e-paper pakistantoday 23rd February, 2013 by Pakistan Today

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Rs 17.00 Vol III No 237 19 Pages Karachi Edition

Saturday, 23 February, 2013 Rabi us Sani 12, 1434

global politics used religion as a weapon of war President Asif Ali Zardari has called for unity and harmony to address the challenge of extremism and terrorism, as he said that global politics had used religion as a weapon of war. story on page 02

Gov MaGsi’s Rule in Balochistan to Go By MaRch 14

The Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government has decided to revoke the Governor’s Rule in Balochistan and reinstate the provincial government in the province by March 14. story on page 03

lJ leader Malik ishaq ‘surrenders’ to police in ryK

The leader of the Lashkar-eJhangvi (LJ) has surrendered himself to authorities, police said on Friday, a week after the banned religious outfit claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing in Quetta killing over 90 people. story on page 03

story page 24

china to help commission two nuclear power plants by 2016

story page 04

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no legislation required for overseas pakistanis’ voting rights, says sc

story page 02

irked by ip deal, us suggests ‘better way’ to meet energy needs

pakistan wants trade, not us aid, says nawaz

Mps on fire over lost Kishanganga case, demand fixing responsibility

story page 02

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PML-N has no shortage of candidates nor it has the need for support of any extremist group. — Punjab govt spokesman Pervez Rasheed

N NewS Saturday, 23 February, 2013

19 dead aS bUS PlUnGeS Into canal In PeShawar

PESHAWAR: At least 19 people were killed and another eight were injured when a bus, carrying wedding guests, plunged into a canal on Charsadda Road in Peshawar on Friday. Five of the 19 killed were women. Rescue teams took the dead and the injured to Lady Reading Hospital. According to rescue sources, most of the injured were women and children. nni

SbP SayS Governor mISqUoted on loan defaUlterS’ lISt KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has clarified that SBP Governor Yaseen Anwar’s statement regarding the submission of loan defaulters’ list to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on February 26 has been incorrectly reported in a section of the press on Friday. Clarifying the statement of the governor, the SBP spokesman pointed out that Anwar, while making submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance on Thursday, had not said the loan defaulters’ list would be furnished to the ECP on February 26. “What the governor told the Senate Standing Committee was that the defaulters’ list would be updated by February 25 and be readily available thereafter to the Election Commission provided a request is received by the State Bank from ECP regarding the clearance of any candidate contesting the elections,” the spokesman said. The spokesman said the SBP governor neither informed the Standing Committee nor the Election Commission about the submission of defaulters’ list to the ECP. STAFF RePORT

Global politics used religion as a weapon of war: Zardari PRESIDENT TELLS INTERFAITH MOOT HE BELIEVES IN TOLERANT ISLAM ISLAMABAD

STAFF RePORT

ReSIDeNT Asif Ali Zardari has called for unity and harmony to address the challenge of extremism and terrorism, as he said that global politics had used religion as a weapon of war. Speaking at the concluding session of National Conference on Interfaith Harmony titled “Living together with diversity - Interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue” in Islamabad on Friday, the president said he believed in tolerant Islam and had to counter those who believe in hate. He said he had been pleading with the world community that the way the issue of terrorism was being addressed would not lead us to success. He said there was a need for adopting an approach of peace and reconciliation. He pointed out that more than three decades of war in Afghanistan had not brought peace to that country and Pakistan was worst affected by the turmoil in Afghanistan. The president pointed out that there was time when no one in Pakistan could

imagine blowing himself up as suicide bomber, as Islam was against suicide. He said people at that time lived in peace and harmony and there were no sectarian issues, but then global politics changed the situation and religion was used as weapon of war. Retired chief justice Rana Bhagwandas said Pakistanis could address the challenge of extremism and terrorism through unity and tolerance. He said the country was passing through a critical phase and there was need to take practical steps to

promote inter-faith harmony. Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman read out declaration of the conference that called among other things establishment of a National Council for Interfaith Harmony consisting of representatives from various faiths. The conference also recommended formation of local level committees to promote national harmony. It proposed discarding the use of the word ‘minorities’ replacing it with some

Pakistan wants trade, not US aid, says Nawaz

appropriate word like Non-Muslim Pakistanis. The conference recommended encouragement of inter-faith dialogue and steps by the international community to address root causes of terrorism. It condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It emphasised that terrorism should not be attributed to a particular group or nation. A copy of the declaration was also presented to the president who said he accepted the recommendations.

US says ‘better’ alternatives to IP gas pipeline available WASHINGTON APP

LAHORE Online

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has urged the Obama administration to shift the focus of its relationship with Pakistan away from aid to one based on trade, investment and greater people-to-people contacts. The former prime minister was talking to Senator Robert Menendez, the newly-elected chairman of the US Senate committee on foreign relations, who called on him at Raiwind on Friday. During the course of the meeting, the two sides were able to have a comprehensive exchange on a number of issues of mutual

interest. The former prime minister congratulated Senator Menendez on his election to this important office, recalling that his predecessor, Senator John Kerry, who has been appointed as the new secretary of state, had played an important role in promoting US-Pakistan relations. He added that he was confident that under his guidance, the US policy towards Pakistan would be based on the principle of mutual trust and mutual interest. Nawaz emphasised that Pakistan was an important country in a sensitive region, whose contribution to confronting terrorism and promoting peace and security in South Asia should be recognised and appreciated.

The PML-N chief emphasised that given the complexity of the situation in the region, it was important that the two countries worked closely and in an atmosphere of trust and understanding. Senator Menendez thanked the former prime minister for the meeting and remarked that the US had deep respect for him and for his contribution to strengthening democracy in Pakistan. He added that the US was following closely developments in Pakistan leading up to the forthcoming elections. “This would be an important event, as it would mark the first peaceful transition from one elected government to another elected one, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution,” the senator added.

The United States has said that there were “better and more cost-effective” ways available with Pakistan than projects like the Pak-Iran gas pipeline deal for the country to address its energy needs. “We understand that Pakistan has significant energy needs and requirements, but there are other long-term solutions to Pakistan’s energy needs that we would believe would have better potential for success and would better meet Pakistan’s needs than spending scarce resources on projects like this,” a State Department spokesperson told reporters at the daily press briefing on Thursday. She was responding to a question about press reports that Pakistan would face US sanctions if it went ahead with the Pak-Iran pipeline project. “Let me just say broadly that we continue our dialogue with Pakistan with regard to Iran,” Nuland said. “We’ve made clear to countries around the world, includ-

ing Pakistan, that we believe that it’s in their interest to avoid activities that could be prohibited by UN sanctions or that could be sanctionable under US law.” The US was involved in many ways to help Pakistan address its energy needs, including ones that would add some 900 megawatts of power to the grid by 2013, enough power to supply an estimated 2 million households. These include renovating the power plant at Tarbela and Mangla Dams, modernising the thermal power plant at Guddu and Jamshoro, Muzaffargarh and building new plants at Satpara and the Gomal Dam. When specifically asked if the proposed gas pipeline with Pakistan came under the sanctionable items, Nuland said as these were being developed, she was not in a position to make that kind of an assessment. “But we believe there are better ways and more secure ways and more cost-efficient ways for Pakistan to get its power,” she added.

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The legal, political and administrative reforms introduced by the government are far-reaching in nature and would take some time to bear fruit. — Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf

Governor’s rule in balochistan to go by march 14 ISLAMABAD AnweR AbbAS

The Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government has decided to revoke the Governor’s Rule in Balochistan and reinstate the provincial government in the province by March 14. Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Farooq H Naik told journalists outside the Parliament House that the government had decided to revoke the Governor’s Rule and reinstate the provincial government by March 14, as it was the requirement under the constitution for coming polls. Naik said that setting up a civilian government was the requirement under the constitution, so that the caretaker setup may be introduced in the province prior to the polls. The imposition of the Governor’s Rule was made through an executive order and would be re-

reinstateMent of provincial govt constitutional requireMent for elections

Senator abIdI wIthdrawS reSIGnatIon

voked through the same procedure, he added. To a question, the minister said no suggestion for summoning the joint sitting of parliament was under review to confirm the Governor’s Rule. After restoration, the re-instated civilian set-up in the province would elect its own leader of the House. The Governor’s Rule was imposed in the province after the deadly bombings against the Hazara community that resulted in over a 100 deaths. Following the January bombings, the Hazara community staged a protest sit-in that spread throughout the country, following which Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf reached Quetta to negotiate with the protesters. He announced imposing the Governor’s Rule. A visible i m provement in the law a n d order in t h e

LAW MiNiStER fAROOq NAEk

province was witnessed after the governor took control of the province.

RAHIM YAR KHAN AGenCieS

The leader of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ) has surrendered himself to authorities, police said on Friday, a week after the banned religious outfit claimed responsibility for a deadly bombing in Quetta killing over 90 people. Senior police officer Ashfaq Gujar said Malik Ishaq was arrested from his residence at the Airport Road in Rahim Yar Khan on Friday. It was not immediately clear on what charges he was arrested. According to reports, Ishaq has been detained for a period of one month, although it could not be verified as police

mIra PhaIlbUS becomeS fIrSt ombUdSwoman PUnjab LAHORE: The Punjab government has appointed former principal of Kinnaird College of Women Mira Phailbus as the first Ombudswoman of the province. Notification in this regard has been issued, Punjab Women’s Development Department Secretary Irum Bukhari said. Appointment of ombudswoman in Punjab first time in the history of the country has completed implementation package for women’s development, empowerment and social protection, she added. APP

AMiR SAeeD

The Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) submitted its final report on the ephedrine Quota Case, in which it declared Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Ali Musa Gilani and seven others as principal accused whereas principal secretary of former prime minister was declared a proclaimed offender. Control of Narcotics Substances (CNS) judge Arshad Mehmood Tabassum heard the case, during the course of which investigating officer of the case Abid Zulfiqar presented a report comprising 4,000 pages. Federal minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin, son of former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani, MNA Ali Musa Gillani, Col (r) Tahir Lahoti, Ansar Farooq, Ansaar Ahmed, Asad Hafeez, Abdul Sattar Sorani, Iftikhar Ahmed Babar and Abdul Khaliq have been termed as the main accused. Former principal secretary of prime minister Khushnood Lashari, Tauqir Ali Khan and Anjum Shah have been declared as proclaimed offenders. Former Health director general Dr Rasheed Juma and Danas Pharmaceutical director Rizwan Ahmed Khan have been declared approvers of the

refrained from commenting on the charges of his arrest. Ishaq is one of the founders of the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi group, which is accused of sectarian violence and has claimed several attacks on the ethnic Hazara Shia population in Balochistan. Ishaq, who also belongs to the now defunct Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, was also detained last year on accusations of fanning sectarian hatred. The arrest comes a day after the Pakistan Army emphatically denied it maintained any links with the banned terror outfit. “The armed forces were not in contact with any militant organisation, including Lashkar-eJhangvi,” ISPR chief Maj Gen Asim

Bajwa told a media briefing on Thursday. “There is no reason to think about army’s involvement with LJ,” Gen Bajwa had said. Human rights organisations have accused the army and its intelligence agencies of maintaining links with Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. The allegations stem from the army using Ishaq for negotiating with the terrorists who had attacked the military headquarters in October 2009. Ishaq’s subsequent release from jail was sceptically seen as a deal. The escape of LJ’s operational commander in Balochistan, Usman Saifullah Kurd, in 2008 from a detention facility in the military Cantonment in Quetta has also raised questions.

SLGO 1979 signed into law KARACHI STAFF RePORT

Acting Sindh Governor Nisar Khuhro on Friday signed the Local Government Bill 1979 into law, despite protests by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The Local Government Ordinance 1979 stands restored across Sindh after the signing. A few hours earlier, Khuhro appointed MQM MPA Syed Sardar Ahmed as leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly. On Thursday, the Sindh Assembly announced the repeal of Sindh Peoples’ Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) 2012. The move came a few days after the MQM parted ways with the PPP both in the Centre as well as the province. The move has infuriated the MQM, whose members staged a walkout from the National Assembly

ephedrine case: ANF terms Shahabuddin, Ali Musa as primary accused

RAWALPINDI

NewS Saturday, 23 February, 2013

LJ leader Malik Ishaq ‘surrenders’

ISLAMABAD: PPP Senator Syed Faisal Raza Abidi has withdrawn his resignation which he had submitted earlier. Abidi withdrew his resignation during a meeting with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He expressed his complete confidence in the party leadership. The senator pledged that he would continue to struggle for the mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto and would play his role for the rights of the downtrodden people and democracy under the leadership of President Asif Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Online

ephedrine quota. Four of the alleged offenders have been declared as secondary accused, which gives the court discretion to indict or acquit Hashim Khan, Ahsanur Rehman, Chaudary Waheed and Tanveer Sherazi. According to the final report, the accused were involved in illegal allocation of 9,500 kg ephedrine to two pharmaceutical companies—Berlex and Danas—who allegedly smuggled it abroad. Under the law, the investigation agency was bound to submit the report of the case within 14 days after registration of the FIR but it took ANF more than one and a half to come up with one. The case was registered with the ANF directorate, Rawalpindi, on October 10, 2011. On Friday, Makhdoom Shahabuddin filed an application before the court in which he pleaded that he will be contesting elections and would be involved in campaigning, and therefore requested exemption from appearing in court. Lawyers of accused requested the court to provide them with copies of the final report and copies of ANF’s application regarding frozen accounts of their clients. The court accepted the application of Shahabuddin and issued notices to ANF. It also directed the prosecution to submit a reply. The hearing was adjourned until April 20.

session on Friday. The MQM lawmakers had already submitted a letter to the Sindh Assembly speaker on February 18 for allocation of seats to the members to discharge their duties as members of the opposition. The MQM on Friday decided to nominate Syed Sardar Ahmed, elected on PS-116, as leader of the opposition. The MQM is the second largest party in the Sindh Assembly after the PPP with 51 MPAs and parted ways with the PPP over a host of issues, including withdrawal of criminal cases against alleged Lyari gangsters. Still, certain sections of the media believe that there is some “understanding” between the PPP and MQM over the latter’s going into the opposition. ‘NO UNDERSTANDING’: Talking to reporters, MQM’s Deputy Parliamentary Leader Syed Faisal Sabzwari

rejected reports that there was an “understanding” with the PPP over the MQM’s going into opposition. He said they were in majority in the opposition as they enjoyed support of 51 legislators. Sabzwari said even barring their party’s ministers, they had support of 40 MPAs, thus they were in majority to be allotted the opposition leader’s slot to their nominee. EBAD LEAVES FOR UK: Meanwhile, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul ebad left for London to meet MQM chief Altaf Hussain, sources said on Friday. The party chief decided to hold a meeting with the governor after the imposition of the Local Government Act 1979 in Sindh. Sources said the MQM would likely opt for ebad’s resignation, as it could benefit the party before the general election.

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We will create 15 to 20 new provinces consisting of one or two divisions if we come into power. – Minhajul Quran chief Dr Tahirul Qadri

NewS Saturday, 23 February, 2013

no legislation required for overseas Pakistanis’ voting rights: Sc ISLAMABAD

STAFF RePORT

three-member Supreme Court bench on Friday observed that without the participation of eligible overseas Pakistani voters, elections could not be called fair and transparent. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, was hearing a petition filed by PTI chief Imran Khan seeking voting rights for Pakistanis living abroad. The bench noted that participation of overseas Pak-

qadri favours South Punjab province MULTAN APP

Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri said that he was in favour of establishment of South Punjab province and announced to create 15 to 20 new provinces consisting of one or two divisions if they come into power. Addressing a public gathering at sports ground here, he said that they would introduce unilateral education system and accountability across the country after reaching the power corridors. Qadri said that he would announce future strategy at a public meeting at Liaqat Bagh in Rawalpindi on March 17. He claimed that it was the biggest public meeting in such weather in the history of Multan. The PAT chief said that the youth was future of the country and added that women shared equal participation with men in the progress of Pakistan. Dr Tahirul Qadri said the country was facing double standard and added that terrorism, extremism and inflation had made the life difficult. He suggested ten point national agenda for the solution of problems faced by the country.

istanis in the upcoming general elections was possible given right steps are taken by concerned authorities. The chief justice noted that the election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) should take concrete steps to enable participation of overseas Pakistanis in the polls. He said there was no need to pass a separate law for giving voting rights to the eligible overseas Pakistanis. The apex court on Feb 14 had handed out a set of proposals for ensuring voting rights to overseas Pakistanis in the coming general election. The court had noted that the task appeared to be arduous, but it suggested an immediate meeting between

the election commission and the ministries of interior and overseas Pakistanis to devise a mechanism for the purpose and wanted the outcome to be submitted by Feb 22. During the hearing on Friday, Muhammad Munir Piracha, counsel for eCP, contended that a legislation was necessary to enable the overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes. But the court rejected his contention, noting that no any such legislation was required. The chief justice said that if vote could be cast through postal ballot within the country, then why not it could be cast from outside the country. He said vote could be cast from

SC orders ATC to dispose of Shahzeb murder case within 7 days ISLAMABAD STAFF RePORT

The Supreme Court has directed an anti-terrorism court (ATC) to dispose of the Shahzeb Khan murder case within seven days. A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, was hearing the case here on Friday. The chief justice expressed dissatisfaction on the performance of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and rejected its report in the case. The bench also ordered the FIA director general to submit a reply over a false report presented earlier in the court within three days. In its short order, the SC remarked that Shahrukh Jatoi, the key accused in the Shahzeb murder case, misled the FIA, Customs, Immigration and ASF officials. FIA Director Mohammad Malik submitted before the

court that PIA’s protocol staff was involved in Shahrukh’s escape. He said the Sindh Police had obtained a CCTV footage and had given an assurance that those responsible for the escape would be arrested soon. He said several people cross the VIP lounge along with one VIP. The Sindh DIG said there was no footage of the escape of the accused at which Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed questioned whether Shahrukh had reached the plane through a helicopter. earlier, the court had remarked that the role of the FIA in providing the video footage was unsatisfactory, adding that there should be action against police and FIA officials involved in the escape of the prime accused in the case, Shahrukh. The Karachi Police had submitted the file pertaining to Shahzeb’s murder at the beginning of Friday’s hearing in the Supreme Court.

NATO considers post-2014 Afghan force of 8,000-12,000 BRUSSELS AGenCieS

Allies are discussing keeping a NATO force of between 8,000 and 12,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014, the United States said on Friday in the first official indication of how many foreign troops will stay in the country after most combat troops leave. US President Barack Obama has not decided how many American troops will remain in Afghanistan after 2014, Pentagon spokesman George Little said. "The president is still re-

viewing options and has not made a decision about the size of a possible U.S. presence after 2014, and we will continue to discuss with allies and the Afghans how we can best carry out two basic missions: targeting the remnants of al Qaeda and its affiliates, and training and equipping Afghan forces," Little said after a NATO defence ministers' meeting in Brussels. US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta earlier denied comments by German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere that the United States had told allies in Brus-

sels that the United States alone could keep 8,000 to 12,000 troops in Afghanistan. "A range of 8-12,000 troops was discussed as the possible size of the overall NATO mission, not the U.S. contribution," Little said. NATO-led forces in Afghanistan are gradually handing over responsibility for security to their Afghan counterparts as most foreign combat forces prepare to leave the country by the end of 2014. NATO will lead a smaller training mission in Afghanistan after 2014.

outside the country by writing the name of constituency on the ballot paper and such ballot papers could be issued and received by the concerned Pakistani embassy. The chief justice observed that the eCP had vast powers for holding the elections, adding the eCP could devise a mechanism for the registered voters facilitating them to cast their votes. Justice Chaudhry asked the eCP’s counsel as what steps had been taken to declare casting of vote mandatory. The bench also sought a report on meetings held under the chairmanship of the Attorney General with the concerned officials and adjourned the hearing to Feb 27.

FC personnel booked for killing ASwJ ‘terrorists’ QUETTA SHAHZADA ZUlFiQAR

On the demand of the AhleSunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), local police registered a murder case against Frontier Corps personnel for killing two suspected terrorists on Friday. The ASWJ, whose over 100 activists have been killed, staged a sit-in outside the Governor’s House that lasted 10 hours. They had blocked the main VVIP road by placing the bodies of two suspected terrorists killed by the FC personnel earlier in the day in Nawab Killi area of Quetta. The FC had also arrested four suspected terrorists while four of the security force’s personnel were also injured. The protesters had been insisting that a murder case be registered against the FC personnel. They said they would not end the sit-in until their de-

KARACHI: Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat activists stage a sit-in against the killing of two party workers in Quetta. Staff Photo

mand was accepted. Provincial authorities, led by Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani, tried to persuade the protesters to end their sit-in, but in vain. Ultimately, the government gave in and agreed to register a case against the FC personnel. No

name was mentioned in the FIR but just that it was being registered against “FC personnel”. After the registration of the case, the protesters dispersed peacefully. Neither any police officer nor the home secretary was available for comment.

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With every passing day, the province is emerging as a top choice for foreign and local investment including relocation of industries from the developed economies. – Chairman Sindh Board of Investment Muhammad Zubair Motiwala

KARACHI Saturday, 23 February, 2013

Weather uPdateS

maSSIve corrUPtIon In benaZIrabad PAC INFORMED THAT BENAZIRABAD DISTRICT GOVT COMMITTED FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES OF RS 114 MILLION DURING THE YEAR 2010-11

290C high

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INDH Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee was informed on Friday that Shaheed Benazirabad district government committed financial irregularities worth Rs 114 million during the year 2010-11. During scrutiny of the audit, it was pointed out by the audit officials that district

coordination officer (DCO) was not competent to hire the services of legal advisor at the fee of Rs 4,75,000. It was contended that permission from the Sindh law department should have been obtained which was not done in this case. The PAC issued directions to the assembly secretariat to seek opinion from the finance department to this effect. Over Rs 7,00,

000 expenditures without inviting open tenders, the district govt contended the money was spent at different times within the prescribed limit and no tender was required. However, the audit officials argued the expenditure was incurred by splitting up of purchase orders in seven months to avoid tendering process. About expenditures Rs 4.243 million incurred on repair and renovation of the mosque in Benazirabad, the audit official argued the district administration had not provided satisfactory evidence to verify the expenditures. The PAC was also informed that district govt had failed to recover

fajr Sunrise Zuhr asr maghrib Isha 5:44 6:59 12:46 4:04 6:31 7:48

though belated, IG’s advises prudently! Intelligence reports from the law enforcement agencies and special branch should be followed to ensure prompt action fayyaz ahMed leghari INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE KARACHI: Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Fayyaz Ahmed Leghari presided a meeting here on Friday regarding the law and order. The meeting held at the central police office reviewed in detail the performance report of crimes branch, CID police and operations investigation. The IGP directed that intelligence reports from the law enforcement agencies and special branch be followed to ensure prompt action. He also instructed deployment of plain-clothed police officers and jawans in the crimes-prone and sensitive areas of the metropolis. Leghari asked all the units of the police to coordinate for making the action against the criminals more meaningful. He also emphasised effective and across-the-board action against the criminals and their sponsors. The IGP also stressed the need of strict checking at the main highways and link roads in the main cities, province as well as the entry points from other provinces. APP

District Benazirabad officials did not cooperate with our team for audit purposes ghulaM aKbar sohu SINDH AUDIT DIRECTOR GENERAL outstanding dues of Rs 1.522 million from tenants and no efforts had been made to this effect so far. Meanwhile, at the start of PAC proceedings, Sindh Audit Director General Ghulam Akbar Sohu complained that the district Benazirabad officials did not cooperate with their team for audit purposes. Benazirabad DC Rashid Zardari said they showed ‘a lot of care’ to the audit team’s requirements and also offered them drink, meal and other necessary things. The PAC meeting was chaired by Sardar Jam Tamachi Unnar while only one MPA Muhammad Amir Moin Pirzada attended it. At the end of proceedings, the audit official said there were total 16 paras of Benazirabad district govt involving financial irregularities of Rs 114 million out of which seven paras were settled containing Rs 53 million.

Call to end sit-in justified EMINENT SCHOLARS, PRAYER LEADERS ENDORSE SHIA LEADERSHIP’S DECISION TO CALL OFF THE SIT-IN AS THEY SAY ALL OF THEIR DEMANDS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED

KARACHI: KPK Shia Ulema Council President Allama Ramzan along with others talks to media persons. Online

KARACHI nni

eminent Shia religious scholars and prayer leaders have announced their all out support to the Shia leadership and their decision for calling-off the sit-in that they had appealed to stage against Hazaras killings in Quetta. More than

40 scholars and prayer leaders spoke at a joint press conference and issued a joint communiqué at the Karachi Press Club on Friday. Those who attended the press conference included Allama Mirza Yousuf Hussain of All Pakistan Shia Action Committee, Allama Shahenshah Naqvi of Shia Ulema Council, Maulana Sadiq Taqvi of Majlis-e-Wahdat-eMuslimeen, Maulana Ghulam Ali Waziri, Maulana Baqar Abbas Zaidi, Maulana Haider Abbas Abidi, Maulana Naeem-ul-Hassan Hussaini, Maulana Shaikh Ghulam Mohammad Saleem, Maulana Razi Haider, Maulana Ahmed Ali Amini, Maulana Ali Afzaal Rizvi, Maulana Mohammad Hussain Karimi, Maulana Ali Anwar Jafri and many others. They appreciated the dynamic leadership of Shia religious scholars and endorsed their decision to call-off the sit-in protest saying it was right and justified since the government had accepted all 20 demands with minor amendments in three demands only. They disclosed that a 3-members

committee was formed to coordinate with the government and oversee the implementation of the demands. The committee comprises of Sardar Saadat Ali Hazara, Sardar Qayoom Changezi and Ms Ruqayya Hashmi. They said the Shia religious leadership, heirs and relatives of the martyrs of Hazara Town Tragedy and Quetta Yakjehti Council jointly put 20 demands that included: Targeted operation against terrorists in and around Quetta, stern action against the leaders of outlawed Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba (now working under new name Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat), release of all the innocent Shiites and Hazara Shia Muslims, immediate payment of compensatory amounts to the heirs of martyrs of previous tragedies, payment of compensation to the heirs of martyrs of Hazara Town tragedy, injured victims and to those who suffered colossal financial losses due to havoc wrought by the huge twin blasts, withdrawal of false cases registered against Shia notables in the wake of al-Quds Day and other events, foolproof security against the biased attitude towards Hazaras and non-Hazara Shia Muslims, students, traders and government employees in Quetta and other areas of Baluchistan, registration

of cases against those outlawed terrorist groups which claimed responsibility for massacre of Shia Muslims, arms licenses under easy procedure for selfprotection of Shias, removal of anti-Shia graffiti and punishment to those who write such graffiti, upgradation of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, recruitment of 5,000 Shias in security forces in Quetta, government jobs to each heir of martyrs, at least Rs 2 million compensation for the injured victims, allotment of a free plot of 200 square yards to each martyr’s heirs, free education up to graduation level to the children of martyrs, establishment of girls and boys colleges in Hazara Town. The Shia leaders said all of these demands were accepted as legitimate. However, the Baluchistan governor said that plots would be allotted in Jhal Magsi, 1,000 Shia youths will be recruited in forces and Rs 1 million will be paid as compensatory amount. They said targeted operation was launched forthwith and many terrorists were killed and arrested. They said a party that had launched a media war against Shia leadership did not represent the martyrs and they also did not enjoy moral authority to say anything on the behalf of Hazara and non-Hazara Shia community.

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KARACHI Saturday, 23 February, 2013

Shair-e-Inqilab and Shair-e-Shabab josh malihabadi

kARACHi: Students of a local school present a tableau during a ceremony in connection with World Scouts Day. Online

rashid rekha killed in rangers operation KARACHI

STAFF RePORT

eAVY contingents of police and Rangers conducted an overnight targeted operation in the metropolis area of Kharadar and killed a notorious gang-war criminal Rashid Rekha and arrested eight other suspected people. Meantime, two others groups entered an armed clash in Malir area of Bakra

Peerhi, triggering panic in the area. It should be mentioned here that Kharadar hitherto remained a virtual battleground for two days now and witnessed exchange of fire between two armed factions that culminated tonight into the targeted operation by the law-enforcers during which the proclaimed offender Rashid Rekha was killed. The unarmed citizens remained besieged back at their houses, shops and mosques. Rashid Rekha had a bounty worth Rs 500,000 on his head for involvement in gruesome offences. The exchange of fire

is still in progress in the area. According to Ranger sources, eight other miscreants including a notorious terrorist Abdul Jabbar alias Jingo has also been arrested. Meanwhile, police arrested 10 suspects during targeted operations in different parts of Sohrab Goth here on Friday. The late night operation was launched keeping in view increasing crimes in Faqeera Goth and Jamali Goth areas. Police said the suspects were involved in robberies, murder, attempted murder and other crimes. Weapons were

also recovered during the operation 25 INDIAN FISHERMEN SENT TO jAIL: A local court has sent 25 Indian fishermen to jail on judicial remand here on Friday. On Friday, Docks Police presented 25 Indian fishermen, who were arrested for illegal fishing in Pakistani territorial waters, before the Judicial Magistrate Gharbi Aziz Allah Khoso. The arrested fishermen were sent to jail on judicial remand till March 10. Maritime security agency had arrested the 25 fishermen and also took into custody five of their vessels.

KARACHI: The 31st death anniversary of great revolutionary poet Josh Malihabadi was observed here on Friday. His real name was Shabbir Hasan Khan and he was born on December 5‚ 1894, and died as Shair-e-Inqilab and Shair-e-Shabab (poet of revolution and youth) on February 22, 1982. Josh Malihabadi is reputed to have had a masterful command over Urdu and was quite strict about respecting the grammar and rules of the language. The first collection of his poetry was published in 1921. He was not only a poet but also an intellectual and prolific writer as he wrote about religion, history and politics as well. He fought for the independence of the Indian sub-continent through his writings. A number of his poems were written against the British rule. He is remembered as the greatest revolutionary poet of the pre-independence era. Some of his poems were broadcast by German radio during the Second World War. He was awarded the highest Indian medal ‘Padma Bhoshan’ in 1954. His poetry and publications include Shola-o-Shabnam‚ Junoon-oHikmat‚ Fikr-o-Nishaat‚ Sunbal-o-Salaasal‚ Harf-o-Hikaayat‚ Sarod-o-Kharosh‚ Irfaniyate-Josh and Yaadon ki Baraat. Literary and research work on ‘Josh Malihabadi’ efforts from some experts have become a movement of ‘Josh Shanasi’ in Pakistan. The main objective of the literary movement is to authentically discover the hidden but luminous features of the great poet especially among the admirers of Urdu literature. inP

labour leader assumes office KARACHI: A prominent labour leader Habibuddin Junaidi has been appointed as member of the Sindh Workers Welfare Board. A reception would be arranged in this connection at a local hotel today, said an announcement here on Friday by the Habib Bank Workers Front of Pakistan (CBA). APP

Mohatta presents ‘Labyrinth of Reflections’ RASHID RANA SHOWCASES HIS ART WORKS KARACHI STAFF RePORT

The largest solo exhibition in Pakistan till date, Mohatta Palace Museum presents ‘Labyrinth of Reflections: The Art of Rashid Rana’. The much-anticipated contemporary art exhibition entitled ‘Labyrinth of Reflections: The Art of Rashid Rana 1992 – 2012’ is due to open at the Mohatta Palace Museum on the 17th of February 2013. Rashid Rana is undoubtedly the most critically acclaimed artist in Pakistan today and one of the most prominent modern artists in South Asia. His works have been acquired by various collectors and exhibited at prestigious institutions such as the British Museum in London, the Modern Museum of Art in New York, the Fukuoka Museum in Japan, the Asia Society Museum in New York and the Queensland Art Gallery in Australia amongst various others. This retrospective which opens at Mohatta Palace Museum will be the largest survey show of a contemporary Pakistani artist to be exhibited in Pakistan till date en-

compassing more than 60 of his works. The works exhibited in Rana’s mid career retrospective trace the artist’s journey from its naissance to present day – his early years as a painter to his more recent digital photo mosaics and photo sculptures. The process of aggregating, juxtaposing and re-imagining imagery is one of the primary strategies in Rana’s latest body of works. Although trained as a painter, the artist has tran-

scended the notion of tradition in art, rather using it as a blueprint for modification whilst not confining to it completely – which is visible in his digital prints and installations. Having received a huge amount of global recognition, this is the first time that a solo exhibition of this scale of Rana’s works will be displayed in Pakistan. During the course of his artistic career which has

spanned over two decades, Rana has sought to communicate not only with a small fraction of society but to the masses at large. The use of familiar symbols and archetypes in the artist’s work engage a larger audience as they address the contradictions and negative stereotypes that exist in our world today. Rana’s art works know no territories, cultural limits, geographical and political boundaries – his works are not a reflection

of occurrences in marginal society but rather in the world as a composite whole. His works do not speak in a dialect, rather in a universal language – one that every member of society can comprehend and relate to. Rana fixates on dissonances and plurality and how they manifest in our everyday living. Through images and stimulations in his works, he reveals that many ideas and notions are deceptively different than what they would originally seem once viewed closely – a similar idea which runs fluently in all his works. It is this practice and Rana’s heightened sensitivity to his surroundings that make his works susceptible to huge appraisal at every corner of the globe. Apart from the critical acclaim that his works have received, Rashid Rana’s works have been valued and acquired at prices higher than any Pakistani artist in the past. In 2008, his Red Carpet-1, 2007, was sold by Sotheby’s for US $623,000, making Rana’s work the most expensive by any Pakistani artist in history. Labyrinth of Reflections: The Art of Rashid Rana is an exhibition which can be interpreted on competing levels; allowing multiple perspectives on the artist’s potent political and cultural commentary whilst successfully tracing the tireless path of his journey. It is an all encompassing solo exhibition which shows his works to be instinctively interactive and consuming for the spectator and both jarring and intoxicating for visitors.

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Well, you know, I had been a peanut farmer. I had - you know who was the first president - Democratic president I ever met? Bill Clinton. - Jimmy Carter

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Saturday, 23 February, 2013 PAMPLONA: Spanish demonstrators protest against government austerity measures in front the regional parliament on friday. AGenCieS

4 kIlled In banGladeSh claSheS over ‘atheISt bloGGerS’ DHAkA: At least four people were killed and over 200 injured in Bangladesh on Friday as hundreds of Islamists clashed with police here and other major cities demanding execution of “atheist bloggers” they accused of blasphemy. Police fired rubber bullets and tear gas canisters to disperse Islamists backed by Jamaat-eIslami (JI) party whose leaders are facing trial in special tribunals for “crimes against humanity” during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan. While two deaths were reported from western Jhinaidah and northeaster Sylhet, two others died in northwestern Gaibandha. Parts of the capital Dhaka and southeastern port city of Chittagong turned into battlefields as protesters attacked police, damaged or torched shops and vehicles. In Dhaka, the violence broke out outside the Baitul Mukarram national mosque, where the protesters also attacked around a dozen journalists. Several worshippers were trapped inside the mosque as police tried to thwart the protest by locking the gates. Doctors at Dhaka’s main state-run Medical College Hospital said they were treating several people with critical wounds caused by rubber bullets. Newly formed “12 Like Minded Islamic Parties”, backed by JI, took to the street after Friday prayers in the capital and other cities and attacked journalists. AGenCieS

tUnISIa’S ennahdha nameS candIdate for Pm tuNiS: Tunisia’s main Islamist Ennahdha party has named Ali Larayedh as its candidate for prime minister after Hamdi Jebali declined to head the next government. Larayedh, the country’s interior minister, was a founding member of Ennahdha, and served as the party’s secretary-general in the 1980s, up until his arrest in 1992. He served 14 years in prison. “He is the official candidate of Ennahdha for prime minister,” Mouadh Ghannouchi, son of party chief Rached Ghannouchi, said on Friday. Larayedh became interior minister when Jebali’s government was formed in December 2011 after an election in October. The party leader and Larayedh, 57, will now meet with President Moncef Marzouki, who is expected to task the interior minister with forming a new government. Larayedh is viewed as belonging to Ennahdha’s hardline wing, which rejects any political role for parties linked to the era of deposed President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Jebali, who is secretary-general of Ennahdha, resigned on Tuesday after his plan for a non-partisan cabinet of technocrats to prepare for elections collapsed, largely because of opposition from within his own party and its leader, Rached Ghannouchi. “Jebali declined to accept nomination [for next prime minister],” Ennahdha said. AGenCieS

renewed claSheS break oUt In malI BAMAKO: French and Malian troops have fought rebel fighters on the streets of Gao, and a car bomb has exploded in Kidal as fighting shows little sign of abating weeks before France plans to start withdrawing some forces. Reuters reporters in Gao in the country’s desert north said on Thursday that French and Malian forces fired at the mayor’s office with heavy machine-guns after fighters were reported to have infiltrated the Niger River town during a night of explosions and gunfire. JeanYves Le Drian, the French defence minister, said in Brussels that Gao was back under control after clashes earlier in the day. “Malian troops supported by French soldiers killed five jihadists and the situation is back to normal,” he said. In Kidal, a remote far north town where the French are hunting fighters, residents said a car bomb killed two. A French defence ministry source reported no French casualties. AGenCieS

rUSSIa SlamS US reSPonSe over damaScUS blaSt MOSCOW

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USSIAN has accused the US of applying double standards over Syria and blamed Washington for blocking a UN Security Council statement condemning a car bomb attack in Damascus. Moscow’s statement on Friday came a day after Syrian state television reported the deaths of dozens in the blast on a busy highway in Mazraa district, damaging nearby Russian embassy buildings in the capital. “We are disappointed that, as a result of the United States’ position at the United Nations Security Council, the terrorist act in Syria was not condemned,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a joint news conference after talks with China’s foreign minister. “We believe this is double standards and see in it a very dangerous tendency by our American colleagues to depart from the fundamental principle of unconditional condemnation of any terrorist act, a principle which secures the unity of the international community in the fight against terrorism.” Russia has used its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to protect President Bashar al-Assad from three consecutive resolutions aimed at putting pressure on him to end the nearly two-year-old conflict.

The US has called for Assad’s departure but Moscow says his removal must not be a precondition for any solution of the conflict. ‘Deadliest day’ Besides the car bomb that struck in central Damascus on Thursday, activist groups reported three other blasts across the capital on the same day. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said at least 90 people died in Thursday’s four bombings, making it one of the bloodiest days in the city since the outbreak of a revolt against Assad. The monitoring group, quoting figures it said were compiled from hospitals and other medical sources, said at least 60 of the dead were killed in the car bomb blast in Mazraa district, near the Russian embassy and offices of Assad’s ruling Baath Party. Syrian state media put the death toll from the Mazraa bombing at 53, with more than 200 wounded. At least 30 other people died in three co-ordinated bombings in the northeastern district of Barzeh, SOHR reported. Both activists and officials said most of those killed were civilians, including children. Outside the capital, more than 200 people were killed, including in the Damascus suburbs, the southern city of Deraa and the northern commercial hub of Aleppo, bringing Thursday’s death to about 300 - one of the highest in a single day. The UN says more than 70,000 people have died in Syria’s conflict, which began in March, 2011.

Three killed in Yemen ahead of protest rally SANA’A AGenCieS

Police in Yemen have shot dead three people who were heading to a rally in Aden for southern independence, as the deeply divided country marked a year since the ousting of Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president. Officers said on Thursday that a passer-by was also killed when, according to Southern Movement member Fathi Ben Lazraq, “they [the police] fired on activists trying to reach the place where the rally was being held” in the city’s Parade Square.

Reports said police were trying to prevent clashes between them and the AlIslah (Reform) party, which held a demonstration in the same square in support of national unity and of interim President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi. Naser al-Khabji, a Southern Movement leader, said that “clashes could break out” if pro-Hadi supporters demonstrated. Security sources said police also wounded 34 southerners in clashes around Aden, with the Southern Movement saying they were trying to prevent protesters from entering the port city from neighbouring provinces. Two policemen were hurt by sniper

fire from the rooftops of buildings surrounding the square, security officials said. Aden was paralysed as security forces deployed heavily around the city. Thousands of Al-Islah supporters waved Yemeni flags and held portraits of Hadi as well as banners reading “unity is our strength,” chanting “for dialogue, we will pursue our march”. That was an allusion to a delayed national dialogue aimed at drafting a new constitution in readiness for presidential and parliamentary elections in February 2014 that would end a two-year transition period. Southern Movement leaders have said

they are ready to join the dialogue, but a hardline separatist faction led by exiled Ali Salem al-Baid has refused to take part. Abdullah al-Alimi, organiser of the Al-Islah rally, said the “cause of the southerners is just, but it should be resolved through dialogue”. For their part, southern activists carried flags of the former South Yemen, which was a separate state before unification with the north in 1990. They also displayed pictures of Baid, who served as the last president of the region before union, and leads a hardline, pro-independence faction of the Southern Movement.

Un rejects haiti cholera damages claim UNITED NATIONS AGenCieS

The UN has formally rejected claims for damages over a cholera epidemic in Haiti that has been widely blamed on UN peacekeepers. About 8,000 people died in the epidemic but Martin Nesirky, UN spokesman, said on Thursday that the global body had told lawyers the damages claim was “non-receivable” under a 1946 convention laying out the UN’s immunities for its actions. In November 2011, the Boston-based Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti filed a petition at UN headquarters in New York seeking a minimum of $100,000 for the families or nextof-kin of each person killed by cholera and at least $50,000 for each victim who suffered illness or injury from cholera. Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, telephoned Haiti’s President Michel Martelly “to inform him of the decision and to reiterate the commitment of the United Nations to the elimination of cholera in Haiti”, Nesirky said. Certain health experts have said the cholera epidemic, which erupted in late 2010, was introduced to Haiti by Nepalese peacekeepers. The UN has never acknowledged responsibility, insisting it was impossible to pinpoint blame definitively. Lawyers for the families of some of the dead and the 635,000 people estimated to have been made sick by the cholera had predicted a damages award could cost the UN more than $1bn. “The secretary-general again expresses his profound sympathy for the terrible suffering caused by the cholera epidemic, and calls on all partners in Haiti and the international community to work together to ensure better health and a better future for the people of Haiti,” Nesirky said. Duvalier hearing In a separate development on Thursday, former Haitian leader Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier defied a judge’s order and refused to attend a hearing to determine whether he will again face charges for human-rights abuses committed during the nearly 15 years of his regime. Reynold Georges, Duvalier defence lawyer, showed up 90 minutes after the hearing was about to start and announced that he had filed an appeal of the judge’s order. The session then began in a courtroom crowded with reporters and observers. Georges said he was confident that the Supreme Court would not only overturn the order to compel Duvalier’s presence in court but also block the effort by victims of the Duvalier government from getting the court to reinstate the charges.

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BISP focusing on women’s empowerment. — Farzana Raja

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mPs on fire over lost kishanganga case, demand fixing responsibility MQM STAGES WALKOUT OVER WITHDRAWAL OF SPLGA REPEAL BILL IN SINDH ISLAMABAD AnweR AbbAS

eMBeRS of the Lower House of parliament on Friday expressed their serious reservations over the country losing the case of Kishanganga Hydro Power Project at the International Arbitrary Court, demanding the government fix responsibilities responsibility and roll heads. The MNAs also demanded the government take the House on-board regarding terms and conditions on handing over of Gwadar Port to China, while the MQM MPs staged a walkout over withdrawal of

SPLGA Repeal Bill in Sindh. The fifth sitting of the National Assembly’s 49th session resumed without the speaker, deputy speaker, leader of the house or the leader of the opposition. The session once again witnessed low attendance of members, as only 47 were present at the outset, while 67 were there at the time of adjournment. Moved by five PML-N Members, a calling attention notice about 20 percent increase in the price of gas for domestic as well as commercial consumers was taken up by the House. The Fiscal and Debt Policy Statement for the year 2012-2013 was presented by Syed Khurshid Shah. Following a point of order, PML-N’s Abdul Qadir Baloch pointed out that the Gwadar Port was handed over to China, but any decision on Gwadar Port was the responsibility of the Council of Common Interest. Baloch said the Balochistan government was not taken on board prior to the decision, following which any negative impact of the decision could not be ruled out. He demanded the authorities concerned

take on board the House on the move to hand over Gwadar Port to the Chinese government. Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s member National Assembly Dr Abdul Qadir Khanzada demanded the government take notice of salaries’ issue in connection with the AGPR office, informing the members that AGPR employees were on strike and hurdles were being made in payments of their salaries. He told the House that the government announced to raise the salary packages of the government employees by 20 percent, however, AGPR and some other government institutions were still not ready to implement on the particular government directives. PML-Q Likeminded MNA Kashmala Tariq expressed fear that a majority of the House was unaware of the draft of Defence Housing Authority bill, and it might be bulldozed by the treasury benches, demanding the authorities concerned provide the details of the particular bill to the members of the House. Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Shah told the House that the government was reviewing the issues regarding the salaries of AGPR employees, adding that the government had

raised salaries of government employees by up to 122 percent. The minister assured the House that on Monday, the House would be taken on board over the terms and conditions on which the Gwadar Port was handed over to China, while assuring that the Defence Housing Authority bill would not be bulldozed. He rejected the impression that the name of founder of the nation Quaid-eAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was removed. He said the names of various roads, parks and places were named after various political figures, so it was not a big deal if a university was named after former PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. MQM WALKOUT: earlier, MQM MNA Syed Asif Husnain said that by withdrawing the SPLGA Bill in Sindh, legislation introduced by a dictator had been strengthened. He pointed out that from the last five years, no local bodies’ elections were conducted in Sindh and it was in violation of rules of democracy. At this occasion, the MQM staged a protest walkout that lasted for 14 minutes.

PESHAWAR: A man pushes his pick-up van on an inundated road following heavy rain in the city on friday. inP

army has assured govt it won’t interfere in political matters ISLAMABAD Online

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said all institutions including the army want free‚ fair and transparent elections in the country. Talking to reporters outside the Parliament House in Islamabad on Friday‚ Kaira said the army was a part of the government and it had assured the government not to interfere in political matters. To a question‚ the information minister said election expenditure will definitely come down after certain decisions taken by the election Commission of Pakistan. Kaira said election expenses need to be reduced but not to the extent where people begin violating law.

fake deGree-holderS cannot chanGe coUntry’S fUtUre, SayS Imran khan

ISLAMABAD: It is imprudent to expect fake degree-holders to improve the deplorable situation in the country, Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf Chairman Imran Khan said on Wednesday. Imran spelt out his party’s education emergency policy, which pledges to introduce a uniform and free education system for all. “The PTI will aim to eradicate the difference in the standard of facilities for the rich and poor and vows to introduce one curriculum for all,” Imran said. He said one of the main reasons why “we as a nation stand at a juncture where more than 50 percent of our population is illiterate is that none of the previous governments, who have come into power time and again, have been able to implement Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for an educated Pakistan”. Imran said the government in its entire tenure had not paid any heed towards the education sector “rather have successfully managed to completely destroy it”. He emphasised that the PTI considered education to be a critical subject and a pre-requisite for improving the deteriorating plight of the country, adding that the party would recover looted money from the corrupt politicians, who sometimes in the name of Daanish Schools and sometimes under the head of laptop and solar energy schemes, had emptied the national exchequer. “This recovered money will be diverted towards the education sector,” Imran said. The PTI chief said the ground realities were that more than 40 percent of government-run schools lacked basic structure and facilities. “Those who have spent around Rs 800 million in erecting a ‘Taj Mahal’ for just one Daanish School, have completely ignored the provision of basic problems being faced by the sector.” Imran said the PTI’s education policy aimed at educating the entire population at a uniform level with also providing opportunities to excel further in their careers. “If these incompetent rulers continue to run the country in the same manner, the millennium goal of achieving a 100 percent literacy rate in 2015 will not be achieved until 2025.” nni

US drone strikes up sharply in Afghanistan KABUL inP

The US military launched 506 strikes from unmanned aircraft in Afghanistan last year, according to Pentagon data, a 72 percent increase from 2011 and a sign that American commanders may begin to rely more heavily on remote-controlled air power to kill Taliban insurgents as they reduce the number of troops on the ground. Though drone strikes represented a fraction of all US air attacks in Afghanistan last year, their use is on the rise even as American troops have pulled back from ground and air operations and pushed Afghan soldiers and police into the lead. In 2011, drone strikes accounted for 5 percent of US air attacks in Afghanistan; in 2012, the figure rose to 12 percent. Military spokesmen in Kabul and at the Pentagon declined to explain the increase. But officers familiar with the operation said it was due in part to the growing number of armed Reaper and Predator drones in Afghanistan and better availability of

live video feeds beamed directly to troops on the ground. The increase has coincided with a shift by the Obama administration toward a new strategy in Afghanistan that relies on a smaller military footprint to go after the Taliban and remaining al Qaeda fighters. The use of armed drones is likely to accelerate as most of the 66,000 US troops in the country are due to withdraw by the end of 2014. The remotely piloted long-range aircraft, which kill targets with virtually no risk to American lives, carry an unmistakable attraction for military commanders. “With fewer

troops, and even with fewer manned aircraft flying overhead, it’s harder to get traditional support in combat missions,” Joshua Foust, a Wash-

ington-based analyst who has advised the US military in Afghanistan, told Los Angeles Times. “Drones provide a good way to do that without importing a bunch of pilots and the support infrastructure they’d need to remain based there.” After Marine Gen John R Allen, the former coalition commander, issued an order limiting airstrikes in populated areas last year, US and NATO forces reduced civilian casualties in air attacks by 42 percent in 2012, according to United Nations figures. But after an airstrike this month that reportedly killed 10 civilians in addi-

tion to four Taliban leaders, Afghan President Hamid Karzai banned his

forces from requesting coalition airstrikes in residential areas, a decree that also would apply to drones. Defenders of drones say they are more accurate and less prone to causing civilian casualties than manned aircraft, because they can watch a potential target longer and often use smaller munitions. When civilians are inadvertently killed, it is sometimes because they are close to a location where an airstrike is carried out, one US officer said. But there also are instances when troops on the ground mistakenly called for an airstrike against a target where o n l y civilians were present. Last year, five coalition drone strikes killed 16 civilians and injured three, according to the UN mission in Afghanistan, which documented just one such incident in 2011. It wasn’t immediately clear whether those were strikes from US drones, Britain’s Royal Air Force also flies armed Reaper drones in Afghanistan, although the vast majority of the coalition’s unmanned aircraft belong to the US.

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Free media is a blessing for Pakistan and we still have journalists who dare to expose the misdeeds of the rulers. — Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa

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fAiSALABAD: More than 1,000 people were arrested by police for violating the ban on kite-flying in the city as people of this industrial hub of Pakistan celebrated Basant on friday in spite of the provincial government’s ban on the event for the last five years. inP

‘jangla bus’ the biggest corruption scandal in asia: elahi LAHORE

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A K I S TA N Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) senior central leader and Deputy Prime Minister Parvez elahi alleged the biggest corruption in Asia had been committed in the “Jangla Bus” project (referring to the Bus Rapid Transit System). He said the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Director General (DG) openly flouted rules and regulations and will not escape accountability for such rampant violation. elahi alleged that a huge amount of money was illegally accumulated in procurement of buses, and the ill-planned project had heavily drained the national exchequer. elahi also said other officers involved in this corruption were headed by the LDA DG and will have to account for embezzlement worth billions of rupees. elahi said unlike the Sharifs wanted the public to believe, the Jangla Bus is not a big achievement, adding

that it is a system that has become redundant throughout the world. He said funds of hospitals and schools of entire Punjab had been dumped into this project, which had caused great inconvenience to people during construction and even after its completion is making life miserable for residents of Lahore. elahi said the actual cost of the Jangla Bus is being kept hidden, adding that no rules and procedure was followed and planning and ground realities were completely ignored in a rush to finish the project. He said the Sharif brothers are claiming to have completed the project in Rs 30 billion whereas according to the Planning and Development Department, so far about Rs 75 billion have been spent while millions of rupees are being incurred daily on operations. He further claimed that a large number of affected people had not been paid compensation for their demolished houses and shops. He said roads, electric poles, water and gas pipes and telephones lines were destroyed during construction and ex-

Sc summons nab report on ISaf containers in 15 days ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice (CJ) of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhary ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present the report relevant to ISAF containers within 15 days and file reference against those responsible during the same time period, while hearing of the ISAF Containers Implementation Case. A three-member bench headed by CJ Iftikhar Chaudhary heard the case on Friday. Rana Shameem represented the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) while Rana Shahid represented NAB. The court noted that earlier it had been revealed that the total number of containers was 7,000 whereas now it is being said that the figure is more than 28,000. If FBR receives an amount based on ISAF containers, this can lead to a decrease in the budget deficit, the court claimed. In a report already submitted by the FBR, it was mentioned that 148 cases had been disposed off while notices had been issued in 36 cases that are under consideration. Responding to this, the CJ said if the process of receiving tax was not expedited, positive results would not be obtained. Sindh NAB informed the court that it might give time for filing reference against those responsible, at which the apex court noted that only Rs 5.6 million had been recovered instead of billions of rupees. Later, the court gave NAB 15 days to file reference against those responsible. On the other hand, FBR officials were asked to appear before the court on February 25 with record of tax receipts. Hearing of the case was adjourned till February 25. Online

penses being incurred on re-installation are also not being disclosed, stressing for a high level inquiry into the issue. elahi said the current Punjab government had discarded the Metro Train Project envisaged by his government, despite availability of foreign assistance from international financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank. The train project, he claimed, would have been a state of the art project in comparison to the redundant bus project and would not have caused problems being faced currently, primarily because it was to be an underground project. He said the underground train system was the biggest engineering project after Tarbela Dam which would have enhanced the beauty of Lahore whereas the Jangla Bus has deprived the city of its historical beauty and divided it into two parts forever.

two fata mnas join PPP ISLAMABAD Online

Independent members of the National Assembly from NA-39 Orakzai Agency, Jawad Hussain, and NA-37 Kurram Agency, Sajid Hussain Turi, called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in Islamabad on Friday and announced joining the Pakistan People’s Party. Talking to Ashraf, they said they had taken the decision to join the PPP keeping in view the political situation in the country, particularly, that prevailing in FATA. They said the PPP was the only political party that worked for the welfare of people of FATA. They particularly referred to reforms in FCR and implementation of Political Parties Ordinance in FATA undertaken by the present government‚ which demonstrated the party’s commitment to giving rights to people of the region. They said that the scope and scale of development work carried out by the PPP-led government in FATA had influenced their decision to join the party. Welcoming their decision, the prime minister said it was a testimony to fruits of policy of reconciliation and understanding that the present government had been following to deal with national issues. He said that this reflected people’s confidence in the performance of the PPP-led government. The prime minister said that with their joining‚ the party would become stronger in FATA.

Militants want to delay polls: Mian Iftikhar KP INFO MINISTER SAYS ANP IS DETERMINED TOTAKE ALL STAKEHOLDERS INTO CONFIDENCE FOR COUNTRY’S PEACE PESHAWAR STAFF RePORT

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain on Friday said the recent rise in terrorism aimed at delaying the upcoming elections. “First militants are bent upon delaying of polls otherwise they are making best for electing their likeminded people to parliament,” Hussain said this while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the Swat Press Club (SPC) office-bearers in Peshawar.

SPC President Rashid Iqbal, MPA Sher Shah and MPA Rahmat Ali Khan also addressed the ceremony. The information minister said that continuation of democratic process was not only essential for curtailing militants and anti-democratic forces. He said that despite hurdles and problems, the government had not only declared war on terror but made a valuable contribution in constitutional reforms. Hussain said that people from all over the country needed to extend support to the democratic forces to ensure on-time general elections. He recalled that ANP leader Bashir Bilour’s assassination was part of a plot aimed at delaying general elections. Without mentioning name of Jamiat Ulema–e-Islam-Fazl, the information minister said that certain political forces were “staging dramas” in the name of the all parties’ conference. In fact, leaders of such religio-political forces had never denounced violence and terrorism as they were “likeminded of those who are engaged in violence and terrorism in the name of

Taliban”. Hussain claimed that the ANP had pioneered the APC on militancy and terrorism. He said the KP had held APCs in 2008 and 2009 as well. As a result of these conferences, the nation became united against militants and terrorists and all political forces had backed military action, he added. He said that now was the time for all political forces to adopt a clear stance on militancy. Hussain said that since coming into power in March 2008, the ANP adopted a clear stance on terrorism. The ANP had requested the Taliban for dialogue, but response is very negative. The ANP was determined to taking all stakeholders into confidence for return of peace and tranquility in the country, he concluded.

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Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. –Winston Churchill

COMMeNT Saturday, 23 February, 2013

elections on time Is there a better alternative?

an election curveball? Sindh’s two local government laws

He Musharraf era local bodies system introduced by the PPPdominated Sindh Assembly in the teeth of strong reaction from across Sindh was scrapped by the same legislature on Thursday. Instead the 1979 system was reintroduced despite opposition this time from the MQM. Interestingly the change has been affected only three weeks before the demise of the assembly. The news has led to jubilation in Sindh where it is being interpreted as a victory for the opposition. Saner elements though see it as an election curveball. With one move the PPP has taken much wind out of the sails of its opponents. A combination of political forces including Pagara’s PML-F, the nationalist parties, PML-N, ANP, JUI-F and Jamaat-e-Islami had opposed the Sindh People’s Local Government Ordinance calling it a measure aimed at laying the basis of the future division of Sindh. This struck a chord with many and hurt the PPP the most. The PPP’s opponents had depended on the issue to deprive the ruling party of a good chunk of its voters. With the PPP wrapping up the system it had itself introduced, the opposition has been left high and dry. But does the decision taken by the Sindh Assembly on Thursday indicate a change of heart in the PPP leadership? It appears from the speeches delivered by some of the PPP MPAs that the leadership thinks there was nothing wrong with the previous system and its decision to replace it is dictated by circumstances related to elections. As Agha Siraj Durrani put it, there was nothing wrong with the former law and it is being changed only due to public opposition. Four months back the public opinion didn’t matter. With the elections due in May, it does now. Qaim Ali Shah too made it clear later that the change was being made only because the Sindhis were opposed to the Musharraf era system. Interestingly the PPP still wants to keep the MQM as an ally. The new bill has been sent to Governor Ishratul Ibad who according to Article 116(2) and (3) of the Constitution has ten days to sign it into law or return it with objections. In case it is passed again by the Assembly, it will have to be again sent to the Governor who has another ten days to sign it. After this, irrespective of his views, the bill would automatically become a law. Governor Ishartul Ibad has left for London. He can thus keep the bill for twenty days. It remains to be seen if the process can be completed by the time the assembly is dissolved. As Speaker Nisar Khuhro put it, “If the local bodies system approved by the Assembly is not implemented now, the next assembly would consider it.”

Political space for terrorists PML-N should rethink its ties with militant organisations

LeCTIONS in the country are around the corner. every party worth the salt is busy fielding its candidates for various constituencies, as is their political right. And this is a good thing to happen. But military’s statement that it wants the elections to go ahead begs the question what prompted the military to talk about an entirely political issue. Though DG ISPR Maj Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa was quick to point out that army had supported the civilian setup in the past years and would continue to do so, many would cast aspersions on military’s intentions. Still it sounds good and might translate much better in reality if the men in khaki actually stand by their claim. However, there really are some issues that need to be sorted out for a smooth power transition. The recent attacks on Hazara Shias in Quetta have not only rattled the country emotionally, but also cropped up questions on the readiness of country’s security and law enforcement agencies. But that’s an operational problem, the one that can be managed with a little work. What really is bothersome is the fact that the perpetrators of these attacks are well known terrorists, who proudly take responsibility of their actions and most of whom are working under the banner of a banned terrorist organisation or its successor. After the Quetta massacres whose responsibility Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) was quick to accept, the federal government has confronted the Punjab government of PML-N to take action against the LeJ and defunct Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), another well known sectarian terrorist organisation. But the PML-N appears to be unwilling to comply with the request because of its close contacts with these terrorist organisations and, as reports suggest, it has cut a deal with the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), which is just a re-branding of SSP, for seat adjustment in South Punjab on at least 14 National Assembly seats. The culprit here is not only these militant oganisations, for that’s what they do, but also the PML-N is to be blamed equally, for it has an ambiguous stance on terrorism and many of its stalwarts have close contacts with these parties. At least in one instance, the Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah stirred quite a controversy by openly campaigning for by-elections in Jhang with the leaders of LeJ. Allowing them political space would be devastating, at least until they give up arms, renounce violence and submit to the law of the land. The PML-N should also come clean on its stance on terrorism and sever contacts with all militant organsiations.

Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

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

ARiF niZAMi

VeN the Army wants timely elections. So the military spokesman tells us. The government is not only at the end of its term, but also at the end of its tether. Hence it is welcome news that the military has given its NOC (no objection certificate) for the elections to be held on time. The politicians can pride themselves of their vast propaganda machines well oiled by enormous amounts of funds. But nothing beats the spin doctoring of the military. What was the need for the Director General of the ISPR (Inter-services Public Relations) to issue a carefully worded statement, ostensibly a Q and A session with journalists, at this juncture? We are informed by the major general who heads it that the military had been supporting the incumbent democratic setup for the past five years and will continue to do so. No one can challenge the fact that the military has studiously given the civilians space. Admittedly in the past it has sacked elected governments for much less. But this does not mean that the government has had a free reign without always looking over its shoulder for Bonapartists. The PPP-led coalition prides itself on completing its full term and announcing the elections when it deems fit. This is certainly a first in Pakistan. And credit is due to President Asif Zardari as well as General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. More so to Zardari for assiduously avoiding to step on the military’s toes. Unlike his predecessors Zardari is a deal maker rather than a deal breaker. Nawaz Sharif, paradoxically enough, despite representing the Punjab, the heartland of the army, has had an uneasy relationship with the khakis. As prime minister he never got along

with any of the military chiefs, but even while in opposition Sharif, to say the least, has awkward relations with the present military leadership. His Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali has done no service to him by taking on the military hierarchy much too often. His boss has often restrained him but the damage by then had been done. even when elections are about to be announced deep mistrust persists in the PML-N circles about the intentions of the ubiquitous establishment. The conventional thinking prevalent in the PML-N is that the military is somehow uneasy about the ‘inevitable victory’ of the party at the elections. In this context, both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri are painted as military-sponsored trial balloons out to cut into the vote bank of the PML-N. The other day in my television programme, the PML-N spokesman Mushahidullah Khan wondered loudly as to why Qadri’s long marches were confined to the Central Punjab? Similarly Rana Sanaullah, the Punjab law minister, claims rather unconvincingly that Imran’s balloon has deflated and Qadri’s too will meet the same fate. Of course it is ludicrous to assume that somehow Zardari and the military are in cahoots to block Nawaz in the next elections. However, if Imran and to a lesser extent Qadri cut into the Sharif vote bank the ultimate beneficiary will be Zardari. If Zardari is deriving political mileage from the prevailing situation he cannot be blamed for it. With the military endorsing timely elections and the Supreme Court walking the talk by showing the door to Qadri, theoretically speaking elections will be held sooner than later. But the situation on the ground is still germane with uncertainty. The election Commission tasked with holding free and fair elections is not helping matters by its increasingly impractical edicts in the name of transparency. In the light of articles 62 and 63 of the constitution some of the preconditions being laid out by the Commission might blackball quite a few known faces from the race. For example, under the new regulations incumbent members of the national and provincial assemblies are to give in writing their major achievement as public representatives and also to append a list of development projects undertaken with public money. How and under what criteria such data will be scrutinised has not been spelt out. It is fair enough to ask those who are

whitelieS

The writer is Editor, Pakistan Today

aPoLLo

Ne wouldn’t have pegged the Sharifs for patrons of the art, barring the culinary variety. Don’t expect them to be fascinating participants in such discussions on literature, say. The plot of Mirza Hadi Ruswa’s Umrao Jaan Ada? Some nawab had the hots for this courtesan. The plot of Imtiaz Ali Taj’s Anarkali? Umrao Jan’s plot, except with a prince. Oliver Twist? Orphan makes it but not before some time with a gang of androon ne’er-do-well kan tuts. The entire subject of history? One damn

contesting elections to declare their and their dependents’ assets and the amount of tax they contribute to the exchequer. However, the use of such provisions arbitrarily can give draconian powers to the Commission. That is why, perhaps ominously, the Chief election Commissioner Fakhruddin G Ibrahim inquired from a journalist whether elections are going to be held at all. He should have been answering this question rather than asking it. Perhaps the CeC was wondering aloud whether the elections can be held when the country was infested with rampant terrorism. Post carnage of Hazara Shias in Quetta the situation has become even more precarious. Those protesting against the ethnic cleansing of the Hazaras were able to paralyse life in the country. Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi airports were blocked for hours as a result of sit-ins. The demonstrators proved beyond doubt that only a few hundred people in each of the major cities of the country can bring life to a standstill. The demand of the Hazaras to hand over Quetta to the army was augural. Ironically during Musharraf’s rule the omnipresent agencies were the bane of the province. It is a sad reflection on the so-called public representatives of Balochistan that they have little relevance to the problems of the province. In fact they are part of the problem rather than the solution. The army spokesman has also categorically denied that the military has any truck with the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi that claimed responsibility for massacre of the Hazaras. Despite such denials, outfits like LJ and LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) are perceived by many to be the Army’s cat’s paw. But why blame the military alone? Substantial swathes of political and religious parties as well as section of the media are sympathetic towards such jihadi organisations. elections will be held and should be held on time. Any other alternative is less attractive. Shahbaz Sharif’s warning that if present law and order situation continued Pakistan may turn into a ‘failed state’ is alarming. After all Sharif is the chief executive of the largest province. He should come out clean on allegations that the PML-N has tacit political alliances in Punjab with the very elements responsible for pushing the country to the brink of abyss.

thing after the other. But bring up the subject of the correct way to let nihari simmer and expect a nuanced tour de force on the brilliant fugue of tastes that comes with doing the thing well. Well, they’ve decided to bring some culture in. They’ve owned the Lahore Literature Festival fully and Shahbaz Sharif had a dinner at Huzoori Bagh just the other day, which included a discussion by William Dalrymple on his new book, a flute recital by Haider Rehman and a recitation of Zehra Nigah’s poetry, after which she, along with Intezar Hussain and Bapsi Sidhwa, got lifetime achievement awards. Is this change a result of the CM’s marriage to writer Tehmina Durrani? Perhaps. Decades later, her book still outsells more ‘literary’ endeavours by other writers.

Pak-India publishers’ conference was recently organised by the APNS, Pakistan’s premier press body. It was attended by many press barons from across the border. Pakistani newspapermen were much impressed by how far behind they were when compared to their Indian counterparts. The Indians concerns were like smoothly run, proactive corporations, employing focus groups, surveys and the like, and translating all of that into increased circulation and advertisements. How we can do the same in Pakistan, asked a local publisher. Come to India, said an Indian media mogul, in as inoffensive a manner as something like this could be said, and we’ll show you how to run a paper.

For feedback, comments, suggestions and, most importantly, tips, contact us at whitelies@pakistantoday.com.pk

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A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser. –William Shakespeare

COMMeNT

Saturday, 23 February, 2013

you might be next But keep clam and carry on

evil comes visiting B

many faces that the rulers of Punjab have hidden behind that contrived face that they want the world to see. Their traditional predilection to curry religious vote during their election campaigns in exchange for striking mortally dangerous compromises with the proponents of sectarianism is possibly the most fatal of these harrowing occupations. Thanks to WikiLeaks, their behind-closeddoors effort to strike deals with foreign representatives to clip the wings of the burgeoning judiciary is also a matter of record. Paradoxically, they were doing this in the backdrop of the public oath that they had so painstakingly secured from their party candidates to uphold the cause of an independent judiciary. What hypocrisy, what duality, what utter lack of self-respect! They will not stop at anything in their frenzied quest for power. They would even take the devil for their mentor. It is such patrons of violence that people should be wary of if the dream of peace in the country is ever to be realised. Not that the rest of the political mafias are packs of angels. They, too, have their underbellies which grossly outweigh the cumulative good intentions that they may ever have, intentionally or unintentionally, demonstrated for the country. They, too, would be quick in striking belittling deals to aggrandise personal interests and objectives. They would also willingly embrace terrorists and sectarian linchpins for the sake of expanding their power base. In the process, the Hazaras would continue to get massacred. With dreams of their youth inscribed on their tombstones, they fight for provision of security which is their inalienable right. The fear syndrome which engulfs the national expanse has already prompted mass exodus of various communities and minorities. In the end, what we’ll be left with are these bands of sectarian war-mongers and terrorist bandits, protected and patronised by political mafias, ruling the streets of the country turning it into a virtual no-go area for its citizens. It appears, the evil is here to stay.

Ne can come up with thousand different excuses when your heart and mind are not on the same page. There was yet another deadly attack on Hazara Shia community and hence it was followed (in fact legitimised) by a tirade of fresh balderdash explaining who is controlled by whom, what proxies are MARyAM SHAFQAT GORAyA active and our most favourite of all: where America and India fit into all this. For those implying yet again that this is not a religious but a political issue need to realise that it is in fact their retarded identity, which is not a religious or political but a mental issue. My words are bitter because I see no point in being soft on pettifoggers who indulge in legitimising and apologising for ruthless killers. The facility and propensity with which we take refuge in ‘mulk dusman anaser’, one can only feel elated and thankful to the ever looming infidel enemies of the state for lurking just around the corner and not letting us fall short of lame explanations every time we see a big ugly question mark lingering on our respective ideologies. As far as reality is concerned those (un)intelligent conspiracies are as shallow as the dumb ideologies they are used to support. For anyone entertaining these questions on regular basis desperately need to run a double self mental checkup and make sure if his/her imagination has any (or at least farfetched) causative relationship with the reality. But that’s just a wild wish. Kudos to our imagination, that so far we have successfully managed to come up with thousand different ways on how to attack citadel of Islam, because one fine day a bunch of infidel countries might decide to pick up Pakistan (just like that) and make it a point to destroy it (again just because they might feel like doing so despite the fact that there are some 50 odd other Muslim majority states in the world as well). One such book that could come pretty handy if some day certain super intelligent shadowy force might actually want to stir things up could be: ‘A thousand different ways to destroy the Islami qila of illusions: a practical guide for dummies – because we are oh so special’. Those braggarts who are content by naming just the LeJ and indirectly sanctifying the rest of the terrorist outfits are walking on a thin rope. At best its only going to save their face, not the rest of innocent citizens. Mind telling us the difference between TTP and Lej? Or let us hope that by now apologists have invented a yard stick to measure the anomalies between all those Jihadi outfits that work with in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Perhaps start with telling us, which one of these has a knack for attacking in a less deadly manner (because after all they are supposed to be the good guys). The fact of the matter is that attacks on Hazaras did not begin to occur only in the past decade. Destruction of Bamiyan statues located in Afghnaistan, revered by the Hazaras as the remnant of their forefathers was perhaps the first most prominent manifestation of Taliban’s hatred towards Hazara community. And we know very well that TTP is an extension of Afghan Taliban, same goes for the rest of them. As sit-in entered into its third consecutive day, an agreement was reached and a targeted operation began. The government claimed to have killed four LeJ militants and about over a hundred suspects arrested. Sounds good enough to send the heart broken relatives back to their homes and hurriedly sweep dust under the carpet for now. But who is going to give a guarantee that just like several other LeJ terrorists, this time there will be no easy escapes from right under the nose of security agencies? Can anyone tell for sure that this time it’s different because there will be no divine acquittals and no rose petals showered on killers? Is there going to be a conscious effort to stop those socalled clerics, anchorpersons and intellectual terrorists from legitimising and advocating fundamentalism? Who is going to ask that one person to be answerable to the court for eulogising Taliban rule in Afghanistan and giving them a clean chit? And most importantly, does anyone has the power to shout it out loud and clear that from now on killers will be treated as killers and just that, both on particle and intellectual grounds? Or are we going too wild with wishful thinking again? As much as you would like to proclaim all this a bunch of concocted lies, Bengalis are not the only one to have suffered at the hands of army and its puppet politicians, Blaochis are very much made to stand in the line as well. God knows if, like Bangladesh, Balochistan too will ask for an apology some years later. Yeah that sounds incomprehensible and outrageous for those who are still adamant on pretending to believe (and make others believe) that the army always dips itself in aab-e zam zam before messing up with country’s affairs. Those who say lines cannot be drawn and there must be talks are seemingly not yet shaken by a blast near them. Lines have been drawn; that is, either stand with Taliban or stand with the rest of us because there is no space for middle ground anymore. Otherwise your condolences are no different than those pretentious aunties exclaiming with fake sobs “bohat afsoos hua bhabhi” while enjoying samosas. The need of the hour is to name and shame the apologists and in case if you are one of them then I’d propose get done with this drama of shedding crocodile’s tears on Shia killings and wait till they get you or your loved one of these days. As one widely shared meme said; keep clam and carry on – you might be next. Till then with a broken and heavy heart one can propose we fix a permanent + (plus) sign with the number of deaths reported because after all it’s an ever increasing number with no full stops in sight.

The writer is a political analyst. He can be reached at raoofhasan@hotmail.com

The writer is a political satirist. She can be reached at mariam.goraya@hotmail.com

“...which made me think a man a worm” ORN of Muslim parents and brought up in an Islamic environment, one’s religious credentials were taken for granted. Rather late in age, one has started wondering whether one would still be qualified to be called a Muslim. More so, whether one would actually like to be called one! Growing through all those years, one did not have to carry the tag of a Sunni or a Shia, a Deobandi or a Wahabi or an Aslafi. One’s recognition, and in certain cases even survival, did not really depend on one’s association with one sect or the other. That appears to be no longer the case. One’s head is bowed in shame at the manner in which violence has become an every-day norm in the country and the barbarity and brutality with which it is being perpetrated in the name of religion. It is harrowing, it is humiliating, it is inhuman. Bombs are being hurled at innocent people simply because they are Shias. This is a blatant contravention of the teachings which our saints and sages have been passing on from RAOOF HASAn generation to generation. But religion is no longer a means to finding peace with oneself and with one’s surroundings. It has been reduced to becoming a vehicle for death visiting the homes and hearth of people who have done no wrong except opening eyes in the laps of parents who do not subscribe to one regimented thought process or the other. The manner in which hundreds of innocent Hazaras have been mowed down in the last few months makes a mockery of the Islamic injunctions that we never tire of preaching to the world. What relevance and weight these injunctions carry when our fellow brethren are not safe in our midst, when we bomb their peaceful congregations, when we ambush them in buses and vans and targetkill them to satiate our appetite for blood? I’ th’ last night’s storm I such a fellow saw, Which made me think a man a worm. My son Came then into my mind, and yet my mind Was then scarce friends

Candid Corner

with him. I have heard more since. As flies to wanton boys are we to th’ gods, They kill us for their sport. –Shakespeare (King Lear) The stark failure of the intelligence agencies, the utter ineffectiveness of the security outfits and the condemnable unwillingness of the government/s to address the symptoms and causes of the gory manifestations of violence have rendered this country literally unliveable for its people. Unfortunately, it is the fake proponents of peace garbed as politicians who are, in fact, involved in the detestable act of fanning sectarianism. They do so because they want to make use of these crominal groups to further perpetuate their hold on power forgetting that, in doing so, they are jeopardising the prospect of national survival. Among other places, the nurseries of this gruesome sectarianism can be traced to the backyards of the government of Punjab. Their alleged links with the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) have never been a secret. A senior minister of the provincial cabinet was once shown riding an open vehicle in the company of one of the terrorist masterminds. In a recent article carried by a leading publication that was later removed in haste from their website ostensibly under pressure from the political party, the contours of an alleged understanding between PML-N and Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ), which formerly operated as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, regarding seat adjustment in South Punjab for the next elections have been outlined. It is worth mentioning here that the alleged terrorist kingpin Malik Ishaq of the banned LeJ who has recently joined ASWJ was given a monthly stipend by the government of Punjab during his internment in Lahore. According to the alleged deal, PML-N will extend support on three seats to the ASWJ candidates in exchange for their support for twelve PML-N candidates in Punjab. Ludhyanvi of ASWJ has allegedly confirmed the talks saying that “both parties could not do without each other and history shows that our voters are willing to see us united”. It is in such illicit contracts that the saplings of terrorism blossom. There are

Thanks to WikiLeaks, their behind-closed-doors effort to strike deals with foreign representatives to clip the wings of the burgeoning judiciary is also a matter of record.

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The mark of the immature man is that he wants to die nobly for a cause, while the mark of a mature man is that he wants to live humbly for one.— Wilhelm Stekel

arts Saturday, 23 February, 2013

matthew Perry sells hollywood hills mansion for $4.7 million

ATTHEW Perry has sold his Hollywood Hills mansion for 4.685 million dollars - a full 1 million dollars less than the original list price. It's the latest come-down for the 43year-old actor, who became a mega-star with the 1990s sitcom 'Friends,' but has seen his marketability drop after a number of big- and small-screen flops, the New York Daily News reported. Built in 1955, the mid-century modern three-bedroom house combines glass, stone, and white marble and boasts of indoor/outdoor fireplaces, a Corian bathroom, gourmet kitchen, and sleek terraces with wire railings. The bedroom has a sliding glass wall that opens out onto a manicured backyard with pool and hot tub that looks out over the city. The 4,093-square-foot home also has a screening room. newS DeSk

would like to do a love scene with alba: Piers morgan

IERS Morgan has admitted that he wants to do a big screen love scene with Jessica Alba. The married chat show host, who returns to ITV with a new series of Life Stories, has put the fantasy bunk-up with the sexy actress top of his list of goals for 2013. "I am looking to expand my movie career this year. I had a cameo in a film with Denzel Washington last year and I have done comedy and drama. So this year I would hopefully like to do a love scene with Jessica Alba," the Sun quoted him as saying. He appeared with Washington in 'Flight' and was also in 'The Campaign' with Will Ferrell a year ago. He also desires to buy Arsenal, his beloved "but currently disappointing" football team. newS DeSk

in order to celebrate and support young Pakistani talent, this february 17, Walnut Studios, in collaboration with Levi’s hosted a musical event which was webcast LiVE. An exclusive crowd of 30 was also invited to the gig’s venue itself – the Levi’s flagship store in Lahore.

all you need to Know about the foo fighters Guns, attitude, slick action and a whole lot of good old fun are back with the fifth instalment of the Die Hard franchise. Die Hard, one of the most successful action film series in Hollywood, exploded into theatres 25 years ago, launching a new cinematic hero, John McClane, and changing the paradigm of action movies. The films follow action guru Bruce Willis as he finds himself in the "wrong place at the wrong time" and in each film, the action just gets bigger. Having attained cult status, Die Hard has influenced pop culture and inspired several tributes. Here are a few reasons to watch John Moore's A Good Day To Die Hard. the relatable action hero: Unlike other cinematic heroes, McClane is a human being first, action hero second. John McClane is the regular everyman hero, relatable and identifiable. McClane established Bruce Willis as one of Hollywood's most loved and revered action stars, the inspiration behind many of today's action heroes. the realistic story: Die Hard changed the face of modern action cinema with believable situations and human characters, providing a level of realism that audiences craved. The new one centres on family members in peril and John McClane's willingness to do anything to save them. the high octane action and draMa: The world's best stuntmen came together and created 58 sets with almost 5,00,000 square feet of set construction. Along with the Mi: 24, the movie features the Russian-made Mi: 26 "Halo" — the largest helicopter in the world, the first time for a Western movie. There are adrenaline-pumping car chase sequences, for which Mercedes Benz donated several million dollars worth of cars and trucks to the production. Die Hard 5 has all the spills and thrills an action fan can ask for. witty dialogues: The Die Hard films have always had some of the most memorable and funny dialogues in the history of films, including "Yippee-ki-yay, mother....!" It's a 24-hour trip that gives you an adrenaline rush — whether the setting is a skyscraper (the original), an airport (Die Hard 2), or whole cities (parts 3 and 4) —the one constant is that John McClane must defeat the baddies in about a day; without any back up. This time, John is out to find his son in Russia; and the adrenaline rush to save the world in 24 hours is what makes even this Die Hard a must-watch. Fox Star Studios' A Good Day To Die Hard opens in theatres and Imax today in english, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Punjabi.

Why are Dave Grohl and his fellow rockers in the news? Because he confirmed that the band will re-group in Los Angeles in a few days to start work on new material. ONE-MAN ARMy: The Foo Fighters is a band formed by the former drummer of the seminal band Nirvana. Dave Grohl was Nirvana's drummer, but on their self-titled debut album in 1995, he plays ALL the instruments because he hadn't found any other members yet! WHAT'S IN A NAME? The term 'foo fighter' was used by Allied aircraft pilots in World War II to describe various UFOs or mysterious aerial phenomena seen in the skies over both the european and Pacific Theater of Operations. It was also the name given to the US 415th Night Fighter Squadron, which Grohl borrowed for his own group. HOW THEy MAKE MUSIC: When Grohl first started the band, its music was often compared to that of his previous group, Nirvana. Grohl acknowledged that Nirvana singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain was a major influence on his songwriting. Grohl said, "Through Kurt, I saw the beauty of minimalism and the importance of music that's stripped down." The members of Foo Fighters meld melodic elements with heavier ones. Grohl noted said in 1997, "We all love music, whether it's the Beatles or Queen or punk rock. Foo Fighters also utilise the technique of shifting between quiet verses and loud choruses, which Grohl said was influenced by the members of Nirvana "liking the Knack, Bay City Rollers, Beatles, and ABBA as much as we liked Flipper and Black Flag." NOTABLE AppEARANCES: On June 7, 2008, the band played Wembley Stadium, London and was joined by Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin to play Rock and Roll and Ramble On. As Page and Jones left the stage before a final encore of Best Of You, an ecstatic Grohl shouted: "Welcome to the greatest f*****g day of my whole entire life!" They performed at John Kerry campaign events in advance of the 2004 US presidential election. HURRAHS!: Over the course of the band's career, four of its albums have won 11 Grammy Awards, winning Best Rock Album four times. Over the years, they have featured in lists that feature everything from 'best video' and 'greatest hard rock artiste' to 'sexiest band'.

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It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things. — Leonardo da Vinci

bondInG over bookS beyond borderS In lahore Books are windows to a world of imagination; spaces not guided by intentions of division but that, which harbour a spirit of coming together under one roof. Almost like a pleasant discovery, we now have a new address to celebrate literature in Pakistan's cultural capital city of Lahore. With a cross-border intermingling of writers and artists between India and Pakistan, Lahore in its very first edition of hosting a literature festival promises to bring long-distance siblings together. The 2-day festival comprises an array of serious discussions interspersed with mushairas (poetic symposium), musical bands performing live and Kathak recitals. From exploring political realities and cultural identities on the historical map of the country, understanding the theme of resistance in literature or

examining the impact of globalisation on the written word; deconstructing voices of women writers since colonial times to a 'modern' Pakistan to of course relishing tales about the quintessential Manto; the poster child of people's struggles during the partition years, the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) 2013 will keep listeners, thinkers and aspiring writers captivated this weekend. In a bid to revive and resurrect the cultural richness of Lahore, Founding Director and writer Razi Ahmed said, "Lahore historically has had a vibrant literary tradition, and it continues to fire the imagination of artists and writers. To celebrate its gloried past and catalyse new thinking and writing, the Lahore Literary Festival has been undertaken as an annual event".COURTeSy TOi

paKistan, a Modern country?

ali zafar – an elite twitteratti Ali Zafar has been making international headlines for many years not just as a talented singer, but also as an accomplished actor, painter, model and humanitarian. However, the most impressive of his accomplishments is his active socio-political profile. Ali has never refrained from speaking his mind and is one of the few celebrities in Pakistan who takes time out to offer discourse on issues that pertain to the country and its state. He may not be the only active Pakistani celebrity on Twitter, but he is definitely the most popular with over 208,000 followers in January 2013 alone. He continues to channel this celebrity for the good. Not only does Ali Zafar continue to represent Pakistan as a cultural ambassador promoting peace wherever he goes, but also does not hesitate to motivate his impressive fan base and all who follow his activities and accomplishments towards noble causes. Recently, not only did Ali endorse an art auction which facilitated the education of some 40 Pakistani girls, but also spoke at crossborder forums of AajTak Agenda and the India Today Mind Rocks Summit. Not too long ago we found him passionately campaigning on Twitter for the cut on the entertainment tax levied by the Pakistan’s government on all entertainment events. newS DeSk

Deviating a little from Manto, we also wanted to know that as a historian how does she analyse Muslim identities in modern South Asia and read Pakistan's identity as a 'modern' country. "There has always been a certain amount of tension between Pakistan as a homeland for the subcontinent's Muslims and its quest to be a modern nation-state. However, the conceits of high modernism have been called into question the world over in the last two decades. Historians have learned to question any simplistic modernity versus tradition dichotomy. Pakistan (and India too) needs a state structure and ideology that can accommodate regional distinctions and multiple identities of its citizens. To be a modern country one does not require an overcentralized state," asserts Ayesha who will be discussing this question of 'identity' in an age of transition with Francis Robinson and Tariq Ali as other panelists at the festival. THE COURTESAN IN LITERATURE: WHO WAS

UMRAO jAN ADA? When we think of Umrao Jan Ada, our imagination stops best at our admiration for her as a poetess or perhaps her repute as the most attractive courtesan in 19th Century Lucknow. But does she have more to her or is her existence all together a big dispute for scholars? The discussion on 'Courtesans in Literature: Umrao Jan to Gohar Jan' with panelists M.A. Farooqi, Afzal Ahmed Syed, Navid Shahzad and Zehra Nigah is precisely going to achieve a reconciliation to this conundrum or so it seems. "Both Umrao Jan and Gohar Jan as depicted in the two novels are fictitious characters, so they really do not have histories beyond what is known to the readers. And in this session I hope the discussion will not remain confined to only the novels. Courtesans have played a very important role in Japanese literature as well, and, culturally, the Japanese 'geisha' comes closest to the 'tawaif' of the subcontinent. In Japanese society the word 'geisha' still retains its worth as a cultural icon which is not the case in our society.

So I think there could be an interesting conversation on the transformation of the connotations of the word 'tawaif' in our culture, and the degeneration it suggests from a courtesan to a prostitute," explains M.A. Farooqi, the author of the much acclaimed book 'Between Clay and Dust'.

only if saadat hasan Manto were alive

globalisation: future of urdu literature

It was in Lahore that Saadat Hasan Manto, charged with 'obscenity' for his short stories was reeling under court trials before and after partition years. Had the 'oftmisinterpreted' Manto been alive today and discerned the shift of his literary works from awaiting a legal judgment to being read and understood in the open air of a literary stage, the man would have been happier. When we asked PakistaniAmerican historian (also the grand niece of Manto) Professor Ayesha Jalal to elaborate on the aspects of Manto's writings she would be discussing at the festival, she said, "I hope to discuss Manto's life, times and work across the temporal and spatial divide of 1947. His letters, essays and stories reveal the cosmopolitanism of everyday life and enduring friendships that proved resilient despite the cataclysmic violence of partition. Manto is also an excellent source for historical insights into the post-colonial moment in Pakistan". And on what was it like being a family to the master storyteller of all times, Prof. Jalal said, "Manto passed away a year before I was born. But I grew up in Lahore's Lakshmi Mansions with his conspicuously absent presence in our joint family. I knew several of his short stories even before I could read. Later, his partition stories informed my years as a graduate student of history".

The future of Urdu literature has been an age-old question doing the rounds in literary fraternities and a session titled 'Globalisation of Pakistan's Literature' at LLF will open the debate for fresh perspectives. M.A. Farooqi questions, "can we really speak about the globalisation of literature sitting in a place which does not have a robust publishing culture?" and adds, "Urdu literature itself is doing well. A lot more non-fiction is being published in Urdu currently. The Urdu readership is growing in satellite towns, but all publishers are having problems with distribution, even within major cities," he concludes. Other participating authors: Ata-ul-Haq Qasmi, Intizar Hussain, Mohsin Hamid, Tehseen Firaqi, Mohammed Hanif, Moni Mohsin and Tariq Ali are among other authors who will engage listeners into gripping discussions on narrative forms in Urdu fiction and poetry, satire and art of storytelling. Author Jeet Thayil, Indian feminist and historian Urvashi Butalia, British historian and writer William Dalrymple and Penguin India's head Chiki Sarkar are other prominent participating speakers at LLF 2013. where: when: tiMings: entry:

alhaMra art center feb 23 and 24, 2013 9:30 aM onwards free

ARTS Saturday, 23 February, 2013

13 A

humaima malik to perform at hUm tv awards with mika Singh

ITH one major awards ceremony, Lux Style Awards, already on the calendar, we now have another now. At a press conference held at their office in Karachi last week, Hum Network Limited announced that it would hold HUM Awards 2013 in Karachi during March.This would be the first awards ceremony of this scale organised by the HUM Network with various stars and celebrities, including Humaima Malik. Malik will be the only film star performing at the award ceremony alongside Mika Singh. Humaima, who made her transition from modeling to serious acting by her flawless acting skills as the star of an ensemble cast in Hum TV’s “Ishq Junoon Aur Deewangi” produced by Moomal Prodcutions and “Akbari-Asghari” produced by Six Sigma. newS DeSk

national museum for writers

HERE is a museum for almost anything in America. Albuquerque, NM is home to the American National Rattlesnake Museum. Philadelphia boasts the Mütter Museum, a collection of medical oddities. Besides all its famed art museums, New York also has the Museum of Sex. But where is the museum for writers?By 2015, Chicago will have the first national museum for writers, the American Writers Museum, made possible by a second grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded on February 4th according to Fine Books & Collections. Malcolm O'Hagan founded the American Writers Museum Foundation in Washington, D.C. more than three years ago with the dream of opening a museum for lovers of literature. After hearing pitches from several cities, he picked Chicago. "When I grew up in Ireland, it was Chicago I would think of as the real America," he told the Chicago Tribune in 2011 when the city was chosen for the prospective proejct. O'Hagan, an Irish immigrant and retired engineer, may seem like an unlikely champion of the American Writers Museum, but Dublin has always had a rich literary history as home to James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, and Oscar Wilde just to name a few. The city's own writers museum houses an impressive 300 years of literary tradition. Chicago may be turing into America's Dublin. Ernest Hemingway, Raymond Chandler, and Gwendolyn Brooks were all born in Chicago. The city is also home of the Poetry Foundation and the American Library Association. newS DeSk

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infotainMent Saturday, 23 February, 2013

tallest volcano of europe astonishes with overnight eruption Europe’s tallest volcano tended to erupt overnight on Tuesday, making a very much familiar sound. It has been found that the eruption of the volcano woke up residents of the tiny Sicily Island in Italy. The active stratovolcano named Mount Etna is, however, not close to any of the population centers. But, as per the findings, the Sicilian city of Catania falls closest to the same. It is, therefore, that the residents could hear the sound of eruption. It has been found that gas and lava were spewed out by the volcano that moved straight up to the skies. The incident, the first big eruption in 2013, was captured in a video by videographer and webmaster, Klaus Dorschfeldt, from Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. The mountain that is some 10,922 feet high, dependent on summit eruptions, had erupted earlier as well this year. It was seen erupting in January for two times, but this time it just burst to life. The report finds that the mountain has six different craters, which erupt from time to time, mostly at the summit. “Following it constantly learn to be a keen observer and a minor change can lead to something important”, said Dorschfeldt. newS DeSk

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. –Muhammad Ali

Private mars mission in 2018?

NEWS DESK

eS, you read that correctly. An entrepreneur wants to charter a SpaceX rocket to launch two interplanetary buddies on the ultimate joyride: A mission to Mars. But the timeline is tight — as in 5 years time “tight.” This random piece of spaceflight news is brought to you by Dennis Tito, multimillionaire and founder of the non-profit Inspiration Mars Foundation. Tito also knows a thing or two about space — he was the world’s first space tourist who, in 2001, spent a little over a week living on board the International Space Station. He reportedly spent $20 million for his orbital trek. And now, it seems, he has far loftier goals. Tito will host a press conference on Feb. 27 detailing his “Mars-shot” plan. But what is known is that he intends to hire elon Musk’s Space exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, to blast a spaceship beyond low-earth orbit. SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket — that is currently in development — should fit the bill quite nicely. According to a NewSpace Journal report based on an Inspiration Mars paper detailing the proposed

mission, a modified SpaceX Dragon capsule will be the spaceship of choice. Because of the short timeframe to develop the necessary technology to make this mission possible, the mission will be strictly no-frills. It will use existing tech for life support and will not make any attempt to land on the Martian surface or orbit the planet. It will simply be a fly-there, fly-by, flyback mission. Attempting such a feat would be one for the history books, surely catapulting the hopes and dreams on earth to the Red Planet where far grander missions will be attempted later on. By Tito’s team’s reckoning, the mission will launch in the January 2018 launch window (when earth and Mars are in a favorable positions) and last 501 days. “This ‘Mission for America’ will generate new knowledge, experience and momentum for the next great era of space exploration,” officials from the Inspiration Mars Foundation wrote in a media advisory on Feb. 20 (via NASAWatch.com). “It is intended to encourage all Americans to believe again, in doing the hard things that make our nation great, while inspiring youth through Science, Technology, engineering and Mathematics (STeM) education and motivation.”

Scientists create new ear with 3D printer NEWS DESK Scientists at Cornell have put 3D printing to an incredible medical use: They’ve made an ear remarkably similar to a natural one. Using 3D images of a human ear, they printed a mold to be injected with gel containing collagen from rats’ tails, HealthDay reports. Next, they added cartilage from cows’ ears. “It takes half a day to design the mold, a day or so to print it, 30 minutes to inject the gel, and we can remove the ear 15 minutes

later,” says a researcher. Cartilage grows around the collagen, ultimately replacing it after three months, the Cornell

Chronicle reports. Scientists aim to use the technology to help children born with microtia, a condition in which the external ear fails to fully grow, though the inner ear has developed, LiveScience notes. It could also serve people who have lost their ears due to illness or accident, a researcher notes. “This is such a win-win for both medicine and basic science,” says a lead author behind the project. Another medical breakthrough, a bionic eye, was approved by the FDA earlier this month.

Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest aﬀected by Zendesk security breach NEWS DESK

Geeks flock to class on...light sabers A group of San Francisco Star Wars fans who want to travel to a galaxy not that far away have created a combat choreography class for Jedis-in-training with their weapon of choice: the light saber. The “Golden Gate Knights” club is run by selfproclaimed Jedi Master Alain Block, who has a background in martial arts and stage combat. Clutching the neon-glowing light sabers, the self-proclaimed “Star Wars geeks” slice and parry as they follow Bloch’s lead, and get a little exercise, too. People in a recent class in the city’s South of Market district, including a couple on a date, say they embrace their quirkiness and have even converted some of the skeptical into the “Jedi order.” newS DeSk

Three major Zendesk clients were affected by the security breach this week that allowed hackers into their systems. Zendesk is a customer service software provider and it announced this week that its system had been compromised. The three major clients affected by the security breach include twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr. Zendesk announced the security breach via a blog post early Thursday night. Tumblr notified affected users via e-mail at 6:35 PM PST on Thursday night that their accounts may have been affected by the security breach. Both twitter and Pinterest are expected to begin notifying affected users soon. Zendesk wrote

that it had become aware that a hacker had access to its system this week and as soon as it learned about the attack it patched the vulnerability and closed the hackers access. The company says that the hacker had access to support information that three of its major customer store on it system. The hacker is believed to have downloaded e-mail addresses of users that had contacted those three companies for support. The hacker was also able to obtain support email subject lines. Wired reports that it has a source claiming that some customers could have had their phone number revealed as well, but no passwords, password hashes, or encrypted passwords were stolen by the hacker. None of the three companies affected in the hack are aware of any user accounts being compromised.

New Google project: Touchscreen laptops NEWS DESK Google is at work on a new kind of Chromebook: one with touchscreen capabilities, the Wall Street Journal reports. The laptops should be out later this year, though the exact date is still unclear, as is the identity of the company handling the hardware. While sales of existing Chromebooks are increasing—up to 100,000 were sold last year— Chrome hasn’t yet made serious inroads into Microsoft’s market share. It will also face competition from within Google, in the form of Android, the Journal

notes. Now, Google will have to get software makers to start writing Chrome-compatible touch programs. Based on Google’s previous forays into hardware, odds are the new machines to be “frighteningly affordable,” speculates Adam estes at the Atlantic Wire. Microsoft is already in the touchscreen-laptop game; a quarter of Windows 8 laptops sold in the US last month had the capability. But Apple hasn’t gotten involved in the fun, meaning that, for a change, Google is actually making something Apple doesn’t—at least not yet, estes notes.

angry egyptians try to send morsi to space Egypt has found a new way to express political discontent. An opposition group has entered President Mohamed Morsi in a contest to win a space flight, the AP reports. It’s a way of showing their desire to eject the leader, the April 6 Youth Movement says on its Facebook page. Members are hoping allies will vote for him to win the contest. “No one in the universe can put up with blatant lies ... except for the brotherly people of the moon,” the group says. “It is for this reason that the president needs your votes. President Morsi, we wish you safe travels.” The contest is the product of an interesting alliance: It’s run by Axe, the personal grooming brand, in a partnership with Buzz Aldrin. newS DeSk

apple files patent for possible Smartwatch The “iWatch” gossip watch is continuing to tick down. Apple filed a patent application today outlining a flexible screen with a “slap-wrap” bracelet you can wear on your wrist, described as a “wearable accessory device,” reports Mashable. Among the possibilities described for the device: “a sensor for detecting a change between the flat state and the curled state of the bi-stable spring substrate,” a “kinetic energy gathering component,” and a battery that can be recharged “by way of a plurality of ambient light energy collectors disposed across a portion of one surface of the accessory device.” All of which is a mouthful, but they all sound like pretty neat ideas for a digital watch. newS DeSk

boy calls 911 to avoid bedtime Police in Massachusetts say a 10-year-old boy called 911 because he didn’t want to go to bed. Brockton police say the boy called just after 8 last night and told the dispatcher he was calling to report his mother because he did not want to go to bed. There was no emergency. According to the police log, an officer went to the boy’s home and explained to him when it was appropriate to call 911. No charges were issued. newS DeSk

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It`s a big game. (The previous) 99 are gone. Obviously a bit nervous but I am sure I will be fine. I have faced these situations before. –Harbanjan Singh

S clarke helPS

SPORTS Saturday, 23 February, 2013

CHENNAI

AGenCieS

OT a single observer on the opening day of India’s series against Australia was surprised by the sight of Michael Clarke conjuring his side’s spinal innings. And not one of them would have been game to predict that Clarke’s partner for a rousing stand of 151, after some major early stutters on a parched pitch, would be the debutant Moises Henriques. Arriving at the wicket soon after lunch, his team floundering at 153 for 5, Henriques showed enormous composure and exemplary technique to construct a supporting innings in the company of his captain, fulfilling the potential first evident when he starred for Australia’s Under-19 World Cup team when only 16 years old a decade ago. Clarke’s century, which took him past Sir Donald Bradman on the nation’s list of Test aggregates, was less of a surprise but no less an achievement, his pacing and poise only briefly interrupted at a critical moment shortly before tea. India’s outstanding bowler R Ashwin appealed vehemently for a bat-pad catch, and replays showed a fat inside edge. Seldom have India cursed the lack of DRS given their opposition to its vagaries, but they were left to gnash their teeth this time. A wicket then would have opened up Australia’s tail to a ball that was reverse swinging and spinning. Instead Clarke and Henriques were not separated until the final half-hour, the allrounder missing a sweep at Ashwin before Ravindra Jadeja skidded one past Mitchell Starc. Clarke had showed rare glee at winning the toss on a surface more clay court than cricket pitch, and the visitors made a rapid start before stuttering twice. First when ed Cowan’s intemperate charge down the wicket was followed by the swift exit of a vulnerable Phillip Hughes, and again when Shane Watson, David Warner and Matthew Wade fell swiftly after lunch. Ashwin gained spin, dip and bounce

aUStralIa PaSS SPIn teSt

while harvesting six wickets, but the rest tended to pitch too short and gave the Australians room to manoeuvre the ball around the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Ishant Sharma and the debutant Bhuvneshwar Kumar appeared peripheral members of the attack; the omitted Pragyan Ojha can feel justly aggrieved. Cowan and Warner made a cheery start, swatting the ball around with ease against Kumar and Ishant. Warner was the scratchier of the two, having batted properly in the nets for only a few days before the match due to his rehab from a fractured thumb. Twice Ashwin beat Warner outside off stump, first drawing an edge that an incredulous Virender Sehwag contrived to spill at slip, then creating a difficult stumping chance that MS Dhoni failed to complete due to the bounce extracted. Meanwhile Cowan looked serene, so much so that he advanced to loft Harbhajan down the ground for only the second six of his 14-Test career. If that stroke showed how good Cowan was feeling, his next aggressive measure was to smack of misplaced comfort. Trying to belt another six, he was beaten by Ashwin’s greater drop and bounce, and failed to get back to his crease before Dhoni tipped the bails off. On the first morning of the series, it was hard to imagine a more wasteful exit. Unlike Cowan, Hughes had failed to make a decent score in the warm-up, and his indecisiveness was evident in a stay that featured plenty of shuffling and ended with a horrid, half-hearted cut at Ashwin that dragged the ball onto leg stump. Watson found the middle of the bat from his first ball, and with Warner had formed the foundation

of a potentially handsome union by lunch. However the interval disrupted their rhythm, and moments after resumption Watson was pinned lbw on the crease by a quicker, straighter delivery that skidded. Warner fell in similar fashion, fooled by Ashwin’s change in trajectory and struck in front on the back foot when he might have

Finn stumps problem to become no-ball CHENNAI AGenCieS

If Steven Finn needed any further incentive to drop his habit of kneeing the stumps in his delivery stride, it has been provided by the announcement that it will in future be called a no-ball. The change to the Laws, rubberstamped by the the MCC Committee, has been brought about specifically in response to Finn’s persistent problem, which the england bowler is still trying to eradicate. The new ruling will come into effect from October 2013 but it is possible for the ICC to change the playing conditions for international cricket to immediately reflect the Law. The issue came to wider attention during england’s home series against South Africa last summer, after a complaint from the batsmen that it was causing a distraction during the second Test at Headingley. Graeme Smith was caught at slip off a delivery that was called dead-ball by the umpires, as Finn had clipped the stumps at the non-striker’s end. At the time, the MCC announced that it would review the Laws. Although Finn has been working to deal with the problem in his delivery stride, the habit has seen umpires call dead-ball

SCORebOARD AUSTRAliA 1st innings 29 eJM Cowan st †Dhoni b Ashwin 59 DA warner lbw b Ashwin 6 PJ Hughes b Ashwin SR watson lbw b Ashwin 28 MJ Clarke* not out 103 MS wade† lbw b Ashwin 12 MC Henriques lbw b Ashwin 68 MA Starc b Jadeja 3 PM Siddle not out 1 eXTRAS (lb 7) 7 TOTAl 316 TO bAT Jl Pattinson, nM lyon FAll OF wiCkeTS 1-64 (Cowan, 14.3 ov), 2-72 (Hughes, 18.3 ov), 3-126 (watson, 34.4 ov), 4-131 (warner, 36.4 ov), 5-153 (wade, 46.6 ov), 6-304 (Henriques, 89.2 ov), 7-307 (Starc, 90.1 ov) bOwlinG: b kumar 11-1-48-0, i Sharma 11-2-46-0, Harbhajan Singh 19-1-71-0, R Ashwin 30-5-88-6, RA Jadeja 24-5-56-1 inDiA TeAM V Sehwag, M Vijay, CA Pujara, SR Tendulkar, V kohli, RA Jadeja, MS Dhoni*†, R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, b kumar, i Sharma Match details Toss Australia, who chose to bat Test debuts MC Henriques (Australia); b kumar (india) Player of the match tba Umpires HDPk Dharmasena (lanka) and M erasmus (S Africa) TV umpire VA kulkarni Match referee bC broad (england) Reserve umpire k Srinath

with regularity since last August and cost Finn another wicket during the ODI series in India, when Suresh Raina edged to slip. In his most recent outing, the second ODI against New Zealand, Finn trialled a new, shortened run-up, with four strides removed - but still clipped the

stumps at one point during the match. Until now, umpires only had recourse to Law 23.4(b)(iv) which states a dead-ball should be called whenever a batsman is “distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while he is preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery”.

leaned forward. Wade fought to get himself established but on 12 was too imprecise with placement of bat and pad and was ruled lbw to an offbreak that pitched on middle and straightened. After their rapid start Australia were sinking fast. Henriques walked to the middle in this

dire scenario, but showed the good sense of a maturing cricketer, and the skills of one raised on Sydney’s often slow and turning pitches. He helped Clarke in manning the pumps, then setting a steady course, and was not unduly troubled despite the pitch’s tendency to offer the odd ball that jumped and fizzed or scuttled through low. Ashwin was absent for most of this phase, inconvenienced by a jammed finger. His return to the crease should have brought an instant wicket in the shadows of the tea break, as Clarke squeezed off bat and pad to short leg. But the umpire Kumar Dharmasena was deaf to the appeals. Clarke’s mastery of body language was apparent, too, holding the bat up and remarking his guard as though nothing had happened. Aware of how the afternoon began, Clarke and Henriques did not dally after tea, jumping on India’s bowlers with intent. Their attack soon had Dhoni reverting to the timid captaincy and modest field placings he has become increasingly reliant upon in recent times, and the hosts’ bowling and fielding lost much of their earlier vim. Clarke appeared handicapped by a sore right shoulder at times, but was otherwise in control. Henriques, his confidence growing by the ball, did not look like getting out until he aimed a sweep at Ashwin in the 90th over of play, Marais erasmus handing a line-ball verdict to the hosts. Starc’s swift exit provided a reminder of what may have unfolded had the tail been exposed earlier, but Clarke was still there at the close, going to his hundred with a lofted drive. With Henriques’ help, he had given Australia a chance.

Australia to play in Hyderabad SYDNEY AGenCieS

Australia plan to play the second Test against India in Hyderabad as scheduled next week despite deadly bomb attacks in the city on the eve of the Test series opener, reports said on Friday. The twin blasts on Thursday killed 14 people and wounded dozens more in a busy neighbourhood in the southern Indian city, raising questions over whether Australia would play the second Test starting on March 2. But Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland told Fairfax newspapers the match was still on as planned as Australia prepared for the opening match in the four-Test series in Chennai starting later Friday. “As far as I’m concerned we are playing the second Test in Hyderabad next week. That’s where we are at,” said Sutherland, who is with the team in Chennai. Sutherland told Fairfax he was happy to continue to Hyderabad where the team is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday. “We’ve got great confidence in the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the relevant authorities here to be able to prepare as best as possible for whatever issues may change from day to day,” he said. “We’re very comfortable with everything that has been done so far on this tour.” “We’ll obviously take advice from relevant authorities and work with the BCCI and others here to make assessments around Hyderabad but at the same time plans have been in place for a long time,” Sutherland said. “At this stage I wouldn’t be calling into question things going ahead in Hyderabad.” He added that team manager Gavin Dovey had sent players text messages overnight updating them

on the blasts and that security had been stepped up. Dozens of extra police reportedly surrounded the Chennai hotel where the Australian and Indian teams are staying. Captain Michael Clarke said his players were focused on the Chennai game. “From the team’s point of view, our focus is wholly and solely on the field because we’ve got people off the field who are experts in what is going on. We’ll be advised by them,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people of Hyderabad who have been affected.” earlier, media reports raised doubts over the tour. “Australia’s cricket tour of India has been plunged into uncertainty,” said the Herald-Sun newspaper, while the Sydney Morning Herald carried a headline “Hyderabad Test in doubt as bombings rock city”. Australia pulled out of a tour to Pakistan in 2008 over security concerns after a series of bombings in the troubled country. They also refused to play any matches in the 1996 World Cup in Sri Lanka after bombings there.

KHI 23-02-2013_Layout 1 2/23/2013 2:22 AM Page 17

“Congratulations @harbhajan_singh on playing his 100th Test tomorrow. Let this series be an encore of 2001. Good luck!” BCCI tweeted, confirming the news of his selection in the playing XI.

SPORTS

Saturday, 23 February, 2013

rahat, adIl StrIkeS faIl to Prevent Sa from croSSInG 300 CENTURION

AGenCieS

N day one South Africa was 334 for 6 with AB de Villiers and Veron Philander batting at 98 and 45 respectively. Before the start of the Test Pakistan received the unpleasant news that two of their main bowlers won’t be available Umar Gul out due to a sore throat and Junaid Khan still recovering from the injury that kept him out of the Newlands Test leaving their pace attack with a total of only two caps coming into the match. South Africa also had an injury-related jolt as Jacques Kallis was forced out with a calf problem he picked up during an optional training session. Two sessions into the game, it was Pakistan who were dealing with the losses better than South Africa. Though the visitors’ raw attack wasn’t consistently threatening and offered plenty of freebies, they managed to strike regularly to dismiss half the South Africa side by tea. Till about half an hour to the end of the second session, the hosts were ahead as Hashim Amla extended the form that made him the world’s No. 1 Test batsman to serve up a stylish 92. Towards the end of the session, though, Rahat Ali struck twice, first removing Amla and then Dean elgar to lift Pakistan.

If Sachin retires, test cricket will die: arjuna ranatunga BANGALORE: Sri Lanka`s World Cupwinning former captain Arjuna Ranatunga feels Test cricket would “die” if players like Sachin Tendulkar call it quits. “If players like him (Tendulkar) don`t play the longer version of the game, Test cricket will die. I pray to God he continues to play Test cricket. I was very happy to know he has retried from ODIs. For me Test is education and the shorter versions are entertainment,” Ranatunga told PTI. Ranatunga, who guided Sri Lanka to their first and only World Cup title in 1996, said Tendulkar still has a lot of cricket left in him. Asked about Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s captaincy, Ranatunga said nobody should comment on his leadership because he is the only Indian who has won two World Cups. “I think India should allow Dhoni to captain,” he said. Online

Rahat had also provided the early breakthrough after Graeme Smith won his third toss in a row and chose to bat on a sunny day in Centurion. Rahat began with a wayward over, in which he was caned for a couple of boundaries by Alviro Petersen, bringing back memories of his ineffective Test debut earlier this month in Johannesburg. He made amends in his second over, though, as an incutter had Petersen lbw for 10. ehsan Adil, the third fast bowler to debut for Pakistan this series, had an even better start as he struck on the third ball of his Test career, getting Smith to nick a catch to a diving Younis Khan at second slip. South Africa were 38 for 2, and with Kallis missing, they were a batsman light. Amla, however, led the recovery with an innings filled with the whiplash drives and the high-risk strokes that he makes seem routine. He was involved in a couple of substantial partnerships, first with Faf du Plessis and later with AB de Villiers to keep South Africa motoring along at four an over. The pressure Pakistan had applied through the early wickets quickly dissipated as their bowlers sprayed the ball around, regularly overpitching or providing too much width. There were plenty of boundaries and towards the end of the session, du Plessis took Rahat for three fours in four deliveries as South Africa took 35 runs off the final seven overs before lunch. Saeed Ajmal, Pakistan’s hero in the Newlands Test, was unable to keep the runs

SCORebOARD SOUTH AFRiCA 1st innings GC Smith* c younis khan b ehsan Adil 5 10 An Petersen lbw b Rahat Ali HM Amla c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Rahat Ali 92 F du Plessis c †Sarfraz Ahmed b ehsan Adil 29 98 Ab de Villiers† not out 7 D elgar lbw b Rahat Ali RJ Peterson run out (Mohammad irfan) 28 VD Philander not out 45 20 eXTRAS (b 1, lb 4, w 4, nb 11) TOTAl 334 TO bAT kJ Abbott, Dw Steyn, Rk kleinveldt FAll OF wiCkeTS 1-13 (Petersen, 3.1 ov), 2-38 (Smith, 9.3 ov), 3-107 (du Plessis, 28.3 ov), 4-186 (Amla, 46.3 ov), 5-196 (elgar, 48.3 ov), 6-248 (Peterson, 62.5 ov) bOwlinG Mohammad irfan 16.5-3-59-0, Rahat Ali 20-1-95-3, ehsan Adil 12.1-2-54-2, Saeed Ajmal 26-5-70-0, younis khan 3-0-14-0, Mohammad Hafeez 5-0-24-0 Azhar Ali 2-0-13-0 PAkiSTAn TeAM Mohammad Hafeez, imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, younis khan, Misbah-ul-Haq*, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed†, Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad irfan, Rahat Ali, ehsan Adil Match details Toss South Africa, who chose to bat Test debuts ehsan Adil (Pakistan); kJ Abbott (South Africa) Player of the match tba Umpires bF bowden (new Zealand) and SJ Davis (Australia) TV umpire bnJ Oxenford (Australia) Match referee JJ Crowe (new Zealand) Reserve umpire S George

down initially, but he exerted more control after lunch. With only two runs coming off the first three overs after the break, du Plessis decided to try throw Adil off his length by skipping down the track but he could only nick the shortish ball through to the keeper. Still, there was no let-up in the scoring as Amla and de Villiers provided a treat of shots. De Villiers was felled by a beamer

from Mohammad Irfan, but that didn’t prevent him from playing his usual inventive strokes, including reverse-sweeps and late dabs past slips. He also regularly picked up singles, and with Amla capitalising on the many overpitched, hitme deliveries on offer, South Africa coasted towards 200. Amla showed how confident he was by skipping down the track and launching

Ajmal over mid-on for four to move to 80. There was a lull in his scoring after that and he survived a loud appeal for caught-behind even after Pakistan used the DRS. Soon after, though, he attempted a drive away from his body - usually not advisable, but Amla plays it perfectly often - and feathered to the keeper. Dean elgar didn’t last long, becoming Rahat’s third wicket for 1 and South Africa were 196 for 5.

BBL chief McKenna’s dual roles under spotlight SPORTS DESK Mike McKenna’s contentious dual role as Cricket Australia’s chief of commercial operations and custodian of its disciplinary codes is expected to be placed under the spotlight as part of the former AFL executive Adrian Anderson’s review of CA integrity. While McKenna’s job as CA’s commercial head and executive in charge of the Big Bash League is not in question, eSPNcricinfo understands there have been mounting concerns within the governing body about the management of disciplinary matters. McKenna has overseen this area since the departure of the former head of cricket, Michael Brown, in 2011, and the move of the former general manager of cricket operations, Geoff Allardice, to the ICC in 2012. Anderson is expected to submit his report into CA’s integrity management by the middle of 2013, with his review to

include, according to a CA statement, “anti-doping policies and disciplinary processes, domestic cricket anticorruption and CA’s involvement in the ICC’s global anti-corruption program”. There is the strong possibility McKenna’s role will be re-shaped, with responsibility for disciplinary process moved elsewhere within the organisation to guard against conflict, and perceptions of conflict. Standards of on-field behaviour during this summer’s BBL degenerated, culminating in the ugly bust-up between Shane Warne and Marlon Samuels at the MCG. As BBL chief and also disciplinary czar, McKenna was in the invidious position of trying to increase the commercial value of the tournament while also having oversight for the code of conduct hearings that had Warne let off with a one game ban and $5000 fine while Marlon Samuels subsequently escaped with a mere reprimand. Other incidents prior to the Warne/Samuels affair were not pursued at

all, and while some elements of CA were content to have the BBL publicised by any means, others were unnerved by the appearance of poor player behaviour being effectively condoned. This raised alarms given the tournament’s aggressive marketing towards families and children: CA’s spirit of cricket initiatives were made to appear empty commitments to the conduct of the game. Since the end of the BBL, closer attention has been paid to player behaviour in domestic matches, as demonstrated by CA’s insistence that Ricky Ponting front a hearing and be fined for throwing his bat when dismissed in a limited overs match at the WACA ground on Tuesday. It is expected that all contracted players will be briefed again about their behavioural responsibilities before next summer. “Public faith in the integrity of sports results they see on the playing field is absolutely critical and we want everything we do pressure-tested by an independent

specialist expert to be sure we are as good as we can be,” CA chief executive James Sutherland said in announcing the review. “While the timing is coincidental, and while the ACC report had no evidence of cricket concerns, its publication is a timely reminder that no modern elite sport is immune from risk.” Anderson was the AFL’s general manager of operations from 2003 to 2012, responsible for a raft of changes to the governance of the game, its rules and disciplinary procedures. He was instrumental in the revamp of the league tribunal, and in setting up the competition integrity unit that investigated allegations the Melbourne Football Club “tanked” games in 2007. The exit of Anderson from the AFL followed indications that the league’s chief executive Andrew Demetriou had passed him over in order to anoint the former head of commercial operations, Gillon McLachlan, as his future successor.

Could have been more ruthless: Henriques CHENNAI AGenCieS

As he walked out to bat in his first Test innings, Moises Henriques felt like his legs were made of jelly. The first-afternoon pitch looked like something that had been played on for a full five days already. R Ashwin was spinning Australia into a trance. Wickets were falling much too quickly for their liking. Plenty of fans and pundits back home had questioned the selection of Henriques, not that he was thinking about that as he walked out. Still, by the end of his innings of 68, he had silenced a few critics. In the post-war era, only three other Australians had scored as many as Henriques on debut from No.7 or lower. Two of those men, Greg Chappell and Adam Gilchrist, went on to become legendary figures in Australian cricket. The other, Greg

Matthews, had a more than handy career over the course of a decade. Of course it is much too early to judge what sort of Test player Henriques will become, but he has made a fine start. If he can add a few wickets he will be hard to budge for the rest of this tour at least. Throughout his innings he batted with the captain Michael Clarke, who must have been impressed by the patience displayed by Henriques during his 132-ball innings and their 151-run partnership. Clarke, who in the lead-up to the match said batsmen who made a start in this series could not afford to throw it away, will be pleased with the way Henriques admonished himself after falling lbw to a sweep. “I certainly think I had the opportunity to make it my best innings [in all cricket] but it was a little bit disappointing, I really wanted to get through the day and make sure we finished five wickets down,” Henriques

said. “I could have been a little bit more ruthless at the end. But if someone said you’re going to have 60-odd on debut I’d take it.” He didn’t try to copy Clarke’s nimble-footed approach against the spinners but he benefited from his captain’s ability to throw Ashwin and his colleagues off their rhythm. Henriques said Ashwin had been a handful but he believed the pitch would also offer some assistance for Australia’s fast men, given that Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar both found some reverse swing as the day wore on. “He [Ashwin] is a little bit taller and puts some really good work on the ball, the ball is fizzing and can bounce or not bounce, or spin or not spin,” Henriques said. “But the other [spinners] are still really disciplined. It wasn’t their day today but guys like Harbhajan have taken 400 Test wickets and come day three or four when the wicket is really starting to

play some tricks, they’re certainly going to come to the game. “[There was] not much seam movement or anything like that but both their quicks were getting it to reverse and I think with our quicks they’ll probably penetrate the wicket a little bit more than what those guys did. Hopefully with guys like Jimmy [Pattinson] and Peter [Siddle] and Mitch [Starc] with a little bit more airspeed, there [will be] reverse swing. The key with reverse swing is to try to bowl to new batsmen with it and be smart with your fields.” Henriques batted on a surface that threw up clouds of dust whenever the players kicked away a stone, and it will only become much more difficult to bat on as the match progresses. Australia reached 316 for 7 at stumps and if Clarke and the tail-enders can push the total up towards 400 on the second day, India might have their work cut out for them.

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Watching Wenger in that press conference hurt me.It made me feel very, very sad because as much as I don’t think he would ever admit it, everything that is happening right now is ultimately down to him.–Wright

17 S

SPORTS Saturday, 23 February, 2013

tyson, holyfield hug it out CHICAGO AGenCieS

Mike Tyson and evander Holyfield shared a hug recently, and both came away without missing any ears. Well, not counting the amount bitten off of Holyfield’s ear back in 1997, of course. The Chicago Tribune reports that Tyson stopped by a Jewel-Osco grocery store, where his old rival was unveiling a new barbecue sauce. No, the oddest part of the story isn’t that Holyfield has a barbecue sauce called Real Deal; it’s that he got what was a surprise visit from the man who once bit off a chunk of his ear. Holyfield had this to say about the chance meeting: It sent a message and let the world know that two fighters can come and forgive each other and move on for the best and the world can do the same thing. everyone knows we were arch-rivals and all that, but when all is said and done, I forgave him and he forgave himself. Here’s a man who changed his life and changed my life, and that’s the way the world is supposed to be. Tyson, proving once again that he has moved beyond playing the role of vilified bully, embraced Holyfield in one super bear hug. The former boxer, who is now something of a comedic star, was in Chicago for his one-man show. Business Insider (via the Associated Press) reports that Tyson’s reasoning for making a stopover to see his former opponent is “he ‘just wanted to see evander’ and that ‘I love’ him.” Let’s go back to June 1997. In the third round, Tyson was asked kindly not to bite Holyfield’s ear. The fight continued, only for Tyson to once again chomp down on his opponent’s other ear.

Pak hockey team to be named today LAHORE: The Pakistan hockey team will be named today, Saturday for taking part in the 22ndSultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament to be played in Ipoh/Malaysia from March 9-17. “Pak hockey players are attending a training camp here at national hockey stadium and the selection will be made on the recommendation of the team management,” said a spokesman of Pakistan Hockey Federation here on Friday. Manger and head coach of the team, Akhtar Rasool Chaudhary will announce the final lineup. STAFF RePORT

Ponting set for Surrey stint SyDNEy: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has agreed a two-month deal to join Surrey this summer, the club have confirmed. The 38-year-old has been signed to replace South Africa skipper Graeme Smith while he is expected to play in the Champions Trophy with the Proteas. Ponting, who retired from international cricket in December, will be available in all formats in June and July. The veteran right-hander will therefore be in england at the same time as Australia as they prepare for this summer’s Ashes series. Ponting made an emotional farewell to Test cricket, as the all-time second-leading runscorer, against Smith’s South Africa in Perth in December. Since then Mike Hussey also called time on his Australia career to leave Michael Clarke’s side with an inexperienced batting line-up. While there has been no indication Ponting would look to reverse his retirement call, he has previously stated his desire to play in one last Ashes series before the end of his career. Ponting, who surrendered the past two Ashes series in england as captain at the Oval, is the second major coup for the club following Smith’s signature. “I’m really excited to be playing for Surrey this season,” Ponting said in a statement on Surrey’s official website. “They are a forward thinking and historic club - and play at one of the greatest grounds in the world. It hasn’t been the friendliest place for me but now it will be my home for two months this summer. AGenCieS

AuStRALiA: David ferrer of Spain plays a backhand in his second round match against tim Smyczek of the united States during day three of the 2013 Australian Open at Melbourne.

ferrer dominates nalbandian BUENOS AIRES

AGenCieS

PANISH top seed David Ferrer led the way at the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires on Thursday as he defeated David Nalbandian 2-6 6-4 6-0. The seeds had it all their own

way, with five out of five safely through to the third round. Ferrer’s compatriot and second seed Nicolas Almagro also progressed, seeing off Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 7-6(5) 6-2. The Spanish contingent in the third round swelled to four as eighth seed Albert Ramos defeated Leonardo Mayer 6-3 76(3) and Tommy Robredo came

past Diego Sebastian Schwartzmann 6-3 6-1. Stanislas Wawrinka, ranked thid in the draw, was a 6-1 6-4 winner over Daniel Gimeno-Traver. Italian Fabio Fognini, seeded sixth, despatched Marco Trungelliti 7-5 6-2, while unseeded duo Julian Reister and Federico Del Bonis also won a place in the next stage.

Kvitova ousts radwansKa to reach dubai seMis DuBAi: Petra Kvitova upset defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships on Thursday evening. The Czech has struggled since finishing 2011 on the brink of becoming world number one but last week she pushed Serena Williams hard in Doha and today she was far too strong for world number four Radwanska. Kvitova’s 6-2 6-4 victory was her first over a topfive player since 2011 and in the last four she will meet former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, who came from a set down to defeat Marion Bartoli. In a match full of service breaks, it was unorthodox Frenchwoman Bartoli who edged the first set but Wozniacki hit back to level and then withstood a Bartoli fightback from 2-5 down in the decider to win 4-6 6-1 6-4. The other semi-final will pit best friends and doubles partners Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci against each other. Vinci continued her giant-killing run, following up her victory over Angelique Kerber by dumping out seventh seed Sam Stosur 6-2 6-4 to reach the biggest singles semi-final of her career. Fellow Italian Errani, who beat Vinci in the quarter-finals of the US Open last year, failed to win a game in the second set against Russia’s Nadia Petrova but recovered to win 6-4 0-6 6-3. AgENCiES

murray, henman to play charity match

LONDON: Andy Murray and Tim Henman will take part in a charity doubles match at Queen’s Club this summer to raise money for the Royal Marsden hospital. British tennis player Ross Hutchins is currently receiving cancer treatment at the hospital. Hutchins, a close friend of Davis Cup team-mate Murray, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in December and began an expected six months of chemotherapy last month. ‘Rally Against Cancer’ will take place on finals day at the AeGON Championships on June 16, with Henman and Murray to be joined by other big-name players and celebrities. Hutchins said: “ever since I was diagnosed and began treatment at the Royal Marsden hospital I have wanted to do something to raise money for them to thank them for their kindness. “It’s going to be a really great day, and for a charity that helps a lot of people and obviously one that means a lot to me.” Ten pounds from each finals day ticket will go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity while the Lawn Tennis Association will contribute £10 for each ace hit during the tournament and there will also be an auction. Murray said: “As soon as Ross started talking about the idea, I knew I wanted to get involved. We want to make it a day to remember, so we are talking to a few celebrities who love their tennis about coming down and getting involved on the day. AGenCieS

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There is nobody better for City than manager Roberto Mancini. Most importantly, the players like him. –Balotelli

mcIlroy, woods bow out early in arizona

AGenCieS

Indian wells prize money to rise INDIAN WELLS: A big prize-money increase for next month’s ATP BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells has finally been approved. ATP executives and tournament officials had been at loggerheads over the increase of US$800,000 which had been planned by tournament owner Larry ellison, one of the world’s richest men. However, the ATP has now finally accepted the move which will see tournament prize money rise to just over $5million. The ATP initially blocked the move at the end of last season, saying the money distribution did not follow its rules - the planned increase had been due to go to players reaching the quarter-finals and beyond. There were also fears that a large increase by Indian Wells would demean the other eight Masters 1000 tournaments. Many players had been angered by the stance, with the ATP being a body set up to represent the players’ interests. Announcing that an agreement was now in place, ATP executive chairman Brad Drewett said: “Prize money increases are always a positive reflection on the state of our sport, however there are a number of safeguards in place in accordance with ATP rules to ensure that prize money being invested into the sport is distributed in a manner that benefits our players proportionately from one round to another. “We have worked with tournament organisers over a number of weeks in order to get as close to the ATP prize money distribution rules as possible. We’re pleased to have reached a decision for 2013.” Drewett added a new rule would be implemented to prevent a repeat of the Indian Wells situation. American star Mardy Fish welcomed the move, saying on Twitter: “Great that the easiest decision of all-time was finally agreed on! Thanks Larry ellison and (ATP player representative) Justin Gimelstob (for) getting it done.”AGenCieS

LAHORE The Dar Hockey Academy on Friday distributed modern hockey equipment received from Holland among the players of the academy here. Test cricketer Wahab Riaz was the chief guest of the ceremony where the equipment was distributed among the young players at the outer ground of National Hockey Stadium. President Dar Academy, Olympian Tauqir Dar was also present along with coaches of the academy. A full container of hockey equipment was sent to Dar Academy by Flying Dutch Veteran Hockey team which toured Pakistan last December as a sign of goodwill to further cement sports relations between the two

Saturday, 23 February, 2013

wAtCh It LIve PTV SPORTS 3rd test: Pakistan South Africa 01:30 PM

ESPN Barclays League: Fulham v Stoke City 06:10 AM

STAR SPORTS

SSGc, army share national cycling honours

to my caddie that he’s not going to be liking this at all.” McIlroy becomes the third top seed in the last four years to go out straightaway. Steve Stricker lost to Ross McGowan in 2010 and last year it was Luke Donald to ernie els. Donald, seeded third this time, was relieved to be still in the event today, a birdie on the last needed to see off the challenge of German Marcel Siem. Lee Westwood did go out, though, losing on the first extra hole to Spaniard Rafael Cabrera Bello, while in the other all-Irish clash Graeme McDowell defeated Padraig Harrington one-up.

There were wins too for Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, but all three Scots in the field went out. Dubai Desert Classic winner Stephen Gallacher lost 2&1 to 2010 winner Ian Poulter, Paul Lawrie found American Scott Piercy too hot to handle and lost 4&3, then Richie Ramsay could not hold onto a two-hole after 11 playing fourth seed Louis Oosthuizen. The South African won on the 17th. Jamie Donaldson, the only Welsh representative, was going home too. He lost 3&2 to Thorbjorn Olesen, the Dane he pushed into second place in Abu Dhabi last month.

Dar Academy distributes hockey equipment received from Holland STAFF RePORT

SPORTS

BARCLAYS LEAGUE: ARSENAL V ASTON VILLA 8:24 PM

ARIZONA

ORY McIlroy and Tiger Woods both fell at the first hurdle as the snow-affected Accenture Match Play Championship finally got under way in earnest in Arizona. Woods, beaten 2&1 by fellow American Charles Howell in a first round still to be completed following Wednesday’s snow, has the comfort of knowing he has already won a title this year. But world number one McIlroy, who lost on the final green to 68th-ranked fellow Irishman Shane Lowry, will know there are more questions coming after what has to go down as a shocking start to the season. The 23-year-old began it last month by missing the halfway cut in Abu Dhabi in the very week he signed a multimillion pound contract to use Nike clubs. He shot two rounds of 75 there and exited last night after an approximate four-over-par 76. Next week he defends the Honda Classic in Florida. “I drove really well, but couldn’t take advantage of that,” he said. “If I’d hit my irons better it could have been a different story. “I could have been three or four up early on, but let him get back into the match and he had a nice little run.” Lowry, meanwhile said: “My knees were knocking over that final (threefoot) putt. I was very nervous going out and quite mad at myself for that, but I had a bit of luck that I needed and said

countries. The equipment includes hockey shoes, small goal posts, tracksuits, goalkeepers kit, sticks, protective gears and allied stuff being used by players during practice and matches. “In the first phases we have distributed pairs of shoes and other equipment to the players of the academy and in the second phase we will be distributing it among the deserving players and academies throughout the country,” said Taquir. He said during their visit to Pakistan the Dutch veteran team promised to send hockey equipment and a desso turf to Dar Academy for the revival of hockey at grass root level. He said Dar Academy which is striving for the promotion of hockey at grass root level for past many years will provide equipment to clubs and

academies which are working at early level for the cause of hockey. He said a full goalkeepers kit was presented to to veteran Olympians and former Pakistan captain Wasim Ahmed for his academy at Vehari. He said the Dutch team will also be providing a desso turf which will be laid at the outer ground of national stadium whose plastic surface has worn out. “We are thankful to the Dutch team for their generous contribution for the further uplift of hockey,” he said. He said Dar Academy has signed a playing agreement with PHF academy which under both the academies will play two practice matches in a week in order to improve their game . Showing a good gesture Wahab Riaz also gifted thirty six international standard hockey balls to Dar hockey.

LAHORE: Honours were equally shared by Sui Southern Gas Company and Army when their cyclists won one gold medal each on the third day of the 60th National Cycling Championship here on Friday. SSGC won the one kilometer individual sprint gold at velodrome as Army stamped its supremacy in the 70 kilometre time trials at DHA Phase VIII. Noor Alam of SSGC secured gold medal in the individual sprint by completing the race in 12.4 seconds. Mohammad Sajid of Army won second position whereas 3rd to 6thpositions were achieved by Awais Ali, Mohammad Atif, Bilal Riaz and Asif of Punjab, Army, Islamabad and SSGC respectively. In the host toughest event, the 70km time trial , thirty two riders participated and Army;s team completed the race in 1:36:43:56. Second position won by SSGC, third by Sindh, fourth, Fifth and sixth positions were won by Balochistan, Punjab& Islamabad respectively. In the last event of the day, 1 Km team sprint qualification rounds, SSGC, Army, Punjab and Sindh qualified for final round where SSGC& Army will compete for 1st place whereas Sindh & Punjab will compete for 3rdplace. STAFF RePORT

aslam county club, quetta shine in karachi KARACHI: Aslam County Cricket Club (a Quetta based cricket club) visited Karachi in the first week of February 2013. Aslam County Cricket Club played two matches with Quereshi Dolphins. In the first match, after winning the toss, Aslam County Cricket Club scored 128 in 25 overs having contribution of Mohammad Aslam of 67 runs. Aslam County’s Fazal-ur-Rehman and Mohammad Alsam took 3, 3 wickets. Quereshi Dolphins Mohammad Mushtaq and Haseeb took 3 wickets each. Quereshi Dolphins chased this target in the last ball of match and won the match by 6 wickets. Mohammad Mushtaq scored 42 and Zeeshan scored 25 runs. From Aslam County Cricket Club, Fazal-ur-Rehman and Mohammad Alsam took 2, 2 wickets. In the second match, Aslam County Cricket Club beat Quereshi Dolphins by 27 runs through the courtesy of its captain Mohammad Aslam’s all round performance. Bating first, Aslam County Cricket Club scored 276 runs in 40 overs having brilliantly scored 122 runs by Mohammad Aslam. From Quereshi Dolphins Mohammad Asif and Ibrahim took 3 wickets each. STAFF RePORT

Rose, Colsaerts set to clash in Tucson TUCSON AGenCieS

Two of europe’s Ryder Cup heroes will play each other in the second round after the Accenture Match Play Championship finally got going again. It will be Justin Rose against Nicolas Colsaerts following contrasting victories. The first world championship of the year is playing catch-up after an amazing snowstorm cut short the opening day and then another overnight meant the resumption was delayed until 1pm. Belgian Colsaerts easily dispatched American Bill Haas 5&4, but Rose breathed a huge sigh of relief when he saw off South

Korean KJ Choi following the loss of a four-hole lead. Fifth seed Rose was even in danger of falling behind at the 15th, but sank a 15-foot birdie putt and Choi missed from 12. He did not even need to putt two holes later as his 42-year-old opponent got in trouble and conceded, but Rose said: “I said at the beginning of the week it comes down to that one moment in the round where you need to make something happen. “That moment for me was on 15. I was looking like I was going one down. To make a putt when I really needed it feels good and I felt like that’s what I’ve begun to do a lot recently.” He did, of course, produce a breathtaking finish to beat Phil Mickelson

at the Ryder Cup and then won the World Golf Final in Turkey two weeks later with wins over Westwood (twice), Tiger Woods, US Open champion Webb Simpson and this week’s defending champion Hunter Mahan. “It’ll be a tough game,” Rose said of his match against Colsaerts. “But it’s obviously one that I’m looking forward to - and I’ll have to make some birdies.” Another all-Ryder Cup clash was on the cards, but Medinah match-winner Martin Kaymer, who beat South African George Coetzee 2&1, was kept waiting to discover his opponent when Lee Westwood lost a three-hole lead and was taken into sudden death by Spain’s Rafael Cabrera Bello.

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Saturday, 23 February, 2013

Consensus on democracy good omen for country: PM ISLAMABAD nni

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said it was for the first time in Pakistan’s history that smooth transition of power was going to take place in the country. The prime minister was talking to Minister for Climate Change Rana Farooq Saeed Khan, Minister for Postal Services Sardar Al-Haj Umar Gorgaij, Minister for Science and Technology Changez Jamali

and Senate Deputy Chairman Sabir Baloch who called on him separately on Friday. He said consensus among political forces and other stakeholders on the need for continuity of democracy was a good omen for the system. The prime minister said in a democratic system, it was electorate’s right to vote in and vote out governments. He directed the ministers to step up contacts with the masses and apprise the people about various measures adopted by

the democratic government for their wellbeing. Ashraf said during its five-year tenure, the government addressed structural issues that had traditionally bedeviled the federation. He added that the legal, political and administrative reforms introduced by the government were far-reaching in nature and would take some time to bear fruit. The ministers apprised the prime minister about the working of their ministries.

ISLAMABAD APP

Two nuclear power plants, 340 MW each, are under construction at Chashma and are expected to be commissioned by 2016, with Chinese assistance. Construction of these power plants became possible after a long-standing agreement, whereas three other nuclear power plants already commissioned in the country are performing well. According to official sources, a major chunk of the Pakistan Atomic energy Commission (PAeC) budget has been allocated to the two plants. PAeC envisages production of 8,800 MW by the year 2030 through nuclear power reactors, sources added. “An amount of Rs 34.6 billion has been set aside for Chashma Nuclear Power Plants, C3 and C4. The total cost of these two projects is Rs 190 billion which will be partially funded by a Rs 136 billion Chinese loan,” said a source. The government has so far spent Rs 62.4 billion on the mega project having a 660 MW generation capacity. With Rs 34.6 billion additional spending, the government will be able to complete almost half of the work by June 2013, an official said.

no leeway on fake degrees for mPs, clarifies ecP ISLAMABAD Online

The election Commission of Pakistan (eCP) on Friday clarified that it had not withdrawn the issue of fake degrees’ of parliamentarians. The eCP said in a statement that “An impression has been created in a section of the press suggesting the eCP surrendered on the fake degrees’ issue”. The commission clarified that it had not withdrawn the fake degrees’ issue of parliamentarians. “The eCP is steadfastly determined to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in letter and spirit and the process of verification of degrees shall be completed so as to achieve the objective of Article 62 and 63 of the constitution,” the eCP said. earlier, a section of press had created an impression through news reports that the eCP had almost surrendered to the pressure from parliamentarians on the issue of unverified degrees, including highly influential members belonging to both sides of the political divide.

china to help commission two nuclear power plants by 2016

fuel prices likely to be increased from march 1 QUETTA: Hazara Shia children hold candles during a vigil for the victims of the Kirani Road bombing.

ISLAMABAD nni

PtI to ‘n’: Stop no need for dealing with aSwj aSwj support: ‘n’ PTI SPOKESMAN SAYS SHARIFS HELL-BENT ON CROSSING ALL LIMITS TO GRAB POWER ISLAMABAD STAFF RePORT

He Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday expressed concern over the media reports of seat adjustment between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the banned outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). The PTI spokesman said the reports suggested how opportunist politicians were legitimising the killing of thousands of innocent people for “petty political gains”, adding that the Sharifs were hell-bent on

crossing all limits to grab power. A media report claimed that the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), previously the SSP, confirmed that following extensive discussions, the two parties had agreed on seat adjustments in the upcoming elections on at least 15 seats of the National Assembly from the southern Punjab. A statement issued by the PTI Media Centre read that the reports had exposed the nexus between the PML-N and the banned outfit for which media, academia, scholars and civil society had long been raising fingers squarely at the Punjab government. “The people of Pakistan still remember the public statement of Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif made soon after successive terror attacks in Lahore, requesting Taliban not to target his government as the PML-N and Taliban had the same ideology,” said the PTI spokesman, adding that the CM’s statement had jeopardised lives of the people across Pakistan.

PML-N SENATOR SAYS PARTY POPULAR IN MASSES, NOT SHORT OF ELECTION CANDIDATES LAHORE

STAFF RePORT

AKISTAN Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) Senator Pervaiz Rasheed on Friday said his party had no shortage of candidates for general elections nor it has the need for support of any extremist group or to borrow its candidates. In a press statement, Senator Rasheed said the PML-N was the country’s most popular political party and had candidates for every constituency to contest general elections. He said that due to a large

number of candidates, the short listing was in the final stage. He said the party’s platform was already full and there was no room for more candidates. He said the PML-N had no need to make seat adjustment with any extremist party or sectarian group by disregarding its own candidates. He said the PML-N, during its last and present tenure, had been determined in containing the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and had also arrested Malik Ishaq and other extremists. He said former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf did not show a serious attitude against the extremists and the elements involved in sectarian activities while some extremists were given bail by the courts due to weak prosecution or were acquitted by them. He said that the Punjab government had never supported any group or organisation on the issue of sectarianism and had rather been firm in maintenance of inter-faith harmony.

Court knows well its powers, says CJ ISLAMABAD Online

Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said that no one should remain under any delusion, as the court was fully cognisant of its powers and knew how to exercise them. He gave these remarks during course of hearing of missing prisoners of Adiala prison case. FATA Secretary Jamal Nasir, Attorney General (AG) Irfan Qadir and counsel for petitioners appeared in the court.

The CJ admonished Deputy Attorney General Ali Zai for coming in the court late, saying the “court starts functioning from 9am and you people reach your office at 11am. Punctuality of time norms should be followed in the future”. The AG told the court that applications in respect of seven persons had been received in connection with their release from the detention centres. However, medical check-up of all persons would be carried out first and their applications would be decided later.

The CJ said, “It seems you have got no evidence, therefore, you are talking in this fashion.” The AG said, “You will also have to see if the court is empowered to hear this case in the perspective of FATA.” The CJ said, “Don’t tell the court about its powers. We fully know what our powers are. The court knows how to exercise its powers. Do you us to remain silent while innocent people get convicted. Injustice will not to be allowed. The missing persons matter is highly sensitive. The court can-

not shut its eyes to it. No evidence came forward for putting Adiala jail’s missing prisoners to trial”. FATA Secretary Jamal Nasir told the court that medical checkup of all prisoners had been completed and reports had been sent to the governor. “The court can summon these reports from the governor,” he said. The CJ said, “We know nothing more. You please provide the revised reports and all the record to the court.” The hearing of the case was adjourned until February 26.

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

Editor: Arif Nizami

The Ministry of Petroleum on Friday said petroleum prices were likely to go up from March 1 across the country. According to the ministry, the prices of diesel and petrol would be raised by Rs 3 and Rs 2.80 respectively while the price of light diesel would be increased by Rs 2.40. The prices of Kerosene oil and High Octane would also be raised by Rs 2 and Rs 3.5.

Syed Imran Gardezi appointed as PIo ISLAMABAD STAFF RePORT

Senior Officer of Information Services, Syed Imran Gardezi, has been appointed as the Principal Information Officer (PIO). Prior to his appointment as head of PID, Syed Imran Gardezi served as Pakistan’s minister information in Washington DC, press minister in London, general manager PIA, and press secretary to former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani. Gardezi got Masters degree on presidential scholarship from City University, London. He was awarded Pakistan’s best media manager award by APNS in 2003.