e-paper pakistantoday 05th February, 2013

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Rs 17.00 Vol III No 219 19 Pages Karachi Edition

Tuesday, 5 February, 2013 Rabiul Awal 23, 1434

STORY ON PAGE 03

Response to TTP talks offer in a few days: Malik

Rehman Malik says the government will respond to the peace talks offer

by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan in a few days. He said the government would welcome anyone, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif, to play the role of guarantor in the talks. PAGE 02

Malala Yousafzai wants all children to have education

Fiery Steyn bowls Proteas to big win over Pakistan

Making a video statement for the first time after her operation, teen education activist says God has given her a new life. “I want to serve.

I want to serve the people. I want every girl, every child, to be educated.” PAGE 03

ISLAMABAD: Dale Steyn’s careerbest bowling figures propelled South Africa to a comprehensive 211-run victory over Pakistan on day four of the first test at the Wanderers on Monday. Having set Pakistan an improbable 480-run victory target, South Africa bowled them out for 268 in their second innings, the new ball doing the trick as the visitors lost their final six wickets for 59 runs before the lunch break. Steyn picked up five second innings wickets to finish with 11 for 60, his fifth 10wicket haul which also earned him the man-of-the-match award. PAGE 20

Pakistan committed to Kashmir solution: Zardari, Ashraf Expressing solidarity with the people of Kashmir on the occasion of Kashmir Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf have said that Pakistan remained firmly committed to finding a just and peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute. PAGE 18

Panetta admits use of torture in hunt for Bin Laden STORY ON PAGE 04

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Fair or unfair elections cannot change the fate of the present govt — Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed

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Fazl asks govT, MiliTaRY To auThoRise jiRgas To negoTiaTe wiTh TTP

Response to TTP talks offer in a few days: Malik INTERIOR MINISTER ASKS SC TO TAKE NOTICE OF QADRI’S ‘MARTIAL LAW’ REMARKS ISLAMABAD

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ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman on Monday welcomed the peace talks offer by Tehreeke-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and said the government and military leadership should authorise tribal jirgas to negotiate. The TTP signalled its willingness to enter peace negotiations on February 4 with the government if three senior politicians – Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Chief Nawaz Sharif, the JUI-F chief and Jamaate-Islami chief Syed Munawar Hasan – would act as guarantors. Fazl, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, said the signals given by the group were “apparently positive”.The JUIF chief said a grand jirga of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) tribes can prove to be of great help in this process. Earlier during the day, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said PML-N chief Nawaz had refused to act as an insurer. app

Online

HE government will make its stance on the talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) known in the next few days, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Monday.

Talking to reporters, Malik welcomed the offer of negotiation by the banned organisation, saying the government would welcome anyone including PMLN President Nawaz Sharif, who the TTP had asked to be guarantors of the talks. “I have often said bullet is not the solution to problems. Earlier it was not clear with whom the Taliban wanted to talk but now that they have mentioned whom do they want as granulators, lets welcome it,” Malik said.

To a question, the interior minister said the government would respond to the offer in a couple of days. However, he said the negotiation offer should be unconditional and not linked with the release of Taliban prisoners. He said he would contact the JUIF chief in this regard. Malik also asked the Supreme Court to take notice of Tahirul Qadri’s statement in which he claimed that martial law would have been imposed had he not ended the long march. Malik advised Qadri to hire a legal adviser, who could guide him with regards to his political statements, adding that he should make comments that were in favour of the country. To a question about the opposition parties’ sit-in and march outside the Parliament House, Malik said, “They are parliamentarians…they are free to do anything. We will facilitate them.”

He said there was a need for gorilla action in

NO OBJECTION TO HOLDING TALKS WITH TALIBAN: KAIRA LALAMUSA: The government does not have any objection to holding talks with the Taliban as long as everything remains within the constitutional ambit, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Monday. Talking to reporters regarding the Kashmir issue on Monday, the information minister said peace in South Asia could only be established after the resolution of the Kashmir issue. “Pakistan has always supported the Kashmir cause and has taken practical steps for the resolution of the issue,” Kaira said, adding that Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiris at all political and diplomatic levels. He said all political forces in the country had the same policy on Kashmir, adding that “the Kashmir policy was basically a Pakistan policy”. Online

Karachi against Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Sipah-e-Sahaba and other groups disrupting peace, adding that he could take action against lawlessness in Karachi under Article 248 of the constitution. However, Malik said maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the provincial governments.

Shahrukh Jatoi escaped on bogus passport, SC told FIA SAYS OFFICIALS WHO HELPED SHAHRUKH ESCAPE IDENTIFIED, CASES REGISTERED ISLAMABAD staff repOrt

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Monday told the Supreme Court that Shahrukh Jatoi, prime accused in Shahzeb murder case, fled from the country on a bogus passport that was without photograph.

The Supreme Court’s three-member bench resumed the hearing of Shahzeb murder case on Monday.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry chaired the bench.

FIA Legal Director Azam Khan said the accused travelled to UAE on December 27, 2012 on a photo-less bogus passport, which was actually issued to another citizen named Muhammad Ali Khan resident of Swabi, while tickets were issued through Fazal-e-Rabi Travelling Agency. He said Shahrukh’s brother Nawab Ali Jatoi and cousin Khurram also travelled with him.

The FIA director said a total 139 passengers were travelling in the flight, but the data of five people was not on record. He said the officers who helped Shahrukh travel on bogus documents had been identified and cases were registered against them.

The court also sought the CD of the recording of exclusive interview of the father of accused, Sikandar Jatoi. The court said in its remarks

Malala Yousafzai wants all children to have education

that Sikandar’s statement was akin to influencing the investigations.

It said Sikandar’s statement that Shahrukh left for Australia tried to mislead the authorities. The CJP asked FIA official if there were so

many lacunas at airports that a wrongdoer could flee the country.

“Was the culprit so powerful that he hoodwinked the officials at three checking spots at airport? In such activities big shots are involved but always low-paid staff are tangled in such cases”? he asked Police said Shahrukh was not injured and police doctor Muhammad Ali Barohi had also confirmed it. The court also directed FIA to present challan of the case in the court at the earliest with a list of eye witnesses.

The chief justice also directed the concerned authorities to initiate action against Sikandar Jatoi.

The bench directed Sindh police to conduct a fair and transparent investigation in the murder case and adjourned proceedings until February 13.

MONITORING DESK Teenage peace-activist Malala Yousufzai made her first video statement since she was nearly killed, saying on Monday that she is recovering. Speaking clearly but with a slight stiffness in her upper lip, 15-year-old Malala said that she was ”getting better, day by day”. ”Today you can see that I am alive. I can speak, I can see you, I can see everyone,” she said in the video, made available by a public relations firm. ”It’s just because of the prayers of people. Because all people – men, women, children – all of them have prayed for me. And because of all these prayers God has given me this new life. A second life. And I want to serve. I want to serve the people. I want every girl, every child, to be educated. For that reason, we have organized the Malala Fund.” Malala drew the world’s attention when she was shot by Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) militants on October 9 on a school bus in Swat. The terrorist group said they targeted her because she promoted girls’ education and ”Western thinking” and criticised the militant group’s behavior when it took over the scenic Swat Valley where she lived. The shooting sparked outrage in Pakistan and around the world, and her story has captured global attention for the struggle for women’s rights in Pakistan.

The video statement was published Monday, just hours after Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital said they had successfully operated to reconstruct her skull and restore her hearing. But the public relations firm Edelman said the video was shot on January 22. The Malala Fund is a girls’ education charity set up in late 2012. It launched with a $10 million donation from Pakistan.

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Now is the time for everyone to participate in a peaceful, political process in Afghanistan — David Cameron

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let’s talk peace!

TRILATERAL MOOT URGES TALIBAN TO JOIN PEACE TALKS LONDON

P CHAMAN: People watch a dog fight in this Pak-Afghan border town on Monday. inp

Bilawal replacing nabeel Gabol in upcoming polls KARACHI aftab Channa

As the leadership of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is finalising the list of candidates for the upcoming general elections, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will contest the elections for the National Assembly seat NA-248, replacing senior party leader Nabeel Gabol who took 84,217 votes in the last election.

It is also expected that the PPP chairman will contest the elections from NA206 (KamberShahdadkot), replacing Aamir Magsi.

I n t e r e s t i n g l y, Gabol will probably have

PPP CHAIRMAN WILL ALSO CONTEST ELECTION FROM KAMBER-SHAHDADKOT no role in the elections, sources privy to the development told Pakistan Today.

The decision in this regard was taken by senior party leadership and presented before the PPP’s Candidate Selection Board headed by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and federal minister Maula Bux Chandio.

Throughout the tenure of the present government, Gabol had been targeted and sidelined, including several police raids on his residence that led him to go underground. Another reason against Gabol are the complaints by the people of Lyari, which has always been the PPP’s stronghold.

A s per offic i a l

record, there are at least 351,345 votes registered in the NA-248 constituency.

In the last election held on February 18, 2008, a total of 106,414 votes were cast, of which 104,565 were valid and 1,849 were rejected. The overall percentage of the votes cast was 30.28 percent. At least nine candidates contested from the NA-248 seat. Ibrahim Rais of the then-Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) took 267 votes, independent candidates Ameer Khan Chandio and Shakoor Shad took 25 and 9,651 votes respectively. PML-N’s Shaikh Maqsood Ahmed got 3,888 votes, and Wasiullah Lakho of MQM took 6,326 votes. Other two independent candidates Muhammad Asim Ahsan and Mukhtar Ali got 35 and 57 votes respectively. The position in NA-206 (Old Larkana-III) was not different, as there was no tough competition. Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) candidate Sardar Khan Chandio got 23,545 votes and PML-N got 112.

However, PPP’s Amir Khan Magsi got 49,524 votes.

Sources said that the seat of Kamber-Shahdadkot would be won unopposed; however formal election would be held in Lyari. Former home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza and President Zardari’s sister MNA Faryal Talpur have been regularly visiting Lyari in this regard.

SC gives Bokhari a week to engage counsel ISLAMABAD staff repOrt

The Supreme Court on Monday granted a week’s time to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Fasih Bokhari to engage a counsel in the contempt of court case.

The three-member bench of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed deferred proceedings on the issuance of a notice to the NAB chairman in the case related to hearing of the implementation of its verdict of March 30 2012, in rental power plants (RPPs).

Bokhari appeared and requested the bench to grant him sufficient time so that he could engage a counsel in

the case.

The chief justice told him that the issue was very important one.

He also told NAB’s Prosecutor

General Karim Khan Agha that his contention regarding objections would be heard on the next hearing.

The bench turned down a request

by KK Agha for constitution of a larger bench, as the chief justice said there was no reason to expand the bench. On January 31, the bench had issued a notice to the NAB chairman under Article 204 of the constitution and Section 3 of the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 to appear in person on February 4 and submit a reply over the issue of writing a letter to higher authorities.

The bench in its order observed that whatever the NAB chairman had expressed in his letter was tantamount to interfering in and obstructing court process.

aGenCies

A K I S TA N , Afghanistan and Britain on Monday urged the Afghan Taliban to join the peace talks to resolve the situation in the war-ravaged country.

Addressing a joint news conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Afghan President Hamid Karzai after the trilateral talks on the post withdrawal scenario in Afghanistan, President Asif Ali Zardari has said that a peaceful Afghanistan was extremely imperative for stability and prosperity in Pakistan.

The president said both neighbouring countries could only survive in a peaceful atmosphere, adding that Pakistan fully supported the initiative of negotiation between Afghan government and Taliban.

Zardari reiterated his resolve that Pakistan would extend full support to peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

On the occasion David Cameron issued a direct appeal to the Taliban to enter peaceful talks on the future of Afghanistan He said the Afghan and Pakistani presidents had agreed to an unprecedented level of cooperation and to sign a strategic partnership between their two countries in autumn.

“Now is the time for everyone to participate in a peaceful, political process in Afghanistan.

This should lead to a future where all Afghans can participate peacefully in that country’s political process,” he added.

The summit was aimed at boosting cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, amid growing fears that a civil war could erupt when international troops leave Afghanistan in 2014.

These were the third trilateral talks in a year following meetings in Kabul in July and New

ZARDARI SAYS PEACEFUL AFGHANISTAN IMPERATIVE FOR PAKISTAN’S STABILITY York last September, but they were the first talks in which Pakistani and Afghan army and intelligence chiefs also took part.

The summit hosted by British Prime Minister Cameron was attended by President Hamid Karzai, President Asif Zardari foreign ministers, chiefs of defence staff, chiefs of intelligence, the Afghan national security adviser and the Afghan High Peace Council chairman.

The meeting discussed in detail the Afghanled peace and reconciliation process and how to strengthen joint efforts to address extremism and advance regional peace and stability. The Afghan and Pakistani delegations agreed that the quality of dialogue and cooperation had significantly improved.

They committed themselves to continue to make strenuous efforts in the spirit of mutual interest. Both sides also agreed that good neighbourly relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, that ensured the long term stability of both countries, were of fundamental importance.

President Karzai and his delegation briefed the summit on the Afghan vision and roadmap for peace and reconciliation.

All sides agreed on the urgency of this work and committed themselves to take all necessary measures to achieve the goal of a peace settlement over the next six months. Both affirmed the importance of regional and international support. President Karzai, President Zardari Prime Minister David Cameron affirmed that they supported the opening of an office in Doha for the purpose of negotiations between the Taliban and the High Peace Council of Afghanistan as part of an Afghan-led peace process. In this context, the two sides agreed that they wanted to build greater trust and cooperation between their military and security services and agreed concrete steps to deliver this.

AJK Council approves proposal for formation of PAC

ISLAMABAD app

The 48th session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council held here at the Prime Ministers’ Secretariat on Monday, with Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf in the chair, unanimously approved a proposal for the formation of the AJK Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The council approved the nomination of Muhammad Mehboob as its first chairman along with Muhammad Nadeem and Babar Zulqarnain as members.

It also considered and passed unanimously The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council Removal from Service (Special Powers) (Repeal) Act 2013.

Those who attended the meeting included AJK Acting President Ghulam Sadiq Khan, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Wattoo,

Minister for Law and Justice Farooq Naik, MNAs Tanzeela Aamir and Yousuf Talpur.

In his opening remarks, the prime minister said Pakistan and India stood at the crossroads of history. “The Kashmiri people are looking up to the two countries to fulfil their obligations by allowing them to exercise their right to determine their future,” he said.

He reiterated Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir and reaffirmed commitment to the just cause and its people’s right to self-determination.

Ashraf reassured the Kashmiri brothers and sisters that the government and the people of Pakistan would continue to extend complete moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle.

The prime minister said the Kashmiri people were engaged in a legitimate struggle for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

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So Ahmadinejad wants to be first Iranian in space - wasn’t he just there last week? “Iran launches monkey into space” — John McCain

Panetta admits use of torture in hunt for Bin laden WASHINGTON Online

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QUETTA: Activists of Teachers Rights Movement Balochistan stage a sit-in with a mock funeral of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package at Zarghoon Road on Monday. inp

Aitzaz’s presence has no impact on court’s decision: CJP ISLAMABAD Online

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said the tradition of Aitzaz Ahsan not appearing before a CJP-led bench is being misused, adding that it does not make a difference on the decision of the bench. The CJP gave these remarks while presiding over a Supreme Court (SC) bench during the hearing of the LPG quota case on Monday.

“Judges have taken oath under the constitution to treat everyone under the norms of

equality and justice. The tradition of Aitzaz Ahsan not appearing before a CJP-led bench is being used wrongly,” the CJP said. “It will make no difference if you do not appear before us.

Not just one but three judges have to hear the case,” the CJP said further. Expressing regret in appearing before the CJP-led bench, Aitzaz Ahsan said, “In my sight it is ethical that one should not appear before a judge whose cause he has contested. I had not taken the cases of Bank of Punjab, Reko diq, Real Palm and Rental Power due to the presence of CJP on

the benches”.

The CJP questioned Ahsan as to why he had filed an application before Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali for formation of a bench of choice. Benches of choice should not be constituted, said the CJP. Ahsan said the particular case has been running since the last four years. “If you desire I won’t press this case,” he said. The CJP replied, “Irrespective of whether you want to press the case, we will have to render a decision on the principle of merit. Please think before acting. We adjourn the hearing for two weeks till February, 14”.

Kerry mixes jokes with serious business to bring peace to conflict-filled world WASHINGTON speCial COrrespOndent

On his first working day as America’s chief diplomat, John Kerry interspersed jokes with some serious business at hand as he highlighted the need to promote peaceful alternatives to conflicts besetting the world.

Taking over reigns of the State Department after eight years of women’s leadership – first by Condoleezza Rice and then by Hillary Clinton Kerry quipped “So here’s the big question before the country and the world and the State Department after the last eight years: Can a man actually run the State Department?”.

“I don’t know. As the saying goes, I have big heels to fill,” the new secretary of the state added, praising his predecessor Hillary Clinton, who headed the State Department throughout Obama’s first White House term.

Kerry, who is expected navigate through diplomatic complexities of the Afghan war withdrawal over the next two years and launch some very focused efforts in a bid to address the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian question, said the U.S. must strive for peace.

“We get to try to make our nation safer. We get to try to make peace in the world, a world where there is far too

much conflict and far too much killing. There are alternatives,” the former five-term senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate emphasized, addressing a gathering of State Department staff as they greeted him on his arrival for the job.

“We get to lift people out of poverty. We get to try to cure disease. We get to try to empower people with human rights. We get to speak to those who have no voice. We get to talk about empowering people through our ideals, and through those ideals hopefully they can change their lives.

That’s what’s happening in the world today.

“We get to live the ideals of our nation and in doing so I think we can make our country stronger and we can actually make the world more

peaceful,” Kerry, who was chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee until Obama picked him for the top diplomatic job, explained.

He also touched on the Benghazi tragedy, which claimed lives of four Americans including U.S. ambassador to Libya, and remains a sensitive issue for the State Department, promising to make security of American diplomats abroad a key priority.

“So I pledge to you this: I will not let their (the diplomats killed in Benghazi) patriotism and their bravery be obscured by politics, number one. Number two, I I guarantee you that, beginning this morning when I report for duty upstairs, everything I do will be focused on the security and safety of our people.”

eCP issues notices to three MPas on dual nationality charge GUJRANWALA app

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday issued notices to three MPAs of the Punjab Assembly to appear before the commission on February 7 as they allegedly held dual nationalities. According to the details, an application was filed by Muhammad Asif based on which the ECP served notices to three MPAs belonging to Gujranwala city under Article 31 C. The MPAs include Imran Khalid Butt, Saeed Mughal and Mian Ghulam Sarwar of PP-91, 94 and 97 respectively.

jang group website hacked NEWS DESK Hackers on Monday broke into the servers of PKNIC, affecting accessibility of the country’s several websites including The News International (www.thenews.com.pk) and the Daily Jang (www.jang.com.pk). However, the websites after remaining unplugged for a few hours became accessible later to the visitors.

Earlier on Monday, the hackers, who call themselves, PakBugs claimed intruding into a database of PKNIC and overriding complete control of the country’s sole registrar of Pakistani websites’ domain names (.com.pk, .pk, .org.pk, etc). Despite complaints lodged by the website owners, the PKNIC technical support remained unavailable for several hours on phone nor did they respond to the emails.

HE outgoing US defence secretary has admitted that intelligence obtained using “enhanced interrogation techniques” or torture was used to “put together the puzzle” that led the US military to Osama bin Laden’s compound in Pakistan.

“Zero Dark Thirty,” Kathryn Bigelow’s Oscarnominated film chronicling the hunt for bin Laden that ended with his killing in Pakistan by US special forces in 2011, has sparked a furious debate by implying that torturous interrogation tactics such as water boarding were used in the years-long intelligence-gathering effort that led to the raid.

Appearing on NBC’s Meet the Press yesterday, Leon Panetta, when asked if the implication was accurate, initially played down the suggestion, said: “First of all, it’s

a movie, let’s remember that.”

But then he seemed to acknowledge that torture was in fact used, telling the show’s host, Chuck Todd, that “the real story is that in order to put the puzzle of intelligence together that led us to bin Laden, there was a lot of intelligence... Yes, some of it came from some of the tactics that were used at that time, interrogation tactics that were used.”

Panetta, who is due to step down following the confirmation of Chuck Hagel, President Obama’s nominee to replace Panetta, by the US Senate, went on to say, however, that the US could still have located bin Laden without using such controversial interrogation techniques.

“The fact is we - we put together most of that intelligence without having to resort to those sorts of interrogation techniques,” he explained, adding: “I think we could have gotten bin Laden without

‘Govt oblivious of people’s problems’ ISLAMABAD Online

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday said gas load shedding despite the fact that the weather had improved proved that the government was unsympathetic attitude towards the people already facing multiple problems.

“The province of Punjab is being victimised on purpose by the federal government to settle scores,” said APCNGA Supreme Council Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha.

Speaking to CNG operators and transporters from Sahiwal, Okara, Renala Khurd, Pakpattan, and Depalpur, Paracha said gas pressure in pipelines had improved but the government was not ready to revise the controversial load shedding schedule.

The attitude of authorities amounted to punishing the masses and destroying investments to the tune of Rs 400 billion in the CNG sector, he added.

He said Adviser to PM on Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain had engineered the energy crisis to introduce LPG and LNG in the country to get commission in billions.

“Asim should immediately resign for his failures and pushing country into a crisis that has compromised growth rate and lives of millions of innocent people,” Paracha demanded.

He announced that all CNG outlets in Sahiwal district will be reopened from Thursday at 6am, adding that the government had “planned a massive unrest by refusing to revise load shedding schedule to fulfil their unholy designs”.

APCNGA Acting Sahiwal Chairman Mian Amjad, General Secretary Zeeshan, APCNGA Okara President Mehr Khalid, and others also spoke on the occasion.

They said they would continue to strive for their rights, adding that CNG station owners will stage a sit-in for an indefinite period to press for acceptance of their demanded.

Pentagon wants US troops presence in Afghanistan after 2014 NEW YORK Online

Despite the fact that no decision has been made with regards to US presence in Afghanistan beyond 2014 when all NATO combat troops leave Afghanistan, the Pentagon’s top civilian and military officials have expressed a desire that American troops should remain, The New York Times reported.

According to details, the desire was expressed when De-

fense Secretary Leon Panetta and General Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey said the United States would sustain a strategic partnership with Afghanistan.

The two Pentagon senior officials also cited a decision by the NATO heads of state during a summit meeting last year in President Obama’s hometown, Chicago, that longterm support for Kabul would include military assistance.

Penetta was quoted by New York Times saying, “In

Chicago, we also said that we’re committing to an enduring presence. I believe that the president of the United States is going to do everything possible to implement the Chicago agreements.”

Panetta and General Dempsey sought to define and defend an 11-year-old mission in Afghanistan whose objectives had become fuzzy in the minds of many Americans during a joint appearances on the NBC News program Meet the Press and the CNN pro-

that.” The response was similar to what he said in a private letter to Senator John McCain in 2011, days after the raid. In the letter, whose contents were later reported by US media, Panetta explained that “nearly 10 years” of intelligence work had led the CIA to conclude that bin Laden was hiding in the compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, where he was eventually killed.

There was no key piece of information, he wrote, but rather “multiple steams of intelligence” that had gone into piecing together the full picture - including, he admitted, some information from detainees who “had been subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques.”

“Whether those techniques were the ‘only timely and effective way’ to obtain such information is a matter of debate and cannot be established definitively,” he wrote at the time.

govt plans ‘amusement city’ in abbotabad PESHAWAR aGenCies

The government is planning to build a $30 million amusement park with a zoo and adventure sports facilities in the town where Osama bin Laden was killed by US special forces, officials said Monday. The 50acre (20-hectare) riverside development on the edge of Abbottabad, where US Navy SEALs shot the Al-Qaeda leader dead on May 2, 2011, will include restaurants, a heritage centre and artificial waterfalls.

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hopes the project, announced as a public-private partnership, will boost tourism but denied it was intended to improve the town’s image after the humiliation of the bin Laden raid. “The amusement city will be built on 50 acres in the first phase but later will be extended to 500 acres,” Syed Aqil Shah, the provincial minister for tourism and sports, said.“It will have a heritage park, wildlife zoo, food street, adventure and paragliding clubs, waterfalls and jogging tracks.”

gram State of the Union.

However US resident Barack Obama is weighing how rapidly to withdraw the remaining troops after 2014.

In the meantime, some White House officials ahead of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s visit to Washington said one option would be to leave no troops behind, though some viewed those comments as a negotiating tactic.

Meanwhile, some sticking points remain, including a Defense Department demand that American service personnel receive immunity from prosecution in Afghanistan, with any misconduct to be adjudicated under the Pentagon’s Uniform Code of Military Justice, not Afghan law.

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Weather Updates

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PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY LASHES OUT AT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR FAILING TO CONTROL VIOLENCE KARACHI

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PML-Nsit-in in Islamabad is a conspiracy against democracy - Maula Bux Chandio

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prayer timinGs

HE Sindh Assembly session on Monday saw the Pakistan Muslim LeagueFunctional (PML-F) led opposition and the aggrieved Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) come on the same page on the government’s lukewarm response to the persisting poor law and order situation in the metropolis.

The day witnessed Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza reassembling the provincial legislature to condole, per the rules of procedure of the Sindh Assembly, the killing of MQM lawmaker Manzar Imam who was killed in an armed attack last month.

The only formal business for the

day was the oath-taking by Syed Sarfaraz Shah, the newly-elected MPA from Naushero Feroz, who was administered oath by the chair.

PML-F leaders Nusrat Seher Bano Abbasi and Rana Abdul Sattar took on their former coalition partners in the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) led provincial government for their failure to protect the life of around 6,000 people who, Abbasi claimed, lost their lives to incidents of targeted killings in the city during the last five years.

Backed by MQM legislator Bilquees Mukhtar, the opposition lawmakers said that not offering “Fatehas” but practical measures should be taken by the government to stop the ever-increasing incidents of targeted killings in the violence-hit city.

The speech of Rana did not go down well with Law Minister Ayaz Soomro who doubted the PML-F leader for politicking and said the PML-F leader should deliver his speech in his constituency and not in the provincial assembly which was in session only to condole the demise of one of its 183 members.

However, this did not deter the opposition lawmakers who urged the legislature and the executive in Sindh to stand up against violence and those

responsible for it in the metropolis.

They said the government should take some serious steps to at least give the lawmakers some face saving in the eyes of their voters as the general elections draw nearer. Rana said that enough “Fateha” prayers had been offered by the house for thousands victimised by the cold-blooded violence that had been holding the city in its grip since a long time.

Citing interior Sindh as an example, the PML-F legislators said that across-the-board deweaponization drive was needed in this hour to give a chance to peace in the highly volatile city.

The MQM lawmakers including Sardar Ahmed, Dr Sagheer Ahmed, Faisal Sabzwari, Heer Soho, Bilquees Mukhtar and Haseeb Khan, also voiced their concern over increasing incidents of violence in the city as they paid rich tribute to their slain party fellow. They called upon the government, of which they had been an integral part, to take practical measures to deal with the threat of terrorism that was haunting the financial hub of Pakistan.

The house saw a brief argument between Culture Minister Sassui Palijo and MQM’s Sardar Ahmed and Faisal Sabzwari when the latter opposed a

resolution tabled by the former to pay homage to Sindhi intellectual Sirajulhaq Memon who passed away last week.

Sassui showed disagreement when the MQM lawmakers insisted no formal business would be conducted during the condolence sitting. While the PPP minister looked determined to further press her point, the deputy speaker put her weight behind the MQM saying that the day of mourning was not meant for business apart from offering condolence.

Other MPAs who spoke in remembrance of Manzar Imam included PPP’s Rafique Engineer, Jam Mehtab Dahar, Anwar Mahar, Saleem Khursheed Khokhar, Nadeem Bhutto, Akhtar Jadoon, Bachal Shah, Aga Siraj Durrani and Awami National Party’s (ANP) Amir Nawab Khan.

Besides, prayers were also offered for former Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leaders Qazi Hussain Ahmed and Prof Ghafoor Ahmed, ANP’s slain leader Bashir Bilour, Sindhi intellectual Sirajulhaq Memon, former Balochistan chief minister Jam Yusuf and the victims of Quetta and Swat explosions. The chair later adjourned the session till Wednesday for 10am to concentrate on other businesses relating to the agenda.

Fajr sunrise Zuhr asr Maghrib Isha 5:55 7:12 12:46 3:57 6:20 7:38

Police arrest 241 accused in 3 days KARACHI: Karachi police in the ongoing drive to check crimes and to control the law and order situation in the metropolis, arrested 241 accused during the past three days. A police statement on Monday said that those arrested included 157 absconders and six proclaimed offenders. It said that there were 16 encounters of the police with the alleged criminals during the period and that 10 gangs of alleged criminals were busted during the operations. 64 pistols, four sub-machine guns (SMGs), five rifles, one Kalashinkov, one repeater, three mousers and five hand grenades were also recovered from the arrested accused. app

KARACHI: Members of Sindh Assembly offering fateha for the soul of Manzar Imam and other martyrs killed in various incidents of violence. Online

Four dead in different Karachi mishaps KARACHI ppi

Four people died in different incidents of firing and mishaps on Monday in the financial hub of the country.

According to details, 25-years-old Adeel Soomro s/o Muhammad Hussain Soomro died in a road mishap near Malir Cantonment. He was riding his bike when a speedy coach, bearing registration number TE-1068, hit him and killed him on the spot in the jurisdiction of Malir Cantt Police Station. The body was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for medico-legal formalities.

The driver of the coach managed to flee. The police impounded the vehicle and started further investigation into the matter.

In a separate incident, 17-years-old Sajjad was electrocuted in Shireen Jinnah Colony in the limits of Boat Basin Police Station. The victim and his friend were riding a bike which touched a naked live electricity wire

during rain. Sajjad’s friend however survived the shock.

The body of the deceased was taken to the JPMC for post-mortem, but the heirs collected the dead body without allowing it to undergo any medico-legal formality.

In a different incident, an alleged dacoitwas killed by the firing of his accomplice during a robbery bid near Star Ground Landhi Town in the precinct of Quaidabad Police Station.

During the incident, Abdul Hameed, whose house was being robbed, was injured. The dead body and injured were later rushed to the JPMC. The body of the dacoit was shifted to Edhi morgue after undergoing autopsy for want of identity, while police said that the killed dacoit was approximately 21-years-old.

Police said the deceased along with his two accompanies had barged into the house of Hameed to rob it.

However, Hameed and his brothers offered resistance, over which the dacoits opened firing and wounded

Hameed.

The police registered FIR 46/2013 under Section 302,397,394 and 34 against unidentified persons.

In another incident of target killing, 25-years-old Farooq s/o Owais was gunned down by unidentified armed men near his house situated in Rafa-eAam Society, Malir Halt in the remit of Al-Falah Police Station.

The deceased was standing near his house when some miscreants opened fire on him. The body was later moved to the JMPC to undergo autopsy.

Meanwhile, terrorists’ plan to target a police officer was foiled in Karachi’s Hawks Bay Road area on Monday morning when a planted bomb was detonated before it could explode.

Maripur’s police Station House Officer’s (SHO) vehicle was targeted on Hawks Bay Road when he was expected to appear before a court. The

untimely blast did not cause any casualty, however the police vehicle was partially damaged in the blast.

Police reports suggested that around three kilogrammes of explosive material was used in the attack.

According to police officials they were being targeted for taking actions

against target killers in the metropolis.

The area fell silent after the incident as fear gripped the citizens.

Meanwhile, an absconder, involved in attacking the president of the Malir Bar Association was arrested two days after he had escaped from police custody on Friday.

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200 utility stores in Karachi are selling daily use items to people at reasonable rates – Additional Commissioner Dr Mansoor Abbas

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Fia officials helped shahrukh escape abroad ACCUSED SHAHRUKH FLED FROM COUNTRY UNDER THE COVER OF VIP PROTOCOL

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KARACHI

aamir maJeed

HyDERABAD: A cobbler hands over a shoe to a policeman after shining the pair. inp

Former sindh minister for sports passes away KARACHI: Former Sindh minister for sports Dr Mohammad Ali Shah died on Monday evening. The minister was suffering from cancer and was seeking treatment at a hospital in Houston, US. Dr Shah, an orthopedic, had also resigned from the Sindh assembly in December on account possessing dual nationality. He was currently serving as an adviser to the chief minister on sports.

Dr Shah had last year successfully organised a World XI versus Pakistan XI cricket match in Karachi, providing a return of international cricketers (if not cricket teams) to the country at a time when no foreign team was willing to undertake a tour.

Shah also had announced plans of a hockey match along the same lines. The minister had been elected from PS 103 on a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) ticket.

Dr Shah was also a recipient of President’s Pride of Performance‚ Tamgha-e-Basalat among other awards. staff repOrt

HE Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) suspended on Sunday the shift incharge at Jinnah International Airport (JIA) Karachi for helping Shahrukh Jatoi, the main accused in the Shahzaib murder case, to escape abroad.

Earlier, Chief Justice (CJ) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry heard the case of the murder of 20-years-old Shahzaib Khan and ordered the authorities concerned to arrest those who aided the prime suspect in the murder case to escape from the country.

A reliable source told Pakistan Today that FIA Immigration Circle had launched internal investigations after the Supreme Court (SC) ordered the arrest of all those who had helped Shahrukh escape.

“During initial investigations, the agency had received important clues about those who helped Shahrukh escape abroad. Based on the initial enquiry report, Immigration Additional

SHC puts off hearing on petition of opposition MPAs KARACHI

and belonged to the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), except ppi Muhammad Shaharyar Khan Mahar, The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Mon- who belonged to the Pakistan Muslim day put off the hearing of petition of League-Quaid-e-Azam (Like-minded), MPAs seeking appointment of the op- submitted that a total strength of the provincial assembly was 186, out of position leader in Sindh Assembly. which 130 were general seats Petitioners Jam Madad Ali, while 29 were reserved for Nusrat Bano Saher Abbasi, MEMBERS OF women and nine for nonMuhammed Shaharyar OPPOSITION GROUP Muslims. They submitKhan Mahar, MuhamIN PROVINCIAL ted that they were all mad Rafique Banbhan, ASSEMBLY members of the oppoRahim Bux Bozdar, CONSTITUTIONALLY sition group in the Rana Abdul Sattar, ENTITLED TO provincial assembly Qazi Shams Din Rajar, NOMINATE ANY and they were constituAli Ghulam Nizamani, MEMBER AS LEADER tionally and legally entiSyeda Marvi Rashdi, and OF OPPOSITION tled to nominate any Mir Abid Hussain Jatoi member as leader of opposicited federal law secretary, tion amongst them to run the busiSindh chief secretary, provincial law secretary, speaker and deputy speaker of ness of the assembly.

They stated that while exercising the provincial assembly as respondents.

All petitioners, mostly comprising such right they unanimously nominated of members of the provincial assembly Nusrat Bano Saher Abbasi to be the op-

position leader of Sindh Assembly, adding they moved an application to speaker provincial assembly duly received by the Sindh Assembly deputy secretary on December 19 last year informing him about nomination.

They submitted that after receipt of the application, the speaker was legally bound to allocate seats to opposition members in the assembly so as to complete the house and to conduct and run affairs of the assembly smoothly and in accordance with the mandate given under the constitution. They contended that the provincial assembly was completing its term on March 23, adding that per law and constitution under article 224 and 224-A the president in consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, could appoint a caretaker chief minister. They pointed that it was therefore abundantly clear that in absence of the leader of the opposition, a caretaker cabinet was also not yet appointed.

Govt unwary as transporters strike haunts trade, industry KARACHI staff repOrt

SITE Association of Industry Chairman Dr Arshad A Vohra on Monday said that the ignorance of the authorities concerned to take cognizance of the prevailing issues being faced by goods transporters has compelled them to go on an indefinite strike that has badly impacted the economic activities of the country.

Last week on Saturday, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Muhammad Haroon Agar had also demanded from the government to intervene in the matter in order to resolve the lingering issue of transporters’ strike that was proving far too weighty for ailing economy.

Vohra said that if the authorities concerned wished for the industries to run, they should take the required meas-

ures to resolve the issue before the the exporters, but would also take a toll on the national exchequer, he added. stakeholders also went on strike.

If the strike was prolonged any furThe SITE chairman said the importers and exporters were facing seri- ther, this would incur huge losses on the ous problems in December when a exporters, who feared cancellation of similar strike brought the whole coun- vital orders.

The entire textile chain was try to a standstill. facing immense pressure He recalled that the 13and export activities had day strike in December had 13-DAY STRIKE IN come to a halt, he said, caused colossal financial DECEMBER LAST adding that the goods losses to the traders and YEAR HAD CAUSED transport carriers strike industrialists.

COLOSSAL FINANCIAL would cease business The haulers’ strike, activities as goods were he warned, would comLOSSES TO THE not reaching the ports. pletely halt the export acTRADERS AND KCCI president said tivities besides damaging INDUSTRIALISTS the detrimental effects of the industrial manufacturing the strike were further damcapacity. aging the economy that was al“Textile export orders worth billions of rupees will be lost,” he said ready breathing hard under massive warning that huge foreign orders would internal and external challenges.

The country should not undergo anbe cancelled due to the strike. This would not only result in huge losses to other severe disruption in the import

and export activities as all business at Karachi’s ports had come to a standstill owing to the strike launched by the transporters in December last year.

He said the transporters’ genuine grievances needed immediate consideration from the government, including instant redressal to call-off their strike and ensure smooth transportation for port activities and supply to upcountry and down-country destinations.

Agar gave these statements while talking to a delegation of United Goods Transporters Alliances, Karachi Goods Carriers Association, Transporters of Goods Association (KPT) represented

by Madad Khan Niazi and Muhammad Shoaib Khan along with others. The delegation of Karachi Custom Agents Association led by its President Saifullah Khan also called on him last Saturday to apprise him about their problems.

Director Malik Subah Sadiq suspended JIA Karachi shift in-charge Inspector Iqbal from his post,” the source said.

“Inspector Iqbal was suspended and posted in FIA zonal office in Sindh,” he added.

He also said that it was yet to be determined whether Inspector Iqbal was suspended on negligence in the line of duty or for showing malign intention.

The suspension of FIA Immigration Circle shift in-charge JIA Karachi raised many eyebrows and had left a question mark on the performance of the FIA. “FIA immigration authorities at JIA Karachi works in four shifts and every shift have 45 to 50 employees,” the source further disclosed.

“However, it was not confirmed weather Inspector Iqbal helped Shahrukh to escape abroad or someone in his shift helped the prime suspect during his escape,” the source added.

FIA Additional Director Malik Sadiq when approached for comments said, “Yes Inspector Iqbal, who was serving as shift in-charge at JIA Karachi, was suspended for helping Shahrukh to escape abroad.”

“Investigation has further disclosed that Shahrukh escaped under the cover of a VIP protocol,” Sadiq added.

“FIA Transport Cell has registered FIR against Inspector Iqbal and had started investigation from him. The shift in-charge had been suspended but the crime of the suspended officer would be proved when investigation into the case is completed,” Sadiq concluded.

kesC assigns siemens to set up 132kv grid at akhMCF KARACHI: The KESC and the Aga Khan Hospital and Medical College Foundation (AKHMCF) have signed contract agreements with M/s Siemens Pakistan for establishment of a 132KV GIS grid station at AKHMCF premises at a total cost of Rs 681 million. A KESC statement here on Monday said that the grid station would be jointly shared by the KESC and the AKHMCF. It said that at the contract signing meeting, KESC was represented by Chief Generation and Transmission Officer Syed Arshad Masood Zahidi while AKHMCF was represented by Planning and Development Director General Karim Nur Mohamed. The new grid station would allow reliable supply of electricity to the AKHMCF, given the vital nature of its healthcare services being provided to patients, in addition to KESC consumers. It would also improve the system reliability and stability by enhancing the KESC’s installed capacity from 4,573 MVA to 4,653 MVA with the addition of three power transformers. The new grid station would also cater to the future needs of AKHMCF, where energy demand was expected to grow up to16 megawatts by the year 2022. Furthermore, it would relieve the overloaded grid stations of the Civic Centre, Baloch Colony and Gulshan Iqbal and would also partially meet the requirement of future load growth in PECHS, Bahadurabad area, KDA scheme-I and adjoining areas. Online

Baldia FaCToRY FiRe: another body identified KARACHI: Another body previously recovered from the Baldia factory fire and which was lying in Edhi’s cold storage, has been identified on Monday through a DNA test.

According to officials, the identified body was later taken by the family members of the deceased while 19 other unidentified bodies were still in the possession of Edhi centre.

The sources said that the victim was identified as Mohammad Afzal s/o Mohammad Ashraf.

The 27-year-old victim was a resident of Orangi Town’s sector 13-D, they further said.

On September 11 last year, over 260 workers were burnt to death when fire engulfed Ali Enterprises, the factory situated in Baldia Town area of Karachi. Online

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The production of too many useful things results in too many useless people. – Karl Marx

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s korea warns against n korea nuclear test SEOUL aGenCies

egyptian beating victim blames police CAIRO

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N Egyptian man who was beaten and dragged naked through the streets of Cairo by police during a violent protest has admitted security forces were to blame, after earlier blaming protesters.

Mohamed Saber changed his story on Sunday, telling prosecutors that security forces harmed him, a day after he accused protesters of undressing and assaulting him.

The beating was caught on camera by the Associated Press news agency, and the video was broadcast live on Egyptian television on Friday, as protests raged in the streets outside the presidential palace.

The AP video showed police trying to bundle the naked man into a police van after beating him.

The beating prompted a rare statement of regret from the interior ministry, which promised to investigate the attack.

The president’s office said it was pained by the images and called the assault “shocking’’.

A new video emerged online Sunday of Saber in a hospital bed telling activists that police apologised for any wrongdoing. A male and female are heard urging him to speak honestly and not to accept any payments for absolving police in any abuse. Saber was receiving treatment at a police hospital when he told prosecutors that protesters undressed him during clashes, denying police assaulted him.

Later, speaking in a telephone interview to the Egyptian satellite channel al-Hayat, Saber said he

Anti Al-Qaeda militia killed in new Iraq attack BAGHDAD aGenCies

At least 19 people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack in central Iraq aimed at pro-government militia, officials say. More than 40 people were injured in the blast in the town of Taji, about 20km (12 miles) north of Baghdad. The majority of the victims were members of the Sunni Sahwa militia, which has been fighting al-Qaeda. The attack comes a day after at least 16 people were killed in a raid on a police HQ in Kirkuk, northern Iraq.

Monday’s blast happened at about 11:00 local time (08:00 GMT), as the militiamen gathered to collect their pay. The

attacker is believed to have detonated his explosives belt among the crowd.

Army soldiers were also among the victims. “We got a call there had been a huge blast at the Sahwa headquarters,” local police officer Furat Faleh told Reuters news agency.

“People were lying bleeding all around and cash was scattered in pools of blood,” he added. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack. The Sahwa - or Awakening Council - are comprised of Sunni tribal members who sided with the US against al-Qaeda in 2006. They have been often targeted by al-Qaedalinked militants, who regard them as traitors.

changed his story to blame police after pressure from family and friends. State prosecutors have since moved him to a public hospital. “I said police are the ones who beat me,’’ Saber tells the TV presenter.

“By the time I reached the armoured car, they had undressed me and my pants and were still dragging me.’’

Saber said police were beating him and ordering him to stand up and that he was unable to because of a bird shot injury to his foot. He told the TV presenter he was scared to be arrested and thrown into the armoured vehicle.

Saber then said that his family, including his children, threatened to shun him unless he told the truth about the police attack. “After becoming a hero, I was being ridiculed online and on Facebook and being accused of not being a real Egyptian and of taking money.” “I tell everyone at the presidential palace and Tahrir [Square] that I am sorry.”

He said the officials at the police hospital treated him well, and that he was not pressured to distort what happened. He said he initially gave incorrect testimony to try to avoid more problems. Mohammed Ibrahim, information minister, angered activists on Saturday, when he said that initial results of the state prosecutor’s investigation showed that police were absolved of direct abuse and that protesters were the ones who undressed Saber. The march on the palace on Friday evening, where President Mohamed Morsi was not present, was part of a wave of demonstrations in cities around the country called by opposition politicians, trying to wrest concessions from Morsi after around 60 people were killed in protests, clashes and riots over the past week.

Assad says Israel destabilising Syria DAMASCUS aGenCies

Bashar al-Assad has accused Israel of trying to destabilise Syria by attacking a military research base outside Damascus last week, and said his country was able to confront “current threats ... and aggression”, according to state media. The Syrian president made the remarks on Sunday in a meeting with Saeed Jalili, Iran’s national security council secretary, in Damascus. It was Assad’s first reported response to the attack.

According to diplomats, Syrian rebels and security sources, Israeli jets bombed a convoy near the Lebanese

border on Wednesday, apparently hitting weapons destined for Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group backed by Syria and Iran. Syria said the target was a military research centre in Jamraya, northwest of Damascus. Assad’s accusations came as Ehud Barak, Israel’s defence minister, gave the first hint of Israeli involvement in the air attack, during his appearance at the Munich Security Conference in Germany. “I cannot add anything to what you have read in the newspapers about what happened in Syria several days ago,” he said.

Barak said: “It’s another proof that when we say something we mean it.

We say that we don’t think that it

should be allowable to bring advanced weapon systems into Lebanon, the Hezbollah from Syria, when Assad falls.” During his meeting with Assad, Jalili reaffirmed Iran’s “full support for the Syrian people ... facing the Zionist aggression, and its continued co-ordination to confront the conspiracies and foreign projects”, Syrian state media said. Assad, who is Iran’s closest Arab ally, is battling a 22-month-old uprising in which 60,000 people have been killed. Assad maintains the rebels are terrorists funded and armed by Turkey and Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab states.

South Korea’s unification minister has warned that North Korea’s proposed third round of nuclear testing will be a major threat to the region. Yu Woo-ik and Kim Sung-hwan, foreign minister, attended a foreign affairs, unification and trade committee meeting on Monday to answer politicians’ questions on North Korea’s atomic tests. Yu said that North Korea was likely to carry out another nuclear test, but did not elaborate on a detailed time-frame. “If the final step of the nuclear test is successfully executed, it is to be pointed out that the security of the Korean peninsula will work on different factors,” he said. The South Korean defence ministry also voiced concern on Monday, warning North Korea not to further provoke South Korea. “If the North Korea nuclear test takes place, it is a provocation against the international community. This is a major provocation against South Korea,” Kim Min-seok, defence ministry spokesman, said at a briefing session. There has been a boost in diplomatic activity in the region following the North’s announcement last month that it will conduct the nuclear test to protest international sanctions toughened over Pyongyang’s long-range rocket launch in December. Yu’s statement came as South Korean and US troops began naval drills on Monday in a show of force partly directed at North Korea. Three-day exercises began off the Korean Peninsula’s east coast that involve livefire exercises, naval manoeuvres and submarine detection drills. Al Jazeera’s Harry Fawcett, reporting from Seoul, said the timing of the so-called combatreadiness tests by South Korea and the US was significant. “They are excercises of a very large in scale in terms of two large US ships, a submarine and an Aegis equipped cruiser - that is, the anti-missile defence and shooting down system the US has,” he said. “There is also an Aegisequipped South Korean vessel, as well as nine other South Korean vessels. So these things take a good amount of time to plan.

“They could not have been put together in the last few days, in terms of responding to North Korea’s nuclear test. “But certainly the timing is significant and a senior South Korean military official did allow himself to be quoted here, saying it is a show of force to Pyonyang at this time.”

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Resolution of Kashmir issue imperative for regional peace.

— Fehmida Mirza

newS Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

President, PM reaffirm support for kashmir ISLAMABAD app

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xPRESS I N G solidarity with the people of Kashmir on the occasion of Kashmir Day on February 5, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Monday said Pakistan remained firmly committed to finding a just and peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute.

In his message, the president reiterated with the Kashmiri brethren Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support towards their just cause for the right to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions.

Zardari also paid tribute to the valiant struggle of the people of Kashmir, saying they had been rendering huge sacrifices

Pakistan to continue political, diplomatic support to kashmir cause: nawaz

PAKISTAN TO STAND BY KASHMIRIS UNTIL REALISATION OF THEIR DEMANDS FOR PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF DISPUTE in the quest for realising their inalienable right to choose their destiny by themselves.

He said the Kashmiris had remained resolute and steadfast in the face of oppression spanning over six decades. “Today, we stand in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters.”

“Pakistan believes that the use of force, coercion and violation of basic human rights can never succeed in suppressing an indigenous struggle for a just cause. Their perseverance will bear fruit.” PM Ashraf said Pakistan would stand by Kashmiris until the realisation of their demands for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute. “On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, I reaffirm Pakistan’s firm

SC orders govt to implement flood commission’s report ISLAMABAD Online

LAHORE Online

Pakistan will continue its political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmir cause and one such February 5 will come when the Kashmir dispute will be resolved, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif said on Monday.

In his message on Kashmir Day, Nawaz said the resolution of Kashmir issue, in an acceptable and practical form, had been a cornerstone of his foreign policy during both tenures of his government.

He said after the resolution of the dispute, other problems, existing between Pakistan and India, would also been resolved and resources of both the countries would be spent on national progress, prosperity, development and public welfare in an atmosphere of peace and amity in the region.

Nawaz said in the wake of 1998 atomic tests, the need to resolve the Kashmir issue, in a peaceful manner, was again highlighted at the international level. He said in the annual report of the General Assembly of the United Nations, the region of South Asia was declared a flashpoint and all international forums stressed the need for resolving the Kashmir dispute.

Nawaz said the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, in Lahore, in 1999 and Lahore Declaration, was an important step towards peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue.

He said the Indian prime minister had himself declared 1999 as the year for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, but, due to misadventure of Musharraf gang, this diplomatic peace initiative was lost.

commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the protection of their fundamental rights,” the prime minister said in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day. The prime minister said the Kashmir dispute had been on the agenda of the United Nations for more than six decades as an unfulfilled obligation.

He said the government of Pakistan would continue to extend its unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the just cause of the Kashmiri people to safeguard their right to selfdetermination through a free and impartial plebiscite in line with UN Charter and UNSC resolutions. He said Pakistan had always supported dialogue with the government of India.

“We have initiated CBMs in good faith and hope that the CBMs would mitigate the suffering of the Kashmiri people. We also hope that the CBMs would lead to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” he said. “We give the people of Kashmir our solemn pledge that they can count on us in their hour of anguish.”

The Supreme Court (SC) directed the federal government and all provincial chief secretaries to ensure implementation of every recommendation of the Flood Commission’s report.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the case pertaining to the implementation of the Flood Commission’s report.

Furthermore, the court also issued a notice to Marvi Memon, a former legislator of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) now associated with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), to appear in court for the upcoming hearing of the case.

Memon, who had requested the court in September 2011 to order the revival of the commission to determine if the government had failed to carry out its recommendations, is expected to review the report during the next hearing.

During the hearing, the CJP enquired from the Sindh additional advocate general as to why the commission’s report had not been made public. He added

that damages had been estimated at Rs 855 billion, whereas 85 lives had been lost. He further said that destruction had not been prevented and no one had been held accountable.

The chief justice further enquired about the measures taken to obstruct the flow of rivers, adding that nothing had been done to alleviate the calamity. He said that the Punjab government bore more responsibility for not obstructing the flow of the rivers, as all rivers pass through the province.

He asked why low-lying areas had not been cleared of floodwater, adding that inaction in this regard would result in a loss of lives. He said that innocent lives must not be put at stake to satisfy political interests.

A representative of the Sindh Irrigation Department told the court that 25 percent of the encroachments in low-lying areas had been cleared.

Moreover, the chief justice said that a Google Earth satellite image should also be submitted as proof that encroachments had been removed.

The court directed the federal government and all provincial chief secretaries to ensure implementation of every recommendation made in the commission’s report. The hearing was adjourned for three weeks.

sC seeks detailed report in niCl scandal case ISLAMABAD Online

The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday sought a detailed report from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the interior secretary in the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scandal case, and adjourned the hearing for 10 days. A three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up the case on Monday. During the hearing, the CJP remarked: “The NICL case involves national wealth and national interest.

There is need that all institutions discharge their respective obligations. Now orders will have to be issued for the recovery of public wealth.” Munir Ahmad Paracha appeared on behalf of the government and told the court that the entire amount involved in the NICL case had been recovered. The CJP ordered Paracha to frame separate charts of all such cases in this regard and provide para-wise details of the money recovered, and present the report in the court. Raja Ibrahim Satti appeared in the court on behalf of the commerce secretary, and told that the reply sought from his client had been filed. The CJP asked who was appearing on behalf of the interior secretary.

“There is much silence on his side despite the fact that half of responsibility in this regard rested with him,” he remarked. Interior Minister Rehman Malik appeared in the court and said that he would speed up the pace of the case. The court adjourned the hearing for 10 days besides seeking a detailed report from the institutions concerned.

lhC irked at government failure to produce records LAHORE Online

Hearing a case on the inclusion of Mianwali district in the proposed Bahawalpur Janoobi Punjab province, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday reprimanded the additional attorney general over the government’s failure to produce relevant documents before the bench.

According to details, the government had been directed to produce the recommendations on new provinces which had been submitted in the National Assembly last week. It was also told to produce a copy of the notification issued about the formation of the parliamentary commission formed for new provinces.

However, the additional attorney general informed the court that he had been unable to get his hands on the records and requested more time.

Responding to the request, Justice Khalid Mehmood observed that the court had merely sought some documents from the government and had not asked them to solve an algebra problem.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to February 6 and sought the relevant documents by the said date.

widespread rains, snowfall lead to several areas cut off ISLAMABAD inp

Scattered rain across the country and snowfall in the upper mountainous regions led to a drop in temperatures, disrupting road and communication links creating shortage of fuel and commodities adding to hardships of population stranded in cut off areas.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), heavy and scattered rains lashed Punjab, Upper Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir. Heavy snowfall was also recorded in mountainous regions of the country. Rain also inundated the lower lying areas in Punjab, Sindh and KP and local population had to face severe hardships besides disruption of traffic due to accumulation of rain water.

Several upper areas of country were cut off with from main towns due to landslides and avalanches. The stranded population had to face severe hardships due to shortage of fuel and commodities. During past 24 hours Risalpur received 84 mm rain while rain recorded in other cities was: Saidu Sharif 83 mm, Peshawar 79mm, Lower Dir 67mm, Rawalpindi 62mm, Kohat, 61mm, Mianwali 49mm, Bannu 48mm, Khuzdar 39mm, Muzaffarabad 30mm, Balakot 25mm, Lahore 19mm, Sargodha 11mm and Jhang 8mm. Snowfall recorded in Malam Jabba was 3.5 feet, Kalam two feet, Darosh one foot, Dir

PESHAWAR: A wall in a parking lot collapsed after heavy rains on Monday, damaging several vehicles. inp

eight inches, Murree seven inches, Chitral six inches and Skardu five inches.

Lowest temperature was recorded in Qalat at 7C Meanwhile, PMD has forecasted more rain and snowfall in mountainous areas of Punjab, Upper Sindh, Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Balochistan, GilgitBaltistan and Kashmir during next 24 hours. Weather in Karachi and Lahore turned cold after rainfall in the wee

hours of Monday. Several areas of Karachi received heavy showers. The scattered rain dropped the mercury which has risen in the last couple of days.

Weather in Punjab’s provincial capital, Lahore turned cold after heavy showers. The PMD forecasted widespread rains with isolated heavy fall in upper Punjab including Islamabad, while scattered rain was expected in southern Punjab during next 24 hours.

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Don’t just teach your children to read...teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything — Social critic and Satirist George Carlin

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Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

karzai biggest cause for lack of progress on Taliban talks: report

WASHINGTON: The United States’ desire for political settlement as way forward in Afghanistan is making no headway due to lingering mistrust among parties, with the Afghan president’s demands regarding Qatar office for Taliban talks being the biggest roadblock, a report said Monday.

A report in The Washington Post, citing American officials, termed Hamid Karzai as the “biggest cause of U.S. teeth gnashing, and not for the first time.”

According to the paper, the crux of the latest disagreement is Karzai’s demand that Qatar produce a written memorandum of understanding agreeing to his preconditions for the Taliban office in Doha, the Qatari capital. The demands include assurances that the office would not be used for any “political purpose” other than direct negotiations with Afghanistan, that it have a fixed time frame and be closed if talks do not take place, and that all Taliban negotiators provide “documentation” proving they are legitimate representatives. President Barack Obama and his Afghan counterpat announced on January 11 during Karzai’s visit that a negotiating office for the Taliban was about to open in the Persian Gulf emirate of Qatar, raising optimism that peace talks would soon be back on track. “But January’s optimism has become February’s reality check: There is still no agreement to open the office, and Karzai, back in Kabul after his Washington visit, says there will be no deal until Qatar meets his conditions in writing.”

Jump-starting reconciliation has become a key element of its exit strategy, as the Obama administration nears a decision on the pace of U.S. combat troop withdrawals from Afghanistan between now and the end of 2014. Without some kind of political initiative underway as its forces leave, the administration fears that the United States will again be accused of abandoning the region, just as it was at the end of the Soviet Union’s Afghan occupation in the early 1990s. If another civil war breaks out, as many fear, Afghanistan’s neighbors will again feel the need to choose sides, the report speculates. In addition, U.S. hopes of positioning a post-withdrawal counterterrorism force in Afghanistan to continue the fight against remnants of al-Qaeda could be compromised, the report adds. speCial COrrespOndent

CHAMAN: Pakistani trucks carrying the food items wait for clearance from Afghanistan at Pak-Afghan border. The Afghan border authorities have stopped over 100 Pakistani trucks carrying food items to Turkmenistan and other Central Asian States under transit trade from entering Afghanistan via Chaman. inp

anP demands revocation of governor’s Rule ISLAMABAD

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anWer abbas

N an attempt to not upset potential coalition partners in Balochistan including Jamiat-e-Ulema-eIslam-Fazal (JUI-F) and Balochistan National Party-Awami (BNP-A), the Awami National Party (ANP) on Monday demanded its federal coalition partner Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to end the governor’s rule in Balochistan.

Informed sources told Pakistan Today that ANP was under immense pressure from the JUI-F and BNP-A led

by Mir Israrullah Zahri to join their movement to restore the recently removed provincial assembly.

JUI-F not only enjoys a strong presence in the Pushtun belt of Balochistan but also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whereas BNP-A is also a political force in both, the Pushtun and Baloch belts of the province, which played an important factor in ANP’s decision who do not want to get isolated in Balochistan during the upcoming polls. Another source said Senator Daud Khan Achakzai also participated actively in the recent decision because his wife was not only a member of the disbanded provincial assembly but was also an advisor to the chief minister on local government and rural de-

velopment. ANP members of Balochistan Assembly namely Engineer Zamarak Khan and Sultan Mohammad Tareen who were also provincial ministers pressurised their leadership to take this stance according to sources. ANP’s strategy in Balochistan apparently is to get the suspended provincial assembly restored and strengthen their position for the upcoming polls with special focus on the Pushtun belt in the province.

Meanwhile, ANP’s demand puts PPP in an awkward position which has not been able to come up with a suitable replacement for Nawab Aslam Raisani for Balochistan chief minister (CM) if the assembly is restored. Ali Madad Jattak-also supported by Faryal Talpur-was desirous to replace Raisani as the new CM but had strong differences with the powerful PPP Balochistan leader Mir Sadiq Umrani who issued a notice to Jattak for violating party discipline. JUI-F also has its eyes set on the top executive position in the province, which the PPP is unwilling to give up. Talking to journalists outside the Parliament House, ANP senior leader Senator Afrasiab Khattak flanked by ANP Central Information Secretary Senator Zahid Khan and Senator Daud Khan Achakzai demanded that the provincial assembly be given its constitutional right to decide about the future of the province.

us may use pre-emptive cyber strikes: report

WASHINGTON app

A secret legal review on Monday concluded that the US president had the power to order preemptive cyber strikes if the United States discovered credible evidence of a major digital attack against it is in the offing, The New York Times reported. Citing unnamed officials involved in the review, the newspaper said the new policy would also govern how the intelligence agencies could carry out searches of overseas computer networks for signs of potential attacks on the United States and, if the president approved, attack adversaries with a destructive code, even if there was no declared war. The review came as the US Department of Defense approved a fivefold expansion of its cyber security force over the coming years in a bid to increase its ability to defend critical computer networks.

Road to progress is now open ATHER ALI KHAN Hats off for Shehbaz Sharif, the Chief Minister of Punjab, who has spearheaded the execution of the biggest ever development project in the three thousand year’s history of Lahore. Unlike the forts and gardens of Mughals, which had a limited use, Metro Bus System of Shehbaz Sharif is now ready to benefit the millions of residents this great city and bringing them a revolutionary change in their life styles.

With the inauguration of Metro Bus System, road to progress is now open. Construction of this 27 Kilometers long track from Gajju Matta to Shahdra has not only connected the two far-flung destination points with one single thoroughfare, it has also accomplished the biggest, longest and a cost effective development project in the history of this great metropolis, Lahore.Plying of articulated buses under this system has provided not only a safe and swift mode of transport to the commuters, it has also given them a sense of being honoured and respected. Indeed the completion of this land-mark project will usher in a new era in Pakistan, especially in Lahore and will become a big leap towards the provision of civic facilities of international standard in the provincial metropolis.

It is very encouraging that this 27 kmlong project, from Gajjumatta to Shahdra, has been completed with a minimum cost of around Rs 30 billion, an amount 9 times less than the underground project as planned by previous provincial Government. It is to be noted that the feasibility study of the underground, Lahore Rapid Mass Transit System (LRMTS), as suggested by the previous provincial government, estimated the cost of Rs 250 billion.

Certainly, the current economic situation did not allow to for the much-hyped project; therefore, the PMLN government, which believes in optimum use of available resources, selected the MBS which is easy to supervise, maintain & repair when necessary. It must be kept in mind that this project has got a compatible capacity for future expansion n extension when required, in addition to benefit of its durable n strong infrastructure which may be utilized for even Trains in future, if opted so.

The early completion of this project within a shortest span of just one year has beaten the record of even its mother country Turkey where 42 km of Metro System took 3 years to complete.

The project includes the construction of a 8.6 km long overhead bridge, the biggest in length in the whole Asia, to ensure the

easy and fast flow of traffic on the already existing ground roads in the region. Pre cost Tranzums i.e., pre-fabricated parts of the bridge are utilized for the first time in Pakistan. 48 such units are raised from Tamasil Centre Ferozepur road to Nohar Wala Chowk, Lytton Road. Each unit weigh 90 Tons and is 9.8 m long, 2.7 m wide and 2.2 m high which are placed on the upper edges of the 5 meter high pillars prepared for the bridge. The girders and the slabs are placed over to complete the bridge completion, without any shuttering material. These pre cost units are fabricated in a Nespak approved factory on Multan Road. From where these are shifted to the site and placed accordingly, with help of heavy lifters.

115 long buses, having three times more capacity than the normal bus does have, will be running on the MBS corridors shortly, out of which 45 buses have already reached Lahore, after these landed in Karachi from China. These Volvo China buses will cost Rs 1.26 billion @ 280 million each. Keeping in mind the local Traffic System, these buses are converted into right steering ones. Each bus is 18 metres in length with 150 passengers` capacity, having separate compartments for ladies & gents. MBS bis will cover the 27 km dis-

tance from Gajjumatta to Shahdara within just 45 minutes which seems quite impossible under prevailing system of congested traffic in the city. The design speed of Metro bus is 40 kilometres per hour. The time table for these modern busses is framed in such a way that the new bus will be available at each station after every 3 minutes. Metro bus will carry 8000 passengers per hour and hence will be able to transfer atleast one lac persons in 14 working hours per day.

The latest ticketing system is also being introduced at each Metro station, along with other necessary facilities for the passengers. Another important feature of the project is the construction of 32 overhead bridges, one at every kilometer of the main carraige way in average, for the pedestrians. The bridges are accomplished with automatic staircases to faciliate the passengers. Eleven parking places have also been included with the MBS corridor, to facilitate the parking of the public vehicles of the passengers, who opt to reach MBS station on their own vehicles to travel on a Metro bus for a long distance.

To take care of the public interests, Punjab government has made the payments to the private owners of the land utilized for the project on district Price Assessment

Committee Rates, as per law n rules. Rs 1.80 billion has been already provided to the Land Acquisition Collector. A three days special One Window Camp was arranged from 20th to 22nd December 2010 in Jinnah Hall Lahore, to ensure these payments to the owners the owners of the land acquired, on the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab. All conderned officials including from Revenue remained present in the camp with the necessary record and the payments were made through cheques to the relevant perons.

Another important factor of implementation of the project is that it also maximizes economic benefits of the people, in shape of many employment opportunities already generated in construction phase which will be increased to many times during operational stages, hence will serve affluently to the poor n unemployed people when hundreds of the people will be need as bus staff, security staff, in control rooms and other places of the route. Thousands of the people are also being employed for the new traffic n security agencies meant for the project. Most of them will be recruited out of retired service men. These newly appointed persons will be trained in Elite Training School in a special manner.

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When you say things like, ‘We have to wipe out the Taliban,’ what does that mean?

The Taliban is not a fixed number of people. The Taliban is an ideology that has sprung out of a history that, you know, America created anyway. –Arundhati Roy

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Revival of two-nation theory

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Muslims in India and Hindus in Pakistan

Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

not the right venue for protest PML-N’s stance as unconstitutional as Qadri’s

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NE is bound to be worried about the health of the system when parliamentarians take to marches and sit-ins instead of using the constitutional platform available to them to air their grievances. It is ironic that while the PML-N rejected Tahirul Qadri’s march for getting his demands accepted through pressure, it is itself following in his footsteps. The opposition would have been justified in doing so if it was being steamrollered in the National Assembly by the government which is not the case. The issues being raised revolves around the powers allotted to the EC. The 20th amendment was passed unanimously in the NA after lengthy consultations with the opposition. Speaking on the floor of the House, a jubilant Nisar Ali Khan had claimed, “The authority being given to it (i.e., Election Commission) through the 20th amendment in the constitution has never been given to any election commission in the world.” From one extreme the Leader of the Opposition has gone to another now. He has joined a sit-in along with party members and allies “to express solidarity with the ECP and demand its empowerment to ensure free and fair general election”, as PML-N information secretary summarised the rationale for the protest.

The constitution does not give the power of transferring government officials to the EC. Yet the Leader of the Opposition has a long list of federal and provincial bureaucrats including heads of the FIA, PTV, Intelligence Bureau, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation, NADRA, PEMRA and even a number of ambassadors who the EC is being pressed to get transferred before the elections. The demand is as extra-constitutional and unjustified as the one by Qadri to include army and judiciary in consultations for the formation of the EC and the caretaker setup.

The PPP has delayed the talks with the opposition for the formation of a neutral caretaker setup for far too long. Caretaker chief ministers cannot be appointed in the Sindh and Balochistan as long as there is no agreement on leaders of the opposition in the two provinces. Long after their separation from the ruling alliance in Sindh, the ANP, PML-F and NPP MPAs were not provided seats on the opposition benches. Ignoring the strictures

by SC, the PPP delayed the orderly replacement of the dysfunctional Raisani government finally endorsing the Governor’s rule. It needs now to urgently hold talks with the opposition to resolve these issues. In the absence of a consensus between the ruling alliance and the opposition, self serving formulas like the one advocated by the JUI-F will continue to be touted.

Full of contradictions Qadri, democracy and martial law

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HOEVER thought that the Canadian cleric Dr Tahirul Qadri, whose love for Pakistani politics and people had suddenly rekindled a few months ago after a hiatus of some seven years, was done with his theatrics could not be any more mistaken. Claiming to be the messiah of the people, he is now cashing in on his two-minute fame by saying that it was he who saved the country from martial law by ending his sit-in in the capital last month, adding that if he had allowed the participants a ‘free hand’, the country would have been placed under martial law “within five minutes”. Many had him already pegged as a front man for the powers that be; his statement leaves no doubt about it as in case if his claim were true he could still throw the country into martial law’s clutches, thus proving that he is at least a stooge for the establishment, if not in cohorts with them.

Addressing the Central Executive Committee of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Qadri has announced that the phase two of his long march would start soon, only this time it would be an even bigger headache for the government with tens of thousands of people on the roads, essentially bringing the routine life to a halt. He claims his mission is to get rid of the corrupt politicians. Noble of him, but his manner of achieving his objective is what casts shadows on his motives. As the rules of democracy dictate, politicians in the parliament represent the will of the public at large; their actions are backed by the mandate the people have posed in them. The same cannot though be said of the politicians outside the parliament as they have not proven their worth through the test of elections. A mere following of tens of thousands of people can’t democratically justify it.

The cleric is insistent that he won’t allow thieves to come into power in the name of democracy. This is ironic as it was he who actually tried to highjack the system last month and is adamant to do so again in a few days. If Qadri wants to change how the system works, he first has to be a part of it which, it seems, he is unwilling to do on his fear of losing his Canadian citizenship. Apparently, he even resigned from his post of President PAT for the same reason. His replacement, Dr Raheeq Abbasi, says that they would first test the waters before deciding to contest the upcoming elections. A good decision though their showing no trust in the ECP smacks ill of their intentions.

Full of contradictions this cleric appears to be. Not a good thing for the country, democracy or even his followe

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor Lahore – Ph: 042-36375963-5 Fax: 042-32535230 Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 Fax: 021-35381208 Islamabad – Ph: 051-2287273 Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

border Crossing Kuldip nayar

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UZAFFAR Beg is one of sensible voices in Kashmir.

But I could not understand why he was mentioning partition or the 1947 killings when commenting on the controversy over the BJP’s demand for Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s resignation on his remark that both the RSS and the BJP gave training at shakas (small gatherings) to Hindu terrorists. On the other hand, a Pakistani lawyer told an Indian Muslim on a television channel that he was worse than a Hindu because he blamed the ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) for launching and supporting terrorists. Famous Indian actor Shahrukh Khan says that as a Muslim he has felt unsafe.

In an e-mail message to me one well-read Muslim from Karachi says: “We do not have any problems with our Hindu brothers inspite of the fact that our Muslim brothers are being killed simply because they are Muslims in Gujarat.” An Indian prisoner was severely beaten and killed at Kot Lakhpat jail by the staff which made “racial remarks against Indians”.

(Incidentally, the same jail has Sarabjit Singh on death row.)

One common theme that runs through all observations and the death in jail is the same old estrangement between Hindus and Muslims. Partition was considered a solution to the problem when the British rulers were quitting.

But it is still a problem. After partition, relations between the two communities have been spoilt.

Now it is not only Hindus and Muslims but also India and Pakistan.

I am a witness to partition. The separation

was a settlement between the two countries, and based on religion. Nothing could be more futile than an argument now about who was responsible for the partition of the subcontinent.

With the sequence of events stretching back to more than six decades, such an exercise can only be an academic question. But it is clear that the differences between Hindus and Muslims had become so acute by the beginning of the forties that something like partition had become inevitable.

For Beg to remind partition is to raise a scare, knowing well that another partition is out of the question. I concede that the Indian polity is not as secular as our forefathers wanted or envisaged. Hindus have a feeling that they are a majority and Muslims suffer from a complex of being a minority. Yet India is far better than Pakistan whose founder Qaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had said that religion would have nothing to do with the state. Jinnah never propounded the thesis that the Indian Muslims would be Pakistan’s charge.

Therefore, the intellectual from Karachi propagates pan-Islamism when he says that “our Muslim brothers are being killed”. Muslims on this side are Indians and those across the border are Pakistanis. This is precisely what Jinnah said after partition: “You are Pakistanis or Indians and you cease to be Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, not in the religious sense but otherwise.” He buried the two-nation theory there and then.

What happened in Gujarat is a shame and a stigma on the country’s secular face. The result is that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modhi has become a pariah throughout India. Muslims in Gujarat, West Bengal or in any other state are Indian citizens, equal before the law. Some extremists or the states with weak administrations do not make them lesser citizens by their behaviour. True, their backwardness is a point of concern, something which the Sachar Commission made. However, the report remains largely unimplemented even after six years.

In fact, the problem with Beg and others whom I have quoted have not got out of the two-nation theory mindset. Religion does not determine nationhood. The liberation of Bangladesh, East Pakistan separating from West Pakistan, buried the two-nation theory deep. The fact that both were Muslims could not keep East Pakistan from liberating itself when there was discrimination against the peo-

ple living there.

When the Kashmiris project themselves as a nation, they are confusing community with the nation. They will be either part of the Indian nation or that of Pakistan if and when the UN resolution is implemented. Their independent status is neither accepted by India nor by Pakistan and I do not foresee such circumstances where three-four million people, landlocked, become independent.

In fact, the question is a larger one. Hindus and Muslims who have lived together for centuries have not generally shed their animosity towards each other. The only relieving patch was when even during the Muslims rule, they were together in their struggle against emperors. The British were the villain of the piece.

By introducing communal electorate and reservations for Muslims they injected the poison of separation in Indian body politics and it has not gone out of the system yet.

Soon after independence it looked as if we have got rid of the virus. Muslims voluntarily gave up reservations and even when the Constituent Assembly wanted to have a provision of reservations for Muslims, they said no. Little did they realise that they would face discrimination subsequently. So much so, the Sachar Commission has said that the plight of Muslims is worse than that of dalits.

The immediate point of concern of Muslims is that an extremist group of Hindus is indulging in acts of terrorism and the Hindu community on the whole is suspecting Muslims for the killing or bomb blasts. Young boys from the community have been picked up by the police as terrorists and kept in jail for years till the courts have acquitted them. True, their innocence is established but by then they spend best part of their youth in detention. And there is no accountability and none in the police has been punished for having put them in jail wrongly.

The most serious slur is Shahrukh Khan’s statement that he, as a Muslim, feels unsafe. He is not the kind of person who will exaggerate or try to invent. Terrorist Hafiz Muhammad Said exploits the expression and welcomes SRK to Pakistan. Of course, the latter has poohpoohed offer. Yet India fails in its credentials of being a secular society as long as SRKs do not feel safe as Hindus do. I see the revival of a two-nation theory in such developments.

The writer is a senior Indian journalist.

Masseuse-ment Does no one see the dirty double game being played by our TV channels?

mighty Obvious syed hassan belal Zaidi

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T all begins with the ratings dwindling.

Then, advertisers start being stingy with their money. Salaries are delayed. Lay-offs ensue.

Content suffers and the channel is struggling.

The talk shows don’t pack as much of a punch as their competitors’ melodramatic offerings.

That is when the bosses decide they need to spice things up.

Enter Dr Maria Zulfiqar Khan. An experienced newsreader, Dr Maria honed her skills anchoring the primetime 9PM bulletin of Express 24/7, at one time Pakistan’s only English news channel. Also the least watched one. But after the sudden demise of the English-language dream, Dr Maria is forced to hawk her wares in Urdu. It begins with her filling in for absent talk show pundits, presenting “specials” on “issues that no one talks about”. Her big break comes when she invites certain “transvestites” to her show to discuss the problems facing “their kind”. A fight breaks out and during the physical altercation; the combatants begin to deprive each other of articles of clothing. And thus, Dr Maria Zulfiqar Khan is launched into the world of talk shows as the intrepid reporter who loves nothing better than to expose the seedy, taboo underbelly of Pakistan.

To be fair, the good doctor knows her audience. In a span of four months, she does shows titled ‘How do ‘blue films’ of Pakistani girls make it onto the Internet?’, ‘Criminal negligence by medical practitioners’, ‘Sexual abuse against women’, ‘Cyber sex at an all time high’, ‘Vulgarity: our compulsion, your pleasure’. Some of these topics represent valid avenues for debate, discourse around which is central to a healthy society. But sifting through the smut to get to the good bits, one would be hard pressed to see the humanist or journalistic angles in these broadcasts.

However, Herr Dokter finds herself in a fix now. She is being shunned and crucified by social media hacks and civil society activists for her latest, Maya-esque episode on illicit massage parlours. In the episode, Dr Maria Zulfiqar raids (alongside police) a private residence purported to be a brothel, running under the guise of a massage parlour. At the outset, the good doctor claims to be working on a tip off received from one of the women who were being forced into prostitution at the massage parlour. However, when she arrives at the scene, she has all the airs of a provincial chief minster about her, ordering people into custody and yelling moral dogma at hapless ‘sex workers’. She then goes on a moralising spree, all but cussing out everyone from girls’ parents to the proprietors of the ‘establishment’. The show ends with a soliloquy on the evils that have permeated our society and the need to rid ourselves of such unclean practices.

Imagine if you will, a private residence. It can be located in any part of our fair backwater where normal, Pakistani law applies. In order to enter the residence, you must either be an owner, a guest or someone invited into the premises for a specific task i.e., housemaid, plumber, cable TV operator etc. The only way law enforcement agencies can obtain access to said premises is to obtain a warrant. In civilised society, there is really no other way of entering private property.

You would think that like law enforcement officials, journalists would hold themselves to a higher standard and not resort to cheap, crowdpleasing tactics. Well, you’d be wrong. This is a far cry from when the Burqa-brigade from Jamia Hafsa began kidnapping Chinese masseuses and triggered world war three in the heart of the capital; it is now morally justified for a rogue TV show host to barge into private property and accuse the occupants of running a brothel and operating a prostitution ring.

I exaggerate, of course. But so does the right honourable doctor, employed by the Redand-White Media Group. Yes, the same people who brought you hits such as Maya Khan’s Emmy nominated apology, Veena Malik’s demolition of a religious cleric with penchant for ogling beautiful women and the on-air intimidation of already-marginalised Baloch leaders by one Barrister Saif, now present (for your viewing pleasure) a foray into the seedy, x-rated underbelly of Pakistani society.

Does no one see the dirty double game being played here by her employers? By taking these taboo subjects and airing the dirty linen in primetime, the channel is, in fact, catering to the perversions of the very segment of society that they seek to decry i.e., the sleazy, seedy and uncouth individuals who would take pleasure in watching such stories of depravity are the same people who this show is trying to villainise. With each show, the intent seems to be, more and more, to tantalise and titillate rather than educate or liberate.

Maria Zulfiqar Khan is just a pawn in this dangerous game of “my morality is bigger than yours”. It’s time we woke up and smelt the coffee.

The moral fabric of our society is being replaced by outrage, pure adulterated and misguided outrage. And like a homing missile without a target, such outrage can only do more damage.

Follow @mightyobvious on Twitter for more incoherence in 140 characters or less

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Celebrity distorts democracy by giving the rich, beautiful, and famous more authority than they deserve. –Maureen Dowd

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Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan Fax: +92-42-32535230 E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively

limitations of Bhasha dam The PPP government is giving top priority to Bhasha dam unmindful of its many limitations. It will not utilise the huge flows of Kabul, Chitral, Swat, Haro and Soan rivers, which only Kalabagh dam can.

Similarly, it will not moderate the floods in these rivers which will keep creating havoc every year in south Punjab and Sindh. Being outside the monsoon range it will not utilise any of the 30 million acre feet annual monsoon flows. It will be dependent entirely on snow melted from the glaciers which have a projected life of 30 years only.

It will be too little too late, at best a replacement for Mangla and Tarbela dams which will have lost considerable capacity for storage and generation by the time it is commissioned in 12 to 15 years. It was not without reason that Kalabagh dam was given top priority and was the first dam to be built under ‘Wapda Vision 2025’. Sindh will get the same share of water from Kalabagh dam as Punjab. The PPP government should stop misleading the people, tell the people the truth and let them decide.

ENGR KHURSHID ANWER Lahore

expectations kill relations

The kashmir problem The issue is old, not out of date

maliK muhammad ashraf

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OR the last more than six decades, the people of Kashmir are fighting for their inalienable right of self-determination, as enunciated in the UN resolutions on the Kashmir dispute and repeatedly promised by the Indian leadership in the wake of the unequivocal position taken on the issue by the world body. To support their epic struggle, Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th of February every year. The observance of this day is purported to reassure the people of Kashmir that Pakistan has an abiding and unswerving commitment to support their cause and stands by them under all circumstances. It also aims at reminding the world community of its obligation towards the people of Kashmir and to reiterate the fact that their apathy to their sufferings could have disastrous consequences for the world peace. Another objective is to send a clear message to the Indians that no amount of oppression and persecution can keep the people of Kashmir under subjugation for long and prevent the inevitable.

The Indian Independence Act and the partition plan of 3 June, 1947, envisaged the division of the Indian sub-continent into two sovereign states of Pakistan and India. There were more than five hundred princely states in India at the time of partition ruled by the native rulers who enjoyed autonomy in running the affairs of their states.

These states were given the option to join any of the two dominions keeping in view the demographic realities and their geographical proximity.

Ruler of Hyderabad who was a Muslim wanted to join Pakistan, but the Indian government annexed the state using its military might on the plea that since majority of the population of Hyderabad was Hindu it could not accede to Pakistan. Kashmir having 87 percent Muslim population was ruled by a Sikh ruler. The people of Kashmir were desirous of joining Pakistan due to its geographical proximity and their historic, religious and cultural bonds with the people of Pakistan. However the Indian government coerced the Sikh ruler to join the Indian dominion. That was a classic example of the Indian double standards and its betrayal of the principles enshrined in the partition

plan and negation of the reasons it employed to capture Hyderabad.

As soon as the Raja announced Kashmir’s accession to India, the people of Kashmir revolted against the decision. To quell the disturbances and to consolidate its hold on Kashmir, India sent its army to the valley which further fuelled the conflagration and eventually led to war between Pakistan and India. The Indian government approached the UN on 1 January, 1948, for help in the matter. A number of resolutions were adopted by the UN emphasising the need for immediate cessation of hostilities, demarcation of the ceasefire line, demilitarisation of the territory and deciding the question of accession through a plebiscite under the auspices of UN. With the passing of the resolutions, a ceasefire came into effect and a demarcation line was also drawn which partitioned Kashmir into Azad Kashmir and Indian-held Kashmir. On the question of demilitarisation of the valley, no headway could be made due to the Indian intransigence.

The head of the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan Sir Oven Dixon, an eminent Australian jurist, quit his job in protest against non-cooperation by India. However, the Indian leader Jawahar Lal Nehru in the correspondence exchanged with Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his statements in the Indian parliament kept reiterating his commitment to abide by the UN resolutions and allow the people of Kashmir to settle the question of accession through their free will.

The Indian government actually was never sincere in meeting its international obligations.

The first Indian somersault and reneging on the promise for plebiscite came when the Indian government, through the General Council of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, had a resolution passed calling for elections to the constituent assembly and settling the question of accession of Kashmir. The UN immediately reacted to this development and through its resolution No 91 rejected the notion that the question of the accession of Kashmir could be disposed of through any arrangement other than the one provided by the UN resolutions on the issue. And when the constituent assembly passed a constitution for the Indian-held Kashmir on November 7, 1956, and formally announced the accession of whole of Kashmir to India ( the basis of Indian claims of Kashmir being an integral part of India), the UN again rejected the move through its resolution No 122. However, from its newly contrived stance on the issue, India con-

tinued with its oppressive policies against the people of occupied Kashmir and a hostile posture towards Pakistan, leading to two more wars between the two countries. On each occasion, international intervention led to cessation of hostilities but no headway was made towards the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

In the wake of 1971 war, India and Pakistan signed Simla Agreement committing themselves to resolve all disputes including Kashmir through bilateral negotiations. But unfortunately the Indians never responded positively to Pakistan’s overtures for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Frustrated by this continued stalemate, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front launched an armed struggle against the Indian occupation of Kashmir in 1989. India responded by inducting more than seventy thousand troops, who let loose a reign of terror in the valley. The international community which initially recognised the move as a freedom struggle has shown criminal indifference to the cause of Kashmiris after 9/11.

Encouraged by the apathy of the international community, India has also remained evasive on the core issue of Kashmir. The back channel diplomacy and the dialogue process for confidence building measures, started in the ’90s, has also failed to produce results as India has been repeatedly suspending the dialogue process on one pretext or the other. But despite this Indian intransigence Pakistan has not lost faith in the desirability of continuing the dialogue.

The present government deserves unqualified accolades in reviving the dialogue and taking steps towards normalisation of relations between the two countries, without losing focus on the ultimate resolution of the Kashmir conundrum. India must realise that merely concentrating on the peripheral issues is not going to bring peace in the region and improve relations between the two countries. The continued deadlock on the core issue can scuttle the progress on the confidence building measures and normalisation of relations. Non resolution of this issue will undermine the prospects of peace in the region besides adversely impacting economic progress in both the countries.

The writer is an academic.

Noting is more injurious to healthy relation than expectations. One can say that strong bonding between friends, family and relatives are brought to an end by the undue expectations. The problem is how it damages the fabric of blood as well as other important relations. Except blood relations, every other relation comes into existence with covalent sharing of the affections, desires, hopes etc. In such relations, if one tries to put the burden of expectations on the other one without considering his power to translate those into practice, this results in the decline of relations. Similarly, if one keeps alive expectations without considering the other person’s power to pay back in the same coin, one would meet the same fate as discussed above. The nature of being demanding not only collapses the relation but enhances the enmity between friends. In most of the love marriages in which the same element seems to be present, they often meet the same fate. In a relation, one should relinquish the unhealthy nature of being demanding and respect the feeling of each other.

SADIA NAWAZ CHEEMA Lahore

who has the real power?

We shall be grateful to Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan for officially stating what is known for a long time; where the faultline is — they have nominated three politicians as guarantors for any peace talk with army. The three guarantors are Nawaz Sharif of Muslim League, Munawar Hassan of Jamat-e-Islami and Fazal-ur-Rehman of Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam. Taliban’s desire to talk to army only, not with the government, shows who is the real power in the country. They renewed threats against those political parties who are ideologically not in line with Taliban. Consequently ANP, PPP and MQM are on Taliban’s hit list. Recent daring attacks on civilians and security agencies in Karachi and tribal areas prove the point that Taliban are offering peace deal from a position of strength. Those leaders who have been chosen as guarantors by Taliban shall think twice if they are pushing the country to dark ages. Governance by Taliban-Al-Qaeda nexus in Afghanistan, Swat, Somalia and Mali shall be enough to imagine what lies for Pakistan in surrendering its sovereignty to a brutal force from medieval times.

MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arabia

drugs regulation Pakistan is the country where people lose their lives due to criminal negligence of the government and its machinery is seemingly inefficient and lethargic to play its due role to protect public lives and property. Deadly incidents are being reported increasingly in the last few days in which many people died after consuming medicines prescribed by doctors. This happened due to toxic elements blended in the medicines but there is no such government authority or agency which performs its role to control the spread of counterfeit and toxic medicines in the market. The recent incident in Punjab, in which 50 people were killed due to deadly cough syrup Tyno, has posed a question mark on the efficiency of Drug Regulatory Authority (DRA) which has the mandate to supervise all operations of drug producers and dealers in the country.

But apparently, it has never played its role to supervise the operations of drug producers and dealers in the country that cost lives of innocent people. Are not the people with authority responsible equally along with those who imported such chemicals to prepare toxic medicines?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reportedly found toxic ‘levomethorphan’ in the raw material imported from an Indian manufacturer Kenduskar used in cough syrups. According to its finding, the raw material used in the cough syrups Tyno and Dextromethorphan includes 22 percent and 11 percent “lethal” levomethorphan content respectively. If cough syrups have been prepared with the toxic elements, then there are definite possibilities that more medicines contain such poisonous elements that cost lives of many innocence people in different parts of the country.

The government and judiciary should take action to stop the spread of toxic medicine in the local market and appoint honest and professional officials in the DRA that perform their duties efficiently in the sensitive nature of this business. The government should empower DRA and take all stakeholders, including drug manufacturers and importers of medicine, onboard to avoid such deadly incidents in the country again.

ABU BAKAR Karachi

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Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

adulT aCTRess Bids To Be FiRsT PoRn sTaR in sPaCe Adult actress Coco Brown , who has done movies like Black Panty Chronicles 2 and Big Booty Bomb 2, is training to be the first porn star in space. The 32year-old star has reportedly paid 64000 pounds to be part of a private Dutch mission due to blast off in spring 2014, as she hopes to strip off and give her fellow astronauts a show, the Sun reported. “We have gear that we have to wear, but I’ll see what I can do up there.

Maybe I’ll pop my boob out and take a photo of it with the Earth in the background,” she said. Brown is said to have undergone anti-gravity training and can’t wait to journey 62 miles above the surface of the earth on the SXC rocket. She asserted that she always had a love of space and is a very adventurous person. Brown added that she isn’t planning to have sex in space, as she said that it would be almost impossible to romp at zero gravity. neWs desK

johnnY dePP To sTaR as gangsTeR in BlaCk Mass US star Johnny Depp will play notorious Boston gangster Whitey Bulger in the film “Black Mass”, to be directed by Barry Levinson, the producers announced Saturday. The film recounts the fate of the godfather of Boston’s underworld who became an FBI informant to get rid of a gangster rival but was eventually arrested in 2011.

Adapted from a book by two Boston Globe journalists, “Black Mass” will be directed by Barry Levinson, who won an Oscar for best director in 1988 for “Rain Man.” Shooting will start in May and the film will be distributed by Universal Studios, said a statement from co-producer Cross Creek. Depp, 49, will also play in Disney’s “The Lone Ranger” scheduled for release next summer. neWs desK

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves — Lao Tzu

eBooks or traditional books?

NEWS DESK While you’re browsing the electronic bookshelves of an online bookstore, you may be tempted to buying a lower-priced eBook over a physical copy. Before you buy either version though, it’s important to realize that there are definite advantages and disadvantages of each, you should always evaluate your own needs before deciding.

THE fOLLOWING ARE SOME Of THE ADvANTAGES Of EBOOKS OvER PHySICAL TITLES: n Travel. If you’re on the go a lot, you know how heavy regular titles are, particularly if you intend to finish one book while you are out and need to bring another book with you. eBooks allow you to bring a whole library with you wherever you go. You can switch between titles with ease and the weight is lighter than a standard paperback. n Storage. Those who own a lot of books know how much space they can take up, but with a reader, your bookshelf is located on a small handheld device, your computer or on both. This will save you a lot of storage space and also means you have a backup online if something happens to your books. n Price. eBooks are often cheaper in the long run because there are no printing fees associated with them. In fact, you can often find free eBooks online, whereas physical books almost always cost you something. You must remember however, that readers are not free, you are going to spend a good amount upfront for a device like this. n Speed. When you buy an eBook, your reward is instantaneous. Whereas if you order a book online you have to wait for it to arrive before the fun begins. n Font adjustments. With

an eBook, you can instantly change the darkness of the lettering or the size of your font. When your eyes feel strained after reading a paper book too long, you have little choice but to stop reading. With an eBook, you can just change the font size and keep going. This is also a great feature for those who need large print books. n Night reading. If you read in bed, an eBook may be a good option as many readers come with built-in reading lights. These are easy to use and won’t get in the way like the lights attached to actual books do.

ADvANTAGES Of PHySICAL BOOKS OvER ELECTRONIC TITLES: n Resale value. Like music downloads, you’ll never actually be able to resell electronic books. If you are into collectable books, this is a particularly big problem and you should only use physical titles. n Reading ease. This one is only really a benefit for those that would otherwise read eBooks on their computers or phones. If you buy a commercial eReader, it will probably use ink technology that will not hurt your eyes with backlight. Never the less, you don’t need to worry about this problem with a physical book. n No devices needed. If you find yourself in a small town without your cell phone or computer, you won’t be able to download a new title for your eBook, but you can always stop by a local bookstore and pick up a new paperback. n No batteries. While most readers

have a good battery life, there will still be times where you forget to charge it and then can’t read at all. You’ll never have this problem with a standard book. n No warranties needed. If your eReader breaks, you will have nothing to read until you receive a new one. Some devices let you read the titles you have saved on your computer, but it’s just something you’ll never have to worry about with a physical book. Best of all, if a book does get damaged to where you can’t read it, you can just go to the bookstore and buy another copy, rather than worrying if it is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. n Tradition. Let’s face it; you’re never going to get that comforting smell of paper or the weight of a good book in your hands when you read an eBook.

Demi Moore and Harry Morton spotted on night out Demi Moore was again spotted with Harry Morton as they enjoyed a late meal at a club in West Hollywood recently. The 50 -year-old actress was first photographed with the 31-year-old restauranteur (who dated Lindsay Lohan in 2006) on a dinner date in Beverly Hills in early January. Wearing a tight dress and 5 inch high heels, Moore and Morton dined toward the back of the restaurant, and emerged to leave around 10 p.m, Us magazine reported. An eyewitness told the publication that Moore, who greeted other patrons at the club during their exit, looked really very happy. While insiders told E! News that the pair had been quietly dating for a few months, another source told Us Weekly last month the pair “are absolutely not dating.” neWs desK

BlACK & wHITe Couture: Own Your Style…

exeRCISeS In STYle The worlds strangest book’s 65th anniversary edition WHAT IS IT ABOUT? A story in which nothing happens - 137 times. A man gets on a bus. He watches a passenger complain about being jostled and then sit down. Later on, he sees the same man with a friend in the street. His friend is pointing out a missing button on his jacket. And that’s it. What makes the book compelling is seeing this same, banal tale told through a huge variety of literary styles, from science fiction to rhyme, haiku to official letter. The variety in its repetition becomes at first odd, then hilarious as more and more absurd forms are chosen. Originally containing 99 tellings of this tale, the new anniversary edition features unpublished extra versions by Queneau, as well as new additions (Cyberpunk! Beat poetry!) by contemporary authors including Jonathan Lethem, Ben Marcus, and Lynne Tillman.

WHy ARE WE TALKING ABOUT IT? Earlier editions have long been the favorite of writing professors and language geeks. This witty, bizarre read is perfect for dipping into, or reading from cover to cover, for anybody who loves storytelling.

WHO WROTE IT? Raymond Queneau was an experimental French writer who died in 1976.

Along with his Oulipo compatriots Italo Calvino and Georges Perec, he expanded writing and language through a series of games and experiments.

Exercises in Style, first published in 1947, was his best-known work.

WHO WILL READ IT? Language lovers, writers looking for inspiration, creative writing professors looking for new challenges for their students.

Art, Clothing, and Fashion; when talking about fashion it is hard not to discuss clothing; and when speaking about clothes, it is hard to omit the influence of art. Thus, these three words go hand in hand to give meaning to each other. Black n White is the brand defining artistic creations in clothes making them fashionable, trendy and wearable. The mantra of the brand is "A brand that makes you owns the style" – Black n White is a complete fashion hub covering all needs of women of today, which is independent, stylish, bold and confident. Moreover, it is a brand that plays with the fusion of modern era with traditional glimpse. With aim of providing a collection of clothes that not only emphasizes the casualty and comfort without compromising in style but it also assures a line representing quintessential Asian women of 2013. Black n White itself is not only focused around personal company benefit with but it has always kept an appreciative hand in providing initial and strong platform for emerging talent in aspect of designing, modeling and photography moreover to let the new generation mark a name in fashion industry.

To summarize, Black n White is a brand that aims not only to provide a wardrobe to gravitate your style but also gravitating the industry towards emerging talent of

Pakistan. The brain behind the brand, Nabila Fatima, collaborates with creative designers, graduated from highly reputable institutes, and the products you see are results of high standard team work providing a bright yet unique style to the brand's couture sensibilities. The goal of the brand is to facilitate women of Pakistan with a wardrobe that is amiably wearable for college going girls, working women to chic-party formal dressing. The brand designs by keeping in mind different body shapes to be de-flawed individually by best available ready-to-wear ensembles in pocket friendly prices with no compromise in quality. Black n White has proudly established its three lines since its initiation: KURTAAN: An extensive collection of kurtas suitable for college going girls as well as the working women, embellished with neat yet sophisticated eye gravitating embroideries.

CHIC: It’s a new era in fashion - there are no rules. It’s all about the individual and personal style, with this promising attitude.

Our CHIC collection is with unique style and a guaranteed eye catcher, providing options in formal and semi formal.

DUSK: A line maintaining a level of prestige to follow as evening wear or party wear, comprising of heavily embellished ensembles.

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Only create associations with positive affinities. Make this a rule of life and you will benefit more than from all the therapy in the world — Robert Greene

shaRMila TagoRe opposes capital punishment for rape

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NEWS DESK

ETERAN actress Sharmila Tagore opposed capital punishment for rape saying death is neither the ultimate punishment nor a deterrent.“I don’t think death the ultimate punishment. It is not a deterrent because when the person is committing the crime, he thinks that he is not going to be caught.” “In southern states of America where death penalty exists there is the highest crime rate there, so it is not really a deterrent.

Rigorous imprisonment for entire life is a better way of punishing somebody,” said the actress at a literary meet. Speaking at the discussion on ‘Will Capital Punishment for Rape Help or Hinder Justice?’, Sharmila felt that the report by the Justice J.S. Verma committee which was constituted following the Delhi gang-rape incident Dec 16 to look into rape laws was “wonderful” and had tried “to engage with the problem”. “At least Justice Verma has touched and tried to engage with the problem, and has heard the hurt, sentiment and the rage with the youth.” “But of course they have stepped back from passion and have covered this in this wonderful report desisting from the death penalty which is taking somebody’s life which is coming from the point of thinking that the state must establish an ethical standard of public morality because state cannot take somebody’s life,” she said. However, Sharmila also felt the report was silent on issues like the three-month trial period demanded by women rights groups. Praising the amendments that have been brought about in laws pertaining to women, she said: “They have taken away this cuddly, protectionist language and they are no longer calling it eve teasing or outrage to modesty or any of those awfully inadequate words. So the language is changing and they are calling rape as a rape.” But the real focus, according to her, should be on changing the mindset of people that sees women as “repositories of honour”. Touching on the social aspect, she said that there is a “business of shame and honour” which people associate with it. “Rape happens within the family-it is your father, it is your brother, your uncle, neighbours and relatives. So how many people are you going to kill so it is just not practical. “And then this shame and honour business which we all have got into and yes we are part of that patriarchy. Police is also part of that patriarchy,” said Tagore.

NOTABLE TWEETS AMANDA BYNES

What I need to live has been given to me by the earth.

Why I need to live has been given to me by you.

ANDY RODDICK

I’m w someone who wanted to make sure the chicken breast was gluten free, and then proceeded to oreder a side of French fries #facepalm

CHRIS BROWN

“I have decided to stick with love...hate is too great a burden to bear.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

DAVID ARQUETTE

I’m going to totally tail gate myself tonight

BEN STILLER

Taking a moment to think of those working so hard to build back in #Haiti on the 3rd anniversary of the quake. Still so much to be done.

At this age, it’s odd for me to hit a night club:

AMITABH NEWS DESK

At 70, Amitabh Bachchan’s film and social diary is jam-packed. Indian cinema’s biggest icon, who has just wrapped up the sixth season of Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), barely has time to take a breather as five films with celebrated filmmakers await him.

Excerpts of a brief conversation with Big B...

IS THeRe A KIND of voID Now THAT THIS SeASoN of KBC HAS wRAppeD Up? One always misses KBC because it gives me great joy to meet different kinds of people.

I’m eagerly waiting for the next season. One tends to get involved with the people who come on the hot seat. Now, I’ve got film shootings beginning in a week’s time. Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha will be the first to go on the floors. It has Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Arjun Rampal and me. I like Prakashji’s cinema. He makes films that deal with topics that have some social or moral standing.

ARe yoU pLAyINg ANNA HAzARe IN THe fILM?

No. I’m not playing Anna Hazare. I play a man of principles who fights for rights.

wHICH ARe THe oTHeR fILMS THAT yoU wILL Do IN 2013?

There is a host of other films that I need to just programme. There is Sudhir Mishra’s Mehrunissa, Bhootnath-2, R Balki’s film, Sujoy Ghosh’s film and then there is television. Yes, there will be the next season of the game show.

ARTS Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

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adele buys 600,000 pounds apartment for mum NEWS DESK Adele has thanked her mum Penny for helping her pursue her singing dream with the gift of a luxury apartment worth 600,000 pounds. The 24-yearold singer, who was brought up alone by her mother, Penny Adkins, in a cramped flat above a shop in North London, brought her an apartment in order to thank her for supporting her to become one of the biggest-selling artists in the world, the Mirror reported. The mother of one’s devotion to her 44year-old mother, is in stark contrast to her relationship with estranged dad Mark Evans, who admitted he had been “a rotten father.” According to publicly-available land registry records, the ‘Rolling in the Deep’ hitmaker, who has a property portfolio of at least 10million pounds, has transferred ownership of her flat in upmarket Notting Hill to Penny.

MeHRUNISSA IS A Love SToRy. DoeS IT feeL gooD THAT MAKeRS ARe wRITINg Love SToRIeS foR yoU eveN AT THIS Age? Mehrunissa is not a love-story in the traditional sense. This is all I can say. Sudhir will have to say the rest. Yes, it is nice to have all kinds of parts being written for me, though.

THe wAy yoU ARe... 24 HoURS A DAy MUST SeeM LeSS foR yoU...

It is fortunate that even at this stage, I keep getting offers and I’m occupied. It is a great feeling. Work keeps you going. It regularises your life. You want to get into a routine rather than do nothing.

HAve yoU eveR HAD A DAy wHeN yoU’ve DoNe NoTHINg? Yes, there are days when I’m not in front of the camera. But there’s a lot of work at home. There are films to be seen, music to be heard, books I want to read, so much writing to do. There’s a whole load of things I need to catch up on. I love surfing the net and I also enjoy working on my digital domain.

IS THeRe ANy SpeCIAL TIMe ALLoTTeD To AARADHyA? Ya, every time she is up, we drop everything to be with her. When she is asleep, we don’t wish to wake her up. But when she is up and about, then all of us are on call.

Do yoU AND ABHISHeK HIT THe NIgHTCLUBS, LIKe yoU DID wITH SHweTA yeARS Ago? Yes, of course. Whenever Abhishek and I want to go out for dinners or drives, we do it. We do it here in India and during our trips together overseas. Earlier, I would go to clubs, but now, it’s very odd for me to hit a night club with him.

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INFOTAINMENT Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing.

It was here first. — Mark Twain

Prize honours large hadron Collider scientist

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Fourth 'anonymous' Paypal activist avoids jail The fourth UK hactivist who faced imprisonment for participating in a digital sit-in at payment firm Paypal has avoided a jail sentence because he was 16 at the time.

Jake Birchall is the fourth Brit to end up in court over attacks that came under the Anonymous banner of "Operation Payback" in the wake of a financial blockade of Wikileaks. In late January punishments were meted out against Christopher Weatherhead, Ashley Rhodes and Peter David Gibson. Weatherhead and Rhodes both got immediate jail sentences, while Gibson's is suspended for two years. Birchall, who is now 18, had admitted conspiring to impair the operation of computers between 1 August 2010 and 22 January 2011, according to a report at the Guardian, but has been afforded some leniency because of his age. Judge Peter Testar would perhaps have liked to have gone in harder. He said that Birchall, who is apparently "isolated" would have had a "substantial" sentence were it not for his age.

Instead the judge gave him an eight month youth rehabilitation order and 60 hours of community service.

Although the youngest in the group, Birchall had allegedly boasted that he was high up in the hacktivist group Anonymous. He was "No 2 most Anon", according to a transcript read out by prosecutor Joel Smith, and he allegedly controlled two servers used by a subset of the group. neWs desK

HE scientist who gave his name to the Higgs boson "god particle" hopes a prize named in his honour will inspire a new generation of physics geniuses.

First Minister Alex Salmond has announced an annual prize, named after Prof Peter Higgs, for school students.

Prof Higgs said: "I hope that this will inspire young students of today.

"Rewarding those who have excelled in physics in this way and supporting the next generation of scientists is to be warmly welcomed." The Higgs Prize, open to Scottish school students who excel in physics, will be formally launched by the First Minister and the scientist on Tuesday.

It is part of a week designed to showcase Scotland's scientific expertise, with Mr Salmond also expected to make a significant announcement about life sciences and mark a landmark in space science.Prof Higgs hit upon his defining concept during a walk in the Cairngorms in 1964, when he started to consider the existence of a particle that gives matter its mass. "The Higgs Prize will be an opportunity for some of Scotland's brightest young school physicists to see for themselves the cutting-edge of international physics at Cern."

Prof Sir Peter Knight, president of the Institute of Physics, said his organisation "will be working with them to establish the best way to identify Scotland's most promising young physicists".

"With £8.5bn of the Scottish economy

created by physics-based businesses, this prize is recognition of the vital importance of the subject," he said.

During the week-long exhibition at the Scottish Parliament to celebrate the Scottish contribution to the creation and operation of the Large Hadron Collider

visitors are able to walk through a full-size replica of a section of the LHC tunnel.

They will also have the chance to meet Scottish physicists involved in last year's Higgs boson discovery. As well as the Higgs Prize and a number of other initiatives, this week the government will

UK confirms finding Richard III's skeleton British researchers have confirmed that a skeleton with a cleaved skull and a curved spine found beneath a car park in central UK, was that of Richard III, the last English king to die in battle, solving a 500-year-old mystery about his final resting place.

Archaeologists announced the results of DNA tests on the skeleton's identity on Monday, which they hope might lead to a better understanding of how Richard died.

"There is a match between the maternal DNA from the descendants of the family of Richard the third and the skeletal remains that we found," researchers said. Richard was killed fighting his eventual successor Henry Tudor at the Battle of Bosworth Field in central England in 1485.

A team of archaeologists and historians from the University of Leicester said evidence showed that a skeleton found last year during excavations of a medieval friary under a parking lot in the city was

InSTAGRAM BlACKBeRRY

10 app ‘definitely coming’

indeed that of Richard. Describing how the researchers discovered that the skeleton was indeed Richard's, Al Jazeera's Tim Friend said: "It has been an amazing piece of historical detective work". "The local historians believed there was a possibility that his skeleton could still be there, so they started to excavate a year ago. They used all the modern techniques, including forensics, DNA, carbon dating, and other ways to establish the skeleton's identity. "There were all sorts of speculation on whether his body had been slung into a river by his enemies, or whether it had indeed been buried.

"They found the injured skull and spine, which helped to determine what kind of weapons may have inflicted those injuries and when they were inflicted. "These DNA tests went back 17 generations from Richard's sister to a Canadian living in London and they found a match beyond reasonable doubt. "So now Richard will be buried in a cathedral in Leicester." neWs desK

An Instagram BlackBerry 10 app is in the works and will bring the world’s most popular photo sharing service to the new BB10 OS in the coming months, new reports have revealed.

Currently available for the likes of iOS and Android, Instagram is reportedly set to be introduced to the newly launched BlackBerry 10 operating system in the coming weeks, further bolstering the emerging platform that has been tasked with reviving BlackBerry’s fortunes in the smartphone market. Whilst BlackBerry has confirmed that the likes of WhatsApp, Angry Birds and Skype will all be made available for the BlackBerry Z10 supporting BlackBerry 10 OS in the coming weeks, neither BlackBerry nor the Facebook owned Instagram has as yet confirmed any planned Instagram BlackBerry 10 app release.

Despite this, reports courtesy of BlackBerry blog CrackBerry have suggested that “Instagram will definitely be coming to BlackBerry 10.” Citing unnamed sources, the latest reports have suggested that “while no formal announcement was made this week about Instagram coming to BlackBerry, we did get word that BlackBerry is engaged in the process with Instagram right now.” Failing to narrow down an expected Instagram BlackBerry 10

app release date, the speculative reports added: “No date yet, but it will be there.”

With more than 70,000 BlackBerry 10 apps already available through the newly refreshed BlackBerry World App Store, the success of BlackBerry’s latest smartphone operating system could hinge on its software backing, with BlackBerry keen to avoid to lack of support currently effecting the widespread adoption of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 OS. Although having secured support from a number of key developers, the BlackBerry 10 app collection is currently void of a number of high-profile applications such as Instagram, Temple Run 2 and Sky Go. Revealing that it currently has no intentions for the BlackBerry 10 OS, instead focusing its efforts on the more popular iOS and Android platforms, an official Sky spokesperson last week told TrustedReviews: "Whilst there are no immediate plans to launch on the Blackberry 10 we continue to consider how we can offer customers new and flexible ways to enjoy Sky." Would the availability of a Instagram BlackBerry 10 app and a selection of high-profile applications tempt you into overlooking iOS and Android in favour of the BlackBerry 10 brimmed BlackBerry Z10? Let us know via the Trusted Reviews Twitter and Facebook feeds. neWs desK

be announcing the appointment of 33 new health fellows to conduct research into medical challenges such as treating motor neurone disease, how to use technology to help people with diabetes and how to control internal bleeding.neWs desK

Customer service worker fired over his online game job

David Gallant aspires to be a game developer, but by day he is a customer service rep for Canada's tax agency. Make that "was" a customer service rep. Gallant got fired after creating an online game about, yes, annoying customers, reports the Toronto Star (and spotted by BoingBoing). The upside: He's getting lots of love on Twitter, and people are going to his site to buy the game, "I Get This Call Every Day." It costs $2, but one person paid $50, just because.

Final irony: In the game, the callcenter worker usually ends up getting fired. "Blessing in disguise," tweeted Gallant. neWs desK

samsung phone explodes in pants pocket, hurts man Another Galaxy smartphone has exploded and injured its owner.

Bupyeong Fire Station in Incheon on Sunday said a 55-year-old man reported the previous day that his smartphone battery blew up in the pocket of his pants. The Galaxy S2 and battery that exploded in a schoolboy's pants pocket in Gwangju in March last year /Newsis The man said he was carrying a Samsung Galaxy Note along with a spare battery in his pocket before they suddenly blew up. He is being treated for second-degree burns to his right thigh. In March last year, a schoolboy in Gwangju suffered an injury when his Galaxy S2 smartphone exploded in his trouser pocket. neWs desK

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There’s no stopping steyn

Dale Steyn took the new ball. An hour and 40 minutes later, he was still bowling with it. In a spell that lasted 10 overs and four balls, Steyn grabbed four wickets to take his match tally to 11 and his status as the best bowler operating on the international stage at the moment to a new level.

Long spells and Steyn have not had to walk the same road for a while. Graeme Smith prefers to use his strike bowler in bursts to get optimum usage of his pace.

Today was different.

South Africa earmarked the new ball as being the starting point to end the Test match. AB de Villiers hoped the final wicket would fall just after lunch. Steyn made sure the script was acted out to plan.

His away swingers were perfect, he drew the batsmen forward and then beat them and it took only ten balls for him to find the edge of Asad Shafiq. The first of the overnight batsmen had departed. The next over the same. Misbah-ul-Haq. The second peg plucked.

By the time Steyn had bowled five overs, Vernon Philander had already taken a third wicket in the morning session and there was a drinks break to catch his breath. So he bowled another one. Then Morne Morkel claimed the fourth. So Steyn bowled another. And another. And another. And another.

As the spell grew, so did the questions about when Steyn would be replaced. It was one Smith was not going to ask. “I sort of left it in his hands, it’s a bit dangerous for me to make that move when he’s in the middle of his spell,” Smith said.

Steyn would not be moved. He wanted to finish the job both for the team and himself. “If they were still seven down, it would have been a different situation. It was just that we needed two more wickets,” he said. “I wanted to push on. It was about trying to take the last wickets and get off the field. Graeme came and said to me do you want to stop some time, but I said I would just carry on bowling, it’s no train wreck. I’m pretty fit.”

The final two fell in the space of two overs and Steyn completed the job five minutes into what would have been lunch. The praise was all his but he only accepted fractions of it. “In this team we all want to share the rewards with a win like this. It’s nice to have a standout performance but everyone in this team is capable of doing what I did today with the ball.”

The South African team that hold the No.1 Test ranking has built its culture on togetherness so to hear Steyn sharing it is not a surprise. What has not been divided is the danger factor, which belongs mostly to Steyn. Although Misbah said Steyn is not the scariest bowler he has ever faced, he acknowledged that the “areas that he bowls makes him special.”

It is with that knowledge that Smith hopes Pakistan have been mentally scarred. “I don’t know how much getting bowled out for 49 will affect them, but hopefully our bowlers have affect them when they thinking about the type of people that they have to come up against,” he said.

“Some personal battles were won.”

The most obvious of those is Steyn’s against the top-order. Recently, he has ripped through tails and Vernon Philander has been largely responsible for dismantling at the outset. firdOse mOOnda

Better application from Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq allowed Pakistan to prolong the South African win –Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore

FieRY sTeYn Bowls PRoTeas To Big win oveR PakisTan JOHANNESBURG

sCOrebOard

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ALE Steyn’s career-best bowling figures propelled South Africa to a comprehensive 211-run victory over Pakistan on day four of the first test at the Wanderers on Monday.

Having set Pakistan an improbable 480-run victory target, South Africa bowled them out for 268 in their second innings, the new ball doing the trick as the visitors lost their final six wickets for 59 runs before the lunch break.

Steyn picked up five second innings wickets to finish with 11 for 60, his fifth 10-wicket haul which also earned him the man-of-the-match award.

In a match of records, South African wicketkeeper AB de Villiers equalled Englishman Jack Russell’s world best of 11 dismissals in a test that came in the same ground in 1995.

Resuming on 183-4, Pakistan had added 26 runs to their total in the morning session before the first wicket fell.

Steyn managed to get a delivery to nip away from Asad Shafiq and the edge was pouched low down by Jacques Kallis at second slip. It brought to an end a fine innings of 56 in which Shafiq kept the South African pace attack at bay for 168 balls.

Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq had added 127 for the fifth-wicket, bettering the previous record against South Africa of 107 between the same two batsmen in Abu Dhabi in the 2010/11 season.

south africa first innings: 253 (J. Kallis 50; m. hafeez 4-16) pakistan first innings: 49 (d. steyn 6-8) south africa second innings 275-3 declared (a.b. de Villiers 103 not out, h. amla 74 not out) pakistan second innings (Overnight 183-4) 2 mohammad hafeez c de Villiers b philander 46 nasir Jamshed c peterson b steyn azhar ali lbw Kallis 18 15 younus Khan c de Villiers b morkel misbah-ul-haq c de Villiers b steyn 64 56 asad shafiq c Kallis b steyn sarfraz ahmed b philander 6 23 umar Gul c de Villiers b steyn saeed ajmal c de Villiers b morkel 11 9 Junaid Khan lbw steyn 3 rahat ali not out 15 extras (b-4, lb-4, w-3, nb-4) 268 total (all out in 100.4 overs) fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-64, 3-70, 4-82, 5-209, 6-210, 7-218, 8240, 9-261. bowling: steyn 28.4-10-52-5, philander 22-3-60-2 (nb-1), morkel 25-7-89-2 (nb-3), Kallis 15-5-35-1 (w-1), peterson 103-24-0.

Misbah fell in Steyn’s next over to a delivery that pitched on off-stump, moved away and caught the edge of the bat for a simple chance to de Villiers. He went for a well-constructed 64.

Sarfraz Ahmed (six) tried to leave a Vernon Philander delivery but only succeeded in getting an inside edge onto the stumps.

Umar Gul (23) and Saeed Ajmal (11)

Pakistan left searching for answers FIRDOSE MOONDA

preparation.

Ramiz Raja is one of them. In his Pakistan have ten days and a two-day analysis with ESPNcricinfo, he was match to revive themselves ahead of critical of the team’s build-up, said they their next bout with South Africa. They should have arrived in the country will play a Western Province Invitation weeks earlier and asked for more than xI at the Vineyard Cricket Club next one warm-up match before the Test Monday and Tuesday to get game time series in order to acclimatise.

That cannot be changed but what and will look at plans to counter the new ball specifically in the training sessions Pakistan can do is use the substantial amount of time between matches to fully before the Cape Town Test.

After becoming the third team in 14 cook what was perhaps a little raw when months to be bowled out for less than they arrived and rectify the situation fifty in South Africa, Pakistan “took the somewhat. The Western Province emotion out,” of what happened, bowlers will not be of the quality of the South African attack but the according to their coach Dav match will provide Pakistan Whatmore, and “tried to with an opportunity to understand the facts.” play in local conditions What they have SOUTH AFRICA ARE and, although it is not surmised is that South BECOMING FEARSOME ON a first-class match, in Africa’s potent newTHEIR HOME PATCH AND fairly competitive ball attack can be as situations instead of unplayable as they PAKISTAN HAVE JUST OVER endless nets. They look, especially A WEEK TO COME UP WITH A will also take heart when conditions are from their second in their favour and METHOD TO MAKE THE attempt at the Pakistan need to find a SERIES A CONTEST Wanderers as a sign that way to counterattack. they are settling in. Three “It’s really important to players, Nasir Jamshed, Asad negotiate the new ball,” Shafiq and Misbah himself, had some Misbah-ul-Haq said afterwards. “We need to concentrate on how to tackle measure of the conditions. They showed outswing with the new ball. If you look a little more certainty outside the at this match, the way Dale Steyn offstump and more discretion with their bowled was the turning point, the line aggressive intent.

It showed them what they need to that he bowled and the way he swung the ball. For a team from Asia, it a very do to overcome South Africa. “We had difficult to deal with that kind of thing.” an improved performance with the The batsmen’s ability to adjust was batting in the second innings,” Misbah always expected to be the biggest said. “When you go there and hang in, challenge Pakistan would face on the it gives you a little bit of confidence. It’s first trip to South Africa in five years. not that we can’t do it. Everybody has While many would argue that most learnt a lesson. It’s a good batting unit batting line-ups around the world would so now it’s about applying yourself and have been equally blown away by South getting starts.”

With Pakistan’s batting the focus, Africa’s bowling performance, there are some who will question Pakistan’s their strong bowling performance on the

hit some lusty blows but it was only a matter of time before they succumbed, the latter gloving a ball to de Villiers as he tried evading a Morne Morkel bouncer.

Junaid Khan was bowled by Morkel off a no-ball, the second time in this match that a South African over-stepped when picking up a wicket after Vernon Philander did likewise earlier in the innings.

Gul became Steyn’s next victim when he played a wild swish at a short ball and was caught by de Villiers. It was originally given not out, but overturned by the third umpire on review.

Steyn trapped Junaid Khan leg before for nine, capping a magnificent display of fast bowling that Pakistan will somehow have to counter in the next two test matches in Cape Town (Feb 14-18) and Centurion (Feb 22-26).

south african players top all Test rankings HASHIM AMLA, SCORED HIS 19TH TEST HUNDRED, OVERTOOK MICHAEL CLARKE IN THE TEST BATTING RANKINGS

first day has just about been forgotten about. But Misbah is mindful that the attack too, has work to do. “Against such a quality batting line up we need to improve day by day because they are not going to give you anything,” he said.

Pakistan’s reliance on spin could also help to even things out for the second Test. Although Cape Town is not exactly the sub-continent, it does take a bit of turn. Graeme Smith said: “From a style factor, of using majority spinners and seamers in short bursts, it will suit them better than it did here.” While Newlands could be a leveller in some respects, it is also the ground that South Africa call their fortress. They last lost 11 Test matches ago in 2006, against Australia. It is not a thought that will leave Misbah feeling very comfortable, especially as he acknowledged that he does not need his mission to become any more difficult. “They are the No.1 side world, it’s not easy and everybody knows that. We have to improve and we have to play well,” he said.

South Africa’s current dominance of the Test scene is highlighted by the updated player rankings which give them the No. 1 batsmen, bowler and allrounder in the format.

Hashim Amla, who is also the No. 1 ODI batsman, jumped above Michael Clarke after the Johannesburg Test to complete the trio. Dale Steyn, who was Man of the Match after a careerbest 11 wickets, and Jacques Kallis consolidated their respective No. 1 positions.

Amla made 37 and an unbeaten 74 at the Wanderers to move eight points above Clarke. Kallis had a solid all-round match, scoring a first-innings fifty then chipped in with three wickets.

Steyn’s outstanding match, to follow a productive series against New Zealand, has given him a new career-best ranking of 908 to put him comfortably ahead of Vernon Philander in second position. There are almost 100 points between Steyn and the third-ranked bowler, Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath. s p O rt s d e s K

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Thanks everyone. Good start to the series for us.

Special mention to Dale Steyn and AB de Villiers for their sublime efforts – Hashim Amla’s tweet

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all FouR TeaMs in gRouP a in ConTenTion FoR suPeR six sPoTs australia, new zealand seek super sixes edge

MUMBAI

placed fourth with a run rate of -2.030.

India is second in the group with a healthy net run-rate of +0.730, while T comes down to the final round England is third with +0.260. All four of matches to decide which teams teams would take comfort from the fact that will qualify for the Super Six their destinies lay in their own hands, as a stage of the ICC Women’s World win will ensure progress.

The equation in Group B is much more Cup India 2013.

Group A is closely bunched, with all straightforward. Current group leader New four teams having a chance of making it to Zealand and second-placed Australia are on the next round of the biggest competition two wins from two games, having each in women’s cricket. All four teams – beaten Pakistan and South Africa. Both will defending champion England, host India, therefore qualify for the Super Six stage.

The two teams lock horns in Cuttack at Sri Lanka and West Indies - are on equal the DRIEMS Cricket Ground on points, with a win each from two Tuesday from 0900. matches.

WINNER OF Both sides will be In Mumbai on Tuesday, PAKISTAN AND looking to end the Group India takes on Sri Lanka at SOUTH AFRICA stage on a high, as teams the Cricket Club of India in MATCH TO that progress to the Super a day-night game that starts JOIN AUSTRALIA Six stage carry forward at 1430 in front of Star AND NEW points from Group stage Sports’ cameras, while ZEALAND IN NEXT matches won against other England takes on West STAGE FROM sides that also advance.

Indies at the MCA Recreation GROUP B Pakistan and South Africa Centre at Bandra Kurla play a virtual shoot-out at the Complex (BKC) from 0900. The Barabati Stadium from 0900 on winning sides will qualify for the Super Six stage, while net run-rate will decide Tuesday. With both sides having lost their which of the two losing sides progress to opening two games, the match will be a keenly fought contest to stay afloat in the the next round.

On the eve of the deciding group tournament. Pakistan currently sits in third matches, West Indies is in pole position in place in Group B with a net run-rate of terms of run-rate thanks to its decisive 209- 1.672, while South Africa is in fourth with runs win against Sri Lanka at the MIG -1.761.

Teams finishing last in both groups will Ground on Sunday, bolstering its run-rate to a healthy +1.040. That loss has affected meet for a seventh place play-off on 7 Sri Lanka’s run-rate adversely, and it is February.

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watson returns to australia one-day side SyDNEy: All-rounder Shane Watson returned to the Australia squad for the ongoing one-day international series against West Indies at the expense of Usman Khawaja on Monday.

Watson missed Australia’s victories in the first two encounters in the fivematch series because of a calf problem and has been recalled as an opener for the third and fourth matches in Canberra on Wednesday and Sydney on Friday.

“Shane Watson comes back into the squad ... as an opening batsman.

Shane has recovered from his injury and we look forward to seeing him get back to his best,” chief selector John Inverarity said in a news release.

Khawaja made eight not out and three as Australia beat West Indies by nine wickets and 54 runs in the first two matches in Perth.

Squad: Michael Clarke (captain), George Bailey, Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Phillip Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Shane Watson. aGenCies

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WITH BOTH TEAMS COMING OFF EMPHATIC WINS, THE CLASH HOLDS VITAL SIGNIFICANCE

Australia’s match against New Zealand at the DRIEMS ground on Tuesday (February 5) promises to be a clash among equals, perhaps the most anticipated group B fixture of the 2013 ICC Women’s World Cup. With both teams coming off emphatic wins, against Pakistan and South Africa, the clash holds vital significance, given the winner gets a head start, carrying forward points into the Super Six stage. Australia has been far from convincing as an all-round package so far. The two wins notwithstanding, batting has been a major concern. While it was bowled out for 175 against Pakistan, it nearly made a mockery of what should be a straightforward run-chase of 189 against South Africa. Only Rachael Haynes, the opener, has been in some sort of form, with scores of 39 and 83 in the two outings, while others have struggled to convert starts into substantial scores. However, the other top-order batters – Meg Lanning, Alex Blackwell, Jodie Fields, the captain, can draw inspiration from Jess Cameron, a hard hitting top-order batter, who was named winner of the Belinda Clark Award, for being the country’s top female player of the year, on Monday. The bowling unit though has no such shortcomings.

Despite being under pressure to make up for its batting woes, Ellyse Perry and Julie Hunter have proved to be more than a handful with the new ball. While Perry relies on pace and movement off the deck, Hunter’s accuracy makes up for her lack of pace. The spin department too is well stocked, with the experienced Erin Osborne and Lisa Sthalekar, completing a well-rounded unit, with part-timers Haynes and Lanning proving to be more than handy. teams (from): australia: Jodie fields (capt, wk), alex blackwell, Jess Cameron, renee Chappell, sarah Coyte, holly ferling, rachael haynes, alyssa healy, Julie hunter, meg lanning, erin Osborne, ellyse perry, megan schutt, lisa sthalekar, elyse Villani. new Zealand: suzie bates (capt), amy satterthwaite, Kate broadmore, nicola browne, rachel Candy, sophie devine, natalie dodd, lucy doolan, sara mcGlashan (wk), frances mackay, morna nielsen, Katie perkins, rachel priest, sian ruck, lea-marie tahuhu.

Team West Indies supports Think Wise initiative MUMBAI: West Indies players Anisa Mohammad, Kycia ANISA MOHAMMAD, Knight and KYCIA KNIGHT AND Shaquana SHAQUANA QUINTYNE, Quintyne along THE WEST INDIES with coach PLAYERS, INTERACTED Sherwin Campbell AND PLAYED CRICKET interacted with WITH LOCAL CHILDREN group of local IN MUMBAI children on Monday (February 4) as part of ICC’s Think Wise Initiative.

The Think Wise Initiative aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma about HIV AIDS in cricket playing countries. The children, mostly young girls, came from far-flung rural districts of Maharashtra with UNICEF’s support. The interaction started with customary introductions followed by players conducting a coaching session for children, teaching them finer skills of the game. Children were then divided into two groups to play a round of fun cricket match. On the sidelines of the coaching session, former West Indies opener and team coach Sherwin Campbell was seen delivering motivational speeches to local UNICEF volunteers who accompanied the children, asking them to keep up their good work. During the session, the children, who were provided with an opportunity to ask questions to players, wanted to know about the players travel experiences, diet habits and training routines. Players were happy to answer all questions asked of them children. The session concluded with players advising children to continue their sporting endeavors alongside completing their education to become role models for others in their respective districts.

THINK WISE: THINK WISE is a joint partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), UNAIDS and UNICEF that seeks to use the power of cricket to raise awareness around HIV prevention and to eliminate discrimination against people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. In 2009, some 10 million people living with HIV more than a quarter of the global total - were from major cricketing countries (India, South Africa, Pakistan, Guyana [which competes as part of the West Indies], Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales). India and South Africa alone have nearly eight million people living with HIV. aGenCies

Clarke wins fourth Allan Border Medal IT WAS ANOTHER OUTSTANDING YEAR FOR MICHAEL CLARKE

ADELAIDE CriCinfO

The rise and rise of captain Michael Clarke continued in Melbourne on Monday night when he won his fourth Allan Border Medal and was named Australia’s Test Player of the Year. Clarke also won the double last year, capping off his first 12 months as Australia’s leader in all formats, and his second year in charge was just as impressive. The other major winners from the evening were Clint McKay, who won his first One-Day International Player of the Year title, and Shane Watson, the Twenty20 International Player of the Year.

In the Allan Border Medal count, Clarke finished on 198 votes, well clear of Watson and the retiring Michael Hussey, who were in joint second place with 165 votes each. David Warner was fourth with 148 votes, Mitchell Starc fifth with 122 votes and Australia’s Twenty20 captain George Bailey sixth with 116 votes, despite only playing the short formats. The win added to Clarke’s previous triumphs in 2005, 2009 and 2012 and he joined Ricky Ponting as the only men to have taken home four Allan Border Medals.

Clarke had another remarkable year in Test cricket, scoring 1080 runs at an average of 77.14 during the voting period, which ran from February 25 last year to

January 28 this year. His high point was when he scored consecutive doublecenturies against South Africa, with 259 not out at the Gabba followed by 230 in Adelaide. The third of his hundreds during the voting period was 106 against Sri Lanka during the Boxing Day Test. It continued his incredible form since taking

Clint (McKay) certainly knows how important he is to me and the team. I’ve made that very clear to him MICHAEL CLARKE AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN over the leadership from Ponting: as fulltime captain Clarke has averaged 72.48.

Despite the fact that the year brought Clarke’s first series defeat as captain, the 1-0 loss to South Africa, his team still won

more than they lost during the voting period. They beat West Indies 2-0 in the Caribbean and enjoyed a 3-0 clean-sweep against Sri Lanka, but Clarke knows that such wins will be quickly forgotten if the coming year, which features a tour of India and back-to-back Ashes contests, does not bring success. The runner-up in the Test Player of the Year category was Hussey, who scored 746 runs at an average of 57.38 and was second on the run tally behind Clarke, while Matthew Wade, who at the start of the voting period had not even played Test cricket, was third. Clarke finished on 22 votes, with Hussey on 15 and Wade on 12. Surprisingly given he spent most of the year out of the Test side and played only three Tests during the home summer, Mitchell Johnson came fourth with 11 votes.

In another surprise, the under-rated seamer McKay was named One-Day International Player of the Year, narrowly beating Bailey and Warner. McKay finished with 30 votes, Bailey and Warner were equal second with 28 votes and David Hussey finished in fourth place with 27 votes. Watson was fifth with 23 votes.

During the voting period, McKay was Australia’s leading ODI wicket taker with 26 victims at 25.76. “Clint certainly knows how important he is to me and the team.

I’ve made that very clear to him,” Clarke said of McKay.

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I am worried about Pakistan bowling as they looked tired after ten overs each – Rashid Latif’s tweet

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united in driving seat, but still hope for City LAST YEAR CITY WERE IN EVEN WORSE SHAPE, TRAILING BY EIGHT POINTS WITH SIX GAMES REMAINING LONDON: Either Manchester United have virtually wrapped the Premier League title or Manchester City have them exactly where they want them after a weekend that saw the gap grow to nine points. Champions City’s draws with Queens Park Rangers and Liverpool in a week in which United ground out narrow wins against Southampton and Fulham left Alex Ferguson’s side in the clear with 13 matches remaining. City manager Roberto Mancini said the race is far from over after his side’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool and while straws are possibly being clutched by the Italian there is plenty of recent evidence backing up his optimism. Last year City were in even worse shape, trailing by eight points with six games remaining, only for an uncharacteristic United wobble to allow their neighbours to snatch the title with almost the final kick of the season. The bitter memory of that gripping finale, in which United thought they had won the title only for City’s Sergio Aguero to score deep into stoppage time at home to Queens Park Rangers, means United will be taking nothing for granted. They will also be acutely aware that one bad result can lead to two, or three, as happened last season. A 1-0 defeat in April last year, was followed by a 4-4 draw at home to Everton, having led 4-2, and a 1-0 defeat at City which effectively took matters out of their hands. United face Everton at home again this weekend before, then an FA Cup tie against Reading before a run of three comfortable looking league fixtures leading up to a potentially decisive home clash with City on April 6. aGenCies

defeat to italy was our own fault, say France players PARIS: France had no-one but themselves to blame for Sunday’s shock defeat to Italy in their Six Nations opener, players and manager Philippe Saint-Andre said.

“We dropped too many balls,” flanker and former captain Thierry Dusautoir was quoted as saying in French media on Monday. “Italy were just better.”

“We lacked coherence,” summed up Dimitri Szarzewski, while fellow hooker Benjamin Kayser concluded: “We are now in a bad position but that’s our fault.” France, the 2011 World Cup runners-up, were upset 23-18 in Rome, two years after slumping to their first Six Nations defeat against Italy, and their clumsiness cost them dear. Fulgence Ouedraogo and Wesley Fofana had an opportunity on the stroke of halftime, when France were 15-13 up, but Fofana fluffed a routine pass. “In the second half, we lost two tricky balls in a line-out,” forwards coach Yannick Bru told French media.

“We beat their defence many times but instead of scoring we conceded tries on counter-attacks. We were less efficient, much less rigorous.” Saint-Andre said his side had needed more precision, adding: “We should have put more pressure (on them), as we did in the first half.” However, the manager said the defea to an improving Italy side needed to be put into perspective. “We have not lost the tournament,” SaintAndre said. “Of course we’ve lost the grand slam but we know that this competition is rough, atypical and difficult.” aGenCies

afghanistan to play against Pakistan a LAHORE

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FGHANISTAN will play a series of limitedovers matches against the Pakistan A team and several regional sides as a part of their on-going conditioning camp in Pakistan.

They will play five one-dayers and a Twenty20 on three venues around the country, starting from February 6. All matches will be broadcast live on television.

Afghanistan open their tour with a limited-overs match against a combined regional team led by Shahid Afridi, comprising players from Karachi and Hyderabad on February 6 at Niaz Stadium Hyderabad. They take on a combined team from Multan and Bahawalpur on February 8 and another from Rawalpindi and Faisalabad on February 10. The visitors will then take on Pakistan A for

two one-dayers and a Twenty20. This will be their second series against Pakistan A in the last two years, having lost having lost a one-day series 3-0 in May 2011.

Afghanistan are based at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on a fourweek training camp ahead of their international fixtures against Scotland in March. Though cricket is one of the most popular sports in Afghanistan, they have been forced to train outside their country due to a lack of cricketing infrastructure and have been using Sharjah Cricket Stadium as their home ground since 2010.

With the costs of training in Sharjah proving expensive, Afghanistan turned to Pakistan for cricketing help. They have been using NCA facilities for cricket development and preparation since last month and the series of matches is the part of their training programme.

Apart from the NCA facilities, Afghanistan get an opportunity to compete with some of the best players in

Team ufone golfer makes it to the asian Tour

Pakistan in the limited-overs series. Afridi will be leading the both the A team and the Hyderabad/Karachi Regional xI while Sohail Tanvir will captain Faisalabad/Rawalpindi Regional xI and Kamran Hussain will take charge of Multan/Bahawalpur Regional xI. pakistan a: (one-day) shan masood, Khurram manzoor, umar akmal, fawad alam, ali Waqas, umar amin, shahid afridi (capt), Kamran akmal, anwar ali, Wahab riaz, yasir shah, Zulfiqar babar, adnan rasool. pakistan a: (twenty20) umar akmal, umar amin, shahid afridi (capt), ali Waqas, Zulfiqar babar, adnan rasool, ahmed shehzad, sharjeel Khan, mohammad rizwan, asad ali, ahmed Jamal, ali Khan, sohaib maqsood, imran Khan hyderabad/Karachi regional Xi: rizwan ahmad, aqeel anjum, mohammad Waqas, akbar-urrehman, mir ali, mohtashim ali, atif maqbool, faraz ahmed, Zahid mahmood, mohammad sami, shahid afridi (capt), tabish Khan, Zafar ali (wk), fawad alam multan/bahawalpur regional Xi: naveed yasin, sohaib maqsood, usman tariq, usman liaqat, Gulraiz sadaf (wk), Kamran hussain (capt), Zulfiqar babar, ahsan nazir, mohammad talha, rizwan haider, shahan akram, rehan rafiq, imranullah aslam, Zain abbas faisalabad/rawalpindi regional Xi: sohail tanvir (capt), awais Zia, asif ali, abid ali, umar Waheed, hammad azam, naeem anjum (wk), babar azam, Zohaib ahmad, hassan mahmood, sami aslam, samiullah niazi, nasir malik, mohammad nawaz, usman Qadir, asad ali.

ISLAMABAD: Muhammad Munir, Pakistan No. 3 & Tour team member for Ufone recently qualified for the Asian Tour making him the only Pakistani golfer to qualify for the Asian Tour via Q school. In the past he has participated in a few Asian tour events for which both himself & Shabbir Iqbal were invited to represent Pakistan.

Shabbir who has held onto the No.1 slot in Pakistan for a number of consecutive year is also a member of the promising Ufone squad. Munir participated in the recently held Dubai Classic Golf Tournament making him the only Pakistani ever to take part in the European Tour. This was accredited to the performance he displayed in last year’s MENA tour. He out performed all other Pakistanis that took part in the Tour and was the proud winner at the Ras Al Khaimah Classic. At the end of the MENA tour Munir was ranked 4th among many international players which is indeed a great feat for Pakistan. Munir said, this is indeed a great achievement and I look forward to bring Pakistan onto the fast progressing International Golf Map. I would like to thank Ufone for its continuous support to the game of golf in Pakistan, their development program is sure to help in the growth and professionalism in the sport. staff repOrt

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Our bowling line-up looked very fragile.We don’t have a bowling line-up of test match standards – Shoaib Akhtar

webb strikes gold at aussie Masters GOLD COAST: Karrie Webb came from behind to clinch a record eighth Australian Ladies Masters crown on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

Webb, who was two strokes off the lead heading into the final round, posted a bogey-free five-under 67 at Royal Pines to secure the title at 13 under.

The 38-year-old Australian carded just one birdie on the first 11 holes before surging up the leaderboard with four birdies on the following six holes.

Webb, who first won the event in 1998 and more recently in 2010, became the first woman in history to claim eight Tour wins at the same tournament.

Overnight leaders Su-Hyun Oh and Ariya Jutanugarn were left to rue final rounds of 71 and finished in equal second alongside South Korea’s Chella Choi at 11 under.

Oh, the 16-year-old amateur from Victoria, recorded a mixed round of seven birdies, four bogeys and one double bogey, while Thailand’s Jutanugarn registered three birdies and two bogeys.

American Jessica Korda finished outright fifth at 10 under, followed by local hope Stacey Keating, who was a further shot behind in sixth overall.

Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg and American Dori Carter ended in a tie for seventh at seven under, while South Korean So Yeon Ryu was a further stroke adrift in ninth.

American Alison Walshe slipped to 10th overall at five under on the back of a disappointing 74. aGenCies

SPoRTS

LAHORE

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Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

indian hoCkeY TeaM To visiT Pak: Bajwa staff repOrt

ECRETARY, Pakistan Hockey Federation,,Mohammad Asif Bajwa has said that the Indian hockey team will visit Pakistan this year to play bilateral hockey series as their government has granted them the permission in this regard.

“We had productive meetings with the officials of Hockey India on the side lines of the Asian Hockey Federation,” he said while talking to journalists here on Monday after his return from Malaysia along with President, PHF to attend the meeting.

He said Hockey India, Secretary, Narinder Patra informed that their government has granted them the permission to send their team to Pakistan for a hockey series.

He said the necessary details of “It is a very positive the series will be finalized gesture which will further in due course with the cement hockey ties mutual understanding between the two OUR PRIME AIM IS TO of hockey countries besides REVIVE PAK-INDI HOCKEY federations of both serving the cause of the countries. hockey in subSERIES AND WE ARE “Our prime aim continent,” said TAKING EVERY MEASURE TO is to revive PakPHF official.

Indi hockey series “We have invited RESUME THIS ACTIVITY AS and we are taking the Indian team to SOON AS POSSIBLE every measure to first visit Pakistan and resume this activity as we have both the options soon as possible and ahead of us to invite them Hockey India is making good or to visit India “,he asserted.

ali’s brother says legend close to death

NEW yORK: Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is so ill he could die within days, his brother has warned.

Rahman Ali said the former world heavyweight champion cannot speak and no longer recognises him. He told The Sun: “My brother can’t speak, he doesn’t recognise me. He’s in a bad way. He’s very sick. “It could be months, it could be days. I don’t know if he’ll last the summer.

He’s in God’s hands. We hope he gently passes away. “He told me before he got really bad that he’s in no pain. He grabbed my arm and whispered ‘Rah, I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever wanted to accomplish. Don’t cry for me, I’m in no pain’. “It’s best he goes now. The longer he goes on, so does his suffering and misery.” Ali won gold at the 1960 Olympics and after turning professional went on to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. The 71-year-old had several iconic fights during his career, including 1974’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ with George Foreman and the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ against Joe Frazier the following year. Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1984 but remained active for many years and memorably lit the Olympic flame in Atlanta in 1996. aGenCies

18

progress in this regard,” he added.

He said President,PHF, Qasim Zia tabled useful suggestions for the further development of hockey at the meeting of AHF besides his meeting with the officials of various hockey federations.

Secretary PHF said he had meeting with the officials of Malaysian Hockey Federation who assured that their team will visit Pakistan this year.

“We want to bring back international hockey to Pakistan and we will welcome the Malaysian team,” he said.

PARIS aGenCies

germany’s Mona Barthel clinched her second wTA title by beating top seed Sara errani 7-5 7-6 in a hardfought final at the paris open on Sunday. The 22-year-old Barthel, ranked 45, battled for one hour and 56 minutes before sealing the victory with her 53rd winner of the day on her fourth match point. world number seven errani, bidding for her seventh singles title, suffered a second disappointment in paris, after losing to Maria Sharapova in last year’s french open final.

Barthel, who defeated french crowd favourites Marion

Bartoli and Kristina Mladenovic on her way to the final, seemed to be cruising to victory when she broke her opponent’s serve to lead 2-0 in the second set. She held on to lead 5-2 but the resilient errani fought back by taking advantage of the german’s nervousness, only to surrender in the decisive tiebreak. “It was a bit complicated to wrap it up but it was my first final in as big an event. I was feeling the tension,” Barthel, who won her first title in Hobart last season, told reporters. “It has been a beautiful week. I was not expecting to win such a tournament. This will be a great year, I think.”

wAtCh It LIve STAR CRICKET Women’s World Cup: India v Sri Lanka 6:00 PM

STAR SPORTS FIELD HOCKEY: Mumbai v Lucknow 08:00 PM

junior u-21 hockey in semis stage LAHORE: The national Junior U21 hockey championship reached to semi finals tage for which Sui Southern Gas Company, Wapda, PIA, and National Bank of Pakistan qualified after winning their respective matches on Monday at Faisalabad hockey stadium. In the first quarter final, SSGC hardly defeated Punjab Whites before leading 1-0 at half time. Scorers, SSGC:Arslan Sherazi 29th minute (PC) & Abdul Qayyum Dogar 42nd minute (FG). PUNJAB (W): Daud Khalid 43rd minute (FG). Wapda were 4-1 against Army at half time before imposing a 6-1 defeat to them at full time . Scorers, WAPDA:Asad Bashir 11thminute (FG), M. Umair 17th minute (FG), Saleem Nazim 20thminute (FG), Adnan 2 Goals 25th & 59th minutes (FG)& Waseem Abbas 57th minute (PC).ARMY:Mohammad Farman 22ndminute (FG). In the third quarter final PIA came from behind to beat Punjab Colour 2-1 before trailing 0-1 at half time.

Scorers, PIA:Rizwan Ali 38thminute (FG) & Afsar Yaqoob 57th minute (PC).PUNJAB (C): Usman Tahir 23rd minute (FG). NBP routed Pakistan Customs 7-3. Bankers led the first half 2-1 at interval. Scorers, NBP:Ayub Ali 2 Goals 6th & 49th minutes (FG), M. Rizwan 34thminute (FG), Arslan Qadir 42ndminute (FG), Kashif Javed 2 Goals 56th& 61st minutes (PC) & M. Tousiq 63rd minute (PC).CUSTOMS:Mohsin Sabir 2 Goals 10th & 65th minute (FG) & Ghulam Abbas 54thminute (PC). Tuesday is the rest day, SSGC will meet Wapda in first semi final and PIA will take on NBP in the first semi final on February 6. staff repOrt

saadi returns home after winning gold LAHORE: Pakistan’s Asian gold medalist ,Saadi Abbas has returned home after winning a gold and a bronze medal in the 2nd Al-Ahli International Karate Tournament in Dubai. Saadi put up sterling show with an exhibition of talent and skills in the below 67 kgs weight category, said the information made available here on Monday. He underlined his talent and won six bouts to win the gold, outshining his opponents from Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran and Turkey ,said the information made available here on Monday. Saadi , was the focus of attention for his outstanding performance among twenty two nations which participated in the event. He also participated in team kumite and claimed a bronze to double his joy. staff repOrt

Spain crash out, Czechs through in Davis Cup MADRID

6-3 6-4 3-6 7-6 victory over Wawrinka, to give the Czechs an insurmountable 3-1 lead, a day after he and Lukas Rosol edged a Top seeds Spain crashed out of the first punishing seven-hour clash with Wawrinka round of the Davis Cup for the first time and Marco Chiudinelli 24-22 in the final set.

The Czechs will now travel to since 2006 when Milos Raonic beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez to give Canada an Kazakhstan in April after the Central Asian country wrapped up a 3-1 victory unassailable 3-1 lead in their world over Austria on Sunday. group tie on Sunday.

The United States also The understrength fivefended off a fightback times champions had THE FIVE-TIMES from Brazil in struggled from the start Jacksonville to secure a of the tie in Vancouver CHAMPIONS WRESTLED place in the last eight, and Raonic killed them where they will meet off with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 THEIR WAY BACK INTO Serbia. win over Garcia-Lopez Sam Querrey to secure Canada’s first THE CONTEST AFTER A finished the job with a 4ever triumph at this level 6 6-3 6-4 7-6 victory over of the men’s team DOUBLES VICTORY Thiago Alves in the final competition. rubber after Thomaz Bellucci Holders Czech Republic had tied the contest up at 2-2 by earlier moved into the quarterbattling past big-serving John Isner 2-6 finals with Tomas Berdych outlasting Swiss opponent Stanislas Wawrinka a day 6-4 6-7 6-4 6-3.

Italy also booked their place in the after the pair emerged from a marathon quarter-finals, where they will meet Canada, doubles encounter.

Berdych enjoyed a comparatively easy after Fabio Fognini beat Croatia’s Ivan aGenCies

Dodig in a decisive fifth rubber.

Spain, without Rafa Nadal, David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro, were on the back foot from the start of the tie on the Vancouver hardcourts after going 2-0 down in the opening singles on Friday. The fivetimes champions wrestled their way back into the contest after a doubles victory on Saturday but Raonic put paid to any hopes of a remarkable comeback in the first reverse singles on Sunday.

The big-serving world number 15 opened his match against Garcia-Lopez - a late replacement for Marcel Granollers with three aces and fired down 22 in all in the victory to the delight of a passionate crowd at the Thunderbird Sports Centre.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Raonic told reporters. “It’s something we should all be proud of. It’s something I hope resonates not only with our team but throughout tennis in Canada.” The Czechs came into the final day with a 2-1 advantage and Berdych took three hours and 15 minutes to wrap up a four-set win over an equally weary Wawrinka, who had defeated Rosol in the singles on Friday.

KHI 05-02-2013_Layout 1 2/5/2013 1:38 AM Page 20

Tuesday, 5 February, 2013

PMl-n cancels sit-in, marches to eCP office OPPOSITION PARTIES DEMAND DELIMITATIONS IN KARACHI ISLAMABAD staff repOrt

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EADERS of opposition parties on Monday expressed full confidence in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and demanded an immediate and impartial delimitation of constituencies in Karachi.

They expressed the views while addressing the participants of the PML-N-led march in support of the ECP and delimita-

tion of constituencies in Karachi in Islamabad. The PML-N announced earlier on Monday that it was cancelling the sit-in outside the Election Commission’s office in Islamabad and would instead march until the commission’s building. The decision was taken at a PML-N parliamentary meeting chaired by Nisar Ali Khan.

Addressing the participants, JI leader Liaquat Baloch said all opposition parties had complete confidence in the ECP and its structure, adding that the people of Karachi would not be left alone.

On the occasion, PML-N leader Saleem Zia said a seven-member opposition delegation had presented a memorandum to the Election Commission. During the talks it

He said it was for the first time in history of the country that the chief election commissioner was appointed with consensus of all political forces of the country. The PMLN leader expressed concern that the Pakistan Army personnel were not accompanying the ECP staff during the verification process in Karachi, adding that army personnel were accompanying ECP staff in specific areas.

Zia said old delimitations enacted by former dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf were not acceptable at all. “We want strong and stable ECP and it should work without any pressure”, he added. Leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the sit-in was in continuation of the recent sit-ins in Karachi for completion of the

was decided that opposition parties and the ECP would hold a meeting on February 6.

The memorandum expressed complete confidence in the Election Commission and demanded an early completion of the process of verification of voters in Karachi under supervision of the army. They also demanded delimitations of constituencies in Karachi. The memorandum also called for resignation of the governors of all four provinces and replacement of senior officials on formation of the caretaker government. “We are demanding delimitations of constituencies in Karachi and door-to-door verification of voters with the help of the army according to the orders of the Supreme Court,” the PML-N leader said.

even babies must wear the burqa: saudi cleric

Qadri announces 2nd phase of ‘revolution’ with rallies in 6 cities LAHORE inp

SHEIKH ABDULLAH DAOUD SAYS VEILS WOULD PROTECT BABY GIRLS FROM SEX ATTACKS NEWS DESK A Saudi cleric has sparked outrage by declaring that baby girls must wear the burqa. Sheikh Abdullah Daoud, who said all female newborns should wear the veil, insisted the burqas would help to protect the infants against the threat of sexual attacks. His comments, made in an interview with an Islamic television station that has surfaced online, have been widely condemned as ‘disturbing’ and harmful to the religion. In the interview broadcast on al-Majd TV last year, Sheikh Daoud cited instances of babies being sexually molested in Saudi Arabia, and quoted unnamed medical and security sources, a report on Al Arabiya News said.

After the footage suddenly spread across the internet this week, commentators called for the cleric to be held accountable for his unregulated fatwa, which they said was damaging to Islam. Islamic law holds that women should wear the veil after they reach puberty. Sheikh Mohammed al-Jzlana, a former judge at the Saudi Board of Grievances, told the news channel that Sheikh Daoud’s remarks had made the faith look bad. He urged people to ignore unofficial religious edicts, which he said were administered under special regulations set by Saudi authorities, which also appoints those entitled to issue them. The former judge said covering baby girls with burqas was ‘an injustice’ to children.

ISLAMABAD: Supporters of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and other opposition parties hold a protest march towards the Election Commission office on Monday. inp

Taliban factions grouping together in Tirah Valley PESHAWAR shamim shahid

While offering conditions for dialogue with the government, various Taliban factions have resolved internal rifts and are now planning to assemble in the snow-covered mountains of Tirah Valley in Khyber Agency.

Top leaders and commanders of various factions have recently held meetings in Waziristan where they made important decisions, highly-placed sources told Pakistan Today. Sources said that the Taliban had decided to put their differences aside and to adopt a joint strategy against the government. Sources further said that the TTP Darra Adamkhel and Lashkar Islam had sorted out their differences, and both Tariq Afridi and Mangal Bagh had agreed to op-

erate together. Militants from both the banned outfits have started a combined offensive against the pro-government Ansarul Islam in the Tirah Valley. Sources further said that defeating the Ansarul Islam and its allied Afridi tribesmen from Zakhakhel and Kokikhel clans, the TTP and LI would be able to invite other militant leaders currently hiding in Afghanistan. On the directives of TTP high command, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad recently announced to recognise Commander Abu Bakkar. Abu Bakkar is now leading the TTPBajaur after the death of Dadullah in a US drone attack in Kunar province of Afghanistan.

Maulvi Fazalullah, chief of the banned and dislodged TTP-Swat faction, is also hiding in Kunar. He was also expected to return to Tirah Valley after becoming the top target of US drones.

Likewise, Taliban commanders and their guests associated with al Qaeda and other foreign groups in Waziristan were also expected to come to Tirah Valley, sources said, adding that a large number of militants were already present in Tirah.

Sources also said that top TTP commanders and foreign groups had established safe havens near Khost and were safe from drone strikes, adding that these leaders also had access to mobile phones, wireless communication devices and other technologies. Sources said that after assembling in Tirah Valley, these militants were expected to plan terrorist attacks against security forces, government officials and other installations, adding that they were expected to focus their energies on cutting the supplies to US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan via Khyber Pass.

Mixed signals from the Taliban SHAHAB JAFRY Contradictory signals from the TTP – gestures of peace along with savage strikes against military and civilian personnel – have led to confusion about the organisation’s real motives, with the military preferring talks and public opinion swaying in favour of continued army action.

The most recent example was Ehsanullah Ehsan’s offer of talks on Sunday provided PML-N, JUI-F and JI chiefs acted as guarantors, just on the heels of deadly attacks targeting minority Shia in Hangu and a military installation in Lakki Marwat, killing scores and injuring many more.

CoNfIRMATIoN of THe TReND: Few in the international press understand that

process of voters’ verification in Karachi and delimitation of the constituencies of the city as directed by the Supreme Court.

Others who attended the march included leaders and workers of PML-N‚ PML-F‚ Jamaat-e-Islami‚ Muslim League-LM‚ Jamhoori Watan Party‚ Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party‚ NPP‚ Sunni Tehreek and Sindh Awami Tehreek. On Sunday, PML-N Information Secretary Mushahidullah Khan had said that those participating in the march would stage a brief sit-in near the ECP building where some leaders would deliver speeches. He had alleged that hurdles were being created in the way of the ECP, which was struggling to implement the Supreme Court’s order about verification of voters’ list in Karachi.

the TTP is an umbrella organisation comprising dozens of militias headed by warlords that owe fealty to Hakimullah Mehsud, but in reality are open to periodic sweeteners when it suits them. “It is very possible for some lower tier commanders to sabotage efforts at negotiations even if their top brass is willing,” intelligence officers told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity. “Some are more easily influenced, and bought, by al Qaeda”. It bears noting that TTP was initially bankrolled by foreign al Qaeda militants and has steadily parted ways with the Afghan parent body, which is still run by Mulla Omer, by advocating attacks against the Pakistani military.

Hakimullah’s sudden liking for peace talks in December, although with ridiculous preconditions, was an indication that successive military operations and drone strikes have

considerably degraded the TTP’s operational capability in the tribal area. Its position is further weakened by advances by Afghan Taliban across the border, especially since they are sure to feature in any post-Karzai setup in Kabul. Hakimullah’s calculated change of posture, confirmed by Ehsanullah’s measured offer, is also a likely security hedge for post2014 Afghanistan, when US/NATO/ISAF forces are scheduled to depart. Offers of truce on the Pakistani side, security officials say, are primarily to keep favour with the Afghan Taliban who are sure to come to power next door.

“Even though the Lakki Marwat hit was accepted as a revenge attack, it is possible for al Qaeda to exploit differences within the TTP to derail whatever little chances of de-escalation Hakimullah might want to pursue,” they added. “Strangely, these hits might even con-

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

firm the trend towards negotiations”.

MoLvI fAqIR CARD: Official counterinsurgency (COIN) strategy has principally revolved around setting up so called good Taliban against the bad, an approach severely criticised in the foreign press. US officials and media disapprove of the policy because what are good Taliban for Pakistan – who do not attack Pakistani targets – are not necessarily as nice for ISAF forces, since they continue with the resistance in Afghanistan.

Tension between the ISI and CIA increased recently when the latter took out Mulla Nazir, the pro-government strongman in SWA, in a drone strike last month.

Pakistani intelligence has also long propped Bajaur warlord Molvi Faqir, former TTP number-2, to influence the TTP high command in favour of a negotiated settlement.

An agreement with Faqir resulted in virtually zero violence in his area around 2010, even if the military failed to build on the momentum, and Faqir was disciplined by an embarrassing demotion to ordinary foot solEditor: Arif Nizami

Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri on Monday announced mass rallies in six major cities from February 15 in the second phase of his “revolutionary struggle” aimed at electoral reforms in the country. Addressing a press conference here, Qadri said the “Inqalab Marches” would be organised in six cities including Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Sukkur, Peshawar and Gujranwala. He said the first meeting would be held in Gujranwala on February 15 after Friday prayers. “This is the initial stage of our revolution’s second phase,” he said, adding, “Our movement is meant for the rights of 18 million oppressed people. Our struggle created awareness among masses and this is why the government assured implementation of Article 62 and 63 of the constitution in general elections.” The TMQ chief said they were going to the Supreme Court for the dissolution of the Election Commission of Pakistan according to the constitution and law. He said no one had the courage to violate the agreement for electoral reforms. Qadri said they neither wanted martial law in the country nor postponement of elections. He lauded Pakistan Army for supporting democracy and constitution, saying it did not want to impose martial law. He said he had no contact with General Kayani since day one. He said the present system in Pakistan was anti-poor. He said a “revolution” had been started in order to install real democracy in Pakistan. He said the anti-poor system of the country must be changed, adding that the Articles 3 and 38 of the constitution were being violated.

He said that the first rally of the “revolution” would be held in Gujranwala on February 15, the second one in Faisalabad on February 17, the third one in Multan on February 22 and the fourth one in Peshawar on February 24. He extended invitations to all political parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to participate in the rallies.

dier. Yet he continued to command a large following, and intelligence officers close to the COIN strategy regarded him as the lynchpin of the entire peace effort. Recent news reports that Faqir has been re-embraced into the TTP’s highest echelons of power in an effort brokered by Mulla Fazlullah (of the Swat operation) seem to have considerably complicated matters. If true, it puts Hakimullah in a position of significant strength, despite rumours in the foreign press of his loosening grip on power. But, considering TTP’s strategy shift, it could also mean saner heads are prevailing, and Faqir’s position of talks is finding increasing favour with Mehsuds who dominate the TTP. Analysts doubt if politicians named by Ehsanullah will be willing to play ball, but the military is clear that the TTP is finally coming round to ending the militancy. It remains for the media to observe the emerging pattern, and translate mixed signals coming from the TTP for the larger public, the majority of which still favour military confrontation.