E paper pdf 12th march (isb)

CMYK

Monday, 12 March, 2018 I Jamadi-ul-Aakhir 23, 1439 Rs 19.00 I Vol VIII No 253 I 16 Pages I Islamabad Edition

PPP, PTI nomInaTe SanjranI aS SenaTe chaIrman g

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saleem mandviwalla their joint Candidate for dePuty Chairman

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BaloChistan Cm, Bilawal Bhutto made announCement after Consensus on the names

Pml-n is likely to nominate hasil Bizenjo, aBdul ghafoor haideri for toP slots STORY ON PAGE 03

shoe thrown at nawaz sharif during seminar in lahore STORY ON PAGE 03

Opposition using ‘petty tactics’ to stop Nawaz, says Maryam g

Condemns shoe throwing inCident, saying ‘suCh inCidents Cannot affeCt the resolve of my father’ STORY ON PAGE 02

02 NEWS Nawaz for united efforts to make Pakistan strong LAHORE

Monday, 12 March, 2018

HIllary ClINtoN urges PakIstaN to ‘do More’ NEW DELHI

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Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday urged the political and religious leadership to work united for making Pakistan strong. Addressing a gathering of ulema and religious students at Jamia Naeemia, he stressed the need for promoting tolerance in the society. He said he had been an old student of Jamia Naeemia, where he had learnt the Holy Quran. Jamia Naeemia had played a pivotal role in delivering Islamic teachings to the masses, he added. Nawaz Sharif expressed hope for ulema and mashaikh to continue their struggle for sustaining peace and religious harmony in the country.

Main accused in Asma Rani case planned escape to UAE before murder: KP police PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

The main accused in Asma Rani case Mujahid Afridi had planned his escape to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before the murder, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) police told on Sunday.

The police presented Afridi before media where Kohat District Police Officer (DPO) Abbas Majeed Marwat claimed that the main accused had planned his escape to the UAE before murdering Asma Rani, a third-year MBBS student at Abbottabad medical college.

The Kohat DPO added that two other accused, Afridi’s brother and close friend Shahzaib, had already been arrested. Afridi was taken into custody on Saturday from the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad, by a special team of the Kohat police. A team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was also present at the airport at the time of the detainment.

Marwat also said that Mujahidullah Afridi, the prime suspect in Asma Rani murder case was already nominated in the case of another person’s murder six months ago. The main suspect in the murder of Asma Rani was arrested in the UAE on Thursday. On January 27, Afridi, accompanied by his accomplice, had allegedly shot the victim dead in Kohat after she turned down his proposal of marriage. Rani, a third-year medical student at Ayub Medical College, had named the suspect, nephew of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) district leader as the one behind her murder.

French authorities arrest another PIA official ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

French authorities on Sunday have interrogated the whole crew of flight PK-749 of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to investigate the drug smuggling case and took one more official under arrest. On Saturday, March 10, the PIA flight attendant, Tanweer Gulzar, and his alleged accomplice, Mohammad Moin were detained by the French authorities after drugs were recovered from Gulzar’s possession in a PIA aircraft in Paris.

According to media reports, the French officials launched an investigation into the drug smuggling case after they found narcotics in the airport screening.

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AGENCIES

AKISTAN is not helping enough with resolving issues related to cross-border terrorism and the problems faced by its neighbour Afghanistan, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said at the India Today Conclave on Sunday.

Responding to a question by Editor-in-Chief of India Today Group Aroon Purie on the crisis surrounding Afghanistan, Hillary said that the country has been under pressure from all sides.

The former first lady of United States said that Afghanistan is presently facing the continuance of Taliban regime and more worrisome presence of the Islamic State.

When asked if America is ever going to win the great battle in Afghanistan, Hillary said that it was an ongoing disappointment because the country has not been able to attain the level of stability that it was seeking.

Speaking about the president of Afghanistan, Hillary said that

she knew President Ashraf Ghani for a long time and that she was aware of his efforts for the betterment of the nation.

She said that Ghani was instrumental in putting pillars under the Afghan society when it came to education, employment and giving people a different understanding to make Afghanistan a more successful nation.

While talking about Pakistan, Hillary recollected her time during the operation to eliminate dreaded terrorist Osama Bin Laden, the founder of al Qaeda in May 2011.

The former US secretary of state said that she was present in the situation room advising then president Barack Obama on the raid against Laden. She said that it was a tough decision because the intelligence was 40-60 per cent.

Hillary said that the US was aware of the fact that the move would cause a lot of negativity in Pakistan. She added that despite the odds, they had to make the move nonetheless.

She said that she had recommended the president to launch the raid while others had a different opinion. The President

however eventually green signalled the raid.

Further talking about Pakistan’s role, Hillary said that the US never actually got much from the country in terms of cooperation to help or support.

CROSS-BORDER TERRORISM: When asked if there was anything that the US could do to control the cross-border terrorism along the Line of Control on the border, Hillary said that US had tried a variety of ways to address it. She said that America even had international troops along the Pakistan-India border.

Hillary said that she had constant conversations with President Obama when asked about her interaction with the White House about cross-border terrorism.

Hillary, when posed with a question on Pakistan’s cooperation said that it was never a negative story, and that Pakistan had assisted US in identifying terrorists, arresting them and taking action against them.

She said, however, that Pakistan’s cooperation not relevant in terms of resolving the issue in the long run.

Pakistan’s failure to vote on Syria panned by parliamentarians All of Pakistan’s parliamentary parties have demanded the government to hold the country’s envoy at the office of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) responsible for abstaining to vote on a resolution against killings of civilians and human rights violations in Syria.

“Pakistan has committed a blunder by not supporting the resolution and it must be investigated as to why our envoy at the UN Human Rights Council abstained from voting,” Senator Taj Haider of Pakistan Peoples Party told Arab News. He said the government should explain its position on the gaffe in parliament as it is a matter of grave concern for the people. “By abstaining from vote, we indirectly sent a message to the international community that Pakistan stands with the oppressor in Syria instead of the innocent people,” he said.

On March 5, a resolution was moved in the UNHHRC on the deteriorating situation of human rights in Eastern Ghouta and it was adopted by a vote of 29 in favour and four against. Fourteen countries including Pakistan abstained from the voting.

Speaking on floor of the National Assembly on Friday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif said: “It is a matter of shame as our envoy did not cast a vote against atrocities on

Syrian people.”

He was responding to questions raised by Jamiat Ulema-eIslam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a coalition partner of the government, who informed the House that Pakistan abstained from voting on the resolution. Talking to Arab News, JUI-F Member National Assembly Naeema Kishwar said her party has demanded the government to investigate the matter and present a detailed report of it in the parliament. “We want the parliament to hold the envoy accountable for the blunder,” she said. “It is a matter of shame for us that we have not voted in favour of the resolution that condemned violence against Syrian people.”

Kishwar said Pakistani liberals criticised the government when it deployed troops in Saudi Arabia, but they are silent on atrocities being committed against innocents in Syria. “Our government needs to come up with a clear stance that Pakistanis condemn violence against Syrians,” she said.” we also want the parliament to pass a consensus resolution condemning atrocities against innocent Syrians.” Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Member National Assembly Dr Shireen Mazari told Arab News that Pakistan’s role at the UNHRC in the matter of Syrian resolutions reflects the poor

foreign policy of the government.

“Syria has become a battlefield where different Muslim countries have different positions, but we should be very much clear in our stance that we condemn violence against innocent people in all its forms,” she said.

Talking to Arab News, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan MNA Ali Raza Abidi also demanded the government investigate the matter thoroughly and brief the parliament about it. “It should be investigated if the diplomat stayed back because of any pressure or arrangement,” he said.

Dr Mohammad Faisal, spokesman for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Arab News that Pakistan supports a peaceful and political solution to end the crisis to ensure security and stability in the region, including respect for the territorial integrity of Syria.

“We are concerned at the humanitarian situation and urge all sides to enable provision of humanitarian and medical assistance to the innocent men, women and children and to take urgent measures for their safety and security,” he said.

Faisal refused to comment if the ministry will investigate against Pakistani diplomat at the OHCHR for abstaining from the voting. NEwS dESk

Man arrested for attempted shoe attack on Imran FAISALABAD AGENCIES

A man was beaten up and consequently handed over to police after attempting to fling a shoe at Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan as he was getting into his vehicle for a political rally he addressed in Faisalabad on Sunday. According to a video on a local news website, the suspect was caught by the party workers and Khan’s security staff as he allegedly attempted to open door of the PTI chief’s vehicle. He was handed over to police before being beaten up badly. The suspect, after an initial interrogation, claimed that he was sent

by Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah’s sonin-law, Sheharyar. He identified himself as Mirza Ramzan, a resident of Hajiabad area of Faisalabad. According to police, the suspect admitted that Sanaullah’s son-in-law directed him to throw a shoe at the PTI chief. The further action would only be taken after a written application by the PTI, they added. The incident took place hours after shoes were thrown at former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore’s Jamia Naeemia Islamic seminary. Two men lobbed shoes at Sharif but one hit him while he was about to begin addressing a religious seminar taking place at the madrassa earlier today. One of the accused chanted slogans praising Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer. The incident drew strong condemnation from all prominent politicians of the country, who expressed their severe disapproval of the whole episode. Both incidents happened a day after Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif came under an ‘ink attack’ in Sialkot.

IAEA director general to arrive in Pakistan today ISLAMABAD APP

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General (DG) Yukiya Amano would arrive on a three-day official visit to Pakistan on Monday. During his stay, he would visit various centers of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in Islamabad, Faisalabad and Karachi, besides calling on the Prime Minister. “As a founding member of IAEA, Pakistan maintains deep cooperation with IAEA in areas of nuclear power, industrial application of nuclear techniques, non-destructive testing, food and agriculture, soil improvement, radiation induced mutation, radiation oncology and nuclear medicines, environmental protection and isotope hydrology,” said a press release. Widely known as the world’s “nuclear watchdog” organisation within the United Nations (UN) family, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field. It works with its member states and multiple partners worldwide to promote the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Yukiya Amano hails from Japan.

He has held the post of IAEA DG since December 2009. Before being appointed to the IAEA’s top post, Amano held a number of high-level policy positions, including chairmanship of the IAEA Board of Governors (BoG) from 2005-2006. He has extensive experience in disarmament and non-proliferation diplomacy, as well as nuclear energy issues.

Official visit of the IAEA chief is of key national interest for Pakistan as many new vistas of cooperation between IAEA and Pakistan would be explored during the visit.

‘Opp using ‘petty tactics’ to stop Nawaz’ RAWALPINDI STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam Nawaz on Sunday stated that opposition parties are now using “petty tactics” to stop Nawaz Sharif, adding that “such incidents cannot affect the resolve of my father”.

She was referring to the incident in which a person threw a shoe at former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.

While addressing Social Media Convention in Rawalpindi, Maryam said that she knows PML-N workers

CMYK

are hurt due to today’s incident against their leader but such incidents cannot stop Nawaz.

She said that this is not a social media convention or regular public rally rather it is a step towards a revolution. “The passion of people of Rawalpindi is matchless.”

While talking about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, she once again called him ‘Ladla’ of the judiciary.

“Although he could not submit his money trail and it was proved that he is the owner of an offshore company but still he

was declared innocent while Nawaz Sharif was disqualified for not taking pay from his own son,” she said.

The PML-N leader further said the popularity of PML-N is increasing with every passing day as thousands of young men from Rawalpindi have joined social media network of the party.

“The social media conventions of PML-N have the power to gather the whole city while same conventions of PTI cannot even fill a single auditorium,” she stated. “This is because that party has not performed at all in last five years.”

Monday, 12 March, 2018

NEWS

SALEEM MANDVIWALLA THEIR JOINT CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTY CHAIRMAN ISLAMABAD

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STAFF REPORT

FTER much deliberations and marathon meetings, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and its allies have decided to pitch the independent senator-elect from Balochistan, Sadiq Sanjrani, against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) potential nominee Hasil Bizenjo for the much sought after Senate chairman seat.

Talking to reporters following a meeting concerning the Senate chairmanship nominees, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PPP would field Senator Saleem Mandviwalla for the deputy chairmanship after reaching a consensus among the likeminded parties.

Sanjrani, an independent senator of Bizenjo group, is considered close to the PPP leadership and is backed by the PPP in exchange for his support to the PPP’s proposed deputy chairman, Mandviwalla Earlier, the PPP and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had given Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul Quddus Bizenjo the authority to bring forth a joint candidate for the slot with the help of newly-elected independent senators from Balochistan.

Following a meeting of CM Bizenjo with the PTI leadership at Banigala on Sunday, the PTI spokesperson informed the media persons that the party would support Sanjrani for Senate chairmanship.

This meeting also brought good news for the PPP as the PTI, that had earlier decided not to support the PML-N or PPP at any cost, softened its stance and nodded to the PPP’s candidate for the deputy chairmanship.

In a press release coming on the heels of the meeting, the PTI said, “The party will support any name for the slot of deputy chairman that the Balochistan CM will suggest, including a nominee of the

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PPP, PtI NoMINate saNjraNI as seNate CHaIrMaN PPP or any other political party.”

On Friday, Imran Khan had said that the deputy chairman should be from FATA. However, he backtracked today from earlier stance, saying that the Balochistan CM requested the PTI to develop a greater consensus, so the PTI will let go of its earlier stance and support anyone Bizenjo would suggest—in short the PPP’s candidate.

Balochistan CM Bizenjo, who became an MP by bagging 544 votes from the Awaran region of Balochistan on the PML-Q ticket, rose to prominence after ousting then chief minister Sanaullah Zehri with the help of the disgruntled PML-N MPs ahead of the Senate polls.

His rebellion had also cost the PML-N at least six seats from the province.

In order to take his party leadership into confidence over the prevailing political situation, Bizenjo along with independent Senators called on PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujat Hussain at his residence in Islamabad.

In a post-meeting talk with the media persons, CM Bizenjo said that Balochistan should get the opportunity [to head the Senate]. “The chairman will be from Balochistan for the first time; we enjoy support of 60 Senators, we are in contact with Pushtunkhwah Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), National Party (NP) and Balochistan National Party (BNP-Mengal) [as well],” he told reporters.

Expressing gratitude to the PPP leadership, he said that it was the responsibility of Balochistan to ensure the success of its candidate [Sanjrani]. He further said that Asif Zardari is in a position to secure the top slots of the Senate.

PML-Q chief Shujat said that he

asked CM Bizenjo to take a decision which would be in the interest of Pakistan and Balochistan. Announcing unconditional support for Bizenjo, Shujat said, “I hope Bizenjo’s mission will be in the utmost interest of Pakistan, besides Balochs and Pushtuns’ interests.

PML-N: On the other hand, not deterred by the tall claims of CM Bizenjo, Asif Zardari and Imran Khan, the PML-N and its allies— Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) and National Party—under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif are making all out efforts to outwit the PPP-led alliance.

In a meeting held in Islamabad at the Punjab House, the PML-N leadership, including PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and allied parties put their head together over the names of the senators for the top slots.

After the meeting, NP chief Hasil Bizenjo told media persons that the PMLN and allies have finalised names for the chairman and deputy chairman slots but that they will wait for an announcement from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) till tonight. It may be noted the PML-N’s hopes were dashed when the PPP and allies announced to back Sanjrani and Mandviwala for the chairman and deputy chairman slots, respectively. In this case, Nawaz Sharif will now announce the PML-N candidate in the morning, as per Hasil Bizenjo.

As for now, the insiders say that the most likely candidate for the slot of the chairman will be Hasil Bizenjo, while the current deputy chairman of the Senate, Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, is the most favourite for the same slot. However, the

deputy will be decided after the meeting of the PML-N with the MQM-P. Regarding the ‘focus’ of the opposition parties on Balochistan, the NP chief said that this issue is not about Balochistan, rather an issue of the allied parties and added that there were no discussions in the PML-N meeting concerning the nomination of a candidate from Balochistan.

Earlier, PkMAP chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai assured PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif of his complete support for the polls and proposed names of PMLN’s Mushahidullah and Pervez Rasheed for chairman and deputy chairman Senate slots. But these names were apparently rejected as Rasheed confided in Pakistan Today that he won’t be the contender for any of the Senate slots.

POLLING FOR CHAIRMAN, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: The senators will meet at the Parliament House on

Monday (today) to take oaths and elect the chairman and deputy chairman of the upper house, respectively.

According to a local news agency, the polling day will start with a meeting convened by President Mamnoon Hussain at 10 am that will be presided by Sardar Yaqub Nasir— the designated presiding officer. 52 newly elected members of the Senate will also take oaths, followed by the filing of the nomination papers for the election of the chairman and deputy chairman in the noon.

Following the scrutiny of the papers, elections will be held through a secret ballot; subsequently, the outgoing Senate chairman, Raza Rabbani, will administer an oath from the newly elected chairman and invite him to take over the chair. Following this, the new chairman will conduct the election for deputy chairman.

Shoe thrown at Nawaz during seminar SHEHBAZ, IMRAN, BILAWAL AMONG OTHERS CONDEMN INCIDENT LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Marriyum says difference of opinion transforming into ‘hate syndrome’ ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Ms Marriyum Aurangzeb has severely condemned the incident of shoe throwing at Nawaz Sharif and said that all the politicians and other stakeholders would have to move forward with a collective thought to prevent the recurrence of such happenings otherwise they could become a common sight in the class rooms, schools and market places. She was talking to the media here on Sunday. She said that today’s incident was the outcome of the culture of violence and the slogans like drag them out, pick them up and pull them down introduced by Imran Khan during the last four and a half years.

Marriyum said, “When a leader stands and talks like that it changes, nurtures and forms mindsets and behaviours of millions of people”. The minister said that the politicians would have to think seriously that transforming the difference of opinion into hate syndrome would be a misfortune for the whole society. She said that no words would be enough to denounce the incident not because it happened with Nawaz Sharif but because the emerging trend in the society was very worrying. Marriyum welcomed the condemnation of the incident by political leaders and Imran Khan and remarked that it was imperative to go beyond that and integrate that thinking with their behaviours. She said that a leader should choose his words carefully adding that Imran could not come up with any performance during the last four and a half years except making provocative speeches. APP

A former Jamia Neemia student, reportedly a member of Tehreek-eLabaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYR), on Sunday hurled a shoe at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, while the former premier was about to address the event members at the seminary in Garhi Shahu.

As Nawaz reached the rostrum to address the participants of the event, an audience member threw a shoe which hit the former premier on his chest after which he climbed the stage and shouted a slogan while standing in front of Nawaz.

Following the incident, in which Nawaz remained unhurt, the attacker was detained by the seminary’s administration and later handed over to the police. The former prime minister addressed the crowd later on. Nawaz recalled the history of the seminary and praised its late leader, Mufti Naeem, before ending his speech and departing.

Police said the attacker, identified as Talha Munawwar, is a former student of the seminary. He has been shifted to Services Hospital owing to injuries from being beaten up by the seminary staff and students after the incident. Moreover, police said they have arrested two other suspicious persons from the seminary.

On Saturday, Faizul Rasool of Muzaffarpur threw ink at Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif while the federal minister was addressing PML-N workers convention.

After the incident, enraged PMLN workers roughed up the ink-

thrower before handing him over to the police. On February 24, police arrested a man, Bilal Haris, for hurling a shoe at Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal during PML-N workers convention in Narowal.

The interior minister barely escaped the shoe while addressing the workers in the Aliabad area of his constituency. After the incident, the workers grabbed the man and handed him over to the police. Iqbal descended from the stage leaving his speech in between following the incident.

He, however, directed the police not to take legal action against the man, reported a private media outlet.

The intruder was later released.

POLITICIANS DENOUNCE NAWAZ ‘SHOE ATTACK’: Pakistani politicians denounced the ‘shoe attack’ on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.

Punjab Chief Minister and PMLN interim chief Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and termed it shameful. He said that this trend is devastating for the country and the nation; however, it is rapturous that all politicians have condemned it. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)

Chairman Imran Khan condemned the attack stating, “I condemned the shoe incident. Throwing a shoe at any politician is not the correct way.”

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto also condemned the incident, calling it “ugly trend threatening the respect and security of the political leaders in Pakistan”.

PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the incident and said that such incidents were against the democratic values.

PTI leader Mushtaq Ghani wrote, “Political differences apart but I strongly condemned this incident of throwing shoe on Nawaz Sharif. I request all to reject politicians through your votes.” The PTI had earlier condemned the throwing of ink on Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, urging the masses to “put one dot of ink on your thumb and use your right to vote instead.”

PTI leader Naeem ul Haq also took to Twitter to condemn the attack, but did say that “we keep on forgetting thousands of poor and the deprived who are getting tortured every day in our police stations and jails. Our insouciance towards the poor has reached a very high level of hypocrisy”.

Former PTI general secretary Jehangir Tareen labelled the incident “needless” and “ungraceful”, tweeting “Hurling shoes and throwing ink at rulers is condemnable. Why resort to such acts, when you have the option of sending them out through the power of vote? Do take your revenge but take it gracefully”.

PPP leader Rehman Malik wrote, “Political differences aside shoe throwing on EX PM Nawaz Sharif and black ink on Khawaja Asif is highly condemnable and I demand from PM and CM Punjab for legal action and exemplary punishment.”

PML-N leader Khwaja Saad Rafique said that the attack was carried out by those who are disturbed from the increasing popularity of the PML-N. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the attack was carried out by the rivals of the PMLN. Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Faisal Subzwari and Farooq Sattar also condemned the incident.

Later, Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan also strongly condemned shoe throwing at former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Jamia Naeemia.

In a statement, he said shoe throwing is an abhorrent act and such should be discouraged by all political parties. He said politics and democracy teach the lesson of tolerance.

Reacting to the incident, Jamat-eIslami Ameer Sirajul Haq said it was an unacceptable incident as the Pakistani culture did not allow such intolerance. Pakistan People’s Party Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira said the culture of lack of tolerance should not be promoted. It was an unethical act and no one should be allowed to express his feelings in that way, he added.

Besides politicians, people of Pakistan, including journalists, also denounced the act.

04 NEWS

Monday, 12 March, 2018

BIG NO TO SECTARIAN DIVIDE

COMSATS STUdenTS rAISe vOICe In SOlIdArITy wITh SyrIA’S ChIldren ISLAMABAD/LAHORE HAMID KHAN WAZIR/USMAN A KHAN TAHIR

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OMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) took the lead to arrange a first ever peaceful protest walk to express solidarity with Syrian children being brutally killed by Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

After holding a successful peaceful march, the COMSATS students were all-set to hold seminars in various universities, besides arranging peaceful protests in front of Islamabad Press Club to tell the Syrian people that the Pakistani youth, irrespective of their political and religious affiliations, was standing by them as ‘One Ummah’, Mehran Saeed, a COMSATs student leading the protest march, said.

Talking exclusively to Pakistan Today, Saeed said that they were planning to hold seminars in various universities and the first seminar would be held in the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) in the first week of April to assure the Syrian people that their Pakistani brothers were with them in this trying time. The protestors urged the world community to take notice of the barbarism of Bashar al-Assad’s despotic regime and the barbarism in Syria. They called upon the Syrian government to enforce a ceasefire forthwith so as to avoid further bloodshed of innocent people.

In the peaceful protest march, a large number of students were seen carrying placards and banners expressing solidarity with Syrian children.

Saeed said that they especially

urged the Muslim countries to take notice of the situation and interfere in this regard in order to ensure a peaceful resolution of the bloody Syrian conflict.

He said that they would raise their voice against any brutality and barbarism, whether it was being committed against the people of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in Pakistan or in Syria. To a question, Saeed said that the COMSATS administration did not allow them on the first day to take out a rally on the pretext that the government had yet to take any clear policy stance on the issue.

Otherwise, he said that around 80 per cent of the university administration sided with the protestors and only a handful of officials opposed the rally.

He said that on the first day, they were asked to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC), which was actually not required for holding a peaceful protest.

He further said that they formally obtained the NOC because they wanted to

PTI activist released after arrest over derogatory post against Zardari SEHWAN: The police released a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist who was arrested over a derogatory post against Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) president Asif Zardari.

PTI Youth Wing Sehwan President, Sajjad Halipota was arrested by the police under Cyber Crime Act (CCA) after his derogatory post against Asif Zardari on a social media website.

He was released only after begging pardon and assuring the police of remaining careful in the future while using social media. INP

Imam-e-Kaaba chairs seminar at IIUI ISLAMABAD: Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Shaikh Salih-bin-Abe Talib visited the Faisal Masjid campus of International Islamic University (IIU) on Sunday evening where he led the Maghrib prayer and chaired a seminar on moderation in the light of Quran, Sunnah and their application in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.

The Imam-e-Kaaba prayed for the Muslim world’s prosperity and progress, terming Pakistan and Saudi Arabian ties as exemplary. The seminar was attended by IIUI Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai, IUII President Dr Ahmed Yousif Ahmed AlDraiweesh and others. INP

highlight the issue peacefully and did not want to create administrative problems inside the varsity.

“The sole purpose of the rallies and seminars is to unite the Muslim youth under one platform called ‘One Muslim Ummah’. This is how we can stand united with Syrians and Yemenis,” he added. He said that people from all walks of life, including politicians, religious scholars of different sects and others, would be invited because it was an issue of the ummah collectively and was not specifically associated with the Sunni or Shia schools of thought. The actual reason behind the devastation of Muslims all around the world was the ruthless division of Muslims along sectarian lines, he added.

“We want to give a strong message to the world that we would strongly condemn any sectarian division within the Muslim world. Let the whole world know that for the first-time students from all sects were standing united

Activists say court ruling of declaring religion threatens minorities ISLAMABAD AGENCIES

Rights activists in Pakistan expressed concern Sunday over a court ruling that would require people to declare their religion on all official documents, saying it could lead to the persecution of minorities, particularly adherents of the Ahmedi faith.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ruling on Friday also requires that citizens take a religious oath upon joining the civil service, armed forces or judiciary. Zohra Yusuf, a board member at the Human Rights Commission

of Pakistan, called the ruling “very dangerous”. She said her group would issue a statement in the coming days.

“Religion is someone’s personal affair, not a matter of public display,” she said. “The oath thing is nothing but discrimination, and would show the government has no belief that minorities too are patriotic.”

The ruling appeared to be aimed at Ahmedis, who revere the 19th century founder of their faith as a prophet. Pakistan declared Ahmedis non-Muslims in 1974. They already face widespread discrimination and are often targeted by extremists.

under one platform of COMSATS to raise their voice in solidarity with the Syrian and Yemeni children, and they said a big ‘NO’ to sectarian division. We said ‘YES’ to one united Muslim ummah,” he added.

In addition, Anas Tasneem, a student at COMSATS who participated in the protest, said, “I think the protest was very important because it was unique in its execution. There has never been an event like this in the varsity’s history—an event that calls upon Muslims to unite, forgoing sectarian conflicts for once and stand in solidarity with Syrians.”

He went on to say that the event “also showed that youth in Pakistan has no hope whatsoever with the current rulers [of the Muslim world].”

Regarding the varsity’s hesitancy early on, he said, “I think the university officials were unsure about what to do and what to say when they saw a call for Syria just like it happened at the UN vote [for Eastern Ghouta where Pakistan abstained from voting].”

Discussing the country’s muddled foreign policy, he said there was an absolute rage among the youth regarding Pakistan's foreign policy overall, and it seems like the youth was more aware about what had been happening in Syria then a lot of our top government officials. “Pakistan's policymakers honestly don’t care if people are dying anywhere as long as the national interests are secured,” Tasneem said. When asked about any future events, he said, “Our call and protests will only increase, and in future, the issues of Yemen, Kashmir, Palestine and Rohingya Muslims would also be addressed.

The oath would require people to testify that the Prophet Muhammad was the last messenger sent by God, the repudiation of a core Ahmedi belief. “The court should have given us a chance to present our point of view before the verdict, which has increased our vulnerability as a community,” said Saleem Uddin, a spokesman for Pakistan’s Ahmedi community.

He noted that several Ahmedis have been killed by religious extremists in recent years, and that their property and places of worship have been attacked. He said the community is consulting legal experts and may challenge the ruling.

Zia Awan, another rights activist, said the court ruling would encourage extremists. “I am afraid this will further endanger minorities and increase discrimination,” he said.

SC to hear cases of three PMl-n leaders over contemptuous remarks ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) will hear the contempt of court cases against three PMLN leaders today (March 12). The three ruling PML-N’S leaders including former senator Nihal Hashmi, Federal Minister for Privatisation Daniyal Aziz and State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry had made contemptuous remarks against top judiciary. Sources said that the charges would be framed against Talal Chaudhary and Danial Aziz over contemptuous statements against judges. The Supreme Court will hear the contempt of court of erstwhile Senator Nihal Hashmi today after his release by threemember bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar. On March 13, charges would be framed Federal Minister for Privatization Daniyal Aziz over contempt of court and the three–member bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed will hear the cases whereas State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry will be framed charges over contemptuous statement against judiciary and three–member bench headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan will hear the cases on March 14. ONLINE

nawaz never used unparliamentary language: Baloch ISLAMABAD: Minister for SAFRON LtGen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch has said that former PM Nawaz Sharif had not used any unparliamentary language against political opponents. Nawaz Sharif had been facing the cases and also cooperated with Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Panama Papers issue, he said talking to a private news channel. The minister said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan was using derogatory language against leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which did not suit him as leader of political party.

He said political matters should be handled in a political way. APP

Private Turkish plane crashes in Iran TEHRAN: A private Turkish plane flying from the United Arab Emirates to Istanbul crashed Sunday in the south of Iran with 11 people on board. The plane had left from the emirate of Sharjah and went down near the city of Shahr-e Kord, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) south of Tehran, it reported. The aircraft was a Canadian-made Bombardier, according to the Iranian news agency Tasnim. It had eight passengers and three crew members on board, said Reza Jafarzadeh, head of the Iran Civil Aviation Organisation. “The plane is on fire. After the pilot asked to lower altitude, it disappeared from the radar,” Tasnim quoted an ICAO official as saying. AGENCIES

Seven-year-old boy found dead in Mardan MARDAN STAFF REPORT

A seven-year-old boy was found dead in Mardan after alleged kidnapping and murder which caused protests demanding justice, media reports said.

Mardan District Police Officer (DPO) Mian Saeed Ahmed told media that the minor had disappeared on Saturday after being last seen playing outside his house in the Tambulk area of the district.

The family of the boy had lodged a

complaint in the police after the disappearance. The seven-year-old was then found dumped in the fields behind the house inside a gunny sack. Police are in search of the unidentified suspect who kidnapped the boy, murdered him and dumped his body, Ahmed said.

Police investigators cordoned off the place where the boy was located and collected evidence.

The boy’s father earned a living by working as a labourer in a vegetable market nearby.

DNA samples were collected from

CMYK

the boy during a post-mortem examination in the Mardan Medical Complex, hospital sources said. The boy was then sent to the Bacha Khan Medical College’s forensic laboratory Protests were staged against the heinous act in which family of the victim, relatives and area residents blocked the Mardan-Nowshera Road to demand justice. They also demanded the arrest of the suspect as soon as possible.

Earlier this year, a four-year-old girl named Asma had gone missing on January 14 in Mardan’s Gujar Garhi area,

and her dead body was found from sugarcane fields near her house on January 15. Later, the forensic testing had confirmed that the child was subjected to sexual abuse before being killed.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Police had claimed to arrest the main suspect, 15-year-old Mohammad Nabi who was a close relative of the minor girl.

The police high ups confirmed arresting of two accused during a press conference at Peshawar on Wednesday morning. Nabi, with his face covered, was also presented before the media.

Monday, 12 March, 2018

WEATHER UPDATES

MONDAY

Anti-polio drive postponed in Bajaur Agency PESHAWAR: The three-day antipolio campaign scheduled to start from Monday has been postponed in Bajaur Agency due to security concerns. A statement issued by emergency operation centre (EOC), Fata Secretariat, stated that the drive would begin from March 19 in the agency. There were reports of entry of two suicide bombers in the agency last month due to which the scheduled polio drive was postponed. It is pertinent to mention here that in the previous month also, the anti-polio campaign was postponed in Bajaur Agency as two suicide bombers entered in the area who were later killed during a clash with the security forces.

According to a statement issued by EOC, the drive would be launched from March 19 regardless of anything as all arrangements have been finalised. More than one million children in Fata and frontier regions would be administered anti-polio vaccines by around 700 teams in the campaign. Similarly, around 4.3 million children will be vaccinated in 17 vulnerable districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Swat, Upper and Lower Dir, DI Khan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, Chitral, Swabi, Malakand and Bannu. STAFF REPORT

NAB arrests former housing society official ISLAMABAD: Rawalpindi NAB arrested former district officer cooperative Imdad Hussain Mian in the case involving misuse of authority by illegally converting residential plots into commercial ones and criminal breach of trust against the management of Pak PWD Employees Cooperative Housing Society, Islamabad and others. As per details, accused Imdad Hussain Mian misused his authority by illegally converting residential plots into commercial ones. Rawalpindi NAB DG Irfan Naeem Mangi said that in light of the directions of NAB Chairman Justice (r) Javed Iqbal, all-out efforts were being made to recover the looted money from swindlers and corrupt individuals. STAFF REPORT

Father among 7 held for sale of underage girls DERA ISMAIL KHAN: The police arrested seven, including father, involved in the sale of underage girls and rescued four sold girls here on Sunday. On a tip-off, Band Korai SHO Shah Jehan, along with the police team, raided the house of one Fateh Sher s/o Allah Dad in Kech area of Dera Ismail Khan. During operation, the police arrested Saadullah, the father of sold underage girls among seven others including Fateh Sher, Sanaullah, Khalid, Ramzan and Allah Nawaz alias Bhola. The police also rescued four sold girls including Sadia Bibi, Gul Meena, Romeena and Aisa Rana Bibi, daughters of Saadullah. The police took the rescued girls into custody and the detainees were being interrogated after registering a case against them. INP

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MCI to dIsConneCt Illegal water-borIng puMps ISLAMABAD

M

APP

ETROPOLITAN Corporation Islamabad (MCI) has decided to disconnect and remove illegal waterboring pumps and connections installed at residential and commercial units in different areas of the federal capital. It was decided to control unchecked and continued suction of groundwater which was leading to its severe depletion in the city.

Chairing a meeting, Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz directed the

concerned formations to issue a notice to owners of all such premises where underground water was being illegally drawn through water bores or other means. He also ordered to regularise these connections and water bores from the water supply wing or from their respective union council.

If approval from the competent forum is not obtained, the mayor said, seven more days will be given to removing water-bores voluntarily. However, after the expiry of the final notice, a comprehensive campaign would be launched to take action against illegal water-bores across the city, he added.

He further directed to publish a public notice to warn the residents of the federal capital to remove illegal water bores voluntarily, otherwise, strict action would be taken against the violators and fine amounting to Rs5,000 will be imposed.

He further directed to publish names of the people involved in the illegal drawing of underground water in the press as well.

The mayor said that water is essential to people and the largest available source of fresh water lies underground. Due to fewer rains in winter this year, the water level in different reservoirs including groundwater had decreased significantly.

The mayor was briefed that in order

to utilise available water effectively, MCI had devised a plan under which the teams of water supply wing will carry out a complete survey of housing units of the capital to check illegal water connections and water boring pumps.

He was informed that due to fewer rain spells, Simly Dam and Khanpur Dam could not be filled completely while underground water level had also decreased due to which water from tubewells could not be supplied properly. He was informed that supply of water had been reduced by 50 per cent so that existing resources could be utilised up till the monsoon season.

CDA member admin asks FIA to stop inquiry into illegal appointments ISLAMABAD BILAL SABRI

Capital Development Authority (CDA) wrote a letter to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to halt the on-going inquiry into illegal promotions at CDA and stated that it would carry out an inquiry into the matter after the previous one revealed that only one out of over 1,000 promotions was made following rules and regulations, it emerged on Sunday.

An FIA official said that CDA Member Administration Yasir Pirzada, in his early days in the authority, had vowed that he’ll not spare any official involved in illegal promotions. So he ordered an inquiry into the matter following an audit report which mentioned that thousands of illegal up-gradations cost over Rs3 billion to the national exchequer. Moreover, fact findings revealed in July last year that 99.9 per cent promotions were illegal and out of term, the official added.

Making this inquiry report as additional evidence, the FIA was then about to conclude its investigation and was ready to register an FIR against influential CDA employees who were involved in this matter or were the beneficiaries. However, the member administration took a U-turn and wrote a subsequent letter to the FIA. “All of a sudden, Yasir Pirzada wrote a letter to the agency saying that the authority would carry out its inquiry again,”

said FIA official requesting anonymity.

In the letter, it was informed that the CDA would constitute a new committee with BS-19 and BS-20 officers as its members, who will give a time-period to conclude the inquiry into illegal promotions and upgradations. The committee was not constituted so far despite the passage of eight months, FIA official said.

“Till now, no inquiry committee was constituted by the CDA high-ups to probe the matter, which indicates that the authority is trying to swipe this matter under the carpet, or is buying some time,” he claimed.

“With this double game, the member administration made an impression on the general public that he took action against illegally promoted officials but in reality, he jeopardised the entire authority. With his subsequent letter, he gave life to the employee’s on ‘death-beds’,” said a CDA official requesting anonymity.

It is pertinent to mention that the previous CDA inquiry concluded by three CDA officials observed that only one case of change of cadre of Ali Murtaza was done after due observations of rules and regulations and all other cases of up-gradation/re-designation were made without observing the laid down procedures, and that too on a pick and choose basis,” the inquiry report said.

“The fact-finding committee recommended that all the illegal up-gradations and re-designations may be de-notified,”

read the inquiry report.

The report was compiled by a threemember committee in June last year headed by Ejaz Ahmed Siddiqui, who has since retired, and including Admin Officer Aftab Saleem and Public Relations Director Mazhar Hussain.

The Supreme Court had also declared that there was no room for out-of-turn promotions and up-gradation of posts.

It may be mentioned that earlier, the three-member committee revealed that they were only able to get 46 files as the human resource department did not hand over employees’ personal files to them.

Therefore, out of 46 cases, they found only one in which the rules and regulations were followed. The member of this committee, requesting anonymity, said that despite several formal notices sent to CDA’s HR Directorate and informal requests, they did not hand over the personal files of most of the employees.

“Either the HR Directorate was reluctant because of CDA’s then employee union secretary’s pressure, or personal files were not available with the directorate as the employee’s managed to get their them from HR and were able to hide them,” said CDA official.

Several attempts were made to contact CDA’s spokesperson Malik Saleem but he was not available for the comment and the member administrations mobile phone was switched off.

Pakistani scientist gets $4m for outstanding med research ISLAMABAD INP

For outstanding medical research which led to cutting-edge research on heart transplantation, Pakistani physician-scientist Dr Faisal H Cheema was awarded $4 million.

Dr Cheema hails from the rural area of Wazirabad who got his education from Crescent Model School and Government College Lahore before moving to Karachi to attend his medical school at Aga Khan University.

After graduation, he moved to the USA and further trained and worked at Columbia University in New York, Loyola University in

Illinois, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland and the University of California Berkley. He is currently a faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas.

Dr Cheema has also served as a senator for the Ivy-League Columbia University and is involved with several professional, academic, community and philanthropic organisations. His passionate and selfless work for young physicians culminated in the establishment of Committee for Young Physicians within Association of Physicians of Pakistani-descent of North America (APPNA), on which he served for more than

a decade, included a term as its chair. He has helped hundreds of students in their search for residencies and or advancing their medical careers in the USA. He loves to mentor medical students and young physicians.

Ever since he left Pakistan, he continues to collaborate with various institutions like Aga Khan University, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS), Shifa College of Medicine and others, and guides students from medical schools across the country. Dr Cheema has also published more than 110 scientific manuscripts in high impact journals.

Nigerian arrested for Rs35m fraud in capital A Nigerian citizen, Lamido Ogbeh, was arrested Sunday

by Kohsar police for allegedly defrauding a Pakistani man of Rs35 million in Islamabad.

The police arrested the suspect after the victim lodged a complaint against him on Saturday.

According to the victim’s statement to the police, the suspect while impersonating a British national telephoned him from a UK number and offered to help him. The suspect told the victim to deposit the amount in a bank account so that his shipment from the UK could be cleared and delivered to him. Muhammad Arif, the victim, said he deposited the amount in the given bank account. The cash was withdrawn by a man named Asif from a bank in Islamabad’s F-7 area. When no shipment was delivered, the victim contacted the account holder, Asif, who told him that he withdrew the amount and handed it over to a foreigner named Joseph. The police tracked down the said foreigner who was identified as Ogbeh, a Nigerian national living in Pakistan on a business visa. The supposed victim maintained in his complaint that Ogbeh also uses several other bank accounts maintained by Asif Masih, Saqib Masih, and Ashfaq Masih. Police suspected that the accused might have defrauded other people as well. NEWS DESK

QAU VC, ASA at loggerheads over varsity’s opening ISLAMABAD HAMID KHAN WAZIR

The on-going tug of war between the Academic Staff Association (ASA) of Quaid-e-Azam University and its Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr Javed Ashraf took an ugly turn as the association wants to close the university at all cost on Monday while the VC has announced to keep it open come what may.

Owing to the political wrangling, the students of the country’s top-ranked university are suffering the most as the ASA members have been boycotting their academic duties for the last few weeks.

The university went into a virtual lockdown on Sunday as the ASA has blocked the transport unit and

entryways. The impasses at the QAU have been unstinted for the past six weeks where the disgruntled faculty is protesting against the vice-chancellor and has been demanding his ouster. ASA President Dr Aqeel Bokhari said that the university will remain closed for an indefinite period of time unless the VC steps down. He added that they would now take this issue to task as they believed that the incumbent vice-chancellor had failed to run the varsity’s financial, academic and administrative affairs efficiently.

On the other hand, QAU VC Dr Javed Ashraf categorically announced that no one would be allowed to forcefully close the university and it and all routinely educational activities would continue on Monday. He added that the university bus transport

section would arrange buses for the students, as well as the university employees. The VC said that ASA was making a baseless demand of his resignation, adding that the association rejected the repeated offers of talks with deans and the university registrar to ensure negotiated settlement of the issue.

Javed Ashraf vowed that APS’ bid to forcefully close the university would not be tolerated and would be considered illegal. Dr Aqeel Bokhari said that the faculty is adamant on this stance and will not be deterred by the threats of the vice-chancellor.

He went on to say that the faculty has refused to work under the incumbent VC and the same was reflected in the two general bodies of the ASA. Moreover, a referendum was carried out in past where an

overwhelming majority of faculty demanded the removal of the VC from his position, he added.

The vice-chancellor is hell-bent on destroying the university and they can’t leave the university at the mercy of such an irresponsible and incompetent man, the president said. The faculty shall only allow the resumption of the varsity’s affairs after VC’s removal, he added. A senior official said that both the sides were levelling serious allegations against each other but no side comes with any concrete pieces of evidence to establish the wronging of the other. He added that the game of allegations and counter-allegations continued for a long time but no solution was in the sight because the efforts to bring both parties to the table did not work.

06 FOREIGN NEWS

Monday, 12 March, 2018

syria regiMe boMbs sPlintereD ghouta enclave as boDies Pile uP GHOUTA

n

AGENCIES

EW air strikes and barrel bombs pounded Syria's Eastern Ghouta on Sunday as government forces pressed a three-week advance that splintered the rebel enclave and trapped dozens under collapsed buildings.

Defying global calls for a ceasefire, Syria's government has pursued a ferocious Russian-backed air campaign and ground offensive to capture the region, the last rebel bastion on the capital's doorstep. In three weeks of fighting, it has overrun more than half the area and split the remainder into three pockets, isolating the urban hub of Douma from the rest of the enclave. On Sunday, government troops battered the edges of each pocket with air raids, barrel bombs, and rockets, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

“The clashes are focused now around the town of Medeira, which lies at the centre of the three zones and where rebels are putting up fierce resistance,” said Observatory head Rami

Abdel Rahman. Bombing runs hit several other towns including Arbin, where at least three civilians were killed.

The deaths bring the total toll from the offensive to at least 1,102 civilians, according to the monitor.

They include dozens of decomposing bodies still trapped under pulverised residential blocks in the towns of Hammuriyeh, Saqba, and Misraba.

In Hammuriyeh, AFP's correspondent saw a young man scrambling frantically over the rubble of a collapsed building in search of his loved ones. His father, mother, and three siblings were killed in an air raid, but rescue workers have been unable to pull them out.

Hassaan, a 30-year-old rescue worker, said there were around 20 more families under the rubble.

“We need heavy machinery to get them out, but we can't bring the machines out into the streets because the regime may bomb them,” he said. In the main town of Douma, bodies piled up in the morgue as bombardment prevented families from reaching the cemetery, AFP's correspondent there said.

Families grew desperate for news of loved ones who had fled to other areas that were now inaccessible.

On Saturday, Syrian troops and allied militia cut off the main road leading out of Douma in a major blow to beleaguered rebels attempting to defend their enclave. Government forces also captured the town of Misraba.

Some residents fled from the advancing troops, but dozens stayed as soldiers recaptured their neighbourhoods.

Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Sunday that troops transported “dozens of civilians, including women and children,” from Misraba to temporary shelters in government-held zones.

The Observatory told AFP that Misraba was left abandoned after 75 to 100 people were moved out of the town by regime forces.

Maybe 'Jews' but not Kremlin meddled in US election: Putin MOSCOW AGENCIES

Doctors suspended after severed leg used as pillow NEW DELHI: Indian authorities have suspended two doctors and launched an investigation after a patient´s severed leg was used as a pillow to prop up his head, a hospital official said Sunday.

Administrators at the government-run hospital in Uttar Pradesh state vowed "strict action" after images emerged showing the patient on a stretcher with the amputated limb being used as a headrest. "We have set up a four-member committee to find out who put the severed leg under the patient´s head," said Sadhna Kaushik, principal of the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College and Hospital in Jhansi, told AFP. "Strict action will be taken if our staff is found at fault." Two doctors have been suspended pending investigation, she added. The man, identified as 28-year-old Ghanshyam, was seriously injured in a bus accident. His relatives told the local NDTV news network that hospital staff ignored their requests that Ghanshyam, who goes by one name, be given a pillow. "When we reached the hospital, we saw his leg being used as a headrest," Janaki Prasad, a relative, told NDTV. AGENCIES

President Vladimir Putin suggested in a US television interview that Ukrainians, Tatars or "Jews," could have meddled in the 2016 US presidential election — but not the Kremlin.

"Why have you decided the Russian authorities, myself included, gave anybody permission to do this?"

Putin asked in the often-combative interview with NBC television. The leading US intelligence agencies concluded last year that Putin personally directed an intelligence effort to influence the 2016 US presidential election to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton's campaign and boost Republican Donald Trump.

Last month US Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is conducting a widespread probe into Russia's role in the campaign, indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for allegedly backing Trump, maligning Clinton, and engaging in other election interference.

"So what if they're Russians?"

Putin said of the allegations, according to transcripts of the NBC interview released late Friday.

"There are 146 million Russians.

So what?... I don't care. I couldn't care less... They do not represent the interests of the Russian state."

"Maybe," Putin said, "they are

not even Russians but Ukrainians, Tatars or Jews, but with Russian citizenship, which should also be checked; maybe they have dual citizenship or a green card; maybe the US paid them for this.

"How can you know that? I do not know either." Despite Mueller's 37-page indictment, Putin said he has seen no evidence thus far that the alleged meddling broke any laws. "We in Russia cannot prosecute anyone as long as they have not violated Russian law... At least send us a piece of paper... Give us a document. Give us an official request.

And we'll take a look at it."

Trump has repeatedly denied any collusion with Moscow, and Putin laughed at the mere suggestion.

"Could anyone really believe that Russia, thousands of miles away... influenced the outcome of the election? Doesn't that sound ridiculous even to you?" Putin asked.

On announcing the indictment on the Russians, US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the document made no judgment on whether the alleged Russian propaganda campaign altered the election outcome.

"It's not our goal to interfere. We do not see what goal we would accomplish by interfering. There's no goal," Putin said. US intelligence chiefs last month said Russia still seeks to meddle in US politics, posing a threat to mid-term congressional elections in November, and the 2020 presidential election.

Police investigate fresh anti-MusliM attack in sri lanka ANAMADUWA AGENCIES

Vandals attacked a Muslim-owned restaurant in Sri Lanka on Sunday in an alleged “hate crime”, police said, as tensions remain high across the island following a week of violent riots.

The restaurant in Anamaduwa ─ 130 kilometres (81 miles) north of the capital Colombo ─ was targeted despite police being on high alert after a spate of antiMuslim attacks. The government declared a state of emergency last week as 11 mosques were torched and 200 Muslimowned businesses destroyed in riots by Sinhalese mobs that left at least three people dead and around 20 wounded. A curfew was lifted in the central district of Kandy, the epicentre of the violence, but soldiers remained on the streets, equipped with emergency powers to detain people to maintain law and order.

Some social media networks including Facebook remain blocked across Sri Lanka. Officials say this was done to prevent the spread of hate speech against Muslims. A senior police official said disciplinary action would be taken against officers in the Anamaduwa area for failing to prevent the restaurant attack.

“We are treating this as a hate crime. An investigation is on to identify those responsible,” he told AFP on condition of anonymity. President Maithripala Sirisena announced on Saturday that he will appoint a three-member panel of retired judges to investigate the unrest that drew concern from rights groups and the international community. Police were deployed to mosques across Sri Lanka on Friday to guard worshippers from the island's minority Muslim community during weekly prayers. There were no reports of violence. Muslims make up 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's 21 million people.

The majority are Sinhalese, a largely Buddhist ethnic group. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and activists staged demonstrations in Colombo on Friday, denouncing violence and urging authorities to punish those responsible. Police said nearly 150 people were arrested over the violence, including the suspected leader Amith Weerasinghe, a Sinhalese man known for anti-Muslim activism and outspoken social media posts.

US warns 'unwise' for Syria to use weaponised gas, slams Russia MUSCAT AGENCIES

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis warned Syria on Sunday it would be “very unwise” for government forces to use weaponised gas, as he cited unconfirmed reports of chlorine attacks in eastern Ghouta and slammed Russian support for Damascus.

Mattis stopped short of threatening to retaliate against Syrian forces if a chlorine attack were confirmed.

But he noted America’s cruise missile strike on April 6, 2017, on a Syrian air base over a sarin gas attack and said President Donald Trump had “full political maneuver room” to take whatever decision he believed was appropriate.

“It would be very unwise for them to use weaponised gas. And I think President Trump made that very clear early in his administration,” Mattis said, speaking

with a small group of reporters before landing in Oman.

Mattis said he did not currently have clear evidence of any recent chlorine gas attacks but noted numerous media reports about chlorine use. Rescue workers and opposition activists in eastern Ghouta have accused the government of using chlorine gas during the campaign.

The government firmly denies this.

Damascus and Moscow have accused rebels of planning to orchestrate poison gas attacks in order to draw blame onto the Syrian government. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has vowed to continue the offensive in eastern Ghouta, one of the deadliest in the war.

With the conflict entering its eighth year, capturing eastern Ghouta would be a major victory for Assad, who has steadily regained control of rebel areas with Russian and Iranian support.

Mattis chided Moscow for partnering

with Assad, suggesting it might even be a partner in the Syrian government’s strikes on civilians. “Either Russia is incompetent or in cahoots with Assad. There’s an awful lot of reports about chlorine gas use or about symptoms that could be resulting from chlorine gas,” Mattis said.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said earlier this month that Syrian government air strikes on eastern Ghouta and shelling from the rebel-held zone into Damascus probably constitute war crimes. The White House said last week Russian military aircraft took off from Humaymim Airfield in Syria and carried out at least 20 daily bombing missions in Damascus and eastern Ghouta between Feb. 24 and Feb. 28.

It did not say whether the jets dropped ordnance, which could be harder to determine than tracking the flight paths of Russian aircraft on US radar.

But the United States directly accused

Russia of killing civilians. Mattis declined to elaborate on whether Russian jets directly carried out bombings, saying Moscow was involved either way. “They are Assad’s partner and whether the air-

plane dropping the bomb is a Russian airplane or a Syrian airplane, I’d prefer not to say right now,” he said. The multisided war has killed hundreds of thousands of people since 2011.

Monday, 12 March, 2018

china Makes historic Move to allow Xi to rule inDefinitely BEIJING

c

AGENCIES

HINA’S lawmakers on Sunday passed a historic constitutional amendment abolishing a presidential two-term limit that will enable Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely.

The amendment upends a system enacted by former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping in 1982 to prevent a return to the bloody excesses of a lifelong dictatorship typified by Mao Zedong’s chaotic 19661976 Cultural Revolution.

“This marks the biggest regression in

China’s legal system since the reform and opening-up era of the 1980s,” said Zhang Lifan, an independent, Beijing-based political commentator.

“I’m afraid that this will all be written into our history in the future,” Zhang said.

Voting among the National People’s Congress’ nearly 3,000 hand-picked delegates began in the mid-afternoon, with Xi leading members of the Communist Party’s seven-member all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee in casting their votes. He placed his orange ballot paper in a red box bearing the official seal of state placed front and center on the stage inside the cavernous hall.

Rank-and-file deputies then rose to vote on the floor of the hall as jaunty instrumental music played. Ten minutes later, the process had ended and delegates were asked to return to their seats while the votes were counted.

Shortly after 3:50 pm, the results were read out over the public address system and flashed briefly on a screen in the hall. The delegates voted 2,958 in favor, with two opposed, three abstaining and one vote invalidated. “The constitutional amendment item has passed,” the announcer declared to polite applause.

The 64-year-old Xi appeared to show little emotion, remaining in his seat with

FOREIGN NEWS 07

other deputies to listen to a report on the work of the congress delivered by its outgoing chairman. The slide toward oneman rule under Xi has fueled concern that Beijing is eroding efforts to guard against the excesses of autocratic leadership and make economic regulation more stable and predictable.

The amendment also inserted Xi’s personal political philosophy into the preamble of the constitution and phrasing that emphasizes the leadership of the rul-

ing Communist Party. “It is rare nowadays to see a country with a constitution that emphasizes the constitutional position of any one political party,” said Zhang, the political commentator.

In a sign of the issue’s sensitivity, government censors are aggressively scrubbing social media of expressions ranging from “I disagree” to “Xi Zedong”. A number of prominent Chinese figures have publicly protested the move, despite the risk of official retaliation.

Ethiopia says 9 civilians mistakenly killed in military operation iran urges france not to side with us over nuke, missile issues TEHRAN: An Iranian atomic official on Sunday discouraged France from following the pace of the United States over Iran's 2015 international nuclear deal and missile program. "France has tried to side with the United States in recent years" but, it will have a hard time if it chooses to side with US interests and stand against Iran, said spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Behrouz Kamalvandi. Besides, France would not succeed in creating a "coalition" among the European countries against Iran's defense power, Kamalvandi was quoted as saying by Iran Daily. Kamalvandi also undermined the likelihood of reapplying sanctions by the United States against Iran over its missile program. "The Islamic Republic will never agree to negotiations over its missile program," he added. US President Donal Trump has criticized a deal sealed between Iran and the world powers in 2015 which put an end to the country's controversial nuclear program. He has urged negotiations on some parts of the deal. Pushed by the US, Europe has stepped up its pressure on Iran to start negotiations on the country's developing missile program. AGENCIES

iraq seeks weapons to defeat is remnants: PM BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said that his government is seeking weapons to defeat the remnants of the Islamic State (IS) in the country. Abadi made the remarks during his speech at the opening ceremony of the sixth edition of International Defense Exhibition held in the capital Baghdad. "Terrorism has ended militarily, and we must eliminate its ideologies and its sectarian methodology.

The weapons that we need now is not for war, but for peace and reconstruction," Abadi said. He also vowed to support Iraqi security forces so they can continue their mission to uproot the sleeper cells of IS terrorists. "Iraq has special needs for its security, and we have expertise in combating terrorism and eliminating it," the Iraqi prime minister noted. The four-day exhibition was held on the spot of Baghdad International Fair in the west-central part of the capital, with the participation of 18 countries and more than 70 weapons production companies. The exhibition showcases products such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), missiles, associated airborne equipment, and different ground support equipment. AGENCIES

nepali PM secures vote of confidence in parliament

ADDIS ABABA AGENCIES

The Ethiopian government said Sunday nine civilians were mistakenly killed and 12 injured by soldiers in Southern Ethiopia in an operation to sniff out rebels.

In a press statement, the Ethiopia Command Post Secretariat said the incident happened on Saturday when an army unit deployed around Moyale city on the border

with Kenya to intercept suspected Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) fighters opened fire on civilians on a basis of mistaken information.

The press statement further said a colonel and five other soldiers have been disarmed and put under arrest pending investigation regarding the deadly incident. Moyale is in Oromia regional state, which has been a state of unrest since late 2015 that has left hundreds dead and thousands jailed.

The unrest has forced the

Ethiopian government to impose a six-month martial law starting February 16, saying it was to protect the country's constitution, citizens and their property from the dangers that would arise from the ongoing violent demonstrations in different parts of the country. The current martial law period is the second the East African country has imposed since the second half of 2016. Ethiopia had witnessed a 10-month long state of emergency period since October 2016.

Egyptian forces kill 16 militants in Sinai operation CAIRO AGENCIES

The Egyptian forces have killed 16 extremely dangerous militants since Wednesday as part of the ongoing Operation Sinai 2018, the army said in a statement on Sunday.

"Three leaders of terrorists were arrested in mountainous areas in Central Sinai, based on intelligence provided by the honorable citizens

of Sinai," said Tamer al-Refaay, the military spokesman.

A non-commissioned officer and a private soldier from the army were killed and other six army men were wounded in the fire exchange, al-Refaay added.

The statement added the air forces' raids have destroyed nine targets used by terrorists including a hideout, a water tanker and three booby-trapped 4x4 vehicles.

CMYK

Also, a storehouse used to manufacture improvised explosive devices in North Sinai's Sheikh Zuweid city with around 130 explosive devices were destroyed, it added.

More than 120 militants and terrorists have been killed since the country's anti-terror military operation began on Feb. 9.

The operation, dubbed "Sinai 2018," comes weeks before Egypt starts its 2018 presidential elections scheduled for late March, where incumbent President Abdel-Fattah alSisi is expected to make an easy win for a second term.

The operation was launched as part of the efforts to reach the threemonth deadline set by President Sisi to eliminate terrorism after the mosque attack that killed 310 people in the northern Sinai city of Arish in November, 2017.

Egypt's army has been struggling to uproot the strongholds of militants, now belonging to the Islamic State branch in Sinai, since the ouster of the Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi, in response to mass protests against his rule in 2013.

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister of Nepal K.P Sharma Oli secured Sunday the majority of the vote of confidence from the House of Representatives (HoR), the lower house of the Federal Parliament. Oli bagged 208 votes out of the 268 votes in the lower house of the Federal Parliament, HoR Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara said during the parliament session in the Capital. Sixty members of parliament voted against the prime minister, while seven remained absent in 275-member HoR. Addressing the Parliament session, the prime minister expressed confidence that his government would work to steer the country toward political stability and economic prosperity. Oli also vowed to control corruption in the country, saying that his government will have a policy of "zero tolerance toward corruption." The prime minister also urged the main opposition Nepali Congress to make a fair judgment toward his government. According to existing constitutional provisions of Nepal, the new prime minister must secure the vote of confidence from the Parliament within 30 days of his/her appointment. AGENCIES

israeli PM warns of nuclear arms race in Mideast JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Sunday of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East if the nuclear deal to limit Iran's nuclear program would not be changed or revoked. During remarks at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said his discussions with United States President Donald Trump and other officials in Washington last week focused mainly on Iran. "I said that the nuclear agreement with Iran contains within it many dangers for the world, including the special danger of the nuclearization of the Middle East," Netanyahu said, according to a statement released on his behalf. "Many countries in the Middle East are saying that they are also allowed to enrich uranium if Iran is allowed to do so; therefore, the way to prevent this danger, the nuclearization of the Middle East, is to either thoroughly correct the agreement or abrogate it," he said. Netanyahu reportedly referred to Saudi Arabia, which is in talks to buy nuclear reactors from the United States.

"Moreover, I remind you that Iran declares, on an almost daily basis, its intention to wipe out the State of Israel. It is hardly worth saying that we will not allow this, to put it mildly," he added.

08 COMMENT

Monday, 12 March, 2018

Nine times Nawaz Sharif was too cute

The Senate circus Games politicians play

Even by his own lofty standards

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VeN as the race for Senate chairman/deputy chairman springs its fair share of surprises, as the election itself before it, there is little surprising about the behaviour of most political parties. PTI, for example, found itself readily accepting PPP’s candidates for both positions one day after Imran Khan took to the press to rule out any votes for PML-N or PPP backed hopefuls. Now, even if PTI rank and file takes Imran’s about face at face value – that he did it for the sake of Balochistan – but he’ll have only himself to blame as PML-N accuses him of ‘U-turns’ whenever opportunity strikes as the election campaign intensifies.

Only recently most party heads vowed a crusade against the practice of horse-trading and opportunism that has come to typify Pakistan’s democratic politics.

Now they are bending over backwards to stitch together any alliance that will gather sufficient numbers. Once election season is over, though, and Senate must begin proceedings, very few of these eager politicians are found attending regular sessions.

The Upper House is taken seriously only at the end of the cycle, when money is thrown and loyalties purchased in the rush for power and privilege.

The Upper House is a sanctified institution, but its powers are more limited than the Lower House. Yet both Houses exist, as per the constitution, to legislate in the interest of the people. Our Senate, unfortunately, increasingly resembles a playing field for the egos of industrial and feudal barons. Most of their energies are spent in entrenching themselves and their friends in the most powerful seats in government.

The interests of the people are hardly ever mentioned, let alone taken care of, and legislation is the last thing our legislators are known for. For the public, the Senate election and its aftermath has been something of a circus. Only when the able Senators take people seriously, and legislate in their interest (as per their job requirements), will they see the favour returned.

Degeneration of political discourse Shoeing and ink-throwing

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WO, they say in the world of numbers, is a trend. And three is a conformation of the trend.

Clearly, therefore – considering the shoes hurled at Nawaz Sharif and Ahsan Iqbal as well as the ink sprayed on Kh Asif’s face over the last few days – there is a rather obvious attempt by ‘certain quarters’ to publically malign big names in the ruling party. Yet not only did these ugly incidents draw immediate rebuke from across the political spectrum, they also enhanced the status of PML-N bosses in the eyes of their followers. Now they are more convinced than ever of a conspiracy to paint them in a dark way; something that will only inflate Nawaz’s already inflamed rhetoric all the way to the election.

Show-throwing, or shoeing, is hardly a societal, or political, novelty. Its use, as a way of insulting opponents, goes back all the way to ancient times, and finds its first historical mention in the Old Testament.

Nor have Pakistanis seen it employed for the first time. Former Sindh CM, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, was shoed just as he left the Sindh Assembly after taking oath as chief minister in April 2008, well before the famous incident involving US President George Bush in Baghdad later the same year.

These are not isolated incidents, of course. The dominant political trend, especially during this electoral cycle, has been one of openly insulting and bad-mouthing political opponents. The tendency on social media is even more worrying since there are, apparently, no red lines that can be enforced. Now, with the precedent of throwing shoes and ink at senior leaders already set, who is to stop other parties from adopting similar tactics? In order to nip this evil in the bud, these incidents should be immediately investigated and, should a connection be proved, exemplary action must be taken.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad

Umar Aziz

Asher John

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Deputy Editor

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HasaN aftaB saeed

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HeN Nawaz Sharif demands to know why he was ousted for the third time from the prime minister’s office, one feels it would be impossible to surpass this level of innocence for anybody over the age of four. One is obliged to revise one’s assessment when Sharif answers his own question: it was his failure to receive salary from his own son for which he was booted out. It’s not uncharacteristic either, for when it comes to public displays of innocence Sharif has long been in a one-way competition with himself, some instances of which I am listing here for the benefit of forgetful souls: 1. Qarz utaro mulk sanwaro. In 1997 Sharif had an epiphany: a brilliantly simple idea to retire the foreign debt by exhorting the masses to dig deep into their pockets. I still remember a university class-fellow (a regular patwari, although it would take two decades before the term would be coined) marvelling at how nobody had thought of such a simple plan to get rid of the nation’s debt problem before. Sadly, in terms of foreign debt Pakistan was none the better for the whole exercise.

What’s more, nobody seemed to know where all the funds had gone.

2. Tele-governance. That same year Sharif felt compelled to solve the nation’s other problems too – if only he could find any. He decided

to ask his countrymen to bring him up to speed on the phone, and many did. The conversations were played on state TV. One of my colleagues (then a mere schoolboy) was able to get through from Gilgit. Unfortunately, ‘Please remain on the line; the prime minister will talk with you’, was the closest he got to talking to the great man, before suddenly getting disconnected. He wanted to tell the PM what a great job he was doing, something the latter no-doubt already had an inkling of. For mysterious reasons, the telegovernance didn’t last very long.

3. Run machine. While his lone first-class appearance resulted in a duck for Railways against PIA in 1973, in the 90s (after he became PM) Sharif’s batting exploits at Bagh-e-Jinnah started being reported amazingly frequently (he never bowled or fielded). It was without exception a deluge of fours and sixes (bowlers and fielders knew better than getting him out). In 2017 he fondly recalled those golden days and described how he could never resist hooking bouncers, and how he had scored a belligerent 36 not out in a friendly Commonwealth match at Harare in 1991 (again as PM) where the opposition had ‘bowlers’ of the quality of Clive Lloyd!

4. At par with Muhammad Rafi. There’s no documentary evidence to support Sharif’s claim (made in 2017) of being indistinguishable from Muhammad Rafi till only a few years ago, but at least one Indian citizen was enamoured enough of his voice to ask him to sing over the telephone. On such occasions he is rumoured to have sung Dilshad Begum songs in Muhammad Rafi’s voice. equal to Rafi or not, only an extremely simple and trusting fellow would expose himself in such man-

ner – on international calls, no-less.

5. The fifteenth amendment.

Sharif has made something of a habit of ‘heavy’ mandates. One such mandate prompted him (in 1998) to try and become the ameerul-momineen (because why the hell not?). Had he succeeded, he would have got the power to amend the constitution by a simple majority, provided the amendment ‘helped the enforcement of Shariah’. The bill failed to pass but the attempt itself won him the simple-soul-ofthe-year award hands down.

6. Don’t remember. And then there was the small matter of 140 million distributed among politicians as part of the establishment’s plan to prevent the PPP from winning the 1990 elections, which succeeded spectacularly when Sharif became PM for the first time. Unsurprisingly, Sharif, along with younger brother Shehbaz, featured prominently on the recipients’ list later revealed by none other than the DG ISI at the time. Sharif’s written statement submitted to FIA years later in his third stint as PM was innocence itself: I don’t remember receiving the amount – it was a long time ago, and one meets so many people in election seasons. But if any such thing happened, I am willing to return the amount with interest. How disarmingly charming!

7. Austerity drive. In the aftermath of the nuclear tests in 1998, Sharif, after promptly freezing foreign currency accounts of citizens, showed one and all that he was taking the brunt of the international sanctions by announcing that only one meal a day will be cooked in his home. It is said that when he refused to budge on his promise to the nation, his well-wishers, to keep his energy at the requisite prime-min-

isterial levels, were left with no option but to arrange for the second, third, and fourth meals to be sent to his home from outside.

8. Bhutto’s heir. From Sharif’s speeches after his third dismissal and those of his supporters’, an alien from outer space could be excused for believing that Sharif was the political heir to Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto instead of being the biggest beneficiary of mentor and godfather Gen Zia’s coup in 1977 that had culminated in Bhutto’s hanging. Sharif is not an alien from outer space, but he seems to believe the same.

9. The Qatari letters. The Qatari letters (2017), which prompted the infamous ‘Trail established, case demolished’ tweet from daughter Maryam, were an attempt to satisfy the Supreme Court regarding the way the Sharif children had suddenly come in possession of assets worth millions of pounds.

Granted that it wasn’t easy to get out of the hole after the ill-advised ‘Alhamdulillah’ interviews by son Husain, and a series of addresses to the nation and the parliament by Sharif himself (all contradicting one another), the Qatari letters represented the summit of naïve optimism.

Given that Nawaz Sharif has been able to preserve his innocence through such corrupt times and for so long, chances are that he is not going to lose it any time soon. That said, it will be unfair to end this little survey without paying tribute to the innocence and naivety of those Pakistanis – the laypeople and ‘analysts’ alike – who fall for Sharif’s innocence every time. Let’s take a moment, here and now, to give a round of applause to that rather large demographic.

Hasan Aftab Saeed is a connoisseur of music, literature, and food (but not drinks).

He can be reached at www.facebook.com/hasanaftabsaeed

Whatever happened to Idea of India?

Secular forces have not been able to stem the tide of Hindutva

Border Crossing Kuldip Nayar

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have always wondered where we went wrong. After adopting a constitution which was secular in letter and spirit, we have strayed into the territory where every pebble is an impediment to the journey towards pluralism. India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, said on the night of 14-15 August, 1947, in parliament and what became popularly known as ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech.

“The future beckons to us… We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be. We are citizens of a great country on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrowmindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action…”

The Muslim leaders who spoke after Nehru were so emotionally surcharged that they outrightly rejected the proposal of reservations in employment and educational institutions as were discussed in the Constitution Assembly which Sardar Patel, then home minister, was offering.

The Muslim leaders said in both houses of parliament that they did not want anything separate or special. They regretted that they were misled Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9

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and unwittingly sowed the seeds of partition.

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah reportedly wanted more and more concessions for Muslims but not separation. But somewhere along, the demand for Pakistan came to be raised. It swept the Muslims off their feet.

Lord Mountbatten whom I have interviewed at length at Broadlands, near London, where he lived told me that Clement Atlee, the then prime minister, asked him to see if the two countries could have something in common. Jinnah categorically said no to the suggestion. He said he did not trust them now because after accepting the Cabinet Mission Plan, which provided a weak Centre, they had gone back on the arrangement of grouping where the Hindu-majority Assam was a part. Subsequently, they came to accept the Plan but Jinnah had lost confidence.

I was one of those fortunate people to be in parliament, sitting in the press gallery, and listening to Nehru making the ‘Tryst with Destiny’ speech.

That was 70 years ago. Today, when the head of a fanatic organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), looking to ‘consolidate’ Hindu vote in state elections and in the coming general election in 2019, I ask myself: Where did we go wrong?

Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, spent nearly a fortnight, travelling to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the two most populous states of the country, where caste fissures run deep and caste and religion arithmetic decides the fate of candidates. In other words, the political outcome at the centre is depended on the monolithic Hindu voters of the two states.

The RSS chief has been unequivocal while addressing the large crowd recently as he exhorted the Hindus to overcome the differences of caste. His remark was sharp and pointed when he said: “Hindus should be united. Division in society over caste and violence over the issues are the biggest hurdles in achieving this unity and there are forces that take advantage of it.”

Apparently, the RSS chief had the non-Hindu voters in mind. Probably, his renewed push for consolidation had also something to do with the emergence of political entities like Jignesh Mevani after the attack on a Dalit family in Una and the rise of the Bhim Army, following clashes between Dalits and Rajputs in UP’s Saharanpur. The RSS

Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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is said to believe that these are the groups that are covertly supported by the ‘ultra’ Left.

Bhagwat during his speech also tried to stem the rot that has set in after the central government’s recent economic policies which affected the farmers and small and medium enterprises which are against the BJP-led NDA. Though the RSS spokesman put up a brave front saying that the visit of the RSS chief was meant to meet the functionaries, it was reportedly to appease the voters as there is a sense of concern within the Sangh Parivar over the possibility of caste groupings that could jeopardise the BJP chances at the Centre.

Its deep anxiety on the possibility of a DalitMuslim combine emerging in Bihar is understandable because it could cobble together a formidable opposition to upstage the BJP. Hence the RSS is seen building bridges and reaching out to the economically backward classes, particularly the Kurmi and Kori communities, from which it did not get support.

The visits of Bhagwat to Bihar and UP are meant to garner the support the BJP needs to renew their tenure at the Centre, apart from its plans to have the RSS presence in every village as the Sangh is planning to attract more people to its fold. The concerted efforts of RSS to woo the Hindus, with help coming from the Janata Dal (United) of Sharad Yadav, are very much a part of the push to sustain its hold.

The role of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is deplorable. For the sake of protecting his government, he has accepted the support of divisive elements which he has fought against all his life. He has tried to defend his move to have the BJP along but it looks like a tamasha. A person who has categorical secular credentials, which was lauded by even the extreme left, has compromised his stand to stay in power.

The fact is that the secular forces have not been able to stem the tide of Hindutva. The Congress is too weak to get people to rededicate themselves to the Idea of India: A democratic and secular country. The BJP with Narendra Modi as prime minister looks formidable because the magic of Modi has not waned yet. Probably, the next election in 2019 may his way. I only hope and pray that the nation would get back to the secular track.

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 09

Monday, 12 March, 2018

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FATF grey listing: Ramifications for Pakistan

Constitutional supremacy?

There is a difference between an act of parliament and a constitutional amendment

syed Kaswar Gardezi

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MIDST the ongoing institutional clashes, supremacy and sanctity are the two words that grace almost every occasion. Be it the sanctity of the vote or the sanctity of an institution, one is accusing the other of damaging the integrity of state institutions and taking refuge behind these two words.

Quite recently, the ruling party let out a whisper of constitutional amendments in order to tackle the judiciary’s continued lambast against them. One shouldn’t say lambast as the adjudicators are merely doing their job, though an occasional toe across the line may have been witnessed in the form of judicial activism. Rumours included restricting the upper age limit of the superior court judges so as to avoid certain individuals from taking control of the judicial ship.

Were they mere words or a litmus test to perceive the reaction, only the ruling party can tell for sure. These rumours coupled with a few speeches from the floor of the parliament did draw attention and visibly irked the Supreme Court. The talk of parliamentary supremacy was put to rest by the chief justice as he observed that the laws passed by the parliament were subject to judicial review in order to determine any infringement of the basic structure of the constitution.

This particular question of law is of considerable importance and is as such quite ambiguous. every constitutional law expert holds a different view to this interpretation and there is no settled principle. Although recent legal jurisprudence, in particular the 21st amend-

ment, challenges brought before the Supreme Court, seemingly trudges towards judicially reviewing amendments to the constitution.

There is, however, a difference between an act of parliament and a constitutional amendment. The former can be and should be brought into question before the courts if it violates the basic structure of the constitution and or is in direct contravention to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution. The latter on the other hand is a crucial matter. Parliament, being the supreme law-making body, reserves absolute discretion to enact laws as and when required.

That being so, it also reserves the right to amend the constitution by passing it through a 2/3rd majority of the parliament.

A court of law which derives its authority from the constitution itself has the full mandate to interpret laws as and when required. In spite of that, the supremacy of the parliament cannot be extinguished.

We need to bear in mind that it was, indeed, the same house of parliament which introduced the incumbent constitution. even if we briefly visit the historic significance of parliamentary supremacy we find opinions of constitutional jurists such as AV Dicey.

He was of the view that the sovereignty of the parliament was absolute and above all and that any law brought forward by the parliament cannot be overridden by any person or body.

As mentioned earlier, each expert would have a different view on the matter but if we were to obtain a crux of the historic view, it would be safe to state that a parliament is indeed supreme. The notion that the constitution is supreme and the parliament is subservient to it would be a situation where the apple falls quite far from the tree.

In any case, no court of law on any piece of land on this earth reserves the right to enact laws or bring about any change to the constitution. By no stretch of exposition can this right be conferred upon the judiciary. Their job description is confined to the interpretation and

The talk of parliamentary supremacy was put to rest by the chief justice as he observed that the laws passed by the parliament were subject to judicial review in order to determine any infringement of the basic structure of the constitution.

in certain cases the implementation of the law.

The sanctity of the parliament would tear down into shambles if every act of parliament was brought into question before the courts and, subsequently, struck off. Again, a majority of the jurists with greater knowledge than me would strongly disagree with my opinion, nevertheless the beauty of democracy enshrines me with the right to pen down my opinion. With all due respect and care I would differ with the new founded views of our judiciary wherein they have empowered themselves to review constitutional amendments. Certain things are meant to be and supremacy of the legislature is one of them. A democratic republic elects its own leaders and empowers them to make laws for the country. The entire purpose of this power would be defeated if every parliamentary move was reviewed by the judiciary.

On the other hand, the actual part where our focus needs to be diverted is the education of the masses. Instead of undermining the supremacy of the parliament, we should concentrate on who we send to be seated on the benches of the parliament. education and awareness, of the masses, is the actual need of the hour. If we were to elect leaders who possess high moral values and integrity, we wouldn’t have to question any amendments as the same would be in good faith and not part of a vindictive scheme as being orchestrated by the incumbents.

Focus on the individuals being elected to the parliament if some or all of them are not eligible to be seated in the halls of parliament, then so be it. Send all of them packing and there won’t be any disagreement. But passing of remarks concerning the supremacy of the parliament itself is uncalled for and amounts to serious discrediting of the parliament.

In their quest to dispense justice, the doctrine of necessity should not be employed yet again. The contemptuous tirade of the ruling party is unacceptable and should be dealt with as the law envisages, however sanctity of the parliament and the rule of law, in that context, should be preserved. Parliament is and will remain the supreme law-making body and there is no questioning that.

Maybe if we were to understand that the parliament does not mean the Sharif family we would be able to comprehend its’s eminence.

It is a sacred institution which in the times to come will host all sorts and should not be undervalued by other branches of the state.

In their quest to dispense justice, the doctrine of necessity should not be employed yet again. The contemptuous tirade of the ruling party is unacceptable and should be dealt with as the law envisages.

Syed Kaswar Gardezi is a lawyer and a columnist. He can be contacted at kaswargardezi@gmail.com

PAKISTAN’S print and electronic media has, over the past more than a week, been rife with speculations pertaining to Pakistan being placed on the ‘grey list’ of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Denials and assertions from relevant quarters, vis-à-vis this grave issue, too have been equally potent.

Placing Pakistan in the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is, as reported, being forcefully backed by none other than Pakistan’s seven decades old, not so dependable ally, the United States of America (USA). The aggressive posture that the US has recently taken against Pakistan, particularly due to the ongoing war on terror, is conspicuously known to the entire world. The charges being levelled against Pakistan by the US and its allies are indeed very serious and excruciatingly agonising. Regardless of whatever America’s alleged charges against Pakistan are, it would be in the interest of Pakistan to deal with this serious matter on war footing. Pakistan cannot afford to show any laxity in addressing this critical matter.

The US, as always, is ever ready to tighten the noose against Pakistan’s neck because of obvious reasons; of them establishing India’s hegemony in the region is the topmost.

The latest option the US has found to contain Pakistan and make it bend on its knees is to use the good offices of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). It is being reported that FATAF will place Pakistan on its grey list sometime in June this year. This drastic measure on the part of FATF is bound to have a serious impact on Pakistan’s economy. Some experts on Pakistan’s economy are expressing the fear that the country may suffer a risk of downgrade by multilateral lenders such as IMF, World Bank, ADB and also a reduction in risk-rating by Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. As a consequence, the Pakistani stock market is expected to fall significantly. They are of the opinion that being in the “grey list” means that accessing funds from international markets, for instance, would become tougher for Pakistan.

Undeniably, the matter is of immense significance and concern. Burying our heads in the sand like an ostrich will certainly not make the predator (FATAF) refrain from doing what it is contemplating to do against Pakistan. If this ostensibly critical issue is not addressed quickly and effectively it could potentially move Pakistan from grey to the black list of FATAF. If that happens, the ramifications could be devastating for Pakistan. Those at the helm in the country must act promptly and prudently to steer the country out of this mess before things go out of hand and irreparable damage is caused to the country’s economy and image.

M FAZAL ELAHI Islamabad

Women on wheels IT is good and quite appreciable to note that some 3500 women have been trained free in both rural and urban areas in five districts of Punjab through the Women on Wheels initiative of Strategic Reforms Unit of the provincial government.

The initiative has quite obviously been taken to ensure gender equality, reclaiming of public places and to provide freedom of mobility to 49 per cent of women in the province.

According to the reports in the newspapers, this was stated

by Director General Strategic Reforms Unit Salman Sufi while talking to the participants o the City Dialogue on “Why women on wheels” by the Urban Unit in Lahore the other day.

It was introduced in 2015 with the objective to train 40 thousand more women in coming months, the second phase is all set to introduce a subsidised bike scheme exclusively for women in the province.

He said that the Strategic Reforms Unit has introduced some 30 such reforms since progressive depend on women’s development and initiatives to groom women while making them excel individually as well, women are the force of progressive Pakistan and it is time we start recognising the fact that they own the country as much men do, it is also imperative for Pakistan as a society to portray its peace loving image instead of negative propaganda by certain quarters.

This is indeed a positive initiative in the right direction as the women so trained will be making some productive contributions to their families as well as to the society on the whole. Strategic Reforms Unit, which directly works under direct supervision of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, deserve appreciation for taking such a bold initiative for women’s socio-economic uplift particularly in the males dominated chauvinism society, please. Thanks.

ZAHId RIFFAt Lahore

Syria is bleeding THe fearsome Syrian Civil War has jolted all of humanity.

Maltreatment, blood, and agony are all we see in the land of Syria. The echoes of innocent children are asking for freedom and the right to live. The streets which once reverberated with cheer and joy of children’s laughter now ring with pain and agony.

For the past seven years more than 500 million Syrians have been slaughtered brutally in bombardments. This horrendous war shows no sign of ending. It is high time for us to raise our voices against this terrific event. even though UN is trying to address this issue. But still other humanitarian organisations should join hands together so that they can also have freedom.

MAHA MoHSIn Karachi

10 BUSINESS

Monday, 12 March, 2018

PakiSTan, iRan bUSineSS foRUm To be held in kaRaChi Seeking beTTeR TieS ISLAMABAD GHULAM ABBAS

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HILE there still are many stumbling blocks in improving trade between Iran and Pakistan, a high powered business delegation of Iran visited Pakistan on Sunday to seek opportunities and possibilities of joint ventures and improve bilateral trade between the neighbouring countries.

The visiting delegation of 30 business representatives was headed by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who also held an important meeting with Pakistan Minister for Foreign Affairs Khawaja Muhammad Asif and other high officials in Islamabad.

During the visit, Muhammad Zarif is scheduled to hold meetings with President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

According to available documents, the 30-member business delegation comprising representatives from economic, trade and business sectors are attending the Pakistan Iran Business Forum to be held in Karachi on March 13. The forum will also be addressed by Javad Zarif and other officials from both countries.

Iranian business leaders are to hold key meetings and sign Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) here from March 11 to 14. The visiting business group includes members and representatives from oil appliances, power, textile, chemical, agriculture, trading, transportation, food, medical equipment, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, carpets, drugs, construction material, petrochemicals, and various other sectors.

The removal of major sanctions from Tehran has paved the way for the two countries to move forward and in-

crease bilateral trade and has made it possible for the visiting group to explore potential business opportunities in Pakistan. However, according to sources, there is not a lot of optimism for an increase in trade between the two countries, given the past trend and behaviour by both the governments to cooperate on such matters.

Government officials claim that Pakistan has been reluctant in moving forward for enhancement of trade and economic ties with Tehran due to international sanctions on Tehran. The neighbouring country has repeatedly complained that even the establishment of bilateral banking ties was being delayed because of Islamabad’s ‘conservativeness’, while the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project remains frozen.

Iran’s envoy to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost recently complained that there were “unjust US sanctions” on

Iran, but then “conservativeness of our brothers” was delaying the opening of banking channels, even though many countries are maintaining banking relations with Iran. Banking relations are considered crucial to expanding bilateral trade, which is currently at $1.2 billion.

The target is to increase it to $5bn per annum over the next few years, but it looks to be a difficult goal to achieve in the absence of regular banking channels.

The State Bank of Pakistan last year signed a Banking and Payment Arrangement (BPA) with Iran’s central bank, the Bank Markazi Jomhouri Islami Iran (BMJII), for providing a trade settlement mechanism to promote bilateral trade. The central banks of the two countries were to subsequently invite commercial banks to carry out transactions under the BPA. However, no progress could be made due to a lack of interest on the part of Pakistani banks.

Rs7.5b reimbursed to 149,695 students from underdeveloped districts

KARACHI APP

Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs Dr Miftah Ismail on Saturday said construction of highspeed Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) patrol boats by the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW), in collaboration with the Damen group, reflected Pakistan’s close relations with the Netherlands. Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the two speedboats built for Pakistan Customs, Ismail said the induction of these boats would enhance capabilities of the customs in combating the menace of smuggling.

Appreciating the timely construction of the boats, he said KSEW’s management and workforce had made remarkable efforts to achieve a financial turnaround of the organisation to make it a profitable entity. The country faced many issues when the present government came to power in 2013, including shortage of energy, economic problems, poor law and order situation, Ismail said, adding the government, however, managed to overcome those problems.

“Our GDP growth rate has improved in recent years compared to the year 2013,” he said.

Trade war with US to devastate global economy: China

ISLAMABAD APP

Under Prime Minister’s Fee Reimbursement Scheme, an amount of Rs7.5 billion has been reimbursed to around 149,695 students belonging to less developed districts of the country.

PM Fee Reimbursement Scheme 2018 is offering its services to almost 114 less developed districts of Pakistan and around 108,036 students are benefiting from the scheme with scholarships worth around Rs5 billion. Under this scheme, the students would get a waiver of full tuition fee, registration fee, admission fee, library charges, and laboratory charges along with other educational expenditures. The prime minister has set the list of the specific regions that are eligible for this fee reimbursement scheme and the regions to include Baluchistan, Azad Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan, FATA, Interior Sindh, and Southern Punjab. Meanwhile, students from other districts of Punjab including Khushab, Mianwali, Attock, Bhakkar, and that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Chitral, Lower Dir, Malakand, Upper Dir, Buner, Swat, Shangla, Malakand, Kohistan, Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, Lakki Marwat, Battgaram, Torghar, Kohat, Karak and Bannu, besides refugees of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have also been included in the scheme. Domicile holders of the above-mentioned districts are eligible to benefit from the scheme provided that they get admission in public sector universities recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) located in those underdeveloped areas of the country.

However, students of PhD hailing from the above-mentioned areas of the country can benefit from the scheme by seeking admission in any HEC recognised public sector university in the county.

Customs get highspeed patrol boats to stop smugglers

BEIJING AGENCIES

PESHAWAR: A shopkeeper makes traditional bed (Charpai) at Debgari Bazar. INP

Goldman Sachs chief Blankfein to retire soon NEW YORK AGENCIES

Longtime Goldman Sachs chief executive Lloyd Blankfein is in talks to retire and has been contributing to the bank’s choice of a successor, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said Blankfein, who has led the storied investment bank since 2006, “is firmly in control of his exit” and that the timing was fluid.

A source close to the situation told AFP there was no firm timetable to Blankfein’s departure. “He likes to joke that every day he is a little closer to retirement than the day before,” said another person close to the mat-

ter.

Blankfein led Goldman through the financial crisis, which gave him a first-hand taste of the public’s disdain for Wall Street following the housing bust. He underwent chemotherapy for a curable form of blood cancer in 2015.

The company is considering the bank’s two co-presidents Harvey Schwartz and David Solomon for the top spot. Blankfein briefed fellow board members on both candidates at a February meeting but did not signal a preference.

News of Blankfein’s impending departure has stoked speculation he could be succeeded by former Goldman president Gary Cohn, who stepped down this week from the

Trump administration amid a dispute over trade policy.

Though still a powerhouse, Goldman Sachs has taken some hits to its financial performance over the last couple of years ago, with low market volatility hitting crucial trading revenue streams.

That has partly been offset by gains in an online consumer lending aimed at the general public in a departure from its history as an elite investment bank.

Goldman reported a rare loss in the fourth quarter of $2.1 billion due to the hit from one-time charges connected to US tax reforms.

Shares of Goldman Sachs were up 1.4 per cent at $269.95 in afternoon trading.

China’s commerce minister said on Sunday that Beijing and Washington are still holding economic talks. He warned that a trade war would harm both nations.

President Xi Jinping’s top economic advisor, Liu He held trade discussions with US officials at the White House earlier this month but the meetings yielded few breakthroughs.

US President Donald Trump has since announced tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, drawing threats of retaliation from China and other nations.

We are continuing our discussions,” Commerce Minister Zhong Shan said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session underway in Beijing.

“Because no one is willing to start a trade war, and everyone knows trade wars hurt others without helping themselves,” Zhong said. That may not reflect the current mood in Washington.

Last week, Trump tweeted the US could win a trade war. Zhong also took issue with the statistics behind the trade imbalance which showed a record $375.2 billion US deficit with China during Trump’s first year in office.

He cited American government research that he said showed the figure for the surplus in China’s favour overstated by roughly 20 per cent and said that if the US dropped restrictions on high tech exports to China it would further reduce the surplus by 35 per cent.

“There is still much for us to do, one side cannot call the shots, we need to work hard together,” Zhong said.

Elon Musk frustrated with China’s trade policy, partly agrees with Trump SAYS CHINA’S TRADE POLICY ‘LIKE COMPETING IN AN OLYMPIC RACE WEARING LEAD SHOES’ WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US President Donald Trump has spent the last week railing against trade policies that allegedly put the US companies at a disadvantage.

Though economists, fact-checkers and even members of Trump’s own party have called the president’s international trade analysis into question, inventor and Tesla chief executive Elon Musk appears to partly agree with Trump.

Musk, 46, was a member of Trump’s advisory council before stepping down following the president’s decision in June to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement.

Amidst a series of tweets on Thursday, Musk, apparently frustrated by the Asian nation’s import duties, compared China’s trade policy to “competing in an Olympic race wearing lead shoes.”

Musk made his argument after responding to a Trump tweet demanding that China reduce its trade deficit with the

United States.

“Do you think the US and China should have equal and fair rules for cars?,” Musk tweeted. “Meaning, same import duties, ownership constraints and other factors.”

Musk continued to lay out his frustration with the current trade relationship, pointing out a significant disparity in the import duties each country places on the other nation’s cars.

He tweeted, “For example, an American car going to China pays 25 per cent import duty, but a Chinese car coming to the US only pays 2.5 per cent, a tenfold difference” and “I am against import duties in general, but the current rules make things very difficult. It’s like competing

in an Olympic race wearing lead shoes.”

Musk also noted that US auto companies in China are barred from owning “even 50 per cent of their own factory,” while there are five “100 per cent Chinaowned EV auto companies in the US” Musk finished his tweets by pointing out that he’d raised his concerns with the Obama administration, but “nothing happened”.

“Hope this does not seem unreasonable,” he tweeted in conclusion. Trump did not immediately respond to Musk’s flurry of tweets.

Talk of tariffs on aluminium and steel has captivated conversation in the nation’s capital ever since Trump tweeted that “trade wars are good, and easy to

win” earlier this month. The president said he would introduce tariffs of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent aluminium, figures that sent minor shockwaves through the stock market.

Though automakers like General Motors (GM) say the vast majority of the steel they use is domestic in origin, experts warn that tariffs will increase the price of steel and auto parts, as well as the price of cars.

On Thursday, Trump said he intended to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminium, but may exempt imports from Canada. The ultimate decision, he said, will hinge upon negotiations with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

BUSINESS 11

Monday, 12 March, 2018

facebook invests in music-streaming, makes deal with Warner music NEW YORK AGENCIES

QUETTA: Vendor sells used bags to earn a livelihood to support his family. PPI

faTf gRey-liSTing doeS noT affeCT PakiSTan'S abiliTy To boRRoW: imf dePUTy diReCToR

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NEWS DESK

HE grey-listing of Pakistan by the global watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has no direct consequences for its ability to borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

IMF Deputy Managing Director Tao Zhang has said, “Any decision to list a country as a jurisdiction with strategic Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism deficiencies is the responsibility of the FATF only. I would note that a grey-listing has no direct consequence for a member country’s ability to borrow

from the IMF”.

At the same time, he also acknowledged that the structural reform agenda of Pakistan remains incomplete. “Pakistan completed an IMF-supported programme under the Extended Fund Facility in September 2016. While the programme was successful in its objective of macroeconomic stabilisation, and some progress was made on structural reforms, the agenda remained incomplete,” Zhang said.

Early this week, the IMF noted with concern the weakening of the macroeconomic situation, including a widening of external and fiscal imbalances, a decline in foreign exchange reserves,

and increased risks to Pakistan’s economic and financial outlook and its medium term debt sustainability.

In this context, they urged a determined effort by the authorities to refocus near term policies to preserve macroeconomic stability.

Projecting a GDP growth of 5.6 per cent in 2017-2018, IMF executive board after concluding the first PostProgram Monitoring Discussions said that the continued erosion of macroeconomic resilience could put this outlook at risk. Following significant fiscal slippages last year, the fiscal deficit is expected at 5.5 per cent of GDP this year, with risks towards a higher deficit

ahead of upcoming general elections.

Surging imports have led to a widening current account deficit and a significant decline in international reserves despite higher external financing, it said.

The fiscal 2017-18 current account deficit could reach 4.8 per cent of GDP, with gross international reserves further declining in a context of limited exchange rate flexibility.

Against the background of rising external and fiscal financing needs and declining reserves, risks to Pakistan’s medium-term capacity to repay the fund have increased since completion of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement in September 2016, the IMF said.

ICCI demands to form reconciliation committee to resolve rent disputes ISLAMABAD ONLINE

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Senior Vice President Muhammad Naveed has urged the government to form a reconciliation committee under the aegis chamber to settle rent disputes of traders.

He said this while talking to Anjuman-e-Tajiran Islamabad President Ajmal Balouch, who called on him during his visit to ICCI. ICCI Vice President (VP) Nisar Ahmed Mirza was also present during the meeting. ICCI VP said that the incidents of forced evictions of traders from shops due to rent disputes have re-

cently increased in the federal capital and that has created great concerns in the trading community.

“The absence of a new rent law was giving rise to such incidents and called upon the government to arrange early promulgation of Rent Control Act in Islamabad to protect the traders from further problems”, he added. He assured that ICCI would all moves for early promulgation of Rent Control Act in Islamabad to facilitate the growth of trade activities in the federal capital.

Muhammad Ajmal Baluch said that in consultation with all stakeholders, an amended bill of a balanced rent control act for Islamabad was prepared and presented a long time ago in the National Assembly that has not been passed into law as yet.

“The delay in its enactment was creating frustrations in the trading community and stressed that the government should get the bill passed from parliament without wasting further time to resolve this major issue once for all”, Baloch added.

Nisar Ahmed Mirza, during the meeting, has assured the visiting trader leader Ajmal Baloch that the chamber would fully cooperate with the business community to resolve their problems on priority basis.

Facebook on Friday announced a licensing deal with Warner Music, the last of the major label groups to sign with the social media giant which is promising more personalised music. Facebook’s two billion users will soon be able to post in more creative ways with the catalogue of Warner, whose artist roster includes Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and the late Prince. “Our partnership with Facebook will help expand the universe of music streaming and create supplementary revenue for artists,” said Ole Obermann, chief digital officer of the Warner Music Group. “Fan-created video is one of the most personal, social and often viral ways that music is enjoyed, but its commercial potential is largely untapped,” he said in a statement. Warner said it had been holding out for “the best possible deal” after its two rivals, Universal Music and Sony Music, signed deals with Facebook in recent months. Facebook has said that it is looking at more personalised ways in which users can post music, including through Messenger and Instagram, the picture-driven social media platform owned by Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg’s company has largely taken a back seat on music streaming as other mega-companies such as Apple and Google invest heavily in the growing sector. While music postings are omnipresent on Facebook, the company has sought to take down embedded content that is copyrighted without licensing. When not uploading their own homemade videos, fans link to other sites such as YouTube and Spotify.

macron pledges 700 million euros for new solar projects in developing countries NEW DELHI APP

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday pledged hundreds of millions of dollars for solar projects in developing countries, as world leaders met in India to promote greater investment in renewable energy. Macron, who in December warned that the global shift to a green energy future was too slow, said France would extend an extra 700 million euros ($861.5 million) through loans and donations by 2022 for solar projects in emerging economies.

France had already committed $300 million euros to the initiative when it co-founded with India a global alliance in 2015 to unlock new cash for solar projects in sunny yet poor nations. "We need to remove all obstacles and scale up," Macron said at the launch of the International Solar Alliance in New Delhi on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has committed to reducing India's sizeable carbon footprint through a massive scale-up in renewable energy, said it was vital that nations were not priced out. "We have to make sure that a better and cost-effective solar technology is available to all," Modi told the gathering of investors and world leaders from about 20 mainly African nations. "We will have to increase solar in our energy mix." India, the world's third-largest polluter, is undergoing spectacular growth in its solar sector and is on track to become one of the world's largest clean energy markets.

Saudi Arabia places order of 48 Typhoon jets with BAE Systems LONDON AGENCIES

Britain has signed a multi-billion-pound preliminary order from Saudi Arabia for 48 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, military equipment maker BAE Systems said on Friday.

The lucrative deal was unveiled on the third and final day of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Britain. BAE Systems added in a statement that the order would help Riyadh modernise its armed forces under the

kingdom’s ‘Vision 2030’ economic plan, while no financial details were given.

Eurofighter was developed by a European consortium that also comprises Italy’s Finmeccanica and Franco-German civilian planemaker Airbus.

“The UK Government has signed a Memorandum of Intent with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to aim to finalise discussions for the purchase of 48 Typhoon Aircraft,” BAE Systems said in a brief statement to the London Stock Exchange.

“This is a positive step towards agreeing a contract for our valued partner."

“We are committed to supporting the Kingdom as it modernises the Saudi Armed Forces and develops key industrial capabilities critical to the delivery of Vision 2030.” The news comes after Qatar inked a deal late last year to buy 24 Typhoon jets for some $8 billion.

Friday’s blockbuster announcement follows long-running discussions with Saudi Arabia, which already has a total of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon planes in its fleet. The news also comes just two weeks after BAE posted sliding annual net profits but forecast improving defence

budgets across its major markets.

Late last year, however, BAE said it planned to axe 2,000 jobs, and had partly blamed weaker demand for Hawk and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets.

In reaction, BAE’s share price jumped 2.17 per cent to finish at 601.80 pence on London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index, which ended 0.3 per cent higher at 7,224.51 points on Friday.

“BAE Systems enjoyed an afternoon boost after news broke,” noted CMC Markets analyst Michael Hewson.

He added that the news would “se-

cure hundreds of jobs in the process”.

The deal confirmation followed intense speculation over the large aircraft order, which has been under discussion for many years according to media reports. The Eurofighter Typhoon, a competitor to the Rafale jet manufactured by French arms maker Dassault has four major customers comprising Austria, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi. Back in April 2016, the Saudi government approved major reform plans dubbed “Vision 2030” that are aimed at diversifying the nation’s oil-dependent economy.

12 WORLD VIEW

Monday, 12 March, 2018

An inglorious trAdition WAS VK SINGH A thAt diminishes SECRET RSS MEMBER DURING HIS YEARS MILITARY the ideA of indiA OFSERVICE? WAS HIS COMMITMENT TO THE ARMY’S PRINCIPLE OF RELIGIOUS NEUTRALITY HYPOCRITICAL?

Hindustan times

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Karan Thapar

ould it be that former holders of high constitutional office, where neutrality is a sine qua non, are unconcerned about the message their post-retirement behaviour sends out? Are they oblivious of the possibility their conduct could raise disturbing questions about the institution they used to head? or do they simply not care?

I’m writing this with specific reference to General VK Singh, who served 42 years in the army and rose to be its chief.

But, sadly, he’s not the only example. He’s just the latest.

Recently, photographs of Singh, now minister of state for external affairs, dressed in full RSS uniform and surrounded by other RSS members have been widely circulated. They came as a rude shock not just to me but many others who want to protect the secularism of our army. Alas, that’s not a principle the RSS respects.

While the RSS does not accept the separate religious identities of India’s Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains, insisting they’re all Hindus, the army has the deepest respect for every individual religion. Regiments of the Indian Army, depending on their character, have their own mandirs, masjids, gurdwaras or churches.

They have regimental maulvis, pandits, granthis and priests. Indeed, I’m told if a unit has 120 soldiers of a particular religion it will automatically have a religious functionary of that faith.

Army commanding officers participate in all religious festivals. on Eid they will happily wear a topi, on diwali a tikka and on Gurupurab a pagri. In fact, the army is the only place where a maulvi will conduct the proceedings on Janmashtami if the regimental pandit is on leave!

None of this is true of the RSS. Actually, it’s perceived as the complete opposite. So what does it mean when a former chief embraces this organisation? Was he a secret RSS member during his years of military service? Was his commitment to the army’s principle of religious neutrality hypocritical? And, most worryingly of all, are there other RSS-supporters masquerading in uniform who the army is unaware of?

When a former chief allows such questions to be raised about the institution he recently served it’s more than disillusioning. It’s distressing. It suggests he was unfit for the uniform he wore.

That also means he didn’t deserve the respect he got as army chief.

However, Singh is not unique. We’ve had chief election commissioners who, on retirement, have joined politics and gone on to become Cabinet ministers. Yet MS Gill was unconcerned about the questions this raised regarding his neutrality as CEC or, for that matter, the institution itself. We’ve also had chief justices of India who’ve accepted partisan political membership of the Rajya Sabha and the party discipline that imposes on them. Yet Ranganath Misra didn’t care about the doubts this created for the Supreme Court and judiciary.

The errant General, it seems, is part of an inglorious tradition. It also includes comptroller and auditor generals who became MPs and Supreme Court judges who became lok Sabha speakers or governors.

In each case the individual may have benefited but the institution lost out. Even greater damage was done to the morality that should underpin our public values and democracy.

When propriety is ignored in the pursuit of self-interest the idea of India is diminished. And when that happens at the hands of former army chiefs or judges an apology is insufficient. But do these people even feel sorry for what they’ve done?

A third collection of Sunday Sentiments columns called As I Like It was published on Wednesday by Wisdom Tree.

In Winston Churchill, Hollywood rewards a mass murderer

WasHington Post ShaShi Tharoor

“History,” Winston Churchill said, “will be kind to me, for I intend to write it myself.” He needn’t have bothered. He was one of the great mass murderers of the 20th century, yet is the only one, unlike Hitler and Stalin, to have escaped historical odium in the West. He has been crowned with a Nobel Prize (for literature, no less), and now, an actor portraying him (Gary oldman) has been awarded an oscar.

As Hollywood confirms, Churchill’s reputation (as what Harold Evans has called “the British lionheart on the ramparts of civilisation”) rests almost entirely on his stirring rhetoric and his talent for a fine phrase during World War II. “We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. … We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets. … We shall never surrender.” (The revisionist British historian John Charmley dismissed this as “sublime nonsense.”)

Words, in the end, are all that Churchill admirers can point to.

His actions are another matter altogether. during World War II, Churchill declared himself in favour of “terror bombing.” He wrote that he wanted “absolutely devastating, exterminating attacks by very heavy bombers.” Horrors such as the firebombing of dresden were the result.

In the fight for Irish independence, Churchill, in his capacity as secretary of state for war and air, was one of the few British officials in favour of bombing Irish protesters, suggesting in 1920 that airplanes should use “machine-gun

fire or bombs” to scatter them. dealing with unrest in Mesopotamia in 1921, as secretary of state for the colonies, Churchill acted as a war criminal: “I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against the uncivilised tribes; it would spread a lively terror.” He ordered large-scale bombing of Mesopotamia, with an entire village wiped out in 45 minutes.

In Afghanistan, Churchill declared that the Pashtuns “needed to recognise the superiority of [the British] race” and that “all who resist will be killed without quarter.”

He wrote: “We proceeded systematically, village by village, and we destroyed the houses, filled up the wells, blew down the towers, cut down the great shady trees, burned the crops and broke the reservoirs in punitive devastation. … Every tribesman caught was speared or cut down at once.”

In Kenya, Churchill either directed or was complicit in policies involving the forced relocation of local people from the fertile highlands to make way for white colonial settlers and the forcing of more than 150,000 people into concentration camps. Rape, castration, lit cigarettes on tender spots, and electric shocks were all used by the British authorities to torture Kenyans under Churchill’s rule.

But the principal victims of Winston Churchill were the Indians — “a beastly people with a beastly religion,” as he charmingly called them. He wanted to use chemical weapons in India but was shot down by his cabinet colleagues, whom he criticised for their “squeamishness,” declaring that “the objections of the India office to the use of gas against natives are unreasonable.”

Churchill’s beatification as an apostle of freedom seems all the more preposterous given his 1941 declaration that the Atlantic Charter’s principles would not apply to India and the coloured colonies.

He refused to see people of colour as entitled to the same rights as himself. “Gandhi-ism and all it stands for,” he declared, “will, sooner or later, have to be grappled with and finally crushed.”

In such matters, Churchill was the most reactionary of Englishmen, with views so extreme they cannot

be excused as being reflective of their times. Even his own secretary of state for India, leopold Amery, confessed that he could see very little difference between Churchill’s attitude and Adolf Hitler’s.

Thanks to Churchill, some 4 million Bengalis starved to death in a 1943 famine. Churchill ordered the diversion of food from starving Indian civilians to wellsupplied British soldiers and even to top up European stockpiles in Greece and elsewhere. When reminded of the suffering of his Indian victims, his response was that the famine was their own fault, he said, for “breeding like rabbits.”

Madhusree Mukerjee’s searing account of Churchill’s role in the Bengal famine, Churchill’s Secret War,” “documents that while Indians starved, prices for foodgrains were inflated by British purchases and India’s own surplus grains were exported, while Australian ships laden with wheat were not allowed to unload their cargo at Calcutta (where the bodies of those who had died of starvation littered the streets). Instead, Churchill ordered that grain be shipped to storage depots in the Mediterranean and the Balkans to increase the buffer stocks for a possible future invasion of Greece and Yugoslavia. European warehouses filled up as Bengalis died.

This week’s oscar rewards yet another hagiography of this odious man. To the Iraqis whom Churchill advocated gassing, the Greek protesters on the streets of Athens who were mowed down on Churchill’s orders in 1944, sundry Pashtuns and Irish, as well as to Indians like myself, it will always be a mystery why a few bombastic speeches have been enough to wash the bloodstains off Churchill’s racist hands.

Many of us will remember Churchill as a war criminal and an enemy of decency and humanity, a blinkered imperialist untroubled by the oppression of non-white peoples. ultimately, his great failure — his long darkest hour — was his constant effort to deny us freedom.

Shashi Tharoor is author of “Inglorious Empire: What the British Did to India.” He chairs the Indian Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.

Belt and Road Initiative ‘open and inclusive’ CHina daily Zhong nan

The Belt and Road Initiative will continue to make Chinese and partner economies more competitive, narrowing development gaps between landlocked countries and coastal regions, officials and business leaders have said.

China will work toward building major international corridors and deepen cooperation on streamlining customs clearance in markets related with the Belt and Road Initiative, and expand industrial capacity cooperation with other countries, Premier li Keqiang said in the annual Government Work Report delivered on March 5. under the government plan, China will continue to promote international cooperation on the initiative and complementarity between the development strategies and plans of participating economies.

“Facts have proved that China has become part of international efforts to pursue common development and prosperity for countries and regions that need to gain new growth momentum via what they have and are good at,” said Xu lirong, a deputy to the 13th National People’s Congress and chairman of China CoSCo Shipping Corp. Xu said container throughput accounts for 75 per cent of Shanghai Port’s total business, of which container throughput from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative accounts for 35 per cent. This growth momentum has been encouraging, he said.

Trade among China and countries involved in the initiative amounted to 7.4 trillion yuan ($1.2 trillion) in 2017, surging 17.8 per cent year-on-year, data from the Ministry of Commerce show.

Breakthroughs were also made last year in free trade with countries involved in the initiative, with China signing agreements with Georgia and the Maldives, and officially launching free trade negotiations with Moldova and Mauritius.

China has pledged to work for an early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

Vice-Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen said that the initiative is not an attempt by China to exert its economic and political influence globally. Zhang Yesui, spokesman for the 13th National People’s Congress this year, added: “The Belt and Road Initiative is a proposal for economic cooperation. It focuses on connectivity and aims at achieving win-win outcomes, hoping to create more opportunities for global economic growth and shared prosperity of all countries.”

Zhang said the initiative is guided by the principle of pursuing shared benefits through consultation and collaboration, and all participants are equal partners in this process. It is an open and inclusive platform; it doesn’t exclude or target any country, and is open to all those who are interested, he said.

“The initiative seeks to reinvigorate trading routes between China and others.

It combines China’s unparalleled strength

in building infrastructure, manufacturing and service facilities in many of the economies involved in the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road,” said li Jianhong, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of China Merchants Group. From a global perspective, li said bilateral and multilateral projects for infrastructure and production capacity expansion have come to be the hallmarks of the initiative. The launch of a series of big-ticket projects including the highspeed railway project in Indonesia, port expansion work in Greece and djibouti, a railway linking China and Thailand, the Karachi expressway and a China-Belarus industrial park are all examples of the achievements under the initiative so far.

Many more such game-changing projects are in the pipeline: China will speed up the construction of railways, highways, telecommunications networks, power grids, ports, industrial cooperation parks and energy infrastructure, as well as help strengthen the rules and standards of countries involved in the initiative, according to the government plan.

Chinese companies are also working with foreign partners such as united Technologies Corp, Emerson Electric, Volvo Construction Equipment and ABB Group to develop infrastructure in various economies covered by the initiative. German industrial giant Siemens plans to open a Belt and Road Initiative office in

Beijing this year to further pursue the opportunities generated by the initiative.

Cedrik Neike, a board member of Siemens, said the company will ramp up a companywide effort to continue teaming up with Chinese EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) partners to jointly explore businesses in countries and regions participating in the initiative.

Siemens has joined forces with more than 100 Chinese EPC players in exploring more than 60 overseas markets since 2016. Its partners include China National Petroleum Corp, the country’s biggest oil producer, China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, and Power Construction Corp of China. According to Neike, EPC contracts bagged by Chinese firms are worth around $125 billion. The German company forecasts the cumulative potential over the next decade will reach over $1 trillion.

Wang Chuanlin, another NPC deputy and general manager of China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group, said many Chinese companies have already transferred their core business from EPC into new business models such as build-operatetransfer, and public-private-partnership for both public and private sectors in markets involved in the initiative.

Fang Qiuchen, president of the China International Contractors Association, which is based in Beijing and helps Chinese construction companies expand overseas, said global cooperation in infrastructure, logistics and production capacity has great potential. “China’s partners,

in the early stages of the initiative, are mostly emerging economies and developing economies in the midst of industrialisation. They are characterised by fast economic growth and enormous potential for future development,” Fang said.

China’s outbound investment in economies participating in the initiative climbed to $70 billion between 2014 and 2017, providing more than 200,000 jobs for local people, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The National development and Reform Commission released a document on Monday that said it will promote the healthy and orderly development of the China-Europe freight train service this year, as well as continue to develop a “digital Silk Road” and set up space information corridors.

The China Securities Regulatory Commission also announced this month that it will allow domestic and overseas companies to issue bonds on onshore stock exchanges to finance projects related with the initiative.

The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges will carry out a pilot bond programme. Government-backed institutions in economies involved in the initiative can also sell bonds in China, according to the country’s top securities regulator.

Seven domestic and overseas companies have gained regulatory approval to issue bonds worth a total of 50 billion yuan ($7.9 billion), and four of them have already raised 3.5 billion yuan through bond issuances, according to the regulator.

Monday, 12 March, 2018

ARTS

13

KAreenA, KArISmA poSe wITh hIllAry ClInTon In mumbAI MUMBAI

K

AGENCIES

AREENA Kapoor and Karishna Kapoor posed with Hillary Clinton – the Democratic Party candidate during the United States (US) presidential election of 2016 – at the India Today Conclave held in Mumbai on Saturday. Karishma took to Instagram and posted the photo titled, “With the dynamic Hillary Clinton.”

With the dynamic @officialhilaryclinton #womanpower#indiatodayconclave2018 A post shared by KK

(@therealkarismakapoor) on Mar 10, 2018 at 6:06am PST Hillary was one of the main guests at the event where she exchanged her ideas about the US President Donald Trump. “Donald Trump has a liking for dictators and whatever Trump does is out of Putin’s playbook,” she said.

The former US senator said to have no plans to run for the next presidential campaign. On Trump’s foreign policy, Hillary said that he worked on the basis of little real information, adding that he had agreed to meet the North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un without any preparation.

On the other hand, both Kareena and Karishma talked to a session with the moderator Rajdeep Sardesai. “It’s about talent. We may be anybody’s children or grandchildren, but once you’re on the silver screen, you are anyone. Anyone can criticise you,” Karisma said. Kareena supported the argument, “There are a lot of star children, if nepotism existed, they would all be number one.”

Mourning the death of Sridevi, Karisma said, “We were grief-stricken.

We have idealised this woman for so many decades.” Kareena said to have watched Sridevi’s Khuda Gawah in the theatre eight times.

I have been a ‘very normal’ mother with Aaradhya, says Aishwarya MUMBAI AGENCIES

Atif Aslam’s name removed from his own song by Indian music company The recent surfacing up of the Bollywood ban on Pakistani talent and artists has definitely taken a turn for the worst, when the Indian music company responsible for collaborating with Atif Aslam removed his name from the song he sang for Baaghi 2. As can be seen, under the official YouTube post by T-Series, one can find all available details on the producers, actors and composers but the singer’s name seems to have been crossed off that list since it is nowhere to be found! “Presenting the latest romantic song of 2018 “O Saathi” featuring Ronnie & Neha will take you on a nostalgic trip to your college romance. The rebel for love has a story to tell and it’s sure to melt your hearts. Love is definitely in the air with O Saathi out now.” “Baaghi 2 is an action film produced

by Sajid Nadiadwala and directed by Ahmed Khan. A Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment production, presented by Fox Star Studios, the movie stars Tiger Shroff & Disha Patani in lead role. The movie is set to release on 30th March 2018.” Fans were wondering where their favourite singer’s name was and had to end up giving Atif his due credits themselves! The Indian farright has coerced and caused problems in the past for both Pakistani artists and the Indian producers/directors who choose to star them, however this is an all new low in this political vendetta that should leave artists on both sides of the border out of it! NEWS DESK

Irrfan Khan’s wife proudly calls husband a warrior

MUMBAI: Ailing actor Irrfan Khan’s wife says her partner is facing his health scare – a “rare disease” – like a “warrior.” Days after Irrfan revealed that his life has been jolted with a rare disease, producer and wife of the actor Sutapa Sikdar took to Facebook to share her sentiments. She and thanked the well-wishers for their support and like Irrfan, urged people not to speculate about his condition. “My best friend and my partner is a ‘warrior’. He is fighting every obstacle with tremendous grace and beauty. I want all of you to know I am truly humbled and indebted for the wishes, prayers and concern from all over the world,” Sutapa wrote. “I’m grateful to God and my partner for making me a warrior too. I am at present focused on the strategies of the battlefield which I have to conquer. It wasn’t and isn’t going to be easy but the hope ignited by the magnitude of family, friends and fans of Irrfan has made me optimistic and almost sure of the victory,” she further added. Various media reports have been speculating over the medical condition that has struck Irrfan. “I know curiosity germinates from concern but let us turn our curiosity from ‘what it is’ to ‘what it should be.’ Let us change the leaf. Let us not waste our precious energies to only know what it is and just pray to make it what it should be,” she said on the matter. Earlier, Irrfan explained that he will reveal more about his illness after there has been a “conclusive diagnosis.” AGENCIES

Former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has never felt the need to announce how and when she helps people in need through her foundation. But when the NGO Smile Train celebrated 5,00,000 surgeries helping kids born with a cleft, she chose to use this occasion to urge people to help out the kids. In an exclusive interview, the actor talks about parenting, her films and her foundation.

How did you get associated with Smile Train come?

Nearly a decade ago, they approached me to draw attention to their ongoing work. I am pleased with my decision of warming up to the idea of

giving momentum to it. To work with people who help kids born with a cleft is a blessed opportunity. I already had the Aishwarya Rai Foundation, through which I had been working with innumerable causes that need aid and attention. So, we joined hands to help these children. I’ve never felt the need to announce what we did through my foundation until the recent times as with the impact of social media, the world is becoming smaller. Information, if channelised positively, can be effective. So after actualising say 100 surgeries, I chose to announce these contributions as by doing so you have the ability to influence people, who are listening to contribute to changing a child’s life. It’s not just about correcting a cleft but also about the way of

life from eating to talking to their personality — things we take for granted.

The media attention on your father’s birthday in November last year got out of hand. Does it get difficult to handle the media at a public event?

It’s a trick question. It’s tough to explain. I understand and recognise what was happening at that moment — the media wanted their bytes and photos. While I am familiar with the

way things function, there was not much space and several kids and their parents were in the room. These kids and their parents are not used to dealing with excitement and got startled [with the media’s behaviour].

That’s when I spoke up. I knew the next day the headlines would be ‘Aishwarya got upset’. I’ve never been one to blame anybody and I don’t. I try to appeal to the human nature of people in times like that.

3 times Bollywood actors aced the role of psychopaths MUMBAI AGENCIES

According Bollywood Villains have always been evil-minded characters who generally have a hidden agenda behind all their evil action. Psychopaths, on the other hand, are in a totally different league. They will leave no stone unturned to create chaos in the life of others, reported Filmfare Earlier, Bollywood always tried to keep itself away from the Psychopath genre of films but it all changed in the 90’s when the concept of a psychopath thriller was actually well implemented. Although the filmmakers don’t prefer making movies on such topics which is evident if you compare the numbers to the amount of Romantic, Comedy, Action and Drama films that are made. We list down a few times when actors rocked the thriller genre by playing psychopaths: 1. DArr – SHAH rUkH kHAN Darr was a story about Rahul Mehra (Shah Rukh Khan) a man whose obsession and love for Kiran Awasti (Juhi Chawla) frees him from all fears of life and death.

Even though she gets married to Sunil Malhotra (Sunny Deol) his obsession for her doesn’t end. A man who does not fear anything will go to any extent to get what he wants and Rahul Mehra just does that. In

this movie, Shah Rukh Khan nailed the role of this obsessive psychopath. This is also the movie in which Shah Rukh trademarked his “K..K…K…Kiran” dialogue which is popular even today.

2. GUpT – kAjol The film saw Kajol portraying a negative character which was something new for the audience. What Darr did to Shah Rukh Khan’s career, Gupt did to Kajol’s! The film was a murder mystery and also starred Bobby Deol and Manisha Koirala. It was a huge hit at the box-office and helped boost the career of the three involved in the movie.

Kajol won a Filmfare award for her role as the obsessive psychopathic killer and she also won our hearts!

3. Ek VIllAIN – rITEISH DESHMUkH Rakesh Mahadkar (Riteish Deshmukh) was seen as an unsuccessful man who is continuously taunted by his wife Sulochana (Aamna Sharif) for being useless and poor. He vents out this frustration by killing women if they ever speak rude to him. Although, the movie did not perform greatly at the box-office Riteish’s role as Rakesh saw him receive a lot of praise. Playing a psychopath and making it look believable is never easy but Riteish did an amazing job at it.

Throwback photo of Sridevi with Sonam Kapoor’s mother emerges on social media MUMBAI: After Sridevi’s death, several of her photographs went viral online depicting her career in the Bollywood films and personal life. She was paid a number of tributes for her performances in the movies.

A new throwback picture of Sridevi showed her posing alongside Sunita Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor’s mother. It soon as it surfaced online, people starting talking about it till it went viral over the social media.

The candid picture depicted Sridevi with her sister-inlaw who is also the wife of acclaimed actor Anil Kapoor. Sridevi can be seen wearing a pink sari with dense silver embroidery. Sunita, on the other hand, was wearing a dark pink suit with heavy jewellery.

The photo’s caption reads, “Throwback?? The Late Sri Devi with Sunita Kapoor (mother of Sonam Kapoor) Snapped together at the Antumoh wedding days before her tragic demise. How happy & content she looks with that radiant smile. Follow @JustFilmy1.” AGENCIES

Mikaal Zulfiqar’s ‘Na Band Na Baraati’ promises mindless entertainment KARACHI AGENCIES

Mikaal Zulfiqar is all set to take over the silver screen, with not one but four upcoming films.

Starting the year with a cameo in the highly anticipated Cake, Mikaal will also star in films Sherdil, Na Band Na Baraati and The Trial.

Read More: Mikaal Zulfiqar to star in four upcoming films! Each film promises a different genre, which speaks highly of the actor and his versatility. While Cakeseems to be layered with family drama and dysfunctionality, Sherdil is an airforce based film. The Trial sounds like a serious courtroom drama with Na Band Na

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Baraati being a romantic comedy.

The teaser of Na Band Na Baraati is finally out and from what we can tell by watching the one-minute long clip is that it’s going be light and entertaining! The plot revolves around two brothers and the shaadistruggles of a desi family settled abroad (Toronto). Labelled as ‘the confused wedding of the year’, the film seems to be packed with the right dose of romance and mindless comedy that promises to appeal the masses who aren’t looking for thought-provoking or serious content.

We wonder, will it be the same kind of romcom that we’ve seen before or will it offer something new? Looking at the trailer, we’re just as confused as the tagline.

14 LEISURE

Monday, 12 March, 2018

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Today should prove to be a wonderful day, Aries.

Your physical energy is good, and you should be looking and feeling wonderful. Though you'll probably want to spend most of the day at home, you're likely to attract lots of interesting people in intriguing fields into your aura.

Today you might feel as if you're walking around in a daze, Taurus, but it's a good daze. Your imagination and artistic abilities are sharp. Your intuition is especially attuned, and the thoughts and feelings of others are more apparent to you than they realize.

A group with which you're affiliated with could suddenly seem to grow closer, and a family feeling could develop among its members. One of the members could suddenly appear to you in a new light, Gemini, and a romantic attraction might develop.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

This is an excellent day to do this sort of thing, Cancer. You should be feeling especially energetic and enthusiastic, and you're likely to attract some interesting new people your way. Expect your mind to be stimulated by lectures or speeches given by public figures.

A lot of phone calls or emails could be exchanged. You might be considering a move to another state or country, but you aren't likely to make definite plans now.

Whatever your plans, however, they're likely to prove exciting and cause you to anticipate the future.

Insights shared by a family member could lead to possible ways to increase your income. Expect to handle a lot of paperwork regarding money, Virgo, but this is a positive development and definitely should leave you feeling good about your situation.

HAGAR tHE HoRRIbLE

GARFIELD

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

If you need to execute legal papers of any kind, Libra, you couldn't find a better day to do it. Relationships, particularly romantic ones, should be especially warm, supportive, and rewarding. New and interesting people could cross your path.

Home and family are apt to be your primary focus today, Scorpio.

Work around the house might take up a lot of your time. You might want to spruce up the place and make it more beautiful. Gardening could be especially rewarding now.

Today a strong sense of destiny could lead you to someone new - either a potential close friend or prospective romantic partner. You could feel as if you've known this person forever. Artistic activities benefit from increased intuition and physical and mental energy.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Volatile emotions may come to the surface among the members of your household today. This could prove irritating for you, Capricorn, but try to avoid becoming involved in others' quarrels. This is a great day to get some work done around the house, as physical energy is high.

You'll be more than able to provide them. This is a great day for writing, whether a letter to a friend or the first chapter of a novel. Your ability with words is operating at a high level. If you're planning to teach or speak to a group, know that words will flow freely.

Your sense of selfworth should be high at his time, and could cause you to feel nurturing towards everyone around you who doesn't have your selfconfidence. New opportunities for increasing your income could come your way. Make the most of them.

cRoSSwoRD

ACROSS 1 One who owes money (6) 4 Cheap and garish (5) 7 Uproar (6) 8 Take place (6) 9 Ran away (4) 10 hearth (8) 12 Aerodynamic (11) 17 Extremely hard mineral used as an abrasive (8) 19 Rubbish (4) 20 farm machinery (6) 21 Czech composer, d. 1904 (6) 22 Lees — riffraff (5) 23 Shut (6)

woRD SEARcH

DOWN 1 Manx capital (7) 2 Gross mistake (7) 3 Beyond control (3,2,4) 4 Scarcely detectable amount (5) 5 Overturn (7) 6 Over there (6) 11 Person looked on by others as an example to be imitated (4,5) 13 (Of fish or beef) served chopped and raw in small cakes (7) 14 Vague ideas (7) 15 Break up (7) 16 Afraid (6) 18 Essentials (5)

cHESS ABBEy ABUSE BARE COCkLES CRyPTIC CUTTLEfISh dROSS EMBROCATE fOREST fURNITURE GLIMPSE GLOBE IdIOT INSTANT LORE NERVE

OySTER POINT POTENTATE RAINy ShORT ShOwERS SPEEd SPRING STALE STORM SUSPECT SyRUP TEEN TOOTh wASTE whELk

black TO PlaY aND MaTE IN fOur MOVEs 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Today’s soluTions

bRIDGE UnLIkELy RUFFS

SUDokU crossword solution sudoku solution

1...be7 2.Rdh1 Rh8 3.Qxg5 bxg5+ 4.f4 bxh4 * chess solution

How to pLAy fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the squares contains all the digits. The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once.

SPORTS 15

Monday, 12 March, 2018

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

HARARE

W

Agencies

EST Indies batsman Rovman Powell said his side are focused on winning all their World Cup qualifying games, after his century led them to victory over Ireland on Saturday.

Powell´s maiden one-day international ton dragged the Windies from a difficult position to beat Ireland in Harare and reach the Super Six stage of qualifying.

"We didn´t come here for four wins out of four, we came here to win every single game and we´re still on course to do that," said the 24-year-old, who brought up his hundred with a massive six that smashed a window.

"Qualifying for the World Cup means a lot for the 16 million Caribbean people and that´s our aim."

Hosts Zimbabwe also booked their spot in the next round by making it three wins from three in Group B with a comfortable victory over Hong Kong, while

Afghanistan saw off Nepal to keep their slim hopes alive.

Powell helped the West Indies reach 257-8 off their 50 overs, before the two-time World Cup winners took regular wickets to secure a 52run victory, with Kemar Roach claiming 4-27.

The Caribbean outfit can seal the maximum four points to carry into the Super Six round when they play the Netherlands in their final Group A game on Monday, when Ireland will have to beat the United Arab Emirates to be sure of progression.

Only two teams from the qualifiers will join the world´s top eight ODI nations at next year´s World Cup in England and Wales.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the Windies slipped to 83-5 as veteran seamer Tim Murtagh took the crucial early wickets of Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels.

But captain Jason Holder, who hit a match-winning 99 not out in Thursday´s win over Papua New Guinea, combined with Powell in a sixth-wicket stand of 86 before falling to Murtagh for 54.

The 24-year-old Powell took his time to get in as he reached nine off only 34 balls, but exploded into life late in his innings, muscling seven fours and as many maximums before being caught behind off Murtagh for a run-a-ball 101.

Roach impressed with the ball in Ireland´s reply as William Porterfield´s men struggled to 32-3, but a well-compiled 63 from Ed Joyce gave the Irish hope.

The former England opener holed out to Roach, though, and mediumpacer Kesrick Williams ran through the tail to finish with figures of 4-43, as Ireland fell short in their attempt to replicate their win over the West Indies in the 2015 World Cup. Zimbabwe continue good form Zimbabwe were seen as outsiders to reach the World Cup before qualifying got underway, but Hamilton Masakadza struck 84 as they thrashed Hong Kong by 89 runs for a third straight triumph.

Hong Kong, who will reach the Super Six with victory over Nepal on Monday after stunning Afghanistan, bowled well to restrict Zimbabwe to

263-9 in Bulawayo.

But all-rounder Sikandar Raza continued his excellent form by taking 3-30 with his off-spin as Hong Kong fell well short.

Afghanistan need Nepal to beat Hong Kong to reach the Super Sixes, after finishing their Group B campaign with a six-wicket win over the Nepalese.

Stand-in skipper Rashid Khan took 3-45 and Mohammad Nabi 433 as Nepal were bowled out for just 194, and an unbeaten 52 from Najibullah Zadran finally got Afghanistan their first points at the fourth time of asking.

"In Hong Kong v Nepal, anything can happen, that´s cricket," said Khan.

"We just tried to do our best to do what we could and chase it within 40 overs (to reach positive net run rate), which we did."

The other game saw the Netherlands beat Papua New Guinea by 57 runs, but the Dutch need to beat the Windies and hope Ireland lose to the UAE to have any chance of going through.

KARACHI KINGS VS LAHORE QALANDARS

Super over to be decider DUBAI Agencies

The 24th match of the Pakistan Super League between the Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars ended in a tie, with super over to be a decider, on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium Earlier, top-order batsmen Babar Azam and Lendl Simmons led Karachi Kings to score 163 runs against Lahore Qalandars.

Muhammad Irfan (Junior) took the wicket of Anton Devcich on the very first ball of his over.

Devcich missed the leg-side flick which led the ball to hit the middle stump. The in-form openerbatsman Fakhar Zaman fell prey to set up put by the Kings as he slogged towards a mid-wicket area, the ball landed safely in the hands of Denly.

Kings' opener Joe Denly (3) departed after giving an easy catch to skipper McCullum on a

flighted delivery of legspinner Yasir Shah.

Fast bowler Sohail Khan provided a muchneeded relief to the Qalandars by taking down the wicket of Lendl Simmons. The opener set up a strong base for the Kings with his knock of 55 runs off 39 balls, with eight boundaries and one six on the strike of 141.02.

The Lahore Qalandars' dreams of making it

through to the playoffs have ended--Quetta Gladiators' win over Peshawar Zalmi last night threw Lahore out of the race for top four, clean sweeping any hope of a miracle.

With six defeats and just one win out of their seven games, Lahore's qualification was still virtually impossible, independent of the outcome of Saturday’s match.

Never demanded captaincy, decision rests with PCB: Sarfraz Ahmed DUBAI: U Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed said on Saturday that he has never demanded captaincy in his career and the decision to appoint him as captain has rested with the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Speaking in a post-match press conference, Ahmed said: “It is up to the Pakistan Cricket Board to decide who should and who should not remain captain. My duty is to play cricket, which I am doing. My captaincy is going fine and I am hopeful that it will continue to remain so.” The Quetta Gladiators skipper appreciated the bowling of fast bowler Rahat Ali, saying that he has played an important role in the franchise’s successes up till now. The skipper expressed hope that the team’s top-order batsman Kevin Pietersen will take a ‘good decision’ in regards to coming to Pakistan to play the tournament’s playoffs. “He will defiantly realize that last year we suffered loss because of the absence of four international players. But we have replacements in line as well,” he said.

Sarfarz said that he didn’t expect Lahore Qalandars to be eliminated from the first stage of the tournament. Agencies

Karachi to host Pak-WI T-20 series Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday confirmed that Karachi will host the all three matches of the upcoming Pak-West Indies T-20 series. PCB chief Najam Sethi tweeted: “Good news! West Indies have agreed to play three T20 matches in Karachi on 1st, 2nd and 4th April. CM Sindh is fully supporting this PCB initiative." “I was under much pressure by marketing department and was being asked about not putting West Indies tour ticket on sale. The reason was that I was in discussion and was working with West Indies Cricket Board day and night and come to a conclusion,” he said while announcing the good news. "Lahore had Zimbabwe, PSL2 Final, ICC XI and Sri Lanka. Now it is Karachi’s turn to rise and shine with PSL3 Final and WI," Sethi wrote in a separate tweet as he expressed his aspirations to bring Karachi back on the map of the international cricket. Sethi also had a message for those doubting that the Pakistan Super League 2018 final will be held in Karachi.

"Many people were asking if Karachi stadium will be renovated on time and I had been ensuring them that it will be done," he said. "Now with these four matches Karachi has a lot of cricket coming home so these people should welcome them in best way. “The PSL trophy will be taken directly from Dubai to Karachi, where final will be held at a jam-packed stadium." sPORTs DesK

De Villiers and Rabada tighten South Africa's grip JoHAnnEsBURg Agencies

South Africa's bowlers made early inroads into Australia's top order after one of the finest centuries of AB de Villiers' Test career handed his side a significant lead on the third day in Port Elizabeth. South Africa held a 139-run advantage after they were eventually dismissed for 382 just before lunch, and by tea Australia had reduced the deficit to 53, but had lost three wickets along the way, including key men Steven Smith and David Warner.

The loss of Smith in the session's antepenultimate over was a major blow, and it continued a trend in this series of Smith struggling against left-arm orthodox spin.

After Keshav Maharaj had Smith caught Bancroft chopped one on off the bowling of Lungi Ngidi to leave Australia at slip in the first innings in Durban, wobbling. At tea, they were 86 and Dean Elgar trapped him for 3, with Usman Khawaja lbw in the second, Maharaj TEA at least looking reasonagain accounted for ably well settled on 28, Smith by tickling his AUSTRALIA 243 alongside Shaun outside edge on the AND 86 FOR 3 (KHAWAJA Marsh on 1. But much way through to wickremained ahead etkeeper Quinton de 28*, MAHARAJ 1-35) TRAIL work of them to post a Kock, and the Auscompetitive chase for tralia captain was SOUTH AFRICA 382 (DE South Africa. out for 11.

VILLIERS 126*, AMLA 56, South Africa's Australia had alstrong position was ready lost both openers.

CUMMINS 3-79) largely down to de VilDavid Warner was BY 53 RUNS liers, who scored his first bowled by a superb delivTest century in more than ery from Kagiso Rabada that three years and combined in a senipped in through the gate and rattled his stumps on 13, and on 24 Cameron ries of important partnerships with the

CMYK

lower order that frustrated Australia and allowed South Africa's lead to balloon from 20 at the start of play to 139, for the loss of the final three wickets.

De Villiers finished unbeaten on 126 from 146 deliveries, an innings of sheer brilliance and one that will be hardpressed to be topped as the defining performance of this match. It was his 22nd Test hundred and his first since January 2015, when he had made 148 against West Indies in Cape Town. Here, he scored his runs seemingly at will; no matter what Australia's bowlers could send down, he manipulated balls from everywhere into his scoring zones.

His century came from his 117th delivery with a typically inventive stroke, gliding Pat Cummins over the cordon for

a boundary. Importantly, he batted well with the lower order, forging an 84-run stand with Vernon Philander, then a 58run partnership with Maharaj, and finally a 13-run stand with Ngidi to cap off the innings nicely. The final wicket came when Ngidi was run out in an effort for de Villiers to retain the strike, and South Africa were dismissed for 382, with a lead of 139.

Philander had played the perfect support innings for de Villiers by scoring a calm 36 before he was brilliantly snapped up by Bancroft, whose reflexes at short leg cannot be underestimated. Philander had worked a delivery away to leg off Cummins and a lesser close-in fielder might have flinched, but Bancroft held his ground and pouched the chance.

SPORTS Monday, 12 March, 2018

It’s serena vs venus In thIrd round of IndIan Wells

s

SPoRtS DeSk

ERENA Williams will play her sister Venus in the third round at Indian Wells as she continues her comeback after the birth of her child. The 36-year-old American, who was out for 14 months, beat Kiki Bertens of the Nether-

lands 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 in round two. “Everything is a bonus,” said Serena after winning in one hour, 52 minutes on her second match point.

The sisters last met in the 2017 Australian Open final, when Serena won her 23rd Grand Slam singles title. “I would prefer to play someone else, anybody else, literally anybody else, but it has to happen now. So it is what it

is,” said Serena. Serena was already pregnant with daughter Alexis Olympia, who was born on 1 September, when she beat Venus 6-4 6-4 in Melbourne. Venus beat Sorona Cirstea of Romania in her second-round match 6-3 6-4.

They will play their 29th competitive match on Monday, with Serena having won 17 of the previous 28. “She looked like she never lost a step,” Venus said of her younger sister. “Great way to come back.” Defending champion Elena Vesnina of Russia also moved into the third round after she beat American Catherine Bellis 2-6 6-1 6-1. Danish second seed Caroline Wozniacki beat Spaniard Lara Arruabarrena 6-4 61, while Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina defeated German Mona Barthel 6-4 6-3.

FEDERER MUST WAIT: In the men’s competition, world number one and top seed Roger Federertook the first set against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis 6-3. The Swiss has never beaten Delbonis - though they have only met once on the tour - and the pair were level at 22 in the second set when play was suspended for the day because of rain. They will resume their match on Sunday, when British number one Kyle Edmund faces the experienced Israeli Dudi Sela in his opening singles match.

sl skipper Chandimal cops two-match ban Captain Dinesh Chandimal has been suspended from Sri Lanka’s upcoming two Twenty20 Internationals after being found guilty of a serious over-rate offence in Saturday’s defeat to Bangladesh in Colombo. Match referee Chris Broad imposed the fine after Chandimal’s side was ruled to be four overs short of their target when time allowances were taken into consideration. As two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player, Chandimal has been suspended from his side’s upcoming fixtures against India and Bangladesh respectively in their ongoing trilateral series, while each of his players have received a fine of 60 per cent of their match fee. If Sri Lanka commit another serious over-rate breach in a T20I within 12 months of this offence with Chandimal as captain, it will be deemed as a second offence by the ‘keeper-batsman and he will receive between two and eight suspension points. Thisara Perera has been appointed captain in Chandimal’s absence. Sri Lanka began the tri-series brightly with victory over India, but slumped to defeat against the Tigers on Saturday. In the other match played so far, India beat Bangladesh, meaning the three teams have each had a win and a loss at this stage of the tournament. Meanwhile, Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah has also received a 20 per cent fine of his match fee in the win over Sri Lanka, while each of his players have received 10 per cent fines after their side was ruled to be one over short. If Bangladesh commit another minor over-rate breach in a T20I within 12 months of this offence with Mahmudullah as captain, it will be deemed as a second offence by Mahmudullah and he will face suspension. SportS DESk

Bayern continue their stroll towards Bundesliga title BeRLIN AGENCIES

Bayern Munich closed in on a sixth successive title and sent Hamburg SV closer to a first-ever relegation from the Bundesliga with a 6-0 rout of the beleaguered Dinos on Saturday.

Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick and missed a penalty as he reached 100 Bundesliga goals for Bayern in an embarrassingly one-sided match which was over as a contest after 20 minutes.

It was a sadly familiar story for Hamburg who have conceded 50 goals in their last eight Bundesliga games at Bayern, including two 6-0 defeats, two 8-0 losses and one 9-2 reverse.

Leaders Bayern stayed 20 points clear of Schalke 04, who won 1-0 at Mainz 05 on Friday, with eight games to go and are only two wins away from clinching the title.

They could even wrap it up next week if they win at RB Leipzig and other results go in their favour.

Hamburg, the only ever-present team in the Bundesliga’s 55-year history, will now have to pull off a great escape to keep their proud record intact. They are 17th in the 18-team table and seven points adrift of Mainz in the relegation playoff spot.

“That’s not the football I want to see,” Hamburg coach Bernd Hollerbach said.

“We saw what happens when you give Bayern bit of space. You can always lose to Bayern, but I didn’t like the manner of our defeat.”

Hamburg held out for eight minutes before Gotoku Sakai’s tackle on Arjen Robben succeeded only in sending the ball to the feet of Franck Ribery and the Frenchman rounded Christian Mathenia to open the scoring.

Four minutes later, Robben found Joshua Kimmich in space on the right and his cross was headed in by Lewandowski for the second. It was all too easy for Bayern who added a third in the 19th minute. Jerome Boateng picked out David Alaba with a long pass forward and the Austrian side-footed the ball into the path of Lewandowski for the Pole to score first-time.

Robben got in on the act in the 55th minute with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area and Ribery slalomed his way through the Hamburg defence for his second and Bayern’s fifth.

Lewandowksi missed a chance for his hat-trick as he sent his penalty over in the 86th minute but he made amends when the hosts were awarded another spot-kick shortly afterwards.

PSG thrash Metz after European exit PARIS AGENCIES

PSG got back to business in Ligue 1 after being knocked out of the Champions League

by Real Madrid in midweek, hammering basement club Metz 5-0 at home and stretching their lead at the top of the standing back to 14 points.

Belgium defender Thomas Meunier struck the first goal in the fifth minute, while 20-year-old midfielder

Christopher Nkunku scored twice in quick succession to make it three goals in two league starts this season.

France forward Kylian Mbappe hit PSG’s fourth in first half stoppage time, while captain Thiago Silva completed the rout with a towering header from a corner in the 82nd minute. PSG coach Unai Emery was booed when his name was read out before kickoff as the home supporters aired their

grievance at a second consecutive last 16 Champions League elimination under the Spaniard. They still packed the Parc des Princes for the visit of rock bottom Metz.

Top scorer Edinson Cavani was suspended for the game and Emery made five changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Real, giving French youngster Nkunku a second consecutive league start this campaign after he scored in last week’s 2-0 win at Troyes.

Nkunku snuck into the box and slammed the ball into the net with his left foot in the 20th minute then struck again in the 28th with his other foot, placing the ball into the far corner. He was denied a hat-trick goal before the interval for offside. PSG lead the standing on 77 points after 29 games, 14 clear of nearest challenger and champion AS Monaco, who won 3-1 at Strasbourg Friday.

Metz are bottom with 20 points, nine adrift of safety.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot # 7, Al-Baber Centre, F/8 Markaz, Islamabad. Ph: 051-2204545. Email: newsroom@pakistantoday.com.pk

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