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Rs 17.00 Vol IV No 43 19 Pages

Saturday, 17 August, 2013 Shawwal 9, 1434

Karachi Edition

STorY oN pAgE 04

STorIES oN pAgE 04

STorY oN pAgE 02

STorIES oN pAgE 03

4 killed in train attacks in Sindh, Balochistan

growth not enough to end poverty: ADB

At least four people were killed and 16 others injured when passenger trains in Sindh and Balochistan came under attack on Friday. According to officials, a rocket was fired at the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express while it was passing through the mountainous region near Kolpur in Bolan district. Three people were killed and 12 injured in the attack.

The rocket also damaged the engine of the train. pAg E 03

Despite Asia's rapid growth, vast sections of its population still live in poverty and suffer hunger and other forms of deprivation which could threaten the sustainability of the region’s growth and its integration, says a new study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). According to the study titled “The Ending Asian Deprivations”, “Despite a sharp reduction in income poverty in recent decades, a fifth of Asia's population still lives in extreme poverty.” pAg E 18

pTI falls into pML-N trap over rigging probe?

NEWS ANALYSIS pAgE 03

Connecting Khunjrab with gwader!

Lanka rejects day-night Tests with pakistan

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the Pak-China Economic Corridor is future of the country and it will connect Pakistan with China and Central Asian countries making it a hub of transit trade in the region. The prime minister said this in a meeting which discussed the Pak-China Trade Corridor from Kashgar to Khunjrab and Gawader. The prime minister, principally, approved the proposed alignment of Pak-China Trade Corridor with the directions to further evaluate the proposal. pAg E 16

The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has rejected the offer of put forward by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play a day-night Test on their tour to the United Arab Emirates in winter. According to an official of the PCB, Pakistan had offered Sri Lanka Cricket a chance to play a day-night Test on their tour to the United Arab Emirates but the SLC went against the idea saying that their cricketers are under-prepared for the day and night test with pick play. pAg E 20

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Anti-corruPtion court issuEs ArrEst wArrAnts for Amin fAhim

Eight more killed in rains, floods across Punjab, KP MOST RIVERS FLOODED FOLLOWING TORRENTIAL RAINS; WET SPELL LIKELY TO CONTINUE

MANDI BAHAUDDIN: Rescue workers rescue flood victims in village Jokalian near Head Qadirabad on Friday. INP

LAHORE/PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT/AGENCIES

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KARACHI INP

An anti-corruption court on Friday issued non-bailable arrest warrants for senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Amin Fahim and former NICL director Qasim Amin Dada in the NICL scam.

During the hearing, which took place in the Special Federal Anti-Corruption Court-II, Karachi, the court expressed dissatisfaction over Fahim’s absence from the court. His lawyer submitted to the court an apology on behalf of his client, and said that the lawmaker was not present because he was busy with parliamentary duties. The court ordered authorities concerned to ensure his presence on the next hearing and issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of the PPP president and Dada. The former federal minister was facing charges under Section 420 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Both accused had allegedly caused large financial losses to the national exchequer by violating rules in the procurement of a piece of land in Korangi. According to the original charge sheet, a total of Rs 900 million was embezzled in the purchase of the land in question, with Rs 41 million of this amount being transferred in the loan accounts of Fahim and members of his family in a private bank. Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court ordered DIG and South SSP to submit a response in the Hamza Ahmed murder case by August 18.

Ahmed, a 17-year old student was allegedly gunned down by the guard of another teenager, Mohammad Shoaib, on April 27 in Defence Housing Authority.

firing outsidE PrivAtE tv chAnnEl’s officE injurEs two KARACHI STAFF REPORT

A woman and a guard were injured when four armed motorcyclists opened fire at the Express Media office on Friday. The injured guard and woman were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of the incident and demanded immediate report on the attack at the media group’s office.

T least eight people, including three women were killed and several others injured in rain and flood-related incidents across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Friday. A woman and her son were killed while her husband received serious injuries when the roof of their room caved in due to torrential rain in Bhadra village in Sheikhpura. Separately, a woman and daughter died after the roof of their house collapsed in Sheikhpura. Another woman was killed when a wall of her house collapsed.

Three people, including two children, were killed when roofs of several houses collapsed in various parts of Bajaur Agency.

Meanwhile, more than 50 people sustained injuries in various roof collapse and rain-related incidents across the country. The met office has urged all authorities concerned to remain on high alert, as it forecast widespread rains for central and southern parts of the country. According to the Met Office, widespread rain with isolated heavy falls, was expected in Gujranwala and Lahore divisions and Kashmir on Saturday and Sunday. Scattered rain and thundershower was also expected in Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Hazara divisions, while isolated rain was likely to occur in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) during the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, flooding in Nullah Dek, Chenab and Sutlej rivers submerged more than 100 villages and destroyed crops over thousands of acres. At least 130 villages were flooded after a breach in Nullah Dek and Basantar in Narowal. The

flood affected standing crops over thousands of acres besides displacing a large population and damaging many houses. According to details, at least 25 health centres and 104 government schools were inundated. Precautionary measures were ordered by the Flood Forecasting Division to avoid the loss of life and property after flooding at Kot Mithan in Rajanpur. The health, livestock and civil defense personnel have been put on high alert to meet any emergency situation.

Dozens of villages in Haveli Lakha were submerged after flooding at Head Sulemanki in Sutlej River. Evacuation of the

people and their livestock has been started.

The Indus River was also flowing in high flood at Chashma, in medium flood at Kalabagh, Taunsa and Guddu Barrage and in low flood at Tarbela and Sukkur barrage, according to Federal Flood Commission.

Kabul River was flowing in low flood at Warsak and medium flood at Nowshera, while Swat River was in low flood at Munda Headworks and Charsadda Road Bridge.

Dam management authorities have been advised to take utmost care and vigilance in further filling of both reservoirs and strictly follow filling criteria and safety guidelines.

PPP seeks PML-N’s nod for local govt bill KARACHI

ANP leader shot dead in Peshawar PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

STAFF REPORT

A four-member delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Friday held talks with the Sindh government’s committee on new local government law at the Chief Minister’s House. MPA Irfanullah Marwat led the PML-N delegation comprising Sorath Thebo, Shafi Muhammad Jamote and Humayun Khan, while the government side was represented by Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Dr Sikander Mandhro, Sharjeel Memon and Murad Ali Shah.

The government side presented the draft of proposed local government bill to the PML-N leaders. Both sides, however, agreed to continue contacts and discussion. Separately, a meeting of the government committee of local government bill was held in the CM

As predicted by the Flood Forecasting Division (FFD), Lahore, scattered thunderstorm and rain with heavy falls at isolated places is expected over Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Kalat, Zhob, Nasirabad, Sukkur and Larkana divisions, including Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, besides upper catchments of rivers Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej during the next 24 hours. High to very high flood level is likely to be experienced in tributaries of Ravi and Chenab rivers during the next 24 hours.

House with Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah in the chair. It discussed the progress so far achieved regarding the bills. It was decided to continue consultation with the political parties to develop consensus on the proposed law.

Earlier on Thursday, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) had showed ‘flexibility’ to Muttahida Qaumi Movement reservations over proposed

amendments to the Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO), 1979, during brief and inconclusive talks between leaders of the two parties at the Chief Minister’s House. The MQM leaders avoided talking to journalists after the meeting while sources privy to talks said they insisted on giving more powers to the civic bodies in the proposed draft.

Awami National Party leader Najma Haneef was shot dead in the Hayatabad area of Peshawar on Friday evening.

According to police reports, the ANP candidate was shot in the head by unknown assailants inside her house in Phase I of the locality.

Police officials said they were informed half an hour after the incident since she was alone in the house. The attackers managed to escape the scene. ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan condemned the killing and appealed to the provincial government to catch the perpetrators. Soon after the incident, police launched a search operation in the area and arrested some suspects while her body was sent for a post-mortem.

Her husband, ANP Tehsil Nazim Haneef Jadoon was earlier killed in a suicide attack in Swabi on the second day of Eidul Fitr in 2011.At the time, he was accompanied by their two sons, a guard and a worker.

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nAwAz, singh liKEly to mEEt in sEPtEmbEr: fo ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

The Indian and Pakistani prime ministers are likely to meet next month in New York and Pakistan has already apprised India of its concern over the situation on the Line of Control (LoC).

Talking to reporters at his weekly briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Friday said all communication channels between the two countries were open and Pakistan had conveyed its concerns over LoC ceasefire violations to India clearly. He said diplomatic, military and trade channels were some of the means through which “we have communications going on”. He said Pakistan's policy was based on restraint, responsibility and dialogue.

Aizaz hoped that after the prime ministers’ meeting in New York, tensions between Pakistan and India would ease and that the situation on the LoC would normalise. The spokesman said such meetings and opportunities could also be helpful in reducing the tension between the two countries, adding that Pakistan needed peace through meaningful dialogue process to ensure development in the region. Shelling and firing has flared along the disputed Kashmir’s de facto border since August 6, when five Indian soldiers were ambushed and killed in a remote district in Indian-held Kashmir. India blamed Pakistani soldiers for the attack, while Islamabad denied any involvement. The FO spokesman added that Pakistan would not allow the use of its territory for terrorism, a day after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said for India’s relations with Pakistan to improve, it was essential that Islamabad prevented the use of its territory for any anti-India activity. Referring to US drone attacks on Pakistani territory, he said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon endorsed Pakistan’s stance on the issue. Referring to the recent visit of Ban Ki-Moon, he said it was a very useful and productive visit that had increased Pakistan's status in the international community. Aizaz confirmed that Afghan President Hamid Karzai would be visiting Pakistan later this month. He stressed Pakistan’s commitment for advancing the reconciliation process in Afghanistan. The spokesman said exact dates of visit had not been finalised, but it would most likely be by later this month. He said Pakistan and Afghanistan had a robust relationship and efforts would be made to strengthen it further. He said Afghan president would discuss with Pakistani leaders a host of issues. Aizaz said Pakistan had a clear stand that peace process in Afghanistan should be Afghan led and Afghan owned and would continue to render all possible assistance to make it successful. When asked if Pakistan granted the status of most-favoured nation to India, the spokesman said there needed to be consensus among stakeholders in Pakistan over the issue.

He said the government was committed to normalising trade relations with India and would try to expand them further. To a question on the recent situation in Egypt, the spokesman said Pakistan viewed with concern the recent bloodshed in the country and was hopeful that all parties would resolve their issues amicably to help give democracy a chance to prosper. He added that Adviser to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and Security Sartaj Aziz would represent Pakistan in the next meeting of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation which was primarily a security organisation.

4 killed as two passenger trains attacked in sindh, balochistan A KOTRI/ BOLAN

QUETTA: An injured man is being moved to the hospital following a rocket attack on the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express on Friday. INP

STAFF REPORT

t least four people were killed and 16 others injured when passenger trains in Sindh and Balochistan came under attack on Friday.

According to officials, a rocket was fired at the Rawalpindi-bound Jaffar Express while it was passing through the mountainous region near Kolpur in Bolan district. Three people were killed and 12 injured in the attack. The rocket also damaged the engine of the train.

In another incident, unidentified miscreants riding motorbikes opened fire at the Karachi-bound Bahauddin Zakaria Express near Kotri town of Sindh, leaving a child dead and four others injured. The train was coming from Multan.

The deceased boy was identified as eight-year-old Salman.

The injured were shifted to Civil Hospital Hyderabad in critical condition.

Security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to arrest the culprits.

Indian firing injures 7 civilians near LoC KOTLI ONlINE

At least seven more civilians, including three women, were injured as Indian troops opened unprovoked firing across Line of Control (LoC), violating the ceasefire protocol yet again on Friday.

According to officials, the ceasefire violations took place in Batot, Lanjot, Balakot and Dheri Dabsi villages of Nakial sector in southern Kotli district of Pakistan side of Kashmir.

Deputy Commissioner Masoodur Rehman said two people were admitted to the hospital in Nakial and Kotli sector as they were seriously injured, while five others were sent home after first aid. The official, after visiting the area along with senior military officials, said four houses and two vehicles were

badly damaged as Indian troops fired mortar shells in the area.

Masood said, "The morale of the residents in affected areas is high. There has been no displacement in any area."

The Indian troops opened fire at 4am on Thursday and continued it until afternoon and on Thursday night until wee hours of Friday.

The Pakistani troops responded to the Indian aggression properly and retaliated the firing.

The health director general of Kashmir, Dr Abdul Quddus Akhtar, said an emergency was imposed in all hospitals and vacations of all doctors and paramedics had been cancelled the in view of the escalation along the LoC. Earlier, the tension between Indian and Pakistan rose as India accused Pakistan Army of being involved in the killings of its

five soldiers in Indian-held Kashmir, however, the allegation was clearly denied by Pakistan Foreign Office and military leadership, declaring it baseless allegation.

On August 8, Pakistani Indian troops opened unprovoked fire and seriously inured a male civilian along the LoC in Pakistan side of Kashmir.

Pakistan has protested against the aggression by the Indian protesters targeting its High Commission in New Delhi and demanded the Indian government to provide security to the diplomats. Moreover, Indian protesters also stopped Dosti bus (friendship bus) travelling from New Delhi to Lahore.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has urged India to resolve all outstanding issues between the two countries by sitting together and making a new beginning.

pTI falls into pML-N trap over rigging probe?

News ANALYsIs NAdEEm SyEd

Has PTI climbed down wilfully from its maximalist position over rigging in the recent elections by accepting PML-N’s offer to join a parliamentary committee to resolve the issue? Or has it been trapped by the ruling party with its parliamentary leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi falling in line quite easily?

Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan offered to constitute a parliamentary committee mandated to take up the rigging charges of PTI during his NA speech and Shah Mahmood Quereshi accepted the offer there and then.

The timing of the offer is quite significant for the PTI workers and political

folks. The offer came when the PTI was all set to unveil its white paper based on rigging charges. The PTI leaders claimed that they had solid proofs of the rigging that they would make public through the white paper. It is also learnt that white paper had already gone into printing and announcement was expected within days.

Within the PTI rank and file, the move has created ample confusion.

Some PTI leaders have sought clarity from party chief Imran Khan.

According to public perception, when an issue is referred to a committee, whether it is a parliamentary committee, it amounts to brushing the whole issue under the carpet or it shows the desire for comprise that takes the parties engaged nowhere in the end.

The PTI has hit out the judiciary for its alleged involvement in the rigging

more recently, for which Imran has been facing contempt proceeding. The judiciary has given him one more chance to prove his claims or apologise for maligning the judiciary. The PTI announced to launch countrywide protests if its demands regarding the probe into four suspected constituencies went unheeded.

Some analysts foresee the tussle between the judiciary and PTI growing in coming days if Khan decides to defend himself.

With the issue now set to be placed before a committee, it is to be seen what position the PTI takes on the issue and how it deals with the apex court, where Khan faces contempt charges.

Will the new move by PTI avert the wrath of court and lead to some compromise, only time can tell.

It will be more convenient for the government, ECP and courts to now

suggest Khan to settle the issue in the committee instead of agitating it somewhere else.

Sources in the party are not sure if Quereshi took the bait on his own or if it was the party policy.

Some PTI leaders were also surprised over the way Quereshi defended the federal government in dealing with the gun wielding lunatic On Thursday.

However, PTI leader Shafqat Mahmood had different take on the issue.

Talking to Pakistan Today, he said his party would not make any compromise on the issue of rigging. He said the PTI would unveil its white paper on August 21 or August 22 and the committee would take up the PTI charges regarding only four constituencies, besides deliberating on how to make the elections further foolproof.

mohmAnd AgEncy undEr control of PoliticAl Admin PESHAWAR APP

Frontier Corps Inspector General Major General Ghayoor Mehmood on Friday declared in unequivocal terms that the government writ had been restored in Mohmand Agency after successful operations against militants in their strongholds saying that security forces lost its 270 valiant troops during the process while fighting militancy. Talking to media persons after inaugurating Yadgar-e-Shahuda of Mohmand Rifles at Ghalanai, headquarters of Mohmand Agency, and earlier addressing tribal jirga of Mohmand Tribesmen, the IGFC said 170 para military troops of Mohmand Rifles and 100 soldiers of Army also embraced martyrdom in the line of duty and inflicted heavy losses to the militants and anti-state elements. The sacrifices of security forces and tribesmen, he said, had paid the way for complete restoration of govt writ in the Mohmand Agency bordering Afghanistan. The terrorists had been flushed out of their bastions and the agency was now under the control of political administration. Maj Gen Ghayoor Mehmood said the militants at the behest of their foreign masters had challenged the govt writ in the agency and inflicted losses to tribal people for their ulterior motives.

KP govt imPosEs bAn on fivE PAshto moviEs PESHAWAR: The Home and Tribal Affairs Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has banned five Pashto films from being screened in cinemas of the provincial capital. “The Home Department has said that the films are being banned because the approval of the Censor Board was not obtained,” sources said.

According to officials, the ban was imposed on Zama Arman, Bhungi Laila, Lofar, Shart and Qurbani after they were found to be in violation of Section IV of the Motion Pictures Act 1979. The cinema houses in Peshawar stated that Zama Arman had done record business on its release on Eidul Fitr. Home Department spokesperson Qamar Ali said that they have alerted the provincial and capital city police chiefs along with commissioner and deputy commissioner about the ban. “If things go unchecked, genuine entertainment will end soon,” he said. STAFF REPORT

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over 80 killed in Egypt’s ‘day of rage’ CAIRO AGENCIES

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HOUSANDS of Islamists protested on Friday across Egypt, sparking violence that killed more than 80 people and turned parts of Cairo into battlefields after police authorised the use of live ammunition.

The clashes came two days after 578 people were killed in Egypt as police cleared two Cairo protest camps set up by loyalists of ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, in the country’s bloodiest day in decades. That crackdown drew strong condemnation from the international community, and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton called Friday for the bloc to adopt “appropriate measures” in response. But Egypt’s cabinet issued a defiant statement, even as clashes continued in the hour before a night-time curfew began, saying it was confronting a “terrorist plot”.

In Jordan, Morocco and the Palestinian territories, meanwhile, hundreds joined demonstrations in support of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement. The Islamist coalition led the Brotherhood had called for “Friday of anger” rallies across Egypt in response to the crackdown on their protest camps.

And violence erupted soon after protesters emerged from mosques following Friday prayers, with gunshots ringing out in Cairo and security forces firing tear gas.

In the capital, a man leapt off a bridge near a police station to escape shooting as police armoured vehicles advanced on protesters, witnesses said. Security sources and the health ministry reported at least 31 dead, including four in the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya and another eight in northern Damietta. In Cairo, streets were virtually deserted except for demonstrators and security forces, with the army deploying at key points in the city.

But some residents formed their own roadblocks, checking identity papers and

searching cars. The interior ministry, which on Thursday authorised police to use live fire if government buildings came under attack, accused the Brotherhood of attacking police stations, saying it foiled several attempts to storm buildings. And the cabinet issued a defiant statement accusing the Brotherhood of a “terrorist plot”. “The cabinet affirms that the government, the armed forces, the police and the great people of Egypt are united in confronting the malicious terrorist plot by the Muslim Brotherhood,” it said.

Marches were also reported in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, in Beni Sueif and Fayyum, south of Cairo, and in the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada. Wednesday’s bloody crackdown on the pro-Morsi protest camps has polarised Egypt, splintering the army-installed government and drawing forceful international condemnations.

The president of the UN Security Council pleaded for “maximum restraint” after an emergency meeting on Wednesday’s vio-

Brandishing weapons publicly is not terrorism, believes Nisar LAHORE STAFF REPORT

While claiming that Sikandar, the lone gunman who held the capital city hostage for over five hours on Thursday, was not a terrorist, Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday announced suspension of all police officers responsible for allowing passage to Pakistan People’s Party leader Zamurd Khan to Sikandar.

Nisar also accused the media of acting beyond its limits while covering Thursday’s episode. Zamurd has become the centre of media attention after his act of going unarmed to Sikandar and attempting to grab him to initiate the process that the law enforcement agencies could not manage to do in five hours.

People started tweeting and updating on the social media during the entire episode, questioning the power of the state that appeared helpless in front of a lone gunman.

Many viewed it as a mockery of the government and its security machinery. The sight of Zamurd entering the scene and Sikandar being subsequently overpowered was a relief for millions watching the episode developing since afternoon. The media dubbed Zamurd a national hero, while a flood of updates on social media also saw a courageous brave leader in him who rescued an entire nation from a crisis situation.

Many social media users criticised the incumbent regime and their leaders’ absence from the scene. The live drama on TV, the first of its kind, raised a lot of questions about the working of internal security apparatus, media ethics and involvement of politicians in negotiations.

In Friday’s press conference at Lahore’s Model Town, Nisar said he had full “respect” for the “brave” Zamurd Khan whose intentions may have been very “good”, but “these are security issues and need to be dealt with accordingly, so the police officers who allowed passage to Zamurd will have to go”.

He said he did not want to shoot Sikandar in front of his children and that was why the entire operation was delayed. “I take responsibility for the delay in the operation, but the media should also take blame on its part. The TV channel owners will be taken into confidence for accepting guidelines for national interests, as the media covered the entire episode live also airing the gunman’s criticism of the government,” he said. Nisar said the gunman was a drug addict and had no past criminal record. His wife was also an educated woman. “Sikandar was not a terrorist therefore I insisted that he should be captured alive and there should be no use of violence to take him down,” he said.

“His major demands included release of his son in a UAE prison and access to em-

bassies of gulf states. We decided not to kill him after confirming that he had no links with any terrorist or banned outfit,” he added.

The interior minister said that any mishap could have taken place during Khan’s attempt as he could not grab the gunman.

Briefing the reporters about Sikandar’s condition, he said the former received two bullets and his lung had been punctured, but now he was breathing after spending nine hours on a ventilator.

“This is what I wanted to avoid and ultimately we had to open fire because of Zamurd’s entry in the scene,” he said, adding that the police had convinced the gunman to come to a house along with his family without surrendering his weapons where they were to have negotiations. To questions on Islamabad’s security lapses, he said he (Sikandar) was still two kilometres away from the Red Zone and he was hiding the guns in his children’s baggage.

“If we start checking the trunk of each and every vehicle entering Islamabad, there will be long queues at all check points and people will suffer a lot,” he said.

Many viewed the government decision to suspend police officials and blaming the media as a reaction to the media attention being given to Zamurd Khan, a PPP leader.

Many social media users said the heroic act was praised by all and sundry except the rank and file of the PML-N.

role of Tv channels in stand-off questioned NEWS DESK The BBC says that saturation live TV coverage of a five-hour stand-off between police and a gunman in Islamabad reflects both a bitterly fought ratings battle and doubts about the benefits of 24-hour news.For many television channels, the drama presented a golden opportunity.

A gunman, making a series of incoherent demands and wielding two weapons in the centre of the city, was dramatically arrested after a politician intervened to disarm him. Both the gunman and his wife received injuries, but neither is thought to be seriously injured. What has become known as the Thursday Evening Thriller was covered by dozens of news channels. One news channel’s presenter described the armed man, who was accompanied throughout the standoff by his wife and two children, as “holding Islamabad hostage for over five hours”. But the truth was a little more prosaic. He was holed up in the city’s business district, miles away from the most sensitive government buildings or prominent officials.

‘PAinstAking’: In addition, only a few hundred metres of one of Islamabad’s main roads were affected. Although security was tight around this area, most of Islamabad’s

two million residents went about their business as normal. Many believe that the nonstop television coverage made the police reluctant to step in sooner and take action against the gunman, identified as Muhammad Sikandar, from Punjab province.

Many Islamabad residents believe that had the armed impasse not been under the gaze of the cameras, it would have ended much sooner - within minutes, not hours. “If it had been left to the local police they would have taught the gunman a lesson in no time,” commented one resident. “But in front of live cameras, they did not wish to do much except adopt a painstaking waitand-see policy.” In addition, there are other questions which have been asked about the wall-to-wall coverage. When senior policemen asked reporters several times to stand back so that the commandos could at least a secure a 300m (980ft) radius around Sikandar, many journalists flatly refused.

That is why throughout the stand-off it was possible to see hundreds of people and reporters behind Sikandar. It was fortunate under these circumstances that the unilateral decision by Pakistan People’s Party politician Zamurad Khan to end the impasse did not go badly wrong.

His split-second decision to jump on

the armed man in front of the cameras was hardly the best formulated of plans and could have cost him and the various onlookers their lives.

Police say that he acted on his own and ignored their advice not to go near the gunman. But it seems that killing people was thankfully not Sikandar’s intention. He had enough time to shoot Khan and numerous others, but did not.

In the event it turned out to be Khan’s lucky day - he is being hailed as a national hero by the same media channels whose personnel were so endangered by his actions. Then there was the overall tone of the TV channels’ reporting of the standoff, which in many cases was voyeuristic in the extreme. At one point pictures were broadcast of Sikandar urinating.

Critics on Twitter have argued that the media circus made it much harder for an adrenalin-filled gunman to surrender peacefully. Off camera he might have been easily persuaded to lay down his arms. In the aftermath of the stand-off, many local residents believe the police should have been much more forceful with the media.

But since all ended well, the news channels can hold their breath in anticipation of the next breaking story.

lence. But Egypt defended the crackdown and announced it was cancelling naval exercises with Turkey to protest Ankara’s condemnation. Turkey, which backs Morsi, has recalled its ambassador to Cairo over the violence, prompting a tit-for-tat move by Egypt. The EU’s foreign policy chief described the violence in Egypt as “shocking.”

“I have asked member state representatives to debate and coordinate appropriate measures to be taken by the European Union in response to the situation in Egypt,” said Ashton. Germany said it would review ties with Cairo, and joined France in calling for EU talks on the situation, which are expected to take place on Monday.

French President Francois Hollande was discussing the crisis with counterparts in London, Berlin and Rome. On Thursday, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Egypt, calling for an end to the violence and “national reconciliation”.

US President Barack Obama said

Washington was cancelling a joint USEgyptian military exercise.

“While we want to sustain our relationship with Egypt, our traditional cooperation cannot continue as usual when civilians are being killed in the streets and rights are being rolled back,” he said.

But despite scrapping the exercise, he stopped short of suspending Washington’s annual $1.3 billion in aid.

The international response was not uniformly critical, however, with Saudi King Abdullah saying he backed Egypt’s fight against “terrorism”.

Saudi Arabia “stands with its Egyptian brothers against terrorism, deviance and sedition, and against those who try to interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs,” he said.

The unrest troubled markets, with oil prices up on fears that the violence could impact shipments through the Suez Canal or spark further Middle East unrest, analysts said.

Nawaz orders enquiry into Islamabad standoff NAWAz WANTED To vISIT zAMurD, NISAr SToppED hIM: rEporT

ISLAMABAD KASHIF ABBASI

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an enquiry into the Islamabad standoff in which an armed man kept the city paralysed for more than five hours.

Taking serious notice of police failure, the prime minister directed the interior secretary to submit a detailed report fixing responsibility of the delay in initiating action against the gunman, who made a mockery of law at Jinnah Avenue. The PM also asked the interior secretary to answer why police allowed an individual (Zamurd Khan) to attempt to overcome the armed man and how did the gunman manage to enter the city in the first place.

Sikandar, the gunman demanding implementation of Sharia and immediate release of his son Yousuf Aljasmi from the custody of UAE authorities, is being treated at PIMS. Doctors said Sikandar’s condition was improving. “We have removed him from the ventilator. Now he is breathing on his own.

However, he is not capable yet to record his statement to police,” PIMS Spokesman Dr Waseem Khawaja told Pakistan Today. Talking about Sikandar’s wife Kanwal, Dr Khawaja said she received a bullet injury in her leg and was out of danger. Meanwhile, Kohsar police registered an FIR against the accused Sikandar and his wife, Kanwal Sikandar under various sections, including 7-ATA. They were booked under Section 7-ATA for spreading terrorism, 13/20/65 keeping illegal weapons, 279/472, 353/186, 341/337 and 324/506. Without mentioning the name of Zamurd Khan, the FIR said a politician, without getting permission from police, tried to overpower the armed man. Resultantly, the armed man opened fire at him, but fortunately he escaped unhurt. Police said in order to save the lives of the politician, citizens and police personnel, snipers opened fire at the gunman.

“Citing politician Zamurd Khan’s act in the FIR creates some doubts. Actually, police mentioned Khan’s name in the FIR just to save their skins,” said Niazullah Niazi advocate.

To a query, he said per content of the FIR, Khan was not a direct accused, however, police could question him. Meanwhile, police said that Sikandar used locally made 5.56mm guns. “We recovered two 5.56mm modified guns from the crime scene ... and a bag carrying 80 bullets from the car,” said Inspector

A report in a private TV channel claimed on Friday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wanted to congratulate Pakistan People’s Party leader Zamurd Khan for his bravery but Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali advised the premier against visiting the PPP leader’s house. The TV channel claimed that Prime Minister Sharif contacted Nisar and told him that he wanted to visit Zamurd’s residence to acknowledge his valour but the interior minister told him that visiting the PPP leader was not a good idea.

The channel said that Nisar told the PM that he would present an enquiry report of the incident to him on Saturday (today). mONITORING dESK

Hakim Khan, SHO of Kohsar police station.

To a query, the SHO said they delayed the operation under a well-planned strategy because they needed proper space between the general public and gunman. The standoff began in Jinnah Avenue when Sikandar asked his driver Amjad to take the car towards the service road leading to Parliament House. Amjad said Sikandar told him that he wanted to put pressure on the government to play a role for the release of his son from UAE jail. However, Amjad stopped the car in front of traffic police officials at Jinnah Avenue and ran away.

According to Amjad, when he stopped the car in front of officials of traffic police informing them that Sikandar had illegal weapons in the car, Sikandar started resorting firing. To this, Amjad ran away. Later, the gunman drove the car and started firing in the air and finally set the stage near Usmania Hotel. The car was owned by a local hotel where Sikandar was staying for the last three days. The driver said Sikandar and his family spent a busy day in Murree earlier in the day.

“Believe me, I found Sikandar a complete normal person while travelling. After reaching Islamabad, he asked me to stop the car at Aabpara. He then purchased 30 cans of Red Bull and other eatables. He drank eight of the cans while travelling between Aabpara to Jinnah Avenue, hardly a two kilometre distance,” Amjad said. To a query regarding intention of Sikandar’s wife, he said per his opinion, she was fully aware of the weapons.

Meanwhile, Kanwal while recording her statement before the police said that she was not aware of the weapons in the car or Sikandar’s intentions. She said her husband was a drug addict and used to torture her. Kanwal said that they came to Islamabad from Hafizabad just for picnic, not for any other purpose.

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ISmAIl dIlAwAR

INDH Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said on Friday that he sensed that a deep-rooted conspiracy is being hatched against Sindh and the helpless crises-hit Karachiites are beginning to harbour the feeling that they are being used as a blackmailing tool after the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) announced to increase the duration of load shedding to 10-13 hours a day in the provincial metropolis.

In a statement issued on Friday, the provincial minister said the hike in load shedding hours in Sindh, especially in the provincial metropolis, was a “heinous conspiracy” being committed against the people of the province. The minister’s comments came after the KESC management announced prolonged load shedding hours through issuing an advertisement in leading newspapers from Saturday (today) onwards.

“This is not on! Why should the people suffer if the government is not paying the KESC,” exclaimed Saeed Ahmed, a resident of Keamari town.

Ahmed, a KESC residential consumer, opined that the company seemed to have decided to use the people of the city, to which the private utility should ideally have served in the face of uninterrupted supply of electricity, as a “blackmailing tool”. “It (KESC) must not use its already-troubled consumers to pressure the federal government,” said Ahmed, adding that, “It really is blackmailing.”

Kamran Mughal, a stevedore at the city’s port, also came down harshly on the utility, and exclaimed that the masses should not be punished for the government’s mistakes. “By increasing load shedding KESC is giving a very negative message to its consumers,” said Mughal.

Maqbool Shah from Saddar electronics market said, “This is unfair.

Life is already so miserable for us and now we have to face this problem too.”

Meanwhile, disappointed over not being put on the federal government’s priority list of circular debt payments, the utility said that from August 17 increased load shedding hours on all of its residential, commercial and industrial customers would be implemented.

“We at the KESC are extremely

disappointed over the government’s inaction in releasing outstanding payments and hence, effective August 17, 2013, we are compelled to revise load shedding regime across our territory,” the company told its “valued” customers.

It said while the government had settled circular debt of up to Rs 500 billion in the energy sector, the KESC had not been paid a single rupee despite the fact that the government owed Rs 84 billion to KESC, of which Rs 43.6 billion were against tariff differential claims.

“We had repeatedly requested the senior most government officials in the relevant ministries, using every possible channel of communication, including a public appeal, to release at least Rs 7.5 billion out of the total payables, enabling the utility to run its operations smoothly and maintain the prevalent load shedding regime,” the KESC said.

However, while significant payments were made to other energy sector companies, the power utility was totally ignored, it claimed.

During the last two months alone KESC had to borrow substantial amounts from banks to pay for its oil purchases and it was hoped that the

utility would receive its long outstanding payments from the government, said the company.

However, it claimed, the government’s approach towards KESC had now limited its ability to buy the required quantity of fuel for its generating plants. The inevitable outcome was under utilisation of generation capacity and a widened demand-supply gap leading to significantly increased duration of planned load shedding in the city.

“We have made it clear that owing to non-payment of government dues, we are forced to adopt these severe measures that would surely have adverse socio-economic impact in Karachi,” it said.

The company hoped that government would reconsider its stance towards the largest city of the country and treat KESC at par with other power sector companies vis-à-vis circular debt resolution.

“We also appeal to all our customers to remain calm and peaceful as the utility will continue its efforts to get its due payments from the government and normalize the power supply situation across all customer segments,” the utility said.

APP

PPP tAKEs PridE in brAsh ‘jiyAlA’

Funeral prayer of martyred police officer Deputy Superintendent Police Qasim Ghouri was held on Friday at the Police Headquarters Garden Karachi. The Sindh Inspector General Police (IGP) Shahid Baloch and other senior police officials attended the prayers for the deceased officer. According to a spokesperson of the Sindh police, the current Year had witnessed the death of 114 police officers in Karachi alone. The ill fated officials included two DSPs, two Inspectors, 10 SIs, 15 ASIs, 23 Head Constables and 62 Constables.

During the current year in Karachi, 151 police officers have been injured during operations against criminal elements.

kArAchi: Member of Sindh Assembly Sharmila Faruqui has said that Zamurd Khan of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has performed such an act of valour which Pakistan Muslim League-N’s (PML-N) tiger and Tehreek-eInsaf’s (PTI) bat could not perform together.

This she said in a statement issued here Friday.

She said the whole nation was proud of Khan’s bravery because he rid the people of Islamabad the armed man who tried to terrify the citizens by displaying deadly arms. She said, “All security forces of Islamabad could not face a single armed man properly, while a single jiyala of PPP, following the footprints of late Zulfikar Bhutto and late Benazir Bhutto.”

Sharmila said that the PML-N and PTI were all talk, but the brave PPP worker showed his courage in testing times. She demanded from the government to award Zamurd the highest award of bravery because only PPP had the capability to counter the menace of terrorism. STAFF REPORT

city of lights continuEs to blEEd KARACHI ONlINE

At least two unidentified males were killed while five others sustained injuries in a shootout that occurred in the city’s Kharadar locality. According to police, unknown gunmen opened fire in the area leaving seven people injured.

The injured people were transported to the Civil Hospital where two of the injured succumbed to their injuries. The victims were identified as Shamshad and Jaffar while the injured included Khurram, Mohammad Ali, Bilal, Saqib and Salim.

trAin sErvicE fAcEs 10-hour dElAys KARACHI INP

Hundreds of passengers and families remained stranded at the city railway station on Friday thanks to the usual delay in departure and arrival of trains, something which has become a trademark of the transport service. The delays were massive nuisance for the travelers.

The train schedule was badly affected with all major rail stations suffering from the incompetence.

According to railways sources, various trains traveling from Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi were delayed by up to eight to 10 hours.

KARACHI: Commuters facing hardships after Korangi Road was washed away in the recent rains. ONlINE

Chinese consul-general pays tribute to Pak-China friendship KARACHI STAFF REPORT

Pakistan is very fortunate to have a friend like China which has always stood for us through thick and thin said Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah at a reception hosted by the Chinese Consul General Ma Yaou at the consulate premises on Friday.

The CM said China had undertaken many projects in Pakistan and was at the forefront of investment in Sindh. He added that Pakistan and China enjoyed close cordial ties and were cooperating in many sectors. Senior minister Nisar Khuhro was also present with the chief minister and said the relations between both countries were exemplary.

The Chinese Consul General Ma

Yaou in his address welcomed the guests and said China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends, good partners and good brothers. He added both countries had always trusted each other, supported each other, treated each other equally and helped each other in hard times, regardless of the international politics. The all-weather friendship stands firm as rock and has taken deep root in the hearts of our two peoples, he said.

Ma Yaou said the prime ministers of both countries had concluded successful visits, forwarding the countries’ friendly relation. He said both sides reached wide-range consensus on developing bilateral relations and signed a series of important agreements of cooperation.

The proposal of building a China-Pak

economic corridor, in particular, presents a very broad prospect for bilateral cooperation.

The Chinese Consul General said China was delighted on the ever-closer exchange and cooperation in various fields between China and the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.

He added that the Chinese people are now striving for the “Chinese Dream”, with the aim of accomplishing a prosperous country, renewal of the nation, and people’s welfare and happiness. At the same time, the Pakistani people are working on their “Asian Tiger Dream” to achieve economic and social development. He concluded his speech by saying “Long Live China-Pakistan friendship!

Cheen-Pak Dosti Zindabad!

mQm frowns As PPP All sEt for lb systEm kArAchi: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to implement local government ordinance in Sindh province despite the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM)’s protests. The decision was taken after assurances of support by the Awami National Party (ANP), Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and Sindh’s nationlists political parties, sources said. The MQM has meanwhile decided to stand against Local Government Ordinance 2012 and demanded local bodies election under article 140. According to MQM leader Sardar Ahmed, the PPP suggested 1979’s ordinance is not alright with them as it might be implemented in Jacobabad, Ghotki and Dadu but not in Karachi. He further said that MQM is not comfortable with this stance of the PPP and wants to settle conflicts in a peaceful way. Sources said the PPP will be successful once the Sindh governor okayed the implementation of the ordinance. PPP Senior Minister Nisar Khoro said that the 2012 local bodies act was rejected by the people of Sindh which makes it controversial but MQM was with PPP when local act 2001 was abolished, he claimed. NNI

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Kmc admin announces boating facility at new park kArAchi: Karachi Municipal Committee (KMC) Administrator Saqib Soomro on Friday said that all resources would be

utilised to build Safari Park on modern lines and development works in this regard will commence immediately so that citizens

could be provided with an entertainment outlet of international standard. He said this during a visit to Safari Park. He was ac-

companied by Director General Technical Services Niaz Soomro and officials of the establishment concerned.

He said that measures would be taken for Safari Park including purchase of new flora and fauna. On this occasion CSR Senior Director Shoaib Waqar said in a briefing that development work of the Safari Park was underway and the peacock enclosure and bird aviary on an area of 35,000 square feet was being constructed and was nearing completion.

He said that boating in Safari Park Lake was a must as no trip to a zoo was complete

without boating.

It was also stated in the briefing that a bus service was also on the cards for citizens visiting the establishment which would provide citizens with an opportunity to see animals closely in thei natural environment. He said that full concentration would be given to picnic points located in Karachi as it was also responsibility of KMC to provide citizens with recreation facilities therefore renovation works were underway on Polo Ground, Zoo, Baghe Ibne Qasim, Clifton Beach Park Hill Park and other picnic points. APP

KwsB MD visits NKATI to claim outstanding dues KARACHI PRESS RElEASE

Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) Managing Director (MD) Misbahuddin Farid visited North Karachi Association of Trade and Industries (NKATI) with Deputy Technical Services Managing Director Iftikhar Ahmed and other officials of the utility and discussed various issues with the association in addition to asking the association to clear its outstanding dues to aid the utility.

Farid said that Karachi was the industrial and economic hub of the country and the KW&SB was always striving to resolve complaints by industries on priority basis and provide businesses with exceptional services since they were the major consumers of the service in the city. He however stated that industrialists would also have to understand their responsibilities and pay their dues on time. Chairman of the NKATI briefing the KW&SB MD over the

problems stated that industries in the North Karachi require a 12 inch additional connection to fulfill their needs and requested approval for the connection. Moreover, he said the federal government had directed NKATI to establish hydrants in the industrial zone in order to aid rescue during fire emergencies. Farid ordered that a survey be conducted of the consumers and their suggestions for improving water supply situation and supply in the area be submitted to him. He also directed his organizations crews to monitor the supply in the area as well as maintain coordination between KW&SB and NKATI officials. He said that KW&SB is ensuring provision through equal and fair supply policy to all areas but he said all this could only be ensured if citizens and industrialists paid their dues on time so that KW&SB could ensure provision of facilities through proper maintenance of KW&SB infrastructure. He said that facilities can be improved with the help of consumers and industrialists of the city.

Road near sukkur Central Jail closed after attack threat

SUKKUR INP

Following threats of attack on the city’s central jail by the militants, a bypass one-way road near the prison was blocked on Friday. Police officials said the road will remain closed with heavy police presence for 15 to 20 days.

According to Sukkur City ASP, Central Jail-1 was faced with assault threat, and there-

fore the nearby half-kilometer patch of oneway road was closed with assistance from police and Rangers personnel deployed there.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jails Ashraf Khan and ASP City Masud Bangash averred the report that the road would close for 15 to 20 days. It should be mentioned here that two high profile prisoners Ataullah alias Qasim and Muhammed Azam would be hanged in the jail on August 20th and 21st respectively.

Karachiites outraged by Egypt bloodbath KARACHI ONlINE

Scores of people took to streets after Friday prayers in Karachi, protesting the senseless slaughter the citizens said Egypt’s military was subjecting its nation to. A massive protest was held at Gurumandir and the demonstrators walked to the mausoleum of Quaide Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The protest also sported a funeral service for all the citizens who perished in Egypt following the army’s operation against its own citizens.

Thousands of Karachities, carrying placards and banners inscribed with anti-dictatorial slogans, chanted slogans against General Sissi of Egypt, who last month toppled the elected government of Dr Mohamed Mursi, the first president of Egypt following the 2011 revolution.

Addressing the rally, Jamaate Islami leader Dr Meraj Siddiqui termed the bloodshed a

needed foundation for a great Islamic revolution in the middle-East. He said that the Egyptian army, led by general Sissi, targeted innocent, unarmed protestors, who were only demanding democracy, peace and constitutional rights for their country.

He said that Egypt’s army not only targeted its own people with live ammunition but also destroyed field hospitals, established by the Muslim Brotherhood. He said that the army also assaulted a mosque and set it ablaze.

Karachi JI Chief Hussain Mehnati addressing the crowd said that General Sissi had toppled an elected government at the behest of the United States.

He said that it was a matter of concern that a civilized nation had been subjected to the foul interests of a foreign power which had no care for the choice of the people and had destroyed democracy when its interests were eclipsed upon by a country’s religious demands.

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indiAn nAvy sAys All 18 sAilors dEAd in submArinE trAgEdy nEW DELhi: After recovering three disfigured charred bodies, the Indian Navy Friday ruled out finding any more survivors on its ill-fated INS Sindhurakshak submarine which was gutted in a blaze following multiple explosions and sank at Mumbai’s naval dockyard Wednesday. Some 18 sailors were on board the Russia-made vessel when the mishap happened, though three others escaped with minor injuries as they were on the outer casing of the submarine and jumped into the sea when it exploded. “Three bodies have been located and extricated from the submarine from this compartment. The bodies are severely disfigured and not identifiable due to severe burns. The bodies have been sent to INHS Asvini, the naval hospital, for possible DNA identification,” the Indian Navy said in a statement. It added: “The state of these bodies and conditions within the submarine leads to firm conclusion that finding any surviving personnel within the submarine is unlikely.” In fact, the Indian Navy fears the bodies of other sailors could have melted due to high temperature within the vessel following the explosions. “The damage and the destruction within the submarine around the control room area indicate that the feasibility of locating bodies of the personnel in the forward part of the submarine is also very remote as the explosion and very high temperatures, which melted steel within, would have incinerated the bodies too,” the Indian Navy said.

However, the Indian Navy said that its divers would continue to search every inch of the submerged submarine “till all bodies are either located or it can be stated with finality that no bodies remain to be found”. Though the Indian government did not announce the deaths earlier, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Wednesday expressed his condolences to the families of the dead personnel. AGENCIES

deadly lebanon blast in beirut stronghold of hezbollah claims at least 22 BEIRUT

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AGENCIES

HE death toll from a blast that ripped through a southern suburb of Beirut on Thursday has risen to at least 22. The powerful car bomb detonated in a densely populated area of the Lebanese capital containing strongholds of the Shia militant movement Hezbollah.

Heavy damage was reported to nearby buildings and cars.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said officials were investigating if the van believed to be carrying the explosives had

been driven by a suicide bomber.

Among the dead were a father, mother and their three daughters killed in their car.

The blast is being linked to the conflict in Syria, which has stoked sectarian tensions in Lebanon. The site of the blast is close to the Sayyed al-Shuhada complex, where Hezbollah often holds mass rallies.

The explosion comes a month after another car bomb wounded more than 50 people in the same district of Beirut. A Sunni Islamist group said it had carried out that attack, promising more violence against Hezbollah.

The bombings are being viewed as retaliation for Hezbollah’s armed support for

Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Fighters from the militant group were instrumental in a strategic victory by Syrian government forces in Qusair, close to the border with Lebanon, in early June.

Hezbollah politicians have denounced the latest bombing as a “terrorist attack” and called for restraint from their followers. A previously unknown group called the Battalions of Ayesha said it carried out Thursday’s attack. In a video message posted online, they also implied they had been behind the Beirut bomb blast the previous month. The group threatened to carry out more attacks, referring to Hezbollah strong-

China rejects appeal by Nobel laureate’s brother-in-law BEIJING AGENCIES

A Chinese court on Friday rejected an appeal by the brother-in-law of jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, upholding his 11-year sentence on fraud charges, a case seen as another example of official retribution on the Liu family.

Supporters of Liu Hui say his case was trumped up, aimed at thwarting the increasing attention by the rights community on the plight of Liu Xia, who has remained under effective house arrest since her husband won the Nobel Prize in 2010.

The ruling - announced by a court in Huairou, a one-hour drive northeast of Beijing - was not unexpected as China hardens its stance towards the rights community under the rule of newly-installed President Xi Jinping.

The Huairou court upheld the June sentence that Liu Hui, a manager in a real estate company in the southern city of Shenzhen, defrauded a man called Zhang Bing of 3 million yuan ($490,000), along with another colleague. Liu Hui has maintained his innocence, according to his lawyers.

Liu Tong, Liu Hui’s brother, told reporters he was furious at the verdict.

“This result fundamentally will make anyone angry, especially his family members. Because at its heart, it’s a miscarriage of justice,” he said. “The government says daily it wants to prevent wrongful convictions, miscarriages of justice from happening, but everyone knows that this is a miscarriage of justice.”

Shang Baojun, one of Liu Hui’s lawyers, said the decision was “unreasonable”.

“I met with Liu Hui. He thought that the verdict is completely unfair. Frankly speaking, this verdict is a mistake. He does not think he was defrauding anyone,” Shang said, adding Liu Hui was

HUAIROU: A policeman holds the microphone cable of a television media crew as he tries to stop them from running towards the court where the appeal verdict of Liu Hui was announced on Friday.

considering a further appeal.

The case has also renewed international concern about the plight of Liu Xiaobo’s family, which has attracted considerable attention in the United States and European Union.

Charles Parton, political affairs counselor for the EU’s mission in Beijing, said the EU expressed regret at the upholding of the sentence.

“Liu’s prosecution and conviction may have been linked to the situation of Liu Xiaobo and his sister, Liu Xia, Liu Xiaobo’s

wife, and therefore may have been politically motivated,” he told reporters outside the courthouse.

Liu Hui was allowed out on bail last September, but arrested again in January, after several rights activists and foreign reporters forced their way past security guards late last year to visit Liu Xia, lawyer Shang told Reuters previously. nOBEL LAUrEAtE’s WiFE rArELY ALLOWED OUt: Liu Xiaobo, a veteran dissident involved in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy

protests crushed by the Chinese army, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 on subversion charges for organizing a petition urging the overthrow of one-party rule.

His wife Liu Xia is rarely allowed out and is almost never allowed to receive visitors. She has not been convicted of any crime.

Liu Xia did not appear at the court on Friday as she was feeling unwell, Liu Tong said. She is currently resting at home and her physical condition is “very fragile”, he added.

holds as “colonies of Iran”.

Events in Syria are putting Lebanon’s fragile peace in jeopardy, threatening the equilibrium which has held since the end of the civil war more than 20 years ago.

Many Lebanese politicians blamed Israel in the wake of Thursday’s blast, but Israeli President Shimon Peres denied culpability during a joint news conference with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

“I was surprised,” Peres said. “Why should (they) look to Israel? (They have) a Hezbollah that collects bombs, that goes and kills people in Syria without the permission of the Lebanese government.”

syriAn rEfugEEs Pour into irAQ At nEw crossing, un sAys GENEVA AGENCIES

Thousands of Syrian refugees poured into the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq on Thursday, taking advantage of a new bridge along the largely closed border, the United Nations said on Friday. Between 5,000 and 7,000 refugees followed a first group of some 750 people who crossed the pontoon bridge at Peshkhabour over the Tigris River, and more buses were seen dropping off families on the Syrian side, it said. “Thousands of Syrians crossed into northern Iraq yesterday (Thursday) in a sudden, massive movement,” Adrian Edwards, spokesman of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told a news briefing in Geneva. Most were families with women, children and the elderly, mainly from Aleppo, Hassakeh and other embattled areas of Syria where fighting has intensified in the civil war, now in its third year, that has driven nearly 2 million refugees abroad. There are already more than 150,000 Syrian refugees registered in Iraq, according to the UNHCR which has urged all neighboring countries to keep open their borders to Syrians needing international protection.

The border between Syria and Iraq has been largely closed since authorities of the Kurdish regional government shut the crossing on May 19, apart from a single formal crossing point at Al-Wahid in Anbar province. Some Syrian refugees had been allowed in since mid-July for reasons of family reunification or dire humanitarian need, Edwards added.

Asked about growing insecurity in Iraq after a surge in sectarian violence, he said: “Kurdistan remains relatively safe and stable, however tensions are increasing in view of the forthcoming elections and also to do with other domestic factors there. “This does have impact on our (aid) delivery program in Iraq, but nonetheless it is the region where most refugees have come into.”

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uncle sam's yard sale: us govt looks to unload Afghan war hardware

QUETTA: Drivers have parked their trucks on the Quetta-Chaman road in protest against alleged extortion by Customs officials. INP

WASHINGTON INP

( ENDINg ASIAN DEprIvATIoNS BY 2025

(

After 12 years of war in Afghanistan, US officials are now pondering what to do with $50 billion in equipment half a world away, including combat vehicles, dining rooms, gyms, clothing and more. “A lot of this stuff, you're not really concerned about bringing it back,” said Jim Hasik, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. “I mean if a Coke machine falls into the hands of the Taliban, this is just not a big disaster.” But eventually, much of the gear will trickle down to the public. Each day, new items appear on the website as bases around the country release unneeded items from rafts and trucks, to fire engines and pretzel stands. But first, the massive effort to bring some of the equipment home. By December 2014, the US military will have transported home some 35,000 vehicles and 95,000 containers at an estimated cost of $6 billion. It is the largest retrograde or pullout in history. “There are huge problems getting materiel out of Afghanistan,” said Don Olson, top civilian leader of the Sierra Army Depot, America’s largest repository of military equipment. The biggest problem, since Afghanistan is landlocked, is that the US must fly the equipment out or pay exorbitant customs fees to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The cost of moving the containers alone could reach $237 million, officials estimate.

“At some point, actually it becomes more sensible to destroy that equipment in place than to actually bring it back,” said Hasik. That’s exactly what the Pentagon is doing with some 2,000 of the massive eight-tonne troop carriers known as MRAPS. Each MRAP cost taxpayers more than $1 million, but with 24,000 already in the army inventory, officials decided it was more cost effective to scrap 2,000 of the vehicles in Afghanistan rather than bring them home. “Did we over build, did we overbuy on the MRAP? Almost certainly,” said Hasik, who is also quick to say it was impossible to know just how many of the armoured vehicles were necessary. The MRAP is credited with protecting many American lives against roadside bombs. Many that did come home are parked at the Sierra Army Depot, 35,000 acres of steel and high desert scrub in California. The depot is home to tens of thousands of combat vehicles and more than $1 billion in clothing.

“We provide that catcher’s mitt for the Army, for the nation,” says Olsen. “They send that equipment here. We manage it until the Army can make a decision of what to do with it in the future.” Most battle tanks remain here, and replenish US stocks. Some personnel carriers are sold to allies. Clothing is recycled and reused. The base has its own rail yard and airstrip and trucks arrive daily. Some 1,500 employees, all part of the Army Materiel Command, identify, sort and store each item that comes in. “Where it goes next depends on where it is needed,” said Olson.

growth not Enough to End PovErty: Adb ISLAMABAD APP

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ESPITE Asia's rapid growth, vast sections of its population still live in poverty and suffer hunger and other forms of deprivation which could threaten the sustainability of the region’s growth and its integration, says a new study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). According to the study titled “The Ending Asian Deprivations”, “Despite a sharp reduction in income poverty in recent decades, a fifth of Asia's population still lives in extreme poverty.”

If those vulnerable to reverting to poverty are included this figure could rise to one in two, it said, adding many

countries were likely to fall short of achieving the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) in areas of basic sanitation, underweight children, infant and maternal mortality as the issues of growing income gaps and other inequities became increasingly acute.

The study, compiled with contributions from 23 Asian development experts, said the number of people being left behind despite the region's boom showed that previous development efforts were not been sufficient to end deprivation.

According to the study, although GDP growth helps to reduce income poverty, it plays a much smaller role in reducing education and health deprivations.

The spike in inequality was also likely to impact future economic growth through slower poverty reduction and em-

ployment generation, the report stated.

“New approaches may need to be considered to make growth more inclusive and to promote more effective state action in areas such as skills development, delivery of quality education, and incentives for entrepreneurs,” it said.

These measures must be carried out in conjunction with institutional improvements and partnerships with the private sector and civil society. Policymakers would also need to improve the conditions of small-and-medium enterprises which were key job generators.

“Other areas requiring increased state-support are infrastructure, urban dwellings and social protection programs,” the report said.

The removal of gender inequities and labor market rigidities was neces-

The uS connection: India used uS spy planes to map Chinese incursion during Sino-Indian war WASHINGTON INP

India used United States U-2 spy planes to map the extent of Chinese incursion in the 1962 war, starting a short-lived cooperation which wound down after former Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s death in 1964. The U-2s flew several times over the India-China border, taking off from a base in Thailand before switching to an unused World War II airfield in Charbatia, south of Kolkata.

According to a declassified Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) document released on Thursday, the US-India cooperation began on Nehru’s request for military aid after China invaded India in October 1962.

“In the negotiations that followed the Indian request, it became apparent that Indian claims concerning the extent of

the Chinese incursions could not be reliably evaluated,” said the document.

Indian and US intelligence cooperation was not unusual at the time. Nehru was informed of Dalai Lama’s escape from Tibet in 1959 and his arrival at the Indian border by the CIA. However, in this instance the US intentions went beyond providing India information on the Chinese invasion. The US wanted to set up a base in India for U-2 flights over the Soviet Union and China. It succeeded and Charbatia was the pay-back base.

At that time, U-2s were single-engine, high-altitude reconnaissance airplanes run by the CIA to photograph military and strategic positions in the Soviet Union and China. The flights started in 1957 and remained a secret until the shooting down of a U-2 over the Soviet Union and the capture of its pilot Francis Gary Powers in 1960. In 1962, US Am-

bassador John Galbraith sold the U-2 to the Indian government saying it would be necessary to provide a more accurate picture of the Chinese incursion. According to the CIA document, Nehru gave his consent on November 11 and allowed the U-2s to refuel in the Indian airspace.

The flights were to take off from a base in Thailand and had to come in from the Bay of Bengal because they did not have overflight permission from Burma.

The first flight took off on December 5 but the aircraft was able to take photographs of only 40 percent of the target area because of unfavourable weather conditions.

The second flight on December 11 fared better but it also developed engine problems because of the weather. Four more flights would be conducted in January. Nehru was briefed about the findings of these flights in January and March and

he informed the Parliament. The CIA document claimed Nehru did not reveal his source.

The US then rolled the rest of its plan “to establish a precedent for overflights from India which could lead to obtaining a permanent Indian base for electronic reconnaissance missions against the Soviet anti-ballistic missile (ABM) site at Saryshagan and launching photographic missions against parts of western China that were out of the range of Detachment H (Taiwan-based U-2s)”.

Galbraith and CIA station chief raised the issue of a base with India in April 1963. US president John F Kennedy reiterated it in his meeting with Indian president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on June 3.

India handed over the abandoned World War II base in Charbatia, which was in a bad shape. As it underwent re-

sary to boost employment opportunities, it said. According to the report, closer regional cooperation was crucial, with the ADB estimating that the infrastructure for cross-border connectivity would deliver benefits equivalent to about $13 trillion for Asian development upto 2020 and beyond. The report said any successful new development approach must have clearly defined goals with a definite timeframe, a credible strategy to achieve them and a detailed list of public interventions.

The MDGs provide an effective base but future development goals also need to incorporate region and country-specific needs, it said. “A reasonable time frame for ending deprivations in Asia would be 2025,” it added, “a decade after the MDGs target ends.”

pairs, U-2s continued to take off from the Thai base. The first flight from Charbatia took off only on May 24 1964. Nehru died three days later and “further operations were postponed”, stated the CIA document.

Three more U-2 flights took off from Charbatia in December 1964 when SinoIndian tensions rose. The US, however, had no use for the base any more, preferring the Thai base instead. Hence, Charbatia was shut down in 1967.

In 1965 India and the US intelligence sent a joint team of climbers to install a nuclear-powered device on Nanda Devi, the highest Indian peak, to monitor Chinese nuclear activities. The mission failed because of bad weather. The team left the device in a crevice firmly tied to a rock using nylon ropes, pitons and carabineers. The team planned to come back but when it returned the following year, the device was not there.

The secret expedition was first reported by a team leader Captain Mohan Singh Kohli in a 2003 book,“Spies in the Himalayas”. A monitoring device was later planted on a smaller peak Nanda Kot, which the CIA estimated would be just as good. However, it was closed a year later in 1967.

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Atc extends sadiq’s remand for 14 days in ogrA scam ISLAMABAD INP

An Islamabad anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended the remand of former Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman Tauqir Sadiq for another 14 days in the Rs 80 billion corruption case. During the hearing, the accused told the court he was put in such a narrow room that he could not even walk properly in it. He said lack of ventilation had affected his memory. On this, the court ordered NAB to allow Sadiq to walk in the open air. NAB lawyer Barrister Saeed pleaded the court to extend the remand of the accused for 14 days, adding that NAB investigators had to record statements of more witnesses. He told the court that notices were issued to 19 more witnesses who were in Karachi. The lawyer further said the witnesses were receiving threats and Sadiq was not cooperating with the NAB personnel.

On this the court extended the remand and adjourned the hearing until August 30.

balochistan unrest case: sc summons ig fc, interior secretary CJP SLAMS LIVE COVERAGE OF ISLAMABAD STAND-OFF, SAYS IT GAVE AN IMPRESSION TO WORLD THAT ONE MAN WAS ENOUGH TO TAKE ISLAMABAD HOSTAGE QUETTA STAFF REPORT

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HE Supreme Court on Friday summoned the federal interior secretary and Inspector General of FC at the next hearing in the suo motu case of unrest in Balochistan after at least 60 people lost their lives in separate incidents of violence within a week. During the hearing held in the apex court's Quetta registry, the two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Athar Saeed also expressed displeasure of the live airing of a dramatic stand-off in the federal capital a day earlier. The media's live broadcast gave the impression to the world that one man was

enough to hold the federal capital hostage, according to the top judge. The chief justice also questioned chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) over what action he had taken against all those channels which had aired the six-hour long fiasco live.

PEMRA Chairman Rashid Mehmood told the court he had no powers to take any action. The bench also expressed anger over the absence of the federal interior

secretary from the court's proceedings. A representative of the FC, while talking about the missing persons issue, informed the court that communication could not be established with the IG of FC, who has remained absent from court proceedings.

The court also instructed the deputy attorney general and the advocate general to record the statements of the heirs of all missing persons whereas a report over the missing persons was also submitted in court by the FC. Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry summoned the FC IG at the next hearing.

He further said that the Ziarat incident was sensitive in nature, adding that no one was serious about the issue and that the situation was deteriorating day by day while mentioning the recovery of five bodies in the area a day earlier.

The court also summoned the chief executive officer of a private new channel over the airing of a video showing footage of the destruction of the Quaid-eAzam Residency in Ziarat. The court had earlier said that the airing of destruction of national heritage sites was against the constitution of Pakistan.

Pti govt determined to rooting out corruption: KP cm

PESHAWAR APP

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is determined to rooting out corruption from government departments and the society, and a comprehensive strategy has already been evolved in this regard, KP Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak said on Friday.

Presiding over a high-level meeting held in Islamabad, Khattak said with the implementation of the PTI's agenda for change, the people would find themselves empowered for first time in the history of Pakistan.

He said the people would be enabled to take decisions regarding health, education and other services at the village level. The chief minister said with the introduction of reforms in health, education, the people, besides utilising the reforms, would also help abolish corruption from public sector organisations.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Chief Secretary Mohammad Shehzad Arbab and senior officials of the provincial government were also present in the meeting, during which they were given a detailed briefing on the reforms agenda for good governance.

militants kill two policemen in swabi PESHAWAR STAFF REPORT

Two policemen were killed and three injured in a militant attack in the Parmoli area of Swabi district early on Friday. An accused in police custody was also killed when the militants opened fire on the police vehicle. Officials said the policemen were on a routine patrol in the Parmoli area when unidentified armed men on motorcycles opened fire on the police van, injuring five men.

They were rushed to District Headquarter Hospital Swabi where two of them succumbed to the injuries. District Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed told Pakistan Today that they had identified the five militants. He said efforts were underway for their arrest. Terrorist attacks are occurring in the Parmoli area from the last several months. Awami National Party candidate for provincial assembly Amir Rahman survived in a similar attack in the area during an election rally.

RAWALPINDI: Former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and former minister Nazar Gondal present a sword to Pakistan People’s Party leader Zamurad Khan on Friday for his bravery during a standoff with a gunman in Islamabad the other day. ONlINE

Pakistanis protest against lethal crackdown in egypt KARACHI/PESHAWAR

Pti admits failure in protecting di Khan jail ISLAMABAD APP

STAFF REPORT

Hundreds rallied across Pakistan on Friday in support of the ousted Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi and to condemn the use of force against the Muslim Brotherhood. The demonstrations were mostly organised by religio-political parties including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), which has ideological links to the Brotherhood.

In Karachi, more than 500 JI activists marched with banners and placards chanting anti-US slogans as well as support for Morsi. US President Barack Obama has cancelled a joint US-Egyptian military exercise but has stopped short of suspending Washington’s annual $1.3 billion in aid to Egypt.

“International powers are behind the Egyptian chaos and General Sisi is a tout of America and the favourite of Israel as well,” said Mohammad Hussain Mahnati, a local JI local leader. General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the army chief, orchestrated the July 3 ousting of Egypt’s first elected president after millions protested to demand an end to his turbulent year in

power. In KP, a total of more than 1,000 JI activists held rallies in four cities, including Peshawar. The Lower House of parliament and Foreign Ministry on Thursday expressed dismay and deep concern over the use of force “against unarmed civilians” and urged all sides to

show restraint. Another protest rally has been planned later in Lahore. Friday saw fresh clashes between security forces and Morsi supporters in Egypt, two days after nearly 600 people were killed when police cleared two Morsi protest camps in the country’s bloodiest day in decades.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi admitted on Friday that the Dera Ismail (DI) Khan jailbreak incident was a failure of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government and action was being taken against the officials responsible. Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House, he said steps were being taken to avoid recurrence of such incidents. He urged the federal government to thoroughly investigate the August 15 Islamabad incident. He said the government and opposition should unite against terrorists and asked the interior minister to inform the parliament about the armed person (Sikander) who entered Islamabad

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One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. –Bob Marley

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writing on the wall But can the powers-that-be read that – and act? Time is of the essence

CoMMeNT saturday, 17 August, 2013

gunman in red zone Lone ranger leaves entire security apparatus with egg on its face

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HREE questions need answers regarding the almost six-hour long standoff in the heart of Islamabad. First, how come a man with a submachine gun and a Kalashnikov managed to reach the central Jinnah Avenue neighbourhood, less than a kilometre from the presidency and the parliament buildings? There are several major check posts on way to the Red Zone s where vehicles often form long queues on account of inspection. The government officials, well known parliamentarians and media persons are all required to stop and allow the search. That the car was not searched as it was carrying a woman and two children is no cogent explanation as any terrorist can take his family or that of a collaborator along, drop them at a convenient place and go ahead with his destructive plan. What has happened indicates a highly serious security lapse.

Second, the fact that it took nearly six hours to arrest Sikandar Hayat indicates a lack of a standard operating procedure to deal with a situation of the type. A single man seemed to have taken hostage the entire security network, the elaborate apparatus not knowing how to disarm and arrest him. Apparently there was confusion with regard to who was in command. The crime scene should have been urgently cordoned off to save the crowd of spectators comprising men, women and children who had gathered at the place. It took hours before somebody decided to get the area vacated. Police seemed to be more interested in removing the reporters than anyone else. The SSP Operations entered into talks with the armed man but there was apparently no plan ‘B’ if talks failed, which eventually did. It goes to the credit of PPP leader Zamurd Khan to attempt to disarm and overpower the person. But this raises a third question. Why were police officers, supposedly trained in dealing with armed criminals, not willing to take the risk, handing the initiative to a concerned politician to do their job for them?

To many this would indicate a sagging morale among the force. With the talk of holding parleys with the terrorists continuing, police men are likely to be hesitant to put their lives in danger as happened during the DIK jailbreak.

Soon after taking oath on June 6 the interior minister had told the media that Islamabad’s new police chief would be a crime fighter and the federal capital would be made a model district for the whole country. After what happened on Thursday, the statement looks ironic. In the absence of standard operation procedures, a clear cut division of responsibility and a motivated police force, a single crime fighter appointed police chief can only put up the type of performance, or lack of it, witnessed on Thursday. The critical lapses on Thursday raise questions about the efficacy of the interior ministry in crafting and implementing a workable security policy on a national level.

hanging dr usman PML-N leadership should take terrorist threats head-on

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HE brazen disregard of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist organisations has come to the fore once again as the government has begun contemplating hanging the terrorist who attacked the General Headquarters (GHQ) in October 2009. Not that anyone ever expected that the TTP would take any such measure lying face down, especially after its now proven ability to orchestrate jail breaks to free those of its compatriots that do end up behind bars. Having been granted an upper hand by both blatant neglect on the part of security agencies and gross incompetence on the part of the political leadership, the TTP now feels it can go public about threats to the new political government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which many observers considered to have a soft spot for extremist groups.

A note sent to media by the TTP and Ansarul Mujahideen threatened to target two highprofile personalities of Punjab and the federation and carry out suicide bombings in FATA against government functionaries if the GHQ attack mastermind Dr Usman Ghani and his associates are hanged in Faisalabad jail as per schedule on August 23. The declared target is now the “homes of prominent PML-N leadership,” with a warning, “the leadership of the PML-N will be made target of revenge, just like we targeted the ANP leadership.” This also means that the secular versus non-secular parties divide being constructed by many observers before the elections also has no sanctity with the TTP and its affiliates. Dr Usman and his cohorts confessed to the GHQ attack in September 2011, explaining that they attacked the Pakistan Army because “it was an ally of the United States” and a “legitimate target.” One of the attackers had served in the military himself.

The government, for all it can do, cannot let terrorists hold it hostage. Any weakness on the part of the PML-N leadership, already floundering between talks and conducting an all out assault, shall be taken as a sign of weakness. There is also the additional fear that the TTP may be issuing the warning as a precursor to a DI Khan like assault on the Faisalabad jail to free their “jailed muhajids.” Twelve years into the war against the Taliban, it should have been the TTP that should have been on the run. The situation, unfortunately, is the reverse. The government needs to remain steadfast against the challenge offered by the militants and any planned executions of terrorists must go ahead. But more importantly the much delayed national security policy must be drafted and approved soon. The current reactive approach to dealing with the TTP, which focuses on damage control, not eliminating extremist groups, cannot go on much longer without putting the entire civil and military machinery of the country on terminal risk.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami Editor

Aziz-ud-Din Ahmad Joint Editor Lahore – Ph: 042-36375963-5 Fax: 042-32535230 Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 Fax: 021-35381208 Islamabad – Ph: 051-2287273 Fax: 051-2850505 Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

ARIF NIzAmI

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HILE the Taliban have stepped up their campaign of blood and mayhem, the newly elected government is still mulling over a policy to deal with them. Better late than never, Ch Nisar Ali Khan, the interior minister, has finally come out with an outline of a plan to combat terrorism.

He bitterly complained in a press conference that ‘armchair critics’ were unjustifiably castigating the government for not giving a roadmap to meet the huge challenge. Citing examples of the US, the UK and Sri Lanka he claimed that it takes years to formulate counter-terrorism strategies. Naturally this means that the declared strategy before it becomes policy will take weeks if not months.

The worthy minister while in the opposition was one of the fiercest critics of both the military and the PPP government. He perhaps should be more aware than others that the PML-N government claiming to be the antithesis of the past is expected to come up with a clear and better plan on how to get the nation out of its present morass.

The ruling party is exhorting the nation to show patience by giving the government the space and time to sort out the mess. But the trouble is that the media nurtured on the government-bashing syndrome under a democratic dispensation is simply not willing to do that.

The PPP ostensibly the main opposition party, perhaps still in shock at its abysmal performance in the general elections, is hardily giving the government a tough time. But it is the people of Pakistan who are fed up and demoralised with the lack of response to the pronounced upsurge in terrorism in the past few weeks.

Their travails and deepening sense of insecurity demands immediate solutions rather than an ominous silence from the past apologists of the militants. Now at the helm of affairs, they are expected to deliver on the existential threat confronting the nation.

Hitherto a sense of urgency seemed to have been lacking. The PTI chief preferred to fly to London to rub shoulders with the British royalty on the pretext of his bad back, putting paid to the APC scheduled more than a month ago.

Now we are told all parties in the parliament are on board and the APC will

whitelIES ApoLLo

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fan of the finer things in life, the prime minister likes his fancy cars. He is a frequent attendee of a prestigious annual international car show. This penchant has permeated down the party as well as provincial League minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has recently purchased a pretty flashy vehicle of his own. The sort that has those doors that don’t open on the axis of mortal cars but glide up.

The Punjab CM, on the other hand, prefers functionality, a habit we don’t see any osmosis of this preference elsewhere in the party.

finally be held within this month.

The prime minister on the other hand decamped to the holy land virtually for a week after creating a constitutional crisis of sorts in order to make the trip possible on the 27th of Ramadan. Meanwhile, the military is still waiting with bated breath for the civilians to take up a leadership role and own up the war on terror.

The Taliban are quite clear about their objectives. The mad mullahs (as they are portrayed) are on a surer footing and more politically savvy and strategically skilful than the political and military elite supposed to be confronting them. In any case those willing to give their lives as human bombs on the basis of a misplaced notion of religion cannot be easily defeated merely by conventional means.

The TTP had warned the PML-N government against going ahead with the execution of two of its affiliates, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi’s, convicted members. Its spokesman cautioned both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan to stay away from conspiracies being hatched by “pro establishment and pro Indian lobbies.” The government has responded correctly by reportedly deciding to go ahead with the executions.

If the PTI and PML-N – the primary stakeholders – keep on parroting the mantra, ‘this is not our war’, any policy to combat terrorism will be still-born. On the contrary, in order to confront the Taliban all the protagonists must be on the same page.

Talks with the Taliban are a good option – but only provided it is workable. The state can only initiate dialogue from a position of strength.

Parleys cannot be held with groups whose declared aim is to foist a system anathema to raison d'être of Pakistan through the barrel of the gun. They have to be defeated through a multi pronged strategy with dialogue, as the end result.

Thankfully perhaps Mian Nawaz Sharif seems to be aware of the urgency of the problem.

That is why in an understandably optimistic speech on the Independence Day he assured the nation that he will soon come up with a comprehensive policy.

Similarly the army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has urged creating a national consensus against terrorism.

But time is of the essence here. Those at the helm of affairs should take charge by playing a leadership role.

Easier said than done, judging in the backdrop of the tension on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir and a new low in the India-Pakistan relations.

Nisar has mooted the idea of a rapid response force to combat terrorism.

Creating another layer of bureaucracy in order to bring all intelligence agen-

cies on the same page will perhaps help.

But will that be enough without a philosophical understanding of the problem? It is contingent upon the political elite, the military and the people to be on the same ideological wavelength for any strategy to succeed.

Who is our biggest enemy: India, Afghanistan or terrorism eating into our very entrails? Whenever there is move by any government to improve relations with India a hidden hand throws a spanner in the works.

Back in 2008 when Zardari took over, both him and Nawaz were euphoric about improving relations with India. The same year in November the Mumbai incident took place.

Now incidents on the LoC have brought relations to a new impasse.

Previously in the aftermath of the socalled Lahore process Musharraf launched his Kargil (mis)adventure, which ultimately cost Nawaz his government in October 1999.

Naturally Sharif will meander carefully on the oft-trodden path.

Nonetheless time has come to walk the talk. Perhaps following his instincts, he is capable of formulating a correct policy that appeals to common sense as well. But will the closet Taliban within his own party buttressed by the ubiquitous establishment allow him to chalk out the right path?

Of late some analysts have suggested a Taliban emirate in North Waziristan, perhaps in disgust at the Pakistani military’s inability or unwillingness to move against terrorists of different nationalities holed up there. Nisar contrarily thinks drones only kill Pakistanis. As interior minister to get his facts straight he should scan past newspaper files more carefully.

Perhaps the biggest contribution of the proposed APC could be if it is able to evolve a consensus to urge the military to move into North Waziristan. That the military is too thinly stretched owing to tensions with India and if it moves against terrorists in the badlands they will scatter all over the country, are just excuses.

Are these terrorists already not holed up in all the major cities of Pakistan? The south Punjab has been their base for some time now. Even the central Punjab, as is evident from sudden evacuation of the US diplomats from Lahore, is no longer beyond their reach.

Hence those who suggest an emirate of Taliban in North Waziristan should be well aware that the Taliban are eyeing not merely Afghanistan but Pakistan as the coveted prize. Most of us refuse to see this writing on the wall.

If the PTI and PML-N keep on parroting the mantra, ‘this is not our war’, any policy to combat terrorism will be still-born.

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AW and order and keeping the crazies out is an international headache and the smallest lapse can cause a ruckus, as was evidenced the day before in the heart of Islamabad.

Many have made good businesses selling governments equipment to help them out in the regard – even if it doesn’t work.

Case in point: the metallic cane, of sorts, that the reader might have seen at some airports and public parks that is supposed to detect

The writer is Editor, Pakistan Today.

explosives in cars. The inventor, a charlatan, has been sentenced for duping the authorities of many countries into believing the thing works. Other countries have wizened up. The thing is still being used in Pakistan, however.

A placebo to keep the unaware public feel safe, perhaps?

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I don't mind living in a man's world as long as I can be a woman in it. –Marilyn Monroe

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why muslims don’t win nobel Prizes While the West invested in innovation, Muslims did not FAKIR S. AyAzuddIN

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speak softly Vital that both India and Pakistan step back before reaching the brink

AlI AKBAR

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HE borders are heating up. In an almost knee jerk response to peace feelers from both sides, firing, artillery shelling and ambushes have sprouted almost as if choreographed. Pakistan Embassy and airlines offices have been attacked in Delhi. Inflammatory words are being exchanged. What is going on?

These firings and exchanges have been the norm rather than the exception over the decades. Soldiers from both sides have died by the hundreds all along the Pak-India border, especially in Kashmir and Siachen. But suddenly, India accuses Pakistan’s ‘Specialist’ troops of killing five of their soldiers.

Pakistan, of course, denies that any such thing happened. So why raise the tensions when, on the surface, everything seems to be moving in the right direction between the two nuclear powers?

The American President Franklin Roosevelt once, famously, stated that it is important to “speak softly and carry a big stick.” The soft talk is conducted by the politicians and the diplomatic services, but no self-respecting nation will ever let its guard down as far as the big stick is concerned. With the misconceived security of a nuclear umbrella, it could be a huge mistake to think that war is no longer a possible option. It is true that neither country could contemplate such an action but wars have started on the slightest pretexts, an example being the murder of the Crown Prince of Austria Hungary, the spark that caused the First World War. The shots fired by the Serbian Gavrilo Princip started a chain reaction, as Austria retaliated and the alliances in Europe got activated. The “war to end all wars” had started.

It is therefore vital, that both India and Pakistan step back before they reach the brink, because as things worsen, it takes only a small spark to start a conflagration. And it might not necessarily be the two sides that start it. It could be a false flag operation, not necessarily from some other country, but from some group with delu-

sions of global turmoil and conquest. And once, when things escalate and misconceptions are perceived, events develop a momentum of their own.

At the height of the Cold War, the USA and the USSR had enough nuclear weapons pointed at each other to kill each other several times over. Despite the most sophisticated checks and balances mutually agreed upon, the countries came on the verge of the apocalypse on several occasions, the most visible being the Cuban missile crisis. The Americans and the Soviets had several minutes of warning time where they could analyse a threat and decide whether or not to launch a retaliatory strike.

In India and Pakistan, that reaction time would be in seconds rather than minutes and it is highly doubtful that the checks and balances in place are as sophisticated as those the Americans and the Soviets have. Nuclear conflict would not happen in a planned manner as both sides would know that it would be MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction). But it could conceivably occur as a result of misunderstanding or a planted disinformation.

With the short reaction time, some decision maker on either side could panic. The repercussions are too catastrophic to even contemplate.

So, what do two traditional nuclear armed adversaries do when war is not a sane option? They operate under the “nuclear threshold”. These are usually undercover operations designed to weaken the social, institutional and military fabric of the enemy without reaching the brink that might coax the adversary to react violently and without leaving any provable evidence. For these purposes they employ their intelligence agencies. The Indians have RAW, Pakistan the ISI, the Afghans have KHAD, Israel the Mossad, the American CIA and the Russian KGB. These agencies know no friends or alliances. They spy on one and all, even on themselves. For them, information is power and they use that information to further the ends of their respective nations. So let there be no doubt that all these agencies are alive and kicking in South Asia and have resources, human and others, in place. They even have moles which can be activated when needed. The intelligence game is dirty and no holds barred and we are fortunate to have one of the very best agencies there is.

This scribe was once told by an Indian Air Force fighter pilot that they would often fly over Siachen on reconnaissance missions. They would be flying under the strictest secrecy. Only the base commander knew who was flying and the radio frequencies were secret as well. He said the Pakistanis would come on their frequency, call them by their first names and tell them to leave as they were not allowed there. The ISI is fighting an undercover war for the survival of the nation. It is therefore distressing to say the least, when some national institutions

overreach their powers and take them to task for countering an insurgency that has reached crisis proportions in Balochistan. Yes, the Indians are very much there in Balochistan. They might deny it, but then they would also have to deny that Brahamdagh Bugti travels internationally on an Indian passport. They would also have to deny that captured terrorists have given evidence that they were paid and armed by Indian agents in Afghanistan.

The Baloch imbroglio continues to fester.

Balochistan has traditionally been ruled by Sardars who have always cultivated a larger than life image of themselves, with power over life and death. In fact a Bugti Sardar had boasted in an interview that he had killed his first man when he was a child because he did not like him. The last thing these Sardars would want would be to emancipate their poor followers and give them education and communications like roads, telephones or the internet. Any attempt to build roads into their territories is unwelcome and they want the resources to come to them so that they can spend them as they see fit, be it in Switzerland where some of them reside or some other oasis for the rich and famous. But then, even the elected representatives have the same mindset.

It is rumoured that most of the development funds given to Balochistan have been invested in Dubai in the form of hotels and shopping plazas.

Balochistan is a sparsely populated region, reportedly rich in resources and is the most backward primarily because of reasons stated above.

But Balochistan has as many Pathans as there are Baloch, there are large populations of Hazaras and settlers from other parts of Pakistan.

Balochistan is a part of Pakistan and every Pakistani has a right to live there just as many Balochis live in other parts of Pakistan. This feeling of disaffection has been cultivated externally and has become a menace, with settlers being killed and their properties bought out for very low prices. Bomb blasts have become the order of the day and the Hazaras are being slaughtered on sectarian grounds. Fuel is being added to the fire by claiming that the Army murdered Nawab Akbar Bugti whereas Bugti himself lured Pakistan Army officers into his cave and set off explosives that killed everyone including himself.

Peace with India would be welcome, but on terms of mutual respect and shared interests. Trade should be regulated to protect our industry. Every country does that. There is nothing wrong there.

Our armed forces should stay alert and train hard.

The harder they sweat the less they bleed in combat. When our politicians have the confidence to wield the big stick in the shape of our armed forces and the other institutions are solid, know their limits and don’t overreach their ambit, only then can the government, as Roosevelt said, speak softly.

LL the world’s Muslims have fewer Nobel Prizes than Trinity College, Cambridge.

They did great things in the Middle Ages, though”.

When I read this headline from an article by Richard Dawkins, I realised that he was at his Islam bashing best. I was at first offended, thinking that perhaps this was yet another attempt at denigrating Islam. However when considered that it is a fact that cannot be denied, then perhaps one should look deeper into the cause of such a lapse in the educational achievements between the Islamic culture versus the West.

The last bit was rather patronising, but unfortunately factual.

Over the last millennia the Muslims were way ahead of the west in their culture, and education. And stayed ahead till the renaissance, when art and science took root, in Europe. Till that time the West were hunter gatherers too busy in just surviving.

After the Renaissance, the Europeans picked up the pace, and their interest and investment in education grew.

Then the invention of the steam engine by James Watt and then Stephenson in 1830 was used by the coal industry, and by steamers. This source of power was used in industry, textiles was the first to go from spinning wool by hand to spinning machines, designed and operated by engineers in the midlands.

There was a close link between the inventors and the engineers —- education. The quantum leap was after steam power was applied to Industry, and—as they say, the rest is history. The discovery of oil, made the engine mobile, and the automobile was on its way. Aeroplanes were not far behind, in fact aircraft and automobiles were invented at the same time. After the induction of oil as the supply of power, and the mobility of oil as a power source.

In these years the west kept increasing their investment in education, adding to their inventions. Indeed Alfred Nobel invented dynamite and went on to make his fortune, and then created his Nobel Prize to benefit inventors, and thinkers. This is an example of the benefits of money being passed on to deserving recipients.

There is no comparable example in the Muslim world.

In the same period, the Ottoman Empire built many beautiful mosques, but no schools of higher learning. The Muslims were kept at their primitive level of education, and even the great libraries of Baghdad were routinely destroyed. The value of education that the Holy Prophet had prescribed was ignored and wantonly destroyed. The west continued on its march of progress while the Muslims carried on in their pursuit of pleasure, spending their amassed wealth in frivolous and wanton excesses.

In the 19th century, with the advent of the automobile and aeroplanes, the pace of growth was exponential, with Nobel prizes a yearly addition acknowledging invention and innovation.

The two World Wars changed the players, catapulting the Americans and Russians to the front with the Cold War fuelling a cutthroat competition. While the huge amounts of oil money that came the Arab way was mostly frittered away into the pursuit of physical comforts and carnal pleasures, not much was put into education. In fact a lot of money was invested in the colleges of the US like Harvard and MIT which have huge endowments from the Arab oil wealth.

Now, of course just the invention and spread of the internet has created probably the biggest leap in man’s knowledge – more than all the years preceding it. It is education alone that can expand the human horizon, into the huge unknown, creating knowledge for the coming generations. The internet has also freed mankind from all religious constraints.

In the 19th century, with the advent of the automobile and aeroplanes, the pace of growth was exponential, with Nobel prizes a yearly addition acknowledging invention and innovation.

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saturday, 17 August, 2013

I always knew I wanted to have children — Cindy Crawford

16 years since the demise of the musical maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s death anniversary observed

lisa robin Kelly’s passing leaves ‘that 70’s show’ fans in tears

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“That ‘70s Show” actress Lisa Robin Kelly passed away Wednesday at the age of 43 from unknown causes. The actress — who was perhaps most famous for her role as Laurie Forman, older sister of Topher Grace’s character, Eric Forman on “That ‘70s Show” — had had issues with addiction in the past. She had also reportedly been arrested for assault. Kelly checked into rehab this earlier this week. Her agent, Craig Wyckoff, told MTV News: “I spoke to her on Monday and she was hopeful and confident, looking forward to putting this part of her life behind her.” Apparently, last spring the actress had intended to make a return to acting after leaving the Fox show in 2003. “That ‘70s Show” ran from 1998 to 2006. Kelly appeared on the show until the third season, when her character left to attend beauty school. She later came back for a few episodes in the fifth season, and then was replaced by actress Christina Moore in 2003, who played Laurie Forman until 2004. Kelly told ABC News that she had a drinking problem around the time that she left the show. “I am not running from this,” Kelly said at the time. “I have paid my dues and if I can make it through this I can make it through anything.”

Unfortunately, the actress’s issues with substances did not end there. “Last night, she lost the battle,” Wyckoff said. The actress also appeared on “Married With Children” and “Charmed.” NEwS dESK

miser much? the tale of Kstew’s broken sunglasses She’s got millions in her bank account.

But Kristen Stewart left her Wells Fargo branch in Los Angeles on Thursday with some very suspect looking sunglasses that were minus their right arm. The 23-yearold actress could afford to splash-out on any pair of designer shades she wants and no doubt her bank manager didn’t point out her hip but rather dodgy eye wear.

Kristen dressed in her usual under-stated way as she checked-out her bulging bank balance on the warm summer day.

Sporting a white T-shirt with ripped jeans and a ‘Mercenaries’ baseball cap and blue board-shoes the actress kept her head down as she made her way out of the busy bank. Maybe, she is trying to set a new trend because the actress, who was rumored to have spent time with former beau Robert Pattinson recently, wore the same broken sunglasses on Tuesday when she went out for a meal at trendy Home eaterie in Loz Feliz. The shady lady wore an all black outfit for her lunch date and was spotted altering her defective eye wear as she left the restaurant. Kristen came up trumps at the recent Teen Choice Awards for her work in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2. Although she did not attended the event she scooped the awards for Choice Movie Actress: Romance, Choice Movie Actress: SciFi/Fantasy, and Choice Liplock which she shared with Robert Pattinson. NEwS dESK

USRAT Fateh Ali Khan, the magical voice of sub-continent is being remembered today on his death anniversary.

The pride of Pakistan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born on October 13, 1948 in Faisalabad, Pakistan. He was a singer of Qawwali, possessed an extraordinary range of vocal abilities. He is popularly known as “The King of Kings of Qawwals”.

Khan began by learning to play “Tabla” alongside his father. Khan sang mainly in Urdu and Punjabi and occasionally in Persian, Raj Bhasha and Hindi. His

album “Intoxicated Spirit” was nominated for a Germany Award in 1997 for best traditional folk album.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan holds the world record for the largest recorded output by a Qawwal artist. Khan was died of a sudden cardiac arrest at Cromwell Hospital on 16 August in the age of 48 years. He is considered to be the most important Qawwal in the history. In 1987, Khan received the President of Pakistan’s Award for “Pride of Performance” for his contribution to Pakistani music. NEwS dESK

prince’s privileges! $7.3m manor for newest royal

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RINCE George spent his first night in the Lindo Wing of St. Mary’s Hospital, and his second night in Kensington Palace.

But from July 24, 2013 onward, the Prince of Cambridge, mom Kate Middleton and dad Prince William have been staying at Bucklebury Manor, Michael and Carole Middleton’s stunning—and well-protected—family home.

Kate’s parents purchased the £4.7 million ($7.3 million) seven-bedroom Georgian manor in October 2012. It has a tennis court, an outdoor swimming pool, stunning

Healthy body, healthy mind! Anne Hathaway takes a jog in NYC.

gardens—even sheep in the back yard!

Of course, in order to ensure the safety of the royal family, who frequently visit Bucklebury Manor, a ring of steel was placed around the property. Thanks to a joint effort between local police and the Royal Protection Squad, the estate is patrolled by police and officers an horseback.

But Georgie won’t be growing up fulltime at his grandparents’ home. The 3-weekold heir, mum and dad will head to London, taking up their permanent residence in Apartment 1-A of Kensington Palace. It will be a change of pace for the new parents, who lived on the Welsh island of Anglesey when they were just a family of two. Prince William said a heartfelt goodbye to the locals during a visit to the Anglesey Show Wednesday. “This island has been our first home together, and it will always be an immensely special place for us both,” he said. “Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family.” This family includes Will, Kate and George, and we can’t wait to see who else they might welcome in the years to come! COuRTESy EO

Times change as Chris Brown let off the hook! g

OOD news for Chris Brown.

On Thursday, a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge against the singer was dismissed in Superior Court, despite the L.A. City Attorney’s objections. Frank Mateljan, L.A. City Attorney spokesman, confirmed to E! News that it was “over our objection” the court granted the motion to dismiss the charge, which stemmed from Brown’s May 21, 2013, accident in Toluca Lake.

Mateljan explained, however, the charge was dismissed done “under 1377 and 1378 of the penal code,” which allows for certain misde-

FILM rEvIEW

‘The Conjuring’ creeps cinemagoers g

ETTING a blood transfusion of molten steel is possibly the only way you’ll stay in your seat all the way through this haunted house movie. No blood is spilled, but American censors rated it R (equivalent to our 18) anyway – reportedly for being ‘too scary’. I’ll confess to letting out a yelp during one scene, like a puppy being strangled, as an invisible hand tugged at the leg of a sleeping child.

It’s directed by James Wan (the man who started the ‘Saw’ franchise) and claims to based on ‘true case files’. Set in 1971, Carolyn and Roger Perron (Lili Taylor and Ron Livingston) have just moved into a classic creepy old farmhouse: nooks, crannies and a barricaded basement.

Clearly something is up when their dog refuses to enter the house. Plus the Perrons have too many teenage-ish daughters for comfort (girls of a certain age being lightning rods for malevolent spirits, as every horror fan knows).

Wan builds mounting dread with silence and suspense, lingering the camera unsettlingly long here, creaking a door there. Finally, after a night from hell, the Perrons seek professional help.

And if your house is haunted, who you gonna call? Lorraine and Ed Warren – the husband and wife ghostbusters (played here by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson) who de-spooked the house in Amityville. The plot is skeletal.

And ‘The Conjuring’ is not

ingenious like, say, the first ‘Paranormal Activity’.

One reason it works is the acting.

Lili Taylor is totally convincing as scared mum Carolyn. And heaven only knows how the filmmakers got a look of pure terror on the face of 12-year-old actress Joey King (maybe they dangled Justin Bieber over a balcony in front of her). Best of all, the script doesn’t take itself too seriously, adding in stupid-funny lines. Wan is going great guns right up until he unveils the source of the evil, and with it unleashes prosthetics and predictable horror movie clichés (he did the same in ‘Insidious’). But by this time you’ll have had the sweet bejesus spooked out of you and may not care.

COuRTESy TImEOuT.COm

meanors to be compromised if civil action is able to settle the dispute.

No money was exchanged between Brown and the other motorist involved. She agreed to the deal, however, saying she was being “castigated” on social media. “We are grateful the judge saw fit to dismiss the lone remaining charge against Chris over the prosecutor’s objection,” Brown’s lawyer Mark Geragos told E! News.

As for the singer himself, he seemed relieved. He tweeted a link touting the news of his legal victory. NEwS dESK

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Even in your darkest moments, you’ll think of something that’ll crack you up — Brad Paisley

ARTs saturday, 17 August, 2013

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sunny leone the new madhuri ?

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HO doesn’t want to be like Madhuri Dixit Nene, the dhak-dhak girl of Bollywood industry? Her charm, her grace is undoubtedly ruling millions of hearts for years now.

And one should not forget her million dollar smile. And now after thousands and millions of

her fans it seems the porn star Sunny Leone is also saying, ‘Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahati Hoon’. Yes! You read it correct. But why does Sunny Leone wants to be like Madhuri? Sources say, “Porn star turned actress Sunny aspires to be like Madhuri Dixit as she is successful in all aspects of her life, be it her home or

her career.”

Sunny further shares, “The entire Bollywood industry looks up to Madhuri. I mean she is beautiful, she is sexy, she is a mother and she is successful.

Talking about Bollywood actresses, I look up to Madhuri though I don’t fit anywhere in her crown but I aspire to be like her.” COuRTESy TOI

Jack’s new rose: Leo, cycling and love

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Angelina and son Maddox walking around LAX.

rishi fumes after Kaif visits his home K

ATRINA and Ranbir may have played hide and seek with the media previously, but it seems like they were avoiding a clash with the big daddy Rishi Kapoor instead! Seems like the couple’s worst nightmare has come to life! Reported by zoOm, the recent holiday pictures of the couple have awakened the sleeping giant! Previously a hangout spot for the duo, Katrina would often visit Krishnaraj, Ranbir Kapoor’s residence and has allegedly even celebrated her birthday there. But it seems like this area is now off limits for Katz! Were these visits kept under wraps for a reason?

Well, sources have revealed that Rishi Kapoor is quite miffed with the recent rumors floating around about the couple. He has also had a bit of a show down with the media in the past about the same. Hence this time around when Katrina was visiting Ranbir post his trip to Colombo, she had to face the wrath of Kapoor daddy.

Being a father is Rishi trying to avoid another controversy or does he want to clarify the rumour of Katrina being the accepted Bahu of the Kapoor Khandan? COuRTESy TOI

i

N perhaps the biggest backlash against an unfamiliar artist since that whole “Who is Arcade Fire?” thing, One Direction fans took to the Web this week to defend their favorite band against The Who. Rumors swirled that the classic band wanted “Best Song Ever” banned for its similarity to “Baba O’Riley,” but The Who’s Pete Townshend stepped forward quell their fears. Directioners were stirred into a frenzy, reportedly after Click Music wrote in July: “We find the 1D team resorting to plagiarism once again as The Who’s ‘Baba O’Riley’ is sterilised and repackaged for fans who probably don’t know any better.” The author called for readers to report copyright infringement on the 1971 jam to the U.K.’s Trading Standards. Fearful that The Who would take punitive action against “Best Song Ever,” Directioners took to Twitter to express their distress

HEY have been enjoying a sun soaked holiday together, sunbathing on yachts and relaxing as they hop around the Balearic Islands. And Leonardo DiCaprio and new girlfriend Toni Garrn took a more active approach to their vacation on Thursday, heading out for a bike ride together along the Spanish island’s streets.

German model Toni, 21, sported a simple white vest top, black shorts and black trainers with a striped jumper tied around her waist as she cycled just behind her beau.

Leonardo meanwhile was doing his best to remain incognito, keeping his face hidden under a baseball cap and wearing a white T-shirt and shorts for his ride.

The star enjoyed an active day, having earlier taken to a nearby tennis court for a game.

The new couple have been enjoying getting to know each other on their break and were spotted cosying up on aboard billionaire Vladislav Doronin yacht last Friday.

At one point, Toni donned a white bikini and had fun on a jet ski while Leo stayed on the yacht with his pals, lounging around in a pair of swimming trunks and puffing away on his electronic cigarette. Earlier in the week, Leo and Toni appeared much closer as they partied on the Spanish Island with the 38-yearold seen whispering in the model’s ear as the pair enjoyed a night out at a club.

The actor appeared rather smitten with the German native as he cosied up to her during their night out.

Toni recently became the latest in a long line of Victoria’s Secret stars to date the Oscar nominee.

Despite the 17-year age gap, the pair appeared to be getting on well during their current break. The couple reportedly hooked-up at the Cannes Film Festival ear-

lier this year and the multi-millionaire superstar has been enjoying showing his new romantic interest around Europe this summer. In June, he whisked Toni away to Venice, Monaco and then to France, where they took in sights like the Palace of Versailles. NEwS dESK

‘The Who’ gives 1D the thumbs up! using the hashtag #donttouchbestsongever. Some, like @karlea2001, begged with the powers that be: “#donttouchbestsongever they worked hard on it!! Don’t you dare remove it!” said. Others, like @sairaomar2, attacked The Who — who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 — implying that they are irrelevant: “then at ur funereal, nobody will show up bcuz everyone will be like the whos? who dat? #DontTouchBestSongEver.” But Who band member Pete Townshend put an end to the dustup, issuing the following statement: No! I like the single. I like One Direction. The chords I used and

the chords they used are the same three chords we’ve all been using in basic pop music since Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and Chuck Berry made it clear that fancy chords don’t mean great music — not always. I’m still writing songs that sound like ‘Baba O’Riley’ — or I’m trying to! It’s a part of my life and a part of pop’s lineage. One Direction are in my business, with a million fans, and I’m happy to think they may have been influenced a little bit by The Who. I’m just relieved they’re all not wearing boiler suits and Doc Martens, or Union Jack jackets.

The funniest thing is that in Canada this year I met with Randy Bachman, once

the leader of The Guess Who, who told me that he not only copied ‘Baba O’Riley’ for [Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s] hit ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’, but he even called his band after us. Why would I not be happy about this kind of tribute? After “Best Song Ever” leaked back in July, MTV News noted the song’s striking similarity to “Baba O’Riley” and reached out to producer Julian Bunetta about the track. He told us, “At a certain point we recognized it had the same type of intro where there’s a synth and a piano, but we really tried to make sure that there was no intellectual property stolen or anything like that.” This isn’t

the first time that One Direction has paid tribute to a classic band. In 2012, their song “Young” was compared to the Clash’s hit “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” COuRTESy mTV

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Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.

–Stephen Hawking

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nEw mAmmAl discovErEd INFoTAINMENT in south AmEricA Saturday, 17 August, 2013

todAy (17TH AUGUST)

8 Fort Sumter, SC is bombarded

by Union ships during the Civil War. 8 Indonesian nationalists proclaim independence from the Netherlands.

8 18-year-old Peter Fechter is shot and killed by guards at the Berlin Wall, spurring riots.

8 Rudolf Hess, Adolf Hitler's second in command, commits suicide.

fooling someone? chinese zoo dresses up dog as lion No lion -- that's a dog.

Visitors at the zoo in the People's Park of Luohe in Henan, China, got in an uproar after a Tibetan mastiff was placed in a cage labelled "African lion." According to the AFP, the dog spoiled the not-so-clever ruse when it began to bark.

Judging by pictures of the exhibit that circulated on Chinese Twitter analogue Sina Weibo, the so-called "lion" wasn't all that convincing to begin with: Lions are cats, by the way. People do seem to have trouble remembering that.

According to AFP, visitors felt cheated out of the 15 yuan ($2.45) they'd spent to see the bogus exhibit, which also reportedly mislabelled "coypu rodents in a snake's cage, a white fox in a leopard's den, and another dog in a wolf pen."

"The African lions will be back. They went to another zoo to breed," a zoo administrator reportedly told the Oriental Daily, as quoted by the South China Morning Post.

Sure. They're off "breeding." Maybe when they come back, they'll have cubs: Cubs that look suspiciously like Tibetan mastiff puppies. Fortunately, that wouldn't be a total loss, considering how cute they are.

A guy ‘rides’ into a bar, lassos patron, gets arrested Easy there, cowboy.

Police in Louisiana say that James Mouton, 26, rode his horse into a bar, roped a man with a lasso and tugged his tied up target around the parking lot, according to KETK. Mouton entered the bar just after midnight Tuesday, which, to be fair, is called the Cowboy’s Saloon. After a few too many drinks, Mouton left outside the Scott, La., establishment, unloaded his horse from his vehicle, mounted it and returned to the bar.

Customers initially guided Mouton back outside, but he returned a short time later. Authorities described Mouton as “highly intoxicated," according to the Smoking Gun. WAFB explains what happened during his second visit: A concerned patron of the bar escorted Mouton and his horse out of the bar. Once he was outside, reports say Mouton roped a 47-year-old man with a lasso and dragged him through the parking lot. Police say Mouton then rode the horse to his parent's house and walked back to the bar. Police found him after his attempt to hide. NEwS dESK

s

NEWS DESK

CIENTISTS in the US have discovered a new animal living in the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador. It has been named olinguito and is the first new species of carnivore to be identified in the Western hemisphere in 35 years. It has taken more than a decade to identify the mammal, a discovery that scientists say is incredibly rare in the 21st Century. The credit goes to a team from the Smithsonian Institution. The trail began when zoologist Kristofer Helgen uncovered some bones and animal skins in

storage at a museum in Chicago. "It stopped me in my tracks," he told BBC News. "The skins were a rich red colour and when I looked at the skulls I didn't recognise the anatomy. It was different to any similar animal I'd seen, and right away I thought it could be a species new to science." Dr Helgen is curator of mammals at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, which houses the largest mammal collection in the world. More than 600,000 specimens are flat-packed in trays to save space, their bones picked clean by specially bred beetles and stored in boxes alongside their skins. Many were collected more than

a century ago and were often mislabelled or not properly identified. But recent advances in technology have enabled scientists to extract DNA from even the oldest remains. The 35cm-long (14in) olinguito is the latest addition to the animal family that includes racoons. By comparing DNA samples with the other five known species, Dr Helgen was able to confirm his discovery."It's hard for me to explain how excited I am," he says.

"The olinguito is a carnivore - that group of mammals that includes cats, dogs and bears and their relatives. Many of us believed that list was complete, but this is a new carnivore - the first to be found on the American con-

Panther posse! Florida invaded by hundreds of ferocious felines NEWS DESK The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission posted on its website that hundreds of panthers were seen roaming around in the Florida wild.

In MyFWC.com/PantherSightings people care encouraged to report when and where they have encountered a panther or even its tracks.

The commission has reported that

as of August 2013, a total of 790 sightings were reported according to the National Geographic. However, photos were only attached into 12 percent of reports. Of those photos evaluated by the FWC biologists, the majority was confirmed as panthers, others were identified as bobcats, cats, coyotes, dogs, and even monkeys. Often times when it’s not a panther’s track, it will be

recorded as bobcat’s track. Confirmed reports were mostly exclusive to southwest Florida, a place with a well-documented breeding range for panthers and several confirmed sightings were also noted in south central Florida. Darrell Land, FWC’s panther team manager, said in an interview with the National Geographic that the masses' willingness to report what they have seen or encountered on cameras are very helpful and directs them to where panthers presumably are loitering in Florida. Land added that as the population of panthers increases, more panthers can be sighted in the places in Florida where they have not lived for quite a long time. But in able to properly manage the growing population of panthers in Florida, data about their whereabouts are very important. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission forecasts that the Florida panthers’ population may reach 100 to 160 adults and yearlings, a number that doesn’t include panther kittens. The Florida panther was almost close to becoming extinct. Most of them are being killed by cars and trucks specifically in State Road 29 and Alligator Alley (I-75) and by hunters.

tinent for more than three decades." Dr Helgen has used such mammal collections to identify many other new species, including the world's biggest bat and the world's smallest bandicoot. But he says the olinguito is his most significant discovery. Its scientific name is Bassaricyon neblina. The last carnivore to be identified in the Americas was the Colombian Weasel. But even after identifying the olinguito, a crucial question remained: could they be living in the wild? "We used clues from the specimens about where they might have come from and to predict what kind of forest we might find them in - and we found it!"

Punch in the privates!

Kinky cop asks arrestee to fulfil desire A Lauderhill, Fla. cop allegedly not only groped two female DUI suspects, but also asked one to punch him in the "nuts" because it "turned him on." Thomas Merenda, 34, turned himself in Thursday on charges of unlawful compensation and battery, the Detroit Free Press reported.

His partner, 33year-old Franklin Hartley, also surrendered to police on similar charges. The initial incident occurred in May 2012, when prosecutors say Merenda and Hartley pulled over two allegedly intoxicated women at about 4 a.m. in Lauderhill. The women said Hartley told them he could arrest them, then told them to drive behind a nearby strip mall where Merenda was waiting, NBC Miami reported. Hartley drove over, too, and "began to kiss and touch" the passenger's breasts "while reminding her she could be arrested," according to an affidavit obtained by the Detroit Free Press. He then allegedly ordered her to have sex with him, and she did so.

Meanwhile, Merenda allegedly started groping the driver under the guise of a pat-down, then asked her to punch him in the "nuts" and "reassured her that this was OK and this turned him on." Hartley added that this partner "really enjoys this," according to the affidavit. The women then kicked Merenda in the crotch. Merenda's attorney, Eric Schwartzreich, told CBS Miami that his client should not be facing charges for unlawful compensation.

"Unlawful compensation is defined as a benefit or an advantage," he told the station. “As a member of the male population, I can say that never in a million years is it a reward to get hit in the family jewels.” COuRTESy HP

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sPoRTs saturday, 17 August, 2013

Another unknown Pakistani bowler shines in England LAHORE: After Imran Tahir and Fawad Ahmed, yet another cricketer of Pakistani origin has come into the spotlight while playing for a foreign club due to his outstanding performance.

Muhammad Azharullah, a fast bowler for English county Northamptonshire, has been the most successful bowler in this year’s England Twenty20 domestic circuit, reported a website.Hailing from Burewala district in Punjab, Azharullah has shot to fame picking up the highest number of wickets (24) in England’s ongoing T20 season, taking his side to the semi-finals of the tournament.

The 29-year-old Azhar has in the past represented WAPDA, Multan Tigers as well as Quetta Bears in the Pakistan domestic first-class circuit, playing 53 matches, after which he moved to England to play league cricket for a brief period. During his stay in England, however, he fell in love with a scorer at his cricket club in the Bradford Cricket League and decided to stay there. He finally moved to England a year after his marriage which took place in 2009.

He became eligible to play county cricket this year after acquiring British citizenship, three years after he had moved there. Northamptonshire offered Azharullah a one year contract this season. The right arm fast bowler told BBC, “It was an educated risk for Northants. They saw my pace and my career statistics, which are on flat wickets in Pakistan.” The risk paid off for his team as they are now in contention to win a tournament they were earlier considered underdogs for.

In this season alone, he has picked up 24 wickets thanks to his booming inswingers. His team will face Essex in the semi finals this Saturday and it is to be seen if and when he will claim a spot in the England international T20 squad.

“It’s always been my dream to play international cricket,” he told BBC in an interview. Fellow Pakistani Yasir Arafat is just behind Azharullah with 20 wickets this season, putting him at number two in the wickets tally. STAFF REPORT

Black people dominate sports in the United States. 20% of the population and 90% of the final four. –Chris Rock

sri lanka rejects day-night tests with Pakistan t LAHORE

STAFF REPORT

HE Sri Lankan Cricket Board has rejected the offer of put forward by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play a day-night Test on their tour to the United Arab Emirates in winter. According to an official of the PCB, Pakistan had offered Sri Lanka Cricket a chance to play a day-night Test on their tour to the United Arab Emirates but the SLC went against the idea saying that their cricketers are underprepared for the day and night test with pick play.

SLC said: “It decided against playing day-night Tests “since the national team players have not practised under lights and with the new pink ball.”

Sri Lanka turning down the request said that their team had not played with pink ball before. Both the countries have a large number of fans in the UAE where the upcoming series has been scheduled.

The challenge facing such Tests has been to find a ball that is clearly visible in both sunshine and floodlights, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it had sent the Sri Lankan board a dozen balls of pink and orange colour for them to

examine. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had approved the daynight matches under floodlights as a way to stem dwindling interest in Tests in many countries.

The UAE has a large expatriate

Pakistani community but few show up to watch Test matches, in part because they are played during the day when most are at work.

No country has yet tried the new format and the ICC has left it to individual boards to decide when and how to experiment.

Pakistan has been forced to play its “home” internationals at neutral venues, mainly in the UAE, since militants attacked the Sri Lankan team during a Test in Lahore in 2009.

Pakistan host Sri Lanka for three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20s in December and January in the UAE and Sarwar had thought that the conditions were right to experiment. The first Test starts in Dubai on December 31. The other two Tests are in Abu Dhabi (January 8-12) and Sharjah (January 16-20).

wasim Akram a hero for many cricketers: Ziaul Haq LAHORE STAFF REPORT

Pakistan Under-19 bowler Ziaul Haq feels legend Wasim Akram is a cricketer who is looked upon as a hero by many cricketers in Pakistan and to get his guidance is brilliant. Zia said working with Wasim at his training camp was a fantastic opportunity. “Wasim is idolized as a hero by many cricketers in Pakistan and to receive advice and guidance from him was brilliant,” Zia told in an interview to Pakpassion.

Zia said that Wasim spoke with him about the length he bowled particularly with the new ball.

“Wasim felt that I was bowling slightly too short with the new ball and wanted me to make an adjustment in pitching the new ball further up to the batsman. I took on board his advice and I feel it’s made a difference,” he added.

Talking about the fast bowling in Pakistan, Zia said Pakistan have always had great fast bowlers over the years and there is always a hype created when a young fast bowler does well at junior level and in domestic cricket.

“The targets I have set myself are to improve and to perform with consistency in domestic cricket. Over the years we have seen the selectors give youngsters a chance so let’s see,” he said adding that his plans are to perform well in domestic cricket and to play for his country.

Zia said that the more junior tours that can be organised outside of Asia, the better it will be for Pakistan cricket and for the development of young cricketers. “I have spoken with current and former international cricketers and they all say that it always helps if you have

had the chance to tour a country at a junior level before playing international cricket there,” he said.

Zia had made his First-class debut in October 2010 at the age of 15 against Islamabad in a Quaid i Azam

Trophy fixture in which he had match figures of 5 for 89 in 27.3 overs. Currently Zia is a key member of the current Pakistan U19 squad which is participating in the Tri-Nation Tournament in England.

Zimbabwe players boycott training, form union HARARE AGENCIES

Zimbabwe’s players have taken the bold step of forming a players’ union in a bid to present a united front in salary negotiations. They have also boycotted training ahead of the series against Pakistan, which begins next week, until their demands are met.

Wilfred Mukondiwa, the MD of Zimbabwe Cricket, confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that a players’ association was in the works for the last few months but he did not expect one to be formed this quickly. He said ZC have been in talks with the new body and expects a resolution over payment issues later today. Mukondiwa remained confident the series against Pakistan would take place “as planned.”

The players, who could not be reached for comment, are speaking through five senior members of the squad - Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Prosper Utseya and

Vusi Sibanda - who have been in meetings with Mukondiwa and ZC “since Wednesday.” They are believed to be asking for match fees in addition to the salaries they receive on central contracts.

Mukondiwa confirmed a Zimbabwe Independent report which said players want US$5,000 per Test, $3,000 per ODI and US$1,500 per T20. He did not reveal whether ZC had agreed to pay those amounts, but said the “door was open for negotiation.”

ZC have made the players an offer which they had taken to the union.

Mukondiwa expected they would accept the offer and said the only issue which was yet to be agreed on was that of World Cup fees. The Independentreported that the players want 10% of the proceeds ZC receives from next year’s World T20.

Mukondiwa also admitted that players have not been paid their July salaries due to a liquidity problem in ZC. While Mukondiwa said the five-ODI visit from India “brought in money”, ZC “has commitments” and was not able to

meet all of them. He said the players were given an assurance they would be paid soon.

This is not the first time salaries have caused problems in Zimbabwe cricket.

The players threatened a boycott before their April series against Bangladesh in protest over what they considered an unsatisfactory daily allowance for noncentrally contracted players. Then, Craig Ervine, who was not on a central contract,chose to play club cricket in the UK, instead of accepting a winter contract in Zimbabwe which was believed to be worth US$100 a week.

Now, the players are demanding compensation they believe is in line with what their counterparts in other countries are earning. While they wait for a decision to be made, they have not trained as a squad. Some have busied themselves with independent programmes but most have been involved with the formation of the union.

Zimbabwean players have never had a successfully operational players association despite many attempts at one.

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I couldn’t find the sports car of my dreams, so I built it myself. –Ferdinand Porsche

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bwf air-con ruling leaves malaysia hot and bothered MALAySIA: The Badminton World Federation (BWF) have failed to cool a heated row between Chinese and Malaysian governing bodies over air conditioning during the men’s singles final at the world championships on Sunday.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) were unhappy as temperatures soared at the Tianhe Sports Center in Guangzhou during the showpiece match between their charge Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan. Lee had taken the first set but struggled in the second before quitting in the third with cramps, with Malaysian media claiming that the air conditioning had been switched off midway through the match to aid Lin. The BWF, after queries from the BAM, said they had contacted the local organising committee (LOC) and had been assured there was no foul play.

“The LOC confirmed that the airconditioners in the venue were not turned off at any time during the finals,” the BWF said in a statement carried by Malaysia media. “However, due to the increase in the number of spectators on the final day - particularly during the men’s singles match - the temperature went up and the venue became hotter.”

Malaysian daily newspaper The Star quoted one source saying temperatures rose to 32 Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) at the indoor venue. The BWF’s explanation did little to appease BAM secretary Ng Chin Chai.

“We wanted the BWF to investigate. Now, we have been enlightened by the statement from the organisers,” he was quoted as saying by The Star. “I was present at the stadium and I find it hard to accept their explanation.” AGENCIES

brEsnAn out for sEAson with bAcK injury

Pff seeks foolproof security to hold Afc event LAHORE

A

STAFF REPORT

T a time when no international team is willing to tour Pakistan, the Pakistan Football Federation has got the right to hold the AFC U-16 Football Championship Qualifiers Round next month.

This was revealed by PFF President Syed Makhdoom Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat in a press conference here at the Football House on Friday.

The qualifying round will be held at Karachi from September 23 to 30 and will be participated by four teams including hosts Pakistan.

Apart from announcing the organization of an international event, Saleh Hayat also appealed Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif for the provision of foolproof security to ensure the holding of the AFC Under-16 Football Championship Qualifiers Round.

The PFF chief said that the purpose of holding the briefing is to draw the attention of the government towards the event and seeking its support in the smooth conduct of Round in Pakistan.

He informed that the teams from Islamic Republic of Iran, UAE, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be taking part.

It is not the first time that the PFF is hosting international teams but in the past even after the attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in March 2009, it hosted the Palestinian and Malaysian football teams.

He further stated that the government should take keen interest in this international mega event which will provide an opportunity to portray Pakistan’s soft image to the entire world.

He demanded a security guarantee from the federal as well as the provincial governments to meet the FIFA and AFC requirement.

He also said that it was PFF in the past which brought international football events in Pakistan at a time when Pakistan was isolated and had become a no go area for international sports events.

He also highlighted that PFF has contacted all the relevant government quarters numerous times but no response has been shown by them.

The PFF President made a strong appeal to the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to take personal interest in this matter of national pride.

Afghanistan to play first football home game for 10 years ZURICH AGENCIES

LONDON: Tim Bresnan has been ruled out of the remainder of the international season with a stress fracture in his lower back. His absence creates a space in England’s bowling attack for the fifth Investec Ashes Test, which begins on August 21. Bresnan was preferred to Steven Finn for the second Test at Lord’s and has performed well in the series with 10 wickets and two crucial contributions in the closely-fought fourth Test at Chester-le-Street. Bresnan made 45 in England’s second-innings to boost his side’s lead before making a breakthrough with the wicket of David Warner when Australia were on course to chase 299 for victory. England went on to win comfortably and clinch the series. But now Bresnan will be unable to help England attempt to win their fourth Test of the series at The Oval. AGENCIES

Afghanistan will host their first international football match for 10 years when they play Pakistan in a friendly next Tuesday, soccer’s governing body FIFA said on Friday. The match will take place on an artificial pitch at the AFF (AfghanistanFootball Federation) stadium, FIFA said. “The fact that we are hosting our first international game in 10 years, and the first against Pakistan in Kabul since 1977, represents a major highlight for football in our country,” AFF secretary general Sayed Aghazada, told FIFA.com.

“It shows that after a very difficult period we are returning to normality.

“Afghan football has improved in terms of organisation and infrastructure, and we now believe that football can play an even bigger role in our

country. Of course we expect a sell-out crowd.” Turkmenistan were the last team to visit Afghanistan for a match, winning 2-0 in 2003. Ranked 139th in the world, Afghanistan are unbeaten in three outings this year, having beaten Sri Lanka and Mongolia and drawn with Laos.

“This is a very symbolic game for the whole football community in south Asia which confirms that our sport can contribute to promote a positive relationship between neighbour countries,” said Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) secretary general Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi.

FIFA said that next week would also see the start of the eight-team Afghan Premier League, which will be played for the second time. The tournament features teams from the whole country who are selected from a scouting process implemented by the AFF. All matches are played in Kabul at the AFF stadium and are televised live.

BANGLADESH WORLD T20 VENUES MAKE PROGRESS DHAKA AGENCIES

The construction work of stadiums in Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar for next year’s World Twenty20 will be completed by mid-October, said BCB president Nazmul Hassan. The expected finishing time is likely to exceed the ICC’s September 30 deadline but an inspection team from the governing body is likely to see enough evidence of progress buy the BCB the extra 15 days.

The ICC team arrives in Dhaka on Friday, and will visit both cities as well as the two alternative venues in Fatullah and BKSP, Bangladesh’s largest sports institute.

“I have no doubt that the construction work will end by mid-October,” Hassan said. “We will finish the alternative venues [in Fatullah and BKSP] by September. So I don’t think there will be too many difficulties, but it is unlikely to be finished by September 30.” The Sylhet

stadium has made significant progress since work began in June. The structure of two floors of the four-storey pavilion building has been completed. Located on the northern end of the ground, the building is directly linked to the main entrance from the airport road.

On the opposite side, the interiors of the media structure are being refurbished, and work has gone on at a rapid pace there as well. A hill, on the north-west part of the ground, is being carved to be at the same level as the one-tiered galleries on either side. It is being called

the green gallery, and will be a grass bank on top of the hill.

Around 400 workers have been employed for the project, with the contractors being strictly told to work around the clock by the country’s finance minister AMA Muhith, whose hometown is Sylhet. He has visited the ground a number of times since work started, and has directed all authorities to cooperate with the BCB and National Sports Council, the custodian of all sporting venues in the country.

The cricket committee of Sylhet’s Divisional Sports Association has also helped in the project, although they have no direct authority of the stadium or the construction work.

Shafiul Alam, the committee’s chairman, was hopeful that the stadium will be completed on time for the World T20 which begins on March 16 next year, and the inspection team that arrives in Sylhet on August 20, will see a lot more than what they saw in June.

botham braces for ‘daftest’ challenge COLOMBO AGENCIES

England cricket legend Sir Ian Botham said Thursday he has accepted his “daftest” challenge — walking hundreds of miles under Sri Lanka’s scorching sun to raise money for charity.

Botham said he would walk nearly 375 miles (600 kilometres) from the former war zone in the island’s north to the southern home constituency of President Mahinda Rajapakse starting November 1.

“It is the daftest thing I have agreed to do... it is going to be in temperatures of 40 degrees (Celsius, 104 Fahrenheit),” Botham told reporters in Colombo while announcing his fund-raising walk. “This is going to be the hardest walk. We have done 1,000-mile walks... walks in the Alps, but nothing like this... We will have a lot of rehydrating to do in the evenings.”

Botham advised those planning to join him to bring “a lot of water, you will need it” when walking in the hot and humid conditions of tropical Sri Lanka.

He said it will be the first of “Beefy’s Big Walks” to be held outside Britain and was intended to raise money for disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka and around the world. The Sri Lanka event will be his 15th charity walk since 1985 and he has so far raised over 13 million pounds ($20.1 million). Proceeds from the Sri Lanka walk will go to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which funds charitable activities in 34 countries.

Botham was expected to be joined on the walk by other cricketing greats — Brian Lara of West Indies and India’s Saurav Ganguly and Kapil Dev. Botham said getting personally involved with highly publicised walks would help extract more cash from potential donors. “It is good to make appeals on television, but when they see you actually doing something, then they are likely to give more,” he said.

The walk is due to end on November 8 at the southern town of Hambantota.

Botham visited Sri Lanka soon after the December 2004 Asian tsunami, which killed more than 31,000 people 0n the island and devastated much of its coastline.

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Breaking records is not something you expect to be doing. That’s like a sports thing, it’s not usually a comedy and writing thing. –Louis C. K.

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rAdwAnsKA withdrAws from cincinnAti

CINCINNATI: Fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland withdrew from the Western and Southern Open for personal reasons on Thursday, sending defending champion Li Na of China through to the semifinals.

Radwanska had earlier beaten Russian Elena Vesnina 6-0 6-2 to advance to the quarterfinals but withdrew from the tournament to attend her grandfather’s funeral. “I’m very sorry that I have to withdraw from the tournament. Unfortunately, my granddad passed away last Sunday,” said Radwanska in a statement. “The funeral is going to be Saturday and I need to be there. “I am disappointed to not continue with the tournament, especially because of my form so far this week. AGENCIES

introduction of PAKistAn hocKEy tEAm LAHROE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation named an 18-member team to participate in the upcoming event of Asia Cup tournament.

The team is led by Mohammad Imran, and others include Imran Butt, M Irfan, M Rizwan Junior, M Tauseeq, Waseem Ahmed, Salman Akbar, Rashid Mahmood, Fareed Ahmed, Aamir Shahzad, Waqas Sharif, Shafqat Rasool, Abdul Haseem Khan, Shakil Abassi, Ali Shan, M Umar Bhutta, M Dilber and M Zubair. The event is to commence from August 24 in Ipoh, Malaysia. STAFF REPORT Goalkeeper Imran Butt S Akbers Full Back M Imran (capt) 2004-12 Wasim Ahmed 1996-2012 Mohammad Irfan Sr Half Back – Mid Farid Ahmed 2008-12 Amir Shahzad Touseeq Ahmed M Rashid Muhammad Rizwan Jr Ali Shah Forward - sTRIKeRs M Waqas Sharif (vc) Haseem Khan Shafqat Rasool Mohammad Zubair Shakeel Abbasi M Umer Bhutta M Dilber

Year 2010-13 2001-13

M 25 199

G -

242 379 2008-12

78 11 139

5

157 2008-12 2010-12 2009-12 2011-12 2011-12

4 38 112 107 81 54

10 6 1 3

2005-12 2008-12 2008-12 2006-12 2003-12 2009-12 2013

216 143 156 159 299 66 -

57 50 18 24 103 5 -

‘big four’ reach star-studded cincinnati quarters CINCINNATI

n

AGENCIES

OVAK Djokovic,Andy Murray, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer all picked up third round wins at the Western and Southern Open on Thursday to set up a star-studded last eight in Cincinnati.

The ATP Tour’s big four were joined in the quarter-finals by 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina, the only other man to hoist a grand slam trophy since Marat Safin at the 2005 Australian Open.

Djokovic, Murray, Nadal, Federer and Del Potro have accounted for the last 34 grand slams and it is just the second time this year all five have reached the last eight of a tournament.

The marquee matchup on Friday will see world number five and 17time grand slam winner Federer take on long-time rival Nadal, the world

number three.

Nadal, whose grand slam resume lists 12 titles, and Federer will clash for the 31st time, adding yet another chapter to what will go down as one of the sport’s all-time great rivalries.

Nadal has been in superb form coming off a win Montreal and ran his hardcourt winning streak to 12 matches with a 6-2 5-7 6-2 win over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on Thursday.

“Always play against Roger is a special feeling,” said Nadal, who has reached the finals in 10-of-11 events he has entered this season, claiming eight titles. “We have a great history behind us in our confrontations, so it’s another quarter-finals.

“It’s a special one because you’re playing against a very special player.

Our matches were very special always.

“But, again, it’s a quarter-finals match, not the final, so that’s a big difference.”

Federer, the five-time defending

champion in Cincinnati, also needed three sets to see off evergreen German Tommy Haas 1-6 7-5 6-3 as he struggles to build some momentum going into the U.S. Open after missing the start of the North American hardcourt season with a sore back.

In contrast, the world’s two topranked players, Djokovic and Murray, cruised into the quarter-finals with nononsense straight sets decisions.

Looking to end a run of four runner-up finishes on the Cincinnati hardcourts, world number one Djokovic needed just 50 minutes to hand Belgian qualifier David Goffin a 6-2 6-0 tennis lesson.

While Cincinnati has been a happy hunting ground for Federer, it has been a frustrating tournament for Djokovic.

But if the big Serb is the last man standing on Sunday he would become the first player to complete what the ATP Tour has dubbed the ‘Career Golden Masters’, winning all nine World Tour Masters events.

QuEEn AddEd to oAKs fiEld NEW yORK: Luca Cumani’s Emirates Queen has been supplemented for Thursday’s Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York at a cost of £32,500. Winner of the Lancashire Oaks when last seen, she finished third at Deauville last week and will be having her first crack at Group One level. Ralph Beckett’s pair of Talent and Secret Gesture, first and second at Epsom, stand their ground after enduring differing degrees of success in their subsequent outings.

Talent ran no sort of a race in the Irish Oaks while Secret Gesture was just touched off in the German equivalent.

Aidan O’Brien has left in Venus De MIlo, whose only defeat came when a fast-finishing second in the Irish Oaks.

Lady Cecil has three possibles in the Ribblesdale winner Riposte, the lightly-raced Wild Coco and the unexposed Songbird.

The Fugue may attempt to go one better than last year but needs to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Eclipse.

“All being well, The Fugue will run in the Yorkshire Oaks. She ran great at Ascot but scoped badly after the Eclipse. Hopefully, she is on the way back,” said Gosden. AGENCIES

Ryder Cup europe announce five-man panel to choose next captain of team MINNESOTA AGENCIES

Ryder Cup Europe has announced plans to change the way it chooses its team captain for the biennial matches against the United States.

Since 1999 the skipper has been nominated by the 15-strong European Tour’s Tournament Committee and ratified by the Ryder Cup Board.

However, after Paul McGinley leads the team at Gleneagles next year, a five-man select panel will choose their man to take on the

Americans at Hazeltine National, Minnesota, in 2016.

The committee, led by chairman Thomas Bjorn, took the decision to revamp the process at their last meeting, held during the recent Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

The panel will comprise the three previous Ryder Cup captains, the chief executive of the European Tour, and one representative from the Tournament Committee, to be nominated beforehand by the committee itself.

It also means that the timing and venue of the announcement for the 2016 captain will be determined

by Ryder Cup Europe and announced in the early part of 2015.

Europe’s Ryder Cup director Richard Hills said: “This decision has come after a series of tournament committee meetings.

“After much reflection it was felt this change would see the most suitable candidate being invited to follow on from Paul McGinley at Hazeltine.

“The job of Ryder Cup captain is an ever expanding and ever

demanding role, and I think this decision perfectly focuses the three vital ingredients required in any selection process. “The immediate experience of the three past captains brings six years of vital knowledge to the table.

“The office of the chief executive of the European Tour outlines the wide-ranging political and practical requirements and the tournament committee representative will, having canvassed his colleagues on tour, bring the feelings and wishes of the players to the discussion.”

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The ban on sports betting does exactly what Prohibition did. It makes criminals rich. –James Surowiecki

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BeLGIAN BRoTHeRs MAKe woRLD TRACK HIsToRY MOSCOW

t

ross fishEr And chris stroud sEt EArly PAcE NORTH CAROLINA: A blemish-free round helped Ross Fisher in to a share of the lead at the end of day one of the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina. Fisher carded a six-under-par 64 to sit on the top of the pile alongside American Chris Stroud - with the duo a shot clear of a group of eight players including defending champion Sergio Garcia, Trevor Immelman and Robert Garrigus. Fisher, who is in his first year on the PGA Tour, picked up four birdies and an eagle on the par-five fifth, when he hit his approach shot to seven feet.

The Englishman told pgatour.com: “My manager said, ‘You’ve got nothing to lose.

Just go out there all guns blazing and see what happens’.

“I know what I’ve got to do, and I’ve just got to go enjoy it, and if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. AGENCIES

LAHORE STAFF REPORT

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) created ACC Emerging Teams Cup ODI to develop promising young cricketers in the region and eight teams will participate in the tournament to be held from August 17-25 in Singapore.

The matches will be held on Kallang and Singapore Cricket Club, Singapore. The inaugural match of this event will be held on August 17 at Kallang, where the host Singapore will meet Bangladesh U23 and Afghanistan will meet Nepal on SCC. The teams participating in the tournament are India U23, Pakistan U23, Bangladesh U23, Sri Lanka U23, and senior teams of Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Nepal.

India U23, Pakistan U23, Afghanistan and Nepal are placed in Group A and Sri Lanka U23, Bangladesh U23, UAE and Singapore are placed in Group B. Venkatpathy Raju, ACC’s new development officer said: “The ACC in its AGM discussed making the Emerging Cup a regular biennial fixture. This will not only

UCI president Pat McQuaid has hit back at Brian Cookson over claims that his nomination to retain leadership of cycling’s governing body came too late.

ACC eMeRGING TeAMs CUP sQUAD 2013 Group A: Pakistan U23, India U23, Afghanistan and Nepal Group B: Sri Lanka U23, Bangladesh U23, UAE and Singapore sCHeDULe Sat, 17 Aug Singapore v Bangladesh U-23 at Kallang Sat, 17 Aug Afghanistan v Nepal at SCC Sun, 18 Aug India U-23 v Pakistan U-23 at Kallang Sun, 18 Aug Bangladesh U-23 v Sri Lanka U-23 at SCC Mon, 19 Aug Singapore v UAE at Kallang Mon, 19 Aug Afghanistan v Pakistan U-23 at SCC Tue, 20 Aug Sri Lanka U-23 v UAE at Kallang Tue, 20 Aug India U-23 v Nepal at SCC Wed, 21 Aug Singapore v Sri Lanka U-23 at

WTA 2013: WESTERN & SOUTHERN OPEN, CINCINNATI QUARTER FINALS

12:00 AM

TEN SPORTS

swEdEn’s ArEgAwi wins womEn’s 1500m titlE

fElix, frAsEr-PrycE sEt uP rEPEAt of olymPic finAl MOSCOW: American sprint great Allyson Felix moved to within one victory of the all-time record for world titles on Thursday as she won her 200 metres semi-final at the World Athletics Championships. The 27-year-old Olympic champion, who presently shares the record of eight titles with retired compatriots Carl Lewis and Michael Johnson, looked in the sort of condition she needs to be in to win her fourth world title in the event.

However, Felix will have taken note of the form of Jamaica’s 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who looked to be in better shape than she was last year when finishing a well-beaten second in the Olympic final.

Felix did the necessary work on the bend in her semi-final, coming off it with Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare on her shoulder and well clear of the remainder of the field. AGENCIES

The Irishman is seeking a third fouryear term as president and will go head-to-head with British Cycling president Cookson at a vote next month, with their power struggle having become more and more hostile.

Cookson described McQuaid’s nomination by the Thai and Moroccan federations, which followed the withdrawal of the Irish nomination and a legal challenge to a Swiss nomination, as a ‘farce’.

“I do not fear an open election and I am not at all concerned by my ability to secure the support and votes that I require to be re-elected as UCI president,” McQuaid said in a statement. “While it would appear that Brian has lost confidence in his own ability, I continue to challenge him to allow the UCI congress and its voting delegate to decide.”Cookson further argued McQuaid’s most recent nomination came in after the deadline but he says no rules have been broken and called the claims ‘outrageous’ “Brian must immediately make a statement on whether he believes that to be true and if he believes otherwise he has duty to ensure that this allegation is publicly withdrawn,” McQuaid added.

ACC eMeRGING TeAMs CUP 2013 sQUAD AND sCHeDULe give opportunities to the cricketers, who have graduated from U-19 to U-23, but will also help other emerging countries play against the Test playing nations and get some experience of quality cricket.”

TENSPORTS

06:00 PM

UCI President Pat McQuaid claims his nomination was too late are ‘outrageous’

SPORTS DESK

wAtCh It LIve

IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS MOSCOW 2013: DAY 8

AGENCIES

HE Belgian Borlee brothers made history on Thursday when all three competed in the 4x400m relay, a first for the World Athletics Championships. Twins Jonathan and Kevin, the 2011 world 400m bronze medallist, ran in their heat alongside younger brother Dylan, making his world debut, and Antoine Gillet.

It was the first time in the history of the world championships that three siblings had all competed together in the same race. “It’s great to have three brothers running,” said Kevin Borlee. “We train together all year round. “We’re three brothers who get on great, it is a special moment, be it as an athlete or for the family.” Jonathan did well to get back into third spot after a poor first leg from Gillet.

Brazil’s Wagner Cardoso then overtook debutant Dylan on his third leg to push the Belgian quartet back into fourth, but Kevin produced a strong anchor-leg to get back into third spot, with the top two of the three heats automatically qualifying along with the next two fastest.

The Belgians, who had finished fifth at the 2011 world champs in Daegu and one place lower at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, eventually finished third in their heat in a season’s best of 3min 00.81sec.

The Belgian brothers, whose older sister Olivia won Olympic silver in 2008 and world bronze in 2007 in the 4x100m relay, lived to fight another day as they sealed one of the two fastest losers spots, along with Brazil.

S

Kallang Wed, 21 Aug Nepal v Pakistan U-23 at Scc Thu, 22 Aug Afghanistan v India U-23 at Kallang Thu, 22 Aug Bangladesh U-23 v UAE at SCC Fri, 23 Aug SF1: A1 v B2 at Kallang Fri, 23 Aug SF2: A2 v B1 at SCC Sun, 25 Aug Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2

group A Pakistan U23 Team: Hammad Azam (capt), Umar Waheed, Babar Azam, Ehsan Adil, Raza Hasan, Umer Siddique, Usman Qadir, Usman Salahuddin, Muhammad Waqas, Bilawal Bhatti, Ruman Rais, Azeem Ghumman, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Nasir Malik, Muhammad Nawaz. Reserve players: Taimoor Ali, Mir Hamza, Jamal Anwar, Shahzaib Ahmed Khan and Zeeshan Ali Ashraf.

India U23 Team: Surya Kumar Yadav (Captain), K.L. Rahul (Vice-captain), Kaustubh Pawar, Ankit Bawane, Unmukt

Chand, Ashok Menaria, Manpreet Juneja, Smit Patel, Prashant Chopra, Jasprit Bumrah, Sandeep Warrier, Harshal Patel, Akshar Patel, Sandeep Sharma, B. Aparajith.

Afghanistan: Mohammad Nabi(captain), Asghar Stanikzai, Dawlat Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Hamid Hassan, Hamza Hotak,Hashmatullah Shaidi, Izatullah Dawlatzai, Karim Sadiq, Mirwais Ashraf, Mohammad Shahzad,Mohibullah Oryakhel, Nawroz Mangal, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari.

Nepal: Paras Khadka(Captain), Gyanendra Malla, Sharad Bheswaker, Subash Khakurel, Avinash Karna, Prithu Banskota, Shakti Gauchan, Rahul Bishwakarma, Basanta Regmi, Ram Naresh Giri, Pradeep Aire, Sagar Pun, Binod Bhandari, Chandra Saud, and Anil Mandal. group B Sri Lanka U23: Kithruwan Vithanage

MOSCOW: Sweden’s Ethiopian-born Abeba Aregawi won the women’s 1500m title at the World Athletics Championships on Thursday.

Aregawi, who was only cleared to run for Sweden in December 2012, six months after receiving Swedish citizenship, clocked 4min 02.67sec.

American Jennifer Simpson, the defending world champion, took silver in 4:02.99 with Kenyan Hellen Onsando Obiri claiming bronze (4:03.86). AGENCIES

rEgionAl intEr-dist sEnior cricKEt rEschEdulEd LAHORE: The Regional Inter-District Seniors tournament 2013-2014 which was scheduled to start from August 21 has been rescheduled as due to heavy rains throughout the country due to which most of the districts were not able to hold their trials. In view of the above, it has been decided that the tournament will now commence from 1st September 2013 instead of 21st August 2013. STAFF REPORT

PAlEstiniAn footbAll chiEf dEmAnds isrAEl ExPulsion RAMALLAH: The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) on Thursday urged FIFA to expel Israel from the international federation, saying it had refused to allow several Arab youth teams into the Palestinian territories.

“We ask (FIFA) for a red card, because the yellow card has been raised now for a long time,” PFA chief Jibril al-Rujub told reporters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

“We are clinging to the red card to take away the Israeli occupation’s legitimacy and we will not accept any compromise,” Rujub said.

AGEN C IE S

(Captain), Shehan Jayasuriya, Niroshan Dikwella, Udara Jayasundera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Rumesh Buddhika, Kusal Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Amila Aponso, Maduka Liyanapathirange, Lahiru Jayaratne, Kasun Madushanka, Lahiru Madushanka, Chathuranga Kumara, Charith Jayampathi.

Bangaladesh U23: Litton Das (Captain), Mizanur Rahman, Myshukur Rahman, Soumya Sarkar, Rumman Ahmed, Mohammad Mithun, Asif Ahmed, Nurul Hasan, Alauddin Babu, Mahamadul Hasan, Noor Hossain, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Islam, Dewan Sabbir, Abu Jayed.

Singapore: Saad Janjua(captain), Abhiraj Singh, Amjad Mahboob, AD de Lange, R Gaznavi, CR Kumarage, I Madakia, Mohamed Shoib, B Narender Reddy, AE Param, P Param, I Shekhar, KB Shinde, TR Singham, CR Suryawanshi.

UAE: Ahmed Raza(Captain), Abdul Shakoor, D D’Souza, Fayyaz Ahmed, AM Guruge, Mohammad Azam,Mohammad Naveed, Nasir Aziz, SP Patil, Rohan Mustafa, Saqib Ali, Shaiman Anwar, Sharif Asadullah,V Shetty, EHSN Silva.

KHI 17-08-2013_Layout 1 8/17/2013 2:45 AM Page 20

saturday, 17 August, 2013

sindhi nationalists step up fight for ‘sindhu desh’ SECURITY OFFICIALS BELIEVE RAW FOMENTING UNREST IN SINDH BY SUPPORTING SINDHI MILITANTS KARACHI AAmIR mAJEEd

A

S tensions increase between Pakistan and India on the Line of Control (LoC), Sindhi separatists have stepped up the fight for an “independent Sindh” allegedly with the support of India’s spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Pakistan Today has learnt.

The Sindhi nationalists have announced an open war against Punjabi settlers in the province. The separatists have assumed the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) as their role model and have formed a Sindhu Desh Liberation Army (SDLA) to start their “fight for freedom”.

The situation worsened after many nationalist groups joined the separatists in an armed struggle for “Sindhu Desh”, a proposed name for an independent Sindh. A new debate has started among various groups of Sindhi nationalists, the followers

of GM Syed, on whether they should follow non-violent struggle for a separate independent state or take up arms for the cause.

After the tension at the LoC, the separatists attacked government and public installations on the eve of Independence Day and blew up stalls in Hyderabad where national flags were seen flying. The attack on inter-provincial train Bahauddin Zakria Express was also carried out by activists of a Sindhi separatist group.

“There is no doubt that India is involved in fomenting unrest in Sindh,” a Military Intelligence (MI) official, who wished not to be named, told Pakistan Today. “The activists of SDLA are trained

by India and RAW is providing logistical support to separatists to carry on an armed struggle in Pakistan,” he claimed.

“The SDLA is operating from the slums of Karachi and sending trained manpower in interior parts of Sindh,” the MI officer said, adding, “If you can spare time then do visit Jumma Goth and Ibraheem Haidri areas where SDLA has set up training camps and imparting training to the youth.”

“When you visit these areas of Karachi, you will see anti-Pakistan and pro-India graffiti on the walls.”

“We are monitoring the activities of foreign-funded separatists and I want to

tell you that if anybody thinks that he would escape from the eyes of law enforcement agencies, he is mistaken.”

“I was deployed in Ibraheem Haidri two years ago with an assignment to monitor anti-state activities in the area but when I started working there, I observed people getting guerrilla training,” a Rangers Intelligence (RI) officer said.

“I was later transferred to interior Sindh to monitor another separatist group, Jeay Sindh Muttahida Mahaz (JSMM), and the situation there is no more different than that in Karachi,” he added. “This separatist group has made hilly areas of Jamshoro its headquarters where training is imparted to the youth,” he said, adding that “They recruit illiterate and poor youths from interior Sindh and teach them anti-Pakistan literature.” “After training, they are sent to Hyderabad and Nawab Shah for carrying out attacks,” he said, adding, “I am currently stationed in Naushero Feroze where blowing up public properties with hand grenades has become the order of the day.”

Not only this, the separatists have started campaigning on the social media to promote their cause. The JSMM on its Facebook page has demanded the United Nation intervene and help Sindhis in getting freedom from Pakistan.

During the visit of UN Secretary Gen-

eral Ban Ki-moon, the separatists organised rallies in various parts of Sindh. In pictures which were uploaded on their Facebook page, the activists of the JSMM carried banners inscribed with anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded the UN intervene and help Sindhi’s get freedom.

The SDLF on its Facebook page wrote that its members decided to shift its leadership abroad to start its work formally and now it would not remain underground.

“We want to tell all our Sindhi brothers that we are now starting our freedom fight in the streets, roads and villages of Sindh.

All Sindhis are requested to join the SDLF. We will send each and every applicant a membership form and the data of each and every member will be kept secret.”

“Many followers of GM Syed, who initially believed in a non-violent struggle, have started advocating violence to get Sindhu Desh,” Jeay Sindh Tehreek (JST) Senior Vice President Habib Jatoi said.

“The nationalists are divided under many factions but all of them are followers of GM Syed,” he added. “GM Syed raised voice for a separate state for Sindhis right after Pakistan’s independence and throughout his life he followed non-violent ways to get Sindh the status of an independent state,” he added.

tAsAdduQ hussAin APPointEd As Acting cEc ISLAMABAD ONlINE

Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has appointed senior Supreme Court judge, Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jillani as acting chief election commissioner (CEC) of Pakistan. As per details, Hussain was appointed acting CEC after former CEC Fakhrudin G Ebrahim’s resignation was accepted by President Asif Zardari.

SIALKOT: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif inspects the flood situation in a locality here on Friday. The CM said the government was trying to ensure maximum relief to the flood displaced people. ONlINE

heathrow Airport on high alert over ‘breast implant bombers’ threat LONDON ONlINE

London’s Heathrow Airport has been put on high terror alert after receiving intelligence reports that women suicide bombers are planning attacks with explosives concealed in breast implants. Security checks have been beefed up after credible intelligence that al Qaeda is plotting attacks on airlines flying out of London. According to the Mirror, one staff member said they had been told to pay particular attention to women, who could be hiding explosives in their breasts. Al Qaeda’s chief bomb-maker Ibrahim al-Asiri is understood to have developed the method of foiling airport scanners by concealing explosives in an implant or bodily cavity, the report said. Explosives expert Andy Oppenheimer said there was a great fear that al Qaeda was planning on using internal devices to try and get through airport scanners, the paper added.

indian spies in Pak jail allege torture, seek ‘death’ NEWS DESK Eleven Indian spies serving sentences at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail have said they would prefer death to the daily tortures allegedly inflicted on them by the jail authorities. The prisoners have penned down their plight in a letter that was delivered to Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna

by Jammu resident Vinod Sahni, who was recently released from the jail that hogged media limelight after Indian death convict Sarabjit Singh was killed in an attack by fellow prisoners in May this year. “We want to be freed of all pains and get rid of this hellish life,” the letter reads. The prisoners— -Kirpal Singh, Kuldip Singh, Dharam Singh, Mohammed Farid, Tilak Raj, Maqbool Lone, Abdul Majid, Shambhu Nath, Surja Ram, Mohinder Singh and Punwasi—-have appealed to the Indian government to allow the Pakistan government to shoot them dead.

Addressing their plea to Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Delhi governments and the media, the prisoners have said, “We have realised that we are paying for the crime of working with patriotic zeal. It seems the Indian government is working on a policy to let its citizens die in a foreign land.”

opposition grills govt for security breach in capital ISLAMABAD TAyyAB HuSSAIN

Lawmakers from the opposition on Friday came down hard on the federal government for mishandling Thursday’s high drama in the heart of the federal capital featuring an armed man and his family, with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MPs chanting slogans of “shame shame” in the National Assembly, leaving a cornered and concerned deputy speaker to immediately adjourn the session for Monday.

The opposition lawmakers stood on their seats over the surprise deferment of the proceedings and kept chanting slogans against the government. Later, they decided to go to the media with their protest over the government’s “indifference and apathy” on the sensitive matter. The opposition lawmakers were furious over the mysterious absence of all federal ministers from the National Assembly proceedings as no one was present to respond to the concerns raised by the legislators about the security breach by the

armed man identified as Sikandar.

Awami Muslim League chief Shaikh Rasheed raised the matter while PTI Deputy Parliamentary Leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi questioned the absence of the ministers which he claimed reflected the indifference of the government.

Neither was Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan available in the House to brief it on the incident nor was any other important minister.

Even Water and Power Minister Khwaja Asif left the House after around two hours. His exit prompted more sloganeering by the opposition MPs. Apart from Asif, the only other minister available in the House, Barjees Tahir, the minister for Kashmir affairs, also left despite the fact that the opposition was grilling the government for its ineptness and commitment to providing security to the residents of Islamabad.

Qureshi termed the incident a “security lapse”, adding, “It was a dangerous, tragic and shameful incident which exposed the capabilities of our security apparatus.” The PTI leader said the minister for interior should have briefed the House about the incident.

He said the accused was not well trained but

he had paralysed the capital for over five hours. “The government looked helpless and clueless as to how to deal with the situation.”

Shaikh Aftab, the chief whip of the PMLN, tried to console the protesting MPs, saying the session had been adjourned due to Friday prayers but Qureshi said there was ample time for the treasury to take the House into confidence. He also offered the treasury to hold the sitting after Friday prayers. PTI Information Secretary Shireen Mazari said Friday prayers were used by the government as a mere ploy to avoid accountability. Earlier, with the Question Hour ending, the opposition MPs rose up their seats and sought permission to talk on a point of order. Once allowed, MQM lawmaker Nabil Gabol said the incident exposed the inadequate security measures at sensitive areas, including the President House, the PM’s House, and the National Assembly.

“What will happen if members of a banned organisation came to the National Assembly?” Gabol argued. He also praised Zamurd Khan for showing courage in overpowering the armed man and bringing an end to the drama. Shaikh Rasheed said the in-

cident had totally exposed flawed security arrangements in the capital as a single armed man had paralysed the entire capital apparatus.

“What to talk of an attack by hardcore militants when a normal person can paralyse the security system for five long hours,” he said. Deputy Speaker Murtaza Javed Abbasi, on the repeated objection on treasury benches, asked State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad to ensure government’s response on the issue.

Ahmad assured the House that the government would share a detailed response on Monday. PPP’s Naveed Qamar said the incident had spread a sense of insecurity in the country, adding that there was a need to hold a serious debate on the issue in parliament.

Lauding Zamurd Khan’s bravery, Qamar said he had put an end to the insane man’s drama.

QUEstiOn hOUr: Earlier, Minister of Inter-Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada informed the House that elements who wanted to malign Pakistan were involved in killing of the foreign tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He said around 1,161,245 local and foreign tourists had visited Pakistan’s various

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

areas in year 2011. He said around 966,277 tourists visited Pakistan in 2011 while 906,818 tourists visited in 2010. To another query, SAFRON Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch said there were 1.62 million registered Afghan refugees in the country, adding that efforts were being made to register the unregistered refugees. Baloch said 3.8 million Afghan refugees had been repatriated to their homeland during the past 11 years. The minister of state for parliamentary affairs said Pakistan had granted most favoured nation (MFN) status to all members of the WTO on reciprocal basis‚ except for India and Israel.

He added that India had never given a positive response of the conciliatory steps taken by Pakistan and presently both countries were not enjoying good relations. State Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan told the House that the government had taken a number of steps to facilitate 1.6 million Pakistanis residing in Saudi Arabia. He said an amount of Rs 3,777,488 had been allocated for securing the release of four prisoners detained in various jails of Saudi Arabia due to non-payment of fines.