E paper pdf (18 01 2017) lhr

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tuesday, 17 january, 2017 i 18 rabi-us-Sani, 1438 i rs 20.00 i vol vii no 199 i 20 pages i lahore edition

will respond forcefully if india carries surgical strikes: kh Asif

Bitter wOrdS

AfghAn President goes After PAkistAn

STORY ON PAGE 03

Imran Khan tenders unconditional apology to ECP STORY ON PAGE 02

pm’s speech in parliament can’t be questioned by court, argues counsel STORY ON PAGE 02

Power and gas shortages to continue till March STORY ON PAGE 04

pm arrives in Switzerland to participate in world economic forum STORY ON PAGE 03

Provinces come to total consensus on CPEC in Beijing STORY ON PAGE 04

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SAyS thOSe whO AttACked AfghAniStAn “lived, were reCruited And OperAted freely in pAkiStAn” COAS BAjwA ruBBiSheS AShrAf ghAni’S ClAimS, OfferS COOperAtiOn STORY ON PAGE 03

02 NEWS

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

PANAMAGATE

‘PM’s sPeech is Privileged’ JAMAAT-E-ISLAMI FILES NEW PETITION DEMANDING DISQUALIFICATION OF PM ISLAMABAD SHAH NAWAZ MOHAL

P

RIME Minister’s counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan continued his arguments for the fourth consecutive day in the Panama Papers leaks case here in Supreme Court on Monday.

Makhdoom Ali Khan, continuing his arguments, said the prime minister could not be disqualified on the basis of his speech under Article 184(3) of the Constitution.

He was of the view that since speeches in parliament are privileged, the court cannot question PM about his speech. He also cited decisions by Indian courts that support his claim.

A five-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Asif Saeed Khan Khosa, and comprising Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmad, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan is hearing the case.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa asked PM’s counsel to inform the court about duration of time he needs to complete his arguments.

Makhdoom Ali Khan replied that he would advance arguments mainly on three points and would try to complete his arguments on Article 62 and 63 today (Tuesday).

Makhdoom Ali Khan said the apex court had jurisdiction to disqualify parliamentarians but it cannot disqualify the prime minister on the basis of his speeches under

NWA admin welcomes first batch of TdPs peshawar: Thousands of locals who fled to Afghanistan to escape fighting between the army and militants in the northwestern tribal areas began returning home Monday, two years after they were displaced, officials said.

Civil administration of North Waziristan has made arrangements for the arrival of around 200 families. The first batch of 200 tribal families from North Waziristan district, or some 2,000 people, were being greeted by officials at the Ghulam Khan border crossing, local administrator Kamran Khan Afridi told agencies. He said similar numbers would be arriving daily until January 26, with the families first accommodated in camps before being sent back to their villages and towns.

From Ghulam Khan, they will be transported to TDP camp at Bakakhel near Bannu. They would remain in the camp for around two to three weeks. Malik Ghulam Khan, a leading tribal elder, has shown satisfaction over arrangements made for welcoming these TDP families from Khost. He said that it was an old demand of North Waziristan tribesmen, from time to time, raised before high ups, including the present and former chief of armed forces.

So far no official statement has been issued regarding the return of TDP families from Khost, Afghanistan. However, tribal elders informed that all these 200 families belonged to Mohammad Khel and Payeekhel areas of Tehsil Miranshah. Through some highly placed official sources, this scribe came to know that all those tribesmen upon return from Afghanistan will go through a well planned and detailed investigation and screening process. SHAMIM SHAHID

Article 184(3) of the Constitution.

Makhdoom cited SC’s ruling when former PM Yousaf Raza Gillani was removed due to his failure to write to Swiss government. He reiterated that in all cases of disqualification the decision was given after recording of evidence.

While Makhdoom was arguing, Taufeeq Asif, Jamaat-e-Islami’s counsel, demanded that PM’s counsel should furnish copies of cases he is citing, to which Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed remarked that since they do not represent their case, what he was going to do with those copies.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that the cases he has been citing prove that SC had powers and is competent to hear this case.

‘The Honorable Court has decided after looking into the facts of each case and heard the parties,’ he replied while adding that the decision in dual nationality can’t be ap-

plied to the PM’s speech case.

Jamaat-e-Islami made a comeback by filing a new application before the bench as the court had told them last Wednesday that in their first application they had neither made Nawaz Sharif respondent nor prayed for his disqualification. JI’s counsel had pleaded before the bench that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif be called to the court when Justice Khosa pointed out that they hadn’t made PM respondent in their application and thus the court could make no such order.

In its new application Jamaate-Islami has prayed to disqualify PM as he ‘has been involved in illegal money/funds transfer abroad and made illegal investments in offshore company and concealed the property outside Pakistan, particularly flats in London (UK), and for evading taxes and be disqualified for not being ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Amin’ under Article 62 (1) (F).

MAKHDOOM ALI KHAN SAYS THE COURT CAN’T QUESTION SPEECHES IN PARLIAMENT During the hearing, the atmosphere of the Courtroom remained stiff as Advocate Makhdoom Ali Khan argued. While the judges actively asked questions and took full interest in the case, the monotony of proceedings pushed many PTI leaders over the edge as some of them were spotted dozing off in their seats. Makhdoom Ali Khan quoted the decision of the court in the Rental Power case involving Raja Pervez Ashraf. He said the court hadn’t disqualified him.

Makhdoom also argued that the speeches of prime minister, issues of tax and dependency of Maryam Nawaz are three separate issues and he’ll address them separately.

After the break, PM’s counsel started his remarks by quoting the case of former President Rafiq Tarar when his nomination papers were rejected. ‘The Supreme Court ruled that a representative of the people can’t be de-seated on newspaper

clippings,’ he argued. During the second half, the arguments and remarks revolved around Article 66 of the Constitution that deals with privileges of members of parliament. PM’s counsel was asked harsh questions regarding the speech of the PM in Parliament.

Makhdoom, once again found solace in constitution and said that they can be removed according to the dictates of supreme law of the land.

An interesting situation arose during hearing when Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed asked PM’s counsel if Article 62 does not apply to wrong statements given in the parliament. Makhdoom said that there are decisions by Indian courts that it does not. Justice Azmat asked if the Indian constitution has the same article 62, to which Makhdoom replied that their constitution does contain words similar to ‘Sadiq’ and ‘Amin’. The hearing has been adjourned till today (Tuesday).

DESPITE HIS U-TURN IN ECP CASE

Imran still believes Nawaz took biggest U-turn in history ‘IF BBC’S NEWS ITEM WAS INCORRECT, THEN WHY WASN’T IT CHALLENGED IN COURT? ISLAMABAD ONLINE

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said on Monday Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had taken the biggest U-turn of history in Panama Leaks case.

Answering a question regarding his unconditional apology to the Election Commission of Pakistan, Khan said, “I have witnessed the biggest U-turn of history today. I have not taken any U-turn, but it is Nawaz Sharif who has taken a U-turn. It was not even in the imaginations of Nawaz Sharif that he would be searched in Supreme Court. Galli Galli me shore hai, Nawaz Sharif chor hai.”

Talking to media men outside the Supreme Court (SC), Khan said, “I, for the first time ever, heard Sheikh Rashid snoring during the hearing of the case today in SC. Half of the SC was sleeping today.” Nawaz Sharif had said he would not tender his resignation and he was ready for accountability, he said. On the other hand, the counsel for PM is trying that SC should not hear this case, he added. “Nawaz Sharif gave the wrong statement in the parliament. Government bluffed and got entrapped,” he remarked.

He went on to say that PM Nawaz shifted the burden of the money trail to his children, and his children shifted it to the Qatari prince. “The government is confused, as it was not even in the imag-

ISLAMABAD: PTI Chief Imran Khan talks to media on SC premises. ONLINE

ination of the govt that the case would go to SC, and they would be searched,” he added. He said the entire nation is waiting when money trail would be presented and Sharif would be punished.

He held PML-N was not accepting till 2016 that flats were owned by Nawaz Sharif. He had to accept it, willingly or unwillingly, following the emergence of Panama Leaks that the flats were, in fact, owned by them, he said. BBC made it clear that these fair

flats were owned by them since 1993.

If Qatari letter is a fraud, then it meant that flats were owned by Hussain Nawaz, and if Maryam Nawaz is the real owner, then Qatari prince letter will be proven false. “Government stands mired from all sides,” he added.

“If the government is true, then why it does not sue BBC and ICIJ,” he said, adding that PM Nawaz has lost his moral authority. Earlier, Imran Khan submitted an unconditional apol-

ogy to the ECP in party funding case.

It may be mentioned here that the PTI chairman earlier called the ECP ‘biased’ on the basis of a verdict it had given on January 9. Imran Khan had also submitted a petition calling for review of the case. However, after severe criticism by the ECP, the PTI chairman opted to withdraw the statement and filed an unconditional apology to the commission over his remarks. court wIll gIve hIstorIcal verdIct Talking to media outside the apex court after the hearing of Panama Leaks case, PTI’s Naeemul Haq said that PM has acquired skill in hiding the facts, as the facts about the economy of the country were also kept hidden.

PTI Spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry said that the counsel of PM brought books from a library and argued before the court after studying them about dual nationality, adding that during the hearing, all the leaders of PML-N were sleeping in the court.

“The counsel of PM has no concern with the Panama Leaks case; he is just wasting the time of the court. All the arguments of counsel of PM, Makhdoom Ali Khan, were irrelevant and he should argue based on facts,” he added. Fawad Chaudhry further said that, if the news item of BBC was incorrect, then why it was not challenged in the court?

PM does not seek immunity from court in Panama Papers case: PML-N ISLAMABAD APP

Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Dr Musadik Malik and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN)’s lawmaker Daniyal Aziz Monday said it was a wrong perception that the prime minister had sought any immunity from apex court in Panama Papers case.

Addressing a joint press conference here at PID, Dr Malik said media was giving a wrong perception that the prime minister had sought immunity from the apex court in Panama Papers case. He said despite the fact that the name of Nawaz Sharif was not mentioned in Panama Papers, the prime minister had presented himself and his family members for accountability.

Dr Malik said Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan had adopted a stance on Sita

White in Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi case that he could not be disqualified, as it was a matter before he became an MNA. Contrary to that, he said, Imran Khan had adopted a different stance regarding the prime minister.

Daniyal Aziz said Imran Khan was doing political point scoring by abusing government officers and state institutions.

Prior to this he had tried to pressurize the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and other state institutions by defaming them, he said. He said that PTI chief had done fundraising across the world and used that amount to destabilise the previous PPP government and the current PML-N government.

All the details and evidence of this were available on the website of US Department of Justice, he added The PML-N lawmaker said

that the ECP had sought details from the PTI five times regarding foreign funding, but the party leadership failed to do so. He said PTI could be dissolved and its MNAs could be disqualified for this act under Political Parties Order.

Now Imran Khan had tendered unconditional apology before ECP in a case regarding PTI’s financial accounts, he said, adding that PTI chief had become ‘Maafi Khan’ now. Daniyal said the Imran had also failed to ensure fair intraparty elections, saying the report of Justice Wajihuddin in that regard was also put under the carpet.

He said PTI chief should answer why the KP Accountability Bureau was made dysfunctional?

Danyal Aziz, to a question, said PML-N had disclosed same facts that were also available with the court. To another query about BBC report, he said that the PMLN had adopted the stance in apex

court regarding Panama Papers case that those companies were owned by Qatari family before 2006; later their ownership was converted to Hussain Nawaz.

The BBC had reported the same facts by giving them a new angle, he concluded.

‘Imran contestIng case outsIde court wIll face nothIng but dIsappoIntment’ Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said PTI chairman was contesting his case outside the court but he will face nothing but disappointment.

She said as per arguments of PML-N counsel, there was no contradiction in the prime minister’s speech in the Parliament and his address to the nation.

She said that Imran claims that there was a contradiction in the prime minister’s speech in the Parliament and his address to the

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nation but the court decisions cannot be made on Imran’s desires.

She said Imran was worried about no mentioning of Nawaz Sharif in the court. Since the prime minister has no connection with the Panama Papers; therefore, there was no mention of Nawaz Sharif, she said. In the judgement, she said, Imran Khan took the plea in the Election Commission that reply cannot be given about his actions and statements before contesting the elections.

She said that Imran Khan was seeking disqualification of the prime minister without any proof, but this cannot happen on his wishes, as the prime minister had no link with the Panama Papers.

The minister said, “Imran Khan and his party leaders were sleeping, as they are not used to contesting legal cases in the courts, rather, he contests his cases on the container.”

Tallal Chaudry, on the other hand, said the counsel of PTI has submitted “packs of lies and trash” in the court. He said that Imran Khan was losing the Panama case and wants to hide his face behind the BBC report.

Referring the BBC report, he said, it has already been told in the court by Hussain Nawaz.

The name of prime minster was not included in the Panama Papers, he said, adding PTI was levelling baseless allegations by linking the name of Nawaz Sharif with Panama Papers case.

“We will submit all evidences in the court,” he said.

PTI, he said, levelled allegations that there was a difference in the statements of PM, adding the counsels of PML-N were giving arguments regarding his speech.

“We will prove in the court that there was no difference in the speech of prime minister” he said.

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

PAK TO fully resPONd iN cAse Of ANy surgicAl sTriKes: Kh Asif ISLAMABAD

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INISTER for Defence Khawaja Asif reiterated on Monday that Pakistan’s armed forces would respond with full force if India tried to carry out any surgical strikes inside Pakistan.

Winding up a debate on a motion by Sehar Kamran regarding the situation arising out of the continuing Indian violations of the Line of Control (LoC) and ceasefire on the Working Boundary (WB), the minister said that if India carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan, a befitting response would follow.

indian troops kill 3 more in iOK Islamabad: Three Kashmiri youth were killed by security forces in Indianoccupied Kashmir’s Islamabad district on Monday. According to Kashmir Media Service, the bodies were recovered from the debris of a residential house destroyed by Indian forces during a siege and search operation at Awoora in Pahalgam area of the district. Police said that bodies have been identified as Adil Ahmad Reshi of Bijbehara, Abid Ahmad Sheikh of Satkipora and Masood Ahmad Shah of Bewoora areas of the district.

Indian police claimed that the three deceased were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen. The locals while talking to media said that Indian troops used heavy mortar shelling which destroyed a residential house. Meanwhile, Indian forces used heavy teargas and PAVA shelling after people took to the streets to protest against the killings. pakIstan condemns kIllIngs, urges Int’l communIty to act: Meanwhile, Pakistan has strongly condemned ‘systematic and brutal killing’ of Kashmiris at the hands of Indian occupation forces in IOK and once again urges the UN, human rights organisations across the globe and international community to act to stop bloodshed of Kashmiris by India.

Foreign Office spokesman said that since the current phase of uprising started in the wake of Kashmiri youth leader Burhan Muzaffar Wani’s extrajudicial killing in July last year, hundreds of Kashmiris have been martyred. Indian forces have mercilessly used lethal weapons with the intent to kill and have deliberately used pellet gun shots injuring over 7,000 Kashmiris. APP

He said that India had also claimed to carry out surgical strikes in the recent past but these claims were found to be baseless and false.

The minister said that the Kashmiri indigenous freedom struggle, India’s internal political compulsion, and avoiding composite dialogue were three major reasons because of which India was indulging in unprovoked firing along the LoC and WB. Asif said that India was making failed attempts to link the Kashmiri freedom movement with cross border infiltration and terrorism. He said India had also levelled such baseless allegation against Pakistan in 1988. However, the defence minister said that Pakistan would continue its political, diplo-

matic, and moral support to Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination.

Khwaja Asif claimed that India had carried out 330 ceasefire violations till December – 290 along the LoC and 40 along the WB – because of which 45 civilians had been killed and 138 injured.

These violations were also reported to United Nations Military Observer Group for investigations.

Asif added that the ministry of foreign affairs had also raised the issue through Pakistani diplomats.

Earlier, Sehar Kamran said that since assuming office, Prime Minister Modi had adopted an aggressive policy against Pakistan. She said that UN observers should take serious notice of the Indian violations.

PM Nawaz arrives in Switzerland to participate in World Economic Forum ZURICH APP

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived here Monday to participate in the 47th World Economic Forum’s annual meeting aimed at fostering greater social inclusion and human development.

Accompanied by Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi, the prime minister was received at the Zurich Airport, also known as Kloten Airport, by Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN Mission in Geneva Tehmina Janjua and senior Swiss officials.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is here on the special invitation of WEF’s Executive Chairman, Professor Klaus Schwab, to pursue his dynamic economic agenda aimed at turning around the national economy.

The prime minister will be presenting Pakistan’s case of economic success and the ideal business and investment opportunities, besides attracting foreign direct investment.

He will be extensively utilising the visit to further Pakistan’s economic and business interests by inviting leading firms to invest in Pakistan.

The theme for this year’s meeting is ‘Responsive and Responsible Leadership’, which would focus on four critical leadership challenges for 2017: revitalising the global economy, reforming capitalism, and preparing for the fourth industrial revolution.

Around 3,000 leaders from government, business and civil society will gather at the 47th World Economic

Forum annual meeting from January 17-20 in Davos, Switzerland.

The participants include one-third from outside Europe and North America, while one-third representing society outside of business and government.

The prime minister has a full agenda at Davos, including a number of bilateral meetings with heads of states and governments, as well as with business leaders. He will also have a meeting with WEF chairman Prof Klaus Schwab.

Bilateral meetings are expected with the PM’s of Sweden, Norway and Sri Lanka, besides a meeting with Queen Maxima of Netherlands.

He will meet the new United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as well as the Swiss President Doris Leuthard. The Foreign Office in a statement said the PM will address a large group of about 60 top business leaders on ‘Investing in Pakistan: the New Reality’.

He will have a roundtable meeting, in which he would share with a select group of business leaders, the significant economic changes taking place in Pakistan, and the immense investment and trade opportunities opening up in the country.

The annual meeting 2017 will be opened by President Xi Jinping of China, who will be accompanied by the largest delegation of Chinese officials since the country first participated in the annual meeting in 1979.

In keeping with the theme, over half of the programme’s 400 sessions will address strategies for fostering greater social inclusion and human development. The CEOs of over 1,000 companies will participate in the

forum. The forum that began in 1971 has consistently argued for an inclusive and sustainable approach to managing the world’s transformation, even as it has become increasingly interconnected and more complex.

The co-chairs taking a principal role in shaping the discussion at the annual meeting 2017 are as follows: Bank of America’s Board Chairman and CEO Brian Moynihan, documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Save the Children International (United Kingdom) CEO Helle ThorningSchmidt, Royal Philips (Netherlands) President and CEO Frans van Houten, and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (USA) President and CEO Meg Whitman.

Information Technology and Telecommunication Minister, Anusha Rahman Khan, will also speak at the forum. National Health Services Minister, Saira Afzal Tarar, will speak on ‘Raising Life Expectancy and Expectations.’ Anusha Rahman was invited by the WEF’s managing board to participate in the meeting and to express views on the emerging technologies shaping the global community. Inviting an IT minister from Pakistan with such focused engagements has never happened before and this is the first such occurrence.

In addition to being the most comprehensive meeting of ministerial delegations in the world, with over 70 countries—including all G20 countries participating—this year’s meeting will include the participation of the new secretary-general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, along with heads of key international organisations.

NEWS

senate condemns Modi’s statement about Pakistan Islamabad: The Senate on Monday strongly condemned the statement of Indian Prime Minister Naredra Modi about attributing terrorism to Pakistan, and reiterated there will be no compromise on defence and sovereignty of the country. The house unanimously adopted a resolution to send a strong message of national integrity to India, and condemned Modi’s statement of attributing terrorism to Pakistan and drawing a parallel between India and Israel during the recently held BRICS summit in Goa, India. The resolution was moved to the house by Senator Sehar Kamran. The house also appreciated the reaction of international community to this baseless propaganda by the Indian PM. The Senate also expressed belief that the statement made by Modi was an effort to divert the attention of the international community from the Indian atrocities against the people of India-occupied Kashmir. “There will be no compromise on sovereignty and defence of Pakistan, and the resolve to fight against terrorism and contributing towards peace and harmony in the region,” the upper house reiterated. APP

india ‘incomplete’ without sindh, says lK Advani Former deputy Prime Minister of India LK Advani said that Karachi, where he was born in a Sindhi family was not a part of India anymore. Reminiscing about his birth place, Karachi, the 89-year-old said, “At times I feel sad that Karachi and Sindh are not parts of India anymore. I was very active in RSS during my childhood days in Sindh. It is the matter of dismay. I believe that India appears incomplete without Sindh.” Advani was speaking at the 48th ascension anniversary of spiritual leader Pitashri Brahma. The leader also praised Brahma’s organisation for according importance to women and placing them in high positions in its hierarchy. “I have not seen any other organisation like this which is mainly led by women. It is really amazing. I have been associated with one organisation for years and respect it. I humbly tell anyone who meets me to learn from them,” he said. Sindh became part of Pakistan during the 1947 partition of the subcontinent. It is Pakistan’s third largest province and shares borders with India’s Gujrat and Rajasthan states. NEWS DESK

Afghan president goes after Pakistan RAWALPINDI MIAN AbrAr

In what seems like an uncharacteristically strong worded statement from Afghan Presidential Palace against Pakistan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has said that those who recently launched attacks in Afghanistan “lived, were recruited and operated freely in Pakistan and no action was taken against them”.

Interestingly, the statement claims that the Afghan president said this during a phone call with the Pakistani army chief General Qamar Bajwa on Sunday when the latter called the former to condemn recent attacks in the country. The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said General Bajwa also offered intelligence cooperation and border management to stop illegal cross-border movement.

The offer came following attacks in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand which killed nearly 60 people, including five UAE diplomats. Taliban claimed attacks in Kabul and Helmand and denied involvement in the Kandahar attack, which they blamed on the internal power struggle between officials in Kandahar. “In his telephonic talk, President Ghani vowed to take revenge from the perpetrators of the

terrorist attacks and said his country is ready to ensure security of his country,” a statement from Ghani’s office said.

“He again described terrorism and extremism as a serious threat for the region and the world and said that a lack of determination to fight against the common threat could pose dangers to Pakistan itself and the region,” the statement posted on the Afghan president’s website added. President Ghani said he wants “serious talks” to discuss Kabul’s future relationship with Pakistan. durIng the call During his call, Gen Bajwa reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support to Afghan government to fight off the scourge of terrorism. It was the second telephonic contact by the army chief with Dr Ghani after assuming his office. In this call, he suggested a robust border management mechanism and intelligence cooperation to effectively put a stop to the movement of terrorist across the border.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan, China and Russia recently held crucial talks in Moscow in a bid to evolve a joint strategy to help start a peace dialogue in Afghanistan. “COAS reiterated Pakistan’s cooperation with Afghan Govt and people to eliminate the

scourge of terrorism which is affecting peace and stability of the whole region,” read a statement issued by ISPR. The statement added that Gen Bajwa emphasized that Pakistan has come a long way in its fight against terrorism of all hues and colours and has eliminated all safe havens in the process.

“COAS suggested a robust border management mechanism and intelligence cooperation to put a stop to and fro movement of terrorists across the border. He said that the elements inimical to peace in the region are strengthened by the blame game. Both nations should rather focus on capitalizing upon the gains of successful Zarb e Azb in Pakistan,” it said. coas gen bajwa rubbIshes afghanIstan’s statement Rubbishing Afghanistan’s claim linking Pakistan with terror attacks, the Chief of Army Staff said Pakistan supports and looks forward to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. Commander United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) General Joseph L Votel also called on army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday at the General Headquarters (GHQ) and discussed the security situation in Afghanistan. “[Speaking] with reference

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to the recent terror incidents and follow up rhetoric from certain factions implicating Pakistan, the army chief said blame game is detrimental to enduring peace and stability,” the military’s media wing ISPR said in a statement.

Earlier during the day, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani told Gen Bajwa that those who recently launched attacks in Afghanistan “lived, were recruited and operated freely in Pakistan and no action was taken against them.”

“The COAS highlighted that Pakistan has undertaken operations against terrorists of all hue and colour and there are no safe havens inside the country to be used against Afghanistan,” statement added.

Gen Bajwa expressed his commitment to work in close coordination with Afghanistan and US Resolute Support Mission (RSM) for improved security environment in the Pak-Afghan border region. In this regard, the COAS emphasised requirement of Pak-Afghan bilateral border security and intelligencesharing mechanisms. “Pakistan supports and looks forward to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process,” he said. He also highlighted the importance Pakistan accords to its relations with the US, particularly cooperation

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in counter-terrorism and regional stability.

The visiting dignitary acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan Army’s successes in fight against terrorism and continued efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region. Earlier on arrival at GHQ, a contingent of Pakistan Army presented Guard of Honour to the visiting dignitary. General Votel also laid a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada to pay homage to the martyrs. pluggIng cross-border movement Eminent defence expert Lt Gen (retd) Amjad Shoaib told Pakistan Today that Pakistan wanted to plug all the gaps in cross-border movement by evolving effective border management system.

“Every time there is a terrorist incident in Afghanistan, finger pointing at Pakistan is made just to shift focus. Now Pakistan has made another sincere effort to help cooperate with Afghan government in nailing down terrorists,” he said.

Gen Amjad said that after an unprecedented success in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, Pakistan wanted to share its successful experience with its neighbours.

He said that intelligence sharing could largely help Afghan forces in taking effective actions against terrorists.

He said that effective border management could completely negate any chance of across the border movement of terrorists and Afghanistan must comply with Pakistani proposal to curb terrorism.

04 NEWS

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

‘PRovInCes CoMe to totAl Consensus on CPeC In BeIjIng’ ISLAMABAD

2016 to forge the consensus on the CPEC through consultation of all its members representing different provinces and areas of Pakistan.

Senator Mushahid Hussain welcomed the breakthrough at the JCC meeting and said that the corridor was already on the road to consolidation.

“2017 will be the year that the CPEC takes off. All key projects are going as scheduled,” he added. The members also underlined the need to expose and counter any baseless propaganda about the CPEC by forces inimical to the interests of Pakistan and a strategic Pakistan-China partnership. On the recommendation of some of the members, it was decided that there should be a comprehensive briefing by the ministry of water and power on the energy plan till 2020, as well as the construction of transmission lines by the NTDC. The ministry of planning will also give a briefing on the long terms plans of the CPEC, which is expected to keep developing till 2030.

The meeting was attended by Secretary of the Committee Nasim Khalid, Senator Shibli Faraz, Senator Baz Mohammad Khan, Senator Gen (r) Salahuddin Tirmizi, Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan Hafeezur Rehman, Akram Khan Durrani, Rana Afzal Khan, Isphanyar Bhandara, Asad Umar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Ghous Bux Mahar, Aftab Khan Sherpao, Shahji Gul Afridi, and Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch, and others.

HE parliamentary committee on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was informed on Monday that a “total consensus” between the four provinces and other federating units had been achieved on the CPEC during a recent meeting of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) held in Beijing.

The assurance was conveyed during a briefing by Minister Ahsan Iqbal to the committee led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed. This was the 20th meeting of the parliamentary committee on the CPEC and it received a detailed and comprehensive briefing about decisions taken during the 6th meeting of the JCC held in Beijing on December 28-29. The meeting was attended by chief ministers of KPK, Sindh, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Dismissing rumours about Thar coal, Ahsan Iqbal told the committee that Thar coal would be used for electricity for the next 400 years and that two transmission lines were being installed at Mariari – one to Lahore, and another to Faisalabad – which will be connected to the national grid, benefiting all parts of the country.

“We have achieved total consensus on the

way forward regarding the CPEC. DiamerBhasha Dam will also be a part of the CPEC. 11000 MW of electricity will be added to the national grid by 2018, out of which 5000 MW will be generated under CPEC projects and 5000 MW under non-CPEC projects. This will be the biggest energy investment in the history of Pakistan,” the minister said.

Additionally, there was agreement on giving priority to the construction of the western route of the CPEC as well as up-gradation and duplication of the Karachi-Torkham railway line at a cost of $8 billion. The minister said that industrial zones proposed by the provinces as well as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan had been approved by the JCC and proper feasibility studies would be carried out.

“A proposal by the Sindh government for an additional port at Keti Bandar will also be considered,” the minister said.

“All four provincial capitals will have railbased mass transit systems as part of the CPEC. The November 13th Kashgar-Gwadar caravan travelled on the western route and the establishment of this road link slashed the travel time from Quetta to Gwadar from 2 days to 8 hours,” he added.

Ahsan Iqbal also thanked the parliamentary committee for its relentless efforts throughout

Arrangements finalised for 6th population census

UK, US statements on missing persons ‘extremely inappropriate’: Rabbani

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The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has finalised all arrangements to conduct muchawaited 6th population census from March 15, 2017, official sources said on Monday.

“The census will be held in two phases and the first one will kick-off on March 15, 2017,” they told APP. The first phase will be completed in mid April, while the second phase is likely to be initiated from April 24 and will end by mid May. Preliminary results of the national population census will start coming in by June and they will be made public accordingly, the sources informed. For conducting the census, the PBS has already divided the country’s population into 168,120 blocks, each block consisting of about 200 to 250 households, the sources informed, adding that over 84,000 enumerators would be involved in the nationwide exercise. The bureau has made all arrangements to conduct the exercise in a transparent manner and has already imparted training to the staff.

Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani on Monday said the statements of US State Department and the British government about recent missing persons in Pakistan were inappropriate.

“I understand the statements of the State Department and the British government about missing persons in Pakistan were extremely inappropriate,” he observed in the house. “It is our internal affair, and we are facing and looking into it. These governments have no right to comment on our internal affairs,” he added.

The chairman took exception of double standards of these governments and said both of these governments remained silent on gross human rights violations in India-occupied Kashmir (IOK) and Palestine.

“These countries remained silent on missing persons in IoK and extra-judicial killing of innocent persons in Kashmir and Palestine,” he added. The chairman said, “The issue of missing persons is our issue. We shall deal with it and would not allow any external government

to meddle in our affairs.”

Raza Rabbani said playing up such incidents in “our countries clearly manifest the Brahman, Jewish and white racial mindset” because they close their eyes when it comes to brutalities in IoK and Palestine but meddle in Pakistan’s affairs. On the other hand, Interior Minister Baligh-ur-Rehman said all out efforts were being made by the police to get some information about the five missing persons.

Informing the latest situation on the matter, the minister said police were in touch with the agencies and continuously working on the issue, however, there was no progress on the matter so far. He said that Islamabad police have collected mobile phone and camera records of two missing persons.

He said the Punjab police have also adopted a similar method to get information about three missing persons—like collecting the record of mobile phones and cameras. He said the police received eyewitness information from two persons regarding Salman Haider, while another missing person, Samar Abbas, came from Karachi and was in Islamabad that day.

POWER AND GAS SHORTAGES TO CONTINUE TILL MARCH GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN FOR SHORT-TERM ISLAMABAD AHMAD AHMADANI

Chilly weather coupled with low gas pressure, if you are lucky enough to get it, or gas and power shortages in the form of load shedding, has made the lives of countrymen miserable. However, the situation is likely to continue and will improve with a change in weather.

At present, electricity demands stands between 13500MW to 14500MW, while power generation stands around 8500MW-9500MW, leaving the con-

SITUATION MAY GET BETTER IF THE WEATHER TURNS BETTER sumers with a shortfall of 5000MW. Gas shortfall stands at two billion cubic feet per day (BCFD), whereas gas production within the country stands at is 4 BCFD, along with import of 400 MMCFD. The shortfall in both resources is expected to last till March.

Sources say that the situation will improve with a change in weather. Power and gas crisis has worsened in major parts of the country following heavy downpours and snowfall. The demand for gas has increased in domestic sector with the change in weather. Already facing power shortage,

the masses are forced to rely on alternate sources of gas. “Gas crisis has worsened in the country as gas supply to the domestic consumers of Punjab has worsened. While situation in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not as bad as in Punjab, consumers across the country are complaining about low gas pressure and outages for hours at end,” added the sources.

On Sunday, the shortfall surged to 400 MMCFD, forcing the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) to divert to the domestic sector a supply of about 275 MMCFD, out of over 400 MMCFD liquefied natural gas (LNG) meant for industrial, power and CNG sectors. Sources say that the company (SNGPL) is supplying around 1400-1500 MMCFD to the domestic sector, while the sector’s de-

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Interior Ministry chides PPP over DPC remarks ISLAMABAD APP

A spokesperson of the Interior Ministry strongly contradicted a statement issued by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar here on Monday. Elaborating, the spokesperson said it has become a habit with PPP leaders to issue distorted and contradictory statements, frequently indulging in double-speak and beating around the bush, said a statement issued here. If indeed Difa-i-Pakistan Council (DPC) is such a questionable organisation, then why didn’t the PPP government resist its formation in 2009? More importantly, where was Farhatullah Babar when the same organisation held large-scale public meetings and media conferences during the tenure of PPP government? It is also a matter of record that the former president had interactions with members of proscribed organisations—who had met him during his tenure in presidency—and pictures are available on record, printed by national dailies at that time. Perhaps, at that time, Farhatullah Babar was not aware of these meetings, despite his presence in the presidency, the spokesperson said. Again, it is not just the president, but a long list of PPP leaders, with whom record and photographs of meetings with members of proscribed organisations are available on record, which can be made available on demand, he added. “Babar can be excused for turning a blind eye to all these meetings and indulging in the kind of politicking that he is engaged in because that is all PPP is good at,” he said. However, he added, what can’t be excused are Babar’s conscious efforts to subvert the successes achieved against terrorism in the last three years. “Babar’s views are nothing less than insulting the realities and facts on the ground,” the spokesperson said. From a peak of 2,060 terrorist incidents taking place in one year alone—when PPP was at zenith of its power—to the current year’s figures of 754, the hard truth that does not appeal to Babar or to his party is that while his government did nothing to address the monster of terrorism, the incumbent government’s record speaks for itself, he maintained.

Balochistan govt buys Mi-171 helicopter from Russia MONITORING DESK The Balochistan government has concluded a contract with Russian Helicopters for a Mi-171 civil helicopter, reported a Russian news agency on Monday. “The helicopter is expected to be handed over in the first half of 2017,” the Russian company said. This is the first civilian contract for supply of aircraft between Pakistan and a Russian manufacturer, said Russian Helicopters. “The helicopter will have 14 VIP seats and 26 seats for other passengers. In case of medical emergencies, the seats can be replaced with 14 stretchers,” said a senior official of Balochistan’s finance department while confirming the development. He added the helicopter costs $15.2 million and confirmed the aircraft will be delivered by mid-February.

The provincial government is expected to employ the helicopter for passenger and cargo transportation, medical sorties, and emergency response. “Our win in the tender is a characteristic indication of Russian helicopters being the most suitable for operation in this region. We expect authorities of Pakistan will continue increasing supply volumes of the Russian equipment in future. Preconditions for that already exist,” Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Russian holding Alexander Scherbinin said. The Mi-171 is the civilian version of the Mi-17 military cargo helicopter, which is already in service with the Pakistan Army. The Mi-17 is widely used across the world due to its reliability and ability to operate in all climates.

mand ranges between 1800-1900 MMCFD for about five million consumers in Punjab and KP. When a spokesman of SNGPL was contacted, he said the situation is really problematic these days and SNGPL is trying hard to ensure gas supply to at least domestic consumers during winter. He said there is no gas load shedding and low gas pressure is because of increased dependence on the commodity by domestic consumers. He said the use of geysers, ovens, heaters and appliances using gas by domestic consumers has increased exponentially following sever cold. “Hopefully, the situation will improve within next 10 days,” SNGPL spokesman said.

Experts say that it is the masses that have to bear the brunt of gas and power shortages. They say the shortfall has reached an alarming level and people should get ready to face a severe energy crisis amid chilling weather. They say that our

outdated power distribution and transmission system is unable to transmit electricity to the consumers in rain or during snowfall.

They were of the view that increasing gas and power losses due to old transmission and distribution network of gas and power have added to the woes of the public and worsened routine life of the countrymen.

It is worth mentioning here that mismanagement and inefficiency coupled with financial constraints being faced by energy sector has badly affected the economy of the country. Industrial and trade activities have slowed down while unemployment has increased to levels that mock at the fate of the nation, all hinting at the sorry state of affairs and weak governance in the country. It seems power and gas shortfall is a genie that the government can’t put back in the bottle. Efforts to get the version of Water and Power Ministry remained in vain as its spokesperson did not respond to texts and calls.

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

PPP CleARs the AIR on ZARDARI-tRuMP MeetIng KARACHI

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STAFF REPORT

LEARING the air about Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) President Asif Ali Zardari’s US visit, party Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman said that PPP leadership team will be part of some inaugural events but has not sought a meeting with the President-elect Donald Trump at this transition point.

In a statement, she said, “This is obviously not a state or official visit but it represents an engagement cycle that is about sustained public ties with the global community.” Sherry Rehman said that the PPP has maintained ties with many legislators and reciprocated policy outreach, it will be part of some inaugural events but has not sought a meeting with the President-elect at this transition point.

“President Zardari, and later Chairman Bilawal, will, however, meet with key mem-

bers of Congressional Committees and the policy community in Washington”, she added.

The statement further said that Co-chairman Zardari has several key engagements with opinion makers and legislators in the US usually at this time of year, while Chairman Bilawal will follow for other meetings.

Earlier, sources had reported that Zardari will be attending the inauguration ceremony of US President-elect on Friday. The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) President arrived in Dubai on Sunday from Karachi and will travel to the US on the 17th of January.

Wife of orlando nightclub gunman arrested US authorities have arrested the wife of the gunman who killed 49 people at an Orlando gay nightclub last year, a massacre that intensified fears about “lone wolf” attacks against Americans, the US attorney general said on Monday. The wife of Omar Mateen, who was killed by police during the rampage at the Florida club in June, was arrested at her home outside San Francisco, the New York Times reported, citing an unnamed law enforcement official. Noor Salman faces federal charges of obstruction of justice, and aiding and abetting the attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization, ABC News reported, citing the FBI and her lawyer. Salman, who was repeatedly questioned by law enforcement interrogators after the club attack, is expected to appear in court on Tuesday. She will then face extradition to Tampa, where she was indicted, ABC reported. AGENCIES

Judge, wife deny torturing Tayyaba MONITORING DESK Additional Sessions Judge Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife on Monday denied torturing their 10-year-old maid Tayyaba.

In their statement to the police, both the accused said that they had taken Tayyaba’s custody so that she could take care of their one and a half year hold baby.

Khurram Ali Khan in the statement said that his wife is a kind-hearted person and that she treated Tayyaba like her own child.

Khurram said that he paid the parents of the girl Rs 12, 000 and that he had filed a missing report the very next day when Tayyaba went missing on December 27.

Islamabad Police submitted their report along with the suspects’ statement to the

Supreme Court. The case of the alleged torture of the child maid caught the media’s attention after she was recovered from the residence of Raja Khurram Ali Khan.

The minor girl, whose face and hands bore torture marks, had initially denied being hurt by her employers. She told the police that her eye was injured after she fell from the stairs, and that her hand had also been accidentally burnt. However, the poor girl narrated her ordeal after a female magistrate later inquired. She stated before the magistrate that she had been beaten and that her hand had been burnt on the stove for losing a broom.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday decided that Tayyaba will stay at Pakistan Sweet Homes, an orphanage, till her parents are identified.

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HE total development programme of Rs.550 billion was approved by the Provincial Assembly for the financial year 2016-17 which was 38% higher than the development programme of last year.

Out of this budget Rs.169 billion has been earmarked for the social sectors included Rs.42.5 billion for the Health, Rs.68 billion for the Education whereas Rs.158 billion for the Infrastructure Development which included the roads, irrigation and the public building sectors and an amount of Rs 29.2 billion has been allocated for the development of Agriculture and Livestock Sectors, told Planning and Development spokesman.

During the first half of the current financial year 2016-17, an amount of Rs.282 billion has been released for the implementation of 6080 development projects across the Punjab. This included Rs.44.5 billion for the Education, Rs.29.8 billion for the Health, Rs.24 billion for the Water Supply and Sanitation and Rs.3 billion for the sports and Youth Affairs. During current financial year, unprece-

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Punjab released rs 282b OF adP in First halF OF FY STAFF REPORT

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dented allocations have been made for the development of the Health, Education, Agriculture, Irrigation and the Infrastructure Development Sectors.

These funds have been released for the implementation of schemes all over the Punjab without any geographical discrimination and the funds against all the ongoing development projects of ADP 2016-17 were released during the first week of July 2016 enabling the executing agencies to start development work.

A number of projects are being implemented a few of them included: Multan Metro Bus Project is being completed during current year at the cost of Rs.30 billion, the expansion of Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital in Muzaffargarh at the cost of Rs.9 billion, Khawaja Fareed Engineering and I.T. University at Rahim Yar Khan at the cost of Rs.3.8 billion, Bahawalpur Cardiac Surgery Block at BV Hospital at the cost of Rs.1.3 billion, the up-gradation of DHQ Hospitals to the level of Teaching Hospital at Sialkot, Sahiwal, Gujranwala and D.G. Khan at the cost of Rs.12 billion, the revamping of all DHQ Hospitals and 15 THQ Hospitals in Punjab at the cost of Rs.5 billion, Khadim-

e-Punjab School Programme at the cost of Rs.50 billion, Khadim-e-Punjab Rural Road Programme at the cost of Rs.150 billion, Tribal Area Development Project for D.G. Khan and Rajanpur Areas Districts (Rs.3.381 billion), the development schemes for Cholistan Development Authority (Rs.2.712 billion), the development projects for Barani areas (Rs.358 million), New Khanki Barrage (Rs.23 billion), the rehabilitation of Trimu Barrage (Rs.17 billion), the construction of the small dams (Rs.7 billion), Agriculture Development Package (Rs.20 billion), the establishment of University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Bahawalpur (Rs.3 billion), the construction of Canal Expressway from Gutwala to Sahiawala, Faisalabad (Rs.6 billion),the improvement of Jhal Khanuwana Chowk, Faisalabad (Rs.2.5 billion), the completion of 13 Sewerage / Water Supply schemes of WASA, Multan (Rs.3.67 billion), the dualisation of Road from Bahawalpur to Hasilpur at the cost of Rs.5 billion, the construction of Flyover on G.T. Road at Aziz Cross Road Gujranwala at the cost of Rs.6.6 billion and the dualisation of Muridkey Narowal Road with total cost of Rs.4.4 billion.

LHWs’ rape: Gujrat health official faces axe for hiding facts LAHORE: On the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Provincial Minister (Health) Imran Nazir along with Secretary Ali Jan Khan visited Gujrat to probe into the incident of gang rape of two lady health workers at a basic health unit. During a preliminary inquiry, it was revealed that the incident occurred on December 30 but the officers of Gujrat Health Department informed the authorities after two weeks. The minister took notice and issued orders to suspend the Gujrat Health Chief Executive Officer Dr Altaf Husain, DOH Dr Muhammad Ali Mufti and Gujrat Health Deputy District Officer Dr Yousaf Dar immediately. STAFF REPORT

OPC helps expat retrieve property LAHORE: Due to the efforts of Punjab Overseas Pakistanis Commission (OPC) a 9 year old and her mother got back their 6.5 Kanal land previously illegally occupied by grandmother and two uncles. OPC Vice Chairperson Shaheen Khalid Butt and Commissioner Afzaal Bhatti while giving details in this regards informed that after the death of Irfan Shahzad his mother Irshad Begum and 2 brothers Iftikhar and Noman illegally occupied his 6.5 Kanal land in Gujranwala. After a Complaint from Irfan’s Widow Sadia Irfan, OPC referred the matter to Gujranwala District Overseas Pakistanis Committee (DOPC) and after concerted efforts got the said property back to its real owners. STAFF REPORT

Four die after consuming toxic liquor in Faisalabad FAISALABAD: At least four people died after consuming toxic liquor in Samundri area of Faisalabad. Four guests consumed toxic liquor on the occasion of a marriage ceremony. They were shifted to hospital where they passed away. ONLINE

dOCuments lOst The genuine registration file of Shahzor LES-3670, Model 2006, having Chassis number: PHFGNSMXR6D132583 and Engine Number: D4BB6304756, has been lost.

Address: 60-Madani Park Canal Bank, Harbanspura, Lahore. If anyone finds it, please Contact: 0300-4628480

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11 bOttled water brands FOund unsaFe: PCrwr Pakistan Council of Water Resources (PCRWR) on Monday collected 109 bottled water brands to analyse the quality during the first quarter of the current year out of which 11 brands were found unsafe due to contamination. According to the official sources, results of the quarterly monitoring report of bottled/mineral water are regularly disseminated through print/electronic media and the PCRWR website. The report also sent to Capital Development Authority (CDA), Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) commissioner, provincial chief secretaries and Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) for taking appropriate legal action against sub-standard brands. The PSQCA on the basis of quarterly report of the PCRWR takes action against the illegal/unlicensed bottled drinking water manufacturers and keeps close monitoring of its licensees (manufacturers of bottled drinking water) from time to time. The PSQCA has a complete mechanism to monitor the quality of bottled drinking water and mineral water through the quarterly inspections of manufacturing units and market surveillance wherein the samples are also taken from open market and sent for testing in accordance with Pakistan standard. The PSQCA has closed 87 bottled drinking water plants from August 2015 to November 2016 and filed cases against different manufacturers to control production/sale of sub-standard bottled drinking water in the country. Hygienic condition of plants is also being monitored along with the quality control process and production while the PSQCA also checks bottled drinking water at import stage as per Pakistan Conformity Assessment Rules, 2011. The PSQCA has planned to undertake awareness raising scheme through the print and electronic media for an enhanced awareness to instil quality culture in the country. Quality oriented awareness is also carried out through the celebrations of World Standards Day and World Consumer Rights Day. AGENCIES

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Four booked for attacking house LAHORE: Local police on Monday registered a criminal case against four alleged terrorists for attacking the house of Muhammad Wafa Noori resident of Shah Gohar Abad. According to the complainant, his family has been in the puppetmaking business which is considered against the dictates of Islam by these terrorists. In 2015, complainant’s brother left the country in fear of his life due to an attack of the armed terrorists on his office. But terrorists have been pursuing him and attacked the house. The complainant has requested local police for the protection and action against the terrorists. STAFF REPORT

Cia foils terror bid in Gujranwala GUNRANWALA: CIA and Police in a joint operation seized heavy cache of arms and ammunition, foiling terror bid in Gujranwala. The law enforcement agencies intercepted a car at police check post in Chan Da Qila and recovered 20 pistols, 13 thousand rounds, including automatic arms. The police also arrested Firdous of Khyber Agency and Tazeem of Sargodah. ONLINE

ePa Fails tO take aCtiOn aGainst viOlatOrs OF envirOnmental laws LAHORE SAMIULLAH RANDHAWA

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UNJAB’S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been unable to take action against the violators of environmental laws in the province, Pakistan Today has learnt.

EPA received at least 2,200 complaints in 2016 against the violators of no objection certificates (NOC) filed by the field officers and field inspectors who submitted these as Site Inspection Reports (SIR) after conducting the surveys of their respective areas.

The source claimed that there have been thousands of complaints with EPA since 2011 which are still pending for decision.

According to environmental laws, after receiving any complaint

department is bound to serve notice to the violators for a personal hearing. These hearing notices are served under the section 16 (1) of EPA rules. At the time of hearing the violator is given chance to prove himself innocent. If he fails to defend allegations against him, EPA has right to issue Environmental Protection Order (EPO) against him under section 16 (2).

After issuing EPO, if someone again found violating the EPA rules, then the case is sent to Environmental Tribunal (ET) which fixes the penalty as per rules.

According to the source, during 2016 EPA could issue less than 200 EPOs against violators which were sent to its legal section for the further proceeding in the environmental tribunal. “More than 2,000 complaints are still pending for a decision and the

EPA has failed to issue even hearing notices to many” the source added.

The source also revealed that in the past year the environmental tribunal sent back many EPOs to the EPA as they had no scientific evidence. “Most of the cases referred to ET were without laboratory reports as EPA labs were dysfunctional for more than one year at the time of SIR” and added that EPA labs are still not functional.

Planning and Coordination Director Waseem Ahsan Cheema claimed that the EPA had issued 955 hearing notices last year. While talking to Pakistan Today he said that the EPA issued 188 EPOs to those found violating environmental laws during last year. However, he did not inform either such EPOs has been issued against those complaints received during 2016 or before that period.

Giving the reason for the delay in action against so many complaints he said that the EPA has to take a decision after reviewing all the matters so that nobody could be penalised wrongfully.

An official seeking anonymity told that the reason behind the delay in action was due to the negligence of EPA ex-director general Javed Iqbal. He said that Javed Iqbal was busy in departmental politics so he could not pay attention to the necessary matters.

EPA Spokesman Naseem-urRehman Shah while talking to Pakistan Today confirmed that there had been a large number of unattended complaints last year. He said that EPD Secretary Saif Anjum who is also acting DG EPA has ordered to make a decision on pending complaints.

CM stresses innovative measures to resolve traffic woes LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that a good traffic management system represents a civilised society, therefore, the traffic system would have to change through an effective traffic management and traffic re-engineering, and implementation of traffic rules should be ensured.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting of the Steering Committee constituted to review recommendations and suggestions to improve traffic system of mega cities of Punjab including Lahore.

Provincial Minister Jehangir Khanzada, Special Adviser Malik Ahmed Khan, Parliamentarians Mian Margoob Ahmed, Mian Naseer Ahmed, Waheed Gul, Dr Umer Saif, the chief secretary, inspector general police and secretaries and senior officers of the departments concerned were also present on the occasion.

He said that the final recommenda-

tions on the traffic management will be presented after reviewing existing traffic rules and there would an increase in the imposition of fine on traffic violations. He ordered the authorities concerned to take immediate measures to declare five thoroughfares of Lahore model roads, and ensure the smooth traffic follow on The Mall as well and to not tolerate one-wheeling.

The chief minister said that resolving the traffic problems is the priority of the government and for this purpose, practical steps have been taken to provide relief to the people. He said officials and wardens of the traffic police play vital role in improving traffic system, therefore, they should work with dedication and honesty, and no negligence on their part will be tolerated.

He said Ferozpur Road, Jail Road, Allama Iqbal Road, Main Gulberg Road and Peco Road will be declared model roads and smooth traffic follow will be ensured on these roads by implementing an effective traffic management system and ordered to remove the encroachments and a planning of comprehensive parking system.

Sharif said traffic flow and other related matters will be monitored with the support of the information technology.

He said the standard of study material on traffic system in the curriculum should be improved and questions on the pattern of dengue awareness should be included in the exams. He said those who will show best performance in the traffic management will be encouraged and those who will neglect their duties will be held accountable. The provision of buses to educational institutions should be finalised and the Steering Committee will take decisions on the matter on its own, he added.

He advised all the departments to rise from slumber and make their best efforts to resolve traffic problems.

ANTI-TERRORISM MINISTER CALLS ON CM: Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that there is no space for terrorism, extremism and sectarianism in Pakistan and all-out efforts would be made for the development, prosperity and peace in the country. He expressed

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these view in a meeting with Punjab Minister for Anti-terrorism Muhammad Ayub to discuss the matters relating to terrorism, extremism and sectarianism.

He said that the provincial government has made effective legislation to counter terrorism, extremism and sectarianism in the light of the National Action Plan (NAP).

The chief minister said that a significant decline in the incidents of terrorism and sectarianism has been reported due to effective measures were taken under the NAP and elimination of terrorism is the government’s goal.

He appreciated the role of all the departments in a war against terrorism.

The sacrifices rendered by Pakistan in a war against terrorism are matchless and those who laid down their lives are the heroes of the nation and their sacrifices will not go to waste, he concluded.

CM ORDERS IMMEDIATE INqUIRy INTO FAkE STENT IMPLANTATION: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided

over a meeting on Monday to review in detail the matter of implantation of fake stents in heart patients in Mayo Hospital Lahore. Specialised Health and Medical Education Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Specialised Health and Medical Education Secretary, Special Branch additional IG and Punjab Institute of Cardiology CEO also attended the meeting while Pakistan Drug Regulatory Authority CEO and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology Director participated through a video-link.

The CM ordered an inquiry into the matter and constituted a committee headed by the Chief Minister Inspection Team chairman and ordered the committee to submit a report within seven days.

Shehbaz Sharif directed strict implementation of ban on entry of unregistered vendors in the hospitals and said that no complaint should be received in this regard in future. He said that the model of Punjab Institute of Cardiology should be ensured by all the hospitals regarding stents implantation.

08 FOREIGN NEWS

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

Barack OBama slams Israel In hIs fInal InTervIew as presIdenT

AGENCIES

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HE increase of Israeli settlements has “gotten so substantial” that it is inhibiting the possibility for an “effective, contiguous Palestinian state,” President Barack Obama has said in his final interview as President.

Speaking to CBS’s 60 Minutes, Mr Obama dismissed the idea that there is a “major rupture” in the relationship between the United States and Israel after last month’s decision by the US to abstain

from a United Nations vote condemning Israeli settlements.

“Because of our investment in the region, and because we care so deeply about Israel, I think [the US] has a legitimate interest in saying to a friend, ‘This is a problem,’” Mr Obama said. “It would have long-term consequences for peace and security in the region, and the United States.”

The outgoing President reflected on his legacy and his biggest challenges during his eight years in office during the hour-long interview. A number of his policies – from health care to his contentious relationship with Israel – could be short-lived as President-elect Donald Trump becomes the 45th President later this week and vows to reverse some of those policies. Mr Trump has been vocal about his disapproval of many of Mr Obama’s policies, often voicing his disagreement or engaging in public disputes with the President on Twitter. Most recently, Mr Trump lashed out over hypothetical comments Mr Obama made that he would beat Mr Trump if they ran against each other in a general election.

Over the holidays, Mr Trump accused Mr Obama of throwing up “inflammatory” roadblocks

during the transition of power and his administration of treating Israel with “total disdain”.

Mr Obama acknowledged it’s been an “unusual” transition, adding, “I suspect the President-elect would agree with that”.

“We are moving into an era where a lot of people get their information through tweets and soundbites and some headline that comes over their phone,” the President said. “There’s a power in that. There’s also a danger – what generates a headline or stirs up a controversy and gets attention isn’t the same as the process required to actually solve the problem.”

He warned people not to “underestimate the guy” and urged congressional Republicans and Trump supporters around the country to be sure “that as we go forward, certain norms, certain institutional traditions don’t get eroded, because there’s a reason they’re in place”.

Mr Obama said there needs to be a focus on “making sure that our democracy stays healthy, and making sure that we maintain that sense of solidarity.”

With that, he said he’s been “disturbed” about intelligence reports over Russia hacking the US

election. “I have been concerned about the degree to which, in some circles, you’ve seen people suggest that Vladimir Putin has more credibility than the US government,” he said. “You’re not going to be able to make good decisions without building some relationship of trust between yourself and that community.”

Mr Obama also reflected on his approach to the civil war in Syria, as it approaches its sixth year with hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced around the world.

The President acknowledged that his “red line” declaration about the use of chemical weapons by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government wasn’t in his 2012 speech and that he didn’t have to use those words. They later prompted harsh criticism, since the US did not follow through on the threat.

“I would have, I think, made a bigger mistake if I had said, ‘Eh, chemical weapons. That doesn’t really change my calculus,’” he said. “And regardless of how it ended up playing, I think, in the Beltway [Washington DC], what is true is Mr Assad got rid of his chemical weapons.”

In final ruling, Egypt court rejects transfer of Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia CAIRO AGENCIES

An Egyptian court on Monday, rejected a government plan to transfer two uninhabited Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia, in a final ruling that prompted cheers in the courtroom but could deepen tensions with the country’s erstwhile financial backer.

Egypt’s government announced during a visit by the Saudi king in April a maritime demarcation accord that would see it cede control of Tiran and Sanafir. The deal prompted protests from Egyptians who said they had been taught in school that the islands belonged to them.

It has become a source of tension between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, which showered its ally with tens of billions of dollars in aid in recent years but suspended petroleum supplies in September amid growing differences. Two leading lawyers challenged the legality of

the accord at the Higher Administrative Court, a powerful judicial body which deals with cases involving the government and public entities. In June, the court annulled the agreement, saying Egyptian sovereignty over the islands could not be

given up. The Egyptian government received a boost last month when the court upheld its appeal but it lost the final appeal on Monday.

Celebrations erupted as the judge read out the verdict confirming Egyptian sovereignty over

Tiran and Sanafir and saying that the government had failed to provide evidence that the islands belonged to Saudi Arabia. Outside the courthouse, hundreds of people waving Egyptian flags chanted “Egyptian, Egyptian” and “Bread, Freedom, the islands are Egyptian”.

Khaled Ali and Malek Adly, the two human rights lawyers who led the legal challenge to the government’s plan, were carried out of the courtroom by jubilant supporters. “This verdict is a victory for Egypt,” Adly said. There was no immediate response from the government.

Saudi and Egyptian officials had argued that the islands belonged to Saudi Arabia and were only under Egyptian control because Riyadh asked Cairo in 1950 to protect them. But the lawyers who opposed the accord said Egypt’s sovereignty over the islands dated back to a treaty in 1906, before Saudi Arabia was founded.

Trump may offer Putin to end sanctions for nuclear arms cut, says London Times AGENCIES US President-elect Donald Trump will propose offering to end sanctions imposed on Russia for its annexation of Crimea in return for a nuclear arms reduction deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he told The Times of London.

Trump, in an interview with the newspaper published online on Sunday, was deeply critical of previous US foreign policy, describing the invasion of Iraq as possibly the gravest error in the history of the United States and akin to “throwing rocks into a beehive”. But ahead of his inauguration on Friday as the 45th US president, Trump raised the prospect of the first major step towards nuclear arms control since President Barack Obama struck a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia in 2010.

“They have sanctions on Russia — let’s see if we can make some good deals with Russia,” the Republican president-elect was quoted as saying by The Times.

“For one thing, I think nuclear weapons should be way down and reduced very substantially, that’s part of it. But Russia’s hurting very badly right now because of sanctions, but I think something can happen that a lot of people are gonna benefit.” The US and Russia are by far the world’s biggest nuclear powers. The US has 1,367 nuclear warheads on deployed strategic missiles and bombers, while Russia has 1,796 such de-

ployed warheads, according to the latest published assessment by the US State Department.

Trump has vowed to improve relations with Moscow even as he faces criticism he is too eager to make an ally of Putin, a former spy of KGB, the main security agency of the Soviet Union, who rose to the top of the Kremlin in 1999.

The issue has faced renewed scrutiny after an unsubstantiated report that Russia had collected compromising information about Trump.

The unverified dossier was summarised in a US intelligence report presented to him and Obama this month that concluded Russia tried to sway the outcome of the Nov 8 election in Trump’s favour by hacking and other means.

The report did not make an assessment on whether Russia’s attempts affected the election’s outcome.

Trump accused US intelligence agencies of leaking the dossier information, which he called “fake news” and “phoney stuff”. Intelligence leaders denied the charge.

Russian Relations: In the interview with The Times, Trump was also critical of Russia’s intervention in the Syrian civil war, which along with the help of Iran, has tilted the conflict in President Bashar al-Assad’s favour.

Trump said Putin’s intervention in Syria was “a very bad thing” that had led to a “terrible humanitarian situation”.

The war has killed more than 300,000 people, created the world’s worst refugee crisis and aided the rise of the militant Islamic State group.

On NATO, Trump repeated his view that the military alliance was obsolete but added it was still very important for him.

“I took such heat, when I said NATO was obsolete,” Trump told The Times, speaking of comments during his presidential campaign. “It’s obsolete because it wasn’t taking care of terror.

I took a lot of heat for two days. And then they started saying Trump is right.”

Trump added that many NATO members were not paying their fair share for US protection.

“A lot of these countries aren’t paying what they’re supposed to be paying, which I think is very unfair to the United States,” Trump said.

“With that being said, NATO is very important to me. There’s five countries that are paying what they’re supposed to. Five. It’s not much.”

Trump also said he would appoint his sonin-law, Jared Kushner, to broker a Middle East peace deal, urged Britain to veto any new UN Security Council resolution critical of Israel and criticised Obama’s handling of the Iran nuclear deal.

On Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, Trump said: “Brexit is going to end up being a great thing” and said he was eager to get a trade deal done with the United Kingdom.

Obama warns TrumP nOT TO jeTTisOn iran nuclear deal WASHINGTON AGENCIES

US President Barack Obama on Monday marked the first anniversary of the nuclear deal with Iran by emphasizing its “significant and concrete results” and warning the incoming Trump administration against undoing a pact supported by the world´s major powers.

In language clearly directed at Donald Trump, who is set to take office on Friday, a White House statement said “the United States must remember that this agreement was the result of years of work, and represents an agreement between the world´s major powers — not simply the United States and Iran.”

It added that “a diplomatic resolution that prevents Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is far preferable to an unconstrained Iranian nuclear program or another war in the Middle East.” Trump has often denounced the nuclear deal, and in a Sunday interview with the Times of London and Bild newspaper of Germany he continued his criticism, saying, “I´m not happy with the Iran deal, I think it´s one of the worst deals ever made.”

But he declined to say whether he intended to “renegotiate” the deal, as he asserted regularly during the presidential campaign. The White House insisted Monday that despite US reservations about other actions by Iran — including its support for “violent proxies” and “terrorist groups” — Tehran was upholding its nuclear commitments. Iran, it said, had “reduced its uranium stockpile by 98 percent and removed two-thirds of its centrifuges.” The White House stance was backed up by a statement from Secretary of State John Kerry, who helped negotiate the deal. The agreement, Kerry said, had “resolved a major nuclear threat without firing a shot or sending a single soldier into combat. It was endorsed unanimously by the United Nations Security Council and earned the support of more than 100 countries across the globe.”

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

lights go out at london’s piccadilly circus lonDon: The iconic lights that illuminate London’s Piccadilly Circus were turned off on Monday for renovations, the first time since World War II they have gone dark, except for power cuts and funerals. The billboards at the central London hub have displayed illuminated advertisements for more than a century, but will not be switched on again until the autumn, when a new permanent single screen will be unveiled in place of the current six screens. The lights went out at 08:30 am (0830 GMT), and a temporary advertising banner will replace the screens. The new screen will flash advertisements to the 100 million people who are estimated to pass by each year as well as news, sport and weather updates. The last time the lights went out for a lengthy spell was in 1939, when cities turned off their lights during the war. They were not switched back on until 1949. They have since been turned off during the funerals of Winston Churchill and Princess Diana and for environmental campaigns, while also suffering the occasional power cut. Perrier was the first brand to appear in lights on Piccadilly Circus in 1908, while Coca-Cola has been a fixture on the corner of Regent Street and Piccadilly since 1954. AGENCIES

dOnald Trump lIsTed as ThreaT TO human rIghTs

e

AGENCIES

VERY year, Human Rights Watch publishes a report highlights threats to ordinary people around the world. It has drawn attention to pressing problems in places such as China, the Philippines and Syria. But the 2017 report also highlights the threat to human rights by the rise of populist movements in Europe - and of the election of Donald Trump as US President-elect.

“Donald Trump’s election as US president after a campaign fomenting hatred and intolerance, and the rising influence of political parties in Europe that reject universal rights, have put the postwar human rights system at risk,”

An Afghan official says that individuals of the militant Islamic State (IS) group stormed a religious school in eastern Nangarhar province, kidnapping 14 clerics who were teaching at the school and two administrators.

Mohammad Asif Shinwari, spokesman for the provincial education department, said Monday that the attack by three armed men took place over the weekend. No one has claimed responsibility but police and government officials blame IS militants, who are operating in the area. Meanwhile in northern Afghanistan’s Baghlan province, police say gunmen shot and killed a senior government official. They say Mustafa Safayee was killed Monday by two gunmen on a motorcycle. Afghanistan has been wracked by violence as the Taliban increases pressure on government security forces and the IS seeks to establish itself. AGENCIES

he also proposed the mass deportation of migrants without documents. During one debate with his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, he claimed that once he was president he would appoint a special prosecutor to try and convict her. At his rallies, his supporters repeatedly chanted: “Lock her up.” Mr Roth said Mr Trump’s campaign was a powerful example of the politics of intolerance.

He said that Mr Trump had re-

CANCUN A shooting attack at an electronic music festival resulted in the deaths of at least five people and left 15 injured Monday at a nightclub at Mexico’s Caribbean coast resort of Playa del Carmen, authorities said. The shooting occurred about 2:30 a.m. outside the Blue Parrot nightclub, which was

hosting an event that was part of the BPM electronic music festival.

The government of the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo, where Playa del Carmen is located, said four men were shot to death and one woman died in a fall during the confusion that ensued. It said in a statement that 15 people were wounded, and one of them was in very serious condition.

The state government said four peo-

ple had been detained, but it was unclear if they included the shooter.

Rodolfo Del Angel, director of police in the state of Quintana Roo, told the Milenio TV station that he shooting was the result of “a disagreement between people inside” the nightclub and said security guards had come under fire when they tried to contain the dispute. The BPM Festival posted a statement saying four people had been killed and 12 injured in an attack that involved “a lone shooter.” BPM wrote that “the violence began on 12th street in front of the club and three members of the BPM security team were among those whose lives were lost while trying to protect patrons inside the venue.” The Blue Parrot is one of the venues at the 10-day festival in Playa del Carmen, a tourist destination just south of the resort of Cancun that has largely been spared the violence that has hit other parts of Mexico.

Neither U.S. nor Canadian officials could immediately confirm if any of their citizens were among the victims in the shooting.

cargO jeT crash kills aT leasT 37 in kyrgyzsTan AGENCIES A cargo plane crashed Monday in a residential area just outside the main airport in Kyrgyzstan, killing at least 37 people, the Emergency Situations Ministry said on Monday.

The Boeing 747 crashed just outside the Manas airport, south of the capital Bishkek, killing people in the residential area adjacent to the airport as well as those on the plane.

Reports of the death toll on Monday ranged from 37 people according to emergency officials in the Central Asian nation, to 31 reported by the presidential press office which also said rescue teams had recovered parts of nine bodies.Fifteen people including six children have been hospitalised. Images from the scene showed the plane’s nose stuck inside a brick house and large chunks of debris scattered around.

Several dozen private houses cluster just outside the metal fence separating the cot-

sponded to those discontented with their economic situation and an increasingly multicultural society with rhetoric that rejected basic principles of dignity and equality. His policy proposals threatened to undermine human rights advances that had taken decades to secure.

He said that unless Mr Trump repudiated these proposals, his administration risked committing massive rights violations in the US.

Five dead in shooting outside Mexico night club: police AGENCIES

afghan govt says ‘Is militants’ kidnap 14 clerics

wrote Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth.

“Trump and various politicians in Europe seek power through appeals to racism, xenophobia, misogyny, and nativism. They all claim that the public accepts violations of human rights as supposedly necessary to secure jobs, avoid cultural change, or prevent terrorist attacks. He added: “In fact, disregard for human rights offers the likeliest route to tyranny.”

During the election campaign, Mr Trump concerned many with what a number of observers said were authoritarian suggestions and proposals. He has called for the US to once again torture terror suspects, he has threatened to sue the media and change the libel laws, and

FOREIGN NEWS 09

tages from the runway. The doomed plane damaged 15 buildings in the village, said Mukhammed Svarov, head of crisis management centre at the emergencies ministry.

Rescue workers have recovered the body of a pilot and 15 villagers, the healthcare ministry said. The plane belonged to Istanbul-based cargo company ACT Airlines. It said in an emailed statement that the cause was unknown.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday called his Kyrgyz counterpart, Erlan Abdildaev, to offer Turkey’s condolences, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Manas has been considerably expanded since the United States began to operate a military installation at the Manas airport, using it primarily for its operations in Afghanistan.

American troops vacated the base and handed it over to the Kyrgyz military in 2014.

“I woke up because of a bright red light outside,” Baktygul Kurbatova, who was

slightly injured, told local television. “I couldn’t understand what was happening. It turns out the ceiling and the walls were crashing on us. I was so scared but I managed to cover my son’s face with my hands so that debris would not fall on him.”

More than a thousand rescue workers were at the scene by late morning in the residential area where 15 houses were destroyed, Deputy Prime Minister Mukhammetkaly Abulgaziyev said.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear.

Kyrgyz Emergency Situations Minister Kubatbek Boronov told reporters that it was foggy at Manas when the plane came down but weather conditions were not critical.

The plane’s flight recorders have not yet been found.

Earlier media reports claimed the jet belonged to Turkish Airlines. The airline however, denied the jet was one from their fleet.

“Turkish Airlines has clar-

ified that none of its cargo plane has faced any accident.

The cargo flight with TC-MCL registration number that faced an accident near Bishkek at around 01:40 UTC while enroute Hong Kong International

Airport (HKG) to Bishkek Manas International Airport (FRU) was neither the Turkish Airline Plane, nor did its crew members belonged to Turkish Airlines,” a statement released by the airline said.

Istanbul nightclub attack involved an intelligence organisation: Turkey’s deputy pm The mass shooting at an Istanbul nightclub on New Year’s Eve was carried out professionally with the involvement of an intelligence organisation, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Monday. “It appears the Reina attack is not just a terrorist organisation’s act, but there was also an intelligence organisation involved. It was an extremely planned and organised act,” Kurtulmus said during an interview with broadcaster A Haber.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack in which 39 people were killed, saying it was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria. AGENCIES

Top un official: 10,000 civilians killed in Yemen conflict sanaa: The United Nations’ humanitarian aid official in Yemen says the civilian death toll in the nearly two-year conflict has reached 10,000, with 40,000 others wounded. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ Jamie McGoldrick told reporters Monday the figure is based on lists of victims gathered by health facilities and the actual number might be higher. This announcement marks the first time a U.N. official has confirmed such a high death toll in Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest nation.

Earlier, the U.N. reported 4,200 civilians were killed in the war. The Yemen conflict pits Shiite Houthi rebels and allied forces against the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition waged an air campaign in March 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government that fled the country after Houthis seized the capital. AGENCIES

CMYK

10 COMMENT

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

Unveiling the burqa

Relations with Afghanistan

How much of a threat can fully veiled Muslim women pose?

Slow and steady

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fghAnistAn is ill-equipped to cope with the unending acts of terrorism for both internal and external reasons. the Afghan government and society are badly polarised. Within the Afghan government there are sharp differences between President ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah. the government’s writ does not extend to vast swathes of the country where isis, Al-Qaeda, Afghan taliban and ttP have set up headquarters. the country is divided on ethnic and sectarian lines. there are deep differences over attitude towards the taliban with an advisor to the high Peace Council calling them “a sacred group” and Abdullah Abdullah demanding that the network be crushed. there are divisions over policy towards the Us, Russia and Pakistan. the number of Us troops in Afghanistan has meanwhile shrunk and there is uncertainty about the policy the trump administration is going to follow. it was an appropriate move on the part of COAs Bajwa to talk to President ghani on the phone a second time. it goes to gen Bajwa’s credit that he held out a hand of friendship despite accusations by Afghan officials that Pakistan was behind the terrorist attacks leading to antiPakistan protests outside its embassy in Kabul and in herat. it is in Pakistan’s national interest to do the maximum within its power to help bring peace to the neighbouring country. As long as Afghanistan remains destabilised terrorists will continue to use its soil as a spring board to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan’s strategic interests demand that the Afghan border remains a source of satisfaction to it. Pakistan needs friendly relations with Kabul to be able to benefit to the maximum from tAPi and CAsA-1000 and expand its trade with Central Asia. it is necessary for Pakistan to cultivate good relations with Afghanistan irrespective of the blame game from the other side which is unlikely to stop anytime soon. All the more so in view of the polarisation in the neighbouring country where one side is bound to oppose relations with Pakistan when the other wants conciliation and cooperation.

Shortages galore Oil price hike, gas and power shortages and PML-N’s campaign power base

Yasmeen aftab ali

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n recent times, a great deal of controversy has centred around the burqa. in 2011, france banned the niqab and burqa. Bulgaria, Egypt and Chad, among others, also banned the burqa, with Morocco banning the sale, import and manufacture of burqas in 2017. the reasons behind the ban have been varied, with security concerns being an overriding contributor to the decision to ban the garment. however, there are other concerns as well. the french national Assembly concurred with the ban, citing the need to preserve french individualism and human dignity as the reason behind its decision. With the rise in immigration in Europe over the previous few years and the refugee crisis which resulted in greater numbers of refugees entering Europe, there have been concerns over cultural integration and assimilation into the host state’s society. further, as pointed out by isobel Coleman, the Director of the Women and foreign Policy Program, these bans seek to reduce the rise of islamic fundamentalism in Europe. however, she does point out that whether this is what the ban hopes to achieve, or whether it is to ‘fan the flames of Muslim alienation’ remains to be seen. it is not surprising that when news of such bans on the burqa spreads, there is a sense of unease in the global Muslim community, for it applies directly to Muslim women and arguably impeaches upon an individual’s freedom of expression. in assessing the ban on the burqa, we must first address the role of the burqa in islam. surah 24 verses 30-31 of the Quran state that Muslim women are to lower their gaze, and that they should not display their beauty and should place their khumur over their chests. As per the AlMunjid, a popular dictionary in the Arab world, the khumur refers to a cloth which covers the woman’s head. further, in surah 33 verse 59, women are to let down upon themselves their ‘jilbab’, which is usually defined as a loose, outer garment. now, what is the burqa?

f

OR Punjab, this is the annual season of scarcity.

Water level in the limited reservoirs is at its lowest ebb, causing a decrease in hydel production and ensuring that load shedding persists even in winter.

Domestically produced gas, whose reserves we have frittered away within decades, is also a major headache, as people turn to heat energy appliances, raising demand. to make matters worse for consumers, the government has chosen this testing time to hike the prices of some petroleum products. such increases, even nominal, provide an excuse to businesses to jack up prices universally, from transport to tomatoes. it definitely raises the bread-basket higher and creates shortage of commodities through hoarding. the most annoying part is that this shortage pattern goes on year after year, with nothing to show for it but broken promises and false hopes. And it spawns another dangerous paucity, that of patience in people whose daily life has been turned upside down. the gas shortage is especially depressing, as the process of cooking timely meals for the family is severely disrupted. the government has diverted gas to irate domestic consumers at the expense of industry, but also affecting some power plants leading to a 600 mega watt cut in production. But the gas pressure is still insufficient for domestic needs of five million consumers of Punjab and KP. this should ring warning bells for the ruling PMLn. it had itself politicised such shortages when in the opposition, making tall promises of ending load shedding in six months, which never materialised, apart from other public theatrics. But its lack of concerted and vigorous energy policies, its indecisive nature, and its warped sense of priorities, made change impossible. Both the PPP and the Pti are exploiting the petrol and high speed diesel hike for gleeful government-bashing, and with the country’s longest election campaign under way, the situation bodes ill for the PML-n in its Punjab fiefdom and stronghold, which is under siege by imran Khan.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor Lahore – Ph: 042-36300938, 042-36375965

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it is the most concealing of all islamic veils, covering the woman’s entire body, head and face, with only a mesh screen to see out of. it is usually made of several yards of light material which is pleated around a cap which fits over the top of the woman’s head.

When looking once again at the burqa and niqab bans discussed above, is the ban on any veil concealing a woman’s face or does it extend to other veils as well—for example, any veil which covers all save for a woman’s face? say, for example, a woman wearing a jilbab and a khimar? if the objective is to eliminate any security threats, it can be argued to be a justified measure taken by different countries, to ban the burqa and the niqab, so as to ascertain an individual’s identity by ensuring that the face is not entirely or partially covered at all times.

Problematic, however, are the other reasons put forward for the ban, which are cited by not only government officials but by all supporters of such a ban. On one hand, there is a school of thought within the Western first world feminist movement which states that veils such as the burqa and the niqab infringe upon a woman’s rights. however, there is yet another school of thought within the same movement which points out that a woman’s appearance ought to be dictated by her own wishes and if a woman, out of her own free will, chooses to cover herself in a full-body veil, then it is not a sign of oppression or misogyny.

Other arguments have been presented against burqas. there is one argument which states that burqas restrict vision and movement and have adverse effects on the health, such as Vitamin D deficiency or even the mental health of a woman. to this, writer Martin Robbins whimsically notes that movement is restricted by corsets and heels as well and he further points out that Vitamin D deficiency also arises from wearing trousers, coats and hats. As for mental health, he points out that adverse effects on mental health have more to do with a certain oppressive environment and not necessary with the clothing which a particular woman chooses to wear. there are other critics of this ban as well.

Craig Considine, speaking in the Western context, points out that this ban will not assist in ensuring that Muslims integrate into Western societies.

Rather, it will force a woman to abandon her cul-

ture and traditions and it will not help in achieving gender equality. Doing so, he argues, will pressurise a Muslim woman to conform to the objectification of women’s bodies in the West and while he argues against any government demanding that women wear the burqa, he strongly supports a woman’s own free choice to wear a full body veil. the European Court of human Rights upheld the french ban on burqas, yet, many criticised this judicial decision that the standards of human rights as enshrined within the European Convention on human Rights applies only to a particular set of people. this ban is argued to breach certain key provisions of this Convention and this judicial decision is thus criticised for selectively enforcing the application of the human rights within the Convention; Article 8, for example, can be seen as protecting and respecting a woman’s right to her personality and Articles 9 and 10 confer upon all European women the right to the freedom of expression. Article 14 stipulates that all individuals are to be protected from discrimination on religious grounds and other discriminatory grounds. further, it is widely noted that a very small number of Muslim women wear burqas, especially within Western societies. france was concerned about burqas and niqabs posing a threat to french culture and values and this concern has been voiced in other predominantly nonMuslim societies as well; yet, how much of a threat can a few hundred, or even a thousand fully veiled Muslim women pose?

Ultimately, while the ban may be sensible in light of security concerns (an example being of Chad, which enforced the ban following two suicide bombings), the other reasons pushed forward to support the ban seem unconvincing. for, as Considine points out, a full ban on burqas is as deplorable as the taliban demanding that women entirely cover themselves up. the question, he argues, to be asked is, ‘Are we actually like them?’

NOTE: Research credit Sherbano Tajammal, a law student.

Yasmeen Aftab Ali is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at: tweets at @yasmeen_9 and yasmeenali62@gmail.com

A powerful platform Is social media threatening? ple. the uprising took place on the shoulders of the electronic media, by its new and extensive use by the Arab public. At the height of the Arab uprisings (or Arab spring as it has been dubbed) facebook had well over 27 million users in the Arab world. in mid-2011, in Egypt and tunisia, almost all of those polled claimed that social media, facebook and twitter, played a large role in their activism. in countries such as Yemen and Libya where social media does not have as large a presence, its people used Youtube, email and cell phones. it seems that the voice of the people, like murder, will out. interestingly, in Egypt in addition to social media another powerful platform has been the mosque from where the call for change was issued and widely heard and acted upon. good or not good is not where this column leads, it only indicates several points worth noting. it points firstly to social media as a new and powerful platform, of the people, for the people and by the people... a platform that by virtue of being the voice of the people demands respect. it indicates secondly that perhaps governments and political regimes do not after all speak for the people as much as they would like us to believe. that those traditional platforms, parliaments, assemblies and booths where available have proved ineffective or insufficient, or that in some way for some reason have failed to perform. if people would like these to remain the major platforms then there needs to be some major changes to the way they function. the third point is that social

Rabia ahmed

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t used to be the province of the people’s representatives to disseminate the point of view of governments, political regimes - and of the people of the countries to whom these governments and regimes belonged. somehow though the voice of the people seemed rather muted and at times outright absent, even though many of these countries were democracies or at least they called themselves so. instead, for the last two decades or so the electronic media has taken over the role of disseminating the people’s voice, and has been responsible for driving world events. that platform from which the people have been speaking for the past two decades is not a parliament, an assembly or polling booth, it is social media, across divides and countries. it is a platform that allows people to have their say in a way that those other platforms never did. it can be called one of the main forces on the world stage. Democracy has taken an interesting turn.

Certain spin-offs of a powerful cyber platform have had their down side. the ‘Arab spring’ an uprising of the Arab people born of a dissatisfaction of the way things were, led to the civil war in syria now taking place, which has led to so much loss of life and such a huge displacement of peo-

Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 Fax: 021-35381208

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Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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media and the internet, given that it is the force it is should be given appropriate facilities and opportunities to carry on providing a voice to the people. in countries where social media is suppressed the act can be viewed as synonymous with the suppression of democracy and freedom of speech, making the suppression an undemocratic act. Like the genie, cyber platforms cannot now be stuffed back into the bottle. they are here to stay. the fourth aspect is that mosques, although not electronic media – unless you take the electronic microphone used by mosques into account appear to have been as loud and powerful as any social media, judging by Egypt’s experience. this is not said facetiously to refer to the indiscriminate use of the microphones by mosques, although the temptation is great. instead what is referred to is the inherent power of the mosque to provide a platform for Muslims wherever they visit mosques, and for the masses in Muslim countries. Any regulation of social media should include regulation of mosques.

President Obama, as he leaves the Presidency, is said to be worried about the spread of fake news on social media. it is a legitimate concern.

According to the guardian, it seems that ‘fake news – whether claiming that the Pope had endorsed trump, or that Clinton sold weapons to isis – actually outperformed real news on the platform, with more shares, reactions and comments.’ But that still does not provide reason for suppressing social media, only reason to regulate it rationally. Which calls into play the question of how much is rational

Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk

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making regulation a tricky business. the dilemma presented by social media is very similar to that presented by the transition of power from Obama’s more level headed hands - responsible as they are for much of syria’s trouble today, to trump’s, the hands of a man who does not have the vote of the majority of American people, only the vote of a majority in the Electoral College. it does not legitimise placing restrictions on democracy as it is practiced in the Us but raises the potential of change and/or amendment.

As sure enough, following the election results in the Us this year there has been debate concerning the electoral system of the UsA and whether election by an electoral college is as good an idea as it was meant to be. if it legitimises placing restrictions on democracy, it is time to question democracy itself, to the extent to which it should and does provide a platform and power to the people. the restrictions imposed on freedom of information and expression by Pakistan’s new cybercrime laws should be viewed in this light, although perhaps the cyber world has already been viewed as being too powerful for the regime in power, and restrictions placed on it for that very reason. that makes the new laws not for the people but against them. One must ask oneself the question in this country whether this is the direction we would like our governance to take.

Rabia Ahmed is a freelance columnist. Read more by her at http://rabia-ahmed.blogspot.com/

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

COMMENT 11

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

Editor’s mail

Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

Fax: +92-42-32535230 E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan today exclusively

On ground situation exposes district administration’s tall claims thE shortage of seasonal vegetables and overpricing at sunday Bazaars exposes tall claims by the district administration to provide the promised relief to public at large. Although Minister for food, Bilal Yasin, has taken notice of the situation however, no fruitful result has been achieved so far. since overcharging is a heinous crime therefore, as a customer, the public at large must pay what is marked for the price instead of any extra or unnecessary price. it is hoped that the city administration would take notice of it on priority basis as mere words would not do anything until they are followed by actions.

SAQIB ALI Lahore

Breaking the begging bowl

Simmering to a boil Kashmir: Generations of violence

hafsa Khaled

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t all started in the nineteenth century when the imperial conflicts and interests were at their peak and the hasty partition plan left some unfinished agendas. Kashmir is the simmering region still suffering from illegal indian occupation and easily qualifies for the longest conflict of south Asia.

Many generations of Kashmiris have suffered the violence and tyranny of the indian occupation forces and recently the brutality has increased to an extent that the Kashmiri youth are being targeted, who have the courage to stand up for their freedom rights. india blatantly calls it its integral part, but the mere presence of a large number of troops; tell a different story of a region that has been turned into a fortress. india’s mismanagement and atrocities have deeply alienated the people who still carry the Pakistani flags and chant Pakistani slogans. the popular resentment has intensified amidst a massive military presence. today’s world is fast experiencing the impact of globalisation and independent sovereign nation states interact with each other on every aspect. Every nation feels the need and importance of being sovereign in the world as an independent entity. india seems to be living in centuries old past where one large state occupied and dominated other people by sheer force. it seems to defy all the norms of international law which guarantee the right of selfdetermination to all the peoples in the world. for long the so called biggest democracy of the world has been suppressing the freedom rights of Kashmiris by brute force and is not giving them their right to decide about their future. this is not the norm of the civilised world today and independence is the fundamental right of every individual. the Kashmiris either want to be a part of Pakistan or independent, and the indian government is too blind to see the sentiments of the Kashmiris. their cries and voices are crushed by pellet guns and the youth are muted forever by killing them in fake encounters. According to a recent report titled, Blind to Justice: Excessive Use of Force and Attacks on Health case in J&K, India,

Physicians for human Rights stated that pellet nuclear armed neighbour instead of adopting guns are inherently inaccurate, indiscriminate the doctrine of “live and letting live” peacefully. and capable of penetrating soft tissues even at in the current volatile situation especially of a distance. this proves that there is no denying Kashmir, india should show the political will the fact that india is responsible for gross and maturity to resolve the issues with Pakistan. human rights violations, and the perpetual si- Modi is hell bent on pursuing an aggressive pollence of the international community, particu- icy towards Pakistan but he should rethink as his “act tough” policy with Pakistan is defilarly world powers, is criminal. nitely not working. Rather A small bright side of it is aggravating the situathe grim scenario is that tion in Kashmir and keepafter the brutal killing of ing in view the current the youth Burhan Wani, momentum in the valley the Kashmiri freedom A small bright side of the against indian forces, struggle has gained a lot of sooner or later india will momentum since the last grim scenario is that after have to stop being the year and india is facing the brutal killing of the youth forceful, self-proclaimed difficulty in trying to supof the scenic valley. press it lately. the internaBurhan Wani, the Kashmiri master the situation today tional community also recently seems a bit confreedom struggle has gained stands more volatile because of the present indian cerned about the gravity of a lot of momentum since the government’s refusal to the situation in Kashmir even acknowledge that a and the possible conflict last year and India is facing problem exists in Kashmir. between the two nuclear difficulty in trying to the Modi government armed enemies, Pakistan wants to resolve the Kashand india. the new Un suppress it lately. miri situation by crushing secretary general, Anthe peoples’ agitation and tónio guterres, has also by rejecting any dialogue showed keen interest to with Pakistan. this strategy help india and Pakistan to cannot sustain for long as solve all their outstanding conflicts with dialogue, particularly Kashmir. the peace of south Asia is direly threatened by this is a hopeful sign and partly due to the india’s stubborn attitude of policing and bullying diplomatic efforts of Pakistan to raise the plight the region. A sustainable and long-term strategy of the Kashmiris internationally. Pakistan has is the need of the hour and that can never happen always been playing the role of the biggest sup- without india firstly accepting Kashmir to be a porter of the Kashmiri cause at all international disputed territory and secondly without coming forums and has voiced its concerns on the to the negotiating table. no one has any delusions growing violence of india. the indians should that the longstanding issues would be resolved know that Pakistan will continue supporting the overnight or in a few meetings. formal resumpKashmiris in every possible way until india tion of multi-dimensional talks can help to control unnecessary paranoia while renewing the stops calling Kashmir its integral part.

As it is said that “you can change history opportunity to understand each other. but not geography”, india should realise that it Hafsa Khaled is a freelance columnist. is dangerous to tread the conflict path with its

LiKE every previous civil and military government which had ruled the country, present PML-n government on assuming the power had quite triumphantly announced that it would break the begging bowl, get rid of shackles of the international Monetary fund (iMf) and stop borrowing from international financial institutions. But in reality, the size of the begging bowl has kept alarmingly increasing during the last three years with more and more foreign as well as domestic borrowing no matter from where and on what terms.

Only the other day, i was greatly alarmed, quite shocked and felt concerned on reading reports in the media that the government had borrowed heavy loans of more than Rs 14 trillion from iMf and World Bank and another over Rs 2376 trillion from domestic banks during last three years and the borrowing continues in unabated and unashamed manner with every passing day. Anyone good at minus and plus, unlike the worthy Chartered Accountant turned politician and federal finance Minister, can work out how much huge burden of debt has been additionally put on already heavily indebted every citizen of Pakistan in just three years of the present government. there is no denying the fact that massive development works are being initiated and implemented by the present government. it is also quite right that every country has to borrow resources from international financial institutions for financing vast development projects in all sectors across the country. But at the same time, everyone will be much happy if the ratio of locally generated resources is quite appreciably more than foreign loans secured for undertaking massive development works. But to great dismay and disappointment of everyone around, all development works are being undertaken with almost fully with borrowed funding and this is no good at all.

People would certainly and surely appreciate if the federal as well as provincial governments generate more and more resources locally by tapping , exploring and exploiting the huge natural resources, which are spread all over underneath, with which Almighty Allah has blessed Pakistan. At the same time, avoidable expenditure by the federal and provincial governments should also be curtailed to the maximum extent possible and much needed development works initiated and implemented mostly with locally generated resources (without heavy taxation) and the big which is getting bigger begging bowl broken at least once, please.

MUHAMMAD MURTAZA ZEESHAN Lahore

CPEC: Striding forward ChinA Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has successfully established itself as a promising and viable mega economic trade project among the international community. After Russian interest in the project it is reported that European Union countries are also looking for their possible attachment with the project. it is important to note that internationally acclaimed economists across the world have testified the positive implications of CPEC on not only bilateral and regional trade volume but also on the international trade. this facilitative trade route is a welcome sign for all the emerging economies of the world because their trade exchange with China and Pakistan will now reach their countries at a lesser travelling cost. CPEC, when completed and fully operational will hopefully establish Pakistan as a stable economy in the world with equally developed all provinces. An active progress towards this vital project is no doubt a plausible step by this government.

MARIA RASHID Lahore

‘Casualties’ in Quetta 2016 became the most tragic and devastating year for Quetta which was the victim of many terror attacks. Despite being a high alert city, 62 various terrorism tragedies occurred in the city during 2016 year. the target killings claimed the lives of 251 people. Among those casualties a large number of advocates, young cadets, media adults and innocent citizens were included. terrorists made the region a graveyard overall. it is indeed the sign of city’s security agencies’ utter failures. the provincial government needs to take concrete and prompt measures to prevent such heinous acts in order to eliminate the counter terrorism in Quetta.

MANNAN SAMAD Turbat

12 WORLD VIEW

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

Is AmerIcA becomIng A ThIrd World counTry?

national interest anaTollieVen

“o

ne of the most pathetic aspects of human history is that every civilization expresses itself most pretentiously, compounds its partial and universal values most convincingly, and claims immortality for its finite existence at the very moment when the decay which leads to death has already begun.” (Reinhold Niebuhr) If the allegations about Russia holding a “sex tape” on President-elect Trump were to be proved true, he would of course have to resign or be impeached. Quite apart from the moral issues involved, a man guilty of such appalling recklessness, stupidity and irresponsibility should not be employed as a janitor or window-cleaner by any government in the world.

But although these allegations have been around behind the scenes ever since Trump first emerged as a serious contender for the Republican nomination, not one shred of verifiable evidence for them has yet been produced. All we have is the word of a conveniently vanished former British intelligence officer (and if anyone thinks that is a reliable source, then there is a dodgy dossier that I would like to sell them) that he had the information from unnamed Russian intelligence sources, backed by suggestions by unnamed US intelligence sources that this information is credible.

In any other context, such a story would be dismissed out of hand as a plot by sections of Western intelligence determined to wreck any attempt at reconciliation with Russia. And indeed, the lack of any actual evidence for the story was why for the best part of a year the media refused to publish it, until BuzzFeed did so a few days ago.

By its very nature, this story cannot be proved or disproved except by the Russian intelligence services, who cannot do so; because if they have such a tape they cannot reveal it without destroying a US president with whom they hope to co-operate and doing appalling permanent damage to USRussian relations, and when they say that they don’t have it they are automatically disbelieved by all those people in the West determined to think the worst of Trump and of Russia. So this rancid story will almost certainly never be ended one way or another – as was doubtless the expectation of its manufacturers if, in fact, it was manufactured. It will simply lurk around for years, weakening the Trump administration and blocking attempts at better relations with Russia, until the Trump administration comes to an end, when – like the Whitewater stories about the Clintons - it will retire again to its natural

home on the wilder shores of the internet.

But the damage will have been done, and American democracy further poisoned, as it has been over the years by equally irresponsible and unproven conspiracy theories about Democratic presidents assiduously peddled by Republican extremists. Breitbart – to take only one example - should pay attention to this, and learn that all sides can play this miserable game.

The dangers of this for the US political system are especially vivid for me because of my work in Pakistan and other countries where the entire national intellect and public debate is addled and rotted by conspiracy theories which act as a substitute for serious thought about politics and essential but painful reforms. In this way, such conspiracy theories also serve the interests of the political and economic elites, which have the strongest interest in making sure that such reforms never take place. The result is to help hold in place a system of oligarchical rule in which different factions of the oligarchy periodically stir up the population with empty populist rhetoric while adamantly resisting any serious change.

This may be the awful prospect for the USA if present trends continue – a global superpower with the domestic politics of the Philippines or Argentina. As part of the struggle against such a future, all responsible members of the US political system should reach a sort of cultural and ethical agreement to shun unsubstantiated stories of this kind, unless they have been actually proved.

Another dangerous aspect of such political systems is that they are acutely vulnerable to manipulation from outside. This brings me to the other main allegations against Russia, that of helping to fund Trump’s campaign and more importantly hacking the emails of the Democratic Party. The latter accusation does seem to have real evidence behind it. Incidentally, it is worth pointing out however that this was not “misinformation” as it has been called. No one has denied that the information about Hilary Clinton and her campaign was accurate; or that if a US journalist had revealed it, he or she would have been regarded as simply doing their job to give the electorate information that it did in fact have a right to know. Above all, we need to remember that if the Russian government did in fact engage in these attempts to influence the US election, it was after all only imitating repeated and systematic US attempts to influence elections and undermine governments not just in the former USSR but in many other parts of the world. We need to remember this not just as a matter of fairness, and because we now know that we are vulnerable to retaliation in kind, but because this question goes to the heart of an old and fundamental issue in international relations: that of the legitimacy or illegitimacy of a range of different state forms in the international community. This issue is of crucial importance to the future of US relations with a range of states around the world, chief among them China.

In his famous work on nationalism, ElieKedourie drew attention to the terrifying innovation of the French Revolution in asserting that only a republican or “national” state enjoys real legitimacy--not just internally but on the world stage. All other forms can legitimately be undermined and destroyed by republican states; and treaties between republican and non-republican states

are not fully binding on the legitimate republican ones. This approach recalled the attitude of both sides in the Catholic-Protestant struggles between the Reformation and the Peace of Westphalia, that (in the catholic version), “agreements with heretics are not morally binding”. As Kedourie pointed out, this approach challenged a previous European state order (both in medieval times and the 18th century) in which the continent was composed of a wide range of different state forms, including constitutional monarchies, federal quasi-monarchies, absolute monarchies, confederal republics, and patrician republics, all of them according full legitimacy to each other. The Soviet Union and Communist China were the direct heirs of the French Revolution in this regard. The ruling Communist parties of these states held as a matter of doctrine that only socialist states were legitimate, and that all others were legitimate targets of subversion and eventually destruction by revolution backed by Moscow or Beijing. Of course, in practice the USSR proceeded much more cautiously than this, and (just as the USA has always cooperated with authoritarian and even totalitarian allies) so Moscow sought alliances with “bourgeois” states like India.

Nonetheless, the Communist principle remained, and the USSR did in fact seek to put it into effect wherever it could do so with reasonable safety. In Western Europe, throughout most of the Cold War Moscow backed Communist parties which sought (though with diminishing real commitment) to overthrow the existing political and economic systems of their countries. Fairly enough, the USA and the West reciprocated in kind, denying the legitimacy of Communist states, supporting individuals and movements aiming at their overthrow, and using Western intelligence services to this end.

With the arrival in power of Deng Xiaoping in China and Mikhail Gorbachev in Russia, support for global revolution was ended and the full legitimacy of “bourgeois” states recognised; and for 25 years after the end of the Cold War and the end of the USSR, there was no attempt whatsoever by either Russia or China to undermine western states or influence domestic politics. There were of course attempts to influence US and Western international policies and especially policies towards Russia and China, but this was by the wholly legitimate and universally practiced means of encouraging business lobbies and sympathetic commentators.

In the meantime however, interference in the domestic politics of other states to spread democracy and undermine or destroy rivals had become a fixed part of US international strategy; with deep roots in American ideological nationalism, embedded in a range of official and semi-officials institutions, and apparently justified by the collapse of the Soviet bloc and the (as it now appears, perhaps temporary) democratisation of eastern Europe.

With regard to Russian domestic politics, US and western officials have openly encouraged opposition movements and appeared at opposition rallies; the West has provided institutional bases for Western opposition groups in exile and even in the case of some of the Chechens for members of armed separatist rebellions; and the CIA has published alleged details of President Putin’s corrupt personal fortune clearly intended to discredit him and his regime and strengthen their op-

ponents. In the process, the US and European policy elites forgot, or chose to ignore a number of things. Firstly, that it is never wise to adopt openly hostile approaches to other governments unless this is either really necessary from the point of view of your own interests and those of the world, or you are convinced that they cannot retaliate in kind.

Secondly, it was not recognised that US involvement in domestic politics only worked where there was a consensus, at last at the elite level, that the national interests of the country concerned involved siding with the USA (as was true of the East Europeans in their desire to get away from Russia).

Wherever a national consensus – including among opponents of the regime – sees national interests as different from those of the USA, US attempts to influence domestic politics are likely to be suspected and resented as attempts to serve not democracy but the interests and power of the USA. This in turn only serves the regimes concerned, which can portray their domestic opponents as traitorous agents of the USA (a line now being taken by opponents of Trump in the USA). It can indeed be said without exaggeration that the only result of US involvement in domestic politics in Russia, China and Iran has been to strengthen the regimes of the countries concerned.

Finally – even after the catastrophes of Iraq and Libya – there is almost no awareness among US policymakers of the fact that US attempts to change the regimes of other countries are likely to be seen not only by the elites of those countries but also by their populations as leading to – and intended to lead to - the destruction of the state itself, leading to disaster for its society and population. When the Communist regime in the USSR collapsed (though only in part under Western pressure), it took the Soviet state with it. The Russian state came close to following suit in the years that followed, Russia was reduced to impotence on the world

stage, and large parts of the Russian and other populations suffered economic and social disaster. Remembering their own past experiences with state collapse, warlordism, famine and foreign invasion, Chinese people looked at this awful spectacle and huddled closer to the Chinese state – one that they may dislike in many ways, but which they certainly trust more than anything America has to offer – especially given the apparent decay of democracy throughout the West.

In other words, US denial of legitimacy to other states, bringing with it the threat of domestic interference and subversion, is seen by those states and much of their populations as implicitly at least an existential threat; and such existential threats by definition make cooperative and peaceful relations much more difficult, if not impossible.

This is a point made very cogently by Hugh White in his book The China Choice, in which he argues that a US recognition of the full legitimacy of the Chinese state is an essential part of establishing the US-Chinese relationship on a basis that will end the growing threat of catastrophic war.

Existential threats also of course virtually compel retaliation. This aspect has also been almost completely ignored by Western policy elites, whose entire approach (whether over domestic subversion, unilateral military action, regime change, or international sanctions) has been based on the belief that what is sauce for the goose will never under any circumstances be sauce for the gander. With the apparent involvement of Russia in the US electoral process over the past year, we can adapt the Prophet Isaiah to declare aitenimanser: The goose has spoken.

AnatolLieven is a professor at Georgetown University in Qatar and a member of the New America Foundation in Washington DC. He is author of several books on Russia, the USA and South Asia including (with John Hulsman) Ethical Realism: A Vision for America’s Role in the World.

SILK ROAD ROUTE BACK IN BUSINESS AS CHINA TRAIN ROLLS INTO LONDON Guardian Tracy McVeigh

When the East Wind locomotive rumbles into east London this week, it will be at the head of 34 carriages full of socks, bags and wallets for London’s tourist souvenir shops, as well as the dust and grime accumulated through eight countries and 7,456 miles. The train will be the first to make the 16-day journey from Yiwu in west China to Britain, reviving the ancient trading Silk Road route and shunting in a new era of UK-China relations.

Due to arrive on Wednesday, the train will have passed through China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France before crossing under the Channel and arriving in the east end of London at Barking rail freight terminal.

Faster than a ship, cheaper than a plane, the East Wind won’t be quite the same train that left Yiwu on 2 January. Differing rail gauges in countries along the route mean a single locomotive cannot travel the whole route.

But the journey still marks a new departure in the 21stcentury global economy. The new train, which will start

to run weekly while demand is tested, is part of China’s One Belt, One Road policy – designed to open up the old Silk Road routes and bring new trade opportunities, said Prof Magnus Marsden, an anthropologist at Sussex University’s School of Global Studies, who has been studying the trading patterns in Yiwu. China Railway has already begun rail services to 14 European cities, including Madrid and Hamburg. As a result, Yiwu’s markets are now loaded with hams, cheese and wine from Spain and German beer is available on every corner.

“It’s a new economic geography,” he said. “This is the first train to the UK, but very much part of a new type of commercial route. The commodities are small. It’s not the big corporates who will be using this train, so it’s very much in the tradition of the Silk Road, giving opportunities for those who are in fact the inheritors of those ancient traders today.” Yiwu is a gigantic bazaar, he said, where traders from all over the world congregate. The goods brought to Britain by the East Wind are not as exotic as the peacocks and gemstones that were once transported along the Silk Road, which ran through Europe and Eurasia’s historical dynasties and empires. The trad-

After 16 days and 7,456 miles, the locomotive’s arrival heralds the dawn of a new commercial era ing route, thought to have been established in around 200BC, brought the west textiles, exotic foods, paper making – and probably the Black Death.

Everything from chairs to illicit drugs were sent back the other way. On one occasion China threatened Queen Victoria that it would stop exporting her favourite rhubarb to England if she didn’t do something about the British opium trade. “Yiwu made its name internationally as a city in which traders could buy affordable commodities in bulk,” said Marsden. “The city’s early trade was mostly with markets in Asia, Africa,

Latin America and eastern Europe. From the sprawling container markets of the former Soviet Union to the bazaars of the Middle East, commodities purchased in Yiwu have both made and unmade people’s lives. These products have contributed to the demise of local industries, yet have also had a hand in the resurrection of great trading cities that had fallen into decline, the Black Sea port of Odessa in Ukraine, or Sulaymaniyah in Iraq being such examples.” Today Yiwu’s streets are among the most cosmopolitan in the world, full of traders from Colombia, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Pakistan, India, Syria, Angola and Ukraine, and could now be attracting a few from the UK as well.

In Barking there is great excitement over the arrival of the East Wind, the name of which references the Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong, who famously said: “The east wind will prevail over the west wind.”

“The new service has a very quick transit time,” operations director, Mike White, told the Railway Gazette. “We believe this is going to change the way a lot of forwarders and shippers view their imports and exports for China.”

LEISURE 13

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

Although everyone may appear to be going nuts, you feel as sane as ever.

Then again, you may not be the best judge of reality now that your key planet Mars connects with crazy Uranus and passionate Pluto.

You might not have a solution for a tense social dilemma yet, but you're able to keep relatively calm in spite of the pressure.

Perhaps you realize that you can't single-handedly change the current instability.

The current excitement at work gets your adrenaline going, but you're probably not as happy if you have to hide your feelings.

Oftentimes, all you want to do is share the information that you have before.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Your mind is chock full of original thoughts and you are eager to act on every single one of them. Unfortunately, you may need to get your plans approved by someone who doesn't seem so friendly to your.

You want everyone to know about your emotional turmoil now, but you don't want to go through the process of explaining everything to each person.

Although actions speak louder than words, it's a mistake.

Nothing much has changed since yesterday, but you might feel more playful today. Instead of worrying about everything you can't control, you have surrendered to just letting go.

But it would be incorrect.

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

You may as well toss your calendar aside today because it only brings you frustration if you try to stick to your previously conceived schedule. But this doesn't mean that you can also shirk your responsibilities.

There is no stopping you today because of the powerful stress generated by the catalytic alignment between your two key planets, Mars and Pluto.

Fortunately, you are able to express your creative brilliance.

You might believe you already missed your opportunity to add an outrageous activity to your day. However, the truth is you can still act on an off-the-wall plan if you make it happen soon. Others are looking.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You can't maintain the status quo by simply declaring your intention to do so. However, even your most concrete plans can't prevent the changing tides from wreaking havoc and raising self-doubt. Intellectually.

Your schedule seems totally unmanageable today and the more you try to reassert control over your daily routine, the faster you spin in circles. Fortunately, you can simply change the game entirely by.

You have a significant decision to make today; you can either take preemptive action or wait for changing circumstances to force your hand. Fortunately, being the lightning bolt feels exhilarating, while.

cRosswoRd

ACROSS 1 divide into two parts (6) 4 Endorses (5) 7 Closing part of an entertainment (6) 8 Rescue (anag) (6) 9 Ended (4) 10 Trekker's luggage (8) 12 At all times (3,3,5) 17 Guileless (8) 19 Nautical greeting (4) 20 Nonchalant (6) 21 Breathe in (6) 22 Staunch (5) 23 Thickset (6) DOwn 1 Robber — darn big (anag)

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(7) 2 dark complexioned (7) 3 headroom (9) 4 Converse (5) 5 Stew flavoured with paprika (7) 6 Cunning (6) 11 Strangle (9) 13 General pardon (7) 14 described in detail (7) 15 wheeled handcart (7) 16 Relating to government revenue (6) 18 Move slowly (5)

HaGaR tHE HoRRIblE

dIlbERt

GaRFIEld

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white tO PLAY AND MAte iN three MOVes 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

A

B

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F

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Today’s soluTions

bRIdGE FaUlty pREmIsEs

sUdokU crossword solution sudoku solution

1.Rb8+ ke7 2.Bc5+ kf7 3.Rf8# * chess solution

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

14

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

ARTS

Thailand To providE assisTancE for rEsToraTion of Gandhara archaEoloGical siTEs IsLaMaBaD

T

APP

HAILAND will provide assistance for restoration and maintenance of Gandhara archaeological sites in Taxila and Swat.

This was stated by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Ch Abdul Ghafoor Khan, after his meeting with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand Suchart Liengsaengthong.

“After restoration of law and order situation in Pakistan, the Thai tourist flow is once again showing a remarkable increase over the previous two years,” he said.

He said that the significance of Buddhist civilisation remains in Pakistan for Thai people can boost up tourist flow to Pakistan as a result of proper publicity. “I am surprised to realize that above 33 million tourists visit Thailand every year and we are

ready to learn from their experience by adopting the strategies of Thailand tourism industry,” he added.

Ghafoor said Pakistan is the custodian of Gandhara Buddhist civilisations and there are numerous holy places in Pakistan of the great value

Karachi fourth cheapest city in world: report

for Thai Buddhist people.

The managing director informed the ambassador that during his visit to Thailand he would like to meet with the chairman of tourism authority and chief of the tourist police of Thailand.

The ambassador assured the

PTDC MD of his support for promotion of tourism in Pakistan especially in religious tourism.

Ghafoor also informed the Thai ambassador that publicity material on Gandhara will be published in Thai language soon. “We will also provide links to Thailand Embassy in Pakistan and Embassy of Pakistan in Thailand on our website,” he added. “PTDC will invites travel writers to project Gandhara Heritage and highlight tourist attractions of Pakistan to enhance the soft image of Pakistan in Thailand,” he said.

The Managing Director said bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism as per vision of the prime minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan regarding promotion of tourism in the country is essential.

He also informed him that the PTDC intends to sign an MoU with Thai Air for promotion of tourism in Pakistan. The foreign dignitary appreciated the idea of the PTDC MD for promotion of tourism.

Indian education minister believes cows ‘inhale and exhale oxygen’

news Desk Karachi is the fourth cheapest city in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey. Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) releases two reports, the Worldwide Cost of Living, that give an eye-opening ranking about how expensive or cheap it is to live in the world. Based on the prices of more than a 160 items around the world, the survey’s findings also ranked Chennai, Algiers and Almaty fourth on the list. Lusaka in Zambia was ranked as the cheapest city in the world, while Bangalore and Mumbai were placed second and third respectively.

Here are the 20 cheapest cities in the world: 11. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 10. Asuncion, Paraguay 9. Lagos, Nigeria 9. Johannesburg, South Africa 8. St. Petersburg, Russia 8. Kiev, Ukraine 8. Kathmandu, Nepal 8. Tehran, Iran 7. Pretoria, South Africa 7. Bucharest, Romania 6. Damascus, Syria 6. Caracas, Venezuela 5. New Delhi 4. Karachi, Pakistan 4. Chennai, India 4. Algiers, Algeria 4. Almaty, Kazakhstan 3. Mumbai, India 2. Bangalore, India 1. Lusaka, Zambia

Martha steger Courtesy BBC

Michelle Obama’s June 2016 words about diversity during her last commencement address as First Lady – and again at the July 2016 Democratic National Convention – sent a chill down my spine: “I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves.”

Obama was speaking broadly and philosophically about the US’ large 18thand 19th-century labour force of enslaved persons, and, by extension, about the resources used in the construction of early American government buildings. As a writer based in the state of Virginia, I knew where the sandstone for the White House and Capitol – as well as a few other historically important US government buildings – had come from.

“Government Island”, as it has long been known, is now a Stafford County public park, thanks largely to the preserva-

news Desk Indian education minister Vasudev Devnani has said that cow is the only animal that ‘inhales and exhales oxygen’ and that people need to understand its ‘scientific significance’, Hindustan Times reported.

“There is a need to understand the scientific significance of the cow and ensure that the message reaches all people,” Devnani said on Saturday during a programme organised at the Hingonia Cow Rehabilitation Centre.

Devnani also claimed that diseases such as cold and cough are healed if one goes near a cow. He added that cow dung has ample quantity of Vitamin B, which allows it to soak radioactivity.

Cows are revered by Hindus and slaughtering them is illegal in most Indian states.

Several states also bar the sale and possession of beef, and there has been a recent upsurge in attacks by vigilantes from the Hindu right on people suspected of killing cows. The

government has been accused of failing to rein in Hindu hardliners, while its ministers have at times appeared to be inflaming the debate.

In July last year, two Muslim women were beaten up at a railway station in central India on suspicion of carrying beef.

The two women were subsequently arrested, but tests found that the meat was actu-

ally buffalo.

The incident came days after a group of low-caste Hindu men were beaten by vigilantes in the western state of Gujarat on suspicion of killing a cow — a charge they denied.

The men said they were taking the dead cow to be skinned — a task commonly given to lowcaste villagers in India, where the animals roam freely.

This is what Earth will look like in 250 million years news Desk Researchers have predicted that a new megacontinent, Amasia, will form in the next 250 million years, Mail Online reported.

According to new simulations from Yale University researchers and Japan’s Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, North and South America will be squeezed together, the Caribbean Sea and Arctic Ocean will disappear and Asia will join the Americas due to movement of the earth’s tectonic plates.

The enormous plates of the earth’s crust have drifted together and apart over hundreds and millions of years. These variations, known as “true polar wander”, are caused by changes in the planet’s mass distribution. They are the Earth’s attempt to maintain rotational equilibrium. The research is based on a theory called Orthoversion, according to which, after a supercontinent breaks up, the continents initially drift apart but become trapped within a north–south band of subduction where one plate dips below another. Published in the journal Nature, the research has also been supported by a paper published in the journal Geology by Dr Masaki Yoshida, a geologist based at Japan’s Agency for Marine–Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). Using records of the Earth’s magnetic field preserved in rocks, the researchers studied variations in the rotation of the Earth with respect to its spin axis to test the model. After combining this data with the knowledge of how supercontinents affect the Earth’s motion, researchers were able to predict what they called ‘Amasia.’ The new supercontinent will form on our present-day Earth’s Pacific Ring of Fire. “After those water bodies close, we’re on our way to the next supercontinent,” said Dr Ross Mitchell, the paper’s lead author.

“You’d have the Americas meeting Eurasia practically at the North Pole.” The Earth’s surface is formed from seven major and several minor tectonic plates that wander around at speeds varying from a few millimetres to two centimetres a year, the same pace that a human nail grows. It’s the friction caused by plates grinding against each other that causes earthquakes. The most recent supercontinent, Pangea (Greek for ‘All Lands’), was formed about 300 million years ago with Africa at its centre. It began breaking apart into the seven continents of today with the birth of the Atlantic Ocean about 100 million years later. Its immediate predecessors were Rodinia – which formed about 1 billion years ago – and Nuna, which formed about 1.8 billion years ago.

A WHITE HOUSE BUILT BY BLACKS tion efforts of local author, Jane Hollenbeck Conner. Conner explained to me that the quarry was originally established on Wigginton’s Island by local businessman George Brent after 1694 to provide stone

for tombstones and to houses and churches in northern Virginia. Acting on the government’s behalf, Pierre Charles L’Enfant, the French-born American architect who designed the layout of Washington DC, pur-

chased the Wigginton’s Island quarry in 1791, after which it became known as Government Island. The quarry became derelict after the US Civil War (18611865); Stafford County acquired the property from the US government in 1963, and it was finally opened to the public in 2010.

I knew I had to go to see the quarry – located just 88 miles north of Richmond, Virginia, where I live – from which slaves had quarried the sandstone. When I pulled off at the exit and reached the “island”, I discovered it was really a peninsula surrounded on three sides by Aquia Creek. Interpretive signs informed me of its use by Native Americans for millennia – and that the federal government purchased it in 1791. Situated around 30 miles from both Gunston Hall, home of George Mason, author of the US Bill of Rights; and

Mount Vernon Estate, home of first US president George Washington – both of whom incorporated Aquia sandstone quarried by slave labour into their homes – the park helps connect the dots in a significant part of colonial history.

George Washington had used the bright grey sandstone, or “freestone”, for the steps and walkways of his wooden home, and had sent the federal contractor to the Aquia quarry for stone to build Cape Henry Lighthouse in Virginia Beach – the very first federal work project. He knew the Aquia area well: he was born 54 miles southeast of here at what is now the George Washington Birthplace National Monument; grew up at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, 20 miles to the south; and later lived at Mount Vernon. If I had a chance to chat with Obama as she departs the White House, I would tell her to come to this site. I would tell her that a visit to the Aquia quarry vividly brings to life the story behind her “house built by slaves”.

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

ARTS

15

Atif AslAm stoPs concErt mid-wAy, sAvEs girl from bEing hArAssEd v ENTERTAINMENT DESK

IOLENCE against women, especially in public spaces, is uncontrolled in this part of the world. In the wake of the mass molestation of women in Bengaluru on New Year’s Eve, a performance by celebrated DJ and music producer David Guetta in the city was called-off. In a world where the emphasis is placed on telling women what to wear instead of asking men not to molest, a recent video of Atif Aslam saving a girl from being harassed went viral on social media this weekend.

The singer who was performing at the concert, held on Saturday 14, organised

by IBA as part of their MUNIK (Model United Nations) in Karachi. Atif Aslam, Abida Parveen and Azim Azhar were

among the performers.

Things had become so problematic that during Atif’s performance, when some women in the front row were being harassed, the singer stopped his concert mid-way, asked the girl to be ‘rescued’ and then told the boy to behave and respect women, otherwise he’ll walk out.

One of the attendees Osama narrated the entire incident on Twitter, adding that the singer not only ‘rescued’ the girl being harassed, but made sure that all the girls were safe before resuming the concert.

“Also pointing to a harasser he said, ‘Insaan ka bacha banja ya mai bana dunga’,” Osama tweeted.

Another attendee, Dua Rashid commented on Atif’s act and said, “Atif was performing after Abida left — this was around 1.15am — he was in the middle of a song when he suddenly stopped and so

did the music; he bent down to talk to one of the boys in the front row, he still had the mic in his hand and we could all hear him.”

“He asked the boy something along the lines of, ‘Have you never seen a girl before?’ or ‘Do you have women at home?’ and then ordered security to come on stage. On his orders, two security guards immediately came on stage and were ordered by Atif to ‘rescue her [the girl],’ they pulled the girl up on stage and escorted her down the stairs.”

“Atif then addressed the boy again warning him not to engage in such mannerism. He then turned to the crowd and spoke about respecting girls and added that he’d end the concert if we didn’t comply with his instructions on respecting women.”

People at the event and social media lauded the singer’s courageous move.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy firstever artist to co-chair WEF ISLAMABAD INP

Academy award-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy is about to become the first ever artist to co-chair the World Economic Forum (WEF).

A Monday statement from Chinoy’s office says she will also speak at the 47th World Economic Forum’s annual three-day meeting starting Jan. 17 in Davos, Switzerland. It says Chinoy regards it as a great honour to represent both the artistic community and her country.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has also left to

take part in the meetings, which will convene 2,500 participants from 100 countries.

Public figures, top business leaders, academics and media leaders will participate in the WEF Annual Meeting 2017.

The theme for the 2017 WEF Annual Meeting is “Responsive and Responsible Leadership”.

The World Economic Forum annual meeting provides an unparalleled platform to discuss wideranging economic and political issues.

Participants at WEF 2017 will reflect on the key challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Strengthening global collaboration, and revitalising the global economy.

Vin Diesel wants to make Bollywood debut with Deepika

Jibran naSir I had notified the SC on 10th Jan and the NCHR on 11th Jan of blasphemy campaign bieng run against abducted bloggers but no action taken yet

VErybritiShPrOblEmS Leaving restaurant: “That was lovely” Outside: “Well, it was okay” In car: “I mean, it wasn’t great” Back home: “We won’t go there again”

rOri dOnaghy If you oppose Assad killing Syrians but support Bahrain killing Bahrainis then you don’t oppose dictatorships. You’re most likely sectarian.

Shahab Siddiqi And if you think a concert is “no place for a girl” then don’t send your son either. Maybe he’s making it such a terrible place.

Stu. The ability to find a shorter word is inversely proportional to the closer you are to 140 characters. #TwitterTheorem

Hollywood star Vin Diesel feels Bollywood cinema is all about making magic and says he is willing to cross over to the Indian film industry with a project that stars Deepika Padukone.

Vin got a better understanding about the world of Bollywood after working with Deepika in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.

“Just that the people who make these movies want to make magic like everybody else. I am not the type of person who finds differences in things; I like to find similarities in things,” Hollywood Reporter quoted Vin as saying.

When asked if given the chance, what kind of a role he would like to do in Bollywood, he said, “I’d do anything with Deepika Padukone in it!”

The actor had visited India last week for the premiere of xXx: The Return of Xander Cage. The movie, a new instalment in the xXx series after the 2002 film xXx and the 2005 entertainer xXx: State of the Union, released in India on January 14, before anywhere else in the world. Directed by DJ Caruso, the film also stars Vin Diesel, Ruby Rose, Samuel L Jackson, Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa. AGENCIES

Errand boy turned rapper is the next king of Pakistani rap ENTERTAINMENT DESK We know that Pakistan is brimming with talent. Due to the acute shortage of befitting platforms, much of this talent used to go unrecognised. But, things have been changing for the better. Music streaming service Patari has been playing a pivotal role in this connection. Abid Brohi, an errand boy from Sibi in Balochistan, recently took the internet by storm due to his vocal prowess. A now viral video features the boy splendidly rapping in Sindhi, Balochi and Urdu. As Abid raps to his heart’s content, his phenomenal talent coupled with his exceptional confidence leaves one begging for more. Abid, who used to do odd jobs around Sibi and would often find temporary employment at the DCO’s residence during the famous Sibi Mela, has come a long way. Who would have thought that the boy who used to serve refreshments at the festival would become a famous rapper one day? Documentary filmmaker Raza Shah spotted Abid covering the festival and asked the boy to show him around. A few months later, Abid was recording at a Lahore story.

The Sibbi Song is the culmination of that journey. Patari, Pakistan’s premier music streaming platform, recently announced the launch of its much-awaited Tabeer series. The project pairs up raw, unsung artists across Pakistan with established producers to make exciting music. It debuted with the online release of The Sibbi Song.

VIEWING MUSLIM CULTURES THROUGH ART AT CANADA’S AGA KHAN MUSEUM ISLAMABAD PRESS RELEASE

Imagine seeing Pakistani truck art on the road in Canada - that is on the cards as the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto is planning on purchasing a yellow school bus and having it repainted to display Pakistani truck art – an integral part of the culture and art scene in Pakistan today.

The museum is not intended to display just fine art but also popular and truck is an expression of immensely popular art inherent to Pakistan, museum CEO and director Henry S. Kim said.

Kim came to Pakistan and along with visits to arts schools and galleries, gave a presentation on the Aga Khan Museum in Canada, at the Serena Hotel. Serena Hotels CEO Boolani inaugurated the session with

a heart-warming speech, stressing upon the rich cultural heritage that Pakistan has to offer to the world, and the importance of supporting art and artists in Pakistan who are the

CMYK

window to viewing what essentially makes Pakistanis who they are and where they come from.

Drawing a parallel, Boolani stated, “Serena Hotels is in a unique

position to promote the art and culture of Pakistan by providing the artists with a platform where they can access a larger and international audience. The Aga Khan Museum in Toronto is a space which has also done exactly that given a space to Pakistani artists.”

Most Pakistanis, in fact most of the developing world is well aware of the work on multiple platforms the various Aga Khaninstitutions and foundations have undertaken in education and development and the Aga Khan Museum is another such endeavour, which showcases Muslim civilizations, history and culture through their artistic achievements.

The museum has also been promoting Pakistani art and artists and one of the earliest temporary exhibitions showcased the works of six different Pakistani artists.

16 BUSINESS

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

OGDCL aLL set tO injeCt 100mmsCfD Gas, 400mt LPG, 4000 bPD OiL in system DrIllIng success rate Increases to 55% from 31% ISLAMABAD

Government to ensure uninterrupted fertiliser supply: Dar ISLAMABAD: Expressing satisfaction over the available stocks of fertilisers in the country, Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Monday asked the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) to ensure uninterrupted supply of fertilisers to farmers. The minister was chairing a meeting to review the fertiliser demand and supply situation in the country during the current sowing season after the much awaited rainy spell. Industries and National Food secretaries gave a detailed briefing to the participants on the current situation of the available stocks of local and imported fertilisers available in the country. It was learnt that besides locally produced stocks, there is an additional stock of around 250,000 metric tons of imported urea available at a subsidized price of 1200 per bag.

It was stated during the meeting that the recent country wide rains will have a positive impact on the rabi crop and increase fertilizer demand.

The meeting was attended by the finance secretary, senior officials of the ministries of finance, petroleum and natural resources, national food security and research, industries, and production. Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbassi also participated in the meeting. APP

PsX witnesses bearish trend as Kse-100 index sheds 321 points KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed bearish trend on Monday as the KSE100 Index shed 321.96 points and closed at 48888.54 points. The KSE-30 Index dropped by 225.54 points and closed at 26513.69 points.

Similarly, KSE-All Shares Index moved down by 182.89 points and closed at 33467.94 points.

The trading began on a positive note and the KSE-100 moved up to 49392.83 points, but later investors opted to profit-taking, pushing the index down to 48823.04 points, however, the index managed to close at 48888.54. The shares of 419 companies were traded, in which the share values of 133 companies went up and that of 269 went down, while the share value of 17 companies remained unchanged. The market capital decreased by Rs 53.519 billion and trading value slashed by Rs 3.346 billion as compared to the previous trading day, while the turnover decreased by 198.162 million shares and stood at 316,062,160. The highest activity was recorded in the share value of Mari Petroleum which gained Rs 47.69 and closed at Rs 1455.28 and Gandhara Industries with accumulated Rs 46.55 to its share value and closed at Rs 977.59, while the highest decrease was recorded in the share value of Unilever Foods which lost Rs 235 and closed at Rs 5750, and Rafhan Maize dropped by Rs 230 and closed at Rs 7810. In future trading, the share value of 115 companies increased, and that of 33 companies decreased, while over 36 million shares were traded. APP

t

APP

HE Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) is all set to inject 100 million cubic standard feet per day (mmscfd) gas into the system, along with 400 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and 4,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil.

“Overall, the government has planned to add at least 180 mmscfd of natural gas into the national transmission system for the current season to meet growing energy needs,” official sources told APP. OGDCL recently achieved crude oil production of 50,157 bpd. “The company will try to raise its production further to help meet the energy shortage,” sources said. The OGDCL has already embarked on a course of aggressive exploration, and seismic operations are being carried out in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Seismic

crews are working in Balochistan at Pasni, Gwadar, Kharan, Zhob, Musa Khel and Lasbela. Seismic activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATAs) are also in full swing in Latambar Block.

“The company is hopeful that the ongoing exploration will lead to new discoveries and fortify the OGDCL’s reserves portfolio besides ensuring long term sustainability of the organization and meeting the country’s energy,” the sources said. Answering a question, they said that the OGDCL had set the target of drilling 25 new wells in all provinces during the current financial year. Replying to another question, the source said oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) companies operating in different parts of the country drilled 319 wells and made 91 finds during the last three years. During the years 2013-14, 201415 and 2015-16, the companies spud 51, 51 and 46 exploratory wells respectively, enabling the current government to add 944 mmcfd of gas into the system, out of which 466 mmcfd came from new discoveries and 478 mmcfd from existing wells. The sources added that there was an increase of 32,000 bpd in crude oil production. “The drilling figure is 40 percent higher than it was three years ago,” they claimed.

In 2015-16, 46 exploratory wells were drilled in-

cluding one each in Barkhan, Bhakkar, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Bugti, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Sukkur, Tando Allah Yar and Thatta, two each in Ghotki, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Mitiari, Rahimyar Khan, Sujawal, three in Khairpur, five in Badin, six in Tando M Khan and 11 in Sanghar. In 2014-15, companies drilled 51 exploratory wells, out of which one each was in Mirpur Khas, Sukkur, Sujawal, Rahimyar Khan, Jamshoro, Hangu, Chakwal and Attock, two each in Dadu, Dera Bugti and Kohat, three each in Tando M Khan and Mianwali, four in Mitiari, seven in Sanghar, eight in Badin and nine in Tando Allah Yar. From 2013-14, 51 exploratory wells were spud, out of which one each was in Rawalpindi, Mastung, Kohat and Barkhan, two each in Hyderabad, Naushahro Firoz and Thatta, three each in Tando M Khan, Tando Allah Yar and Mitiari, four in Khairpur, 10 in Sanghar and 14 in Badin, the sources said.

The sources said that the discoveries made by E&P companies during the period showed increase in the success rate of drilling from 31 percent to 55 percent. They said that the current government had so far added 944 mmcfd of gas to the system out of which 466 mmcfd came from new discoveries and 478 mmcfd gas from existing wells.

India central bank relaxes cash withdrawal limit with immediate effect

LAHORE: Fish sale is on the rise at a local market in winter season.

Zubair MehfooZ

Saudi Arabia to launch $30-50b renewable energy programme soon, says minister Saudi Arabia will launch in coming weeks a renewable energy programme that is expected to involve investment ranging between $30 to $50 billion by 2023, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Monday. Falih, speaking at an energy industry event in Abu Dhabi, said Riyadh would in the next few weeks start the first round of bidding for projects under the programme, which would produce 10 gigawatts of power. In addition to that programme, Riyadh is in the early stages of feasibility and design studies for its first two commercial nuclear reactors, which will total 2.8GW, he said.

“There will be significant investment in nuclear energy,” Falih said. Under an economic re-

form programme launched in 2016, Saudi Arabia is seeking to use non-oil means to generate much of its additional future energy needs, to avoid running down oil resources which are required to generate foreign exchange through exports. Falih said Saudi Arabia was working on ways to connect its renewable energy projects with Yemen, Jordan and Egypt. “We will connect to Africa to exchange non-fossil sources of energy,” he said, without elaborating. Its finances strained by low oil prices, Riyadh wants to conduct many of its future infrastructure projects through partnerships in which private companies from within the kingdom and abroad would bear much of the cost and risk. AGENCIES

India’s central bank on Monday relaxed cash withdrawal limits from automated teller machines (ATMs) and current accounts with immediate effect. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed individuals to withdraw up to Indian Rs10,000 ($146.84) per debit card per day from ATMs, higher than the Rs4,500 currently. However, the overall weekly withdrawal limit of Rs24,000 per card remains unchanged, it said in a release. The central bank also increased the withdrawal limits from current accounts to Rs100,000 per week from Rs50,000 earlier and said this facility will also be extended to overdraft, cash credit accounts. The RBI had imposed these limits in November after the government announced a ban on all high-value currency notes, and said it would replace them with new notes. The withdrawal limits are unlikely to be removed completely until the RBI has supplied the economy with sufficient amount of new notes, analysts said. India is still reeling from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s shock decision in November 2016 to pull 86 per cent of the currency from circulation overnight, triggering a chronic shortage of notes in an economy that operates almost entirely on cash. “To break the grip of corruption and black money, we have decided that the 500 and 1,000 rupee currency notes presently in use will no longer be legal tender from midnight that is 8 November, 2016,” he had said in a televised address to the nation. AGENCIES

Incentive package for cPec economic zones under consideration ISLAMABAD AMER SIAL

The federal and provincial governments are considering offering an incentive package for the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEc).

An informed source said that the federal and provincial governments want to accelerate the construction of new industries in the SEZs before the next general elections.

They said that the federal and provincial governments are considering offering tax incentives for investors setting up industries units in SEZs. The federal and provincial governments had jointly proposed SEZs locations to China, which were ap-

proved at a joint meeting. The approved sites include Bostan in Balochistan, Rashakai in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dhabeji in Sindh, Sheikhupura in Punjab, Moqpondas in Gilgit Baltistan, Bhimber in Azad Kashmir and Mohmand in FATA, and federal government sites in Islamabad and Port Qasim. The government is of the opinion that the development of the industrial parks along the CPEC offers a unique opportunity for Pakistan to catch up on its industrialization.

The SEZ at Islamabad is said to be the major one, with many Chinese companies having shown interest in establishing manufacturing units and offices there.

Islamabad will be the main intersection for proceeding towards Gwadar and the rest of Pakistan.

China, the source said, also wants earlier operationalisation of the SEZs to counter propaganda

against the CPEC in Pakistan. Many politicians have termed it another East India Company in the making and some chambers of commerce and industry have also raised concerns about the CPEC. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are more active than other provinces for operationalising the SEZs, as announcement of incentive package will help attract early investors. China also wants joint ventures between Pakistani and Chinese companies but so far except for a few cases, no major collaboration has occurred, the source said. It is important to mention that China wants a special business to business (B2B) bond between the entrepreneurs of both countries. Some efforts were made last year and more trade shows and exchange of business delegations will take place this year, the source added.

World’s eight richest as wealthy as half of humanity, Oxfam tells Davos Just eight individuals, all men, own as much wealth as the poorest half of the world’s population, Oxfam said on Monday in a report calling for action to curtail rewards for those at the top.

As decision makers and many of the super-rich gather for this week’s World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, the charity’s report suggests the wealth gap is wider than ever, with new data for China and India indicating that the poorest half of the world owns less than previously estimated.

Oxfam, which described the gap as “obscene”, said if the new data had been

available before, it would have shown that in 2016 nine people owned the same as the 3.6 billion who make up the poorest half of humanity, rather than 62 estimated at the time.

In 2010, by comparison, it took the combined assets of the 43 richest people to equal the wealth of the poorest 50 percent, according to the latest calculations.

Inequality has moved up the agenda in recent years, with the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Pope among those warning of its corrosive effects, while resentment of elites has helped fuel an upsurge in populist politics.

Concern about the issue was highlighted again in the WEF’s own global risks report last week. “We see a lot of hand-wringing — and clearly Trump’s victory and Brexit gives that new impetus this year — but there is a lack of concrete alternatives to business as usual,” said Max Lawson, Oxfam’s head of policy.

“There are different ways of running capitalism that could be much, much more beneficial to the majority of people.”

SupeR-CHARgeD CApItALISM Oxfam called in its report for a crackdown on tax dodging and a shift away from “super-charged” shareholder capi-

talism that pays out disproportionately to the rich. While many workers struggle with stagnating incomes, the wealth of the super-rich has increased by an average of 11 per cent a year since 2009.

Bill Gates, the world’s richest man who is a regular at Davos, has seen his fortune rise by 50 per cent or $25 billion since announcing plans to leave Microsoft in 2006, despite his efforts to give much of it away. While Gates exemplifies how out-sized wealth can be recycled to help the poor, Oxfam believes such “big philanthropy” does not address the fundamental problem.

“If billionaires choose to give their money away then that is a good thing. But inequality matters and you cannot have a system where billionaires are systematically paying lower rates of tax than their secretary or cleaner,” Lawson said.

Oxfam bases its calculations on data from Swiss bank Credit Suisse and Forbes.

The eight individuals named in the report are Gates, Inditex founder Amancio Ortega, veteran investor Warren Buffett, Mexico’s Carlos Slim, Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Oracle’s Larry Ellison and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. AGENCIES

BUSINESS 17

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

COuntry’s DireCt investment surGes by 10.4% tO $1.080bn in juLy-DeC 2016 total foreIgn Investment uP by 52.5% to $1.824 bIllIon KARACHI

t

ARSHAD HUSSAIN

HE country’s total foreign investment swelled by 52.5% to $1.824 billion, mainly supported by the Dutch company Friesland Campina Pakistan BV which paid $459.5 million for an acquisition deal with Engro Foods in December 2016. Foreign public portfolio investment (debt securities) improved by 119.5% during July-Dec 2016, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) here on Monday.

For the first time in the current fiscal year, direct investment (DI) shows sign of improvement by 10.4 per cent to $1.080 billion over JulyDec 2016. Out of this investment, Friesland Campina invested $459.5 million and Chinese companies invested $204 million into the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

In the month of December, the country re-

ceived $594.7 million in direct investment, and recorded inflows of $657.3 million and outflows of $62.8 million. The country received direct investment from China, UAE, USA, Turkey, and Italy in oil and gas explorations, power, communication, and other businesses. $129 million were received from Turkey, $77.2 million from UAE and $38.4 million from USA, the SBP data revealed. An analyst of a brokerage house said, “Outflows of $254.5 million were recorded in portfolio investment equity securities despite touching the highest level of 49,700 points last week.”

In July-Dec 2015-16, foreign private investment of the country stood at $826.3 million compared to $741.6 million received in the same period last year. The country’s total direct foreign investment increased by 52.5 percent to $1.824 billion in last six months of the current fiscal year only because of Netherland’s company investment in Engro Foods, the analyst claimed. “The country has received another big investment of $129 million from Turkey,” the analyst added. The foreign public investment also increased by 191.5% to $998.1 million in July-Dec this year compared to only $454.7 million received in same period in 2015-16. The country has recorded inflows of direct investment

of $1.319 billion in July-Dec 2016, with the outflows amounting to $239.9m for the same period.

The analyst believed that a Chinese-led consortium will pay approximately $85 million against 40 percent stake of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in January or February. He further said that the overall situation of the FDI will improve in the coming months. After touching a high point of $24.6 billion, forex reserves declined to $23.29 billion this week. “There is a positive trend in portfolio inflows because of MSCI up gradation of Pakistan’s stocks in emerging markets,” another analyst claimed. The United States (US) withdrew $41.1 million while Norway was second and pulled back $36 million, while Germany withdrew an amount of $29.7 million from Pakistan.

Dutch company Friesland Campina Pakistan BV (FC Pakistan) has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Engro Foods at an estimated price of $446.81 million in December 2016. The Netherlands-based dairy company has acquired 51% stake at Rs 120 ($1.14) per share in Engro Foods. It acquired 47.1% (or 361.29 million shares) from Engro Corporation, the parent company of Engro Foods, and another 3.9% (or 29.66 million shares) from the general public.

CORPORATE CORNER

KARACHI: JS Bank hosted a discussion with Ali J Siddiqui, the chairman of JS Bank, on the 10th anniversary of the bank being founded. The discussion was hosted by Sidra Iqbal at Jahangir Siddiqui Auditorium, IBA. PR

Haier introduces 10-year-warranty on new refrigerator line

Qatar pledges $12 million for Gaza’s electricity crisis Qatar has said it will “swiftly” pay $12 million to the Palestinian Authority to solve crippling electricity shortages in Gaza, state media in the Gulf state reported. Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani, made the pledge after meeting senior Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh in Doha on Sunday. “HH the emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani directed to swiftly pay QR 43.8 million to solve the problem of electricity in the Gaza Strip,” reported the Qatar News Agency (QNA). “His Highness also directed that an international cooperation should be undertaken to study the problem of electricity in the Strip and make proposals to swiftly solve it.” Gaza has been crippled by electricity shortages in recent weeks, leaving the territory with at best four hours of power a day. The power cuts have prompted demonstrations and last week thousands of people in northern Gaza converged on the local headquarters of the electricity company run by Hamas, the movement that has ruled the Strip since 2007. But the company said Sunday that the first tranche of $4 million from Qatar had arrived and arrangements were being made for the delivery of the fuel starting Monday. It is unclear how the funds reached Gaza, which is run by the Hamas, the rival of the Fatah faction that controls the Palestinian Authority. A government statement carried by QNA said Qatar would pay the equivalent to $4 million “per month for 3 months to solve the problem of electricity in the Strip”. It cited a Qatari envoy to Gaza, Mohammed al-Emmadi, as saying that the “amounts would be transferred immediately and urgently to the Palestinian Authority to resolve this problem facing the residents of Gaza”. AGENCIES

Major Gainers COMPANY mari Petroleum ghandhara Ind. abbott lab. millat tractors J.D.W.sugar

OPEN 1477.96 977.59 933.00 955.00 537.00

HIGH 1477.96 977.59 983.16 1008.54 559.09

LOW 1432.01 946.00 932.00 952.15 537.00

CLOSE CHANGE TURNOVER 1455.28 47.69 239,800 977.59 46.55 165,400 971.77 35.42 184,300 991.57 31.05 228,950 559.09 26.62 32,850

5900.00 7810.00 4949.00 2993.00 855.00

5750.00 7750.00 4656.43 2750.00 855.00

5750.00 7810.00 4710.21 2790.42 855.00

-235.00 -230.00 -191.29 -77.70 -45.00

9.53 39.09 71.50 91.27 5.38

9.31 37.95 70.10 85.70 5.14

9.46 38.64 70.39 91.27 5.20

0.21 0.90 0.80 4.34 0.10

Major Losers unilever foods rafhan maize Wyeth Pak ltd sanofi-aventis sapphire fiber

5900.00 7800.00 4900.00 2997.00 855.00

280 140 1,080 2,900 40

Volume Leaders K-electric ltd. sui south gas engro fert. sui north gas telecard limited

9.44 38.14 71.40 87.14 5.31

Interbank Rates usD gbP JPy euro

PKr 104.8629 PKr 126.6429 PKr 0.9178 PKr 111.1179

Forex australian Dollar canadian Dollar china yuan euro Japanese yen saudi riyal u.a.e Dirham uK Pound sterling us Dollar

BUY

SELL

79.5 81.75 15.1 114 0.9 28.75 29.5 130 108.3

80.3 82.6 15.25 115.2 0.93 28.95 29.75 131.75 108.6

22,746,000 18,177,000 16,943,500 12,181,000 10,408,500

LAHORE: Stalls of used warm clothes being installed in front of a CNG station due to closure of CNG on Ferozepur Road. Zubair MehfooZ

78% of us companies in Pakistan plan to increase investment in 2017: survey KARACHI STAFF REPORT

A perception survey conducted by the American Business Council showed that there was an improvement of over 30% in the law and order situation from 2015-16.

Over 78% of respondents have indicated that they plan to invest in Pakistan over the next 12 months as compared to 65% in 2015 and 83% are optimistic about the long term economic climate. The members have however separately commented about the govt’s tendency to introduce mini budgets as well as sudden changes in policies or rules during the course of a fiscal year. “Such steps negatively impact new as well as existing investments,” the members stated. The perception survey allowed ABC members to rate their satisfaction on various economic, regulatory and political factors that affect the performance and growth of businesses operating in Pakistan over 2015-16. The business climate was rated on each of the various factors influencing it, including implementation and consistency of trade and competition policies, government development budget, domestic market, internal and external political climate, and law and order.

For 2015-16, the vast majority of respondents rated the business climate of Pakistan as satisfactory with only 8% giving it a poor rating. This is a marked improvement over 2014-15 when 11% of participants rated the business climate as poor. The overall positive perception of American investors reveals an expectation of some economic stability and an improvement in Pakistan’s economic environment.

The participants were also asked to rate the performance of various ministries directly affecting the business climate. In this regard, the overall trend reflects a slight im-

provement in the performance of various ministries from last year.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resource showed a marked improvement with 78% of participants reporting the performance as fair and 16% reporting it as poor. In 2014-15, 46% rated the performance of this ministry as fair and 51% rated it poorly. American Business Council of Pakistan President Sami Ahmed said, “Our members are positive and remain committed to Pakistan.”

Ahmed added that international standing and perception is extremely important as Pakistan competes with other Asian players to attract foreign capital in the form of trade exports, human resources, and most importantly, direct foreign investment.

The ABC is one of the largest investor groups in Pakistan with 67 members, most of whom represent Fortune 500 companies. They operate in various sectors including healthcare, financial services, information technology, chemicals & fertilizers, energy, FMCG, food & beverage, oil, and others.

ABC members have cumulative revenues of US $4.0 billion. Their contribution to the National Exchequer, through direct/indirect taxes is approximately Rs 102 billion. They exported goods worth Rs 6.60 billion during 2015, and directly employ over 34,000 people, with 140,000 dependents, and indirectly employ approximately 1 million people through their networks of agents, distributors, contractors, etc. The ABC is affiliated with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and is a member of the US Chamber of Commerce (USCC), Washington D C and the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC).

ABC also has a close working relationship with the US-Pakistan Business Council, Washington, which is a component of the USCC.

KARACHI: Haier has taken the market by surprise and at the same time upped the ante for the competition by doubling the warranty period on their new line of refrigerators. The announcement of a 10-yearwarranty, double the normal coincides with the introduction of 26 new models named the Turbo series.

The announcement came at the end of Haier’s annual Brand Seminar, which also saw the introduction of new models in most other categories of home appliances, including washing machines and air conditioners and the introduction of new kitchen appliances.

The turbo series is without doubt the most advanced refrigerators available and are the new industry standard for long term reliability, innovative design and features, and set extremely high bench marks for cooling depth, cooling efficiency and cooling retention, bench marks that, at the moment, no other brand on the market can even come near. PRESS RELEASE

nHa executive board approves new projects

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Board of the National Highway Authority gave formal approval for hiring of consultants for design of necessary infrastructure for Islamabad Metro Bus Project. The decision came in a meeting held today at NHA head office with Chairman Shahid Ashraf Tarar in the chair.

The Chairman informed the meeting that the Metro Bus project envisaged extending the existing route from Peshawar Mor to New Islamabad International Airport (NIIP). He said the project was initiated under the special directives of the Prime Minister to facilitate masses by providing a fast and easy link with the new air port and National Highway Authority was entrusted the task to build the necessary infrastructure for it. He said the project length was 26.5 km and it was divided into two packages: Peshawar Mor to G-13 and from G13 to N-5 interchange. It will cost around Rs. 18 billion and construction of 4 interchanges and 14 stopovers (stations) were also part of the project, he said.

The Executive Board also approved PC-1 for widening and up gradation of Chitral-Durrah Pass, Chitral Bhamborat, Harnai - Sanjavi (Balochistan) and Kuchlak Bypass (Balochistan) projects. Chitral - Durrah project would cost around Rs. 8.6 billion. 83 km road is divided into two packages and included construction of 13 major and 134 minor bridges. Whereas, 48 km long Chitral - Bhamborat road would around Rs. 4.1 billion with construction of 8 major bridges as part of it. The Executive Board also recommended these projects for approval of CDWP and ECNEC. PRESS RELEASE

18 SPORTS

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

Fielding costs namibia as Uae clinch last-ball victory

n

AMIBIA made for overly generous guests, dropping three chances and giving away plenty more runs in misfields to allow tournament hosts UAE to escape with a last-ball win by six wickets.

The match was fairly sloppy from beginning to end but Namibia were determined to show they could match, if not surpass, any errors UAE made in the field.

One of the few blemish free individual performances came from fast bowler Mohammad Naveed, who reeled in the three biggest fish in the Namibia batting order. Man of the Match Naveed clean bowled openers Louis van der Westhuizen and Stephan Baard with a pair of full and straight deliveries inside the first three overs before coming back late to dismiss Gerrie Snyman with a bit of good fortune - caught at midwicket off a meaty waist-high full toss - denying Namibia their finishing trump card.

Despite the last-ball nature of the finish, UAE held wickets in hand throughout

the chase and generally looked in control.

Rohan Mustafa steered the first leg with a half-century before Shaiman Anwar took the baton and carried the chase into the last over with a fifty of his own until he was run out off the penultimate ball.

Muhammad Usman then skipped down the track off the final ball and scooped Jan Frylinck back over his head with everyone in the circle to seal victory.

Lefty batting dueL: JP Kotze starred in Namibia's innings with an impressively clean power-hitting display.

Kotze had three fours and two sixes - one each slog swept over midwicket against left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza and legspinner Imran Haider - in his 50 off 42 balls. However, he perished at a crucial time to Zahoor Farooqi as the medium pacer landed one in the blockhole at the start of the 18th, the first of three wickets in seven balls that also accounted for fellow set batsman Sarel Burger for 32 and was bookended by the wicket of Snyman.

Mustafa looked in decent touch for UAE

opening the chase and ended with the game's top score of 56 off 34 balls. When he middled anything full it usually went screeching to the mid-off rope. Even the ones he didn't connect cleanly with found ways to evade stumps and fielders to on the way to the fine leg and third man boundaries.

SchoLtz neutraLized: Namibia's best hope of containing Mustafa and Shaiman came in the form of left-arm spinner Bernard Scholtz. He was brought on by Burger after the Powerplay and bowled a tidy three-run eighth over, but Mustafa triggered an assault in the 10th to hit him out of the attack. The second ball of the over pitched full on his legs and was slog-swept over Burger at deep midwicket for Mustafa's lone six.

Next ball, Mustafa hit him a bit straighter toward wide long on for what should have been a single but a poor misfield by Frylinck resulted in four. A single put Shaiman back on strike and he brought out the sweep to find the gap be-

hind square for four more as part of a 17run over. Scholtz wasn't used again. dew you want another chance? Namibia dropped three chances and missed out on at least two run outs in the field. The last ball of the 10th

by Scholtz was hit by Shaiman to deep midwicket for one but Namibia failed to make Mustafa pay for seeking a greedy second run when the relay to wicketkeeper Kotze pulled him high and away from the stumps, despite Mustafa being well short of his ground after being sent back by Shaiman.

The most grievous errors came in the 15th over, though, when Shaiman was dropped twice in the space of four balls

by Craig Williams on 25 and 26. The first came off a good length ball flicked loosely to Williams at head height standing at midwicket in the circle, which he juggled before spilling. After getting back on strike, Shaiman got a waist-high full toss and in an overexcited state swung off balance to produce a top-edge. The ball

swirled toward Williams again at midwicket, who shuffled to his left before spilling Shaiman once more. Shaiman rubbed salt into the wound in the following over by driving Snyman's offspin twice over long-on for six.

In the final over with three needed off three balls, Shaiman pushed for a suicidal two to long-on. Gerhard Erasmus fielded quickly and fired an accurate throw on one bounce to Kotze, who fluffed the take with Shaiman three yards short coming back for the second run to draw scores level. When asked after the game what was the cause for all the fielding lapses, Burger attributed it to trouble gripping the ball due to the dew factor at night.

Shaiman's charmed innings ended next ball when he took on Erasmus again from mid-on but this time a direct hit at the non-striker's end delayed the winning run until the final delivery struck by Usman. It was the type of quality fielding moment that was too little, too late for Namibia. CourtESy ESPN

Elgar believes bowling can aid ODI comeback bid

Fresh off a Man-of-the-Series performance against Sri Lanka, Dean Elgar is eyeing a spot in the one-day set-up with a view to staking a claim for the Champions Trophy and eventually the next World Cup. Although South Africa's fifty-over batting line-up is fairly settled, Rilee Rossouw's exit from the international stage after his Kolpak deal could create an opening, especially if AB de Villiers is unfit.

Rossouw played in all five matches during South Africa's 5-0 whitewash over Australia in October, for which de Villiers was unavailable as he recovered from elbow surgery. De Villiers is expected to be back and to lead the side against Sri Lanka, New Zealand and ul-

timately the Champions Trophy but South Africa will still be searching for a reserve batsman and Elgar wants to put "both hands and both feet up" in a bid for the job.

"I very much still want to play oneday cricket, and think I have something to offer, especially with my bowling. In Test cricket I can't offer my bowling as I can in white-ball cricket," Elgar said.

"I am throwing both hands and both feet up, I want to play one-day cricket. I know opportunities might come with guys leaving and so be it."

Elgar has played six ODIs for South Africa - the first five during their tour to England in 2012 - and the most recent one in India in November 2015 as an in-

jury replacement for JP Duminy. His returns have not been particularly impressive, with 98 runs at 24.50, but he has a much better domestic record to back him up, albeit not a recent one.

International commitments have seen Elgar miss most of the last two season's worth of franchise List A cricket but when he as available in the past, he was an impressive performer. He topped the one-day batting in the 2011-12 season when he scored 567 runs from 10 matches at 81.00, ahead of Faf du Plessis and Colin Ingram. He last played List A cricket in 2016, in the one-day cup. He played three matches for Titans scoring 8, 57 and 37.

"It's difficult when I tour a lot. I've

missed two years of domestic one-day cricket so it's difficult to turn out the numbers and stats that people are looking for," he said. "But in saying that I still get to play Test cricket for South Africa which is the format that everyone wants to play.

I'm all-in for one-day cricket still."

This season will not be much different. The one-day cup will be played between February 17 and March 31 when then the national team will be in New Zealand. The Test side will only be required from the beginning of March, which could leave Elgar free to play in the early stages of the competition and coach Russell Domingo is keen to see what he can offer.

"Our one-day side is pretty stacked at the moment with Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and David Miller - that's probably the top six. Farhaan Behardien is also there. He [Elgar] is definitely an option, particularly in the top three. He has got a good one-day record. He is in the mix, there's no doubt about it. Him and a few other batters, like Theunis de Bruyn and Temba Bavuma who got a hundred on one-day debut when he played. There are a few fringe players in the mix and his name is definitely in there."

Elgar has not been included in South Africa's new-look T20 squad to play Sri Lanka next week, despite the selectors search for new faces. De Bruyn is in the side, along with Jon-Jon Smuts, Reeza Hendricks and Heino Kuhn. CourtESy ESPN

NEYMAR MOST VALUABLE PLAYER IN EUROPE, SAYS CIES FOOTBALL OBSERVATORY STUDY BRAZIL AGENCIES

Neymar is the most valuable player in Europe - worth around £216m - according to a new study which values 10 players at more than 100m euros.

The Barcelona striker is ahead of team-mate Lionel Messi, who is valued by academics at £149m.

The only England players in the top 10 are Tottenham's Harry Kane (worth £122m) and Dele Alli (£96m).

Paul Pogba, who joined Manchester United for a record £89m in the summer, is now worth £136.4m. The study has been carried out by a team of academics from the CIES Football Observatory,

using a transfer value algorithm.

They have calculated the value using criteria that includes player performance and characteristics, such as age and length of contract.

Ballon d'Or and Fifa's world's best player Cristiano Ronaldo is seventh on the list at £111m, with Real Madrid team-mate Gareth Bale 14th valued at £73.8m, less than the £85.3m he cost the La Liga side in 2013.

Pogba is the only non La Liga-based player in the top five, with Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann in third at £132m and Barcelona's Luis Suarez fifth £127m. There are 42 Premier League players in the top 100 including Chelsea's Eden Hazard (£89m), Man-

chester United's Anthony Martial (£81m), Manchester City's Raheem Sterling (£75m) and Leicester City's Jamie

CMYK

Vardy (£45m). West Ham midfielder Michail Antonio makes the list at 100, with a value of £31m.

bangladesh women deFend 136 to stay alive in series Cox’s BAZAR AGENCIES

Bangladesh women kept the five-match series against South Africa women alive, defending 136 by 10 runs in the third ODI in Cox's Bazar. The result leaves the series scoreline at 2-1, with two more ODIs still to be played.

At the centre of Bangladesh's win was offspinner Khadija Tul Kubra, who finished with a career-best 4 for 33, her second four-for in as many matches.

Introduced into the attack in the ninth over, after South Africa had already lost two early wickets, Tul Kubra dismissed the in-form Lizelle Lee for 46 off 31 balls. Then, with South Africa reeling at 64 for 5, Tul Kubra dismissed Suné Luus and Sinalo Jafta off consecutive deliveries in the 15th over. South Africa rapidly slid to 96 for 9 in the 23rd over butDane van Niekerk kept Bangladesh at bay. Eventually, however, the South Africa captain was left stranded on 42 not out as their innings ended in 31.2 overs. Apart from Tul Kubra, Panna Ghosh and Jahanara Alam took two wickets apiece, while Salma Khatun claimed the last wicket to fall. Between them, Lee and van Niekerk contributed 88 runs in the side's total of 126, with extras accounting for the next best score, 9. Earlier, having won the toss, Bangladesh had laid a platform that promised a total higher than 136. Their innings came undone, however, after a batting implosion, as they lost their last seven wickets for 32 runs, stumbling from 104 for 3 to 136 all out. Every bowler in South Africa's attack took wickets, with Marizanne Kapp, Luus and van Niekerk taking two apiece. The fourth ODI will be played on January 18.

SPORTS 19

Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

Pakistan is saFe

For international cricket: malaysian cricket oFFicials

o

sPoRTs DEsK

FFICIALS of the visiting Malaysian cricket team have termed Pakistan a safe country for holding international cricket events and said they would visit the country again in April on a preparatory tour.

“Pakistan is an ideal country for staging top cricket events and as far as security is concerned it was perfectly alright and we enjoyed playing cricket here,” manager Shankar Retinam and coach Bilal Asad told APP as the team prepared for departure after a ten-day tour to Lahore.

The Malaysian team, which was beaten 3-0 in the one-day matches by the NCA Youth XI gave a scare to the home team by winning the opening T20 match. However, NCA XI hit back and won the following T20 to level the series 1-1.

Shankar said Pakistan has been

deprived of international cricket in last many years and called for resumption of international cricket in Pakistan.

“Things are quite good for international cricket [in Pakistan]. Our tour ended without any hiccups and we do not see any problem here as far as security is concerned,” he said.

The Malaysian team manager

said Pakistan has a rich cricket history which is evident from its achievements at the international level and it has produced many big players of the game.

“It is unfortunate that international cricket is not being played in Pakistan and it is in the larger interest of the game that international

cricket should resume here as early as possible,” he said. “If there will be no international cricket in the country, there will be less opportunities for the young players to learn and to compete with top players of world cricket in their own backyard.”

He said it was an honour for his team to play at the famous Gaddafi Stadium and his team learned a lot during the tour and got needed exposure and experience for its coming assignments in near future.

Coach Bilal Asad, a former firstclass Pakistani player, endorsed the views of the manager and said there is no security issue in Pakistan to play cricket. “Things are perfect here for staging and playing international cricket,” he said. “Before the start of the tour, we heard similar propaganda on security but we did not listen to it and finalised our tour to Pakistan for learning and betterment of our team keeping an eye on its future commitments.”

Shabbir Iqbal wins Habib memorial golf tournament big bash: melbourne renegades' Peter nevill hit by bat

weLLington: Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim has been cleared of any serious injury after he was felled by a bouncer on the final morning of the first Test in Wellington on Monday. A team spokesperson said Mushfiqur had an X-ray in hospital and there was no evidence of significant harm from the Tim Southee delivery. There had been anxious moments as Mushfiqur lay prone on the pitch for several minutes after sustaining a blow to the back of the head. He was tended to by medical staff from both teams before an ambulance arrived in the middle and he was taken him to hospital. Shortpitched deliveries have been a feature of the Test with New Zealand batsman Mitchell Santner taking a fierce blow to the head from Taskin Ahmed in the first innings while Neil Wagner was hit three times

by Kamrul Islam drawing blood from his chin. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson defended the use of the short ball, while saying the incident was ‘unfortunate’. “It’s a tactic to get players out,” he said. “It is very unfortunate when you do see someone get hit. It’s obviously a delicate place and both teams were very concerned when it happened.

“It was sad to see. It’s never nice to see someone in an ambulance on the cricket field but nice to see he’s [Mushfiqur] OK now,” he added. Tamim Iqbal, who took over the leadership of the Bangladesh side, had no complaints about the tactic and likened a threatening short delivery in New Zealand to facing spin in the sub-continent. AGENCIES

chinese super league reduces number of foreign players allowed to play

MEKLBoURNE AGENCIES

Melbourne Renegades wicketkeeper Peter Nevill sustained a suspected fractured jaw after he was hit in the face by a cricket bat during his side's Big Bash win against Adelaide Strikers. Nevill was looking the other way when he was hit in the 17th over of the Strikers' run chase, and the Australia international was taken to hospital for X-rays. The bat slipped out of Brad Hodge's hands, flew into the air and the handle caught Nevill on the cheekbone as he stood behind the stumps.

The 31-year-old could not continue with the game and left the Adelaide Oval pitch with a visibly swollen face. Marcus Harris top-scored with 85 as the Renegades scored 171, while the Strikers fell short six runs short in their 20 overs.

It is the second time in a week Nevill has been forced from the field with a head injury, after he was hit by a fielder's throw against Sydney Sixers.

mushfiqur cleared after head blow in test against new Zealand

KARACHI PrESS rELEASE

The final round of Bank Al Habib’s 6th Rashid D. Habib memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2017 was played at Karachi Golf Club on Monday. The spectators had to wait for extra time as Pakistan’s two top golfers repeated twice after continuously ending with equal scores.

Pakistan’s national golfer Shabbir Iqbal clinched the trophy with 205 11 under par. He was paid an award money of Rs. 433,200. The second position went to M. Munir with his 205 11 under par who left with award money of Rs. 291,555. Matloob Ahmed secured third position after scoring 211 5 under par and a cheque for Rs. 180,405. Defending champion Waheed Bloch stood at 212 four under par and award money of Rs. 149,055. Pakistan Navy Commander

Karachi Rear Admiral Farrokh Ahmed HI(M), who was the chief guest on the occasion, said while speaking at the awards ceremony, “It is a pleasure for me attend this event and witness the endeavors and persuades for sports and especially Golf in Pakistan by Bank Al Habib’s Mr. Abbas D. Habib.”

Managing Director Bank AlHabib Abbas D. Habib said, “I am thankful to my Bank AlHabib team, Karachi Golf Club and all the golfers who participated for the hard work they have given for making this event a success. We are planning to enhance this tournament and next championship will be extended to four days. This will be our part to bring forward the hidden talent in this country.” A special appearance money of Rs. 500,000 was equally distributed between country’s five top golfers; Waheed Baloch, Shahid Javed, Matloob Ahmed, M. Munir and Shabbir Iqbal.

beiJing: Chinese Super League clubs will only be allowed to play three non-Chinese players per game in their next season - which begins in March. A rule change has reduced the number of foreigners allowed in a move which could slow down the wave of bigmoney signings from Europe. Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been linked with a move to China that would beworth £30m a year. A statement said the new measures will address "irrational investments."

Previously the rule was "4+1" - four foreigners of any nationality plus one Asian in a matchday squad. Teams will now also be required to name two under-23 Chinese players in their matchday squads, with at least one in the starting XI, with the Chinese Football Association also looking into "signature fees and other illegal activities" in recent transfers. Chelsea midfielders Oscar and John Mikel Obi have already moved to China this month, while former Manchester United and Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez reportedly became the world's highest-paid player when he joinedShanghai Shenhua last month. Shenhua would be one club hit by the new rules as they have six non-Chinese players in their squad, including Tevez, another former Chelsea forward Demba Ba and former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins. AGENCIES

HENRIK AGAIN EDGES MARCEL HIRSCHER IN WORLD CUP SLALOM DUEL WENGEN AGENCIES

Henrik Kristoffersen’s hot streak in World Cup slalom extended to his fourth win of the season on Sunday, and Marcel Hirscher was runner-up yet again.

Defending a first-run lead, Kristoffersen dropped behind Hirscher at the last time check but the Norwegian raced through the final gates for a 0.15-second winning margin. Felix Neureuther of Germany was 0.63 back in third.

“I’m really happy about the race today,” said Kristoffersen, who also won last Sunday at nearby Adelboden. “At the moment, it’s pretty decent.”

Hirscher seemed to have been expecting victory, and put on a weary expression in the finish area while holding up a thumb and forefinger slightly apart to suggest how close he had been.

Kristoffsersen thumped his chest with his right fist upon crossing the line, then skied over to share an embrace with the Austrian star. Kristoffersen now leads the World Cup slalom standings from Hirscher, who has been runner-up in three of his rival’s victories.

Still, Hirscher extended his clear lead in the overall standings with Kristoffersen rising to second. “It’s not always about winning,” said Hirscher, the five-time defending overall champion. “Another 80 points in the bank is definitely a good result.”

The 22-year-old Kristoffersen’s 14th career World Cup victory was his 13th in slalom, and completed back-to-back wins at the Swiss venues for the second straight year. Norway’s men now have eight wins this season — four each for Kristoffersen and speed specialist Kjetil Jansrud. The small Scandinavian team also won 19 races in a standout 2016 sea-

son. Hirscher has had to get used to being runner-up, at Wengen and against Kristoffersen. Hirscher has 41 career World Cup race wins, but none at this storied venue where he has placed second three times in slalom.

After two slaloms affected by the weather in January, the conditions offered a fair test Sunday. Light morning snow dusted the race hill adjoining the course for the classic downhill that was canceled Saturday due to heavy overnight snow.

Kristoffersen had a dominating win by 1.83 seconds at foggy Adelboden, but 13 racers had been within a second of the defending World Cup champion in Sunday’s morning run.

On a weekend of surprise results in men’s and women’s races, the low-ranked No. 46 starter Christian Hirschbuehl leaped up to place fourth, trailing Kristoffersen by 0.75.

CMYK

Both standout slalom skiers played down Kristoffersen’s current domination ahead of the world championships race on Feb. 19, also in Switzerland at St. Moritz. “That doesn’t matter,” said Hirscher, whose slalom win at Levi, Fin-

land, in November came when Kristoffersen skipped the race due to a sponsorship dispute with Norway’s ski federation. Kristoffersen said the St. Moritz event was “a totally different hill.

A lot of things can happen before then.”

SPORTS Tuesday, 17 January, 2017

Man City too far behind Chelsea after everton loss: Guardiola ‘TEN IS A LOT OF POINTS’

M

ANCHESTEr City are out of the Premier League title race after a according to manager Pep Guardiola. City are now 10 points behind leaders Chelsea after defeat on Merseyside - the heaviest league loss in Guardiola’s managerial career.

Asked if the gap was too great, he said: “Yes. Ten is a lot of points.”

Guardiola, 45, has told his players to unite “in the bad moments” and “forget the table” until the end of the season.

He added: “At the end of the season, we are going to evaluate our level and how our performance was, how the coach was, how the players were. After that we are going to decide.”

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss insisted he was “so happy in Manchester” despite his side sitting fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.

‘Unite and be clinical’ Guardiola watched City dominate possession on Merseyside but concede four from the

six shots they faced.

Only five teams have a lower haul than their four clean sheets in the league – British football pundit robbie Savage said City “cannot defend” and questioned if Guardiola would now change his style.

City are the only team in the Premier League to have over 50% of possession in every game this season but they have now conceded from the first shot they have faced in four of their last seven games.

Guardiola added: “I said to the players be positive because you made some fantastic things during the season and for many reasons we didn’t get what I think we deserved.

“In the bad moments we have to be close.

It’s awful for my players. We created chances but don’t score and when they have a chance, they punish us.”

Everton scored with their first two shots through romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas, with Tom Davies and Ademola Lookman completing the rout.

Stones in the spotlight - again Lookman’s goal came after a John Stones clearance was charged down, throwing the

Afridi trolls Chappell by asking ‘Did you watch’ Pakistan beat Australia?

SportS deSk Former Pakistan T20 captain Shahid Afridi on Sunday grabbed the opportunity with both hands to troll Ian Chappell for his comments that Pakistan should improve or stop visiting Australia.

Afridi was presented with the chance when Pakistan beat Australia in the second ODI to level the five-match ODI series 1-1.

The 36-year-old praised Hafeez for his great captaincy and 72-run man-ofthe-match innings. He also gave thumbs up to left-arm pacer Junaid Khan for his incredible return. However, he ended his tweet with a question for Chappell which said: ‘did you watch?’

Former head coach Waqar Younis and chief se-

lector Inzamamul Haq also felicitated the team. Head of Pakistan Cricket Board’s Executive Committee Najam Sethi was also happy with the victory.

Meanwhile, other cricketers also praised Pakistan for a historic sixwicket victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

AUS VS PAK: STOINIS REPLACES INJURED MITCH MARSH

SportS deSk All-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been added to Australia’s ODI squad for the ongoing five-match series against Pakistan.

The 27-year-old has replaced Mitchell Marsh, who was ruled out due to a shoulder injury he sustained during the second ODI in Melbourne.

Stoins, who plays for Melbourne Stars

in Big Bash League, will be travelling to Perth on Wednesday for the third match of the series which takes place on Thursday.

He has previously played one ODI for Australia against England in September 2015.

The ODI series is currently levelled at 1-1, with Australia winning the first ODI by 92 runs in Brisbane and Pakistan claiming the victory in the second match by six wickets.

Published by Arif Nizami at Qandeel Printing Press, 4 Queens Road, Lahore.

CMYK

young defender again under the spotlight.

It was Stones’ first visit to Goodison Park since leaving Everton for City in a £47.5m deal last summer.

The 22-year-old has been criticised for making too many mistakes, and former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville believes he is being However, fellow pundit Alan Shearer told Match of the Day 2: “John Stones did have a nightmare. He is 22 now, he has played nearly 100 Premier League games and everyone keeps saying to me and to the rest of the football world that he is going to be a top player.

“If I’m a centre forward, a young guy and I keep on missing chances, I don’t expect to be in the team. Eventually you are going to get left out. I keep seeing Stones making mistakes too often, too many times.”

City’s next outing is a home encounter with second-placed Tottenham, who are on a run of six league wins. Agencies