E paper pdf (21 09 2015) khi

CMYK

indo-pak flag meeting today over loc flare-ups paKistan in talKs with rUssia to bUy sU-35 jets

STORY ON PAGE 03 Monday, 21 September, 2015 | Zilhajj 06, 1436 Rs 17.00 | Vol VI No 84 | 16 Pages | Karachi Edition

PRIVATE SCHOOLS CANNOT RAISE FEE THIS YEAR, PM ORDERS STORY ON PAGE 04

KHAN WANTS A FREE HAND, GOVT ASKS HIM TO PLAY BY ECP RULES PTI chief says will move LHC against ECP ban restricting MPs from participating in by-poll campaigns

Info Minister Pervaiz Rashid says ballot exercise could turn into wrestling match if PTI flouts ECP ban

STORIES ON PAGE 03

pti founding members say Khan has led party astray Show-cause notice issued to Khan blames him for falling number of supporters; highlights cronyism and nepotism displayed by party chief

FINGERPRINTS HELP IDENTITY FIVE PAF CAMP ATTACK SUSPECTS Four suspects turn out to be residents of Khyber Agency while one was from Swat’s Kabal tehsil

suspected terrorist detonates vest to escape arrest in Karachi STORIES ON PAGE 02

afghan taliban divided as talks between two factions fail Split could derail fledgling peace talks between Taliban and Afghan govt and open the way for the Islamic State group to expand its foothold in one of the world’s most tumultuous regions

Swat girl wins international award for fighting child marriages STORY ON PAGE 03

STORY ON PAGE 04

UK spy agency paying MUsliMs to snoop on terror sUspects STORY ON PAGE 04

02 NEWS

Monday, 21 September, 2015

Fingerprints help identity Five pAF cAmp AttAck suspects FOUR SUSPECTS TURN OUT TO BE RESIDENTS OF KHYBER AGENCY WHILE ONE WAS FROM SWAT’S KABAL TEHSIL SARGODHA/PESHAWAR

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STAFF REPORT

NvESTIGATION officers on Sunday used fingerprints to identify five dead bodies of terrorists involved in PAF base attack, as Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has ordered an investigation to trace the person who leaked the identities of the suspected terrorists to media outlets.

According to information, four suspected terrorists hailed from the Bara Tehsil of Khyber Agency while one was from District Swat Tehsil Kabal. They were identified as Ibrahim, resident of Spin Qabar Tehsil Bara, Sirajud Din, resident of Tehsil Bara, Adnan, resident of Tehsil Bara Khyber Agency, Rab

Nawaz, and Mohammad Ishaq from Tehsil Kabal Swat. On September 18, at least 13 armed terrorist stormed a heavily fortified Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Badaber area, killing 29 people, mostly military personnel.

Meanwhile, an Interior Ministry spokesperson that an investigation had been ordered to find out who leaked the terrorists’ profiles, adding that the leak could negatively impact the ongoing investigation. The spokesperson said that the terrorists had been identified the day the incident took place but this information was withheld owing to the sensitivity of the matter. “It appears that the sharing of information between institutions caused the premature sharing of this information, which should never

china condemns peshawar terrorist attack IsLAmABAd: China has condemned Friday’s terrorist attack on Badaber air force camp in Peshawar, in which 29 people lost their lives. “We condemn the terrorist attack in Peshawar, Pakistan which inflicted heavy casualties, and express condolences to the bereaved families,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said. China supports Pakistan in firmly combating terrorism, and believes that the Pakistani government and military have the capability to maintain national security and stability, he said. STAFF REPORT

have happened,” said the statement, adding that per the evidence and records, at least eight terrorists appear to be foreigners. It said that more time is required to determine their nationalities.

68 suspeCts pICKed up fRom pesHAwAR, sARgodHA In seARCH opeRAtIons: Police and law enforcement personnel carried out a search operation in areas surrounding the Sargodha airbase on Sunday and detained eight suspects, including six Afghan nationals. According to police, law enforcers conducted the search operation and carried out a door-to-door search in areas adjacent to the airbase.

The eight suspects, including six Afghan nationals, detained during the operation were shifted to an undisclosed location for further investigation. Police from five different stations took part in the search operation, officials said.

Meanwhile, police and security forces detained 68 suspects as they car-

ried out multiple joint operations on the outskirts of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A large amount of weapons and ammunition was also recovered from the suspects. According to KP police officials, the operations were carried out in Mithra and Nasir Bagh areas where door-to-door search was carried out with the help of policewomen. 68-suspected individuals were detained during the search, which also included an Afghan national.

Five pistols, three rifles, two machine-guns, and a large amount of ammunition was recovered from the suspects, who were shifted to the concerned police stations. The search operations in Peshawar and Sargodha came two days after terrorists launched an attack on a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Peshawar’s suburbs, martyring 29 people including 16 worshipers offering prayers at a mosque. All 14 terrorists were also killed by security forces.

Suspected terrorist detonates vest to escape arrest in Karachi

One more tv channel’s dsng targeted in karachi

KARACHI STAFF REPORT

KARACHI: Gunmen riding motorcycles fired at a Samaa news channel DSNG van in the Liaquatabad area on Sunday, officials said. According to police sources, the gunmen followed the DSNG van and opened fire at it in the Liaquatabad No 10 area.

One bullet hit the van’s windscreen and shattered it. Nobody was hurt in the incident, officials confirmed, adding that the attackers fled the scene. Police added that they had found a bullet casing from a 9mm bullet from the scene of the incident.

Sunday’s incident comes amid a surge in attacks on journalists and media workers in Karachi. Less than two weeks ago, unknown gunmen attacked a Geo News DSNG van in the Bahadurabad area of the city, killing senior satellite engineer Arshad Ali Jafri and injuring driver Anees. Police and Rangers arrived at the scene and collected evidences from the site where empty bullet shells were recovered. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of the attack and directed police authorities to investigate the firing incident. STAFF REPORT

A suspected terrorist detonated his suicide jacket in Malir’s Rifa-i-Aam Society on Sunday during a raid conducted by police and other law enforcement agencies in the area.

Two police officers were injured during the raid.

According to reports, a team comprising police and other law enforcement agencies headed by Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Rao Anwaar conducted a raid in Kehkashan Society, where the suspect Farhan alias ‘Pehlwan’ was believed to be hiding. The team exchanged fire with the suspect, who shot one police officer in the stomach and an-

other in the leg. He then hurled two hand grenades, one of which exploded, before detonating his suicide jacket.

Farhan is suspected of targeted killings of several police officers and Rangers personnel.

He is also said to be affiliated with al Qaeda. The weapon used by the suspect was sent to a forensics lab for further investigation. Earlier this month, Karachi Police AIG Mushtaq Maher claimed that 3,000 hardcore criminals had been arrested, while 246 terrorists, 38 kidnappers, and 10 extortionists had been killed so far in police encounters. Rangers Spokesman Colonel Amjad maintained that 913 terrorists, including 550 target killers were nabbed, while 15,400 il-

legal weapons were recovered from the custody of the criminals operating within the city.

Rao Anwaar, who led the raiding team, told reporters that the bomber belonged to a group of wanted militants involved in attacks on top government and police officials.

“We had information that the (bomber’s) group had previously targeted some important police officers and government officials. We have identified him as Farhan, the name that he was using to live in this house, but he was also known as Pehlwan in his group. We are carrying out further investigation,” he said.

SSP Anwar said that Farhan’s criminal record would soon be released to the media.

tv ratings manipulation: news channel’s ceO given 10 days to submit reply KARACHI: The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has granted Sultan Lakhani, Chief Executive Officer of Express Media Group, 10 days to submit his reply regarding alleged manipulation of viewership ratings through employees of a Tv ratings company, Medialogic.

PBA, taking notice of Lakhani’s absence from the meeting, also extended for 10 days the temporary suspension of Express group’s membership from its panel.

Third-party international auditor Robert Ruud of Robert Ruud Analysetjenester attended the fifth meeting of PBA’s board of directors held on Saturday and presented his opinions regarding tampering of viewing patterns of households in favour of Express channels.

He also responded to queries put forward by members of the PBA board of directors.

Earlier on September 11, PBA had temporarily suspended the membership of Express and issued a show-cause notice to the media network for alleged manipulation of viewership ratings through employees of Medialogic.

During previous meetings of the PBA’s board of directors, which included Sultan Lakhani, a third-party international auditor Robert Ruud of Robert Ruud Analysetjenester had been tasked with the responsibility to conduct an independent audit into the operations of Medialogic against Express.

Later, in a report submitted to the PBA, Ruud had concluded that after analysing eight-month data from sample clusters, there was undeniable evidence of a significant increase in viewership, “where all household members began watching exact same minutes per week to the Express channels. This cannot happen without clear instructions on how the household should be watching the Express channels.”

He later stated, “The auditor cannot find a logical explanation for this viewing pattern except outside influence of the households.”

Medialogic Pakistan CEO Salman Danish, while addressing members of the media fraternity on September 8, had claimed that the Express Media Group is involved in ‘malpractices’ to increase television ratings for its Tv channels.

“They were bribing Medialogic employees to increase their Tv ratings,” said Danish, while presenting what he said were cheques and drafts received by Medialogic employees from individuals connected to the Express Media Group. Danish further claimed that the Tv channels had profited by up to Rs 450 million from the altered Tv ratings at the behest of the entire electronic media industry. But the media group had claimed that the ratings agency was trying to extort Rs 450 million from it.

In an earlier report in its English daily, the media group said the ratings agency chose its own employee, Shaista, and asked her to testify that Express News had pressurised households to tune into their channels. On Shaista’s refusal to cooperate with Medialogic, The Express Tribune claimed that she and her family were harassed by Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) officials in Rawalpindi, adding that the victim is seeking justice from relevant authorities. STAFF REPORT

Plagiarism blues - 5 academicians from KP varsities found guilty FACULTY MEMBERS HAVE PUBLISHED SEVERAL WORKS TOGETHER WHICH COULD BE PLAGIARISED AS WELL PESHAWAR APP

An eminent international peer-reviewed Journal, BMC Cell Biology, has regretted plagiarism committed by five senior academicians of five different public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and retracted a paper contributed by them based on significant overlap in data with a previously published article from

another international journal.

The editors regretfully retract the article by Jabbar Khan, Sanaullah Khan, Sobia Attaullah, Ijaz Ali, and Shahid Khan (BMC Cell Biology 2012, 13:8) due to a significant overlap with previously published article. “We apologise to all affected parties for the inconvenience caused,” the editors said in the online retraction on the BMC website. According to the Journal, the paper was con-

tributed by Jabbar Khan, from the Department of Biological Sciences, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, Sanaullah Khan of Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Sobia Attaullah, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Islamia College Peshawar, Ijaz Ali of Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa University of Agriculture Peshawar and Shahid N Khan, Associate Professor and Head of Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat.

The five senior faculty members, including two associate professors, contributed their paper while changing the title of an al-

ready published paper from an international journal, PloS One. It is pertinent to mention here that the corresponding author of the retracted paper was Sanaullah Khan, who is currently serving as Associate Professor in Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar. He was recently inducted in University of Peshawar directly in BPS-20 despite the fact that his Ph.D. Degree was issued by Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST) at a time when the concerned department was not fulfilling the Higher Education Commissions (HEC) criteria, sources told APP. As per HEC rules, a department can only announce a Ph.D. program if, at a time, it has three regular fac-

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ulty members with PhD degrees. Irrespective of the required HEC criteria, KUST (Department of Zoology with one PhD faculty member) awarded Ph.D. degrees to a number of candidates including teaching faculty, Sanaullah Khan and Shahid N Khan. It was unfortunate that the administration of University of Peshawar overlooked this fact while scrutinising Sanaullah Khan and Shahid N Khan for very senior posts i.e.

BPS 20 and 19 respectively.

The sources also revealed that the five faculty members had many group publications. The teachers of various universities highly condemned the plagiarism committed by the senior faculty

members. They said that academic dishonesty defames Pakistan’s educational integrity in the world, adding that international journals would not take Pakistani research scholars seriously after such incidents. They urged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education Mushtaq Ghani and vice chancellors of the universities to take notice of the matter and look into the other publications from the five faculty members.

They also demanded the HEC, and the provincial Higher Education Departments to look into the matter of previous and current Ph.D. degree awards by Public sector universities, without fulfilling the criteria.

Monday, 21 September, 2015

khAn wAnts A Free hAnd, gOvt Asks him tO plAy by ecp rules PTI CHIEF SAYS WILL MOVE LHC AGAINST ECP BAN ON MPS FROM PARTICIPATING IN BY-POLL CAMPAIGNS LAHORE

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STAFF REPORT

AKISTAN Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday reiterated his objection to the Election of Pakistan’s imposition of a ban on all parliamentarians from participating in by-election campaigns, and said that he would approach the Lahore High Court (LHC) and ECP regarding the matter.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on the other hand, said that it

SAYS BAN ILLOGICAL AS HE ISN’T HOLDING ANY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE IN GOVERNMENT

would not allow the PTI and its chief to violate the code of conduct set by the ECP for the upcoming by-polls in Punjab’s NA-122 and NA-154 constituencies, warning that the ballot exercise could turn into a Dangal (wrestling) if the party tried to violate the ECP code.

KHAn AdAmAnt on LeAdIng poLL CAmpAIgns: Addressing a press conference at his party’s secretariat in Lahore, Imran Khan said, “As a leader of a party, I want to convey my party’s manifesto to the masses and if am not allowed to do so, what kind of democracy is this?”

INFO MINISTER PERVAIZ RASHID SAYS BALLOT EXERCISE COULD TURN INTO WRESTLING MATCH IF PTI FLOUTS ECP BAN

The PTI chief also announced that his party would hold a conference on October 4 to address the pressing issue, saying that he was right in demanding participation in the campaigns since he does not hold any administrative position in the government. Earlier on September 16, the polls regulatory authority had barred all parliamentarians from visiting and taking part in campaigning for by-elections in NA-122 (Lahore) and NA-154 (LodhranI) constituencies where tough competition is expected between PTI and PML-N. The ECP had issued a notification

asking all the members of parliament and provincial assemblies not to visit constituencies where by-elections are taking place. The directives are part of a new code of conduct the ECP issued recently.

Meanwhile, criticising the ruling PML-N, the PTI chief alleged that Pakistan Steel Mills halted its operation because the Sharif family had their own steel business. “The Steel Mills were closed down because Sharif family wanted to expand their business.”

Khan also labeled Punjab police as ‘thugs’ and exhorted his party activists to

PTI founding members say Khan has led party astray SHOW-CAUSE NOTICE ISSUED TO KHAN BLAMES HIM FOR FALLING NUMBER OF SUPPORTERS; HIGHLIGHTS CRONYISM AND NEPOTISM DISPLAYED BY PARTY CHIEF ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Founding members of Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) on Sunday held a press conference during which they served a show cause notice to party Chairman Imran Khan for “leading the party astray from its founding principles”.

Several founding members of the party led by Akbar Babar addressed the press conference. In the show cause notice to party chief, they said: “We, the founding members of the PTI sacrificed the best years of our lives to bring change in Pakistan. We have come together today after painfully watching for over four years the transformation of the party of change to a party of the status quo.

“To gain public trust, you made repeated public and private commitments to never to compromise on principles. We believed in you and stood shoulder to shoulder for over a decade at great personal cost.

“Ever since that historic moment in October 2011, the promised ‘Change’ has been compromised for power politics at the cost of Justice, Transparency, and Accountability, the founding principles of PTI. The KP PTI government has performed no better or worse from other political parties. As a result, most PTI supporters feel

betrayed. The loss of PTI candidates in the recent bye-elections is a ready indicator to the nose diving popularity of the party.”

The show cause included Khan’s refusal to allow unfettered third party forensic audit in 2013. It also included Khan’s refusal to act against culprits that rigged intra party elections.

The individuals include but are not limited to; Jahangir Tareen, Pervaiz Khattak, Aleem Khan, Nadir Leghari, Saifullah Niazi and Dr. Arif Alvi. Instead of taking action against them, you suspended the membership of Justice Wajihuddin Ahmed sending a message that transparency and accountability in PTI is at your whims. Khan’s refusal to implement the orders of the PTI Election Tribunal and continued to make illegal appointments in gross violation of the letter and spirit of the Tribunal Orders was also mentioned in the notice.

The notice went on to point out cronyism and nepotism shown by Khan, “On the NA- 1 Peshawar seat vacated by you, you approved the award of the party ticket to a person of known poor repute, Gul Badshah who is now in jail for allegedly selling fake Afghan refugee identity cards. “The sole criteria for the award of three Senate tickets to Nauman Wazir, Mohsin Aziz, and Samina Abid were their personal relationship with you and their

reported funding of SKMT and/or PTI. Not one of them contributed a single day for the cause of PTI ever since its inception.

“You appointed Yusuf Ayub as the PTI Organizer KPK despite his conviction and deseating as an MPA on fake degree charges by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He continues to receive your patronage as he campaigned with you on stage during the recent Haripur by-elections. Your letter of support to Aleem Khan is a public confession of conflict of interest whereby you justify your decision to award a ticket in return for his donations to SKMT and PTI completely destroying the very concept of merit. You and your family are reported to have accepted gifts worth millions of rupees from individuals that you continue to patronize in the party despite serious allegations of corruption against them.”

The notice went on to state: “In view of the compelling evidence against you we, the founding members, are left with no other option except to publicly challenge you on your actions that is destroying the symbol of hope for the country.

“We also demand an independent Inquiry Commission to investigate the charges leveled against you. And, to facilitate an independent inquiry, we demand that you temporarily step aside as the Chairman of the party.

“In case you decide to do none of the above, it would imply acceptance of guilt which would force us to call a national conference of all ideologically committed PTI members to finalize a strategy of launching a movement for internal PTI reform.”

PM visits Dubai, commiserates death of ruler’s son DUBAI APP

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and offered condolences on the death of his son Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The PM arrived in Dubai in the afternoon and visited the Zabeel

Palace Sunday evening for offering his condolences.

UAE Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development Shaikh Nahyan and Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid Al Tayer received Sharif and his delegation at the royal airport Dubai.

Sharif was accompanied by Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatimi.

NEWS

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stay vigilant and capture with the help of their cell phones any wrongdoings committed by the law enforcers on the eve of upcoming by-elections in Punjab.

Khan said his candidates would defeat ‘those who stole the public mandate’ in the 2013 general elections.

RAsHId HIts BACK At KHAn: Reacting to the PTI chief’s criticism of the ECP and the PML-N, Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid called Imran Khan the ‘de-facto chief minister’ of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ‘who takes the province’s decisions at Bani Gala’. Addressing a press conference, Rashid said Imran Khan does not abide by any code of conduct. “If he (Imran Khan) fails to accept and follow the code of conduct laid out by the ECP, it would turn the ballot exercise into a fighting arena,” he warned. He said the ECP has barred assembly members from participating in the election campaign. This restriction applies to PTI just the way it does to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Coming down hard on Imran Khan he said: “Even when the KP chief minister has to walk, he does that by holding the finger of Imran Khan.” He claimed that KP government did not even spend a single penny on hydroelectric projects.

pakistan in talks with russia to buy su-35 jets Pakistan and Russia are in the process of negotiating what analysts believe can be potentially the largest defence deal between the two countries, IHS Jane’s reported. “The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has discussed buying Su-35 ‘Flanker-E’ fighter jets from Russia but a final decision is yet to be announced,” the IHS quoted a senior government official as saying. The senior government official’s remarks come in the wake of Russian media reports that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said talks were underway for an unspecified number of Su-35s and a recent agreement for provision of Mi-35M ‘Hind E’ attack helicopters to Pakistan. “It is too early to say if a deal will conclude and the terms,” the official said highlighting Russia’s willingness to sell advanced military hardware to Pakistan despite Moscow’s longstanding ties with India. “Pakistan’s interest in the Su-35 was driven by the PAF’s need for a twin-engine fighter that can fly for a longer range than the JF-17 and penetrate more deeply into the enemy’s territory,’ the official revealed. Pakistan currently relies on a mixed fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16s, Dassault Mirage-5s, Chinese manufactured F-7s and the JF-17 Thunder, which is comanufactured by Pakistan and China. Last month, Russia agreed to sell state-of-the-art Mi-35 attack helicopters to Pakistan in what is seen as a ‘paradigm shift’ in Moscow’s policy to increase defence cooperation between the two countries. “An agreement was signed between Pakistan and Russian authorities in Rawalpindi for the purchase of 4 Mi-35 helicopters,” a senior military official had said, not disclosing any further details. Moscow for long ignored Islamabad in a bid to please its long-term ally New Delhi. But as a result of India’s growing tilt towards the US, Russia has now started expanding its cooperation with Pakistan. For its part, Islamabad is eager to improve its ties with Moscow to diversify its options in the event of any stalemate in ties with Washington. NEWS DESK

indo-pak flag meeting today over loc flare-ups sRInAgAR: India and Pakistan will hold a flag meeting at the brigade commander-level at Chakan De Bagh crossing in the Poonch district on Monday (today) to address the issue of ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The ceasefire violations had escalated in [the] last few days and had resulted in [a] large number of civilian causalities and collateral damage to properties,” a defence spokesman said in a statement.

“The field commanders from both sides will discuss the modalities to defuse the tense situation,” the statement added. This is for the first time that the two armies would come together for a flag meeting after a lengthy hiatus to address the issue of cross-LoC ceasefire violations. The border residents on either side have been victims of the now-frequent violations with each side accusing the other of firing first. The firing and shelling have triggered panic and tension among the border residents and has led to a loss of life on either side and caused damage to property. INP

Swat girl wins international award for fighting child marriages KENTUCKY INP

A teenage girl from the Swat district has been awarded the third Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for dedicating her life to ending the practice of child marriages in Pakistan.

President of Global Ties USA, Dr. Jennifer Clinton, gave the 13-year-old women’s rights activist, Hadiqa Bashir, the award.

Bashir successfully stopped several child marriages in her area, and has become the youngest re-

cipient of this award.

The award ceremony, hosted by four-time Olympic gold medallist Janet Evans, took place at the Marriot Louisville. The ceremony recognised people from around the world who have made significant contributions to peace, social justice, human rights, or social capital.

Six individuals aged 30 year or younger were presented with an award that mirrors boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s six core principles: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect

and spirituality. The Muhammad Ali Centre was co-founded by Ali and his wife Lonnie.

Speaking at the occasion Hadiqa Bashir said she was honoured to receive the award.

“The award reaffirms my conviction that with truth, courage and determination as our weapons, my country, Pakistan will be liberated from every type of injustice and violence. I did not make the journey here alone. Numerous people have supported me along the way,” she said.

Hadiqa added that she was

blessed with an amazing and supportive family, especially her uncle Erfaan Hussein Babak who is the co-founder of the group ‘Girls United for Human Rights’. He is also founder of the group’s parent organisation, “The Awakening”.

Hadiqa’s father, Iftikhar Hussain, said that he was proud that his daughter was performing well in her studies, as well as in her mission against child marriages.

He said that Hadiqa used to visit every house in the district to raise awareness and stop the harmful practice of child marriages.

CMYK

04 NEWS

Monday, 21 September, 2015

Afghan Taliban divided as talks between two factions fail SPLIT COULD DERAIL FLEDGLING PEACE TALKS BETWEEN TALIBAN AND AFGHAN GOVT AND OPEN THE WAY FOR THE ISLAMIC STATE GROUP TO EXPAND ITS FOOTHOLD IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST TUMULTUOUS REGIONS KABUL

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AGENCIES

HE Afghan Taliban may split into two factions because they cannot agree who should be leader following the death of their founder, said a spokesperson for one group.

The split could derail fledgling peace talks between the insurgency and Afghan government and open the way for the Islamic State group to expand its foothold in one of the world’s most tumultuous re-

PRIVATE SCHOOLS CANNOT RAISE FEE THIS YEAR, ORDERS PM ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday directed that there would be no raise in the tuition fees of private schools for the year 2015. A statement from the PM House said that the prime minister had directed Ministry of Education and Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) to implement this decision during 2015 in letter and spirit. The prime minister also directed Ministry of Education and CADD to hold consultative meetings with all stakeholders to devise a unanimously accepted policy of fee-raise in private schools. He directed the concerned authorities to come up with proposed legislation to regulate the private schools, to keep a check on profiteering. APP

gions.

The dispute occurred after Afghan intelligence leaked news last month that the insurgency’s reclusive founder, Mullah Omar, had been dead for more than two years. A hastily convened meeting chose Omar’s deputy, Mullah Mansour, as the new leader. But many commanders were angry that Mansour had concealed Omar’s death and objected to his speedy appointment.

On Saturday, Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, a spokesperson for the anti-Mansour faction, said talks between Mansour

and the dissatisfied commanders had failed. “We waited for two months and wanted Mullah Mansour to understand the situation and step down to let the Supreme Council choose the new leader by consensus – but he failed,” said Niazi.

Representatives for Mansour were not available for comment.

The Taliban ruled Afghanistan, imposing a severe interpretation of Islam and Sharia, from the mid-1990s until 2001 when they were overthrown during a US-led invasion. But in recent years, and with the withdrawal of Western

forces, their guerrilla forces have grown in influence.

Niazi did not suggest the dissident commanders would attack Mansour, who has considerable support. Instead, he said the dissident commanders will now direct their own attacks on the Afghan government and its foreign allies in Afghanistan.

“We will now publicly oppose him.”

Niazi’s comments come after Omar’s son Yaqoob and brother Manan swore allegiance to Mansour this week.

Omar’s family had initially opposed Mansour but agreed to support him after he agreed to a list of their demands.

Niazi said Mansour had threatened to cut Taliban funds that Manan had been receiving if he did not support Mansour’s leadership.

“It’s an economic issue rather than religious,” Mullah Niazi said.

In letter to NYT, USAID defends programmes in Pakistan NEWS DESK The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has defended its programmes in Pakistan in a letter to the editor after the New York Times published an article questioning why the agency is walking away from legal process in Pakistan and highlighting its failure in making substantial contribution to the country.

The organisation which has been operating in Pakistan for nearly a decade, distributing billions of dollars, was criticised for having made “minimal impact on the ground”, according to the article. Further, critics accused the agency of taking up projects with little consideration for local concerns and being needlessly reliant on American contractors with “lit-

tle development experience”.

Despite extensive criticism about its efficacy, some experts also acknowledged that the agency has been a victim of anti-American sentiment in Pakistan.

Raza Rumi, a fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, who has also worked in Pakistan’s development sector said: “I would not say it’s been a failure — they’ve invested money in energy and education — but because of anti-Americanism and their own inability to effectively communicate, this hasn’t been seen.”

“They’ve spent so much money in FATA,” he added, referring to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. “The reality is no one actually knows the result.”

However, the agency argued

that article on the United States development assistance to Pakistan should not ignore that USAID “has contributed to dramatic improvements in the quality of life for the citizens of Pakistan.”

In a letter penned to the editor, Larry Sampler, the assistant to the administrator for Afghanistan and Pakistan affairs, USAID, claimed the agency has improved the lives of millions of people in Pakistan whilst enhancing American national security. Further, he said USAID has helped “decrease newborn deaths by 23%” in areas in which it operated and “increased access to electricity for over 17 million Pakistanis” as well as improved the reading skills of 120,000 children, which “should make both Americans and Pakistanis proud”.

MQM distances itself with ‘India trained’ workers KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Calling itself a patriotic political party of Pakistan, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Rabita (coordination) Committee on Sunday distanced itself from those workers, who it said had gone to India following the 1992 operation against the party.

“These workers who had gone to India for saving their lives did so without informing the MQM, and this cannot be called the policy of the MQM,” said the committee, in an ‘important policy statement’ issued here today. “The MQM has nothing to do with the training of these people who had gone to India,” it added.

The statement comes against the backdrop of ongoing crackdown on criminals and terrorists in Karachi by Rangers and police. The party said thousands of MQM workers were forced to go to different parts of the country for saving their lives after the ‘state’s operation in 1992’, adding that some headed to foreign countries where they obtained asylum.

“The countries where the MQM workers headed include USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Australia, Middle East states and other countries of the world. Some went to India for saving their lives as they could not go to any other country. “These MQM workers chose to go to India because they had family ties in India, and they thought that they will not face hardships of

homelessness and hunger.” Rabita Committee further said that MQM was a party formed by descendants of the founders of Pakistan and it cannot even think about any plan against the country.

The party appealed to the ‘establishment’ to review everything in the light of facts by casting aside ‘emotions and use of force’ as it would be in the larger interest of the country.

“Just as clemency is being announced for the estranged Baloch people who are highly praiseworthy, the establishment should also heal the wounds of Muhajirs by forgetting past bitterness,” it said. The MQM committee went on to say that such a step would be in the interest of the nation and the country, and vowed to extend its fullest support to it.

US SayS aSSad mUSt go, timing down to negotiation LONDON: US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad has to go but the timing of his departure should be decided through negotiation. Speaking after talks with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in London, Kerry called on Russia and Iran to use their influence over Assad to convince him to negotiate a political transition. Kerry said the United States welcomed Russia’s involvement in tackling the self-styled Islamic State in Syria but a worsening refugee crisis underscored the need to find a compromise that could also lead to political change in the country. “We need to get to the negotiation. That is what we’re looking for and we hope Russia and Iran, and any other countries with influence, will help to bring about that, because that’s what is preventing this crisis from ending,” said Kerry. “We’re prepared to negotiate. Is Assad prepared to negotiate, really negotiate? Is Russia prepared to bring him to the table?” Russia’s buildup at Syria’s Latakia airbase has raised the possibility of air combat missions in Syrian airspace. Heavy Russian equipment, including tanks, helicopters and naval infantry forces, have been moved to Latakia, US officials say. Kerry said of Assad’s removal: “For the last year and a half we have said Assad has to go, but how long and what the modality is ...that’s a decision that has to be made in the context of the Geneva process and negotiation.” Kerry added: “It doesn’t have to be on day one or month one ... there is a process by which all the parties have to come together and reach an understanding of how this can best be achieved.” Kerry said he did not have a specific time frame in mind for Assad to stay. “I just know that the people of Syria have already spoken with their feet. They’re leaving Syria.” Hammond, who on Sept 9 said Britain could accept Assad staying in place for a transition period, said Assad could not be part of Syria’s long-term future “but the modality and timing has to be part of a political solution that allows us to move forward.” AGENCIES

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“Mullah Yaqoob and Mullah Manan had never played any role. They were sitting at home.” “We founded the Islamic Emirate, we gave sacrifices and we brought it to this level. We are the real heirs of the Islamic Emirate.”

The Islamic Emirate is what the Taliban called Afghanistan under their rule.

Representatives for Omar’s family were unavailable for comment.

Niazi said the dissident Taliban included Mullah Abdul Qayum Zakir, a prominent commander formerly held in the US prison at Guantanamo Bay; Mullah Hasan Rahmani and Mohammad Rasool, two Taliban leaders with substantial power bases; and Mullah Abdul Razaq, a former Taliban minister of the interior.

Several powerful Taliban leaders based at the political office in Qatar have not yet publicly endorsed Mansour.

BritiSh govt paying mUSlimS to Spy on ‘terror SUSpectS’ LONDON INP British intelligence agency MI5 is paying Muslim informants across the UK for short-term spying missions to help avert terrorist attacks by homegrown Islamist extremists, according to a media report.

Individuals across the UK are being employed on temporary assignments to acquire intelligence on specific targets, The Guardian reported, citing sources within the Muslim community. One such source said an informant was recently paid as much as 2,000 pounds (more than Rs 200,000) by the British security services to spy on activities relating to a mosque over a six-week period. However, the use of payments to gather intelligence prompted warnings that the system risked producing information “corrupted” by the money on offer, the report said.

The initiative is being coordinated under the government’s official post-9/11 counter-terrorism strategy. The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 (Military Intelligence, Section 5), is the Britain’s domestic counter- intelligence and security agency part of the intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS; also known as MI6) focused on foreign threats, Defence Intelligence (DI) and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ).

The sources did not divulge on the number of informants receiving government funding or how much of the agency’s national security budget is allocated to such transactions. However, the use of payments to gather information resulted in prompt calls for caution from senior figures in the Muslim community, who warned that such transactions could produce tainted intelligence. East London Mosque Spokesman Salman Farsi said: “We want our national security protected but, as with everything, there needs to be due scrutiny and we need to ensure things are done properly.

“If there’s money on the table, where’s the scrutiny or the oversight to ensure whether someone has not just come up with some fabricated information? Money can corrupt.”

Monday, 21 September, 2015

NEWS 13 DEAD IN MIGRANT BOAT COLLISION WITH FERRY OFF TURKEY

CANADA TO ACCEPT 10,000 SYRIANS WITHIN ONE YEAR

ANKARA: At least 13 migrants died off the coast of Turkey Sunday after the inflatable dinghy carrying them to Greece collided with a ferry, Turkish media reported. Four children were among the victims of the accident involving a boat carrying 46 migrants from the northwestern Turkish port of Canakkale to the Greek island of Lesbos, Dogan news agency reported. Twenty people were rescued and 13 people were still missing, the report added. There was no information on the nationalities of the migrants. The sinking was the second Sunday in the Aegean Sea, with the Greek coastguard reporting another two dozen feared missing from a boat that got into trouble close to Lesbos. The coastguard said it had rescued 20 people spotted in the water by a helicopter deployed by EU border agency Frontex, but the survivors said another 26 people had been in the boat. On Saturday, a five-yearold Syrian girl died in another attempted crossing from Turkey to Greece — a perilous journey that has claimed hundreds of migrant lives this year. AGENCIES

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ANADA’S conservative government on Saturday said that it would accept 10,000 Syrian refugees within one year by simplifying and speeding up the immigration application process.

Visa officers will no longer ask the applicants to prove that they are refugees through a United Nations refugee agency, but will instead “presume those fleeing the conflict meet the definition of a refugee, which will make processing faster,” the Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship said in a statement. As a result, “we anticipate meeting Canada’s current commitment of resettling 10,000 Syrians by September 2016 – 15 months earlier than planned. Canada’s existing commitment to resettle 23,000 Iraqis will also be fulfilled by the end of this year,” the statement read. Visa officers will focus their interviews “on security, criminal-

FRANCE SHUTS EIFFEL TOWER AMID TERROR THREATS PARIS: A suspicious man on Sunday forced authorities to shut France’s iconic tourist attraction, the Eiffel Tower, for tourists and visitors. Anti-terrorist police and a helicopter arrived at the scene while an alarm was raised at 9am following reports of a suspicious male carrying a large rucksack up to the building. “There’s been a report of a man with a rucksack,” said a police source, who assisted with the evacuation of the tower. “The man was spotted at the French landmark more than an hour before it opened.” However, the search for the unidentified suspect failed to apprehend him and his whereabouts were still unknown to the police. A police cordon was placed around the tower as people were moved to the banks of the nearby River Seine. This is not the first time the Eiffel Tower has been threatened by terrorist groups. The tower has received threats from terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State and al Qaeda, with security stepped up since attacks by three radical gunmen in the city in January. Last year, French authorities had foiled a terrorist plot to target the Eiffel tower when the police came across plans after decrypting coded messages between a 29year-old Algerian butcher living in the southern France and one of the highestranking members in al Qaeda. AGENCIES

CHINA LAUNCHES NEW TYPE OF CARRIER ROCKET BEIJING: China on Sunday launched a new, smaller type of rocket from its “Long March” family which will be primarily used for carrying satellites aloft, state media reported, as the country races ahead with an ambitious space programme. The Long March-6, a newly developed carrier rocket which uses liquid propellant, took off from a launch base in the northern province of Shanxi on Sunday morning carrying 20 “micro” satellites, the official Xinhua news agency said. The white rocket, imprinted with the Chinese flag at the top, climbed into bluish-grey skies, footage aired by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) showed. One Chinese official suggested that the smaller rocket will make China more competitive in the lucrative market for commercial satellite launches. “We believe it will greatly boost the competitiveness of Chinese carrier rockets in the international market,” Zhang Weidong, chief designer at the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, told Xinhua. AGENCIES

ity and medical screening,” the statement added. By this different designation “we are greatly expanding the potential for candidates,” Immigration Minister Chris Alexander said. “We will have more human resources hitting the ground in the coming days and weeks”

to process the applicants, he said.

Canada’s Conservative Party, currently in power, has been criticized in the past weeks for moving too slowly to help Syrian refugees pouring across the Mediterranean into Europe. Opposition parties have promised, if they gain

power in October 19 elections, to have a more generous policy towards Syrian refugees. Polls show Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Tories in a tight race with center-left parties.

Harper is seeking his fourth mandate in nine years.

Nepal adopts new constitution amid protests

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SELECTION OF SAUDIA ARABIA TO HEAD UN HUMAN RIGHTS PANEL SPARKS ANGER The United Nations has come under criticism over giving a key human rights role to Saudi Arabia despite the Kingdom’s notorious record on freedoms for women, minorities and dissidents, The Independent reported.

Critics remarked the appointment is “scandalous”, observing it meant “oil trumps human rights.” Ensaf Haidar, the wife of imprisoned liberal blogger Raif Badawi, said on her Facebook that handing the key role of a human right to Faisal bin Hassan Trad was but “a green light to start flogging [Raif] again.” Trad is Saudi Arabia’s ambassador at the United Nations in Geneva, who has been elected as chair of a panel of independent experts on the United Nations Human Rights Council, an NGO named UN watch discovered. The Saudi Ambassador will now be able to select applicants from around the world for legion of experts hailing from countries where the UN has mandate on human rights. The UN body for promoting human rights around the world has long been the subject of criticism because it granted membership to various countries that had dubious human rights records. UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer said selection made in June remained unreported until now. He said that it may have been a consolation prize for the Saudis after withdrew their bid to head the 47-nation council in the wake of international condemnation of the kingdom’s human rights record. Neuer described the selection as scandalous and said, “Saudi Arabia has arguably the worst record in the world when it comes to religious freedom and women’s rights, and continues to imprison the innocent blogger Raif Badawi. NEWS DESK

AFGHAN BLAST KILLS FIVE POLICEMEN KHOST AGENCIES

KATHMANDU AGENCIES

Nepal on Sunday adopted a new constitution aimed at bolstering its transformation from a Hindu monarchy to a secular democracy, as violent protests raged against some of the terms of the charter.

Firecrackers went off in celebration in Kathmandu as President Ram Baran Yadav announced the adoption of the constitution, the first to be drafted by elected representatives.

“I announce the presented constitution of Nepal, passed by the Constituent Assembly and authenticated by the chairman of the Constituent Assembly, effective from today, 20

September 2015, before the people of Nepal,” he said. Lawmakers approved the charter on Wednesday despite weeks of violent protests against plans to divide the Himalayan nation of 28 million people into seven provinces.More than 40 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and police, among them two children and a police officer lynched as he was driven to hospital in an ambulance.

One protester was killed on Sunday when police fired into a crowd of people who had defied a curfew in the southern district of Parsa to demonstrate against the charter.

The move to create a new federal structure that will devolve power

from the centre has widespread support, but critics say the planned internal borders will leave some historically marginalised groups under-represented in parliament. They include the Madhesi and Tharu ethnic minorities, mainly from Nepal’s southern plains along the border with India. India has expressed concern at the violence, which has seen some parts of southern Nepal shut down for weeks. The new constitution is the final stage in a peace process that began when the Maoists laid down their arms in 2006 after a decade-long civil war with the state and turned to politics, winning parliamentary elections two years later and abolishing the monarchy.

A roadside bomb has killed five Afghan policemen on patrol in the eastern province of Paktia, officials said Sunday, the latest in a series of deadly insurgent attacks. The blast in Zurmat district in the troubled province bordering Pakistan hit a police vehicle Saturday evening and killed all five officers on board, provincial police chief Zulmai Oryakhail told AFP. The incident and death toll was confirmed by the provincial governor’s spokesman Naqib Ahmad Attal. No group or individual immediately claimed responsibility but both officials blamed Taliban militants for the attack. Roadside bombs are the favourite weapon of the Islamist militants fighting to oust the Western-backed Kabul government.

Separately a bomb explosion wounded at least eight civilians in Asad Abad, the capital of Kunar province also on the border with Pakistan, provincial police chief Abdul Habib Sayedkhili told AFP. Militants frequently target Afghan police and military, but the surge in attacks has also taken a heavy toll on civilians.

Nearly 1,600 civilians were killed and 3,329 injured in the first half of this year, according to UN figures.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE CARSON SAYS MUSLIMS UNFIT TO BE US PRESIDENT WASHINGTON: Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson on Sunday said Muslims were unfit to be president of the United States, arguing their faith was inconsistent with American principles. “I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that,” Carson told NBC Meet the Press. Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who has been near the top of opinion polls for the crowded field of Republican candidates, said he thought a

US president’s faith should be “consistent with the Constitution.” Asked if he thought Islam met this bar, Carson said: “No, I do not.” Carson gave up some ground in a CNN/ORC poll released on Sunday, slipping to third place from second with 14 percent of support. Sixteen Republicans are seeking the party’s nomination for the U.S. presidential election in November 2016.

The CNN/ORC poll showed real estate mogul Donald Trump continues to lead the Republican

contest with the support of 24 percent of registered voters, down from 32 percent in a previous poll. Former HewlettPackard chief executive Carly Fiorina surged into second place with 15 percent support. “It’s obviously a very important moment because now more people know who I am,” Fiorina told “Fox News Sunday.” “We know, based on what’s happened before this debate, that as people come to know me and they understand who I am and what I’ve done

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and most importantly what I will do they tend to support me.” Trump, asked on CNN’s “State of the Union” about the poll results, replied: “Well, I’m a little surprised, because other polls have come out where I actually picked up after the debate, I actually gained after the debate. On NBC’s “Meet The Press” on Sunday, Trump was asked whether he’d accept a Muslim president, and replied: “Some people have said it already happened.” AGENCIES

06 kArAChi

WEAthEr UpdAtES

MONDAY

330C 270C

TUESDAY

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WEDNESDAY

320C 270C

ONE MORE SUCCUMBS TO HEAT, TOLL REACHES 4 IN 2 DAYS KARACHI STAFF REPORT

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320C 270C

Monday, 21 September, 2015

Activists demAnd plAn to counter heAtwAve, its consequences SEVERE HEATWAVE TO CONTINUE IN SINDH

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CTIvISTS have strongly stressed urgency to prepare people and other stakeholders for handling heatwave and its consequences. Addressing a session organised

by Aga Khan University Hospital, the activists said that there was also a need for urgent realisation that heatwave would recur throughout the next decade and perhaps even beyond.

“Therefore, we have to sensitise people about preventive measures besides developing a policy to avert human loss and any crisis-like situation witnessed in June this year,” said Khalid Pervez, the head of Aman Community Health Programme and Aman Clinic. He reiterated that preparedness level for all sorts of emergencies, particularly weather induced, must be enhanced by all stakeholders. Jibran Nasir, a lawyer and a human rights activist, said civil defence needed to train people for emergencies, not only for war but for also for peace-time calamities.

There is sufficient budget for it but nothing concrete or plausible is done, he re-

THURSDAY

KARACHI: Scattered rain and dust-thundershowers are expected in Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions besides Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Zhob, Kallat divisions, Islamabad, FATA, Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir during next 24 hours. Severe heat wave will continue in Sindh including Karachi during next 24-36 hours. A well marked low pressure area lies over Sindh and adjoining areas. Under the influence of this weather system, monsoon currents are penetrating into south-eastern Sindh and south Punjab. A westerly wave is also affecting western and upper parts of the country. Weather remained hot and dry in most parts of the country during the last 24 hours. However, rainthunderstorm occurred at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad divisions, Islamabad, upper FATA and Kashmir. STAFF REPORT gretted. Dr Seemin Jamali, the joint executive director and incharge of the emergency ward of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), said immediate attention required towards healthcare needs of marginalised sections of the society. Medical experts and civil society activists, largely critical of the provincial authorities’ inability to respond to the previous heatwave in Karachi in a timely manner, said the unfortunate episode must not be repeated at any cost.

It was suggested that the government must hold awareness sessions and disseminate information to the masses through the media and religious leaders. The speakers urged that the data of all public and private hospitals should be gathered to figure out the cause of the heatwave associated deaths, urging the need for liaisons between different departments.

They also highlighted importance of tree plantation and said concerted efforts must be made to raise the current five per cent

greenery in the metropolis to no less than 60 per cent as it was a natural tool against many of the natural calamities. Mir Shabbar Ali, associated with urban and infrastructure engineering at the NED University, said vegetation was critical in reducing temperature and that almost 20 per cent of heat can be absorbed by vegetation. The representatives of Pakistan Meteorological Department, Disaster Management Authority Sindh and others also spoke on the occasion.

karachi: Not many people were seen on the otherwise bustling roads on Sunday as the mercury touched 42 degree celsius in the city. ONLINE

One more person lost his life to the rising mercury on Sunday, taking the death toll to 4 in last 2 days. Heat wave in Karachi continued on Sunday and the temperature went as high as 42 degrees centigrade. Heatstroke patients kept visiting the hospitals all day long and four doctors, including a medical superintendent, were suspended for absence from duty. Patients were brought in big numbers to the heatstroke centers set up in the hospitals throughout the day. Met Office says that there is no chance of decrease in temperature in the city during the next 24 hours.

ZARDARI PAYS HOMAGE TO MIR MURTAZA ON DEATH ANNIVERSARY KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Former president of Pakistan and cochairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari has said Mir Murtaza Bhutto, his brother in law and chairman of his own faction of the PPP, had dedicated his life for struggle against dictatorship. In a statement issued in connection with the death anniversary of Bhutto, Zardari said Murtaza Bhutto never bowed before the dictator despite witnessing murders of his brother and father and undergoing difficulties in exile. “Murtaza Bhutto witnessed cruelties meted out to his mother (late Begum Nusrat Bhutto) and sister ( late Benazir Bhutto),” said he. He said Murtaza Bhutto was “mysteriously” targeted in armed attack in 1996 and later police officer tasked with investigation of murder was also “mysteriously” assassinated. The former president further said it was collective responsibility of all the individuals, communities, countries and governments to achieve peace.

MQM ‘HIT-MAN’ AMONG 27 ARRESTED IN CITY KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Commissioner seeks public cooperation during Eidul Azha KARACHI APP

Karachi Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui has appealed to the Karachiites to cooperate with the administration in celebrating of Eid-ul-Azha in its truest spirit.

He said coordinated efforts were being made by different government departments to provide all relevant assistance and support to the citizens, however, “we also expect masses to cooperate with us”. The commissioner said a clear policy had been adopted with regard to hide collection and all stakeholders had been taken on board to avoid any untoward situation. He, however, added that concerned citizens particularly needed to see that hides reach in safe hands. Siddiqui said it was not only that adequate security measures had been ensured by concerned agencies for the protection of life and property of the

citizens but a central complaint cell had also been established at the commissioner officer along with similar facilities at all DC offices. In reply to a question, he said the administration was definitely exposed to a challenge viz a viz adequate disposal of offal and for the purpose staffers equipped with relevant support would be on their toes during all three days of the festival.

“It would not be, perhaps, much to expect from citizens that they prominently place offal, once Qurbani is done, so that staffers may promptly remove them and process of adequate disposal is ensured,” said the commissioner. He reiterated that people must avoid the practice to throw away offal and waste, both biodegradable and non-bio-degradable into gutters in their areas. “They would be exposing themselves and their own families to serious health-related risk besides causing inconvenience to the administration,” said the commissioner. As for left over

Police and Rangers claimed to have captured at least 27 suspects, including two workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), during raids and search operations in different areas of Karachi on Sunday. According to reports, police have also detained Dr Naeem, MQM’s Sector Incharge of Nawabshah city, during a raid. He is said to be involved in different incidents of targetkilling. The personnel of paratroopers conducted a raid in Gulshan-e-Hadeed and arrested a suspected person. A computer and two motorcycles were seized from him. In a separate incident in Gulshan-e-Hadeed, police arrested two miscreants including an injured following an armed encounter. At least 12 suspected people have been rounded up during a search operation in Jamshed Quarters.

Meantime as part of the ongoing crackdown, at least ten people were apprehended for running an illegal Maveshi Mandi in Delhi Colony.

TWO KILLED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS KARACHI STAFF REPORT

blood of slaughtered animals, he said, concerned citizens could definitely wait for a while for the municipality workers equipped with facilities to disinfect the site or on immediate basis throw a little water and pour oil so that these may not turn into breeding points for mosquitoes.

“Ideally people should slaughter sacrificial animals either on their own

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premises or designated sites and not on main roads and thoroughfares causing inconvenience for passersby,” he said in reply to another query. He hoped and prayed that the festival is celebrated in a meaningful manner and blessings are shared by the faithful without any distinction and with due consideration towards have nots.

A man committed suicide and another electrocuted in different parts of the metropolis on Sunday. A man, Ali Asghar, 35, son of Nawaz Asgher, committed suicide by strangulating himself at his house in Rasheedabad in Baldia Town area. The body was shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi for an autopsy. A youth, Rahim, 20, son of Amir Khan, died of electrocution in Lasi Para area of Baldia Town. The body was shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi for a postmortem.

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Monday, 21 September, 2015

two children die of toxic food THARPARKAR STAFF REPORT

As many as two children died on Sunday after consuming poisonous food while another has been hospitalised. Police said three children hailing from village Arnaro of Chachro in district Tharparkar ate food which became toxic due to unknown reasons. Due to unavailability of treatment facilities in the village, two real brothers and a sister including one and a half year old Ali Muhammad and three year Bashiran died while another affectee was later rushed to the hospital in critical condition.

20 HURT AS PASSENGER BUS OVERTURNS SHIKAPUR STAFF REPORT

At least 20 persons were injured when a passenger bus overturned on Sunday.

Rescue sources said that the accident took place at Bypass in Shikapur where a Dir (KP) bound passenger bus coming from Karachi turned turtle due to over speeding.

As a result of accident, 20 passengers sustained wounds who were shifted to Civil Hospital Shikarpur where, according to medics, condition of some injured people was serious.

hYDEraBaD: Blacksmiths sharpening knifes for upcoming Eidul Azha. ONLINE

15,500 COPS TO PROVIDE SECURITY AT 3,770 EID PRAYER SITES KARACHI

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ID-UL-AZHA prayers will be offered at more than 3,100 mosques, 220 Imam-bargahs and 450 eidgahs across the metropolis with 15,500 policemen to be deployed on security duty at the sites.

This was shared during a meeting chaired by Inspector General of Police Sindh, Ghulam Hyder Jamali, on Sunday to review security arrangements for varied public places during the three day Eid-ul-Azha. The 15,500 cops on security duty would also be complemented by more than 450 police mobile and 200 plus men belonging to reserved force.

Besides this, a sizable number of personnel will patrol on motorbikes and other police vehicles.

The IG ordered to beef up security and facilitate strict compliance of the code of conduct developed for hide collection. Jamali urged the officials to ensure recording of the Eid-related activities with specific reference to surveillance and monitoring through central command and control centre being established at the central police office.

Close liaison between CPO and moni-

DRIVE AGAINST ILLEGAL MARRIAGE HALLS HALTED KARACHI PPI

Operators of illegal marriage halls and lawns set up on amenity plots in Karachi have heaved a sigh of relief as the drive to raze these illegal structures came to standstill in Karachi. Sources said due to rising political pressure the drive against illegal marriage halls was halted in the city.

Many illegal marriage lawns that were previously closed and made non-functional are doing their roaring business again in the city. Sources said still there were dozens of illegal marriage halls and lawns in the city besides hundreds of other illegal encroachments on amenity plots. However, for the reasons better known to the high-ups of provincial government, the drive against these illegal encroachments has been halted.

BODY FOUND, FOUR INJURED IN VIOLENCE

toring cells, already functional at different police stations, was also ordered to check any suspicious activity at public places, ranging from shopping centres, cattle markets, parking areas to places scheduled to have congregations and their surroundings. The provincial police chief said that all sites for prayers must be particularly covered with due provi-

sion for patrolling on routes leading to these places. Responding to information that the number of personnel belonging to Range police and crime police has also been increased to make Eid security arrangements fool proof, he said all police units must be equally involved in the implementation of the security plan. Coordination with intelligence and other

security agencies must also be improved, he told the police officials, urging them to particularly focus on law and order-related challenges. Seeking proactive policing, Jamali urged the officials to pay equal attention towards intelligence sharing and its follow-up ensuring that timely action is taken to avert any loss.

KARACHI: A man was killed and four others were injured in different violence incidents in the metropolis on Sunday.

According to rescue sources, the body of a man, aged about 60, was found under the Sohrab Goth Bridge. The body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for a postmortem.

In another firing incident, three youth, Farooq, 18, son of Yousaf, Maroof, 25, son of Khalil and Qamar, 25, son of Mumtaz, were shot and injured by unknown armed men in Garden. They were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi for treatment. STAFF REPORT

Commuters demand educated staff at Green Bus service KARACHI APP

CNG Green Bus Service started in 2014 from Pakistan Steel Township Gulshan-e-Hadeed to Mereweather Tower via Shahra-i-Faisal and II Chundrigar Road needs immediate administrative attention as commuters complain of violation of rules and inappropriate attitude of the operators of these buses.

The fleet of 35 green buses imported from China is being managed and operated by mostly untrained traditional conductors and drivers with no apparent checks over them. This service was supposed to transport daily a large number of commuters

on this route, especially from distant Bin Qasim Town to and from the main city areas. However, several passengers, who travel on these buses to the places of their jobs and education, complained that they were forced to pay Rs 30 and Rs 40 for traveling to the main city areas from Gulshan-e-Hadeed and other areas of Bin Qasim Town as against Rs 10 and Rs 20 fare approved by the government. The fare lists have never been displayed. The green buses do not follow timings and the designated stops. These buses also do not complete the route on one pretext or another like other transporters do, causing unnecessary delays, said the commuters. They pointed out that

some conductors do not even bother to give tickets. When asked for tickets, they start threatening commuters, they complained. They have also started loading male passengers in the ladies’ compartment. The people mentioned that another CNG bus service inaugurated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah recently does charge Rs 20 fare from one terminal to another - Surjani Town and Mereweather Tower.

“We have no option but to pay whatever conductors demand for traveling to the city for our jobs and education,” the passengers of Gulshan-e-Hadeed to Tower route regretted. The launch of this bus service was very warmly welcomed

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by a large number of commuters of this very busy route, especially by those who travel daily to the city. Simultaneously, many people from the main city shuttling to Export Processing Zone, Landhi Industrial area, Pakistan Machine Tools Factory (PMTF), National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Port Qasim and affiliated industries, Pakistan Steel Mills and Razzaqabad Police Training Centre took this service as a relief for them. The people have urged the authorities concerned to take over the CNG green bus service from the private contractor. They called for a cheap and quality transport facility operated by educated and trained drivers and conductors.

08 COMMENT

Monday, 21 September, 2015

Imran the grumbler He needs to learn

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NSTeAD of putting his house in order Imran Khan blames others for blunders committed by the party itself. It was surprising to find that the PTI had not fielded covering candidates in UC-107. So when the PTI candidate withdrew his nomination, Khan accused the PML-N of employing pressure to force the candidate to throw in the towel. The PTI had to cut a sorry figure when its candidate announced joining the PML-N. Imran Khan has collected around him a rare assortment of hardboiled politicians who know all the tricks of the trade. It’s no use blaming others if the party chief fails to get the best out of the jewels in his crown.

It is a matter of prestige for Imran Khan to get his candidates in NA-122 (Lahore) and NA-154 (Lodhran-I) bye-polls elected. In case of Ayaz Sadiq winning back his seat, it would prove that the charges of rigging levelled by the PTI were wrong. If PTI Secretary General Jahangir Tarin was to lose his seat, it would send a demoralising message to party workers. To prepare his workers mentally for eventualities of the sort, Khan has started accusing Punjab Police of intimidating its candidates and their supporters. he has also demanded the deployment of Pakistan Army during the bye-elections.

Imran Khan’s worries have multiplied on account of the prevailing lack of enthusiasm on the part of the voters in the two constituencies. The code of conduct enforced by the eCP bars Senators, MNAs and MPAs from taking part in the campaign. With all major politicians out, no big election rally is on the cards. The bar being non-discriminatory, it does not benefit or harm any single party. It is highly unusual on the part of Imran Khan to declare that despite the ban he will campaign for Aleem Khan, the PTI candidate in NA-122. Khan would have screamed bloody murder if a political leader from another party had issued an irresponsible statement of the sort. It is time Khan stops being a law unto himself.

Badhaber to Kabul Strain all around

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he Pak-Afghan diplomatic strain following the Badhaber attack marks a bigger win for terrorists, since it is now clear that neither country can win its war against militancy without complete cooperation from the other. Zarb-e-Azb has done a good enough job of securing the Waziristan sanctuary. It has successfully degraded the enemy’s command and control structure. But, since the TTP’s new leadership continues to inflict heavy damage since relocating across the Durand Line, the operation will clearly not come full circle till the Afghans help with the final sweep. And it is a matter of great concern that not only are they not helping, but for years there has been increasing evidence of the NDS helping TTP with logistics, etc.

The Afghans have similar concerns, of course. Yet they too desperately need Islamabad’s help to wind up the insurgency. And just how crucial Pakistan can be became apparent not too long ago, at the time of the Murree talks. If it hadn’t been for the untimely disclosure of Mullah Omar’s passing, there was enough international push to salvage something meaningful from the conference. Unfortunately, though, President Ghani has been forced back from his outreach, and Islamabad and Kabul are back to exchange accusations.

For Pakistan, especially the military, the Badhaber attack is a moment for serious soul searching. Once again security agencies have been unable to prevent a complex attack. That means they failed, again, to pick up chatter at any point of the operation’s planning; which is usually spread over months, if not years. This is a different matter than the Afghan irritation. This exposes loopholes in the network within the borders.

NAP clearly demanded greater cohesion in the scores of intelligence agencies that litter our security landscape.

Obviously such integration is still far from reality. The security apparatus, despite the success of Zarb-e-Azb, needs to improve its functioning urgently if the momentum generated so far is to be maintained. Surely the government realises the cost of being behind the curve in such circumstances. Both internal security and foreign policy, especially with regard to Afghanistan, need to be revitalised to counter strains in all directions.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

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Saffronising India Communal intolerance has overtaken the country

Border Crossing Kuldip Nayar

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NDerSTANDABLY, there is a sense of horror over the Bharatiya Janata Party government’s decision to ‘modernise’ the Jawaharlal Nehru Museum at Tin Murti in New Delhi. The BJP spokesman has explained that the present museum tells only the Nehru side of national struggle for independence, not the entire story.

Ironically, the persons to put forward the demand are those who did not contribute even a bit to the national movement. Their role, if any, helped the British rulers.

What the BJP has in mind is to saffronise the institution. The party made a similar attempt when Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee was at the helm of affairs. But he firmly resisted every move to reinterpret the history. he recognised the role Nehru had played to win freedom and gave him full credit to him. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is of a different kettle of fish. he openly seeks guidance from the rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (rSS), which runs down the national struggle because it was never part of it. re-doing Nehru museum under the Modi rule means the induction of outdated ideas into history. Nehru moulded the nation after independence and gave it a scientific temperament.

Nehru’s biggest contribution was the concept of

secularism. At the time of partition when Pakistan chose to be an Islamic state, he kept India secular. Probably, this is what the BJP does not like and wants to change the very character of the museum. Why does not BJP have a separate museum where it can present the history in the way it wants to do?

Not long ago, I was at Pune and found to my dismay that the Agha Khan Palace, where the British rulers would detain the icons of our freedom struggle, like Mahatama Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, has been converted into an environment park. I have no grudge against parks. But the places, consecrated by the nation’s blood, should have been preserved in their original shape so that the coming generations would see them as they were. Decoration, however honest in intent, extinguishes the original spirit.

In contrast, the Jalianwala Bagh at Amritsar has been preserved as it was. It retains the air of martyrdom and still maintains the centrality of the well. When one sees it, one can imagine how the people must have jumped into it to escape the relentless firing by the British-led soldiers. Why they were punished was because of the ‘humiliation’ of one British woman who she heard the hissing sound while passing through a bazaar. Protesters at the Jalianwala Bagh were only parading against the British rule. Theirs was a struggle for independence. Sadly, after killing hundreds of people, the remark made by one British soldier was that they wished they had more ammunition.

Indeed, places like the Jalianwala Bagh are the real temples. They remind us the pain and pangs of our national struggle and of those who sacrificed all in the fight against the British. The places are in no way less important than the scriptures which we revere and cherish.

Unfortunately, the places of worship—temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras—are becoming more in number and vulgar in decoration. Followers mistakenly have come to believe that the use of marble or gold makes the place more endearing to worshipers.

Unfortunately, the buildings which did not contribute even a bit to the freedom struggle, have come to occupy positions of importance.

Pillars of state Why we need to respect the constitution able to maintain this mandate by delivering on the promises made during the election campaign. Failure to serve results in petitions to the judiciary or impeachment/noconfidence which is a constitutional way of removing a non-performing agent. A government that is weak, for any reason, ultimately results in weakening of the state because these are inseparable ideas. State represents the collective conscience and aspirations of the people while government is the organ through which these ideas are converted into tangible reality.

Now let us look at how the constitution of Pakistan defines a state.

According to article 7, the state means the federal government, parliament, a provincial government, a provincial assembly and such local or other authorities as are by law empowered to impose tax or cess.

From this perspective when respected opinion writers call upon establishment to save state rather than the government they are surely not aware of how constitution of Pakistan defines a state because saving a state would mean protecting the parliament and elected governments. By overthrowing an elected government to install a technocratic government or any other formulation thereof would mean violation of state as per Article 7 of the Constitution of Pakistan. here I am not proposing that the constitution of 1973 truly represents a social contract that can build a stronger nation or that political parties are properly organised to offer good leadership. But as long as a constitution is in force it has to be respected while at the same time

aBdul Quayyum KhaN KuNdi

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VerY now and then there is a wave of articles proposing that it is more important to save the state rather than democracy or a particular government. I don’t know on what bases these appeals are made because either these writers are not aware about what a state is and its relation with a government or they are wilfully misleading people. Let us try to address this question of state and the pillars on which it is erected. This will enable us to decide whether these calls for saving the state by disrupting an elected government are justified or not.

Modern democratic state is erected on three constitutional pillars which are legislature, executive and judiciary. Out of these three two, that is legislature and executive, are created by direct participation of people or in other words they are the agents of sovereign which is the collective body of the people. This means that a strong state is one in which right of the sovereign to appoint agents is exercised through a free and fair elections.

And the elected parliamentarians and executive are

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Islamabad – Ph: 051-2204545

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Still worse are the efforts to substitute the ethos of pluralism with the ideology of parochialism.

It is unthinkable how any party or person can demand a memorial for Nathuram Godse, who killed Mahatma Gandhi.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), an outfit to spread the hindutva feelings should understand and appreciate the emotion which was misguiding the Muslims, at that time. even if it is assumed that the Muslims knowingly marshalled behind the demand for Pakistan, how are the Indian Muslims to blame for what happened 70 years ago?

When we are not blaming the generation, which was supporting the British, why should we pick on the Muslims whose forefathers helped create Pakistan? An average hindu has not forgiven the Muslims for the vivisection of India.

At the time of tension with Pakistan, many hindus still suspect the Muslims. even otherwise, the hindus maintain distance from the Muslims. Social contacts between the two communities are more or less absent.

And both live in the world of their own. It was different in my generation. We visited one another’s house and ate together without feeling that we were doing anything extraordinary.

Today things have changed. A Muslim woman professor told me that one day a few hindu girls stood up in the classroom and asked her why she was in India when she should have gone to Pakistan. None in the classroom objected to the girls’ remarks. I cannot blame the educational system, but I do blame the teachers who had created such an atmosphere where the girls could ask such questions.

True, the partition on the basis of religion has told upon India’s ethos of secularism and lessened the importance of Muslims in the affairs of India. But this feeling goes against the letter and spirit of our constitution. We are not a hindu rashtra but a secular, democratic republic as preamble of our constitution says.

The BJP does not seem to realise that it does not have any Muslim icon in its ranks. I hope that things would change for the better. But how can they when the party wants to establish a hindu rashtra and keeps the Muslim community at distance? Sadly, the party is trying to change the very ethos of our country. even in the midst of our national struggle, we were conscious that the Pakistan sought to be constituted would be an Islamic state. Still, we declared that India, after the British left, would be a secular state and we adhered to that undertaking.

Kuldip Nayar is a veteran Indian journalist, human rights activist and a noted author.

efforts should continue to improve it. I will try to shed light on some articles that are creating hurdles in evolution of Pakistan as a stronger and prosperous nation.

There is an anomaly in the preamble of the constitution. In the preamble it states that ‘the State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the people….’ here it uses the word chosen rather than elected. This anomaly has to be removed because word chosen is not normally used for elected officials as in this case referendum of General Zia-ul-haq and General Musharraf become constitutionally acceptable.

The constitution of 1973 does not clearly define that the temporal sovereignty belongs to the people of Pakistan although it does outline in detail the rights of individual citizen. It only mentions briefly in the preamble that sovereignty belongs to the people of Pakistan. This needs to change and the constitution should clearly stipulate that sovereignty belongs to the citizens of Pakistan and that in their collective interest a state is erected. This was the basic foundation of the Two-Nation Theory as well on which movement for independence was built.

Article 1 states that ‘Pakistan shall be a Federal republic to be known as the Islamic republic of Pakistan, hereinafter referred to as Pakistan.’ Article 2 makes it even clearer: ‘Islam shall be the State religion of Pakistan.’ These articles suggest that the state is a living being or organ with a religion. This is a Western concept rather than Islamic. In Western model organisations, both commercial, public and charitable, are considered living entities in themselves and have rights and obligations. It is for this reason a consumer or state has the right to file a lawsuit against an organisation. There are separate procedures

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for contesting lawsuits between individuals and corporations.

Islamic concept is that humans are individually responsible for all their actions whether they are acting in their singular capacity or as managers of an entity. In the Islamic model when a person reaches to the position of a CeO or president or management, he/she assumes the fiduciary responsibility for any omissions and errors that are accrued. An organisation can provide legal and other resources to the management to fight any litigation as part of the employment agreement so that no injustice is done to them. But organisation in itself has no legal rights or obligations rather these reside in the management structure of it. It is for this reason the caliphs had no immunity from prosecution during their tenure and were frequently called by the Qazi to the court for questioning. In the light of above discussion, a better representation of Article 1 and 2 should be combined to say that Pakistan shall be a Federal republic that represents the moral and social values practised by its majority constituents adhering to Islamic faith, hereinafter referred to as Pakistan.

There are many other articles that needs serious review. The constitution of 1973 has held the nation together for 42 years but it does require some serious reconsideration to offer a social contract that better represents the wishes of the founding fathers, Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam, that wanted Pakistan to be a modern day Medina. It has to properly recognise the sovereignty of all its citizens regardless of their religious persuasion and it has to truly represent the social and moral values of Islam.

Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi is former president of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, USA, and member PTI Advisory Committee.

Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

WORLD VIEW 09

Monday, 21 September, 2015

Turkey’s erdoğan is hanging on for dear life Huffington post

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Behlül Özkan

HE June 7 elections in Turkey spelled the end of 13 years of single-party rule by the Islamist Justice and Development Party.

The electorate’s messages were clear. First and foremost, in the most decisive way, the electorate denied Erdoğan his wish to become the all-powerful executive president of a transformed Turkish political system. The electorate mandated parliament to assume its powers and asked that the political parties form a coalition government that would break the immense centralisation and concentration of power in Erdoğan’s hand.

Following the elections, the country’s three opposition parties — which collectively make up a majority in parliament — might have reopened a parliamentary investigation into corruption allegations against Erdoğan, members of his family, his ministers and his cronies in the media, construction and energy sectors.

However, like the Ottoman sultans of centuries past, Erdoğan resorted to all manner of intrigue to undermine his political opponents and protect himself.

Flouting long-standing precedent, Erdoğan has not allowed any party leader other than Prime Minister Davutoğlu to try to form a government, thwarting efforts to build a coalition within a 45-day window and forcing the country to hold new elections on Nov 1.

Thus, Turkey will hold general elections for the second time this year — a first in its more than six decades of multi-party democracy. In these elections, Erdoğan aims to regain the 18 MPs (out of a 550-member parliament) that he needs to re-establish a singleparty AKP government, and, if possible, change the constitution to create a presidential system. In effect, Erdoğan is saying to voters: give me the majority I need to change the constitution, or suffer the consequences — i.e., political turmoil and social instability.

This has not proved to be an empty threat. Since June 7, Turkey has gradually begun to spiral out of control, with a plummeting currency and a rapidly deteriorating security situation.

Erdoğan has officially declared an end to the twoand-a-half-year peace process he had achieved with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Despite calls for peace by the Kurdish-oriented party HDP and its leader Selahattin Demirtaş, the past two months have seen a ramping up of attacks by the PKK that are taking the country to the brink of civil war. More than 100 soldiers and police officers have lost their lives as a result. As tensions have risen, pro-government mobs — one of which included an AKP deputy — have attacked newspapers, opposition party offices and headquarters with stones and clubs, even setting fire to some buildings. In the midst of a political and security crisis, it is doubtful whether Turkey can hold truly free and fair elections six weeks from now. Why then has Erdoğan opted for such chaos and conflict?

Erdoğan’s ‘klEptocratic rEgimE’ In December of 2013, police and prosecutors launched an investigation into major allegations of AKP corruption. The numerous charges included the awarding of plots of land in prime Istanbul locations to construction firms close to Erdoğan; the smuggling of gold to Iran; and bribes totalling millions of dollars. Erdoğan described these investigations as a “coup attempt” on

the part of the shadowy Gülen Movement (whose leader, Fethullah Gülen, lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania); he then dismissed from duty all prosecutors and police officers involved in the case.

Erdoğan’s echo chamber in the media quickly followed suit, claiming that western countries were conspiring against Turkey. Though the legal investigation itself was called off, dozens of recordings were uploaded to YouTube (where they generated millions of hits) containing incriminating conversations by Erdoğan and his family members, his ministers and his business cronies.

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition party, the CHP, has called for a renewal of the corruption investigations; Kılıçdaroğlu has stirred up controversy in the past by referring to Erdoğan as the “prime thief” and the AKP government as a “kleptocratic regime.”

The AKP’s supporters have mostly shrugged off such accusations, pointing to the rise in living standards under Erdoğan — a viewpoint summed up by the slogan “they steal, but they get things done.” But the surfacing of such massive evidence of corruption has cost the AKP in the ballot box: for the first time since 2002, the party has lost its majority in Parliament. The corruption files will almost certainly be reopened — heralding the beginning of the end for Erdoğan and his circle. Erdoğan evidently hopes that if the peace process with the PKK unravels and the fighting resumes, the resulting chaos will turn the tide in his favour in the Nov 1 elections. But this desperate strategy is fraught with peril. thE turkish army: a dangErous ally In ordering the Turkish army to recommence operations against the PKK, Erdoğan has effectively called off the peace process. Yet relations between Erdoğan and the army — his current would-be ally — have never been smooth. From 2007 onwards, 68 generals — out of a total of 362 generals and admirals in the entire Turkish armed forces — have stood trial on charges of plotting a coup and creating an armed terrorist organisation. In other words, one out of every five generals in the Turkish army has been imprisoned under Erdoğan.

In August 2011, four top generals — including the chief of staff of the — resigned in protest at these prosecutions, widely regarded as show trials. Initially supporting these proceedings, Erdoğan later took a different tack, claiming that they had been conducted by the same

Gülen Movement which later wiretapped Erdoğan himself, and stating that he had been “tricked.” Hundreds of imprisoned generals, colonels and other officers were set free after four years in prison.

It now appears that the PKK was stockpiling large amounts of weapons in cities and in the countryside during the 2013-15 ceasefire, during which the AKP issued strict orders to the army not to conduct anti-PKK operations. Many Turkish officers who were opposed to the ceasefire to begin with surely feel that they are being used as political pawns by Erdoğan, who is now asking them to give their lives fighting the PKK. Last month, at the funeral of his brother who was killed in this conflict, Lt Col Mehmet Alkan shouted, “Who is my brother’s true killer? Who is truly responsible?” Many others attending soldiers’ funerals nationwide have denounced Erdoğan. As one slain soldier’s relative yelled at an AKP minister who showed up at the funeral, “If we had elected Erdoğan president, all these would not have happened at all, correct? You said this yourself. How many more will we sacrifice until we elect him as president? Damn you all.”

It is unclear if these are merely individual opinions or reflect a broader sentiment on the part of the army. One thing, however, is certain: more and more people are coming to view the latest anti-PKK operations as “Erdoğan’s War.” The Turkish army was largely responsible for overthrowing the Ottoman sultan in 1922 and establishing the Turkish Republic; it is understandably apprehensive about being asked to fight on behalf of a modern-day sultan like Erdoğan.

Erdoğan is taking a big gamble in the run-up to the elections. Once able to count on support from both Kurds and Turkish nationalists, he is now losing votes on both sides. Erdoğan’s ploy is to act first as an arsonist and then as a fireman, calculating that Turkish voters, on Nov 1, will entreat him to put out the very fire he has started. However, the fire of the Kurdish conflict is likely to grow more and more uncontrollable. Meanwhile, Erdoğan must deal with the political opposition in Parliament; the corruption charges hanging over his head like the Sword of Damocles; and last but not least, the Turkish army, which has carried out four military coups to date and intervened in politics countless times, which Erdoğan has now brought back into the political fold. Sultan or not, Erdoğan is hardly in an enviable position.

Behlül Özkan is Assistant professor at Marmara University.

How do Indians feel about Narendra Modi’s handling of foreign policy?

Diplomat ankit Panda

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been one of the more dynamic Indian prime ministers when it comes to foreign policy, having visited over 20 countries in his 16 months in office so far. Modi’s efforts have paid off, it seems. New public opinion data released by Pew Research shows that Indians overwhelmingly approve of Modi’s approach to foreign policy. The foreign policy results are somewhat unsurprising given that Pew finds that a whopping 87 per cent of Indians surveyed expressed a favourable opinion toward the prime minister who came to power last May with the strongest mandate for any Indian prime minister in nearly 30 years.

Specifically on foreign policy, 91 per cent of Indians surveyed expressed confidence in Modi’s handling of India’s affairs on the world stage. The prime minister’s tendency to travel widely and frequently, meeting with foreign dignitaries visibly and transpar-

ently, has paid dividends it seems. On relations with the United States, China, and Russia, more Indians approve than disapprove of the prime minister’s handling of relations. The reaction to Modi’s handling of relations with the United States is particularly positive: 66 per cent of respondents approve while just 13 per cent disapprove.

Another telling figure is that while in 2014 just 48 per cent of Indians had confidence in US President Barack Obama “to do the right thing regarding world affairs,” the new data from 2015 shows that now 74 per cent do. Over the past year, Modi and Obama have visited each other’s countries, possibly leading to the up-tick in perceptions of the latter in India. In general, Indians are more optimistic about a range of world leaders propensity to “do the right thing,” including Japan’s Shinzo Abe (36 per cent), Russia’s Vladimir Putin (36 per cent), and even China’s Xi Jinping (29 per cent). Additionally, the Pew data shows that Xi, Abe, and Putin don’t command the same sort of name recognition India that Obama does (17 per cent of Indians

have no opinion of Obama while the numbers for Putin, Abe, and Xi are 49, 47, and 42 per cent respectively).

While more Indians approve than not of Modi’s handling of relations with China and Russia, the data reveals more polarisation regarding relations with these countries than the United States.

For example, 30 per cent of respondents disapprove of Modi’s approach to China while just 39 per cent approve. (The numbers are 29 and 37 per cent for Russia, respectively.)

India’s rival and neighbour to the west, Pakistan, is the one area where Indian public opinion shows some trepidation about Modi’s approach. Indians overwhelmingly cite Pakistan as the biggest threat facing India (86 per cent), following by the Naxalites (82 per cent) and then Lashkar-e-Taiba (74 per cent), an anti-India militant outfit based out of Pakistan. China comes in fourth with 67 per cent of respondents describing it as a serious threat. When it comes to approval of Modi’s approach, more respondents disapproved than approved 50 per cent to 25 per cent. The prime minister’s

decision to cancel foreign secretary-level talks and, more recently, the national security adviser talks has shown his willingness to stand his ground against Pakistan, even when it comes to diplomacy. This hasn’t translated into popularity, even among members of the BJP, the prime minister’s own party.

On Pakistan, a particularly interesting statistic caught my eye. Pew saw it fit to ask Indians if they thought US policy in South Asia favoured India or Pakistan, and, by a ratio of nearly four-to-one, respondents said they thought the US favoured India. This will be music to the ears of many in Washington as, for years, despite US interest in closer strategic cooperation with India, New Delhi resented Washington’s ongoing alliance with Pakistan. In recent years, the US-Pakistan alliance has started to fray, not the least due to the 2011 fracas concerning a covert US raid against Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad. That Indians now see US policy in their favour instead of Islamabad’s is just one more factor abetting a longerterm US-India alignment in South Asia.

The future of the us army Brookings Michael O’hanlOn

On September 17, I had the privilege of testifying before the Congressionallymandated Commission on the Future of the Army. Its members include retired Army generals Carter Ham, Larry Ellis, JD Thurman, and Jack Stultz, former Pentagon officials Robert Hale, Thomas Lamont, and Kathleen Hicks, and former Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler III. It owes the Congress a report early in 2016 with its recommendations for how the American Army should be sized, structured, equipped, and otherwise prepared for its likely future challenges in service to the nation.

The basis for my presentation was my new Brookings book, The Future of Land Warfare. It also constitutes the official written version of my testimony. While endorsing much about today’s US Army, an institution I consider to be in generally good shape (if quite stressed and strained by the wars of the 21st century as well as other challenges), I offered three main arguments before the Commission: Today’s US Army is fairly small by most relevant measures. At just under one million total soldiers, of which just over 450,000 are on active duty and the rest in the National Guard or Army Reserve, it is about 60 per cent the size of the late Cold-War Army.

Adjusted for the fact that today’s American population is larger than it was in the 1980s, today’s Army is in fact only about half its latter Cold-War size relative to the demographic base from which it is derived.

Globally speaking, the United States has about 5 per cent of the world’s population but only 3 per cent of its active-duty soldiers. These statistics are only suggestive, not conclusive. But they imply that any ideas for further cuts to the Army should be viewed with considerable wariness. In fact, I would oppose such proposals.

The Obama administration’s argument, as reflected in its 2012 Defence Strategic Guidance and 2014 Quadrennial Defence Review, that large-scale stabilisation operations should no longer guide force sizing for the Army is mistaken. There is no way to be confident that future largescale stabilisation missions (or related operations involving counterinsurgency, peacekeeping, and/or disaster relief) can be dismissed out of hand. In fact, quite a number could have strong relevance to American national security. In my book, I develop scenarios from South Asia to the Middle East to West Africa to Central America that could be important enough to require a US military response (generally as part of a multinational coalition), should they actually occur.

The “two-war strategy” or “two-war framework” for sizing US ground forces that has guided American defence officials since the Cold War is no longer optimal for future planning purposes. In fact, in the 2014 Quadrennial Defence Review, the second of those two hypothetical wars is no longer considered to be one for which the United States need prepare a dominant and rapid military response. According to that document, it would suffice that the United States “inflict unacceptable damage” upon an enemy in such a second conflict (at least until the first mission was concluded). To my mind, that is a vague and potentially inappropriate goal for American military operations, especially those involving ground forces. As such, I recommend a different paradigm—a “1+2” force sizing construct, with the 1 mission being a high-end war (like another possible conflict in Korea) and the 2 being smaller and multilateral, but potentially long and stressful, simultaneous operations of one type or another. This basis for force planning is in fact no less demanding than that contained in the 2014 Quadrennial Defence Review. But I believe it is more realistic, more intuitive, and therefore more viable as a basis for resourcing and training the Army. It is also more helpful in explaining what the US Army must do to the American people and Congress as well as friends, allies, and other parties around the world.

Michael O’Hanlon specialises in national security and defence policy. Before joining Brookings, O’Hanlon worked as a national security analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. His current research agenda includes military strategy and technology, Northeast Asia, US Central Command and defence budgets, among other defence and security issues.

10 BUSINESS BRUSSELS

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AGENCIES

HE greatest influx of people into Europe in decades is not just a humanitarian emergency, but also a potential stroke of luck for many countries facing the economic threat of an aging population.

A plunge in birth rates means there will be a dearth of European workers in coming years to support the growing number of retirees. So the arrival of thousands of young — and often well-educated — potential workers stands to boost the longterm economic prospects of the region.

The key is how well they are integrated and how many jobs are on offer.

Germany, among the most vocal in welcoming refugees, is also conveniently the country that stands to gain most quickly, as it has a strong labour market with lots of vacancies. But weaker economies like Greece and Italy will take years, even decades, to see positive effects as they struggle to create jobs — though they too face the threat of a demographic time bomb.

“Let us not forget, we are an aging continent in demographic decline,” the president of the European Union Commission, JeanClaude Juncker, said last month in a speech.

“We will be needing talent.”

Before the influx of people began this year, the German statistics office said it expected the country’s population, now 80.8 million, to shrink by a tenth or more by 2060. Germany forecasts its workforce will drop by 6m in the next 15 years.

Welcoming an estimated 800,000 people from Syria, Iraq and other countries this year will cost Germany about 6 billion euros ($6.6bn) next year in welfare support and language training.

But such upfront costs may be recouped through higher economic growth.

Andreas Rees, economist at UniCredit bank, estimates that the flood of new arrivals over the next few years could grow Germany’s economy by an extra 1.7 per cent by 2020. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche made the case this week: “To take into Germany more than 800,000 people who need our help is without a

Monday, 21 September, 2015

EuroPEAn EConoMIEs sTAnD To GAIn FroM InFLux oF PEoPLE

Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, top center, waves as he presents the new S-Class Convertible on the first press day of the Frankfurt Auto Show IAA in Frankfurt, Germany. The car show runs through Sept 27.

doubt a Herculean task, but in the best case, it can also be the basis for the next German economic miracle.”

Sweden, which last year received 80,000 asylum seekers, second highest in the EU behind Germany, also views the newcomers as a net gain, though up-front costs may be stiff. “Because we have an aging population,” Kristina Persson, minister for Nordic cooperation, said, “we have to replace those who leave the labour market.” That may not be so easy in other countries. Greece, which is the first EU country of arrival for many people travelling from the Middle East, has

Middle class flourishing in country, says Dar ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said that foreign investment in the country was increasing due to growing confidence of the international community. In an interview with PTV, he said economic reforms had resulted in increased tax net and tax collections. Dar said that middle class was flourishing in the country due to prudent economic policies of the government. He said the government was intensifying micro finance investment for easy loans. The minister was confident that the government would be successful in ending load shedding by the end of its constitutional tenure. Ishaq Dar said work on electricity projects of 7,000 megawatt was underway. He vowed to make Pakistan 18th largest economy of the world. He said end to load shedding, creation of job opportunities and development of basic infrastructure were top priorities of the government. He said efforts were being made to develop far-flung and backward areas of the country. Equal importance was being given to all sectors, including industry and agriculture, he added. INP

APTMA seeks textile industry package before Eid LAHORE: All Pakistan Textile Mills Association has appealed to the government to announce a relief package for the textile industry before Eid-ul-Azha. APTMA chairman SM Tanveer said on Sunday that textile industrialists were planning downstream integration to add another $13 billion to the exports and help the country to get rid of loans from international donors. An increase of $13 billion export in next three years would create another 13 million jobs in the country, he added. He said high cost of doing business was causing closure of textile industry, which was sustaining losses over the last one year and facing problem to pay salaries to their staff. SM Tanveer urged the government to immediately implement the senate committee on textile industry recommendations on the GIDC (Gas Infrastructure Development Cess) issue, besides imposing 20 percent regulatory duty on the import of textile raw material right from yarn to garments. It would ensure an early revival of the industry, he added. He said the domestic textile industry had a potential of $7 billion per annum. The govt should also announce rebate on the textile exports as an incentive under the focus market policy even if it was unable to devalue Pak rupee against dollar. APP

5th Global Islamic Microfinance Forum to be held in Malaysia LAHORE: The 5th Global Islamic Microfinance Forum will be held on November 24-25, 2015 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, jointly by AKHUWAT and ALHUDA-CIBE. Participants from almost 30 different countries are expected to participate in the forum, wherein a large variety of topics will be discussed at length, including; Islamic Microfinance, Financial Inclusion, Rural development, Use of IT in Microfinance, Micro Takaful, Rural credit, Small business problems and solutions, Shariah Principles and General Economic Development. PRESS RELEASE

an unemployment rate near 25pc, with about half of young people out of work.

It is expected to take a generation to turn the economy around. And the new arrivals know it, preferring to move on to try to reach Germany and the richer countries of Northern Europe.

Ironically, some of the countries in Europe that are most threatened by a drop in birth rates are working the hardest to keep newcomers out. Hungary is one such case. It is sealing its borders with barbed wire and firing tear gas and water cannons to keep migrants away.

In Poland, a shift to smaller-size fam-

ilies years ago means fewer workers now support each retiree, a trend expected to worsen dramatically over the next two decades. So far, Poland has agreed to accept 2,000 refugees. And the Czech government has barely cracked its door open, allowing in just 1,500 migrants, despite a demographic drag on its own economy.

Overall, the politics of welcoming refugees and other migrants is influenced more by cultural and political factors than economic ones. Germany’s economy could benefit from an even greater increase in immigration, experts say, but the government is hesitant. Chancellor An-

Switzerland most innovative country in world KARACHI APP

Global Innovation Index 2015 has placed Switzerland as the world’s most innovative nation followed by the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United States of America. The GII, copublished by Cornell University, INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), surveys 141 economies around the world, using 79 indicators to gauge both innovative capabilities and measurable results.

The GlI-2015 edition Knowledge Partners cited China, Malaysia, Viet Nam, India, Jordan, Kenya, and Uganda among a group of countries outperforming their economic peers. As a whole, the group of top 25 performers “all high income economies” remains largely unchanged from past editions, illustrating that the leaders’ performance is hard to challenge for those that follow. India remains at the top of the regional ranking of Central and Southern Asia this year, followed by Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka, which has sig-

nificantly improved its position. It looks at “effective innovation policies for development” and shows new ways that emerging-economy policymakers can boost innovation and spur growth by building on local strengths and ensuring the development of a sound national innovation environment. Innovation holds far-reaching promise for spurring economic growth in countries at all stages of development, however, realizing this promise was not automatic, said WIPO Director General Francis Gurry.

He was of the opinion that each nation must find the right mix of policies to mobilise the innate innovative and creative potential in their economies.

The GII 2015 finds that a well-coordinated innovation policy plan with clear targets and a matching institutional setup have proven to be a tool for success.

The GII analysis shows that increasing business sophistication - business linkages to science and its institutions, foreign subsidiaries, and the recruitment of scientists - is often the single biggest challenge in developing economies.

gela Merkel has said that foreigners fleeing war or persecution are welcome, but those who have come solely for economic reasons, “must leave our country.”

A migration expert at the OECD in Paris, Jean-Christophe Dumont, said that it’s costlier up front to integrate refugees than other categories of immigrants, because they often need language and vocational training as well as treatment for physical injuries or psychological trauma.

However, refugees, if well integrated, ultimately have a positive impact on the economy, Dumont said. One Australian study found that within 15 years, humanitarian migrants contribute more to their new country of residence than they cost it in benefits. Ulrich Grillo, head of the Federation of German Industries, has said the German government needs to ensure the refugees now arriving are quickly permitted to work. Already, some companies have indicated their willingness to take on some of the newcomers, with Siemens and Deutsche Telekom offering a small number of paid internships.

McDonald’s Germany has said it would help the government provide 20,000 online language courses for asylum-seekers. Zetsche, Daimler’s CEO, has been among the most bullish about migrants’ impact, saying at the Frankfurt auto show this week that anyone who has managed to surmount the obstacles to make it to Germany from the Middle East or Africa has obviously got what it takes to work for him. “I believe anybody who leaves their life completely behind will be highly motivated to learn and work here, and to build a new life,” said Zetsche. “We are looking for exactly this type of person at Mercedes, and everywhere in our country.”

LCCI annual election to be held on 21st, 22nd LAHORE: A tough fight is expected in the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry annual elections being conducted on September 21 and 22.

A total of 2,631 registered voters of corporate sector will elect candidates against eight corporate class seats while 7,800 registered voters of associate class would cast votes to candidates against eight seats.

The last 13 years history of chamber reflected that all candidates of Founder, PIAF Alliance, had been sweeping all seats with majority and held key posts of president, senior vice president and vice president.

The LCCI, since its inception in 1923 and after creation of Pakistan, had produced prominent national political figures namely Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, former federal minister Tariq Hamid and Mian Misbah Ur Rehman, former chairman of SNGPL and Gymkhana Club. The electioneering with holding of series of door-to-door corner meetings followed by lobbying and canvassing has come to end. Chairman of the United Business Group, the largest alliance of chambers in the country, Iftikhar Ali Malik, said that dedicated candidates with integrity, especially educated youth, had been fielded in the chamber election with consensus in a democratic manner. APP

NEPRA to hear FESCO’s multi-year tariff petition today ISLAMABAD AMER MAHMOOD

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will hear on Monday the multiyear tariff petition of the Faisalabad Electricity Supply Company (FESCO) which has been prepared with the assistance of the financial advisors appointed by the Privatization Commission for the privatization of the company.

According to the petition filed by FESCO, the company will make an investment of Rs 56.5 billion in the next five fiscal years to improve its network. It plans to increase the average power tariff from Rs 12.20 per unit in FY2015-16 to Rs 13.17 per unit in FY 201920. The company plans to reduce its line losses from the current 10.90 percent to 9.98 percent within next five years. The company plans to increase its distribution margin from Rs 1.93 per kWh to Rs 2.11 per kWh in next five years.

The petition says that it has been prepared with the assistance of financial advisors hired

for the privatization of the company. The FESCO also informs that it will have to hire more than 3,000 staff to smoothen the operations before privatization.

It is important to mention that the multiyear tariff is being made on the demand of the international financial institutions to offer the company to the investors. The government has already given its commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it will be privatizing FESCO, IESCO and LESCO during the current financial year. Privatization of public sector companies is one of the major conditionality of the IMF under its loan programme.

In response to FESCO’s petition, the NEPRA has framed 29 issues to be answered by the company which soon go under the hammer. The NEPRA has asked whether the petitioner reference return on regulatory asset based on projected rate of return of 18.91 percent for FY 2015-16 is justified for future adjustments till FY 2019-20? Whether the load demand forecast provided by FESCO is justified?

Whether the base line conditions identified by the FESCO in its five years investment plans truly reflective of its prevailing performance and conditions? How the FESCO will ensure timely implementation and completion of the committed projects identified under its investment plans? Whether the FESCO has arranged the funds required to undertake these projects?

Whether the generation addition by setting up new IPPs, as provided by the FESCO, are consistent with the generation expansion plans of NTDC in next five years? The FESCO is required to submit year wise rationale in respect of cost-benefits through investing the abovementioned amount and improvement in its existing networks such as improvement in HT/LT ratios and average length per 11 kV feeder. The FESCO needs to provide details by linking it to historical data. The FESCO showed cumulative savings in terms of reduction in power losses as 18.8 MW, energy savings as 91.05 GWh and a cumulative decrease of 1.16 percent in projected losses over next five years.

LEISURE 11

Monday, 21 September, 2015

HAGAR tHE HoRRIbLE

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

You've got a big dream -- maybe more than one -- and today is a good time to get to work on it. Things may start to look really great, but only if you're willing to put in some sweat equity!.

You may not quite understand what's going on today, but that doesn't mean that you're helpless. In fact, if you keep at it, you are sure to pick up what you need to know along the way.

Put off delicate communication for at least one more day. You can usually fake your way through almost anything, but today, your energy may fail you at exactly the wrong time. Hold off!.

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

Your decision making is sound today -- and your energy is good enough that you should find it simple to explain yourself. Things should make quite a bit of sense by this time tomorrow!.

Nothing is clear!

You need to hold off on any big projects until you get all the information you need, and that is likely to take another day at the very least. Move forward slowly, if at all.

It's not a productive day, but you can still feel satisfied when all is said and done. You may want to try something a little different when circumstances start to line up against you.

GARFIELD

LIBRA

SCORPIO

SAGITTARIUS

Your flexibility is key to something new and big today -- so it's a good idea to stretch out before you take on anything serious! Experiment with new ideas and points of view to come out ahead.

Your artistic side is fully engaged with the world today, and you should be able to see your immediate situation in a new way. That could lead to a much rosier outcome if you stay positive.

Today is all about expanding horizons, so get out there and try new things. You may find that your energy is better for socializing than it is for hard work, but you may have to do both.

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Compassion comes more easily to you on a day like today -not that it's ever that hard to draw it out! You may need to prioritize between several people or groups in need, so get ready.

Take a little extra care with people today -you can tell that they're more delicate, and there's just no need for you to make their situation any worse. Score a little extra karma!.

Transform your life today -something needs to change, and you can tell that your energy is just right for making it so. You should find it easier than ever to make a real, positive difference!.

cRosswoRD

sUDoKU

woRD sEARcH

ACROSS

bRIDGE

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.

ISOLATION LICE LIGhT MOTEL NATION PATCh PLAIT POLICy REPORT RISE SERIAL SEVER ShOT SOLE SwALE TORNAdO VANISh

Today’s soluTions

UnFAvoRAbLE REsULt

cHEss white tO PLAY AND MAte iN fOur MOVes 8

crossword solution

7 6 5 4 3 2

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

chess solution 1.Kb4+ Kd5 2.e4+ Kd4 3.Qa2! threatens 4 Qd5 mate 3...Kxe4 [3...Ke5 4.d4+; 3...Kd3 4.Qc4+ Kxd2 5.Qa2+] 4.d3+ *

1

sudoku solution

1 fuddy-duddy (5-2-3-3) 8 Chaps (3) 9 LSO, for example (9) 10 Indian city, centre of the Sikh faith (8) 11 Mysterious (4) 13 Shade of red (6) 14 Large monkey with a doglike muzzle (6) 16 Notorious Roman emperor, d. Ad 68 (4) 17 Australian mammal with large bill and webbed feet (8) 20 Try — Cook's vessel (9) 21 Curve (3) 22 Novel, muscial and film about Jean Valjean (3,10) DOwn 1 Pacific island nation, capital Apia (5) 2 Skye's location (5,8) 3 Swiss winter sports resort (8) 4 drink of the gods (6) 5 Achilles's weak spot (4) 6 Iridescent material used in ornamentation (6-2-5) 7 Poker-faced (7) 12 Germs (8) 13 Set — go clean (anag) (7) 15 Bill Clinton's vice president (2,4) 18 dissenting cliques (5) 19 Ankle-length skirt (4)

BAChELOR BLOOM CLEAR CLIMB COMPANION CREEd dALE dISTANCE EAGER EVIdENT ExCESSIVE fANCy fARThER GARBAGE GLAdE hILLTOP hISTORy

12

Monday, 21 September, 2015

ARTS

RESEARCH TERMS POPULAR ANTIDEPRESSANT DEADLY FOR TEENS

F

AGENCIES

Or years, the drug company GlaxoSmithKline was illegally persuading doctors to prescribe paroxetine, sold under the brand name Paxil, as an antidepressant for children and teenagers.

They did so by citing what’s known as Study 329 — research that was funded by the drug company and published in 2001, claiming to show that Paxil is “well tolerated and effective” for kids.

That marketing effort worked. In 2002 alone, doctors wrote two million Paxil prescriptions for children and adolescents, according to foreign TV channel.

But now here’s the horrifying news: A major new analysis of the raw data behind Study 329, published in BMJ, suggests that the original conclusions were wildly wrong. Not only is Paxil ineffective, work-

ing no better than placebo, but it can actually cause serious side effects, including self-injury and suicide. Unlike the original study, this follow-up research isn’t funded by the drug manufacturer. And the researchers found that GSK had manipulated their data and selectively downplayed the harms of the drug in their analysis This isn’t the first controversy around Paxil —

or this study. The FDA originally approved Paxil in 1992 for use as an antidepressant for adults, not for adolescents. But between 1998 and 2003, GSK illegally tried to persuade doctors to prescribe the drug to adolescents anyway, using Study 329.

The New York State Attorney General’s office eventually found out what was going on with Paxil (and fraudulent

activities related to other GSK drugs), sued GSK, and the company pleaded guilty to the wrongdoing, paying out $3 billion in fines. Through legal discovery, it became clear that the company knew their data on Paxil for teens was problematic, even hiring a Pr firm to ghostwrite Study 329. In 2004, the FDA added an explicit “black box warning,” recommending against Paxil’s use in adolescents. This latest research casts that whole episode in an even more appalling light.

Not only was GSK illegally marketing the antidepressant for “off-label” uses, but the new research shows exactly how horribly flawed and misleading Study 329.

And the end result was that doctors were prescribing an antidepressant — to kids — that doesn’t work any better than placebo and could lead to suicide. Drug companies are pushing to market more drugs for off-label uses.

DAD USES DRONE TO PULL DAUGHTER’S FRONT TOOTH OUT NEW YORK AGENCIES

‘GOOGLE FORTUNETELLING’PREDICTING THE FUTURE OF WARSTRUCK MIGRANTS NEWS DESK The internet is all buzzed with this latest application by the name of Google ‘Fortunetelling- Predict Your Future’. This App claims that you can ask any sort of future relating queries.

The shocking thing here is that this betagoogle.com is a bogus Google site. The portal looks identical to the homepage of Google and the logo it has selected is of a new company aimed to look more genuine and to lure more customers into their website.

Surprisingly, when you start to type something in search box, pre-set questions like ‘Will humans ever stop fighting’, ‘Is there a place where they will accept me’, ‘Will I be ever united with my family’ pops up.

There is an option – ‘Predict My Future’, which an individual will have to click after selecting the question and after clicking, the user will be redirected to a page where he or she is supposed to get an answer. The answer that turns out is not what one would have expected.

Now you will get to know that Google Fortunetelling is not a future predicting website, but a project intended to create awareness about those 60 million refugees; who are not sure if people are ever going to accept them without any discrimination or about what their future holds.

Thousands of migrants are expected to move from war struck countries like Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria to Europe. These people have no clue about their future.

The responsibility of this site is taken by Brainmedia, a creative communications agency based in Netherlands. They confirmed their association with the website and stated that the website is linked to the donation page of United Nations refugee Agency, UNHCr. “The campaign is very successful worldwide right now; it’s amazing. We are very happy that people care about this problem and are sharing it and creating awareness around the world.”

Says Jort Boot, owner of BrainMedia. This website is a great initiative in encouraging internet users to help the refugees financially. The website also asks you to share it on twitter and Facebook to make more people aware about this good cause.

Most of us have vivid memories of losing our first tooth. But one little girl in the US decided she wanted her experience to be downright unique, asking her dad to help her take it out using a drone. In the video, the girl’s very excited father says that “[we’re] pulling out a tooth today with a drone”. He then attaches one end of dental floss to the contraption, and the other end to his daughter’s wobbly incisor. The girl, who looks just a bit nervous, stands still as her father gets the drone flying in the air.

Once the drone is airborne, the father asks his daughter if she’s ready for what’s coming next (apparently, she is). Counting down from three to one, he then controls

the drone to pull out her tooth. The tooth is promptly yanked out, and all and sundry whoop with excitement as the girl searches the ground for her missing molar. Another person

can be heard on the video saying, “I can see the little tooth coming in.”

It’s unclear when or where the clip was filmed or who the family is, but the video has become a viral hit.

Now, selFie spooN that lets you take pictures while you eat

A ‘selfie spoon’ that extends up to 30 inches can make meals more fun by allowing you to take photos of yourself while you eat. The ‘selfie spoon’ is a selfie stick with a spoon at the end that extends up to 30 inches (76.2 cm) so people can take photos of themselves while eating. The General Mills brand Cinnamon Toast Crunch created this new spin on the selfie stick to solve the problem of “choosing between eating and posting” a selfie, foreign press reported/ To use the selfie spoon, users have to turn on the Bluetooth feature on their smartphones. There is a gray button that takes photos on Android phones and one that takes photos on iOS devices. Selfie spoons can be ordered for free on SelfieSpoon.com, though customers do have to pay for shipping. COURTESY PTI

sarah paliN lashes out at MusliM schoolboy over hoMeMade clock NEWS DESK Known for her controversial statements, US politician Sarah Palin lashed out at US President Barack Obama for supporting a Muslim schoolboy who was arrested and dragged out in handcuffs for bringing a homemade clock to class. Palin took to Facebook to voice her displeasure at the president’s decision to invite the teenager to the White House and also condemned the “reactionary-slash-biased media” for siding with the boy and defending his “dangerous wired-up bomb-looking contraption.” “Yep, believing that’s a clock in a school pencil box is like believing Barack Obama is ruling over the most transparent administration in history.

Right. That’s a clock, and I’m the Queen of England,” Palin wrote in a Facebook post in which she shared pictures of her kids’ pencil boxes. In her post, the former Alaska governor also mentioned her daughter, Bristol, who had criticised Obama for promoting racial tension by inviting the teenager to the White House and cited examples of other students who had also been suspended from school for innocent deeds. “Friends, consider the kids disciplined and/or kicked out of school for bringing squirt guns to school or taking bites out of a pop tart until it resembled (to some politically correct yahoo) a gun.

Or the student out deer hunting with his dad early one morning who forgot he had a box of ammo in his truck when he parked in the school’s lot later that day,” she wrote. “Whereas Ahmed Muhammad, an evidently obstinate-answering student bringing in a homemade ‘clock’ that obviously could be seen by conscientious teachers as a dangerous wired-up bomblooking contraption (teachers who are told “if you see something, say something!”) gets invited to the White House,” she added. Palin also took Obama to task for “jumping in cases prematurely to interject himself as the cool savior” and said that his practice of attaching himself to the “issue-of-the-day, got old years ago.”

“Remember him accusing police officers doing their job as ‘acting stupid’; claiming if he had a son, he’d look like Trayvon Martin; claiming he needed to know who was a fault in an industrial accident so he’d ‘know who’s a** to kick’; etc, etc. Those actions are about as presidential as his selfie stick,” she added. Palin’s daughter had accused Obama of egging racial tension and according to her, “This is the kind of stuff Obama needs to stay out of.”

Palin’s opinion is shared by only a minority of Americans as people from the US and around the globe took to social media in support of Ahmed Mohamed. The local community also staged a prayer vigil outside the school where he was arrested.

Apple targeted as hackers infect popular Chinese mobile apps with malware BEIJING AGENCIES

Some of the most popular Chinese names in Apple Inc.’s App Store were found to be infected with malicious software in what is being described as a first-of-its-kind security breach, exposing a rare vulnerability in Apple’s mobile platform, according to multiple researchers. The applications were infected after software developers were lured into using a compromised version of Apple’s developer tool kit, according to researchers at Alibaba Mobile Security, a mobile antivirus division of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. The list of recently compromised iPhone and iPad offerings includesTencent Holdings Ltd.’s popular mobile chat

app WeChat, Uber-like car-hailing app Didi Kuaidi, and a Spotify-like music app from Internet portal NetEase Inc. The attack affected more than three dozen apps in all, according to U.S.-based cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks Inc. The infected apps can transmit information about a user’s device, prompt fake alerts that could be used to steal passwords to Apple’s iCloud service, and read and write information on the user’s clipboard, according to researchers.

Apple didn’t have an immediate comment. In separate statements posted to social media over the weekend, Tencent, Didi Kuadi Joint Co. and NetEase said their applications had been compromised but said no sensitive customer information had been lost.

It is unusual for malware to spread

CMYK

through Apple’s App Store, which typically subjects apps to stringent reviews.

In a blog post Thursday, Palo Alto Networks said the attack was the first of its

type directed at Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. Chinese anticensorship activist group Greatfire.org called it “the most widespread and significant spread of malware” in the app store’s history.

Other apps found infected with the malware include those belonging to staterun mobile carrier China Unicom, and 12306, the country’s official train-booking website, researchers said. China Unicom and China’s railway bureau did not immediately respond to faxed requests for comment Sunday. It wasn’t clear Sunday how the infected apps made it past Apple’s screening process, or whether the breach had resulted in any user information being stolen, though researchers said millions of devices could have been exposed based on the popularity of the apps in question.

Monday, 21 September, 2015

ARTS

13

Bin Roye scReened in BelaRus with Russian suBtitles

a

News Desk

FTeR successful houseful shows in over 12 countries since its release, Bin Roye becomes the first Pakistani movie to make it to Belarus, a landlocked country in eastern europe.

Bin Roye was screened on the opening day of Pakistani Film Festival in Minsk, which was inaugurated by the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Pervaiz Rashid.

The socio-romantic drama movie by HUM Films & MD

Fame was amazing but psychologically demanding, says Robert Pattinson Actor Robert Pattinson, who found fame early in his career with the Twilight franchise, says if you get famous as quickly as he did, it’s important to take good care of one’s mental health. The Maps to the Stars actor shared that his personal growth stopped very soon in life, all credits to the attainment of fame at a very young age.

“It was amazing, but a little demanding psychologically. It only becomes clear much later though. My advice would probably be: take good care of your mental health. If you get famous as quickly as I did, your personal growth stops suddenly,”a German magazine quoted Pattinson as saying.

The 29-year-old also shared that he was in shock with all the limelight and fame back then when he was 22, but now he has regained control. COURTESY IANS

Best-selling author Jackie collins dies of breast cancer NEW YORK: Best-selling author Jackie Collins, whose 32 hugely popular but often controversial steamy novels chronicled the fast and extravagant life of the Hollywood glamorous set and of Mafia families, died on Saturday, reports said. She was 77. The cause of death was breast cancer, her family said in a statement, reported the New York Times. “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beautiful, dynamic and one-of-a-kind mother,” the statement said. In a career spanning four decades, all 32 of her novels appeared in the New York Times bestseller list.

The family statement said the writer lived “a wonderfully full life”, adored by family, friends and readers. Collins was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer six-and-a-half years ago, according to US celebrity magazine People. AGENCIES

Films has not only proved to be a hit amongst audiences from all around the globe but has become a record crusher in the history of Lollywood.

The opening ceremony of the Pakistani film festival, held at the Tsentralny cinema house was also attended by Belarus Culture Minister Boris Svetlov, Akhtar Viqar Azeem and other dignitaries who enjoyed the movie thoroughly and appreciated the introduction of Pakistani film in Minsk and hoped that it would help create better understanding between the two cultures.

The Information Minister, in

his brief remarks, said there was a wide scope of cooperation between the two counties in diverse fields.

He said interaction in education, culture and trade would help create better understanding between the two countries and lead to increased economic activity.

He expressed hope that the film festival would serve to be the first drop of rain in the cooperation between filmmakers of the two countries and that film is the most powerful mass media tool as it helps remove misconceptions and brings different cultures and nations closer.

Former Coke Studio producer Rohail Hyatt to come up with Sprite music event News Desk The former producer of Coke Studio (Season 1-6) Rohail Hayyat is someone who made Coke Studio, what it is today, and the most watched music show of the subcontinent.

Rohail Hayyat left it after its 6th edition, a stir is going on, whether he will be coming back in the show or not? Although, after passing 7th season under production of Strings, many people claimed that Coke Studio has lost its charm without Rohail. And many rumors of his comeback for

8th edition were lit. But now you will be seeing Rohail producing a music event of Sprite, some reliable sources told. It is said that the upcoming initiative will be something never seen before in Pakistan, although it’s not yet confirmed.

Rohail’s interview with BBC was perceived as he’ll be making return in the 8th edition, although he denied such rumors and posted via his Facebook Page: “Just for the record, I’m not producing the next season of Coke Studio Pakistan (2015). I think BBC interview is being interpreted by some as if I am producing this season.

What I meant to say was that I would like to produce my 7th sea-

Lady Gaga’s new music video depicts campus sexual assault

News Desk Gaga revealed during an interview that she was raped by a music producer when she was 19. Lady Gaga has released a new music video of her old song Til It Happens to You, which is based on the subject of college campus rapes and sexual assaults. The 29-year-old songstress’ latest emotional music video, which was

recorded earlier in 2015 with Diane Warren for the documentary The Hunting Ground, has been shot entirely in black and white and depicts several women being assaulted at fraternity parties and in dorm rooms, Us Magazine reported.

Women are also shown crying and writing phrases like, Believe me and “Sometimes I hate myself” on their arms before being comforted by their loved ones.

son of Coke Studio one day. I hope this clears any confusion.”

Sonam’s relationship advice may be the best thing you’ve heard all day Sonam Kapoor wants young girls to move ahead from those things that are not working best for them. The Khoobsurat actress wants to advise all young girls that “it’s not only about relationships but correct things that work for you”.

Sonam — who has joined hands with L’Oréal Paris for ‘Change your Shampoo, Change your Hair’ — spoke about her involvement in the campaign. “Honestly the reason why I decided to do this campaign because I loved the idea of finding the correct fit for you and trying to find things that works best for you,” Sonam told IANS about her involvement with the campaign. COURTESY IANS

Virat Kohli surprises Anushka Sharma in London News Desk Love is in the air for the Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli. The couple never fails to surprise each other and the recent gesture by the cricketer is going to set a new example for all relationships.

Virat wooed his ladylove once again by paying her a surprise visit in London where she is shooting for her upcoming

ali ZaFaR hosts Jam night at new house LAHORE: Famous Pakistani singer and actor Ali Zafar has converted the basement of his newly-bought villa into a recording studio and hosted a jam night recently. According to details, Ali Zafar had gifted a four-bedroom villa; spread over 15,000 square feet, in Lahore, to his wife Ayesha. In a recent jam night, among the guests was musician-actor Fawad Khan who was accompanied by wife Sadaf, Goher Mumtaz from rock band Jal and Ali Azmat from the Sufi rock band Junoon. Ali said “The idea was to come together and create real music in my own jam room; we started at 10 pm and jammed on everything, from Kishore Kumar classics to popular rock numbers. We’ll be having another bash soon.”

In a reply to a question about Fawad Khan Ali said “We have been friends for years but Fawad doesn’t sing much anymore.” STAFF REPORT

film. “Virat was supposed to visit Anushka who’s currently shooting in London for Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil with Ranbir Kapoor. Anushka knew Virat would be coming on September 20 but the cricketer surprised her by reaching on Friday, two days earlier from the planned date,” a source was quoted as saying. But the actual surprise was when he joined the crowd of fans waiting

for the NH10 actress. “Anushka was just coming out of her hotel when there was a crowd of fans waiting to click pictures with her. Virat, too posed as a fan and asked her for a selfie,” the source added.

Be it Virat’s disappointing performance during the World Cup or Anushka’s box office failure Bombay Velvet, the couple has always stood by each other through the highs and lows of their careers.

Ali Zafar takes charge of PSL anthem LAHORE: An unveiling ceremony of the logo and official anthem of the much-hyped Pakistan Super League is just around the corner. The anthem of the biggest sporting event in the recent history of Pakistan is being helmed by the superstar and singer, Ali Zafar. Not only has Ali penned the lyrics of the anthem, but has also sung and produced it in his newly established studio. Ali has recently delivered two mega hit songs in the ongoing season of Coke Studio, Rockstar and Aye Dil, with being having been immensely loved for bringing out a new version of Ali Zafar and that too with a bang. PSL is being launched at a glossy and starry event on September 20th, Sunday. The event will see the biggest stars from the worlds of cinema, music, TV and fashion come together to support this historical event Pakistan is hosting in Doha, Qatar in February. The event is not going to be about cricket only. It will feature music and entertainment too. Two of the biggest names in the country’s music, Strings and Ali Zafar, promise to entertain audiences at the event. STAFF REPORT

CMYK

NADIA JAMIL #JPNA more than just a barrel of laughter per second, its a reminder of Pakistans great gift of being able to find the humour in everything

RABIA VIRK Our PSL has no comparison with IPL.. It will be more entertaining than IPL.. #AbKhelKeDikha

SARCASM i may look like im listening to music but really i have my volume on zero & im listening to everyone's conversations bc im a true spy kid

SYED ALI ABBAS ZAIDI The light of my life - meri zindagi ki batti #UrduTranslations

14 SPORTS

Monday, 21 September, 2015

IndIa a claIm serIes wIn after raIna ton INDIA A 297 FOR 6 (RAINA 104, SAMSON 90, CHAND 41) BEAT BANGLADESH A 141 FOR 6 IN 32 OVERS (SABBIR 41*) BY 75 RUNS (D/L METHOD)

I

SPORTS DESK

N a game that was continually interrupted by rain, Suresh Raina’s century underpinned a solid allround performance from India A as they subdued Bangladesh A by 75 runs and claimed the series 2-1. Raina’s 116-run partnership with Sanju Samson 90 off 99 balls - boosted India A’s total to 297 for 6 before their seamers and spinners colluded well to unhinge the visitors.

Bangladesh A’s chase began on a discordant note, as Soumya Sarkar played Dhawal Kulkarni onto his stumps in the second over. They slipped to 4 for 2 nine balls later as S Aravind celebrated his India call-up by having Anamul Haque caught at mid-on. After a 21-minute rain interruption, their target was revised to

290 in 46 overs.

Bangladesh A kept losing wickets at regular intervals as the spinners - Kuldeep Yadav, playing his first game of the series, and Karn Sharma - ensured there was no let up in the pressure created by the seamers. Liton Das and Mominul Haque added 44 for the fourth wicket, but Kuldeep dismissed both of them in quick succession to ensure the chase was in free fall. Sabbir Rahman produced some sparkling strokes, but by the time rain interrupted again, Bangladesh A were at 141 for 6, a considerable way behind their D/L par score of 216.

India A had opted to bat at the toss, but early morning conditions meant runs would only come drip by drip. The home side also had to contend with Mayank Agarwal’s departure in the third over after he nicked Shafiul Islam to the wicketkeeper. Unmukt Chand, who had been stuck in single digits for 32 balls, and Samson, promoted to No. 3, began mending things patiently.

The scoreboard read 35 for 1 at the end of 10 overs, largely due to an energetic display by the Bangladesh A newball bowlers. Al-Amin Hossain’s open-chested action resulted in plenty of

inward movement and Shafiul got the ball to lift off a length. But, as India A coach Rahul Dravid observed at the start of the series, the Bangalore surface tended to calm down after an early hostile phase.

Chand and Samson, by then, were up to speed with the pitch’s character, and were also helped by some anodyne bowling from Sarkar. Rubel Hossain was cranking up the pace at the other end but Chand took him on, dispatching a brace of boundaries, the second one almost daring the deep point to catch him out. Samson, meanwhile, played some cracking punches, pulls and late cuts but their 82run partnership was terminated when Chand was bowled by Arafat Sunny after he attempted to cut one that came in with the angle.

Raina’s entrance invigorated the innings further as he and Samson took turns to jump out of the crease against the spin of Nasir Hossain and Sunny. Both batsmen favoured the wallop over midwicket apart from their signature strokes: Raina repeatedly executed the swat to the leg side while Samson relished the inside-out shots. Samson was 10 runs short of his maiden List A century when Rubel produced a neat trick: a ball that had been

veering in held its line, beat the batsman and bowled him. Kedar Jadhav and Gurkeerat Singh, who was selected in India’s ODI squad, were dismissed in quick succession as well, but Raina simply dialled up the intensity of his assault.

He completed his century in 91 balls,

DHONI RETURNS TO CAPTAIN INDIA FOR SAFRICA SERIES

NEW DELHI AGENCIES

India named Sunday uncapped allrounder Gurkeerat Singh in the one-day squad for the first three matches against South Africa which will also see veteran Mahendra Singh Dhoni return to captain the side.

Singh, 25, who has impressed with both the bat and the ball in the Indian junior side, replaced Ravindra Jadeja while leg spinner Amit Mishra came in for seamer Dhawal Kulkarni.

Dhoni, who retired from Test cricket during a disappointing tour of Australia last year, returns to lead the ODI and T20I squads, after Virat Kohli

led India to a Test-series victory in Sri Lanka this month.

The selectors said they did not consider changing the limited-over captaincy, quashing speculation of any retirement by the Indian wicketkeeperbatsman from the shorter formats of the game.

The 34-year-old, who won the World Twenty20 on his captaincy debut in 2007, has scored 8,620 runs from 265 ODIs at an average of 52.24.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan, recovering from a hand fracture, is included in both squads.

For the three T20 internationals, selectors picked uncapped Karnataka seamer Sreenath Aravind, who has played 41 first-class matches.

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami, undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury he suffered during the tour of Australia, was not considered for either squad.

The teams for the remaining two one-dayers and the four-Test series will be named later.

South Africa begin the gruelling tour with a practice match in New Delhi on September 29, with the first T20 to be played in Dharamsala on October 2.

ODI squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Gurkeerat Singh, Amit Mishra.

T20 squad: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Sreenath Aravind, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra.

AUSTRALIA ROPE IN SRIRAM AS CONSULTANT SPORTS DESK Australia have brought on former India international Sridharan Sriram as a coaching consultant for their Test series in Bangladesh in October, with the aim of helping their players adjust to the conditions better. Sriram, who is an assistant coach with the IPL franchise Delhi Daredevils, had worked with the Australia A squad that toured India in July and August.

None of the players in Australia’s new-look squad led by Steven Smith have played Test cricket in Bangladesh before.

“I’ve played international cricket for India and I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge of subcontinent

conditions with the squad,” Sriram told the Cricket Australia website. “The Australian cricket team talks about one-percenters and my role will be to contribute that one percent to help the team adapt to the conditions and opponents quickly, which can ultimately influence the outcome of the game.

“In the long run, I see myself as someone who can help the Australian batsmen become better players of spin bowling and also help spinners understand the psyche and technique of different batsmen and adapt to different conditions.”

Sriram played eight ODIs for India between 2000 and 2004, and also has the experience of 133 first-class matches and 147 List A games.

and along with Rishi Dhawan, who turned to unconventional shots for an unbeaten 15-ball 26, pushed the team’s score past 290. Raina fell with two balls to go in the innings, but by then he had done sufficient damage, helping India A ransack 87 runs in the last 10 overs.

INDIA PICK GURKEERAT FOR ODIS, ARAVIND FOR T20IS SPORTS DESK Uncapped Punjab allrounder Gurkeerat Singh has been included in India’s ODI squad for the first three matches against South Africa in October, while uncapped Karnataka seamer S Aravind was picked for the T20 internationals. The players left out from the full-strength ODI squad that had toured Bangladesh were allrounder Ravindra Jadeja and seamer Dhawal Kulkarni. Gurkeerat, who bowls offspin took Jadeja’s spot in the squad while legspinner Amit Mishra came in for Kulkarni. Gurkeerat, 25, had two impressive outings for India A recently. He had taken 2 for 42 and scored an unbeaten 87 in the tri-series final victory against Australia A in August, and then he made 65 and took 5 for 29 against a Bangladesh A team comprising several international players in the first one-day game in Bangalore. “Gurkeerat was picked looking at his all-round capabilities,” Sandeep Patil, the chairman of selectors, said. “The demands of the game are such that we need more allrounders.” The selectors, who met in Bangalore on Sunday afternoon, said they had not contemplated any change in the captaincy, with MS Dhoni returning to lead the ODI and T20I squads after Virat Kohli had captained India to a Test series win in Sri Lanka.

Dhoni had retired from Test cricket during the tour of Australia last year. “We have not discussed anything regarding the ODI captaincy,” Patil said. “We are very happy the way Dhoni has led. We have total backing for Dhoni during this series.” Fast bowler Mohammed Shami was not included in either squad because he is still undergoing rehabilitation for the knee injury he suffered during the tour of Australia in 2014-15. Shami last played for India during the 2015 World Cup and been sidelined from all competitive cricket since. India did not pick any of their fastest bowlers - Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron or Ishant Sharma - for the T20 internationals, preferring the medium pace offered by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohit Sharma, Aravind, and Stuart Binny.

ODI squaD: MS Dhoni (captain), R Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Gurkeerat Singh, Amit Mishra

T20I squaD: MS Dhoni (captain), R Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohit Sharma, Rohit Sharma, S Aravind, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra

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Monday, 21 September, 2015

BcB plannIng to decentralIse crIcket admInIstratIon

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SPORTS DESK

ANGLADESH cricket could take its first step towards the game’s decentralisation at an administrative level by the end of 2015, vice-president Mahbubul Anam said. The long-awaited regional cricket association is set to be launched as a pilot project in one of the country’s eight divisions. Speaking at a discussion seminar called “our cricket at the grassroots,” organised by Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association, Mahbubul said they were looking to develop a local capacity and a separate cricket calendar in various divisions so that cricket is not solely run from their Dhaka headquarters.

The BCB constitution defines regional cricket associations as bodies to run cricket in the different administrative divisions of Bangladesh. It states the BCB should ensure that cricket is run across the country through the regional and District Sports Associations (DSA).

While the DSAs are formed and run by the government in all 64 districts of the country, the regional cricket bodies haven’t seen the light of day despite being in the works for nearly two decades and being included in the

board’s constitution since 2012.

Mahbubul admitted that cricket is currently being run on the basis of the game’s popularly rather than a proper decentralised system. “By December, we will separate at least one of the divisions as a pilot project,” Mahbubul said. “It will have a separate calendar. We have to take the facility to the people, but can’t expect the people to come to the facility. We have to build local capacity, without which we cannot run a regional cricket association.”

“Currently we are running cricket on popularity but we have one of the lowest participation levels in formal cricket. We can’t keep running cricket on passionate organisers. We have to ensure that there is balance between voluntarism and professionalism at the grassroots level.”

The seminar invited diverse voices from across Bangladesh, including coaches and organisers from places like Comilla, Madaripur, Rajshahi and Barisal. The programme became a platform for the BCB, represented by Mahbubul, game development committee chairman Khaled Mahmud and game development manager Nazmul Abedeen, to listen to the myriad of issues that are holding back the game’s expansion across the country.

AISAM-AQEEL DUO GIVES PAKISTAN 2-1 LEAD ISLAMABAD AGENCIES

Former Bangladesh captain Khaled Mashud, who transformed Rajshahi cricket almost single-handedly, said that facilities were not a problem in his region, but alleged that poor management was the cause behind Rajshahi’s recent troubles in the domestic first-class competition. Badrul Huda, the veteran coach and organiser from Comilla, said that regionally one of the biggest problems was the lack of local leagues. In his district, he said, there was only one league, which was a knockout competition.

Mashud said that the league in Rajshahi

did not have a relegation system, rendering it meaningless.

Cutting out the relegation in a league means that the person seeking councillorship [representation] to the BCB will be guaranteed a vote from a set number of clubs, without risking losing their support. Mashud urged the BCB to stop funding to the districts that do not organise league competitions.

Mahmud, also a former Bangladesh captain, said that most of what had been said in the seminar was a true picture of the grassroots of Bangladesh cricket.

India to make final decision on Pakistan series next month US WOMEN REGAIN SOLHEIM CUP WITH MASSIVE COMEBACK What the Ryder Cup is for the men, the Solheim Cup is for the women. And in one of the greatest comebacks in the history of team golf, the United States overturned a huge deficit to reclaim the trophy. The biennial Solheim Cup, which pits the best American women golfers against their European counterparts, was hosted by the Sankt Leon-Rot Golf Club. It was the first time a German venue had staged the event.

And if organizers want dramatic finishes, they should consider bringing the competition back to Germany sooner rather than later. Cup holders Europe led for virtually all of the three-day event and came into Sunday’s singles pairings with a 10-6 advantage, knowing that fourteen points would be enough to retain the trophy. The early part of the day went exactly to Europe’s liking. And when Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist beat Stacy Lewis 2&1, the Europeans needed only to halve one of the final five pairings to prevail. SPORTS DESK

SPORTS 15

NEW DELHI AGENCIES

The board of control for cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President TC Mathew has once again given positive signal about series against Pakistan saying, October could be the month when India makes some final decision in this regard. According to an international news agency, Mathew said “Look it’s only September and the series is scheduled in December so maybe in October they could make a call”. United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a perfect venue for any upcoming series against Pakistan, he added.

While commenting about Pakistan-India politics he explained, “I’m against bringing politics into sports and should treat them separately from politics. The Pak-India ties are always a welcome move and the people of both countries want to see their national teams play against each other. Meanwhile Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan has said the Pakistan would not be asking India to play a series sacrificing its selfrespect. Pakistan and India are scheduled to play an ODI series in December this year however the political statements across the border are a major hurdle in way of any such series.

Time-tested champion pair of Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Aqeel Khan once again came to rescue Pakistan, giving Pakistan upper hand in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group-II final by carving out 3-1 victory against the Chinese Taipei in Izmir, Turkey on Saturday. The doubles match lasted for almost 3 hours. Now Abid Ali Akbar is given the responsibility of winning the final for country as he will start the first reverse singles today (Sunday) against number 1 Chinese Taipei player Jimmy Wang. If Abid fails to win the match, then there are 99 percent chances Aisam will be handed over the responsibility of winning the final for Pakistan. In the first set of the doubles match, Pakistan was dominating and enjoying comfortable position and won it 6-2. It was 2-2 in the beginning, after that, the Pakistani players managed to win four straight games and took the first set 62. The second set started well and Aisam-Aqeel pair broke their opponent’s third and took the set 6-3. They were 3-0 up in the third set, but at that stage, they committed unforced errors and allowed their opponents to stage a comeback, which could spell disaster for Pakistanis.

From 3-0 up, Aisam-Aqeel failed to win a single game while their opponents were in cruise control, this won the next six games in a row to took the set 6-3. In the fourth set, Pakistani pair played aggressive tennis and built up pressure right from the start.

The tactics paid great dividend as they raced on to comfortable 5-2 lead. In the fourth set too, they were 2-2, as both teams manage to hold onto their respective serves. At that point, the green shirts managed to win next three games and were 5-2 up. The opponents held their serve to make it 3-5, before the Pakistanis finished it off by holding their serve, thus won the set 6-3, to register thumping victory.

Talking to The Nation from Izmir, Aqeel said: “I played more than three hours marathon match on the first and as it was earlier decided Abid Akbar would partner Aisam in the doubles, but sensing the importance of the match, I offered coach Hameed-ul-Haq that I was ready to partner Aisam, so Chinese Taipei also made a change and brought doubles specialist C Wang in place of Cheng Yu Yu to partner Jimmy Wang.” “We made a quite few mistakes, otherwise, we could have easily won the match without conceding single set. It was a treat to watch Aisam and me playing in full flow, we were dictating things and our opponents were just looking meager spectators. I am quite confident although Abid Akbar had to play against Jimmy but Abid is quite tough lad, I know he would not go down without a fight.

VETTEL WINS SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX SPORTS DESK Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won an incident-packed Singapore Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday after world champion Lewis Hamilton retired early for the first time this season and an intruder set heart rates fluttering when he strolled on to the track. Hamilton was running fourth approaching the halfway point of the 61lap race when he lost engine power, rapidly dropping back through the field before he was told to return to the garage and call it a night.

Starting from pole position, Vettel had no problems, leading all the way to take the chequered flag for the fourth time at the floodlit Marina Bay Street Circuit, despite twice losing the big advantage he had built up when the safety car was deployed. Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo finished second for Red Bull, his best result of a frustrating year, while Vettel’s team mate Kimi Raikkonen crossed the line third. “It must be one of my best races. It

was pretty intense,” Vettel said. “Lots of pressure from behind; Daniel had a very good race looking after his tyres.

“Second stint I was dictating the pace. From then, I was trying to control the gap. We had a really great weekend.”

Nico Rosberg finished fourth for Mercedes to cut Hamilton’s championship lead to 41 points with six races remaining. Vettel trails Hamilton by 49 and Raikkonen is 145 adrift with a maximum of 150 available. No other driver has a chance of winning the championship.

“If we have more weekends like this, yes we can catch Mercedes,” Vettel said.

“Massive attack. Maybe we can make the impossible possible - we will definitely go for it.” Vettel’s win was the German’s third this season and the 42nd of his career, enabling the quadruple world champion to overtake the late Ayrton Senna into outright third place for the most lifetime wins, trailing only Michael Schumacher (91) and Alain Prost (51). A proven master on the slow and twisty Sin-

gapore track, Vettel gave his rivals no chance when he planted his foot on the accelerator and made a flying getaway from the front of the grid. The 28-yearold opened up a three-second lead over Ricciardo on the opening lap and was never seriously challenged even when the safety car was introduced.

Its first appearance came on the 13th lap when Felipe Massa exited the pits and was hit from the side by Nico Hulkenberg who speared into a wall, wrecking his Force India car and ending his race. The second came when a spectator walked on the circuit before climbing back though a hole in the fence. “If there was no safety car we could have been close for the undercut but the two safety cars came at pretty crucial times,” Ricciardo said.

“It was really good to back up qualifying. We matched Seb in race pace and we have got to be pretty happy.”

Hamilton, who needs one more win to draw level with his childhood hero Senna, endured his worst weekend of the

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season. The Englishman struggled with his tyres in qualifying, starting fifth on the grid, and his race came to an end just when it looked like he might be able to

challenge for a spot on the podium. “I was feeling super optimistic and easily keeping up,” he told the BBC. “I was hoping for a quick fix but it never came.”

SPORTS Monday, 21 September, 2015

PAKISTAN STILL REQUIRES YOUNIS KHAN IN TESTS: WASIM AKRAM

PCB SECURES DUBAI, SHARJAH AS VENUES FOR PSL Karachi

Pakistan’s former captain Wasim Akram has advised the national team’s prolific run-scorer Younis Khan to focus on playing Test cricket only. The fast bowling bowling great said that it would be better for Younis if he focused on just Test cricket and dropped the idea of playing 50overs format. “There is a clear communication gap between the cricket board and national selectors and Younis which is why we see the senior batsman keep on repeating he wants to play 50-overs cricket,” Akram said. “I think it is best if the board and selectors sat down with Younis and discussed their future plans for him specially where one-day cricket and Tests are concerned,” he stated. There is a debate in Pakistan cricket over the national selector’s decision to again ignore the senior batsman for the three one-day matches in Zimbabwe. The selectors have largely ignored Younis in ODIs since mid 2013 and completely since the World Cup this year although the batsman has insisted he can still play ODIs and contribute to the team. The selectors ignored Younis once again on Tuesday for the ODIs in Zimbabwe just two days after he had said that if they didn’t pick him in this format they would be doing great injustice to him. Akram said personally he would advise Younis to now focus on Test matches as he has got the biggest success in this format. SPORTS DESK

BCCI PRESIDENT DALMIYA DIES IN HOSPITAL

Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI president, has died at the BM Birla hospital in Kolkata, where he was hospitalised after he had suffered a heart attack on Thursday evening. Dalmiya, 75, had concerns over his health since he began his third term as president in March. Dalmiya had been taken to hospital after complaining of chest pain on Thursday and had to have an angiography done. he was reported to be stable but remained in critical care for the next two days before passing away on Sunday night. According to the BCCI constitution, if a president’s post is vacated midway through his tenure, “the secretary shall within fifteen days convene a Special General Body Meeting to elect the President who shall be nominated by at least one Full Member from the zone which proposed the name of the President whose term was cut short prematurely. Such person who is so elected shall hold office till the next elections.” A long-serving cricket administrator, Dalmiya had been president of the ICC, held different offices in the BCCI, and occupied top posts in the CAB in a career that began in 1979. SPORTS DESK

SPOrTS DESK Viv Richards has supported Jason holder’s promotion to the West Indies Test captaincy, saying the allrounder had the ability and was not too young for the job. Richards’ endorsement came days after Brian Lara also approved of the new West Indies captain, who replaced Denesh Ramdin in the job.

“Well, I have heard maybe that some folks are suggesting that he is too young, but it is better to start at that particular age,” Richards told CMC. “And if he gets lucky enough and we are successful, you have a long successful period of your captain being in place rather than the chopping and changing on a regular basis.” holder, 23, is West Indies’ second youngest Test captain, and has led the ODI side in 12 matches. he showed resilience by scoring a hundred to draw a Test against england in Antigua, and then made a counter-attacking 92

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he PCB has finally succeeded in securing Dubai and Sharjah as venues for the Pakistan Super League T20 event early next year but at the cost of having to share the facilities with the organisers of the planned Masters Cricket League. A source in the PCB told PTI that after renewed negotiations between the officials of the PCB’s PSL secretariat and the emirates Cricket

Board it had been decided in principle that the inaugural edition of the PSL would be held in Dubai and Sharjah. “The Masters Cricket League would also be held nearly simultaneously at the same venues with the PSL. For example if one day a PSL fixture is being held in Dubai the same day a match of the MCL could be scheduled in Sharjah,” the source said. he said that the PCB was deciding on the best time and still weighing the option of having the PSL in Doha, Qatar without having to share venues with the MCL. “But the majority vote in the PCB is in favour of having the PSL in Dubai

and Sharjah because of the cricket culture there, the large Pakistani and Asian expatriate community plus the fact that the UAe venues are like second home to the PCB which has been hosting its home series there since 2010,” the source said. he said there was also a chance that cricket enthusiasts might see both PSL and MCL matches on same day at one venue like Dubai.The PCB is scheduled to officially launch the PSL and its logo in Lahore today at a glitzy ceremony and the source said an announcement about the number of overseas players who have been signed or given their consent for the PSL and the schedule of the league could be made. The PCB is attaching a lot of significance to today’s launch ceremony since the PSL had twice before been postponed due to various reasons. Najam Sethi, who heads the PSL secretariat, said in an interview recently that Singapore based Repucom, a sports marketing, development and evaluation company of global repute, has partnered with the PCB in developing its financial and logistics approach.

Pakistan Super League launched in star-studded event LAHORE: The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was launched on Sunday night amid celebrations attended by a number of cricket greats as well as celebrities.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shahryar Khan said international cricket players would join the PSL, which would benefit national players. “We will also expand the spectrum of Pakistan Super League,” Shahryar said.

Winners will be awarded with $10 million prize money, whereas, each player will also earn over $50,000, disclosed former PCB chairman Najam Sethi while speaking at the event.

The logo for the much-hyped league was also unveiled while Ali Zafar performed on stage, revealing the League’s anthem.

The national women cricket team, along with celebrities including Mahirah Khan, Ayesha Omer, Nadia Hussain, among others were part of the star-studded event. STAFF REPORT

SPOrTS DESK Diego Costa provided the lightning conductor as the longstanding friction between Chelsea and Arsenal crackled to the fore during his side’s ill-tempered 2-0 victory in the Premier League.

Costa sparked the incident, late in the first half, that culminated in the dismissal of Arsenal centreback Gabriel, who was goaded into kicking out at the Chelsea striker following a penalty-box scuffle involving Laurent Koscielny. Costa twice appeared to swing his arm at Koscielny and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was exasperated that referee Mike Dean had sent off Gabriel and allowed the Spain international to remain on the pitch. “he can do what he wants, he stays on. everybody else who responds to him has to be sent off,” a visibly aggravated Wenger told his postmatch press conference at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

“I think his behaviour is unacceptable. If you look at the pictures, what he does to Koscielny, before he pushes him down in the face, he hits him in the face. And he always get away with it. “I don’t understand Mike Dean’s decision at all.”

Wenger accepted that Gabriel had been wrong to react, but he said that

Mourinho, Wenger clash over bothersome Costa Dean’s handling of the incident had shown “weakness” and “naivety”.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho dismissed Wenger’s claims, however, and used the opportunity to lecture his long-time adversary on the importance of “emotional control”. “I played against Arsenal 12, 15, 18 times, I don’t know, and only once he (Wenger) didn’t moan,” said Mourinho, who shared a perfunctory handshake with his opposite number prior to kick-off. “In that day, we lost the game, we lost the cup. It was not good for us. We behave in a fantastic way. No excuses, not crying, not moaning, just Mr Jose Mourinho, my players and Chelsea Football Club.

“I played my first derby on the twenty-something of September 2000. Benfica against Porto. And I told my players before the game, to win derbies you need emotional control. “Without emotional control, forget it, you don’t win. It’s a basic thing of the game.”

GAME OVER: Asked to justify

Costa’s behaviour, Mourinho said that the focus should instead be on Gabriel’s “mistake” in retaliating.

When pressed on Costa’s apparent assault on Koscielny, he attempted a joke, telling his inquisitor: “I can guess that when you were a kid, you were playing badminton.” Costa was hit with a retrospective three-game ban for treading on Liverpool’s emre Can in a League Cup tie last season and Wenger invited the Football Association to look at his latest indiscretion. But Mourinho, who left captain John Terry on the bench, said: “I think he said before the game that I have to cope with my defeats. Tonight (Saturday), he has to cope with his defeat.” After Gabriel’s dismissal, Kurt Zouma headed Chelsea in front from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick in the 53rd minute. Arsenal then lost Santi Cazorla to a second yellow card before eden hazard added the coup de grace with a deflected strike a minute from time. Wenger said it

was “frustrating” to have conceded a goal from a set-piece and described Cazorla’s dismissal, in the 78th minute, as “game over”.

While Arsenal nurse their wounds after back-to-back defeats, following the mid-week 2-1 loss at Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League, Chelsea are hopeful of a turnaround. Mourinho’s men began their Champions League campaign by beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0 and must now seek to whittle away Manchester City’s eight-point advantage in the Premier League. “In these two matches, we improved a lot, in many aspects,” said Mourinho, whose side launch their League Cup defence at Walsall on Wednesday. “Defensively, the team was much better. The attacking players defended much better than before. They created a compact zone and reacted very well when they lost the ball. “Sometimes against 10 men, teams play bad. We played very well against 10 men.

We gave them no chance.”

RiChaRds baCks holdeR as TesT CapTain against Australia in Jamaica. “I believe this individual does have the ability,” Richards said. “Certainly, he comes over very well and you hear about the respect factor you get from other members of the dressing room and that is of vital importance because when you have that respect, it is amazing.

“When you look and see what’s around him, when you look and see how he would have gone about his business as a batsman, you can see there is some improvement... but certainly the signs are there and I think may be it’s not a bad choice.” While holder’s appointment received approval from Lara and Richards, former West Indies batsman Philo Wallace, who like holder is from Barbados, said it was too early to give him such a responsibility. “ “Jason has a tremendous amount to offer West Indies cricket but we must be careful that we don’t push him too

soon, which I think is what is happening here,” Wallace said. “he has not led Barbados in the PCL (Professional Cricket League) and to give him captaincy in the longer format without the experience is too much at this stage in my opinion. “When you look at the Barbados set up, Kraigg Brathwaite is the captain of the team in the PCL. he is the captain of the Barbados team in the longer format, Jason plays under him and now he will play under Jason in the Test team. This puts the Barbados Cricket Association in a very interesting position and they will now have to decide whether they continue with Brathwaite as captain or remove him and put holder.” holder’s first series in charge of West Indies in all formats will be the tour of Sri Lanka, where they play two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is in October and November.

Published by Arif Nizami at Plot No 79, Sector 24, Korangi Industrial Area Karachi.

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