CMYK
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
I
Zulqad 28, 1436
I
Rs 25.00
I
Vol VI No 76
I
136 Pages
I
Lahore Edition
bilawal calls out PMl-n in sharif bastion n
n
n
PML factions decide to unite
PAKISTAN AND INDIA AGREE ON LoC CEASEFIRE
CPI INFLATION COMES DOWN TO 3.6 PER CENT IN AUGUST 2015 FROM 8.4 PER CENT IN AUGUST 2014
INDIA’S ROLE IN TERRORISM NOT A SECRET NOW: AZIZ
STORY ON PAGE 09
Claims several farmers in Punjab have committed suicide, burnt their crops for not being paid adequately by govt Lashes out at PML-N govt for failing to control power outages, delayed response to terror attacks
PPP cannot restore its credibility by criticising PMl-n: sana STORIES ON PAGE 03
SBP CUTS POLICY RATE BY 50BPS TO 6 PER CENT AS INFLATION EASES n
PPP chairman calls ruling party ‘terror sympathisers’, rejects reconciliation with ‘extremists,’ their ‘sympathisers’ and ‘friends of dictators’
STORIES ON PAGE 04
GOVT SITTING ON ITS RESULT CARD n
GOVT RELUCTANT IN PRESENTING AUDIT REPORT 2014-15 IN PARLIAMENT DESPITE PRESIDENT’S APPROVAL STORY ON PAGE 03
KARACHI STAYS OPEN FOR BUSINESS DESPITE MQM STRIKE CALL n
Rangers laud citizens for rejecting strike called by ‘enemies of the city’s peace’ STORY ON PAGE 03
HAJJ TO GO AHEAD AFTER MAKKAH CRANE COLLAPSE KILLS 107 NO PAKISTANI CASUALTY IN MAKKAH CRANE INCIDENT, 47 INJURED: FO STORIES ON PAGE 04
02 NEWS
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
PolitiCal Parties agree to ‘imPraCtiCal’ CamPaigN exPeNse limit ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT
Mainstream political parties and election authorities have agreed to an ‘unrealistic’ maximum limit of election campaign expenditures for the upcoming local government polls. In a recently held meeting at its headquarters, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) shared with political parties its ‘code of conduct’- rules of the game for the upcoming local government elections in Sindh and Punjab. Under the rules, candidates contesting for the seat of a councillor can spend no more than Rs 20,000 during their election campaign. The maximum limit ascribed in the code of conduct for other seat categories for local governments is also unrealistic, making it almost impossible to be followed by the candidates. Under the law, any major violation of code of conduct can disqualify a person from contest and de-seat a winner
if proven guilty. Interestingly, when the ECP briefed the party representatives on Thursday, none of the senior politicians objected to such rules mentioned in the code of conduct. According to the document of ECP’s briefing, those contesting for the seats of chairman and vice chairman of a
MAJOR ‘TERROR BID’ FOILED AS CAPITAL POLICE SEIZE 80 KG OF EXPLOSIVES, ARREST SIX
ISLAMABAD: Police on Saturday foiled a major terror bid by seizing at least 80 kilogramme (kg) of explosives, huge cache of weapons and detonators and arrested as many as six suspected terrorists in Tarnol. Tarnol police personnel raided a house in the locality at around 8am on a tip-off from intelligence agencies. The security forces, including Rangers and Elite Force personnel, seized at least 80 kgs explosives, chemicals, six detonators, a 1,700-meter long wire, thousands of bullets and a huge cache of weapons. As many as six militants were apprehended from the place. They were later shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation. The weapons include eight sub-machine guns (SMG), a .222 rifle, two M16s, a 7mm, three 12 bore repeaters, at least 19 30-bore pistols, three 9mms, seven 12-bore rifles, five pump-action guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition. A stolen car and two motorcycles were also recovered in the raid. Following the raid, a search operation was conducted in Tarnol in which at least 59 suspected criminals were arrested. A huge amount of narcotics has also been seized in the operation. Following the recovery of weapons and explosives, police and Rangers carried out a joint search operation in the adjourning area of Tarnool and detained 60 suspects. STAFF REPORT
10 TARGET KILLERS ARRESTED IN RAIDS: RANGERS KARACHI: Sindh Rangers conducted raids across Karachi on Saturday and arrested 10 target killers. According to a spokesman of Sindh Rangers, three arrested target killers were affiliated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), four with various outlawed religious groups and three others with MQM-Haqiqi. He said a target killer of MQM, Nabeel alias Sherri, was resident of Shah Faisal Colony. He was arrested in injured condition after an encounter with Rangers personnel. A sepoy of Rangers Tariq Hussain was also injured in the shootout. “All arrested target killers will be produced in anti terrorism courts,” the spokesman further said. The Rangers will get rid of the target killers and their patrons at any cost with the cooperation of general public,” he added. STAFF REPORT
union council can spend up to a maximum of Rs 100,000 for their election campaign. There will be one metropolitan corporation in each of these provinces – Lahore in Punjab and Karachi in Sindh. Those contesting for the key slots of mayor and deputy mayors of these mega cities can spend up to Rs 200,000 for their campaign, as per the agreed code of conduct. Similarly, Rs 200,000 is the maximum limit for contestants for chairman and vice chairman of district council – an office equal to a mayor encompassing the entire district.
ISLAMABAD ONLINE
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is also the chairman of Kashmir Council, finally approved Justice Chaudhry Munir as permanent Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir after four years on permanent basis. The position of the CEC was vacant since the general polls in AJK and no name was unanimously approved by the AJK government, opposition and Ministry of Kashmir Affairs for the last four years. The AJK government sent three names for CEC to PM through Ministry of Kashmir Affairs. The prime minister then approved the name of Justice Chaudhry Munir as CEC and
Meanwhile, the maximum limit of Rs 50,000 has been ascribed in the law for the candidates of chairman and vice chairman of a union council. Process of the long-delayed elections for local governments in Punjab and Sindh started earlier this month. Polls in both the provinces will be held in three phases, with the first phase scheduled on October 31, followed by the second and third phase on November 19 and December 3, respectively. The ECP has earmarked the districts in both provinces that would go for polls in each phase. Under the law, after the polling process is completed, candidates winning the elections have to file an affidavit to the ECP, saying on oath they have not violated any clause of the code of conduct. The winners also attach receipts of their election expenditure details along with the written affidavit. The ECP officially notifies winners once they complete these formalities. Such loopholes and unrealistic clauses in the law pave way for dishonesty and corruption, even before a public representative is elected. There has been a debate in the past to increase the maximum limit for election expenses for national and provincial assembly seats. However, proposals in this regard are still pending in Parliament for the past five years. The existing law allows a candidate running for NA seat to spend up to Rs1.5 million for the election campaign, whereas one million can be spend by a candidate while contesting for a provincial seat.
PM APPROVES EX-JUSTICE MUNIR AS CEC OF AJK dispatched the summery to AJK government through Ministry of Kashmir Affairs. The AJK government and opposition returned this file to Ministry of Kashmir Affairs while showing noconfidence in Justice Chaudhry Munir and categorically refused to depute Justice Chaudhry Munir as CEC. The news agency, Online, quoted sources as saying that government of AJK and opposition had agreed on Justice Abdul Rashid Sulheria as CEC, however, Minister of
Kashmir Affairs got approval of Justice Munir from the PM ignoring the opinions of government of AJK and opposition. According to the news agency, when they contacted spokesperson of AJK government and Minister of Information Sardar Abid Hussain Abid, he denied knowledge of the approval of summary of CEC of AJK and said that no summary in this regard was received by AJK government or by Ministry of Kashmir Affairs.
New CJP says he is Committed to uPholdiNg meritoCraCy ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali while addressing officers of Supreme Court on Saturday said that each member of the staff was equally important for the better performance of court therefore, they should discharge their duties with commitment, dedication, devotion and honesty. The CJP said he was committed to uphold meritocracy and discourage nepotism and favouritism. He urged the officers not to obey the illegal orders at any cost and work according to the principles of merit. He further said that the credibility and the dignity of the institution lied in efficient performance of the staff. Therefore, he hoped that staff would work in a better way. He also informed the officers that special steps would be taken to reward the efficient and diligent members of the staff. Earlier Registrar Supreme Court of Pakistan Tahir Shahbaz welcomed the chief justice of Pakistan on his own behalf as well as on behalf of the officers of Supreme Court. The officers also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and assured him to work beyond the normal call of duty to advance the cause of justice. STAFF REPORT
HEALTH SECY LAUDS CLERICS FOR HELPING GOVT FIGHT POLIO ISLAMABAD: Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Federal Secretary Muhammad Ayub Sheikh said on Saturday that Ulema played a vital role in fight against polio. Addressing Polio Orientation & Health Awareness Workshop of Ulema held at a hotel in Islamabad, secretary health said that the role of Haji Hanif Tayyab and the Islamic scholars was laudable in advocating for right of child to protection from polio. He emphasized that advocacy by religious leaders could play a major role in furthering this noble cause. The purpose of the workshop was to involve religious stakeholders for polio orientation and health awareness to increase coverage of polio vaccination and reaching to refusals and missed children in difficult parts of the country. The workshop was attended by 82 Ulemas from different religious sects and representatives of Ministry of Health, National EOC, UNICEF and WHO. The secretary health expressed the commitment of the ministry to make all out efforts for complete eradication of polio from the country. He said the National Action Plan (NAP) of the government had a major impact in reaching the inaccessible children. He said that in order to defeat polio, everyone including religious leaders, civil society, government functionaries, opinion leaders and parents would have to play their role. Pakistan Polio Plus Ulema Committee (PNPPC) Chairman Haji Muhammed Hanif Tayyab spoke on the “Islamabad Declaration” and said that all Ulema in principle and as per the Islamic point of view hold that polio vaccination does not harm children, it is safe and approved by the Organisation of Islamic Council (OIC).” PNPPC National Chairman Aziz Memon spoke on Rotary’s objective and mission to eradicate polio worldwide. He said there was an 80% reduction in polio cases in 2015 as compared to cases reported in the same period in 2014. “Now we are much closer to kick out polio from our country and therefore extra effort is imperative through our learned religious scholars and Ulema at district, union council and grassroots level communities to address especially Pashtun communities migrating from South Waziristan to other parts of the country through border areas of KPK and Balochistan,” Aziz Memon said. APP
SEVEN KILLED IN MUZAFFARABAD ROAD ACCIDENT MUZAFFARABAD: At least seven people, including three members of the same family, were killed when a van fell into a deep ravine in Muzaffarabad district of Azad Kashmir on Saturday. Police said that the ill-fated van was travelling from Pathak to Pehlian. Driver of the vehicle lost control while taking a sharp turn in Hariyala area and it crashed into the ravine, killing seven people and critically injuring a woman. Rescue teams moved the bodies and injured to a nearby hospital. STAFF REPORT
AMIN FAHIM AMONG 11 CHARGED IN NICL CASE ACCUSED HAVE BEEN INDICTED FOR CAUSING HUGE FINANCIAL LOSSES TO NATIONAL EXCHEQUER BY PURCHASING A 10 ACRE PLOT PURCHASED IN KORANGI DEH PHIHAI IN AUGUST 2009 AT THE RATE OF RS 90,000,000 PER ACRE AGAINST MAXIMUM MARKET PRICE OF RS 20,000,000 PER ACRE KARACHI STAFF REPORT
An accountability court on Saturday indicted senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim and 10 others in the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) corruption case. According to details, NAB court No. 3 indicted the senior PPP leader along with former secretary of the Commerce Ministry Suleman Ghani and a number of other senior officials of the NICL in the multi-billion-rupee scam case.
Former chairman NICL Ayaz Khan Niyazi, directors Syed Hur Riahi Gardezi, Syed Naveed Hassan Zaidi, Amin Qasim Dada, Mohammad Zahoor along with two private persons Amir Hussain and Khawaja Akbar Butt were indicted on Saturday. Amin Fahim and Suleman Ghani were indicted in absentia as the court accepted their counsel Haq Nawaz Halipoto’s plea for exemption from appearance on account of the fact that his clients were abroad. The accused have been indicted for causing huge financial losses to the national exchequer by purchasing a 10
CMYK
acre plot purchased in Korangi Deh Phihai in August 2009 at the rate of Rs 90,000,000 per acre, against maximum market price of Rs 20,000,000 per acre, causing a loss of Rs 70,000,000 per acre to the national exchequer. The court has also ordered the complainant former secretary commerce to appear for the September 30 hearing. According to a media report published in 2011, secretary of the ministry of commerce Zafar Mehmood had sent a written complaint to the FIA on Nov 16, 2010 in which he had requested them to probe all purchases of land at various places and on dif-
ferent times by the NICL. He had further requested to register a separate case regarding the prima facie embezzlement of NICL funds in the transaction of 10 acres purchased in August 2009 in a Korangi area against the amount of Rs 90 million per acre, which allegedly caused huge losses to the exchequer. Another accountability court had acquitted Ayaz Khan Niazi and five other NICL officials in a similar case pertaining to financial embezzlement in the purchase of a piece of land in Dubai in 2009, the report had said. The cases regarding the NICL land scam were being managed by an anticorruption court but were later transferred to the accountability court as the NAB moved an application to the judge of the anti-corruption court and submitted that since the apex court had transferred the investigation of the cases in question from FIA to NAB, the cases might be sent to an accountability court.
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
NEWS
PPP CHAIRMAN CLAIMS SEVERAL FARMERS IN PUNJAB HAVE COMMITTED SUICIDE, BURNT THEIR CROPS FOR NOT BEING PAID ADEQUATELY BY GOVT LAHORE
P
STAFF REPORT
AKISTAN People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday criticised the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government, saying that the people of Punjab were being punished since their province was being run by ‘extremists,’ their ‘sympathisers’ and ‘friends of dictators’. “There can be no reconciliation with those who sympathise with extremists,” said Bilawal while addressing a farmers’
Bilawal takes oN ruliNg Pml-N, Calls Party ‘terror symPathisers’ convention. The PPP chairman claimed that the PML-N government was making it difficult for farmers and the masses to survive via its “anti-farmer policies”. Amid chants of “Go Nawaz Go,” Bilawal accused the PML-N government of robbing farmers. “Farmers are committing suicides and setting their own crops on fire as they are not being paid the due return of their hard work by the government,” he claimed. “The times are changing and the farmers and common people will not allow you to rule if you do not solve their problems,” Bilawal warned the ruling PML-N. Reminding peasants and workers about what he said were the “farmer
LASHES OUT AT PML-N GOVT FOR FAILING TO CONTROL POWER OUTAGES, DELAYED RESPONSE TO TERROR ATTACKS friendly” policies of the past PPP governments, Bilawal claimed his party had always paid the country’s farmers well for their produce and provided them power and urea on subsidised rates. “Farmers are dying of hunger and you are rubbing salt on their wounds by launching projects like metro bus,” said Bilawal, taking a jab at the transport project for Lahore. The PPP chairman also slammed PML-N’s leadership for failing to live up to their promises of eliminating
load shedding in two years. “At a time when our armed forces are driving terrorists’ out of the country, the current government is destroying the economy,” Bilawal said. About the ongoing anti-terror operation across Pakistan, the PPP chairman again took the PML-N to task, saying it was only after students of Army Public School of Peshawar lost their lives that the rulers realised that an anti-terror operation was necessary. “Otherwise they
Govt sitting on its result card GOVT RELUCTANT IN PRESENTING SOURCE SAYS REPORT HELD AUDIT REPORT 2014-15 IN PARLIAMENT ‘DELIBERATELY’ AS IT IDENTIFIES DESPITE PRESIDENT’S APPROVAL ‘GLARING IRREGULARITIES’ BY GOVT ISLAMABAD MIAN ABRAR
PPP CANNOT RESTORE ITS CREDIBILITY BY SLAMMING PML-N: SANA LAHORE: Commenting on Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s scathing criticism of the ruling party, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said the PPP is in a shambles and the party cannot restore its credibility by leveling baseless allegations against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Sanaullah said that PPP is dying due to its own doings and corruptions during its time at the helm. Sanaullah’s statements came after Bilawal gave a speech at a workers convention in Lahore earlier on Saturday and lambasted the current government for its pro-capitalist policies in addition to criticising Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. INP
03
Five months after presidential nod to the audit report for financial year 2014-15, the federal government is reluctant to share the report of its first year in power with the Parliament and media fearing a major public backlash ahead of by-elections in Lahore and Lodhran and local government elections due to irregularities identified by the auditors, Pakistan Today has learnt. Sources in Ministry of Finance told Pakistan Today that the audit report for year 2014-15 (FY 201314) was compiled in February this year and forwarded to the Finance Division by the office of the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) which was forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office and from there to the President’s Secretariat for the president’s approval. In April, acting president Raza Rabbani gave assent to the audit report and returned it to the Prime Minister’s Office. Till date, however, the audit report has not been laid before the National Assembly and the Senate. AGP Rana Assad Amin confirmed to Pakistan Today that the president had given his consent to the report and it had been forwarded to the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry for presenting it to the National Assembly and Public Accounts Committee. Under the parliamentary traditions, the audit reports are laid before the National Assembly and the Senate along with the Finance Bill in June every year. However, the PML-
N government has changed this tradition. When contacted, Press Secretary to the President Rao Liaquat Ali Khan confirmed that the acting president had assented to the Audit Report 2014-15 on April 16 this year and then returned to the Prime Minister’s Office. A source in the Ministry of Finance, however, views that the audit report was being held deliberately as it had identified quite a few “glaring irregularities and violation of rules by the incumbent government”. The source added that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was himself making sure that a decision is taken over the report’s presentation in Parliament with his orders. Upon asked for comments, Ministry of Finance Director-General Media Saeed Javed promised to get back after seeking version of the ministry. However, Javed neither picked repeated calls made on his phone nor made any comment over the audit report withheld.Analysts believe that the government’s efforts to “conceal it’s wrongdoings” would backfire as Pakistani nation was cognizant of its rights and is “not in a mood to forgive”. “Access to information and transparency are prerequisites for democracy as well as a key tool in the fight against corruption,” said Arshad H Abbasi, a noted expert on economic issues. “The practitioners in the government may expect that we shall not see, or will forgive them, a bit of gluttony. But they can hardly expect us not to care when their gluttony causes them to vomit
all over our shoes,” said Abbasi. Sharing his own experience as a government servant, Abbasi said that the PML-N and PPP regimes never tolerated efforts in bureaucracy to ensure transparency and accuracy. “When I was Planning Commission director I dared to setup real-time monitoring system to check quality, cost over-run and to ensure 100 percent transparency. Resultantly, I became a victim of the then Planning Commission chairman. So I preferred to tender my resignation,” he added. Abbasi says the real-time audit battery, known as continuous details auditing, builds capability for financial information to be checked, shared and verified constantly for corruption, errors, fraud and inefficiencies. “Most importantly, continuous audit helps identifies anomalies, analyse patterns, review trends and test controls. It also ensures the integrity of information, which will build analytical capacity of media and society, which vests power to people to participate in government decision making – the true definition of democracy in information age,” he added. “Lack of access to information results in a non-participatory society in which political decision-making is not democratic. Real time monitoring and audit of projects allows individuals to exercise their political and civil rights in election processes, challenge or influence public policies, monitor the quality of public spending and demand accountability,” concluded Abbasi.
were holding dialogue with the Taliban.” Bilawal added Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched seven years ago when operations were initiated in Swat and North Waziristan. “Today they say that the whole nation is on the same page against terrorists and terrorism. But the reality is you have finally joined our ranks. I spoke against militancy and extremism when you were holding talks with them.” Bilawal paid homage to the martyrs of Pakistan’s war against terror. After concluding his address, Bilal jumped into the crowd from the stage to meet party workers and farmers – a gesture appreciated by the crowd.
PML FACTIONS DECIDE TO UNITE LAHORE: The leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), Like-minded group and Muslim Conference Azad Kashmir gathered on Saturday and agreed to form a united Muslim League. Some dissident leaders of the ruling PML-Nawaz played a major role in bringing the political forces together. The constitution and policies of the new party will be announced soon. Various factions of PML met at senior PML-N leader Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khosa’s residence. Talking to the media afterwards, Syed Ghaus Ali Shah said Pakistan’s ‘pure’ party (Muslim League) was divided into pieces and that they were able to bring it together once again. PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said Muslim League was the only party that could steer Pakistan towards progress. APML’s Dr Amjad said it was Pervez Musharraf’s wish to unite the League, adding that the wish had been fulfilled. STAFF REPORT
PAKISTAN HIGH COMMISSION LONDON REBUTS NEWS REPORT ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to a news report published in the daily “Pakistan Today”, on 11 September 2015. The assertion made by the reporter that High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas initiated a move to dispose of the High Commission in London building, is completely baseless, incorrect and misleading. Since assuming his responsibilities in London, the High Commissioner has been pursuing the case for construction of the new state of the art consular hall and a multi-purpose community hall as a part of the prime minister’s vision to improve the quality and delivery of consular and other services to the Pakistani community. The existing building has insufficient space for the consular services and community events. In the best national interest, the government decided to carefully examine the options of either going ahead with the construction of new community hall or relocating the Mission to a more spacious building. A high-level committee was accordingly constituted by the prime minister to evaluate various options. The committee has already submitted its report to the Prime Minister’s Office. Had the reporter taken the version of the High Commission, this factually incorrect and misleading report could have been avoided. PRESS RELEASE
KARACHIITES REJECT MQM’S SHUTTER DOWN CALL, BUSINESS CENTRES REMAIN OPEN RANGERS LAUD CITIZENS FOR REJECTING STRIKE CALLED BY ‘ENEMIES OF THE CITY’S PEACE’ EIGHT MQM WORKERS ARRESTED FOR FORCING TRADERS TO CLOSE SHOPS IN DIFFERENT AREAS KARACHI STAFF REPORT
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) call to observe day of mourning on Saturday failed as Karachiites rejected the party’s call to shutdown businesses in the city over the alleged extra judicial killings of its workers. Almost all business points and markets remained open while Rangers apprehended eight workers for forcing owners to shut shops. According to details, transport remained smooth on roads and routine busi-
ness activities continued in Karachi despite the MQM’s call to shutdown all business activities to observe mourning day. On Friday, while addressing a press conference, senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar had asked Karachiites to close their businesses and markets to observe mourning day over what he claimed were extra judicial killings of four MQM workers by Sindh Rangers near the Northern Bypass in Karachi. After his press conference, the Sindh Rangers director general warned against the forced shutdown business and any other activities in Sindh, particularly in
Karachi. “We cannot allow anyone to bring life in the metropolis to a paralyzing halt,” he had said in a statement. On Saturday, the Rangers arrested eight miscreants reportedly affiliated with MQM for forcing traders to shut down markets in different areas of the metropolitan city. The suspects were arrested from different areas, including Liaquatabad Number 4, Karimabad and Orangi Sector 5. A Rangers statement said the suspects would be produced before anti-terrorism court (ATC). Almost all business centres including Saddar, Electronics Market, Bolton Market and Empress Market remained open. Traffic flow was reported normal. Public transport and private vehicles moved without interruptions on roads. A spokesman for the Rangers praised residents of the metropolis for dismissing the strike call and threats of those “who are enemies of the city’s peace”. He added that the Rangers and people of Karachi stood together for peace in the city.
CMYK
04 NEWS
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
pakisTan and india agree on Loc ceaseFire RANGERS DG PROTESTS SOLDIER’S KILLING DURING FLAG MEETING, BSF DG EXTENDS APOLOGY PAKISTAN DENIES ALLOWING CROSSBORDER MOVEMENT FROM ITS SIDE NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD
p
STAFF REPORT
AKISTAN and India agreed on Saturday to restore ceasefire at the working boundary to save lives of innocent civilians, said military officials. The breakthrough came at the bi-annual meeting between Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force (BSF). The meet-
Two Levies personneL kiLLed in BaLochisTan
ing was held under a ‘cordial atmosphere’ with both sides also agreeing to carryout joint investigations of future ceasefire violations. Authorities also agreed to enhance communication via multiple modes at all possible levels to maintain peace on working boundary. After Pakistan strongly raised the issue of killing of Rangers personnel during flag meeting, the BSF director general assured that no such incident would reoccur in the future. Both sides also reached consensus to move forward while agreeing to conduct joint investigations if any such incident occurred in the future. Refuting the allegations levied by BSF that Pakistan provides support to people crossing into India illegally, Pakistan Rangers reiterated its stance that it
does not support any border crossing as a policy. Although BSF is maintaining impregnable border control through fencing, lights on borders and other surveillance means, both sides agreed to work on methods to further strengthen the border control. While responding to allegations of smuggling, DG Punjab Rangers emphasised on the need to enhance border control mechanism to enforce check on cross-border smuggling, while reiterating that Pakistan has zero tolerance for smuggling of narcotics and Indian liquor. India also agreed to share information about cartels involved in cross-border activities to help Pakistan Rangers taking necessary actions. During the flag meeting, Pakistani delegation raised the issue of new fences on the border, saying the construction of any new defence structure is against the existing agreed norms due to the disputed status of Indian Kashmir. BSF agreed to refer the issue to the Indian government.
INDIA’S ROLE IN TERRORISM NOT A SECRET NOW, SAYS AZIZ
QUETTA STAFF REPORT Two Levies personnel were killed in a suspected targeted killing incident in Balochistan’s Awaran district on Saturday. A Levies official said that unknown assailants opened fire at security personnel in Mashkay area of Awaran district, leaving two of them dead. Both officials died on the spot while the assailants, who were on a motorcycle, managed to flee. He said the incident appears to be an act of targeted killing, however no militant or terrorist group immediately claimed responsibility for the gun attack. Militants in the area have been targeting security forces and progovernment personalities in the area for more than a decade.
KARACHI STAFF REPORT
Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Saturday said India’s role in promoting terrorism in Pakistan is not a secret anymore. Talking at a foreign ministers’ forum at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Aziz said Pakistan will collect evidence of In-
dian interference in subversive activities across the border and will present a dossier at the United Nations. “Not only is India interfering in Pakistan’s internal matters, it is also supporting terrorism in our country.” The adviser on foreign affairs said documentary evidence of Indian involvement had “already been prepared,” adding that copies of the dossier will also be handed over to
SAUDIS SAY HAJJ WILL GO AHEAD AFTER DEADLY CRANE COLLAPSE KILLS 107 MAKKAH AGENCIES
Saudi authorities on Saturday began investigating the crane collapse that killed at least 107 people during a storm at Makkah’s Grand Mosque, pledging that the annual Hajj pilgrimage would go ahead. Nearly 200 others were hurt and panic broke out as the massive crane crashed down on the mosque, one of Islam’s holiest sites, as worshippers gathered for weekly Friday prayers. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have already arrived in Makkah for the Hajj, one of the world’s largest religious festivals which last year drew two million worshippers. A Saudi official said this year’s Hajj would proceed despite the tragedy. “It definitely will not affect the Hajj this season and the affected
part will probably be fixed in a few days,” said the official, who declined to be named. Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-populated nation, said two of its nationals were killed, while Malaysia and Iran said its citizens were among those injured. As world leaders offered condolences, the governor of Makkah region, Prince Khaled alFaisal, ordered an investigation into the incident. Abdel Aziz Naqoor, who said he works at the mosque, told AFP he saw the massive construction crane fall after being hit by the storm. “If it weren’t for Al-Tawaf bridge the injuries and deaths would have been worse,” he said, referring to a covered walkway that surrounds the holy Kaaba, which broke the crane’s fall. Pictures of the incident on Twitter showed bloodied bodies strewn across a courtyard where
the top part of the crane, which appeared to have bent or snapped, had crashed into the building which is several storeys high. A video on YouTube showed people screaming and rushing around right after a massive crash was heard. The wreckage of the red and white crane was seen lying across the floor of the mosque, where chunks of the floor had been gouged out. Several other cranes towered over the site. On Fridays, the Muslim weekly day of prayer, the Grand Mosque is usually at its most crowded. Many faithful would have been gathered there ahead of evening maghrib prayers, which occurred about an hour after the tragedy. Ahmed bin Mohammad al-Mansoori, spokesman for the two holy mosques, was quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency as saying part of a crane collapsed at 5:10
CMYK
Indian authorities. Discussing Pakistan’s ties with Afghanistan, Aziz said the recent spate of attacks in Kabul had strained the relationship between both countries. “But Afghanistan must understand that just joining the table for talks with Taliban is not enough to ensure peace. Efforts must be directed at making these talks result oriented.” The adviser also shed light on the gains made during operation Zarb-i-Azb and went on to say that the military’s offensive against terrorists had almost come to an end. “The operation is 90 per cent complete and most terrorists have been killed while some have escaped into Afghanistan.” Aziz said registration of seminaries was a perpetual task, one that will take time to complete. Earlier, former foreign ministers Hina Rabbani Khar and Khurshid Kasuri also spoke on the occasion.
pm (1410 GMT) “as a result of strong winds and heavy rains”. More rain and strong winds were forecast for Saturday, the agency said. Irfan al-Alawi, cofounder of the Makkah-based Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, compared the carnage to that caused by a bomb. He suggested authorities were negligent by having a series of cranes overlooking the mosque. “They do not care about the heritage, and they do not care about health and safety,” he told AFP. Alawi is an outspoken critic of redevelopment at the holy sites, which he says is wiping away tangible links to the Prophet Mohammed. Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir said that in addition to the two Indonesians who lost their lives, more than 30 were injured, some seriously. “The consular general is still moving from hospital to hospital to find out if there are more Indonesians who are injured and have not yet been reported.” Malaysia said 10 of its nationals were hurt and six unaccounted for. Iran’s official IRNA news agency, quoting the head of the Hajj Organisation, said 15 Iranian pilgrims were among those injured.
Two TerrorisTs kiLLed, Three cops hurT in peshawar encounTer PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT At least two suspected terrorists were killed while three police personnel sustained injuries when their van was ambushed in Sufaid Dheri area late Friday night. According to police sources, unidentified terrorists launched gun attack on the police mobile van inviting a prompt retaliation from the security personnel that left two assailants dead. Following the attack, police launched a search operation in the Sufaid Dheri and Academy Town areas.
no pakisTani casuaLTy in Makkah crane incidenT, 47 injured: Fo ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah has said that 22 Pakistani pilgrims were injured in the crane crash incident at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and were beiung treated in various hospitals while 25 other Pakistani pilgrims who sustained minor injuries have been discharged after treatment. Khalilullah said that no Pakistani pilgrim was martyred in the incident. Meanwhile, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Yousaf has said that seven of the Pakistani injured were in critical condition. “We are in constant contact with the Saudi authorities and we have been informed that Pakistani doctors are also providing medical aid to the injured,” he said. The Ministry for Religious Affairs, which oversees hajj arrangements, has formed an emergency cell which people can contact to get information about their relatives. People can call the cell in Lahore at: 042-111725425, or they can call the liaison in Saudi Arabia on: 8001166622.
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
SyRiAn wAR SEEn diSPlAcing A Million MoRE thiS yEAR: Un BEIRUT
o
AGENCIES
NE million more people will be displaced within Syria by the end of the year if the war there continues unabated, potentially adding to the flow of refugees to Europe, a senior UN official said. Yacoub El Hillo, UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Syria, said the conflict had already displaced one million people within Syria so far in 2015, with intensified fighting in much of the country now in its fifth year of war. He urged greater international support for severely underfunded aid efforts aimed at sustaining Syrians in their country wherever possible, and warned that a forecast harsh winter ahead would bring even more hardship. “Unless something big is done to resolve this conflict through political means, the human train that has started moving out of Syria and the neighbourhood will continue to be running for
many months to come,” El Hillo told Reuters. “Europe will be faced with a refugee situation similar to the one that led to the creation of UNHCR in 1950,” he said, referring to the establishment of the UN refugee agency set up to help the displaced from the Second World War. The conflict which has killed 250,000
Saudi Arabia claims it has welcomed 100,000 Syrians RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday responded to “false and misleading” reports about its response to the Syrian refugee crisis, saying it has given residency to 100,000 people from the war-ravaged state. The kingdom’s statement followed a similar defence issued Wednesday by the United Arab Emirates, after questions started to be asked about how wealthy Arab states have reacted to the outflow of more than four million Syrians. Germany alone is expected to receive 800,000 asylum-seekers from Syria and elsewhere this year. Many more Syrians are sheltering in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. An official from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited by the official Saudi Press Agency, said the kingdom did not want “to show off or brag in the media” about its response to Syria, where civil war began four years ago. “However, it sees the importance of clarifying these efforts in response to false and misleading media reports about the kingdom,” the unnamed official said. Saudi Arabia “made it a point not to deal with them as refugees” but has issued residency permits to 100,000 Syrians who wished to stay in the kingdom, the official said. “With that came the right to free education, healthcare and employment according to a royal decree in 2012 that also states that Syrian students visiting the kingdom be admitted in public schools,” the official added. The kingdom has supported millions of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and other countries in coordination with the host countries, while providing a total of about $700 million in humanitarian aid, he said. No Gulf country has signed the UN Convention on Refugees which sets standards for the treatment and rights of those fleeing to a new country. Gulf states have been among the most ardent opponents of Syrian President Bashar alAssad, providing funds and weapons for rebel groups fighting him. At the same time, Saudi Arabia and its neighbours last year joined a US-led military coalition bombing extremist Islamic State group rebels in Syria. AGENCIES
people since 2011 has forced half of all Syrians from their homes, creating 4 million refugees and displacing some 7.6 million more within the country. Its repercussions are being felt like never before in Europe, with tens of thousands of refugees trekking from Greece via the Balkans and Hungary
NEW DELHI AGENCIES
At least 104 people died when a cooking gas cylinder exploded in a packed restaurant in India’s central Madhya Pradesh state on Saturday morning, police said, with the blast shattering nearby buildings. The death toll rose rapidly from an initial count of 20 after rescuers recovered dozens more bodies from the debris of the destroyed restaurant and neighbouring structures in the town of Petlawad in Jhabua district. “There are 104 confirmed deaths at the moment. Eighty-two postmortems have been carried out and 22 are still pending,” M. L. Gond, an inspector in charge
towards western Europe. “There are a million people displaced this year and the projection is another million will be displaced inside Syria between now and the end of the year if the violence continues to escalate,” El Hillo said, speaking by phone from Damascus. “So it is safe to assume that more people will be heading to Europe, and rightly so, because the countries that have so generously been hosting these refugees – Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Egypt – are also reaching – in the case of some of them – a breaking point,” he said. The multi-sided war which began in 2011 with an uprising against President Bashar al-Assad has accelerated this year. Rebels have advanced against government forces in the north and the south, while Islamic State has battled Kurds in the northeast, and government forces and rebels further west. Fighting has also intensified in Aleppo. “I remain very concerned by Aleppo and its surroundings, and Deraa and its surroundings,” El Hillo said.
Gas cylinder blast kills 104 in central India of Jhabua’s police control room, told AFP by phone. “My information is that 60 people are injured, but the number could be higher,” he said. Arun Kumar Sharma, chief medical officer of Jhabua district, told AFP by phone from the local hospital that about 100 people were injured in the blast, 20 of them seriously. The blast occurred at around 8:30 am local time at the restaurant where many office workers and schoolchildren were having
breakfast, senior district police official Seema Alava said. Television footage showed scores of people and rescue workers using their bare hands to shift mangled heaps of steel and concrete of the ruined buildings while police cordoned off the area. Bodies covered in dust and ash lay in the streets alongside the twisted wreckage of burned vehicles. She added that the blast knocked down a neighbouring building and damaged several others.
Germany expects 40,000 Syrian refugees during the weekend BERLIN: Some 40,000 Syrian migrants could arrive in Germany over the next two days, officials say - double the number who entered the country last weekend. Most are expected to arrive in the southern city of Munich but there are concerns about how the region will cope with another large influx. Around 4,000 troops are being deployed in Germany for logistical support. Germany has become an attractive destination for Syrian refugees since it waived EU rules. The government announced in August that it would deal with Syrian asylum applications regardless of where the migrants first arrived in the EU - up until then, people had to claim asylum with the first EU country they reached. Tens of thousands of mainly Syrian migrants have been making their way from Turkey, through the Balkans and Hungary to reach Austria, Germany and Sweden. Many migrants received a warm welcome at Munich rail station last weekend, and thousands have continued to arrive in Germany throughout the week. The mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, has made an urgent call for other German regions to do more to process and accommodate the new arrivals. He described as "scandalous" the failure of other regions to provide more accommodation, according to online news source. Reports suggest the government is considering new temporary powers to take control of unoccupied rental property so it can accommodate migrants. A large processing hub is planned for northern Germany on the Luneburg Heath in Lower Saxony. Trains would take migrants there directly from Austria. Meanwhile, protests in support of migrants are expected across Europe later on Saturday. AGENCIES
NEWS 05
Pervaiz Rashid leaves for Moscow to participate in cultural forum IsLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervaiz Rashid left for Moscow early on the Saturday morning to participate in the Second Silk Road International Cultural Forum. Senator Pervaiz Rashid is visiting on the invitation of Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy. The information minister will address the forum on September 14. The cultural forum will be held on September 14 and 15. Apart from political leadership of SCO member states, prominent cultural personalities, entrepreneurs, representatives of the region, SCO observers and dialogue partners will also discuss the establishment of Eurasian organization for cultural cooperation. On its formation, the body will emerge as a permanent multilateral social body, responsible for organising various cultural events in countries falling on the Silk Road route. APP
Egypt’s PM, govt resigns after graft charges CAIRO: Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and his cabinet resigned on Saturday, the presidency said, days after the agriculture minister was arrested over corruption. “The prime minister handed the government’s resignation to the president who accepted it,” a statement said without giving a reason for the resignation. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi asked Mahlab to stay on as caretaker prime minister until a new government is formed, the statement added. The announcement comes as Egypt is set to hold long-delayed legislative elections in phases from October 17 to December 2. The elections had initially been scheduled for early 2014 but were delayed on legal grounds amid charges from rights groups of repressive measures during a crackdown on the Islamist opposition. On Monday, the prime minister’s office announced that agriculture minister Salah Helal had been arrested after being told to step aside on the orders of Sisi in connection with an investigation into corruption. Helal and his chief of staff were believed to have “requested and received” bribes from a businessman, through an intermediary, to legalise the purchase of a property bought from the state. AGENCIES
Fleeing war, Syrian refugees bike across Arctic border into Norway OSLO AGENCIES
“I looked at the map and I decided to give it a go”: Ahmad Taleb is one of a number of crafty refugees who have reached Europe by cycling across the border into Arctic Norway. Norwegian police say that since the beginning of the year, more than 200 asylum seekers, the large majority of them fleeing the war in Syria, have crossed the border from Russia into wealthy Norway. While it is not a member of the European Union (EU), Norway belongs to the Schengen zone allowing free circulation of movement. The roundabout journey through often inhospitable regions opens Europe’s doors to the refugees, without them having to face the perilous Mediterranean crossings risked by hundreds of thousands of others aboard unseaworthy and overloaded boats, before heading off on a land journey full of
stumbling blocks through Europe. More than 380,000 migrants and refugees have arrived in Europe since January, and 2,850 have lost their lives trying to do so or are missing, according to the latest United Nations (UN) figures. “By sea, it’s dangerous,” says Taleb, a 25-year-old Syrian Kurd sitting at the Refstad refugee transit centre in Oslo, where migrants are sent once they’ve crossed the border. “But if you buy the visa for Russia, you just pay and you go. That way is faster and safer,” he adds. Seven days earlier he left Kobane, a town ravaged by fighting between Kurds and the self-styled Islamic State (IS) jihadists who were ultimately driven out in June. The idea to travel to Europe through Russia came to him after speaking to people on Facebook, he says. Wary, waiting to be transferred to an asylum centre with his few belongings shoved into a black
garbage bag, he refuses to disclose the intricate details of his journey. It appears relatively easy for Syrians to get a visa for Russia since the two countries enjoy good relations. After flying to Moscow, Syrians typically travel by train to Murmansk in Northwestern Russia, and then on to Nikel, about 20 kilometres from Norway. There, they buy ... a bicycle, often at a hefty premium. “We paid a lot of money but we didn’t ask too many questions,” says Bahzad Soliman, another Syrian refugee who spent the past three years in Moscow, living off of odd jobs before growing tired of being unable to sort out a more permanent situation for himself. LEgAL pAssAgE: Oddly enough, cycling is almost the only legal way for refugees to cross the Storskog border post between Norway and Russia. Only vehicles are allowed to cross the border, and a bicycle is considered a vehicle.
On the Russian side, authorities do not let pedestrians cross, while on the Norwegian side, police recently began imposing heavy fines on those who take refugees in their car, saying it amounts to human trafficking. As a result, police in Kirkenes, the closest Norwegian town to the border, now have a stock of some 65 bikes, many almost new, which it doesn’t know what to do with, their brief owners having been flown to Oslo by authorities to submit their asylum requests. Most of the bike crossings have taken place in recent weeks, but some also crossed the border last winter in subzero temperatures with snow-covered roads. At the Refstad refugee transit centre — a former recreation centre for Nazi officers during the World War II occupation — the Syrians interviewed said their journey through the Great North cost between between $3,350 and $4,500.
06 NEWS
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
obAMA lEAdS US in REMEMbRAncE of 9/11, URgES vigilAncE WASHINGTON
P
AGENCIES
RESIDENT Barack Obama led the United States (US) Friday in remembrance of 9/11, urging Americans to remain vigilant of “terrorist’ threats on the 14th anniversary of the attacks. Although US forces “have made enormous strides in degrading the core Al-Qaeda,” the terror group responsible for the deadly strikes on US soil,
“we are well aware of the fact that those threats still exist out there,” Obama said in a speech broadcast live to US service members worldwide. “Both in Iraq and in Syria, Afghanistan and in North Africa, what we’re very clear about is we have significant threats coming from terrorist organizations and the terrorist ideology,” Obama warned from Fort Meade, Maryland. Earlier in the day, at 8:46 am, a bell chimed three times on the South Lawn of the White House to mark the moment when Flight 11, piloted by Al-
Qaeda operatives, careened into the North Tower of the World Trade Centre in New York. Blue skies and the hum of jet planes landing and taking off at nearby National Airport evoked that day of tragedy. Obama and his wife Michelle stood solemnly beneath a US flag at half-staff, bowed their heads and marked a moment of silence. The first couple were flanked by White House chefs, gardeners and housekeepers, as well as national security staff. Evidence of 9/11’s impact was everywhere — from Obama’s stars and stripes lapel pin, now ubiquitous among US politicians, to the presence of Lisa Monaco, his Homeland Security Advisor — a post that did not exist before the attacks. Nearly 3,000 people died on September 11, 2001 at Ground Zero in New York, at the Pentagon and aboard a hijacked airliner that went down in rural Pennsylvania. “We honour those we lost. We salute all who serve to keep us safe. We stand as strong as ever,” Obama later said in a post to social media. Almost a decade and a half later, Osama bin Laden is dead and the US presence in Afghanistan and Iraq has ebbed, but Americans’ sense of loss and shock has receded little. In New York, police and relatives of those killed in the World Trade Centre read the names of the victims at Ground Zero, now the site of the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum. At the Pentagon, dozens of family members watched as Defence Secretary Ashton Carter placed a large wreath of white flowers. “They did not and could not take from us what defines us,” Carter said.
Iran says has found unexpectedly high uranium reserve TEHRAN AGENCIES
Iran has discovered an unexpectedly high reserve of uranium and will soon begin extracting the radioactive element at a new mine, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation said on Saturday. The comments cast doubt on previous assessments from some Western analysts who said the
country had a low supply and would sooner or later would need to import uranium, the raw material needed for its nuclear programme. Any indication Iran could become more selfsufficient will be closely watched by world powers, which reached a landmark deal with Tehran in July over its programme. They had feared the nuclear activities were aimed at acquiring the capability to produce
atomic weapons – something denied by Tehran. “I cannot announce (the level of) Iran’s uranium mine reserves. The important thing is that before aerial prospecting for uranium ores we were not too optimistic, but the new discoveries have made us confident about our reserves,” Iranian nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. Salehi said uranium
exploration had covered almost twothirds of Iran and would be complete in the next four years. Uranium can be used for civilian power production and scientific purposes, but is also a key ingredient in nuclear weapons. The July deal between Iran and world powers will lift international sanctions on Iran in exchange for at least a decade of curbs on the country’s nuclear activity.
Queen’s representative resigns following remarks over Pakistani community LONDON: A series of emails by the Queen’s representative, allegedly containing controversial content pertaining to Britain’s Pakistani community were leaked in England; resulting in his resignation. An email quotes the lord lieutenant for the West Midlands, Paul Sabapathy, stating that Pakistanis require ‘a lot of work’ to be taught ‘common courtesy and civility.’ The first non-white person to be recruited as the lord lieutenant, Sabapathy’s duty was to uphold the dignity of the Crown. However, soon after the representative attended an event in Birmingham in respect of Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14, he wrote an email which read: Pakistanis “talk to themselves and do not engage with the wider community. They are living in the UK not Pakistan.” Further, his email reportedly stated that in his opinion, Pakistanis need to communicate with people outside their community for their children to succeed in Britain. “Whilst being rightly proud of their Pakistani culture and heritage they need to explain better and engage more with their non-Pakistani brothers and sisters if they want their children to succeed as British Pakistani citizens.” Sabapathy moved to Britain from Chennai, India and served the Buckingham Palace for about eight years after becoming qualified as a chartered management accountant. Acknowledging his resignation, the Palace issued a statement “We understand that Paul Sabapathy has informed the Cabinet Office of his decision to step down from his role as lord lieutenant in the West Midlands.” “The royal household would like to acknowledge the tremendous work done by Mr Sabapathy since his appointment in 2007 to support the work of the Royal Family and to bring together and work with the communities in the West Midlands,” it added. AGENCIES
INDIA, RUSSIA OPT FOR VELVET DIVORCE By MK BHADRAKUMAR HE statement by the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Wednesday acknowledging that Moscow and Islamabad are engaged in negotiations for the supply of the latest Russian version of Su-35 fighter jet to its “closest partner” Pakistan doesn’t comes as a surprise. This has been the stuff of kite flying by the Russian media in the recent months. Nonetheless, when it is formally acknowledged by a top diplomat, the impact is no less stunning. First, its military significance. Make no mistake, Su-35S, the latest version, a 4++ generation fighter is a formidable beast with a payload up to 8 tons and a wide array of air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. It has high maneuverability, advanced avionics and electronic systems, speed of mach 2.25 and a range of 3600 kilometers. The multi-role Su35 S uses fifth generation technologies and would outclass Rafale that India proposes to buy from France or even America’s F35. Watch its fantastic fight performance, here, at the recent MAKS 2015 Air Show in Russia. Without doubt, if the sale goes through, Su 35 S will be a ‘force multiplier’ for the Pakistan Air Force. Interestingly, China will be the first country to receive the Su 35 S fighter. Russia first offered to India the option to buy the Su 35 S and when it showed disinterest, turned to the Chinese customer. Russia increasingly looks at arms exports as a source of income in these hard times with low oil prices and the western sanctions affecting the economy, which is in recession. Having said that, the willingness to sell such a cutting-edge weapon system to Pakistan, India’s archrival, is indeed hugely symbolic in its import for the quality of Russia-Indian relations today. To be sure, if the sale goes through, India-
T
Russia relations can never be the same again. The romance of the Indo-Soviet friendship began dissipating in the early nineties but a special bonding laced with realism promptly replaced it, but now that seems to be inexorably unraveling. The good thing is that the parting of ways may not be in acrimony or with heartache. Both India and Russia are moving on strategic trajectories that do not happen to be similar. They are far from running into each other – not yet, at least – but would have, simply put, different priorities today. Both are BRICS member countries but doubt arises often what makes India to be one when its foreign policies have drained of any high principles or ideology and are practically motivated by self-interest. Whereas Russian foreign policies are imbued with a long term vision regarding the world order and are focused on the working of an international system based on international law, India has preferred to remain a lotus eater. For Russia, the tense relationship with the US is increasingly turning into an adversarial mode, while India under the present government, obsessed with the rise of China, is edging closer than ever to the US’ rebalance strategy in Asia. If reports are to be believed, US and India even co-sponsored the project to bring about a regime change in Sri Lanka by ousting President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whom they viewed as ‘pro-China’. At a time when India cozies up to any country that would have a problem with China, the relationship between Russia and China are at their best ever historically. At any rate, it was New Delhi that began introducing ‘market forces’ into its arms procurement policies, cherrypicking from Russia only if it suited India’s interests and assiduously searching for alternate sources of supply from abroad. Lately, the United States has also been replacing Russia, inevitably, as India’s preferred source of military hard-
ware. Russia holds no veto power over New Delhi’s decisions to incrementally cut down its share of the Indian market. The decision to offer Su 35 S to Pakistan underscores that Russia has reconciled with the India’s policies and will now go its own way to secure its self-interests. Clearly, New Delhi also cannot hope to veto the Russia-Pakistan arms dealings. This ought to make the parting of ways cordial. Secondly, Russia may view China – or Pakistan, Indonesia or Egypt, which have been mentioned as potential customers for the Su 35 fighter – as commercial customers but then, the political considerations underlying weapons sales are always there. What could be the considerations behind a potential Su 35 S deal with Pakistan? To be sure, the rapidly growing military ties between Moscow and Islamabad testify to the strategic importance that Russia attaches to Pakistan in the geopolitics of the region and Moscow’s overall regional strategies. For one thing, as a key player in the Afghan endgame that impacts on Russia and Central Asia’s vital interests, Pakistan assumes importance in Russia’s security calculus. More important, perhaps, weaning Pakistan away from the American orbit is a strategic necessity for Russia and the military cooperation creates leverage both to influence Pakistani policies as well as to provide space for Pakistan to maneuver its way out of Uncle Sam’s decades-old embrace. Russia would estimate that given Pakistan’s enviable geographical location, the US’s regional strategies can never be effective without Pakistan playing its traditional cold-war era role as junior partner. Conceivably, Russian policies toward Pakistan are moving in the direction of its efforts to counter the American intentions to establish military bases in Afghanistan on a long-term basis. (Amongst the regional players,
India must be the only country that may welcome a long term American military presence in Afghanistan.) Equally, it needs to be factored in that Russia and China coordinate their regional policies and the two big powers could be moving in tandem to strengthen Pakistan’s ‘strategic autonomy’ – China with its offer of massive investments within the ambit of the Silk Road projects and Russia stepping in to roll back Pakistan’s dependence on the US for meeting its defence needs. Interestingly, an agreement to lease 2300 acres of land in the vicinity of Gwadar Port in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province to China for a 43-year period was reportedly signed this week. (People’s Daily) Indeed, Russia and China can do a great deal in tandem to ensure that the US influence over Pakistan gets vastly diminished. Actually, compared to the situation even 5 or 6 ago, Washington would already be sensing the need to negotiate hard with Pakistan rather than simply dictate terms as it used to do. Gone are the days when an incumbent Pakistani prime minister desperately sought a White House invitation to consolidate his political standing in the domestic power structure. The special bonding between the Pentagon and the CIA with their Pakistani counterparts is also becoming a relic of history. Against this backdrop, Russia sees a ‘level playing field’ becoming available in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in a way that would have been unthinkable during the cold war era. For sure, Russia’s gravitation toward Pakistan shifts the tectonic plates in regional politics. The arms deals with Pakistan will proclaim to the entire region and internationally that the alignment in the power dynamic is changing. Whether the realignment in the power dynamic of the region works to India’s advantage or not remains to be seen. The hard reality is that despite all
the hype about the US-Indian ‘defining partnership of the 21st century’, India hasn’t gained anything much out of it so far. It is high time ‘Friend Barack’ who is left with only 16 more months in office does something tangible for India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The point is, Pakistan will always try to balance its ties with the US with its developing relations with Russia. It is adept at managing the balancing act with great finesse – showing, for example, remarkable dexterity in balancing the ‘allweather friendship’ with China and its partnership with the US as its key ‘nonNATO ally’ all through the past decade of the Afghan war since 2001. From the US point of view, too, Pakistan will remain a key regional partner bordering West and Central Asia. Besides, any containment strategy toward China, Russia and Iran can only be pursued if Pakistan is willing to play along or at least maintain a ‘positive neutrality’. Over and above, it is crucial for the US to remain engaged with Pakistan so long as the problem of international terrorism remains a concern for the western world. Of course, India can never be a substitute for the role that Pakistan is expected to play. Most certainly, in order to neutralize India’s regional profile, Pakistan will continue to strive to maintain a strategic partnership with the US based on shared concerns and common interests (while strengthening its ‘strategic autonomy’). Suffice it to say, if the Su 35 S ever appears over the Pakistani skies, it will be a stark reminder that the Modi government’s foreign policies have ended in a cul de sac. After all, it is no mean achievement for the Modi government to have chilled the ties with China, ratcheted up tensions with Pakistan to a near-flashpoint and to atrophy India’s time-tested relationship with Russia to this low point — and, all that to have been achieved in a matter of just 15 months in power.
WEATHER UPDATES
SUNDAY
390C 270C
MONDAY
400C
270C
TUESDAY
390C 270C
WEDNESDAY
390C 270C
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
LAHORE 07 MINISTER ANNOUNCES SCHOOLS FOR POLICE PERSONNEL’S CHILDREN LAHORE STAFF REPORT
LAHORE: The city experienced heavy rainfall on Saturday afternoon. ONLINE
At least 66 girls fall unconscious after anti-dengue fumigation in Jhelum school HEALTH MINISTER SAYS SCHOOL’S PRINCIPAL ARRANGED FOR DENGUE FUMIGATION THROUGH A LOCAL VENDOR WHO HAD ALLEGEDLY USED SUBSTANDARD PESTICIDE IN LARGE AMOUNTS LAHORE
A
STAFF REPORT
T least 66 female students lost consciousness while 38 of them were hospitalised in serious condition as a result of anti-dengue fumigation carried out in Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Jhelum’s Domaily area Saturday. The critically affected girls were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Jhelum, after about three hours when ambulances arrived at the incident. The headmistress of the school had ordered that the school’s main entrance and exit gates be closed during school hours on Saturday, due to which the parents of affected students, who rushed to the school after being informed, were forced to climb the insti-
tution’s walls to enter the premises. Authorities were not informed about the incident until it was reported on media. Executive District Officer (EDO) for Education Khalid Mehmood said that the school was fumigated after school hours on Friday. But the vapour, he said, was trapped in the classrooms and caused the girls to collapse when they entered the rooms next day. Medical Superintendent Dr Shaukat Mahmood said the condition of the affected students was out of danger, with many of them having been discharged. Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident, after which Punjab Minister for Health Rana Mashood, Health Adviser Khwaja Salman Rafiq and Punjab Chief Sectary Khizar Hayat Gondal arrived at the scene.
According to the provincial health minister, the school’s principal arranged for dengue fumigation at the school through a local vendor who had allegedly used substandard pesticide in large amounts. Authorities arrested the government school’s headmistress, watchmen and the local pesticide-seller. CM Shahbaz Sharif later chaired a meeting which took place at the District Coordination Officer’s (DCO) office through video link. The meeting was attended by Punjab chief secretary, health minister, health adviser and members of
the national and provincial assemblies. The incident took place only two days after Dawn reported 30 female students lost consciousness while over 350 others were affected as a result of antidengue fumigation carried out in another government school in Attock. Hospitals in Punjab have seen a surge in patients affected by Dengue virus in recent months. Dawn reported that despite spending millions of rupees on the anti-dengue measures, the disease is apparently getting out of the control of the health department in Rawalpindi.
Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said on Saturday that educational institutions would be set up for the children of police employees throughout Punjab including Lahore. Presiding over a meeting regarding setting up of educational institutions for Punjab police department, the minister said that the project would be started from Lahore where 26,000 police officers and officials were rendering their services. He said that 267 officers of Lahore police had embraced martyrdom in the war against terrorism. Besides allocating special quota for the children of police officials in private and public schools, their educational expenses would be paid from Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, he added. Khan said the administration of schools already set up at Qurban Lines would be handed over directly to Punjab police. He said that provision of free educational facilities to the children of martyrs was a part of National Action Plan (NAP) and a national responsibility. DIG Operations Dr. Haider Ashraf, EDO schools and other officers were present on the occasion. The minister said that for setting up of police public school system for the children of police officers and officials, models would be considered on the pattern of Army Public School, Garrison School and DPS. He said that special security arrangements would be made for police schools. The meeting decided that a school of one kanal already present in Qurban Lines would be given under the supervision of Lahore police. The minister also announced constitution of a committee comprising representatives of Schools Education Department, college education and education wings of Punjab police for setting up of schools for police department. Representation would also be given to Punjab Education Foundation and Punjab Endowment Fund in the aforementioned committee. The meeting decided that the assistance of endowment fund would be sought for fulfilling the educational needs of children of martyrs of police on permanent basis. The Minister directed authorities concerned to get the details regarding all the martyrs of police and their children from all over the province so that all educational stages could be ensured for the children of martyrs under a comprehensive plan.
Sindbad Wonderland launched 700-strong Dolphin Force at Fortress Stadium set to Fight street crime LAHORE: Some 700 personnel of Dolphin Force are ready to take charge of Lahore’s streets. The Dolphin Force, comprising 700 policemen, is being equipped with skills to hunt criminals in the dingy streets of the metropolis in a course that will also enable them to respond with rapidity in the face of any criminal act. The force not only has perfected the art of chasing criminals in narrow streets on their heavy bikes, it will also be able to go after them in congested traffic in the city. The policemen from the Dolphin Force will be provided with 300 heavy bikes for patrolling in the city as well as special training to protect evidence. STAFF REPORT
LAHORE PRESS RELEASE
Sindbad’s wonderland is the pioneer in the family entertainment industry in Pakistan and has been operating in Karachi since 1991.Being a sister company of the dolmen group, in the recent years Sindbad’s Wonderland and Dolmen Group have been working together to provide quality indoor entertainment to families from all over Karachi with outlets at Dolmen Mall Clifton, Tariq Road and Hyderi. The fully refurbished new Sindbad’d at Fortress stadium Lahore, launched on 2nd September 2015.Occupying an area of 19,000 sq feet, this outlet hosts a large range of arcade, prize and toddler games along with spin zone bumper cars, a soft play area for toddlers and indoor rides. The launch event was held with a fun evening out for children and parents based in Lahore. The event had a glamorous, red carpet hosted by
Natty and a parade to kick off the festivities of the opening week. The launch was well attended by Lahories and there was plenty of photo-ops with characters for children to enjoy. Based on a similar operations model as the indoor outlets in Karachi, this outlet is run completely by a top up card system called the “Sindbad’s fun card” which can be used to operate all games and rides as well as earn redemption points. This one card can be used at all Sindbad’s locations in Karachi and Lahore. The new outlet in Lahore also features a zoning system with different dedicated play zones for younger and older children. The Lahore facility also hosts a food outlet catered by OPTP. Special emphasis has been placed on safety and security during the design of this outlet and it hosts a modern fire safety system along with controlled access gates at all entrances. The new outlet promises to provide quality entertainment for the entire family in a safe, climatically controlled environment.
LAHORE: Dr Pervaiz Hassan inaugurating the Sheikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law. Punjab Governor Rafiq Rajwana is also seen in the picture. STAFF PHOTO
08 LAHORE
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
INTER RESULTS OUT, CANDIDATES HOPEFUL FOR BRIGHT FUTURE LAHORE HASSAAN AHMED
t
HE Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore declared the intermediate result on Saturday in which 92,720 candidates were successful out of 152,981, with 60.61 percent pass percentage. The overall first position in the intermediate examination 2015 was shared by two boys who each scored 1,044 marks out of 1,100. The second position holder scored 1,043 marks and the third position was shared by two girls who each secured 1,042 marks. Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore Chairman Nasrullah Virk announced the names of the position holders at a press conference at the board office on Friday. On Saturday, a prize distribution ceremony was held in the honor of position holders at Al-Hamra Hall on The Mall Road in which Punjab Minister for Food Bilal Yaseen was the chief guest. The first, second and third position holders were awarded with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals as well as cash prizes amounting to Rs 20,000 Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. A laptop was given to the overall first position holder. Per BISE Lahore’s briefing, Muhammad Umar of KIPS College for Boys, Johar Town, and Syed Shayan Zahid of Government College University secured 1,044 marks each. Abyaz Asmar of Government
Kinnaird College for Women stood second with 1,043 marks, and Mahnoor Wazeer of Government Kinnaird College for Women and Rimsha Zia of the Punjab College for Women, Muslim Town, secured 1,042 marks each and stood third overall. In the Pre-Medical Group (boys), Faisal Maqsood stood first with 1,041 marks. Muhammad Awais and Muhammad Zawar Asif stood second with 1,037 marks and the third position was shared by Muhammad Afraz Naeem and Zargham Abbas Syed who secured 1,036 marks. In the Pre-Medical Group (girls), Abyaz Asmar stood first, Mahnoor Wazeer second and Namal Nasir third. In the Pre-Engineering Group, Muhammad Umar and Syed Shayan Zahid among boys stood first, Muhammad Tahirul Haq stood second and Muhammad Nasik Tahir stood third. In the Pre-Engineering Group (girls), Rimsha Zia got first position, Javeria Rizwan stood second and Ayesha Khurram stood third. In the General Science Group (boys), Muhammad Abid stood first, Muhammad Shehryar stood second and Mir Ahmed Jalal stood third. Among girls, Rabia Noor stood first, Sakina second, and Aniqa Imtiaz and Shumaila Khan shared the third position. In the Commerce Group (boys), Muhammad Hasnain stood first, Hamza Shahbaz stood second and Jawad Ahmad Butt got the third position. Among girls, Malaika Raheed secured first position, Hira Salahud Din stood second, and Rabia Haider and Mahrukh Gull shared the third position.
PRAyER TIMINgS FAJR SUNRISE
ZUHR
ASR MAGHRIB ISHA
4:24
11:59
3:30
5:44
6:12
7:34
LAHORE: Provincial minister Bilal Yaseen photographed with the position holder students during the Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony of Board of Intermediate Education at Al Hamra Hall on Saturday. ONLINE
In the Humanities Group (boys), Mehran Akbar stood first, Sajjad Asghar second and Ghulam Qasim Ameer stood third. Among girls, Nagheen Fatima secured first position, Hiba Arshad stood second and Dua Hamid third. Abyaz Asmar, student of Government Kinnaird College For Women Lahore, who clinched overall second position in intermediate examination with scoring 1,043 marks out of 1,100. She told Pakistan Today that entrance test exam for getting admission in medical colleges is transparent and good as serious candidates are shortlisted in this process. “I’ll serve my country after becoming doctor
because our government spends a lot of resources to produce a single doctor,” said Abyaz who stood first among girls in Pre-Medical Group. Syed Shayan Zahid, student of Government College University (GCU) Lahore, grabbed overall first position by scoring 1,044 marks. He could not attend the prize distribution ceremony because he is doing Mechanical Engineering from America nowadays after passing their entrance exam. Syed Zahid Aziz, the father of Shayan, received the souvenir and medal for his son. He told this scribe that he had the intuition that his son will make him proud by getting top position in
board exam because his son was also a topper in first part of intermediate. Another student named Muhammad Awais Saleem of GCU Lahore got 1,037 marks in Pre-Medical Group and clinched second position in his group. He was much critical about the entrance test exam as he said that your abilities cannot be judged on the basis of just a three-hour test. “I was under immense pressure while preparing for the entrance test and could not score as much as I did in FSC,” said Awais while taking to Pakistan Today. He was confident of getting admission in King Edward Medical University (KEMU) and he vowed to pay his country back the “investment” incurred upon him. Muhammad Abid, who stood first in General Science Group among boys, told this scribe that he will do BSC in Statistics in future and will prefer to choose the teaching profession. BISE Lahore Chairman Dr Muhammad Nasrullah Virk, MPA Ghazali Saleem Butt and heads of the institutions attended the prize distribution ceremony. The BISE chairman said that the Lahore board has been providing the foolproof examination results since four years as per vision of the Punjab chief minister. Intermediate (Supplementary) Examination, 2015 will be commenced from October 23, 2015. In this connection, the candidates can send their admission form online with single fee till September 21, 2015, with double fee till September 29, 2015 and with triple fee till October 2, 2015.
Massive 10-foot python killed at Lawrence
MINISTER WOOS FARMERS WITH ‘GRAINY’ PROMISES
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
Addressing farmers in protest sit-in of Kisan Raaj on Mall Road, Punjab Minister for Agriculture Dr Farrukh Javed has said that present government is bringing the biggest support package of the history for farmers. He said that all genuine demands of cultivators regarding rice, cotton, sugarcane and agri machinery are being fulfilled. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will announce the historic package for farmers within next few days. He said that this package will be an important step towards prosperous Punjab and Pakistan. He said that despite opposition by the sugar industry, the chief minister fixed the price of sugarcane at Rs 180 per maund while Rs 150 per maund was given in Sindh. Punjab government is introducing agri road reforms throughout the province at a cost of Rs 150 billion. Dr Javed said that farmers of Punjab should be thankful to Shehbaz Sharif for his farmer-friendly steps. He said that he himself is a farmer and has raised voice at every level for fulfilling the genuine demands of cultivators. On the assurance by agriculture minister, the farmers ended their protest sit-in and the road was opened for traffic. Earlier, when the minister reached the sit-in of farmers, the farmer leaders raised slogans in his favour and told their demands. Farmer leaders Arslan Khaqwani, Jam Ghanzafar Abbas, Abid Khan and others thanked Agriculture Minister for participating in the protest of farmers and described him their ambassador. Talking to the farmers, Dr Javed assured them that present government is making serious efforts for resolving the problems of farmers.
LAHORE STAFF REPORT
A 10-foot-long Burmese Python snake was killed by local security guards in Bagh-e-Jinnah on
Saturday Per details, visitors spotted the massive snake and informed the authorities. It was immediately killed by the guards. The snake was 10-foot-long and weighed more than 40 kilograms.
Snakes are not native to the area, however, the garden administration stated that the python might have escaped from the zoo. Meanwhile, the zoo administration has denied the claim.
PAK’S GEOGRAPHY KEY TO ITS SUCCESSFUL FUTURE: USCG LAHORE STAFF REPORT
United States (US) Counsel General in Pakistan Zachary Harkenrider has on Saturday said that geography of Pakistan is the country’s biggest power and the key to its future success. He said that poultry industry has been playing a key role in strengthening Pakistan’s economy. Diplomatic session was held at the end of the three-day exhibition held at Expo Center Lahore under Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA).
The session was attended by the diplomatic officials from Norway, Korea and Belgium along with Chinese Council General. PPA officials said that chicken is popular among all classes in Pakistan and has acquired the status of a national dish. The Chinese counsel general said that poultry industry has been fulfilling Pakistan’s food needs and is developing at a pace never observed before. The American counsel general visited the I-Pax 2015. He took the information about the things placed there and appreciated the
skills of the experts. Talking to media, he said that Pakistani poultry products are in accordance with the international standards and that his presence there proved that the US has confidence in Pakistani poultry products’ standard. He said that the US youth is coming towards chicken proteins and similar trends are being observed in Pakistan as well. Harkenrider said that chicken’s production and demand is increasing rapidly in Pakistan and it shared with US the history of using chicken as a food item.
govt DeciDes to keep recorD oF tAbleeghis LAHORE STAFF REPORT The provincial government has decided to keep computerised record of attendees of Raiwind Tableeghi congregation in the wake of the prevailing law and order situation in the country. According to sources, biometric system will be installed at gates to keep the record of attendees. The sources said that the decision has been taken in connection with the implementation of National Action Plan. Thumb and finger impressions of the congregation participants will be taken at all entry points. Surveillance of incoming traffic from Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, South and North Waziristan and Quetta would be carried out through secret cameras.
BUSINESS 09
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
CORPORATE CORNER K-Electric and Easy Paisa build electronic payment channel for new connections KARACHI: K-Electric through its press statement was pleased to announce that the power utility has further cemented its collaboration with Telenor’s EasyPaisa and payments for new connections for electricity could now also be made with ease at any EasyPaisa shop or via Easy paisa Mobile Accounts/Wallets. This is first time that such an initiative has been launched in the power utility sector for accepting payments for New Connections and this initiative will speed up the process of new connection payments, eventually facilitating the customers. Easy Paisa which is Pakistan’s first and largest branchless banking service and a joint venture between Tameer Microfinance Bank and Telenor Pakistan, has more than 70,000 shops across the country which would facilitate any transaction for K-Electric’s customer in acquiring a new connection. On this occasion K-Electric’s Chief Distribution Officer Syed Muhammad Taha said, “This initiative is part of the company’s technology road map that aims to make the entire system costeffective by streamlining payments, improving operational efficiencies, gaining greater cash visibility and ultimately making our services more customer-centric”. PRESS RELEASE
SILKBANK RIGHTS PROCESS COMPLETING SUCCESSFULLY KARACHI: Silkbank Rights issuance process will be completed successfully by end September 2015. The Rights Subscription money is already in and upon completion of the process, Silkbank capital will be in excess of Rs. 14 billion, which substantially exceeds the regulatory requirement of Minimum Capital and Capital Adequacy Ratio. Silkbank is backed by strong international sponsors, which include IFC (World Bank Group), Nomura European Investments, Bank Muscat and Sinthos Capital. Post Rights, this Group will be further strengthened by the inclusion of ArifHabib Corporation. The Group will continue to be led by Mr. Shaukat Tarin. PRESS RELEASE
DKT launches Jadelle with Bayer HealthCare’s support KARACHI: With the support of Bayer HealthCare, DKT Pakistan is proud to add Jadelle, a long term contraceptive, to their extensive portfolio. Jadelle is the first contraceptive implant to be prequalified by the World Health Organization and considered a highly effective contraceptive method. The average annual pregnancy rate over five years with the use of Jadelle is less than 1 percent. Two thin, flexible implants filled with a synthetic progestin are inserted just under the skin of the upper arm. “Jadelle is an effective, convenient, reversible and long acting contraceptive that protects women who are seeking continuous contraception for up to five years. DKT will make Jadelle readily available to women who do not wish to get pregnant, sterilized or those who want to space their children, says Juan Enrique Garcia, Country Director, DKT Pakistan. “Jadelle is also excellent for those who cannot use IUDs or methods that contain estrogen.” PRESS RELEASE
TCS Connect now Yayvo.com KARACHI: TCS has launched www.yayvo.com - the new face of the online shopping portal, TCS Connect. Yayvo.com offers more shopping convenience to online shoppers in Pakistan and around the world. An e-commerce site of TCS E-Com (Pvt.) Limited, Yayvo.com offers a wide range of leading local and global brands, including electronic gadgets, mobile phones, fashion apparel for men and women, home décor and lifestyle goods, books, edible items and much more. Every product on Yayvo.com is original, and is packed and shipped with an official warranty, backed by the TCS delivery promise. Yayvo.com has also teamed up with TCS Hazir for selected high demand brands. The service ensures delivery within 60 minutes of ordering online right to the customer’s doorstep in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad or Rawalpindi. The 60-minute online shopping model is the first of its kind in Pakistan. Yayvo.com redefines the online shopping experience for customers with its 7-day return-no questions asked policy, along with a simple and easy-to-use interface. Customers can call, chat or order online directly from any device having internet connectivity. Yayvo.com specialists guide customers and help make their shopping experience more memorable. PRESS RELEASE
SBP CUTS POLICY RATE BY 50BPS TO 6PC AS INFLATION EASES CPI InFlAtIon Comes down to 3.6 Per Cent In August 2015 From 8.4 Per Cent In August 2014 KARACHI
T
STAFF REPORT
HE central board of directors of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Saturday decided to further cut the discount rate by 50 basis points (bps) from 6.5 percent to
6 percent. Year-on-year headline CPI inflation decelerated to 1.7 percent in August 2015 from 7.0 percent in August 2014. Following its declining trend of the past several months, the 12-month moving average CPI inflation came down to 3.6 percent in August 2015 from 8.4 percent in August 2014, according to a statement issued by the central bank. Other indicators, such as core inflation measures, have also decreased in August 2015. Major sources of declining inflation are favorable supply shocks and demand management policies. The current deceleration owes much to the smooth supply of the perishable food items and falling international oil price pass-through to consumer prices. Continuation of current trends along with moderate pick up in aggregate demand would largely determine the path of inflation in 2015-16. Recent increases in natural and compressed natural gas prices and their likely second round impacts would be offset by lower global oil price that has yet to find the bottom. Thus, there is no change in SBP’s forecast of average CPI inflation for 2015-16 with its range of 4.5 to 5.5 percent remaining below the annual plan target of 6 percent. There are, however, two possible upside risks to this forecast. The government plans of paring down of subsidy on electricity along with increase in its tariffs and the pos-
sible adverse impact of low food prices on crop production. Downside risks to the forecast include the lesser likelihood of recovery in global commodity prices including that of oil. With current trends and projections, the probability of downside risks appear to be greater than the upside risks. Moreover, the latest IBA-SBP survey of September 2015 has reported lower inflation expectations for the coming months. The situation in external current account at the beginning of 2016-16 is not much different from the end of the last fiscal year. While the exports again declined in the month of July 2015, external current account deficit recorded slight improvement due to declining oil import payments and increasing workers’ remittances. With favorable trends in these variables, a current account deficit of the size of endFY15 seems manageable in this fiscal year. This is supported by the expected surplus in the capital and financial account in FY16 on the back of planned Euro/Sukuk bonds inflows, official disbursements, and the remaining IMF funding under the EFF program. Apart from yielding an overall balance of payments surplus, this would help maintain the foreign exchange reserves’ upward trajectory of the last two fiscal years. However, increases in exports and foreign direct investments are imperative for sustainability of external sector. In this regard, recent improvements in law and order situation and continued macroeconomic stability are likely to increase the prospects for long-term foreign capital inflows. Moreover, going forward, much needed boost to Pakistani exports may come through US economic recovery and through further gains in EU’s GSP-Plus scheme. However, structural bottlenecks especially in the textile sector and subdued international commodity prices remain the major risk to exports outlook. The contraction in broad money (M2) during 1st July to 28th August, 2015 was mainly a result of reduction in net domestic assets of the banking system. Increase in government borrowing from scheduled banks
PM APPROVES LAHORE-SIALKOT MOTORWAY, ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY SIALKOT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given the final approval of two mega projects of establishing the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway and an international standard University of Engineering and Technology at Sialkot, saying that both of these mega projects would be helpful in socio-economic and human development of Sialkot. Federal Minister for Defence, Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif disclosed this while addressing an important meeting of business community held at Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) on Saturday. The minister said that PM Sharif has approved a mega project of establishing 90 kilometres long Sialkot-Lahore Motorway, saying the region’s remote and rural areas have been connected to this motorway. He said that the motorway would be constructed on Build-Operate and Own (BOT) system with total estimated cost of Rs 45 billion, saying that the construction work on this motorway project would be started in October 2015. He said that the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway project would
be completed in the stipulated period of next two years, saying that the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway project would open new vistas of socio-economic and human development in Sialkot region, especially in Pakistan’s first ever Golden Export Triangle Sialkot, Gujrat and Gujranwala districts as well. He said that the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway would start from Sahowala-Sambrial and will end at Kala Shah Kaku via Daska, Gujranwala and Kamonki. He said the project of Sialkot-Lahore Motorway project has a great commercial viability, which would be expanded to Kharian from Sambrial in the second phase of this project, saying that the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway would be the busiest road in the country following the growing flow of traffic in this region. The minister said that PM Sharif has also approved the mega project of establishing an international standard university of engineering and technology at Sialkot, saying that the work on this university project would begin in 2016. STAFF REPORT
was offset by repayment to SBP and Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) maturing during this period. The retirement of working capital in July FY16 by majority of the private sector businesses is as per their normal credit cycle. The off-take of fixed investment loans by energy generation and distribution, chemicals and services sectors signal possible pick-up in their productive activity in the coming months. Therefore, in the coming days, credit off take is expected to strengthen further. Moreover, monetary conditions, despite easing, still appear to be tight as real lending rates are hovering around 4 percent since December FY15 due to rapidly falling inflation. Overall liquidity situation in financial markets remained stressed in the post July 2015 monetary policy period. Government borrowing from commercial banks, Eid related cash withdrawals, and some deposit withdrawal from banks due to seasonal factors increased liquidity shortfall in the money market. Considering liquidity shortages, SBP continued to support the market, keeping the overnight money market rate range bound. According to the central bank, with better law and order situation, investor and consumer confidence is improving. After recording a growth of 3.3 percent, Large-scale Manufacturing is expected to gain further traction at the back of improvement in energy supplies. Implementation of infrastructure development and energy projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor would further enhance the improving investment environment. Therefore, there is anticipation of higher economic activity in 2015-16 which is expected to boost credit uptake.
Five PIA officials accused of having ‘fake degrees’ KARACHI: As many as five top officials of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) are holding fake degrees and enquiries against them have been swept under the carpet. According to credible sources, the five officials, who work as assistant manager and duty officers, included Tanvir Qasim, Wajid Salim, Qaisra Tabassum, Irfan Basit and Muhammad Ejaz, were inducted into the national flag-carrier in 1996 without any test or interview. The sources told Online that after an internal enquiry was launched against them, the officials purchased fake degrees from Al-Khair University in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The officials have undertaken foreign visits several times besides getting promotions by providing fake degrees, according to the sources. A case has also been pending in a court against these officials. Several applications were also sent to the FIA for action against these officials but the request fell on a deaf ear. When contacted, PIA Human Resource Manager Muhammad Rashid said that a case of the five officials was sub-judice and refused to comment on the issue. ONLINE
LNG IMPORT MULTIPLIES PSO’S FINANCIAL MISERIES NEWS DESK The state-owned Pakistan State Oil (PSO) is still languishing in the ocean of financial miseries that seem to continue unabated as its receivables have surged to Rs 235.4 billion, a report in the local media said on Saturday. According to the report, the government’s oil marketing company has further started braving more losses because of the import of LNG as the failure in recovery of the LNG arrears has emerged as the biggest inefficiency of the government of the day under the existing scenario. According to payables and receivables position of the said government entity, as
of September 9, 2015, the Sui Northern and Pak Arab Fertlizers owe Rs17.8 billion to PSO. However, the biggest defaulter of the PSO is still the power sector that needs to pay Rs194 billion. The PSO also needs to recover the arrears of Rs 14.2 billion from the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Rs 9.6 billion from the government in the head of price differential claims. However, the company needs to pay Rs 23 billion to refineries and Rs 40 billion are also desired to be paid to maintain L/Cs and ensure the payments to the Kuwait Petroleum Company. An official said the PSO was going into another trap of circular debt because
of the LNG import and the failure in recovery of its arrears. The LNG payments are stuck up mainly because of the nonexistence of the tripartite agreement between PSO, Sui Southern and Sui Northern and on top of that there exists no LNG sale price in the country and therefore, it has become mission impossible to bill those who have used the RLNG. Owing to this very fact, the official argued, the signing of LNG deal with Qatargas Company for smooth supply in the country is in the doldrums. Now the situation on tripartite agreement between the three entities have further aggravated after prime minister sacked SNGPL MD Arif Hameed over non-compliance of the gov-
ernment directions in finalising the agreement. In the meanwhile, Lahore High Court (LHC) restored the sacked managing director which also irked the government. The government in haste convened the board of directors meeting of Sui Northern to topple the managing director, but failed to do so as the majority of the members of the board refused to subscribe the viewpoint of the government. Now the case of the managing director will be resolved in the LHC and no one can predict for how long the legal battle between the government and managing director of the gas utility will linger on. The fact is that the advancement, the official explained, on the tripartite agreement
had been virtually stalled. It is pertinent to mention that Qatargas Company had given the deadline of September 30 to the government of Pakistan to resolve all the issues including the tripartite agreement and payment mechanism. It seems that the government may not be able to resolve the issue. In addition Ogra has asked PSO, SUI Southern and Sui Northern to provide the invoices of consignments in importing LNG vetted by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources so that the regulator could determine the LNG sale prices. “Unless and until the said issues are resolved, the recovery of the huge payment will be impossible. This will add to the financial miseries of Pakistan State Oil.”
10 LEISURE
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
HaGaR tHE HoRRIblE
ARIES
TAURUS
GEMINI
A romantic option comes your way that makes you wonder what's really going on -- things could be a lot clearer! Still, your energy is good enough that you can make the most of this opportunity.
You are locked in a power struggle with someone who thinks they know better than you -but they're actually just wrapped up in their own fantasies. You should be able to enlist support with ease.
Your brainy energy is perfect for the day's challenges -- so face the head-on as soon as they arise! It's easier than ever for you to dream up creative solutions to the thorniest problems.
CANCER
LEO
VIRGO
You feel extravagant today -- so much so that you may decide to make a big purchase or to deal with people as if you were a monarch. Enjoy the energy, but don't expect it to last forever.
Something big comes down today -- and you helped make it so! You should find that your great energy is perfect for celebrating your victory, but make sure that everyone involved gets their credit.
You need to be as flexible as you can be today -- otherwise, things are not likely to go your way. In fact, your adaptation may only help you keep your head above water. It gets better soon, though!
LIBRA
SCORPIO
SAGITTARIUS
A good friend of yours swings by (maybe virtually) for a chat, and leaves a hint of something big brewing. You may not know the details yet, but you're sure to enjoy the results when they come!.
Your biggest challenge has come to face you today -- but it's really just an opportunity to show off! That's not to say it's easy, but you may make it look that way. The right person leaves impressed.
A travel opportunity comes your way -so jump on it! You're more than likely at least a little surprised by it, but your great energy helps you to make the most of it. Could it lead to romance?.
dIlbERt
GaRFIEld
baldo
CAPRICORN
AQUARIUS
PISCES
This is not the best day for making changes -- but you may have to do so anyway. You're always up for a challenge, but sometimes it just feels as if it should be somebody else's problem.
You need to deal with an issue that requires compromise -- and that may actually come pretty easily to you on a day like today. See if you can get all parties to agree to something that's mutually agreeable.
Your health is playing a vital role in the day's activities -for good or for ill. It's a great time for you to take a positive step toward something that can make a real difference in your life.
cRosswoRd
sUdokU
woRd sEaRcH
ACROSS
7 Lively (4) 8 Overly tanned (8) 9 Badly affected (4-3) 11 Ermine in summertime? (5)
bRIdGE
How to play
5 Blood flow (11)
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.
AMUSE BELIEVE BROkE CINNAMON CLIMAx COAST COMMERCIAL COMPETITION dEfINE dETAIL dOzEN fIGURE fIxES fROST GENTLEMAN GRILL hEAR IdEAL
LAME MISLEAd MOVIE NEAT ONION PILLOw PRICE PUBLIC REALIzE SLOT SNARE ThEE TOTAL TRAVEL URGES wAkE wEEkENd
Today’s soluTions
loUIE's RaINy day
13 Small rounded hill (5) 16 Give an incentive (8) 17 Clenched hand (4)
cHEss black TO PlaY aND MaTE IN fOur MOVEs
18 Monitor (4,2,3,2)
8
DOwn 1 Become ragged (4)
7
2 hobby (7)
6
3 Excursion (5)
crossword solution
14 Showing great learning (7)
5
4 Positioned (8) 5 Pirate in a Barrie play (7,4)
4
6 free from affiliation or bias (3-8)
3
10 Musical instrument — lime curd (anag) (8)
2
17 Be aware of — texture (4)
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
chess solution 1...e4! 2.bxe4 [2.be2 g5] 2...Nxe4 3.Qxe4 g5 4.Nf3 bf5 wins the queen in broad daylight. *
1
15 Nonbeliever (5)
sudoku solution
12 Tearless (3-4)
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
ARTS
Thief replaced NiNe Warhol priNTs WiTh fakes iN la
LOS ANGELES
N
AGENCIES
INE original Andy Warhol prints were quietly stolen from a Los Angeles movie business and replaced with fakes in an art heist that went undetected for years, police and court documents showed on Thursday. The silk screen prints worth an estimated $350,000 are from the artist’s 1983 series “Endangered Species” and his 1980 “Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century,” according to a police report
submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court as part of a search warrant affidavit. The theft was first reported earlier this week by celebrity website TMZ. Los Angeles police detective Don Hrycyk of the city’s art theft detail declined to comment, saying the case was under investigation. In the affidavit, police said the theft of the prints from the premises of movie company Moviola was so seamless it was only discovered after one of the pieces was taken to be reframed. Staff at the framing firm noticed that the print was fuzzy and lacked a print num-
ber and signature. A special tool was used to remove the frames in which the prints were hung at Moviola, because otherwise the walls would have been left damaged, according to the affidavit. It appears whoever stole the prints replaced them with large color copies, Los Angeles police detective Brent Johnson wrote in the affidavit. “Bald Eagle,” one of the pilfered works, was sold by auction house Bonhams on Oct. 25, 2011, according to the affidavit. A judge last month issued a search warrant for the Los Angeles office of Bonhams, as detectives investigated who bought the print and who consigned it, court papers showed. Bonhams spokeswoman Kristin Guiter said police did not search the office but that last month the company responded to a request from investigators for information and documentation about the “Bald Eagle” print sold in 2011. She said police have not contacted Bonhams about any prints from “10 Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century.” An official at Moviola did not return a telephone call seeking comment. A Los Angeles police report said the conditions of the fakes indicated the theft occurred in the past three years, although the 2011 auction of the “Bald Eagle” suggested a date earlier than that. The “Ten Portraits of Jews” series includes Sarah Bernhardt and Martin Buber, while “Endangered Species” includes the bighorn ram and the Siberian tiger. It was unclear exactly which images from the two series were stolen.
Russian cosmonaut back after record 879 days in space AGENCIES
PERFECTLY PINK DOLPHIN LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FROM A FAIRYTALE COURTESY IFL SCIENCE Pink dolphins are the sort of thing you might find in a fantasy novel, but one seems to have slipped out of the pages and jumped right into Earth’s rivers. Introducing Pinky, the perfectly pink dolphin that has been seen happily frolicking in the waterways of Louisiana, America. “A rare pink dolphin was spotted in a Louisiana waterway and it could possibly be pregnant.” tweeted WAFB. She was first spotted in 2007 by Captain Erik Rue, who was sailing down the Calcasieu River. Since then, he has caught plenty of footage of the stunning dolphin. The magical pink color is probably the result of Pinky’s inability to produce the skin pigment melanin, which gives dolphins their gray color. This disorder, which can affect all mammals, is of course known as albinism. The disorder is usually recessive, which means Pinky’s parents could have had normal dolphin colourings, despite each carrying genes for the disorder. But wouldn’t being an albino make her white, not pink? “The pink color is just blood at the skin’s surface, like when humans flush or blush,” Naomi Rose, from the Animal Welfare Institute, told the Dodo. “Same phenomenon. ‘Regular’ bottlenose dolphins do this all the time too, but you can’t tell, because their normal skin pigment is gray.” Another theory is that Pinky’s pink hue is because she is an Amazon river Dolphin, which are naturally pink. However, not everyone agrees. “I know they have the Amazon river dolphins but those are kinda ugly and splotchy,” Rue told Newsweek. “This one is just smooth pink, from tip to tail. It is very pretty. People love seeing it. It is an anomaly we are fortunate enough to have here.” Regardless of how Pinky got her hue, there may be some little dolphins on their way to Louisiana waters. There has been speculation that Pinky has been seen mating. This doesn’t necessarily mean that she is pregnant, and the chances of her having pink babies are even slimmer (her mate would need to carry albino gene). But that doesn’t stop anyone from hoping!
Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka returned safely to Earth with two other astronauts from the International Space Station Saturday with the record for having spent the most time in space. Padalka, who has spent a total of 879 days in space over five separate trips — touched ground on the barren Kazakh steppe on schedule at 0051 GMT along with Kazakh cosmonaut Aidyn Aimbetov and Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen. “Landing has taken place,” a spokesman for Russia´s space agency Roscosmos told AFP. “All is well.” Padalka led the 44th expedition at the ISS, breaking a 10-year-old record for the total number of days spent in the cosmos on June 28 when he surpassed the figure of 803 days, nine hours and 41 minutes achieved by Sergei Krikalev, another Russian. His most recent mission began on March 27 when he blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome with compatriot Mikhail Kornienko and American Scott Kelly. Mogensen, the first Dane in Space and Aimbetov, the third cosmonaut from his country, had a comparatively short stay at the ISS having entered space in the Soyuz TMA-18M on September 2 and docking two days later on September 4. “I feel fine,” said Padalka as he sat sipping tea and nibbling on an apple surrounded by Russian space officials following his historic re-entry.
“Now you need to live on earth for a little bit,” joked Talgat Musabayev head of the Kazakh space agency Kazcosmos and a veteran of three space flights. Padalka made four trips to ISS in total. His first ever journey into space was to visit Russia´s Mir space station in 1998. The Mir visit was matched in duration only by his second visit to ISS in 2009, with both lasting 199 days. He is the only person to command the ISS four times. The three-man crew completed a “perfect” de-orbit burn to re-enter the earth´s atmosphere at just after 00.00 GMT according to NASA television before a “bullseye landing” roughly 146 kilometers (90 miles) southeast of the Kazakh settlement of Dzhezkazgan less than an hour later. “That´s it guys you can relax now” Padalka said to his crew as the landing approached. The trio are being taken to the airport in the Kaza-
khstani capital of Astana where they will be received by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev. Space travel has been one of the few areas of international cooperation between Russia and the West that has not been completely destroyed by the Ukraine crisis. But the joint space program has still faced difficulties this year. Russia put the breaks on all space travel for almost 3 months after the failure of the unmanned Progress freighter in late April. The doomed ship lost contact with Earth and burned up in the atmosphere, forcing a group of astronauts to spend an extra month on the ISS. In May, another Russian spacecraft, a Proton-M rocket carrying a Mexican satellite, malfunctioned and crashed in Siberia soon after its launch. The roughly $150 billion ISS has been orbiting the earth at roughly 28,000 kilometers per hour since 1998.
HUMANS WERE DRINKING CAFFEINATED ‘ENERGY DRINKS’ MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS AGO COURTESY IFL SCIENCE People living in southwest America and northwest Mexico over a thousand years ago were consuming highly caffeinated drinks, according to new findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These drinks were likely quaffed during ceremonial occasions rather than on an everyday basis. A team led by University of New Mexico’s Patricia Crown analyzed organic residues present in 177 ceramic samples – bits from jars, bowls, and pitchers – recovered from 18 sites in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Chihuahua in Mexico. The researchers made sure to include ceramic pieces (called potsherds or just sherds) from different time periods to see whether the practice was isolated or fairly constant. Native American villagers living between southern Colorado and northern Chihuahua, they discovered, consumed caffeinated drinks beginning as early as A.D. 750 and extending to at least A.D. 1400. The team identified traces of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline – all components of stimulants – in 40 of the sherds. These were consumed in two types of drink: a cacao-based chocolate drink and something called “black drink” concocted from the leaves and twigs of yaupon holly. Previous work revealed that Mesoamericans, or people who lived between what’s now central Mexico and Central America, were enjoying caffeinated chocolate beverages 3,000 years ago, NPRreports. But this study is the first to find evidence of the holly drink in southwestern America and northwest Mexican. Neither plant species – Theobroma cacao and Ilex vomitoria – grows in the area, and it’s unclear which trade routes were used. “I think the primary significance is that it shows that there was movement of two plants that have caffeine in North America – that they were either exchanged or acquired and consumed widely in the southwest,” Crown said in astatement. The holly used to make black drink could have come from southern and southeastern states (from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas) or from parts of Chiapas and Veracruz in Mexico. And Mexico would have been the closest place for southwesterners to obtain cacao.
Smartphones could soon have plant-made parts COURTESY IFL SCIENCE Normally, when we think of mining for precious metals, we imagine dark, cramped caves or holes in the ground which are a bit of an eyesore. However, scientists have found a completely novel way of mining the precious semimetal germanium (commonly used in computers) and it is not how you would expect. Instead of going underground, they have found how to mine germanium from lush, green plants. Reuters reports that scientists from Freiburg University of Mining and Tech-
nology can extract the element from certain plants. These include sunflowers, reed canary grass and corn. This mining technique has been used in the past to gather gold and copper. However, suppliers of germanium very rarely get green fingers while on the job, so this approach is extremely unusual. “In German we call it mining with plants,” Professor Hermann Heilmeier, who works on this project, told Reuters. They harvest the plants, which naturally absorb germanium from the soil through their roots. They are then processed and fermented so the scientists can collect biogas first (which efficiently covers most of the costs), then ex-
11
tract the germanium. There is a demand for germanium since it is an essential element for modern life. A silicon-germanium alloy is widely used in the electrical components of smartphones and computers since it can transport electrical charge very quickly. Currently, most of our germanium is a by-product from zinc ore (sphalerite) mining or burning coal. Germanium is naturally occurring in the soil, but very difficult to access. However, plants soak it up naturally and harvesting them is a much easier and long-term solution for the environment than digging mines.
12
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
ARTS
PLANE CRASHES ON SET OF TOM CRUISE’S ‘MENA’, TWO PEOPLE DEAD
A small plane assigned to the crew of a Tom Cruise-starring drug war drama, “Mena”, crashed on the set near Medellin, Colombia, killing two people. One person is seriously injured in the accident, the country’s civilian aviation authority has confirmed, reported TMZ. Two American pilots and a Colombian were aboard the plane. An American, Alan Purwin, and a Colombian, Carlos Berl, were killed in the incident, while a third person in the plane, American pilot Jimmy Lee Garland, was rushed to a hospital in Medellin. According to the official, the twinengine Aerostar ran into bad weather late Friday afternoon after taking off from the colonial town of Santa Fe de Antioquia. Cruise, 53, and director Doug Liman were not on the plane. The actor reportedly had just wrapped a scene prior to the accident. Liman is said to be shaken up over the tragedy. “Mena” is a movie about Barry Seal, a portly pilot who, in the 1980s, was a 300-pound gun runner, and drug trafficker who transported contraband for the CIA and the Medellin cartel.” AGENCIES
LIAM PAYNE VOTED SEXIEST MAN OF THE YEAR
Shahid Kapoor’S wife to maKe her Bollywood deBut in huBBy-Starrer aK VS SK?
f
OR last few weeks gossip mills were abuzz speculating about Shahid Kapoor’s wife, Mira Rajput making her entry into Bollywood. After being spotted at the gym with her hubby, Mira was also seen in the company of choreographer and Shahid’s good friend, Bosco Martis. Speculations were rife that the star wife was probably learning dance from the famed choreographer and might be gearing up for her big Bollywood debut. Well, if one was to believe our sources and somebody really close to Shahid, then his pretty wife will be seen in a cameo in ‘Lootera’ and ‘Udaan’ fame director Vikramaditya Motwane’s, AK Vs SK which has Shahid in the lead. The film’s shoot began Friday, September 11 in Mumbai. However, when contacted, the director chose not to respond to the query.
This is the first film Shahid, who reportedly replaced Saif Ali Khan, signed after his marriage. It’s heard that the film belongs to the genre of urban thriller and the title AK Vs SK are the initials of the central characters of the film. The character of Shahid is definitely one of them but AK is still under wraps and the hunt for the leading lady is still on. Well, it certainly is a great time for Shahid whose diary is chock-a-block full. The actor is currently busy with the promotions of his upcoming film, Shaandaar where he stars opposite Alia Bhatt and is also gearing up for the release of his Abhishek Chaubey directorial, Udta Punjab which also stars Alia, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Diljit Dosanjh. Post this the actor will start prepping up for Vishal Bhardwaj’s period love story, Rangoon starring Kangana Ranaut and Saif Ali Khan. And now the actor has started
work on AK Vs SK which may also have his wife in it. Wonder what part would Mira play if she does the film?
BLADE LOOKS TO BOLLYWOOD FOR NEXT PROJECT’S CAST NEWS DESK
One Direction star Liam Payne is the sexiest man of 2015, according to readers of Attitude. The One Direction singer – who takes over from last year’s winner Tom Daley – also opened up to the magazine after receiving the accolade, reported Digital Spy. Payne, who was recently forced to deny “ridiculous” accusations of homophobia, said of the award, “It is a shock but I am very thankful to those who think I deserve this. It is a great title to have.” Talking about his heavy partying during One Direction’s earlier years, he continued, “I am not afraid to say that I actually went through a pretty bad (drinking) stage. And for that time in my life, that was perfect for me.” “I mean, you are away from home and that can get hard. Also there were a lot of things on my mind and that is what helped me through.” AGENCIES
The actor Wesley Snipes, who is famous for playing the human-vampire Blade in the cult 1998 film, expressed his desire to work with Bollywood megastars. The actor, who has also moved into production after the completion of his three-year prison term for income tax fraud, highly praised Shahrukh Khan (SRK) and Priyanka Chopra in a recent Mumbai Mirror interview. Of Priyanka’s smoldering avatar on Quantico’s billboards, he said, “I have seen her on the hoardings and have watched the promo of the show. She is beautiful.” And referring to Shahrukh Khan he said, “There is only one Khan, Shah Rukh Khan,” He said that he will act and work with him one day too. The two met in 2008 at a party SRK had hosted at a luxury hotel in Dubai, and later bumped into each other at Broadway as well. Soon enough SRK replied with a tweet saying, “Whenever you say,
LONDON Actor Gulshan Grover, who was invited to Prince Charles’ Dumfries House estate in Scotland earlier this week, says he discussed about shooting a Bollywood song in the 18th century building with him. The 59-year-old “Beeba Boys” actor, best known for his “bad man” roles in Hindi films, said he was attracted to a particular set of grand stairs. “It is such a beautiful place, especially the steps outside the main palace. I said this would be the perfect place for a Bollywood song and dance number. Being the gentleman that he is, he said ‘really?’ and allowed me to shoot a Bollywood film there,” said Grover, who now plans to shoot on the 2,000-acre estate in the coming three or four months. “I will definitely be shooting a film I am planning to produce; if not the entire film then certainly a song will be shot in Dumfries,” he said, without giving further details of the
film at this stage. The Indian actor says he has known the Prince for a few years and had been involved with his charity work. “It was an honour to see all the wonderful work he is doing there. The estate is entirely devoted to creating a learning experience for young people
COKE STUDIO POSTPONES RELEASE OF EPISODE FOLLOWING MAKKAH TRAGEDY NEWS DESK
my friend”. “@wesleytsnipes whenever u say my friend. I am a fan….say the time & place I will be there to share screen space with the Blade!!!” For Priyanka, Wesley already has a project in mind. “One of the projects I am producing this year is an action flick with interesting content. I am looking for an actress to play the lead
part, an Indian actress... So you never know!” he said. Wesley also wishes to make a trip to India soon. He has a bucket list ready. According to Times of India, the actor wants to learn Kalaripayattu under a martial arts guru and study the Ayurvedic form of healing in Kerala; take a Bollywood dance class, and; act in an action-thriller with Shah Rukh.
GULSHAN GROVER WANTS TO SHOOT BOLLYWOOD FILM AT PRINCE CHARLES’ ESTATE AGENCIES
Will she play herself, or some other character? We will have to wait for this one. COURTESY PINKVILLA
across various fields. His constant thinking for the people of Great Britain is very fascinating to me. “I am an absolute admirer of HRH Prince Charles,” said Grover, who has previously visited Charles at his home in Highgrove, south-west England, but stayed over at Dumfries House Lodge
CMYK
for the first time this week. The actor also promised to send the royal a copy of his new film, Deepa Mehta’s “Beeba Boys”, which has been selected for this year’s London Film Festival starting next month. “London and the UK has a very special place in my heart, it is like a home away from home. I am so happy and proud that this film has been picked for the festival. I am looking forward to the experience, which will also highlight how local South Asians react to a mainstream Bollywood actor. My fans here are very affectionate and also very vocal,” he said. Grover once again tackles a role with villainous shades but with a difference. “I now play the bad man role with caution. The role has to be extraordinary and when one of my very favourite directors, Deepa Mehta, offered me the role of Grewal the kingpin, I accepted it right away. “Not only is this the first time a sardar is shown as a mafia don but Deepa Mehta’s very emotional way of handling subjects makes this a very different kind of mafia don,” he said.
Coke Studio has postponed its fifth episode of the current season as a mark of respect following the tragic accident in Makkah’s Grand Mosque on Friday. Coke Studio announced the decision on its official Facebook page, expressing grievance over the incident, “The tragic incident in Makkah has shocked and grieved the entire nation. Our prayers go out to the departed souls and our deepest condolences to their families. As a mark of respect Episode 5 of #CokeStudio8 will not be released online today.” They also changed the profile picture and cover photo to black as a mark of respect and promptly updated their Twitter page as well: “We’ve delayed the episode because of the Makkah tragedy but we are not sure whether we will be airing this episode next week or the one that was actually scheduled for next week,” said Strings member, Faisal Kapadia. The horrific incident has left at least 47 Pakistani pilgrims injured and claimed almost 107 lives.
JUSTIN BIEBER MAKES CRAP MUSIC: KEITH RICHARDS
LONDON: Rolling Stones rocker Keith Richards thinks Justin Bieber’s music is “a load of crap”. The 71-year-old guitarist said he is unimpressed with modern pop stars, describing Justin and Taylor Swift as little more than the “flavour of the month”, reported Contactmusic. “Taylor is a pretty girl. I don’t think about the competition. I mean they are the flavour of the month, aren’t they?” he said. Richards said he found Justin to be “quite humble” when they met, but thinks his attitude is a reflection of his uninspiring music. “Justin Bieber? Actually I met this guy and found him quite humble, as he should be. His music? I mean it is a load of crap isn’t it?” AGENCIES
SPORTS 13
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
Maxwell criticises BOUNDARY-CATCH LAW CHANGE
G
SPORTS DESK
lenn Maxwell says he is not a fan of the law change that permitted him to pull off one of the most brilliant outfield catches of the year during yesterday's fourth ODI at Headingley. Maxwell, fielding at deep midwicket during the closing stages of england's series-squaring threewicket win, dismissed liam Plunkett after parrying the ball on the edge of the boundary, then jumping to complete the take in mid-air despite his last point of contact with the ground having taken place on the wrong side of the rope. Prior to October 2013, the law had stated that the fielder needed to have started in the field of play and be grounded in bounds before securing the catch. That was amended by MCC to reward athleticism in the outfield but Maxwell, one of the best exponents of the art, said he didn't see the point of the change. "I don't think
it makes a whole lot of sense," Maxwell said after the Headingley match. "I think you should have to get back into the boundary. "I think if you look at the basketball rule. You have to jump from inside to throw it back in, you can't jump up in the air and catch it on the way back in. "You've got to make sure your feet have landed inside the court and I think it should be the same in cricket. "But while we're taking catches on our side it doesn't really bother me, but I know if I was a batsman I'd be pretty upset if that was the dismissal. You've just go to play the rules you're given." eoin Morgan, england's victorious captain, who also fell to a moment of brilliance from Maxwell when he was caught one-handed in the gully for 92, hailed the catch as "fantastic" but also admitted that the rule change had caught him unawares. "I'm unclear on the rules to be honest," Morgan said. "I think it's changed a couple of times so I will be asking so that I know for the fu-
ture." Maxwell himself only became aware of the law change after commenting on Twitter during a similar incident in Australia's Big Bash in January. Josh lalor, Sydney Thunder's fast bowler, dismissed Cameron White, Melbourne Stars' captain, having also started with his feet outside the field of play. Maxwell tweeted: He later admitted he was "happy to be proven wrong", but added he thought it was a poor amendment. MCC later clarified the rule change on its website. "I think it makes it easier as an outfielder," Maxwell said. "You've got to be aware of the rope as well but it made the catch a lot easier to complete, to be able to jump from back over [the boundary] and catch it in the air. "Obviously I didn't really want to have to do it, but I lost a bit of balance on the boundary line so I thought I had to throw it up, and obviously with the law being like it is, jump from over the rope and back in and catch it in mid-air."
Paes, HiNGis FEDERER, DJOKOVIC IN DREAM US OPEN FINAL
wiN tHirD GraND slaM OF tHe Year S PERvEz QaiSER
India’s leander Paes and Swiss Martina Hingis became the first team since 1969 to win three Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in the same year at the US Open on Friday(September 11). The fourth seeds defeated American duo Sam Querrey and Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-4, 3-6, 10-7 to add the new York crown to their wins at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. They defeated Daniel nestor and Kristina Mladenovic in the Australian Open final and beat Alexander Peya and Timea Babos in the Wimbledon title match. The only other team to win three majors out of four in the same year were Marty Riessen and Margaret Court 46 years ago. leander Paes, 42, has also passed his former doubles partner, Mahesh Bhupathi, as the most successful mixed doubles champion in the Open era with nine Grand Slam titles and trails behind only American Martina navratilova (10 mixed double titles). It was his 17th title in total at the majors while Martina Hingis, 34, now has 19 titles from five singles, 10 women’s doubles and four mixed doubles.
LEANDER PAES' GRAND SLAM DOUBLES TITLES (17): YEAR ChAMPIONShIP TITLE PARTNER 1999 French Open Men's doubles Mahesh Bhupathi (India) 1999 Wimbledon Men's doubles Mahesh Bhupathi (India) 1999 Wimbledon Mixed doubles Lisa Raymond (United States) 2001 French Open Men's doubles Mahesh Bhupathi (India) 2003 Australian Open Mixed doubles Martina Navratilova (United States) 2003 Wimbledon Mixed doubles Martina Navratilova (United States) 2006 US Open Men's doubles Martin Damm (Czech Republic) 2008 US Open Mixed doubles Cara Black (Zimbabwe) 2009 French Open Men's doubles Lukas Dlouhy (Czech Republic) 2009 US Open Men's doubles Lukas Dlouhy (Czech Republic) 2010 Australian Open Mixed doubles Cara Black (Zimbabwe) 2010 Wimbledon Mixed doubles Cara Black (Zimbabwe) 2012 Australian Open Men's doubles Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) 2013 US Open Men's doubles Radek Stepanek (Czech Republic) 2015 Australian Open Mixed doubles Martina hingis (Switzerland) 2015 Wimbledon Mixed doubles Martina hingis (Switzerland) 2015 US Open Mixed doubles Martina hingis (Switzerland)
NEW YORK AGENCIES
Roger Federer reached his first US Open final in six years Friday, where will face world number one novak Djokovic in the 42nd round of their heavyweight rivalry. Five-time champion Federer, 34, bidding to become the oldest new York champion since 1970, swept past Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 Djokovic, the 2011 champion, booked a place in the final for the sixth time with a record 6-0, 6-1, 62 rout of defending champion Marin Cilic in the most one-sided US Open semi-final of the modern era. Sunday’s clash will be a rematch of July’s Wimbledon final, where Djokovic triumphed to claim his ninth career Grand Slam crown. Federer, the holder of 17 majors but without a Grand Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012, will take a 21-20 career edge over Djokovic into the championship match, having won their last duel in Cincinnati in August. The Swiss legend was imperious against Wawrinka and his victory means he has not dropped a set since the Wimbledon final, a perfect stretch of 28 sets, as he reached a seventh US Open final. “I’m very happy. It’s been a great tournament so far, I have tried
very hard in the last six years to get back to the final and tonight it worked,” Federer said after his 92minute win sealed by a 10th ace. “I am playing at a good level, possibly my best. I am serving very well, going for my shots. “I’d love for it to keep working for one more match.” Federer is the oldest finalist in a Slam since 35-year-old Andre Agassi at the 2005 US Open, which the Swiss star won. On Sunday, he will face Djokovic for the sixth time this year — all have been in finals. “novak has had a tremendous year. There’s a lot on the line. He could win his third Slam of the year while I can win my first for some time. “He’s the best mover on hard courts. He will be tough to beat but I am ready for the challenge,” said Federer, the champion from 2004-2008 and runner-up to Juan Martin del Potro in 2009. Federer was defeated by Wawrinka in their last clash in the French Open quarter-finals in June, when his compatriot went on to the title. It was just one of three losses against 16 wins with all three setbacks coming on clay. Federer converted the only break point he carved out in the opening set to lead 2-1 and saved three when Wawrinka threatened in the sixth game. The 30-year-old
Wawrinka had to save five break points to nip ahead 3-2 in second set, three from 0-40 down. But he cracked in his next service game as Federer broke for 4-3 and again in the ninth game, when he was broken to love and Federer opened a two-sets lead having won 16 of the last 17 points. Federer was unstoppable now, breaking the outclassed Wawrinka in the fourth and sixth games on his way to his 27th Grand Slam final. Djokovic’s rout of Cilic was the most lopsided semi-final of the Open era at the tournament, beating lleyton Hewitt’s 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 defeat of Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 2001. Djokovic has now reached
the finals of all four majors this year, winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles and finishing runner-up to Wawrinka in Paris. Sunday’s final will be his 16th in the last 21 Grand Slams and 18th overall, tying the record of Pete Sampras. It took Djokovic just 85 minutes to see off Cilic, whose hopes were undermined by an ankle injury. The ninth seeded Croatian committed 37 unforced errors and took just 13 points off the Djokovic serve. “Marin has had an ankle injury for a few days now so he was very courageous to come out and finish the match,” said Djokovic, who will be chasing a 10th Grand Slam title on Sunday.
VINCI STUNS WILLIAMS TO SET UP ALL-ITALIAN FINAL SPORTS DESK Roberta Vinci came from a set down to shock world number one Serena Williams 2-6 6-4 6-4 and set up an all-Italian US Open final, ending the American's dream of a calendar Slam. The unseeded Italian lost the first set and Williams appeared to be on course for a routine victory, but the 32-year-old dug deep to claim the biggest win of her career and one of the biggest upsets in tennis history. Vinci broke Williams' serve in the third game of the match but the six-time Flushing Meadows champion broke back in the very next game as she won five straight games to secure a comfortable first set. A tenacious Vinci broke again in the second set as Williams struggled to keep her focus, and this time the Italian was able to consolidate it to open a 4-2 lead and see out the set 6-4. Williams came flying out of the blocks at the start of the deciding set with an early break of the Vinci serve to go 2-0 up, only to be pegged back again as she conceded the fourth
game of the set with a timid double fault. An increasingly emotional Williams, whose animated outbursts became a regular feature as the tension grew, opened the door to Vinci at 33 in the third with back-to-back double faults only for Vinci to miss a routine volley when she had the chance to force two break points. But in the very same game Vinci applied the
CMYK
pressure on the Williams with the winning shot in an extraordinary rally, which the Italian finished off with a sublime volley - raising the roof on the Arthur Ashe court as Vinci completed the break to go 4-3 ahead. Williams removed some strapping on her right foot and seemed set to bounce back immediately at 40-15, but let Vinci back in and the Italian struck to make it 5-3 and held on to win the deciding set in front of a stunned new York crowd. "It was an incredible match," an astonished Vinci said after the match. "I tried to stay focused and not think about Serena as she is a great player. It is one of the best moments of my life. "I didn't think I would win. I kept saying to myself 'Just keep the ball in the court and run, keep it in and run... and I won! Today is my day!" A distraught Williams claimed she didn't crumble under the pressure of the calendar Slam in a brief post-match press conference, saying: "I don’t feel pressure and I’ve never felt pressure to win here." Vinci will face compatriot Flavia Pennetta, who beat second seed Simona Halep, in the final.
14 SPORTS
Sunday, 13 September, 2015
Thompson, RichaRds eageR To impRove afTeR BRussels effoRTs BRUSSELS
n
AGENCIES
OT even the motivated pair of Elaine Thompson and Allyson Felix could stop the bustling locomotive that is Dafne Schippers from running away with their high-profile 200m clash - not yesterday, not in front of a pro-Schippers crowd. Still, the fast-rising Jamaican, fresh from her silver medal won at the recent IAAF World Championships in Beijing, left the series -closing AG Memorial Van Damme IAAF Diamond League in Brussels, Belgium, as encouraged as ever and eager to start working again towards a season that promises more for the MVP charge, with the Olympic Games ever nearer on the horizon. Schippers, the world champion, showed that her Beijing gold medal was no fluke - and perhaps made it clear that Felix or not, nothing was going to stop her in China - producing a frightening burst in the last 50m to frankly overpower the others, stopping the clock at 22.12 in still wind. Felix, who was consoled by the glistening Diamond Race trophy and the accompanying US$40,000, was second in 22.22, with Thompson crossing the line in 22.26. Sherone Simpson was sixth in 23.12. “I’m not disappointed. I was looking forward to competing with these ladies,” said Thompson. “I knew it would be a challenge, and it will only push and motivate me to work harder.” GATLIN’S DIAMOND STREAK: Speaking of working hard, American Justin Gatlin - the Diamond winner was made to dig deep for his win in the
100m as he protected his unbeaten run on the circuit, which dates back to 2014 with a laboured 9.98 win. Femi Ogunode (Qatar), who also came in at 9.98, was second, with Frenchman Jimmy Vicaut, 9.99, closing out an almost inseparable top three. It was a bad day for Jamaican pair Nesta Carter, who looked for an early advantage and was ejected after a false start, and Asafa Powell, who finished fifth in 10.04. In the men’s shot put, World Championships bronze medallist O’Dayne Richards registered a 21.37m mark for second place, but his real target was 22m, leaving the ever-improving Ja-
maican slightly disappointed. The event was won by New Zealand’s Tom Walsh, 21.39, with Diamond Race winner and world champion American Joe Kovacs (21.35) finishing third. Richards, who fouled on his last three attempts says, he will be going all out to meet his target at his last meet for the season in Berlin on Sunday. “I have to give God thanks even when I lose. I have to learn that is part of the sport. Assessment-wise, I wanted to hit 22m today. I have one more chance. I kept missing the shot, not applying all the force on the shot, so it kept slipping and didn’t go as far as I
wanted it to go, but (it is) my best performance outside of a championships, so I’m happy for that,” Richards told The Gleaner after his event. Kimberly Williams got off to a good start but slipped to fourth in the women’s triple jump, taking advantage of world champion Caterine Ibarg¸en’s (Colombia) slow start, with her second effort 14.22m keeping her in the top two for much of the competition. The Jamaican would eventually improve to 14.28m, but by then, she was already out of the top three, with Ibarg¸en taking her third straight win in Brussels and ensuring she won all but one of the six Diamond League competitions with a 14.60m mark. World Champs silver medallist Hanna Knyazheva-Minenko (Israel), 14.42m, was second, with Russian Ekaterina Koneva, 14.37m finishing third. Stephenie-Ann McPherson, 51.00, was third in the women’s 400m behind winner Shaunae Miller (Bahamas), 50.48, and Diamond Race winner Francena McCorory, 50.59. Christine Day, 51.96, was sixth, with Novlene Williams-Mills, 52.04 finishing seventh. In the male equivalent, national record holder Rusheen McDonald seems to still be suffering from his 43.93 run in Beijing, finishing ninth here in 47.89, while Peter Matthews took third place in 45.74. The event was won by Renny Quow (T&T), 45.29, ahead of Belgian Kevin BorlÈe, 45.43. Rasheed Dwyer, 20.27, was third in the 200m, with Antiguan Miguel Francis, 20.22, finishing second to the winner, Qatar’s Femi Ogunode, who clocked a personal best and area record 19.97. Nickel Ashmeade was fifth in 20.59.
Horton latest capture as Leicestershire rebuild SPORTS DESK Leicestershire have secured the signing of Lancashire batsman Paul Horton on a three-year contract. It is the second time this week that the club has signed a batsman with proven First Division quality and captaincy experience following the signing of Neil Dexter from Middlesex on Monday. Along with Wayne White, who has returned to the club, the trio have all signed three-year contracts as Leicestershire look to address a likely, if not yet definite, fate of finishing bottom of Division Two for the third successive season. Opener Horton, 32, whose spell as
captain included leading Lancashire to the NatWest T20 Blast final in 2014, has amassed 9,522 first-class runs at an average of 37.63. He has registered 51 half-centuries and 21 first-class hundreds with a career best score of 209. Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan said: “It is terrific that we have secured the signing of two experienced batsmen with leadership experience in county cricket in Paul Horton and Neil Dexter. “Like Neil, Paul has an excellent track record in all three formats of the game and will be another great role model for our younger professionals to learn from. We are delighted to have both players on board for the next three seasons.”
DE GEA SET TO RETURN AS UNITED BID TO END MUTINY TALK LONDON AGENCIES
David de Gea is set to cap a remarkable return to favour at Manchester United by starting Saturday’s clash against Liverpool as Louis van Gaal’s spluttering side bid to banish talk of mutiny at Old Trafford. Just 11 days after coming within minutes of joining Real Madrid, Spain goalkeeper De Gea on Friday signed a new four-year contract at United worth a reported £200,000 ($308,000) a week. De Gea was left out of Van Gaal’s squad for the first six matches of the season because the United manager claimed he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play. But Van Gaal says the 24-year-old is now fully focused and hinted he would be back in the starting line-up in place of Sergio Romero this weekend. “Will he play? I will have to judge the session and he knows that,” Van Gaal said. “It’s logical that his head is now empty and he can concentrate and focus on the match. “That is a big change from three or four weeks before, so I hope I can see that and give him his first start.” De Gea’s return from exile is a welcome boost for United at the end of a week in which Van Gaal admitted Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick approached him earlier this season because they had concerns about dressing room morale. I’M NOT A DICTATOR: Louis van Gaal says his decision to listen to the demands of his Manchester United players proves he is not a dictator. After accusations of rifts and a player mutiny in the Old Trafford dressing room, United manager van Gaal came out fighting at his weekly press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday’s clash against Liverpool. The 64-year-old admitted Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick came to him after the opening match of the season against Tottenham to air their concerns about morale within a squad frustrated by his man-management methods and training techniques. But while van Gaal conceded Rooney and Carrick aired their worries with him, he attempted to put a positive spin on the situation. “Rooney and Michael Carrick came to me and said: ‘The dressing room is flat.’,” Van Gaal added. “But I think I have a superb relationship with my players. It is very positive that they are coming to you and that they trust you.”
I felt lIke I was headIng for suIcIde watch after chelsea slIp: gerrard SPORTS DESK Former Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, revealed that he could not stop crying after making the error that ruined his
club’s hopes of Premier League glory last year. Gerrard admitted that he felt like he was “heading for suicide watch” after the infamous slip that effectively cost Liverpool the 2013-14 Premier League title,
Goal.com reported. “I had wanted to win it with Liverpool for so long that, now it had gone again, I could not hold my emotion in check,” he wrote in his autobiography. The former skipper looked poised to realise his life-long dream of leading his hometown club to a first championship success since 1990, had shattered. However, Liverpool, who were on an 11-game winning streak, were dramatically beaten by Chelsea at Anfield, with Demba Ba opening the scoring just before half-time. Fernando Torres then sealed the hosts’ fate by sealing a 2-0 win for the visitors in the closing stages. The pivotal moment of the game, and indeed the title race, had been Ba’s opener, which had come after Gerrard had dramatically slipped while attempting to take possession of the ball some 40 yards from his own goal. Writing in his autobiography, Gerrard has now admitted just how deeply affected he was by the part he played in
CMYK
Liverpool throwing away the title. “I sat in the back of the car [after the game] and felt the tears rolling down my face,” he reveals in an extract published by the Daily Mail. “I hadn’t cried for years but, on the way home, I couldn’t stop. The tears kept coming. I can’t even tell you if the streets were thick with traffic or as empty as I was on the inside. It was killing me. “I felt numb, like I had lost someone in my family. It was as if my whole quarter of a century at this football club poured out of me. I did not even try to stem the silent tears as the events of the afternoon played over and over again in my head… “I beat myself up. My head was all over the place. I had lived through many great moments in my career and achieved success beyond my most fevered boyhood dreams…. “I had also given absolutely everything of myself to Liverpool: in training, in almost 700 games, off the pitch, around
the squad and as part of the club, the community and the city. “I could not have done any more. I had squeezed out every last ounce of ambition and desire and hope inside me. “Instead of hitting a long cross-field pass to set up a goal, making a decisive tackle or curling the ball into the back of the Chelsea goal to seal our victory, I had fallen over. “The Kop, and the whole of Anfield, had sung ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ again, of course, but, in the car, I felt isolated. I felt very alone… “I did not feel like I had much hope left. It seemed like I was heading for suicide watch instead,” he concluded. Gerrard spent one more season at Anfield but Liverpool endured a dismal 2014-15 campaign, which ended in an embarrassing 6-1 loss at Stoke City. That was the former England skipper’s last game for the club as he moved to MLS outfit LA Galaxy during the summer.
SPORTS 15
Sunday, 13 September, 201500
neTheRlands scRaTch away seven-yeaR iTch
n
COURTESY CRICINFO
ETHERLANDS have had a peculiarly difficult time mastering multi-day cricket. Odd, considering they are among the most successful Associate countries of the past decade: three straight World Cups from 2003 through 2011 not to mention a pair of World T20s in 2009 and 2014. Canada, Kenya, even Namibia have all been to the final of the Intercontinental Cup but not Netherlands. They have found winning a single game of first-class cricket difficult let alone stringing a series of them. Prior to this week’s I-cup victory over Scotland, Netherlands have come out trumps only four out of 27 times since the competition was founded in 2004. There are 15 losses among that number as well and their record at home was especially poor - one win and eight defeats. Netherlands’ best finish in the competition came in 2007-08 when they came in fifth out of eight teams. Beating UAE that April in Sharjah had been their last success in four-day cricket. It has taken seven years, and 16 matches, but finally Netherlands are back on the board again. There had been two great opportunities to break the streak sooner. Both at home in Amstelveen and both against countries who had yet to win a first-class match. They wasted a 74-run first-innings lead in 2009 as Afghanistan chased down 207 with one wicket to spare. Had Netherlands won then, they would have cut short their losing streak to three matches. A big-
wicket that when you get in, you could stay in. It was never easy for people to start though,” captain Peter Borren said after the win. “They batted beautifully and [both were] really good, disciplined innings. But I was really happy with the way we bowled during that period anyway. We bowled with a lot of discipline with our three young quicks - Kingma, van Meekeren and Gunning - they all ran in hard for both innings and put the ball in the right areas. “We knew that we were probably one breakthrough away and that wicket that Michael Rippon got, Richie Berrington
ger upset was to follow this summer, when they could not stop Papua New Guinea from running down a target of 305. There had been a Sisyphusian feel to that match as Assad Vala and Mahuru Dai denied the Dutch with a 200-run fifth wicket partnership. A similar feeling may have crept in on Friday when, after taking two wickets in the first three overs of the day to peg Scotland back at 52 for 5 in pursuit of 201, Rob Taylor joined Richie Berrington for an ominous stand. “Obviously Berrington and Taylor batted really well and this was the kind of
JEFFRESS SHARES SECONDDAY LEAD WITH SONG CHEONAN: Australian Steven Jeffress shared his lead on Friday with South Korea’s Song Young-Han after the second round of OneAsia’s Kolon Korea Open. Jeffress fired a second round one-under-par 70 at Woo Jeung Hills Country Club for a halfway total of seven-under-par 135. Jeffress, who claimed the Fiji International last year on OneAsia for the biggest win of his career, rushed into a healthy early lead with three birdies, but three bogeys soon followed to allow the chasing pack to close in. “It’s great to be in the hunt at the halfway mark,” the 39-year-old said, adding his win in Fiji gave him huge confidence to go on to secure more titles. Song, 24, who is looking for his first win as a professional, fired 67 with six birdies and two bogeys to set up one of the most important weekends of his fledgling career. “I have been playing well and feel I am close to getting a win. A win here in my national Open would be the best,” Song said. One stroke further back were Hur In-Hoi and Park Jae-Bum, who shot 67s. Tying for fifth on five under are Korean amateur Oh Seung-Taek and his countryman Lee Kyung-Hoon. Leading scores: 135 - Steve Jeffress (AUS), Song Young-Han, 136 - Park Jae-Bum, Hur In-Hoi, 137 - Oh Seung-Taek, Lee KyungHoon, 138 - Kim Geon-Ha, Ryu Hyun-Woo, 139 - Kim Do-Hoon. AGENCIES
lbw just before lunch, that opened an end for us. They’ve still got good players but for guys just coming to the wicket, it’s not easy and you’re always in with a chance as a bowler. “Before lunch that was a big wicket for us. I’m glad we took advantage of it but I guess the reason why we ended up winning this game was a lot of work from those three seamers.” The frontline seamers may have done the bulk of the work, but Borren’s career-best 4 for 1 was no less significant. In light of his shoulder troubles - he had surgery last year - Bor-
I’m my own biggest rival for title: Lewis Hamilton SPORTS DESK Lewis Hamilton has revealed the only person that can stop him winning a third world title is himself. The two-time champion is looking to secure back-to-back titles for the first time in his career and currently leads team-mate Nico Rosberg by 53 points. “I don’t let anybody stand in my way, ever,” Hamilton told the official F1 website when asked if anyone could stop him winning a third championship. “The only person who could get in my way is myself - and I won’t allow that.” Hamilton has finished off the podium just once this year and his Mercedes car has proved the most reliable of any this season, with only one technical fault for the team, when Rosberg was forced to retire at the Italian Grand Prix with engine failure. Hamilton’s off-track interests have created a stir, with the 30-year-old confirming an upcoming musical collaboration with music star Drake
PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL SAYS FIFA IGNORED ELECTION DISCREPANCY SEOUL AGENCIES
- and the British driver says he is already thinking about his life after Formula 1. “Who said that you only should do one thing in life? That you are in
one box and that is the only box for you? People tend to put people in that position - you are a Formula One driver only and that there is nothing else left and right.
floyd Mayweather issues Manny pacquiao dig on eve of final fight SPORTS DESK Floyd Mayweather made a snide dig towards former foe Manny Pacquiao on the eve of what he insists will be his final outing as a professional boxer. Mayweather will put his WBC and WBA welterweight titles on the line against Andre Berto in Las Vegas on Saturday as he brings down the curtain on his pro career. The 38-year-old is bidding to end his career unbeaten and equal Rocky Marciano’s celebrated 49-0 record. Mayweather has faced criticism for his choice of opponent with Berto, who is a former two-time champion at 147lbs but has lost three of his last six fights and is a massive underdog in the eyes of many. Mayweather, though, hopes to deliver an exciting fight and seemed to acknowledge his points victory over Pacquiao in May, a bout billed as fight of the century, was an underwhelming affair - although he pointed the finger of blame squarely in the Filipino’s direction.
ren’s recent bowling workload has been far less than it was when he began playing for Netherlands. He might not be back to full pace yet, but after cleaning up Matthew Cross and Con de Lange on back-to-back deliveries and with victory within sight, adrenaline started kicking in. There was more vigor, more purpose with each charge up to the crease. “For me it was nice to get some wickets,” Borren said. “I suppose the ball was pretty scuffed up on one side. The wicket was a little bit abrasive and it was just nipping back in, getting a little bit of reverse and the pitch also wasn’t bouncing much towards the end of this match. I guess if I ran in and bowled wicket-towicket, I was going to be pretty well suited to these conditions.” Netherlands secured victory 14 balls into Borren’s post-lunch spell and the seven-year itch had been scratched off. From this XI, only he and Pieter Seelaar have known the joy of winning an Intercontinental Cup match, and Borren was pleased that the younger players can now understand that feeling, one he described as more satisfying than winning 50-over or T20 games. “We haven’t won one of these matches for a long time,” Borren said. “It’s a great feeling. I’ve been trying to say to all the boys to win one of these games, you have to work hard and it’s an amazing feeling when it happens, but a lot of our guys haven’t won a four-day game before so I’m just really proud of the effort the guys put in. It’s just an awesome feeling and I’m really stoked.”
In an on-stage interview after weighing in at 146lbs on Friday night, he said: “I’m in top condition, we had a great training camp, it went tremendous but the main thing tomorrow is going out there, being at my best. Since Pacquiao didn’t give the fans a good fight, tomorrow’s going to be a great fight.” The build-up to the main
event at the MGM Grand has been overshadowed by claims that Mayweather received an intravenous injection just a day before his fight with Pacquiao to rehydrate himself after weighing in, despite doing so being prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The United States Anti-Doping Agency
CMYK
(USADA) confirmed the use of an IV but insisted that because he had been granted a Theraputic Use Exemption, he remained entirely innocent, while Mayweather himself has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Pacquiao is reportedly eyeing a rematch but when asked whether he would consider the prospect, Mayweather added: “I’m only focused on Showtime fighters.” Pacquiao fights on rival network HBO. The bout against Berto marks the end of Mayweather’s highly lucrative six-fight deal with Showtime, and the five-weight world champion is bidding to go out on a high. “I don’t overlook any opponent but I’ve been here before, I know what it takes to win a fight of this magnitude,” he said. “Just stay focused, stay on a parallel path and go and do what I do best and that’s win. “He’s another top guy, he has a high knockout ratio, he’s a tough and rugged competitor but I’ve faced everybody in the sport of boxing. I’ve faced Pacquiao, I’ve faced [Miguel] Cotto, I’ve faced Canelo [Saul Alvarez], I’ve already faced the best fighters.”
South Korean FIFA presidential candidate Chung Mong-joon yesterday accused the governing body of world soccer of overlooking an “election fraud” favoring rival and frontrunner Michel Platini. Chung claimed last week that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had sent “unsolicited” letters to almost every AFC member association supporting Platini’s candidacy. He urged FIFA’s Ad-hoc Electoral Committee to investigate UEFA president Platini and AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa, arguing that they were using their status to influence the election process. However, the committee said that there had been no rule violations, prompting Chung’s angry response yesterday. “We object to this conclusion in the strongest possible terms,” he said in a statement, denouncing the committee for conducting a superficial probe. This is “tantamount to covering up an election fraud,” the statement said. Chung’s accusations were based on a form letter the AFC sent to national soccer federations, expressing support for Platini and addressed to FIFA’s secretary-general. The letter is titled “Proposal and support of the candidature of Mr MP [Michel Platini] for the office of FIFA president.” An AFC statement made no denial of the letters, but said al-Khalifa’s public support of Platini and said all national soccer associations would be free to vote how they wished. The FIFA election campaign is already turning into a bitter affair with allegations of behindthe-scenes dirty tricks. Chung has vowed that if successful in the election in February next year, he would serve just one term.
SPORTS Sunday, 13 September, 2015
PCB’s Plan to invite World Xi hits eXPense roadBloCK
Kamran aKmal ton GIVES MULTAN SLIM WIN SPORTS DESK Kamran Akmal’s 105 steered Multan Region to 185 for 4, a total they defended by only three runs against Karachi Regional Whites. Kamran’s knock, off 57 deliveries with 12 fours and four sixes, ensured Multan were untroubled by the early loss of Imran Farhat. Kamran added swift partnerships of 64 and 67 for the second and third wickets with Sohaib Maqsood and Naved Yasin, before falling in the final over. A string of solid top-order performances, led by Sheharyar Ghani’s unbeaten 64, had ensured that Karachi Whites managed to keep a chase of 186 in control. They went into the last over needing eight to win, but Aamer Yamin conceded only four runs and took a wicket to ensure Karachi fell agonizingly short of the target. Group B: Fakhar Zaman’s maiden Twenty20 hundred helped Abbottabad Region chase down 196 against Peshawar Region, securing a sixwicket win for the side at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad. Abbottabad, opting to bowl, reduced Peshawar to 6 for 1, but Iftikhar Ahmed stroked four fours and six sixes during a 55-ball 90 to revive
the innings. Iftikhar’s blitz, combined with handy knocks from Mohammad Rizwan (30 off 25 balls) and Adil Amin (33 off 18 balls) boosted the total to 195 for 4. Junaid Khan was Abbottabad’s best bowler, taking 2 for 23, while Yasir Shah conceded 38 runs without a wicket in four overs. Abbottabad, though, began the chase well with an opening stand of 46 between Zaman and Yasir Hameed. Zaman launched a total of 11 fours and three sixes, and remained unbeaten on 100 to take his side home with three deliveries to spare. Zaman was assisted by a 10-ball 18 from Younis Khan, and a 15-ball 30 from Sohail Akhtar. Fast bowlers Imran Khan and Taj Wali, and left-arm spinner Zohaib Khan all went at more than 10 an over. Karachi Region Blues knocked Lahore Region Whites out of the tournament with a sevenwicket win in a one-sided match in Islamabad. Karachi’s fourth straight win helped strengthen their chances of a semi-final spot, while Lahore Whites, filled with star players including Pakistan’s ODI captain Azhar Ali, are languishing in secondlast place in Group B with one win in four matches. Asked to bat first, Lahore began solidly as openers Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali shared
a 52-run stand. The side, however, lost three quick wickets and were struggling at 63 for 3 before Umar Akmal’s blistering knock lifted them. Umar Akmal hit four sixes and two fours in a 36-ball 52 and with the help of Saad Nasim, who scored 35 off 24, helped the side post a challenging total of 179 for 7. Karachi wrapped up the 180-run chase with more than two overs to spare, riding on Khurram Manzoor’s 44-ball 81, against an attack that included Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz. Manzoor, who struck 16 fours in the innings, shared an opening stand of 94 with Shahzaib Hasan, and the strong start ensured a comfortable chase despite the loss of three quick wickets. Opener Afaq Raheem’s unbeaten 49-ball 70 guided Islamabad Region to an eight-wicket win over Faisalabad Region. Raheem had good support from Shan Masood (30 off 22 balls) and Babar Azam (38 off 37 balls) as he ensured the side chased down a target of 159 with two overs to spare. Raheem’s 98-run second-wicket partnership with Babar Azam helped the side control the chase well after an opening partnership of 51 runs. Earlier, Faisalabad’s innings suffered from a lack of momentum as wickets fell in clusters near the halfway stage and towards the end of the innings. Opener Raheel Ameer (41 off 30 balls) and Khurram Shahzad (47 off 38) provided some solidity after an early wicket before Faisalabad lurched from 68 for 1 to 88 for 4. Misbah-ul-Haq tried to give the side a strong finish but three wickets in the last over by Shehzad Azam restricted them to 158 for 8. Munirur-Rahman and Shehzad Azam picked up two wickets apiece.
Karachi: Pakistan cricket authorities have faced a setback of sorts in their plans to get a World eleven squad to play in the country sometime next year. A reliable source in the PCB has told PTI that the estimated expenses for having the World eleven tour Pakistan is much more than anticipated by the cricket board. “The PCB has asked Giles Clarke of the England and Wales cricket board, who also heads the ICC task force on Pakistan, to organise the tour for them,” the source said. “PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan held several meetings with Clarke during a recent visit to London where the plans for having a World eleven play in Pakistan were discussed and finalised. But the expenses quoted by Clarke for assembling the World eleven and bringing them to Pakistan is ten times what the PCB had anticipated,” the source said. “Clarke has included the names of some big players like Chris Gayle, Glen Maxwell, Pollard, Bravo, Morgan etc in his anticipated squad and obviously these top players will have to be paid well to get them to be part of the World eleven,” the source stated. He said the PCB had now asked Clarke to review and reconsider the expenses for the World eleven tour dates, which are yet to be finalised. Except for Zimbabwe no other Test team has toured Pakistan since March 2009 when militants attacked the Sri Lankan team in Lahore. agEnCiEs
hafeez dismisses rePorts of BoWling With illegal aCtion Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez, who has been banned from bowling in international cricket for one year by the International Cricket Council (ICC), dismissed on Saturday reports that he had been bowling in the National T20 Cup without remedying his action. “Been working on my bowling action from the last 9 months in NCA with coaches & analysts..Inshaa Allah will come back SOON in action..,” he tweeted on Saturday. Earlier, ESPN Cricinfo reported Hafeez was bowling in the Haier Mobile T20 Cup without having undergone any remedial measures to his action. Bowlers banned from international cricket for suspect actions can bowl in domestic cricket if their home boards allow, but it is unusual for them to do so without any attempt at correction. He termed the news as “irresponsible reporting.” spoRTs dEsK
ENGLAND LOOK SHARPER FOR DECIDING CLASH SPORTS DESK If there were fears the English international season would limp to a conclusion - first of all in the wake of Ashes victory and then with Australia taking a 2-0 lead in this series - they have been emphatically put to bed by England’s back-toback victories, which mean there is a winner-takes-all match at Old Trafford. The weather has played ball and the pitches have been terrific for one-day cricket: pace to encourage the likes of Pat Cummins, but which also allows attacking batsmen to prosper, enough turn to not make the spinners redundant coupled with fast outfields that have provided value for shot. Three-hundred has proved the benchmark, but England’s chase at Headingley to level the series showed that it can be overhauled. For both the teams, it is the beginning of a rebuilding process in one-day cricket. It will be interesting to see how closely the sides at the 2017 Champions Trophy - to be played in England - compare to what is currently taking the field. But the here and now is about winning on Sunday. If England pull off the comeback job to take the series, it will give Eoin Morgan a complete set of limited-overs success this season. For Australia, it is their last chance to take something from a tour which began with such high expectations, but that will largely be remembered for batting collapses and retirements.
Jason Roy has looked a million dollars in this series. He was the only one of the top six not to pass fifty against New Zealand, but has made two stylish halfcenturies and not fallen for less than 31 in the four matches. He was named, alongside Morgan, as the key England batsman by Pat Cummins. The ease with
which Roy drives through cover and clips off his legs - the latter with more than a hint of Kevin Pietersen - means it looks like a waste when a soft dismissal crops up. England clearly like what they see, but a match-defining contribution would cap his summer. With Mitchell Starc having earned a
rest at Headingley, it means Steven Smith will be the only Australian to play every international of the tour and there is precious little time before his next task, in Bangladesh. He has made runs in all three formats and will leave these shores knowing it is on his shoulders to help shape the future of the team. Does he have one major innings left in him for this trip? England’s one decision is whether to recall Steven Finn, who was rested for the fourth match, in place of Mark Wood who, while bowling quickly, has struggled to take wickets (four in six ODIs now) and has a high economy rate. Although David Willey proved expensive at the death, his new-ball burst of three wickets was valuable. Australia must decide whether to push out Starc for one more match on this tour, while they will most likely have to find room for Ashton Agar - probably at the expense of Marcus Stoinis. James Pattinson and John Hastings were both expensive at Headingley and one probably has to make way. Hastings offers more batting, while Pattinson has more of a future ahead of him. A day game this time, so some different considerations to the previous match on the ground which was under lights. It is also being played on a new surface. England exploited some early swing in Leeds with a 10.30am start, but the spinners will again expect some help. The forecast has improved with a dry day in the offing. If England win the deciding match, it
Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore.
CMYK
England (possiblE)
1 alex Hales, 2 Jason Roy, 3 James Taylor, 4 Eoin Morgan (capt), 5 ben stokes, 6 Jonny bairstow (wk), 7 Moeen ali, 8 liam plunkett, 9 adil Rashid, 10 david Willey, 11 steven Finn
ausTRalia (possiblE)
1 aaron Finch, 2 Joe burns, 3 steven smith (capt), 4 george bailey, 5 glenn Maxwell, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 ashton agar, 9 John Hastings, 10 Mitchell starc, 11 pat Cummins will be their first bilateral one-day series win against Australia during an Ashes tour - as opposed to a tri-series or standalone series as in 2010 and 2012 - since 1997. Eoin Morgan needs one run to become just the second England batsman to score 600 runs in a home summer - Andrew Strauss made 745 in 210. If Pat Cummins takes two wickets he will equal the most scalps taken by an Australia bowler in a five-match one-day series. Clint McKay took 14 against Pakistan in 2009-10. “If momentum does exist then it is with us. We managed to steal a bit of it while we were in Manchester. I think confidence is a contributor to that. Going into Sunday the guys are full of confidence and we are really looking forward to it.” Eoin Morgan believes the force is with England. “We really wanted to come here and finish off the series and give us some breathing space for Manchester.. We played it like a final, but the good thing is Sunday will be a final and we’ve played a lot of them and been quite successful.” Pat Cummins acknowledges Australia will need to dig deep for the deciding match.