e-paper pakistantoday 22nd November, 2012

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Claiming injustice, Beg files review plea in SC for ‘fair trial’

After days of bloodshed, Gaza cease-fire reached

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Despite challenges in ties US, Pakistan align in defeating terrorists: Panetta PAGE |04

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thursday, 22 november, 2012 Muharram 7, 1434

Rs 15.00 Vol iii no 146 19 pages Lahore edition

Another day in the ‘land of pure’ n

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At least 22 people killed on violent Wednesday as Shia mourners at two imam bargahs in Rawalpindi, Karachi bombed 20 killed, 46 injured as suicide bomber rips through mourners gathered at Rawalpindi imam bargah Two dead as twin bombs target imam bargah in Karachi’s Orangi Town

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD MuHaMMad azaM/TaRiq Habib

ElyING lofty claims by the federal and provincial governments of putting in place foolproof security arrangements for mourning processions during the holy month of Muharram, terrorists struck two imam bargahs in Karachi and Rawalpindi at will on Wednesday, killing at least 22 people in their destructive trail.

The horrifying and tragic incidents came as the government prepares to host the D8 summit in Islamabad today (Thursday) to be attended by high-profile dignitaries from across the Muslim world, leaving the authorities scrambling over the country’s security situation ahead of the crucial moot.

The bombings on the two imam bargah were not the only violence shaming the

B

government’s claims, as three security officials and four policemen were among nine people killed in terror attacks in Quetta and Bannu, respectively.

The imam bargah bombings came only two days after the bombing of another imam bargah in Karachi on Sunday that killed four Shia mourners. Ironically, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has claimed that there’s no sectarian friction in the country and such incidents of terrorism are the work of a “third power”.

The Rawalpindi blast took place at around 11:30pm outside Qasre Shabbir imam bargah in the city’s Dhok Syeddan area on Misriyal Road, when a large number of Shia mourners had gathered for a Muharram congregation.

The explosion left at least 20 people dead and injured more than 46. Reports said seven hand grenades had been recovered from the site as well.

Sources said the attack had been

carried out by a suicide bomber, adding that there were chances of the death toll climbing as a number of victims were critical.

Rescue personnel faced difficulties when mourners refused to leave the surroundings and electricity to the area was cut off after the blast, causing further panic and confusion. Evacuating the injured was another problem as the ambulances had been parked a little distance away from the site of the blast.

The government declared an emergency in all hospitals in Rawalpindi, while Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif ordered the administration to make all out efforts to deal with the incident’s aftermath.

Earlier in the evening, two people were killed and sixteen, including journalists and security personnel, injured in twin blasts that hit Karachi’s Orangi Town.

The first blast occurred close to imam bargah Haider Qarar in Orangi, while

9 killed as security forces targeted in Quetta, Bannu 7 security officials among 9 killed g Blast in Quetta kills five, 11 injured g SHO among four policemen killed in Bannu firing

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QUETTA/PESHAWAR sTaff RepoRT

At least seven security personnel were among nine people killed in two separate incidents of violence in Quetta and Bannu on Wednesday.

Five people, including three security officials, were killed and another 11 injured in a powerful blast in Quetta’s Shahbaz Town area that targeted security forces, police said. “Explosives weighing 12kgs to 15kgs were strapped to a motorbike that was left abandoned on Smungli Road near City Hall with an intention to target a security vehicle escorting schoolchildren,” DIG Investigation Hamid Shakeel said.

He said findings gathered so far suggested that a remote control was used to detonate the bomb just as the security forces’ vehicle passed through the area.

As a result, three security personnel died on the spot while 11 suffered injuries. Two of the 11 injured later succumbed to their injuries.

The DIG Investigation, however, did not confirm the casualty of any civilian.

“There are reports of 11 people, three security personnel among them, who have been injured and being treated at CMH,” he maintained. “Several buildings and vehicles in the neighbourhood were damaged when the bomb went off,” witnesses said.

“We have beefed up security in the

provincial capital and started search to track the suspects down,” CCPO Mir Zubair Mehmood said. Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said in view of the emergency situation, protesting doctors had been asked to resume work in the emergency units of hospitals in Quetta. According to the hospital sources, the condition of some of the injured was critical. Investigations were underway. Meanwhile in Janikhel area of Bannu, four police personnel, including a station house officer (SHO), were killed when two armed motorcyclists opened fire on a police van patrolling the area.

According to reports, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far.

the second occurred an hour later next to the gate of the facility.

The blast occurred when a large number of Shia mourners were busy in Muharram rituals inside the facility.

Witnesses said a motorcycle rider was heading towards the imam bargah but collided with a rickshaw before getting closer, triggering an explosion that resulted in nine people being injured and damages to several shops and vehicles.

Security personnel and rescue officials rushed to the area and initiated evacuation and shifting the injured to hospitals.

Just as the rescue activities were underway, another explosion jolted the area, injuring several journalists, security and rescue personnel.

Seven people were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital with injuries.

Police and Rangers pushed back the crowd and media teams after the second

blast and completely cordoned off the area. The Bomb Disposal Squad said initial investigations revealed that ball bearings were not used in the second blast and it was not as powerful as the first one. SIU SSP Raja Umar Khattab said, “Security personnel were busy in investigating the first blast when the second bomb went off. He said it could not be confirmed if the first blast was a suicide attack or not. He, however, said explosives for the second blast were planted in a cement block.

But DIG West Javed Odho said the first blast was carried out by a suicide bomber and killed a rickshaw driver and injured seven others. Odho said the police force was working across the city and the assigned deployments would remain in their locations.

A police official said on condition of anonymity that the second bomb targeted security officials.

Gaza conflict likely to overshadow D-8 summit ISLAMABAD Tayyab Hussain

The Israeli aggression on Gaza is likely to overshadow deliberations as the leaders of Muslim countries meet today (Thursday) at the Eight Developing Nations (D-8) moot in Islamabad.

With an estimated population of over one billion, the D8 group comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

World leaders started arriving in the federal capital to attend the D8 summit on Wednesday. The government has already announced a public holiday in the federal capital on the opening day of the summit to facilitate security arrangements and movement of the VVIPs. Though the moot is aimed at finding ways and means to increase mutual trade and business between member states, the Israeli

aggression may overshadow the talks and a joint strategy may be discussed by the Muslim leaders, as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Egyptian leader Mohamed Morsi and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, all three key players in the Middle East, are scheduled to be among those attending the D8 summit. The tone was set for the Palestine debate as Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday condemned what she called Israel’s “aggression” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the state-run news agency, APP, ran a government statement that said the conflict in Gaza would likely be a hot topic in the meetings between the Pakistani leaders and those attending the D-8 summit. The summit will mark the first visit by an Egyptian president to Pakistan in four decades and the first by a Nigerian leader in 28 years.

Continued on page 04

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02 News CarTooN

NewS

Today’s

nab, Hayat allowed to settle dispute over Karkey dues

INfoTaINmeNT Happier teens make more money as adults

Quick Look

Page 11

Story on Page 05

Suddle wants Arsalan, Riaz and Khalil’s names to be put on ECL ISLAMABAD: The Shoaib Suddle Commission has requested the authorities concerned to put the names of Arsalan Iftikhar, Malik Riaz and Ahmed Khalil on the exit-control list (ECl). According to sources, the commission, which is tasked with investigating the Arsalan Iftikhar case, requested the interior secretary to place the names of Arsalan, Riaz and Khalil on the ECl within two days. The commission also warned the Interior Ministry that it would be held responsible if there was any delay in the implementation of the request. The counsel for Khalil said his client would submit a written statement to the commission on December 1. inp

I was told the jacket had hashish in it: would-be bomber PESHAWAR: The 13-year-old suspected suicide bomber, Bilal, said he was told that the suicide jacket had hashish in it and was paid Rs 15,000 to carry the jacket to the airport. According to a private TV channel, Bilal recorded his statement before an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Peshawar. “They said that the hashish needs to be tied around my body and I did not know that it was a suicide jacket,” Bilal said. He said that his mother was also paid Rs 10,000 and that a man named Jahangir was the real culprit who brought him to Peshawar. Earlier on Tuesday, Peshawar police arrested another man with a suicide vest from Khan lar.

Officials said that a man was traveling from Bara to Peshawar on his motorbike when a 12-year-old boy signaled him, asking for a lift into the city. Near the suburban area of Sarband, they were stopped at a checkpost for routine check up when the police discovered that the boy was wearing a suicide vest. online

Pakistan wants ties with US based on mutual trust, respect: Kaira ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants cordial relations with the United States, based on mutual trust and respect, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Wednesday. Talking to US Ambassador Richard Olson, Kaira said terrorism was a global threat that needed to be tackled through global efforts. The two also discussed matters of mutual interests, particularly cooperation in the field of media. Kaira stressed for waging a war against breeding grounds of extremist mindset. “Pakistan is a functional democracy where media is free and civil society is vibrant,” he said. He said the government had put in place a system to ensure free and fair elections in the country. The minister and the US ambassador agreed on the need for enhanced and continuous engagement with each other. Both also emphasised on the need for exchange of technical expertise in the field of media and learn from each other’s experiences. app

Story on Page 14

Patients still await army doctors at Balochistan hospitals QUETTA online

Military medics are yet to replace the doctors on strike at the government-run hospitals of Balochistan, as the strike continued against the abduction of a senior doctor.

According to media reports, most private clinics also remained closed in Quetta on Wednesday.

Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan President Dr Sultan Tareen has vowed to continue protests, and condemned police action against protesting doctors. He said that over 80 doctors had been arrested by the police.

In the wake of patients’ plight, Balochistan Health Secretary Asmatullah Kakar on Tuesday wrote a letter to Pakistan Army, requesting deployment of army’s medical corps doctors at government hospitals.

The army had assured the deployment of at least 40 medics; however, the pledge is yet to be fulfilled after the passage of 24 hours.

The PMA has been protesting for over a month against the kidnapping of Dr Saeed from Quetta.

Doctors’ unions in lahore and Peshawar on Tuesday expressed solidarity with their colleagues in Quetta, and warned of expanding the strike to other major cities of the country.

Pakistan reaffirms pledge against terrorism after Kasab’s execution ISLAMABAD online

Reacting to the execution of Ajmal Kasab – the lone survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Pakistan said on Wednesday that its position on terrorism was very clear and consistent, as it has always condemned terrorism in all its forms.

“We are willing to cooperate and work closely with all the countries of the region to eliminate the scourge of terrorism,” Foreign

Office spokesman Moazzam Ali Khan said in a statement. While clarifying a report printed in the Indian press about not receiving a note from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad regarding the execution of Ajmal Kasab‚ the FO spokesman said “these reports are incorrect and baseless”.

He said the deputy high commissioner at the Indian Embassy in Islamabad had visited the Foreign Office on Tuesday evening with a note regarding the execution of Ajmal Kasab, adding that the director general for South Asia

at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received the note and acknowledged receipt.

It may be mentioned that Ajmal Kasab‚ the lone survivor of the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people, was executed on Wednesday in an Indian jail. Kasab’s execution came after the Indian president rejected his plea for mercy.

Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said that if Kasab’s family seeks his body, the Indian authorities would seriously consider the request.

reko diq case

BHP was not registered in Pakistan, SC told g

CJP Chaudhry says Balochistan govt should have known that all foreign companies require approval from Board of Investment ISLAMABAD app

Balochistan Advocate General Amanullah Kinrani on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that BHP, the world’s leading copper mining company, which had been given a mining lease for the discovery of gold and copper reserves in Reko Diq during 1990s, was not registered under Pakistani laws.

He was appearing before a threemember SC bench – comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Azmat Saeed – that resumed hearing of a petition moved by late Mualana Abdul Haq. In response to the bench’s remarks, Kinrani said the BHP had not been incorporated in Pakistan as a foreign minerals mining company.

The chief justice observed that the Balochistan government should have known the fact as all foreign companies required approval from the Board of In-

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

vestment.

He told Khalid Anwar, counsel for Tethyan Copper Company (TCCP), that nothing like a mining agreement existed prior to 1996 with the BHP, but a request for relaxation of rules had been submitted.

He said the relaxation was sought when there was no agreement. “Show us any exploration agreement from any part of Pakistan with similar precedent. We will examine the instant matter on touchstone of the Pakistani laws.”

Khalid Anwar said there was no such requirement when Chagi Hills Exploration Joint Venture Agreement (CHEJVA) had been reached.

The CJ said, “Do not give such a free hand, we are a sovereign country.”

Anwar contended that the BHP was not entitled to such an agreement as it did not make any discovery in the area.

He said the TCCP had made a discovery in 2006 so why was it blamed for the acts of the BHP.

Reading out the Companies Act, he said under its provisions, Pakistani exploration companies did not require registration but it was a requirement for the foreign companies while his client TCCP was a subsidiary of the TCCA and a Pakistani company.

The counsel apprised the bench that the negotiations for reaching an agreement for Reko Diq mining venture started way back in 1993 and after three years of elaborate discussions involving all the stakeholders, a consensus draft was agreed upon which had all the transparency. He said the BHP made a generous offer of 25 percent to the provincial government which was unprecedented in the exploration history at that time.

Refuting claims about corruption or any underhand deals, he said relaxation of rules did not amount to amending of Balochistan Mineral Rules of 1997.

Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, counsel for the BHP, apprised the bench that they were contacting with their clients but the time

difference was a matter and would assist the court with relevant record.

The Balochistan AG apprised the bench that Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan was also engaged by the provincial government to represent it in the instant case

and sought an order in this regard.

The chief justice told him that the court had always welcomed everyone and had not stopped Aitzaz from appearing.

Further proceedings were adjourned until Thursday (today).

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News 03 arTS & eNTerTaINmeNT

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How Julianne Moore still stays fit at 51

let’s explore islamic finance models

latif goes to court to demand pCb reforms

edITorIal

a step forward

Pakistan, Afghanistan and ISAF sign a coordination agreement

CommeNT dr James J zogby The Gaza conflict: No lessons learned

Malik Muhammad ashraf Regulating medical products

Story on Page 18

Story on Page 12

Story on Page 15

articles on Page 14

Claiming injustice, Beg files review plea in SC for ‘fair trial’ g

SC allows two weeks to federation in asghar Khan case review ISLAMABAD

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QUETTA: A deserted ward at Civil Hospital speaks for itself the plight of patients who are caught between the doctors’ demand for an end to abductions of medical practitioners and the inefficiency of the security agencies which have so far been unable to control such crimes. INP

Shujaat displeased with new accountability bill ISLAMABAD inp

Pakistan Muslim league-Quaid President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Wednesday expressed strong reservations over the new accountability bill, saying he had conveyed his and his party’s reservations to the government.

Talking to several leaders from Swat who left the PMl-N, PTI and JI to join the PMl-Q, Shujaat said not appointing a retired army officer as the NAB chairman would be discrimination and an attempt to create confrontation among the institutions. He was of the view that the new accountability bill was a step to create a gulf between parliament and the armed forces, as well as the people. The PMl-Q chief said accountability should be for everyone, including politicians, judiciary and the armed forces. Shujaat said his party should not be underestimated in the coming elections.

He said there was no leader who was equally popular in all parts of the country, adding that if someone was popular in Punjab, he had no support in Sindh. The PMl-Q president said they had served the people in

the past and would go to them for votes on basis of their performance. To a question, Shujaat said it had been decided that the government would complete its tenure and elections could be held by the end of April or in the first week of May. He said elections would certainly be held, as there was no other alternative.

online

ORMER army chief General (r) Mirza Aslam Beg on Wednesday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court (SC) against its verdict on the Asghar Khan case which challenged the distribution of funds by intelligence agencies among selected politicians to rig the 1990 polls.

In his petition, Beg said that he had not been given a fair chance to defend himself before the bench, requesting the court to hear him again, at length.

“Whatever I did, was at the behest of the supreme commander. And, in case of non-compliance, the disciplinary action might have ensued against him.”

Meanwhile, the SC Registrar’s Office has allowed two weeks to the advocate on record accepting his request for filing paper books in the review plea moved by the federation in the Asghar Khan case.

A press release from the SC on Wednesday said it was clarified that the federation of Pakistan through the Ministry of law and Parliamentary Affairs secretary filed the review petition seeking review of the Supreme Court’s judgment dated October 19, 2012 passed in HRC No 19/1996 (Asghar Khan Case). The review petition was returned to the advocate on record on November 17 due to the following reasons: 1) Security Challan amounting to Rs 10,000/- was not furnished, which is essentially required in a review petition under Rule 7 of Order XXVI of Supreme Court Rules, 1980 and without which no review petition can be entertained.

2) Memo of Civil Review Petition is also signed by some other person whose name is not mentioned.

3) Upon Memo of Review Petition name of Omar Hassan Sajjad, advocate was also mentioned as to have drawn/settled the Civil Review Petition, however, he is neither an advocate of the Supreme Court nor his attendance is marked upon the copy of order dated November 19, review of which is being sought.

The advocate on record removed all objections and re-filed the review petition on November 19, but sought two weeks time for filing paper books, which was allowed by the office of SC registrar.

PPP lawmaker Tassaduq Masood resigns from NA ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Tassaduq Masood Khan, a National Assembly member from the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), resigned from his seat in the legislature on Wednesday. He was elected from NA-100 (Gujranwala-VI), with 71,112 votes. Although the PPP leader has not yet made public his reason for resigning, but sources said that he was annoyed over non-availability of development funds for his constituency. online

APCNGA gives formula to rationalise prices g

Chairman says association will make formula part of oGra’s November 23 public hearing ISLAMABAD online

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has proposed three options to keep the CNG business viable and to provide the much-needed relief to the masses with regards to the ever-increasing CNG rates.

According to an APCNGA statement issued on Wednesday, APCNGA Chairman Ghiyas Paracha said the options had been designed keeping in mind the directives of the Supreme Court, adding that

OGRA should accept one of the options to fix the prices immediately.

Talking to reporters, he said, “We are opposed to any upward revision in the prices of CNG but just profit is our right.

Majority of the business are run on the basis of 30 percent profit while those with transaction to the tune of billions can operate of reduced rates,” he said.

Paracha said the APCNGA would make the formula part of the OGRA’s public hearing scheduled on November 23 in lahore. He said OGRA was free to impose prices recommended by auditors

provided the APCNGS’s four major reservations were addressed.

Giving details of the reservations, he said the CNG sector should be charged the same price which the other sectors were paying, the auditors show an average sale of the CNG filling stations at 74,000kgs which was more than 51,600kgs, the profit margin should be rationalised and the repressive taxation should be abolished.

He said the options forwarded by the APCNGA were not new but were already being practiced in other sectors.

He said the fertilizer sector was getting gas for Rs 116.27 per mmbtu and paying Rs 100 as gas infrastructure development cess (GIDC) which if introduced in the CNG sector would bring prices down to Rs 48.15 in region 1 and Rs 46.80 in region 2. Giving details of second option, Paracha said the industrial sector was paying Rs 460 per mmbtu and Rs 50 as GIDC which if imposed in the CNG sector will bring down the prices to Rs 69.79 in region 1 and Rs 66.63 in region 2. He said private power producers were getting gas for Rs 460 per

mmbtu and paying Rs 100 as GIDC. “Uniform gas rates and taxation will result in CNG price in region one at Rs 43.47 and Rs 70.00 in region 2.”

Paracha said there was nothing new in this formula and similar rates and taxation had already been bring practiced in other sectors, therefore there was no room for anyone to raise any objection.

He said the implementation of the APCNGA formula would not only streamline CNG prices, bring uniformity among all critical sectors of the economy but would also provide relief to the masses.

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

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04 Gaza conflict likely to overshadow D-8 summit Continued fRoM page 01

The moot’s ambitious goal is to increase trade between member countries from $130 billion to $507 billion by 2018.

Egyptian president and leader of the Muslims Brotherhood Mohammad Morsi, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang yudhoyono, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Nigerian President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan are scheduled to attend the summit, while the prime ministers of Bangladesh and Malaysia have already excused from attending the meeting and would be represented by other officials.

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

President Nigerian Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday and was received by Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Wattoo.

Speaking ahead of the summit, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar on Wednesday called for preferential trade, visa and customs agreement for Pakistan, adding that that her country offered investment opportunities to foreign businessmen in energy, communication infrastructure and agriculture sectors.

Speaking at the D-8 Ministerial Council Meeting, Khar said the Islamabad Summit would have significance as it was coinciding

with the 15th anniversary of the founding of the D-8 bloc.

“This journey, which we started in 1997, has enriched our fraternal relationship in the last many decades but there is so much more potential that we still have to tap and we hope that we start the journey of tapping that potential from here,” she added.

The foreign minister said the D-8 group of countries had come together in 1997 for a reason. “Because we collectively believe that the better future of our people is within grasp.”

She said the summit was the venue of adoption of two landmark documents – the D-8 Charter and the Global Vision.

Despite challenges in ties US, Pakistan align in defeating terrorists: Panetta WASHINGTON speCial CoRRespondenT

Despite challenges in the bilateral relationship, the United States and Pakistani interests continue to align in defeating terrorists, Defense Secretary leon Panetta said, while also noting the importance of Pakistani actions against militant safe havens for success in Afghanistan.

Panetta told a Washington think tank that the United States remains committed to pursuing defense cooperation with Pakistan on the basis of shared interests in fighting terrorists. In Afghanistan and Pakistan, years of military and intelligence operations have significantly weakened al Qaeda, he said but saw the need to maintain pressure on the group. He also hinted at expanding the

Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan unity indomitable: Ahmadinejad A united Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan will be indomitable against all foreign powers, including the United States, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Wednesday at a reception attended by politicians and journalists in Islamabad. Accusing foreign elements of trying to dominate the region, Ahmedinejad said unity and an understanding between the three states would prove to be invincible against all odds. “The Iranians are apprehensive about the situation in Pakistan, just like the Pakistanis are concerned about sanctions levied on Iran,” he said. MoniToRing desK fight against al-Qaeda to areas other than the traditional strongholds of the militant organisation. He explained that sustaining pressure on al-Qaeda means degrading the terrorists’ senior leadership, dismantling their organizational capabilities, remaining vigilant to ensure the threat does not reconstitute, and working

to build the capacity of U.S. partners, including Pakistan, to confront these shared threats. “Despite challenges in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Pakistan,” Panetta said, “one area in which our national interests continue to align is defeating the terrorists on Pakistan soil that threaten both of us.”

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News 05

NAB, Hayat allowed to settle dispute over Karkey dues ISLAMABAD

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app

HE Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed National Accountability Bureau Prosecutor General Karim Khan Agha and Pakistan Muslim league-Quaid MNA Faisal Saleh Hayat to sit together to settle the alleged outstanding amount of $243 million against Karkey Rental Power Plant, a Turkish ship-mounted power plant.

The SC also asked the parties to submit a statement in this regard on Thursday (today). A three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry agreed with Agha that the NAB PG should sit together with Hayat, the petitioner, in the Registrar’s Office to settle the dispute. During the proceedings, Agha reiterated his earlier stance that the NAB had no authority to overtake a Turkish flag carrier ship under the NAB Ordinance and the undertaking given in this

regard had been withdrawn. Justice Gulzar Ahmed told him that they could not unilaterally withdraw such an undertaking. He said the court’s objective was that the amount, which belonged to the country, should be secured.

The chief justice said the court had not directed the NAB additional prosecutor general to do any such thing, rather he had voluntarily come forward and submitted an undertaking.

However, Agha contended that he believed that it was done after a directive of the bench.

NAB APG Akbar Tarrar said he had already prayed to the court to consider the issue. The chief justice told him that they believed in their order and the undertaking submitted by him. The NAB PG contended that the official was not authorised to submit such an undertaking. He said the NAB stood with its calculations and drew the bench’s attention towards the figures which were already submitted with it. Hayat said no action had been taken for the implementation of the court’s March

30 decision on rental power plants even after the passage of seven months. He claimed that $243 million was outstanding against the Turkish RPP, adding that $79 million had been given as an advance payment, while $103 million had been paid as rental charges besides the $15 million as interest rate. In the Karkey case, NAB had received $17 million as the settlement amount and an advertisement was also published by the Karkey, which was never declined by the NAB, he added. NAB investigation officer Colonel (r) Shahzad Bhatti said no plea bargain had been reached with Kareky.

Denying the petitioner’s allegations, Agha said the authority proceeded under the National Accountability Ordinance, which envisaged a plea bargain and voluntarily return options etc and said they had complied with the court’s directions. He also apprised the bench that a notice had also been served on Karkey under the court’s directives but nobody had appeared. later, the court adjourned proceedings until today (Thursday).

Sham marriages face crackdown in Europe LONDON MaJid KHaTTaK

islaMabad: iranian president Mehmoud ahmadinejad is presented with flowers on his arrival at islamabad airport on Wednesday. The iranian president is in pakistan to participate in the d-8 summit being held in the federal capital. ONLINE

LHC adjourns hearing of president’s contempt case until December 5 ISLAMABAD

WASHINGTON: The United States on Tuesday hailed the dismissal of blasphemous charges against the Christian girl, Rimsha Masih who reportedly suffers from Down syndrome. “We were pleased to see those charges dismissed,” said Victoria Nuland, spokesperson of the US State Department. She also said that the US held regular human rights discussions with over hundred countries around the world, including Pakistan. Regarding President Karzai’s visit to India, she said that the US has been ‘encouraging both Afghanistan and India to strengthen ties amongst themselves’. “But we are obviously not brokers in these conversations,” she clarified. inp

online

The lahore High Court (lHC) on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of a contempt case against President Asif Ali Zardari for holding dual offices and continuing political activities despite court orders.

A five-member lHC bench headed

by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial adjourned the hearing of the case until December 5 on the request of the federation’s lawyer Waseem Sajjad.

Accepting the request, the lHC chief justice adjourned the hearing and remarked that there would be no delay afterwards, and that the case would be heard on daily basis. He further said that after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Asghar Khan case, the court would hear arguments by relevant parties regarding the president’s immunity under Article 248, after which contempt proceedings would be initiated. The SC had ruled that the president’s office comes under the Service of Pakistan therefore constitutionally it ought to be apolitical.

Moreover, the details of president’s recent visit to Malikwal and the record of the press releases issued by the presidency have also been annexed with a fresh application filed in the lHC by Azhar Siddique.

Details show that the petition on

US hails dismissal of case against Rimsha Masih

president’s dual offices was filed in the lHC, and was taken up by the court; however, the government, with Babar Awan as its then legal advisor, did not pay heed to this important case and did not pursue it. Therefore, the court gave an ex-parte judgement against the president, telling him not to hold dual offices.

The judgement was not challenged by the government therefore it attained finality. A petition was filed in the lHC, calling for the implementation of court judgement. The petition has now been turned into a contempt of court case against the president.

When the case became hard to ignore

The United Kingdom Border Agency (UK BA) officers made 17 arrests across the country in an operation against suspected sham marriages, UK BA officials told Pakistan Today.

They said that the operation was carried out in coordination with France and Portugal where 16 arrests were made in this regard.

Under the UK operation, which was focused around six separate investigations, arrests were made in london, liverpool, Bristol and Kent.

A major part of the operation was against a Portuguese crime group which has allegedly been providing ‘brides’ and ‘grooms’ for west African and Pakistani nationals in UK and France.

Seven arrests were made in the UK, 10 in France and six in Portugal in this investigation alone.

“We believe we have disrupted a significant organised crime group suspected of being involved in organising sham marriages in UK, France and Portugal,” said Andy Radcliffe of the UK Border Agency, whose team oversaw the coordinated European arrests.

“The arrests were carried out after an 11 month investigation in three different countries. By working together in this way we can tackle the abuse of European immigration systems,” he said. “Our investigation will continue with the evidence we have seized today,” he added. British Immigration Minister Mark Harper said that these arrests show that the UK Border Agency is very serious in cracking down on sham marriages nationwide.

“The message to those involved is now very clear. We will catch you and we will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action,” Harper said.

for the president, the federation appointed Waseem Sajjad to represent it in the lHC, while taking shelter behind the immunity clause to protect the president.

Sajjad had also moved an application in the court that he could not attend the case proceedings on Wednesday. Petitioner Azhar Siddique told that the contempt proceedings were suo-genus in nature therefore no one had immunity in it.

He mentioned that two offences, contempt and high treason, had been mentioned in the constitution because of their severity.

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

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Thursday, 22 November, 2012

Sharif brothers are copycats, says Imran Khan — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman says amnesty scheme discriminatory against honest taxpayers n Says PTI would introduce reforms to punish ostentatiousness show of ill-gotten wealth n

LAHORE

T

sTaff RepoRT

HE Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed that Sharif brothers have copied his every action. Addressing the lahore Tax Bar Association, he said that kings of Raiwand should hold elections in their family if they could not hold polls within their party.

He further said that poor people were sent behind bars for petty crimes but influential tax defaulters were given tax amnesty in the country. He said he would demolish all boundary walls of Governor Houses so that the people could see what the government was up to. Khan said that rule of law and democracy were inter-connected, but unfortunately in Pakistan, it was the exact opposite. He said that peoples’ lives were in danger but around 1,260 police personnel had been deployed to protect the Raiwind palace.

Imran said that the amnesty scheme approved by the cabinet on November 12 was not only a slap on the face of honest taxpayers but was also aimed at decriminalising the crime of tax evasion and plundering of national wealth.

He further said that it was rightly termed as “financial NRO” as the corrupt government had decided to exempt

the beneficiaries from questioning by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

He stated that the National Assembly could not pass it as Money Bill because it intended to amend many laws that were not fiscal in nature. If it was approved by the National Assembly, it will be a blatant violation of constitution, he added.

According to Khan, the proposed scheme was a money-whitening device. It was discriminatory vis-àvis the honest taxpayers for the following reasons: It favoured tax evaders and placed the honest taxpayers at a disadvantage, he said, adding that such schemes, announced at random, were against Article 25 of the constitution as they were in violation of the guarantee against arbitrary decisions under the whims and fancies of the rulers in power.

Furthermore, he said that it favoured unscrupulous taxpayers, leading to

Corruption will not be tolerated: Shahbaz LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday said that fraud and corruption from Punjab Entertainment Company would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those committing fraud. Presiding over a high-level meeting, he said that previously, massive corruption had ensued under Punjab Entertainment Company because of which no new machinery was imported to Pakistan.

He said because of this fraud, the National Exchequer made a loss of billions of rupees during the regime of Pervez Musharraf.

He accused the administration of Musharraf era of “gobbling up” billions of rupees of citizens, and said that Punjab Bank incident and lahore-Kasur Road project are two examples of such a fraud by the previous government.

During the meeting, the chief minister directed construction of a cricket ground for the place specified for Punjab Entertainment Company and said that underneath the cricket ground, two storied basement parking should also be constructed.

He also issued instructions for arrangements to be made for bringing all approved instruments for the project to Pakistan from abroad, while speedy construction of the cricket ground should be ensured.

DIEHARD FAN: Mirza Kashif, a PPP jiyala, now sells tea after serving three months in jail during the Bhutto era. He has designed his cart himself. MurTaza aLI

unjustified and hostile discrimination resulting in a violation of equality clause of the constitution. Moreover, he said that this scheme, amounting to approving the crimes of tax evasion, rent-seeking and money laundering would have pernicious effect on the general moral fabric of society. He further said that all such moves put integrity at a discount and placed a premium on vulgar and ostentatious display of wealth. This shatters the faith of the common man in the dignity of honest labour and virtuous living, he said.

Khan said that PTI was of the view that ill-gotten wealth was like a cancerous growth in the country’s economy, which if not uprooted in time, it was certain to culminate in its death.

He further said that PTI believed firmly that people would only pay taxes as long as they were sure that their taxes were used for the benefit of the masses not wasted and that they would not be able to escape punishment.

Closing his speech, Khan said that PTI would pass legislation to punish the evaders after clearly displaying austerity in the lifestyle of the rulers and prudent use of tax payer’s money and after offering an opportunity to come into the net.

The money earned from seizure of untaxed assets would solve the problem of resource mobilisation and will also help to plug the huge tax gap, he said.

Mastermind of GPO blast released LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

Anti-terrorism Court on Wednesday released the alleged mastermind of lahore GPO chowk blast.A suicide bomber had blown himself up in 2008 near GPO Chowk killing 10 police officials. Police had arrested the mastermind of the attack, Shahzad Ahmed, and had registered a case against him as per Terrorist Act. The trial continued for four years in the lahore anti-terrorism court. After the completion of all arguments by the lawyers of the parties, the court released the accused on the basis of insufficient evidences.

Lahore to go solar soon LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

Provincial Minister for Planning and Development Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor on Wednesday said that Punjab government is making efforts for the promotion of energy sector and soon lahore would be converted to solar energy sources. He expressed these views while addressing the participants of a ceremony regarding solar energy under the aegis of a Saudi company. The minister said the country would soon be steered out of energy crisis through solar energy. The minister also distributed commendatory certificates among representatives of different companies participating in the ceremony.

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Lahore 07 UK Sikhs arrive for Guru Nanak Yatra

Massive crackdown underway against fake SIMs

LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

LAHORE

Around 200 Sikh pilgrims from the UK arrived on Wednesday at the Allama Iqbal International Airport to take part in the 576th birth celebrations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Gee to be held between November 26 and 28 at Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib. The first Sikh pilgrim group (jatha), led by Sardar Autar Singh Sanghera, was received by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) officials at the airport. Some 4,000 Sikh pilgrims (3000 from India and 1000 from other parts of the world) are expected to take part in the celebration this year.

The Sikh pilgrims will also visit other places to perform religious rites during their sojourn in Pakistan, including Panja Sahib (Hassan Abdal), Gurdwara Dera Sahib (lahore), Gurdwara Rohri Sahib (Hassan Abdal) and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (Kartar Pur).

ENT ailments hit people due to dry spell LAHORE

sTaff RepoRT

‘IWT key to resolving Pak-India water dispute’ LAHORE

sTaff RepoRT

Respiratory ailments including influenza, cough, sore throat, pneumonia and diarrhoea are affecting a growing number of people largely due to an ongoing dry spell across the city. Flu related problems have hit a large number of people, particularly children, as patients with such complications were seen in high numbers at public and private hospitals. Dr Usman Basra, a child specialist, while talking reporters, said that many patients with flu-related diseases including cough, flu and throat problem, pneumonia, diarrhoea were visiting the hospitals every day. He said that parents should ensure that their children wear warm clothes at all times. “I also advise parents not to let their children out in the evening as humidity level is reduced and dryness in the air increases respiratory diseases among children and others”.

sTaff RepoRT

W

ATER expert engineer Suleman Najib Khan on Wednesday said that the long-standing water dispute between Pakistan and India can be resolved in an amicable manner through the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), if India understands the significance Pakistan being the lower riparian and unable to control its water supplies.

He expressed these views at a seminar on Pak-India Water and Trade arranged by India-Pakistan Soldiers Initiative for Peace (IPSI) at Gymkhana Club. Khan expressed the concern that India had built dams on Pakistani river waters emanating from Indian side of Kashmir including Chenab, Indus and Jehlum Rivers in violation of the IWT. “We have no feature on Chenab to build a dam but you (India) are operating

dams, thus having full control to hold Pakistani water even for a month, and this matter needs serious attention of the Indian government,” he said.

He said since India had been the upper riparian, it had the full control and advantage of water than the lower riparian, Pakistan. He stressed upon India to share equitably, fairly, amicably and honestly the waters of the three rivers upon which Pakistan had perpetual right under Indus Water Treaty, signed between the two countries in 1960.

Khan said Pakistan could not build more reservoirs, as most of Pakistan’s financial resources were directed at curbing terrorism and extremism. Furthermore, he said that Pakistan’s population has now increased up to three times since 1974, while, its water storage capacity has reduced to a mere 8 percent while the ground water level is lowering due to global warming.

Moreover, he said that Pakistan has

been losing hydropower worth 60 billion dollars following spoilage of water in the absence of reservoirs every year.

He said, “you (India) share with us the boundaries of Indus Basin to keep Pakistan’s agriculture alive. you may go further with trade and technology but if you just give us a space in agriculture, it will eliminate terrorism and extremism from Pakistan.” later, the Indian delegation head Muti Dhaar said India wanted total stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan, adding that India was financially assisting Afghanistan for development of its sectors of education, health, power and infrastructure.

Muti Dhaar said that though India has constructed dams on Pakistani waters, it has ensured that water was not held during cultivation season in Pakistan. However, he said, “I assure you, we will do what can be possible for us for better and strong relations between the two neighboring countries.”

Beaconhouse Group’s ‘school of tomorrow’ wins Malaysian applaud

LAHORE: The Malaysian minister of Information, Communication and Culture of Malaysia on Wednesday addressed over 600 delegates and speakers on the final day of a 2-day conference organised by Beaconhouse, one of the largest

school networks in the world.

“With education, we change the future, propel progress, and gain values” he said.

He continued his address to the delegates, which lasted over 45 minutes, by stating “we are

here to reassess conventional beliefs of what constitutes progressive learning while helping to change the learning experiences of children studying in schools at every level. This will certainly help to propel human civilisation”. This conference brought together teachers, school leaders, change agents, policy makers and government officials from across Malaysia and around the world to explore a vision for schools and to catapult learning to a higher level to build analytical, and empowered learners. Organised by the Beaconhouse Group, the School of Tomorrow: Empowering lifelong learners used plenaries, workshops and groundbreakers to focus on innovative approaches and methods for early childhood and primary education.

CEO of Beaconhouse Kasim Kasuri concluded by announcing that these recommendation will be put into place with immediate effect by accelerating already existing Teacher and School Heads training programme, integrating the context of Malaysian requirement under the National Education Blueprint 2013-2025. He further stated that the changes required to build a culture of lifelong learners will not happen overnight as developing a quantum change such as this requires thorough and precise planning and extensive professional development, but we are confident that the changes we make will be exemplary and beneficial for all educators. sTaff RepoRT

On the orders of Punjab Inspector General of Police Habib-ur-Rehman, a massive crackdown is underway against the criminals involved the business of fake mobile phone SIMs. Following Sargodha and Faisalabad, the Bahawalpur police on Wednesday successfully smashed a gang of criminals involved in using fake SIMs to carry out terror attacks and criminals activities including kidnapping for ransom and robberies.

Bahawalpur DPO Sohail Tajik personally supervised the police operation. According to the DPO, the police tracked down the gangsters by tracing the mobile phone SIMs used by the abductors, who had kidnapped Dr Saeed Ahmed, the resident Quetta. The kidnappers by using fake SIMs had demanded ransom from the family of Dr Saeed Ahmed who had been abducted in recently. The Bahawalpur police traced the SIMs located in Ahmedpur Sharkia.

According to intelligence reports, the police also arrested three accused namely Muhammad Ahmed, Irfan and Imran Shah. The police also recovered 30 mobile phones, 14 active SIMs and 1100 un-activated SIMs from their possession. During preliminary investigations, the accused told the police that they had been selling more than 20,000 to 30,000 SIMs on monthly basis across the country through a special device and these SIMs are used to carry out terror attacks and other heinous crimes like abduction for ransom and armed robberies.

Paramedics hold protests for better pay structures LAHORE: The paramedics in lahore and Faisalabad suspended work on Wednesday and demanded the approval of a better service structure. The protesting employees warned the government that a promise of approval of service structure should be implemented soon, otherwise they would consider the option of a complete boycott and the government would be responsible the losses incurred in case of the boycott. The paramedical staff in Faisalabad stopped working in outdoor services and held protests and rallies outside government hospitals including Allied Hospital, Civil Hospital, FICR and General Hospital. sTaff RepoRT

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Thursday, 22 November, 2012

LHR 22-11-2012_Layout 1 11/22/2012 2:35 AM Page 8

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NEWS DESK

ITH bombs causing nearly 600 deaths and over 1,400 injuries in Pakistan in the first half of 2012 alone, a new scheme to help those directly affected by such explosions is being put to the test, according to a report by IRIN. In November 2011 the government decided to provide an assistance package for victims of “terrorist” attacks under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), which was set up in 2008 with initial government funding of $425 million and is designed to help the needy.

Muhammad Ahsan, a media assistant at BISP, told IRIN: “We are currently assisting some 1,500 blast victims with a stipend of Rs 1,000 [$11] per month. He said the amount was the same as that offered to other families across the country - and was given out as cash.

Ahsan explained that the verification process to determine who is a victim is carried out by the National Database and Registration Authority.

“There are some problems involved in this, as many terrorism victims come from tribal areas, and may lack documentation. This is especially true for women. In this case we seek help from local union councillors or other officials to ensure the claim is correct,” he said, adding: “The stipend helps support family income and offers some help.”

Thousands of victims need help, with violence “peaking in the country after 2001, when Pakistan made the crucial decision to join the US as an ally in the war against Taliban militants,” according to Peshawar-based analyst Rahimullah yusufzai. He told IRIN: “Civilians have become caught up in this conflict.”

According to the South Asian Terrorism Por-

tal maintained by the New Delhi-based Institute for Conflict Management, 598 people were killed and 1,453 injured in various blasts up to 22 July.

Previous years have also been violent, with 1,508 killed in 2009, for example. The figures are based on news reports.

“It is vital for the future of our country that the militants are defeated, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, minister of information for Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province, who lost his own son in a 2010 attack, told IRIN. But many families of victims are most concerned about their own future. Kulsoom Bibi, 50, who lost her husband and eldest son in a 2009 blast at a Peshawar bazaar, now lives with her sister in Rawalpindi, a city adjoining Islamabad. “We lost two wage-earners in that blast. My son was only 22. My two teenage daughters and I now sew, to keep my youngest son, Arsalan, 13, at school as I do not like to depend on my brother-in-law, but we earn little and I worry my son may have to drop out of school.”

She said she had not heard of the BISP programme, but commented: “What can such a small amount bring us anyway?”

LIVELIHOODS LOST: livelihoods have been lost as a result of blast injuries. Hazar Gul, 60, who says he was injured in both legs following a 2006 blast in Bajaur, now begs on a Rawalpindi roadside. “I used to drive a wagon, but of course I can no longer do that. My sight has also been affected by the explosion,” he told IRIN. Sometimes the authorities “compensate” blast victims by distributing cheques among the heirs of victims or those injured in such attacks.

“In some cases cheques handed over at ceremonies have proved very difficult to cash, as these victims - especially women - lack documents like national ID cards… Also [some] people have no bank accounts so cheques in their

names are very hard to cash,” a government official in Peshawar who asked not to be named, told IRIN, adding: “I have seen families of those killed in bomb blasts suffer - sometimes for years.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS: Twelveyear-old Adnan Hussain, who lost nine family members in the same Peshawar blast, says he is “very depressed” and feels today that there is no point in building “any life for myself”.

“Psychological problems are common among people caught up in blasts, or those who have lost relatives in them, but sadly, mainly because of their socio-economic backgrounds, few seek professional help,” Rubina Shaheen, a psychologist at a private hospital in Rawalpindi, told IRIN. There have also been concerns about delays by patients injured by blasts in seeking treatment, leading to serious medical complications, or poor treatment offered by hospitals in remote areas. Fawad Khan, health director for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), told the media in 2010: “A combination of medical facilities destroyed by militants, poverty and a lack of education among FATA residents are why people are not getting the treatment they need right away, resulting in amputations and deformities,” he said.

The situation remains largely unchanged today. Fruit vendor Muhammad Dawar Khan, 40, was injured in both legs in a blasttargeting a bus in Peshawar in June 2012. “Doctors at the time just bandaged both shins, but I have been feeling sharp pain continuously and have now been told after X-rays that I have metal embedded in one leg and will need surgery to remove it. I need to find a way to pay for this surgery, and also make up for the time taken off work,” he said.

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daTe: marCh 31 To deCemBer 29, 2012 veNue: haST-o-NeeST CeNTre, lahore hast-o-Neest Centre for Traditional art & Culture Invites you to its monthly Saturday Sitting with Janab ahmed Javed Sahib (director, Iqbal academy Pakistan) on 100 Ghazals of maulana rumi 3:30 to 5:00 pm, last Saturday of every month

daTe: aPrIl 01 To deCemBer 30, 2012 veNue: faIz Ghar, lahore a unique blend of yoga, meditation, Neuro-linguistic Programming, Sufism & more. achieve self-insight, mind-body harmony & better health. yoga master Shamshad haider

daTe: Nov 22 - deC 10, 2012 veNue: lahore muSeum an exhibition honouring The College of art and design, university of the Punjab, and covering landscapes, cityscapes and other related conceptual paintings.

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Foreign News 09

Elmo puppeteer resigns over sex allegations NEW YORK

K

agenCies

EVIN Clash, the puppeteer behind the “Sesame Street” character Elmo, has resigned following new allegations that he had sex with an underage boy, adding to an ongoing controversy involving one of America’s most popular children’s brands.

In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, Cecil Singleton is seeking more than $5 million in damages from Clash. Singleton claims

he met the then-32-year-old puppeteer in 1993 in a gay chat room when he was 15.

It added that on numerous occasions over a period of years Clash engaged in sexual activity with Singleton. The news came just a week after another man recanted his claims that Clash had sex with him when he was 16 years old. Clash, 52, said he was leaving Sesame Workshop, the company behind the television show, after nearly 30 years with a very heavy heart.

“I have loved every day of my 28 years working for this exceptional organisation.

Personal matters have diverted attention

away from the important work Sesame Street is doing and I cannot allow it to go on any longer,” he said in a statement issued by his publicist, Risa B Heller.

“I am deeply sorry to be leaving and am looking forward to resolving these personal matters privately,” he added.

The New york-based Sesame Workshop said it was a sad day for “Sesame Street,” which premiered in 1969 and has been educating and entertaining children for decades with characters such as Elmo, Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch and Cookie Monster.

“Unfortunately, the controversy surrounding Kevin’s personal life has become a distraction that none of us wants, and he has concluded that he can no longer be effective in his job and has resigned from Sesame Street,” the company said in a statement. A representative declined further comment. The unnamed 23-year-old man who first accused Clash recanted his claims last week, saying the relationship was consensual.

His lawyers were not immediately available to comment on the lawsuit. Clash had denied the allegations and acknowl-

edged a past relationship with his first accuser. He added the pair were both consenting adults at the time. “I am a gay man. I have never been ashamed of this or tried to hide it,” Clash said at the time.

Sesame Workshop said the first allegations involving Clash came to its attention in June when the earlier accuser contacted the company by email. The Elmo character debuted on “Sesame Street” in 1979. While Clash was the third performer to animate the child-like shaggy red monster, Sesame Workshop credits him with turning Elmo into the international sensation he became.

US urges Rwanda to encourage DR Congo rebels’ retreat WASHINGTON app

beeRsHaba: palestinian fighters have continued to fire rockets in at israeli forces. Here, an israeli soldier evacuates a young girl from a site hit by a rocket. agENcIES

libya: Benghazi security chief assassinated BENGHAZI app

The security chief in the east libyan city of Benghazi was assassinated late Tuesday, a security official told AFP. Unknown persons opened fire from a car at Fraj al-Dersi in front of his home. He was hit by three bullets and died shortly after being taken to Benghazi medical centre, the official said, asking not to be named. Dersi was appointed shortly after an attack on the US consulate September 11 which cost the lives of US ambassador to libya Chris Stevens and three other Americans. He had occupied leading posts under the regime of Moamer Gaddafi, including anti-drugs chief, before joining the revolt against the former dictator when it started in February 2011.

Climate change evident across Europe: report COPENHAGEN agenCies

The effects of climate change are already evident in Europe and the situation is set to get worse, the European Environment Agency has warned.

In a report, the agency says the past decade in Europe has been the warmest on record.

It adds that the cost of damage caused by extreme weather events is rising, and the continent is set to become more vulnerable in the future.

The findings have been published ahead of next week’s UN climate conference. They join a UN Environment Programme report also released on

Wednesday showing dangerous growth in the “emissions gap” - the difference between current carbon emission levels and those needed to avert climate change.

“Every indicator we have in terms of giving us an early warning of climate change and increasing vulnerability is giving us a very strong signal,” observed EEA executive director Jacqueline McGlade.

“It is across the board, it is not just global temperatures,” she said.

“It is in human health aspects, in forests, sea levels, agriculture, biodiversity - the signals are coming in from right across the environment.”

As it currently stands, the UN Framework Convention on Climate

Change has set a target of limiting the rise in global mean temperature to 2C (3.6F) above pre-industrial levels.

But the report’s authors warn that even if this target to mitigate warming is met, “substantial impacts on society, human health and ecosystems are projected to occur”.

To limit the impacts, experts say effective adaptation strategies need to be developed in order to minimise the risk to nations’ infrastructure, homes and businesses.

The European Commission is expected to publish its European Adaptation Strategy in 2013, outlining measures it think will help the 27-nation bloc deal with future climate shifts.

Greece: Lack of deal ‘threatens euro’ BRUSSELS agenCies

The failure of eurozone ministers to reach a deal to give Greece its latest bailout payment threatens the whole bloc, leaders have said.

Following nearly 12 hours of talks in Brussels, the Eurogroup said it needed more time for technical work.

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said: “It’s not only the future of our country, but the stability of the entire eurozone [that is at stake].”

France’s finance minister insisted they were a “whisker” away from a deal.

The chairman of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker, said ministers would meet again next week.

“Greece did what it had to do, and what it had pledged to do... whatever technical difficulties in finding a technical solution do not justify any negligence

or delay,” Mr Samaras said.

Greece needs the next tranche of its second bailout worth 130bn euros ($166bn; £104bn) to avoid insolvency.

The eurozone “would be threatened if we did not reach” a deal, French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said, before adding that “we are very close to a deal.” “We have observed that Greece had made considerable efforts,” he told Europe 1 radio.

The eurozone finance ministers have been considering ways of reducing Greece’s public debt, which is projected to rise to 189% of gross domestic product (GDP) by next year.

“We believe that, eventually, eurozone leaders will agree on a deal to cut Greek debt substantially,” said Martin Koehring of the Economist Intelligence Unit. “It is not in their interest to push Greece out of the eurozone over technical disagreements. A much more likely

cause for a Greek disorderly default and euro exit would be domestic political developments in Greece, highlighted by rising political instability and social unrest. “However, our assessment remains that there is a 40% probability that Greece leaves the eurozone within the next five years.”

The country’s bailout programme aims to get debt down to 120% of GDP by 2020.

There has been disagreement among the ministers and the International Monetary Fund, Greece’s other bailout creditor, on how to make the country’s debt manageable.

“The Eurogroup has had an extensive discussion and made progress in identifying a consistent package of credible initiatives aimed at making a further substantial contribution to the sustainability of Greek government debt,” JeanClaude Juncker said in a statement.The

eurozone ministers favour giving Greece an extra two years, to 2022, to bring its debt to 120% of GDP, but the IMF has resisted that extension.

Although the meeting wrapped up in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Brussels without a conclusion, earlier on Tuesday night there had been optimism a deal would be reached.

The French finance minister Pierre Moscovici said: “I have the impression that a political agreement is within reach.” The managing director of the IMF, Christine lagarde, insisted: “We’re going to work very constructively to see if we can find a solution for Greece.

That’s what really is our goal, our purpose and our mission.”

So far, Greece has received nearly 149bn euros (£119bn; $191bn) from the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund, out of 240bn euros that has been approved in two bailout loans.

The United States Tuesday condemned Congolese rebels’ takeover of the key eastern city of Goma and urged Rwanda, which it suspects of backing them, to encourage them to pull back. “We condemn the ongoing violent assault of M23 and the fact that it’s now taken Goma in violation of the sovereignty of the DRC,” said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, referring to the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the DR Congo, locals cheered and applauded two vehicles full of rebels as they drove around Goma’s city center after fighters of the M23 movement marched into the city facing little resistance. Witnesses reported that rebel chief Sultani Makenga had arrived in the capital of mineral-rich North Kivu province, capping a week-long advance by the M23. The rebels have been blamed for hundreds of deaths since they launched their uprising in April.

UN experts have accused neighboring Rwanda and Uganda of backing the M23, a charge both countries deny. The UN has around 1,500 “quick reaction” peacekeepers in Goma, part of some 6,700 troops in North Kivu province, backing government forces against the rebels. Nuland said the United States was working on the situation at UN headquarters in New york. “We are working, as you know, in New york today on a UN Security Council resolution that would also call for an immediate ceasefire, that would call for a pullback of M23 forces to their July lines,” she said.

Sarkozy to appear in graft probe Thursday

BORDEAUX app

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will appear before investigating magistrates on Thursday and could be indicted in a probe into illegal campaign financing, judicial sources said Tuesday. Sarkozy will appear before a judge in Bordeaux investigating alleged illegal financing of his 2007 campaign by l’Oreal heiress liliane Bettencourt. Newspaper reports had suggested Sarkozy may appear as a witness but judicial sources told AFP Tuesday that he may be indicted.

Investigators are probing whether withdrawals of hundreds of thousands of euros from Swiss bank accounts were made to provide funds to finance Sarkozy’s election campaign. Sarkozy, who lost May’s presidential election to Socialist Francois Hollande, has denied a series of allegations of illegal campaign financing.

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

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10 Comment Dedicated to the legacy of the late Hameed Nizami

Arif Nizami

The gaza conflict no lessons learned

Editor Lahore – Ph: 042-36298305-10 Fax: 042-36298302 Karachi – Ph: 021-35381208-9 Fax: 021-35381208 Islamabad – Ph: 051-2287414-6 Fax: 051-2287417 Web: www.pakistantoday.com.pk Email: editorial@pakistantoday.com.pk

a step forward pakistan, afghanistan and isaf sign a coordination agreement

Washington Watch

hile the US troops are scheduled to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, the process of withdrawal has already begun. In September, some 33,000 extra US soldiers sent to Afghanistan as a part of the surge more than three years ago left the country. Canada has already ended its combat mission in Afghanistan and Netherlands is about to follow suit. After 10 years of its battlefield role in the country, France, the fifth largest contributor of troops, has also withdrawn its combat troops. Despite attempts by leon Panetta to slap a positive gloss on the post surge operation, with claims that it had succeeded in “reversing the Taliban momentum”, the pot continues to boil in Afghanistan. like the air shifting from one part of the inflated balloon to the other as it is squeezed, the Taliban have reduced deadly attacks in Helmand in the south and stepped them up in the Eastern provinces. This year has seen some of the most daring and devastating attacks inside Kabul and adjoining provinces. The US and allies have expressed hope that the newly trained Afghan police and troops would be able to withstand the Taliban offensives after the allied force’s withdrawal.

This is however widely challenged by knowledgeable Afghan experts and international agencies like Red Cross.

Pakistan is going to be deeply affected by the developments following the withdrawal in 2014. A peaceful Afghanistan is a key to the economic development and prosperity of Pakistan as it would open up the energy-cum-trade corridor between Central Asia and South Asia passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Economic interdependence between the countries would act as a formidable incentive for maintaining peace and amity as happened in the war torn Europe at the end of WW ll. But in case Afghanistan was again to revert to another period of civil war, the entire region would badly suffer from the consequences. Pakistan would be the worst affected country. Terrorists in tribal areas, who are now being eliminated by Pakistan army, would enjoy strategic cover in Afghanistan from where they would launch attacks inside Pakistan. The civil war in the neigbouring country would displace millions who due to the porous border and ethnic and tribal affiliations would take shelter as before in Pakistan.

It was a timely step on the part of the military chiefs of Pakistan, Afghanistan and ISAF to sign a coordination agreement on Monday.

This would help stop cross-border activity by the militants who continue to launch terrorist attacks on civilians and security personnel on both sides. What is needed now is to plan coordinated operations of the hammer and anvil type to be followed by mopping up operations.

he escalating violence between Israel and Gaza should remind us of old lessons that still need to be learned and new realities to which attention must now be paid.

First and foremost among the old lessons is the fact that the successive waves of violence that have characterised the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have produced nothing but more death and destruction, more suffering and insecurity, and more anger all around. Every attack or assault that was intended to "teach a lesson" or "exact revenge" only laid the predicate for the next attack. And so it has gone for decades. The lesson that should have been learned, and apparently has not been learned, is that just as violence will not end the occupation, neither will violence put an end to the resistance to the occupation.

One can only wonder whether when the Israelis made the decision to assassinate Ahmad-al-Jabari they were foolish enough to assume that their attack would be the end of it. Having been down this same road before, where assassinations only led to escalation and then full-scale hostilities, one might have hoped that someone in the Israeli high command would have recalled 2008 or 2006 (and so many other tragic, bloody episodes in the past) and cautioned that "no good will come of this". When I heard an Israeli Ambassador tonight saying that "we must finish them off, so we can sit with moderates and talk peace", it became all too clear that no lesson had been learned.

More callous-minded Israeli journalists speculated that the Netanyahu government was itching for a skirmish as a pre-election display of muscle that would sideline the opposition parties just two months before voting. If the Israelis were making such a crass political calculation for short term gain, serious questions must be raised about their leadership. It might be noted that when Israeli governments

W

By Dr James J Zogby

T

regulating medical products

By Malik Muhammad Ashraf

I

t is universally recognised that health is the most important ingredient of human resource development and indispensable propeller of the socio-economic progress of any country. It is considered the foremost duty of the governments to safeguard the health and safety of its citizens. To achieve this objective, stringent regulatory mechanisms are evolved to regulate the therapeutic products. These products are basically meant to treat diseases and include complementary medicines such as most dietary supplements and herbal medicines, over-thecounter medicines and prescription medicines, medical devices such as contact lenses, hearing aids, heart valves, pace makers and endoscopes, blood and blood products and cellular and tissue therapies.

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

The objective of these regulatory arrangements invariably is to eliminate the chances of production of substandard medicines and other therapeutic products by the unscrupulous elements within the country as well as to prevent the import of harmful medicines and equipment that can have adverse effect on the health of the citizens. The success of these regulatory regimes nonetheless depends on the effective implementation of the relevant regulatory laws and rules.

In Pakistan, the therapeutic products were regulated under Drug Act 1976 and the health ministries in the centre and the provinces were responsible to ensure its implementation. Unfortunately, the law has not produced the desired results due to a number of loopholes and its limited scope. The result is that the markets are flooded with spurious and substandard drugs and therapeutic products. It has become a thriving industry, thanks to the collaborative role of the functionaries of the drug enforcement agencies. People have even set up clandestine facilities at homes to produce spurious drugs or counterfeit of the branded drugs.

Many human lives have been lost through the use of the substandard and spurious drugs that are being marketed with impunity. The most recent example is the deaths occurring in the Punjab Institute of Cardiology which assumed scan-

dalous proportions. The media and the people have been agitating the need for corrective measures to check the menace for a long time but the successive governments, for some inexplicable reasons, did not budge from their complacency.

In the backdrop of the foregoing, the passage of the Drug Regulatory Authority Bill 2012 by the parliament, providing legal framework for the establishment of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, is a very welcome policy initiative that indicates the concern, commitment and realisation by the present government to regulate this vital sector through a foolproof and incisive controlling mechanism to ensure that the health of the citizens is not put at risk by the unscrupulous elements.

It is for the first time that a regulatory authority has been established in Pakistan on the pattern of the drug enforcement agencies in the developed countries which shall exclusively regulate the manufacture, import, storage, distribution, sale and advertisement of therapeutic goods and also ensure effective implementation of the Drug Act 1976. The bill has been passed by the parliament after lengthy deliberations on all aspect and with due authorisation of the provincial assemblies that will ensure uniformity and harmony in regards to the implementation of the regulatory laws as well as trade and commercial practices in this area throughout the country.

made similar calculations in the past, they all too frequently lost significant electoral support. If, on the other hand, Netanyahu & Co were simply trying to teach Hamas & Co a lesson, then even more serious questions must be raised about their judgment.

The same goes for the Palestinian side.

At what point do they learn that revenge is not a political strategy and that aimlessly firing a barrage of missiles into Israel is nothing more than a criminal and stupid act? Criminal, because it can result in the deaths of innocents; and stupid, because it gives the Israelis a pretext to respond with overwhelming and disproportionate force.

Since this, too, has played out so many times in the past, one can only wonder why this lesson has never been learned.

There is plenty of speculation in the Arab media regarding Hamas' calculations and its competition with other groups in Gaza. Since they won in national elections more than a half decade ago, Hamas has had to face a choice whether to attempt to govern or to continue to operate as a "resistance" group. For a short while, it appeared that they might have been ready to behave as a responsible authority attempting to control cross-border attacks and planning, and with Qatari assistance, a massive Gaza reconstruction effort. But that phase was short-lived. After the assassination of al-Jabari, Hamas took the Israeli bait and, risking their gains, began behaving as just another one of the groups.

No lessons learned.

There is also a lesson in all of this for the rest of the world: namely, that it is unwise to write off Palestine. At least once every decade, pundits and politicos pronounce the Palestinian issue dead, suggesting that the region has moved on and is now focused on "bigger things". This, of course, is the Israel’s most fervent wish.

Netanyahu spent the better part of four years working to derail Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts, seeking to have Iran placed the top of the US agenda. With the help of pressure from a pliant US Congress, he appeared to have been successful. Add to that the "Arab Spring's" upending of the old regional order and the bloody mess that has become of Syria, it seemed that the issue of Palestine had fallen off the table.

The Arab World does have a lot on its plate and the region is unsettled, but as is so often the case, in an instant, Palestine comes back roaring front and centre. This too is an old lesson: never assume that what happens in Palestine will stay in Palestine.

For reasons of history and deep culture, when Palestinians are hurt, the Arabs bleed.

Palestine, for Arabs, remains "a wound in the heart that has never healed".

It is an old lesson, but with a new twist.

In the past, when Israel was having its way with the Palestinians (or with lebanon, as was the case in 2006, and throughout the 1990's), despite widespread outrage, Arab leaders largely remained on the sidelines.

But in the aftermath of the "Arab Spring", Arab public opinion matters. Governments, new and old, have their ears to the ground and are more responsive to their public's unrest. Should Israel seek a replay of 2008/2009 and undertake a massive ground assault into Gaza, the new Egyptian government would be hard pressed to remain quiet, since its very legitimacy would be at risk. Jordan, facing growing public discontent, would also feel compromised.

Escalating violence would even place the Obama Administration in a bind. Still attempting to recover from the devastating blunders of the Bush years and the setback encountered by its own failed Israeli-Palestinian peace bid, the last thing the administration needs is to be confronted with a bloodbath in Gaza that enflames the region.

To some extent, Washington had its short-term Middle East agenda set. It appeared ready to attempt renewed engagement with Iran in an effort to reach an agreement on that country's nuclear program. And having successfully worked with regional allies to restructure the Syrian opposition, creating a somewhat more representative body that could receive aid, the US and its partners were prepared to try to hasten the end of that conflict. These plans would be derailed should the clashes in Gaza spin out of control, with the US coming down squarely on Israel's side, alienating Arab public opinion.

Here, too, is an old lesson that needs to be recalled: an administration is judged not by its success in implementing the agenda it has set for itself, but in how successful it is in dealing with the unexpected.

Since no one will win and everyone will lose, it might be assumed that sanity will prevail, and the current clashes will stop short of full-scale war. But given the record of the participants, that might be hoping for too much. With the Israelis threatening yet another "final" showdown; some Palestinian groups threatening "big surprises" yet to come, and the US Congress giving its unconditional support to Israel, under-cutting the administration's more cautious support of the right of selfdefence while urging restraint on all sides, it appears we may be "off to the races", with no lessons learned and new realities ignored. God save us from our folly!

The authority will have thirteen directorates dealing with different subjects from licensing to quality control and postmarketing surveillance. The act also takes care of providing legislative oversight to the traditional and alternative medicines which was a long outstanding demand of the people. A separate directorate shall exclusively deal with the enlistment, registration, evaluation and quality control of these very common medicines.

The real problem in regards to the enforcement of drug regulatory laws has been the corruption among the field staff with whose connivance and abetment the spurious drugs industry has flourished in the country. This aspect has also been effectively addressed. The accountability of the field operations has been clearly defined and the punishments and fines have been enhanced. Due attention has been given to quality control and post-market surveillance arrangements. This will not only ensure availability of quality and harmless drugs to the people but would also enhance the prospects of export of medicines produced in Pakistan.

Another very important aspect of the new legislation is that a separate directorate will be dealing with the allocation and regulation of quota of controlled substances for the manufacture of drugs, to prevent the recurrence of scandals like Ephedrine Case being heard by the Supreme Court currently. Pricing of the medicines and other therapeutic products also has been an issue of great concern.

In the absence of an effective pricing

mechanism, the manufacturers have been exploiting the situation to their maximum advantage at the cost of the consumers.

Some of the life saving medicines and products are beyond the reach of the common man and it is not uncommon in Pakistan to see people dying due to their inability to afford those drugs. A separate Directorate dealing with this issue, has been charged with the responsibility to interact with the manufacturers and rationalise the prices in such a manner that the interest of the patients and the manufacturers are properly safeguarded, simultaneously ensuring that the sustainability of the drug industry is not affected.

The government has taken a big stride in the right direction and it is hoped that the implementation of this policy initiative will be ensured in letter and spirit by all concerned, charged with the responsibility to make sure that the plan comes through.

Biotechnology has been recognised as a new vehicle of growth and an effort has been made to accord maximum clarity to the laws applicable to this rapidly expanding field. A policy board comprising representatives of all the provinces, FATA and experts from the private and public sector has been constituted to oversee the working of the drug regulatory authority. This indeed is an imaginative initiative for monitoring the performance of the authority in regards to the implementation of the regulatory laws and also providing policy guidelines to it on the administrative measures deemed necessary to achieve the desired objectives.

The writer is President of the ArabAmerican Institute.

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Comment 11

Editor’s mail Send your letters to: Letters to Editor, Pakistan Today, 4-Shaarey Fatima Jinnah, Lahore, Pakistan.

Fax: +92-42-36298302.

E-mail: letters@pakistantoday.com.pk.

Letters should be addressed to Pakistan Today exclusively.

dialogue – the end of any war According to media news, Pakistan has agreed to release several top Taliban prisoners, including former Taliban Shura member Mullah Brother who was arrested two years ago. Pakistan’s decision comes after the recent visit of high ranking Afghan delegation to Pakistan. The UN would also release names of several top Taliban high ranking officials from UN sanction list. Now it seems true that reconciliation efforts are going on before the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan next year. The efforts started two years ago and several secret meetings were held in various countries also.

Decade of Afghan war proves that dialogue is the last solution of every war. The French forces have already ended their ten years long journey in Afghanistan and the Britain also plans to reduce its forces before NATO completes withdrawal. The French lost 88 comrades during combat mission in Afghanistan and the Britain lost 433. Although security of sensitive areas like Helmond, lushker Gah and Kapisa has been handed over to Afghan forces, things are going bad to worse everywhere. The recent assessment shows grim pictures of Afghan war and observers claim that after withdrawal of NATO forces, inexperienced and lacking proper weapons, Afghan forces may not be able to control the situation.

Tensions are also running high between Afghan and Allied Forces due to differences in social and cultural values.

Almost 465 Allied Forces personnel lost their lives at the hands of their own trained Afghan recruits during the socalled green on blue attacks alone this year. Total human, economic, social, and political cost of wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan has already reached to estimated four trillion dollars and human cost is considered to be around half a million lives. At the time when Europe and US are passing through an economic crises with an increasing rate of unemployment, questions are being raised about high war expenditures.

KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ Karachi

Keeping peace in Karachi Karachi issue is not being seen in its true perspective. Instead, the matter is being confused by comparing and equating it with the ongoing terrorism in the rest part of the country. Now, it’s time that the ‘ailment’ of this city should be properly diagnosed and treated. The causation of the Karachi issue explained by Interior Minister Rehman Malik is very strange, and modus operandi adopted by him to tackle it is even much stranger. At one time in the past, he was heard saying that mostly ‘girlfriends’ were behind the target killing of their ‘boyfriends’ in the city. Now he maintains that some ‘foreign hands’ are creating all the mess in the city. Next time, perhaps, some extraterrestrial species from Mars is going to be blamed for all this. likewise, his ‘peace keeping’ strategy in the city is also beyond comprehension.

The basic dimension of the issue is the complete failure of the security appara-

tus in the city. Rogue and criminal elements in the city are beyond the control of the law-enforcing agencies. Instead of giving any relief to the people in Karachi, the Sindh government, firstly, imposed a ban on pillion riding in the city. Afterwards, a complete ban on bike-riding was imposed causing much trouble to the common people who, perhaps, have no other option except this. Now, here comes Mr Rehman Malik, a ‘troubleshooter’ par excellence, with his favourite and newly-evolved counter-terrorism technique – the suspension of mobile phone services. Thank God, he doesn’t know that the terrorist and target killers also breathe in the air; otherwise, going without oxygen would be rather difficult for the Karachiites.

MOHSIN RAZA MALIK Lahore (II) I heard the news on a local TV channel that the Sindh Home Depart-

how to eradicate corruption The biologists say that the entire biological kingdom moves on the principle of avoiding pain and gaining pleasure. Thus the inherent tendency in all living beings is to readily commit corruption which means seeking immediate gain by trampling upon the rights of others which represents the shortest route to pleasure. It is this instant gratification appeal of corruption that makes it so difficult to eradicate from human society. But it is possible to achieve control on corruption by instilling mental discipline from a very young age through schooling. This, though, does not mean that every individual will voluntarily become honest. On the contrary, if a few people have knowledge but the rest have not it will become easy for the educated to prey upon the illiterate. That is why this malady is so rampant in our country. But if all individuals are provided with the modern tools of understanding, everybody will be in a position to resist falling victim to the predator elements of the society.

In this way, commission of corruption will become extremely difficult bringing it down to tolerable levels.

This is how the advanced societies have set their own house in order and corruption there is only nominal.

ABDUL GHAFOOR Muzaffargarh

The Gaza issue Thousands of Palestinians in Gaza are fighting for their lives. They are brutally murdered, trampled like vegetables, the dignity of human life is atrociously and mercilessly abused. The irony of the situation is the fact that not one single powerful country has condemned the brutality Israel is inflicting upon the vulnerable.

Taking a stroll back to the pages of history shows us evidence that even United Nations, that was supposedly organised to safeguard the interests of the weaker states and prevent future wars, did not and could not impede such iniquitous action by Israel. Killing the children and the weak is no self-defense, it’s slaughter, cold blooded

ment had filed review petition in Sindh High Court against a ban on motorcycles, requesting the court to ban motorcycling for 10 days in Karachi. Earlier Rehman Malik hinted at issuing orders to block mobile services and put a ban on motorbikes, this also made quite a situation joke on which the whole international media laughed upon.

It’s very shameful and humiliating for the Pakistanis living abroad to be part of such a country where no law enforcement agency is capable to cope up with the fragile security situation. The failure of govt was proved by the ban they put on motorbikes recently. There are approx 15 lac motorbikes used by the citizens of Karachi for travelling purpose. How can you stop them from moving around when one cannot rely on the transportation system of the city? Everyone knows how pathetic the public transport system is which has been badly affected by the regular clo-

and ruthless murder. Is human life so meagre that it should be so easily wiped out with a flick of a weapon?

The war should be based on some kind of equality and reason. In this case, there is no such thing. The demands for Palestinian lands were always unlawful and this makes the attack on Gaza unjustifiable. More importantly, it should be noted that the Palestinians have no army, naval or air force or competitive weaponry. Israel has also denied Palestinians any kind of foreign aid, including medicine, clothing etc. In contrast America has given Israel weapons of mass destruction. This includes chemical weapons. Moreover, they have highly trained army, naval and air force to serve their purposes. Israel has already used its chemical weapons as an experiment in the last attack on Gaza and lebanon.

The Facebook is full of brutal images of the Gaza people who are fighting for their lives and the images evoke feelings of pity and fear. Pain in one part should cause subsequent pain in other parts as well. Is our pain and sorrow only limited to just sharing the images and be contented with the fact that this is enough?

HADIA MUKHTAR SINGAPURI Karachi (II) The world community has failed to develop a coherent peace strategy yet and seems helpless to normalise the situation that has resulted after Israel’s attack on Gaza Strip. Whiles, it is the need of the hour to use diplomacy by the entire Muslim world and international community, required to stop Israel’s aggression in Gaza Strip, which has entered a sixth day on Monday after a huge toll of casualties. As a result of Israel’s aggression and offensive, 78 Palestinians, 23 of them children and several women, have been killed in Gaza and hundreds have been wounded.

Still there is no sign of intensified diplomatic efforts to stop rocket being fired from Gaza Strip and Israeli air strikes on Gaza. International pressure for a ceasefire seems a failure with no sincere efforts made till now.

Only Egypt is trying seriously to bring a ceasefire. Egypt has called for the entire Muslim world to play a pivotal role for immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Beside mediation

sure of CNG stations.

The govt must be testing the patience of the citizen of Karachi by trying to impose ban on motorbikes for 10 days. I agree that the bomb blast on 18 November near imambargah in Abbas Town was planted on a motorbike, this does not mean that all the motorbikes should be forced to keep out of the roads. If in future any terrorist attack is conducted through any four wheelers, then I fear that the owners of cars might also have to face a ban and start practising to travel through other means. The govt should improve their security system rather than testing the patience of the Karachiites. And if the security situation is out of control of the police and other law enforcement agencies, the concerned authorities should resign from their posts. Stop imposing such bans on the city.

OMAIMA KHALID Karachi

efforts, we would be more pragmatic and realistic to consider the aggression of Israel in Gaza Strip. The question is why Gaza is under blockade, why Israel’s policy of targeted assassinations continues? If these do not happen, Hamas won’t probably attack Israel. The recent offensive by Israel has so far drawn Western support. United States and European leaders have called this strike Israel’s right of self-defence. This support is also flaming the war. Historically, this fighting belongs to Muslims of Palestine and Jewish settler from all over the world. This is a war of right and wrong, the one has occupied the land and the other one has been ousted from the land. The one has nuclear weapons, the other one has just rockets. The one has super powers’ support, the other one has noting. The rivals have long standing issues and conflicts which ought to be settled by the world community under the banner of United Nations and other world forum. Despite this hypocrisy from the West and US, there should be sincere efforts to immediately stop Israel’s aggression and this effort should be a key component of a comprehensive strategy for lasting the peace in the Middle East.

SYED SADAQAT HUSSAIN Karachi (III) Noam Chomsky, American prominent philosopher and public critic, has rightly quoted Gaza as the world’s largest open air prison. So true he is when one examines the present situation in Gaza. The recent attacks of Israel are as inhumane and unlawful as is the treatment of prisoners in worst jails like Guantanamo Bay. These attacks are an open violation of human rights and international law. Which provision of international law allows such hostility? Hardly any. The silence of so-called champions of human rights and international law, the US and the UN is skeptical. The UN is again proving itself as a rubber stamp in the hands of powerful countries. So is the case of toothless OIC, which claims itself as a representative body of 56 Islamic states.

AHMAD ZIA TULLA Sargodha

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

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12 Priyanka ChoPra

gets Akon to India

I

N T E R N A T I O N A l singing sensation Akon had come down to India for Shah Rukh Khan earlier. This time, we hear he’ll be in India for his music album partner Priyanka Chopra.

Sources said PC and Akon are gearing up for a duet performance at the big fat Indian wedding celebration of Puru Sethia, who belongs to the Sethia business family in UK. The source said, “They are a huge business family in london and wanted to have a lavish wedding in India. They booked all major palaces in Udaipur for the functions that will be held between November 21-24.” The celebrations have been planned accordingly. “Akon and Priyanka will be performing at the sangeet, which is to take place at Jag Mandir palace in Udaipur. Akon will be flown down to the city in a chartered flight on November 22. Apart from them, famous violinist Vanessa Mae will be performing at the wedding on November 24. Kailash Kher, Raja Hasan and DJ Aqeel will perform on November 21 and 23,” added the source. A 110-member circus group from US, Cirque De Soleil, has also been invited to perform during the wedding festivities. neWs desK

Madonna poses naked in new ‘airbrushed’ perfume ad

M

A D o n n A , who strips bare to promote her new perfume, looks several decades younger than her 54 years in the arresting ad to promote her truth or Dare by Madonna naked scent. the Queen of Pop has spent much of the year flashing the flesh at her live shows, and she’s gone the whole hog on this occasion. only this time, she’s arguably had the years turned back by a generous helping of the airbrush. Striking a seductive pose with her hands behind her head, Madonna’s blushes are spared by the bust-concealment of her new perfume’s logo, the Sun reported. the singer has been heavily criticised for refusing to gracefully accept middle age, choosing instead to defy her years onstage by donning youthful attire like a cheerleader’s outfit. However, a recent shot of her in new York showed Madonna looking every bit her age. She wore a cosy gorilla hat for her low-key visit but her au naturel face appeared wrinkled. neWs desK

Talaash: aamir Khan takes tips from night patrolling cops

How Julianne Moore still stays fit at 51

There are very few actors, who keep it extremely perfect for their character on the film, Aamir Khan is one such actor. For his upcoming film Talaash, Aamir took special care of his character inspector Shekhawat. The actor apparently took help of night patrolling cops to prepare for his role. According to source, “Almost all of the major scenes have been shot during the night.

Since the shooting would take place after sunset, there would be cops on the sets. Aamir often chatted with them asking details about their work and enquiry about the places that they would visit often.” Another Source adds, “Night seems to be a key player in the film’s storyline. The idea of making this film had also stemmed from an incident involving cops that was witnessed by Zoya and Reema who then wrote this project.” neWs desK

A

t age 51, Julianne Moore proves that the ageing process can be defied through healthy living. the mother of two said that she has little time for exercise and her ideal routine is Ashtanga yoga - a dynamic, energetic form - three times a week, and running a couple of times a week, the Daily Mail reported. “I really like yoga; I enjoy doing it, so it doesn’t feel like the agony of the gym,” she said. neWs desK

Weisz finds husband Daniel Craig’s performance in ‘Skyfall’ remarkable

“B

O N D cries in ‘Skyfall.’ No one remarks on that,” Rachel Weisz told me over breakfast in the East Village of Manhattan. “I think it’s a huge scene, isn’t it?” I couldn’t help but agree with Weisz, who deserves an Oscar nomination for her role as an unfaithful wife in “The Deep Blue Sea” — but couldn’t have been more faithful in her reading of her husband Daniel Craig’s hit “Skyfall.” She was referring to the climactic scene when Bond holds an injured M, played by Judi Dench, in his arms in a Scottish church.

We had taken a detour in our discussion of Weisz’s career to discuss my column about how M comes out from behind the desk and has a story arc in “Skyfall.” And she develops as both a mother figure for Bond, and his current archenemy Silva (Javier Bardem). The rogue agent’s motivation originates in his sense that M threw him under the bus years before. In that sense, Silva and Bond are brothers in spy with M as their mutual Mum. “Really,” Weisz said, “I never thought of that: M is for Mother. But I remember that Silva says, ‘Mummy’s been very bad.’” And, then, later, when Bond drives M to his childhood home, and she’s injured, he carries her in his arms. And that’s when, according to Weisz, Bond cries. “It’s rather interesting,” Weisz said. “you should check it out. For me, it’s just remarkable. Somebody said to me, oh, no, he’s sweating.

He’s sweating? Okay, I mean, I’ll let people see whatever they want to see.” Craig’s wife was not the only one to notice the tears of a spy. Under the headline “007 - license to Cry” the semi-official paper of the Vatican, “l’Osservatore Romano,” noted that the current Bond is “”more human, capable of being moved and of crying: in a word, more real.” neWs desK

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

Megan Fox at the private screening of her new flick This Is 40 in Beverly Hills

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13 IS THIS THE END fOr

MR BeAN? I

S one of the world’s most celebrated manchildren finally growing up ... and saying goodbye? It looks like Mr. Bean fans may soon have to indulge their love of hijinks, pratfalls and shenanigans elsewhere, as Rowan Atkinson has announced that the time to retire the comedy character is nigh. It’s somewhat ironic that, for Atkinson, playing a role that brings a smile to so many faces has actually become “a little sad.” “The stuff that has been most commercially successful for me —- basically quite physical, quite childish —- I increasingly feel I’m going to do a lot less of,” he told the Daily Telegraph’s Review.

“Apart from the fact that your physical ability starts to decline, I also think someone in their 50s being childlike becomes a little sad. you’ve got to be careful.” Mr. Bean, a character whom Atkinson developed while studying for his master’s degree at Oxford University, made his debut in the eponymous television series that ran for 14 episodes from 1990-1995. He was also the star of his own animated series that ran from 2002-2004 and two feature films, “Bean” (1997) and “Mr. Bean’s Holiday” (2007). Mr. Bean was initially described by Atkinson as being a “child in a man’s body,” a gleefully oblivious buffoon who somehow managed to navigate and overcome everyday (and sometimes more outrageous) challenges and obstacles through a mix of innocence and general cluelessness. The character, who rarely speaks, has been compared to roles played by Charlie Chaplin and those of other silent actors known for physical comedy and theatricality. Atkinson admits that playing the well-meaning but bumbling clown has kept him from scoring more serious roles. He hopes to finally be seen in a different light as he prepares to make his “straight play” debut in a revival of Simon Gray’s “Quartermaine’s Terms” in london’s West End. Well, at least we still have Pee-wee Herman, as Paul Reubens doesn’t seem to think there’s anything sad about an older man acting like a big kid. neWs desK

We are in Bollywood because of our albums: rDB For a journey that began from singing in Gurudwaras, UK-based brothers Kuldeep, Manjeet and Surjeet Ral or RDB (Rhythm, Dhol, Bass) as they’re better known, has indeed come a long way.

Responsible for some big international and Bollywood hits, and have been pivotal in both performing and producing for several Bollywood crossover films including the comedy flick Speedy Singhs (for which they wrote the lyrics, the music and production, along with Grammy winner ludacris), Singh is Kinng, Kambakkht Ishq, and Aloo Chaat. Their other international collaborations include tracks with Snoop Dogg, Elephant Man and Public Enemy. Now, despite the tragic loss of their brother and band member Kuldeep aka Kuly to brain tumour early this year, the band has been blazing forward, recently picking up a horde of awards for their work, which the brothers proudly dedicate to their Kuly Paji...

HOW DO YOu fEEL AfTER HAVING BAGGED TWO AWARDS AT THE LEBARA uK ASIAN MuSIC AWARDS 2012?

It’s great to receive awards for the work you put in, and to be honest, the Best Desi Act Award was a shock, as we been mixing it

up between desi Punjabi Bollywood and urban. But the Commitment to the Scene Award meant a lot to us. Kuly Paji would have been proud of us for receiving the award and for all the work we are doing in his name. There were talks about a possible collaboration between David Guetta and RDB...

There are talks about a lot of things and I guess it’s because we have collaborated with Snoop Dogg and ludacris. Well, there is a new collaboration that has been sealed, and it will be revealed soon.

YOu RECENTLY DEDICATED YAADHAN TO YOuR BROTHER KuLY. IS THERE ANY OTHER PROjECT THAT’S COMING uP AS A TRIBuTE TO HIM? yaadhan was a tribute to him from the family and singer Nindy Kaur did Tut Giya Dil on her behalf.

Here onwards, every composition that we bring out, will be dedicated to him.

HOW WELL-VERSED IS THE CHENNAI AuDIENCE WITH YOuR KIND Of MuSIC? They are quite up-to-date to be honest, which is a shock, as the last show we did in Chennai was massive. They knew every song and even danced to all the new songs. Nindy Kaur was a house favourite.

Her songs and stage presence got the crowd going.

With music traversing boundaries, do you think that it is gradually losing its authenticity? (As it’s believed that all music sounds the same today) Well, I believe music is becoming repetitive, but it’s up to us to change it. RDB has always made a stamp on creating its own sound and we continue to do that merging world music together, RDB style.

WHAT WILL BE YOuR NExT ALBuM ABOuT? Our next album is called Worldwide and will show our music hits across the world. It will be a blend of all styles and features from the camp — be it Nindy, Smooth, Raftaar and some other major international stars. Any Bollywood projects in the pipeline... yes, we are working on the soundtrack of a new movie right now, but can’t reveal the details. The songs will be for the dance floor, but we are trying to bring out some slow songs and item numbers too. CouRTesy Toi

Sylvester Stallone Joins Klitschko Brothers In ‘rocky’Musical

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HInk of Sylvester Stallone and musicals aren’t the first thing you think of, explosions yes, punches yes, but musical numbers and dancing?

Similarly the klitschko brothers are more known for their jab and upper-cut than their note perfect choruses.

However the trio have teamed up to turn Stallone’s hit movie ‘Rocky’ into a musical which premiered in Germany on Sunday. the Hollywood action star, who recently had a role in ‘the Expendables 2’, joined the heavyweight champion boxers in Hamburg Vladimir and Vitali klitschko for the musical version of his 1976 ring classic. In a statement, reported by MSn Uk, Stallone said: “I’m so happy. It’s amazing that the klitschkos are here and they’re giving birth to something that is first on the planet. I’m proud of you guys. I’m proud of Hamburg. thank you!” In the same statement Vitali added: “Sylvester Stallone is the Pope of Rocky. Without Sylvester, nothing happens. He’s given birth to the idea and we’ve had lots of fun during our cooperation. We’re very convinced it will be successful.” the strange combination of singing, dancing and boxing will transfer to Broadway in 2013. neWs desK

The Jimi Hendrix Experience Princess Kate Middleton is pregnant, O claims friend Kate Middleton is pregnant and the royal couple is “planning to make an announcement” next month, a close friend of the duchess has claimed. Thirtyyear-old Kate, has been on pregnancy watch since she and Prince William, 30, tied the knot in April 2011. After all the scrutiny, the Duchess and the Duke of Cambridge may make a baby announcement next month, Jessica Hay, a former roommate of Kate’s, who attended the Royal wedding, said. According to the New york Post, Hay spilled the news in an interview with Australiabased New Idea magazine.

“They’re planning to make an announcement in December.

William and Kate are focused on starting a family,” she was quoted by the paper as telling the magazine. Hay told the magazine that the future King and Queen of England are pretty far along in baby planning, the report said. “It seems very traditional, but of course they’ll be happy with boys or two girls, they don’t want more. “They’ve discussed it endlessly and don’t want to be older parents,” she explained.

According to the paper, Kate and William, reportedly put baby plans on hold due their high-profile engagements throughout the year, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the london Olympics.

Friends of the royal couple told Vanity Fair last month that the couple “hope to be blessed with a baby soon”, the paper said. neWs desK

n March 5th, a collection of 12 previously unreleased recordings by Jimi Hendrix will see the light. People, Hell and Angels follows Hendrix in 1968 and 1969 as he works on material apart from the Jimi Hendrix Experience and suggests new, experimental directions. the legendary guitarist was considering these new sounds for First Rays of the new Rising Sun, the planned double-album follow-up to Electric Ladyland. Hendrix toys with horns, keyboards, percussion and a second guitar, exploring fresh diversions from his legendary guitarwork. the album artwork is simple, yet as distinct as Hendrix’s signature guitar wails. Be experienced yet again. neWs desK

Shahs to perform in city

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HE irresistible naseeruddin Shah and Ismat Chughtai will soon be combining in the city in paying a two-evening tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz organised by the Faiz Foundation. At Alhamra Centre on Dec 1, Mr Shah will be joined by his wife, Ratna Pathak Shah, and their daughter Hiba Shah to present a medley of three short plays based on Ismat Chughtai’s short stories. It will be followed by a similar composition of another set of plays based on the stories by the famous writer the following evening. these will be solo performances each of the three Shahs. they will be acting as the narrators of as well as playing the various characters in the story.Entitled ‘Ismat Apa ke naam’, it will be a joint offering by the Faiz Foundation trust and Mumbai’s Motley Company. the event is being organised to raise funds for Faiz Ghar, the museum and cultural centre run by the Faiz Foundation trust in Model town. Entry will be by invitation. CouRTesy up

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Infotainment 14 CARBON DIOXIDE levels in our atmosphere reach record high

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ONCENTRATIONS of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, driven by manmade carbon emissions, reached a record high in 2011, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). Carbon dioxide levels rose to 390.9 parts per million (ppm) in 2011, a 40% increase on levels in 1750.

Other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide also reached record levels. Michel Jarrud, secretary-general of the WMO warned that billions of tonnes of additional carbon dioxide would remain in the atmosphere for centuries: "…causing our planet to warm further and impacting

on all aspects of life on earth."

While nearly half of the carbon dioxide emitted by humans has been absorbed by natural carbon sinks such as our oceans, this may not be the case for future emissions. "We have already seen that the oceans are becoming more acidic as a result of the carbon dioxide uptake, with potential repercussions for the underwater food chain and coral reefs.

There are many additional interactions between greenhouse gases, Earth’s biosphere and oceans, and we need to boost our monitoring capability and scientific knowledge in order to better understand these," says Jarraud.

Understanding the role of carbon sinks is key to understanding how increasing levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere will contribute to rising global temperatures.

The bulletin by WMO follows another report released by the World Bank on Sunday, warning that the world is on

track for a 4oC rise in temperatures this century - bringing with it extreme heat waves and a life-threatening sea level rise.

"A 4oC warmer world can, and must be, avoided – we need to hold warming below 2oC," says World Bank group president Jim yong Kim. "lack of action on climate change

threatens to make the world our children inherit a completely different world than we are living in today. Climate change is one of the single biggest challenges facing development, and we need to assume the moral responsibility to take action on behalf of future generations, especially the poorest." neWs desK

Enormous gas filament connects galaxy clusters For the first time, ESA's Planck space telescope has detected a bridge of hot gas connecting a pair of galaxy clusters 10 million light-years apart.

Abell 399 and Abell 401, each containing hundreds of galaxies, are billions of light years away. The presence of hot gas linking them had already been hinted at in X-ray data from ESA's XMM-Newton, but is now confirmed.

"Planck is helping to reveal hidden material between galaxy clusters that we couldn't see clearly before," says James Bartlett of NASA's Jet Propulsion laboratory.

In the early universe, filaments of gaseous matter pervaded the cosmos in a giant web, with clusters eventually forming in the densest nodes. The gas that remains is easiest to spot between interacting galaxy clusters, where the filaments

are compressed and heated up.

The discovery marks Planck’s first detection of inter-cluster gas using the SZ effect technique.

If the cosmic microwave background light interacts with the hot gas permeating these huge cosmic structures, its energy distribution is modified in a characteristic way, a phenomenon known as the SunyaevZel'dovich effect, after the scientists who discovered it. By combining Planck data with archival X-ray observations from the German satellite Rosat, the scientists concluded that temperature of the gas in the bridge is to be similar to the temperature of the gas in the two clusters – roiughly 80 million degrees Celsius. Early analysis suggests that it could be a mixture of the elusive filaments of the cosmic web mixed with gas originating from the clusters. neWs desK

Bank hounds dog for overdraft fee When a customer of a British bank withdrew more than what was in the account, employees doggedly hounded the scofflaw.

Problem was, the customer was a dog named "Noodles," and he's no longer at the address on file at NatWest Bank in leicestershire, Great Britain. A dog with a bank account sounds bizarre, but Grant McDonald, a spokesman for NatWest, said his bank gets many cases of people taking out accounts in the names of their pets, "to pay for things such as vets' or kennel fees," according to the Metro newspaper. Apparently, Noodles and his owners moved out of the abode listed on the account months ago, leaving a $10.88 overdraft fee for new tenant Rupert Chapman and Charley, his 6-year-old labradoodle, to clean up the mess, DigitalSpy.com The official letter left Chapman scratching his head and Charley everywhere else, according to ThisIsleicestershire.com. "We moved in in August and the previous people had rented and I didn't know who they were, so I thought it would be fitting to send a reply from Charley," Chapman told the paper, especially after he discovered the person asking for the overdraft fee from a dog was named "Collier."

The letter that Chapman sent in Charley's words included this piece of doggerel: "I have searched every nook and cranny in the house in an attempt to find sufficient funds to repay

you. I have found four drachma and 24 pesetas behind the toilet pedestal and under the stairs. I was wondering whether this would meet your needs?"

Once bank officials got the letter, they realized they had pulled a real boner.

McDonald said that neither Chapman, nor Charley owe any money to the bank.

"This is the previous tenant's debt, so they shouldn't worry about it," he said, according to the Metro.

It's unlikely something similar could happen in the U.S., where the law requires that every person who opens a bank account show a valid form of ID, such as a driver's license or birth certificate, according to John Oxford, the Director of External Affairs at Renasant Bank in Tupelo, Miss.

"Some people set up trusts for their animals, but any correspondance would go to the person who set up the account, not the animal," Oxford told The Huffington Post. "I guess in theory you could have a paw print as a signature card but dogs do not have identification by state agencies per se." neWs desK

Murder suspect pours water on attorney’s head

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T least his lawyer kept a cool head. On Monday, as members of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa jury filed out to deliberate over the murder case against Jerome Power, the 50-year-old suspect dumped a glass of water on his lawyer's head, according to the Gazette. "It should have been a mistrial," Power said after dumping the water on attorney Steve Addington. "you sold me out!"

Power is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly strangling to death his neighbor, Doris Bevins, 68, in her home on Sept. 19, 2010. Police said they found Power hiding behind the front door when they responded to the 911 call from Bevin's friend who was on the phone with her when she was attacked. The ABA Journal reports that Power's lawyer argued there was no DNA linking the defendant to the crime and questioned why Power would try to rob and attack a woman that, everyone in the neighborhood knew had no money. neWs desK

Happier teens make more money as adults

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APPy adolescents are more likely to become wealthy adults than teens who do not have happy childhoods, according to a recent study conducted by researchers at University College london and published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy Of Sciences). Data from 15,000 teens and young adults in the U.S. were examined by Dr JanEmmanuel De Neve from UCl Political Science and Professor Andrew Oswald from the University of Warwick. They discovered that the individuals who had higher 'positive affect', the scientific term for happiness, or higher 'life satisfaction', were more likely to make notably higher income than those who reported lower levels. The researchers believe this link is present because people who are happy have higher chances of earning a degree, finding jobs, and being promoted compared with individuals who act somber. neWs desK

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Thursday, 22 november, 2012

world top three head Brisbane tennis field Page 18

Latif goes to court to demand PCB reforms LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

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AKISTAN'S former captain Rashid latif went to court Wednesday, demanding sweeping reforms to the national cricket governing body including the election rather than appointment of officials.

He filed a petition against the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the southern province of Sindh. “latif filed a petition against the PCB for the betterment of cricket,” said a statement from the Rashid latif academy, which coaches young players.

It said the PCB constitution must

Sl for lorgat report on cricket reforms COLOMBO

be overhauled to allow it to operate “in a fair and transparent manner” and provide for the election of officials including the chairman.

The chairmanship is currently a political appointment in the gift of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The process has been strongly criticised by experts and former players alike, including the World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan. The International

Cricket Council (ICC) last year directed member countries to free themselves of government interference by June 2013 and to ensure that presidents of cricket boards are elected.

Pakistan opposed the ruling, saying it needs government support to develop the game and ensure security as it tries to revive international cricket which was suspended after the Sri lankan team was attacked in 2009.

“latif is convinced that the powers assigned to the patron of PCB are in complete disregard and violation of the constitution as they smack of non-transparent and discriminatory approach,” said the statement.

“The blatant and admitted failure of government of Pakistan to amend or pass a new constitution in accordance with the directives of the ICC is a clear cut and flagrant violation,” it added. latif, who played 37 Tests and 166 one-day internationals for Pakistan, is widely respected for blowing the whistle on match-fixing in 1995.

Court cases in Pakistan can be deeply cumbersome and chronically delayed.

australia unchanged, Proteas make two changes

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Sri lanka Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage is in agreement with the former ICC Chief Executive Haroon lorgat's report, which has advocated sweeping changes to the way Sri lanka Cricket (SlC) is administered and the game is managed in the island. "We have recognised the need for reforms in the light of Sri lanka finishing as runners up four times in a row since we won the World Cup. "A 90 per cent of our (SlC) income is spent not on development but for player fees and payments for playing clubs. There are basic flaws in the administration and the cricketing structure," Aluthgamage said referring to lorgat's report. lorgat was employed by SlC to recommend ways to induce more professionalism into the governing body. The Minister said that lorgat's report was good and he had already informed the district organisations and associations about its content.

When Australia all-rounder Shane Watson did not bat, bowl or field at Wednesday’s optional practice session on the eve of the second cricket Test against South Africa, it was clear that he would not be playing. Soon after the nets, skipper Michael Clarke announced an unchanged eleven that played in the first Test in Brisbane and that meant no room for Mitchell Starc who was widely tipped to replace Ben Hilfenhaus, the Australian media reported. South Africa have made two changes to their side with spinner Imran Tahir and batsman Faf du Plessis coming in for injured J.P. Duminy and fast bowler Roy Kleinveldt. Watson was finally ruled out, three days after admitting he would not be able to bowl in Adelaide, though he would love to play as a specialist batsman. Clarke had made it clear before the series began that he needed to be bowling to be in the team. “Watto (Watson) has improved a lot over the last few days but we feel like he’s probably a few days short of being 100

percent, so we are doing everything in our power to give him the opportunity to be right for the third Test in Perth,” Clarke said. “He’s certainly come a long way, he’s ticked all the boxes with the fitness stuff with (physio) Alex Kountouris but at this stage we still feel he is a few days short.” There was speculation that Watson might play as a batsman in view of of his strained calf, but Clarke said that he and his deputy felt he needed to play as an all-rounder. “That’s Watto’s feeling as well, he sees himself as an all-rounder, he wants to be, he knows the impact he has in this game with both bat and ball and he’s a huge part of our squad when he’s doing both vey well,” the captain said.

“Our plans are to try and get him to 100 percent as quickly as we can, knowing that we’ve got eight days now before the Third Test in Perth.”

THe squads ausTRalia: michael Clarke (captain), david warner, ed Cowan, rob quiney, ricky Ponting, mike hussey matthew wade, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Nathan lyon, Ben hilfenhaus, mitchell Starc (12th man). souTH afRiCa: Graeme Smith (captain), alviro Petersen, hashim amla, Jacques Kallis, aB de villiers, Jacques rudolph, faf du Plessis, vernon Philander, dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, morne morkel.

T20 blind cricket to be held in Bangalore from 2nd to 13th dec NEWSDESK Nine countries will be participating in the inaugural Twenty20 Blind Cricket World Cup scheduled to be held from December 2nd to 13th in Bangalore.

The names of the selected players was announced at the press conference that was presided over by the AICC General Secretary Oscar Fernandes here today.

"I feel honoured to be associated with a great cause like this. I wish each and every player all the very best, may the best man take the World Cup home," said Fernandes, the patron-in-chief of the World Cup. "If one is differently-abled he should have equal opportunity to perform like the non-disabled," he said.

The Indian contingent of 17 players will be led by 24-year-old hard hitting opening batsman Shekhar Naik from Karnataka. The Indian team which had defeated Pakistan in March is among the favourites going into the World Cup. "We have a great chance of winning the world cup. Pakistan, South Africa, England and Australia will be our toughest opponents," said Mahantesh Ghativalappa, founder of NGO 'Samathanam'.

Apart from the hosts India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, South Africa, West Indies, Sri lanka and Nepal will be participating in the tournament.

CABI is organising the event in association with the Bangalore-based NGO Samarthan. "It is a matter of great pride that we are conducting this event. The tournament will definitely make its mark as one of the most profound and innovative concept that our country is going to present on an international level," he said. The Cricket Association for the Blind in India is hopeful that BCCI will come forward and associate itself with the World Cup.

No. 10 Abul Hasan’s debut ton revives Bangladesh KHULNA

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West Indies bulldozed through the first eight Bangladesh wickets on a flat, low and slow Khulna pitch. In came debutant Abul Hasan, all of 20, and proceeded to do something that had been done only once before in 2059 previous Tests dating back to 1877, by Reggie Duff over a century ago in 1902.

Abul, who goes around as a fast bowler, became only the second Test debutant to make a hundred at No. 10. Abul's incredible innings, and his record unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 172 with Mahmudullah, himself on 72, rescued Bangladesh from 193 for 8, and left honours even on day one.

The cluelessness of being a debutant No. 10, if any, was restricted to the first four deliveries of Abul's knock, and a few scattered nervy moments against the second new ball as he approached his hundred. Barring those, the innings was a fresh breeze of audacious boundaries, and sensible defending, which blew the spotlight away from the continuing inadequacies of the specialist Bangladesh batsmen. He was beaten four successive times at the start by Fidel Edwards, who had come in for the injured Ravi Rampaul to take five wickets before being upstaged by Abul. The fifth delivery was timed neatly down the ground for three runs, and Abul was a changed man thereafter. Fast bowlers were pulled and driven with panache, a medium-pacer was charged and lofted, spinners were slog-swept and cut, and everyone was defended solidly. He even ensured a part-timer was taken for runs when he hit Marlon Samuels for three fours in an over. Soon, he was dancing out and heaving Darren Sammy for six over long-off to go past fifty.

It was an understatement to say the assault left West Indies stunned. Coming towards the end of a hard toil on an unresponsive pitch, it gave them no time to regroup. Everything and everyone went for runs. Sammy was caught between going for the remaining two wickets and setting fields to plug the

bangladesH fiRsT innings Tamin iqbal b sammy 32 nazimuddin c powell b edwards 4 shahriar nafees c Ramdin b sammy 26 naeem islam b edwards 16 shakib al Hasan c Ramdin b edwards 17 Mushfiqur Rahim c Ramdin b edwards 38 nasir Hossain c edwards b permaul 52 Mahmudullah not out 72 sohag gazi lbw b edwards 0 abul Hasan not out 100 extras (b-4 lb-3 nb-1) 8 Total (for eight wickets, 86 overs) 365 To bat: Rubel Hossain. fall of wickets: 1-5 2-64 3-77 4-93 5-98 6-185 7-193 8-193. bowling: edwards 16-2-81-5 (1nb), best 10-3-31-0, sammy 20-4-61-2, narine 190-91-0, permaul 19-2-79-1, samuels 2-0-15-0.

West indies: C.gayle, K.powell, d.bravo, s.Chanderpaul, M.samuels, d.Ramdin, d.sammy (captain), V.permaul, s.narine, T.best, f.edwards.

torrent of runs. Abul eventually forced him to have deep fields. It was a largely chanceless innings; he was put down once, on 42, at forward short leg off Veerasammy Permaul, who made three attempts at the catch but could not hold on. The second new ball was taken when Abul was on 84. He responded by a couple of blind charges at Edwards' short deliveries, and was fortunate not to get hit.

Abul's recovery against Edwards showed the kind of touch the man was in. He coolly made room

to a short of a length delivery and punched it past point for four. Some more tense moments against Edwards followed, but Abul broke into a roar after a tuck to leg for two off Sunil Narine, whose returns for this series now stand at 3 for 295.

Mahmudullah's contribution was not far behind.

He let the man of the day go about his business, while himself motoring along without fuss. He didn't try to match Abul for spectacle, although he did come close in terms of strokeplay, the highlight

being a charge-and-whip off Narine which raced through square leg, and a short-arm controlled pull through midwicket off Edwards.

The ninth-wicket partnership was already Bangladesh's highest, and also the fourth-highest ever in Tests. Not even the staunchest Bangladesh supporters who had filled the stands in Khulna could have hoped for a better opening day's play at Test cricket's latest, and 107th venue, especially after the struggles of the specialist batsmen.

In each of the first two sessions, Bangladesh were jolted early. In each session, they fought back.

And in each session, with depressing familiarity, they also gave away whatever ground they had regained. The result was that despite Bangladesh's best batsman, Tamim Iqbal, batting nearly two hours, and Nasir Hossain counter-attacking with a fifty, it was West Indies who dominated.

In Tamim's defence, he had at least fallen trying to preserve his wicket close to lunch. Nasir's brain fade came moments before tea, when he charged at Permaul and lofted him straight to mid-on. Till then, Nasir had batted with the confidence he had shown in Mirpur against the West Indies spinners.

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Sports 16

Sprint legend usain Bolt may play cricket after rio Games LONDON agenCies

Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt, who has already conquered the racing track with six Olympic gold medals, may switch to cricket after the 2016 Games in Rio de Janerio.

The 26-year-old from Jamaica had held talks with Australian spin legend Shane Warne's Melbourne Stars in October but his agent Ricky Simms said that he won't be available for this year's Big Bash Twenty20 league.

"Usain is currently an athlete focused on his preparations for the 2013 World Championships in Moscow," Simms said. "He may try his hand at cricket or football when he retires from running but that would be after 2016."

Bolt, who grew up in cricket-mad Jamaica and is the defending champion in 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay events at the london 2012 Olympics, had earlier showed interest in participating in the Australian tournament.

Warne then tried his hand to bring Bolt in the team and had launched a Twitter campaign.

On Friday, former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy once again brought up the issue when he tweeted that a deal between Bolt and the Stars to play in the competition - which runs from 7 December to 9 January - was "hours away".

However, Simms dismissed the claim, saying: "I met with the Melbourne Stars in October and told them Usain is not available to play cricket this year."

In the past, Bolt has appeared in charity cricket matches and even managed to famously clean bowled then West Indies captain Chris Gayle in 2009.

Bolt, who considers football to be his first love, was also the special guest of Manchester United at the 2011 Champions league final in london. last October, the Jamaican also expressed his desire to play football professionally in the future.

"I always wanted to try to play soccer," he said in October. "Maybe at the end of my career.

It would be something that I would love to try," he had said.

Kaneria seeks ‘proper hearing’ from PcB LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

Pakistan's leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who is facing a permanent life ban from cricket and is presently suspended by the PCB, has sought time with the chairman of the board to make his position clear in the spot-fixing allegations against him.

Sources in the board told PTI that Kaneria has recently returned to the city from london to make final arrangements for his appeal hearing, scheduled for December 10.

A disciplinary panel of the England and Wales Cricket Board had earlier imposed a life ban on Kaneria from playing in England for his alleged role in spot-fixing in county matches while he was playing for Essex.

Kaneria has appealed the decision that will be heard by an independent panel and if the appeal fails, the life

ban on the legspinner will be ratified, but the PCB will also be bound to ban him permanently.

"It is a hard situation for me and I am trying my best to prepare well for the appeal because my lawyers feel I was not given a proper hearing by the ECB panel," Kaneria said.

"We are confident about the appeal because we feel the supposed evidence presented against me during the trial had many loopholes," he said.

Kaneria is doing his best to meet with the PCB chief, Zaka Ashraf to clarify his position. "yes, I want to meet him and clarify certain things. I think having served Pakistan cricket for so long I deserve this much," he added.

He pointed out that the board had also given time to Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif who were both banned by the ICC and also faced jail sentences for their role in spot-fixing.

"I have not been convicted by any court as yet, the ECB hearing was a disciplinary one," he noted.

"I am worried about my case and I want to brief the PCB chairman about what has happened. Because my life

SPB to hold Int’l Sports & Peace Wrestling LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

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HE Sports Board Punjab after successfully holding the Punjab youth Festival, Punjab National youth Festival and Punjab International Sports Festival is now holding the International Sports and Peace Wrestling Festival to mark the 60 years of sporting relations between Pakistan and Japan.

As part of the festivity well-known wrestler Antonio Inoki around 10 professional wrestlers from Japan and other parts of the world will be visiting Pakistan at the end of the current month and collide with each other in a free style wrestling at lahore.

The SBP with the help of Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and in collaboration with the founder of Japanese pro wrestling, Antonio Inoki is marking Pakistan’s 60 years of sports ties with Japan. It was in 1976 when Antonio Inoki visited Pakistan 36 years ago in 1976 for a honourary fight with Pakistan’s well-known Akram Pahlwan, commonly known as Aki Pahlwan, and the fight took place at Karachi’s National Stadium. But the sports relations between Pakistan and Japan are now of 60 years bound and to mark that six decades of relations, the SBP and Inoki have come up with

a hope to do a sports event in Pakistan in this memorial year.

Inoki hope the bound between the two countries will strengthen and bring the people of the two countries closer. “We hope that this event can help build a stronger relationship and friendship between the two nations,” said Antonio Inoki in a message on Wednesday.

Usman Anwar, Director General SBP, informed that there will be pro wrestling, Kickboxing and a friendly demonstration. “Around 10 fighters will lock horns in about two and half

hours activity and is likely to be broadcast live in Pakistan and Japan,” informed the organisers of the event.

“Pro wrestling is a competitive sports that consists of fighters with stand up skills, throws, and various mixed martial arts background but is there also to show to the spectators the fight. This entertainment sport is performed all over the world but is considered very popular and has a great history especially in United States, Japan, and Mexico,” said an organiser.

“The founder of Japanese pro wrestling is Rikidozan and his students are Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba. These two have carried on the torch of the popularity of the Japanese pro wrestling industry,” he added.

Inoki’s name became well known all over the world after his fight against Muhammad Ali. Then the legendary wrestler of Pakistan made an offer to challenge him for a match in Pakistan. This legendary wrestler’s name of Pakistan is Akram Pahalwan who had the history of his family being mix martial arts fighter, the Bholu Brothers and was a descendant of Great Gama. The match with Ali was also broadcasted in Pakistan in which it drew a TV ratings viewerships of over 80% and now the activity SBP is to hold will also have maximum viewership.

Cook has recipe for success, says Flower NEWSDESK Coach Andy Flower wants England to follow the wonderful example set by their new Test captain Alastair Cook in the first-Test defeat against India. Cook was a shining light in an otherwise underwhelming England performance, as they lost by nine wickets to India in Ahmedabad. In his first Test as permanent captain, the opener could hardly have done much more to try to inspire his team adding a heroic second-innings 176 to useful runs first time round.

England still fell well short, but Flower retains hope that they can learn from Cook's demonstration of what it takes to be successful in India. "Cook is a strong bloke and a very, very fine cricketer," said Flower, who must try to galvanise the tourists for the second Test of four which starts at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. "I was obviously very impressed, along with the rest of the cricketing world that saw him play. "We need more of our men to stand up in the way that he did. "His was a

lovely blend of concentration, but also skill - against the turning ball, and he played the reverse-swing very comfortably.

"His decision-making, balance of risk and reward was excellent. There was a lot to be learned by all of us from watching him."

As well as a misfiring middle order, England were hardly well-served by their bowlers either, as India racked up a commanding 521 for eight declared after winning an important toss at the Sardar Patel Stadium. It was therefore a significant setback to hear yesterday that injured fast bowler Steven Finn will not be fit to try to inspire a resurgence in the second match of four. In fact, Finn was today due for a makeor-break second scan on his thigh strain which will probably determine whether he plays any further part in the tour. "He has unfortunately hurt his leg again, a couple of days ago, and is having another scan tomorrow," said Flower. "We don't think he's got any structural damage, but it would be careless to suggest that he might play the second Test."

Should Finn again be cleared of serious injury, England are hoping he can play for the Perf o r m a n c e Programme squad that is shadowing them in India - next

week, with a view to a possible return for the third and fourth Tests in Kolkata and Nagpur. "I've got an open mind about it. let's see what his scan reveals tomorrow," added

the coach. "We hope he goes and plays that three-day game, and comes through well.

"If he comes through that well, he'll be available for the third and fourth Tests."

Trott itching to get back in the middle Jonathan Trott is impatient to get back in the middle and help right the wrongs of England's first-Test defeat against India. The tourists folded to a nine-wicket defeat in Ahmedabad on Monday, despite Alastair Cook's brave second-innings 176. Trott is thankful there are only three days between that disappointment, at the start of the four-match series, and the second Test - due to get under way at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. "you wouldn't want a week or eight days mulling over the game; you want to get back out there and batting and crack on," said England's number three, whose duck and second-innings 17 at the Sardar Patel Stadium made him a member of England's under-performing middle order. "Travelling to Kolkata 1-1 [for the third Test] would be great. "We understand the challenge for us in these three games, but we know we can do it." England's batting line-up will be disrupted by one enforced change this week, with Ian Bell temporarily back at home following the birth of his first child on Monday. The likelihood is that there will be a return at number five for Jonny Bairstow, arguably unlucky to be overlooked for the first Test after making 95 and 54 in his last two innings at the highest level as the then outof-favour Kevin Pietersen's understudy against South Africa at lord's. The final batting spot will be between Samit Patel, twice a shade unfortunate to be given out lbw in Ahmedabad, and left-hander Eoin Morgan, who may yet sway selection to try to help Cook break up the lines of India's two spinners Pragyan Ojha and Ravichandran Ashwin. neWsdesK

and career are at stake now."

Kaneria also denied media reports that he had met with Indian bookmaker, Anu Bhat several times after the ICC anti-corruption unit officers had advised him and some other Pakistani players to stay away from the Indian because of his suspicious activities.

"Bhat contacted me several times but I avoided meeting him him even in England until I arrange for some tickets for a county match for him and give it to him in person. But I am not worried about these reports because all I have said about my relationship with Bhat is on record with the ECB panel," he added.

"My hopes of getting my name cleared in this case have not died down although the last few months have been very hard for me and my family.

The appeal hearing should make lot of things very clear," he stated.

Pepsi bags IPl title sponsorship rights NEWSDESK Soft drink giants Pepsi became the new title sponsors of the Indian Premier league after it won the bid for title rights for five years by paying a whopping Rs 396 crores. Pepsi pipped Aircel, which had offered Rs 316 crores, in the bid for the title sponsorship of the Twenty20 tournament.

IPl Chairman Rajeev Shukla said that the title-sponsorship contract was for fiveyear period and will end in 2017. Realty firm DlF ended its five-year-long association with the IPl as the title sponsor in August and the BCCI floated the tenders last month. DlF paid Rs 200 crore for the five year period of 2008-12. "So far our records of selling various properties of IPl has been very good. We have doubled, tripled or quadrupled the amount while selling some of the properties," Shukla told reporters after the meeting of the IPl Governing Council.

ex-India cricketers honoured by BCCI MUMBAI agenCies

Widows of some of India's finest players will receive a benefit purse from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wenesday evening, as reported

by India Today. "All those former cricketers who played for the country in an era when there was no money also deserved some comfort. They were all big names, like Vijay Manjrekar, Vijay Merchant, Dattu Phadkar, Vinoo Mankad, and Dilip Sardesai, and all great contributors to Indian cricket." "Their families too deserve some recognition," BCCI secretary Sanjay Jagdale said. "They would have been great had they played even in this era.

There's a lot of money in cricket and also in other sports; there’s nothing wrong in it. But these greats played in an era when there was not much recognition and no money." "And they had to work hard for their living to take care of their families," said the former Madhya Pradesh captain.

In addition to this list, family members of Ghulam Ahmed and Ml Jaisimha, both of whom were based in Hyderabad, would also receive cheques of Rs.15 lakh each. Apart from this, one-time benefit cheques have been distributed to all those players who have played at least 75 FirstClass matches and Test Matches during this year’s Indian Premier league in May. Jagdale who is believed to be behind the benefit scheme, said that this gesture of BCCI was warmly embraced. "We have received a lot of emails and letters, and also phone calls, including widows of players who benefitted, thanking the BCCI. But there were some cases where this[one-time benefit] was not mentioned," he pointed out. Also at the function, former India Captain and one of the most prolific run scorers, Sunil Gavaskar will be awareded the Col CK Nayudu lifetime Achievement Award which will comprise of a trophy a citation and a cheque for Rs.25 lakhs.

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

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17 Sports Ibrahimovic, Barcelona top football rankings

moSCow: dani alves of Barcelona trying to gain possession of the ball.

Barcelona emerged victorious after beating Spartak 3-0.

NEWSDESK A global panel of football voters agreed on one thing: Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s fourgoal spree for Sweden against England last week and his amazing 25-yard overhead kick goal made him the overwhelming choice to top the Associated Presss Global 10 football rankings.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker collected an astonishing 199 points — out of a possible 200 — from the panel of 20 journalists around the world. Each voter awards 10 points for his choice of the best player and team of the week, falling to one point for 10th place.

“It’s hard to look beyond Zlatan after his virtuoso performance and video game ‘golazo’ for Sweden against England,” said Will Tidey of the San Franciscobased Bleacher Report, referring to Ibrahimovic’s overhead kick.

Added panelist Christian Schaetzle of German blog derfussballblogger.de: “Four goals in the 4-2 victory over England, plus the bicycle kick from 25 metres for one of the greatest goals of all times.”

playeRs 1. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 199 points.

2. lionel Messi, 138.

3. luis Suarez, 75.

4. Stephan El Shaarawy, 70.

5. Karim Benzema, 66.

6. Santi Cazorla, 48.

7. Alberto Aquilini, 46.

8. Federico Marchetti, 42.

9. Sergio Aguero, 33.

10. Carlos Tevez, 26.

TeaMs 1. Barcelona, 102 points.

2. Fiorentina, 99.

3. Real Madrid, 96.

4. Manchester City, 91.

5. Rennes, 75.

6. West Bromwich Albion, 74.

7. Norwich, 50.

8. Borussia Dortmund, 49.

9. Al Ahly, 44.

9. Arsenal, 44.

Chelsea sack manager roberto di matteo LONDON agenCies

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked after the European champions were left facing elimination at the group stage of the Champions league, the club said on Wednesday.

"Chelsea Football Club has parted company this morning with Manager Roberto Di Matteo," a statement said, following Tuesday's 3-0 defeat by Juventus. Chelsea said the team's "recent performances and results have not been good enough". "The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions league as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier league while competing in three other cup competitions," they added.

Vilanova hails consistent Messi MOSCOW agenCies

Tito Vilanova praised lionel Messi after the Argentine's brace helped Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Spartak Moscow to seal a spot in the next round of the Champions league. Barcelona came into the match needing all three points to seal a spot in the next round of the tournament after their shock defeat at the hands of Celtic a fortnight ago and the players delivered in style with a clinical first half display to record a 3-0 win over Spartak Moscow.

Messi played a starring role in the victory, setting up Dani Alves for the opening goal before grabbing a brace for himself to see off the Russian side, who are out of the running for even an Europa league spot in third place. Vilanova praised his side for adapting well to tricky conditions in Moscow to secure a spot in the next round of the Champions league as winners of their group. "We were well

aware of the importance of this game having lost to Celtic last time out. We did not want to be looking to qualify in our last home game against Benfica," he said on

UEFA's official website.

"My players demonstrated just how great they are tonight. They have won a lot of trophies down the years and proved that they can adapt to any circumstance, be it the cold weather or a tricky playing surface. They put in a very diligent performance. He then singled out Messi for his scintillating performance, praising the reigning Ballon d'Or winner for his tactical discipline as much as his individual brilliance. "Each and every day, lionel Messi doesn't fail to surprise with his ambition and his eagerness to win and help out his team-mates. We always talk about the goals he scores but we also have to say that at a tactical level he's excellent too.

The two goals helped Messi take a step closer to matching Gerd Muller's record of scoring 85 goals in a calender year by taking his own tally to 80 goals, but the player himself played down the achievement and insists that the team takes priority over breaking a record.

mughalpura Institute move into next round LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

Mughalpura Institute has moved into the next round of 6th Nazar Mohammad Memorial cricket event when they outplayed Tauseef Club by 6 wickets played at Mughalpura Institute ground the other day. Fine all round performance by Irfan Ali was the main feature of the match SCORES: Tauseef Club 168 in 37.5 overs. Waqas Khan 56, M Ali Rana 33, Shehzad Muhayudin 19, Zeeshan Butt 13, Sher BAz Khan 11. Irfan Ali 3/35, Imran Akram 3/17, Hashim Nasir 2/6, Ansar Bharwana 1/30.

Mughalpura "Institute 171/4 in 31.5 overs. Irfan Ali 66, Zaheer Butt 18, JAvaid 30, HAssan Nasir 32(no), Ansar Bharwana 19(no). Sher Baz Khan 2/43, Sheraz Baig 1/25, Israr Baig 1/50.

Beckham has ‘exciting options’ for last challenge NEWSDESK David Beckham said he’ll weigh some “exciting options” for the final challenge of his soccer playing career once his sixyear U.S. stint ends next month.

Beckham, 37, announced two days ago that the Dec. 1 Major league Soccer championship game will be his last competitive match for the los Angeles Galaxy, sparking a global race to sign the former England captain.

Beckham said his immediate focus is on helping the Galaxy beat the Houston Dynamo in the MlS Cup and that he hasn’t decided on his next move with clubs in Australia, Brazil, China, France and Russia all said to be interested in acquiring him.

“There are options and I am very lucky at my age to have options,” Beck-

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

ham said in televised comments in los Angeles yesterday. “My decision will be made around December or in the New year, but right now I can’t even comment on it.”

Beckham’s management last week denied he had any plans to play in Australia after the country’s soccer federation said it had been approached about the possibility.

Perth Glory and Melbourne Heart said yesterday they are still interested in bringing him to the A-league, where exItaly forward Alessandro Del Piero and Beckham’s former England teammate Emile Heskey are playing this season.

A posting on Perth’s Twitter account said that “the race is on” following Beckham’s announcement that he will leave the Galaxy, while Heart Chief Executive Officer Scott Munn said his team would

put forward a “compelling offer” to Beckham. Paris Saint-Germain is among the clubs ready to make him an offer, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported.

He’s also received approaches from Russia, China and Brazil, the BBC added, although he’d only go to a club where he’s assured a regular starting berth.

‘INTERESTING OPTIONS’ “I haven’t had any talks right now with anybody, but I do have exciting and some interesting options on the table,” Beckham said yesterday. “Over my career, I’ve had many rumors said about where I’m going to be playing, what teams I’m going to be joining, and even at 37 years old that’s not changed, so I’m sure that will continue to happen until I’ve made my decision.”

Beckham joined the Galaxy in January 2007 and helped the team win its

third MlS championship last season.

Although he signed a new two-year contract in January, it included an option on the second year.

His presence coincided with a period of unprecedented growth for the 17-year-old league, which has added seven clubs in the past six years while 15 of the 19 MlS teams now play in soccer-specific stadiums, up from five before 2007.

Beckham, who won league titles with Manchester United in England and Real Madrid in Spain before switching to the U.S., said he decided to leave the Galaxy because he had achieved everything he wanted with the club.

“I still feel like I have one more challenge in me as a player, even at 37 years old,” Beckham said. “Where that will be yet, I haven’t decided.”

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Sports 18

World top three head Brisbane tennis field

watch it Live ESPN Sports Center 07:30PM

China tennis champion li Na confirms hong Kong match NEWSDESK

NEWSDESK

W

lahore division defeat multan in basketball

ORlD No.1 Victoria Azarenka will have to beat a cracking field featuring eight of the world's top 10 women's tennis players to win her second Brisbane International title in January.

The power-hitter from Belarus has targeted Brisbane as her only lead-up tournament before defending her Australian Open crown in Melbourne.

Her addition on Wednesday, along with four other top 10-ranked players, completes a stunning line-up for the Brisbane tournament held from December 30 to January 6.

Tournament director Cameron Pearson confirmed the late entries with Azarenka, Germany's fast-moving Angelique Kerber (No.5), Italian Sara Er-

rani (No.6), the Czech Republic's former Brisbane winner Petra Kvitova (No.8) and Denmark's long-time former world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki (No.10) joining a classy field.

The line-up already boasts world No.2 Russian star Maria Sharapova, No.3 Serena Williams and Australia's Sam Stosur, who finished 2012 ranked ninth.

"I am really looking forward to returning to Brisbane. The city is beautiful, the venue is first class and I thoroughly enjoyed playing there in 2009 when I won," said the 23-yearold in a statement released by Pearson.

"I am very proud to have ended the year as world No.1.

"I am excited to start my 2013 campaign in Brisbane. I know I will get some tough matches against the world's best there, which is perfect

preparation leading into the Australian Open where I aim to defend my 2012 title."

Pearson said it was without doubt the strongest women's field assembled for the Brisbane International.

"The women's field is spectacular.

It's the strongest ever seen in Queensland with eight of the top-10 women set to start their 2013 season in Brisbane," he said.

"We have the current world No.1, three former world No.1 players plus five grand-slam winners and, between them, they have won 22 major titles."

He predicted some on-court fireworks with Azarenka and Sharapova both determined to turn the tables on Serena Williams who dominated their matches in 2012.

"It should make for some electrifying tennis," he said.

li Na, China’s first grand slam champion, will take on former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the BNP Paribas Showdown at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Arena next March 4. The new event, which coincides with World Tennis Day, will also feature great rivals, eight-time grand slam champion Ivan lendl and seven-time grand slam winner John McEnroe. li and Wozniacki will play a best-of-three-sets match, while golden-oldies lendl and McEnroe will provide the hits-of-yesterday in a pro-set encounter. li has a 3-2 head-tohead edge in their series, though Wozniacki won their only meeting this year, which came in Tokyo in October. last year, Wozniacki was a straight-sets winner over li in the ill-fated Hong Kong Tennis Classic at Victoria Park. “It’s great to have the chance to play in Hong Kong again,” said Wozniacki. “It’s also exciting to be part of the first World Tennis Day. I hope it’s successful in getting more kids playing around the world.” lendl won 94 titles in his career, including an ATP tournament in Hong Kong in 1980. He then won consecutive Marlboro Championship titles from 1990-92. “I have always enjoyed playing in Hong Kong. It is a place with a lot of good memories, including one of my first ever wins on the pro tour.”

LAHORE sTaff RepoRT

lahore Division defeated Multan Division by 42-72 score and won the Railway Inter Division Basketball Championship trophy. Workshops Division obtained third Position. From lahore Division Salman Butt played well 24 Score, Muzammil Mehmood 17, Muhammad Shan 17 & Asher Gill 14 Score. From Multan Division Daniyal 20 Score, Muhammad Nawaz 15 & Adnan 7 score obtained. Muhammad Naveed Baig, Muhammad Tahir, Adeel Raza & Muhammad Sheraz Referee.

Asif Iqbal was the Match Commissioner. In the end Chief Guest DS lahore Division Javeed Anwar Bobak give away winner trophy to Captain Winner Team & also distribute certificate to the players. Sports Officer lahore Division Dr. Aftab Iqbal Chaudhary, Sports Officer PRSB Rashid Mehmood Butt, Accounts Officer Akram Awan, Nayyar Javeed Mufti, Iqbal Butt, Muhammad Ayoob, Abdul Rasheed & large number of sportsman on the occasion.

Tennis star Bernard Tomic needs urgent overhaul: John Newcombe NEWSDESK Tennis great John Newcombe believes Bernard Tomic requires an extreme makeover to have any hope of reviving his flagging career. Newcombe says the 20year-old needs to get supremely fit, revamp his predictable game and lose the attitude to realise his potential.

"Bernie's out in the real world now and I don't think he's come to that conclusion," Newcombe said today. "He might have to hit rock bottom first and fall out of the top 100. That can easily happen."

If he continues his run of outs during the Australian summer, after reaching the Brisbane International semi-finals and last 16 at Melbourne Park this year, Tomic will in fact be at risk of slipping from the top 100 as early as January.

Such a dreaded scenario would leave the dual junior grand slam champion having to qualify for premier events and New-

combe suspects Tomic may struggle against the hungrier pros desperate to earn a living. "They're trained killers out there," said the seven-times grand slam champion and former world No.1.

"I think Bernie thinks it's just going to happen and it's not." While others are advocating a change of coach from his father John, Newcombe believes Tomic's troubles run deeper than that.

"Unless he's prepared to devote 100 per cent of time and effort to becoming as good as he could become, it doesn't matter who his coach is. It's going to fall apart," he said. "The answer to Bernard is Bernard.

"Until Bernie makes a decision on what he's willing to do and draws a line in the sand and knuckles down, he's not going to fulfil his full potential. "I'm not sure also if he realises that his game has become predictable. "He had a different type of game that worked when he came on to the scene and guys had trouble

dealing with it. "Now they've figured out what he can and what he can't do.

They're probing that and it's making Bernie very uncomfortable in his matches, not realising a way out of that."

Tomic has dipped from a career-high

No.27 in the world to 52nd in the rankings and Newcombe doubts he'll crack the top 20 with his current playing style.

"He can change that but to play another type of game, he's got to get his fitness up another 30 per cent," Newcombe said.

Lendl giving nothing away as Murray targets Melbourne HONG KONG: Ivan lendl threw up his own Iron Curtain on Wednesday when reporters probed about the state of Andy Murray's mind and his game as Britain's newly minted Grand Slam champion switches his focus to the Australian Open. "I never get into the details of his game with anyone because it not necessary for anyone other than Andy to know," the Czech-born lendl said in familiar taciturn style.

The former world number one - now a U.S. citizen - steered Murray to the U.S. Open crown in September, ending Britain's wait for a men's grand slam singles champion which had stretched back to 1936. like Murray, lendl lost the first four grand slam finals he contested but then went on to win eight, failing only at Wimbledon. Now Britain's barren spell is broken, many expect Murray to emulate his coach and win several more, but lendl cautioned it would be far from easy. agenCies

Tennis boss parries Federer, Murray’s doping criticism PRAGUE agenCies

Francesco Ricci Bitti, president of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), has criticised Roger Federer and Andy Murray for their doubts on the organisation’s antidoping programme.

But the ITF boss also said he was evaluating doing more tests next year, particularly out-of-competition blood tests. "you know the players, they like to talk. A few years ago, the same players were complaining because they were being tested," Ricci Bitti said.

Federer and Murray have expressed doubts about tennis’s antidoping programme in the wake of the lance Armstrong case that has shaken cycling and sport in general.

"I feel I am being tested less now than six or seven years ago," Federer said earlier this month.

"I agree with Andy, we don’t do a lot of blood testing during the year," Federer said.

Ricci Bitti, a veteran Italian sports official who is also a member of the executive committee of the World AntiDoping Agency (Wada), said in Prague

during the Davis Cup final in which the Czech Republic beat Spain at the weekend that what Federer said "could be" true of him, since testing is allocated by drawing lots.

"But I don’t think they are right," he said. "Still, they help us by saying that, because it allows us to move in the direction in which we want to move. But it’s a bit strange. They change their minds a lot," Ricci Bitti said. He acknowledged that the ITF was evaluating increasing the number of doping tests in tennis and even implementing a biological passport programme.

Thursday, 22 November, 2012

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Thursday, 22 November, 2012

19

Sc restores 2007 voters’ list for Karachi ISLAMABAD app

PUNE

A

agenCies

JMAL kasab, the sole surviving terrorist of the Mumbai terror attack of november 26, 2008, was hanged in a Pune jail on Wednesday, after his mercy plea was rejected by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee earlier this month. kasab was buried inside the premises of Pune’s Yerawada Central Jail shortly after the execution. the chilling images of kasab’s killing spree, captured by close-circuit tVs installed at Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus in Mumbai were rekindled, as Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil announced the execution, carried out in complete secrecy.

“All the legal procedures in the 26/11 terror attacks case were completed,” Patil told reporters in Mumbai, adding: “Accordingly, kasab has been hanged this morning at 7.30 am in Yerawada Central Jail.”

Pakistani security and intelligence agencies on Wednesday barred journalists from entering Ajmal kasab’s hometown in Punjab, hours after the lone surviving terrorist involved in the Mumbai attacks was hanged. the security personnel, who were in plain clothes and pretended to be villagers, stopped reporters from entering Faridkot village, located 150 km from Lahore, several journalists said. the personnel tried to snatch cameras from crews of some tV news channels and manhandled them when they argued they had come to Faridkot to film and interview kasab’s neighbours. “the men from the security agencies in the guise of villagers were deployed on the road leading to kasab’s neighbourhood.

2 IHC judges retire, govt holds back extension ISLAMABAD agenCies

Two judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) stopped working on Wednesday following the expiry of their service tenure.

Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi and Justice Shaukat Aziz stopped working, raising apprehensions about smooth functioning of the judiciary, as the federal government did not issue a notification about an extension in their services despite recommendations by the Judicial Commission of Pakistan and the Parliamentary Committee.

There are now seven vacant seats of judges in the IHC following the latest retirements.

Attorney General Irfan Qadir asserted that under current circumstances, there was no possibility of issuing a notification

for the extension in services of the two judges. “Even if the court issues order in this regard, it will not be acceptable,” he added.

The AG said the recommendations of the parliamentary committee were unconstitutional and no unconstitutional ruling of the court would be accepted.

He said any notification on judges’ appointment in the IHC could not be issued until the completion of the Judicial Commission (JC). The Judicial Commission has recommended six-month service extension for Justice Shaukat Aziz and Justice Noorul Haq, but the president has not issued a notification so far.

Due to the retirement of the two judges, a bench constituted to hear a petition regarding extension in the service of army chief Ashfaq Kayani also stood dissolved.

they asked us to go back and not to try to defame Pakistan,” said a local Pakistani journalist. Minutes before his execution, kasab appeared to be nervous but was quiet and offered prayers, a jail official said.

“From his body language, we could make out that he was very nervous. However, he remained quiet before he was taken out from his cell for the hanging,” the official said. kasab had also offered prayers and asked if his family was informed in advance about the hanging to which jail authorities replied in the affirmative, the official said. “I swear by God, won’t do such a thing again (Allah kasam dubara aisi galti nahi karunga)”, were the last words uttered by him. kasab’s end came five days before the fourth anniversary of the brutal terror attacks that claimed 166 lives and injured 300 people. nine of his associates, who had sneaked into Mumbai for the three-day carnage, had been secretly buried in the city in January 2010. ‘tell my Ammi’, this was the message conveyed by kasab when he was told about his november 21 execution, official sources said. nooree Lai, mother of kasab, was apparently the closest person to him as he only uttered her name when asked about his last wish, the sources said.

After completion of the formalities, Home Secretary Rk Singh wrote to Foreign Secretary Rajan Mathai to inform kasab’s mother and other family members who are in Pakistan.

Accordingly, the authorities, through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, had sent a letter to his mother through courier on tuesday, fulfilling his last desire, the sources said. the Union home minister said a letter was sent to the Pakistani High Commission in new Delhi, informing them of the decision to hang kasab.

When the letter was not accepted, the same was faxed to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. But there was no response. kasab — who was barely 21 when he carried out the brutal attack — was sentenced to death on four counts and to life sentence on five counts on charges including murder, waging a war on India and possessing weapons.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the restoration of the voters’ lists finalised in 2007 for Karachi.

The three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry gave the interim order hearing a constitutional petition filed by former Pakistan People’s Party chairwoman Benazir Bhutto, which was clubbed with those of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and Jamaat-e-Islami. The apex court directed the Election Commission to contact the aggrieved voters to register their votes in the locality of their choice instead of their native or current residential address. The petitioners, in their petition, had contended that the EC had transferred around three million voters of Karachi to different areas, questioning the authority under which the EC took the decision.

The court observed that so far the Election Commission could address grievances of not more than 10 percent of the complainants, what the bench called a dissatisfactory ratio.

The court observed that it was practically impossible for the voters to cast their votes in the new constituency, located far from their current residential address.

The chief justice exemplified his own vote that had been transferred to Quetta. He was endorsed by the petitioner’s counsel, whose vote had also been transferred to his native area whereas he was currently residing in Karachi.

However, the court clarified that the restoration of 2007 voters’ list was meant only for Karachi, and if the scope was widened to other areas of Sindh, it might delay elections that would serve no one’s interest. later, the court adjourned the proceedings until Thursday, directing the Election Commission secretary to appear in person.

Gaza cease-fire reached TEL AVIV agenCies

Israel and the Hamas militant group reached a cease-fire agreement Wednesday to end the fiercest round of fighting in nearly four years, promising to halt attacks on each other and ease an Israeli blockade constricting the Gaza Strip.

Egypt’s foreign minister, Mohammed Kamel Amr, said the deal was set to take effect at 9 p.m. local time, capping days of intense efforts that drew the world’s top diplomats into the fray. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stood next to Amr as he announced the breakthrough at a news conference in Cairo.

The agreement will “improve conditions for the people of Gaza and provide security for the people of Israel,” Clinton said. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he agreed to the cease-fire after consulting with President Barack Obama.

Israel launched the fierce Israeli offensive in Gaza last week to stop months of intensifying rocket attacks.

Even after the deal was announced, an air-raid siren signaled a rocket attack in southern Israel, while an airstrike could be heard in Gaza.

In the last-minute burst of fire, Palestinian militants fired five rockets into the southern Israeli city of Beersheba.

One rocket hit a house inside the city, police said. No injuries were reported.

Israel launched well over 1,500 airstrikes and other attacks on targets in Gaza, while more than 1,000 rockets pounded Israel since the fighting began on Nov. 14. In all, more than 140 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians, were killed, while five Israelis died in the fighting.

According to a copy of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press, Israel and Hamas agreed to an immediate halt in the violence. Israel will end its policy of assassinating top Hamas officials, while Hamas promised to halt all rocket

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

Editor: Arif Nizami

fire by the many militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip.

After a brief cooling off period, Israel pledged to ease its blockade of Gaza, though there were no firm assurances on how that will be done. Israel has maintained the blockade since Hamas seized power of Gaza in 2007, though it has gradually lifted many of the restrictions.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official, said on his Facebook page that talks on a new border arrangement would begin after the 24-hour cooling off period.

Israeli TV channels, citing unidentified Israeli officials, said the details on future arrangements would be handled through an international liaison team.

The deal marked a key victory for Egypt’s new Islamist government, which is caught in a balancing act between its allegiance to Hamas and its need to maintain good relations with Israel and the U.S. Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood.