Nagar here on Friday, he reviewed development projects and said a monument would be constructed at the grave of Arfa Kareem besides establishment of a library and museum in the premises. He said a girls degree college and technical training centre would also be set up in the village besides upgrading boys and girls schools and basic health unit. The establishment of play ground, improvement of drainage scheme, pavement of streets, provision of portable water and agriculture equipments were also be included in the scheme for developing the Arfa Kareem Nagar as a model HYDERABAD: Activists of different NGOs Health Deportment holding a rally against village, he added. killing of polio workers at Jemkhana.
Faizaan Peerzada, ‘The man who kept spirit of Lahore high’
I
T was a fitting epitaph to Faizaan Peerzada, the youngest and undoubtedly the most talented of Peerzada Brothers, whose sudden and untimely death has shocked and grieved everybody no matter whether you knew him personally or not. Without a trace of any health problem his sudden departure aged barely at around 50, came as much a surprise to his own family as to large number of his friends, and all those who were aware of his remarkable talent, achievements and impact on keeping the tradition of historic city of Lahore alive. A well attended reference was arranged at a local hotel, by South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA) entitled “Celebrating Faizaan Peerzada, the man who kept the spirit of Lahore High”, on Wednesday. I have been fortunate to have personally known the entire Peerzada LANDIKOTAL: A man carrying his sick child on his shoulders towards hospital due to family including their father late Rafi Peer, his five sons, Pak-Afghan boarder is closed.
daughter Tasnim and of course the wife of Usman, Samina Peerzada, which made this great Peerzada Dynasty. I had come across Rafi Peer, long years ago when I started off my career in the good old, The Pakistan Times, where he was a frequent visitor. I also
recall that in those early years of Pakistan history people like Imtiaz Ali Taj, Rafi Peer and Malik Haseeb, were the leading lights of Radio and Theatre, and considered iconic figures in that pre-TV era and Radio being the most popular
medium in the entire sub-continent. That the whole Peerzada family have zealously strived to keep the great family tradition alive is a real tribute to the founder of family, Rafi Peer, whose widow in Wednesday set on a wheelchair, to be part of this most touching reference on Faizaan, along with his own, children and his father-in-law of Fa`izaan in the audience. A number of speakers spoke on the multi-dimensional talent and achievements of Faizaan, a painter, puppetier, organizer of international festivals on puppetry, Sufi Music and a vast range of cultural events, with the help of his family members. Munno Bhai, a noted columnist, playwright, and poet said Faizaan died at a time when he was needed most. He was a man of great integrity, he added Samina Ahmed, well-known TV artiste, also shared with the audience, the struggling phase of Peerzada family and that how Faizaan
and his brothers Saadan, used to hold puppet shows in Karachi. She said Faizaan for the first time-shared with her the idea of holding the first ever International Puppetry Festival, when they were in Islamabad, to attend
eral, Imtiaz Alam, in his remarks demanded that in view of Faizaan’s great services to serve the cause of art and culture, name a hall of Lahore Arts Council or the adjacent road leading Alhamra Cultural Complex after the late artiste.
such an event organized by Pakistan National Council of Arts. She also narrated the difficulties and bureaniratic hurdles; he came across before he was able to succeed in his lofty venture, mainly through his private resources. SAFMA, Secretary Gen-
His suggestion was unanimously and vociferously endorsed by the who audience. The reference which was very well compared by friend Allama Siddique Azhar, a senior journalist and columnist, drew a most representative and pick of Lahore society.
Timely polls assured ISLAMABAD—The Federal Minister for Political Affairs Senator Mola Bux Chandio on Friday ensured that the general election will be held timely. Talking to APP, he declined the rumors circulating in various circles of the society regarding election postpone and extension in the period of interim government. He reiterated that the coming general election will be free, fair and transparent and held on its due course of time. “ people accusing Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government for playing delaying tactics into this matter are misguiding the nation for point scoring, nothing else”, he remarked. Chandio told that this is the first time in the political history of Pakistan when a democratic political party is about to complete its tenure successfully though some internal and external forces tried to put many a hurdles in the way but went in vain. “PPP is a democratic party and for the restoration of democracy, it had given a number of precious lives since its foundation. After the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto, the dictatorial regime was trying to delay election in the name of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s death for creating a ground of pre-poll rigging to be in power once again. It was the President Asif Ali Zardari who understood the sensitivity of the situation and opted for the election keeping in view the philosophy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto that ‘Democracy is the best revenge’ although some political parties wanted to boycott the election 2008", added him. In the end, he expressed the hope that PPP will sweep the coming election with a huge mandate and serve the people Roti, Kapra aur Makaan (Bread, Dress and House).—APP
Anti-terror fight to continue Staff Reporter
Gas supply to THQs Hospital ordered Call to properly maintain stadiums SHAFFAAT MALIK T ALAGANG —General Manager of Sui Northern Gas, Mehmood Zia, has issued orders to supply gas to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Talagang. He issued these orders during his visit to the hospital. Mehmood Zia visited the city with local journalists and gave orders to fix TBS equipment in different places of the city. Meanwhile, Talking to journalists Hafiz Ammar Yasir, provincial leader of PML-Q said that low pressure of gas is one of the biggest problems of Talagang. **** There are quite a few sports stadiums in Talagang Tehsil but unfortunately these are in horrible condi-
tions as the authorities are taking any interest in their maintenance. Millions had been spent to contruct these sports stadiums and thousands of people can benefit from these stadiums. These stadiums are not under supervision of any department and that’s why these are not properly looked after. Social and local circles have demanded that these sports facilities should be given under Tehsil Municipal Administration’s supervision so that people of these villages can get full advantage of these facilities. People said that they had been demanding this for long time but authorities are not giving much attention to this issue as they are busy in their so-called de- BHITSHAH: Sharmila Faruqui, Special Assistant to Chief Minister, Sindh, on Media Affairs and Auqaf, giving away velopment projects. gift to a woman at the shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai during 269th Urs celebrations.
Nepotism, favouritism, violation of merit rising
Balochistan education sector in doldrum
PESHAWAR—The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa QUETTA —Education sector Government Teachers Asso- cable environment for knowl- tion sector and maximum en- “Drastic steps were required girls are still away from Minister for Information and Public Relations, Mian Iftikhar Hussain Friday said the sacrifices rendered by ex-Senior Provincial Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour Shaheed will not go in vain. “The followers of Bacha Khan will fight the menace of terrorism till the end even at the cost of their lives but will never retreat”, he said. He expressed these views while addressing on the occasion of Khatm-eQuran for the departed soul of Bashir Ahmad Bilour Shaheed jointly arranged by Awami National Party District Peshawar and Pakhtun Student Federation at Bacha Khan Markaz, Peshawar. The ceremony was attended by senior leaders of ANP including Senator Haji Muhammad Adeel, Afrasiyab Khattak, Haroon Bilour, Arbab Tahir, Provincial Ministers, MPAs and party workers. The Information Minister said that it was need of the hour that all political parties, state organs and the whole nation should come stand united to develop a consensus and make final decision to curb terrorism. He said that no one should indulge oneself in the misunderstanding and credibility that the war against terrorism was the issue related to ANP and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa only. If the terrorism was not curbed at this stage then it would spread and no individual, no political party and no place would be safe, he warned. All political parties of the country should have to rise above party politics and think in broader perspective of national interest, he maintained. Regarding talks with Taliban for durable peace in the whole region, Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that ANP always welcomed talks and tried to resolve issue through peaceful means but the talks must be meaningful and positive.
Bilawal’s speech historic I SLAMABAD —Federal Minister for Postal Services Sardar Al-Haj Mohammad Umar Gorgaij Friday appreciated the speech of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Garhi Khuda Bux, saying it was a historic one. Talking to APP, he said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was speaking at Garhi Khuda Bux like his mother Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who used to be always confident. He said that people were listening the speech of the Chairman Pakistan People’s Party with full attention patiently, showing the level of people’s confidence in his personality. He hoped being young leader, Bilawal Zardari would change the politics of Pakistan, steering the country towards heights of development and prosperity. He said the speech highlighted his leadership qualities and vision for political stability and for a prosperous Pakistan. He said that party leadership and workers saw a new hope after the speech of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, at Gari Khuda Bakhsh. He said that Chairman PPP gave his vision to the people for strengthening economy of the country. He said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari restored the dignity of the common man. PPP workers rendered sacrifices for democracy: Minister for Capital Administration and Development (CAD), Nazar Muhammad Gondal on Thursday said that leadership and workers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had always sacrificed their life for democracy in the country. “We are protecting and safeguarding democracy, “ he stated this while talking to Pakistan Television channel. Giving comments on the speech of Bilawal Zardari Bhutto at Ghari Khuda Bakhsh, he said that the PPP Chairman talked about the basic issues including ‘roti’,’kapra’ and ‘makan’. He said that Bilawal Zardari Bhutto had given a hope to the nation.—APP
Aqil Shah felicitates Staff Reporter
P ESHAWA R —Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah Friday congratulated Pakistani hockey team on its win against India in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy played at Doha, Qatar. Aqil Shah, who is also Vice President of Pakistan Olympic Association and member of the Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee on sports, expressed the hope that the team would continue showing team work and would bring more victories for the country. Aqil Shah showered praise on showing of the team and attributed their success to collective efforts. He also congratulated the management of the team headed by Olympian Ch. Akhtar Rasool. He also lauded the efforts of President Pakistan Hockey Federation Qasim Zia and Secretary General Asif Bajwa and hoped that under their dynamic leadership the game of hockey would continue to flourish. Aqil Shah wished the Pakistan hockey team and its skipper Imran Ali for showing great show against other teams in the Asian Champions Trophy. It is a very encouraging performance on part of hockey players who have made the entire nation proud, said Aqil Shah. It is pertaining to mention here that Pakistan defeated India by 5-4 to clinch the title of the Asian Mens Hockey Champions Trophy 2012 in Al Rayyan Stadium, Doha, Qatar. Waqas Sharif and Mohammad Imran scored two goals apiece to help Pakistan win the nail-biter. Pakistan’s Shafqat Rasool scored one goal. Earlier, in December 2012 Pakistan won their first Champions Trophy medal since 2004, beating India 3-2 in the bronze medal play-off, depriving their arch-rivals of their first medal in more than 30 years. Pakistan beat Japan by 5-2 in last pool match while Malaysia beat India by 5-3 but fail to qualify in the final.
has weakened in Balochistan due to nepotism, favoritism, violation of merits and a typical business-oriented approach. These views were expressed by speakers at a consultative session of a seminar jointly organized by Action-Aid and Youth Educational Society (YES) at local hotel here. Balochistan minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Syed Ruqayya Saeed Hashmi, Additional Chief Secretary Aslam Shakir Baloch, Senior MBR Sarwar Javed, Director Action-Aid Shahjahan, Director YES Ashraf Hasni, President
Zardari opens Veterinary Sciences varsity
ciation Nawaz Jattak and President Private Teachers Association Nazar Baraich were prominent among those who spoke on the occasion. They said responsibility rests on all stockholders including government, teachers, students and parents to play their constructive role in bringing reforms and betterment. They were of the view that prevailing multiple system of education was not serving effectively and stressed the need for making one curriculum for the students in schools across the entire country. They said efforts of the lawmakers and community would help create ami-
rollment in the primary level, on war-footings to improve schools aggravating the alspeakers urged for its conti- the girls’ enrollment in the ready grim situation”, they nuity and persistency. schools as large number of added.—APP
WB to finance promotion of education WORLD Bank (WB) has shown keen interest to financially assist the education sector of Balochistan, said Balochistan Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Syed Ruqaya Saeed Hashmi on Friday. She held several meetings with the World Bank officials in Islamabad and Quetta, she added. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab have availed the
offer and launched various World Bank funded projects in their respective areas however, due to the follow up failure of Balochistan education department; no single project could be initiated in Balochistan. Further she said “They agreed to contribute with a sizeable amount for the betterment of the education in Balochistan,” . Ministers noted that
they held meetings with the Balochistan parliamentarians in Quetta aimed at sharing modalities and legislators support for the launch of projects but due to lack of interest it too went in vein. Expressing grave concern over the miserable conditions of schools mainly in the rural areas, teachers and trend of nepotism.—APP
Rains to improve subsoil water table, crops M HALEEM ASAD
T IMERGARA —Farmers and NAUDERO—President Asif Ali agriculturists have expressed Zardari here on Friday performed the ground-breaking ceremony of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Sakrand, District Shaheed Benazirabad. Ms. Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari were also present on the occasion. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 3 billion and it will be completed in three years’ time. The University will have six faculties and 26 teaching departments. It will be the first university of its kind.—APP
edge seekers in the province. They underlined the need for evolving concerted strategy to enhance the enrollment in the primary levels. “There is long way to go to achieve the Millennium Development Goal set for the education sector till 2015 as due to the scattered population in Balochistan our large chunk of area is still deprived of basic education facilities”, they said. The speakers also hailed the public-private partnership schemes for the uplift of the sector. Commending some of the reforms put in place by the government for the promotion of educa-
pleasure on recent spell of rain terming it beneficial for wheat crops and fruit orchards. Talking to this correspondent here on Friday former executive district officer agriculture Shafiqur Rahman said that recent rains would have good effects on wheat crops and fruit orchards. He said majority of farmlands are situated in hilly areas where wheat crop had started to grow while in plains like the valley of Talash, Adenzai and Jandol area wheat crop needed rains. It started raining in parts of the Dir Lower on Thursday night
that continued on Friday without any interval. The hilltops in Adenzai, Talash, Maidan, Jandol and Khall also received heavy snowfall as all these wore a white look on Friday due to snowfall, residents said. Farmers Muhammad Hakim, Habibullah and Malik Usman Ghani said their crops also needed rain. They said that not only these rains would benefit crops and fruit but it would also help increase the watertable. They said that due to severe drought for the last four to six months majority of wells and natural springs had dried up and people of Talash had been facing acute shortage of drinking water. They said re-
cent rains would increase water level in their areas. ***** A young emerging leader of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Farid Khan Yousafzai has appealed to people of Malakand region to strengthen the PML-N as it was the only political force that could steer the country out of the present crises. Talking to journalists at the Chakdara press club in its ‘meet the press’ programme Farid Khan said that he needed no politics but the situation in the country and lack of local politicians’ interest in public affairs compelled him to join the PML-N.
He said that the PML-N was the only national and loyal political party that focused on resolution of public problems. The PMLN leader said that he visited Punjab and saw some mega projects initiated by the Punjab government for people welfare. “These are very useful projects like the Ashyana Housing scheme for low income people of Punjab,” he said and added that there had been no such projects in the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and Sindh. He said Pakistan was passing through its critical phase and would further suffer if the present rulers were not changed. He asked people to vote to the
NAB to probe alleged BISP scam STAFF REPORTER P ESHAWA R —National Accountability Bureau KPK has initiated inquiry to probe the alleged embezzlement by the officials of Postal Services Department in the disbursement of money under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to the needy and deserving people. A NAB KP spokesman said that several complaints were received by NAB (KP) against Postal Authorities with the allegations that the recipient of the money is charged Rs.100 to FAISALABAD: A group of persons standing around the fire to keep them warm in chilly Rs.200 per person by the concerned postal employees. weather
On the other hand, money is embezzled through fake receipts and not delivered to the needy persons at all, he added. The NAB (KP) initiated inquiry into the matter to ascertain the factual position and find to all those involved in the scam of the Postal Services Department. Under this programme the money is released to the Postal Services Deptt for distribution through local post office network. Obviously, the post office staff stands responsible for releasing the money to the deserving and qualified persons upon having genuine receipts.
PML-N in next general elections. He also donated Rs 100,000 to the press club welfare fund on the occasion. ***** The University of Malakand (UoM) has announced results of MA, M.Sc and LLB annual examinations. According to a notification issued by the Controller of Examinations Muhammad Shahid Khan in MA Economics Asad Iqbal stood first securing 794 marks, Ms Sheema Gul second with 683 marks while a private candidate Asif Raza stood third with 678 marks. The result remained 24.23 %. In LLB Asal Zada got 1,388 marks and stood first, Ms Bushra Zeb and Muhammad Iqbal got 1,324 marks each and stood second while Azizullah Khan secured 1245 marks and stood third in Law department. A total of 45 students appeared in MA Economics previous, out of which 19 were declared successful and the result remained 29.23 %. In M.Sc Computer Science previous a total of 39 students appeared in the examination out of which 14 were passed and the result remained 35.90 per cent, the notification said. In BS Information Technology examination 23 students appeared out of which 11 cleared the exam and the result remained 33.33 %. The detail marks certificates have been sent to all regular and private students on their postal addresses, said Shahid Khan.
TMA officials directed to improve sanitary conditions Four killed in different incidents BASHIR AHMAD RAHMANI moved to the Allied Hospital, custody and removed it to the washroom of Jamia Masjid working as it was their basic M.A Education and B.A stu-
Faisalabad, where Shoaib suc- city morgue for autopsy. The Bilal her today. The body has duty to resolve the complaints dents, he urged the teachers
HAFIZABAD —Four persons cumbed to his injuries while police have registered a case not yet been identified. After of the citizens. She assured to prove their worth to enincluding two women were killed at four different places in four different mishaps in the district on Friday. According to police sources, Muhammad Shoaib, driver of DPO Office, was killed while Sub-Inspector Muhammad Sarwar was critically injured when their car collided head-on with a tractor-trolley coming from the opposite side due to poor visibility owing to dense fog on Pindi-Bhattian-Chiniot Road. Both COPs were on way to Chiniot when the mishap took place. They were re-
Muhammad Sarwar was struggling for life. A 20-year-old married woman, Shubnam Rani was poisoned to death by her parents in Dhingranwali village as she had married her cousin Irfan Ahmad few months back against the wishes of her parents. After marriage Irfan proceeded to Greece and afterwards her parents took Shubnam Rani in their house. Last night they allegedly poisoned her to death and were going to bury her but on the complaint of her inlaws that they felt foul play, the police took the dead body in their
and are investigating. No arrest has been made as yet. A young married woman Rehana Bibi, wife of Ihsanullah was killed while his sister was seriously injured when roof of his dilapidated ‘katcha’ house caved in and buried them under the debris in Thatha Shamsa. They were removed from under the debris by the villagers and rushed to the hospital where Rehana Bibi was pronounced dead while her sister-in-law was struggling for life. A dead body of 25-yearold man was found in the
getting information, City SHO Syed Arif Hussain and DSP Sadar Tariq Warraich rushed to the spot and started collecting circumstantial evidence. Meanwhile, dead body has been sent to the city morgue to ascertain the cause of his death. ***** Several complaints of sanitary conditions and encroachments in the city were put forward to the DCO in the Khuli Kachehri held by her in the TMA Office Hafizabad on Friday. The DCO Farah Masood has directed the officials of TMA to improve their
the complainants that concrete steps would be taken to improve civic services promptly by the TMA staff. Prominent among those who were present included Administrator TMA Sohail Ahmad Khan and DO (Cord) Noman Hafeez. ***** Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Regional Director Allama Iqbal Open University, has said that everyone should learn and impart knowledge and education to play his/her vital role for the better future of Pakistan. While distributing assignments among M.Ed.,
able their students to become future architect of the country. He, however, warned the teachers that stern action would be taken against those who would found negligent in the performance of their duties. He further directed the teachers to submit the results of their students without any delay so that to enable the university staff to complete the results promptly. He said that AIOU was promoting education so that every person should become literate and make Pakistan a developed country to meet the prevalent challenges.
Bilawal enters political arena
MEDIA WATCH
No easy task
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HOUGH he was already Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) but on the occasion of 5th martyrdom anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formally entered into the political arena by delivering a sort of policy speech touching different issues and his resolve to deliver. This was widely expected and it is also believed that now he would be spearheading the election campaign of the party. The art of politics is nothing new to Bilawal as he opened eyes in a leading political family of the country as both his grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and mother Benazir Bhutto not only left deep marks on the history of Pakistan but are also being remembered as world class leaders. He is also son of the man about whom Makhdoom Javed Hashmi had made historic remarks “Ph.D. is required to understand politics of President Zardari”. The Garhi Khuda Bakhsh address was well rehearsed and Bilawal appeared to be very confident as his body language conveyed. His speech was also received well by the crowd as he expressed his firm resolve to defend democracy, fight terrorism to the end and take measures to ensure provision of basic necessities of life to every citizen of the country. However, it is also understood that Bilawal is entering politics at a turbulent time when both the PPP and Pakistan are facing daunting challenges and budding Bilawal will have to tread the path with patience and vision to come up to the expectations of the party and the masses. PPP elders have started describing present PPP as non-Bhutto party especially when close confidants of both ZAB and BB have been sidelined. Similarly, Pakistan is facing enormous problems both at internal and external fronts and some of them are so tricky that the PPP could not overcome them in long five years. Anyhow, the coming elections would be a litmus test of the PPP and its new leader and the outcome would determine many things.
Show of votes in Balochistan — slur on democracy C
HIEF Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani, who has been at the centre of controversy in the province, restored his falling political image and authority to some extent by winning vote of no-confidence against his own Speaker. By doing so he has established that in spite of the criticism and the Supreme Court findings he is still the man playing the shots in the province. Democracy is often called game of numbers and it is well within the rules of the game to seek vote of confidence or vote an elected office-bearer out through vote of no-confidence but the way it happened in Balochistan Assembly on Wednesday was sheer mockery of democracy and outrageous. According to media accounts (quoting MPAs) the Members of the Provincial Assembly were asked to show their ballot papers after stamping them to prove their loyalty, which, in turn, must have been purchased through cash and kind. And these are not mere rumours as newspapers published photographs wherein several MPAs are showing their ballot papers to the men of the Chief Minister before putting them into the ballot box. The brazen violation of the spirit of the secret ballot should be an eye-opener to all and especially to those who claim to be champions of democracy and democratic traditions. You never get tired of taunting Punjab Chief Minister for forming and saving his Government through the help of ‘turncoats’ of PML(Q) but keep a mum when it comes to your own party and the Governments. It is known to all that the Chief Minister had even lost confidence of his own party and the verdict of the Supreme Court that he has also lost the right to rule, should have been enough justification to show him the door if he had no moral courage to leave the office himself honourably. This is a very serious incident and hopefully the Supreme Court would take notice of it especially when it also amounts to flouting its judgement.
Engage TTP in any case T
EHRIK-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has outlined conditions for a ceasire, including the adoption of Islamic law and a break with the United States. But the offer contained in a letter sent by TTP to Pakistani newspapers has instantly and out rightly been rejected by Interior Minister Rehman Malik who believed that offer of conditional truce was unacceptable and that Taliban cannot dictate the Government. There is no denying the fact that the state has to establish and maintain its writ and it must not allow individuals and groups to dictate their terms but in this case we firmly believe the Minister has given a kneejerk reaction. No doubt, some of the conditions elaborated by TTP cannot and should not be accepted but there are others that can surely be considered. It is also understood that all such conditions are never meant to be accepted but are used as a bargaining chip. What is important with regard to this offer is that the TTP is expressing willingness for talks and the window of opportunity should not be lost. It is naïve to expect that the TTP would enter into talks without any conditions, which would be seen as a total surrender. There is absolutely no justification to reject the offer as such because by doing so the Government would also be acting against the spirit of the unanimous resolutions adopted by Parliament emphasizing the need for dialogue to resolve the issue. We have also been emphasizing in these columns that Pakistan should also open negotiations with TTP as the US, NATO and Kabul Government are doing in Afghanistan as part of plans to restore peace in that country. It is also significant that TTP is talking in terms of ceasefire and therefore, serious efforts should be made to grab this opportunity for durable peace.
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Afghan peace process & optimism ber 2012. Despite the fact, the Taliban had in the past refused to sit down with President Karzai, who they Mohammad Jamil said was American Email: mjamil1938@hotmail.com puppet; their representatives, nevertheless, talked to representatives of the arring a few groups, the Karzai government. The US and Afoverwhelming majority of ghan government have reportedly Afghans support the govern- agreed to amend the Constitution, ment efforts to negotiate peace with though its finer nuances are yet to be the Taliban. A senior Afghan offi- discussed. Taliban’s pokesman cial reportedly told the Reuters: Zabihullah has stated: “We have held “Pakistan is genuine about backing meeting and are holding meetings a nascent Afghan peace process and with Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras who shares the Kabul government’s goal are not part of Karzai’s regime”. of transforming the Taliban insurThough it is premature to pregency into a political movement. dict the outcome of the peace efforts Such news radiates an aura of opti- and overtures, there seems to be a mism, because last month when change in America’s stance, which Taliban militants attacked in the first place is wary of ‘insider’ Afghanistan’s intelligence chief, attacks that killed American and President Hamid Karzai without NATO soldiers. This new phenomany evidence or investigation said enon has prompted the Europeans that the attacker came from Paki- and Americans to pressurize their stan. Anyhow, there seems to be a governments to withdraw American realization on the part of leaderships and NATO forces from Afghanistan. of Pakistan and Afghanistan and Afghan and Pakistani leaderships even the Taliban that negotiations have also realized that people of are the only way to resolve the is- Afghanistan and Pakistan have sufsues. Pakistan has indeed gone ex- fered death and destruction for the tra mile to help bring peace in war- last three decades. Firstly, when Sotorn country. viet forces landed in Afghanistan in Earlier, peace prospects looked 1979 and the US and the West bleak in view of extreme positions planned the overt and covert operataken by the US and the Taliban. tion against them. Secondly, in a The US had been insisting that civil war – war between the jihadi Taliban should renounce violence, organizations, and now once again abandon Al Qaeda and abide by the people are the victims of the war on constitution. On the other hand, the terror. Last year, efforts were made Taliban had precluded the possibil- to bring the belligerents to the neity of negotiating peace until all for- gotiating table but America did not eign forces leave Afghanistan. De- let President Hamid Karzai talk to spite those vows the Taliban repre- the Taliban, arguably to first soften sentatives attended the three-day them up so that it could talk from Paris conference on future of Af- the position of strength. In the afghan that ended on 22nd Decem- termath of 9/11 deadly coordinated
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attack involving multiple hijacked aircraft and deliberately crashing into the World Trade Centre’s twintowers in New York and Pentagon, a large portion of the nation’s economic infrastructure had come to a standstill, and even today its economy is in dire straits. Pakistan is also suffering from terrorism since the time it joined hands with the US during Afghan jihad in 1980s, when the US and the West had through propaganda persuaded more than 100000 jihadis from all over the world to come to Pakistan to wage jihad against ‘infidels’. And once Soviet troops withdrew, restrictions under Pressler Amendment were imposed, as American president had stopped certifying that Pakistan was not enriching uranium to make nuclear device. Even now when Pakistan is a front line state in war on terror, an overwhelming role was given to India in reconstruction of Afghanistan. The US should bear in mind that without giving the majority Pashtuns the due share in power, there would be no peace in the foreseeable future. If history is any guide, nobody should make long term plans to stay in Afghanistan. It is true that contradictions have existed between Pushtuns and Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks for centuries, but barring a few exceptions in the past they stayed together and put up a joint resistance whenever aliens invaded Afghanistan. But this time round if Northern alliance and the Taliban do not reach an agreement about share in power after the US and NATO forces withdraw, there would be a bloody battle rather civil war because on one side Afghan army mainly comprising Tajiks, Uzbeks, Hazaras and a pinch of Pushtuns armed with sophisticated weapons, and on the other side war-hardened Taliban fighters, who could not be decimated by US,
NATO and Afghan forces. If peace efforts fail, there would be a civil war that could lead to disintegration of Afghanistan, and more regional players jumping into the fray to secure their positions. These fears besides, there are indications that sincere efforts are being made to achieve peace in Afghanistan. Reuters reported: “On December 7, General Kayani hammered home his determination to support a negotiated end to the war in Afghanistan at a meeting of top commanders at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi”. But there are some concocted stories in Reuters’ report e.g. when it quoted a military commander in Wana having said: “There was a time when we used to think we were the masters of Afghanistan. Now we just want them to be their own masters so that we can concentrate on our own problems”. In the past, some defence analysts or planners looked for Pakistan’s strategic depth in Iran and Afghanistan. But the present military leadership has never harbored such ambitions or desires. In fact, Pakistan’s present military leadership is harvesting what the previous civil and military leadership had sown vis-a-vis by entering into the defence pacts with the West in 1950s; then becoming the frontline state after Soviet forces had landed in Afghanistan in 1979; and then joining the War on Terror in 2001. Coming back to the possibility of success in the negotiations between Afghan government and the Taliban, all depends on the US. Taliban has started the negotiations even though NATO forces are still there in Afghanistan, but they would never accept America’s bases in Afghanistan. —The writer is Lahore-based senior journalist.
International security & 2013 intra-and-inter-factional rivalries. Although such antagoRana Athar Javed nism is considered as part of the Email: ma_javed@hotmail.com “double game”, and often the main partner is to be blamed aintaining international se for any significant foul play (e.g. curity for the US and blaming Pakistan for everything that NATO in the year 2012 be- goes wrong in Afghanistan). In 2013, came an end in itself, a nearly full- the US and NATO will ensure contitime invasions and engagement of nuity of talks with Taliban in AfghaniSpecial Operations Forces (SOF) in stan and prepare further rounds of strategic zones superseded the con- harsh sanction regime on Iran. While siderations for peace and general po- it will accept the participation of Palitical stability. From the horns of Af- kistan in successful negotiation prorica to Asia Pacific and, from Yemen cess with Taliban in Afghanistan, its to Afghanistan, the coalition and al- core objective will sought to keep Paliances of armies failed to give pri- kistan out of “grand peace process” ority to coalition partners’ prefer- in the region. ences. Not responding to strategic The legendary Pak-military on importance of coalition members, occasion would be acknowledged, the regions are left with tales of and its willingness to participate in bruised economy, territorial frag- joint operational strategy would bementation and loss of hundreds of come central to “rescue & withthousands of innocent lives at the drawal” planning of US and NATO hands of terrorists and a reality of forces from Afghanistan in 2014. low-intensity civil wars in various The premier discourse about stabiparts of the world. Two crucial lizing Pakistan will inherently be points have to be noted regarding the attached to its national affairs includworsening international security ing accountability and counter tersituation: First, with lack of compro- ror strategy. Through the forums of mise and consensus between the so- international security and military called warring factions/rebels/mili- strategists, a limited assessment tants/terrorists etc. &the US, the about the failures of US in Afghanistate of international security can be stan will be used to make decision deteriorated in 2013. Second, the on subduing Iranian threat, and pounstructured expansionism, and a tential appropriate military and ecostrategy of procrastination and par- nomic measures against its nuclear tial solutions will undermine the program. Thus, use of force, for exnational consensus over unjustifi- ample air raids and Special Forces ably supporting a paralyzed interna- Operations will be presented as the tional security policy. “only” option left to install a proThe US coalition system and Arab and Western government in military alliances has managed to Syria and, subsequently containing produce a strange and dysfunctional Iran – the responsibility to take such political partners – are often lead to extreme measures would be placed
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upon political brinkmanship of Iranian leadership and popular public opinion in the Western capitals. The ongoing inability of the Muslim world to forge a meaningful consensus to promote democracy and a nepotism free society means that hard-pressed social issues, especially youth unemployment and radicalization will generate further risks for international security, and hence strict visa screening regimes, and unnecessary racial and religious profiling at campuses and urban neighborhoods. Lack of effective cultural knowledge about different Muslim communities living in the US and Europe, for example remains contributing factor to the overall politicized international security policy-making. This conclusion also impacts opinion of state authorities and thereby a significant impact on the perception of Muslim minorities in Western countries. Even in the developed nations, the true ability of international security specialists remains to be seen, as the death and destruction “only” in Islamic countries is viewed by Muslim population as a national humiliation and thus mounts pressure on democratic countries, especially the US to demonstrate a better international security strategy – expect future erosion of authority of the US, which virtually become dependent on the cooperation of small and powerless Muslim countries (e.g. Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Yemen). With the exception of Pakistani people who gallantly sacrificed more than 40, 000 of their fellow citizens, soldiers and security personnel, other Western and Muslim countries have yet to show an aptitude to wield prestige and sacrifice, at least not to the level of neutralizing international se-
curity threats. As befits a wartime public opinion, Pakistan is an important player in the stabilizing process of Afghanistan and subsequently the wider South Asia, although still faces a major smear campaign and negative perception about its role in war on terror. This should be changed in 2013 because many international security specialists believe that previous propaganda techniques of the US and international press against Pakmilitary and ISI have been highly ineffective and counterproductive. Moreover, the US and coalition partners have been suffering from heavy political, financial and military constraints. A delay or refusal to accept the genuine role of Pakistan as “part of solution” will be just detrimental to the entire coalition system and will restrict the goodwill of NATO only to Afghanistan. This development will not only lead to repeat of crisis after Iraq/Libyan war, but will also produce a very “weak” coalition against future risky security projects of the US. For domestic political reasons, the US Public Relations (PR) system is highly efficient, but has been somewhat politicized since 9/11. The growing crisis of credibility of Afghan government, Indian influence in Afghanistan, the US build-up in Asia Pacific, and around Iran will partially be considered as the sources of threats to international security, rather than stability drivers. Therefore, the ability of the Obama administration and its NATO allies will be tested in dealing with popular Israel pressure to attack a nuclear Iran – and protect Israel from so-called terminating Iranian threat. —The author is a Denmark-based National Security Expert and Defence Analyst.
lot can be achieved in five years. That’s probably the reason why nations set five years as the benchmark for their development plans. But while leaders have transformed their countries by adhering their five-year plans, apparently this vast time frame is just not enough for Pakistan’s judicial system to find the masterminds behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. While on December 27, Bhutto’s five-year death anniversary no major announcement relating to her assassination was made but her party delineated its roadmap for the 2013 elections. The event also marked the formal launch of Bilawal Bhutto’s political career. The 24-year-old made his first major political speech at the event, in which he talked about fighting militancy and extremism. Currently in Pakistan, there’s also a great deal of speculation about the Oxford graduate’s entry in electoral politics. The PPP Chairman is apparently underaged by a few months to stand as an electoral candidate, but plans to contest elections from his mother’s constituency as soon as he becomes eligible. The ruling PPP, which has suffered from ebbing popularity for failing to revive the economy and effectively govern the country, is likely to breathe new life in its campaign by letting Bilawal contest the forthcoming 2013 elections. But Bhutto’s only son has huge shoes to fill. His mother still remains arguably one of the most famous politicians in history and was, for the West, the face of democracy in Pakistan. Despite the flaws in her political record, she went against all odds to return back to Pakistan in 2007 for the sake of democracy and ultimately died a martyr in her homeland. While Bilawal too lost a parent to an untimely death, he has neither been burdened by the cumbersome responsibility of uniting the disparate democratic forces, nor has suffered months of house arrest like his mother did under military dictator Zia Ul Haq’s rule. A difficult journey lies ahead of Bilawal — it will be a challenge for the young, political heir not to be dwarfed by his mother’s powerful legacy.—Khaleej Times
*****
Crumbling regime
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he embattled regime in Syria has suffered yet another blow. Syria’s military police chief Major General Abdul Aziz Jassim Al Shallal has joined the rebellion and fled the country to neighbouring Turkey. In a video posted online, the former military man announced his defection to the “people’s revolution” and denounced the Syrian regime as “gangs of murder”. According to the Free Syrian Army — the most prominent rebel group in Syria — Shallal had been planning his escape to Turkey with the aid of the rebels since weeks. This latest defection follows a number of other high-profile abandonments — in July, brigadier general and former friend of Assad Manaf Tlass quit Syria’s Republican Guard in July. Moreover, prime minister Riyad Hijab also recently left the beleaguered regime. What are the implications of Shallal’s defection? The fact that the former military police chief called it quits at such an advanced stage of civil war, which has so far claimed over 40,000 people, surely makes him no revolutionary dissident. It makes more sense to assume that Shallal was actually an Assad loyalist, who saw the writing on the wall as the Ba’athist regime teeters on collapse and decided to save himself. His decision to switch sides is a clear sign that Assad’s grip over his territory is progressively weakening — a fact that even Syria’s staunchest ally Russia recently acknowledged. The former military police chief also said in his video that other military personnel are eager to abandon the regime, but “unfavourable circumstances” thwart them from doing so. This statement suggests that as rebels continue to debilitate Assad’s regime, more defections will be in line. The Syrian National Council should brace itself for handling a transition, because Assad’s days surely seem numbered.—The CG News
Parents learn a lot from their children about coping with life. Muriel Spark —British novelist
More about the two icons Name of the book :
Author Reviewed by Publisher
: : :
Pages Price
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M
aulana Mohamed Ali, closely supported by his brother and comrade Shaukat Ali put a fresh life in the struggle for freedom of India in the first three decades of 20th century. Besides he worked for the awakening of Indian Muslims who constituted about hundred millions strong but had lost, after mutiny, the courage to challenge the British colonial rule. There was also a third dimension to Mohamed Ali’s occupation, and that pertains to his firm belief in the Hindu-Muslim unity, which he considered essential to win the war of independence. In this regard he urged his Hindu friends, co-workers, and Hindu public at large to stop discriminating against the Muslims, and instead create a social environment, which would be conducive to national unity.
Ali Brothers, The Life & Times of Maulana Mohamed Ali & Shaulat Ali Khalid Ali Hamid Alvi
Royal Book Company, Karachi 920 Rs 25,00/-
A lot has been written about Mohamed Ali but a lot more needs to be written. The great Maulana has left behind a treasure of his writings in the form of newspaper articles. His English and Urdu newspapers, Comrade and Hamdard, were popular in Northern India and the researchers might be able to trace these. His speeches were recorded in his lifetime and printed later in book form. However, the deficiency in the availability of source material on Maulana has been largely met by Khalid Ali, the grandson of both Ali Brothers. In his recently published book titled “Ali Brothers, The Life and Times of Maulana Mohamed Ali”. Khalid Ali has provided the present and future historians the most authentic material on the Ali Brothers and the history which they had shaped in their lifetime and beyond.
Commenting on the book Editor of Weekly ‘Pakistan Link’, Los Angeles, USA Arif Hussaini, says, “It is a highly valuable contribution to the history of Muslim struggle for a place under the sun after the exit of British colonial power.” Author Khalid Ali in his 920 page long odyssey covers both private and public life of Ali Brothers. The earlier writings on the subject had omitted many vital undertakings of the pair besides their youthful activities, which help in understanding an individual. Khalid Ali has made strenuous efforts to fill those gaps and present the dynamics of the personality Muslim leader as they were. His research work which took more than twenty years of his precious life will always be providing guideline to students of South Asian history. Up to now Mohamed Ali was identified with the controversial Khilafat movement, which according to Khalid is not the correct assessment of the man who occupied prominent position on the Indian political stage for thirty long years. True, he was deeply involved with Khilafat question but was even more deeply involved with liberation of India and the need for Hindu-Muslim unity. At one point he had realised that even for the Khilafat question to be resolved according to Muslim demand, India and other colonies have to be free and powerful. Talking to Pakistan Observer, Khalid Ali was recently asked as to why did he select the Ali Brother’s and their times for his monumental book. His reply was precise and convincing. He said: My book is the
product of two impulses. First, I believe that the course taken by the Indian Muslims in 1940 was not the result of a whim or sudden impulse. It is rooted in events. The Muslims had their faults but an influential section of the majority community went on rejecting even their minimum and fair demands for a share in power and went on rejecting all suggestions to create a balance federation. In fact, Nehru report, which was the nationalist blueprint of free Indians the constitution, rejected even the federal system and wanted to impose a unitary system. The Hindu elites in Punjab, Bengal and Sindh were suspicious of the Muslims majority in Bengal, Punjab and Sindh. The short experience of Congress Governments hardened the Muslims fears and Hindu Sawaraj. The Pakistanis were to many years later, the same kind of blindness and arrogance in handling the Muslim Bengalis. Second, I thought that we in Pakistan love to wallow in ignorance and have not written adequately about the freedom struggle. The role of fighters for freedom like the Ali Brothers was not rightly presented. It was the product of sheer ignorance. I want the people to live in the present to build a good future for Pakistan, but they should not throw away the solace and inspiration which persons like the Ali Brothers and Bi Amman offer. Apart from memory, their lives offer much guidance in dealing with Shia, Sunni, Qadiani issues and relations with the West. They hated British rule but earnestly appealed not to kill British friendship, etc.
Pakistan needs electoral reform remaining to justify the political leaders and parties sitting in Rizwan Ghani power in federal and provincial governments opposing, condemning and creating pon arrival in Pakistan and conspiracy theories against Dr. while talking to the media Dr Qadri’s and his large gatherings and Allama Tahir ul Qadri said demonstrations. Noticeably there are leaders of that he would answer to all those questions and clarify those doubts two major parties, Pakistan Peoples which were being raised by some Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim political elements and journalists on League Nawaz Group (PML(N), are his intentions for Pakistan. Then in loudly criticising Dr. Qadri’s electhe first few minutes of his historic toral reform agenda of democratic speech in the historic demonstration process prior to the coming general of 2 million people at the Minar-Pa- election. It is quite obvious to unkistan, Dr. Qadri made very clear derstand their opposition as Dr. through his sworn declaration that Qadri’s demand of electoral reform he has no intention to sabotage the conflict the interest of the PPP and current democratic process neither PML (N) because both parties are has he wanted to delay the coming the major power sharer of the counelections. He further claimed that he try- PPP is ruling in the centre and has not been supported by any ex- PML(N) is in Punjab (major provinternal or international powers for his cial power of Pakistan) – and both moment to make the democratic & want to continue their governments coming election process right. for the next tenure. Dr. Qadri has already unveiled He also said that if army would intervene and try to take over power that these two parties are trying to of the country he would be at the bring a care taking government frontline to be the wall against the which can protect their target goals military forces. There has nothing of the coming elections. However, been come out as well which could Mr. Altaf Hussain, the leader of the prove that Dr. Qadri or his Minhaj 3rd political force in the current govul Quran has aim to participate in ernment, Mutehida Quomi Movethe coming election. Now what else ment (MQM) has demonstrated sup-
U
port to Dr. Qadri’s agenda of electoral reform. The MQM’s parliamentarians attended the 23rd gathering (Jalsa) of Dr. Qadri. Altaf Hussain has made a good decision in this political situation as this can provide a chance to MQM to regain support from those sections that are not happy with MQM due to Altaf Hussain’s continuous support to PPP in prolonging PPP’s government to complete 5 years tenure. Now Altaf Hussain should also ask their parliamentarians to resign and openly support Dr. Qadri’s campaign in order to force PPP and PML (N) to bring all the political stakeholders into agreement in forming a care taking government. Outside the current parliament but currently an effective political force in public, Imran Khan also announced that Dr. Qadri’s electoral reform agenda is similar to the agenda of his party Tehreek-e-Insaf. Imran Khan should also openly support Dr. Qadri’s action plan. Altaf Hussain and Imran should put their political difference aside for the time being for the sake of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan. These political parties look for election just to win and gain power, they are professional politicians not nation-builders, they have no programme or plans for the betterment of the common people of Pa-
kistan, even if they claim they have, in the five years they have proved themselves to be failed otherwise Pakistan would not be going through the worst situation since it was split in half in 1971, therefore, how can they make any good in the next 5 years. The most unfortunate dilemma is that every time, from army dictator Ayub Khan, civilian leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, army dictator Zia ul Haque, civilian leaders Benazir and Nawaz Sharif and then again army dictator Pervez Musharraf and now Asif Ali Zardari and his team in the government have changed the constitution of Pakistan for their own vested interest; otherwise rulers wouldn’t require making changes since the creation of the State. Similarly those nationalist provincial parties who are against the feudal/tribal system within Pakistani politics should also join Dr. Qadri’s campaign of electoral reform. These nationalist parties in Sindh, Balochistan and even in Khaibar Pukhtoon Khwa should understand that they could only survive and make the conditions better for their followers if Pakistan survives. Stronger Pakistan financially, administratively and politically will make provinces and provincial parties stronger.
Views From Abroad
Syria: No hint of progress Hassan Barari
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ot surprisingly, peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s most re cent visit to Syria and his meeting with the embattled President Bashar Assad has yielded no marked progress to speak of. Although the Syrian president was talking to Brahimi from a position of weakness, it does not seem that he would acquiesces to the American-Russian initiative to settle the crisis politically. Meanwhile, the fight continues unabated. “The situation in Syria is still worrying and we hope that all parties would adopt a solution that would meet the aspirations of the Syrian
people,” Brahimi said. While Lakhdar Brahimi has been pushing for any agreement or headway in Damascus, perhaps he needs to learn from his predecessor Kofi Annan who resigned four months ago after he failed to broker a cease-fire. Apparently, Assad is still using the same old tactic: Buying time! All previous attempts to bring about cease-fire and set up a transitional government have failed and rejected by one party or another. And yet, Brahimi is pushing for the establishment of a transitional government with Assad! The situation in Syria cannot be more complicated. The country has already descended into a sectarian conflict. It seems that any political initiative that grants Assad a role will
not work. Moreover, the dominant perception in Syria and abroad is that the days of Assad are numbered. Barring any international plan to deal with a post-Assad Syria, the conflict will continue in the war-racked nation after Assad’s departure or death. A close look at the nature of the fighting around major cities reveals a grim picture. The fault line in these key cities has been consolidated around sects. Rubbing salt into the wound, the most radical Islamist groups — some are aligned with Al-Qaeda — have gained more strength recently. These groups, according to many reports, have been the beneficiaries of the latest battles. In other words, they have been at the forefront of the fight
against the embattled regime forces and achieved headways. Just a few days ago, the head of Syria’s military police defected and declared his allegiance to the fighters. “I am Gen. Abdelaziz Jassim Al-Shalal, head of the military police. I have defected because of the deviation of the army from its primary duty of protecting the country and its transformation into gangs of killing and destruction,” the general said in a video posted on the Internet. In short, Assad is losing ground for the fighters. But the progress has to wait for sometime. Unless Assad personally feels that his days are numbered and that time is not in his favor, he is not expected to budge. —Arab News
Lathi charge..!
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ootage by television channels throughout the country show the police being extremely brutal with their lathi charges on students agitating in Delhi. But there are many reasons for their brutality: “Our lathis,” said a policeman who didn’t want to be named, “have to be used every once in a while. Because we are useless at guarding anything the government gives us old First World War muskets as a
decoration for our shoulders! Because we don’t chase criminals and gangsters the government gives us old jeeps and a few motor bikes to place outside our police stations,” the policeman had a good scratch and continued, “so we have to use lathis once in a while or even that will be taken away. With one good lathi charge the government is happy and we are able to keep our sticks for a few more years!” “Those students should not take our blows to heart,” said a suspended cop, “they should treat us like strict fathers who are guiding their children into the right path. Why? Everyday I give my own child a thrashing with this belt! See this belt. Hard isn’t it? But my child takes it without a whim-
per and knows I am the boss. If my child can take it why can’t these students take it too? They think they are better than my son?” A lady constable who’d been accused of unnecessary violence on female agitators spat a thick wad of pan as she sat on a bench outside the station, “ I wanted to see what they were hiding behind their sweaters!” she shouted, “I knew they were wearing spaghetti tops, and sleeveless T shirts with low neck lines, and wearing sweaters on top! My whole aim was to expose their real selves and show the country how these agitators were really western culture infiltrators! I had no other alternative but to tear them off!” She spat another wad of pan as she
spat out her words with venom. The policeman who had used the water cannon was a bewildered man, “I used water because they looked thirsty. I aimed it at their faces so it would go directly down their mouths. Poor thirsty students! Poor tired students!” “Every time I struck a blow,” said an inspector, “it was a blow for my children. Because I worked hard my poor son is able to enjoy life and not struggle in class and school like I did. But to see girls agitating just because of rape made me very angry. What is this rape, rape, rape?” Like I said, there are many reasons for the police lathi charge, we public are unaware off..! —Email: bobsbanter@gmail.com
Voice of the People Culture of tolerance MALIK ATIF M MAJOKA Christmas and birth anniversary of Qaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah fall the same day. If you are an expatriate living in western world culturally or physically, you often ask yourself who is more important, remembering Quaid on the day or going out and wishing Christmas to your friends. This could be a dilemma of an expatriate who actually never have seen that sort of passion for Christmas in his own country. You see churches being decorated with fancy lights , images of Santa every where, low prices goods with “Merry Christmas” greetings on, people donating from money to household items for the poor irrespective of their race , religion or colour and above all without interference of state or religious dictates. This feeling makes you feel good and admire pluralism of the society. Christmas parties are arranged for everyone without asking anyone’s belief or culture. The story does not end there if you are from a culture which forbids you to consume certain kinds of food, separate vegetarian suitable food is also made available. This inclusive behaviour of mainstream culture towards other cultures existing in the same society is remarkable. Level of tolerance shown to all cultures and faiths manifests is everyday life by finding prayers rooms for Muslims at work places, slaughtering of animals other than socially acceptable treatment of animals and availability of vegetarian food at most food outlets. The purpose of painting picture of a pluralistic society is to remind my fellow country men that this is the sort of society our great leader had envisioned. A society based on Islamic principles of justice and equality. The vision of Quaid which got manifested in his 11 August 1947 address to first constituent assembly in which he clearly sees a society free from all types of discrimination, bigotry and stresses upon the values of pluralism and tolerance. He particularly separates business of the state from faith. The real and true spirit of Islamic concept of social justice is to make society behave like a sane living entity not like a semi alive bleeding body. —Melbourne, Australia
Rhetoric or homage? SHAHZAD KHALIL Every year we hear our politicians, especially those political parties branded as PML, pay homage to Quaid’s memory, but there is absolutely nothing on ground which reflects that any of them bear any resemblance or commitment to legacy of a great man, who through a peaceful political struggle, carved out of subcontinent, a country which he hoped would function as a modern democratic welfare state, where muslim majority could live in peace and prosperity with men of other faiths and creed, without any fear or discrimination. Even in the simple matter of renaming roads in Punjab, the preference is not for men or women who waged struggle and were loyal to Quaid e Azam or Allama Iqbal, but those who were either very close to the elder Shariff or are loyalists of this family. Why do not people walk their talk?; and why this empty rhetoric and claims of being inheritors of Quaid or Allama Iqbal’s legacy?. They should just play their politics and stop exploiting name of Muslim League. All these factions, be they F, Q, N etc are almost all the same, none better than PPP or others, each in their own tenures indulged in massive abuse of powers and flight of capital from Pakistan, and having within their ranks individuals who have pledged an oath of loyalty to other nations. —Sialkot
Deteriorating security situation KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ At the time when NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan is coming near peace conditions are going bad to worse in militants hold areas in Pakistan. Whole nation in Pakistan is still in shock and grief after brutal killing of Awami National party leader Bashir Ahmed Blour in suicide attack in party in meeting in Peshawar. Recent killing in high security zone also proved that how things are going bad to worse despite claims of government. Due to his hard stance and strong voice against militants
Delimiting Karachi COL RIAZ JAFRI (R)
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he MQM leader Farooq Sattar has filed petitions in the apex court stating that drawing new constituency boundaries in the city is illegal and unconstitutional. That it could not be conducted without census which again should not be limited to Karachi only but be countrywide. The MQM appears to be scared of the fresh demarcation of the constituencies, which would be on the basis of equal distribution of the number of the people in each constituency and the total number of the constituencies in the city will not only increase in number but could also fall in the city regions not under the strong hold of the MQM. Thus the fresh alignment could favour the non-MQM candidates from other ethnic groups and origins, especially the Pathans and Baloch. This would obviously weaken their hold on Karachi and through Karachi on Sindh. Whatever MQM may say the fact remains that such delimitation would be the most realistic and according to the ground realities. More than that, it will ensure a true democratic representation of the entire populace of Karachi. As the delimitation would be applicable to all political parties and the MQM calling itself a democratic party should accept the ground realities. —Rawalpindi Basheer Blour was prime target for militants. Due to worse peace conditions and raising suicide attacks in tribal area border with Afghanistan and Khyber Paktoonkwah province several ministers and member of parliament belong to ruling Awami National Party cant visit their areas and now living in Islamabad for security concern but local workers and ordinary people are paying high price for tussle between local government and militants. Government has failed to provide security to own Ministers and parliament members. Only days ago militants attacked high security Air Base in Peshawar and killed several people. Ten polio vaccination workers also lost their lives in terrorist attacks in different parts of country. More than ten thousand people lost their lives and several thousands are still in migration camps after start of US led war on terror in Pakistan tribal areas. Now at the time when US withdrawal is coming near and sudden departures of foreign forces from region would create further vacuum in current security situation. After sudden departure of foreign forces Iraq is still facing worse bloodshed, suicide attacks and killing of innocent people government in Pakistan should prepare its strategy to face tough challenges in future and to avoid Iraq like situation in the region. —Jeddah
Not again, please! ALIYA BAKHT Elections: a formal and organized process, usually free and fair, of electing an eligible political body to lead and rule. In this process, the majority of population chooses a body to represent democracy with legislation, justice and co-operation with its public. In view of the law and order situation in our state, a confusion has arisen whether the elections will or will not be held in Pakistan in the coming year. Well, the elections-2013 should be held. As this government is the only lucky one to complete its 5 years of democratic rule, so let us analyze some of its salient traits. Let us throw some light at the economic aspect. The economic growth rate of the country, in comparison to democracy and martial laws, is disappointing. The statistics show that inflation has been increased to about 100% in the last 5 years. 7-10 billion rupees daily corruption is reported by Fasih Bokhari, Chairman N.A.B. In the last 5 years, terrorism has caused anarchy; hence collapse of law and order and chaos in the country. Terrorism has broken the boundaries of rules, law and order, threatening the safety of our bureaucrats, ministers, our militarians and leaders who are heavily guarded; it raises a point to ponder that what about the security of people like you and I? A scourge of terrorism: Karachi; where is no respect of law and order. It has been a hostage to three political parties; MQM, PPP and ANP, who claim to be the champions of the area by fighting for the control and killing their opponents. We about daily, listen to the stories of Bhatta, Extortion and Target-killing there. Karachi is the biggest, financial capital and the only working port Pakistan has and if my statistics are not wrong, then one day of strike in Karachi is equal to loss of millions of rupees. Even in Baluchistan, kidnapping for ransom is sponsored by their provincial members and politicians. The political parties are the fiefdoms of some certain families like PPP, which claim to be the biggest political party of Pakistan is actually a family party of Bhutto’s. PML-N belongs to the Sharif’s and PML-Q to Chaudhary Brothers. These all political parties are preparing their heirs as successors like Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Hamza Shabaz, Moonis Elahi, etc.Here, I would also like to state the example
of Jamshed Dasti, our MNA, who was thrown out of the parliament because of fake degrees, like others accused of it, but he got reelected by PPP and came back in the government. In the light of all these political scenarios, many thoughtful questions arise: According to the economic statistics, can we again bear the burden of another democratic rule for 5 more years? Is this really democracy that is practiced in our country? Is the democracy in Pakistan following laws? Does the present democratic system provide us with the solution to our problems? In short, do we have and want such leaders again to rule us for the next five years? —Lahore
Measles outbreak in Sindh HASHIM ABRO Cholera and measles outbreaks are reported to have killed dozens of children and sickened several thousands in the upper Sindh districts including Jacobabad, Kashmor/ Kandhkot, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Larkano, Qambar/ Shahdad Kot. The leading causes for the massive outbreaks of cholera and measles , which include, inter alia, poor living and sanitation conditions, lack of clean water and above all nonavailability of health care system in the upper Sindh districts. The situation is really alarming but unfortunately the provincial health department and other relevant organizations, both, federal and provincial, have not responded to the disease threat in the province. Lives of millions of children and other vulnerable people are at stake and the poor people of the province cannot afford to wait. However, the relevant national and international organizations are requested to act now, urgently and decisively, to arrest and trun around the alarming situation. In this dismal scenario it is suggested that the vaccination campaign that specifically targets children should be launched on war footing basis in the affected areas. Second, the most vulnerable people should also be provided drinking clean water and healthy and nutritious food. Third, steps should also be taken to improve the living and sanitation in the upper and lower Sindh regions, instead of wasting resources on self-projection, publicity and mammoth gatherings. —Islamabad
Turkish plays and culture DR M AZAM Protest on part of the United Producers Association against the broadcast of Turkish plays by Pakistani TV channels is not justified because their arguments are implausible. They have expressed their concerns in terms of a ‘cultural onslaught’ and a ‘threat’ to local drama production industry. Is it not an acceptance of their inability to compete? Why are they not willing to meet international standards on drama production? In this age of globalization and communication the masses have a right to familiarize themselves with foreign cultures. In this process, people find opportunities to improve their cultural values and purge undesirable cultural elements. Any effort to deprive the people of their rights should be discouraged. —Mansehra
READERS are requested to type their letters legibly with double spacing and only on one side of the paper.
—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net
Chinese sea patrol in disputed territory alarms Philippines TARRA QUISMUNDO
West Philippine Sea, but the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam claim parts of the sea within
tion on the Law of the Sea and for a code of conduct in the sea to prevent the conflicting claims
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HINA sends its first patrol vessel to dis puted parts of the South China Sea ahead of the enforcement of new rules. China yesterday sent its first patrol vessel to disputed parts of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) ahead of the enforcement of new rules that authorised Chinese border police to board, search and expel foreign vessels from waters Beijing considers its territory. The state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the patrol ship Haixun 21 sailed into the high seas yesterday under the administration of the Maritime Safety Administration of Hainan province, from which China administers the West Philippine Sea. The Philippines said it would verify the report. If the report proves correct, the Philippines will ask the Chinese why they are “patrolling and in what areas”, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said. Del Rosario said the Philippines was also verifying reports that China was investing US$1.6 billion to fortify and develop islands involved in territorial disputes with Southeast Asian nations in the West Philippine Sea. Hainan province announced in late November new rules that authorised Chinese border patrols to board, search and expel foreign vessels from waters in the West Philippine Sea claimed by China. Freedom of navigation: The new rules will come into effect on January 1, but Southeast Asian nations and the United States have asked China for clarification on the purpose and extent of the new rules. The United States has taken a neutral stance on its Southeast Asian allies’ territorial disputes with China, but it has made clear that it has a “national interest” in freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea, home to sealanes where a third of global trade passes and to islands, reefs and atolls believed to be sitting on vast gas and oil reserves. Del Rosario said China had yet to respond to the Philippines’ request for clarification of the new maritime rules. China claims almost the entire
Sea patrolling their exclusive economic zones. Taiwan also claims some islands in the sea.
from erupting into armed clashes. Fortifying Sansha: On Wednesday the financial news agency
China on Woody Island, in the Paracels, claimed by Vietnam. China established Sansha City in June to govern the Paracel and Spratly islands and the Panatag Shoal (Scarbourough Shoal), where Chinese and Philippine ships faced off with each other from early April to mid-June. Vietnam and the Philippines protested the establishment of Sansha City, calling it a violation of international law. Manila said it was “unacceptable” for a Chinese city to hold administrative control over territories within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Instead of responding to the protests, China, through Hainan, announced the new maritime rules. In its report yesterday, Xinhua quoted Ruan Ruiwen, head of the Hainan Maritime Safety Administration, as saying that the Haixun 21’s departure for the South China Sea marked the beginning of Chinese sailing beyond coastal waters. “In the past, Hainan provincial maritime law enforcement entities could only cover coastal waters and never reached the high seas. The newly enlisted Haixun 21 ends the history of no large oceangoing patrol vessels in South China Sea,” Ruan said.Maritime safety: Xinhua also quoted Huang He, deputy head of the maritime bureau of China’s Ministry of Transport, as saying that the vessel “will monitor maritime traffic safety, investigate maritime accidents, detect pollution, carry out search and rescue work, and fulfill international conventions”. The report said the ship could sail without refeuelling for up to
Chinese media criticised China’s rivals for territory in the West Philippine Sea for “provocations” and justified China’s decision to fortify Sansha and upgrade its naval forces. Del Rosario said the Philippine Embassy in Beijing was verifying reports of the Chinese investment. If the reports are true, Del Rosario said, China would violate the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea that it signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2002. The Philippines and Vietnam are the more strident claimants, pressing for the resolution of their claims according to the United Nations Conven-
Bloomberg reported that China was investing $1.6 billion to build infrastructure, including air and sea ports, in Sansha City, a garrison town built by
7,200 kilometres, roughly the same distance between the Philippines and Australia. Chinese media criticised China’s rivals for ter-
ritory in the West Philippine Sea for “provocations” and justified China’s decision to fortify Sansha and upgrade its naval forces. Del Rosario said the Philippine Embassy in Beijing was verifying reports of the Chinese investment. If the reports are true, Del Rosario said, China would violate the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea that it signed with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2002. The declaration aims to deter use of force and instead promote peace and self-restraint among countries claiming territory in the sea. “We have officially asked for clarification from the Chinese Embassy in Manila and as well asked our Beijing post to directly contact their [Chinese] foreign ministry. Until now we are still awaiting an official response,” Del Rosario said. China’s Global Times and China Daily insisted that China had the right to secure its sovereignty over the islands claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam in the West Philippine Sea and by Japan in the East China Sea. Provocations: The two newspapers called the Philippines’ and Vietnam’s protests against China moves in the sea “provocations”. Global Times opinion writer Yu Jincui said in an article published yesterday that China’s plan to develop Sansha City was aimed at bolstering the country’s southern maritime defence. Yu said the development of Sansha City was China’s response to “provocations” from the Philippines and Vietnam. China Daily said China’s efforts to upgrade its Navy should not set off alarm bells in the region. The paper cited “provocations” from the Philippines and Japan as justification for China’s bulking up its naval muscles. Other countries should not “read too much into China’s efforts to build itself into a maritime power,” the paper said. “China does not seek hegemony. It will not pose a threat to others. Its resolve to enhance its defence forces only serves its need to cultivate a good security environment for its peaceful development,” the paper said. —Courtesy Daily Inquirer
Africa and the new white man’s burden Taking Syria back from the extremists CHIBUNDU ONUZO
C
OLONIALISM still casts a shadow over the west’s rela tionships with African coun tries, and China is taking advantage. A few weeks ago, I met a Briton who works in Nigeria for an international aid organisation. He was young, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about my country, a combination rare in these isles. We spoke of Nollywood and Third Mainland Bridge traffic, and finally of a project that had taken years to plan and research. Now it was under way, his organisation was working with the Nigerian federal and state governments, but remained reluctant to do so with grassroot cadres because of a fear of offending cultural sensibilities. In his view,
tween Africa and the west in these terms, which conjure up district officers and indirect rule and dog-eared copies of Things Fall Apart. It is difficult not to think of the white man’s burden when I remember my conversation with this man who chose aid work in rural Nigeria over bank work in London. Kipling’s burden was shouldered by men who felt a calling to civilise the “half devil, half child” peoples who apparently proliferated the 19th-century world. Kipling’s white men were goaded into far-flung regions of the globe by their sense of unassailable racial superiority. Things have somewhat changed in the 21st century. Many who take up the load of development do so, if not with guilt – for guilt is too unnuanced a term –, then with an acute awareness of all that has preceded their arrival among the less economically
....the new white man’s burden. meetings with local leaders were fraught with the danger of unknowingly offending
developed of the earth. A Belgian in Congo must know of Leopold and Lumumba and
There are cries that China’s is a new imperialism. If so, at least it is new and not trapped in a stagnant history of excolonisers and their ex-colonies. Hearteningly, China does not hide its wish to make profit out of its dealings with Africa behind altruism or religion or paternalism. cultural norms and thus scuppering this carefully planned project. I, the native, said that such extreme levels of caution was absurd. Minding cultural sensibilities was important but surely not to the point of excluding those rural poor the project targeted. He, the burdened invader who’d travelled in Nigeria more extensively than I, remained adamant. It is difficult not to construe every meeting be-
the shadow these names cast on his or her actions. A Briton in Nigeria must be aware that the shadow of Lord Lugard, first governor general of Nigeria, haunts his footsteps. So they tread carefully, mindful of sensibilities that are both figment and real. They overlook corruption because it is how things are done in Africa. They laud substandard leaders because it is how people are ruled in Africa. To criticise or hold un-
der too deep a scrutiny is to be accused of being an agent of a new type of colonialism. It is true that the phrases neocolonialism and neoimperialism are not obsolete. The attitudes and mindsets that spawned the racist and exploitative policies of empire have not disappeared; but they are not always necessarily at work when a documentary of Lagos slum life is aired on the BBC, or an African leader is tried for genocide in an international court. Perhaps it is better that African countries are now beginning to deal with foreigners who have had little interaction with the continent in the near past. A deal recently struck between a Chinese construction company and the Kenyan government for the building of a railway line between Mombasa and Nairobi may have echoes of the British built Kenya-Uganda railway line that also connected Nairobi to Mombasa; but such parallels are secondary when gauging the merits and demerits of the contract signed. There are cries that China’s is a new imperialism. If so, at least it is new and not trapped in a stagnant history of ex-colonisers and their ex-colonies. Hearteningly, China does not hide its wish to make profit out of its dealings with Africa behind altruism or religion or paternalism. Thus, if indeed we are witnessing a 21st-century attempt to colonise Africa once more, at least there will be no hegemony to destroy when the fight for independence begins. But if China’s dealings in Africa do not point to an attempt to make Beijing a metropolis, then it is better not to recast the Chinese arrival in Lagos as the second act of the British landing in Eko; it is better that history serves as merely a loose reference for dealing with foreign powers. Or perhaps the way to proceed is to work in tandem with the past and the future. In Nigeria, where the power industry is undergoing privatisation, the Chinese Nigeria Power Consortium has just won the bid for the Sapele Power Plant. The consortium consists of Nigerian, Chinese and British companies and thus one may hope that all cultural sensibilities will be preserved while constant electricity is generated. Or perhaps the best way to proceed is to work in tandem with the past and the future. In Nigeria, where the power industry is being privatised, the Chinese Nigeria Power Consortium has won the bid for the Sapele power plant. It consists of Nigerian, Chinese and UK companies and thus maybe we can hope that all cultural and historical sensibilities will be preserved, while constant electricity is generated. —Courtesy The Guardian
MOHAMMED ALAA GHANEM
T
HE U.S. commitment to aiding the Syrian opposition against the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad has been one of many words and few deeds. Repeated pledges of support absent material assistance have allowed fringe elements to establish themselves in northern Syria. If this trend persists, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s warning of “efforts by extremists to hijack the Syrian revolution” will soon become reality. During a recent three-week trip to the Middle East, I observed both encouraging and disturbing developments. I went into Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and industrial capital, to see how Syrians were coping with chaos. About 75?percent of Aleppo is under opposition control. I expected to talk to average people overwhelmed with trying to restore order. Instead, I encountered a sophisticated civilian governance structure. The Aleppo Transitional Revolutionary Council, run by a 23member board of university-educated professionals, has emerged in the liberated areas. To restore critical services to the heavily damaged city, the council has formed 12 committees covering law enforcement, education, bakeries, relief efforts and more. The medical council alone was running eight hospitals. (Shelling by the Assad regime leveled one of those hospitals last month.) The people I met with impressed me with their professionalism and they way they emphasized the “interim” before their titles. All said they plan to abide by election results once peace is restored to the city. A few months ago, the majority of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) elements in Aleppo coalesced into the Revolutionary Military Council under the disciplined leadership of Col. Abduljabar Ekeidi. They have shockingly few resources: Because of protocols governing how supplies can enter Syria, the council is able to scrape together enough ammunition for a day’s fighting about every two weeks. Forces loosely affiliated with the FSA make up about 80?percent of the armed groups in the city; the others are undisciplined or hard-line organizations or criminal groups taking advantage of the violence. Civilian efforts to provide governance and medical care and bring lawless and extremist elements to heel have been hamstrung by lack of resources. Brig. Gen. Adib al-Shallaf, a defector from Syrian security forces, has plans to reestablish a civilian police force for Aleppo. But some weeks he is not able to regularly feed his recruits, much less buy them uniforms. He told me he was not sure how long his effort could
survive. Halab al-Shabaa Brigade, one of the larger FSA units under the military council in Aleppo, is considering disbanding. The unit commander, a moderate, told me he knew that the extremist militant group Jabhat al-Nusra had approached some of his men. Jabhat al-Nusra is well-financed: Many of its cells have more food and weapons than recruits, and they are approaching Syrians to expand. Their obvious advantage is that
helped on the ground in ways Washington has not: The group cooperates closely with the Free Syrian Army; it has achieved military successes and has delivered critical civilian aid. Second, the U.S. designation failed to distinguish between Jabhat alNusra’s core of hard-line ideologues and Syrians who join because Jabhat al-Nusra has money, weapons and proven military successes. When leaving Aleppo, I had an experience that underscores the problem.
Fears of extremism taking hold in Syria as violence continues. they can provide what more moderate Our group encountered members of Jabhat groups and civilian councils cannot: sala- al-Nusra at a roadblock. Their respectful ries and weapons. I was shocked when a treatment and their short beards caught me liberal commander of a brigade from al- off-guard. I initiated a conversation with
Groups such as Jabhat al-Nusra have been allowed to establish not just a presence but also a foothold. If the civilian councils and other governance structures emerging in the liberated regions can be sufficiently funded, they can provide policing and relief services to stabilize their communities. Hasakah, a province in northeastern Syria, told me that he was considering joining Jabhat al-Nusra. His view of why he had “no option” was strategic: “I’m struggling with funding, and if the deal comes through me, I’ll maintain influence over the 20-yearolds fighting in my brigade, most of whom are not terribly educated. If the frustration grows, they will leave me, and they might end up with Jabhat al-Nusra, at which point they might embrace their ideology.” Since I visited Aleppo, the United States has designated Jabhat al-Nusra a terrorist organization and an affiliate of al-Qaeda in Iraq. While Jabhat al-Nusra leaders undoubtedly profess an ideology similar to alQaeda’s, Syria experts agree that the timing of the designation has been disastrous for mainstream Syrians’ perception of the United States. First, Jabhat al-Nusra has
the men manning the checkpoint. They were local people from a village about half a mile away. They joined Jabhat al-Nusra, they told me, because the group has the weapons and supplies necessary to protect their families. One man even expressed sympathy for the Alawite minority, Assad’s sect, and referred to Alawites as his brothers. “We only have a problem with the Assad regime,” he said. These men clearly did not support Jabhat al-Nusra’s extremist ideology, but they see the organization as their only option. But without support from the United States and other allies, well-funded extremist groups can continue to recruit fighters from a population that would otherwise ignore them. As winter sets in, the Syrian people will be in desperate need. —Courtesy Washington Post
Paying Dividends: The US-India Nuclear Deal Four Years On YOGESH JOSHI
F
OUR years after a historic nuclear deal was signed, many in American policy circles de ride the agreement as a failure. They’re wrong. The 2008 Indo-U.S. Civilian Nuclear Agreement was supposed to mark a watershed moment for India – U.S. relations, ending the two democracies long-standing estrangement and ushering in a new era where New Delhi and Washington would be “indispensable partners.” But four years after the deal came into effect, much of the initial enthusiasm that it engendered has dissipated. Especially in American foreign policy circles, many feel that the nuclear agreement has failed to meet expectations. From India’s perspective, nuclear cooperation was a sine quo none for any meaningful growth in India-U.S. ties in other areas. That being said, there was also a genuine expectation in the U.S. that assimilating India into the nuclear mainstream would reap enormous economic, political and strategic dividends for the country. However, many of the deal’s strongest proponents at the time of its signing now claim that these gains failed to materialize. Economically, the U.S. was attracted to the vast potential India’s large and growing nuclear energy market had for domestic nuclear firms. This view-
point failed to take into account India’s domestic nuclear liability law, which obliges nuclear suppliers to be liable for damages their equipment results in. Many U.S. companies have balked at this requirement, and the economic gains of the deal have failed to materialize accordingly. For many in Washington, the nuclear deal similarly failed to tie India closer to the U.S.-led global non-proliferation and arms control architecture. India has defied American expectations by making no concerted effort to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), and has shown no interest in voluntarily halting its
come a strategic imperative for the U.S., which saw India as a viable alternative to China because of its sheer size, geography, military capabilities, and democratic political values. The nuclear deal was supposed to provide the edifice of a robust security relationship between the two states centered on balancing Chinese power. Rather than actively balancing China, India has mostly pursued a hedging strategy, as most prominently demonstrated by the unofficial but influential Nonalignment 2.0 report from earlier this year. As Ashley Tellis presciently remarks, “for the U.S., which has just recovered from
Indeed, it’s telling that as American companies balk at the nuclear liability law, other advanced nuclear exporters like France are eagerly entering India’s nuclear market. Additionally, whatever economic benefits the U.S. hasn’t obtained from India’s nuclear industry pale in comparison to the enormous profits U.S. defense companies have reaped from sales to India. production of fissile materials (enriched uranium or plutonium). More troubling for many in Washington is India’s continued refusal to parrot the American line regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Lastly, the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal had an explicit strategic dimension. By the turn of the 21st century, balancing China’s growing power had be-
India’s Nonalignment 1.0, Nonalignment 2.0 is a strategic nightmare.” Whether India is explicitly pursuing a nonalignment redux policy or not, there’s little doubt that it has tried to avoid creating an overwhelming dependence on American military hardware. Based on the above evidence, many in Washington speak of the false promise of the nuclear deal
in transforming India-U.S. relations. This general impression is compounded by the policy paralysis with which the Manmohan Singh government has suffered for most of its present term. There are a number of problems with the above picture, however. First, it portrays the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal as a strategic fix to India-U.S. relations rather than a strategic bet. To be sure, the Bush administration fully understood that a single document would not realign India’s entire worldview to bring it in line with the America’s own outlook. That being said, it was a calculated gamble which, once it was decided that India mattered for the U.S. at the highest levels, was the most optimal strategy to transform the bilateral relationship. Second, the critical view also discounts the complexities that domestic politics interject into the foreign policy decision-making of democracies like India. Third, four years is a very short time period for passing any judgment on the consequences of the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal and, in any case, strategic choices always take some time to produce their desired results. But most importantly, the pessimist picture suffers from a selective marshaling of evidence. For example, the issue of liability notwithstanding, the interests of American nuclear firms are being advanced by the Indian government over other foreign suppliers. In fact, just before Presi-
dent Bush signed the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclear agreement into law, India promised to exclusively reserve approximately 10,000 MW of the nuclear reactor market for U.S. vendors. No such promises were made to other advanced nuclear technology powers. Similarly, by early 2009, two prominent locations in the industry friendly states of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh had been reserved for the American companies Westinghouse and General Electric. As Saurav Jha rightly argues, India has only offered two dedicated locations for reactor development to American firms. Furthermore, earlier this year, U.S.-based Westinghouse and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited signed an “Early Works Agreement” for setting up five nuclear reactors at Mithivadi in the state of Gujarat. India’s nuclear liability law does indeed create an obstacle for U.S. firms. But it is more a result of India’s democratic processes and also, to a large extent, the changed perceptions of nuclear energy after the Fukushima crisis. In fact, when the law was initially proposed, the Indian government categorically rejected any liability claims against nuclear technology suppliers. However, the memories of the Bhopal Gas tragedy and the legitimacy crisis which unfolded after Fukushima would bind the hands of the Indian government. —Courtesy The Diplomat
100% hike in N-J power bill surcharge on cards
YouTube to be unblocked From Page 1 “There was a great demand to unblock Youtube from all sections of society especially fellow tweeps. Expect the notification today! Hope you are all happy now” However, the news of the video sharing site being unblocked comes with an ominous cloud over it. In a subsequent tweet, Malik let in on a more disturbing trend: “PTA is finalising negotiations for acquiring a powerful firewall software to totally block pornographic and blasphemous material.” Rumours have been rife that the PTA has been trying to acquire a firewall which can block websites at a very high rate.
From Page 1 and if the required amount is not ensured, then the project of paramount importance will not be completed by 2016 meaning by that India will clinch the water priority rights of Neelum river by first constructing the Kishenganga Hydropower Project. The sources said that China is delaying the release of $ 448 million to Pakistan for the said project since long because of the Indian pressure, but Beijing has apparently linked the release of the loan with the restoration of the safe city project that Supreme Court has suspended. Abu Dhabi Fund (ABF) has also linked the release of loans of $ 100 million for the project with the resolu-
Cellular services From Page 1 tacking Juma prayers. “Remote control devices can be used by the militants to trigger planted bombs,” the letter said adding a plan to target prominent religious figures could also be implemented. The ministry further stated that militants were also planning to carry out major attacks in Peshawar. —NNI
4 killed in US NW drone attack From Page 1 those killed in the Friday’s missile hit were fugitives adding their origin could not be ascertained. The residents of the area who were terrified said there were no signs of any foreigner residing in the targeted compound which was razed to ground in Guraiz area close to the Afghan border. The locals said the American drones have been kept hovering in the skies for some time before they struck sending a wave of harassment and anxiety among the residents. As usual, the officials as well as the foreign media failed to give any account of the dead bodies saying those were taken away by the Taliban militants. The American drones launching missile attacks in the tribal belt for since August 2008, killing more than three thousand people in nearly 300 hits mostly in North and South Waziristan agencies. In the meanwhile all the appeals to US made by the successive Pakistani governments to halt the drone’s strikes against the sovereignty of the country and proving counterproductive fell on deaf ears of Washington.
294 to appear as witnesses
LAHORE: PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz addressing ‘Syed Hajveri Tusawaf Conference’ in connection with 969 Urs celebrations of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA).
Quetta, Skardu shiver in minus 10 degree From Page 1 guise. Several homes went without water supply as chilly winds froze water in pipes. The road traffic between Quetta and remained suspended as the Khojik pass was covered with snow and large number of from both sides were struck up at roadsides. Rain and snowfall in upper Punjab including twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Khyber Paktunkhawa, GilgitBaltistan and Kashmir on Thursday night and throughout Friday further increased the intensity of cold besides disrupting road and communication links. Reports received from different parts of the country and given by Pakistan Meteorological Department, heavy rainfall was reported from Pattan Dir, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar, Abbotabad, Saidu Sharif, Risalpur,Rawalakot, Balakot while moderate rain was reported in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Kohat, Chirat, Mianwali, Kakul, Kotli and other parts of the country. Snowfall was witnessed in Kalam, Malam Jabba, Kaghan valley, Chitral, Murree, Skardu, Diamer, Ghanche and other mountainous areas. The rain and snowfall forced the population stranded in different cut off areas who had to suffer due to blood freezing cold weather, non availability of commodities, fuel, medicines and
other daily use items. Many tourists thronged Murree hill station to enjoy from snowfall. People pulled on woollies to reduce the chilling weather affect. Light rain and snow fall continued on Friday and the Met Office said the severe cold wave conditions and more rain besides snowfall in mountainous areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan was expected during next 24 hours. Light rain in various parts of the country including Northern Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan also subside the prevailing foggy weather conditions. Chief Meteorologist, Dr. Ghulam Rasool said on Friday that the westerly weather system will prevail for the next two days and cause scattered and light rain in various parts. He said the prevailing fog has gripped various areas of Punjab and the rain will reduce its intensity during the next two days and after that the dense fog will prevail for the whole week. Dr Ghulam Rasool said that Rawalpindi and Islamabad will also receive light rain during the next two days which will be a blessing for the farmers of Barani areas where wheat crop has been cultivated. Cold and dusty winds lashed Karachi further dropping the mercury. The Pakistan Met-
rological Department (PMD) said that the dusty winds are travelling from Quetta to Karachi and other cities of Sindh which are expected to persist for the next 24 hours. The late night dusty winds which began sweeping the city caused respiratory problems. Most of the affected persons suffered from cough, however, it dusty winds subsided in the day. The timely rains, second in December have been welcomed by the farmers and agricultural experts who said these wold have extremely positive affect on the Rabi crop. According to the met office, during past 24 hours Pattan received 41 mm rain while Dir 38mm, Malam Jabba 34mm, Skardu 24mm, Saidu Sharif 18mm, Chitral, Risalpur 17mm, Balakot, Muzaffarabad, Peshawar 15mm, Rawalakot 13mm, Kohat 11mm, Chirat, Mianwali 10mm, Lower Dir 09mm, Rawalpindi, Kakul 08mm, Islamabad 07mm and Kotli received 05mm rainfall. Kalam and Murree received 14 & 06 inch snowfall respectively. The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during the last 24 hours were Skardu -10C, Parachinar -09C, Astore -08C, Hunza and Gupis -05C, Kalam 04C, Dir -03C, Chitral, Drosh and Gilgit -02C.
40,000 workers may lose jobs on industrial default SALIM AHMED
From Page 1
LAHORE—As many as 40,000
on 31st December 2012 at 09:00 am. The arrangements to regularize, safe arrival, departure of the witnesses, smooth conduct of the proceedings of the Commission, custody of the record in the secretariat and security of premises of the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan round the clock have been finalized. Geo, Aaj, ARY and State News channels have also been issued notices to provide access to their Archives through provision of Login IDs or through making available complete unedited telecasts of the news and other programmes relating to the incident concerning Lal Masjid-Jamia Hafsa Islamabad within seven days.—INP
industrial workers working in Lahore Township Industrial area facing threat of going jobless while sword of default is hanging on the head of a large number of industrial units. This was stated by the newly-elected Chairman of Lahore Township Industrial Association (LTIA), who was heading a delegation of industrialists, while meeting with the Chairman PIAF Engr. Sohail Lashari here on Friday. LTIA Chairman urged the Chairman PIAF to call an urgent meeting of industrial associations and kick start series of protests against the unjustified gas and electricity load shedding for the Punjab industries. He said that complete suspension of gas and electricity has put the jobs of million in-
dustrial workers and exports of billion dollars on stake but government was playing the role of silent spectator. Nasrullah Mughal said that due to wrong government policies and mismanaged affairs, the industry had almost collapsed and industrialists were left with no other option but to stage protest. He said that had right steps been taken well in time to enhance the power generation, the situation would have been far better. He said that Lahore Township Industrial Estate was the largest industrial area of the Punjab where more than 300 industrial units including textile, engineering, autoparts, plastic, ghee, ice cream; dying, pharmaceutical, steel beverage, hosiery and food etc. were operational. He said that these units were providing employment to near 40,000 people while paying bil-
lion rupees to the national exchequer but unfortunately, the concerned gas and electricity authorities never bothered to take them on board while evolving any policies regarding load shedding. He said that the industrial area which was hub of production was presenting a deserted look as a large number of industrial units had stopped production. He said that the economic crisis would further deepen in coming days as industry has failed to fulfil existing export orders what to talk of any new orders. He said that those who were thinking that economy would be back on rails soon were actually living in fool’s paradise as the situation has already gone out of hands and it would need special measures to control the situation.
Pak Taliban ready to negotiate From Page 1 previous, unspecified deals. “In the past, it is the Pakistani government that broke peace agreements,” he said. “A slave of the U.S. can’t make independent agreements; it breaks agreements according to U.S. dictat.” Mehsud said that the Pakistan Taliban would follow the lead of the Afghan Taliban when it came to forming policy after most NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014. “We are Afghan Taliban and Afghan Taliban are us,” he said. “We are with them and al Qaida. We are even willing to get our heads cut off for al Qaida.” —Online
Indian soldiers kill two Kashmiris in IHK From Page 1 based rebel group that New Delhi accuses of staging a string of deadly attacks on India’s financial capital of Mumbai in 2008. There was no independent account of the fighting and no rebel group has claimed involvement so far. After the gunbattle, hundreds of villagers took to the streets chanting “We want freedom” and “Go India, go back,” with the protesting government forces besieging them. The police statement said seven civilians were wounded in a retaliatory police action after they threw rocks at them. The protest spread to neighbouring Pulwama town, which was put under curfew. Later Friday, the government ordered an inquiry into troops firing on the protesters with findings to be submitted within two weeks, said Shafat Noor, a state administrator. The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and both countries claim it in its entirety. Indian troops have largely suppressed an armed uprising launched in 1989, but public opposition to Indian rule still runs deep in Kashmir and is now mostly expressed in street protests where rock-throwing protesters and troops frequently face off. More than 68,000 people have been killed in an armed rebellion against Indian rule and in an ensuing Indian crackdown.— AP
Punjab Govt to give free hand From Page 1 people in Islamabad on January 14 if their demands were not met. “The provincial government has decided to give free hand to the Tahir-ul-Qadri’s long march unless a law and order situation forced them to take action,” they added.—NNI
India beat Pak by 11 runs; level T20 series
LAHORE: Youngsters sitting around a bonfire to get themselves warmed up during rain in the Provincial Capital.
tion of the problems of Etisalat Company that has got control of PTCL. “We have prepared an alternative programme for financing the project under which $ 500 million credit line will be arranged from the Standard Chartered Bank and the NeelumJhelum surcharge will be increased by 100 percent on electricity bills from 10 paisa to 20 paisa per units,” the official said. “This will help collect Rs 12 billion per annum from the power consumers.” He said: “ So far we have not started the high tech tunnel boring machines of worth $ 93 million as the amount of Rs 4 billion per month is required to
keep the TBMs running and operational as we cannot afford to stop the machines.” The tunnel boring machines will expedite the excavation of the tunnels. To a question he said that India has started using the TBMs in Kishenganga project for excavating the tunnel and we have got the information that India has excavated the tunnel up to 887 meters last month and if it continues using the TBM with the said pace then it will certainly complete the Kishenganga project first than that of Pakistan so it is necessary to arrange the required funding for Neelum-Jhelum project at the earliest.
Abductees Levies still not From Page 1 that authorities had planned meetings with the local tribal elders in this regard hoping the efforts would help early release of the hostages. As per the Tribal law, the elders could be punished for attacks that occurred in their areas. Senior officials also admitted that the operation kicked off for the releases of the abductees could not yield results. It was third
major incident in Peshawar in the last couple of weeks where the militants boldly committed the sabotage activities leaving question mark on the performance and effectiveness of the security agencies. A couple of weeks earlier they managed to attack heavily guarded Peshawar Airport with an aim to target adjacent PAF base killing many people though eight
Death toll reaches 22 in Punjab From Page 1 died of the cough Syrup yesterday. More than thirty people were shifted to District Hospital Gujranwala after consuming the poisonous cough syrup. Out of which, ten patients were rushed to Lahore’s Mayo Hospital for emergency treatment. The deceased include Nandi Pur’s former Naib Nazim Irfan Latif, Munir, Bilal, Irfan, Saeed, Arshad, Mubashar, Wasim, Yousuf, Shafiq, Muhammad Zahid, Rafique and Allah Wasaya, Anwar, Iqbal, Intezar, Akbar Ali, Chand and Manat. Two unidentified men from Toba Tek Sindh also died due to toxic cough syrup. On the other hand, police have arrested owner of a medical store in Gujranwala. Syrup stocks were also confiscated from whole sale dealers and medicals stores after district administration came into action. District Coordination Officer (DCO) Gujranwala Najam Ahmed said about 13 people died after consuming Tyno syrup and the city government’s administration confiscated 35 bottles
Qadir Gilani’s degree proved ‘fake’ From Page 1 gation officer Hussain Asghar has sent the report to the registrar of Supreme Court of Pakistan, Dr Faqir Hussain. The FIA investigations disclosed that the candidate, Abdul Qadir Gillani, did not appear in his graduation papers and three types of handwriting were found on the papers. The investigations further revealed that the examination centre of the candidate was also changed in order to provide relief in cheating during the papers. —NNI
Bhootani challenges From Page 1 them to other members of assembly, therefore, the court should take action on this count, he prayed. The court while admitting the petition for preliminary hearing has issued notices to deputy speaker BA Mati Ullah Jan and secretary assembly and summoned them on December, 31.—Online
From Page 1
Punjab NAB active against corrupt politicians
partnership after India were 88 for three in 12 over. After being hit on his left leg by a nasty yorker from fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, the left-handed batsman Yuvraj roared like an injured lion and smashed a career-best 72 off just 36 balls with seven towering sixes and four powerful boundaries. His captain Dhoni provided him a good support with 23-ball 33 during their valuable partnership. Yuvraj Singh was declared man of the match.
L AHORE —Punjab Director General National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khurshid Anwar Bhinder on Friday said that action would be taken against politicians found involved in corruption. Taking to media persons after distributing of cheques of Rs13 million among 254 victim people in forex Scandal, Punjab DG NAB said that NAB was taking appropriate steps for eliminating corruption from the province.—INP
from Mian Medical Store situated at Bahktay Wala. The samples have been sent to laboratories for inspection. Hospital sources said most victims were young drug addicts and consumed the cough syrup to get intoxicated. The arrival of new cases has highlighted the availability of the syrup in the province without prescription despite the deaths in Lahore from its consumption last month. Earlier in November, 19 people had lost their lives due to an overdose of the ‘spurious’ cough syrup. Inquiries into last month’s syrup deaths had ‘come to a grinding halt’, as the mafia responsible for these deaths had destroyed the ‘spurious’ cough syrup distributed under batch No 5552.
militants were also gunned down in the operation that continued for more than 16 hours. Likewise, Senior Minister and senior leader of Awami National Party KPK Bashir Bilour was martyred along with senior police officials many party workers when a suicide bomber blew himself up close to Bilour in congested Qissa Khwani bazaar Saturday last.
PA condemns attacks on polio vaccinators LAHORE—Punjab Assembly on Friday unanimously approved a resolution condemning the attacks on polio teams in Khyber Pakhtunkhua and Sindh. The resolution tabled by Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) legislator Ijaz Ahmed Khan condemned the brutal killings of the anti-polio campaigners across the two provinces. At least nine anti-polio campaigners were shot dead and six others severely injured after unidentified miscreants attacked the teams in Khyber Pakhtunkhua and Sindh, in what seemed to be coordinated attacks on the activists. No one has yet claimed the responsibility of the attacks but people living especially in Tribal areas did not like anti-polio activists to carry out vaccination campaigns in their areas. —NNI
Intra-party polls, assets declaration mandatory for election candidates ISLAMABAD—Election Commis- submission of details of intra- fied that political parties which
Three shot dead Q UETTA —Three persons
sion of Pakistan on Friday called upon political parties to fulfill the requirements of Political Parties Order 2002 to maintain or get new symbols for the upcoming general elections. The Election Commission has drawn the attention of the political parties to article 14 of the Political Parties Order 2002 that explains requirements for getting new symbols and maintaining the one already allotted to a party. “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, a political party shall be eligible to obtain an election symbol for contesting elections for Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and Provincial Assemblies on submission of certifiLARKANA: President Asif Ali Zardari along with Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari inaugurating cates and statement referred to in the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Campus of University of Sindh in Ustad Bukhari Government Boys Degree College, Dadu, at articles 12 and 13,” states this article that relates to eligibility of a President House, Naudero. party to obtain election symbol. Article 12 and 13 of the Political parties Order 2002 relate to
were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Panghoor on Friday. According to details, those killed included a shopkeeper and a policeman. The armed men escaped from the scene immediately after the shooting and police has started their search. Incidents of firing by armed men have become a routine and surprisingly those indulging in such incidents escape from the STAFF R EPORTER scene and not arrested despite heavy deployment of police ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Muslim League-N Secretary Inforand levies. —INP mation Ahsan Iqbal Friday urged the government to anMinistries nounce date of next general elections at earliest, as, accordexpenses data ing to him, it is imperative to sought counter various conspiracies ISLAMABAD—The federal gov- being hatched in the country. Addressing a press conferernment has issued policy guidelines for the next fiscal year to ence, Ahsan Iqbal criticised all the ministries, seeking three Tehrik Minhaj-ul-Quran chief years’ expense details. The de- Dr Tahirul Qadri for trying to tails include departments’ in- sabotage the election process come, ministries’ funds, grants, by demanding reforms in the debts, utility bills, fuel charges constitutional system of the and money spent on vehicle re- country. Flanked by former Pakipairs. The government has linked grant of new budget is- stan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) suance with the record of previ- leader Rabia Zia and former ambassador BA Malik, he said ous expenses. —INP Dr Qadri has spent over a bilrupees in an advertisement NAB Chief seeks lion campaign to hold the Lahore
PML-N demands early polls announcement to counter conspiracies
report on BA balloting
ISLAMABAD—Chairman NAB has taken notice of the fact that during a secret balloting in Balochistan Assembly for adopting a no-confidence motion against the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, Aslam Bhootani, several MPAs could be seen on camera showing their votes to government officials. This indicates misuse of authority and makes a farce of the process of secret ballot. Chairman NAB has therefore, instructed the DG NAB Balochistan to submit a report within 7 days on the entire episode. —INP
Taliban allow Mehsuds to reside WANA —The Mujahideen-eWaziristan active in Wana subdivision of South Waziristan Agency, and known as pro-government Taliban, have allowed the Mehsud tribesmen to live in Wana. Through pamphlets, the Taliban in Wana asked the Mehsud tribesmen that the area is peaceful and they could also reside there in a peaceful manner. The pamphlets suggested that a committee be formed for contact with Mehsud tribesmen and bilateral issues must be resolved. The Mujahideen-eWaziristan said they knew about the miscreants very well and the Mehsud tribesmen will be informed about their activities. The pamphlets further asked the Mehsuds to inform the Mujahideen in case anyone commits any excess against them. —INP
Two brothers shot dead in Gilgit G ILGIT —Target killing resumed in Gilgit on Friday after a few days break when two brothers were fired upon killing one and injuring the other. Police sources said that unidentified armed men opened fire in Cinema Bazar killing Mushtaq Masih while his brother Liaquat Masih was injured. The victims were busy in cleaning the road when they were targeted. It is the first time that members of the Christian community have been attacked. Police arrested three suspects belonging to Christian community and started investigation. —INP
rally on Dec 23. Apparently referring to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, Iqbal said, “Two leaders of foreign nationality have joined hands for so called reforms…. but both cannot even become members of the Parliament.” The PML-N leader said Dr Qadri should participate in elections. “People of the country clearly understand purpose of reform demands at a time when the elections are around.” He said country needs clear mandate and a “hung parliament” will not serve the purpose. Iqbal said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif would unveil party’s manifesto in a convention due to held on Jan 5 in which a clear roadmap for ending loadshedding and revival
All of BB’s killers behind bars: Kaira
of economy would be presented before the countrymen. He welcomed the statement of Chief Election Commissioner for ensuring free fair and transparent elections. Former ambassador BA Malik, on the occasion, announced to join the PML-N and parting his 40 years association with the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He criticised the speeches of President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari delivered on Dec 27 in Larkana. The nation should have been told about the government’s performance during the last five years, he said.Both the leaders should have presented roadmap for ending loadshedding and improving law and order situation, Malik added.
British girl missing for three years in Pakistan
SUKKUR—Minister for Infor- are in jails while Baitullah LONDON—A six-year-old girl is Mehsud has been killed in a mation and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said all the culprits involved in the killing of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto are behind the bars while Baitullah Mehsud has been killed in a drone attack. Talking to media persons here on Friday, Kaira said every PPP worker wants early trial of criminals involved in the murder of Benazir Bhutto and justice be served. He said that challan of killers of BB have been presented in the court and most of them
drone attack. The minister said the Election Commission has started the process of consultation with all the political parties on the free, fair and transparent holding of next general elections. He said Chief of Minhajul Quran Tahirul Qadri should also forward his suggestions to the Election Commission. Tahirul Qadri should pursue the constitutional course for success in the upcoming elections.—Online
Torkham border sealed on truck drivers protest PESHAWAR—Security officials border where they were joined Friday sealed Torkham border after the Afghan National Army tortured two Pakistani labourers for the second time in a week. The truck drivers took out a protest, blocking the road and complained of alleged torture of two Pakistani companions at the hands of Afghan officials. Two truck drivers were heading towards Afghanistan seeking work when they were intercepted by Afghan security personnel at a check post, who allegedly subjected the job-seekers to torture and tore up their passports and other travelling documents. The tortured Pakistanis returned back to the Pak-Afghan
by other truck drivers who held protests against the treatment meted out by the Afghan personnel. Drivers had complained that Afghan security personnel routinely harass and torture the jobseekers at various check posts situated within Afghanistan. “It seems that the Afghan security forces are using these tactics to force Pakistani labourers out of their country,” they added. It was not the first time the Afghan forces had tortured Pakistani labourers. A similar incident had occurred earlier this week on Dec 22, and the border was closed after 29 Pakistani laborers were tortured by Afghan security personnel.—INP
US reimburses $688m to Pakistan WASHINGTON —The United States has released $688 million for Pakistan under the Coalition Support Fund The US has reimbursed USD 688 million to Pakistan for the cost of supporting some 140,000 coalition troops on Af-Pak border from June through November 2011. State minister for Finance Saleem Mandiwala confirming the release of funds said that the released money would help improve the foreign exchange, which have fallen from 16 billion dollar to 13 billion dollars. State Bank of Pakistan has also confirmed the said amount.
The Pentagon notified the Congress about its decision to reimburse USD 688 million to Pakistan, under Coalition Support Fund (CSF). Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter had notified Congress that the U.S. would make the payment to Islamabad for expenses incurred from June through November 2011.“In making this determination, I find that the reimbursement is consistent with the national security interest of the United States and will not adversely affect the balance of power in the region,” Carter wrote in the Dec. 6 letter.—Online
on her way home to Britain more than three years after she was abducted by her father and taken to Pakistan, police said on Friday. Atiya Anjum-Wilkinson disappeared in November 2009 after going to stay with her father, Razwan Ali Anjum. The former insurance salesman told the girl’s mother, Gemma Wilkinson, that he was taking Atiya to Southport in northwest England but instead took her to Lahore. He told his former partner that she was “never going to see Atiya again”. Anjum is currently serving a prison sentence in Britain for refusing to reveal his daughter’s whereabouts despite a court order. Just last month her 32-year-old mother launched a fresh appeal for information about her daughter.But sources told Britain’s Press Association agency that Atiya had been found in Pakistan after new information had come to light. —AP
India apprehends Pakistani boat near Harami Nala KUTCH—A Pakistani fishing boat was Friday apprehended by the Indian BSF from the Harami Nala near the disputed Sir Creek area, a BSF official said. “A Pakistani boat with fishermen and fishing equipment was trying to cross the International Maritime Boundary towards the Indian area near Harami Nala close to the Sir Creek area,” a Gujarat-based BSF official told Indian media. “When we tried to chase them down, the fishermen fled leaving behind the boat. Their boat has been apprehended and fishing equipment, which includes a fishing net and other items, have been recovered,” the official said, adding that search operations were on. Further details were awaited, the official said. Harami Nala is a marshy, sluggish and shallow water channel, spread over 500 sq km on the India-Pakistan border her.—INP
Eight passport officials arrested
LAHORE—FIA in a rapid on the passport office here Friday arrested eight officials including Assistant Director passport. According to details, the garden town passport office was raided by the FIA and arrested the officials for issuing passports to Afghan nationals. It is worth mentioning that passports cannot be issued without production of Computerized National Identity Cards. The officials said they would see how the passports were being issued and whether were some other people who were involved in issuance of CNICs to the Afghan nationals.—INP
party elections as well as details of assets of liabilities of the parties, respectively. The Commission further stated, “provided that a combination of political parties shall be entitled to obtain a common election symbol for such election only if, each party constituting such combination, submits the certificates and statement referred to in Articles 12 and 13.” These legal provisions explain, “where any political party or a combination of political parties, severally or collectively, contravenes the provisions of Articles 12 or 13, it shall not be entitled to obtain an election symbol for election to the Majlis-e- Shoora (Parliament) or the Provincial Assemblies, and the Election Commission shall not allocate an election symbol to such party or, as the case may be, the combination of political parties for such election.” The Commission has clari-
fail to submit their annual statement of accounts in terms of Article 13 of the said Order or fail to submit the certificate with regard to intra-party election in terms of Article 12 of the said order shall not be entitled to obtain election symbols. Attention of political parties has further been invited to para 5 of the Allocation of Symbols Order, 2002 which provides that subject to fulfillment of the provisions of Political Parties Order, 2002 and the rules framed there under, a political party shall make an application to the Election Commission for allocation of a symbol of its choice within the period specified by the Commission. In view of legal position explained, fresh applications will be invited from the political parties at the time of next general elections for allotment of election symbols and symbols will be allotted to only
‘US, UK against Pak nuclear programme’ RAWALPINDI—Defence Secre- dercover in Pakistan. “The CIA said that the operation in the tary Lt General (Retd) Asif Yasin Malik on Friday said that the United States and Britain are against Pakistan’s nuclear programme and the CIA uses foreign agencies for its operations in Pakistan. Talking to media at the Defence Ministry here on Friday, Asif Yasin said that they had complete information of the CIA agents working in Pakistan. He said Pakistan has been informed by the US regarding presence of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents. He added that no country was allowed to work un-
also uses the agencies of other countries.” The Defence Secretary said that the attitude of the US had changed with Pakistan in the wake of dialogue that took place between the two sides after Salala check post attack and subsequent suspension of NATO supplies. General Asif said there is no formal agreement between CIA and the ISI for secret operation. He said 95% of defence policy is made by the three defence services on the basis of mutual consultation. Speaking about possible operation in North Waziristan, Yasin
agency could not be successful until sealing off the Pak-Afghan border. He however emphasized that the army has all the capacity to launch an operation in NWA. He said negotiations were going on for the replacement of spy aircraft that were damaged at Mehran and Kamra bases. He said that the defence ministry had no objection if the government took any action against former Army Chief General (Retd) Aslam Beg and former ISI Chief Lt General (Retd) Asad Durrani in the light of SC verdict in Asghar Khan case. —INP
What is normal blood pressure?
B
LOOD pressure is primarily pro duced when the heart muscle con tracts - it is the pressure of blood upon the walls of the blood vessels. There are two recordings, a high one (systolic) and a lower one (diastolic). The systolic pressure is measured when the heart contracts, while the diastolic one is gauged just before the heart contracts. The heart is the muscle that pumps blood throughout the body during every second of our lives. Low-oxygen blood is pumped towards the lungs, where it becomes oxygen-rich again. Oxygen-rich blood is pumped by the heart around to body to supply tissue, muscle, organs and cells. This pumping generates blood pressure. According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary, Blood Pressure is: “The pressure or tension of the blood within the systemic arteries, maintained by the contraction of the left ventricle, the resistance of the arterioles and capillaries, the elasticity of the arterial walls, as well as the viscosity and volume of the blood; expressed as relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure.” Hypertension is when our blood pressure is too high, while hypotension is the opposite; it is when our blood pressure is too low. Most of us have had our blood pressure taken at some time in our lives. The procedure is straightforward and provides the doctor or other health care professional with vital data regarding the condition of the patient’s blood vessels and heart. As mentioned above, two blood pres-
sure readings are measured: The Systolic Pressure - this is the maximum pressure in an artery. It occurs when the heart contracts; when it is beating, and blood is being pumped through. The Diastolic Pressure - this is the minimum pressure in an artery. It occurs just before the heart contracts; in between heartbeats. It occurs when the heart is resting. If either the systolic or diastolic pressure is too high, the patient has hypertension (high blood pressure). So, both readings are important. The patient needs to be relaxed and seated or lying down comfortably when their blood pressure is taken. Their arm must be well supported. What happens when somebody’s blood pressure is taken? Digital Blood Pressure Monitor - A 122/65 mmHg blood pressure reading, using an electronic sphygmomanometer A cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and is inflated. Velcro keeps it in place. With an electronic sphygmomanometer, the patient just relaxes and waits and the device does everything. A Clinical mercury Manometer has a cuff, a tube that leads to a rubber bulb, and another tube which leads to a reservoir of mercury. The doctor wraps the cuff around the patient’s upper arm. The cuff is inflated by compressing the rubber bulb repeatedly. The doctor places a stethoscope on the patient’s arm and listens to his/her pulse. When the doctor first hears the pulse, the systolic pressure is measured. Gradually the pressure on the cuff is released.
ISLAMABAD: Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Observer & Chairman Nazriya Pakistan Council Zahid Malik with the participants of a stage play “Hamaray Quaid Muhammad Ali Jinnah” organized by NPC at Aiwan-e-Quaid. Brig (Retd) Zafar Iqbal, Principal of Rawal Cadet College Gulraiz Rawalpindi and Zahida Shaheen are also seen in the picture.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir
NPC condoles death of Mr. Zahid Malik’s brothers OBSERVER REPORT ISLAMABAD—The officers and staff of the Nazriya-i-Pakistan Council held a condolence meeting at the Aiwan-i-Quaid to express heartfelt grief and sorrow with Zahid Malik, Chairman NPC and Chief Editor Pakistan Observer on the sad demise of his younger brother Abdul Hayee Malik who breathed his last, at his native home in Samberial after a protracted illness. The meeting led by Executive Secretary, Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad, offered Fateha for the departed soul and prayed to the Almighty to bestow courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss.
Water shortage in Sector G-7/2
ISLAMABAD: Motorists move slowly on the road during rain at Jinnah Avenue.
Capital’s landscaping to be developed on modern lines CITY REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The soft landscaping of the capital city would be transformed on modern lines and new varieties of flowers would be introduced to help enhance the beauty of the federal capital, said Chairman Capital Development Authority. “Flowers are the most attractive gift of nature, which make the life of individuals charming and depict the aesthetic of the residents,” Syed Tahir Shahbaz said this while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of the Autumn Flowers Show - 2012 organized by CDA in collabora-
tion with Islamabad Horticultural Society. He said the green character, beautiful landscape, and colourful flowers are the hallmark of Islamabad, which make it unique in the modern capitals of the world. The CDA chief said the flowers are the part and parcel of our life as they add beauty and fragrance to our gardens, homes as well lives. Tahir Shahbaz directed the Environment Wing of the Authority to increase the number of sapling of flowering plants during spring and monsoon tree plantation campaigns. He also stressed for focusing on indigenous
I SLAMABAD —Residents of Sector G-7/2 are facing enormous problems due to broken streetlights, worsening sewerage and acute water shortage since the last many days. Residents have been facing acute water shortage with hundreds of houses being deprived of water for the past three weeks. Supply pipelines were damaged in the storm that uprooted trees three weeks ago. —Online
HEC Chairman, Young generation is great employees mend hope of Pak: Zahid Malik differences
I SLAMABAD —The employ-
Drama sends out strong message on unblemished character of Quaid L IAQAT T OOR I SLAMABAD —A drama on the life of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Pakistan struggle staged at Aiwan-i-Quaid here on Friday sent out a strong message on different aspects of Pakistan Movement and unblemished character of Founder of Pakistan. Produced and directed by Zahida Shaheen, students of educational institutions presented a true picture of different phases of the heroic struggle that culminated in the creation of new independent state of Muslims in South Asia. The programme was part of week-long celebrations organised by Nazriya Pakistan Council (Trust) in connection with birth an-
NPC to hold exclusive programme on interfaith harmony STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Nazriya
species of trees, as it will further beautify the city in harmony with the climate condition of the city. The chairman said the Authority was endeavouring to plant environment friendly new indigenous varieties of flowers and trees on the highways, roads, bridges and green areas. He said that the increased participation of the private sector in the flowers exhibition reflects the efforts of the people from different walks of life who really care for the environment. Syed Tahir Shahbaz distributed prizes and trophies amongst the winners of the three days flowers show.
Pakistan Council will host an exclusive programme on “Interfaith Harmony in Pakistan” today, 3pm, at the Aiwan-i-Quaid Auditorium, F-9 Park. Zahid Malik will preside over the function while Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, ex-Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will deliver the keynote address reflecting the Quaid’s vision on interfaith harmony and tolerance among the co-existing communities of the country. Representatives of Sikh, Christian, Hindu and Parsi communities living in Pakistan will express their views.
Pashto Literature in times of conflict SANA JAMAL ISLAMABAD —The continuing conflict and aggression, since Pakistan’s alliance with US-led war on terror, has left deep impressions on Pakistani culture and literature. The impact on Pashto prose and poetry were particularly discussed by a group of literati in Islamabad who deliberated on changing trends in Pashto literature in an age of terror. Participants at the seminar on “Extremism and Radicalization in FATA: Impacts on Culture”, organized by FATA Research Center (FRC), identified twofold impact on the cul-
ture due to conflicts and rising extremism. First influence, quite visible one, is that the local artists fear cultural setback as the violence has affected Pashtun culture in all forms: folklore, music, literature. “The romanticism in the poetry has been replaced with tragic words like suicide bombing, blasts, cries, grief” remarked one participant. While the other, rather promising view, is that the same conflict is contributing to Pashto literature. After all major literary masterworks have often been produced during hard times, mentioned Dr. Ashraf Ali, the president of FRC. Citing the example of Romantic era in English literature that began after French Revo-
lution, he said although ongoing war has badly affected the social, political, economic and cultural spheres of life “yet it has contributed greatly to Pashto literature as well.” Dr. Ashraf ’s comment pointed towards a noteworthy chapter of Pakistan literature that present a local perspective and powerful insight into ongoing conflicts by putting vivid impression into words. Discussing the key literary trends and struggles that Pakistani writers face today, a poet-cum-writer Professor Hanif Khalil said that 9/11 has had permanent effect on the literary scenario of the region besides socio-political effects. “But Pashto prose and poetry
has been highly affected by the rise of militancy in the region since the conflict has intricate and direct link with Pashtun politics, literature, history and geography. The focus of cultural activities has shifted from serenity to security in post 9/ 11 scenario. Arshad Hussain, artist and cultural activist, said the Nashtar hall in Peshawar, the hub of cultural activities, had been closed for many years as “the conflict in the region posed a great setback to our performing art, poetry and music” he said. Many artists became the victim of art and cultural enmity, said Hussain, demanding that “it is the state’s responsibility to protect the
art and the artist” Akbar Sial, the General Secretary Pushtun Cultural Association, while talking about the changed landscapes of Pushtun culture said that the worst effects has been that the deviation of young ones from literary and art fields. Underlining the need for revival of Pashtun cultural, he said that violence and extremism is overwhelming the non-violent culture. FRC is a think-tank based in Islamabad that focuses on Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) in its entirety to bring to light its unique social values, strange customary laws, rich political history and constitutional status.
niversary of the Quaid. The students imbued with love for Pakistan in their delivery of dialogues and body language left an imprint on the audience present in the hall who has come to watch the drama despite inclement weather in the harsh winter. Students, intellectuals and elites of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad watched the show. Zahid Malik, Chairman of NPC and Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer lauding the effort and spirit of the students said Pakistan has a great hope in young generation. The way the students presented different characters of heroes of Pakistan Movement showed they want to see prosperous and
peaceful Pakistan built on principles of the Quaid. The young men are heroes of Pakistan who will take this nation to its destination, he said. It was his dream to see Aiwan-i- Quaid to become hub of activities highlighting the true spirit of Pakistan. Such porgrammes will continue to be presented in the hall, Zahid Malik said. Brig.(retd) Zafar Iqbal, Principal of Rawal Cadet College Gulraiz (11) in his remarks said contents of the drama were powerful. He lauded the efforts of NPC for spreading message of the Quaid. Later, Zahid Malik gave away prizes and certificates to the participants of the drama.
ees of Higher Education Commission HEC met with the Chairman HEC Dr. Javaid R. Laghari and resolved to work together for promotion of higher education in country. They affirmed that rules and regulations would be followed and human resource related opportunities will be equally available to all employees. They also affirmed that discipline within the organization would be maintained and all HEC divisions would continue working together with the higher education institutes and universities with zeal and vigor, according to HEC spokesperson. On this occasion, Engr. Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani Acting Executive Director HEC, Dr. Nasser Ali Khan Member Operations and Planning HEC and three members of Reconciliation Committee formed by the Chairman HEC: Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasin Zai Vice Chancellor Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad.—Online
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December 29 THE seventh Convocation of Riphah International University would be held at 10 am in Jinnah Convention Centre. The chief guest of the convocation would be Professor Doctor Atta-urRehman while the Rector of University of Management and Technology Lahore Doctor Hassan Sahib Murad would be the honorary guest of this convocation. More than 532 graduate and postgraduate students would be awarded degrees in various disciplines. January 01 HAMDARD Thinker ’s Forum will hold a seminar on destructive political, social and effects of corruption 4pm at Hamdard Centre Rawalpindi. Continuing EXHIBITION of paintings by Mashkoor Raza, Mughees Riaz, Ufaq Ehsan and Arjumand Husain, at the Nomad Art Gallery, 22, Justice Abdur Rashid Road, Sector F-6/ 1, Islamabad, continuing up to December 30.
Senate Body terms ‘Tax Amnesty Bill’ another NRO STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —A Parliamentary Panel on Finance has expressed its severe concern over the proposed Tax Laws Amendment Bill 2012 by terming it another National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) for the country. The committee recommended that the proposed tax bill should be presented in form of scheme as Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will get blanket power by passing it in shape of money bill. The committee also recommended that proposed amnesty scheme should be passed for some specific period. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs met here at the Parliament house with Senator Nasreen
Jalil in the chair for consideration of “The Tax Laws (amendment) Bill 2012 as referred by the house. During the meeting, Senators termed it a controversial bill as no body from the parliament was taken into confidence over it and expressed their server reservation over it. They said that there is no scope of this bill that protects tax evaders. Chairperson Ms Nasreen Jalil said that the Proposed Tax amnesty Bill is second National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and violation of the article 25 of the constitution therefore it should be removed. Sentor Ishaq Dar said that its government’s fault to introduce it as money bill and rather to take edge of article of 254 of the constitution they should accept their fault.
He said that in any circumstances any single department can not be given blanket powers. He said that draft of this bill has been prepared without sufficient preparation and if it brought it would be challenged in the court and once again court will slap the parliament. He suggested the committee to recommend to the National Assembly to reject it. Ishaq Dar said that this proposed bill would also disturb the balance between direct and indirect taxes. Senator Hamayun Mandokhel said that if Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) wants to increase its tax net then it should adopt other measures. He supported the point of Ishaq Dar and said that blanket powers should not be given to the FBR. ISLAMBAD: People getting themselves warm as they sit around a bonfire. The weather turned extremely cold after rain on Friday.
2 Key strategic institutions show willingness for audit by AG ISLAMABAD—Two key strategic organizations including Strategic Plans Division and National Command Authority (NCA) have agreed to get audit their accounts by Auditor General (AG) on the intervention of military leadership. AG will keep the audit report confidential in respect of these two organizations being their matters highly sensitive while Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will also review audit matters of these organizations during in-camera session.
Media reports quoting PAC sources said these two organizations and their subordinate departments were named in the list of institutions which had declined to subject their accounts to audit drill by AG. PAC had raised objection over their refusal and asked defence ministry all the departments which draw budget grants from the national exchequer should undergo audit exercise by the AG otherwise a reference against them would be sent to the parlia-
ment like the one which was sent against Supreme Court registrar. Sources said NCA and strategic plans division administration was reluctant to go through the audit process but on the intervention of Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne a special arrangement has been made in respect of the audit of these two institutions by AG.—Online
***** GROUP exhibition titled ‘Bend in the Scapes,’ at the Satrang Art Gallery, Serena Hotel, Khayaban-e-Suhrwardy, Islamabad, continuing up to January 8.
SC disposed of 171 cases in a week I SLAMABAD —The Supreme Court of Pakistan has disposed of 171 cases whereas 172 new cases have been instituted during the period from Saturday 22nd December 2012 to Friday 28th December 2012. The backlog remains 20143. The backlog in the apex Court on 22nd December 2012 was 20142 cases. As 172 new cases were instituted during the period from Saturday 22nd December 2012 to Friday 28th December 2012, the progressive total of pending cases as on 28th December 2012 rose to 20314 cases. Out of these, 171 cases were disposed of during the period from Monday 24th December 2012 to Friday 28th December 2012 and as such the backlog remains 20143 cases. —INP
Sixth Road Flyover to be opened till mid-January R AWALPINDI —Sixth Road Flyover is ex-pected to be opened for traffic till the mid of January next year. Xen Punjab Highways Department, Jamshed Khan said that carpeting of the road leading to Faizabad of the flyover has been completed while carpeting of the road leading to Saddar would be started after concrete slabs get dry. He was sure that the flyover would be opened for traffic till mid-January if rain did not interrupt the construction work. It is pertinent to mention here that earlier the flyover was to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif and opened for traffic on December 25 but the date has been post-poned. No new date of the inauguration is announce yet. Meanwhile, the Xen informed that 76 of to-tal 114 piles of Pirwadhai Flyover are com-pleted and the project would be completed till March 31.—INP
19 outlaws arrested
Three cars and stolen items recovered ISLAMABAD—Islamabad Police have arrested 19 outlaws from various areas of the city and recovered three cars, one motorbike, laptop, narcotics and weapons from their possession, a police spokesman said on Friday. According to details, ASI Tasneem Ahmed from CIA police Islamabad arrested Sajid Zaman, Aqib Azad and recovered stolen laptop from them while a motorbike thief Muneeb Shah was also apprehended besides recovery of new motorbike from him. Inspector Zulfiqar Ahmed from CIA police nabbed Aziz for selling diesel without legal permission while Sub-Inspector Shamas Akbar and ASI Tariq Rauf arrested Khan Zaman and Ghulam Ismail for possessing two 30 bore pistols. Sub-Inspector Fiaz Akbar from Sabzi Manid police station apprehended Dost Muhammad for possessing 30 bore pistol while ASI Nur Elahi
16 police officials served show cause notices over negligence
ISLAMABAD: Brigadier Iqbal Shafi, Munir Ahmad Chaudhry, Senator Rozina CITY REPORTER AlamKhan, Dr M D Shami and Dr Shoaib A Khan standing in respect of the national anthem during a ceremony to celebrate Quaid-e-Azam Day at Aiwan-e-Sir Syed.—PO R AWALPINDI —SSP (OperaPhoto by Sultan Bashir tion) Rawalpindi Israr Abbasi has issued show cause notices to 16 police officials of the city circle over negligence in fulfilling their duties. According to sources, 10 officials out of the total 16 are from Pirwadhai police stacome up with concrete strat- in residential areas of Saddar tion. The officials including CITY REPORTER egy in this connection. but authorities have failed to sub-inspectors Zafar Iqbal, R AWALPINDI —Rawalpindi Illegal commercial activi- take action against them. Muhammad Akbar, Cantonment Board (RCB) ties have been on the rise in Moreover, illegal commercial Muhammad Riyaz, has decided to launch opera- every nook and corner of the activities in thickly populated tion against illegal commer- cantonment areas allegedly areas are carried out with imcial activities in residential in connivance of corrupt RCB punity in Tench Bhatta, Peoples Colony, Dhok areas particularly ware- officials. In Gawalmandi, a large Syedan, Fazalabad, Dhok houses from Jan 01. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) RCB number of automobile work- Kashmirian, Misryal Road, Rana Manzoor Ahmad Khan shops are operational in al- Chakara, Range Road and directed concerned depart- most every street and store- many other parts of the canment of the civic body to rooms were also established tonment areas.
RCB plans crackdown on illegal commercial activities
Muhammad Khalil, Muhammad Anwar, Jaffar Husain and ASIs Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Altaf of Pirwadhai police station, sub-inspector Muhammad Ramzan, ASIs Zulfiqar Ali and Muhammad Yar of Ratta Amaral police station, ASI Muhammad Ijaz of Ganj Mandi police station and sub-inspector Hayyat Khan and ASI Arshad Javed of City police station were served the notices.
from Ramana police arrested two thieves Mukhtar Ahmed and Rubina Bibi. Sub-Inspector Rab Nawaz from Tarnol police arrested an accused Sharif for possessing bogus corolla car (IDF-9388) while two tempered cars (IDC6222, LEB-5311) were recovered from Shah Nawaz and Liaqat Zaman by ASI Nur Elahi from anti-car lifting cell. S u b - I n s p e c t o r Muhammad Tehseen from Golra police recovered 140 heroin from Tahir Muneer while ASI Fateh Ullah from Margallah police arrested mobile thief Asif and recovered stolen mobile phone from him. ASI Zafar Iqbal from Loi Bher police arrested Kashif, Mishi, Sobia and Tanzeela for their alleged invovlemetn in immoral activities. Cases have been registered against all of these nabbed persons under relevant sections and further investigation is underway from them.—NNI
Shortage of staff may affect polio drive R AWALPINDI —Despite unending efforts of the district health department to make antipolio immunization successful, the Short Interval Additional Dose (SIAD) is feared not to get 100 percent target. The garrison city, for maintaining a polio-free city status has launched unscheduled anti-polio campaigns under the title Short Interval Additional Dose in order to minimise the risk. The situation has created suspicions among the citizens as anti-polio campaign was started with shortage of staff besides nurses have also refused to contribute in the immunization drive. Sources said that random polio drive was started with shortage of 840 staff members. District Health Department Rawalpindi has constituted 1,068 teams to administer polio drops to children below the age of five years in 63 union councils, of which 12 union councils were declared high-risk areas.—INP
Hundreds AJK PP workers attend BB’s death anniversary
Kashmir main hurdle in Pak, India cordial ties: Mirwaiz
I SLAMABAD —All Parties way for settlement of the gated for too long. Earlier, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and I SLAMABAD —Hundreds of Hurriyet Conference Chair- Kashmir dispute. ideological workers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Azad Kashmir participated in the death anniversary of their beloved leader at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh and expressed their loyalty with Mohtarma. This was stated by Media Advisor PPP Azad Kashmir Shaukat Javed Mir in a statement issued here on Friday. He said that participation of Kashmiris in a large number at the death anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is a referendum of Kashmiris in favour of PPP’s people friendly policies. He expressed the confidence that PPP would clean sweep in the coming general elections and continue the uncompleted agenda of ‘Shuhada-e-Kashmir’. About the speech of Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he termed it a sequence of Shaheed Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed who always stood shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiris for their effort in self-determination. Shaukat was of the view that the gathering of millions of people at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh and the enthusiastic speech of young and vibrant PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto proved the last nail in the coffin of those who raised fingers against the democratic and people friendly government of Pakistan Peoples Party.—APP
Faktoo challenges single bench judgment on life imprisonment
man, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that Kashmir dispute is the main impediment in the cordial relations between Pakistan and India and the two countries cannot progress in economic fields without settling it. According to Kashmir Media Service,addressing a gathering at Jamia Masjid in Srinagar on Friday Mirwaiz said that in the prevailing circumstances, the recent Pakistan visit of the APHC leaders was of greater significance and it would pave the
The Mirwaiz maintained that Pakistani leadership and people were aware of the sufferings of Kashmiris and they had always extended moral, political and diplomatic support to the just struggle of Kashmiri people. He said that India was increasing its defence budget every year to continue its illegal hold on Kashmir. He urged New Delhi to accept the ground realities and realise the fact that a nation could not be subju-
other APHC leaders Professor Abdul Ghani Butt, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi AlSafvi, Mukhtar Ahmed Waza and Musaddiq Aadil were given a rousing welcome at Srinagar airport on their return from Pakistan. A large number of people received the leaders at the airport amid high- pitched slogans. The Mirwaiz was taken to the Jamia Masjid Srinagar and Agha Syed Hassan AlMoosvi to Badgam in processions.—APP
Proactive approach to resolve Kashmir stressed SRINAGAR—Senior Hurriyat Conference (M) leader, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat has called for sincere and proactive approach from India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir issue as per the aspirations of people. “We have to solve this longstanding dispute with consensus and mutual understanding while keeping its global impact and wishes of people of Jammu and Kashmir in consideration,” Bhat said. About the week-long visit of Hurriyat delegation to Pakistan, he said they are satisfied with the outcome of meetings and interactions with officials, leaders and intelligentsia.
“Hurriyat Conference’s visit to Pakistan has once again brought Jammu and Kashmir dispute in limelight which is now being discussed with new dimensions. Hopefully, it would help to move forward for its final solution.” He said it is now the duty of New Delhi and Islamabad to come forward and include Kashmiris to settle the issue once for all. Bhat said New Delhi should show a visible change on ground in Jammu and Kashmir. “India and Pakistan are parties to the dispute while the people of Jammu and Kashmir are arbitrators and we want to see both the countries economi-
cally stable and sound.” He said people of Kashmir want to play a role to bring Pakistan and India close to each other. “The region is full of atomic weapons and we cannot afford mistrust and war.” Bhat urged India and Pakistan to enhance people-to-people contact and encourage free trade between the divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir to ensure peace, security and tranquility in the region “which is the need of hour”. “It is time for goodwill gestures from Indian side and they should release all political prisoners, revoke draconian laws and ensure withdrawal of troops from all areas.”—NNI
SRINAGAR—The High Court has issued notice to the J&K government seeking its response on the appeal filed by the Muslim League Chairman Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo challenging the single bench judgment terming that life imprisonment means detention for entire life. A division bench comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar issued the notice after Faktoo’s Counsel Mian Abdul Qayoom argued the case. Qayoom pleaded that the writ court has referred to sections 401 and 402 of the Code of Criminal Procedure ‘erroneously’ in the judgment. “Code of Criminal Procedure had no application to the case of the appellant as he had not asked for any remission or commutation of the sentence in his petition,” he argued. He said it was a “positive case” that he has already served 20 years of sentence and as such he was entitled to be released. “The Writ Court has referred to the provisions of sections 401 and 402 of Code of Criminal Procedure under a mistaken concept that the petitioner was seeking remission/ commutation of his sentence that it was the state government which was competent to do so,” Qayoom argued. A bench of High Court had earlier dismissed Faktoo’s petition seeking his release and had ruled that that life imprisonment means imprisonment for entire life. Referring to the argument of counsel for petitioner that in terms of Section 57 of RPC, life imprisonment means imprisonment for 20 years, the court had held: “The argument is devoid of any force as the object of the said section is how to calculate the fractions of terms of punishment and provides that imprisonment for life shall be reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for 20 years.”—NNI
MUZAFFARABAD: Opposition leader Raja Farooq Haider and Member Legislative Assembly Barrister Iftikhar of PML-N submitting a requisition for Assembly Session.
Kashmir MLA questions double standards D ODA —Langate Engineer Rashid has criticized civil society, media and politicians of exhibiting double standards when it comes to issues like rape in Kashmir and the Indian mainland. A statement issued here quoted Rashid while addressing a public meeting at Lawoosa Handwara as saying that Kashmiris had a right to seek answer from rest of the country on why people pelting stones on police and damaging government and public property in New Delhi were not being treated the way Kashmiris are when even more heinous and serious incidents take place in the Valley. Rashid was referring to Damini gang rape case and rape cases in Kashmir. He said dozens of minors seeking justice in similar cases and other human rights violations had been booked under draconian Public
Safety Act in Kashmir while those miscreants pelting stones in the streets of New Delhi had full patronage of the civil society, media and politicians. “A stone pelter is a stones pelter whether he hails from Kashmir or Delhi and the principle of natural justice demands that irrespective of the cause for which he is pelting stones, they should be given same treatment,” Rashid said. “However, a Kashmiri stone pelter, whether he is a minor or an adult, a man or a woman, to book him behind the bars under draconian PSA and to ruin his career is being made his destiny.” Rashid asked New Delhi to explain that on a day when thousands were on the streets of New Delhi pelting stones claiming to do it to protect the honour, dignity and rights of women, why an innocent handicapped girl
Zahida Akhtar was detained at police station in Anantnag for her alleged involvement in stone pelting in 2010. He said while on one side strong voices were being raised for removing Delhi Police Commissioner for alleged cane charge on stone pelters on the other hand in Kashmir the yard stick for providing promotions to troopers and officers is: ‘How many unarmed Kashmiri peaceful protesters they have sent behind the bars in the name of national interest’. He said after getting assurances from Prime Minister, Home Minister, Sonia Gandhi and Sushma Sawraj rioters were still engaged in tearing uniform of policemen and dragging men in uniform in the streets of New Delhi. “Yet media is charging police of using extra and unnecessary force on stone pelters.—NNI
MUZAFFARABAD: AJK President Sardar Yaqoob Khan giving a gold medal and certificate to AJK University, position holder in Fine Arts.
Rain, snowfall in AJK M IRPUR
(AJK)—Heavy rain lashed in various parts of AJK besides snowfall occurred at the upper areas on Friday and turned weather cold on Friday. Meteorological department predicted that continuation of the rainfall in plain and snowfall at top mountainous parts of the AJK during next 24 hours.—APP
Autonomy, self-rule can’t resolve K-issue: Vakil
J AMMU —Former Minister and Member AICC Abdul Gani Vakil has said that neither a self rule proposal of the People’s Democratic Party nor autonomy of National Conference can resolve Kashmir issue. “These parties have to understand that Kashmir issue can only be resolved when all the parties including separatists would sit together and would take into account the aspirations of people of all B A R A M U L L A —Rebuffing the three regions,” Vakil said the police claim that the boy arrested in Raipora Palhallan is involved in the killing of a Sarpanch, the family of boy has accused the police of falsely implicating their son. Police said it arrested Altaf Ahmad Ganai of Raipora J AMMU—Jammu and KashPalhallan and claimed that mir State Samaj Sudhar Comthe boy was involved in the mittee (JKSSSC) staged a demonstration killing of a Sarpanch at protest against rampant corruption Palhallan this year. Dismissing the police in the state. The activists of charges, the family said that JKSSSC led by its president, forces are deliberately resort- Mohammad Yosuf Wani held ing to harassment by arrest- protest demonstration amid ing innocents on false sloganeering against the charges. “In September this State government outside year, police arrested Nasir the Exhibition Ground. Speaking on the occaMolvi from Palhallan area and claimed that he is in- sion, Mohammad Yosuf volved in the killing of Wani alleged that presently Sarpanch and now they all political leaders, bureauhave devised one more crats and government emstory. We fail to understand ployees are indulging in the motive behind these re- corrupts practices due to peated claims by security which the common masses forces,” said a relative of are suffering. He further Altaf. Pleading his inno- added that the State governcence, the family said that ment has failed to eradicate their son is hardly 14-year corruption and poverty from the State. old and can’t kill anyone. Pointing at the unemTerming the forces’ claim of arresting the youth on De- ployment in the State, Wani cember 19 baseless, the father of the arrested youth said that he was not arrested by the forces “but we handed him over to the STF Pattan after they sought his presence in the camp for S RINAGAR —The National some investigation pur- Conference spokesman pose.” “I was called by the while ridiculing the PDP by STF authorities of Pattan calling it a ‘Publicity Driven camp on December 8. After Party’ said that it’s a spent some time, they insisted me force overflowed with corto get my son Altaf for some rupt bureaucrats and profesenquiry purposes and as- sional turn coats. sured me that he will be re“A party of vested interleased soon. However, he ests and power hungry was not released and in- people, almost a spent force stead wrongly implicated in in the politics and whose dethe Sarpanch’s killing case,” lusions of being a player in the said Abdul Hamid Ganaie. politics of the state were re“He left his studies just one cently dashed by the legislayear back and was employed tive council elections has the in a nearby mobile shop in nerve to talk against the Omar Raipora village. He was never Abdullah or NC-Led coaliinvolved in any subversive tion” National Spokesman activity,” he said. “We both Tanvir Sadiq said in a meeting were together, miles away with delegations from from the place of occurrence Kulgam, Srinagar, Ganderbal of the incident.—NNI at Party Headquarters, adding
in a statement. “Resolution of Kashmir issue is enshrined in collective wisdom of the parties concerned, a criterion which the self-rule or autonomy proposals don’t fulfill,” he said. Vakil said Congress would not allow anybody to use Kashmir issue to change the fortunes or misfortunes of political exploiters. “Kashmir issue cannot be treated as commodity on which dirty politics can be played,” he added.
Vakil said that Article 370 is to be strengthened and those communal forces bent upon dividing the state are to be kept at bay. He said divisive forces favoring abrogation of Article 370 were the enemies of state and were trying weakening state’s relation with Centre but he asserted that Congress would leave no stone unturned in defeating evil designs of those forces who are conspiring to weaken Article 370.—NNI
Common masses suffering from corruption
Shabir, Nayeem rule out third front
Palhallan family pleads innocence
said that the government has made tall claims of providing jobs to the deserving educated youth but over six lakh youth are still without jobs while eighty thousand posts are vacant in different government departments. Criticizing the State government for not providing security to elected Panchayat members, Wani said that due to a non-serious attitude of the State government more than 300 Panchs and Sarpanches have given their resignation in view of the militant threats. He also demanded enhancement of the relief to Kashmir migrant. Among others who were present on the occasion included Sanju Manmotra, Mohan Choudhary, Raj Sharma and Fayaz Ahmad Malik.—NNI
PDP’s anti-Kashmir policies cost Kashmir 100,000 lives “Their rantings reinforce the huge decline and oblivion of this party” Ridiculing PDP President, NC Spokesman in his address said “Omar Abdullah does not need sermons from anybody, least from a party which is based on, treachery and deceit. Look into your own track record and criminal trajectories before commenting” said Tanvir “Your Anti-Kashmir policies, plots and blunders cost the state 100,000 innocent lives” he said. “They seem to have forgotten how they one by one killed the Hizbul Commanders who wanted to come forward for talks, how they installed Jagmohan to start an era of bloodshed.—NNI
SRINAGAR—Ruling out formation of third front, senior Hurriyat (M) leader Shabir Ahmed Shah has said he was trying hard to end the existing split among the separatists to see Hurriyat as a single institutionalized platform. He advised the Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq to consult Hurriyat (G) chairman Syed Ali Geelani, JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik and the families of martyrs before talking to New Delhi. He, however, was quick to add that “war and talks can’t go together.” Talking to Greater Kashmir, Shah said he was happy to see the overwhelming support of the Pakistani leadership for Right to Self Determination (RSD) of Kashmiris. “I did not oppose the visit of Mirwaiz and other leaders. I only said that they should have consulted Geelani, Malik and me before leaving,” he said. Shah said the “freedom movement was not the personal property of any leader.” “Those who are in Pakistan at present are leaders because of the sacrifices of people,” he said. He said there was no division and cracks within the Hurriyat (M). “As far as the rumours about formation of third front are concerned, there is no truth in the reports. Why should we form a third front when efforts are on to end the existing spilt? I am trying my best to see the Hurriyat as a single institutionalized forum,” Shah said. On why he doesn’t take part in the Hurriyat (M) meetings, he said there were some issues that need to be sorted out.—NNI
Seminar on standardization of Kashmiri Script held at KU S RINAGAR — Prof Talat Srinagar: Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir Prof Talat has impressed upon the academia, poets, scholars and writers of Kashmir language to involve youngsters in research and asked various departments, academies and institutions working for the promotion of Kashmiri language to work in close coordination so as to ensure that the benefits of their work and research percolate down to the grassroot level in the society. According to GNS, Prof Talat while addressing a
gathering of academicians, writers, students and poets at Centre for Sheikh-ul-Alam Studies at University of Kashmir during a symposium “Standardization of Kashmiri Script,” organized by the Sahitya Akademi said “ I am fully conscious of the fact that this symposium organized with an aim to address discrepancies in standardization of Kashmiri script is of great importance and I am sure that the recommendations which will come out from this symposium will help the scholars and academicians to reach to some consensus on the
topic under discussion.” Prof. Talat while acknowledging the dearth of teaching faculty at the center for Sheikh-ul- Alam studies said, “This department should work in close association with other sister departments like Kashmiri Department so that the scholars pursuing their research are fully benefitted from the expertise of the faculty available at Kashmiri department.” Assuring full support to the centre Prof Talat said that the UGC has approved NonNet fellowships for the students and scholars of the centre and now the onus lies
on Centre to look for alternative resources for appropriate funding and fellowships. During the seminar scholars and various academicians voiced that there is a need to involve youngsters in research so as to end discrepancies for the standardization of Kashmiri scrip and evolve a consensus in order to flourish this language upto the classical status. During the symposium the speakers highlighted the need for a strong and reasonable recommendation from the forum of academicians, veteran poets, writers, stu-
dents and all stakeholders and said that they should put together their expertise, knowhow during deliberation and come up with recommendation which will act as pivotal for standardization for this language. Earlier while welcoming the guests convener Kashmiri Advisory Board at Sahitya Akademi New Delhi Dr Aziz Hajini said that during his five years tenure in Sahitya Akademi Kashmiri Language has succeeded to top viz-a-viz conduct of programs and publication of books as compared to other twenty
three Indian languages including Hindi, English, Urdu, Tamil and Telgu and it also fulfills all the prerequisites which are needed to get the status of classical language.Former Director Radio Kashmir, Rafiq Raz in his address while admitting the intervention of dialect factor and different forms of imla (vowels) as the hindrances in the standardization of this language said,” Need of the hour is to adopt technology friendly Kashmiri script in a similar way as Arabic and Persian did, which are without imla’s.”
Dr. Ratan lal Talashi on the occassion said it is the multi dialect in Kashmiri language which leads to variation in script writing and pronunciation, hence need of the hour is to have a proper dictionary in order to end discrepancies in Kashmiri language. Others who spoke on the occasion were Prof Rehman rahi, Prof Margoob Banahali, Prof Shad Ramzaan, Prof Nazir Malik. Earlier Prof Bashir Bashar while highlighting the role of life, philosophy and works of Shaikh-ul-Aalam in various spheres of life
said “Established in 1998 the chair of Shaikh-ulAalam has now been given the status of fullfledged research centre which will give more impetus to research and study in order to transmit the message of the great saint poet Shaikh-ul Aalam(RA) to younger generation and society of Kashmir at large.” We have already registered some scholars with us this year for M.Phil and Ph. D courses.”He also thanked the KU authorities for their cooperation.—NNI
Agri sector suffers Rs219bn losses Staff Reporter LAHORE—Terming the year 2012 as bleakest year for Agriculture, Agri Forum Pakistan (AFP) claimed that the sector suffered Rs. 219 billion losses this year in shape of failure in attaining the production targets set for major and minor crops leading the country towards food insecurity, pushing the rural population further in to poverty, price hike of agricultural commodities and unemployment. Performance of the Punjab province remained the weakest in this regard which registered decline in three big crops including wheat, rice and cotton due to least interest of the government and inefficiency of the agriculture department and research institutes, said Agri Forum Pakistan Chairman, Muhammad Ibrahim Mughal while talking to journalists. Pakistan produces food crops worth Rs. 1050 billion per annum including wheat, rice, barley, maize and others. While sugarcane, cotton and tobacco produced worth of Rs. 750 billion per annum. Similarly pulses are produced of Rs. 50 billion per annum, oilseed crops of Rs. 90 billion.
New mechanism for economic revival Staff Reporter LAHORE—Calling for formation and implementation of a whole new mechanism to bring country out of economic mess, Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) blamed economic failure of year 2012.as worst energy crises, more than 3000 target killing in Karachi, lowest-ever local and foreign investment, political trade and industry. According to a PIAF report released by its Chairman Sohail Lashari, the economic activities could not come out of inertia-like situation for want of bold decisions on the part of the government. The State Bank’s initiative of bringing mark-up down to single digit also failed to give any considerable benefit to the stakeholders only because of gas and electricity shortage.
Rates for conversion KARACHI—The following rates will be applicable for conversion into rupees of Foreign Currency Deposits, Dollar Bearer Certificates, Foreign Currency Bearer Certificates, Special US Dollar Bonds and profits thereon by all banks and for providing Forward Cover on Foreign Currency Deposits (excluding F.E.25 deposits) by the State Bank on December 31, 2012. The rates are U.S. Dollar Rs 97.2098, Japanese Yen Rs 1.1302 Pound Sterling Rs 156.4105 and Euro Rs 128.1614.—APP
No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself or get all the credit. — Andrew Carnegie
KESC withdraws mark-up facility on consumer deposits STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has withdrawn the 5 percent ‘mark-up’ facility on ‘security deposits’ of consumers that would result in saving of over Rs 1 billion interest accrued on such deposits per annum. Around Rs 1.64 billion interest is being passed on to consumers against their security deposits in KESC for the last over 20 years. This has been stopped by the company this year citing that there was no legal binding to continue the facility. According to KESC’s An-
nual Report-2012, one of the ‘operating incomes’ of the company during the financial year 20112012 was the ‘reversal of accrued liability of mark up on customer security deposits’ worth Rs 1,064,214,000. The reversal of this amount has also contributed in the over Rs 2 billion profit shown by the company in the financial 2012. According to KESC, the Company had a practice of accruing and paying mark-up of 5 percent per annum to consumers on the security deposits maintained by consumers with the Company for their connections. During the year ended 30 June 2012, Management determined that this prac-
tice of accruing and paying mark up on security deposit is not followed by any other distribution company and there is no requirement specified or prescribed in a) the rules and regulations promulgated under the Nepra Act, b) regulation of generation, transmission and distribution act, 1997, c) the consumer services manual, or d) any contractual arrangement between KESC and its consumers. Management have obtained a legal opinion which supports the Management’s position and confirms that there appears to be no legal obligation on the Company to pay any mark-up/return on the security deposits.
PTCL announces new offer for seamless Broadband connectivity STAFF REPORTER
NBP signs home remittances agreement with Placid Express STAFF REPORTER
KARACHI—In line with its obISLAMABAD—Pakistan Tele- jective to facilitate overseas Pacommunications Company Lim-
ited (PTCL) has now enabled its Broadband customers to upgrade from 2Mbps to 4Mbps connection free of cost. Customers can now enjoy 4Mbps speeds at only Rs 1,549 per month, at the same price of 2Mbps connection. This offer is valid for both existing and new PTCL customers. As Pakistan’s fastest and most affordable Broadband service, PTCL’s Broadband Pakistan offers seamless Internet experience, uninterrupted streaming and fastest downloading speeds. It provides access to rich high-definition multimedia resources over the Internet enabling customers to download latest movies, TV shows and music files. This offer is applicable for all 2Mbps connections except Muslim students studying at try, for which measures are student package. The promoS TAFF R EPORTER Islamic Institutions across the being taken to import gas. tional package will expire on I S L A M A B A D —Dr. Asim country and are being proHe further said that the 31st January 2013. Hussain Advisor to the Prime vided with free education, Ministry of Petroleum and Minister on Petroleum and boarding and lodging facili- Natural Resources has already directed SNGPL and SSGCL Natural Resources has said ties. The delegation informed to workout consumption units that Government will keep on facilitating religious institu- that OGRA through a notifi- of gas provided to religious tions as they are an important cation, has enhanced gas tar- institutions so that a special STAFF REPORTER and essential part of the soci- iff without consultation. The category is formulated. The ety. He said this while meet- delegation requested that Advisor said that for present, ing a delegation of Wafaq-ul- Government should provide the old tariff will be appli- LAHORE—Food and beverage trade in Pakistan is on the rise Madaris led by Maulana Hanif utilities to religious institu- cable w.e.f 1st Jan, 2013. The delegation thanked and multi-nationals have inJalandhri here in Islamabad. tions at subsidy. Dr. Asim Hussain in- the Advisor for meeting them creased investment in the secThe delegation apprised the Advisor on Petroleum and formed the delegation that at and for his commitment to re- tor. “The overall food and bevNatural Resources that their present there is substantial solve the issues faced by reli- erage trade in Pakistan has body represents 2.5 million shortfall of gas in the coun- gious institutions on priority. surged to $ 6 billion during last one year and keeping in view great potential in the food sector of Pakistan world’s leaders in packaging solution like MULTIVAC, has started its functioning in Pakistan. Amir Sotoudeh, Managing Director - MULTIVAC, said in a statement released here on Friday. The food packaging industry could make a valuable contribution to reducing the wastage of food, he said adding,” appropriate packaging strategies help to protect food along value chain and to make food available to more people”. Food sector of Pakistan especially ready-to-eat meal, fresh and frozen meat, sea food and bakery products had wide opporDr Asim Hussain talking to a delegation of Wafaq-ul-Madaris. tunities of getting better returns on the investment and serving the masses, he said.
Govt will keep on facilitating religious institutions
kistanis across the globe, NBP has launched its Home Remittances Services in collaboration with Placid Express from Malaysia. This collaboration has further enhanced NBP’s outreach to provide fast, convenient, secured and absolutely free of charge remittance services to Pakistani Expats living in Malaysia. Further, Placid Express is a global Money Transfer Company and has its presence in Central Asia, Asia Pacific, European and North American Regions. “NBP is one of the largest players in Pakistani remittance
market and the launch of NBP Foree Cash and NBP Foree Transfer services from the counters of Placid Express and its agents will make it convenient for Pakistanis to send money home through legal channels and serve the national cause.” said Mr. Khalid Bin Shaheen, SEVP/Group Chief & Chairman NBP Exchange Company Limited during the Agreement Signing Ceremony in Malaysia. National Bank of Pakistan is the largest bank in the country with the widest domestic network of 1277 branches which provides unmatched outreach to Pakistanis living in every nook and corner of the country.NBP is constantly en-
Textile industry incurs $125m production loss STAFF REPORTER
ers. The Punjab-based textile
LAHORE—Aptma spokesman industry has entered into fifth
hancing its home remittance products & services and expanding its remittance agents network to achieve greater customer satisfaction and wider international outreach. NBP Cash over Counter Remittances can be collected instantly from any of the NBP branches by using NBP Foree Cash Service without having a bank account. NBP Foree Transfer Service offers credit to the individual’s account. NBP has adopted cutting edge technology to enhance service delivery and has introduced many value added services to remittance customers such as, SMS confirmation facilities and dedicated customer quality assurance department.
‘Fertilizer manufacturers overcharge’ STAFF REPORTER
—The mysterious sisaid that textile industry in black day due to non-availabil- K Food, beverage has Punjab has incurred production ity of energy supply to the mills, lence of Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan of $125 million since dis- he said. trade booming loss The Aptma spokesman said (SECP) in the case of overchargconnection of electricity and gas
OGDCL plans community development schemes at Nashpa Oil field STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD—The public sector company- Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has planed to execute soon a number of projects for development of local communities living around Nashpa Oil Filed at district Karak. These schemes included, Water supply schemes which would carried out at a cost of Rs 208.07 million, construction of road at cost of Rs 44.937 million and establishment of permanent set up of dispensary in the area, says the company’s spokesperson. He said the company has already completed several Social Welfare Programs of Water Supply Schemes, Health Care and construction of roads in Nashpa Oil Field in District Karak with the cost of Rs 42.75 million. He said the OGDCL playing a proactive role in supporting communities and inhabitant
in the vicinity of Nashpha Field. Several water supply projects have been undertaken in the villages including Manzlai, Alwargi, Sanda Khura, with the cost of Rs 27.00 million for provision of clean drinking water through water boozers and installation of 25 pressure pumps. He said the OGDCL has been facilitating the local community residing in the surrounding of Nashpa Field area through establishment of free medical dispensary including provision of ambulance for shifting of critical patients to DHQ Hospitals Karak and Kohat. He said the OGDCL conducts free eye camps to facilitate the patients providing free of cost check up, provision of eye sight glasses and feco operations to a huge number of patients of this area every year. He said all these services are provided free of cost, even the company entertain the patients
during camp. OGDCL has spent Rs 3.861 million in health sector for the local communities. He said construction of Nashpa Banda Road with an amount of Rs 11.948 million is underway, the road will connect villages to the market and will boost economic growth and poverty reduction in the Nashpa Field area. Other small projects i.e. leveling of Katcha road was also executed. To convert the young generation into a positive, competent and trained manpower, OGDCL established a Technical Training Centre at District Karak in 2006, he added. He said every year 100 students are enrolled for training in various disciplines of Petroleum Industry and so far an amount of Rs 27.860 million was spent for training including stipends to the students. Company also providing free pick and drop facility to the local students.
LTIA support strike call STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Newly elected Chairman of Lahore Township Industries Association (LTIA) Nasrullah Mughal on has announced full support for Aptma strike call scheduled for December 28. He announced the association’s support while addressing the members of LTIA after the elections. Earlier, Nasrullah Mughal was elected unopposed as Chairman of LTIA while, Muhammad Anees Qadri, Senior Vice Chairman and Mian Khurram Ilyas as Vice Chairman for the year 2013. All six executive committee members were also elected unopposed which include Nasrullah Mughal, Muhammad Anees Qadri, Mian Khurram Ilyas, Aamir Ata Barry, Aamir Bashir Khan; and Hafiz Imran Hameed.
supply over the last five days. He said the textile industry in Punjab is losing $25 million a day due to capacity closure. The uncertainty level is on the rise and the industry is suffering badly due to its bad image on delivery of foreign orders. It is quite unprecedented in the history of textile industry that mills are being deprived of energy supply altogether, he added. According to him, the energy constitutes 35 per cent of the conversion cost in spinning, weaving and processing mills. But no energy is available for either self-generation or through the system on independent feed-
there is rampant order cancellation and textile mills are facing acute liquidity crunch with every passing day. The industry cannot sustain with workers burden unless production activity starts up, he added. According to him, the textile industry has already laid off one shift of workers and more will be shown the door if the Ministry of Water & Power failed to restore electricity supply to the industry. The textile workers are planning to hold a strike throughout the province of Punjab on 28th that may lead to law and order situation, he added.
ARACHI
ing by the fertilizer manufacturers in the price of urea to the extent of Rs 77 billion in one year, as per the calculation of Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) is appalling indeed. The ever vigilant Transparency International Pakistan (TIPakistan) without loss of time has taken up the matter with the SECP, reminding them of the complaint forwarded to the Commission on June 24, 2012 on the fictitious loading of production cost by power producers and fertilizer manufactures, with a request to SECP to conduct audit of the accounts of all
Continued on Page 14
PSIC can earn forex by exporting its products STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—The Secretary Industry, Commerce and Investment Punjab, Dr Shujaat Ali Khan Friday said that Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) can earn foreign exchange by exporting its value added products of international standard. Reviewing the overall annual performance of the PSIC, he directed the MD PSIC, Farhan Aziz Khawaja to work out a viable strategy and modalities how the products of PSIC can be imported worldwide in open international markets. He said that PSIC has now been
assigned the task for exploring foreign markets to earn foreign exchange. Talking to media, he said that PSIC and its stakeholders are producing best quality handicrafts which are at par with international standard. He said that there is a vast scope of its exports provided all facilities are made available to PSIC. He said that another important meeting to discuss the scope of export of PSIC products will be convened soon. He said that co-operation of other state owned institutions will also be solicited to capture international markets on permanent basis.
Dr. Shujaat said that PSIC has also been directed to improve its website, displaying all its products with price tag and focal person also be appointed to answer the queries of foreign parties. He said that hundred per cent quality control will be ensured prior to dispatch of export consignment. He said that with the flow of incoming foreign exchange, the living standard of skilled workers attached with PSIC will also be improved a lot. He said philosophy behind the export of PSIC products is to boost the cottage industry besides encouraging the production of quality products.
ISE witnesses bearish trend STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE-10) Friday witnessed bearish trend as the index was down by 1.03 points to close at 3284.08 as compared to previous day’s trading. Talking to media, Stock Analyst, Zaheer Ahmed said that the local stock market remained range-bound due to the selected buying in the low-priced shares.
The punters were seen interested in the intra-day trading rather than taking positions for long-term because the two-days off was ahead, he added. Ahmed said that the major positions were taken in the low-priced shares of banking and cement sector in the intra-day trading. Total companies’ shares traded was 77,000, which was down by 40,500 shares when compared it with earlier’s day
closing. Out of 135 companies shares traded, the price of 72 was increased while the price of 63 decreased. The price of top gainer Unilever Pakistan was increased by Rs 499.99 while the price of top loser decreased by Rs 14.34. Byco Petroleum, Fauji Cement and Bank of Punjab remained volume leaders, with volume of 27,000, 21,500 and 20,000 shares respectively.
Smeda completes economic recovery projects in 29 flood-hit districts SALIM AHMED L AHORE —The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has successfully completed the exclusive project implemented with assistance from EU and UNDP for economic recovery in 29 districts of Pakistan, which were badly effected by the devastating flood in the year 2010. Yousaf Naseem Khokhar, Chief Executive Officer of SMEDA, while addressing a ceremony held to celebrate successful closure of the project informed that the project since its start in July 2011 had provided grants
worth Rs. 189.9 million to 11,928 individuals and 116 organizations for restoration of their enterprises and livelihoods. Dr. Nasir Khan Ghauri, General Manager, Business & Sector Development Division and Mr. Khurram Khan, GM, Central Support Division of SMEDA accompanied him on this occasion. The event was attended by a large number of beneficiaries and the participating organizations of the project. CEO SMEDA expressed deep gratitude to the officials of United Nations Development Program for arranging the required amount of funds for this project through European Union. A presentation run by
SMEDA on performance of the project revealed that a grant worth Rs. 30,000 per enterprise was provided to entrepreneurs from the key value chains important for overall economic development of the areas affected by flood. The businesses engaged in trade of agriculture and livestock inputs, processing of local materials and marketing of produce were given top priority. Grants enabled selected entrepreneurs to stabilize their businesses, and play their due role in supporting local economic activity, providing requisite goods and services. A total of 2,709 enterprises were given grant worth Rs. 81.5 million under SMEDA-ER Project.
Realizing the importance of home based income generating activities, there was a special focus on enterprising females supporting their families. Grant worth Rs. 38 million was disbursed to 3,106 women engaged in micro food processing, micro farming and needle craft. Financial aid has given these females hope and they are confident that they can make a positive contribution to the income generation for their household. Rs. 43 million of the grant component were dedicated for the segment of the society who cannot help themselves. Widows, elderly, orphans and marginalized individuals were
identified on the basis of poverty score and provided with Rs. 7,120 each, creating opportunities for micro investments. More than 6,000 individuals benefited from this grant component. Disbursement of cash grants of Rs 163 million to around 12,000 people was a big achievement for this project, but for the people who suffered financial and emotional devastation in the worst national disaster of the history of the nation; this is just a drop in the ocean. They are looking forward to additional support and facilitation for a more inclusive economic development. Local communities of the project locations have been mo-
bilized not only to take active part in identification and execution of economic development interventions, but have also been organized in the form of Community Welfare & Development Organizations (CWDOs). These 29 CWDO have been provided formalization support through legal experts and training programs. CWDOs are taking ownership of the development interventions, as SMEDA-ER has phased out with completion of the project. ER project beneficiaries have agreed to make monthly contribution of Rs. 300 per grantee to the CWDO for community development activities. Funds collected through this
contribution, in a bank account opened in the name of the organization, are spent in accordance with the bylaws. Legal experts were engaged to support formalization/registration of these organizations with respective social welfare departments. These local organizations are expected to generate Rs. 22 million through contributions from the grant beneficiaries within two years. Social enterprises, local NGOs and service providers working in flood affected areas have been engaged to build their capacities for better service delivery to the target beneficiaries. After going through an extensive capacity building
program and on site mentoring support, 87 local NGOs have come together in the form of LEDN.PK, Pakistan’s first network for supporting micro business and livelihood activities in the flood affected districts. Participating organizations have carried out at least one community support activity as a pre-condition for registration with the LEDN.PK A group of 20 grantees have been mobilized and engaged by the project team to setup an Industrial home at each project location. With more than 560 females engaged, 28 Industrial homes were set up across Pakistan.
Last day for exchanging Rs 5 banknote
Surgical Punjab-wide protests against instruments gas suspension from Jan 2 exports decline
STAFF REPORTER
SALIM AHMED
KARACHI—Monday (December 31, 2012) is the last day for exchanging demonetized banknote of Rs 5 denomination from all the field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation (SBP BSC) and over 11,000 branches of all commercial and microfinance banks (MFBs) operating in the country. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and SBP BSC will neither exchange nor be liable to pay any value of demonetized Rs. 5 banknote to any person or organization after December 31, 2012. Public is advised to exchange banknote of Rs 5 denomination from the field offices of SBP BSC and branches of all banks till the close of banking hours on December 31.
LAHORE—Strongly protesting
Samsung offers fabulous discounts at Metro Electronics Carnival 2012 STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Samsung Electronics is a global Market leader in Household Electronics, Digital technology and Telecommunications. Recently it participated in the attractive and colorful Electro Carnival 2012 held recently at METRO stores in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. Samsung offered some amazing discounts on a wide range of its cutting edge products. The Samsung products that attracted an overwhelming response from the consumers, during the carnival included; the Samsung Digital Camera ST – 66 packed with features l,Samsung 43” Plasma TV 43E400 which features; Samsung 32” LED TV ,Samsung Home Theatre E330K, with a 5.1 Channel, Dolby Digital 330W PMPO Total output power, USB recording CD, USB PORT. DivX,Samsung DVD Player DVD – 360 that features; 1 USB port, with an original price of Rs. 3,700, was offered at the Metro Carnival for only Rs. 3099. Samsung Laser Printer 2165, comprises of a 300 MHz processor, 32 MB RAM, Print resolution Upto 1200x1200 DPI, Print Speed (Black and White) upto 21 pages per minute in Letter size.
Businessmen pay tributes to slain minister STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—The members of business community at a condolence reference paid glowing tribute to the services of slain ANP leader and KhyberPakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour, termed that the vacuum created after his death will take long to be filled. The condolence reference was organised by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here at the chamber house. Quran Khawani also held and participants offered Fateha for departed soul of slain ANP and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour. On the occasion, SCCI president, Dr Mohammad Sarwar Yousaf, Leader of Businessmen Forum and ANP Senior leader, Senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, sons of slain leader, Bashir Ahmad Bilour, Usman Bilour, SCCI vice presidents Iftikhar Ahmad Awan and Anees Ashraf and renowned industrialists, Ghulam Sarwar Mohmand, Mohsin Aziz, Director Islamabad Stock Exchange, Mian Hamayun Pervez and a large number of members of business community were present.
Four banks found guilty of fraud M ILAN —An Italian judge found four international banks guilty of fraud in a case involving the sale of derivatives to the city of Milan and ordered the confiscation of 88 million euros, about $117 million. Judge Oscar Magi convicted Deutsche Bank, UBS, JPMorgan and Depfa Bank, as well as nine current and former bankers. In Italy, institutions may be held responsible as well individuals. The individuals received suspended sentences of six months to eight months. The banks have denied wrongdoing.—Newswire
discrimination in gas and electricity supply to industry in Punjab, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has convened an emergent meeting of all the chambers of commerce in Punjab and sector-specific associations on Wednesday, January 2, to finalise protest plan across the province. The LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar, Senior Vice Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad said that protest plan is not all about keeping the industrial wheel on the run but saving millions of people from going unemployed and their families from starvation. They urged the government to immediately stop discrimination in
gas supply to Punjab industry as the suspension of gas supply had caused closure of over 1300 industrial units, rendering thousands of workers unemployed. The LCCI office-bearers said that around 40 per cent of the industrial units in Punjab run on gas and gas suspension means no production by almost half of the industry in Punjab and a loss of millions of rupees to the exchequer. The LCCI office-bearers said that the ‘discriminatory attitude’ of the government was not only denting its goodwill and reputation but had also put a question mark on its ability to manage and govern things. They said that the units in Sindh were getting an almost uninterrupted supply except a two- to three-hour load shedding. Terming gas suspension a
death knell for the industry and productivity, the LCCI sought the Prime Minister’s intervention and help restoration of supply of gas to the industry in Punjab. How the industry would be able to manage export orders worth millions of dollars when there is no gas? What about the thousands of daily wagers who have a single source of income? And above all, they added, how the government would convince both the local and foreign investors for new investment when it is unable to manage the supply of gas to existing industrial units. He said that the suspension of gas is sending a very negative signal to the foreign buyers. “Instead of coming up with some sort of relief package, the industry is being pushed to the wall.
Call for checking quality of Indian medicines STAFF REPORTER
tional body called the Drug Regulatory Authority, India’s drug manufacturers operate without a central regulatory framework. Every Indian state has its own regulatory body and there is no central drug regularity authority to streamline the pharmaceutical sector across India,” Nasir M. Qureshi said. “Top 50 medicines are being sold at much cheaper rates in Pakistan than in India. Around 500 pharmaceutical units are currently operating in Pakistan including 25 multinational medicine companies. The local pharmaceutical sector fulfils 70 percent medicine requirements of the country while 30 percent is fulfilled by the multinational medicine companies,” he maintained.
STAFF CORRESPONDENT SIALKOT—Chairman Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (Simap) Bilal Tanveer has said that due to prolong and unscheduled power load shedding and low gas pressure the exports of surgical instruments has been reduced 15 per cent. Talking to media persons, he said that government should take appropriate steps for protecting the surgical industry from its total collapse and avoiding large scale of unemployment. The Simap Chairman said that after hectic efforts the business community engaged with the surgical industry managed to enhance the exports of surgical instruments to 300 million dollars but due to prolonged outage of electricity and non-availability of gas the industry was confronting with multifarious problems. It is high time that government should realize the gravity of the issue and take steps for ensuring the uninterrupted electricity and gas to keep the economic wheel in full motion he said. The Simap Chairman urged upon the concerned high ups that schedule of electricity load shedding should be announced immediately to facilitate the industrial sector adding that government should consider exempting the industrial cities from load shedding for maintaining the export target of the country.
He accused the Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Industry of forcing the government ISLAMABAD—Domestic pharto grant the status of Most maceutical industry fears that Favoured Nation (MFN) to Insale of substandard and spurious dia, and allowing import of medidrugs could increase if Indian cines from India which could drugs manufacturers are allowed have adverse affect on the domesentry into the local market. tic Pharmaceutical Industry. Vice-Chairman Pakistan Around 30,000 pharmaceuPharmaceutical Manufacturers’ tical units are operating in the Association (PPMA), Nasir M India and the volume of Indian Qureshi said that the governpharmaceutical industry is ment should set up a mechanism around $ 20 billion annually to check quality of medicines while Pakistan pharmaceutical imported from India. industry can generate only $ 1.2 “India is considered as the billion, he said. Though, the biggest contributor of fake Ministry of National Regulation medicines in the world as 35 and Services wants to strengthen percent of fake medicines are domestic pharmaceutical indusbeing manufactured in India. try yet the government is not STAFF REPORTER Unlike Pakistan’s pharmaceutipaying heed to promoting it, he cal industry, which is centralised added. ISLAMABAD—Thirty five per and being regulated by a nacent of the Pakistan’s population is living below the poverty line. Pakistan can’t progress without technical training. Training brings a change in thinking patterns and increases the skills. It is a great achievement of HHRD to provide interest free loans to above 6000 deserving people we have so far given interest free micro-loans worth RS 110 million. This program will continue in future for deserving people of backward areas. We are striving hard to ensure the provision of interest free loans in the form of Qarz-e-Hasna, Marabeha and Mazarba keeping in view the Islamic model. This project is being carried out in 25 districts of Pakistan which have KARACHI: The Consul General of the Russian Federation Andrey V Demidov addressing been affected by natural caguests during Stamp and Photographic Exhibition at the Consulate. lamities. These views were expressed by Country Director HHRD Fazal-ur-Rehman while addressing a workshop in Islamabad. Social organizers from all four provinces of Pakistan including AJK participated in this He said that with the estab- life in Malaysia, Mr. Masood 3-days workshop. In-charge OBSERVER REPORT lishment of the council, Ma- said he had been overwhelmed welfare organization HHRD, KUALA LUMPUR—Outgoing laysian businessmen now had by Malaysian hospitality and Arshad Mehmood said that Pakistan High Commissioner a platform to make further in- touched by its people’s warmth HHRD is the first welfare orgato Malaysia Mr. Masood roads into Pakistan. “We can and friendliness and was leav- nization which has come up with Khalid has lauded the role now talk about economic and ing Malaysia with a tinge of its operation manual regarding played by the Malaysia-Paki- social issues and other matters nostalgia. “I have enjoyed my interest free micro-loans. stan Business Council that were not previously dis- stay here, even though it has (MPBC) in enhancing bilateral cussed by businessmen in both been a short one. I have enjoyed trade relations, saying the countries. The council is a vi- the beauty of your country, your Council formed in March last tal platform to spearhead more cuisine, your customs, your culyear was serving as an ideal business interactions as well as ture and the liveliness of Maplatform for tapping into busi- social and cultural exchanges,” laysia,” he said. “And I have personally ex- KARACHI—Shipping activity ness opportunities in both he said in an interview with Malaysia’s state-owned news perienced the special sentiment remained active at the Port countries. for Pakistan everywhere I went. Qasim (PQ) where three ships After almost 30-month- agency Bernama. He also lauded the services Even among men of the street, C.V Hamonia Pacific, C.V long stint as head of Pakistan Mission in Malaysia, Mr. rendered by MPBC Chairman when I said I was from Paki- CMA CGM Amber and M.T Masood Khalid whose next Datuk Mohamad Salim Fateh stan, I could see there was a Argent Aster carrying containposting is to Beijing, said the Din and announced that in rec- special sentiment and warmth ers and palm oil were allocated MPBC had already made a ognition of Datuk’s contribu- for Pakistan. That was very berths at Qasim International very good start by organising tion and role in enhancing eco- touching for my family and I,” Container Terminal and Liquid various activities, including nomic cooperation between said the High Commissioner. Cargo Terminal respectively on Recalling the early days of Thursday. organizing three well-attended the two countries, the PakiMeanwhile three more ships cross country business forums, stani government was award- his posting here in August sending business delegations ing him a medal of distinction, 2010, he remarked that he was with chemicals and palm oil also to Pakistan to attend trade ex- which will be formally pre- surprised to find Malaysians arrived at outer anchorage of PQ hibitions and conducting busi- sented to him on Pakistan Day, knew so much about biryani. during last 24 hours. Berth occupancy was man“Every other person I met ness matchmaking sessions for March 23 next year. aged at the Port at 43% on About his reflections on his talked about biryani. entrepreneurs from both sides. Thursday where seven ships namely C.V Hamonia Pacific, C.V CMA CGM Amber, M.V Beautiful Rena, M.V Dogan December 28 for the restoration the uniformed and indiscrimi- Bey, M.T Global Challenge, MUZAFFAR ALI of gas supply to textile mills in nate load shedding plan for all M.T Argent Aster and M.T AlLAHORE—All Pakistan Textile Punjab otherwise they threat- the provinces on equal basis. He Soor-II are currently occupying Mills Association (APTMA) ened the government of series said the provincial government at PQA berths to load/offload management will hold series of of protests. They said if the gas knew about this energy crisis containers, rice, wheat, chemiprotests from Saturday against supply would not be restored till and with the owners of the mills cals, palm oil and diesel oil durgas and electricity suspension to evening, they would kick all the on this issue. He said it was trag- ing last 24 hours. Cargo throughput during textile mills while on the other workers out from their mills and edy that thousands workers were hand Chief Minister Punjab on start protests coming on roads being forced to quit their jobs last 24 hours stood at 103,884 Friday assured APTMA man- in thousands numbers along on the issue of closures of pro- tonnes, comprises 64,527 tonnes agement that the Punjab govern- with their workers. duction units in the province and imports and 39,357 tonnes exports inclusive containerized ment would talk to federal govA delegation of APTMA this was a serious issue. ernment for uniformed schedule management met Chief MinisAPTMA secretary Anisul cargo carried in 3,003 containof gas and electricity suspension ter Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif Haq said that top APTMA lead- ers (1,089 imports and 1,914 across the country. and apprised the chief minister ership is also likely to attend the exports TEUs) were handled at According to APTMA of the energy crisis prevailing in protest against gas supply sus- the Port. Two ships, Edible oil carrier sources, thousands of textile textile mills across the province. pension for indefinite period by Global Challenge and Container workers will join hands with the Shahbaz Sharif assured the del- the SNGPL. mills’ management to protest egation that discriminatory and APTMA spokesman said it ship CMA CGM Amber Sailed against gas supply suspension injustice load shedding of elec- is impossible for the industry to out to sea on Friday morning, by the SNGPL to textile mills tricity and gas would not be ac- continue with production plans while two more ships C.V in Punjab. ceptable at any cost. He said the due to severe energy crisis, pro- Hamonia Pacific and M.T AlTwo days ago, APTMA Punjab government would talk viding job to about 10 million Soor-II are expected to sail on same day afternoon.—APP management gave deadline of with the federal government for textile workers of Punjab.
HHRD to provide interest free loans
Malaysia-Pakistan Business Council lauded for enhancing trade volume
PQ remains active
APTMA goes on strike from today
KARACHI: Zafar Iqbal and Ather Iqbal hosted a dinner which was attended by Tarik M.Khan, Kalim Farooqui, Arif Suleman, Farrukh Mazhar, Dr.Imran, Fazal Karim Dadabhoy, Justice Didar Hussain Shah, Nauman Abid Lakhani, Senator, Abdul Haseeb Khan, Farrukh Ansari, diplomats and government officials.
‘CNG operating cost be calculated as per MoU’ STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Network for Consumer Protection has said that the current operating cost of CNG stations is admittedly calculated as per memorandum of understanding (MoU). It added MoU is signed between CNG dealers, All Pakistan CNG Associations, CNG station owners and the federal government. Even though the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) holds the primary responsibility of fixing the price, but is privy to the memorandum. This is a clear abandonment of its duties and abdication of its statutory role as protector of the interest of the consumer who has to bear the brunt of unjustifiable prices. The authority is under legal obligation to assure rights of the
consumer to be protected against exploitation of cartels. The Ogra should ensure that no price formula be evolved without the mandatory meaningful participation of registered consumer bodies. The policy guidelines evolved under the ECC SubCommittee for Ogra should not be time bound, and they should contain the international principles for consumer protection. Ogra should develop efficient consumer complain mechanism comprising very well-detailed procedures that should be publicized and consumers should be encouraged to make the complaints. These complaints should be analyzed periodically and the reports be made public, through website & print media including the measures Ogra has taken to prevent the re-occurrences of
such problems that resulted in such complaints. The consumer redress mechanism should not cost consumer anything and should be having minimum opportunity cost for the complaining consumer. The CNG related subsidy should be targeted towards the poor and lower income segments of the society, and the impact of the subsidy should be periodically analyzed and reported to the public through website and print media. The CNG price determination is a complex mechanism. Ogra needs to go through consultation along other stakeholders, furthermore engage the services of the treasurer to design and develop price mechanisms. It should make efforts to encourage formation of consumer bodies and educate them.
German packaging solution for food industry launched STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—MULTIVAC has recently started its Pakistan operation. The overall food and beverage trade in Pakistan has surged to $ 6 billion during 2011. Keeping in view the great potential in the food sector of Pakistan, MULTIVAC moves the market with innovative packaging solutions, individual consultation and exceptional service. We call it “better packaging”. Our customers call it “success”,
said Amir Sotoudeh, Managing Director, MULTIVAC Middle East. The company manufactures machines for the packaging of fresh or processed food, sterile goods and other medical products, today the company has a worldwide organization with more than 3,300 employees in 55 countries, he added. We want to facilitate food sector of Pakistan with better packaging facilities in sectors especially ready-to-eat meal,
Industrial estates affected by transporters strike STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Industrial activity in the seven industrial estates of the city remained almost paralyzed as only 30 per cent of workers reported on duty owing to non-availability of public transport. Industrials said that around 70 per cent of workers have decided to stay at home due to fear of violent incidents. Production plummeted between 15 per cent and 20 per cent, they claimed. Industrialists said that majority of multinational companies already have their own transport to bring staff. Industrialists said that Karachi, which contributes about 68 per cent of the country’s tax revenue, is fast becoming a “no-business and no-trade city”, as there is no protection to life and property. Industrialists claimed that one day closure of industrial units in the city causes around Rs 5 billion production and revenue losses. Target killers killing people,
businessmen, shopkeepers and corporate leaders or in some cases even schoolgoing children, they said. They said that police had failed to apprehend killers. They said political stability had a direct link with economic stability. The acts of merciless killing were on the rise. No one was safe in the prevailing worst law and order situation, they maintained. They said that government should realize the crisis-like situation and make efforts to overcome it. They said that the country is passing through a very crucial time and the entire nation is suffering due to the skyrocketing prices of food and utilities whereas job opportunities and sources of income have squeezed massively, the time-to time-paralyzing of city may result to a total collapse of the system. Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), M Zubair said that only 30 percent industrial workers managed to report on duty in this industrial estate which adversely affected production activity.
fresh and frozen Meat, Seafood and bakery products, he further said. In MULTIVAC we share our know how with manufacturer in Middle East region and our message to the Middle East food market which is the big potential market is “The food packaging industry can make a valuable contribution to reducing the wastage of food.” Appropriate packaging strategies help to protect food along the value chain and to make food available to more people.
Fertilizer From Page 13 power producers and fertilizer manufactures, so that the additional costs charged by these firms if any, are determined, and the nation gets the relief by depositing in the national exchequer all such overpayments claimed from public, and all those found involved in this malpractice are taken to task under the laws of land. Advisor, TI-Pakistan, Syed Adil Gilani in a letter sent to SECP Chairman Muhammad Ali on Dec 26 reminded him that on September 24, 2012, SECP had sent to TI-Pakistan an inquiry report, which had confirmed that private power producers were guilty of allegations and were found involved in fictions loading of cost in their accounts, however, SECP in the same report had also informed TIP that all the IPPs have gone to High Courts and taken a stay order against SECP. On October 11, 2012 TIPakistan approached the Supreme Court of Pakistan with a request for indulgence in this matter, as this was a question of loss of over Rs 1,000 billon.
WiMax biz further streamlined STAFF REPORTER L A H O R E —Declan Byrne, President of WiMAX forum, the global body that certifies and promotes the compatibility and interoperability of WiMAX products and services, recently visited Pakistan to meet with regulator and government officials. Along with local partners, WiMAX forum has put immense efforts in streamlining the WiMAX businesses in Pakistan that have been undergoing stagnant growth after booming period few years ago. Declan, speaking on the occasion said, “My visit to Pakistan is not only aimed at convincing the government in bringing more transparency in laws and market practices but
also to encourage WiMAX investors who are apparently hesitant in putting more capital in their businesses lately.” Declan further suggested that WiMAX operators can
partner with cellular companies to form partnerships to offer broadband services to cross-network users, eventually to boost their revenues on current working ecosystem.
Declan Byrne, President WiMAX Forum with Naeem Zamindar, CEO Wateen Telecom, Sohaib Sheikh, Head of Marketing Wateen Telecom and Wasim Ahmad, CEO witribe.
Territory dispute
N Korea capable of quick atomic explosion
Analysis of GeoEye and president could “prompt North missile test and the North’s un- Korea’s annual trade in 2011, up EOUL—North Korea has re- launches. TOKYO—New Japanese Prime Minister S North Korea is thought to Digital Globe satellite photos Korea to try more diplomacy than folding policy toward the new from 57 percent in 2010. paired flood damage at its Shinzo Abe will send envoys to meet South
nuclear test facility and could conduct a quick atomic explosion if it chose, though water streaming out of a test tunnel may cause problems, analysis of recent satellite photos indicates. Washington and others are bracing for the possibility that if punished for a successful long-range rocket launch on Dec. 12 that the U.N. considers a cover for a banned ballistic missile test, North Korea’s next step might be its third nuclear test. Rocket and nuclear tests unnerve Washington and its allies because each new success puts North Korean scientists another step closer to perfecting a nuclear warhead small enough to put on a missile that could hit the mainland United States. Another nuclear test, which North Korea’s Foreign Ministry hinted at on the day of the rocket launch, would fit a pattern. Pyongyang conducted its first and second atomic explosions, in 2006 and 2009, weeks after receiving U.N. Security CounNetanyahu set to win election cil condemnation and sanctions JERUSALEM—Israeli Prime Minister Ben- for similar long-range rocket jamin Netanyahu’s Likud party is set to win a parliamentary election on January 22 although the popularity of a far-right party opposed to Palestinian statehood is growing, polls showed on Friday. Two out of three surveys showed the right-wing Likud losing voters to political newcomer Naftali Bennett’s religious party Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home)and to a fractured centre-left bloc. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) is seen during the launch of his Likud Beiteinu party campaign ahead of the upcoming January 22 national elections, in Jerusalem. All still predicted a strong right-wing coalition emerging in the 120-seat parliament, which would assure Netanyahu another term. The daily Yedioth Ahronoth published a poll with Likud winning 33 seats, four less than a month ago. A poll in the Jerusalem Post showed Likud fell to 34, down from 39 just two weeks ago. A survey by Maariv said Likud held ground at 37. Without a majority in parliament, Likud would have to join forces with other parties to form a government. Netanyahu could choose Bennett and ultra-Orthodox religious parties or team up with members of the centre-left bloc. The left-leaning Labor party remained in second place in all the polls, winning 17 or 18 seats. Bennett’s party platform rejects a two-state solution with the Palestinians and is staunchly in favour of settlement building in the occupied West Bank - an issue which has stalled peace talks. All the polls show him on an upward trend, winning between 12 and 14 seats.—Reuters Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye next month, a spokeswoman for Park said, a sign of Japan reaching out to its neighbour despite feuds over territory and wartime history. Japan’s relations with South Korea frayed badly in August after outgoing President Lee Myung-bak visited a disputed set of islands known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in Korea. Koreans also harbour bitter resentment of Japanese rule from 1910 to 1945. Japan’s new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a news conference at his official residence in Tokyo. The hawkish Abe, who wants to recast Japan’s wartime history in less apologetic tones, led his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a landslide victory in the December 16 lower house election, putting the conservative party back in power after a three-year hiatus. The spokeswoman did not say who the envoys will be, but Abe told reporters last week he planned to send former finance minister Fukushiro Nukaga “to improve and develop Japan-South Korea relations”. Abe visits on January 4. Public broadcaster NHK reported on Friday that LDP senior lawmaker Takeo Kawamura would join Nukaga in the delegation. Despite their close economic ties, Tokyo’s relations with its East Asian neighbours Seoul and Beijing have long been overshadowed by Japan’s militaristic past. Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Thursday fell short of confirming Japan will uphold a landmark 1993 government statement acknowledging that Asian women were forced into sex slaves at wartime Japanese military brothels. —Reuters
have enough plutonium for a handful of crude atomic bombs, and unveiled a uranium enrichment facility in 2010, but it must continue to conduct tests to master the miniaturization technology crucial for a true nuclear weapons program. “With an additional nuclear test, North Korea could advance their ability to eventually deploy a nuclear weapon on a long-range missile,” said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the nongovernment Arms Control Association. Analysts caution that only so much can be determined from satellite imagery, and it’s very difficult to fully discern North Korea’s plans. This is especially true for nuclear test preparations, which are often done deep within a mountain. North Korea, for instance, took many by surprise when it launched its rocket this month only several days after announcing technical problems. Although there’s no sign of an imminent nuclear test, U.S. and South Korean officials worry that Pyongyang could conduct one at any time.
from Dec. 13 and earlier, provided to The Associated Press by 38 North, the website for the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, said scientists are “determined to maintain a state of readiness” at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility after repairing flood damage. The nuclear speculation comes as South Korea’s conservative president-elect, Park Geun-hye, prepares to take office in February, and as young North Korean leader Kim Jong Un marks his one-year anniversary as supreme commander. Kim has consolidated power since taking over after his father, Kim Jong Il, died Dec. 17, 2011, and the rocket launch is seen as a major internal political and popular boost for the 20-something leader. Some analysts, however, question whether Kim will risk international, and especially Chinese, wrath and sure sanctions by quickly conducting a nuclear test. The election of Park in South Korea and Barack Obama’s reelection to a second term as U.S.
military options,” said Chang Yong-seok, an analyst at the Institute for Peace Affairs, a private think tank in Seoul. “I think we’ll see North Korea more focused on economic revival than on nuclear testing next year.” The 38 North analysis said the North “may be able to trigger a detonation in as little as two weeks, once a political decision is made to move forward.” But the report by Jack Liu, Nick Hansen and Jeffrey Lewis also said it was unclear whether water seepage from a tunnel entrance at the site was under control. Water could hurt a nuclear device and the sensors needed to monitor a test. The analysis also identified what it called a previously unidentified structure that could be meant to protect sensitive equipment from bad weather. “We don’t have a crystal ball that will tell us when the North will conduct its third nuclear test,” said Joel Wit, a former U.S. State Department official and now editor of 38 North. “But events over the next few months, such as the U.N. reaction to Pyongyang’s
WASHINGTON—Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.,
Florida citizen admits bones smuggling NEW YORK—A Florida man described by federal prosecutors as a “one-man black market in prehistoric fossils” pleaded guilty on Thursday to smuggling dinosaur skeletons into the United States. Eric Prokopi was accused of importing and selling stolen artefacts including a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus Bataar skeleton and skeletons of a duckbilled Saurolophus Angustirostris from Mongolia and a flying Oviraptor from China, according to the office of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in Manhattan. The 70-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus Bataar skeleton, a cousin of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, became the subject of an international custody battle when the U.S. government seized it after it was sold in May for $1.05 million in a sale conducted by Heritage Auctions in Manhattan. The seizure and charges against Prokopi stemmed from Mongolia’s claim that the skeleton had been stolen from the Gobi Desert and should be returned. Mongolia is rich in dinosaur fossils and forbids their removal for private gain. Prokopi, 38, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Ellis in Manhattan to conspiracy, entry of goods by means of false statements, and the interstate and foreign transportation of goods taken by fraud. He faces up to 10 years in prison on the last and most serious count, as well as possible fines, and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 25. Prokopi also agreed to forfeit several skeletons and other fossils.—Reuters
DARFUR, Sudan: President of Sudan Umar Al Bashir inaugurating a new oil field in the Sudanese border zone.
US shuts embassy in Central African Republic WASHINGTON—The State Department has closed its embassy in the Central African Republic and ordered the ambassador and his diplomatic team to leave the country as rebels there continue to advance and violence escalates, U.S. officials said Thursday. A Pentagon spokesman, Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale, said that at the State Department’s request, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta had directed U.S. Africa Command to evacuate U.S. citizens and designated foreign nationals from the U.S. Embassy in Bangui “to safe havens in the region.” State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the U.S. Embassy had temporarily suspended operations, but not diplomatic relations with the country. “This decision is solely due to concerns about the security of our personnel and has no relation to our continuing and long-standing diplomatic relations” with the Central African Republic, Ventrell said in a statement. Shortly after announcing the evacuation Thursday, the State Department warned U.S. citi-
North Korea’s 2006 nuclear test had an estimated explosive yield of 1 kiloton. The Los Alamos National Laboratory estimated in 2011 that the North’s test on May 25, 2009, which followed U.N. condemnation of an April long-range rocket launch, had a minimum yield of 5.7 kilotons. The atomic bomb that hit Nagasaki at the end of World War II was about 21 kilotons. Both North Korean tests used plutonium for fissile material. Without at least one more successful plutonium test, it’s unlikely that Pyongyang could have confidence in a miniaturized plutonium design, according to an August paper by Frank Pabian of Los Alamos and Siegfried Hecker of Stanford University. North Korea’s small plutonium stockpile is sufficient for four to eight bombs, they wrote, but it may be willing to sacrifice some if it can augment information from the previous tests. Pabian and Hecker predicted that Pyongyang may simultaneously test both plutonium and highly enriched uranium devices.—AP
Nigeria says destroys bomb factory, kills five gunmen
Schwarzkopf dies at 78 the hard-charging U.S. Army general whose forces smashed the Iraqi army in the 1991 Gulf War, has died at the age of 78, a U.S. official said on Thursday. The highly decorated four-star general died at 2:22 p.m. EST (1922 GMT) at his home in Tampa, Florida, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The cause of death was not immediately known. Schwarzkopf, a burly Vietnam War veteran known to his troops as Stormin’ Norman, commanded more than 540,000 U.S. troops and 200,000 allied forces in a six-week war that routed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s army from Kuwait in 1991, capping his 34year military career. Some experts hailed Schwarzkopf’s plan to trick and outflank Hussein’s forces with a sweeping armoured movement as one of the great accomplishments in military history. The manoeuvre ended the ground war in only 100 hours. Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush, who built the international coalition against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait, said he and his wife “mourn the loss of a true American patriot and one of the great military leaders of his generation,” according to a statement released by his spokesman. Bush has been hospitalized in Houston since late November. In a statement, the White House called Schwarzkopf “an American original” whose “legacy will endure in a nation that is more secure because of his patriotic service.” Schwarzkopf was a familiar sight on international television during the war, clad in camouflage fatigues and a cap.— Reuters
South Korean government, may at least provide us with some clues.” Another unknown is how China, the North’s only major ally, would respond to calls for tighter sanctions. Washington views more pressure from Beijing as pivotal if diplomatic pressure is going to force change in Pyongyang. Even if Beijing signs on to U.N. punishment if the North conducts a test, there may be less hurt for Pyongyang than Washington wants. The impact of tougher sanctions would be “a drop in the bucket compared with the tidal wave of China-North Korean trade” that has risen sharply since 2008, even as inter-Korean trade has remained flat, said John Park, a Korea expert at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Trade figures show North Korea’s deepening dependence on China. Pyongyang’s trade with Beijing surged more than 60 percent last year, reaching $5.63 billion, according to South Korea’s Statistics Korea. China accounted for 70 percent of North
zens against travel to the Central African Republic, saying it could not “provide protection or routine consular services to U.S. citizens” and urging Americans who have decided to stay to “review their personal security situation and seriously consider departing” on commercial flights. Four days earlier, the State Department had issued a warning recommending against travel to the country and authorizing its non-emergency personnel in Bangui to leave. U.S. officials said about 40 people were evacuated on an U.S. Air Force plane bound for Kenya. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the details of the operation. The departure of Ambassador Laurence Wohlers and his staff comes as the president of the Central African Republic on Thursday urgently called on France and other foreign powers to help his government fend off rebels who are quickly seizing territory and approaching this capital city, but French officials declined to offer any military assistance. Rebels have
seized at least 10 towns across the sparsely populated north, and residents in the capital of 600,000 people fear insurgents could attack at any time. The developments suggest the Central African Republic could be on the brink of another violent change in government, something not new to the impoverished country. The current president, Francois Bozize, himself came to power nearly a decade ago in the wake of a rebellion. Speaking to crowds in Bangui, Bozize pleaded with foreign powers to do what they could. He pointed in particular to France, Central African Republic’s former colonial ruler. About 200 French soldiers are already in the country, providing technical support and helping to train the local army, according to the French defense ministry. French President Francois Hollande said Thursday that France wants to protect its interests in Central African Republic and not Bozize’s government. Paris is encouraging peace talks between the government and the rebels.—AP
Russia reaches out to Syrian coalition
Iran starts navy drills in Hormuz DUBAI—Iran started on Friday six days of naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, the official IRNA news agency reported, maneuvers aimed at showcasing its military capabilities in what is a vital oil and gas shipping route. Naval commander Habibollah Sayyari said the “Velayat 91” drills would last until Wednesday across an area of about 1 million square kilometers in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and northern parts of the Indian Ocean, IRNA said. Sayyari said the goal of the maneuvers were to show “the armed forces’ military capabilities” in defending Iran’s borders as well as sending a message of peace and friendship to neighboring countries. Iranian officials have often said Iran could block the strait - through which 40 percent of the world’s sea-borne oil exports pass - if it came under military attack over its disputed nuclear program. Iran held a similar 10-day drill last December and sent a submarine and a destroyer into the Gulf four months ago just as U.S. and allied navies were conducting exercises in the same waters to practice keeping oil shipping lanes open. —IRNA
Spain doctors end hospital privatisation strike MADRID—Doctors in Spain’s
KADUNA, NIGERIA—The Nigerian army said soldiers killed five “suspected terrorists” and destroyed a bombmaking factory on Thursday in the northern city of Kaduna where the Islamist sect Boko Haram is active. Kaduna, in the mainly Muslim north, has been the target of several attacks by Boko Haram since the group’s lowlevel insurgency intensified over two years ago. “On the approach to the factory, some suspected terrorists opened fire and also threw already primed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) at the troops,” Kaduna Army spokesman Sani Kukasheka Usman said in a statement. “The exchange of fire that ensued resulted in the death of five terrorists, while two that sustained various degrees of injuries are being treated.” Usman said seven rifles, detonating cord, remote detonating switches and IED materials were found and destroyed. Boko Haram has killed hundreds this year in a campaign to impose
Islamic sharia law in northern Nigeria. The sect is the biggest threat to stability in Africa’s biggest oil exporter. In its stronghold in the far northeast city of Maiduguri, seven people were murdered by unidentified attackers on Wednesday, a police spokesman said. A witness said he saw the seven dead bodies, all with their throats cut. Gunmen killed six people at a church in the northeast town of Potiskum on Tuesday, the third year running that Christmas services have come under deadly attack. But Boko Haram is not the only threat in northern Nigeria. Islamist group Ansaru, known to have ties with Boko Haram, has risen in prominence in recent weeks. It claimed an attack on a major police barracks in the capital Abuja last month, where it said hundreds of prisoners were released. The group said on Saturday that it was behind the kidnapping of a French national last week and it has been labelled a “terrorist group” by Britain. —AP
Putin signs anti-US adoptions bill MOSCOW—President Vladimir bill comes into effect. The bill Putin on Friday signed a bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children, part of a harsh response to a U.S. law targeting Russians deemed to be human rights violators. Although some top Russian officials including the foreign minister openly opposed the bill and Putin himself had been noncommittal about it last week, he signed it less than 24 hours after receiving it from Parliament, where both houses passed it overwhelmingly. The law also calls for closure of non-governmental organizations receiving American funding if their activities are classified as political a broad definition that many fear could be used to close any NGO that offends the Kremlin. It was not immediately clear when the law would take effect, but presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying “practically, adoption stops on Jan. 1.” Children’s rights ombudsman Pavel Astakhov said this week that 46 children who were about to be adopted in the U.S. would remain in Russia if the
has angered Americans and Russians who argue it victimizes children to make a political point, cutting off a route out of frequently dismal orphanages for thousands of children. UNICEF estimates that there are about 740,000 children not in parental custody in Russia while about 18,000 Russians are on the waiting list to adopt a child. The U.S. is the biggest destination for adopted Russian children more than 60,000 of them have been taken in by Americans over the past two decades. Russians historically have been less enthusiastic about adopting children than most Western cultures. Lev Ponomarev, one of Russia’s most prominent human rights activists, hinted at that reluctance when he said Parliament members who voted for the bill should take custody of the children who were about to be adopted. “The moral responsibility lies on them,” he told Interfax. “But I don’t think that even one child will be taken for upbringing by deputies of the Duma.”—AP
Iraqis stage big anti-govt rallies
Amnesty bill in duel with parliament
Madrid region called off a strike MOSCOW—Russia’s foreign recognized by Western countries sure on Assad, but claims the on Friday after failing to halt RAMADI—Tens of thousands of majority, detained bodyguards of as legitimate representatives of moves were not aimed at prop-
Saakashvili vetoed on Thursday a bill that would free 3,500 prisoners, some considered political prisoners by the parliament dominated by his opponents, adding to a bitter power struggle in the former Soviet republic. Georgia’s parliament last week passed an amnesty law that would release many prisoners jailed under Saakashvili, whose party was ousted by an opposition coalition led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili in an October 1 election. Ivanishvili became a prime minister after the vote, forcing a difficult cohabitation between the president and new parliament controlled by his rivals. Saakashvili said he disagreed with parliament’s decision to define 200 inmates as political prisoners and release them under the amnesty law — along with others whom he described as hardened criminals. “It means that there are more political prisoners just in Georgia than in the whole world all together,” Saakashvili told a meeting with students on Thursday. “Among prisoners pardoned by the parliament are paedophiles, and let them (parliamentarians) take responsibility for this decision as I’m not going to,” he said. “—Reuters
ian opposition coalition, despite Russia’s previous criticism of Western countries for recognizing the group. Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Friday that Russia has contacted the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces through the Russian Embassy in Egypt and “we expressed readiness to conduct a meeting” with coalition leader Mouaz alKhatib. The statement comes in the wake of comments by officials, including President Vladimir Putin, that suggest Russia is resigned to its longtime ally Syrian President Bashar Assad losing power. The opposition coalition was formed in November and
minister says Moscow has proplans to privatise six hospitals protesters from Iraq’s Sunni Mus- his finance minister, a Sunni. Syrian people. Russia has ping up his regime. Under the and dozens of clinics. The lim minority poured onto the Activists demands include an T BILISI —Georgian President Mikheil posed talks with the main Syr- the criticized such recognition as leadership of Assad and previrunning counter to agreements to seek political transition in Syria. Although Moscow’s approach to the Syrian National Coalition falls short of the formal recognition accorded by Western countries, it acknowledges the group’s significance. Russia previously had held talks with more marginal opposition factions. Throughout the 21-monthold revolt in Syria, in which more than 40,000 people are estimated to have died, Russia has opposed international intervention and called for the crisis to be settled by talks. Russia has blocked attempts in the U.N. Security Council to step up pres-
ously his father, Syria has been a longtime ally of Russia, hosting Russia’s only naval base outside the former Soviet Union and remaining a significant customer for Russia’s arms industry. But Russia appears to be slowly distancing itself from Assad. Putin last week said that Russia is “not preoccupied that much with the fate of the Assad regime” and “undoubtedly there is a call for changes.” Lavrov, speaking after a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Mohamed Kamel Amr, said Russia is also urging Assad’s regime to make efforts toward a political settlement.—Reuters
Madrid regional government aims to save 200 euros (164 million pounds) by putting the hospitals and clinics under private management. The region’s elected assembly approved the plan on Thursday. Spain has implemented tough austerity measures this year to help it reach a European Unionagreed budget deficit target and stave off a bailout. The country’s 17 autonomous regions control their own spending on healthcare and education. The strike lasted for five weeks, during which doctors only saw patients on Fridays. Rallies organised by healthcare unions in the capital drew thousands of doctors and their supporters.—AP
streets after Friday prayers in a show of force against Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, keeping up a week-old blockade of a highway. Around 60,000 people blocked the main road through the city of Falluja, 50 km (32 miles) west of the capital, setting fire to the Iranian flag and shouting “out, out Iran! Baghdad stays free” and “Maliki you coward, don’t take your advice from Iran”. Many Sunnis, whose community dominated Iraq until the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, accuse Maliki of refusing to share power and of favouring Shi’ite, non-Arab neighbour Iran. Protests flared last week after troops loyal to Maliki, who is from the Shi’ite
end to the marginalisation of Sunnis, the abolition of anti-terrorism laws they say are used to target them, and the release of detainees. “I came to Falluja to express my support for their demands. I hope we proceed to Baghdad,” said 48-year-old Faiq al-Awazi. Demonstrations were also held in the northern city of Mosul and in Samarra, where protesters chanted “the people want to bring down the regime”, echoing the slogan used in popular revolts that ousted leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. The protests are likely to add to concerns the civil war in neighbouring Syria, where majority Sunnis are fighting to topple a ruler backed by Shi’ite Iran.—AP
Pakistan go down fighting as India level T20 series AHMEDABAD—Pakistan were beaten by eleven runs in a nail-biting finish against their arch rivals India as the two-match Twenty20 International series was leveled 11 here at the jam-packed Sardar Patel Stadium on Friday. Chasing a difficult target of 193, Pakistan began their innings on a high note when openers Nasir Jamshed (41) and Ahmed Shahzad(31) provided a fine start of 74 runs from 59 balls. Later, captain Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal added 62 useful runs for the third wicket partnership to strengthened the team’s position before Umar was bowled by Dinda for 24. However, three wickets fell in the next two overs which made the target difficult for Pakistan as they required 19 runs in the final over with Shoaib Malik and Umar Gul at the crease. But they could make only seven runs in the last over to reach 181 for seven. Mohammad Hafeez was declared the Player of the Series for scoring two consecutive half-centuries , first making 61 at Bangalore and a 26-ball 55 at Ahmedabad. Earlier, Yuvraj Singh along with his captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni helped India to set a rather AHMEDABAD: Umar Akmal misses a slow ball and is bowled during India vs Pakistan, 2nd Twenty20 match on Friday. difficult target of 193 runs for Both added 97 runs for boundaries. His captain first. Pakistan in the second and here at the Sardar Patel StaFast-medium bowler the fourth wicket partnership Dhoni provided him a good final Twenty20 International dium on Friday. after India were 88 for three support with 23-ball 33 dur- Umar Gul was the only in 12 overs. ing their valuable partner- wicket-taker from Pakistan side as he captured four for After being hit on his left ship. leg by a nasty yorker from Earlier, all other three top- 37 while Kohli was run out Pakistan innings: India innings: Gambhir lbw b Umar Gul21 Nasir c Kohli b Ashwin 41 fast bowler Mohammad order batsmen — Ajinkya through a direct hit by Saeed Rahane c & b Umar Gul 28 Shehzad b Yuvraj Singh 31 Irfan, the left-handed bats- Rahane (28), Gautam Gambhir Ajmal. Now, Pakistan will beKohli run out (Saeed) ... 27 Umar b Dinda ................. 24 man Yuvraj roared like an (21) and Virat Kohli (27) — Yuvraj c Shoaib Malik Hafeez c Raina b Dinda 55 injured lion and smashed a made significant contribu- gan the series of three Internationals b Umar Gul .................... 72 Afridi b Kumar ............... 11 career-best 72 off just 36 tions after Pakistan captain One-day Dhoni b Umar Gul ......... 33 Kamran c Kohli b Dinda . 5 balls with seven towering Mohammad Hafeez won the with the first on Sunday at SK Raina not out ............. 1 Shoaib Malik not out ...... 3 sixes and four powerful toss and decided take field Chennai.—AFP Sharma not out ................ 4 Umar Gul b I Sharma ....... 5 Extras: (lb 5, nb 1) ............ 6 Extras: (lb 2, w 4) ............. 6 Total: (5 wickets) ......... 192 Total: (7 wickets) ......... 181 Fall of wickets 1-44, 2-53, 3- Fall of wkts: 1-74, 2-84, 3-146, M ELBOURNE —Sri Lanka’s joined the exclusive 10,000- between six to eight weeks, 4-163, 5-168, 6-172, 7-181 88, 4-185, 5-187 gloom over their shattering run Test club with his 58 in meaning he will miss Sri Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W innings capitulation to Aus- the first innings of the sec- Lanka’s final Test in Sydney, Irfan ....................... 4-0-20-0 B Kumar ................ 4-0-46-1 tralia deepened with news ond Melbourne Test, is along with five one-day Sohail Tanvir ........ 4-0-44-0 I Sharma ................ 4-0-34-1 Friday that star batsman booked in for surgery on a internationals and two Umar Gul ............... 4-0-37-4 AB Dinda ............. 4-0-36-3 Kumar Sangakkara will miss fractured left index finger af- Twenty20 games over the Saeed Ajmal ......... 4-0-42-0 R Ashwin .............. 4-0-28-1 the rest of the tour with a frac- ter being struck on the glove next month. Shahid Afridi ........ 3-0-33-0 SK Raina ............... 2-0-12-0 tured finger. by rampant Mitchell Johnson. Sri Lanka will be strugHafeez ................... 1-0-11-0 Yuvraj Singh ........ 2-0-23-1 Sangakkara will be out for gling to field 11 fit players Sangakkara, who only from their tour squad with three other players injured from the first two Tests of the Australia series. Wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene has a hairline K ARACHI —Pakistan’s new thumb fracture after also befast bowling sensation ing struck by a Johnson deMuhammad Irfan is tallest livery and pace bowlers cricketer in the history with a Chanaka Welegedara (hamheight of seven feet and one string) and Nuwan Kulasekara inch. (ribs) are unlikely to be fit. 30-year-old Gaggu Mandi “Kumar is definitely going (Punjab) stunned the top Into be out for the whole tour dian batsmen with pace and (Test and one-dayers), we’ve bounce in his debut Twenty20 just got news that he’s got a International match at Bangafracture so he might undergo lore where Pakistan thrashed an operation tonight or tomorIndia by five wicket in a thriller. row,” skipper Mahela All eyes will be focused on Jayawardene said.—AFP Muhammad Irfan as Pakistan prepared to take on arch-rival India in the second Twenty20 International Ahmedabad on Friday. Though skipper Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik powered Pakistan to an amazing victory KARACHI—Pakistan after being slumped to 3-12. clinched a bronze medal by Besides, Umar Gul brilliant inflicting 2-1 defeat on Saudi spell, Muhammad Irfan imArabia in the playoff for third pressed pundits of the game position in the Asian underwith his speed and bounce 14 tennis team event in Doha which cause the trouble for on Thursday. India opener Gautam By finishing third in the Gambhir. “Irfan proved a sureight-nation tourney, Pakiprise package for Pakistan and stan leaped two places as he really devastated Indian they had to be content with batsmen,” Pakistan’s legendfifth position last year. ary fast bowler Wasim Akram Results: commented. Playoff for third position: The lanky quickie played Pakistan bt Saudi Arabia two One-day Internationals 2-1 (Nofil Kaleem lost to against England in 2010. But Faisal Rebdi 4-6, 6-4, 5-7; was sidelined after disapAbdal Hyder bt Mohammad pointing start taking none for Suhagar 6-1, 6-3; Dawer 37 in seven overs at ChesterRehan and Abdal Hyder bt le-Street and 0-40 in seven Faisal Rebdi and Mohammad overs at Leeds. Irfan surSuhagar 7-5, 6-0). passed his idol Joel Garner as Semi-final: tallest cricketer of all time by Pakistan lost to UAE 1-2 five inches.— APP (Nofil Kaleem lost to Aljanal Jacob Oram ...................... (New Zealand) .............. 6'.6" Muhammad Irfan ............. (Pakistan) ...................... 7'.1" 3-6, 3-6; Dawer Rehan bt Abey Kuruvilla ................ (India) ............................ 6'.6" Joel Garner ....................... (West Indies) ................ 6'.8" Ferris 2-6, 6-1, 6-0; Dawer Peter Fulton ..................... (New Zealand) .............. 6'.6" Bruce Reid ........................ (Australia) ..................... 6'.8" Rehan and Abdal Hyder lost Morne Morkel ................. (South Africa) ............... 6'.5" Curtely Ambrose ............. (West Indies) ................ 6'.7" to Aljanal and Ferris 5-7, 7-5, Ishant Sharma .................. (India) ............................. 6'.5' Tom Moody ..................... (Australia) ..................... 6'.7" 3-6).—APP
Sangakkara out for rest of Australian tour
Irfan tallest cricketer in history
Pakistan clinch bronze in Asian U-14 tennis
Top 10 tallest cricketer of all time
Injured Sharapova out of Korea exhibition P A R I S —Maria Sharapova has suffered a pre-season injury scare with a neck injury forcing the world number two to withdraw from a planned exhibition match in South Korea against Caroline Wozniacki. The Russian star had been due to face the Dane on Friday in Seoul but she wrote on her Facebook page that she has been ordered to rest before heading for Australia where she is due to start her season in Brisbane next week. “For everyone in Korea, I’m sorry I had to withdraw from my exhibition match. I woke up the other day with few days without any playa neck pain and after doing ing,” the French Open a few tests, the doctor champion wrote. “So that leaves me to say wants me to take the next
I’m sorry not to be there in Seoul and play in front of my fans. I will make it up to you soon.”—AFP
Australia rout Sri Lanka to seal Test series M ELBOURNE —Australia’s bowlers battered Sri Lanka’s batsmen to win the second Test by a humiliating innings and 201 runs before tea on day three and claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in their threematch series. Needing 305 runs to make Australia bat again, Sri Lanka surrendered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after adding only 103 in their second innings, with a top order collapse and a raft of injuries leaving the tourists smarting ahead of Sydney’s dead rubber Test next week. Sealing the series a match early was some consolation for Michael Clarke’s team after they conceded a hardfought series 1-0 against the top-ranked Test nation South Africa with a stinging defeat in the third and final Test in Perth. “I said that at the start of the series that our goal was to win these three test matches and really show that we learnt from the South African series,” Clarke, who scored a sparkling 106 at the MCG to cap a brilliant year with the bat, told reporters. “So far we’ve done that… My goal doesn’t change.” Seamer Mitchell Johnson was justly named man-ofthe-match after taking six wickets and making an un-
Sri Lanka 1st Innings:1 5 6 Australia 1st Innings (440 for 8 overnight) Cowan b Prasad ............ 36 Warner b Mathews ....... 62 Hughes run out ............. 10 Watson b Prasad ........... 83 Clarke c M. Jayawardene b Eranga ....................... 106 Hussey b Dilshan ......... 34 Wade c Eranga b Prasad 1 Johnson not out ............ 92 Siddle b Eranga ............. 13 N. Lyon b Mathews ........ 1 J. Bird b Eranga ............... 0 Extras: (b9, lb5, w6, nb2)22 Total: (all out) .............. 460 Fall of wickets: 1-95, 2-117, 3-117, 4-311, 5-313, 6-315, 7376, 8-434, 9-451, 10-460 Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Welegedara ..... 14.4-6-38-0 Eranga ............... 27-2-109-3 Prasad ............... 26-2-106-3
MELBOURNE: Australian players celebrate their innings win against Sri Lanka in 2nd Test. beaten 92 with the bat in an Hobart. outstanding return to the Johnson took 4-63 in the team after being dumped first innings to lead the bowlfrom the first Test victory in ing as Sri Lanka were skittled for 156, but his bone-crunching menace may have Australia’s selectors ponderMathews ............ 16-3-60-2 ing a more permanent role for Herath ................. 39-7-95-0 the mercurial paceman. Dilshan ............... 12-1-38-1 Johnson broke Prasanna Sri Lanka 2nd Innings: Jayawardene’s thumb in the Karunaratne run out ....... 1 first innings to force the Dilshan b Johnson .......... 0 wicketkeeper to surrender Sangakkara retired injured27 the gloves to Kumar M. Jayawardene b Bird .. 0 Sangakkara, then broke the Samaraweera lbw b Bird . 1 replacement’s left forefinger Mathews b Johnson ..... 35 in the second innings in a fiPrasad c Hughes b Lyon17 ery bout of short-pitched R. Herath not out .......... 11 bowling. Eranga c Cowan b Siddle 0 Sangakkara came off the Jayawardene absent hurt0 ground immediately after beWelegedara absent hurt . 0 ing struck on the glove by Extras: (10lb, 1nb) .......... 11 Johnson and the Sri Lanka Total: (7 wkts) .............. 103 team later confirmed their Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-3, master batsman would be 4-13, 5-74, 6-102, 7-103 sidelined for six-to-eight Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W weeks. Johnson ................ 8-0-16-2 “I think that intimidation Bird ........................ 9-1-29-2 factor definitely worked out Siddle ................. 5.2-0-32-1 Lyon ...................... 2-0-16-1 there today,” the 31-year-old Johnson said.—AFP
Salman Butt’s sister to get married to-day BIPIN DANI OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT M UMBAI—Suspended Pakistani captain Salman Butt’s sister is to get married on Saturday. “There is a close wedding in the family this week”, Salman Butt said exclusively, without disclosing the identity of the “close relative”. However, when we had chat with his father, Zulfikar Butt, it was learnt that Salman’s sister, will get
married on Saturday. Salman Butt’s family was in a “state of shock” after the former Pakistani captain’s name was found in spot-fixing scandals and the family had postponed the wedding for an indefinite period. “The members of the Pakistani team are in India and hence no current players are invited”, said Salman Butt. However, Abdul Qadir’s son is likely to attend the ceremony. Qadir and Butt families are close to each other it is learnt. “Yes, I have been follow-
ing India-Pakistan series. The matches will be closely fought. I have been watching the matches on TV”. Regarding Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement from ODIs’, Salman Butt says, “Sachin Tendulkar is a legendary player. But I don’;t think his absence in the current ODI series will make much of a differance to Indian team. India has depth in batting and the matches between the two nations will be no less important than Ashes, played between England and Australia”.
What is normal blood pressure?
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LOOD pressure is primarily produced when the heart muscle contracts - it is the pressure of blood upon the walls of the blood vessels. There are two recordings, a high one (systolic) and a lower one (diastolic). The systolic pressure is measured when the heart contracts, while the diastolic one is gauged just before the heart contracts. The heart is the muscle that pumps blood throughout the body during every second of our lives. Low-oxygen blood is pumped towards the lungs, where it becomes oxygen-rich again. Oxygen-rich blood is pumped by the heart around to body to supply tissue, muscle, organs and cells. This pumping generates blood pressure. According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary, Blood Pressure is: “The pressure or tension of the blood within the systemic arteries, maintained by the contraction of the left ventricle, the resistance of the arterioles and capillaries, the elasticity of the arterial walls, as well as the viscosity and volume of the blood; expressed as relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure.” Hypertension is when our blood pressure is too high, while hypotension is the opposite; it is when our blood pressure is too low. Most of us have had our blood pressure taken at some time in our lives. The procedure is straightforward and provides the doctor or other health care professional with vital data regarding the condition of the patient’s blood vessels and heart. As mentioned above, two blood pressure readings are measured: The Systolic Pressure this is the maximum pressure in an artery. It occurs when the heart contracts; when it is beat-
ing, and blood is being pumped through. The Diastolic Pressure - this is the minimum pressure in an artery. It occurs just before the heart contracts; in between heartbeats. It occurs when the heart is resting. If either the systolic or diastolic pressure is too high, the patient has hypertension (high blood pressure). So, both readings are important. The patient needs to be relaxed and seated or lying down comfortably when their blood pressure is taken. Their arm must be well supported. What happens when somebody’s blood pressure is taken? Digital Blood Pressure Monitor - A 122/65 mmHg blood pressure reading, using an electronic sphygmomanometer A cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and is inflated. Velcro keeps it in place. With an electronic sphygmomanometer, the patient just relaxes and waits and the device does everything. A Clinical mercury Manometer has a cuff, a tube that leads to a rubber bulb, and another tube which leads to a reservoir of mercury. The doctor wraps the cuff around the patient’s upper arm. The cuff is inflated by compressing the rubber bulb repeatedly. The doctor places a stethoscope on the patient’s arm and listens to his/her pulse. When the doctor first hears the pulse, the systolic pressure is measured. Gradually the pressure on the cuff is released. As this occurs the sound of the pulse becomes fainter and fainter. As soon as the doctor cannot hear the pulse any more, the diastolic pressure is taken. Blood pressure is measured in mmHg (millimeters of mercury). Electronic devices are becoming more commonplace, and mercury ones less.
KARACHI: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila giving away degree to a student during 24th convocation of Pakistan Navy Engineering College of National University of Science and Technology.
Sindh CNG stations closed for 48 hours STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —The commuters and motorists had to suffer on first day of closure of CNG stations across Sindh on Friday. It should be mentioned that all the CNG stations in Sindh province were closed at 08:00am on Friday for 48 hours. Large number of commuters including students, women and elderly people was seen at bus stops waiting for van of concerned route in intense cold weather. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) spokesman said that the step was taken to improve the line pack position all over Sindh province, which has been badly disturbed due to short supply from different gas fields causing depletion of line pack and low pressure in the system.
KARACHI: Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan meeting with Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at Governor House.
‘Bilawal most competent to carry forward Bhuttos’ legacy’ STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—A veteran leader of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Prof.N.D. Khan, has said that PPP chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, is the most competent person to carry forward the legacy of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. This legacy is part of the country’s history. Talking to newsmen here on Friday, he said that Bilawal has started taking part in the practical politics and that his major role is expected in the forthcoming general elections in the country. Prof. N.D. Khan said
that his opponents were under the impression that Bilawal was abroad and was not aware of the issues of the country and the people as well as of the national language. He (Bilawal) surprised them with his pronunciations and punctuations of the Urdu language, Prof. N.D. Khan added. He said that the spark of oratory was in Balawal’s speech which was full of substance. Bilawal, he said, is conscious of the biggest problem faced by Pakistan which is terrorism and he has given confidence to the people of the country that we will successfully face
this challenge and eliminate it. Prof ND Khan said that Bilawal was also conscious of the economic problems and has reiterated the slogan to provide the people with “Roti, Kapra aur Makan”. Bilawal has also indirectly given the message that the institutions in Pakistan should remain within their parameters in accordance with the constitution. Prof ND Khan further said that Bilawal’s vision is the same as that of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and that he is the inheritor of the qualities of his forefathers.
STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—The 24th Convocation of Pakistan Navy (PN) Engineering College,a constituent college of National University of Science and Technology (NUST), was held at Bahria Auditorium here on Friday. The Chief of the Naval Staff,Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila,was the chief guest and awarded degrees to 202 graduates in various disciplines of engineering. The recipients included 54 Pakistan Navy officers, eight Saudi and three Yemini naval officers and 137 NUST civilian students who were awarded Bachelor of Engineering (BE) degrees in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering and Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. Addressing the ceremony,the Chief of the Naval Staff said that the country is passing through very crucial juncture where ap-
KATI condoles death of Bashir Bilour STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Trade and industry has condoled the tragic death of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Senior Minister, Bashir Ahmad Bilour. In a statement the Patron InChief Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), S M Muneer, Chairman Mohammad Zubair Chhaya, President All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Mian Zahid Hussain and Vice Chairmen Najmul Arfeen and Niaz Ahmed have condoled with the son of slain politician, Usman Bashir Bilour and brother former President FPCCI, Ilyas Ahmed Bilour
strongly condemning this atrocious and violent act committed by unscrupulous elements and extended deep condolence to the bereaved family over the irreparable loss. They paid tributes to the slain ANP leader for his services and said that he was a courageous person and sacrificed his life for his cause and stance against terrorism. They said that Belfour had attained martyrdom and the nation had lost a brave voice against terrorism. “The nation would remember him for his bravery, conviction and patriotism,” they added.
Prof Ghafoor was known as honesty, kindness: Altaf STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—The Founder and
KARACHI: Women buying warm clothes from a stall on Burns Road.
202 degrees awarded to PN Engineering College graduates
Leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain telephoned Tariq Fouzi, son of the veteran politician and Naib Amir of the Jamaat-iIslami Prof Ghafoor Ahmed and offered condolences on the death of his father. He said that the country has lost a great politician and a kind and noble personality. He was kind-hearted to everyone. This is the reason why all religious and political leaders are grieved at his pass away. He stood out among fellow politicians because of his honesty and integrity. Talking about his personal meetings with late Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, he said that Prof Ghafoor always treated him
kindly. “I can never forget his love and affection. I always respected him as my elder and today I feel as if someone from my own family has left this world.” Mr Hussain told Mr Fouzi that every worker of the MQM shared the grief of the death of Prof Ghafoor. He prayed Allah to shower His blessings on the departedsoul and give him an exalted place in heaven. Mr Fouzi said, “We would not forget the sentiments that you have expressed on the death of my father. We are thankful to you for your sympathy and care.” Mr Fouzi told Mr Hussain that Prof Ghafoor always spoke about him in good words. He thanked the entire leadership of the MQM for expressing sympathy in the hour of grief and sorrow.
plication of genius minds and professional competence is mandatory for indigenization. He said that the Engineering graduates, being our future leaders and hope, have to take the country to new heights of progress. This can only be achieved through relentless efforts and adopting emerging trends in the fields of science and technology,the Naval Chief added. Admiral Asif Sandila urged the graduating officers and civilian students to always give priority to moral and ethical values and never compromise on principles. The Naval Chief also extended his felicitations to the graduates for achieving a milestone in the academic career particularly those who earned distinctions for their outstanding performances. He also appreciated the total commitment of PNEC to its cause and endeavoring to turn itself into a Centre of Excellence in the field of en-
gineering. He said that dedicated research work at PNEC in the important areas like Renewable Energy, Thermal Power, Industrial Manufacturing, Secure Communication etc is a matter of pride and satisfaction. Earlier in his welcome address, Commandant Pakistan Navy Engineering College, Rear Admiral Imdad Jafri, highlighted salient features of the degree programmes at PNEC. He apprised the audience that presently the college is conducting BE, MS and Ph.D. programmes in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. Currently, 27 students are undergoing Ph.D. programme at the college. He informed that the college is also conducting BS (MIS) through hybrid distance learning which has recently earned the highest category of accreditation from National Computing Education Accreditation Council.
Job fair today KARACHI—The Job Fair 2012 will be held at the Expo Centre on December 29. The event is being jointly organized by the Sindh Youth Affairs Department and the Capacity Builders. The Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs, Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari, will perform the inauguration of the Fair.—APP
HPV vaccine not linked to autoimmune disorders
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TWO-year study of nearly 190,000 girls and women, finds that Gardasil, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine made by Merck & Co, does not trigger autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The results are published in the Journal of Internal Medicine. Study lead author Dr Chun Chao, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research & Evaluation in Pasadena, California, said in a statement released on Friday, that: “This kind of safety information may help parents with vaccination decisions.” “”These findings offer some assurance that among a large and generalizable female population, no safety signal for autoimmune conditions was found following HPV4 vaccination in routine clinical use,” said Chao. Gardasil is a “quadrivalent” vaccine because it helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In girls and young women age 9 to 26, it targets 2 types that cause about 75% of cervical cancers, and 2 other types that cause 90% of cases of genital warts. The vaccine, which is given as three injections over six months, also helps protect boys and men age 9 to 26 against 90% of cases of genital warts. Genital warts is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US, where it infects about 6.2 million people every year. It can also lead to cervical cancer in women. Gardasil received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2006. But a
longstanding concern about links with autoimmune disorders has surrounded the vaccine, and many parents won’t let their children be vaccinated because of this. However, Chao and fellow co-investigators from Kaiser Permanente told the press “most speculated associations have stemmed from case reports that have not been confirmed by large, controlled epidemiologic studies”, and their investigation “presents findings from a well-designed, post-licensure safety study of the vaccine on a large, ethnically diverse population”.For the study, Chao and colleagues used electronic health records of 189,629 girls and women age 9 to 26 years in California. The participants had been followed for six months after receiving each dose of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine in 2006-2008. They found no increase in any of 16 autoimmune disorders in the vaccinated population compared to a matched population of non-vaccinated girls and women. The 16 autoimmune disorders they looked for were: immune thrombocytopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, multiple sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, other demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, vaccine-associated demyelination, Guillain-Barré syndrome, neuromyelitis optica, optic neuritis and uveitis.”
Cleanliness Week in General Hospital MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Paramedical Staff Association (PSA) of Lahore General Hospital has decided to observe Cleanliness Weak from 1st January at LGH. All the staff members will participate in this Cleanliness Weak and no sanitary worker will go on leave during that period. This was decided in a meeting of PSA held under the chairmanship of the provincial General Secretary Rahmat Sandhu here on Friday. The meeting was attended by Chairman PSA LGH Rana Pervez and other office bearers Aslam Sial, Hameed Raj and Malik Muneer Babar. The participants of the meeting expressed the commitment to ensure neat and clean atmosphere for the pa- LAHORE: PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz addressing the ‘Syed Hajveri Tusawaf Conference’ in connection with 969 tients and their attendants Urs celebrations of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA). with their pivotal role during the cleanliness drive. They resolved to maintain hygienic and healthy environment from hospital’s gate to the patients’ beds and through doctor’s hostel to residential colony including all the departments of the L AHORE —Punjab Director hospital. General National AccountThe visitors will definitely ability Bureau (NAB) feel a change and very posiKhurshid Anwar Bhinder on tive impression on entering Friday said that action trialists were left with no area which was hub of proSALIM AHMED into the hospital, it was deother option but to stage duction was presenting a would be taken against politermined. L AHORE —As many as protest. He said that had deserted look as a large num- ticians found involved in 40,000 industrial workers right steps been taken well ber of industrial units had corruption. Taking to media persons working in Lahore Township in time to enhance the power stopped production. He said that the eco- after distributing of cheques Industrial area facing threat generation, the situation of going jobless while sword would have been far better. nomic crisis would further of Rs13 million among 254 He said that Lahore deepen in coming days as victim people in forex Scanof default is hanging on the head of a large number of in- Township Industrial Estate industry has failed to fulfil dal, Punjab DG NAB said was the largest industrial existing export orders what to that NAB was taking approdustrial units. priate steps for eliminating area of the Punjab where more talk of any new orders. This was stated by the LAHORE—Punjab Assembly corruption from the provthan 300 industrial units inHe said that those who on Friday unanimously ap- newly-elected Chairman of ince. cluding textile, engineering, were thinking that economy Lahore Township Industrial proved a resolution conHe said that NAB would autoparts, plastic, ghee, ice would be back on rails soon Association (LTIA), who demning the attacks on potake action against corrupt lio teams in Khyber was heading a delegation of cream; dying, pharmaceuti- were actually living in fool’s politicians in Punjab if proof industrialists, while meeting cal, steel beverage, hosiery paradise as the situation has Pakhtunkhua and Sindh. against them was found, The resolution tabled by with the Chairman PIAF Engr. and food etc. were opera- already gone out of hands and adding that Punjab NAB did tional. He said that these it would need special measures Sohail Lashari here on Friday. Pakistan Muslim Leaguenot still receive evidence of LTIA Chairman urged the units were providing employ- to control the situation. Nawaz (PML-N) legislator corruption against any poliment to near 40,000 people LTIA Chairman deIjaz Ahmed Khan condemned Chairman PIAF to call an urtician. while paying billion rupees to manded of the government to gent meeting of industrial the brutal killings of the antiThe DG NAB said that the national exchequer but immediately restore gas and associations and kick start polio campaigners across the series of protests against the unfortunately, the concerned electricity supply to the the Punjab government has two provinces. called record of under conAt least nine anti-polio unjustified gas and electric- gas and electricity authori- Punjab industry otherwise all struction rapid transit bus ties never bothered to take industrial association will ity load shedding for the campaigners were shot dead them on board while evolv- evolve a comprehensive system in Lahore, adding that and six others severely in- Punjab industries. ing any policies regarding strategy against the discrimi- the government did not subHe said that complete jured after unidentified misnation with Punjab in gas and mit the record in NAB office creants attacked the teams in suspension of gas and elec- load shedding. yet.—INP He said that the industrial electricity supply. tricity has put the jobs of milKhyber Pakhtunkhua and lion industrial workers and Sindh, in what seemed to be coordinated attacks on the exports of billion dollars on stake but government was activists. No one has yet claimed playing the role of silent the responsibility of the at- spectator. Nasrullah Mughal said tacks but people living especially in Tribal areas did not that due to wrong governlike anti-polio activists to ment policies and mismancarry out vaccination cam- aged affairs, the industry had almost collapsed and induspaigns in their areas. The campaign was postponed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after the incident.—NNI
40,000 workers may lose jobs on industrial default
PA condemns attacks on polio vaccinators
LAHORE: Youngsters sitting around a bonfire to get themselves warmed up during rain in the Provincial Capital.
‘Active citizenship programme’ for subject specialists soon SALIM AHMED L AHORE—The Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) has envisaged to introduce ‘active citizenship program’ for its subject specialists attached with the low-cost partner schools for sensitizing the students about issues of social importance including enhancing awareness about dieses like dengue. This program is aimed to make the students socially responsible and more aware about the happenings in their surroundings. Chairman Punjab Education Foundation Raja Anwar stated this while addressing the concluding session of 2day skills enhancement workshop of subject specialists at PEF head office on Friday. PEF-DMD (HR) Amer Iftikhar and Director (CPDP) Ms. Bushra Saeed Khan, along with other officers, also at-
tended the workshop. PEF Chairman said that subject specialists have been attached with the partner schools under ‘subject based support program’ (SBSP) to improve the academic standards of low-cost private schools who cannot afford to hire high-quality teachers for their students. This program has greatly helped the schools in improving their standards as the subject specialists teach in the subjects of English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and also help in implementing schools improvement plans. The subject specialists are also assigned to help in improving the capacity building of other teachers, he added. He told that Punjab Edu-
cation Foundation has initiated a rigorous program to improve the capacity of its subject specialists and for this purpose, training workshops are regularly held for them. The Punjab Education Foundation has emerged as a symbol of continuous support for the private schools as it has initiated a number of beneficial programs for the schools in private sector so that their students could get free education in a childfriendly atmosphere, concluded Raja Anwar. Earlier, PEF Director Bushra Saeed presented her address of welcome and apprised the Chairman about aims of the workshop. Later, PEF Chairman gave away certificates to the participants.
Cold wave grips Punjab
Two labourers die of suffocation LAHORE—The police Thursday night recovered dead bodies of two labourers from a house located in Peer Makki Dardar area of the city. According to police, two labourers Chaman Khan and Afzal died of suffocation in a house where they had been living as tenants. The police said that the two died apparently due to gas accumulation caused by heater.—INP
BB murder probe should include Zardari: Sanaullah MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Friday that President Asif Ali Zardari should be included in the investigation for disallowing a postmortem of the late Benazir Bhutto’s body as it would have helped the ruling coalition to find those involved in her murder. Talking to media representatives at the premises of the Punjab Assembly, Rana Sanaullah said that those responsible for Benazir’s security and for washing off the
evidence from the crime scene should also be included in the investigation. Giving comments on the speech of Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto at Benazir’s 5th death anniversary he said the Bilawal’s formal entry into politics would never be fruitful for the Zardari’s band because this time the masses would cast their votes after so much considerations. He said Bilawal is still politically immature and he crammed the speech and delivered before the emotionally-charged pub-
lic gathering. He said attempt was made again to emotionalize the masses at the name of Bhutto but people of the country were politically well-educated and they would not be trapped this time with the rattle of mere emotional slogans. “Zardari is using his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to hide his own corruption,” the provincial law minister alleged. He further said that if Pakistan Muslim League -Nawaz (PML-N) came into power, the assassins of Benazir would be arrested and punished severely.
STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —People
across Pakistan face the wrath of dipping mercury, as the cold wave further intensified in several parts of the country while the chilly morning made way for some light showers on Friday in capital metropolis as several parts of the city saw light to medium rainfall. On the other hand, prevailing fog is likely to subside in parts of Punjab from Friday due to light rain. According to the Meteorology Department the rainy spell will continue over the next two days with cloudy skies and one or two spells of rain and thundershowers in different parts of the country.
Garments factory gutted LAHORE—Fire in a garments factory gutted merchandize worth millions of rupees here on Friday but no human loss was reported. According to details, fire caused due to an electric short circuit erupted in a garments factory located at Firozpur Road in Nishtar Colony of Lahore. Due to clothes and other inflammable material the fire spread to entire factory within few minutes.—INP
Punjab NAB active against corrupt politicians