The Frontier Post E-Paper 18 March, 2015

WEDNESDAY, march 18, 2015

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Vol.XXX No.254

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IS threat mounts on Central Asia

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Lahore Edition

PM wants minorities to live in peace ISLAMABAD

Deploring the Lahore church attacks and was followed by protests and riots, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said the government wanted minorities to live in peace and harmony.

The PM said this while talking to Federal Industries Minister Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi and Advisor to the PM Engineer Amir Muqam who separately called on him at the PM’s House.

He said all provincial governments had been directed to take steps for maintaining law and order. Nawaz said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz-led (PML-N) government was focusing on its vision of development and prosperity with provision of better facilities to the people across the country.

The PM said a network of roads was being constructed to facilitate linkages between various parts of the country, which would bring the people closer to each other, besides promoting businesses and creating better employment opportunities.

He said minorities were an important segment of the country's multi-ethnic society that has immensely contributed towards its progress.

He said the government wanted the minorities to lead their lives in harmony and peace. Nawaz said energy shortage was being overcome with an effective strategy to add more power to the national grid as early as possible and to provide the people with maximum relief.

Both the leaders apprised the PM of matters relating to their areas. The party matters relating to Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also came under discussion during the meetings.

Jatoi also briefed the PM about the working of his ministry and the steps being taken to promote the industrial sector in the country. Sindh PML-N Senior Vice President Syed Shah Muhammad Shah was also present during this meeting.

Later, Nawaz in a meeting with Amir Muqam gave in principle approval of connecting Battal, Ugi and Shangla with the motorway. –Agencies

C M Y K

KARACHI: Women health workers administer polio vaccine to a child as a police official stands guard on Tuesday. –Online

Shias patience earns them Nisar’s praise Jundullah incited Jamatul Interior minister says govt will take stern action against those who lynched two men in Lahore ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Tuesday said Shias were attacked in Shikarpur and Quetta, but they did not burn people alive.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Nisar said that a violent mob reaction like that in Youhanabad was not witnessed after attacks on Imambargahs and mosques. Condemning the attacks on the churches in Lahore, Nisar said “Youhanabad incident was heart piercing.”

“We stand by the Christian community but will take strict action against all those who lynched two men and vandalised public property,” he added.

“A similar incident occurred right in the heart of Paris where a synagogue was attacked,” Nisar added, “But the minority

Zardari wants MQM to rejoin Sindh govt?

Jews did not react violently in the French capital.” While he acknowledged that minorities have been targeted in the country for the last 14 years, he added that heart wrenching incidents across the world do not trigger violence like that in Lahore. He added that the mob was promoting the agenda of terrorists.

“The intention of the terrorists is to spread sectarian strife. Naeem was an innocent citizen,” Nisar said, referring to one of the deceased men identified by his family.

He said that the police have arrested terrorists involved in the Shikarpur Imambargah bombing. The arrests depict efficient working of the law enforcement agencies, he added.

Nisar praised the efforts of senior

Christian leaders to defuse the situation, but warned that strict action would be taken against those who lynched and burnt the two men.

“The incident is a cause of humiliation for our country, police, courts and government.”

“We have recorded the faces of many culprits courtesy of the media, we shall take action against each and every one of them.”

He highlighted that the dead include “seven Muslims as well”, although he soon added, “I am giving this statement only to clarify the records since the death of one person, be it Muslim or Christian, is tantamount to the death of all humanity.”

The minister said that there should

Indian town closed to protest nun’s rape

be no politics over Shafqat Hussain’s execution matter. He said that no political party raised its concern over Hussain’s execution orders until now.

Nisar said that the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had sentenced Hussain to capital punishment.

Lashing out at PPP’s criticism on Shafqat’s execution, the interior minister said, “In 2012, during the government of Asif Ali Zardari, Shafqat’s mercy plea was rejected.”

“In the documents it is mentioned by the jail doctor that Shafqat is 25-year-old while jail authorities have written his age as 23,” Nisar added.

He said that he has recommended DNA test of Hussain to determine his actual age. –Online

PML-N’s prudent policies promoting economy: president

No arrests have been made over the attack on the nun, aged in her 70s

Former president Asif Zardari on Tuesday formed a committee for negotiations with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to bring them back in the Sindh government.

Zardari issued these directives during a luncheon meeting at Bilawal House with PPP lawmakers. The committee, formed by Zardari, will headed by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.

During the meeting, Zardari sought opinion of Pakistan People’s Party provincial legislators regarding MQM’s induction into the provincial government.

Most of the MPAs remain tight-lipped on the matter. When Zardari himself referred Nadir Magsi to share his views on the matter, he replied, “Apart from personal opinion, it’s politically a wise decision to bring the MQM back into the Sindh government.” Late on Tuesday night Zardari telephoned MQM chief Altaf Hussain and told him about the PPP’s decisions to include the MQM in the Sindh government, reports said. –Online KARACHI:

KOLKATA: Shops and schools in a town in eastern India where an elderly nun was gang-raped closed on Tuesday in protest over perceived police inaction, as anger mounts over the "inhuman" crime, business owners said.

Police have detained around 10 people for questioning but no arrests have been made over the Friday attack on the nun, aged in her 70s, the latest in a string of high-profile rapes in India.

The nun was attacked after a gang of half a dozen robbers broke into a convent school near the town of Ranaghat in West Bengal state and ransacked the premises, police say.

"We have called for the shutdown of businesses and shops in this town to support the nun ... and the immediate arrest of the culprits," said Samiran Paul, a spokesman for the local business association.

"We can't imagine such inhuman torture on an elderly nun who devoted her life to the service of humanity.

It's a shame to us," the cloth merchant told AFP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the attack, along with a separate incident of vandalism of a partly built

church in the northern state of Haryana on Sunday.

"PMO (prime minister's office) has asked for immediate report on facts & action taken regarding the incidents," he said in a tweet.

A series of attacks on churches in recent months prompted Hindu nationalist Modi to promise a crackdown on religious violence and freedom of worship for all faiths.

Modi had been heavily criticised for not speaking out earlier against religious violence and has also faced flak for remaining silent about a spate of mass "reconversions" of minority Christians and Muslims to Hinduism.

Rallies and prayer sessions have been held across India since the rape, while West Bengal's chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, faced hundreds of angry protesters late Monday when she travelled to meet the nun in Ranaghat.

Teacher Sriparna Dutta said government schools were shuttered in the area for the day because "we are all so shocked".

Police superintendent Arnab Ghosh said security has been stepped up "in the town and its outskirts to avert any untoward incident during the shutdown". –Agencies

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hus-

sain has said the economy of the country has improved as a result of prudent policies adopted by the Government.

He was addressing convocation of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The president said Pakistan has initiated a number of infrastructure and development projects in cooperation with China. He said implementation of these projects is imperative for development of the country. Mamnoon Hussain stressed the need for making Science as way of development and trickling down its fruits to the people.

He said nuclear energy has a vital role in development and prosperity of the country. It will not only help generation of cheap electricity but also promote industrialisation. –Online

Ahrar to bomb Christians

NASIR BUTT LAHORE: On one hand the terrorist

outfit Jamatul Ahrar (JA) has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s twin bombings, but on the other hand intelligence agencies believe that the Jundullah aided the JA to launch the attacks, The Frontier Post on Tuesday.

Top sources in intelligence agencies said that the information gathered so far suggested that the Jamatul Ahrar did not singlehandedly carried out the terrorist attack.

They believed that terrorist outfit Jundullah had taken help from Punjabi Taliban in this regard.

The Jamatul Ahrar emerged during August 2014 and its commander Omer Khalid Khorasani is operating from Kunar and Nooristan provinces of Afghanistan.

Their operatives are mostly in tribal areas bordering with Afghanistan, including Mohmand Agency, Bajaur Agency, Khyber Agency, and Orakzai Agency.

The security officials said that the Jamatul Ahrar carried out terror activities in Pakistan only with the help of like-

minded terror groups.

Some months ago both Jamatul Ahrar and Jundullah accepted responsibility for the suicide attack at Wagah border in which 60 people were killed.

Whereas Jundullah has an extensive history of attacks on Shias and Christians within and outside Pakistan as it was involved in attack on Anglican church in Peshawar in 2013 in which at least 78 people killed and Jundullah spokesman termed the activity an attack on anti-Islam elements.

Similarly in January, Jundullah attacked a Shia mosque in Shikarpur where scores of worshippers were killed.

The intelligence sources confided that Jundullah was operating with the name of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in parts of Punjab and its activists were recently arrested from Sahiwal, Okara and Kasur.

They said that raw information gathered about the Youhanabad attacks revealed that the suicide attackers were moved in the area from Kasur and Sahiwal who completed the intelligence work for the attack.

ANCHORPERSONS REQUIRED The Frontier Post and Daily Maidan are looking for fresh news and programme anchorpersons for their upcoming Urdu and Pashtu TV channels. Interested candidates should immediately contact with their degrees and latest photographs.

rehmatshahafridi@outlook.com Phone 042-36300931-4

NATIONAL

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TOY BOMB KILLS MAN, TWO CHILDREN

SWAT: Three people including two children were killed and two others wounded when a toy bomb exploded in a house at Madyan tehsil of Swat district on Tuesday. The explosion took place in Tehsil Madyan. Police confirmed that the toy bomb killed Zor Muhammad and his two kids while two children of the same family were injured. The blast occurred when the child brought a ball-like shell at home and started playing with it, it exploded, killing head of the family Zor and his two children, two other children, Sadam and Saira sustained injuries and were taken to hospital. —APP

No check on illegal sale of LPG

M. TAUSEEF KHAN KAASMIRI GUJRANWALA: Police launched a

OUR CORRESPONDENT JHELUM: The unauthorised sale of stored grain pesticides like phosphine tablets is strictly prohibited at general stores and grocery shops. This was stated by Nasir Mazhar Malik, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Pest Warning & Quality Control of Pesticides while addressing a seminar at Jhelum. He said that a massive campaign has been launched by the Agriculture Department throughout Punjab against the unauthorised sale of stored grain pesticides, especially the wheat poisoning pills, because they are used for committing suicide.

Nasir M. Malik added that as per the prevailing law, only the registered pesticides dealers duly licensed from the government of Punjab, Agriculture Department are authorised for the sale of the pesticides under the strict safety standards.

Energy crisis is being resolved: Sher Ali ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali has said the government is taking concrete measures for the solution of energy crisis. He stated this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a new grid station at Mominpura in Lahore this afternoon. He said additional 1400 to 1500 megawatt electricity would be added in the national grid next month. —Online

Suspect flees from court OUR CORRESPONDENT GUJRANWALA: A hand cuffed accused involved in a murder case escaped from session court in Wazirabad on Tuesday. Source told the FP that accused identified as Khawer was involved in murder case. Police brought him handcuffed to produce before the additional session judge from where he absconded.

MARCH 18, 2015

KASUR: Traders staged a protest demonstration in connection with the lynching case at Youhanabad here on Tuesday and blocked Ferozpur Road near Mustafabad, seeking the arrest of people involved in the victimization of late Naeem. A large number of protestors blocked Ferozpur Road and other link roads including Dafto Road and Sarhali Road and chanted anti Taliban slogans. They also demanded the killers of Naeem should be brought to justice without any discrimination. Police tried to pacify the situation and appealed to the protestors to remain calm and cool to avoid chaotic situation. —MANSAB ALI BHATTI

Arrests of aggrieved Christians continue

Drive launched against illegal sale of pesticides

WEDNESDAY

TRADERS CALL FOR ARREST OF NAEEM’S KILLERS

BRIEF

crackdown on Christian community. Police registered cases against 185 people 35 of whom were charged with of blocking various roads and smashing windows of vehicles and government properties during their protest against Lahore Church attacks and arrested a dozen of them.

Sadar police said that accused blocked all roads in city including Lohianwala bypass, Sialkot bypass, Alam chowk and Chand da Qila bypass intersection and debilitated government properties and looted soft drink bottles from a van.

www.thefrontierpost.pk

ATIF ISHAQ SAHIWAL: Around 280 illegal shops are

FAISALABAD: Labour Qaumi Movement activists demonstrate for their demands. —Online

Students call for action against guilty of ‘sexual harassment’ to remove their reservations. The management also suspended an employee, Zubair,.who was allegedly involved in the sexual harassment of girls. Moreover, a special committee comprising Dr Jahanzeb, Professor Zahoor Zahid Durrani and professor Ali Shah also has been formed in order to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Man kills brother: A man with the connivance of his son killed his brother over an old enmity in the limits of Chura police at the Bakhshali bazar on Tuesday. According to the police, Munawar Khan, a resident of Shierabad, along his son Waqar, shot dead his brother, Manawa Khan. Police have registered the case against the accused on the report of deceased’s wife Rahat Begum.

Valuables looted: Unidentified gunmen snatched cash, gold ornaments and other valuables in limits of Chura police station Monday night.

According to the police, unidentified gunmen forced their entry into the house of Rabia Khan in Scarp Colony.

Unidentified gunmen took the family members hostage at gunpoint. The robbers decamped with Rs 20,000 cash, 4 tolas of gold ornaments, a rifle, 30 bore pistol, cell-phones and other valuables.

Police have registered the case and started investigations.

Four criminals booked: Local police have registered case against four people for allegedly involved in crimes in the limits of City police station.

According to the police, Ikramul Haq, Imran, Gohar Ali and Hamid were allegedly involved in crimes including kidnapping and car lifting in the limits of City police station. City police station on the report of Station House Officer (SHO) City Ikhtiraz Khan registered case against the accused under section 400 and 401 of Pakistan penal code.

Ulema Council condemns Lahore church attacks

Pocket size Deewan-eGhalib published

district officers, agriculture officers and field assistants of the district.

Addressing the seminar Muhammad Akram Dhloon, assistant director fruit and vegetable development project - Multan, Mian Attique Ahmad and Assistant Director Plant protection-Khanewal, delivered their lectures on advance technological methods to save citrus’ and mangoes from fruit fly. They said, the phytosanitary surveillance plays an important role in early detection and prevention of the establishment of harmful pests of economic and quarantine importance. The presence of fruit flies belonging to the genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera or Ceratitis (Diptera:Tephritidae) on the continent constitute a potential threat to the production of citrus, mangoes. Lecture about production Nazir Bhatti, District Officer Agriculture extension and Rana Munir Ahmad EDO agriculture urged the agriculture officers and field assistants to work harder. He said, “We can enhance fruit export only producing high quality fruits and that is only possible by our honest working”.

ISLAMABAD: Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib is one of the most popular poets and “Deewan-e-Ghalib” is the most read books in Pakistan and abroad. It is also one of the most published books in the Sub-Continent and it leads to thought provoking ideas.

Ghalib’s poetry has been revolving around the topics of romance, love and sadness. The National Book Foundation (NBF) recently has published a new colourful edition of “Deewan-e- Ghalib” (5,000 numbers) in a small pocket size that can be easily carried during travelling. It is a collection of expressions of the legend poet of all times in the form of poetry about sorrows, grieves, agonies and ills of our life by representing heart’s feelings.

Mirza Ghalib has touched topics of life, feelings, experiences and thoughts in his poetry particularly in ‘Ghazal’ in a befitting manner. This smart pocket size, the book is not only a fancy looking but also available at nominal price Rs.70 only.

BAKHT M KHAN/M RIAZ MAYAR MARDAN: Students and citizens belong to different walks of life on Tuesday held a protest demonstration against the Vice Chancellor and his management of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan over sexual harassment of girls’ students.

Insaf Students Federation, Pakhtun Students Federation, Watan Pal Students Federation and Islami Jamiat Talba blocked Nowshehra Road for five hours.

They burn tyres, shouted slogans against the management of the varsity that had failed to keep law and order situation in the campus.

Students also condemned moral corruption and sexual harassment of girls students. A group of students also met the VC and informed him about their reservations. The VC assured the students that the varsity management would try its best

ADNAN SAEED KHANEWAL: Mufti Muhammad Umar, President Pakistan Ulema Council, Khanewal strongly condemned the suicide attacks on two churches of Lahore.

He was addressing a meeting of Pakistan Ulema Council in Khanewal.

He said, attacks on worship places is a timid act. The terrorist are not loyal to any religion and even Pakistan. Butchery is the only faith that they have. This is the time to practice national solidarity, he added. The meeting was attended by Qari Ikram Ullah Khan, Maulana Iqbal Sajid,Qari Jamil Hisarvi, Rao Nasir, Maulana Uzair Saqib, Maulana Tariq Ismail,Qari Asif Raheemi,Malik Muhammad Ali, Sheikh Zohaib, Rao Yasir advocate and others.

Seminar on prevention of citrus, mangoes from fruit fly: Agriculture extension department Khanewal held a seminar on”How to prevent citrus and mango Plants from fruit fly,” The seminar was designed for all the deputy

selling Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in urban and rural localities of the district in violation of the rules of LPG Production and Distribution Act 2001.

The shops who are violating aforesaid rules are located in most populated localities at Jahaz Ground, Railway Road , Farid Town, Daraay Da Khokka, Bhutto Nagar, Bilali Masjid, Muslim Bin Aqeel Colony, Jogi Chowk, Sahiwal Bypass, Bus Stop, Chak 94/6-R, 95/6-R and 96/6-R, Kameer, Noor Shah, Yousafwala, Chichawatni and Harrapa City.

Talking to the Frontier Post correspondent, a shopkeeper Sohail Anwar said that illegal sale of LPG on these shops is very dangerous as there is large number of petrol pump on Railway and order roads. He added that the shopkeepers also running their business without licence and other legal formalities which are essential in this regard.

The Civil Defence Office can impose fine on sellers of the LPG under PPC Section 285/86 which deals with “negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter”.

Youhanabad incident condemned: Christians on Tuesday held a protest demonstration and condemned the blasts that hit Youhanabad churches in which more than 15 people fell victims and many others got injured.

According to FP sources, a large number of people including males, females and children gathered at a specific place and raised voice for security of their lives and worship places. They stressed that Christians are patriot and they sacrificed for the progress and prosperity of the motherland but rulers always rejected them for the vested interests of some lobby. They also demanded the government to make special arrangements for their security including their worship places.

The head of gathering appealed to protestors to be calm and cool during protests without vandalising state property or hitting any citizen. At the same time, prominent religious and political leaders and members of civil society also showed their solidarity with Christians and condemned the bomb blasts that victimised innocent worshippers without any reason or justification.

They advocated that the attack on churches in Youhanabad is actually attack on Pakistan, adding that Pakistan and terrorism cannot go side by side.

Furthering their stance, they added that terrorists cannot demoralize the nation through such cowardly acts.

Man killed over domestic issue: A man was killed by robbers over a trifle matter at Jahaz Ground, Street No. 1 on Monday night.

According to sources, accused Ajmal along with his two aides entered the house of the victim, Zafar, and not only thrashed him but also targeted him with his weapon. As a result, Zafar received severe injuries and died on the spot. So far as accused are concerned, they managed to escape from the site of occurrence. Police have registered the case against three accused and further investigation is underway.

Youth electrocuted: A youth, Umer Khan, was electrocuted while performing his duty in a mosque on Tuesday.

According to detail, the victim was busy in his labour work in one of the main mosques of the city that suddenly he received an electric shock and died on the spot. Later, his body was shifted to hospital for legal formalities.

RUJ announces gathering on 31rst for journalists’ rights: Regional Union of Journalist (RUJ) has announced to arrange a gathering in Sahiwal on March 31 in which journalists from major cities of the province would take part and highlight problems faced by their community. The decision was taken in a meeting headed by Syed Shafqat Hussain Gilani. Secretary Usma Sagar, president Sahiwal division, Mian Wassem and others were also present.

Talking to the media, Syed Gilani said that RUJ is true representative of the nation and raise regional and national issues without any fear but they are always neglected. He added that government is facilitating journalists in big cities but neglecting them in small cities. Due to lack of basic needs of diet, dress and dwelling, they find them unable to shoulder their responsibilities regarding rights of common man, said Gillani. He pledged that he along with union members would try his best to urge the government announce special facilities for the journalists of small cities.

Prisoner executed in Gujranwala central jail OUR CORRESPONDENT GUJRANWALA: A condemned prisoner of central jail involved in murder case was executed on Tuesday. According to the prosecution deceased Muhammad Iqbal had killed his uncle in law Muhammad Sharif over domestic issue in Hafizabad in 1996.

Session court handed down him death sentence while Lahore high court and Supreme Court upheld the decision of lower court. The President of Pakistan rejected his appeal of mercy and so the black

warrants were issued. The jail superintendent Kamran Anjum told the FP that it was first execution in central jail after seven years since the executions had been stopped in country. It was stated that heirs of deceased tried time and again for mediation with the heirs of slain Muhammad Sharif but they rejected it every time.

Earlier to this jail authorities managed his last meeting with his heirs in jail premises where his only daughter Nanhi Shezadi was among who met him in jail premises. The jail authorities later handed over his body to his heirs.

Gujranwala journalists agree on audit for fair elections MALIK TAUSEEF IQBAL KAASHMIRI GUJRANWALA: Journalists in Gujranwala on

Tuesday unanimously have agreed to chalk out a comprehensive plan in order to resolve their issues regarding press club and fair elections of the body.

Leadership of working journalists Asif Siddiqi, Malik Qayyum, Hafiz Shahid Munir, ex president GPC ,Muhammad Sajjad Dar, president Gujranwala union of journalist , Malik Tauseef Khan Kaashmiri, executive member PFUJ, Mian Atiq, and Mehr Sarfaraz discussed the issues faced by journalists expressed their determination to resolve them with fine and fair way.

It was settled between ex presidents of Gujranwala press club, Hafiz Shahid Munir and Tariq Muneer Butt that first the audit of Gujranwala Press Club would be conducted and then arrangements for fair elections would be made.

Atif Masood Butt,Muhammad Faisal ,Hafiz Iftikhar, Rafeeq Mughal, Umer Sheraz, Tanveer Butt, Umer Naseer, Raja Habib, Abass Butt, Yasir Jutt, Umer Butt, Mubashir Butt, Najaf Sherazi, Imran Mughal, Ubaidullah Khan, Rana Imran, Irfan Comrade, Azam Butt, Asif Sethi, Dr Gulzar, Faisal Butter, Ali Dar, Sardar

Zeeshan, Shahid Butt, Imran alias Mani and Zia Butt were also present.

Prisoner commits suicide in jail: Prisoner of central jail committed suicide after hanging himself in his barrackon Tuesday. Reports

said that deceased Javed of Hafizabad was arrested by police in scuffle case with his in-laws and was sent to central jail, where he committed suicide by hanging himself in his barrack.

The jail sources said that a letter was recovered

from his pocket in which he held his in-laws responsible of his death. The jail authorities handed over his body to his heirs after completing legal formalities.

Kamran Anjum, superintendent central jail,

told the Frontier Post that approximately 450 condemned prisoners involved in murder cases were detained in central jail while the appeals of about 22 are rejected by Lahore High Court and Supreme Court and even the President has also rejected their mercy petitions. He pointed out that a condemned prisoner would be hanged in jail during next few days as his death warrants had been issued.

Security guard tortured to death: Security guard of main bazaar Rahwali Cant tortured to death by unidentified robbers on resistance. Reports state that deceased Sian Bashir Ahmad was performing his duty in main bazaar at night when he found two robbers looting the shops. He challenged them and made hue and cry. But they attacked him with pistol buts and escaped after killing him at spot.

The family members and shop-keepers staged demonstration and blocked GT road. They threw the traffic out of gear and shouted slogan against police. They dispersed on an assurance by police that accused will be arrested soon. The Cantonment police has registered a case against unidentified accused while the body of deceased was handed over to his heirs after his autopsy from local DHQ hospital.

NATIONAL

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

BRIEF

A3 Reforms in judicial system vital to counter terror: Achakzai

Three arrested for impersonating army personnel ISLAMABAD: Police has arrested

Anti-Polio campaign begins in Khanewal AAMIR HUSSAINI KHANEWAL: A three day Polio

eradication campaign started in district Khanewal. 4 lac and 75 thousands children will be vaccinated in 3-day Polio eradication campaign. DCO Khanewal Khalid Mahmood presided a meeting to review 1st day performance of the relevant department. He said officials of relevant departments involved in Anti-Polio Campaign should utilize all their skills to get set targets for this campaign and a strict action should be taken against elements that could be a hurdle in making Pakistan a Polio free country. EDO Health Shahid Iqbal, EDO Agriculture Ahmad Munir, DHO Dr. Yousaf Sumra and others attended the review meeting.

Political leaders flay church attacks AAMIR HUSSAINI KHANEWAL: Office holders of different political parties including General Secretary of Muslim League -N Zubair Paracha , district President of PPP Khanewal Javed Hashmi , District Ameer Jamaat Islami Haroon Rashid Nizami, JUI(F) Ikram Ul Qadri, JUP(N) Sahibzada Azizur Rahman, PTI leader Mahr Imran Dahool, Senior Vice President of PYO southern Punjab Syed Karrar Shah and district General Secretary of PPP women wing Rukhsana Azam Khan condemned shameful attack on churches in lahore and showed their solidarity with Christian community .

Board to review Lakhvi’s detention ISLAMABAD: A review board

comprising judges of Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been constituted on the matter of further extension in detention of Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi, alleged master mind in Mumbai attacks.

The review board headed by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui will comprise Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Amir Farooq. Notification on 90 days detention period issued by district magistrate in respect of Lakhvi had expired on March, 16, 2015 and on expiry of this period, the interior ministry had requested Chief Justice IHC M Anwar Kansi to constitute review board in connection with prospective extension in detention of Lakhvi. —Online

‘Uzair Baloch should be produced before court’ ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League (Z) Chairman Ijaz-ulHaq said that terrorist criminal Uzair Baloch should be brought to Pakistan and produced before the law. Pakistan Muslim League (Z) chairman Ijaz-ul-Haq was talking to newsmen after Parliament session on Tuesday. He said people will start assuming that they can take the law into their own hands when they will not be getting justice from courts. Ijaz-ul-Haq said it is good thing to see that execution of death sentences is underway, which will help in decreasing the crime rate in the country. —Online

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai Tuesday said eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country was not possible without strengthening the Parliament and empowering democratic institutions.

Speaking on a Point of Order in National Assembly, he said reforms should be introduced in country's judicial system and all segments of the society should be provided equal rights."No power could harm us if we implement the above," he added. He offered unconditional support to the government for eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country, fearing that if supremacy of Constitution is not established the country could have become Syria or Libya. Supremacy of the Constitution should be ensured, he added.

"From Prime Minister to sweeper must be equal before the law and we have very limited time to ensure such reforms". Country was at the state of war and our Parliament should enhance its working hours for devising strategy to fight and eliminate terrorism. He said why the government did not take action against Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for attacking the Parliament in August last.

Why speaker did not order inquiry against attack on the Parliament.

He has no personal grudge with Allama Tahir ul Qadri or Imran Khan but the writ of the government must be established. He said Parliament should be taken into confidence regarding raid at 90 in Karachi.

Speaking on Point of Order Syed Naveed Qamar lauded the arrest of culprits involved in Shikarpur Imambargh attack. He condemned blasts in Lahore churches. Commenting on the burning alive of two persons by mob after Churches attack in Lahore, he said minorities must be given sense of confidence for preventing them to take law into their hands.

Sahibzada Tariqullan of JI condemned Lahore attacks and said the 90 raids should be discussed in the Lower House of the Parliament. 132 target killers were apprehended from 90 but interior minister did not mention it in his speech in National Assembly, he pointed out.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the security of Parliament House and Parliament Lodges should be handed over to Rangers. —APP ISLAMABAD:

three fake officers portraying themselves as the part of Pakistan Army, and a wireless set has also been recovered from them. According to the sources, police found a suspicious car near a local university campus with number plate LEB 699. The number plate of car was blurred with mud on it. Three people were sitting in the car, named as Shahzad Ahmed, Hassan Abbas and Waqar Farhan. The first one portrayed himself as Colonel, the second one as Captain and the last one as soldier. All of them were taken to police station, during investigation all their cards were found fake and an FIR has been registered against them whereas more investigation is undergoing. —Online ABBOTTABAD: Students from Govt Primary School Kanshian attend classes in open during extremely cold weather. —Online

Japan contributes US$16.21m for FATA and Afghan refugees

ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan

on Tuesday announced that it disbursed US$16.21 million in total to UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN-Habitat (the UN Human Settlements Programme), UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and World Food Programme (WFP) to support their efforts benefiting people who had fled their homes due to security operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Afghan refugees living in Pakistan.

Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan to Pakistan Takeshi Katae and UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Dr. Jacqueline Badcock made the announcement at the WFP Islamabad office with UNDP Country Director Mr. Marc-Andre Franche, UNHabitat Programme Manager Ms. Bella Evidente, UNHCR Deputy Representative Mr. Johann Siffointe, UNOCHA Head of Office Mr George Khoury, WFP Country Representative

DPO Khanewal laments with Christian community

Ms. Lola Castro. Captain (Retired) Mr Tariq Hayat Khan, Joint Secretary of SAFRON also attended.

More than 91,000 families were displaced from North Waziristan in 2014 following military operations against armed militants, and they remain in need of humanitarian assistance and livelihood support. Since 2008, almost 5 million people from KP and FATA have been registered as displaced as a result of a series of security operations against militants. At the end of 2014, 1.6 million people remained displaced in KP and FATA. Humanitarian partners, including UN agencies and NGOs, support the Government to provide life-saving assistance for the displaced population and to support the voluntary return of the displaced people.

Mr Katae stressed that the Government of Japan attaches high importance to supporting the stability of the region near the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan since it is critical to the

stability of entire Pakistan and the neighbouring countries.

Mr Katae, expressing his appreciation for the cooperation of the United Nations and partners in delivering assistance to those in need, also conveyed his deep sympathy for the families who had had to leave their homes. He also emphasized the international community’s responsibility to support Afghan refugees, for whom Japan has been providing assistance since 2001.

WFP will use $5 million to support 91,000 displaced families from North Waziristan Agency (NWA) and returnees. The grant will finance the costs for processing and distribution of about 16,408 metric tons of wheat which was provided in-kind by the Government of Pakistan. The contribution will also provide 1,400 metric tons of pulse and 718 metric tons of vegetable oil to families from NWA. It is expected that the cereals, pulse and oil to be provided will be sufficient for three

months for these families.

UNHCR, which has received $1.7 million for the displaced people, will provide legal assistance to approximately 83,300 families and blankets, kitchen sets and other non-food items to 10,000 families from NWA. UNHCR will also use $2.73 million for providing health, education and legal services to Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Approximately $2.75 million has been allocated to UNDP to provide technical assistance to the local government, create community networks, and provide livelihood opportunities through cash for work activities and skills training. This will increase the resilience both in the area of displacement and the area of origin following the people’s return. UNHabitat will receive $4.03 million to provide shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance (WASH) to 5,600 displaced families from NWA and 1,800 families returning to Tirrah Valley in Khyber Agency. —Online

Newly-wed couples urged to follow population welfare programme

CHAKDARA: Lady

AAMIR HUSSAINI KHANEWAL: DPO Khanewal shared lamentation with the Christian community of Khanewal on Lahore Church attacks. He assured security of all churches situated in the district.

DPO showed a strong will to fight against the menace of terrorism assuring the safety of lives, property and churches of the Christian community in Khanewal. He said in a meeting at his office that terrorists want to create a divide in the communities of Pakistan on basis of faith and we shall counter all their plots. He briefed the community leaders on the security of Khanewal and expressed that his department won’t leave the community alone in this time of grief; the whole Pakistan is standing beside the Christian community, he added. Shamaoon Qaisar a representative of Christian community said the governments should allow police department to emphasize more on a common man security in comparison to the duties on the VIPs. Father Emanuel Sharif of Saint Joseph Church said, Punjab Government should accept failure of security plan for Churches, Imam bargah and other sensitive places of minorities and responsible sitting in Punjab government should immediately resign .Jacob Francis director of Baithak organization said that certain elements are trying to exclude Christians from the national mainstream.

Polio workers demand payment of wages

MUHAMMAD ARIF DOGAR FAISALABAD: A walk was held under the arrangements of District Population Welfare Department for arousing awareness among the general public about population welfare programme.

The walk was led by MPA Madiha Rana and District Population Officer Dr. Farkhanda Almas, which started from Al-Fatah Sports Complex Saleemi Chowk and culminated at the same site after passing through Saleemi Chowk, Satiana Road.

A large number of people belonging to different sections of society participated in the walk, where they were carrying the banners and play-cards pertaining to the slogans of significance of small family. On this occasion, MPA Madiha Rana said that government has introduced different policies to maintain the balance between population growth and resources. She said that rapidly increasing population is a burden on the country’s resources and a hindrance to its growth.

She further maintained that Pakistan is confronting with the issues of education

and health due to over population.

She urged upon the married youngsters to follow the population welfare programme for keeping small family as it is the need of the day for prosperity and the development of the country. District Officer Population Welfare informed that awareness walk is the part of the celebrations of Population Week.

She told that different programmes have been chalked out in connection with the Population Week including setting up medical camps, holding of seminars and distribution of informative materials.

Health Workers (LHWs) of Malakand have complained that they were not being paid for their hard work which has created a sense of deprivation among them that could affect efforts to eradicate the menace of polio from the society.

A lady health worker Shazia of Thana tehil of Malakand said the LHWs were not being paid by the authorities even after ten rounds of immunization despite regularly performing duty during antipolio campaigns.

She said earlier they used to get wages for immunization through 'O-money' but since last two years the system has been abandoned by the authorities and there was no proper method of payment for polio workers due to which the payment process has badly affected and they were being deprived of their just right.

She said they perform duty in unfavourable circumstance, leaving behind their families and children, and travel in public transport bearing fares from their own pocket but for no avail.

She said that polio duty at Malakand was much harder than in plain areas as they have to go through mountainous areas to reach out distant houses for immunization adding despite that no one was listening to their hue and cries.

She also complained that despite repeated assurances, the provincial government has not issued orders for their regularization that was also affecting their moral and will to put their due share in efforts against polio.—APP

NA IT committee takes notice of grey trafficking STAFF REPORT ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee

of National Assembly on Information and Technology on Tuesday took serious notice of the grey trafficking and asked Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to apprise it every month how much it had succeeded in controlling the menace.

A meeting of the Committee was held here at the Parliament House with Capt (Retd) Muhammad Safdar in the chair.

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Anusha Rehman said that the steps taken by the government to get rid of grey trafficking

were producing results and this menace would soon be eliminated. “We have revoked the policy with regard to grey trafficking. We have also been successful in vacating cases in the courts,” the minister told the panel”, she added.

Captain (Retd) Safdar asked the ministry to hold a seminar on e-governance before June, this year. He also formed a four member sub-committee with Shazia Marri as its chairperson and Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad, Syed Ali Raza Abidi and Farhana Qamar as its members. The sub-committee was tasked to remain in touch with PTA to review steps taken by it for elimination of grey trafficking.

Chairman PTA Dr Ismail Shah briefed

the committee that concealment of incoming international telephone calls (traffic) on fixed and mobile networks by using illegal channels and other means for the purpose of avoiding taxes and levies was termed as ‘grey traffic’. “Advanced communication techniques and tools like compression and encryption are used by grey operators to avoid detection by PTA,” he said.

He said that since 2009 PTA identified illegal steps and executed 257 joint raids with FIA in which 244 arrests were made and 999 gateways were confiscated. “During the first three months of the ongoing year, a total of 29 raids were carried out and in these 244 arrests were

made, while 52 gateways were confiscated,” he said. “Once a successful raid is conducted, FIA investigates the matter further and deals with legal proceedings and convictions,” he added.

The Committee hailed the efforts of the PTA for bringing LDI operators in the ambit of law, eliminating the traffickers from the scene and saving the government from a loss of Rs one billion per month.

He said the process of verifications of mobile phone SIMS was going on quite successfully adding that unverified SIMS would be blocked by April 12, this year.

Minister of Information Technology on the occasion also briefed the meeting about the progress on e-governance. Our min-

istry is supposed to prepare software for e-governance and provide necessary training to other ministries in this regard. We have written letters to all the ministries for that purpose, she added.

She also said that SCO which was at present only limited to AJK should be brought at par with other competitors.

She said that SCO was taking budget from the Ministry of Information Technology for its projects adding that it should have its own budget and be made independent. The committee was also given a detailed briefing about proposed PSDP of Ministry of Information Technology and Communication for the year 2015-16.

LAHORE CMYK

www.thefrontierpost.pk

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

FIR REGISTERED AGAINST NAEEM'S KILLERS

LAHORE: First Information Report (FIR) on Tuesday has been registered in Nishtar Town Police Station against unidentified culprits for killing Muhammad Naeem after Youhanabad attacks on mere suspicion of having connections with banned outfits. Saleem, Naeem s brother had filed an application to register a case. Victim of Youhanabad tragedy Naeem, was burned by enraged protesters on Sunday.

Naeem, a resident of Kasur, was a glass-worker and had come to Lahore for buying glass from the local market. Saleem had filed an application to file a case against the culprits who were involved in Naeem’s killing. Naeem s body was identified by his brother. —Online

PU SENDS RELIEF GOODS TO THAR LAHORE: Punjab University Directorate of Student Affairs on Tuesday sent relief goods including medicines, clothes, food and other commodities of daily life to victims of Thar drought. PU Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran lauded the efforts of Director Shahid Mahmood Gul, Zubair Akram and other volunteers for making efforts and providing relief to the people of Thar. —Staff Report

Church bombings a plot to divide nation: Shahbaz

UK wants partnership with Pakistan to reduce poverty STAFF REPORT

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz aging public property.

Sharif Tuesday said the incident took —Wants short-term steps for place in Youhanabad was the worst flood management: Punjab Chief

conspiracy to divide the nation. He said the incident was highly condemnable.

Presiding over a meeting to review overall law and order situation, the chief minister said terrorists had no religion and did not deserve to be called humans.

He said the entire nation was united in the war against terrorism and the enemies of peace would face a crushing defeat. He said the nation fully shares the grief of its Christian brethren.

The Chief Minister issued orders for immediate arrest and legal action against the elements that were involved in damage to property and ransacking after the Youhanabad incident. He said no one could be allowed to take the law into his hands.

He further instructed the administration to take action indiscriminate action against the extremists.

Moreover, Provincial Interior Minister Shuja Khanzada, MNA Hamza Shahbaz, MPA Rana Sanaullah, Chief Secretary and Inspector General Police also attended the meeting.

Earlier, Shahbaz has directed to arrest the killers of Naeem who was set on fire by the mob after Youhanabad blast.

The unfortunate man was suspected of being a terrorists’ aide and was burnt to death by the Christian mob on Sunday.

The deceased was recognised as a common man, belonging to Kasur.

The CM directed the arrest of the murderers after the news was aired on private news channel. He also said that killing a person only on the basis of suspicion was an act of inhumanity. He said that nobody could be allowed to take law and order into their hands. On the other hand, Home Minister Punjab Shuja Khanzada has said that the protesters involved in Naeem’s killing will be identified through videos and cases will be registered against those involved in dam-

Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting Tuesday to approve important measures for the improvement of flood management system in the province.

The meeting also decided to set up a risk management unit in the Irrigation Department besides approval was given to handover the control of pond areas of Punjab to the Irrigation Department.

Addressing the meeting, the chief minister directed that necessary protective measures be completed at any cost before the monsoon season while regulatory and administrative steps be also finalised. He said that shortterm measures should be adopted immediately for improvement of flood management system.

He said that strengthening of protective spurs and embankments should be ensured in time. He said that illegal constructions on the riverbeds be curbed.

He said that early warning system about possible flood is of vital importance and modern radar should immediately be arranged for this purpose. The Chief Minister directed that rehabilitation and improvement work of barrages be completed expeditiously. He said that barrages are important structures and competent officers be deputed at these places.

The chief minister issued instructions for evolving irrigation manual on modern lines and said that approved short term measures be immediately implemented. He directed concerned departments and institutions to work speedily and in a coordinated manner.

He said that immediate measures should be taken for the improvement of irrigation installations. He directed that all pond areas of Punjab be taken from other departments and handed over to Irrigation Department. —APP

Moving scenes at funerals of church bombing. —Photo by Mohsin Raza

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital MS hyperventilates over ventilators

SAIF ULLAH CHEEMA LAHORE: Despite by tall claims by

Punjab government, 14 out of 18 ventilators are out of order in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) for four months and patients are being referred to other hospitals.

SGRH is one of the biggest hospitals in Lahore and just half mile away from Chief Minister House and provincial assembly of the Punjab, but rulers of the province did not bother to have check and balance about the facilities being provided to the poor patients in SGRH. More than 2500 patients visit hospital Outpatients Department (OPD) on daily basis, while hospital emergency provide medical treatment to more than 1200 patients daily. Being an important place inside Lahore, hospital emergency need to be functionalized on modern instruments but unfortunately, SGRH emergency do not have even

Rubbing democracy the wrong way

A

MANZOOR ALI

young man was searching the magical Aladdin lamp but instead found a different lamp in the desert. Under the lamp was a piece of paper on which was written, “This lamp has a beautiful fairy for a servant….” Before he could read further, a gush of wind came and the paper flew out of his hands. He was happy, though, for the lamp he had found had a beautiful fairy for a slave, unlike Aladdin Lamp, which gave an ugly giant to serve the holder of the lamp. All he had to do was rub the lamp and the fairy would be there asking to fulfill any of his wishes. Being young, he forgot his other wishes and was impatient to see first of all his beautiful fairy servant. He quickly rubbed the lamp and waited wide-eyed for the beautiful fairy to appear.

Instead he saw a very ugly witch standing before him. “Where is the fairy,” the young man asked the witch.

“I am the fairy. You know, fairies are no different than women. They are beautiful and perky when young and look dull and ugly like witches when they get too old,” she laughed with disgusting croaking sound.

The young man was disappointed and it showed on his face.

“I was just joking,” said the witch, “the

lamp you are holding has two slaves. You rubbed my side of the lamp and so I had to come. Had rubbed the other side, the fairy would have appeared. It looks like you are not literate, for the lamp had a paper under it which gave directions.”

“The wind blew it off my hands before I could read it all,” he informed and quickly rubbed the fairy side of the lamp.

It seems the people of Karachi had read that democracy was good for the people and before they could read more the paper flew off their hands. Had they the chance to read more, they would have known that democracy was neither good nor bad but as good or bad as the individual who were elected to run a democratic system. If people elected were murderers, they were bound to commit murders and more so after getting popular votes. If they elected thieves, there were to be many thefts; if they elected kidnappers, there were to be too many abductions; if they elected the batha mafia members, all they were to get were extortion notices and if they elected land mafia, there were bound to by too many cases of illegal encroachments of government and private land.

So it was thirty years the Karachiite in their ignorance rubbed the lamp of democracy on the wrong side and got themselves and the whole of Pakistan in one big mess. It is said that they voted for a party which had all the above mentioned vices and many more. As a result, Karachi became the world capital of crime. But the people of Karachi were not even as smart as the young man who had found the lamp. When the young found out he had rubbed the wrong side of the lamp and had a witch instead of a fairy to serve, he quickly rubbed the fairy side. But the people of Karachi kept on rubbing democracy the wrong way and kept on voting for the party which was the source of all their woes.

Some people say that the party they elected some thirty-five years ago was even worse than the witch which ap-

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peared before the young man when he rubbed the lamp the wrong way. They say the witch was at least honest enough to tell the young man which side of the lamp to rub if he wanted the fairy but the party the Karachiite elected would not let them know how to vote in some other party to serve them. It is said the party which had been voted in by the people of Karachi was much craftier and snatched the lamp of democracy from the people and took upon itself to rub the wrong side of the lamp and get itself elected every time.

When the man arrested from NineZero started to talk it only confirmed what the people already knew or suspected. He said he had a gang of twenty-three killers which killed anyone when the high-ups in the party commanded. Even if the man targeted to be murdered was a party workers. This man said he and his gang were involved about 120 target killings. He also said that the fire in Baldia Town factory in which over 250 workers, most of them descendants of Muhajirs, was lit by an MQM man because the owners of the factory refused to pay 200 million rupees in batha. This man also says that already filled ballot boxes were handed to the Election Commission staff to be included with ballot boxes filled genuine votes. This man also says there are around three hundred murderers stationed in and around houses near Near Nine-Zero. It could be that there are as many as three thousand minor criminal in that area waiting to join the elite 300 target killers. If this is true and there seems little doubt that it is not then it is not difficult to understand why there was no dearth of target killing in spite of the Rangers raids everywhere in Karachi and why is there a sudden lull in the death and mayhem after the raid on Nine-Zero.

To the people of Karachi one can only give the advice that they have to take heart and this round they have to rub the lamp of democracy on the right side.

a single ventilator and in case of emergency patients are being referred to other public sector hospitals such as Lahore Services Hospital, Jinnah Hospital and Mayo Hospital.

According to international rules, a hospital must have 10 percent of its total beds in Intensive Care Units (ICU), then 50 of ICUs’ beds should be functional with ventilators. SGRH is total 680 bedded hospital and according to international rules, SGRH must have 68 beds in ICU and there should be 34 ventilators in the hospital but hospital administration has allocated on 18 beds for ventilators in which 14 ventilators are out of service since 8 months and hospital administration did not bother to repair those ventilators.

Sources in SGRH told to the Frontier Post that out of service 14 ventilators are too old and are not able to repair them because those companies are not working in the market. Sources dis-

closed that it was just happened due to the negligence of poor administration, MS did not try to write to health department about the out of service ventilators so that those ventilators could be repaired.

Medical Superintendant Dr Waqar Nabi Bajwa while talking to the Frontier Post was shocked to know about out of service ventilators, he told that it’s a sensitive issue and i am not bound to provide any governmental information to any private person.

“We have old machinery in the hospital and we try to repair it time to time” he added.

MS told that most of the machinery get fault because of huge numbers of patients are being provided medical treatment in the hospital which caused machinery fault but if there is any negligence i will see it personally. He said that we have one of the best and well managed hospital in the city.

LAHORE: UK Head of Department of International Development Ben French has said that the Punjab Information Technology Board was striving to bring sustainable development and transparency in Punjab by using modern technology skillfully.

He called on PITB Chairman Dr Umar Saif who briefed him about the projects initiated by the PITB on Monday.

French said that the innovative use of IT in Punjab by the PITB has no parallel in UK even. He informed the meeting that UK government always had been in good partnership with Pakistan at all levels particularly in the field of poverty alleviation, health, education and governance.

He hoped that the projects undertaken by the PITB would be highly helpful to solve the grave issues of governance, corruption, illiteracy, diseases, poor industrial and economic growth and energy crisis.

Bench expressed a desire to extend the UK cooperation in strengthening governance and Right to Information in Punjab in near future.

Earlier, Dr Saif briefed the guests about completed and ongoing projects of PITB. He said that the Punjab’s technology spearhead, PITB had maintained the foundational IT infrastructure and system of Punjab. He said that the organisation had provided systems and solutions through the innovative projects like Dengue Tracking System, Disease Surveillance System, Crime Registration, Teachers’ presence tracking, evaccination program, Punjab Drug Inspection, Public Feedback System, Elearn program and Automation of Vehicle registration etc.

“PITB’s immense efforts towards better and transparent mobile governance reforms have been acknowledged globally as well, for instance recently the World Bank’s President appreciated our mobile governance reforms at the World Bank’s Daylight Dialogue’ 2014 in Philippines.

March on Islamabad if farmers’ issues not resolved: Siraj STAFF REPORT LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq has said that if the government did not solve the problems of the growers, the farmers from all the provinces would jointly march to Islamabad.

Addressing a Kisan Convention at Phalia on Tuesday, he said that the farming community all over the country was facing difficult times because of high costs of agricultural inputs, high electricity tariff and load shedding. The farmers were not getting due return for their crops. He noted that India was giving subsidy to the farmers on agricultural inputs while the Pakistan government was creating problems for the farmers by importing agricultural products from India.

The JI chief appealed to all the political parties not to fight among themselves and instead, wage a war against poverty, ignorance, price hike, unemployment and

load shedding. He reiterated that the JI after coming into power would give subsidy on five items including fertilizer, seed, pesticides, electricity and diesel to the agriculturists. He said it was a matter of shame that the government had failed to protect the minorities and Churches. He said that most of the security men were on VVIP duty while the masses were at the mercy of the criminals and terrorists.

He said that Pakistan had been established in the name of Islam but the rulers had drifted it away from Deen and created a class based society.

He said that a few families had been ruling the country for the last 68 years.

They had been amassing wealth and building properties abroad. The rulers had shackled the nation and the country in huge loans secured from the IMF and World Bank on most humiliating terms and the nation had to pay huge amounts in interest on the foreign loans. He said that the prices of energy, and other items

Rangers on alert on Ferozpur Road.—Photo by Mohsin Raza

were raised every now and then to collect revenue for meeting the huge budget deficit which led to price spiral. He said the common man did not get clean drinking water while the ruling elite enjoyed every facility in their palaces.

Senator Sirajul Haq said that he wanted to open the doors of the President House, the Prime Minister and the assemblies to the common man, but added that to achieve this end, the masses would have to say farewell to the vaderas and capitalists and repose trust in the honest and competent leaders of the JI. Speaking on the occasion, JI Punjab chief Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar, he would continue to raise the voice of the farmers in the Punjab Assembly till their rights were secured.

The Kisan Board Pakistan chief Sadiq Khan Khakwani, in his address, the kisans would stage Long March from Sadiqabad to Islamabad in October next for their rights.

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WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

PEC fails to report on late, cancelation of papers

ALI SHAH

The Shab-Bhar mosque said to be built in a night being white washed. —Photo by Zubair Mahfooz

Church bombinigs

Leaders ask CM to resign STAFF REPORT LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf (PTI)

Minorities Wing and Pakistan Interfaith League (PIL) Punjab have demanded Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to resign from his position as he was miserably failed to protect minorities especially Christians community even in his own constituency.

Addressing a joint press conference in Lahore Press Club on Tuesday, the PTI Minority Wing Central President Sajid Ishaq who is also chairman of and Pakistan Inter-faith League (PIL) along with other leaders of Christian community alleged that former Punjab Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah was backing the defunct terror outfits and ruling party Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) instead of serving the masses involved in land grabbing. Condemning the suicide attacks on two churches in Lahore's Youhanabad locality, he demanded justice for the local Christians who were targeted during the Sunday mass.

Ishaq along with other office bearers of PIL said that Christians across Pakistan had no faith in the Joint Investigation

Team formed by the Punjab government to probe the bombings and subsequent lynching of two Muslims allegedly by Christian youths.

"Both incidents should be probed by a judicial commission headed by a senior High Court judge and the report must be made public. The commission should also be mandated to fix responsibility and hand out punishments to those found guilty of negligence in duties," he said.

Ishaq said that PIL and members of the PTI Minorities Wing, including PTI Christian leader Rufus Solomon, Jacob Hakim Din, Professor Zafar Daniel and Inter-faith League Against Poverty Executive Director Nazia Ansari, condemn the killing of two innocent Muslim youths

by Christian protesters in the strongest possible terms and share the grief of their families. However, he said that PIL fears that the unfortunate incident has put the entire Christian community at high risk of revenge attacks. "It is therefore demanded that all Christian inhabited areas be provided fool-proof security and additional Rangers be kept deployed, especially in Youhanabad, until peace returns to the Christian colony," he added.

Sajid Ishaq said that Shahbaz Sharif

should enhance the compensation sums for the families of the two security volunteers who sacrificed their lives so that others may live. "The government should also acknowledge their bravery and endorse PIL's demand of awarding them civil medals as recognition of their sacrifice for humanity at large," he said.

The PIL chairman added that violent reaction of Christians in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Sargodha etc reflects the frustration of the non-Muslim communities of Punjab over persistent indifferent attitude of the PML-N government and Punjab Police. "Had the government and provincial police protected Christians in Gojra, Shantinagar, Joseph Colony and Kot Radha Kishan, the reaction of the otherwise peaceful Christian community would not have reached this point," he said, adding that the government should ensure security and justice to not just Christians but believers of other faiths as well.

The PIL and PTI office bearers also demanded an impartial probe into the lynching of the two innocent Muslims and stressed that the incident should not be used for witch hunt of the already persecuted minority community.

LAHORE: The Punjab government has completely failed to submit its report on late and cancelation of class-V paper, while Punjab Examination Commission (PEC) Chief Executive Nasir Malik was promoted to next grade, the sources said.

Provincial Education Minister Rana Mashood announced that the committee has been constituted for resolving the issue of late and cancellation paper of classV, and the final findings of the committee would be disclosed to the media very soon. It is pertinent to mention here that the secretary School Abdul Jabbar Shaheen was given instructions by the Minister for submitting his report on urgent basis. The Minister also said that it was a very serious issue that’s why three ministers were also included in the committee. Unfortunately, there was no decision came out while the secretaries and additional secretaries show no concern

BOR initiates hearing of suspended tehsildars AHAD KHATTAK LAHORE: Board of Revenue (BOR) officials initiated hearing of eight suspended Tehsildars under sections 135A and 142A of the Land Revenue Act on Tuesday.

The cases of three tehsildars were heard in the first session and their decisions are expected to be announced in the next two weeks, said Secretary Board of Revenue, Ahmad Ali Malik, further stating that effective implementation of 135A and 142A was paramount since the laws govern women empowerment and their role in heritage.

Secretary Board of Revenue, Ahmad Ali Malik also said that the suspension of eight tehsildars followed 15 show case notices to other tehsildars who were showing negligence in this regard.

Sunday Bazaars a soft target for terrorists NASIR BUTT LAHORE: With inadequate number of

security personnel, absence of walkthrough gates, metal detectors and other security arrangements, Sunday bazaars are considered soft targets for terrorists.

Lamenting over the pathetic situation, people at the Sunday Bazaars said that these venues have become potential threats and soft targets for the terrorists owing to apathy of district administration as people influx in these shopping places is more than any other regular market on Sunday but security affairs of these places are not proper.

The Frontier Post has observed that most of the Sundays Bazaars being organized at different populous localities in 9 towns of provincial capital are in vulnerable condition amid enhanced terror threats.

These temporary markets being organized regularly in the city to provide daily commodities at affordable rates

were lacking proper safety measures.

Neither sufficient number of cops were not placed in the 14 Sunday Bazaars established under the District Government nor the deployed cops were equipped with metal detectors, scanners and walk through gates.

Above all, there is no restriction of motorcycles and cyclists and even at some places motor cars freely enter into Sunday Bazaar venues. Just a few venues like Wahdat Colony, Shadman Colony, Islam Pura, Johar Town and Moon Market Gulshan Ravi have entry restrictions, while Ravi Road, Begum Kot, Shalimar Town, Wahga Town, Nishter Colony Sunday Bazaars have open access to everyone with no allocation of entry or exit point. In such a horrible situation when country has been facing enormous terrorist threats, District government and provincial government high ups left innocent citizens on the mercy of terrorists.

If at any place, entry and exit restrictions have been imposed then the

security personals are either missing from the venues or have no security checking gadgets.

Indifferent attitude of concerned town administration and even District Coordination Office(DCO) has caused a nuisance for the shoppers as the motorcyclists as well as cyclists freely moving in the shopping area.

Talking to this scribe, an official of town administration at Ravi Road Sunday Bazaar said that minimum strength for the Sunday bazaar security was approved as deployment of 8 policemen and two lady cops but except a lady constable no other cop come to the duty. He said that even a duty attendance register was made available with Sunday Bazaar administration but police officials always avoid to come on duty under the pretext of other official duties.

At Islam Pura Sunday Bazaar, an official on the condition of anonymity said that personal interest of area MPA made it possible for the town to arrange Sunday Bazaar in a walled

place otherwise it was arranged on the roadside where no restriction on entry or exit was there.

At Begum Kot Sunday Bazaar and Shalimar Bazaars most pathetic situation was observed as no town official was available for the administration of the bazaar.

Furthermore, the people in the Sunday bazaars express their annoyance over the concerned authorities' lack of interest in the safety affairs of Lahorites and have declared that City District Government Lahore (CDGL) would be responsible for any unpleasant terrorist incident at the Sunday Bazaars.

Spokesman for DCO Imran Maqbool while commenting on the situation said that DCO has constituted teams that will check the attendance of all concerned staff at the Sunday Bazaar venues and if any official will be found absent from the site of duty, he would be suspended immediately and has to face harsh departmental action.

ECP appoints delimitation officers in Punjab IMRAN SHAH LAHORE: The Election Commission of

Pakistan appointed officers as Delimitation Officers and Assistant Delimitation Officers for carrying out the excise of delimitation of local/areas in the Punjab.

According to details, District Election Commissioner Rawalpindi is having jurisdiction of all local areas falling in the District Rawalpindi and local areas are Rawalpindi (Sadar), Rawalpindi (City), Tehsil Murree, Tehsil Texla, Tehsil Kallar Syedan and Tehsil Kahuta.

Attock District Election Commissioner is having areas with officers duties and areas are local areas of Tehsil Attock, Tehsil Hassan Abdal, Tehsil Fateh Jhang, Tehsil Pindi Gheb and Tehsil Jand. District Election Commissioner, Chakwal is having local areas like Tehsil Chakwal, Tehsil Talagang, Tehsil Lawa, Tehsil Kallar Kahar and Tehsil Choa Saidan Shah.

District Election Commissioner Jhelum is having areas like Tehsil Jhelum, Tehsil Dina, Tehsil Sohawa and Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan.

District Election Commissioner, Sargodha will supervise the areas falling in Sargodha district like Tehsil Sargodha, Tehsil Silanwali, Tehsil Shahpur, Tehsil

Bhera, Tehsil Bhalwal, Tehsil Sahiwal and Tehsil Kot Momin.

In District Khushab, District Election Commissioner Khushab will be seeing local areas with help of assistant commissioners and local areas are Tehsil Khushab, Tehsil Qaidabad and Tehsil Nurpur Thal. District Mianwali will be supervised by District Election Commissioner Mianwali and local areas are Tehsil Mianwali, Tehsil Piplan and Tehsil Isakhel.

Bhakkar local areas will be supervised by concerned Delimitation Officer and areas are Tehsil Bhakkar, Tehsil Daray Khan, Tehsil Kallur Kot and Tehsil Mankera.

In Faisalbad local areas will be Tehsil Faisalabad (City), Tehsil Faisalabad (Sadar), Tehsil Jaranwala, Tehsil Tandalianwala, Tehsil Samundri and Tehsil Chak Jhumra. Jhang District’s local areas will be Tehsil Jhang, Tehsil Shorkot, Tehsil Ahmadpur Sial and Tehsil 18-Hazari. Chiniot District local areas will be Tehsil Chiniot, Tehsil Lalian and Tehsil Bhowana. Toba Take Singh local areas are Tehsil Toba Take Singh, Tehsil Gojra, Tehsil Pirmahal and Tehsil Kamalia.

Gujranwala district local areas are Tehsil Gujranwala Sadar, Tehsil Gujranwala City, Tehsil Kamoke, Tehsil Wazirabad and Tehsil Noshera Virkan.

Hafizabad district officer will be supervising the local areas like Tehsil Hafizabad and Tehsil Pindi Bhattian.

Mandi Bahauddin loca areas are like Tehsil Mandi Bahauddin, Tehsil Phalia and Tehsil Malikwal. Sialkot district is having local areas like Tehsil Sialkot, Tehsil Daska, Tehsil Pasrur and Tehsil Sambrial. District Norowal is having local areas of Tehsil Narowal, Tehsil Shakargarh and Tehsil Zafarwal.

Lahore district is having local areas like Tehsil Lahore City, Tehsil Raiwind, Tehsil Model Town, Tehsil Shalimar and Tehsil Cantt. Sheikhupura district is having local areas like Tehsil Sheikhupura, Tehsil Ferozwala, Tehsil Muidke, Tehsil Sharkpur and Tehsil Safdarabad. Nankana Sahib district local areas are Tehsil Nankana Sahib, Tehsil Shahkot and Tehsil Sangla Hill. Kasur district local areas are having local areas like Tehsil Kasur, Tehsil Chunian, Tehsil Pattoki and Tehsil Kot Radha Kishan. Sahiwal district’s local areas are Tehsil Sahiwal and Tehsil Chichawatni.

Pakpattan district is having local areas like Tehsil Pakpattan and Tehsil Arifwala. District Okara local areas are Tehsil Okara, Tehsil Depalpur and Tehsil Renala Khurd. Multan district’s local areas are Tehsil Multan City, Tehsil Multan Sadar, Tehsil Shujaabad and Tehsil Jalalpur Pirwala.

Lodhran district election commissioner will be supervising local areas like Tehsil Lodhran, Tehsil Karorpacca and Tehsil Dunya Pur. Khanewal district local areas are like Tehsil Khanewal, Tehsil Kabirwala, Tehsil Mianchannu and Tehsil Jahanian. Vehari district local areas are Tehsil Vehari and Tehsil Melsi, Tehsil Borewala. Dera Ghazi Khan district local areas are Tehsil Dera Ghazi Khan, Tehsil Taunsa Sharif, Tehsil Kot Chhatta and De-excluded area of Dera Ghazi Khan. Rajanpur district local areas are Tehsil Rajanpur and De-excluded Area, Tehsil Jampur and Tehsil Rojhan. District Muzaffargarh is having local areas like Tehsil Muzaffargarh, Tehsil Joti, Tehsil Alipur and Tehsil Kot Addu. Layyah district local areas are Tehsil Layyah, Tehsil Karor Lal Esan and Tehsil Choubara.

District Bahawalpur local areas are Tehsil Bahawalpur City, Tehsil Bahawalpur Sadar, Tehsil Hasilpur, Tehsil Khairpur Tamewali, Tehsil Ahmadpur East and Tehsil Yazman. Bahawalnagar district local areas are Tehsil Bahawalnagar, Tehsil Chishtian, Tehsil Haroonabad, Tehsil Fortabbas and Tehsil Minchinabad.

District Rahim Yar Khan election commissioner will be supervising local areas of district like Tehsil Rahim Yar Khan and Tehsil Sadiqabad.

of it. It was also revealed by the Frontier Post that the private contractor who was deputed to transport and deliver paper and answer sheets to all exam cluster centers was close to the minister and other officials.

Additional Secretary Schools (General) Rana Hassan while answering about the inquiry he said that he was not member of the committee constituted for the case while may there some other officials would be the member of the committee. On a question that Minister said that all secretaries and additional secretaries will be the member of the committee he replied that he was on leave and not aware about the all situation.

Additional Secretary Schools (Education-Reform) Ahmad Ali Kamboh said that he was not sure about any case because his team was working on the education-reform program for which I am answerable to you. He had learnt that something was happing but the chief minister of Punjab personally taking

care of all this matter. Additional Secretary Schools (Administration) Riaz Butt said he was looking appointment and transferring cases and not in the committee constituted by the officials. He said that later and sooner the case will be resolved as the minister said.

Chief Executive of Punjab Examination Commission (PEC) Nasir Malik confirming his promotion in next grade-20 told the Frontier Post that apart from all issues his promotion case was pending since long and the chief minister considered it on priority basis.

He said I was not only in the slot who were waiting for their promotion, about six others including Ahmad Javaid Qazi (EXDCO, Lahore) Ali Sarfarz (Ex-DCO Kasur), Rashid Kamal (Ex-DCO sheikhupura) were also given 20th grade with promotion. It was a routine official work and part of job that officers’ promoted as per their policy. On a question about the committee and its findings he said that he was also not a member of the committee.

Home-based workers to get social security benefits, says minister STAFF REPORT LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Labour

and HR, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar has said that Punjab’s ever first labour policy will be the top agenda item in the next cabinet meeting and will be adopted throughout the province immediately after being approved by cabinet. Home-based workers policy and legal framework for protection of HBWs in Punjab is our top priority and they will be given social security benefits, registration, financial grants and other facilities as admissible under the law.

He said that during a meeting with Ms. Sangeeta Rana Thapa, Deputy Representative and Uzma Quraesh Program Coordinator of UN Women Pakistan here today. Secretary Labour Eshrat Ali, Ms. Hooria from UN Women Pakistan, Director HBWs Project Dawood Abdullah and other were present on this occasion. Raja Ashfaq Sarwer said that Punjab government has taken historic measures for the economic and social empowerment of women workers.

He said that a pilot project for eight lac HBWs has been launched in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan in Lahore, Multan and Gujranwala.

Woman quota in government jobs has been increased from 5 to 15 percent along with special relaxation of three years in age limit.

Raja Ashfaq Sarwer also informed the delegation that a large number of women is benefitting from initiatives of laptop schemes, Ujala Program, Internship Program as well as SelfEmployment Scheme. He said that women are playing an important role in the development of the country and it is necessary to bring them into mainstream of national development.

He said that Punjab government has taken initiative to give 33 percent representation to women in all the decision making boards and committees.

He added that it will help in participation of women of different sectors in decision making process as it has also been make compulsory that a woman should be member of the recruitment committee in government institutions. He said that a comprehensive welfare-oriented policy for home-based workers is also under process and will soon be finalized after its wetting from law department.

Sangeeta Rana Thapa said that women role in the development of Pakistan is of paramount importance as Pakistani women are very talented and hardworking so the protection of their rights should be ensured.

Punjab government is committed to improve the working conditions of women workers and also has started projects to empower women economically and socially, she added.

ECE centres planned in PEF partner schools LAHORE: A joint meeting of Punjab

Education Foundation (PEF) and Directorate of Staff Development (DSD) was held on Tuesday at PEF Head office which was chaired by MD PEF Dr Aneela Salman and Project Director DSD Ehsan Bhutta.

The meeting was also attended by PEF Programme Directors and the concerned staff of DSD. On the occasion, launching of Early Childhood Education (ECE) project in the selected PEF partner schools was considered in detail.

Addressing the meeting, Aneela Salman shown keen interest in introduction of ECE project in the selected partner schools across the province to facilitate the small kids’ education in the kids rooms which were especially designed and set up to meet the specific needs of the toddlers. She hoped that this facility would prove very conducive for the economically deprived families; also helping in improving enrollment and retention.

This would wholly support the work-

ing mothers to admit their small kids in the partner schools.

She asked the Director (CPDP) Bushra Saeed Khan to initiate spade work in this regard and said that the professional expertise of DSD will also be asked for.

Ehsan Bhutta disclosed that ECE centers have already been developed in as much as 1285 selected schools across the province with an amount of Rs. 192 million; adding that ECE is an important component of Punjab Education Sector Roadmap Programme wherein launching of ECE has been envisaged in five thousand government schools, every year.

He further said that TT Singh is being modeled with regard to launch of ECE and a total of 1148 ECE centers will be set up in the district.

Earlier, DSD's representatives namely Shahid Saleem, Ayub Bilal and Ms.Yasmin briefed the participants about various aspects of ECE under the aegis of Directorate of Staff Development. —APP

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

FATA/SINDH/BALOCHISTAN

BRIEF

Rally held in Larkana on church bombing

Assailants hurl grenade at school in Karachi

IMTIAZ GORAR

KARACHI: Unidentified assailants

lobbed a hand grenade outside a school in Orangi Town, Karachi creating fear and panic in the area, on Tuesday. The grenade did not detonate but the attack created a sense of panic among the people in the area. Law enforcement agents rushed to the blast site where no loss of life or damage to the property was reported. Shops in the area have been closed following the attack. Last month, a hand grenade was lobbed outside a school in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, however, no loss of life or damage to property was reported. —Online

LARKANA: Civil Society Support Pro-

11 FATA MPs to elect 4 senators on March 20 ISLAMABAD: The Election Com-

mission of Pakistan (ECP) has announced the schedule for elections on four Senate seats of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) after the government withdrew its earlier notification changing the procedure for polls. According to a notification issued by the poll supervisory body on Monday, polling will be held at the Parliament House on 20th March from 9am to 4pm. On 13th March, the ministry of law, justice and human rights took back the presidential order promulgated hours before the March 5 Senate polls. Now, 11 Fata MNAs will be electing four senators who had retired on 11th March after expiry of their six-year term. Each of these MNAs has four votes, as before under the old system. There are around 36 candidates in the run for the four Senate seats. Polls for these seats were postponed after some Fata members moved a plea before the court and the ECP against the Presidential Order on the polling day. A total of 52 seats had to be filled before 5th March polls to replace half of the members in the 104member house. –FP Monitoring

Water supply suspended in Karachi KARACHI: The water supply to

different areas on Tuesday got suspended as the Gharo pumping station of the Karachi Water Board stopped functioning due to technical problem in the substation of Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (K-electric). According to the Karachi Water Board spokesperson, the power of the pumping station is discontinued due to technical issue in the sub-station of the KElectric. However, no team has reached the sub-station to fix the problem. The spokesperson of the Water Board said that the power was cut off at around 6 am and the technical problem has not been fixed so far. Resultantly, the water supply to Landhi Korangi, Malir, Shah Faisal and Gulistan Johar has been cut off. —FP Monitoring

CM committed to cause of law and order: Memon KARACHI: CM Sindh, Syed Qaim

Ali Shah is working round the clock to establish writ of law across the province, said provincial minister local government, Sharjeel Inam Memon. Talking to media during cleanliness cum tree plantation campaign at Karachi Cantonment Railway Station, he said it was part of these efforts that Police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies have been given free hand in handling of terrorists and criminals. Memon said targeted operation is underway in the province for the past one year in Lyari. Minister Local Government and Information, reiterated his commitment to give a clean and green look to the metropolis against all odds. He said series of problems are being faced by the department in realizing its responsibilities towards the citizens and most prominent was non-availability of those who ought to deliver despite drawing salary for the job. —FP Monitoring

B3

TANK: A view of the Tank Core Fort where a provisional center has been set up for the departure of the South Waziristan IDPs.—Online

Polio cases drop in FATA as security improves PESHAWAR: The Federally Adminis-

tered Tribal Areas have recorded only six polio cases in 2015 against the 40 cases, recorded during the same period last year, owing to better security situation that ensured frequent vaccination in the militancy-stricken areas.

“The government launched third phase of Sehat Ka Insaf (Alliance for Health) programme, targeting 5.4 million children in Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in a three-day campaign on Monday. The World Health Organisation has claimed that frequent vaccination of displaced children from Waziristan have shown results and cases will further decline if we reach the target population,” WHO Fata polio Chief Dr Sarfraz Khan Afridi said.

He further said that vaccinators were repeatedly vaccinating 90pc children during the past seven months

BA condemns church attacks, lynching of 2 men QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly

(BA), through a unanimously adopted resolution, condemned the suicide attacks on two churches in Lahore and lynching of two men by an angry mob on Monday.

The joint resolution of William John Barkat and Ghansham Das was passed by the house with an amendment proposed

by Jaffar Khan Mandokhel. Speaking on the resolution, legislators said that the grieving residents of Yohannaabad had the right to protest.

The Leader of Opposition in the Balochistan Assembly, Maulana Wasay, criticised the large size of a delegation led by Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch which had gone to France to settle a dispute over Reko Diq copper-cumgold project and deplored that opposition members had not taken into confidence in this regard. Ministers Achakzai and Ziaratwal dismissed reservations of the opposition leader and said that the delegation had gone to France to resolve the Reko Diq issue and that the house would be informed about efforts made by it after its return from abroad. The session was prorogued for an indefinite period. —FP Monitoring

in North and South Waziristan under effective security measures. “Immunisation of displaced Waziristan children in Bannu and other places have improved polio situation,” he said.

The world health agency says that repeated immunisation indicates that the programme is heading in the right direction.

Tribal areas have recorded only six polio cases in the current year Displacement had proved a blessing in disguise for the unvaccinated children of Waziristan and Khyber Agency as they received anti-polio vaccine in Bannu, Peshawar and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dr Sarfraz said.

He said that vaccination had smoothsailing in Orakzai, Bajaur, Mohmand and Kurram agencies as no polio case had been reported in those tribal areas since 2013. Children suffered in Khy-

ber and Waziristan because vaccinators couldn’t undertake the campaign due to fear, he said.

He said that WHO in collaboration with the government was trying to ensure vaccination of all children below five years of age. “Lack of vaccination leads to polio cases and the only solution to eradicate the crippling ailment is mass immunisation,” he said.

Fata along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is considered as the hub of polio virus, which poses risk to children in the countries that were long declared poliofree. The United Arab Emirate, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among other donors are helping Fata and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in eradication of polio. Fata recorded 179 polio cases and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 68 cases out of the 306 countrywide cases in 2014, in comparison they reported 65 and 11 cas-

es respectively of the total 93 cases registered at national level in 2013. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa registered 27 and Fata 20 polio cases in the total nationwide tally of 58, in 2012.

However, relevant authorities said that an estimated 36,000 children in Dossali, Razmak, Garyum and Ghulam Khan areas of North Waziristan would be administered anti-polio vaccine during the campaign. Health workers will also immunise children in Khyber Agency, except Bara tehsil where the drive has been delayed for a week The Fata health directorate has deployed 3,078 workers to carry out door-to-door campaign in South Waziristan while four percent children will get immunisation at Hujra-based vaccination points. Children on Bannu-Miramshah Road are also exempted from immunisation as the areas remains under curfews. —FP Monitoring

206 IDP families return to South Waziristan TANK: At least 206 IDP families left for their homes in South Waziristan as the process of their resettlement began from the Kaur Qila transit camp in Tank district, on Monday.

The IDPs’ return which began on Monday will be completed by April 4, according to sources. South Waziristan’s Political Agent Islam Zeb, senior military and civil officials and tribal elders saw off the families comprising

1300 people going to Maula Khan Srai, Deeba and Danth Kach villages of Sarwakai tehsil. Relief goods provided by the government of Punjab and distributed among the IDPs were loaded in seven trucks. As many as 5,544 families consisting of 40,000 people registered with a facilitation centre will return to 14 villages in Sarwakai and Sararogha tehsils of South Waziristan. These IDP families spent seven

years in camps and rented houses in Tank and Dera Ismail Khan.

Talking to reporters, Political Agent Islam Zeb said that about 5,000 registered families would be returning to their homes. Around 79,000 families of Mehsud tribe had to leave their homes after security forces launched the Rahi-Nijat operation against the banned Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in June 2009. —FP Monitoring

Anti-polio campaign in Balochistan postponed QUETTA: The polio eradication cam-

paign scheduled for Quetta was postponed because of security concerns amid detection of a fresh polio case in the province, on Monday.

However, the campaign continued unhindered in 29 of 32 districts in Balochistan amid tight security.

The officials of Emergency Operation Cell (EOC) said that polio virus type-one was confirmed in a threemonth-old baby boy identified as Abdul Rehman Achakzai, a resident of Pashtoonabad area in Quetta.

“It is the third polio case detected in

Balochistan in 2015 and 23rd in the country,” a senior official of EOC said, adding that the boy infected with the virus had received six doses of vaccination drops.

Earlier, the majority of polio cases were reported in Qila Abdullah, Pishin, Loralai and Qila Saifullah districts. “Quetta, Qila Abdullah and Pishin are high-risk areas of Balochistan,” sources said. However, the scheduled polio eradication campaign again could not kick off in the Quetta district due to inadequate security arrangements.

“Required number of security personnel was not available to provide security cover to the vaccination staff,” officials said, adding that the campaign was postponed for security reasons.

“We cannot compromise on the security of health workers,” a senior official of the Health Department said. “Majority of police and other law-enforcement agencies were on the security duties in connection with the sports festival and players taking part in the sports events,” sources said. —FP Monitoring

gram (CSSP) and Right Expression Assembly and Thought (REAT) Network in collaboration with Saint Joseph Catholic Church staged a protest and took out a rally against twin suicide attacks on churches at Youhanabad.

Procession started from the Catholic Church and gathered at Press Club Larkana where they chanted slogans against the incident and urged the government to punish the culprits.

The participants included Father William Kaiser, Master Sadiq Joseph, Afzal Shaikh, Shamusddin Chandio, Vijay Kumar, Moulvi Manzoor, Chaudhry Saleem among others belonging to different walks of life, joined the rally.

Addressing the occasion, Father William Kaiser said that suicide attack on a church near Youhanabad was not an attack on the Christian community alone but on the entire country. He expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives and said that the government has failed to provide security to minorities, adding that attacks on churches and the Christian community were not new and added that, since the year 2000, these attacks have been occurring with periodic regularity; be it Gojra, Shanti Nagar, Bahawalpur, All Saints Church in Peshawar, Gujranwala, or elsewhere.

He demanded the government to provide foolproof security at the holy places of minorities.

Afzal Shaikh said that Pakistan is being disgraced in global community as a result of such intolerant actions. He said that even though terrorist attacks are condemnable, lynching two suspects was unacceptable. The participants said that effective and immediate implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) should be ensured to stop religious extremism. On the occasion, participants of rally vowed that the blood of innocent children would not go in vain.

The bloodbath by terrorists was truly brutal and resultantly the entire nation has got united on one agenda, which is to eradicate terrorism and extremism from our country and society.

Five criminals killed in Karachi KARACHI: Five alleged gang-war criminals belonging to the ‘Shiraz Comrade’ group were killed during a search operation by police in the troubled Lyari town late Monday night.

Details reveal that around 200 police officials were carrying out a targeted search operation in Lyari when they were fired at by gang-war criminals belonging to the ‘Shiraz Comrade’ group. Police’s retaliation left five members of the group dead, while two policemen also received bullet wounds in the exchange of fire. According to SSP City Fida Hussain, the deceased criminals were involved in target killing, extortion, murdering police officials and kidnapping for ransom.

Both police and Rangers have raided plenty of areas and have arrested thousands of suspects and criminals to ensure peace in the city, which has been hit by a wave of law and order problems.

The Sindh government has banned pillion-riding in the city from March 17 to March 23, keeping in view the security situation during polio eradication campaign in the metropolis. Officials of the home department said the provincial administration on the advice of the Karachi police banned pillion-riding which would be effective from Tuesday. The ban shall not be applicable to women, children below the age of 12 years, senior citizens, journalists, personnel of lawenforcement agencies and security agencies in uniform and employees of the essential services. —FP Monitoring

New Baldia factory probe team takes spy agencies on board

KARACHI: The Sindh government, on

Monday, reconstituted a committee for the reinvestigation of the 2012 Baldia factory fire case by appointing a new head and including representatives of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau in the committee, officials said.

The officials said that the home department notified the reconstituted body that replaced additional IG Sindh Khadim Hussain Bhatti with DIG Rapid Response Force Dr Aftab Pathan.

One of the members of the previously-notified body, DIG crime branch Mushtaq Mahar had also been replaced with DIG-East Munir Sheikh,

they added. Believed to be the deadliest industrial fire in the country’s history, the Baldia factory fire had claimed more than 250 lives.

“The key point in the reconstituted committee is the inclusion of one official each from the ISI, MI and IB as members of the investigation team,” said an official, citing details of the notification issued by the Sindh Home Department.

The other two members of the investigation team, Pakistan Sindh Rangers Colonel Sajjad Bashir and FIA Additional Director, Altaf Hussain, remained unchanged, he added.

Asked about reasons behind the reconstitution of the team, the official

said that Sindh police chief Ghulam Hyder Jamali took the decision after the media reported that its previous head, additional IG Khadim Hussain Bhatti, was facing inquiries in the FIA. “Similarly, after recent developments in line with Karachi operation and fresh disclosure by a few suspects about the Baldia Town factory fire, it was imperative to take intelligence officials on board to come up with effective and flawless findings,” the official added.

The authorities decided to reinvestigate the Baldia Town factory fire with ‘all possibilities and angles’ after the Rangers came up with new information about the tragedy. Almost forgotten, the Septem-

ber 2012 tragedy hit the headlines again earlier last month when judge advocate general of the Rangers, Major Ashfaque Ahmed, filed a Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) report of a murder suspect Rizwan Qureshi in the Sindh High Court. According to Qureshi’s statement recorded by the JIT, the factory was set on fire after its owners failed to pay Rs200 million bhatta (extortion). The JIT report marked him as a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activist, a fact denied by the party.

Though reconstituted, the mandate of the team would remain the same as the team was asked to complete the investigation and devise a final report

within a month, the sources added.

“But the countdown of those 30 days has not yet begun,” the official said, explaining that the intelligence agencies had not nominated their members of the team so far. He said the new probe body would also take into account the work done by the previous team though the former would be free to set their course of investigation. “The team under the previous head had not done much as they had started the investigation on Feb 26 and were in the process of gathering initial facts when the Sindh police chief proposed to the authorities to suspend the committee,” the official said. —FP Monitoring

B4

BRIEF Taliban shadow governor killed in Faryab FARYAB: A Taliban shadow district governor for Dawlatabad district of northern Faryab province and five other insurgents were killed in an Afghan National Security Forces operation, officials of the 209th Shaheen Military Corps said on Tuesday. The shadow district governor known as Mullah Nooruddin and five other insurgents including their leader, Mullah Musa, were killed during the "Khanjar" operation in the district, which was launched three days ago and ended on Monday, the head of the media department of 209th Shaheen Military Corps, Reza Reza said. –FP Monitoring

‘Suicide bomber’ arrested before reaching target HELMAND: A would-be suicide

bomber was apprehended by the Afghan national security forces before he could manage to carry out a suicide attack in Helmand province. Sediq Sediqi, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), said the wouldbe bomber was arrested by police forces in Nad-e-Ali district. He said a vehicle packed with explosives was confiscated by the Afghan security forces. The anti-government armed militant groups have not commented regarding the report so far. –FP Monitoring

Masked gunmen kidnap 6 Hazaras on Farah-Herat highway

HERAT: A group of masked gun-

C M Y K

men have kidnapped six people on Farah-Heart Highway. Security officials confirm the abduction. Four persons abducted are reportedly soldiers of the Afghan National Army. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the abduction. This is 3rd such incident in less than four weeks. One kidnapping took place in Zabul province in which unknown gunmen who also had their faces covered kidnapped 30 passengers whose fate is still unknown. –FP Monitoring

Iranian MPs slam approval for planes TEHRAN: Iranian MPs are angry

that a new flight licence has been issued for Antonov airplanes before the investigation into the crash of Iran Flight 140 has concluded. Iranian MP Alinemat Chahardovali said that such a licence is a betrayal of the rights and lives of the Iranian people, adding that the licence is not a guarantee of the airplane's security standards. Chahardovali stressed that Parliament has not yet received the report on the last crash of the Antonov 140, and issuing a licence after so many crashes is unacceptable. Last August, President Hassan Rohani issued an order banning the use of Antonov airplanes. Now, with the approach of the new year and an expected rise in air travel, these airplanes have once again been licensed to carry out domestic flights. –FP Monitoring

AFGHANISTAN/IRAN

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

Developments in Afghanistan vital to peace: Haysom

developments in KABUL: Significant Afghanistan have brought renewed hope for the peace process with the Taliban, says Nicholas Haysom, UN Secretary General's Special Representative and the head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

In a debate on Afghanistan's situation at the UN Security Council where the UNAMA mandate was also extended for another year in the country, Haysom opened the debate, lauding the Afghan government's efforts for peace talks with the Taliban.

"These positive developments are a testament to the efforts of President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah," Haysom praised.

"Their collaborative leadership remains essential for any peace talks to progress."

He assured that UNAMA would continue to assist the parties to the conflict to reach a sustainable peace.

Touching on the electoral reforms, the UN top envoy stressed the need for reforms in order to restore people's trust in the National Unity Government (NUG).

"Comprehensive electoral reforms will be essential to restoring the faith of the Afghan ening political stability," Haysom said, wel- tablish the commission shortly. people in the democratic process and strength- coming Ghani's renewed commitment to esZahir Tanin, Afghanistan's Ambassador

Afghan defence ministry publicises Zul-Feqar gains HELMAND: Responding to concerns about the slow progress of the ZulFeqar military operation being conducted in Helmand province, on Monday, Dawlat Waziri, the deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Defense (MoD), reported that the operation is moving forward according to plan and has need a number of accomplishments already.

According to Waziri, since it was launched over 29 days ago, the operation has faced challenges in the way of disarming mines and avoiding civilian losses. Nevertheless, the MoD official touted some figures that seemed to paint a picture of moderate success for the operation thus far.

The Zul-Feqar operation is one of the first large-scale offensives launched by the Afghan security forces since the end of the NATO combat missions. Meaning, it is one of the first they have led entirely independent of foreign troops.

The Afghan military has said the Helmand operation, as of Monday, had resulted in the deaths of 212 terrorist and the wounding of 93 more.

Meanwhile, Waziri said 17 terrorists have been arrested, and 521 mines disarmed. Officials have also said militant arms stashes have been located and confiscated by security forces.

By Monday, 19 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers had losses their lives in the operation.

The Zul-Feqar operation has involved a number of smaller, ancillary offensives in other districts of Helmand province. According to the MoD, within these smaller operations, 267 terrorists have been killed, 117 wounded and 39 arrested. A total of 469 mines have been neutralized. These supplementary operations have seen 15 ANA soldiers killed.

Nevertheless, concerns have been raised about progress made by the ZulFeqar operation and its complimentary pushes around restive Helmand province. Having now persisted over three weeks, many are beginning to raise questions about just how much ground has been gained.

Waziri took it upon himself on Monday to defend the operation from its critics. "Our losses have been due to suicide bombings and mines," he said. "Other than that, I can tell you that the Afghanistan National Army forces do not have any losses and their losses have almost reached zero."

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has also been a supporting arm for the defense ministry during the operations in Helmand. Afghan National Police (ANP) officials claimed they had killed 26 terrorists and arrested six others on Sunday night in the second district of Helmand's Lashkargah city. Moreover, two vehicles and two motorcycles filled with explosive were reportedly confiscated by police. –FP Monitoring

and permanent representative to the United Nations was also present at the debate, noting the importance of peace and reconciliation process with the Taliban to long-term stability in the country.

He applauded the efforts of Pakistani and Chinese governments to support the Afghan peace process.

Tanin also welcomed the Security Council's request to the Secretary General for initiation of a process to fully examine the role, structure and activities of all UN entities in Afghanistan within six months.

"The process put forward in today's resolution will allow us to fully engage all stakeholders over the next six months through a new, thorough, and extensive mechanism which will refine the framework of the our partnership and our relations with the United Nations in a new era," Tanin said.

He praised the UN role in Afghanistan, saying the situation in the country was very different from that when the UN assistance mission was established to support in 2002.

Tanin, however, urged that the future role of UN entities must fully reflect the principles of Afghan national sovereignty. –FP Monitoring

26 insurgents killed in Afghan military operations KABUL: 26 insurgents have been killed

in separate military operations across the country in past 24 hours, statements issued on Tuesday morning by the Defence and Interior ministries of Afghanistan.

According to the statement issued by the Ministry of Interior states that 19 insurgents were killed in the operations conducted by Afghan National Police with the assistance from the Afghan National Army and personnel from the National Directorate of Security (NDS).

The statement issued by the Ministry of Defense states that seven insurgents were killed in Operation Zulfiqar in southern Helmand province.

Operation Zulfiqar was launched by hundreds of Afghan National Security Forces last month to cleare target areas in Helmand province where more than 200 insurgents have been killed so far.

The operation began from Sangin District, one of the restive Districts in Helmand province, but later extended to

other Districts within Helmand.

Ministry of Defense statement also states that 62 different types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were also discovered and defused.

After taking the full responsibility of the security from NATO forces at the be-

Afghanistan, Kazakhstan could become Iran launches new rare earth metals centers: report biggest South Pars KABUL: Afghanistan and Kazakhstan

may become new global centers of rare earth metals’ production during the next several years with Kazakh government recently approving a state plan that involves a significant increase of production and development of the country’s of rare and REM fields during the next four years. Afghanistan’s Rare Earth Elements have been valued at around $1 trillion despite being one of the poorest nations in the world.

According to a survey report by US scientists, Afghanistan may be sitting on one of the richest troves of minerals in the world, loaded with minerals deposited by the violent collision of the Indian subcontinent with Asia.

The report further added that

Afghanistan may hold 60 million tons of copper, 2.2 billion tons of iron ore, 1.4 million tons of rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium and neodymium, and lodes of aluminum, gold, silver, zinc, mercury and lithium.

In the meantime, Eugene Gerden in his report for Investor Intel, stated that one of the most valuable metal that was discovered in the country’s territory is praseodymium, which a silver metal that is used in the manufacture of specialty glasses and for the improvement of the properties of some alloys.

Among the other discovered rare earth metals are cerium, which is actively used in metallurgy, as well as lanthanum, neodymium, samarium and gadolinium, the report added. –FP Monitoring

Foreign support for peace talks grows amid Afghan doubts RIYADH: A loose coalition of nations has formed in the backdrop of the national unity government's recent push for peace talks with the Taliban.

With that growing field of international leverage, Afghan officials have indicated direct negotiations between Kabul and Taliban leaders are expected soon.

President Ashraf Ghani's recent trip to Saudi Arabia, and his meeting with King Salman, allowed him to meet discuss a role for Riyadh in Afghan peace process. Meanwhile, while visiting India, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah also expressed optimism about the talks, which appear to be the government's top priority at the moment.

"Talks have not started yet, but during

these talks, the demands of the people of Afghanistan must be listened to and the Afghan constitution must be considered," Abdullah said on Monday. "This framework is clear for peace talks, and we hope that the peace talks will begin soon."

The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has gone so far as to say direct talks with the Taliban are expected to start soon. According to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakemat Khalil Karzai, China has become a major force moving the talks forward.

"China has very close relations with Pakistan, and we will encourage China to ask Pakistan to cooperate with Afghanistan during peace talks," Deputy Minister Karzai said. "Conflicts must be resolve through political means, and

maintaining peace is among the top priorities of the government of Afghanistan. We encourage our neighboring countries to find a political solution to the instability in the region, through which we could have development."

High Peace Council officials, who are likely to be at the negotiating table when the time comes, have also expressed optimism about the talks and the international backing for them from major Muslim nations around the world.

"Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Turkey are ready to cooperate and there has also been hope for Pakistan," HPC spokesman Mawlawi Shahzada Shahid told TOLOnews. "Patience and determination are needed

ginning of this year, Afghan National Security Forces have conducted, with some still ongoing, large scale operations.

Officials of the Ministry of Defense say that Afghan National Security Forces are successfully running these operations. –FP Monitoring

during peace talks."

However, some in Parliament and among civil society have raised questions about the peace talks, criticizing the lack of transparency in the government's approach to planning and executing its strategy for the talks.

"Not even all the political figures in the government are aware of this, the information has been limited to a small circle of people," Civil Society Association Director Aziz Rafiee said. "Even the CEO is not completely aware and doubts the transparency of the process."

Political analyst Mir Ahmad Joyenda suggested opacity in the negotiations could be dangerous for Afghanistan.

"In the peace process, nothing must be hidden from the public; the people of

Afghanistan are interested in the peace talks and government must make it its priority," he said.

Lawmakers in Parliament have even made accusations that the government has already agreed to certain compromises with the Taliban, including affording the militants representation in the government. "Peace talks are taking place behind closed doors, and the government has allocated three seats for the Taliban," MP Shekiba Hashemi claimed.

The lack of clarity surrounding the current state of the peace process, its participants and terms of participation, has led to abounding conspiracy theories as well as more credible concerns about what kind of decisions will be made if the public is kept in the dark. –FP Monitoring

development phase TEHRAN: Iran has officially launched

the main phase of the supergiant offshore gas field, South Pars in the Persian Gulf. Phase 12 of South Pars gas field was launched on Tuesday in the presence of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Press TV reported.

Iran has invested more than seven billion dollars on the development of phase 12. It is estimated that the launch of the phase will raise the country’s gross domestic production (GPD) by about two percent. Phase 12 of South Pars is expected to earn the Islamic Republic USD six billion a year in revenues.

On the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony, Rouhani told reporters that Iran managed to launch Phase 12 of the South Pars gas field despite sanctions against the country.

“We … proudly announce that … we’ve managed to make the massive phases [of the South Pars gas field] operational at a time of sanctions. This means that although sanctions created certain problems for us, they failed to impede our progress,” the Iranian president said.

Rouhani further stressed that the era of putting pressure on Iran through sanctions is over. He said that no power can dent Iran’s determination to tread the path toward progress, adding that Phase 12 of the South Pars gas field was developed through the Iranian expertise. South Pars, divided into 29 development phases, contains 40 trillion cubic meters (tcm) of natural gas.

It covers an area of 9,700 square kilometers, 3,700 square kilometers of which are in Iran’s territorial waters in the Persian Gulf. –FP Monitoring

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SPORTS

www.thefrontierpost.pk

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

MASCARENHAS NZ BOWLING COACH FOR ENGLAND TOUR AUCKLAND: Dimitri Mascarenhas, the former Hampshire and England all-rounder, will have a chance to help defeat former team-mates after being named New Zealand's interim bowling coach to replace Shane Bond for the tour of England in May. Bond will finish in his position after the World Cup. Mascarenhas, 37, who played 20 ODIs and 14 T20s for England between 2007 and 2009, is currently in his first year as coach of Otago who are second in the Plunket Shield table. —Agencies

C1

BOWLING COACH SAKER TO LEAVE ENGLAND ROLE LONDON: David Saker, the England bowling coach, is to leave his role to become head coach of Melbourne Renegades. He is contracted until the end of September but could leave before the Ashes this summer. Saker, 48, has been part of the most successful era in England's history but has increasingly come under criticism. Succeeding Otis Gibson in April 2010, Saker was part of the backroom staff that helped England win a first global one-day trophy – the World T20 in 2010 – and a first Ashes series victory in Australia for 24 years. —Agencies

First World Cup quarterfinal at Sydney today

Unfazed Sri Lanka target South Africa’s history

SYDNEY: Is South Africa's batting

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exceptionally good, or is it brittle? Is Sri Lanka's bowling wily or weak? The first quarter-final features two of the more schizophrenic teams of the tournament. South Africa thrashed West Indies and Ireland, hitting two 400plus scores on the trot. But they were outplayed by India, and were upset by Pakistan's pace. Sri Lanka have made 300 with ease four times on the run.

However, against Australia and New Zealand, their bowling effectively lost them the match.

On the surface, it would appear South Africa possess the greater quality in their side. These teams last played in Sri Lanka last year, and South Africa eased past them then, inspired by major contributions from Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers. That 2-1 series win was all the more impressive for having come during Sri Lanka's hot streak, just after they had beaten England across all formats away from home.

Yet it is not as if South Africa far outgun their opponents. At any point in the last two years, Kumar Sangakkara could have been said to be in the "form of his life", and that's how South Africa coach Russell Domingo referred to him two days before this match. Beyond him, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Lahiru Thirimanne have all struck hundreds in the tournament. And although La-

sith Malinga has lost pace in the past nine months, he has been quickly recovering the accuracy and bowling smarts that still make him an outstanding one-day bowler.

Sri Lanka will, however, miss Rangana Herath if he cannot play. Angelo Mathews said he was 50-50 for the match, and if the SCG turns out a characteristic late-season turner, Herath's control and guile through the middle overs could tie down a South Africa middle order that has been severe on mediocre attacks this tournament. Any knockout match South Africa plays will also be shrouded by their history of underachievement at major tournaments. South Africa appeared a happy, relaxed outfit in the approach to the game. But they are up against the side that have been least fazed by suddendeath cricket in recent years.

In the spotlight: In a tournament that has been unkind to spinners, Imran Tahir has stood out as one of the best.

Having taken the only five-wicket haul by a spinner, against West Indies at the SCG, Tahir should be confident of making important breakthroughs. Sri Lanka's batsmen generally play spin very well, but in the three outings Tahir has had against them, he has been both cheap and penetrative. How Tahir goes in the middle overs may dictate how well South Africa can tie down the rampant Sri Lanka top order.

Sangakkara has lit up Sri Lanka's

tournament, but every match Mahela Jayawardene plays from now could be his final international outing. He is not the most productive Sri Lanka player any more, but to many, he is the most pleasing batsman in the team - perhaps even in the world. He has a World Cup semifinal ton as well as the World Cup final hundred from four years ago. The match against South Africa is his chance to complete the set, and produce an innings in this final phase, by which he deserves to be remembered.

Teams news: Faf du Plessis has recovered from the lower back injury that kept him out against UAE. Upon his return, the major selection conundrum for South Africa is whether to play Farhaan Behardien or Rilee Rossouw. Rossouw is the more accomplished batsman although Behardien made an unbeaten 64 in the last match. Herath is Sri Lanka's main concern for Wednesday, and if he is unfit, Seekkuge Prasanna is likely to play. They will consider playing two spinners if the SCG track demands it, but otherwise, are likely to go with the three-quicks and one frontline spinner that they employed against Scotland, with Tillakaratne Dilshan's offspin also available. Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera are fighting for one spot, Mathews said, but Kusal Perera's firepower is likely to be preferred to Upul Tharanga's experience, in the middle order.

Pitch and conditions: There is a small chance of rain on Wednesday, but the weather is expected to be dry enough

to at least allow a shortened match.

The pitch appears dry, but as Sri Lanka found out against Australia, that does not necessarily mean it will be slow or given to turn.

Stats and trivia: These teams have faced each other four times in World Cups. Sri Lanka beat South Africa in 1992. There was an 89-run win for South Africa in 1999. The teams tied after South Africa's Duckworth-Lewis meltdown in 2003. And South Africa squeaked through by one wicket in 2007. This match will feature three of the top four run scorers of the tournament, in Sangakkara, Dilshan and de Villiers.

Neither team has a bowler in the top five wicket-takers. Mahela Jayawardene averages 81 in World Cup knockout encounters. He has played six such games.

Squads: South Africa (probable) 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Rilee Russouw/ Farhaan Behardien, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Imran Tahir Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Lahiru Thirimanne, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Kusal Perera, 6 Angelo Mathews (capt), 7 Thisara Perara, 8 Seekkuge Prasanna/ Rangana Herath, 9 Nuwan Kulasekara, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Suranga Lakmal/ Dushmantha Chameera. —Agencies

Pelvis injury forces Pakistan’s Irfan out of World Cup ADELAIDE: Giant Pakistan fast bowler

Mohammad Irfan was ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup on Tuesday because of a stress fracture to his pelvis, the country’s cricket board announced.

The 32-year-old, who took eight wickets at the tournament, first felt the injury in the 129-run win over the United Arab Emirates two weeks ago when he bowled just three overs.

He played in the crucial victory against South Africa before missing Sunday’s game against Ireland which Pakistan won to secure their place in the last-eight.

The injury is a major blow to the 1992 champions’ chances of defeating four-time winners Australia in the quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. “Irfan underwent an MRI scan on Monday afternoon and the radiologist’s report showed a stress injury of the pelvis but was inconclusive,” said a PCB release. Brad Robinson, the Pakistan team’s physiotherapist, ordered a more detailed scan, which was carried out Tuesday afternoon, and it reconfirmed a stress fracture in the pelvis.

“This injury rules Irfan out of the World Cup,” said Robinson. Pakistan team management will not immediately ask the selection committee

Losing Irfan ‘huge setback’: Misbah

back home for a replacement player, but will wait until the result of Friday’s quarter-final. Irfan, at seven-feet one inch, the tallest man to play international cricket, took eight wickets in the five matches he played at the World Cup. Before Irfan was ruled out, former captain Wasim Akram told AFP that the player needed to work on his fitness. “Irfan is different,” said Wasim of the 7feet, one inch paceman — the tallest man to play international cricket. “His body stretches more and needs careful handling. —Agencies

ADELAIDE: Giant Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan was ruled out of the World Cup Tuesday because of a stress fracture to his pelvis, an injury which captain Misbah-ul-Haq described as a “huge setback”. The 32-year-old first felt the hip injury in the 129-run win over the United Arab Emirates two weeks ago when he bowled just three overs.

The seven-foot one-inch fast bowler played in the crucial victory against South Africa, taking three wickets, before missing Sunday’s game against Ireland which Pakistan won to secure their place in the last-eight. The injury is a major blow to the 1992 champions’ chances of defeating four-time winners Australia in the quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval on Friday. “Irfan was one bowler who was different to all the others in the competition,” Misbah told AFP. “It is a huge setback for us but we have to live with it.” Irfan, at seven-feet one inch, the tallest man to play international cricket, took eight wickets in the five matches he played at the World Cup. His injury is the latest in a series of devastating setbacks suffered by Pakistan who have been stripped of an entire first-choice attack. “It’s difficult because we lost two bowlers to suspension before the World Cup,” said Misbah of ace spinner Saeed Ajmal and spinning all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez. “We also lost two good quality pacemen – Umar Gul and Junaid Khan – also to injury. Now just when we have started to perform well this injury hits us badly. “It’s a worrying sign for a captain but we have to find a way to handle this.” Junaid was announced in the 15-man squad for the World Cup but injured his leg at a training camp and was replaced by Rahat Ali. If Pakistan wins the quarter-final, it’s understood that Junaid will be called up as a replacement for Irfan. —AFP

SYDNEY: South Africa pacer Dale Steyn bowls under the watchful eye of Allan Donald during a practice sessions at Sydney Cricket Ground on Tuesday. —FP Monitoring

Australia fear Pakistan on a roll ADELAIDE: Australian cricketers have

always looked upon their Pakistani equivalents with a combination of admiration, fascination and the occasional bout of exasperation. How can a single cricket nation possess so much talent? How can it survive so many dramas both internal and external?

And how can it look to be about to dominate one moment before falling apart the very next?

The Australians fear Pakistan when they get on a roll, which is not quite the same as saying they fear Pakistan. Ahead of a World Cup quarter-final meeting for which Australia will be heavily favoured, Shane Watson offered up a fairly typical summary of this attitude. Pakistan are dangerous, he asserted, but almost as much to themselves as they are to Australia. Keep calm and carry on, seemed to be the message, awaiting the moment when the subcontinental side will be overcome by demons beyond the understanding of Watson or others.

"They can play some incredible cricket, as they have in times I've played against them, but they also can self-destruct quite quickly as well," Watson said. "That's the reason why the Pakistan team are so dangerous, especially in a knockout game like this quarter-final. They've certainly got some matchwinners. "Once this Pakistan team gets on a roll they're certainly able to use that momentum to be able to shut down teams very quickly. We know this is a danger game for us because they can come on and just turn it on like they have throughout the times I've played them in the past." There are two recent examples of both instances for Australia to mull over. The Test series in the UAE last October was a triumph of Pakistani talent, spirit and experience in the prevailing conditions over an Australian team that was well

drilled and well-resourced but lacking the requisite knowledge of the pitches and the humility required to play to a slow-pitch rhythm. Immediately before that, Pakistan had given Australia every reason to be confident, beaten 3-0 in the ODI series that preceded it.

The Pakistan of 2015 has departed little from this sort of winding script, looking listless against India and the West Indies before shocking South Africa and then brushing Ireland aside. There is strength and depth in the bowling attack, which should mean Mohammad Irfan's absence is not felt too keenly. Michael Hussey, who twice pulled off his own escape acts against Pakistan in the 2010 Sydney Test and the World T20 semi-final that same year, reckoned the start would be vital. "A lot of the time with a lot of subcontinental teams, if they're on top they're very hard to stop, they really ride that wave of emotion and pressure and play a fantastic game," Hussey said.

"From Australia's point of view it is very important to get on top early, start early whether with the bat or the ball, try to get Pakistan under pressure and win the game from there. Certainly they're a very good team and have some tough players that need to be shown a lot of respect.

"They've got a fantastic bowling attack, and that's what you need in World Cups, you need to be able to take wickets to put pressure on the batsmen, particularly the Australian batsmen because they are positive players, they like to be scoring all the time and it's the only way you can stop them really, by trying to get them out.

Pakistan have shown that in this World Cup already." Whatever the result on Friday, the Australian fascination with Pakistan will continue. Unquestionably there is something for each nation to learn from the other. —Agencies

Sarfraz’s talent and his gamesmanship sends strong message

S

Inzamamul Haq

unday's seven-wicket victory against Ireland was Pakistan's befitting tribute to late Bob Woolmer – one of the finest coaches I have come across. I still feel the pain of that dreadful loss to Ireland and its aftereffect eight years ago in the ICC Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.

Couple of players Shahid Afridi and Younis Khan are still in the team and Bob's memories must have rolled back into their minds when Umar Akmal smashed the winning boundary at the Adelaide Oval, which booked Pakistan's place in the quarter-finals.

Ireland was by miles a better Associate side in this ICC Cricket World Cup. Ireland had proved its credentials by beating two Test nations, West In-

dies and Zimbabwe, in its earlier pool matches. To be honest, I wasn't expecting third upset from it against Pakistan in a match which was a mustwin for both the sides to progress into the quarter-finals.

Irish captain William Porterfield did the right thing to bat first after winning the toss in a hope to put scoreboard pressure on Pakistan, which is notorious in chasing even small totals. But, he was up against a Pakistan pace quartet, which to me, is the best in this ICC Cricket World Cup. Despite losing fast bowler Mohammad Irfan due to an injury before the match, his replacement Ehsan Adil hit the right areas and never looked as if he was making his ICC Cricket World Cup debut.

Pakistan's confidence returned with victories against Zimbabwe and South Africa. In both these matches, Misbahul-Haq's pace bowlers had successfully defended less than 250 runs, a feat which is tough to achieve with only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle on relatively smaller grounds. Partnerships are key to any big totals.

Porterfield formed the nucleus of the

Irish total of 237 with a superb century, but rest of the top-order batsman couldn't bat around their captain for longer periods.

The key to Pakistan's success was it was not easy to hit its fast bowlers from the word go, especially when the ball got old. That was the reason the hard-

Ireland nosedived to 55 for five in the last 11 overs and it was game, set and match for Ireland at the half-time.

Who doesn't make mistakes in life?

But what's important is how quickly you learn and rectify these mistakes.

And cricket is no different. Fielding the right combination is not easy.

Irish captain William Porterfield did the right thing to bat first after winning the toss in a hope to put scoreboard pressure on Pakistan, which is notorious in chasing even small totals. But, he was up against a Pakistan pace quartet, which to me, is the best in this ICC Cricket World Cup hitting O'Brien brothers, Niall and Kevin, fell early as they couldn't force the pace of runs against a pin-point accurate Pakistan pacers. So much was the accuracy of Ehsan Adil, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali and Sohail Khan, that

There are number of factors which coaches and captains consider before fielding the final playing XI. Pakistan did struggle early in the pool matches just because they couldn't slot in Sarfraz Ahmed in the final XI. The mo-

ment they believed specialists are the key to success, everything now seems to fall in place. Playing with seven batsmen just shows the negative mindset of the team and if you go with five specialist bowlers, you send the strong signal of aggression to the opposition. Sarfraz's elevation to the opener's slot in the last two matches gave Pakistan's middle-order enough cushion. Sarfraz reminds me Javed Miandad's art of rotating the strike. Whenever batsmen takes singles and twos, it not only disturbs and frustrates the bowlers but disallows them to explore the weak areas of the batsmen. And that's what exactly Sarfraz did on Sunday. The rotation of strike gave confidence to Ahmed Shehzad as they both raised first century opening stand for Pakistan in this tournament.

Ireland's gentle military mediumfast bowlers were no threat to Pakistan on an ideal batting wicket. Their bowlers didn't get enough purchase from the wicket. Great batsmen are those who finish off the game and do not lose concentration after scoring 50s, 60s or 70s. Sarfraz has all these ingre-

dients. He adjusts his strokes so quickly that it makes life difficult for even a good bowler. Once he completed his maiden ODI hundred, he played three consecutive dot balls as Pakistan needed just one run for the victory. It might have looked a bit odd to some, but it was a sportsmanship of Sarfraz as he wanted his senior partner Umar to score the winning run as he had helped him reach three figures for the first time in his career. This is how you need to compliment your team-mates, which, in turn, enhances team spirit and unity in the side. Good gesture Sarfraz, it was master-stroke!

There's a talk of a 10-team ICC World Cup in 2019 and I am all in favor of it.

For Associate teams like Ireland, what the ICC needs to do is to arrange regular One-Day International series against Test nations, say minimum of 10-12 ODIs in a year, instead of just organising international matches among the associate countries. It could help lower-ranked sides, especially Ireland, to be in the top eight of the ICC Rankings and qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

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C2 Tennis

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

Sharapova and Bouchard win, Wozniacki exits

by reaching last year's US Open quarterfinals. "Today I really had a good game plan. I did what I had to do."

Serving woes: Sharapova and Azarenka treated the stadium court crowd to one of the best women's matches so far. The Belarusian saved five match points before Sharapova sealed victory at the sixth attempt, ending the contest with a dipping crosscourt backhand. "My serve let me down in the first set," Sharapova said after levelling her career record against her fellow former world number one at 7-7. "I did everything else well, except serving. "I did a much better job in the second set. She will play until the last point and that's what made it so tough."

The two players traded breaks in the seventh and eighth games before Sharapova took the opening set in 67 minutes, a marathon 10th game ending when a miss-timed Azarenka forehand flew wide. With improved serving, Sharapova seized control of the second set and broke Azarenka in the fourth and sixth to take a 5-1 lead.

The Belarusian clawed her way back to 3-5 but the second seed then served out for the win.

While Sharapova had to battle before sinking Azarenka, it was plain sailing for Bouchard. The Canadian used her potent forehand to great effect as she broke an error-prone Vandeweghe once in the opening set and twice in the second, completing a one-sided victory in just over an hour. In other matches, fifthseeded Serb Ana Ivanovic lost 6-2 5-7 62 to Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, while reigning champion Flavia Pennetta Maria Sharapova returns a shot against Victoria Azarenka during their of Italy beat Australian Samantha Stomatch on Monday. –FP Monitoring sur 6-4 6-2. –Agencies INDIAN WELLS: Caroline Wozniacki

became the biggest name to fall at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday when the fourth seed was ousted 6-4 6-4 by Swiss teen Belinda Bencic. Second seed Maria Sharapova won an absorbing baseline battle with long-time rival Victoria Azarenka 6-4 6-3 in just under two hours while sixth-seed Eugenie Bouchard demolished American CoCo Vandeweghe 6-3 6-2.

Wozniacki, champion at Indian Wells in 2011, had overwhelmed Bencic 6-0 60 in their only previous meeting in Istanbul last year but it was a very different story at the California desert venue as the Dane struggled for consistency.

BRIEF Umpire communications to be on air for knockout stages

SYDNEY: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday confirmed that TV umpire communications during decision-making will be put to air for the knockout stages of the World Cup. With the first quarter-final between Sri Lanka and South Africa scheduled to begin on Wednesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the audio feed of the on-field officials with the third umpire will be made available to the host broadcasters Star Sports, said a media release. –Agencies

"Honestly, it was two completely different matches," Wozniacki said after being broken twice in the opening set and once in the second at a sun-bathed Indian Wells Tennis Garden. "I went out there today and I didn't play well at all. "She was steady.

She took the ball early as normal, and she served pretty decently, but I didn't put three balls in play today. She only had to put balls back in my court."

Bencic, who celebrated her 18th birthday last week, was delighted to clinch her first victory over a top-five player. "In Istanbul I had maybe too much respect and I was afraid, nervous," said the Swiss, who gave notice of her potential

Mobilink One Classic Golf Tournament 2015

VANCOUVER: Rory McIlroy, who

ISLAMABAD: The Mobilink One Classic

2015 entered its second round of the three events in Islamabad Golf Club.

The tournament witnessed participation from amateur golfers from among distinguished customers of Mobilink and the top management of the company. Prizes in various categories were distributed among the winners, media and outstanding performers.

The Mobilink one classic has been of one of the premier amateur golf events of Pakistan over the last seven years, and continues to attract a diverse segment of the country’s corporate and business sector, making for a well competed event, providing healthy entertainment and promoting golf in Pakistan.

Jeffrey Hedberg, President and CEO Mobilink highlighted: “Over

Tillakaratne Dilshan signs for Derbyshire LONDON: Sri Lanka batsman

Tillakaratne Dilshan will spend two spells with Derbyshire this season, the English County Championship Division Two side announced on Tuesday. The experienced 38-year-old will be available for up to four Twenty20 Blast fixtures and two County Championship games when he replaces New Zealand's Martin Guptill as Derbyshire's overseas player in June. He will then return to the County Ground at the beginning of August after playing in the Caribbean Premier League.

"Derbyshire are an ambitious club with an exciting young team and I'm looking forward to joining them in the NatWest T20 Blast and then returning to help them finish the season strongly," Dilshan told the club website. –AFP

India relaxed before Bangladesh quarterfinal MELBOURNE: If

India, the most watched and heavily scrutinised team in world cricket, are under any pressure ahead of Thursday's World Cup quarterfinal against Bangladesh, they are doing well to hide it. With the weight of expectation of the world's second most populated country on their shoulders, India's players could hardly be any more relaxed. On Tuesday, less than 48 hours before the start of the match, the players ventured to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Rather than hitting the nets to practise their batting and bowling, the players took it easy, with a light-hearted game of soccer on the stadium's sprawling outfield.

Despite being followed by a massive Indian media contingent, the team did not make themselves available for media interaction, maintaining a cloak of silence until Wednesday's mandatory pre-

the eight years our customers and golf enthusiasts have transformed this tournament into one of the most prestigious amateur golf tournaments of Pakistan.

I congratulate the winners and thank our distinguished guests for making this year’s event a success.’’

Mobilink has always sought opportunities and fresh ideas to promote a healthier, more active lifestyle in the community. Now in its eighth edition, the 18-hole tournament has consistently attracted golfing enthusiasts from Mobilink’s customer base.

A similar tournament was held in Lahore last week and in Karachi in the coming week before the Mobilink One Classic for 2015 ends. The 3 station series will see more than 300 amateur golfers take part in the events. –PR

game news conference. As the defending World Cup champions and one of two unbeaten teams in the tournament -- the other is New Zealand -- India will go into Thursday's match as overwhelming favourites to win but still wary about their opponents.

Bangladesh famously beat India at the 2007 World Cup but have beaten their great rivals just once since then and retired India bowler Javagal Srinath said history would not repeat itself this week.

"I know that every time India meet Bangladesh in the World Cup, everyone goes back to 2007 and what happened in Port of Spain. This Indian side bears no resemblance to that team whose morale was so low right from the start of the competition," he wrote in a column that appeared in Tuesday's Hindustan Times newspaper.

"Even though Bangladesh are playing their best cricket, this is a happy Indi-

an side that has mastered the art of winning crunch games."

For India, the weight of expectation can sometimes be overbearing. They have been feted like rock stars at every match they have played during the tournament and a crowd of 80,000 is expected to flock to the MCG for Thursday's sudden-death encounter.

Complacency may have loomed as the biggest danger but India captain Mahendra Singh has said the pressure to succeed was enough to ensure they never let their guard down. "Irrespective of which team we play or which tournament we play, we are under pressure," he said after his team's final pool game win.

"The good thing, the boys are quite used to it. Once a few times there have been instances where we are down, but from that position, also, we have come back strongly and we have done well." – Agencies

Badminton

Formula One

BAI announces reward for Saina Nehwal, Kashyap

Rosberg invites Vettel to Mercedes debrief

NEW DELHI: Badminton Association

Golf: McIlroy replaces Tiger as face of video game has replaced Tiger Woods as golf's world number one, will also supplant the 14-time major champion on EA Sports' highly popular PGA Tour video game.

EA announced Monday that the game, to be released in June, will be called "Rory McIlroy PGA Tour" and feature the 25-yearold from Northern Ireland on its cover. It will mark the first time since 1998, the year after Woods won his first major crown at the Masters, that Woods has not been featured on the cover. "I'm very proud and humbled to see my face and name on EA Sports Rory McIlroy PGA Tour," McIlroy said in a statement. McIlroy will try to complete a career Grand Slam by winning his first Masters title next month at Augusta National. –AFP

BEIJING: Batalla (C) of China's Beijing Guoan shoots the ball during a Group G match against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at the AFC Champions League on Tuesday. –FP Monitoring

of India (BAI) president Akhilesh Das Gupta on Tuesday announced a cash award of Rs. 5 lakh each to World No. 2 Saina Nehwal and Commonwealth Games champion P Kashyap for their impressive performance on the international stage. Both Saina and Kashyap had won the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold in January at Lucknow and the former even became the first Indian woman to reach the finals of the All England Super Series Premier earlier this month.

"It has been my policy to reward players who are performing exceptionally well on the international circuit with handsome financial gains as the players are making the country proud with their title triumphs," said Das Gupta.

"Both Saina and Kashyap had won the gold medal in the Syed Modi GP gold event. Saina has even reached number 2 ranking in the world," he added.

Das Gupta had announced a similar cash prize for Kidambi Srikanth for his Swiss Open triumph last Sunday. –Agencies

LONDON: Nico Rosberg has invited Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel to attend Mercedes' Friday debrief at the Malaysian Grand Prix after a lighthearted exchange between the Formula One rivals last weekend. "I spoke to (Mercedes motorsport head) Toto (Wolff) and (technical head) Paddy (Lowe) about an invitation for Sebastian and they are easy with it," he told his followers on Twitter on Tuesday. "Dear Seb, this is the official invitation to join our debrief Friday 16.00 at Sepang. See you there, don't forget your notebook!," he added.

The two Germans had exchanged banter in the post-race news conference at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after Rosberg suggested he would like to see Vettel and other rivals close the performance gap to Mercedes. "I think in the next couple of races we’re going to be leading the way for sure, and we’re going to try and keep it that way, but we know it would be good if they can come a bit closer, as long as they don’t come too close," Rosberg said.

Vettel, who is not on Twitter and finished third in the race, took that with some scepticism. "Be honest. Do you

really hope so? Seriously? You finished 30 seconds ahead of us and you hope it’s going to be closer? So you hope you slow down? Is that what you’re saying?," asked the four times world champion. Rosberg replied that he hoped his compatriot could give himself and double champion team mate Lewis Hamilton, winner in Melbourne, a challenge for the good of the sport.

"Half of me –- or a part of me –thinks about the show because I want to give people a great time at home watching on TV or at the track.

If you do come a bit closer, that would be awesome for everybody," he said. Vettel jokingly suggested that Mercedes might like to open their garage to everyone in Malaysia, to which Rosberg replied that he would invite him. "OK, thank you for the invite, I’ll come," said Vettel, who joined Ferrari from Red Bull at the end of last year. "Friday Malaysia, OK," retorted Rosberg. "Engineers room? Debrief, I’ll be there," promised Vettel. Champions Mercedes, who won 16 of 19 races last year, finished one-two in Malaysia after securing their 12th pole position in a row. The Malaysian Grand Prix is on March 29. –Agencies

Cycling

English Premier League

UCI chief blasts Armstrong's 'charity' Tour return

Henderson's freak goal keeps Liverpool flying high

LONDON: Lance Armstrong's plan to

ride this year's Tour de France route for charity has been branded "disrespectful" by the head of cycling's governing body Brian Cookson. The disgraced American, stripped of his seven Tour titles because of blood doping, has been invited by fellow cancer survivor and former English soccer player Geoff Thomas to ride the route to raise money for a leukemia charity.

"I understand that he's been approached by Geoff Thomas to take part in a charity event and I'm sure that Geoff means well," UCI chief Cookson told reporters at a sports industry meeting on Tuesday. "Bringing Lance

Armstrong to ride on some or all of the route one day before the race, I can't think of better words than disrespectful and inappropriate to the Tour de France, the current riders, the UCI and anti-doping.

"The charity justification was used quite a lot throughout his career and that got us into all sorts of a mess which is well documented. "It looks like Lance was persuaded into it and if he was it's not a good judgment. "I've never met him or spoken to him on the phone or by email, I'm not unhappy with that situation but I think there's a message I'm giving out today."

However, Cookson said he was powerless to stop Armstrong going ahead

with the charity ride. "I have no authority," he said.

"He can cycle around France as long as he wants, there's nothing the UCI can do about that really." Asked whether he had any sympathy for Armstrong, who is trying to have a life ban from cycling imposed by American anti-doping body USADA reduced, Cookson was unequivocal.

"He has been singled out and made an exceptional case but then there aren't many who have won the Tour de France seven times by cheating, so he was an exceptional case," Cookson said. "I'm not anxious to be the president that brings Lance Armstrong back into cycling." –Agencies

LONDON: Midfielder Jordan Henderson's fluke second-half goal kept Liverpool firmly in contention for a Premier League top-four finish with a 1-0 win at Swansea City on Monday. Liverpool got lucky on 68 minutes when Jordi Amat slid in ahead of Henderson to try and clear but the ball ricocheted back off the England international and looped over Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski. Victory took inform Liverpool to within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United, who they host on Sunday. Chelsea lead on 64, ahead of Manchester City (58) and then Arsenal (57) and United (56).

Since losing to United at Old Trafford in mid-December, a defeat which left Liverpool languishing in 11th place, Brendan Rodgers' side have won 10 and drawn

three in the league. "It was a great pass from Daniel (Sturridge). It was a little bit fortunate, but you've got to be in the right positions to score," Henderson, who scored for a third consecutive league game, told Sky Sports. "It's a great result.

We were very disappointed with our first half. The gaffer had a few words to say. I felt we passed the ball a lot better in the second and were solid at the back."

Liverpool were indebted to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for keeping out Swansea in a first half shaded by the Welsh side and Rodgers praised the Belgian international, who was dropped for poor form earlier in the season. "There's no doubt Simon Mignolet's back to his best. We needed him in the first half. He's been excellent. –Agencies

CENTRAL ASIA

www.thefrontierpost.pk

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

TAJIKISTAN, PAKISTAN DISCUSS BILATERAL COOPERATION DUSHANBE: Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Nizomiddin Zohidi met here on Monday with newly-appointed Pakistani Ambassador to Tajikistan Tariq Iqbal Sumro, Tajik Foreign Ministry said Tuesday. During the meeting, the sides discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Tajikistan and Pakistan. The implementation of joint projects was also discussed at the meeting. Zohidi congratulated Pakistani Ambassador on his appointment and wished success in his mission. –FP Monitoring

TURKMEN ALLOW PEACEFUL PUBLIC RALLIES

ASHGABAT: Turkmenistan has passed new legislation that will allow (as of this June) citizens, political parties, social groups and religious organisations to practice their constitutional right to hold peaceful public rallies, according to the state-affiliated news website Zolotoi Vek. The law, however, includes some conditions. For instances, no rally will be allowed less than 200m from government buildings (including the president's residence) and cannot be organised by individuals or foreign governments. –FP Monitoring

IS threat mounts on Central Asia Kyrgyzstan blames minority Uzbeks for Syria presence BISHKEK: The majority of Kyrgyz

nationals who have left to fight in Syria are ethnic Uzbeks, an official from Kyrgyzstan's National Security Committee (KNB) has claimed.

Talant Razzakov told RFE/RL's Uzbek Service, known as Radio Ozodlik, in a March 17 interview that 80 percent of Kyrgyz citizens who have joined the Islamic State (IS) group and other militant factions in Syria are ethnic Uzbeks.

Razzakov said that the Kyrgyz security forces are now undertaking research in an attempt to understand why most of those joining IS are Uzbeks. "This greatly concerns us. What measures should be taken in this matter? Is it enough to limit [measures] to outreach, or should there be more stringent measures within the framework of the law?

Government agencies are currently scratching their heads over these issues,"

Razzakov told Radio Ozodlik.

According to Razzakov, one of the reasons why ethnic Uzbeks are joining IS at greater rates is because of the "public interest in religion" among that group. "Another factor is linked to the

large number of Uzbek organizations connected to religion in foreign countries. "For example, Saudi Arabia, as far as we know, is home to approximately 100,000 Uzbeks. Among them, it has become popular to be a member of Salafi

and Wahhabi organizations. Those living in those countries may have an impact of citizens of Uzbek nationality in Kyrgyzstan," Razzakov told Radio Ozodlik. Razzakov also said that there are Kyrgyz citizens who have traveled -- both legally and illegally -- to study religion in Pakistan and Afghanistan. These individuals also influence people in Kyrgyzstan, he claimed. Deirdre Tynan, Central Asia project director for the International Crisis Group (ICG), told RFE/RL that it is "safe to say that the majority" of Kyrgyz nationals who have gone to Syria to fight alongside or otherwise support the Islamic State group are ethnic Uzbeks.

However, Tynan cautioned against framing the issue of ethnic Uzbeks going to Syria as an "ethnic" problem rather than an issue of security and society. "The Kyrgyz government and security services should be aware of the

The black flag south of the Amu-Darya ASHGABAT : The black flag of the Islamic State (IS) militant group has reportedly been raised in areas of northern Afghanistan, just south of the border with Central Asia. These reports have been noticed in those neighboring countries, adding to the concerns officials in Ashgabat, Tashkent, and Dushanbe already had.

RFE/RL's Turkmen Service, known locally as Azatlyk, has been reporting about the black flag being seen in northwestern provinces of Afghanistan and RFE/RL's Gandhara website has been reporting about that

flag being seen in northeastern Afghanistan.

The UN's top envoy to Afghanistan, Nicholas Haysom, told the UN Security Council on March 16 that the IS is present in Afghanistan but has not yet planted "firm roots." There seems to be ample evidence the black flags are appearing not far south of Central Asia's border but it remains unknown how many people there are rallying around the IS banner and what is attracting them. Azatlyk organized a roundtable on IS presence in northern Afghanistan and looked at the possibilities that flag could

one day be seen on the northern side of the "Oxus." Participating in the panel discussion were Afghan members of parliament Nahit Fareed and Shukriya Barakzai, and Thomas Ruttig, cofounder and co-director of the Afghanistan Analysts Network, to get their views on the IS presence in Afghanistan. Qishloq Ovozi has reported earlier on Commander Bobi in the northwestern Faryab Province, who claims there are IS militants near his district and in neighboring Jowzjan Province, along the border with Turkmenistan. RFE/RL's Gandhara web-

C3

site has quoted Konduz Governor Mohammad Omar Safi saying IS militants are in his northeastern province, along the border with Tajikistan and not far from the border with Uzbekistan.

Turkmenistan has been fortifying its border with Afghanistan for several months. Tajikistan has been doing so for many years, but this month also conducted an exercise along the Afghan border that included some 50,000 people -- soldiers, reservists, local police, and medical and transportation workers, whose services could be needed if hostilities break out.–FP Monitoring

high risks of stereotyping ethnic Uzbeks with could lead to further harassment, discrimination and tensions in southern Kyrgyzstan," Tynan said.

It is not known how many Kyrgyz nationals are currently fighting in Syria and Iraq, including alongside IS. Razzakov told Radio Ozodlik that, according to official data from the Kyrgyzstan authorities, there are currently 230 Kyrgyz nationals fighting in the ranks of IS, while 30 Kyrgyz citizens have died in the fighting.–FP Monitoring

UN warns IS is replacing Taliban in Afghanistan NEW YORK: The Islamic State has

infiltrated into Afghanistan and is attempting to step into the Taliban's boots, acknowledged the UN Security Council. Russia’s representative to the UN warns Central Asian states could be the next stop for the Islamic extremists. The presence of the Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighters in the country has been confirmed by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The UN envoy to Afghanistan acknowledged that the IS could potentially unite minor Islamist groups in the country under a new command. Russia’s representative in the UN expressed deep concern with “increasingly frequent reports of the worsening situation in the north of Afghanistan, in areas bordering countries which were once Soviet republics.–FP Monitoring

Kazakh embassy celebrates 'last Tuesday' before Nauryz BAKU: Today in Baku Heydar Aliyev

Park has held a festive event with the participation of representatives of the Turkic-speaking countries devoted to "Wind or Last Tuesday" "Akhir chershenbe." Pavilions of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan welcomed guests in the park.

Kazakh pavilion, organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan, presented traditional dishes of our country including nauryz - koje and baursak. Employees of Kazakh diplomatic mission greeted visitors with Kazakh folk songs.

In addition the event presented tables brightly decorated with Azerbaijani sweets - shekerbura, baklava, badamburoy, gogalom. Folk groups, folk singers, musicians and dancers created special atmosphere of the event.

Celebrations of Novruz (Nauryz) begin a month before the actual holiday day. Novruz is also related with four elements-water, fire, earth and wind.

According to the legend, God created man from earth and water, gave him warmth and ordered the wind to wake him up. Novruz Tuesdays are considered sacred.

The four Tuesdays are named after these elements and called Su Chershenbesi (Water Tuesday), Odlu Chershenbe (Fire Tuesday), Torpaq Chershenbesi (Earth Tuesday) and Hava or Akhir Chershenbe (Wind or Last Tuesday).

According to the folk belief, water purifies and stirs, fire, earth and wind awakens the nature, the trees begin to blossom. All these symbolize coming of spring. –FP Monitoring

Turkey, Azerbaijan begin construction of TANAP pipeline

ANKARA: Turkey and Azerbaijan will formally begin construction today (17 March) of a new gas pipeline, which will pump gas from the vast Azerbaijani Shah Deniz 2 field to Turkish and EU consumers. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev will attend the ceremony marking the start of work on the $10 billion pipeline in Turkey's Kars region, part of a drive aimed at reducing dependence on Russian gas.

The 1,850 kilometre Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) pipeline, which is due to be completed in 2018, will link the existing South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) which connects Turkey to the Azerbaijani gas fields in the Caspian Sea, through Georgia.

TANAP is part of the Southern Gas Corridor, a long-awaited plan to bring gas to Europe from Azerbaijan, and from sources other than Russia.

The backers of the project expect that the TANAP will then link up with the planned Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) that will bring the gas from western Turkey to Greece, Albania and across the Adriatic, to Italy. Azerbaijani media have estimated the pipeline's cost at $10-11 billion, well above initial estimates when the project was first conceived.

According to the partnership agreement signed last week, Azerbaijan's state energy firm SOCAR and Turkey's Botas will hold 58% and 30% stakes respectively, while British energy giant BP has a 12 percent share. "There will be no political obstacle before this project," Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said at last week's partnership ceremony. "I hope that we will consume the natural gas from Shah Deniz 2 both in Turkey and Europe by the end of 2018."

The pipeline should help Turkey and

Azeri, Georgian presidents arrive in Turkey ANKARA: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili were in Turkey on March 17 to attend a ceremony marking the start of the construction of the TransAnatolian Pipeline (TANAP).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted the two leaders in the Turkish town of Kars where the foundation for the 1,850-kilometer pipeline was laid.

The pipeline aims initially to bring gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 offshore gas field through the existing South Caucasus Pipeline that runs through Georgia to Turkey where it will be pumped into TANAP. According to plans, when TANAP is completed in 2018 it would connect to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline to bring the gas into Europe. The European Union is including TANAP as one of the routes in the EU's Southern Gas Corridor project.

Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission's Vice President in charge of Energy Union, was also attending the ceremony in Kars. —FP Monitoring

the European Union reduce dependence on imports of gas from Russia by exploiting the Shah Deniz 2 field, which, according to BP, will produce 16 billion cubic metres of gas per year. However Turkey, whose relations with Moscow have warmed considerably in recent years, is also talking with Russia on a new Turkish Stream pipeline that will pump Russian gas under the Black Sea to its own territory, as well as to Europe. The UKRAINE: A volunteer battalion fighter bids farewell to relatives after a ceremony in the center of Kiev before their departure for the east of the counTurkish Stream pipeline is aimed at re- try to take part in anti-terrorist operations (ATO). —AFP placing Russia's South Stream project for pumping gas to Europe avoiding Ukraine, which President Putin dramatically cancelled last year, citing a lack of cooperation from the EU. –FP Monitoring

EU appoints special representative for Central Asia BRUSSELS: EU High Representative Federica Mogherini has proposed a Slo-

vakian diplomat Peter Burian as EU Special representative for Central Asia for an initial period of one year. "The appointment of Peter Burian will show the EU's continued cooperation with Central Asia, ensuring strong presence in our engagement on key issues of mutual interest including the rule of law, security, energy, water, education and human rights. Central Asia is a strategic area," she said in a statement.

Burian is currently State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. He is a former ambassador of the Slovak Republic to NATO, to the United States and to the United Nations. Mogherini yesterday also proposed an Italian diplomat Fernando Gentilini as EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process for an initial period of one year, in an effort to re-launch the Process as quickly as possible. –FP Monitoring

Kazakh-Austrian talks on trade and economy begin

ASTANA: The 6th session of Kazakhstan - Austrian Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation co-chaired by the Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksey Volkov and Federal Vice Minister of Science, Research and Economy of Bernadette Girlinger took place on March 17, 2015 in Astana, according to the website of Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, the parties traditionally exchanged views on a wide range of issues including the economic situation in Kazakhstan and Austria as well as the present state and

prospects of bilateral economic cooperation. An important agenda item was discussion of the updated list of priority projects under the implementation of the Roadmap for economic cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth (Austria) and the Ministry for Investment and Development (Kazakhstan).

Delegations also discussed current issues and prospects of Kazakh-Austrian cooperation in the spheres of energy, environmental protection and environmental technologies, transport and infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare and medical technology, higher educa-

tion as well as development of interregional cooperation.

During the meeting, Kazakhstan side presented EXPO-2017 project and the concept of its official aid policy. Before the 6th session of the IGC, the parties held a regular meeting of Kazakhstan Austrian Business Council that was attended by business delegations of both countries. The parties also held expert level consultations under the Working group on hydropower and medicine.

In conclusion, the parties agreed to hold 7th meeting of Kazakhstan - Austrian Intergovernmental Commission next year in Vienna. –FP Monitoring

Atambaev under fire for 'secretly' visiting Moldova

BISHKEK: Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev's unannounced visit to Moldova is under scrutiny. A Kyrgyz opposition lawmaker, Ravshan Jeenbekov, demanded that the presidential office explain Moldovan media reports saying that Atambaev had visited Chisinau for several hours on March 15, where he met with the deputy leader of Moldova's Democratic Party, Vlad Plahotniuc. The next day, Atambaev visited Russia's St.Petersburg, where he held talks with President Vladimir Putin, who appeared in public for the first time in 10 days. –FP Monitoring

C4 CHIT CHAT

ENTERTAINMENT

Calista spending hours a day with Harrison Ford

C M Y K

KABUL: Framed by the dramatic backdrop of Kabul's ruined Darulaman palace, Abbas Alizada throws kung fu punches, kicks and spins, watched by an eager young crowd. Dressed in a white vest, black trousers and light shoes despite the bitter Afghan winter, Alizada bears a striking resemblance to his idol - legendary martial arts

movie star Bruce Lee. Alizada twirls his nunchuks in front of the shell-blasted walls of the former royal palace, an evocative monument to the 35 years of war that have ravaged Afghanistan. Then he leaves the enclosure, smiling, sunglasses on his nose, his fans can finally meet him, shake his hand -- and take selfies with him. He is a mem-

ber of Afghanistan's Hazara community, an ethnic group with distinctively Central Asian features that add to his resemblance to Hong Kong star Lee. With more than 50,000 followers on Twitter and 40,000 likes on Facebook, Alizada has become quite a celebrity in Afghanistan, known locally as 'Bruce Hazara'. He has become a familiar face on local media and now he is dreaming of Hollywood stardom. "When I was eight years old I saw the Bruce Lee movies, and I was hooked," he told AFP in his brother's office in Kabul, sitting round a traditional "sandali" stove for warmth. "I said I will be the Bruce Lee of Afghanistan one day. I know I cannot be Bruce Lee, but I follow in his path," he said.

Alizada is the youngest of 10 children and his older brothers have followed his career closely. One of them, 25-year-old Ahmad Zia, works as his manager, coach and secretary. "I'm very hopeful that my brother will become a member of Hollywood," Zia said.

Alizada dreams of working with Hong Kong martial arts movie star Jackie Chan - who he respectfully refers to as "Mr Jackie". He also idolises action stars such as "Mr Rambo" - Sylvester

Katrina’s wax statue to be showcased on 27th Ryan plays unsuspecting host at SXSW

LOS ANGELES: What was supposed to be regular old screening and Q&A session at the SXSW Festival's film component took a turn for the adorable when a woman in the audience asked "Lost River" director Ryan Gosling if she could veer off track for a moment … so she could propose to her girlfriend. Not only was Gosling game, he gave her the mic. Pointing out that they had been together for 11 years, the woman asked for her longtime love's hand in marriage. The other bride-to-be, dressed in an appropriately romantic red dress, appeared on a video published by Vulture to say "yes." –FP Monitoring

LONDON: Bollywood beauty Katrina Kaif’s wax statue at

Madame Tussauds will be unveiled on the 27th of this month. The prolific Bollywood actress’s statue will be unveiled in the auspicious wax museum, enabling her to join the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Tom Cruise and various others.

Katrina’s wax statue will feature her in one of her popular Bollywood songs. Earlier, it was revealed that the songs from which her pose would be adopted are Chikni Chameli, Sheila ki Jawani and Mashallah. Katrina won the poll and surpassed her contemporaries when it was decided to put to a vote on which Bollywood actress’s wax form should be included in Madame Tussauds.

Katrina has not only been famous for her sensual looks but due to her skills as an actress and an item girl as well. After starring in her early successes such as Namastey London, Sarkar and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, she established herself into Bollywood as one of the leading ladies with films like Raajneeti, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Bang Bang and Race 3. Her dancing skills made songs such as Sheila Ki Jawani, Dhoom and Chiki Chameli highly popular with film buffs. Not only that, Katrina has been named one of the best dancers currently in Bollywood on account of her ability to shake a leg. Interestingly, Katrina has spent a huge part of her childhood in London. All the best to Katrina and no wonder, the world is excited to get

Vidya Balan to play Suchitra Sen in a biopic

MUMBAI: Suchitra Sen was a talented and one of the most gorgeous actresses of Bengali cinema. She has acted in many successful films. Actress Raima Sen and Riya Sen are the granddaughters of Suchitra Sen, Indian media reported. According to Indian media reports, Earlier Vidya Balan was offered the role to play Benazir Bhutto but she declined the offer but Suchitra Sen’s biopic attracted her. She will be trained in kathak dance for the role and she has asked the team to arrange a

LOS ANGELES: Keanu Reeves shared his motorcycle connoisseurship with a group of classic car collectors in Malibu, when he visited Malibu Cars and Coffee, a bimonthly event featuring rare vehicles. According to Celebitchy, Reeves brought his $78,000 KRGT bike to the event to showcase the kind of work his new Arch Motorcycle Company has been doing.

The company, which Reeves cofounded, last year with LA County Choprods’ Gard Hollinger, is planning to custom-make 100 motorcycles a year. –FP Monitoring

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) decided to change their outlooks with the support of Local and famous designers. Previously they were wearing some international designers but this time PIA decided to support Pakistani designers. Now you will soon see them in a new and gorgeous look. Pakistan International Airlines arranged a competition which was divided in to four categories i-e Menswear, Women’s wear, cap and coat.

Famous designers of Pakistan participated in this competition including Amir Adnan and Huma Adnan, Nomi Ansari, Shamaeel Ansari, Sonya Battla, Nida Azwer, Ismail Farid, Omar Farooq of Republic, Fahad Hussayn, Maheen Karim, Maheen Khan, Misha Lakhani, NEW DELHI: Oscar winning music com- Sania Maskatiya, Yasmeen Sheikh, poser and Indian legend A.R.Rahman Shamoon Sultan, Ali Xeeshan and Hasan will partner with the United Nations in Sheheryar Yasin (HSY). order to mark the International day of Happiness. This movement will also feature a host of globally recognized musical artists such as Charlize Theron, David Guetta, Ed Sheeran, PARIS: Pop star Rihanna has added another lucrative sponsorship deal to her John Legend and James Blunt.

The above stars, including Rahman portfolio, and not just any brand: the Barbadian singer is the new face of a Dior advertising campaign. The French fashion house confirmed to AFP on Monday have launched the #HappySoundsLike that Rihanna is “the new guest star for our ‘Secret Garden’ campaign”, a pro- campaign by partnering up with music motional video and print series shot at the famous Versailles Palace outside streaming service ‘MixRadio’. The inParis. In the production, made last week by US photographer Steven Klein, the ternational campaign will end with a high 27-year-old star shows off Dior’s new “Esprit Dior Tokyo” collection. The cam- this week when the campaign would paign will be screened within the next couple of months. The “Secret Garden” launch a playlist featuring all above campaign has been running for three years, and is mostly meant for online view- artists’ contributing with songs. UN ing. The Dior spokeswoman declined to give details about Rihanna’s contract or Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said how long she would be endorsing the house’s collection. Dior has tapped other the world body is “using the universal celebrities to sell its products, including Israeli-US actress Natalie Portman, language of music to show solidarity with who fronts its Miss Dior perfume line, and Oscar-winning French actress Mar- the millions of people around the world suffering from poverty.–FP Monitoring ion Cotillard, who promoted its Lady Dior handbags. –FP Monitoring

Rihanna becomes face of Dior’s new collection

Carrie Brownstein's memoir to arrive Oct 27

NEW YORK: Sleater-Kinney rocker turned "Portlandia" genius Carrie Brownstein is almost ready to release her memoir. Vulture reports that "Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl," is due out Oct. 27.

Penguin describes the book as being a "deeply personal and revealing" look at Brownstein's road from music fan "to pioneering female guitarist to comedic performer and luminary in the independent rock world." –FP Monitoring

France fashion aims at ultra-skinny models

PARIS: Lawmakers in France will on Tuesday debate a law banning ultrathin catwalk models, despite a chorus of disapproval from modeling agencies in the world's fashion capital.

Health Minister Marisol Touraine has given her backing to amendments to a broader health law that would stop model agencies employing models whose Body Mass Index (BMI) falls below a certain level. "I believe that models should eat well and look after their health. This is an important message to young women who see these models as an aesthetic example," Touraine told French television.

The parliamentary amendment would force model agencies to provide a medical certificate for each model, proving that her BMI is above a healthy level or face punishment of up to six months in prison and a 75,000 euro ($80,000) fine.

The National Union of Modeling Agencies (SYNAM) complained this would affect the competitiveness of French modeling. "French modeling agencies are in permanent competition with their European counterparts. As a

result, a European approach is needed," the union said in a statement.

Some countries, notably Spain, Italy, Belgium, Chile and Israel -- have already passed laws on the issue. A second amendment would outlaw sites "condoning anorexia" and make it a crime to "glamorise excessive thinness."

The Socialist MP proposing the amendments, Olivier Veran, said that "between 30,000 and 40,000" French people suffer from anorexia. "In 90 percent of the cases, these are adolescents. The image that the fashion industry gives -- which is that women have to be pathologically thin to be beautiful and appear on the catwalk - has a very strong social impact," he said.

However, Gerald Marie, head of a Paris model agency, said that while any legislation that reduces anorexia is a positive development, "we shouldn't mix things up." "There is anorexia and there are girls who are thin, very thin, naturally and you can make them eat all day and they would stay thin," he said. -AFP

good kathak dancer for her. In 2005 Vidya Balan made her Bollywood debut with a Hindi film ‘Parineeta’, and followed it with a leading role in the highly successful comedy film like ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ , ‘No One Killed Jessica’, ‘The Dirty Picture’ and ‘Kahaani’. These roles established her as a leading actress of Hindi cinema.

Vidya Balan will be next seen in ‘Hamari Adhuri Kahani’ opposite Emraan Hashmi. The film is slated to release on June 12. –FP Monitoring

New look and style of PIA cabin crew!

AR Rahman, UN join for International happiness day

Keanu Reeves brings his bike to Malibu car show

MARCH 18, 2015

Afghanistan’s ‘Bruce Lee’ Hazara kicking way to fame

NEW YORK: Harrison Ford may still be in pain from the injuries he sustained when he crashed his plane near the Santa Monica airport, but at least he's not suffering alone. An insider tells People that Ford's wife, Calista Flockhart, has been making daily, dutiful visits to the hospital where he's recovering.

"She drops Liam [the couple's son] off in the morning and then spends hours with Harrison," the source says. " –FP Monitoring

WEDNESDAY

Each designer showed their designs and with their signature styles. Judges were Tariq Amin, Zeba Bakhtiar, Seema Iftekhar, Shahnaz Ismail, Naz Mansha, Rabya Javeri and Shakeel Saigol. The hair and make-up of the models was by Nabila N-Pro with Frieha Altaf (Catwalk) for choreography. At the end winners were Nomi Ansari for Women’s wear, Omar Farooq for Menswear, Sania Maskatiya for Caps and scarves AND Yasmeen Sheikh for coats. Now be ready to see the glamorous look of our PIA staff. We hope that their new outfits enhance their services also. But the question is that Instead of improving condition and services, Why PIA is changing their outfits? It will improve their condition or they are trying to capture more passengers by showing them the improved staff in a different look. But still we appreciate that PIA did a good job by choosing Pakistani designers. –FP Monitoring

Sajjad Ali returns with a melodious song KARACHI: According to local media

reports, the song of Sajjad Ali’s ‘Na Tum Samjhe’ is based on the work of poet Saba Akbar Abadi and is a soft, melodic, wistful tune. The lyrics of ‘Na Tum Samjhe’ are easy to follow but the video is not — its ambiguity holds many meanings for viewers. While at one point it might appear that all the characters are trying hard to attain perfection, at the other it appears that they are unable to fully express themselves — both being dilemmas of modern life. Sajjad Ali has composed two new compositions from the film ‘Bol’

C M Y K

BUSINESS

www.thefrontierpost.pk

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

tRaining FoR pEStiCidE SaLE LiCEnCES

MULTAN: Agriculture department has issued training schedule for new and renewal licences of sale of pesticide products. Assistant Director Pest Warning Ahmed Naveed, said that candidates could obtain forms for renewal and new licenses from offices of deputy district officers agriculture. Applicants for new licenses and renewal will deposit Rs 2000 and Rs 500 in State Bank of Pakistan via challan number 32.

The applicants will have to submit matric certificate, copy of identification card, old license and three passport size pictures. —APP

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LSE hoLdS FinanCiaL LitERaCy initiativE SESSionS LAHORE: The Lahore Stock Exchange on Tuesday arranged “Financial Literacy Initiative” under Campus Outreach Programme for the students of National College of Business Administration and Economics, Lahore. At the event Corporate Communications Department-LSE gave a detailed presentation covering all spheres of capital and financial markets. The students were briefly informed about the regulatory framework, market indicators, investment products, financial services & opportunities accessible to investors in Pakistan. Gitee Bhatti, Deputy Secretary, also spoke on various operational matters of the Exchanges including listings, trading and corporate governance. —FB Monitoring

Credit Guarantee Scheme for small farmers

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq

Dar at a meeting on Tuesday approved Credit Guarantee Scheme focusing on small farmers who don’t have any collateral to offer against loans. Farmers with land holding up to 5 acre in canal-fed and 10 acres in rain-fed areas are eligible to apply.

The scheme was announced in the budget for the current financial year, it may be recalled. The minimum loan size is Rs 100,000/- with a maximum tenor of 1 to 1.5 years. Government will share 50% of the loan default risk and it has already allocated Rs. 5 billion for the scheme.

The scheme which is the initiative of the Ministry of Finance, will be executed by the State Bank of Pakistan.

The meeting also reviewed the disbursement of agriculture credit in the FY 14-15. The minister was informed that against total allocation of Rs. 500 billion, Rs. 289 billion had been disbursed by the end of February 2015 which was 32% higher compared to the same period last year.

The Minister expressed appreciation over the growth in the non-farm sector in line with its higher share in the GDP. He also expressed satisfaction over declining trend of non-performing loans in agriculture sector from 18% in 2012 to 11.4% by December 2014. The Minister was also informed that commercial and micro-finance banks had gained momentum in terms of grant of agriculture credits which manifested upsurge in the agriculture sector. Formal launching of Credit Guarantee Scheme will be carried out in a few days.

EXPERTS WANT AUTOMATED INCOME TAX SYSTEM: The Prevention Committee on Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), constituted by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday recommended that more dedicated efforts should be made to

document the economy. The committee also suggested that Automated Income Tax System in FBR should be fully functional so that doors of corruption and misuse of power by Tax Collectors could be closed to increase the volume of revenue in the economy.

The Prevention Committee on FBR was constituted on the directions of Chairman NAB, Qamar Zaman Chaudhry and in its first it recommended that tax net may be increased so that huge money in shape of taxes be collected accordingly.

The committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Saeed Ahmed Sargana, Deputy Chairman NAB to identify loopholes in Taxation Rules, Regulations & Procedures of FBR and to recommend measures to plug heavy leakages caused through corrupt practices.

The committee shared their point of views on basis of their expertise and to reform and improve taxation system. The Prevention Committee comprises serving and retired senior Taxation Officers, private sector, Transparency International, Representatives of State Bank of Pakistan and other stakeholders.

The second session of the Prevention Committee will be held on March 31 after that it will submit its recommendations accordingly to Chairman NAB. The committee is authorized to seek full and complete assistance for all or any documents and information relevant to the subject matter from any department, federal government, provincial government, financial institution, Person or Authority.

On the basis of recommendations, Chairman NAB will form Implementation Committee under NAO 33-C(e). —APP

Trade continues despite torrential rains MUZAFFARABAD: The intra Kashmir Trade and Travel across the Line of Control

(LoC) continues despite heavy rain and snowfall in the Himalayan territory.

According to details, 18 passengers travelled from Muzaffarabad to Sirinagar and two passengers came from Srinagar through bus service while, trucks carrying goods continued their business across the LoC on Tuesday. Similarly, no damage of roads was reported or caused any disruption in the smooth flow of intra-Kashmir trade during the spell. –APP MRI recommends measures to counter threats to mango after rain MULTAN: Mango Research Institute (MRI) Multan Director Dr Hameedullah has advised farmers to immediately drain out rain water and opt for anti-fungus treatment to mango orchards for protection against diseases and pests as the mango passes through delicate flower stage. In a release issued by Punjab Agriculture Department, he said that recent rains increased moisture in the air and raised the risk of Anthrecnose and Bacterial Blight diseases besides attack of a fly called inflorescence midge on mango orchards. Farmers should give some suitable anti-fungus treatment to their orchards after consulting experts while keeping in view the weather conditions. They should immediately drain out stagnant rain water from orchards to avoid threat of 'Sudden Death' disease, he added. The director said that the orchards which have not yet reached flower stage should immediately be treated with spray of one percent Potassium Nitrate. He said that one kilogram Urea per plant be applied when flowers gain maturity. Moreover, spray be applied to counter Powdery Mildew, owever, anti-fungus spray be applied while maintaining duration of 10-14 days. —APP

KARACHI: Labourers are busy in their work without any safety measures on Korangi Road. —Online

New interchanges on Motorways soon National Highway Authority (NHA) is working to finalise the draft policy framework for construction of new interchanges on motorways, not qualifying for government investment criteria but required by private sector for access to a business centers or residential areas.

An official of NHA informed Tuesday that final decision regarding policy for interchanges shall be taken by NHA Executive Board and after approval from Executive Board it shall be presented to the National Highway Council.

He said during planning stage of the project,requirement for an interchange is based upon traffic analysis and economic benefits and government's policies for industrial development along the corridor are also taken into consideration. Replying to a question, he said that PeshawarIslamabad Motorway (M-1) has interchanges at Fatehjang,Bhatar, Burhan, Rashaki, Swabi,Chachh,Ghazi, Charsadda, Northern Bypass and Peshawar Ring road.

Islamabad-Lahore Motorway (M-2) interchanges include Zero Point Lahore, Babu Sabu Interchange,Faizpur Interchange,Kot Abdul Malik Interchange, Kala Shah Kaku Interchange,Sheikhupura Interchange,Khanqah Dogran Interchange, Sukheki Interchange, Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad, Interchange, Makhdoom Interchange, Kot Momin Interchange, Saalam Interchange, Bhera Interchange, Lilla Sharif Interchange, Kallar Kahar Interchange, Balkassar Interchange,Chakri Interchange and M-2-M-1 Junction, IsISLAMABAD:

RAWALPINDI: A baker prepares traditional Baqarkhani as gas supply restores in Rawalpindi. —Online

E-commerce market growing rapidly in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's e-commerce market has grown at an exponential rate in the past few years, giving way to a number of online ventures and increasing the country's annual revenue by $30 million, Gulf Today reports.

The United Arab Emirates' leading daily has said in Pakistan, new online ventures are springing up every other day and existing ones are registering unprecedented growth rates. The newspaper mentioned unofficial estimates and projections by stakeholders, saying that the annual revenue of the country's e-commerce sector has passed $30 million. "There is still a lot that needs to be done if we have to reach the real e-commerce potential in the country and compete with other big players in the region," said Adam Dawood, the country manager for Kaymu.pk. Kaymu.pk a venture by Rocket Internet is one of the many portals in Pakistani e-commerce market and the management says that daily orders have grown more than three times since it completed its first year in the country. E-commerce is widely categorised as a booming sector of the economy. The statistics from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) reveals cellular mobile opera-

tors managed to pass 10 million mobile broadband subscriptions as biometric verification of subscriber identity module (SIM) cards slowed down growth in February 2015.

The total number of third-generation (3G) mobile subscriptions increased to 10.3 million as CMOs added 1.2 million new users to their 3G network in February, according to the PTA, translating to a 14 per cent increase over 9 million 3G subscribers the previous month. February figures indicate a slower growth in 3G sales because the CMOs had recorded a staggering 58 per cent month-on-month increase in 3G subscriptions in the month of January.

The overall cellular user base, too, remained almost stagnant in February.

Telecom sector's overall subscriber base reached 136.6 million during the month under review, a meagre increase of 10 basis points or 0.1 per cent compared to 136.4 million of the previous month.

Both the telecom regulator and industry expert had predicted slower growth for the months of February and March because of the on-going biometric SIM verification campaign. The telecom regulator stated that since the launch of the BVS campaign, 10.9 million SIMs were disowned by users for blocking till

FCCI to participate in Jakarta Textile Expo MUHAMMAD ARIF DOGAR FAISALABAD: Faisalabad Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (FCCI) will participate in Jakarta Textile Expo, said chamber’s president Rizwan Ashraf.

He was talking to His Excellency Burhan Muhammad Ambassador of Indonesia during a special function arranged held Tuesday today.

Rizwan welcomed the organisation of first ever Jakarta Textile Expo-2015 and said that it would not only give a new potential market to Pakistan but also help in further enhancing our bilateral trade. He suggested that Indonesia should consider direct air-links between Faisalabad and Jakarta with one year multiple visa facility to potential exporters and importers on the recommendation of FCCI. He told that China is already issuing one year multiple visas on the recommendation of FCCI and Indonesia should also adopt this system to give a quantum jump to our trade volume. His Excellency Burhan Muhammad said that Indonesia is organizing Textile Expo for the first time at a highest level to make the 60th Independence Day of Indonesia. He said that more than 100 leading firms from Asia and Africa are participating in this Expo scheduled to be held from April 21 to 25, 2015.

He told that President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain has accepted his invitation to inaugurate the Expo. He

said that only four chambers of Pakistan have been officially invited to attend it.

Among these include Faisalabad, Lahore Islamabad and Karachi chambers.

He hoped that being representative of the main Textile City of Pakistan, FCCI will play a major role in making this Expo a total success. He assured that Islamabad Embassy will fully facilitate the participants of this Expo.

He said that participants of this Expo could also explore new opportunities of trade with Indonesia in addition to marketing their textile products in this market. He said that Indonesia is top country of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and could also provide an easy access to its other member countries of this association.

He told that Pakistan has exported 240 million dollar yarn and grey cloth to Indonesia and yet there is huge scope in this market. He hoped that maximum numbers of Pakistani exporters would participate in Jakarata Expo to encash this facility.

Regarding multiple visas, the Indonesian Ambassador asked Engineer Rizwan to send him the details of arrangements already made with China enabling Indonesia to adopt it. During this meeting Mian Javed Iqbal, Mian Farhan Latif and vice president Inaam Afzal were also present in addition to Muhammad Afzal Head Economic and Commercial Section of the Indonesian Embassy.

March 8 the number includes 8.2 million SIMs that were blocked already.

The number of subscriptions came down significantly in February as millions of SIMs were blocked by CMOs recently. Moreover, the cellular operators were barred from selling new SIMs through retail channels, which further slowed their sales. As per current statistics, Telenor Pakistan is leading the mobile broadband market with 3.14 million 3G subscriptions as of Februaryend, 2015, up 15 per cent from 2.7 million the previous month.

It was followed by Mobilink, which had 2.6 million broadband users at the end of February, up 19 per cent compared to 2.1 million of the previous month. Ufone had 2.4 million 3G subscriptions at the end of February, up 10 per cent from 2.2 million of January while Zong had 2.1 million 3G connections at the end of February, up 14 per cent from 1.8 million of the previous month. The number of 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) subscribers increased to 68,184 subscriptions at the end of February, up 39 per cent compared to 49,098 the previous month.

Warid Telecom had 60,923 LTE users while Zong had 7,261 4G users at the end of February. —APP

Family business workshop on 25th

LAHORE: Lahore Chamber of Com-

merce & Industry is holding a workshop on 'Building a sustainable Family Business' on 25th here at the LCCI premises.

The LCCI in collaboration with Q Consulting, arranging a workshop to equip Family Owned Enterprises with tools and training to implement sound Corporate Governance and Succession Planning practices in their business to ensure long term sustainability.

The LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that basic objective of the workshop is to highlight the importance of Family Owned Business. Family Owned Enterprises (FOE) are the backbone of the Pakistani economy and contribute enormously to employment creation, export earnings and the growth of our economy.

He said, many Family Owned Enterprises would not survive from one generation to the next or ever realize their true potential. The break-up of a family business had far reaching implications for the entire family, personal relationships were destroyed and the business could collapse as a result.

He said that corporate governance was an increasingly important area of focus for stakeholders in all organizations and particularly those listed on publicly traded exchanges. Today, all the organizations operating either at large or medium scales were facing ever greater challenges in addressing risk management, business ethics, strategic plans and internal controls, he maintained. —APP

EDITORIAL

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WEDNESDAY

MARCH 18, 2015

Editor-in-Chief & Chief Executive | REHMAT SHAH AFRIDI Resident Editor | RIFAT ALAM Managing Editor | MAJ. (R) JAVED IQBAL Email: thefrontierpost1@outlook.com — rehmatshahafridi@outlook.com Tel: +92 42-36300931-4 Printed and published by Rehmat Shah Afridi at Maidan Press, 10-Queen’s Road Lahore

‘Tribal province’ for country’s sake

T

wo hundred families of IDPs from FATA have started a journey back to their ruined villages. With houses razed to the grounds, roads transformed into ditches, few schools and hospital bombed out of existence there will only be the returning tribesmen’s nostalgia, which every human being feels when away from his or her birthplace feels, which will comfort them.

The Federally Administered Tribal Areas said to have huge treasures of oil, mineral and metals underground and possess the potential of becoming the richest province of the country, if made a province, will look even more desolate and poverty-stricken when the IDPs return after the war on terror than when they were forced to leave their ancestral lands. What is more alarming is that the land of the tribes will be, in the absence of any regular effective administrative set up, as easy prey to terrorists, outlaws and miscreants of all kinds as before.

The presence of Army may provide some respite for the tribesmen but the soldiers have one to handover the charge of governance to the world famous corrupt system of political agents in the tribal areas. Shortly after the creation of Pakistan when the founder of the country Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali was no more, successive governments started cheating the tribesmen out of their share in the national pie. They were not given their due funds either in proportion to their population or their poverty. No resources were allocated for industrialization, education, health or transportation and communication with the lame excuse that the tribes would not allow any development work in their areas.

Tens of thousands of male and female students were living in crowded rooms in cheap localities in the settled areas to study in universities and we were told, we still are being told the same thing, the tribes were not ready to have a college or university. Thousands of doctors from the tribal areas are working in major government hospitals in the settled areas throughout Pakistan and we are led to believe that the people of FATA are not in a mood to let the construction of fullfledged modern hospital in their areas. Thousands of well qualified engineers are working in public and private organizations and we are told that the tribes will not allow an engineering college in FATA. There are thousands of lawyers, mostly in Peshawar, all over the country arguing cases in courts but we are told FATA is not ready for a modern judicial system. There are thousands of trucks and buses owned by tribesmen and we are told the tribesmen hate roads. There always were the toadies of the federally appointed political agents who were ready to create an impression that the tribes were not ready to allow any modern facilities in their areas! The political agents on the other hand were mostly political appointees or were those who had bought these posts for millions of rupees. To keep the tribes uneducated, unhealthy and jobless were in the interests of those who did not want to give the due share of to the tribes or those officials who siphoned funds to their accounts and falsified documents to show that projects were completed.

That was the reason that all past and present federal governments backed off from giving tribal areas, the status of a province. In their selfish and short sighted endeavors to deny funds to the people of FATA, they denied legitimate representation for local and provincial system to tribes. In the end, when the terrorists started establishing their strongholds in tribal areas there was no administrative infrastructure to notice the terrorist camps. It is the nature of a modern bureaucratic setup in democracy that will not allow too overt illegality and violence. Sooner or later it has to come to grips with it and fight back the antistate elements. A case in point is the province of KP that in spite of its close vicinity to FATA, the terrorists could not establish open camps but had to operate covertly. So is the case of Karachi. But there was no regular law enforcing agencies, no municipal structure, no well structured bureaucratic system and no judiciary, no elected provincial government and terrorists were free to establish their strong hold. In fact the whole network of the state apparatus which can fish all kinds of criminals and anti-state elements was, and is, absent.

We strongly advice the third time and current Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, he never fulfill his promises that when he came to power in 1990, to give the status of province to FATA. It would be in accordance with his promise which he made regarding creating new provinces. And if not to keep his promise, at least for the sake of safety of the country, for on a safe and stable FATA can guarantee a safe and secure Pakistan.

I

Lynching justice by Punjab government

n the aftermath of the unconscionable suicide attacks on Lahore churches, the government is showing a great interest in finding out the culprits. But interestingly, their vigour is not concentrated to find out the masterminds of the attackers on the churches, but to locate the people who lynched two Muslims. This is a limited positivity; limited to an extent of a bias that creates an atmosphere to exclude one community from the national mainstream. This is pretty understandable that a weak community will prefer financial compensations to the justice. But the state is supposed to be there to provide justice to its citizens. State has a right to be a plaintiff itself against any crime!

The recent dynamism to catch the culprits of burnt Muslims could have been justified if the culprits of Shanti Nagar would have been caught and executed as per the law, but the culprits of Shanti Nagar started enjoying an extended freedom after observing the similar type of justice by the state. The same happened with the culprits of Bhawalpur firing incidents; same was the end of the Sangla Hill attackers no one met his end; same happened with the attackers of Texila, Islamabad and Gojra Massacre, in fact each of the incident that happened with the Christian community of Pakistan. If burning of two people by the angry mob is important for Rana Sana Ullah’s state of Punjab, the same standards would have been adopted for that Christian couple lynched by an angry Muslim mob in a Kiln, in Kot Radha Kishan. This stance of the government clearly establishes the justice has never been their priority. It’s pressure of some very close friends, who want to exclude the Christian community after the one which was excluded in 1970’s. Here's the rub: Punjab government is at war against its own people, especially those who don't appear much on TV; who are already marginalized. The government of Punjab appears to please Rana Sana Ullah more than any person, any community or any nationality. People keep massacring people in Punjab, but no gesture of sympathy is ever shown by PMLN. Now their wows establish that the government is not on a hunt for the killers, but under this umbrella, they want to teach a lesson to the mob who dared to touch their beloved; their beloved is Metro bus, off course.

Some editorials also stated that the anger shown by the aggrieved Christian masses was not acceptable as their religion teaches peace. This view is quite confusing as is there any religion that does not teach peace? Or is violence a product of faith or the culture? Mob violence is a social behavior, a disturbance of peace by several persons, assembled and acting with a common intent in executing a lawful or unlawful enterprise in a turbulent manner and the fact is that two churches are bombed in Lahore. Before it is properly identified or even begun to comprehend the nature of offenders, Punjab government has, in a rush of publicity and embarrassing rhetoric, cobbled together a "national coalition against harmony".

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Social capital

akistan’s standing among the world in terms of social propensity and well being is 107, below Yemen but above Etopia, Zimbabwe and Central African Republic. I other words we are places on fourth from below according to London-based research organization Per-capita spending on healthcare is the 10th lowest in the world and Pakistan has the 11th highest rate of emigration of intellectuals, professionals, political dissidents.

The context of the above mentioned figure is the fact that every country stands on ten pillars, institutions, infrastructure, macroeconomic environment, health and primary education, higher education and training, goods market efficiency, labor market efficiency, financial market development, technological development and market size. Hence, the first pillar (institution) is directly related to people, they are our basic capital for development and if they are not well equipped and are not related with other through institutions, the body will collapse. This is the reason UN introduce a notion of Social Capital of economy and introduce variables to make them strong.

The statistics used to arrive at these rankings include both objective data such as inflation, world rank is 194.

Mortality rate in world country comparison is 44 , and in case of fertility, country comparison to the world rank 63, heath comparison to the world is 185, education expenditure comparison to the world is 164 pupil-toteacher ratios that is, 30 students per

A

TAARIQ ZEESHAN

measurement of Social Capteacher gives us rank of ital (SC-IQ)- with focus on 109th in the world, and application in developing crime, health expenditure in countries includes, tool aims terms of per capita is hardto generate quantitative ly $40 results in our rank 96 data on various dimensions for health among the world. of Social Capital as part of The country ranks 85th for larger household survey. It citizens’ ability to afford discuses six dimensions infood and shelter, 105th for cludes, groups and netpolitical stability and Nausheen Anwer 103rd for infant mortality nausheen@thefrontierpost.pk works, trust and solidarity, collective actions and co(7 per cent).

But Social Capital measures are pos- operation’s, information and commuitive; about half of Pakistanis surveyed nication, social cohesion and incluhad donated to charity, for example, sion and empowerment and political acand the country is ranked 24th in tions. For countries and communities, terms of people volunteering their time then, rich and poor alike, managing risk, shocks and opportunities to achieve susfor an organization.

Social capital represents to the com- tainable economic development. munity relations that affect personal in- Whether shocks manifest themselves as teractions; usually been used to explain terms of trade declines, natural disasan immense range of phenomena, from ters, strikes, and disputes over access to voting patterns to health to the eco- water, domestic violence or the death of a spouse, those social entities able to nomic success of countries.

The notion of social capital is a use- weather the storm will be those that are ful way of entering into debates about more likely to prosper.

A social capital perspective seeks to go civil society –It is also now being used by the World Bank with regard to eco- beyond primordial “cultural explananomic and societal development and by tions” for these different response management experts as a way of think- strategies, to look instead for structuring about organizational development. al and relational features. DevelopWe examine its nature - and some of the ment is more than just a matter of playing good defense (or getting by), howissues surrounding its use.

It is noteworthy that the social cap- ever; it also entails knowing how to iniital measure is highly significant and tiate and maintain strategic offence has the correct sign. Widespread trust (getting ahead). From large publicin a society stimulates economic private partnerships to village-level growth, in addition to the influence of development programs, success turns capital investment and investment in on the extent to which ways and means human capital. The purpose of the can be found to forge mutually benefi-

cial and accountable ties among different agents and agencies of expertise.

It is in this sense that I argue that getting the social relations right is a crucial component of both the means and ends of development. If the idea and the ideals of social capital help move us in this direction — and do so by encouraging and rewarding greater cross-fertilization between disciplines — then it more than justifies its place in the new development lexicon.

Use of current and new tools (such as the Social Capital Assessment) includes understanding more thoroughly the nature of existing institutions in client countries and their roles in social and economic development. Doing so should help ensure that programs avoid weakening existing positive social capital (as they have sometimes done in the past), and identify areas where stronger social capital would.

Where possible, work with existing social capital, especially people’s associations and organizations, for the design and delivery of projects. This has the potential to (a) improve beneficiary targeting, (b) reduce project costs, (c) enhance sustainability, and (d) strengthen civil society through strengthening these organizations; Facilitate enabling environments that foster the strengthening of social capital in a country. This might include fostering greater interaction between civil society and government, enhanced civil liberties and mechanisms for government transparency, and stronger economic institutions.

Terrorism and our national policy

fter the lapse of over fourteen years of 9/11 followed by “War on terror” being initiated by United States of America & its allies against American claimed “Islamic terrorism” has not only took the lives of millions of people; mostly unconcerned innocents aging from 2 months child to 90 years, but also devastated global peace & inter-religious harmony, which ultimately harvested nothing.

The recent suicidal attacks on two Churches in Youhana-abad& the earlier one on Peshawar Church along with other places, in which over 150 innocent Christians were killed, are not only matter of great concern, but has also raised many questions which need to be answered. “Are American think-tanks conspiring to create misunderstandings between Muslims, Christians & other religions to accomplish its nefarious design of “New World Order” - their longstanding desire to rule the entire world?” is a million dollars question. “Is America not directly involved in widening gulf between Shias & Sunnis, the two major sects of Islam & not providing monetary & static assistance to rebel groups fighting in different Muslim countries?”, is another thought provoking question to drag out facts behind prevailing disastrous situation in The Islamic

world. On one hand Americans alongside their Zionist masters are creating rift between Shias & Sunnis in most of the Muslim countries, while in Pakistan, they with additional support of influential Indian lobby is missioned to portray the image of Muslims as savages, benighted through their trained children “Taliban”.

It is a blatant fact that Taliban acting as a brain child of American & Zionist lobby has given a huge loss, even more than a natural disaster or a war between two powers. Ironically, no example or evidence can be presented in favor of Pakistani Taliban that can classify them among Muslim or even human beings, as up till now they have acted as barbarians, who have beheaded thousands of other Muslims & non-Muslims. Many evidences can be presented for their involvement in thousands of inhumane actions, including abduction for ransom, rapes, homosexuality, “Bhatta”, land-grabbing & smuggling.

These low-life acts can never be justified in the light of Islamic injunctions & are considered as great sins in the same.

It is pertinent to note here that the trend began with former military dictator, Zia-ul-Haq's controversial "Islamization" policies in the 1980s, under which conflicts ignited against Soviet involvement in Afghanistan.

Zia's tenure as President witnessed

Pakistan's involvement in the SovietAfghan War, which led to a greater influx of ideologically driven Muslims which labeled themselves as “Mujahedeen”, to the tribal areas and increased availability of guns such as the AK-47, Kalashnikovs & other dangerous weapons and drugs. The then dictator, General Zia-ul-Haq and Inter-Services Intelligence, in alliance with the CIA, encouraged the "mujahedeen" to fight a proxy war against Soviet forces present in Afghanistan. Most of the “mujahedeen” were never disarmed after the war ended in Afghanistan and some of these groups were later activated at the behest of Pakistan in the form of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and others like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The same groups are now taking on the state itself, proving themselves as the biggest threat to it and the citizens of Pakistan, through the politically motivated killing of civilians, Army personals/police officials & being involved in other inhuman acts. It is also worthwhile to be pondered here, that in an area where the inhabitants are living below poverty line, how can a “particular group” living luxurious life with their dependents being guaranteed a post death wealthy living? This not only signifies the backing of some strong anti-Pakistan and anti-Islamic forces, but

also portrays their filthy mindset, driven through the actions of such a group.

Ironically, these non-state actors are backed by certain internal forces including political parties, civil & military bureaucracy, self-proclaimed religious scholars of a particular sect & civil society. Resultantly, any collaborative stance could not be exercised, despite the on-going military operation, “Zarb-e-Adab”. Despite massive usage of force against these extremists, the state seemed failed so far in curbing out a permanent solution to this menace, mainly due to the stakes of some political parties in the survival of these extremists’ forces.

The nation has witnessed a chaotic blood-shed over the past two decades that has claimed the lives of over 90,000 innocents, with a jolt to the national exchequers in the form of billions of dollars loss faced by the local markets, a steep downfall in the foreign direct investment, diversion in preference of local investors in foreign markets rather than local, deterioration of infra-structure & jeopardized national security.

By drawing a line of demarcation between pro & anti-Taliban mindset, cutting down economic supply lines of extremist forces & by introducing a clear-cut freely driven foreign policy, can the nation achieve peace &prosperity.

The views expressed by the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper KARACHI Office No 402 4th Floor Alflah Court, I.I. Chundrigar Road. Telephone 03213434158 ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI Office No 14 First floor, Qaisar Plaza, Hathi Chowk, Sadar Rawalpindi. Telephone: 0313-5106612 MULTAN 61 Ali Imran Centre Abdali Road. Telephone: 0300-63773133

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OPINION

WEDNESDAY MARCH 18, 2015

I

Crime and punishment…

n the Eastern Indian city of Kolkata, a group of burglars ransacked a convent. There is nothing strange about the burglars breaking into other people’s property, because this what burglars do. However, it turned out that they were not burglars, but rapists. While robbing the place they gang raped a 75 year old nun.

These rapists elaborated a very disturbing fact. It turns out that in India rape is something like a supplementary activity. While people commit other crimes, they try to boost their adrenaline levels by raping women.

Raza Ali I don’t want to make it sound as if rape is a disease. No sir it kachora@yahoo.com is a conscious choice. Exactly 2 years and 3 months ago on December 12, 2012 a group of drunken, partying friends, raped a young medical student in a public service bus, in the administrative and political heart of India. They went to the extent of not only brutalizing her sexually, but extracting her insides through her private parts, using a metallic object. India came out into the streets, following that act of brutality against a woman. The crime evolved into a more gruesome act, when Jyoti died in a hospital in Singapore, just a few days later. The government of India spent millions of rupees on curbing civil unrest. They staged a very good show of trying to make amends.

A number of NGOs received huge foreign funds to fight the menace of sexual abuse in India. Indian and international media fed on the evil news of brutalization of a human life. A lot was said and supposedly done, but…

Since December 2012, there have been multiple cases of gang rape across India. In one of the more known cases, four women were sexually abused and then hung to death. And now this recent rape of a 75 year old woman. The list is endless. But my purpose is not to talk about the statistical impact of this heinous crime. I want to look into another aspect of social and administrative indifference. Following Jyoti’s rape and murder, the police very swiftly arrested the criminals. Among the five rapists, one was a juvenile (15 at the time). The Indian penal code, which is a remnant of the British penal code, does not allow the application of harsh punishments for juveniles. So at the end of the case 4 rapists were sentenced to death and the juvenile was sentenced to 3 years of imprisonment. One of the 4 adult criminals committed suicide in jail. The other 3 have filed appeals in the Supreme Court of India. They have a legal chance of escaping the noose.

Alas, Jyoti had no chances, legal or medical.

Strangely enough the “boy” was grown-up enough to rape a girl and participate in extracting her bowls, but was juvenile enough to be forgiven and just being slapped on the wrist. Just 9 months from now in December 2015 a convicted rapist will be given the right to enjoy the joys of life.

Let me look a little closer to my own being in Pakistan. It has been exactly three months now since the slaughter of around 150 innocent children and staff in a Peshawar school.

A group of religious extremists entered the school and slaughtered children in dozens upon dozens. This proved to be a shocker. A nationwide alarm went off. It seemed as if the people of Pakistan had woken-up from their extended sleep. The law enforcement switched to emergency mode and it looked as if the extremists had called the God’s wrath upon themselves and there was nothing to save them now. However, within the last three months, there have been multiple attacks on Imambargahs, including the attack in Rawalpindi and Shikarpur, claiming tens of lives. Then we had attack on a Shiite mosque in Peshawar, a bomb blast in Chaman, bomb blast near police lines in Lahore and a score of attacks on security check posts killing many civilians and military personnel.

On Sunday 15 March, two suicide bombers detonated themselves outside two churches in Lahore, claiming at least 15 lives. Following the bomb attacks the Christian community from the affected area and across the country came out on the streets and another kind of social reality was unveiled. The angry crowds burnt two people to death, because they suspected the persons in question to be related to the earlier bomb blasts near the church. This administration of the so-called justice, by the mob, is not right at all. However, do they have any other alternative?

Let us look at what has been going on in Pakistan following the Peshawar attack. There has been a lot of political and administrative turmoil, but believe me none of that has anything to do with you and me. The people in power, both civil and military, spent most of their energies on deciding, who is who. But in the last three months, what I have seen on the judicial front is the release, arrest and again release of Lakhvi. Grant of bail to Ishaq of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Softening of Mumtaz Qadri’s sentence and inability of Pakistani government to serve an arrest warrant issued against Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid. During the hearing of Mumtaz Qadri’s case, in Islamabad High Court, the defence counsel, who happened to be a retired Higher Court judge, argued that Qadri did not commit any crime and that all charges against him should be dropped. Of course the esteemed court did not comply with the demands, but did play its part in softening the charges. The point of the matter is not the motive of Qadri’s crime. Following the proceedings in the High Court, now Qadri will launch an appeal in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He will avail all legal chances of avoiding punishment for his crime. But Salman Taseerwas devoid of chances by the same criminal, who is seeking pardon. Following the church bombings in Lahore, I noted another very shocking social fact. People, like leaders and influential voices issued their statements of condolences very readily. In countries like Pakistan, one always keeps such statements handy, because you never know when you might have to issue a statement to condole “loss of human life”. But, the shock did not come from the speed of issuance of statements. I was stunned to read and hear that everybody condoled the death of 15 Christians. They did not condole the death of 15 Pakistanis or 15 human beings.

Nevertheless, why am I shocked? This is normal practice in our country. After attacks against JamaatAhmadiyya in Lahore, we condoled the deaths of Ahmadis. After the attack on a mosque in Peshawar, we condoled the death of 19 Shias. After the massacre of 85 people in Quetta, we condoled the killing of Hazaras, so on and so forth. We will keep on dying at the hands of the extremists and anti-social elements, as long as we will not learn to value human life. Unless we accept everyone as Pakistani, above and beyond their ethnic or religious belonging, we will be vulnerable. We are too good at finding justifications. Even Confucius could not find any excuse for Jyoti’s rapists and murderers, but the defence lawyers in that case did. According to a TV interview of one of the lawyers, what happened to Jyoti was partially her fault, because she dared come out of her home after dark. According to that lawyer, Indian culture did not allow girls/women to leave home unless accompanied by their husbands, fathers or brothers. So according to that “servant of law” the convicted rapists and murderers were not at fault. It was Jyoti, who brought it upon herself. Similarly, as I mentioned earlier, men of law in Pakistan also think that Qadri did not commit a crime. However, Salman Taseer was wrong, because just like Jyoti, he brought it upon himself. To give you a broader understanding of the problem, I would just like to tell you that one of the Bangladeshi cricketers, who is part of the team playing in CWC2015 has an ongoing rape case against him in a Bangladeshi court. However, the court and the government of Bangladesh considered it suitable to close their eyes about his sexual misdemeanour, because he was needed for the greater good. Unfortunately 15 more Pakistanis died on Sunday and may be, before these words will roll off the printing machine a few more Pakistanis might lose their lives somewhere in this country, which they call theirs.

D3

Civilizing implementation of NAP

S

TARIQ BABUR

ince the parliament passed the 21st amendment in the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, action goes on the celebrated 20-points’ national action plan (NAP) announced in the backdrop of December 2014’s brutish genocide of 149 including 133 children in army public school Peshawar.

The NAP includes establishment of military courts to trial terrorism cases, banning of armed outfits, strengthening and reactivation of NACTA, proscription of literature, newspapers and magazines involved in spreading hate, sectarianism, extremism and intolerance, elimination of funding sources of terrorist organizations, prohibiting proscribed organizations to operate under another name, establishment of special anti-terrorism force, preventing religious extremism and protection of religious minorities, registration and regulation of religious seminaries, embargo on airing the views of terrorists in the print and electronic media, speeding up of administrative and development reforms in FATA for expeditious return of IDPs, dismantling of terrorists’ communication networks, stopping spread of terrorism on the Internet and social media, elimination of terrorists’ networks in areas of Punjab, persistence of ongoing operation in Karachi until its desired finale, conferring complete authority to the Balochistan government for broader political consensus, decisive action against sectarian elements, development of comprehensive policy for Afghan refugees including their registration, criminal law reforms and strengthening of provincial intelligence organizations and constitutional amendments and legislation to make all above possible.

Undeniably, lifting of ban on exe-

cution of death sentences has traumatized criminal bravado of the coldblooded outlaws who used to wave victory signs during judicial trials.

Punjab government has passed amendments in laws, and special ordinances for maintenance of public order, security of vulnerable establishments, and regulation of loudspeakers in mosques except for Friday Arabic sermon and Azan. Government’s determination to curb terrorism and extremism is undoubtedly above board yet there is still voluminous room for civilizing the actions taken for implementation of the national action plan by police and law enforcement agencies.

Usually, before initiating criminal proceedings under various special laws, a fact finding enquiry is conducted and FIR is lodged at concerned police station under relevant provisions of law with prior approval of the competent authority. Same procedure is followed for criminal proceedings taken against corrupt officials of government under anticorruption laws. National Accountability Bureau too functions on similar lines. Situation is but exclusively different in criminal proceedings under recently promulgated Punjab Sound Systems Regulation Ordinance 2015, Punjab Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 and Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Ordinance 2015, etc. Instead of ensnaring the influential culprits, old-fashioned action continues. Thus, the same typical Muharrar of the police station, Head Constable Allah Dad keeps on lodging FIR under section 14 of security of vulnerable establishments’ ordinance, against Rehmat Khan Son of Hakim Khan, sole owner of the sweets shop situated in Chak No. XYZ R.B. upon typecast narrative of constable Ramzan. Text of the FIR also reads

like it used to be since centuries Whereas Rehmat Khan Son of Hakim Khan is running a business in Lacs at his sweets shop (on a covered area of ¼ Marla) in “central chowk” of the village but has not employed a chowkidar for security of his “business empire,” hence the FIR. Actions being taken under sound systems regulation ordinance are virtually alike. Ignorant to criminal laws, prayer-leaders of suburban mosques are the soft targets of this ordinance. Complaints have been eavesdropped where prayer-leaders of some mosques were apprehended immediately after Friday prayers under charges of violating the sound systems regulation ordinance, without hearkening to their alibi, thus horrifying the congregations. This is, indeed, inopportune in a country created in the name of Islam.

As a matter of principle, proper record of all masjids, prayer-leaders and mutwallies as well as their sects should be maintained in each district and updated on periodical basis. The task may be assigned to upright senior officials of LEAs preferably those proffering prayers regularly. Instead of harassment, the prayer-leaders and clergymen should be treated with reverence during such data collection exercise.

The prayer-leaders of masjids indeed deserve such esteem as they sacrifice most of their lifetime in managing religious sacraments. After maintaining the record, area magistrates and SHOs may convene meetings of the prayer-leaders of masjids located in their area of jurisdiction and brief them about provisions of the sound systems regulation ordinance and likely criminal proceedings upon violation of its provisions. Briefings may be conducted in presence of district-level and renowned clergymen of each sect in a genial manner.

Grievances vis-à-vis injudicious detentions under MPO have also been heeded where religious persons working with business sector’s philanthropists for arranging funds for welfare projects were interned, merely upon stereotype intelligence of lower-subordinates in the police’s special branch. For sure, an inept official may become blue-eyed boy of his boss by ascribing such imprudent actions to national action plan. But the question is, whether goading of hatred through such nonsensical steps and indiscreet exploits against middle-class entrepreneurs and underprivileged prayer-leaders of masjids shall help controlling terrorism and extremism or shall lead to produce new antagonists for the state and its institutions?

It is, therefore, de rigueur to conduct impartial fact finding probes, preferably by judicial officers, before detaining an accused person under the newly promulgated special laws.

Moreover, if prayer-leader of a masjid violates the sound systems regulation ordinance owing to his naivety or ignorance, he may be issued stern warning rather than incarcerating him in a prison. Criminal proceedings shall be last resort against peaceful prayer-leaders and middle-class shopkeepers as such action creates problems for their destitute families and leads to desertion of masjids and annoyance of Almighty Allah. Nevertheless, if a sectarian activist deliberately violates the sound systems regulation ordinance or delivers hate speech against other sects or religions, such element must be dealt with iron hands right away.

The writer is serving as senior superintendent of central jail Faisalabad. Views expressed in the article are entirely personal and must not be attributed to government policy.

—tariqbabur@hotmail.com

A case for democracy

T

BY MUHAMMAD NAUSHERWAN ABBASI

he study of history is incomplete without an analysis of the various forms of government, both in terms of their socio-economic effects on the lives of people and the reasons for their emergence. Germany’s rule under Hitler and Stalin’s rule of the Soviet Union are used to enrich the aforementioned analysis.

Historically, military dictatorships have been the most common form of non-democratic rule because they tend to assume power through the claim that they are a ‘proletarian’ form of democracy. These dictatorships appeal to democratic ideals and use them to strengthen their rule, such as when Napoleon Bonaparte came into France following the downfall of the Directorate. He used a plebiscite to enshrine his laws and assert himself as what was essentially an emperor, which is understandably a non-democratic role. These military dictatorships generally do not last very long and have an average lifespan of no more than five years. This is because militaries (unlike most political parties), lack complex and nuanced or long-term agendas. Their proclaimed and often genuine goals are usually simplistic and short term, such as returning the rule of law and stability to the state.

Their longevity is also compromised rather ironically because once they have seemingly delivered on what they originally promised, they lack a firm manifesto and thus, fade away. Their general lack of aim beyond solving a particular crisis of law and order is limited, and hence their

ideology or lack thereof, limits the longevity of their rule.

Having established how a lack of ideological commitment hampers military rule, we will now look at how certain governments are able to exercise such harsh control. Within these non-democratic regimes, there are different extremities of concentration in rule. We can generally break these broad types of governments down into Authoritarian Governments and ones that rule in Totality. Within Authoritarian Systems, the form of rule constricts individual freedoms in favor of obedience. It removes political institutions (legislatures, political parties etc.) and eliminates opposition through incarcerating dissenters or anyone with criticism for the political setup. Power is concentrated within the executive branch of the government. Totalitarian Rule is a more extreme version and unlike Authoritarian Rule where political institutions are the only ones in the government’s hands, it takes control of all economic and social institutions. This absolute control over state machinery explains why ideological manipulation is easy for totalitarian governments.

The importance of a secret police, which aims at crushing dissent and establishing terror, is crucial in authoritarian governments. The presence and fear of an indispensable leader such as Hitler also makes ideological control for the totalitarian state easier. Both of these systems encroach on individual freedoms and rights, but the degree to which they do this partially defines what category they fall under.

Ideology plays perhaps a larger role in defining a non-democratic form of rule than its ruler does.It gives meaning to the reason behind its existence. For example, the importance of communism to the USSR and our understanding of it is more important than its prominent leaders like Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Lenin. Major ideologies that have shaped our current world demographic include fascism and communism. Fascism was a radical nationalist form of rule that found strength in the tumultuous position of Europe following the First World War and the Great Depression. As an ideology it inherited from both the left and right (though largely from the right) and was therefore, in opposition to ideologies like Communism and Traditional Conservatism. It is the extreme nature of such ideologies that ties in with totalitarian control as they demand strict adherence and are often termed revolutionary. Furthermore, it would also be unfair to alienate circumstances from ideology, as it was the events that followed the Post World War I period which allowed Hitler to gain mass support for his extreme proposals.

Communism, or at least a form of it, found itself in Russia following the overthrow of Tsar Nicholas II and the fall of the Mensheviks in 1917. As an ideology it stood on the far left, proposing that the current system of rule in place in the world was inherently oppressive towards the common man, and called for an overhaul of the former systems of government and economy. Though there would be various forms of Communism in East-

ern Europe and even Asia, the one in the Soviet Union was largely Totalitarian (more so than any fascist system because it also targeted the peasantry). Since the change proposed under such regimes was radical, it necessitated adherence by the masses.

Those who stood in opposition were killed, exiled, or imprisoned. Support for the regime was gained by the creation of socially atomized masses which were a product of the attack on the capitalist structure. The implementation of policies such as the First Five Year Plan lead to a radical change in the dynamics of the economy, causing much unrest among the peasantry. Leaders such as Stalin believed that at such a time, the least they could afford was dissent amongst the people and opposition and this led to them exercising control in totality.

In explaining why democracies are the most preferable system of government, people often argue that they are the ‘lesser evil’. When they make this claim they are comparing it to a non-democratic setup which is often dismissed as inherently unjust. But even if we believe that non-democratic systems need to be abhorred, there is no doubt that they have been of significance throughout the course of history.

They have helped us understand how regimes use ideology and circumstance to rule the people. Their existence has also allowed us to see the contrasting forms of rule that can exist within the world, from democratic systems all the way up to totalitarian rule and everything that lies in between. (The writer is a student at Aitchison College Lahore).

man’s problems. Recently, an acrimonious protest was held outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore by some oppressed disabled persons, who were jobless. They besieged the Punjab Assembly building and were raising slogans for the implementation of the promise made to them by the Punjab government about three months ago. At that time, the government had announced that it would redress their grievances within 24 hours, but failed to fulfil its promise so far. Those sitting at the helm of affairs must address the concerns of these poor souls. I hope that the government would pay attention to resolving the problems of the disabled and their families would be able to take a sigh of relief.

governance that attracts people. Such leaders do not indulge in nepotism, favouritism and family politics. Rather, they provide opportunities to other talented persons to come forward and serve the general public with their potential abilities. In the case of Pakistan, our political parties have not attained maturity so far. Our leadership needs to reflect on the style of running government affairs. As a matter of fact, maturity and a sensible approach cannot be achieved only by speaking in front of people. It comes with the development they project in their tenures and how they take steps for the growth of every individual.

in Islamabad. Various amenities including streetlights, maintenance of footpaths, roads and other infrastructure in the markets would be provided. One thing I would like to point out is that footpaths in the federal capital really need to be reconstructed. It is the most neglected area where the CDA should pay more attention. Footpaths in almost all sectors of Islamabad are in dilapidated condition and have been encroached upon by the land mafia. No pedestrian can use footpaths due to increasing commercialization. They are so uneven that no one can walk on them easily.

The CDA should design and refurbish all footpaths on both sides of roads in residential areas of all sectors in Islamabad. Moreover, all the roads should have markings where bicyclists and motorcyclists could commute in order to stop their zigzag movement on roads in front of motor vehicles. It will ensure smooth traffic and reduce road accidents.

LETTERS TO EDITOR

Please send your letters to editor@thefrontierpost.pk

Precious human life Sixteen precious humans lives have so for been lost due to two barbarian attacks in Yuhannabad Lahore on Sunday. Terrorist attacks were launched on innocent Christian brethren during their Sunday prayers. This is not first attack on any nonMuslim place of worship in Pakistan. Prior to this similar attacks were seen by Peshawar , Karachi, Faisalabad and Murree within last two years. Pakistani Christians have suffered most in such brutal acts by Pakistani Muslims. Even their sitting Federal Minister Mr Shahbaz Bhatti was shot dead while coming out of his home in I / 8 Islamabad. No arrests have so far been made. Even no serious probe was conducted. There is long list of attacks against non- Muslims living in Pakistan. In certain cases , complete villages and dwellings were burnt to ashes , Badami Bagh and Gojra are two recent examples. Few months ago a Hindu couple was burnt alive in Kasur. Without going into the debate whether the founder of Pakistan envisaged a sec-

ular or religious country, he definitely was mindful of minorities rights in Pakistan.

Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his 11 Aug 47 speech, had specifically emphasized equal rights for all faithholders living in Pakistan. He also promised in his speech that non Muslims living in Pakistan shall be protected. Alas, our political leadership has so for failed to provide safety and security to them albeit political rights. The non Muslims feel so insecure that if it was possible they would flee from this country. Government officials always resort to the excuses to get rid of or accepting responsibility. Rhetoric of foreign hand to destabilize Pakistan and conspiracy theories are just excuses. In fact The Government is neither commited nor has resolve to protect minorities in Pakistan. This is high time to take practical steps like making all worship places safe through mobilizing local influential, integrating police with local people, mobilizing masses for intelligence gathering, capacity building of police force and removing police from protocol duties.

Motorway from Lahore to Karachi The Karachi–Lahore Motorway Project is a very good initiative taken by the government that will help bring economic development in the country. This project is going to have an auto-revenuegenerating effect. Besides giving employment to thousands of individuals, the construction of industrial areas along the motorway is going to propel the sluggish economy. I hope the political parties would appreciate the positive steps taken by the government in the national interests and refrain from destabilising the current political set-up.

IBNE-SALEM LAHORE

Grievances of disable persons

SHIREEN HASHIM TURBAT

Our leadership flaws

FARHAN JUMANI KARACHI

Convenient around markets

It was heartening to learn that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Under the cover of so-called mega projGood leaders do not vie for power and is going to initiate a programmed to NAEEM ASHRAF ects, the Punjab government is hiding its PRINCIPAL ATIN GT ROAD , MANDRA incompetence in resolving the common authority. In fact it is the style of their upgrade roads, markets and footpaths

ABDUL WARIS KHAN ISLAMABAD

BUSINESS CMYK

D4

Greek PM hastens Russia visit amid cash crunch

ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Alex-

is Tsipras has brought forward to April a visit to Russia, officials said Tuesday, as Greece faced mounting pressure from its European creditors and a cash shortage.

Tsipras, a former communist, will visit Moscow a month earlier than scheduled, the government said.

The Greek premier had already planned a Moscow trip on May 9 for Russia's annual Victory Day parade, which this year will commemorate the 70th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II. "The prime minister will visit the Kremlin following an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin," a government source said without giving reasons for the change of date.

But Greek daily Ta Nea said it was linked to the cash crunch Athens is facing because it has not received the funds remaining in its 240-billioneuro ($255-billion) EU-IMF rescue package as creditors have demanded to approve first Greece's revised reform plan.

Athens "sought to bring forward" the meeting with Putin owing to "stifling economic conditions caused in the country from the European side," the daily said on Tuesday.

Upon taking office in January, Tsipras immediately set about trying to renegotiate Greece's hugely unpopular EU-IMF bailout, but at the same time his hard-left government has made no secret of seeking closer ties with Russia.

Days after he came to power, Greece protested against a European Union statement threatening further sanctions against Russia over the crisis in Ukraine.

The new foreign minister Nikos Kotzias later said that the EU should avoid "spasmodic" moves against Russia.

According to reports, Greece is seeking an exemption for its agricultural products from a retaliatory Russian embargo imposed on EU goods last year. Greece is still locked in discussions with its European and interna-

tional creditors about its planned reforms, and Tsipras on Monday said he was confident that a European summit later this week would provide a breakthrough.

Tsipras is also hoping that his first visit as prime minister to Berlin next Monday for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel will help Athens' cause, and calm an ongoing war of words between Greek and German officials.

On Tuesday, Athens said Tsipras has also asked to meet along with Merkel other key actors in the Greek crisis - French President Francois Hollande, EU Commission chief JeanClaude Juncker and European Central Bank president Mario Draghi -- on the sidelines of the EU summit which opens Thursday.

Athens has scrambled to raise 6.0 billion euros this month for debt repayment, but it has made little progress on persuading the European Central Bank to allow Greek banks to help out by purchasing state debt.

The ECB is also holding back on 1.9 billion euros in Greek bond profits, until Athens reaches a reform deal with its international creditors.

The debt-wracked country managed on Monday to scrape together over 500 million euros to repay the International Monetary Fund. But it faces another debt deadline Friday when it has to pay over 300 million euros to the IMF, and redeem 1.6 billion euros in treasury bills.

To meet the payments, Athens will auction 1.0 billion euros in threemonth treasury bills on Wednesday.

Greece's harshest critic, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble this week warned that a disorderly Greek euro exit or "Grexident" -playing on the terms "Grexit" and an accident -- could not be excluded.

"To the extent that Greece is solely responsible and decides what is to happen, and we don't know exactly what Greek leaders are doing, we can't exclude it," Schaeuble told Austrian broadcaster ORF. —AFP

Sony confirms Q3 net profit, annual loss TOKYO: Sony on Tuesday said its

net profit for the three months to December more than tripled from a year earlier, but confirmed it was on course to incur an annual loss.

The improvement stems mainly from a weak yen, increased sales of smartphones, robust PlayStation console businesses and strong demand for image sensors for cameras, the firm said.

This increase was partially offset by a significant decrease in sales in other operations, it said.

It was "primarily related to Sony's exit from the PC business, and a decrease in sales in the Pictures segment, mainly due to lower Motion Pictures and Television Productions sales," it said.

Sony posted a net profit of 90 billion yen ($742 million) for the October-December term, the company said in a finalised earnings report. Sony published provisional estimates in February as final numbers were delayed after a cyberattack at its Hollywood film unit -linked to North Korean satire "The Interview" -- compromised "a large

amount of data". The 90-billionyen profit was slightly up from the 89 billion yen the group estimated in February, and more than three times bigger than 26.4 billion yen in the same quarter of 2013. Sales grew 6.5 percent from a year earlier to 2.56 trillion yen and operating profit more than doubled to 182.1 billion yen, up from earlier estimated 2.55 trillion yen and 178.3 billion yen.

The company said it expected to lose 170 billion yen in its fiscal year ending on March 31, confirming its February estimate.

It also confirmed its projections of 20 billion yen in annual operating profit and 8.0 trillion yen in sales.

The finalised net-loss estimate is down by more than a quarter from a loss of 230 billion yen the group warned of last year.

Sony has struggled in the consumer electronics business that built its global brand, including losing billions of dollars in televisions over the past decade as fierce competition from lower-cost rivals pummelled the TV subsidiary's finances. —AFP

WEDNESDAY

MARCH 18, 2015

China firm seeks $100b from Qualcomm

BEIJING: A Chinese semiconductor

Catalunya Caixa Bank’s security members block two demonstrators at the entrance of the bank's office during a demonstration against mortgage debt called by PAH (Platform of people affected by mortgage) anti-eviction platform in El Prat de Llobregat. —AFP

Gulf corporate earnings up 10% in 2014 KUWAIT CITY: Corporate earnings in the

energy-rich Gulf states rose 10 percent last year, for the first time surpassing their highest level before the global financial crisis, a report said on Tuesday. Net profits of the 658 listed companies on the seven bourses of the Gulf Cooperation Council states reached $68 billion in 2014 compared with $61.7 billion the previous year, investment firm Kuwait Financial Centre (Markaz) said in a report.

It was the first time Gulf corporate earnings had surpassed $63.2 billion, which was recorded in 2007 a year before the financial crisis hit.

The net profits of GCC companies rose by 6.0 percent in the second half of last year compared with the same period in 2013, Markaz said.

The growth came despite GCC stock markets being battered in the second half of 2014 because of the sharp fall in oil prices.

The six-nation GCC consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.

Markaz projected that GCC companies' earnings will rise by 5.5 percent to $71.2 billion in 2015.

Banks, financial services and real estate sectors accounted for most of the increase in profits which were dragged down by a 10 percent decline in the telecommunications sector's earnings, Markaz said.

The UAE led with the highest growth in corporate profits, recording a 32-percent rise, followed by Bahrain with 11 percent and Kuwait at 8.0 percent.

Qatari companies saw their profits grow by 6.0 percent, while Saudi Arabia and Oman rose by a mediocre 3.0 percent and 2.0 percent respectively because of the oil price fall.

Saudi petrochemicals giant SABIC, the largest listed Gulf firm in terms of capitalisation, topped the list with the highest profit at $6.25 billion despite a 7.0 percent fall on 2013, Markaz said. —AFP

France, Germany, Italy to join China-led infrastructure bank

PARIS: France, Germany and Italy on

Tuesday announced plans to join the Chinese-led development bank AIIB, despite scepticism in Washington about the institution.

The three European countries want "to become founding members of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)", they said in a statement.

The $50 billion AIIB has been feted by Beijing as a way of financing regional development, but it is seen as a potential rival to US-based institutions such as the World Bank.

Washington, Tokyo and Seoul have declined to become founding members -but within a week, Europe's four biggest economies have signalled plans to join.

London on Thursday announced its ambitions to be the first Western country to join the bank, in a move to bolster relations with China.

At a joint press conference with Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai on Tuesday in

Berlin, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said his country along with Italy and France "want to bring our long experience ... to help the bank build a solid reputation".

"We want to make a contribution to the positive development of the Asian economy, in which German companies are actively taking part," he said.

China and 20 other countries signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the Beijing-headquartered bank in October.

Responding to reports of European interest in the bank, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said: "We welcome countries to join the AIIB as prospective founding members."

"The AIIB is an open and inclusive multilateral investment institution," the spokesman said, adding that "participation by countries outside the region will intensify the extensive representativeness of the AIIB." —AFP

Lufthansa, Germanwings face new pilot strikes FRANKFURT: German airlines Lufthansa and Germanwings will be hit by a new 24-hour walkout by pilots on Wednesday, grounding short- and medium-haul flights across Germany, unions and management said.

The pilots' union Cockpit called on its members to stop work between 2301 GMT on Tuesday and 2259 GMT on Wednesday in a long-running dispute over early retirement provisions.

Cockpit had originally said the industrial action would only affect Lufthansa itself and not its Germanwings and Eurowings subsidiaries.

But Lufthansa said in a separate statement that flights operated by Germanwings would indeed be affected.

"Despite the strike, the Lufthansa group will be able to operate most of its around 3,000 daily services and offer most passengers alternatives on other flights," Lufthansa said.

"Overall, the airlines of the Lufthansa group will be able to operate around two thirds of its timetabled flights."

Cockpit staged a long series of walkouts last year over management plans to change the pilots' transitional pension arrangements. —AFP

Asia markets mostly up, weak US data temper rate talk HONG KONG: Asian stock markets

mostly pushed higher Tuesday, while the dollar eased after weak data appeared to pour cold water on talk of an early summer US interest rate rise.

The poor figures on US manufacturing and industrial output helped propel Wall Street higher, providing a strong lead for Asia.

Tokyo climbed 0.99 percent, or 190.94 points, to end at a 15-year high of 19,437.00.

Sydney rose 0.77 percent, or 44.4 points, to 5,842.1 after minutes from the Australian central bank's latest meeting suggested it could cut rates again soon.

Shanghai advanced 1.55 percent, or 53.54 points, to 3,502.85 -- its highest close since May 2008 -- and Seoul rallied 2.14 percent, or 42.58 points, to 2,029.91.

However, Hong Kong gave up morning gains to end down 0.20 percent, or

48.06 points, at 23,901.49. The US's main indexes charged higher Monday after news industrial production in the world's top economy barely rose in February following two consecutive months of declines. The data was only pulled higher by heating demand during unusually cold weather.

Also, manufacturing declined for the third straight month, by 0.2 percent, as automakers curbed output.

The Dow surged 1.29 percent, the S&P 500 jumped 1.35 percent and the Nasdaq rallied 1.19 percent.

The readings came as the Fed prepares to hold a two-day policy meeting starting Tuesday, which will be closely watched for clues about its timing for a rate increase.

Expectations have been high for an increase as early as June after a strong jobs report at the start of the month, but they have been tempered by the latest figures, as well as data Friday showing falling producer prices. "In-

vestors got back into their everythingbad-is-good groove" after the factory reports, said Tony Farnham, an analyst in Sydney at Patersons Securities Ltd, according to Bloomberg News.

"There is still a general expectation that the Fed will remove the word 'patient' from its April rates decision commentary.

This would deliver the Fed increased flexibility on the rates front, something that those investors desiring neverending sugar fixes dread."

In foreign exchange markets the dollar was at 121.36 yen Tuesday, compared with 121.35 yen in New York late Monday.

The euro, which hit a 12-year low Monday below $1.0500, bought $1.0567 against $1.0565 in US trade.

The single currency also fetched 128.26 yen compared with 128.21 yen in New York.

In oil trade, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate eased 42 cents to

$43.46 and Brent fell 30 cents to $53.64.

Gold fetched $1,153.82 against $1,156.82 late Monday.

-- Taipei added 0.28 percent, or 26.53 points, to 9,539.44.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co gained 2.05 percent to Tw$149.0 while Fubon Financial Holding edged down 0.18 percent to Tw$56.5.

-- Wellington was down 0.10 percent, or 5.99 points, at 5,905.41.

Contact Energy added 0.32 percent to NZ$6.29 but Spark was down 0.16 percent at NZ$3.14.

-- Manila closed 0.75 percent higher, adding 58.15 points to 7,789.10.

-- Kuala Lumpur added 0.41 percent, or 7.33 points, to 1,787.87.

Malayan Banking rose 0.77 percent to 9.16 ringgit, Public Bank gained 0.33 percent to 18.40 while Telekom Malaysia shed 0.14 percent to 7.02 ringgit.

-- Jakarta ended flat, rising 3.88 points to 5,439.15.

Cement maker Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa gained 1.35 percent to 22,475 rupiah while palm oil producer Astra Agro Lestari fell 0.86 percent to 26,250 rupiah.

-- Singapore closed down 0.18 percent, or 6.09 points, to 3,369.05.

DBS Bank rose 0.41 percent to Sg$19.76 while agribusiness company Wilmar International fell 1.24 percent to Sg$3.19.

-- Bangkok closed down 0.18 percent, or 2.73 points, at 1,512.84.

Telecoms company AIS gained 3.75 percent to 249.00 baht, while Bangchak Petroleum lost 2.22 percent to 33.00 baht.

-- Mumbai gained 1.05 percent, or 298.67 points, to end at 28,736.38 points. Aluminium giant Hindalco Industries rose 5.75 percent to 134.20 rupees, while IT major Infosys fell 1.10 percent to 2,241.95 rupees. —AFP

company will seek a $100 billion penalty against Qualcomm for trademark infringement, it said Tuesday -almost as much as the US mobile chip titan's entire market capitalisation.

The claims from Shanghai-based Genitop Research come after Beijing fined the US firm nearly a billion dollars for monopoly offences.

Genitop, which develops Chinese character information processing software and semiconductor chips, sued Qualcomm last year, alleging it had infringed its China-registered trade marks by using the Chinese phrase Gaotong in its Chinese company name and product brand.

Genitop says it registered the phrase, which means "high communication", as its trademark in 1992 and demanded 100 million yuan ($16 million) in compensation.

The case has yet to be decided but Genitop said Tuesday it will ask the Chinese government to probe Qualcomm's "trademark infringements" in the country.

It would seek an "administrative penalty" of $100 billion, Genitop's lawyer Chen Ruojian said, adding that under Chinese law, such penalties can be set at three times a firm's sales, and Genitop arrived at the figure by combining three years of Qualcomm's turnover in China.

"We will file a formal, written and open application with the State Commerce and Industry Administration for investigations and a penalty against Qualcomm," Chen told reporters.

Qualcomm representatives in China could not be reached for comment by AFP. An email to the firm's US headquarters was not immediately answered.

The case is the latest travail to beset the Californian giant in China.

Qualcomm said last month that it will pay 6.088 billion yuan and modify its business practices in China to end an official anti-trust investigation. That fine was equivalent to eight percent of Qualcomm's 2013 sales in China, authorities said. Beijing has said the probe -- which formally started in November 2013 -was triggered after unnamed industry players complained the firm was abusing its market dominance to charge high prices. Over the past two years, Chinese authorities have stepped up scrutiny of foreign firms, launching sweeping investigations into alleged malpractice in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals to baby formula. —AFP

New Malaysia airline eyes $1.5b Bombardier deal KUALA LUMPUR: A new Malaysian air-

line said Tuesday it intends to buy 20 Bombardier CS100 aircraft in a $1.47 billion deal as it looks to tap Southeast Asia's fast-growing travel market.

The new firm, flymojo, made the announcement at the start of the five-day International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition in the Malaysian island of Langkawi.

The deal would mark the first sale in Southeast Asia of the Canadian company's new twin-engine, medium-range jet.

It also includes the option to purchase a further 20 planes, possibly increasing the value to $2.94 billion. The announcement comes after a devastating 12 months in the Malaysian aviation industry, which has seen the fatal loss of three airplanes. The new airline will be based out of Johor Bahru, in Johor province, and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.

"The announcement of a new airline in Malaysia is an exciting way to kick off LIMA," Aziz Kaprawi, deputy transport minister, said in a statement. —AFP

Indonesia holds interest rate at 7.5% to support rupiah JAKARTA: Indonesia's central bank held its key interest rate steady on Tuesday as Southeast Asia's biggest economy seeks to support the rapidly weakening rupiah, following an unexpected cut in February.

Bank Indonesia's board of governors kept the rate at 7.50 percent, as expected. Last month the bank surprised markets with a 25-basis-point cut, the first reduction in the rate for three years, as policymakers sought to boost the slowing economy. But after the move helped to drive the rupiah to a 17year low, Indonesia's central bank decided to stand pat Tuesday, bucking the trend among other Asian countries that have recently slashed their borrowing costs.

Following the decision, the rupiah strengthened 0.6 percent to 13,165 against the dollar -- the biggest gain in almost eight weeks, according to Bloomberg News. Bank Indonesia spokesman Tirta Segara told reporters the decision was also in line with the bank's efforts to keep inflation in check and rein in a stubborn current-account deficit. —AFP

WEDNESDAY

www.thefrontierpost.pk

MARCH 18, 2015

BRIEF Dr Shakil Afridi’s counsel gunned down PESHAWAR: Dr Shakil Afridi’s counsel, Samiullah Afridi, was gunned down by unidentified attackers in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital on Tuesday.

Terrorists hit him when he was on way to home in Aslam Dheri area of Peshawar’s Mithra neighbourhood. Sources revealed that Samiullah Afridi repeatedly received threatening calls forcing him to drop Dr Shakil Afridi's case and move abroad for his safety.He recently had returned to Pakistan after living abroad for three months as he had fled the country after receiving threats from militants. –Online

Rangers deployed at 57 Islamabad churches ISLAMABAD: In wake of current security situation in country, rangers have been posted to guard 57 churches among 180 which are located in federal capital. According to sources, Christian’s religious places have been alienated into 2 sections. 57 churches have been put in (A) category, whereas 123 churches have been placed in (B) category.

Rangers and Police are monitoring the security of the 57 Churches located in category A, with strict checking underway. Whereas only police unit have been posted for the guarding of churches located in Category B. –Online

Rawalpindi to be sealed on 23rd RAWALPINDI: Police have pre-

pared a fool proof security plan, to provide security for 23rd March parade which will be held after a gap of 7 years. According to detail, City Traffic Police officer Israr Ahmed Abbasi has issued special orders to seal entire district of Rawalpindi for the parade. Extra police personnel’s will be posted at various entry point of the city, whereas strict checking and surveillance is underway of People entering the districts. –Online

US condemns church attacks WASHINGTON: The United States has strongly condemned Sunday's attack on people at two churches in Lahore, while expressing solidarity with the government and the people in confronting the extremist violence. "We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Pakistan in confronting this type of extremist violence," State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said. –Online

12 death-row prisoners executed ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday

hanged 12 convicted murderers in prisons across the country, the highest number in a single day since the government lifted a six-year moratorium on capital punishment, officials said. Ten of the convicts were hanged in Punjab, while two others were executed in Karachi, according to prison officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. –AFP

Terror can rise in Afghanistan, says Iran

WASHINGTON: The Iranian ambassador

to the United Nations has warned that the recent increase in armed attacks, acts of violence and terror in Afghanistan should be a matter of deep concern for all regional countries.

“Insecurity, instability and poverty provide the most fertile grounds for the rapid growth and reemergence of violent extremist groups and ... even now footholds for ISIL in Afghanistan," Gholam Ali Khoshrou said on Monday in an address to the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, Press TV reported.

“We condemn all violent attacks committed by these terrorist groups as well as any cooperation with them, since we believe this will embolden them in their behavior and will be counterproductive to establishing peace in Afghanistan,” he added.

The Iranian envoy urged the international community to remain fully committed to its undertakings and respect the Afghan sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity.

He added that Tehran, considering its deep cultural and historical ties with Kabul, has always supported peace, stability, security and socio-economic development in Afghanistan.

“To us, security in Afghanistan is tantamount to security in our borders and in the region,” the Iranian am-

bassador said.

Khoshrou further expressed Iran’s readiness to improve cooperation with Afghanistan, particularly on security matters, counter-narcotics efforts, developing projects and durable solution for Afghan refugees.

He added that the two countries have the potential to expand economic cooperation in the fields of infrastructures and agriculture as well as trade and transit.

The Iranian diplomat expressed concern over reports indicating that the opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan has been almost doubled since 2012.

“It is a real threat to the region and beyond and should be addressed by the international community,” he said.

Iran's UN ambassador further stressed that Afghan authorities and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) should deter the menace of drug cultivation and trafficking.

“This is not only a major public health challenge, but also, and more importantly, a main source of income for extremist and terrorist groups,” Khoshrou added.

He urged the international community to support the “useful” initiative on cooperation among Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan on ways to counter narcotics, saying it would be beneficial to Afghanistan and transit and destination countries. –FP Monitoring

Rangers file case against MQM chief KARACHI: In another dramatic develop-

ment after Rangers raid at Nine Zero last week, a case was registered against MQM chief Altaf Hussain in Karachi.

The case was registered at Civil Lines Police Station in Karachi.

The case was filed by a top Rangers official under anti-terrorism charges.

Under the charges labeled in the case, the MQM chief is accused of giving threats to Rangers and law enforcement officials. The case is registered under section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act 1997.

Section 7.1 of the ATC reads, “A person commits an offence if he- (a) directs, at any level, whilst resident in Pakistan or abroad, activities of an organization concerned with the preparation, instigation or commission of acts of terrorism; or (b) directs, from within the country or abroad, activities connected with the commission, preparation or instigation of an act of ter-

rorism.” According to reports, Colonel Tahir of Rangers has filed case against the MQM chief.

This is the first case against Mr. Hussain after all cases against him were quashed under National Reconciliation Order (NRO). –Online

Gunmen kill 2 women anti-polio workers and cop in Mansehra PESHAWAR: Gunmen on Tuesday killed two women anti-polio workers and a police guard in northwest Pakistan, the latest in a spate of deadly attacks on the immunisation teams. Police said two attackers fired at the workers as they gave polio drops to children in the mountainous Sheikhabad area, 60 kilometres northeast of the city of Mansehra. "The two-member team was administering polio drops in an Afghan refugee camp and its surrounding areas when two gunmen opened fire on them, killing one lady worker and a policeman and wounding another lady worker and a passerby," local police chief Muhammad Ejaz Khan told AFP. He said the second woman polio worker later died of her wounds. Another senior local police official, Akhtar Hayat, confirmed the incident and casualties. Pakistan is one of only three countries where polio remains endemic. Attempts to eradicate it have been badly hit by militant attacks on immunisation teams that have claimed 77 lives since December 2012. The terrorists claim the polio vaccination drive is a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims. Last year the number of polio cases recorded in Pakistan soared to 306, the highest in 14 years. –AFP

Indian Congress President Sonia Gandhi (C) walks towards the presidential palace in protest against land reforms proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday. –AFP

3 British judges sacked for watching porn

UNSC urged to tackle Afghan terror threat

LONDON: A disciplinary inquiry revealed

there had been “inexcusable misuse” of the judges’ IT accounts. AP File Photo Three British judges were removed and one resigned following a probe into an allegation that they viewed pornographic material on official computers, according to media reports.

The disciplinary inquiry was revealed by the judicial conduct investigations office, which found that there had been "inexcusable misuse" of their IT accounts, The Guardian reported. The body announced that district judge Timothy Bowles, immigration judge Warren Grant and deputy district judge and Recorder Peter Bullock were removed.

Recorder Andrew Maw resigned before the disciplinary process ended.

"The lord chancellor (the justice secretary, Chris Grayling) and the lord chief justice (Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd) were satisfied that the material did not include images of children or any other illegal content, but concluded that this was an inexcusable misuse of their judicial IT accounts and wholly unacceptable conduct for a judicial office-holder," a statement released by the JCIO said. –FP Monitroing

UNITED NATIONS: Asserting that terror groups cannot remain active in Afghanistan without "systematic state support" from "beyond" its borders, India has asked the UN Security Council to act against this security threat with a sense of urgency.

Reiterating its commitment to "stay the course" in Afghanistan, India told the UNSC that the main source of instability in the war-torn nation is terrorism and not ethnic rivalries.

Expressing concern over the security situation inside Afghanistan, India has cited UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon's latest report which said the number of security incidents in Afghanistan was the second highest in 2014 after 2011 when al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was neutralised.

The secretary general's report "substantiates our view that it is terrorism, and not tribal differences or ethnic rivalries, which is the main source of insecurity and instability in Afghanistan," India's Ambassador to the UN Asoke Mukerji said at the Security Council debate on United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA).

He said that the terrorist groups, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), are active despite efforts of the valiant NEW YORK: Pakistan has urged interna- personnel of the Afghan National Setional community to actively support curity Forces and the international proposed reconciliation process between Afghan government and Taliban, to promote peace and stability in the country. Speaking in the UN Security Council on situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan's UN Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi assured that Islamabad would provide all possible support to facilitate the move.

TEHRAN: Iran and the United States She said, those who disrupt the peace have agreed on 90 percent of the process should be discouraged. technical questions in bilateral talks She said President Ashraf Ghani's on Tehran's nuclear programme, an talks with Prime Minister Muhammad Iranian official at the Lausanne Nawaz Sharif during his recent visit to negotiations said on Tuesday.

Islamabad have resulted in a strategic "We have agreed on 90% of the shift in Pak-Afghan relations. technical issues" in the negotiations She said, leaders of the two countries with US Energy Secretary Ernest share a vision of partnership based on Moniz, the head of the Iranian Atomcommon security and economic inter- ic Energy Organisation Ali Akbar ests.Maleeha Lodhi said, they have com- Salehi said, quoted by state televimitted not to allow their respective ter- sion's website. ritories to be used against each other.

"In most of the issues we have Referring to Zarb-e-Azb operation, come to mutual agreements -- we she said, all terrorist groups have been have differences only in one major targeted without any distinction. issue which we will try to solve in She welcomed President Ashraf this evening's meeting" between Ghani's resolve to bring Pakistan-based Iran's Foreign Minister MohamAfghan refugees back home. –Online mad Javad Zarif and US Secretary

Pakistan wants world to back Afghan peace process

Iran, US 'agree on 90pc of technical issues'

IS terrorists stall Iraq's Tikrit offensive SAMARRA: Iraq's huge offensive to

retake Tikrit from the Islamic State group was stalled on Tuesday by a slew of bombs and the several hundred terrorists holding out in the city.

While Iraqi troops and militia were able to surround the jihadists in Tikrit with relative ease, ousting them from the city's streets has proved far harder.

"The battle to retake Tikrit will be difficult because of the preparations (IS) made," said Jawwad al-Etlebawi, spokesman for the Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a Shiite militia that is playing a major role in the operation alongside the regular army.

"They planted bombs on all the streets, buildings, bridges, everything. For this reason, our forces were stopped by these defensive preparations," Etlebawi told AFP. "We need forces trained in urban

warfare to break in," he said, adding that the jihadists are surrounded, "but any besieged person fights fiercely."

The operation to recapture Tikrit, the capital of Salaheddin province, began on March 2. Iraqi forces have tried and failed three times before to retake the city, which was the hometown of executed dictator Saddam Hussein.

Interior Minister Mohammed Ghabban said on Monday that the latest operation had been halted to avoid casualties and protect infrastructure.

But it is unclear how stopping operations against the jihadists for anything other than an extended siege would change either of those situations, unless Iraqi forces receive additional external support such as air strikes.

Staff Lieutenant General Abdulwahab al-Saadi, the head of the military

command responsible for Salaheddin, told AFP on Sunday that Iraqi forces in Tikrit needed air support from the USled coalition. Saadi said that he asked the defence ministry to make the request to the coalition, but that no air support had yet been forthcoming.

Iraq has formed paramilitary units dubbed the Popular Mobilisation force to fight alongside the regular army.

It is made up largely of Shia but the government has attempted to recruit Sunni Arab volunteers to it to join the battle in overwhelmingly Sunni Arab Tikrit. IS posted pictures on Tuesday of the beheadings of four men it said what were recruiters for the units in Salaheddin province.

The images show the men dressed in black kneeling in an empty street with knife-wielding militants standing behind

coalition forces.

"It is obvious that their activity cannot be sustained without systematic state support from beyond Afghanistan's borders," Mukerji said adding that reports indicate these groups are mutating into more virulent forms, in a region already impacted by terrorism.

"The Council must act against this threat with a sense of urgency," Mukerji said.

He said it is a critical decade of transformation for Afghanistan and reiterated India's commitment to "stay the course" in the war-raveged country.

The Security Council extended UNAMA's mandate till March 17, 2016.

Unanimously adopting the resolution, the Council underscored the importance of sustainable democratic development in that country with all national institutions acting within their defined competence.

Condemning all attacks targeting civilians, Afghan and international forces, the Council expressed strong concern over the recruitment and use of civilians by the Taliban and other violent and extremist groups.

Mukerji noted that the UNAMA must continue to play a leading role in shaping and coordinating the international community's efforts to assist Afghanistan's political and economic reconstruction process. –Online

them, after which they are pictured being beheaded.

IS has carried out numerous atrocities in areas it controls, including public beheadings and mass executions as well as enslavement and rape, and caused millions to be displaced.

IS spearheaded a sweeping offensive that overran large areas north and west of Baghdad last June.

It also holds significant territory in neighbouring Syria, where it has taken advantage of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, now in its fifth year, to oust government forces and rival rebel groups from a swathe of the east and north.

Assad has sought to exploit international outrage at the atrocities committed by IS to consolidate his grip on power. –AFP

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of State John Kerry.

Salehi appeared more optimistic than a senior US official at the talks in the Swiss city, who said key disagreements remain ahead of a March 31 deadline to agree the outlines of a major nuclear deal.

Zarif and Kerry met for almost five hours on Monday before Zarif went to and from Brussels to meet European foreign ministers and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini.

The Iranian and US top diplomats met again on Tuesday morning.

Political directors from the other five world powers involved -- Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany -- began arriving in Lausanne on Tuesday and were due to meet on Wednesday, the EU said. –AFP