E-Paper Dec 04, 2012

Religious leader’s killing sparks violence in Karachi STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Ten persons in-

OGRA recommends CNG ban for cars STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) recommended a ban on the use of CNG in private cars on Monday.

Ogra put forward its recommendations to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, saying that only rickshaws, taxis and public buses should be allowed to run on CNG, while all private cars should be transferred to petrol.

The committee agreed with the recommendations and said that a six-month deadline should be given to private car owners to switch their cars from CNG to petrol.

The committee, requesting the CNG association to reopen

cluding a religious leader Molvi Ismail of Ahsan ul Uloom and a Police Officer were shot dead in separate terrorism incidents here on Monday.

The cleric of Ahsan ul Uloom was killed after his car was fired upon by some unknown persons on Abul Hassan Isphahani road. The incident triggered provocation among the people who targeted the

cars and other vehicles standing at CNG stations with sticks and broke their panes. The traffic flow was suspended. The shopping centers were closed.

Heavy contingent of police and rangers cordoned off the area on receipt of information of massive vandalizing by the mob. The rangers took into custody 10 persons who were found involved in looting liquor sale point.

Police said Molvi Ismail was teacher in Jamia Ahsan ul Uloom in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. It may be recalled that 6 students of this

seminary were gunned down 20 days back.

The infuriated protesters pelted stones on vehicles following this firing incident and subjected the passers by to violence leaving two citizens injured. They torched the tyres and blocked the road . Two vehicles were also set ablaze near Fazal Mill. Traffic flow was diverted to other side on Rashid Minhas road. Exchange of fierce firing continued around

Continued on Page 7

Nawaz calls for consensus on KBD Khwaja Muhammad Hoti joins PML-N TARIQ SAEED PESHAWAR—Pakistani Muslim League-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif while advocating for the construction of more dams called for building nationwide consensus over Kalabagh Dam.

“Until and unless there is complete agreement among all sides, the issue of construction of Kalabagh dam would not be resolved; hence the nation needs to make a joint decision for this to make it a successful project.”

Chief of his own faction of

Continued on Page 7

Russia, China urge North Korea to drop rocket launch plan MOSCOW/BEIJING—Russia

Malik to address Balochistan Assembly today

Sharifs’ NAB references

LHC reserves ruling on petitions

PML was talking to media on the occasion of joining his Party by senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and former Federal Minister, Khwaja Muhammad Hoti in R AWALPINDI —The Lahore Mardan on Monday. He was High Court’s Rawalpindi bench Continued on Page 7 on Monday reserved its judgment on petitions seeking quashment of three corruption references prepared by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Pakistan Muslim LeagueN President Nawaz Sharif and his family members.

The division bench of the LHC, comprising Justice Khwaja Imtiaz Ahmed and Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan, heard the petitions. During hearing, Khawaja Harris Ahmed, the counsel of Sharif family, and NAB prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar concluded their arguments after which the bench reserved its ruling.

The corruption references relate to the Hudaibya Paper Mills, Ittefaq Foundries and Raiwind assets. —NNI

and China urged North Korea on Monday not to go ahead with a plan for its second rocket launch of 2012, with Moscow saying any such move would violate restrictions imposed by the U.N. Security Council.

North Korea’s state news agency on Saturday announced the decision to launch another space satellite and reportedly told neighbors it would take a similar path to that planned for a failed rocket launch in April. MARDAN: PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif talking to media on Monday.

“We urgently appeal to the government (of North Korea) to reconsider the decision to launch a rocket,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. North Korea on

Continued on Page 7

KARACHI: A Rangers’ mobile patrolling on Rashid Minhas Road after ransacking by demonstrators on killing of a Madrassah’s cleric on Abul Hassan Isphahani Road. —Photo Imran Gilani

Pakistan supports Afghan owned peace process: Kayani Hina, Rasmussen discuss bilateral relations

President Zardari arrives in Seoul S EOUL —President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Seoul on Monday on a three-day state visit to South Korea.

A high official of South Korea received the President at the airport. During his visit, he will discuss with his Korean counterpart Lee Myung-Bak the whole gamut of bilateral ties between the

Picture on Back Page

RAWALPINDI—Chief of Army

Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said Pakistan wholeheartedly supports an Afghan GHULAM TAHIR owned and led process.

QUETTA—Federal Minister He was addressing a joint Rehman Malik who was due to meeting of the Political and Seaddress in camera session of curity Council and the European Provincial Assembly Balochistan Monday postponed Union Military Committee at his visit and now in the-camera Brussels on Monday. session will be held today.

Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqat Ali Magsi has convened the session of the Assembly Monday on the advice of Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam MUZAFFAR ALI Raisani.

Deputy Speaker Matiullah LAHORE—Despite clamorous Agha chaired Monday session efforts after its restoration, and after brief session Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal adjourned it for today. Speaker (MMA) has failed to hold its Aslam Bhotani declined to maiden meeting since October preside over the session 18 and three consecutive anmaintaining that the provincial nounced meetings have been Government has lost its deferred due to certain reasons. mandate to govern the province Though this time, MMA in the light of the leadership is determined to hold its first meeting by the end of Continued on Page 7 this month sources in MMA told this scribe that the future of MMA is still bleak as it has failed to woo any major political party of the country for for-

Ambassadors and delegations comprising defence and military officials of 27 EU nations participated in the interactive event. The discussion encompassed situation in Afghanistan and its effects on regional peace and security.

Speaking at the forum, Gen Kayani highlighted Pakistan’s

perspective on these issues with particular reference to the nation’s contribution and sacrifices in the war on terror. Commenting on reconciliation in Afghanistan, he reiterated Pakistan’s wholehearted support to an Afghan owned and led process. Meanwhile, Foreign Min-

Continued on Page 7

two countries. The two leaders will also share views on regional and international issues of mutual interests.

PML (Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Makhdoom Ameen Faheem and Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar are accompanying the President.—Online

MMA future still bleak mation of grand politico-religious alliance for the upcoming general elections. This was the main hindrance for conducting meetings.

The sources said another reason of delay in holding MMA meeting is that the JUI-F is launching independent flight to make decisions regarding electoral alliance or have seat-to-seat adjustment with other political parties. At the time of restoration of MMA it was decided in principle that the religious group, soon after restoration of the MMA, would prepare a strategy for seat adjustments with other

parties. The sources claimed that MMA’s first meeting was called, in the first week of November, after Eid-ul-Azha but this was deferred because most the leaders of the component parties of the alliance were performing Hajj in Saudi Arabia or present in other countries on their personal tours.

The sources further said then November 15 was proposed to hold meeting and this was again deferred due to certain reasons and later this was going to be held by the end of November which was also postponed. The sources claimed that now the MMA

meeting will be held by the end of December prior to the dawning of New Year but this is also not going to be held since Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Chief Jamiat Ulama Islam (JUI-F) and main component party of the alliance, was deliberately delaying it since Maulana was waiting for the caretaker setup which is expected to be announced in the moth March 2013.

On the other hand, the sources further revealed that third reason of delay is dilly dallying attitude of JI in join-

Continued on Page 7

President accords assent to Criminal Law (Amend) Bill ISLAMABAD—President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday on the advice of the Prime Minister, accorded his assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was first passed by the National Assembly on 11th November 2010. The Senate passed the said Bill on 3rd May 2011 with amendment and returned the same to National Assembly. The National Assembly again passed the Bill, as amended by the Senate, on 14 November 2012 without any amendment.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012 seeks to criminalize illegal business of and dealing in fake prize bonds.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari on the advice of the Prime Minister gave his assent to the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan Bill 2012.

The Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan Bill 2012 was passed by National Assembly on 8th October 2012 and by Senate on 13th November 2012.

The Bill aims to establish the Intellectual Property Organiza-

PM hints at Human Rights defenders appointment SHARAFAT KAZMI ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was briefed about the working of Ministry of Human Rights here on Monday and the Prime Minister accepted in principle a proposal for the appointment of Human Rights defenders in the Ministry.

The Prime Minister welcomed a proposal made by the Ministry for including Human Rights as a subject in educational institutions and directed the ministry to present a detailed working paper for the consideration of the Cabinet.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. He apprised him about his visit to Iran and his

meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today.

Talking to Minister for National Heritage and Integration‚ Samina Khalid Ghurki the Prime Minister said promotion of culture can play an effective role in presenting the soft image of Pakistan.

In a meeting with Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Karamatullah Khan Prime Minister Pervez Ashraf said address of the President Asif Ali Zardari to the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Assembly has opened a new chapter in the democratic annals of the country.

The prime minister awarded cheque of six hundred thousand rupees to Chairman Special Journalist Welfare Committee Syed Ibrar Kanwal in Islamabad on

Continued on Page 7

Reko Diq case

Trade pacts must adhere to local laws: CJ I SLAMABAD —Chief Justice big, its sovereignty was imporIftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has said it was necessary to adhere to local laws in trade agreements and that every country had made it compulsory for foreigners to follow their laws.

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing the case constituting of identical petitions filed against the federal government’s decision to lease out gold and copper mines in Reko Diq in Balochistan’s Chagai district to foreign companies.

The Chief Justice said that whether a country was small or

tant. With regard to states enforcing their laws on foreigners, he gave the example of India’s handling of Pakistani artists Adnan Sami Khan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

During the proceeding, the chief justice remarked that terrorism had reached its furthest limit in Pakistan.

He added one could find businessmen in Balochistan who had no businesses running in the province. The bench directed Advocate Khalid Anwar, the counsel for the Tethyan Cooper Company (TCC), to conclude his arguments during today’s hearing. —NNI

tion of Pakistan.

The Government of Pakistan is obligated to ensure adequate protection of Intellectual Property Rights in the country for domestic and international rights holders alike being signatory to the agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

The Concepts of IP Tribunals and IP Advocacy are introduced in the Bill to ensure effective protection, management, enforcement and adjudication of Intellectual Property Rights in Pakistan.—Online

Two policemen killed in Peshawar blast PESHAWAR—At least two police men including a sub-inspector were killed and two others wounded in a targeted attack on a police van by detonating explosives at Badaber, Kohat Road near Shabkhel police station on Monday.

Talking to media persons, SP Rural, Javed Khan said that the explosion was carried out by a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and two

Continued on Page 7

Christian charity worker shot in Lahore LAHORE—Gunmen shot a female Christian charity worker from Sweden in Lahore on Monday leaving her hospitalized, police said.

Bargeeta Almby, 72, was returning from work when she was attacked by unknown assailants in the upmarket locality where she lives.

“She was returning from her office and was attacked when she arrived in front of her home in Continued on Page 7

Iran, Pakistan fail to agree on gas pipeline investment TEHRAN—Iran and Pakistan failed to reach an anticipated agreement on the joint investment needed for the pipeline that will carry gas from the South Pars field to the energy-starved South Asian country, Iranian media reported.

The visiting Pakistani Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Asim Hussain and Ira-

Continued on Page 7

Govt focusing on women’s well-being G UJAR K HAN —First Lady Begum Nusrat Pervez Ashraf on Monday said the government is working on mega projects aimed at the wellbeing of women in the country. Addressing a gathering of women after attending a Mehfil-e- Milad held at Changa Mera village here, Begum Nusrat said participation of women in national development was significant for the country’s prosperity.

Earlier, the Mehfil-eMilad focused on offering of Durood-o- Salam and Naa’ts.

Prayers were held for the solidarity of country. The First Lady later distributed sewing machines among the needy women to help them earn livelihood through respectable means.—APP

BISP to provide Rs 25,000 as health insurance to poorest families: Farzana STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Farzana Raja has said that under Health Insurance Programme of BISP, Rs. 25000 health insurance will be provided to the poorest families for the first time in the country. She said this while giving a briefing to China Investment Corporation (CIC) delegation which is currently on a visit to Pakistan to explore the investment avenues in different fields. She informed the delegation that the pilot

project for the health insurance has been launched from Faisalabad.

Giving details of the programme, Ms. Raja informed the delegation that BISP is an independent authority with the President being the Chief Patron and Prime Minister as the Executive Patron. About the BISP’s aim, she said BISP is the marshall plan and the flagship programme of the government for women empowerment and poverty alleviation. Chairperson BISP told the delegation that there is no doubt about the transpar-

ency of the programme and there is a proper check and balance system of the utilization of funds.

She said the hallmark of BISP is disbursing hundreds of billions of rupees among the deserving families with complete transparency.

Farzana Raja said more than seven million beneficiary families have been identified through Poverty Score-card Survey for disbursing Rs 1000 per month and billions of rupees have already been disbursed till date amongst poorest of the poor.

“Waseela-e-Haq is first ever

initiative for provision of interest free loans up to Rs 300,000 to help the recipients set up small businesses”, she said.

Counseling, monitoring and training for starting the business is provided through Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF).

She informed the Chinese delegation that BISP bill had been unanimously passed by the National Assembly and the Senate based on its performance. Farzana Raja said that PPP government believes in empowering females in the country and that

M ZAFAR ANSARI T OBA T EK S INGH —DCO

OUR CORRESPONDENT Q UETTA —Doctors’ continued their strike at government hospitals in the province here Monday on 48th consecutive day. Out-patients departments and operations theaters were closed in all government-run hospitals including Bolan Medical Complex hospital, Sandeman Provincial hospital, Fatima Jinnah hospital and others.

President Pakistan Medical Association PMA Balochistan chapter, Dr. Sultan Tareen said that doctors would continue their strike until FIR against them is withdrawn, their services are reinstated and their position is restored at per 19th of November. Meanwhile, All QUETTA: A deserted look of Civil Hospital’s OPD due to doctors’ strike.

Balochistan Private Hospitals Association also appealed to the government to resolve the issue as doctors are also not visiting private hospitals because of strike, due to which patients are suffering difficulties and hardship.

Ex-AG Sardar’s murderer in Afghanistan, SC told

‘Gas Mafia’ further burdens common consumers SHER GONDAL MANDI BAHAUDDIN—“Gas mafia” has again increased price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by up to Rs 15 per kg which would further put huge burden on domestic consumers.

In Mandi Bahauddin, domestic cylinder is already sold for Rs 1,700 and now its price would shoot up to more than Rs 2000. It may be mentioned that domestic LPG cylinders are purchased by those who could not get CNG connections due to lack of contact with local PPP leaders.

The CNG consumers use gas over a month and their bills do not exceed Rs 1000 whereas consumers using LPG have to purchase three to four gas cylinders a month to prepare meals. This disparity is felt seriously by LPG consumers. Besides, cylinder has less than 12 kilograms LPG and the LPG sellers refuse to weigh the cylinder when requested by customers. Complaints made to authorities concerned in this regard bear no fruit.

I SLAMABAD —The Supreme Court on Monday was informed that the main accused Roohullah in the murder of former Attorney General Sardar Khan has gone to Afghanistan and will soon be arrested and brought back to the country. A three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh and Justice Gulzar Ahmad heard the proceedings of the case of escape of the main accused in killing of former AGP Sardar

Khan. During the course of the proceedings, Islamabad Police submitted a progress report regarding the arrest of Roohullah.

The Chief Justice remarked that efforts of Islamabad Police and Rawalpindi Police are not appreciate able in apprehending the accused Roohullah. The Islamabad Police informed SC that they are making efforts to arrest Roohullah, but the progress is very slow in this regard. The Rawalpindi Police informed SC that raids are be-

ing made in the houses of relatives of Roohullah in Peshawar and Abbottabad, but currently the main accused Roohullah is present in Afghanistan.

The Chief Justice ordered that positive progress should be made in the case within two weeks. The Islamabad Police sought 4 weeks time to arrest Roohullah. But the court granted them 2 weeks time to arrest the accused.

The SC subsequently adjourned the hearing till 18th December.—Online

Foundation stone of Paksponsored school laid in SL I S L A M A B A D —The

High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Seema Ilahi Baloch, along with Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapksa and Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Badiuddin laid the foundation stone of the Al-Aksha Maha Vidyalam in Salam Baikulam, Vavuniya, says a message received here on Monday.

The Government of Pakistan has sponsored the

construction of this school building in the resettled village of Salam Baikulam in Vavuniya Town of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka to support education sector development drive of the Sri Lankan government.

The newly constructed school will be catering to the local population of Salam Baikulam area. Presently, the school is offering qualifications up to O Levels and has an enrolment of over 465

male and female students belonging to all the ethnic groups of Sri Lanka including Sinhalese, Tamils, Christians and Muslims.

The said school project was identified by the High Commissioner of Pakistan during a visit to Vavuniya in July 2012. During the visit she observed that despite having limited facilities in the existing school building where 3 classes were being conducted in a single class room.—INP

Imran for avoiding confrontation on KB Dam RAZA NAQVI A TTOCK —Pakistan Tehriki-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that Kalabgah Dam and big reservoirs are essential for the country but care should be taken to avoid any confrontation among the provinces.

This he said while talking to newsmen at the residence of ex-MPA Syed Ejaz Bukhari in Attock on Monday. Among others PTI leaders, Javed Hashmi, former state minister Malik Amin Aslam, former environment minster, Syed Wajid Bukhari and Qazi Ahemd Akbar were also present on the occasion.

He further said that coming election will between the emotion of youth and landlords and ultimately PTI’s youth would be won. He said that political parties will utilize their money on the elections in a bid of pre-poll rigging as they have looted billions in shape of development schemes. He said that now the destiny of our country is in the hands of our youth and PTI will conduct across the board accountability of the corrupt politicians.

Punjab health dept evolves disaster management KHALID BUTT

T

HE department of health is planning to launch two special programs for the southern Punjab in close collaboration with the community and health experts to address provision of health services to the population and specifically target the poor looking at options to provide them services through the private hospitals also.” This was stated by Director Punjab Health Reforms Program, Doctor Amjad Shehzad, in a workshop ‘Protecting Pakistan’s Poor Against Health Shocks In Disasters’.

A survey of 6000 households in the southern districts of Punjab for household health expenditures revealed that the poor households reported lower levels of private consultation compared to the non-poor households, poor households were more likely to cite cost as a barrier to accessing health care than non-

poor households: 38.9% for poor households versus 33% for non-poor households.

Higher rates of impoverishment were recorded for rural households compared to urban households: 15.8% versus 9.4% based on national poverty line. Another important fact was that although the floods affected all the population it is the poor who still have more health issues compared to the non poor.

Dr. Amjad said that the department of health has arranged for the consultation on policy option and as a first step the relevant technical experts have been called to initiates a dialogue on the policy options to address the situation. He said that The Punjab department of health has demonstrated the capacity to respond to all types of emergency and disaster situations and in cases where the capacity required strengthening serious efforts have been undertaken to enhance the department’s capability, e.g. the dengue unit in response

to the dengue epidemic.

He said that there have been concerns regarding Punjab Health Department’s capacity to respond properly to disasters; however, a detailed analysis of the PSLSM (Pakistan Social Living Measurements survey) data that the 2010 floods did not worsen the difference in access to health between flood affected and non-flood affected districts, and led to improvement in the health services delivery in flood affected districts. The 2010 floods increased the likelihood of households in flood affected districts receiving treatment for diarrhea by 10 percent. The floods did not affect the access to pre and post-natal care. The data also does not show an increase in Out of Pocket Expenditures for health care post flood which proves that the health response to the disaster was adequate.

A very important aspect is that although the floods hit the poor and rich equally, it is the poor which are still

struggling with health related issues and require continued attention. Data from the PSLSM indicates an overall decline in the percentage of children suffering from diarrhea over time; from 12.3% in 2005-06 to 11.1% in 2010-11.

There is nevertheless an increase in diarrhea incidence between the last two rounds, driven mainly by an increase in diarrhea incidence in flood affected districts (9.9% in 2007-08 to 12% in 2010-11).

Dr. Amjad said that despite the overall progress in access to maternal health services, the level of service delivery remains low, particularly for women seeking post-natal care within 6 weeks of last delivery. “Predictably, these figures are higher for the non-poor in comparison to the poor,” he said adding that the flood affected districts also shown a consistently lower level of service utilization for Antenatal Care, Post natal care and skilled Birth Attendant across all 3 rounds.

“Although over time we see improvements in the immunization rates, interestingly the immunization rates for the non poor in the flood affected districts are systematically lower than those for the poor in the non flood affected districts, which shows that the system is not able to reach a majority of the people in the districts which later were also affected by the floods,” Dr. Amjad added.

He said that the Government of Punjab is working on health sector reforms and has prepared a detailed strategy to supplement the ongoing efforts the department of health initiated a study to look at the impact of the floods and disasters on the population of Punjab.

The funds to support this initiative were provided by the Rapid Social Response (RSR) trust fund which has been generously supported by the Russian Federation, Norway, the United Kingdom and Australia.

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Medical College also participated in this camp. Lectures on WAH CANTT—Be realizing its sugar, blood pressure and is why under the programme social responsibility, POF ad- hepatitis were also delivered to femalesof a family is given importance and all the funds are directly paid to them so as to ensure real women empowerment through financial independence.

Thousands of vulnerable female youths have already been trained and the target is to train 150,000 students every year so they can earn their livelihood, she added.

She told the meeting that more than 15 million women have got their Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) because of BISP, including women from FATA.

Youth Festival creates competition spirit

Doctors’ strike continues in Balochistan

POF organises free medical camp

Javed Iqbal Bukhari said on Sunday that Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif Youth Festival 2012 organized by people from all segments of society and youth programmes has provided healthy entertainment to people and the young generation has started thinking on positive lines instead of negative thinking and has engaged itself in healthy activities.

He expressed these views at Jinnah Hall addressing the District Council Punjab Youth Festival organized by Kitchen Gardening and Cotton Production for prize distribution.

Member Provincial Assembly Mian Mohammad Rafiq, Regional Manager FFC Rai shafaqat Ali and EDO Agriculture Dr Mian Shafiq and others addressed the prize distribution. The DCO said such contests would create a sense of competition and tolerance among the youth.

The first prize in the cotton production in the district was won by Mohammad Abrarof Chak No. 662 GB and was given Rs 15,000; second prize of Rs 10,000 went to Chak No. 148 GB’s Hamid Raza, while the third prize of Rs 5,000 was bagged by Waheed Anwar of Chack No. 187 GB. In Kitchen Gardening first prize went to Mohammad Tauqeer of Chak No 251 GB, second prize was achieved by Chak No. 279 GB and the third prize was taken by Sultan Mohammad Shahid of Gojra.

Attock: Senior Doctors of POF Hospital examining the patients at free medical camp held at Mirza village near Sanjwal Cantt. ministration organized a free medical camp at Mirza village near Sanjwal Cantt. in which 82 Senior Specialist Doctors of various departments of POF Hospital and more than 100 medical and administrative staff took part in this camp.

More than 5000 patients were examined by the doctors and they were given free medicines on this occasion.

Those patients who required laboratory tests, ultrasound or ECG were done on the spot. 30 students of Wah

give information about these diseases to the residents of the village and surrounding areas while information regarding basic principles of health and cleanliness were discriminated to the school children through multimedia. Samples of waters of Mirza village were also got tested on this occasion.

Mr. Riaz Ahmed, Member POF Board inaugurated the free medical camp while Mr. Muhammad Asif, Member POF Board was the Chief Guest of Concluding Ceremony.

Cold, dry weather to prevail across country I SLAMABAD —Pakistan Me- Pakistan teorological Department has forecast cold and dry weather for most parts of the country during the next couple of days as mercury drops in northwest areas. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are likely to remain under intense cold and dry weather during next few days, private news channel reported. In Kashmir, mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts, however, light rain with snowfall over the hills in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan is likely at one or two places during the next 24 hours.

The lowest minimum temperatures recorded during last 24 hours were Skardu - 10 C, Astore -7 C, Hunza -6 C, Gilgit -4 C and Quetta -3 C. The maximum temperature recorded during last 24 hours was Lasbela (Balochistan) 29 C.

Meteorological Department (PMD) on Monday forecast chances of light rain for the North western parts and upper parts of the country and snowfall over the hills during Thursday and Friday.

An official of Met office

told APP the western disturbance will start from Thursday evening and cause light rain at north- western and upper parts of the country on Thursday and Friday. The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are also likely to receive light rain during the two days. Mainly cold.—APP

ATTOCK: Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan and former Federal Minister Malik Amin Aslam being welcomed by the party workers on their arrival.

Dynamic leadership needed to change fate of nation NAZIR SIYAL LARKANA—Country needs a dynamic leadership to change the fate of nation by taking revolutionary steps to fight against the growing delinquency in society, and youth should unite against all social evils and end their weaknesses. This was stated by speakers at a one-day youth training workshop titled ‘social change and skill development capability building through different technical leadership skills and national awareness. The workshop was addressed by A. Q Mujahid, Moiz Khan, Abdul Qayoom Dayo, Rizwan Ahmed, Muzamil, Sameer Nazir and others.

Khaksar Tehreek Paki-

stan is conducting countrywide workshops and change in the people from different social and educational fields.

The speakers emphasized on technical skills and knowhow about the professional education among youth of the motherland. They said the society needs development steps in the education sector.

They also said that there was a need to seek the problem-driven and the possibility-driven approaches to resolve their matters, and added that youth are the second class citizens and barriers to fulfill the democratic participation through their active role, trainers said.

Speakers stressed on the youth to come forward to

launch campaign for social change and character development, because there are numerous challenges of inflation, soaring commodity prices, law and order situation, unemployment and various other issues. They can only resolve these issues through character building and leadership skill qualities. **** Chairman Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) Sanam Qureshi has dissolved organizational structure of Distict East Karachi and announced five-member committee to supervise the activities here on Sunday. The new organizing committee comprises on Agha Shah Zaman Pathan Chief Organizer, Shahid Notiar, Naeem Khoso and Ghulam Hussain.

Police officer commits suicide Iftikhar condemns Staff Reporter

P ESHAWA R —Khyber

Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information, Mian Iftikhar Hussein has strongly condemned bomb attack on police mobile at Shahabkhel village in Badhber area of Peshawar and had termed it an act of terrorism. Expressing deep grief over the incident, he expressed sympathies with the heirs of the victims of the explosion and prayed for early recovery of those injured in the incident. The provincial minister visited Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) where he inquired about the health of the injured. Talking to media, he said that the nation appreciate the bravery of the police force who are fighting against terrorists. He said that terrorists through their cowardice acts some time target police, general public and sacred places to harass the people.

Iftikhar said that maximum control has been made in arresting the wave of terrorism and in this connection awareness had also been made in the general public. However, he said that it is now the need of the hour to join hands and take united action against terrorists and prevent them from getting further opportunities of targeting innocent people. The provincial minister visit each and every injured in hospital and inquired about their health and directed for provision of better treatment facilities to them.

Earlier, unknown miscreants also attacked a police mobile van apparently with a bomb near Acheeni check-post here, however, no casualty has been reported. According to district police here, the incident occurred in Sarband area where the miscreants targeted the mobile van of the Sarband police station apparently with a low intensity bomb that blasted with a huge bang. However, luckily no casualty has been reported.

Asma endorses HRW statement I SLAMABAD —Asma Jahangir, former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association has expressed surprise at the heated debate on a statement issued by the Human Rights Watch on the “judiciary muzzling its criticism in the media through contempt of court powers”. “It was simply factual and the manner in which the arms of the bar leaders are being twisted to protect the excesses of the superior judiciary further confirms the sensitivity of the judiciary to its legitimate criticism,” a statement issued by Jahangir said. The media in Pakistan which vigorously fights for its freedom was “uncomfortably silent over the judgment of the Islamabad High Court followed by the Lahore High Court muzzling the media”, the former SCBA president said. “Unfortunately, those who criticise the judiciary are labelled in humiliating terms by the watch dogs of the prerogative of the judiciary to misuse its powers,” the statement said. Jahangir urged bar leaders to “show their independence and not be cowed down by the onslaught of individuals with vested interests”. “They must remain neutral commentators and continue to make the judiciary accountable where necessary, while supporting them fully when under unfair pressures,” the statement added.

“Blind supporters of all judicial pronouncements may also take note of the comments made by the International Commission of Jurists, the President of the International Crisis Group and the interim report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of the Judiciary, as well as commentary made by foreign media outlets and judges,” Jahangir said. All the above mentioned organizations and UN Procedures “fully supported the demands of the lawyers’ movement until the bitter end. Surely they cannot be right then and all wrong now,” she said.—Online

PPP to protect farmers’ rights Our Correspondent

RENALA KHURD—State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Syed Sumsam Bhukhari on Monday said the PPP government was committed to taking care of interests of farmers. Addressing a huge public gathering after inaugurating electricity supply to the fruit and vegetable market, Renala Khurd, he said the provision of basic necessities, like electricity and gas had always been top priority of the government. He said a record number of development projects were accomplished during four and a half years. Lambasting the Punjab government, the minister said the development process had been restricted to Lahore only. In fact, he said, they could not see beyond Lahore. He said, “We don’t believe in sloganeering but winning hearts of the masses through good work.” Sumsam Bukhari said the country was facing multiple problems and sectarianism and baradrism (clan system) had jolted the foundation of the country. He called for unity among all sects to frustrate elements lurking to weaken Pakistan. Stressing the vitality of vote, the minister urged people to use their right to franchise according to their conscience and in favour of genuine and committed candidates. On the demand of the Anjuman Arhtian chairman regarding development work in the fruit and vegetable market in Renala Khurd, the minister said as the date of releasing development funds was to end by 31st December this year, there was a remote chance of funds release but added that he would try his best to resolve the matter on priority.

Seraiki province at all cost I SLAMABAD —Pakistan People’s Party

2 cops, one dacoit die in encounter OUR CORRESPONDENTS J HANG \S ARGODHA —Two policemen and one dacoit were killed in a Police encounter in chak number 175 Mochiwala late Sunday. According to police sources, on a tip off, police raided a house after finding that a proclaimed offender Ramzan alias Ramzani Baloch, having head money of Rs. 100,000, was hiding there along with his companions and had exchange of fire with the outlaws. *** A person was killed while other injured in a road mishap at Mukhiana Link road, Shabirabad on Monday. According to police sources, the

deceased was identified as Muhammad Aslam and injured Bilal Shah.

Sargodha: An assistance sub-inspector shot himself dead over a family dispute in Sahiwal police limits on Monday. Muhammad Ramzan Joiya of Godhewala, an ASI of Special Branch Sargodha, quarreled with his family over some issue and then shot himself. He was shifted to DHQ hospital were he died. *** Robbers killed a man on resistance in the jurisdiction of Kirana Police Station. Police said on Monday that three armed persons entered the house of Muhammad Ishaq Gujjar at Chak 42 SB and took PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor KP Masood Kausar and others offering the funeral prayers of the the family hostage. police personnel martyred in blast near Badaber Police van at Police Lines.

Kausar lauds Islamia College role in education promotion STAFF REPORTER P ESHAWA R —The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Barrister Masood Kausar Monday said that Islamia College has a great role in promotion of education and knowledge in this part of the world in particular since its establishment 100 years ago.

He said time has come that the custodians of this historic asset should also contribute significantly to help in further improvement of quality of education in the province.

Presiding over the 7th meeting of the Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Memorial Trust at Governor’s House

here he further stated that we owe a lot to the founders of this historic institution and there is a need to pay back the return of their contribution in the coins of our efficient services for furthering their vision especially towards promotion of quality of the knowledge being imparted in this province in particular.

The meeting beside others was also attended by the former-Provincial Governor, Lt. Gen (R) Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai, former Governor of Balochistan, Lt. Gen (R)Imaranullah Khan, exAmbassador, Amir Usman, chief secretaries, Sahibzada Imtiaz Ahmad, Muhammad

Azam Khan and Ejaz Rahim.

Beside, sitting Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University, Prof Dr. Noor Jehan and the Ex-Vice Chancellor University of Peshawar Prof Dr. Abdul Matin Khan were also present. The meeting reviewed various proposals to further expand the role and contribution of the trust for supplementing the ongoing efforts at various levels for promotion of education in the province and it was told that the trust has managed resources to further expand its contribution and institutional development of its services which also include provision of scholarships to deserving students in near future.

APOTOA threatens to stop oil supply to KP till recovery of its president STAFF REPORTER PESHAWAR—All Pakistan Oil Tankers Owners Association (APOTOA) Khyber Pukhtunkhwa have given deadline of 72 hours for safe recovery of kidnapped President of the association, failing which oil supply to Bacha Khan Airport alongwith the province and FATA will be stopped. The office-bearers of the APOTOA held a protest demonstration against abduction of the president Nasir Ali Khan, central Secretary General of APOTOA Nawab Sher, provincial Gen-

eral Secretary Jan Muhammad Khan, central Information Secretary Dost Muhammad were leading the agitators here opposite cantonment Railway Station on Monday.

Holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans of their demands for safe release of the president from the hands of the kidnappers, they were also chanting their fullthroat slogans favour of their demands and against the abductors. While talking to media persons, they said that Nasir Ali Khan had been picked up by unknown kidnappers on November 29 2012,

saying some unidentified men came to the Nasir’s house located at Pubbi (Nowshera) at 12; 30am midnight and kidnapped him.

“Some people knocked at our door at 12; 30am, and I came out my of home to know who are outside, meanwhile the people showed themselves to be guests and requested me to call my father (Nasir),” son of the kidnapped president Ali Nasir Khan informed and added, “When my father went out to meet them, they immediately started pushing my father into a without Number plate vehicle and took him away.

Animal disease control centre opened in Chitral GUL HAMAAD FAROOQI funding the office for the long- most common zoonotic dis-

term benefit of farmers and eases are tuberculosis, anthrax, leshmeniasis, tetanus, rabies, Dr. Riaz, the programme brucellosis, dengue fever, manager of Relief International, Congo fever, bird flue mosquito said it was a series of livestock born malaria, etc. he added. for life programmes funded by He said the main objective US Department of States for of the programme was to crecontrol of Zoonotic diseases in ate awareness and encourage Pakistan. He said many dis- a behaviour change through eases impacted human life from different ways. Prevention and animal and some diseases also response capacity building of impacted cattle from human community health workers, beings. Zoonotic diseases are public health workers, vetericommunicable from animals to nary health staff in controlling human beings and vice versa. Zoonosis was necessary. In He said some 296 diseases are Pakistan, the programme is Zoonotic and a very serious implemented in five districts of threat to public health. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

CHITRAL—A Zoonosis con- peasants. trol office has been opened at the livestock building in Danin, Chitral. It may be noted that Zoonosis, also called Zoonotic disease, refers to diseases that can be passed on from animals, whether wild or domesticated, to humans.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Dr Nizamuddin, the Assistant Director of Livestock Department, termed the opening of the office very useful and beneficial for people of Chitral. He thanked the Relief International for

The participant also shared proposals to help the management of the Islamia College University,Peshawar for observing Centenary Celebrations of the institution in April next year in a befitting way. Barrister Masood Kausar who is also the chairman of the Trust, welcomed

the enthusiastic spirit and generous contribution of the trustees for carrying forward the vision of Sir Sahibzada abdul Qayyum and assured that every possible step will be taken to materialize the workable initiatives.

Meanwhile, functioning of the Sir Sahibzada Abdul

Qayyum School,working under the aegis of the Trust at Kotha in district Swabi also came under discussion and it was told that an academic block is also scheduled to be inaugurated at its new campus on the eve of the centenary celebrations of the Islamic College.

World Special Persons Day observed

Particular attention for disabled stressed PESHAWAR—The speakers at function was organized by tion. Speaking on the occaa function Monday called for Khyber Medical University sion, the chief guest of the special attention for children (KMU) in connection with event Vice Chancellor KMU Professor Dr Muhammad Hafeezullah said that instead of sympathizing with disabled persons the society should treat them as a normal person and province them equal opportunities in every walk of life.

Mingora: Like other parts of the country, World Special Persons Day was observed with spirit and fervor in district Swat. On this connection several colourful functions were held in different places, which besides special persons was also attended by prominent social personalities and expressed solidarity with the special persons. The largest function in this regard was held under the auspices of Environmental Protection Society (EPS) in Khpal Kor Hall, Mingora.

Multan: Dozens of disabled persons wheeled their chairs on city roads on International Day for the Disabled on Monday, urging the government to provide facilities to them for trouble-free movement. The wheelchair caraPESHAWAR: Wife of Corps Commander, Peshawar, Lieuten- van began its march from the ant General Khalid Rabbani giving prize to a special child dur- office of the Society for Speing ground breaking ceremony of Umeed (Center of Special cial Persons (SSP), south Education) on ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’. Punjab, and concluded at the with disabilities to make them “World Disabled Day” to ex- district sports ground. The useful and responsible citi- press solidarity with disable disabled persons festival zen of the society and enable children and persons and to was a colourful show where them to play pivotal role for boost their courage to face singers and magicians perprosperity of the country. The the society without hesita- formed.—APP

Cab driver shot dead by unidentified man OUR CORRESPONDENT

Operation against encroachments sought STAFF REPORTER

T IMERGARA —A cab driver

was killed by unidentified (PPP) Member National Assembly gunman during night at (MNA) Jamshed Dasti on Monday Rahimabad area of Adenzai, said that Seraiki province would be police and residents told mecreated at any cost because this was dia. They said unidentified the demand of people of South Punjab persons called on the driver and a resolution was also passed by Bakhtawar Syed, son of Umar the Punjab Assembly to create a new Syed, at night who did not province in the Punjab. Talking to return home till Sunday mornAPP, he said that the PPP supported ing. Later his body was found the popular demand for a Seraiki provin his car No PSA 1281 on ince adding that leadership of PML (N) exposed due to Rahimabad road. The motive hypocrisy. Replying to a question, Dasti said a Seraiki behind the crime could not be province was the only solution for the problems of the ascertained. The Ouch police people of southern Punjab. A Seraiki province is immihas registered a case and nent and we salute the Supreme Court for its historic started investigation. verdict in the Asghar Khan case, said PPP leader and Also a 13-year-old boy Abu Federal Minister Makhdoom Shahab-ud-Din in a rally Zar, son of Sher Muhammad, a here on Monday. The minister said the SC verdict in the resident of the Tazagram village Asghar Khan case showed that there was a great differin the jurisdiction of Ouch Poence between the PPP and PML-N. He said the Seraiki lice station, committed suicide province would be created at any cost because this was by swallowing anti-mice poithe demand of people of South Punjab and a resolution sonous pills, residents said. was also passed by the Punjab Assembly to create a They said the boy committed new province in the Punjab. He said the PPP supported suicide after his parents exthe popular demand for a Seraiki province. Speaking at pressed anger for wondering the rally, PPP MNA Jamshed Dasti criticised the PML-N aimlessly. Residents said the and its leadership. Jamshed Dasti said the Sharif Brothboy had informed his relatives ers were the outcome of corruption who became rich on Friday that he was going to overnight. He criticised Makhdoom Ahmad Mehmood, end his life but no one took it Punjab president of the PML-F, and said he was the serious. They said the boy broker of Takht Lahore and had been exposed due to bought the pills from a genhis hypocrisy and in general elections people would eral shop. According to the take revenge from him for deceiving them. He also criticised former state minister and MNA Makhdoom SIALKOT: Rangers’ soldiers patrolling the streets to avoid any untoward incident, villagers it was the third inciahead of the upcoming bi-elections in PP-122. dent of that kind.

Ahmad Alam Anwar for joining the PML-N.—APP

PESHAWAR—District administration Peshawar has decided launching of full pledge operation for removal of encroachments from graveyards in the city and has also sought the provision of an amount of Rs.50 million for construction of boundary walls around them. The decision was taken in meeting held here with District Coordination Officer (D.C.O), Mohammad Javed Marwat in the chair.

Others who attended were included Assistant Coordination Officer (A.C.O), Habibullah Arif, HRDO, Naseer Khan, DOR, Syed Maqsood Shah, tehsildar, Bakhtiar Khan, DSP,Haji Imtiaz Khan, Deputy Director, Auqaf, Nadeem Ahmad, administrators of all towns, Director, PDA, Shujaat Ali, DSP Faqirabad, Sajjad and others.

Addressing the meeting, DCO Mohammad Javed Marwat said that in light of the directives of Peshawar High Court (PHC) operation against encroachments in graveyards is continued. But, he said that operation for the elimination of encroach-

ments on graveyards is essential to ensure that single inch encroached land of graveyards is retrieved to present a complete and comprehensive report in the court in this regard. The meeting constituted a committee comprising of DOR, HRD and TMOs of all four towns of the district to monitor anti-encroachment operation in Akhund Baba, Bakhshi Pul and Tajabad graveyards.

The meeting directed SSP Operation for keeping a special squad of police on alert in police lanes to avert any unpleasant incident during the operation.

Furthermore, Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) was directed for provision of heavy machinery and administrators of all towns to ensure the presence of their BCA staff in offices.

The meeting also sought an amount of Rs.50 million for erecting of boundary wall around the retrieved land during the operation to prevent future encroachments in the graveyards. The meeting decided the registration of formal FIRs against the encroachers.

How to blunt courts’ verdicts?

MEDIA WATCH

Egypt: Revolutionary rifts

T

HE component parties of the present coalition Government has all along been claiming that they fully respect the verdicts of the courts and implement them yet it has been observed that these have often been ignored and even if implemented then in a half-hearted manner. The latest example is disqualification of members of Parliament or their resignations because of implications of the dual nationality case.

As the Election Commission was to make a decision about fate of 16 legislators who failed to submit declarations about dual nationality by the deadline, concerned members of the National Assembly belonging to MQM and members of MQM and PPP from Sindh Assembly tendered their resignations. As the general elections are approaching, the Election Commission has decided not to fill the vacant seats through by-elections and this will have consequences for legislative agenda of the ruling coalition that earlier wanted to get some constitutional amendment bills adopted from the present Assembly. But the most striking aspect of the entire episode is that without even waiting for ink of the judgement of the court to dry, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah instantly reappointed resigned members as advisors and special assistants. Though constitutionally and legally one can appoint any one as advisor and special assistant but in this case propriety demanded their exclusion from the cabinet. This is because the affected people violated legal requirements and attracted penalties as well including recovery of salary and benefits enjoyed by them during their tenure as members of different legislatures.

It is ironical that the Sindh CM has openly circumvented the spirit of the court judgements and in a way has made mockery of the rule of law.

Apart from moral aspects of the issue, these re-inducted members would hardly earn any respect from people at large or the bureaucracy because of their disrespect to the law and the constitution.

Least integrated South Asia A

CCORDING to Asian Development Bank (ADB), South Asia accounts for just 2 percent of world trade and 1.7 percent of world foreign direct investment, while its intra-regional trade makes up less than 6 percent of its total trade, making it one of the least integrated regions in the world. It has also pointed out that it takes 32 days on average to complete traderelated procedures in South Asia, which is among the highest in the world.

Regional economic integration means agreement amongst countries within a certain geographic area for reducing and ultimately removing tariff barriers, making sure there is better flow of services or goods through the respective nations. There are a number of such groups or organizations in the world today that have helped accelerate the pace of socio-economic development of the member states with varying degrees of success – the idea being the European Union that is said to have achieved almost total integration of economies of the member states followed by ASEAN, GCC and NAFTA. Such an integration serves as a vital strategy for addressing the issues of political instability and conflicts that might affect that particular region; members have a wider choice of services and goods; encourages trade liberation, market expansion and more increased investment to member nations, it creates employment prospects and leads to creation of new and better technologies and resultantly encouraging economic growth. South Asian countries established SAARC way back in 1985 for the very objectives but unfortunately it has yet not taken off the ground because of lack of sincerity, interest and commitment. This is despite the fact that the member countries could have benefitted immensely from regional trade, sharing of experiences and expertise and establishment of centres of excellence as well as joint ventures to fight their common enemies of poverty and ignorance. But for this to happen to we need visionary leadership that can address political issue wisely enough for economic cooperation to grow.

Asif, real face of Pakistan M

OHAMMAD Asif made every Pakistani proud by clinching World Snooker Championship in Bulgaria. Asif, who was unbeaten in the tournament, defeated England’s Gary Wilson 10-8 and bagged the honour for his country.

People in Pakistan took keen interest in the match, which was full of suspense and there were jubilations all around when the Pakistani national emerged victorious and showed to the world the real face of Pakistan. Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has done well by immediately announcing a reward for him, which would give him the much needed financial support and encouragement. Snooker, generally regarded as having been invented in the Sub-continent by British Army officers, is popular in many of the English-speaking and Commonwealth countries. The word snooker also has military origins, being a slang term for first-year cadets or inexperienced personnel. Pakistanis have unmatched qualities and they can perform wonders in all fields including sports but what is lacking is enabling environment. Except for Cricket, Hockey and Squash, other sports are being ignored by the government and as a result our youths are not able to engage in positive activities. There is need that sports Ministries at the provincial levels launch special programmes for talent hunt in other fields and extend financial and training support. It is a recognised fact that when sportsmen participate in an international event, they contribute in building positive image of their country. Asif worked very hard to win the championship and it could prove as a turning point for the sport in Pakistan. He was the third Pakistani to reach the final and the second one to win it.

Through his dedication and personal efforts, Asif has become a national hero and deserves a rousing welcome on return home.

HURMAT GROUP OF PUBLICATION Zahid Malik President & Editor-in-Chief Ph: 051-2256006 Faisal Zahid Malik Gauhar Zahid Malik Editor Ph: 021-32631102

Javed Mahmood

Executive Editor Ph: 051-2853818

Editor Special Initiative Ph:051-2255614

Islamabad Ph Exchange: 051-2852027 Reporting Desk: 051-2852028, News Desk: 051-5879329 Marketing: 051-2262254, 2852029 Fax: 051-2262258 Email: observer@pakobserver.net Website: www.pakobserver.net

Lahore

Karachi Faisal Zahid Malik Editor Ph: 021-32211777, 32635403 Fax: 021-32626902 Email: obskhi@pakobserver.net

Nadeem Syed Resident Editor Ph: 042-37593341, 37566702 Marketing Ph: 37597364 Fax: 042-36300043 Email: obslhr@pakobserver.net

Quetta

Peshawar

Ghulam Tahir

Tariq Saeed

Resident Editor Mobile: 0333-7944760 E-mail:obsqta@pakobserver.net

Resident Editor Mobile: 0321-9001476 E-mail:obspwr@pakobserver.net

Muzaffarabad Abdul Hameed Shaheen Resident Editor Ph: 051-2852028, Mobile: 0315-5010791 Email: obsmzd@pakobserver.net / abdulhameedshaheen@yahoo.com

Sadia Zahid Malik Editor Sunday Magazine

Ph: 2852027-8, Ext: 116 Email: po2@pakobserver.net

N

Awards to friends of Bangladesh Bangladesh. It appears that some elements taking advantage of the proIndia government in Bangladesh are bent upon tarnishing the image of Mohammad Jamil Pakistan and its Email: mjamil1938@hotmail.com military. Last week, Sheikh Hasina refused to attend recently held D-8 conference in Pakistan ndia’s renowned daily ‘The unless Pakistan tendered apology for, Hindu’ in its recent report stated what she said, Genocide of Bengalis. that 150 more people and orga- Pakistan government had constituted nizations would be honored in the Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission to fourth of a series of ceremonies to identify underlying causes for this be held on Victory Day for having tragedy and if there were excesses.

Hamood-ur-Rehman Commisextended their wholehearted support to Bangladeshi people during sion Report observed that formation the so-called war of independence of One-unit, principle of parity, uniin 1971. The question can be asked tary form of government and system as to why it is being done so belat- of basic democracies were the reaedly i.e. after 40 years of its inde- sons for alienating the people of pendence. In the first ceremony, the smaller provinces that led to disinteBangladesh Freedom Honor was gration of Pakistan. Whereas the given to Indira Gandhi posthu- commission criticized the then milimously on 25th July 2011. In the tary and politicos for their ineptness, second ceremony on 27th March it had debunked the propaganda by 2012, the government honored 83 India that two to three million individuals and organizations. And Bengalis had been killed by the Paon 26th October 2012, in the third kistan army. The Commission had put ceremony 61 individuals and orga- the figure of casualties at twenty six nizations were honored. Foreign thousand including the killings of ministry officials said that the In- West Pakistanis, members of dian president, Pranab Mukherjee Pakistan’s security personnel and had already given his consent to Biharis that were butchered by Mukti visit Bangladesh on the occasion. Bahini guerillas. Anyhow, former It is learnt that approximately prime minister of Bangladesh 15 Pakistanis are also included in Khaleda Zia is on record having said the final list of persons to be hon- that figure of three million dead was ored for their contribution to the so- highly exaggerated. Many books called Bangladesh’s liberation war have been written calling the genoagainst their own country way back cide of Bengalis farce; however those in 1971. Some Pseudo-intellectuals, under the influence of India or writjournalists and media persons from ers with anti-Pakistani streak put the Pakistan, who are ever-ready to join figure as high as 3 million.

It has to be mentioned that people hands with anti-Army forces, have also been invited. Only unconscio- have not forgotten the genocide of nable Pakistanis would attend the non-Bengalis during the civil war and ceremony to receive an award from afterwards at the hands of Bengali

News & Views

I

nationalists. However, Pakistan considered the matter settled, as Sheikh Mujib had made no demand for apology during his visit to Lahore to attend Islamic Summit. But Sheikh Hasina has shown complete obedience towards Indian masters, be it humiliating Pakistan or be it providing and unwavering support to India, which has deprived Bangladesh of its right over river Barak when it unilaterally decided to build a Tipaimukh dam on this site with huge reservoir. This means that River Barak, which flows into Bangladesh from the Indian state of Manipur, will go dry completely. India is also concentrating small rivers flowing from India to Bangladesh to make a mainstream in India to us water for its domestic use, thus depriving Bangladeshi farmers of water by diverting its rivers.

Many writers hold the view that on 16th December 1971, Pakistan was dismembered as a result of international terrorism. India was, of course, on the forefront whereby the former USSR helped India in implementing the insidious plan to disintegrate Pakistan. Unfortunately, Pakistan’s so-called friends - America and the West - acted as silent spectators. A lot many books, theses and reviews have been written on the causes of fall of Dacca and disintegration of Pakistan. It was unfortunate that in 1971 the UN and the big powers did nothing to stop India to dismember independent country with recognized international boundaries. After the break-up of Pakistan, India declared that two-nation theory had sunk in the Bay of Bengal, but eidetic reality was that Bangladesh became an independent country with Muslim identity, and in general Bengladeshis are not willing to accept India’s hegemon.

The differences between India and Bangladesh also exist over distribution of water on Teesta River.

In April 2010 Water Resources

Ministers of the two countries had met in New Delhi under the aegis of the Joint River Commission.

While Bangladesh wants to have water sharing on 50-50 basis available at Ghazal Doba — the only release point of Teesta river water to Bangladesh — India is yet to take a final call on the issue as much will depend on the West Bengal Government. However, people of Bangladesh would resist hegemonic designs of India, and would not cave into their pressure.

There was another bone of contention i.e., since 1987 when India decided to fence some locations along Indo-Bangladesh international border, (at present 2,859 km have been fenced out of the sanctioned 3,783 kms) Bangladesh has been upset. For Indians the influx of Bangladeshis across the border was a problem eluding any longstanding solution.

The decision to fence was aimed at primarily to stop illegal cross-border commodity movements, which was not without a political cost bilaterally. Bangladesh always perceived it to be an unfair move, as it reflected not only India’s lack of trust towards its neighbor but also meant overlooking and disregarding what is largely considered as a historical trend of free movement across the subcontinent. Nevertheless, with the fences that were built on Indian soil with Indian resources, there was very little Bangladesh could do to stop the process. It protested about these fences being defence structures, which are not permitted between the neighbors within 150 yards from the zero line.

Bangladesh had also refused to send its troops to Afghanistan, which seems to be the result of the fact that Bangladeshis guard their freedom very jealously, despite Sheikh Hasina’s appeasement policy towards India.

—The writer is Lahore-based senior journalist.

India’s despicable human rights record Nazia Nazar Email: nazianazar@hotmail.com

I

ndia is considered as the largest democracy and one of the cham pions of human rights, but in fact it has a poor human rights record especially in protecting women rights.

Indian media, women rights activists and civil society have been raising voices against the crimes against women, but after the recent media reporting of unprecedented rise in rape cases in Haryana, the criticism has intensified. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) in its recent research has found that rape has become India’s fastest growing crime with an increase of 873 per cent in the last five decades. In 2011, the number of rape cases recorded

by NCRB was close to 25,000, out of which 9,398 cases of rape involved children. Women activists blame the rise in rapes primarily due to the low conviction levels and the fact that the perpetrators of the crime are generally known to the victim.

Madhya Pradesh witnessed 3,406 cases followed by West Bengal in 2,363 cases while UP had 2,042 cases in 2011. Delhi had the highest number of rape cases at 568 in 2011.

As regards child rape, more than 19 cases of child rape are reported in India every day. Worse still the number of such cases registered with the police has been rising for the last five years. The message is clear: India is a dangerous place for women and children. From Haryana to Bengal, rape is a grim reality in India. Every 20 minutes, a woman is raped in In-

dia. Every third victim of rape is a child, according to 2011 figures from the NCRB. Despite its despicable human rights record of oppression and repression on minorities in India, its leadership harbors ambition to become permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

In October 2011, just a month later when the unidentified mass graves in Indian Held Kashmir came to media limelight, the prime minister of India Mr. Manmohan Singh during his address at UN General Assembly’s 66th annual session had once again called for early reform and expansion of the UNSC “to reflect contemporary reality”, which implicitly meant India’s inclusion in the UNSC as a permanent member. Prior to it, the spokesperson of Indian ministry of external affairs Vishnu Prakash had also told the media that “we have impeccable credentials to become the permanent member of the UNSC”. One wonders how could the ‘harsh realities’ be put aside before weighing India for permanent membership of UNSC. How unfortunate that a country with a notorious record of showing disregard to more than twenty UN resolutions and worst human right violations in Kashmir boasted of being a potential candidate for a ‘responsible’ status at UNSC. One surely needs to find out the ‘impeccable’ credentials from India’s past 65 years history, which is replete with its belligerency, indigenous separatist movements, minorities’ issues and growing fundamentalism. So far as the minority rights in the so-called largest democracy are concerned, Sikh massacre in 1984, Muslims’ pogrom in 2002, Christians’ carnage in Orissa

in 2007 and demolition of several minorities’ worship places are still alive in the memories of the surviving victims. The most abhorring fact is that the criminals who committed the above massacres enjoy vast ‘political powers’ in India, and for this reason, the culprits of minorities’ mass murders go scot-free till now. On the other hand, myriad separatist and secessionist movements going on in India are reflective of the turbulent communal problems the country is confronted with for the past many decades.

Moreover, India’s subjugation of Kashmiri people by denying them the right to self- determination and the violation of basic human rights by Indian army in Kashmir have brought ignominy and disgrace to the country.

According to a report on Human Rights violations in Kashmir published by Human Rights Watch and other HR organizations state that between 1989 to June 30, 2012 approximately 98,274 Kashmiris have been killed by Indian security forces. There have been 7,969 custodial killings, over 107,351 children have been orphaned, 22,728 women widowed and 9,920 women gang-raped. In fact, the above figures send shivers down the spine of all the conscientious people.

On the other hand, some local and foreign journalists and media men are being barred from presenting independent views on Kashmir. Those who try to raise their voices are threatened with dire consequences.

Angana Chatterji, co-convener of the International People´s Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Indian Held Kashmir and also the eyewitness of those unmarked mass graves which she found during her visit to Baramulla

and Kupwara districts, has also faced tremendous harassment by Indian security and intelligence personnel for her writings and deep concern over human rights violations in IHK. According to a report written by Riyaz Wani published in Tehalka on 23rd September 2011, the Kashmir government deported human rights activist Gautum Navlakha from Srinagar airport. In November 2010, US academic Professor Richard Shapiro, husband of Angana Chatterji, was also denied entry by immigration authorities in New Delhi because he was a frequent visitor to Kashmir and interacted with various human rights activists, scholars and youth to learn from their experiences.

American radio broadcaster David Barsamian, who was deported, had also said that India denied him entry because of his views on Kashmir. He ironically commented that he was happy that he escaped without being tortured. The answer could be elicited from a recent article by a renowned writer Ijaz Zaka Syed published in Gulf News on 24th of September with the caption ‘Cry, my beloved country!’

He says, “…financial indexes are no parameters of a nation’s progress.

Remember, under Hitler, Nazi Germany too had registered unprecedented economic growth within a short span of time — and look where it got it.” Kashmir, which is considered a paradise on earth for its enchanting scenic beauty, is now turning into a ´secret´ graveyard of its own inhabitants while the culprit state is being considered for awarding UNSC permanent membership.

Isn’t it a travesty of justice?

early two years on, the revo lution in Egypt has reached exactly that point it should have tried at all costs to avoid – a deep and perhaps insurmountable divide between two forces that both claim to be its sole inheritors.

Mohamed Morsi’s supporters say that after months of obstructionism, boycott and delay, and a constitutional court about to undo all his actions, the Egyptian president had no choice but to push through a final constitutional draft, which halves his power as president and which anyway will be put to the popular vote. His opponents – secular, liberal and Christian – united as never before by what they see as an Islamist power grab – scream: “Hands off our revolution.” Both can put thousands on to the streets, as we saw this weekend and will see again this week.

The first point to make is that the process has been more contentious than the result. Human Rights Watch called the constitutional draft both flawed and contradictory in that it provided for basic protections against arbitrary detention but failed to end military trials for civilians.

But it noted that the final draft dropped the stipulation that equality for women should be subject to conformity with the rulings of Islamic law – a provision promoted by the Salafis. However, there is some broad wording justifying limitations on key human rights, which appear to place the “true nature of the Egyptian family” above and beyond them. It is a mixed bag, and, like so much of this debate, contingent on future interpretation. But does this draft merit walkouts, months of paralysis, or indeed a constitutional court decision annulling the drafting committee itself? It is not clear that it does. No country, let alone a bankrupt one, can tolerate an endless merry-go-round of partisan court decisions.

There is no doubt that the constitutional court’s original annulment of the whole of the Islamist-dominated parliament – when the objections were to only one portion of the seats – suited the supreme military council’s purposes. And there was nothing to assume the court would not have annulled the constituent assembly that was appointed by that parliament, rendering the draft invalid as well. Both sides have forgotten what happened 22 months ago when Egyptians put aside their sectarian identities on entering Tahrir Square, and waved the national flag instead. In the name of that flag, those who claim to be democrats need to rediscover the long forgotten art of compromise. — The Guardian

*****

Fight against terrorism

T

he approval of the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) Bill by Pakistan’s federal cabinet is a positive move. However this legislation, aimed to boost coordination between different counter-terrorism agencies, needs to be debated and passed by the parliament before it becomes an act. Nacta has been in the shadows since its formation by an executive order in 2000. Unfortunately, because of a lack of commitment and political will, not to forget red tape, this specific body, designed to coordinate intelligence, research and act as an international liaison unit, has not been allowed to develop and harness the work being done by security bodies under the Ministry of Interior and intelligence agencies.

The extent and nature of the terrorist threat facing the country makes it imperative that an organisation, specifically dedicated to combating such threats within the country, be put in place and empowered to work towards achieving its objectives. Only an organisation that works in tandem with varied security bodies, without bureaucratic restrictions, can face the challenges that currently pose a threat to national security and have regional and international implications as well. At least, 35,000 people have been killed because of terrorism over the past decade in Pakistan and it is imperative that efforts are bolstered to fight this menace. — Gulf News A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.

Chinese proverb

Pak failed foreign policy being used to protect US Asia-pacific policy in the region.

Pak-Afghan Trade Agreement Rizwan Ghani (PATA) undermines Email:sadcat44@hotmail.com national interests.

While responding to the question on Indian presence in Afghanistan, FM said it is Aforeign Minister’s interview to ghan-India bilateral issue. She ema private TV channel on 30th phasized the importance of AfghaniNov. has exposed failed foreign stan for Pakistan’s access to CARS. policy. FM said trade with India will India’s infrastructure development in be given preference over Kashmir, Afghanistan is part of US-India trade which is continuation of Musharraf agreement and it can only succeed policy. She conceded India’s perma- with PATA. The current standoff on nent presence in Afghanistan as bi- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in lateral reality between India and Af- India due to adverse effects on retail ghanistan. On US presence in Af- business shows the complexity of ghanistan beyond 2014, she left the opening FDI without supporting inanswer to transition details between frastructure. The £500 bn offshore tax Kabul and Washington. It clearly havens in UK involving 28 sham shows that FM was unwilling to ad- companies protecting 21,500 compamit permanent military presence in- nies shows nature of challenge for cluding 10-15,000 troops in Afghani- advanced economies. India is in no stan for next 30 years, which has al- position to monitor multinational ready been reported in international companies, collect taxes and protect media. FM should explain to the pub- its small businesses. lic how she plans to win support of On the other hand, Islamabad has public for US controlled Afghanistan, agreed to allowed toll free access to and how will her common strategy India through Pakistan. Reportedly, succeed because public is demand- Delhi is has launched eight-lane highing complete and immediate with- way to link with CARS through Padrawal of US forces from Afghani- kistan and Afghanistan. Our leaders stan to bring an end to fake terror war, should explain to public how it plans

F

to protect its market share in Afghanistan and CARS. Similarly, how jobs will be protected and manufacturing expanded. There are talks of expanding exports to Europe whereas in 3day India-China Strategic Alliance Meeting (26-28 Nov.), India signed import agreements with China because Chinese products are cheaper by 30 to 40 percent as compared to Europe. The garment industry fires in Karachi and Dacca have shown human right abuses of exporters serving European markets. Islamabad cannot allow continuation of human rights violations in export industry serving European markets without guarantees and protections in line with US protectionism policies to protect local workers, manufacturers and economy. Therefore, India cannot be given access to CARS and Afghanistan through Pakistan.

FM is misguiding importance of Afghanistan route to CARS for Pakistan. In fact it is the US version of Silk route for US $600bn multinationals business operating under FDI policy from India. China has developed energy and trade corridors with CARS. By linking Pakistan through northern Areas, it can help Pakistan overcome its energy needs, create a strong economic hub in northern areas through KKH, create millions of jobs and strong agri-based exports and infrastructure development from

China and CARS. It will end energy crisis in Pakistan because it will be free to claim its share in regional economy including CARS, Afghanistan and China. It should be protected as national interest. Strategically speaking, by routing India’s trade through China, Pakistan can solve Kashmir issue without any delay because it will become irrelevant for India. In addition, it will protect Tibet from foreign meddling. A peaceful Tibet will help keep bilateral relations healthy between China and India.

Islamabad should strengthen regional approach to solve Afghan issue. The positive outcome of PakChina-Afghanistan trilateral meeting is a good start. Beijing has shown its resolve to help promote peace in the region and called for greater role of SCO in solving regional issues. China-Afghan relations including bilateral trade are positive signs. US has also supported the process. It is therefore logical to demand complete withdrawal of US forces including military bases to help promote regional integration and peace. FM failed to point out that withdrawal of US troop, end of US Asia-Pacific policy and cancellation of permanent supply routes through Pakistan for next 50 years are necessary to bring peace to the region and end $20 bn annual loss to Pakistan economy.

IAEA facilitates India’s NSG membership?

Urooj Raza

T

he Washington based research institute ‘Nuclear Threat Initia tive (NTI), emphasized on India that it should ensure more transparency, independence for its nuclear regulator and tight security measures to ensure smooth transit of its nuclear stockpiles from one place to another.

India’s negligent security in handling of nuclear materials has come to light on at least two occasions in which radio active materials- from a hospital and a university laboratory – were discarded and ended up in a scrap dealer’s shop in New Delhi.

The radio active field of the radio active material sold to the dealer was found to be of 500 R (Roentgen) per hour – enough to kill a person with exposure of one hour to the radiation. The incident resulted in one fatality and radiation injuries to at least ten others. It is believed that some of the material was melted and resold to other vendors. No one in India seems concerned on the long term effects that this sold ma-

terial with radioactive ingredients would cause on Indian lives. There is another aspect of irresponsible handling of nuclear materials in India. Easy availability of nuclear materials in the common markets may facilitate religious extremists and terrorists in acquiring the same for making dirty bombs in India.

Despite acceptance of lax attitude in handling of nuclear materials by some in the Indian nuclear industry, it is a pity that international community fails to acknowledge the same and continues to feed India with latest nuclear technology. The New Delhi incident was not the first one that emanated from India. About five years ago, Germany had reported finding radioactive steel coming from India. The French followed with reports of radio-active buttons in elevators originating from nuclear radio active steel, again from India.

The UN nuclear watchdog that kept unusual silence so far on the frequent leakages from Indian nuclear plants, has awakened to the reality and decided to inspect few of the nuclear plants for irregular practices.

As such, an operational safety review

team of IAEA arrived in India on 29th October amid anti-nuclear energy protests questioning IAEA’s authority and demanding its closure as an independent watchdog. These government organized protests were conducted to send a massage across to the International Atomic Agency that it was not welcome in India for inspection purposes. The Indian move was to influence IAEA’s findings that would otherwise undermine India’s credibility as a responsible nuclear state and thwart its ingress into the prestigious NSG. In an open letter to the IAEA by Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP), it has requested the agency not to allow its team’s visits to be publicized as a blanket clean chit on nuclear safety to the Indian nuclear industry. The letter endeavors to guide the visiting team on issues that plague nuclear establishment. The letter also reveals that work force employed on the nuclear related construction at the nuclear complex was not provided with adequate health cover and forced to work in extremely dangerous environments.

The initial inquiries by the IAEA

however, have already been published by one of Rajasthan’s local newspaper. These initial findings have revealed serious vulnerabilities in India’s nuclear regime. Most concerning was the finding that nuclear complex at Kota, Rajasthan that houses 6 reactors, two more under construction, does not have the auxiliary diesel generators that are crucial to ensure that uninterrupted power supply to reactors continues in case of a loss of coolant accident. The findings have also questioned efficacy of using old equipment to monitor radiation exposures. Meanwhile, Indian nuclear industry has expressed satisfaction on Obama’s re-election as it may assure that its application for full membership of NSG will make rapid progress since the US is to assume the group’s presidency next July. Such a development may have dangerous consequences for Pakistan if India becomes the member of NSG as it will use its veto power to block the opening up of foreign support in Pakistan’s quest for acquisition of latest technology for meeting its energy needs.

Views From Abroad

Ceasefire tests five leaders Walter Pincus

T

he diplomatic activities under the current Gaza ceasefire will test whether a quintet of leaders — each with his own domestic critics — can find a peaceful rather than a military solution to the Palestinian situation. The ceasefire language was direct but ambiguous: “Israel should stop all hostilities in the Gaza Strip by land, sea and air, including incursions and targeting of individuals.”

Both Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas prime minister of Gaza, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have already been criticized at home for settling on those terms. Haniyeh faced criticism because there was no significant relief from Israel’s sea blockade, and the main land crossings from Gaza through Israel to the West Bank are still under Israel’s control. In addition, Haniyeh has not gotten Egypt to ease the controls it imposed at its southern Rafah crossing into Gaza to prevent the open smuggling of arms to Hamas.

While Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, chief of staff for the Israel Defence

Forces, said that Israel will continue operations to stop weapons-smuggling into Gaza, it’s unclear whether Israeli drones can operate over Gaza under the ceasefire agreement. Since neither Israel nor the United States talks officially to Hamas, all ceasefire negotiations went through the Egyptians, putting Egypt’s President Mohammed Morsi in the middle of an international issue while he faces serious problems at home.

The agreement states: “Egypt shall receive assurances from each party that the party commits to what was agreed upon,” and “Each party shall commit itself not to perform any acts that would breach this understanding. In case of any observations, Egypt, as the sponsor of this understanding, shall be informed to follow up.” Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, which opposed the 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, has been criticized by Palestinians for not opening up the Rafah crossing. He must deal with Hamas officials who want to rebuild their arms stockpile, including Iranianmade Fajr-5 missiles that showed they could reach Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Morsi’s claim at home last week that the judiciary could not overrule

his proclamations has led to protests against the Egyptian leader. His international activities, critics say, have interfered with his domestic duties.

Some also say his ceasefire work is a cover for his assumption of dictatorial powers. US President Barack Obama faces a different dilemma. He depends on Morsi to carry out dealings with Hamas, which the United States has labelled a terrorist organization, although the White House is under pressure to take a strong stand against Morsi’s claim to extra-judicial powers.

In addition, Obama’s indirect dealings with Hamas have undercut Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whom Washington has been building up. Yet the US has opposed Abbas’ primary diplomatic initiative, a UN General Assembly resolution that had Palestinian land recognized as a UN non-member, observer state. Abbas is the last leader in this unusual quintet. In the wake of the Gaza ceasefire, he has lost standing within the West Bank and internationally in the internal battle over Palestinian leadership. The question is whether he will regain some stature as a result of the UN vote last week. The approval is a step

toward statehood, as well as a gesture toward the 1967 borders and an opportunity for the Palestinians to join UN organizations.

In a surprise move, Hamas reversed course and announced support for the Abbas proposal. This change came out of a phone call between Abbas and Khaled Meshal, the Hamas political chief, who is in exile in Damascus.

Whether this means the two Palestinian leaders will reconcile may be determined soon. Meshal intends to visit Gaza on Dec. 5, and Abbas told a West Bank audience on Nov. 25 that he wants to work on unity efforts.

Each leader will face domestic opposition if he reaches compromises unacceptable to some of his constituents. If the leaders fail and fighting resumes, the results could be much worse than the eight days of rockets, missiles and bombs that left hundreds dead or wounded. After 64 years, people on the ground, Arab and Israeli, deserve a peaceful resolution. The writer reports on intelligence, defence and foreign policy for The Washington Post.

— Courtesy: The Japan Times

Death of tolerance..!

I

t was a sad football fight I wit nessed. The argument started between two teams over a game of football. The words said unfortunately were not about the game.

“Listen,” I said as I walked in after hearing the fight between both the teams. “Isn’t the fight about whether the goal was foul or not?”

Both the teams put down their heads. “Then why were you mocking each other’s religions?” Both

the teams put down their heads. I see this happening all over. Today we mourn the passing away of a beloved old friend Mr Tolerance! We owe much to Mr Tolerance; he’s the one allowed bits and pieces of a foreign language to enhance and fortify his own; who allowed another philosophy from stranger across the border to strengthen his own knowledge of the unknown, who accepted his neighbours strange call to prayer without it making him insecure of his own. We owe much to him.

His was a slow death. His health began to deteriorate when humans bore no physical difference from each other started looking for differences; when twenty with a beard became a

majority and five without a minority, when twenty with a turban felt emboldened to stare down at five with no turban on their head.

He nearly died a violent death when six million in Hitler’s Aryan land were gassed but was resuscitated when soldiers from countries across the border killed the man inside his bunker. He nearly died in cold war when capitalist businessman in capitalist country felt it necessary to store bomb and pile it for use against communist neighbour who also stored bomb and aimed it on capitalist shore.

He nearly died when superpower sent soldier and missile against a bearded dictator and when bearded dictator was captured and

hanged in foreign shore, though no arms of destruction were found on his soil. But today, Mr Tolerance is dead. Bombs and blasts are used on innocents, and child and women are safe no more.

Mr Tolerance is dead, but it is time that someone greater than tolerance takes his place. It is time that Mr Understanding shows his face.

That we learn to understand each other, that we learn to understand that behind mask and beard lies the face of fear. Let us understand why we are afraid of each other and gently show that there is no reason to be afraid. Tolerance is dead, but let Understanding take it’s place..!

—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

Voice of the People Women face exploitation HASHIM ABRO Women in today’s particularly, in the rural areas of Sindh, are socially and economically handicapped. They are deprived of equal participation in the socio-economic activities. The Constitution of Pakistan has taken a long leap in the direction of eradicating the lingering effects of such adverse forces so far as women are concerned. It recognizes women as a class by itself and permits enactment of laws and reservations favoring them. A number of Articles in the Constitution make express provision for affirmative action in favor of womenfolk. It prohibits all types of discrimination against women and lays a carpet for securing equal opportunity to women in all walks of life, including education, employment and participation.

In spite of all these developments, the truth remains that widespread violations of women’s rights continue to persist in the country, especially, in the remote and rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan. The forces of globalization and extremism and the unwillingness of other segments of humanity continue to pose a threat to women’s human rights. Structural inequalities and power imbalances facilitate such violations.

Urge for easy money, at times greed, facilitating a life full of comforts, possibly luxury, has in the recent few years -during PPP-led coalition government- made Sindhi rural women more susceptible to exploitation and violence but where is the government, where are the relevant public sector organizations such as Commission on the status of women and provincial women welfare, social welfare and human rights departments? Unfortunately, all these relevant organizations have done nothing to alleviate miseries of women and elevate their socioeconomic status in the province.

—Islamabad

Allegations against Morsi KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ

Responsible & vibrant media ANWAR PARVEEN

T

he media is very vibrant these days on various issues related to internal affairs of the country. Media sets a trend by giving awareness about problems and making people to understand their role in overcoming the problems. But when such a media instead of developing positive attitudes indulges into confusing the minds then it leads to chaos and questions the credibility of media. The need of the hour is a responsible and caring media. There is requirement of presenting the positive as well as negative side of the issues, handling it by suggesting what is doable without hurting any national interest. It is time to adopt confidence gaining strategies. The media can unite the people removing misconceptions while providing a forum to display tolerance and respect for others point of view to build larger consensus.

—Islamabad

Waziristan challenges LT COL M S THUTTAL (R) Malala Yusufzai, a young girl from Swat, was attacked by the Taliban of Fazlullah group from across the border in Nuristan, Afghanistan. This also led to pressure on Pakistan to undertake operations in North Waziristan. But this is a serious matter; operations are undertaken in order to bring relief. Any operation has to be undertaken after gathering reliable intelligence, with able assistance of local population and keeping in mind the tribal traditions.

Challenges for army redouble as a large number of troops deployed on eastern front have been move to western border, thus leaving the defense against India unbalanced. This situation has been exploited by neighboring countries and an invisible foreign hand seems to be working behind fuelling insurgency in the troubled areas of FATA as well as Balochistan.

Vacation of posts by Nato-Isaf forces on the other side of the border leaves the Durand line vulnerable for Pakistan. This indicates towards the plot to keep Pakistan Army engaged on its western borders, so that continued engagement weakens the armed forces from within. So Pakistan has more at stake than what seems at the face value. The human angle has never been given any priority. People of FATA, who are loyal to Pakistan, are fed up of terrorism.

The situation demands a strategy to be made afresh involving locals, all political parties and stakeholder, with an aim to win over the hearts and minds. Army must be relieved of the local administration burden. It can be redeployed in DI Khan. Development work must start with the cooperation of local tribes. Politically elected representatives and civil society organizations must rally people and show their presence by sharing their grief and treating them with dignity. Political parties must establish offices inside North and South Waziristan. Political government should hold negotiations with the tribes to redefine social contracts. No joint NATO-Pak Operations should be conducted. We should not overstretch army’s deployment in FATA and Swat. Political activities must be allowed in FATA, elections must be held across the tribal area, committees be formed to write a new social contract, the FCR needs to be re-written, FATA be declared a separate province, and development work be started a massive pace to bring the tribal people to mainstream.

—Lahore

Recent allegations and media campaign of western media specially Aljazeera news channel against newly elected Morsi government in Egypt is baseless and rude. No one can compare present demarcated elected Egyptian government to former Mubarak regime. Allegations are coming from official of former Mubarak regime who accused that Morsi is acting like a dictator and Morsi is also harming judiciary and legal system.

Unfortunately some sources are using famous Tahrir square for scoring political points and destabilized present government. Morsi not acted alone and purposed new constitutional amendments. Egypt Parliament elected by public purposed and approved recent amendment in constitution. Now matter is going to president and finally public would decide whether constitutional changes are part of constitution or not. Unemployment and public expectations are high but true reality is that no one can solve last forty years problem in just few days. Only days ago Egyptian president played a vital role in Peace truce between Israel and Hammas whole world appreciated Morsi efforts. Newly elected President and most of new HIRA MUZAFFAR elected members are highly educated and have capability to face While going through an English daily economic and political challenges. newspaper and after reading all sorts —Jeddah, KSA of not so charming news regarding the downfall of our beloved country, my eyes got stuck on this astonishing news; Malala leads TIME’s Person of the Year list. I go through this news and find out that this girl has M HASSAN ABBASI been placed ahead of Barack Obama Although D-8 conference was and Hillary Clinton due to her countpeacefully arranged in Pakistan but less efforts for speaking for the the conference ended in a failure womens’ right. As an ordinary liberal when regional neighbors girl and a citizen of Pakistan, I should Bangladesh former East Pakistan be happy to see such a brave and feardidn’t participated in it though Pa- less Pakistani girl who has been able kistan Foreign Minister tried to con- to take her place amongst the top leadvince Bangladesh’s Prime Minister ing leaders of the world and whose during his visit to Bangladesh few name has been placed in the world’s days before the conference but most renowned magazine, TIME. Like everyone, we should celBangladesh demanded for official Sorry statement for the maltreatment ebrate the accomplishments and anywith the Bengalis in 1971 war but thing that counts in favor of our unPakistan refused to do so and there- der developed country. But I want to fore Bangladesh participated at the share my view point here. I am not a political person, nor have I much advisory level in the conference.

On the one hand where Govern- knowledge about the political parties ment is seeking sorry from the that whom backfired who and why.

Balochs and developing relation But, I just want to ask the question with its revival enemy India then that is in my mind: if this girl (sorry why is not Pakistan Government Malala but I would not like to call ready to say sorry though Pakistan you lady due to certain reasons) was Government realizes that it had done brave enough to step forward and wrong with the Bengalis but real- speak her word in front of the ization is not needed the acceptance Taliban’s and when everyone startto the fact could only came when it ing from local media to the internawill say Sorry to the Bangladesh tional leading organizations supGovernment which will open new ported and recognized her achievements then why still none of us has doors of friendship. seen her on any live interview by any —Karachi

Are we stupid enough?

BD demand for sorry!

media channel? She claims to be brave then why isn’t she still brave to face the general public and get documented live? The stories and images about Malalas endless hard work is on different social networks and there are so many articles and views by everyone then why we have not been able to hear her word of thanks to those who actually stood by her true efforts to acknowledge her for the steps she took? Or if I missed any such interview or her remarks, please be kind enough to share the link or article with me.

—Islamabad

1971 humiliation T A MALIK It was in the month of December that Pakistan suffered humiliation in 1971. It is time to reflect and perhaps learn some lessons from repeated mistakes by our establishment and political elite, who consider themselves above law. Without accountability there can neither be democracy, nor writ of state.

Our rapid economic and moral decline will reduce us to yet another Somalia like situation, if immediate remedial measures are not taken.

Quaid’s vision of a democratic welfare state was one that was based on rule of law, where all men were to have access to equal opportunities, where merit prevailed and public office holders were expected to adhere to ethics and morality and be held accountable for any abuse of power.

Imposition of Urdu as a national language on majority Bengali speaking population of Pakistan was a step which created bitterness and ill-will and was against all democratic norms.

Those responsible were unmindful of the fact that movement for creation of a separate homeland for Muslims was started in Bengal as early as 1905, much before anybody else even thought of it.

The Quaid’s vision of a welfare democratic state was destroyed by none other than its paid civil and uniformed bureaucracy, when they started meddling in politics and intrigues. Had this country adhered to the vision of our founding fathers, Pakistan would not have had to endure the ignominy and shame of surrender and dismemberment in 1971.

The choice of Ayub Khan with a tarnished past, who as Col was accused of accepting cash and jewelry from fleeing Hindus during the days he was in the Boundary Force for five months in later half of 1947, was a bad decision. This file was closed when GOC Lahore Gen Biggs picked up a weak Major Musa to close the file and clear the way for Ayub’s promotion as a Brigadier.

Public morality suffered a blow when the self assumed Field Marshall was so careless to be involved with Christine Keeler while on an official trip to UK. Ayub Khan repaid his debt to Musa when he made him C in C bypassing others more senior and deserving than him. It was none other than Ayub Khan, who knowingly selected a debauch to head the military, a man under whose watch Quaid’s Pakistan and his vision received a setback in 1971. The indiscipline, both financial and ethical, that infects our bureaucracy and ruling political elite started from the plunder of evacuee property in 1947 and their greed for real estate which was initiated by allotment of state lands to its paid servants instead of to deprived sections of our society and continues till todate. Inspite of constitutional embargo on dual nationality holders to hold public office, the fate of this country, its institutions and its political parties are in the hands of men who owe their allegiance and loyalties to other nations, and for whom this country is just a safe financial stopover, where they can safely plunder its assets and flee to evade accountability.

—Illinois, US

READERS are requested to type their letters legibly with double spacing and only on one side of the paper.

—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

J MICHAEL COLE

W

HILE China’s oil dealings with countries like Iran and Sudan re ceive global attention, its bud ding relationship with Iraq may turn out to be the most important. A lot of attention has been paid in recent years to energy-hungry China’s billion-dollar bids on oil fields in Canada and the Asian giant’s reliance on oil from countries like Iran and Sudan to fuel its growing economy. But its growing interest in another major oil producer has gone largely unnoticed, and if current trends continue, that Middle Eastern country could become the world’s next “oil superpower,” with China, not the West, acting as both Iraq’s main partner and top beneficiary of its rich resources in what some now call the B&B trade axis (Beijing and Baghdad).

In the past decade or so, China waited patiently on the sidelines while the U.S. and its allies coped with Iraq’s new, and often times messy internal dynamics that followed the 2003 overthrow of Saddam Hussein by a U.S.-led coalition. China reemerged in 2008, however, to sign post-Saddam Iraq’s first major oil deal with a foreign country. While the majority of Iraqi oil deals in the post-Saddam era were awarded to Western firms, the Western shift to a more amenable and independent oil-rich Kurdish region in the north amid disenchantment with southern Iraq is creating a vacuum that China has found hard to resist. Even more so than Russia, a traditional player in Iraq during the Soviet era, China has the capital that Baghdad is desperately seeking to build its oil and gas infrastructure, while Iraq has crude potentials that are alluring to a China that seeks to diversify its energy sources. Already, Chinese oil firms have taken an active interest in acquiring deals that had been awarded to Western firms in 20092010, which the latter are now relinquishing so they can focus on alternative oil fields in Kurdistan. Although talks between China and Iraq go back to at least 1997, major investments have only occurred in recent years, with Chinese National Petroleum Company (CNPC) focusing on the 17 billion barrel Rumaila field — Iraq’s largest — and Halfaya, both in the south.

As of 2010, China had made five major oil investments in Iraq since the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, one of which was in Kurdistan.

Relations are already on the right foot. To create goodwill with Baghdad, Beijing in 2010 forgave about 80 percent of Iraq’s $8.5 billion debt to China and has signed multibillion-dollar trade deals in various sectors, including industry, government, tourism, and transportation.

As China seeks to expand its fledging defense industry, it is not unreasonable to think that at some point Iraq will turn to it for military hardware, which in turn would create incentives for

China’s Oil Quest Comes to Iraq greater military cooperation between the countries and further entrench China’s presence in

barrels and natural gas holdings of 126 trillion cubic feet are located in southern Iraq, the same

tions over its suspected nuclear weapons program kicked in (prior to the sanctions, China

Iraq nevertheless remains divided by sectarian conflict and terrorism, a situation that is unlikely to change for years to come. As such, major Chinese investment projects there will face the same high risks that have compelled Western investors to look elsewhere. Although it tends to be more risk-tolerant, China probably will not countenance any major disruption in operations or threats against its nationals.

Iraq. China’s prospects in Iraq are certainly enviable. The vast amounts of capital at the dis-

parts of the country that Western companies are pulling out of. Industry sources maintain

posal of state-owned oil firms like CNPC, combined with Beijing’s more permissive and risk-

that by 2020 Chinese companies could be involved in projects within Iraq that account for

accounted for roughly 20 percent of Iran’s exports). However, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that falling production resulting from lack of investment, a high rate of natural decline in maturing oil fields, and the impact of the sanctions regime, will reduce the quantity of oil that is available for export and thus reduce Iran’s importance as an oil exporting country. Venezuela, another important source of crude for China, exports about 1.7 million bpd, of which China accounts for 10 percent. There as well, natural decline, lack of investment, and rising domestic consumption have led to an about one-quarter decline in exports since 2001.

For its part, Russia produced 9.8 million bpd of crude in 2011, of which 7 million bpd were exported with China buying about 375,000 bpd.

Unresolved territorial tensions, Moscow’s tendency to use oil exports as an economic weapon when relations sour, and Russia’s growing mistrust of China’s “rise” may have convinced the Beijing leadership that Russia cannot be counted on to serve as a reliable source of energy, its vast resources notwithstanding. And while Canada, a beacon of stability, shows great potential for China, Beijing is aware that major investments by China will remain a controversial issue in Canada, which could cause severe delays to the process of transforming the North

Additionally, China’s carrier ambitions, with the commissioning of the Liaoning earlier this year and alleged plans to build more, also point to a desire by Beijing to acquire the ability to sustain a permanent naval presence overseas with the means to launch military operations well outside its traditional theater of operations. Future Middle Eastern contingencies certainly fit such requirements. tolerant rules of engagement on foreign investment, will give it a net advantage as it attempts to outbid potential competitors for Iraq’s oil resources. Additionally, Beijing will have one up on other potential bidders for not having to face the colonial baggage that comes with their investment, such as the U.K.’s BP, or Russian and French companies.

The implications of this shift away from the West in favor of China will be far-reaching for both Iraq and the Middle East. About two thirds of Iraq’s estimated oil reserves of 143.1 billion

at least 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of the estimated 6 million bpd Iraq will produce by then (from 3.1 million bpd at present), and may be aiming for 3.5 million bpd by 2035. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Iraq’s output could reach 8.3 million bpd by 2035. To put Iraq’s potential in context, by comparison, China imported about 970,000 bpd from Saudi Arabia in 2011 and currently purchases about 520,000 bpd from Iran, or about half of Iran’s total exports of 1 million bpd, which is down from 2.3 million bpd in 2011 before Western sanc-

How Israel Lost Europe JONATHAN SCHANZER, BENJAMIN WEINTHAL

large chunk of its devotion to Israel’s Palestinians in East Jerusalem getting security on the notion of notices from Israeli authorities that their Wiedergutmachung, or reparations for houses will be destroyed, it would be HERE was never much doubt How Benjamin Netanyahu lost friends and Mahmoud Abbas influenced people. that the U.N. General Assem the German crimes against European ‘suicide’ for President Abbas to move bly would overwhelmingly Jewry during the Holocaust. Although under the current circumstances.” vote to upgrade the PalestinThe cable continued: “Heusgen ian Authority to the status of nonmem- Germany likes to present itself as Israel’s ber state on Nov. 29. The big surprise of the event was that a number of key Western European countries did not join the United States and vote against the resolution. The Czech Republic was the only European country to vote against the upgrade, and shockingly, the normally staunchly pro-Israeli governments of Germany and Britain decided to abstain. Does this mean that Israel has lost Europe? Germany’s surprising decision, in the eleventh hour, to shift from opposing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s bid to abstaining on it was reportedly tied to the question of Israel’s ongoing construction of settlements in the West Bank — a recent source of contention in European capitals. Germany appears to have taken this opportunity to address the conflict on the world stage.

This decision was especially shocking to Israelis given Germany’s strongest ally in Europe, the relation- said he could not fathom why Netanyahu did not understand this. He historical relationship with the Jewish ship has often been shaky. Take the example of Christoph Heusgen, suggested pressuring Netanyahu by state. Chancellor Angela Merkel declared in a 2008 speech before the Merkel’s national security advisor and linking favorable UNSC [U.N. Security Knesset that she supported Israel’s Middle East point man, who in 2009 a Council] treatment of the Goldstone right to defend itself and that only the year after the chancellor’s speech be- Report to Israel committing to a comIsraelis and Palestinians without ex- fore the Knesset sought to convince plete stop in settlement activity.”

T

Sarkozy’s successor, François Hollande, did not let the financial blow to this Paris-based organization get in the way of his support for the Palestinians at the United Nations. Hollande has made clear that the settlement issue is a priority for his government. “It erodes the building of trust between the sides and constitutes an obstacle to a just peace, based on a two-state solution,” said France’s Foreign Ministry in a statement this month. In a lateOctober meeting with Netanyahu in Paris, Hollande said that the two countries had “divergences on occupation, which we want to see halted.” Although Hollande has played his cards close to the vest, he announced this week that he would support Abbas’s bid.

In 2010, Merkel and Netanyahu had ternal interference could negotiate a U.S. envoys to weaken Washington’s two-state solution. “Every German opposition to the United Nations’ Gold- a heated telephone exchange over the chancellor before me has shouldered stone Report, which alleged Israeli war settlements issue, and the relationship crimes in Gaza during that year’s Op- further frayed over Germany’s decision Germany’s special historical responsithis year to upgrade the Palestinian bility for Israel’s security,” Merkel said eration Cast Lead.

According to a WikiLeaked cable Authority’s representation in Berlin to then. “This historical responsibility is part of my country’s raison d’être. For from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin at the that of a full diplomatic mission with an me as German chancellor, therefore, time, Heusgen “thought [Israeli Prime ambassador. Germany’s U.N. abstenIsrael’s security will never be open to Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu needed tion on Nov. 29 may also have been ‘to do more’ in order [to] bring the Pal- driven by domestic calculations. negotiation.”

—Courtesy FP The Federal Republic has based a estinians to the negotiating table. With

American giant into a major source of energy for China. From the above figures, it is therefore easy to see why Beijing would increasingly turn to Iraq, possibly the next “energy superpower,” as a source of crude to ensure it can continue to feed China’s economic expansion well into the future.

However, ever wary of Western designs, China remains extremely susceptible to any possibility that its access to energy will be disrupted. Such fears are exacerbated by China’s increasing reliance on oil imports, which cur-

rently stand at 55 percent, or 5.3 million bpd, of a total consumption of 9.9 million bpd. As its economy continues to expand, China’s oil dependence will grow commensurately, making disruptions to its imports all the more threatening. Efforts by the U.S. to attain energy selfsufficiency and therefore reduce its reliance on the Middle East are also fueling fears among the more conspiratorial minds in Beijing, who believe that a U.S. that is less dependent on Middle Eastern oil would be more inclined to sow discord within the region to “punish” China economically. While such scenarios are unlikely, there is little doubt that self-sufficiency, added to Washington’s “pivot” to Asia, will result in the reduction of U.S. forces in the Middle East, where they currently serve as the guarantors of security. As the U.S. develops new sources of energy and increases domestic production (it could possibly overtake Saudi output by 2020, with 11.1 million bpd), the Middle East as an object of national security a longstanding legacy of the “Carter Doctrine” could gradually become a thing of the past, or at least become less strategically significant to the U.S. Conversely, unless China embarks on its own policy to achieve energy self-reliance, or finds energy sources on its vast territory that have hitherto been undiscovered, the importance of the Persian Gulf for its economic security will only increase. As a result, unless another power steps in, the People’s Liberation Army could eventually replace the U.S. military as the guardian of the Gulf. And this extends beyond Iraq.

Lastly, as Beijing’s investments in Iraq and the Middle East expand, so will the need to ensure the unrestricted flow of crude and natural gas to China, which will add immediacy to the need to provide protection navigation in the Persian Gulf and throughout the long journey oil tankers must make to reach East Asia.

Unsurprisingly, one major driver in China’s decision to invest heavily in its Navy over the past two decades has been the requirement to ensure access to energy sources abroad. Not only has its fleet of frigates and destroyers undergone a dramatic transformation in the past 10 years, incrementally the PLAN has learned to operate away from its waters and has embarked on several “goodwill” visits overseas, such as the port call by a Navy Escort Task Group in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in March 2010. Given the high stakes for the region, Beijing’s engagement of Iraq over the next decade will deserve close scrutiny.

[J. Michael Cole is a Taipei-based journalist who focuses on military issues in Northeast Asia and in the Taiwan Strait. He previously served as an intelligence officer at the Canadian Security Intelligence Service. You can follow him on Twitter: @jmichaelcole1

Bringing Down the Muslim Brotherhood RAMY YAACOUB

E

GYPT’S Tahrir Square is once again making headlines all over the world. Protesters have filled Cairo’s downtown to the brim twice in the past week just as they did last year, during the heady 18day revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak. This time around, however,

hours, that well-known fragmentation was giving way to unity. The Nov. 27 marches and protest in Tahrir were the largest since the revolution’s heyday, and were followed by another huge protest on Nov. 30 after Morsi refused to retract his decree. Disturbingly, many Egyptian provinces have also seen violent clashes between supporters and opponents of the Brotherhood. Clashes led to the burning of several offices belonging to the

30 years straight and suspended Egyptians’ constitutional rights. In fact, this was one of the common grievances that all factions of the revolution could agree upon.

But since Mubarak fell, Egypt’s fractious non-Islamist groups have had a hard time maintaining that unity. Unlike the decades-old institutionalized Muslim Brotherhood and the hard-line Salafi movements, these groups only gained

An Islamist power grab has given Egypt’s secular opposition an opening to shape their country’s political future. the square was packed with Egyptians opposed to a power grab by the country’s Islamist movements. The message was clear: There are movers and shakers on the Egyptian political scene, and they are not Islamists. At long last, Egypt’s non-Islamist opposition has a chance to get in the driver’s seat building a powerful political machine of their own and changing the direction of their country. On Nov. 22, President Mohamed Morsi issued a constitutional decree that turned Egypt’s balance of power on its head. Two of the declaration’s six articles may ostensibly address the demands of Egyptians: One orders a retrial of those implicated in the killing of protesters during the revolution, and another sacks the prosecutor general a remnant of Mubarak’s regime.

Both actions, however, only served to sugarcoat the rest of the articles, which effectively transform the president into an omnipotent leader.

The declaration not only gives Morsi, a longtime leader in the Muslim Brotherhood, the authority to issue any necessary decision or legislation without overview from any other branch of government, it paves the way to set up revolutionary courts. This “revolutionary protection” law essentially gives the president the power to put on trial anyone deemed to be enemy of the revolution, state, or regime. The ambiguity of its language is dangerous as tens of thousands of ordinary Egyptians saw immediately. The response was an immediate uproar by Egypt’s infamously fragmented opposition and within a few

Brothers’ political wing, and the death of a few protesters from both camps.

Many skeptics, including the Broth-

the space to operate freely less than two years ago. They have had to learn how to structure their political institutions,

erhood, are convinced that the current unity between Egypt’s opposition forces will be short lived. This could not be further from the truth. Emergency constitutional decrees and similar measures are in themselves not foreign to democracies, and have been exercised successfully across the globe at numerous points in history. Egypt, however, is different: Egyptians well remember the country’s disastrous experience with them during the previous dictatorship.

Lest we forget, a major motivator for last year’s revolution was the long-standing emergency law, which was in effect for

build their ground operations, and develop their policies not to mention negotiate their electoral alliances and navigate the various crises of Egypt’s postrevolutionary landscape. Initially, these new parties splintered into many small groups, failing to provide a united vision for Egypt’s future. They feared successful alliances, worrying it would dilute their influence and blur their ideological message. Today, these concerns do not exist instead, these groups fear marginalization and political annihilation if they don’t unite against Morsi’s power grab.—Courtesy Foreign Policy.

The Emerging Crisis of Investment Treaties MARTIN KHOR Investment treaties between governments are allowing private companies and investors to sue countries for billions of dollars. Companies are claiming that their investments and future profits are affected by a range of government policies, including non-compliance with new health, environmental or economic measures.

Multinationals are often equipped with a powerful legal team and are capable of seriously damaging the economies of poor countries. The growing number of recent cases has given rise to global concern and a movement to amend the laws and investment treaties.

An epidemic of international legal suits taken by companies against governments for billions of dollars is causing public concern and leading to reviews of investment treaties. A growing number of international law suits has highlighted an emerging global crisis: the nature and effects of investment treaties signed between

governments but which are allowing private companies and investors to sue countries for millions or even billions of dollars.

The most recent cases involving investment include a US$1.8 billion judgment against Ecuador obtained by the U.S. oil company Occiden-

lions of dollars against governments, were taken by companies and investors claiming that their investments including future profits had been affected by a range of government policies, including non-compliance with contracts or new health, environmental or economic measures.

tially suffer is giving rise to grave concerns and calls by several governments as well as public interest groups and legal experts to review and amend the agreements that have led to the legal suits. The agreements are of two main types the bilateral investment treaties (BITS) signed

Fourth, the treaties prohibit expropriation of the investments. The definition of “expropriation” is very broad; it includes direct expropriation such as takeovers of property but also indirect expropriation including “regulatory takings”, or the implementation of new policy measures that affect the potential revenue and profits of the investors. tal Petroleum, a US$2 billion suit filed against Indonesia by a UK mining company Churchill, cases taken against Uruguay and Australia for public health measures by tobacco companies, suits threatened against India by several multinational companies, and even the seizure of an Argentinian warship in a Ghana port on behalf of a U.S. investment firm. The law suits, which have resulted in judgments totalling many bil-

Most of arbitration cases are taken up in the ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes), based in the World Bank in Washington. The tribunal system is widely criticised for its lack of professionalism and transparency, its conflicts of interest and the secrecy of its cases and outcomes.

The epidemic of cases and the high losses that governments have suffered or will poten-

between pairs of governments (of which there are now around 3,000) and the investment chapter contained in bilateral or regional free trade agreements (especially those involving the United States). Many of these agreements have “investor-to-state” dispute systems, under which a private company or investor can directly sue governments in an international tribunal by claiming that their property or profits

have been “expropriated” or adversely affected by a violation of contracts or by recent policy measures. The following are some recent cases of legal suits taken by investors against countries: An ICSID tribunal in October awarded a judgment for US-based Occidental Petroleum (Oxy) against Ecuador of US $1.8 billion, its largest ever award, in a case taken under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT. In addition, Ecuador has to pay $589 million in backdated compound interest and half of the costs of the tribunal, making its total penalty around $2.4 billion.

The government is countering the Churchill case, claiming that Churchill did not have the correct type of mining licenses. Law Minister Amir Syamsuddin said Churchill’s acquisition of a local company broke the law as they did not report nor get approval from the regency government and Jakarta. Two Ministers and other senior officials will be representing Indonesia at the case in ICSID. —Courtesy Other News

Nawaz calls for

Religious leader’s killing

From Page 1

From Page 1 Gulshan Chorasi and Mochi More.

Ahl-e-Sunnah Jamat while denouncing the killing of Movli Ismail termed his killing as great loss. On the other side 2 persons were killed in a car firing incident in town Sabri chowk and their bodies were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital.

As per police the victims who were identified as Jaseem and Nadim were real brothers.

They are stated to be workers of a political party.

Some unknown bike riders opened fire in Bilal colony located in jurisdiction of Industrial area police and killed Hidayt Ullah, sub inspector, incharge of police post. His body was shifted to Jinnah hospital.

Two bodies bundled in sacks were found near police post in Sohrab Goth. Police said these of the two people who were shot dead.—Online

Pakistan supports From Page 1 ister Hina Rabbani Khar met NATO Secretary General Andres Fogh Rasmussen here on Monday.

Khar and Rasmussen discussed issues pertaining to bilateral relations during their meeting. Foreign Minister Khar and Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani are in Brussels on a two-day visit. The Foreign Minister is expected to address NATO’s Atlantic Council and the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament.

Gen Kayani is expected to meet the Political Security Committee of the EU besides holding other vital meetings.

It is also being reported that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet Khar and Kayani.—Online/SANA

Iran, Pak fail From Page 1 nian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad both reaffirmed their keenness to pursue the designed route, Iran government website dolat.ir reported.

The pipeline is designed to carry 21.5 million cubic meters/ day of gas from Iran’s offshore South Pars gas field to Iranshahr on the border with Pakistan from 2014. Pakistan is expected to get around 750,000 Mcf/day to 1 Bcf/day of gas by mid-2015.

Ahmadinejad welcomed the “start of construction on Pakistani soil” and said he hoped the project would be able to go on stream as soon as possible. Construction of the pipeline on the Iranian side has already started.

“Pakistan has decided to expand its cooperation in all areas, especially energy, with Iran,” Hussain was quoted as saying.—Online

COURT NOTICE In the Court of Syed Imam Ali Shah, Judge Banking Court No-II District Courts Building Gujranwala Suit No.626/2012 Summit Bank Ltd E garton Road, Lahore —Plaintiff Versus Muhammad Riaz —Defendant Summons U/S 9 (5) of the Financial Institutions (Recovery of Finances) Ordinance; 2001 (Ordinance No.XLVI of 2001) Summons to: Muhammad Riaz S/O Muhammad Iqbal, Bussiness Under the Name and Style SHAHEEN Traders R/O Ghala Mandi Ghakkhar Gujranwala and F.NO-826, NEAR Janubi Railway Phatak, Ghakhar Mandi.

WHEREAS the aforesaid plaintiff has instituted a suit against you and other for the recovery of Rs=4,234,604/ 51- along with mark up/interest and cost etc, claimed to be payable by you A Summons u/s 9(5) Ordinance XIVI of 2001 referred to above is hereby issued requiring you to make within 30 days of the service of the Summon, an application for leave to defend the suit in the form of written statement U/S 10 of the said ordinance.

Take notice that on your failure to file such application within time specified above, the Banking Court shall pass a decree as prayed for in the plaint, in the favour of the plaintiff Banking Company.

Next date for further proceedings, in the case has been fixed on 07.01.2013.

Given under my hand and the seal of the court, this 28.11.2012 Seal of the Court Banking Court II Gujranwala

KABUL: Federal Minister for SAFRON Engineer Shaukaullah called on Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday.

MMA future still bleak From Page 1 ing MMA. The sources said JI leadership is busy in bargaining with PML-N and PTI for electoral alliance and in case no deal was struck either with PML-N or PTI, then JI might join MMA. The sources said Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Chief Senator Prof Sajid Mir is present in Saudi Arabia and he was assigned a special task to make grounds for a proposed alliance with PML-N. The sources said there was least chance of success for Sajid Mir because some strong ele-

ments in PML-N are not in favour of supporting any proposed alliance with Maulana Fazlur Rehman or with MMA and one of the chief opponent of this proposed alliance with MMA is PML-N stalwart Chaudhry Nisar Khan who is not ready to trust Maulana for making electoral alliance as Maulana, in his opinion, was still a man of President Asif Ali Zardari.

The sources said Maulana Fazlur Rehman can ally with PPP and ANP and in this case, Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith

chief Sajid Mir can detach himself from the MMA since he enjoys cordial relation with Mian Nawaz Sharif. This could become a cause of breaking MMA in future.

The MMA garnered the second-largest majority in the National Assembly with 58 out of 342 seats, as well as majority in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly and minority in Sindh and Balochistan Assemblies. But later, in 2005, due to difference the parties separated and could not reunite till now.

Russia, China urge North Korea to drop rocket launch plan Monday notified the U.N. shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization, about the launch, which was scheduled to take place between December 10 and December 22 at between 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. EST. The rocket’s first stage dropoff would take place off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, while the second stage would occur off the Philippines - both stages nowhere near Japan, coordinates provided by Pyongyang showed.

Echoing its criticism of the April launch, Russia said North Korea had been warned not to ignore a U.N. Security Council resolution which “unambiguously prohibits (it) from launching rockets using ballistic technology”.

China was not so direct in its criticism of North Korea, but urged “all sides” not to take any action that “worsens the problem”.

“China believes that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia accords with the interests of all sides and is the joint responsibility of all sides,” For-

From Page 1 eign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters.

“In the present circumstances, we hope all sides can be calm and restrained and not take any moves to worsen the problem. China will remain in touch and coordinate with all sides.”

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland condemned the launch plan on Sunday, calling it a provocative threat to the AsiaPacific region.

Election in South: North Korea says its rockets are used to put satellites into orbit for peaceful purposes. Russia said in its statement North Korea would be allowed to exercise its right to peaceful activity in space only if the U.N.-imposed restrictions were lifted.

The warnings come just weeks before South Korea’s December 19 presidential election in which how to handle North Korea is a major campaign issue.

The isolated North has for years tried to influence major events in the South by issuing propaganda or launching armed attacks.

North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce,

LAHORE—The Punjab University, the oldest seat of learning in the subcontinent, will fully support all students with special needs for pursuing higher studies leading to PhD free of cost.

Chairing a seminar on “Empowering persons with disabilities; Success Stories” conducted by the Special Education Department, PU in connection with international day of disabled persons here at new campus, Dean, Prof Dr. Liaqat Ali said that VC Prof Dr. Mujahid Kamran had already directed all heads of faculties and deans of various disciplines to facilitate the students with special needs.

He said that first time in 130 years history of the varsity all special students studying in different faculties of the Punjab University had already been to-

tally exempted from all sorts of fees including admission, departmental and examination with immediate effect.

He said the PU always attached great importance to all special children. He said all eligible and deserving special students will also be awarded scholarships without any hindrance.

He said that VC had also directed higher authorities of varsity that all genuine problems being faced by the special students must be addressed on top priority.

Dean PU Prof Dr. Ehsan Malik said that special children world over possess all abilities and capabilities with normal people and they always demonstrate their highest level of competence in different fields. Director, IER, Prof Dr. Mumtaz Akhtar emphasised the need of conducting such kind of seminars regularly on all international days

LAHORE—Pakistan Tehirk-eInsaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, condemning the killing of seminary teacher Maulana Ismail in Karachi, said the government has miserably failed to control law and order situation in Karachi and current deteriorating situation is highly dis-

tressful and condemnable. In a joint press statement issued here on Monday, PTI ViceChairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Secretary General Dr. Arif Alvi, President Javed Hashmi and Information secretary Shafqat Mahmood strongly condemn the killing of seminary teacher, Maulana Ismail, and the killing of 7 others as a

Monday. The amount has been granted to Syed Ibrar Kanwal in recognition of his meritorious services in the field of journalism despite physical disability.

Raja Pervez Ashraf said the government is committed to taking all possible steps to provide equal opportunities to persons with disabilities.

Pir Bilal Chishti from Ajmer Sharif also called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Two policemen killed in Peshawar blast kilograms of explosives was used in the bomb.

He said a roadside bomb was targeted the police mobile which was completely destroyed.

The injured were shifted to the Lady Reading hospital while the deceased were identified as sub-inspector Tajammul Khan and Sepoy Ibrar.—INP

energy crisis the country was confronted with, the construction of new dams including Kalabagh Dam was must.

Earlier in his address he said “I hope that Mr. Hoti’s joining us will strengthen the PML-N in Mardan and Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa and I’m sure that we will win majority of seats from here in upcoming general elections,” He said he would take along all the patriotic and peace loving forces of the country along to tackle the grave challenges. He said focus would be on establishment of peace in restive areas of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, FATA and Balochistan.

PML-N Chief said Pakistan would be made a hub of economic activities if he came into power adding Pakistan has a great potential in every fields of life and efforts is required to fully tap its huge resources’ potential.

The PML-N chief called upon the masses to elect honest and upright representatives in the ensuing elections, adding he considers politics as a trust of people and never indulged in the attainment of personal interests.

He said Pakistan would have achieved tremendous economic progress had his elected government was not overthrown in 1999, adding that he had taken up motorway issue with ECO countries to link Pakistan with Central Asian States (CAS) through motorways and had he completed five year term not only the motorways would be build up to Gawadar Port but it would also be extended up to Tashkent Uzbekistan that would certainly made the country an economic power and improve the socioeconomic condition of poor strata. Mian Nawaz Sharif said that PML-N would continue its efforts for the elimination of corruption as it was directly affecting economic growth rate and people’s life. He said his party had laid a strong foundation for positive politics and that PMLN’s constructive role in completion of five-year term of the present assemblies could not be overlooked. “We made defence impregnable by conducting six nuclear tests against Indian’s five,” he said. He was optimistic about changing of destiny of the country and put it on road to progress and development if voted to power.

Shahbaz asks Zardari to return the looted money SALIM AHMED LAHORE—Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has demanded that corrupt Zardari gang should return the looted money of the nation, otherwise the entire nation will rise against him and snatch this looted money from them. He said that people will take the revenge of four and a half years’ corruption by the federal government through power of vote and oust these looters through ballot. He said that the merchants of Islamabad set up a market but no venal was available in Punjab. He said that Mian Ata Muhammad Khan Maneka and his colleagues have great services for Punjab government as they have always supported the truth.

He expressed these views while addressing a foundation stone laying ceremony of Hydro Power Project at Mauza Kumharewala, Pakpattan Monday. Shahbaz Sharif said Punjab

Government has started publicwelfare projects and transparency and merit have been given priority in them.

He said that if anyone proved corruption of even a penny in these projects, he will present himself before the court of the people. The Chief Minister said that had Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif been Prime Minister in place of PPP Prime Minister for the last four and a half years, the country would not have been plunged into darkness and there would not have been corruption of billions of rupees in rental power projects.

He said that federal government had committed enmity with Punjab due to which the machinery of Chicho Ki Malyaan and Nandipur power projects was stopped at Karachi and these projects costing Rs. 70 billion were delayed. He said that the workers of Chinese company working on these projects went back and it is not easy to bring

them back as if the work on these projects is started now, an additional expenditure of 20 billion rupees will have to be borne and waited for another two years for their completion. He said that the economy, agriculture and industries of Punjab are being ruined intentionally.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the high-ups of federal government earned billions of rupees by exploiting the poor farmers through black marketing of fertilizers. He said that due to criminal negligence of the federal government, the country has been plunged into darkness and is facing worst loadshedding. He said if the tales of Zardari and his corrupt team are narrated, the day will end but the story of their loot and plunder will not finish. Shahbaz Sharif said that if the people elected Muslim League-N through power of vote in the coming elections, we will eliminate the energy crisis within two years.

Christian charity worker From Page 1

the Model Town neighbourhood,” Awais Malik, a senior police official told AFP. Doctors said she was hit in the chest and was recovering in hospital. “A bullet hit her in the chest. We have treated her and she is improving now,” Ali Usman, a doctor at the hospital, told AFP. No further details about the attack were immediately available.

Police and colleagues told AFP, Almby is the managing director in Pakistan of Full Gospel Assemblies, which describes itself as a ‘church fellowship’ founded in the United States with congregations worldwide.

PAKPATTAN: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif offering dua after laying foundation The organization runs chari- stone of Pakpattan Hydro Power Project on Monday. ties in the country including a technical training institute, adult literacy centre and orphanage.

Almby has lived in Pakistan for the past 38 years, according to dedicated for the welfare of spe- police.—AFP cial children and creating awareness among the massess about their genuine needs to be fulfiled.

Prof Dr Shaikh Muhammad Iqbal, former senior faculty KANSAS CITY—Police have member of English Department From Page 1 identified the girlfriend of a Sargodha College and Shafiq Ur Rehman and Aamir Mushtaq nar- judgment of the Supreme Court. Kansas City Chiefs player killed rated their success stories.

Forty members of the pro- in a murder-suicide as 22-yearDr. Waqar Chaudhary, Re- vincial assembly out of sixty five old Kasandra M. Perkins.

Police spokesman Darin gional Director, Associated participated the today session.

Snapp says linebacker Jovan Press of Pakistan, Central ReEarlier the same members Belcher fatally shot Perkins on gion, Punjab, who is also patron- expressed confidence in the in-chief of special students, PU leader of the House Nawab Saturday.

He then drove to Arrowhead speaking on the occasion said Aslam Raisani.

Stadium and committed suicide that all out efforts are being Interior Minister Mr. made on war footings by the VC Rehman Malik will brief the in front of his coach and genPU to provide best of the best members of the provincial as- eral manager Authorities did not release package of facilities to all spe- sembly on law and order situacial students. tion in camera session of the as- a possible motive for the murder-suicide, though police said He said that now special stu- sembly. that Belcher and his girlfriend dents in PU can study upto PhD had been arguing recently. The free of cost which he added is a two of them have a 3-month-old rare opporunity not only in Pakichild.—AP stan but in whole of Asia.

Police ID woman killed in Chiefs Malik to address murder-suicide Balochistan

OGRA recommends

Govt fails to curb terrorism in Karachi: Imran MUZAFFAR ALI

From Page 1

From Page 1 not a peace treaty, and regional powers have for years been trying to rein in the North’s nuclear program.

Countries trying to stop North Korea’s arms program believe it is using rocket launches to perfect technology to build a missile arsenal capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the United States.

North Korea is under U.N. sanctions that ban trading in missile or nuclear technology that have driven its already dire economy deeper in trouble by cutting off what was once a lucrative source of hard cash.

Russia has often balanced criticism of the nuclear activities and missile launches of North Korea, a Soviet-era client state, with calls on other powers to refrain from belligerent actions against it, which Moscow says can be counterproductive.

Russia is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and is upset by any defiance of council resolutions. Past launches by Pyongyang have caused concern among Russians living near the country’s border with North Korea.—Reuters

PU to support special students for higher studies STAFF REPORTER

PM hints at Human Rights defenders

flanked by senior party leaders including Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan Abbasi and Engineer Amir Muqam.

Mian Nawaz Sharif expressed serious concern over the fast deteriorating law and order situation in the country with particular reference to Sindh and Baluchistan and rapped the incumbent ruling set up for its incompetence to handle the situation. He lamented the overall situation prevailing in the country.

He said he was not canvassing for personal gains adding all their efforts were aimed at bringing prosperity to the motherland. He advised the people to make prudent decision before going to the polls adding the future of Pakistan was in the hands of people. He said it was a good omen that assemblies in Pakistan were going to complete their term.

Nawaz Sharif said the whole nation should decide whether they need Kalabagh Dam or not.

“Building of national consensus on this project is must before taking any decision in this regard”, he said. He said owing to worst

result of unknown men’s firing in Karachi. PTI sends their sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

PTI Chairman, Imran Khan said the rulers had miserably failed to control the law and order situation of Karachi, target killing and extortion was continuing in the city, the police and Rangers were helpless.

From Page 1 stations, assured that the tax tariff of stations and other industries would be made uniform.

Standing Committee chairman Jamshed Dasti told media that a uniform tax will ensure that the CNG stations do not go into a loss and prices are also not raised.

“We have asked the CNG association to reopen 400 stations which were earlier closed down,” Dasti said.

The recommendations will also be forwarded to the Supreme Court.

FOR SALE House Equipments/ Furniture, A/C, Carpets and other related House equipments sparkly used by the Saudi Military Attache Office at House # 60 , St. 25 Sector F-10/1, Islamabad.

Sealed quotation my please be sent to Mr. Abdul Rehman Al-amri Up to 5 December 2012.

Shaukatullah meets Hamid Karzai

Pakistan for early return of Afghan refugees ISLAMABAD—Pakistan on Monday asked Afghanistan to take steps to create conducive conditions for voluntary and dignified return of Afghan refugees to their country.This was discussed during a meeting between President Hamid Karzai and Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Eng. Shaukatullah, who called on him.

The Minister requested President Hamid Karzai to appeal Afghan refugees—residing in Pakistan— to return to their country and play their role in the reconstruction and rebuilding of Af-

SC moved against Registrar’s extension ISLAMABAD—A writ petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday against the extension of the Supreme Court Registrar Dr. Faqeer Hussain for consecutive third time. A citizen, Malik Gul Zali Khan filed a petition in the apex court taking stance that the further extension of the Registrar is against the Article 25 of the Constitution and an indiscriminate behaviour towards the lower staff. He stated in the petition that the extension in the services of the Registrar for third time seemed to be an alarming bell for the dignity of the judiciary, therefore, the matter may be considered. —Online

Explosives defused D E R A I S M A I L K H A N —A bomb planted in Sherani colony opposite Gomal University was defused on Monday. According to bomb disposal squad, the bomb was planted underground. On information by the local people, police and bomb disposal squad reached the site and defused the device. Bomb Disposal Squad Incharge Inayatullah Tiger said that the bomb was planted in front of a house opposite Gomal University police station. He said three kgs of explosive material was used and its safety wire and detonators had already blasted but luckily there was no blast.—INP

MNA Sabeen resigns ISLAMABAD—PML-N Member of the National Assembly Mrs Sabeen Rizvi has resigned for having dual nationality. Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker of National Assembly has accepted her resignation from 29th November, 2012. National Assembly Secretariat has sent a notification in this regard to Election Commission for further necessary action. Mrs. Sabeen Rizvi said that she was resigning from the National Assembly due to personal reasons. —INP

TTP wants missile as symbol ISLAMABAD—Nuclear scientist Dr. AQ Khan’s political party Tehreek-e-Tahafuzz Pakistan has requested the Election Commission of Pakistan to assign a missile as the party’s election symbol. According to sources, the Tehreek-eTahafuzz sent a request to the ECP one week ago to allot the missile as symbol of the party in the upcoming general elections. The Election Commission will make a decision regarding the symbol during its next meeting. —Online

Tremors jolt Lahore, other cities L A H O R E —Low

intensity earthquake measuring 3.5 magnitude on Richter scale was felt in Lahore on Monday morning, the Met office said.

According to reports, the tremors were felt in Faisalabad, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Khanewal and other areas of the province. Panic gripped the people who came out of their houses reciting verses from the Holy Quran. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the intensity of the quake was recorded 3.5 magnitude on the Richter scale.—Online

ghanistan. President Karzai thanked people and government of Pakistan for hosting and assisting millions of refugees for more than three decades.

The two sides emphasized the need for further promoting the bilateral cooperation in the areas of mutual benefits, said a press release received here from Kabul.

The Minister is currently on three days’ official visit to Afghanistan.

He visited the sites wherein the returnees from Pakistan are residing. He visited the Kuchi Abad Township, Kabul, and held meeting with the elders of returnees and

listened to their problems.

He assured them to take up their problems with the concerned forum.

The Minister also held meetings with the Afghan Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Affairs, Dr. Jamahir Anwari, and the Senior Advisor to President Hamid Karzai on International Relations, Dr. Yahya Marufi and discussed with them the issues relating to the voluntary return of Afghan refugees and sought their cooperation to expedite the repatriation process of the refugees. —APP

Railways land allotment case SEOUL: President Asif Ali Zardari being received by First Vice Minister of Korea Ahn Oh Young on his arrival here on Monday.

UN to pull staff out of Syria U NITED

Islam religion of peace: Kaira

The Minister said that PakiLALAMUSA—Minister for Infor- need for getting both religious N ATIONS —The mation and Broadcasting Qamar and modern education to confront stan would also like to benefit

United Nations is to pull nonessential staff out of Syria because of the growing conflict dangers and is restricting travel for those remaining, a UN news agency said Monday.

A quarter of the 100 international staff still in Damascus could leave this week, some staff could be moved out of the northern city of Aleppo and travel outside the capital will be restricted, the UN humanitarian officials said.—AFP

No decision to unblock YouTube: PTA ISLAMABAD—There has been no decision to unblock YouTube nor was it officially opened according to the Director General of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Farooq Awan.

As per media reports, Awan said the PTA would investigate those Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who opened the video sharing website in some cities of Pakistan on Monday.

The DG PTA added that action would be taken against the ISPs which opened YouTube and their licenses’ could be suspended. YouTube was banned in Pakistan three months ago over publishing of an anti-Islam film on its website.

Meanwhile, some news channels flashed this news report as breaking news that the YouTube service has been restored in Pakistan while few others said it has been restored in various cities.

In the meantime, Federal Ministry of Information Technology has issued a statement, saying it has not issued any orders for restoration of YouTube service in the country.

Sources in Peshawar have confirmed that YouTube service is available there but sources in few other cities including Karachi have said that yet it has not been restored.—Online

Russia, China urge North Korea to drop rocket launch plan MOSCOW/BEIJING—Russia and China urged North Korea on Monday not to go ahead with a plan for its second rocket launch of 2012, with Moscow saying any such move would violate restrictions imposed by the U.N. Security Council.

North Korea’s state news agency on Saturday announced the decision to launch another space satellite and reportedly told neighbors it would take a similar path to that planned for a failed rocket launch in April.

“We urgently appeal to the government (of North Korea) to reconsider the decision to launch a rocket,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

North Korea on Monday notified the U.N. shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization, about the launch, which was scheduled to take place between December 10 and December 22 at between 11.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.

EST.—Reuters

Zaman Kaira has said that Islam is a religion of peace, harmony and tolerance.

He was talking to Head of Jamia Qadria Aliya Pir Muhammad Afzal Qadri during a meeting here. Kaira stressed the need for promoting true Islamic values of peace, tolerance and religious harmony in the country.

“We love peace as per the teachings of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and want to conquer the world through love and dialogue”, he said.

The Minister said that today some elements were trying to force others to accept their creeds rather convincing them through logic. Kaira said that Islam spread through love and dialogue instead of using force. He also said that seminaries were not a problem, but some of them were being misused by some people, who should be exposed by the society. The Minister stressed the

the new challenges. Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that regular membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) would be helpful for Pakistan to combat terrorism more effectively. The Minister said this while talking to media at Benazir Bhutto International Airport before his departure for Bishkek to attend SCO conference to be held December 4-5 in the Capital of Kyrgyzstan.

The minister said Pakistan has given unmatched sacrifices in war against terrorism to make secure the whole world. He said international community has acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistan.

He said during the conference he would stress that Pakistan should be given permanent membership of the SCO in view of the forum’s importance in economic cooperation and maintaining regional security.

from the expertise of the SCO member countries in taking measures against terrorism and extremism. Kaira said Pakistan, being an observer, has been an active participant in the activities of the organization which is quite evident from being the first to apply for the full membership of SCO. He said Pakistan has supported all initiatives of SCO at all international fora as its believed that the forum can play an important role to eliminate terrorism and poverty from the region.

He said China, Kazakhastan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikestan and Uzbekistan are regular members while Pakistan and India have observer status.

Kaira said initially it was planned that Prime Minister would attend the conference but due to his important engagements he was assigned the task to represent Pakistan at this important forum.—APP

Over 100 Ahmadi graves desecrated STAFF REPORTER LAHORE —Over 100 tombstones were desecrated by unidentified men at an Ahmadi graveyard in the Model Town area of Lahore early Monday morning.

Eyewitnesses said 12 to 15 masked men, carrying weapons and excavation tools, had entered the grave-

yard in Model Town Q Block between 1:30am and 1:45am.At least five of the men were reported to be carrying weapons, including 9mm pistols and a bigger gun.

They removed and broke the tombstones of graves.

They also told the caretakers that they were not supposed to write the Kalima or Bismillah on the tombstones

because, “Ahmadis are infidels.” I was about to sleep for a while when I heard the sound of someone jumping inside the compound.

When I was about to check who could be there, a number of men pounced on me, started beating me and snatched my gun,” said Muhammad Younis, a guard at the graveyard.

Probe completed against five officials: NAB STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday stated that it had completed its probe against three retired military and two civilian officials in the case pertaining to alleged fraudulent allotment of 141 kanals of Pakistan Railways land in Lahore to the management of the Royal Palm Golf Club.

A spokesman for the NAB said the bureau had recorded statements of the five officials — Lt-Gen (retd) Javed Ashraf Qazi, Lt-Gen (retd) Saeeduz Zafar, Maj-Gen (retd) Hamid Hassan Butt, Khursheed Ahmad Khan, former finance member, and Iqbal Samad Khan, ex-general manager (operations), of Pakistan Railways. The inves-

tigation report would be pre- NAB’s executive board this sented in a meeting of the week, the spokesman said.

No ‘Taliban’ movement in country : Fazl STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—The chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F Maulana Fazlur-Rahman, Monday said there was no such movement as “Taliban” anywhere in Pakistan.“We do not recognize the movement, which the forces have officially acknowledged as Taliban’s. It was simply unacceptable to us”, said he addressing a press conference here.

The JUI-F leader, in the strongest of words, warned against dubbing anyone as terrorist. “No one can be allowed to brand someone as a terrormonger”, Maulana Fazal said.

He said his party had always raised voice for the sectarian harmony and would continue to do so in future. Fazl was of the view that seminaries, clerics, and students were being targeted under a conspiracy.

“People are tired of picking up dead bodies. It’s time sectarian violence was reined in. I appeal to my party workers to thwart this intrigue”, he said.

To a question he said a military operation could not bring about peace in the country.

“Warfare cannot ensure lasting peace. It doesn’t work that way. They have to come up with better ideas”, Fazl added.

Rangers to be deployed for Punjab bye-polls LAHORE—The Election Commission of Pakistan has decided to deploy Rangers for today’s byeelections in five constituencies of Punjab. Bye-polls will be held in the constituencies NA-107 GujratIV, NA-162 Sahiwal-III, PP-26 Jhelum-III, PP-92 Gujranwala-II and PP-122 Sialkot-II. The ECP spokesman said the decision was taken in the wake of complaints about possible rigging in votes. He said Rangers would remain deployed till election results. He said the voting results would be handed over to district returning officers under the supervision of paramilitary troops.—INP

Is diabetes linked to hearing loss?

D

IABETES has already been tied to an increased risk of kidney and car diovascular troubles, nerve damage and vision loss, and now a new study finds diabetics to be more than twice as likely as those without the disease to have hearing impairment. In a review of past research on the question, scientists in Japan also found that younger diabetics were at even higher risk than older adults - though they cannot explain why, and experts caution that this kind of study does not prove that diabetes is directly responsible for the greater hearing loss rates.

“It doesn’t definitively answer the question, but it continues to raise an important point that patients might ask about,” said Dr. Steven Smith, diabetes specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

It’s also not the first time researchers have found a link between diabetes and hearing loss. In 2008, researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) saw similar patterns in a sample of more than 11,000 people. In that study, people with diabetes were twice as likely to have hearing loss as those without the condition.

Generally, hearing loss is defined as having trouble understanding what people are saying in a hushed voice, and missing some words at a regular volume. The American Diabetes Association estimates there

are currently about 16 million people living in the U.S. with diabetes, and NIH says about 36 million Americans report some level of hearing loss.

It’s thought that high blood sugar levels brought on by diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging blood vessels in the ears, according to Chika Horikawa, the study’s lead author from Niigata University Faculty of Medicine in Japan, and colleagues. They collected information from 13 previous studies examining the link between diabetes and hearing loss and published between 1977 and 2011. Together, the data covered 7,377 diabetics and 12,817 people without the condition.

Overall, Horikawa’s team found that diabetics were 2.15 times as likely as people without the disease to have hearing loss. But when the results were broken down by age, people under age 60 had 2.61 times the risk while people over 60 had 1.58 times higher risk. The researchers, whose findings appear in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, note that future studies that take more factors into account, such as age and noisy environments, are needed to clarify the link between diabetes and hearing loss. Still, Horikawa told Reuters Health in an email, people should recognize that diabetics may be at risk for hearing loss based on their results.

ISLAMABAD: US Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Richard Hoagland giving away shield to a girl during the launching ceremony of Urdu-language series, called ‘Mein aur Mere Dost’ (Me and My Fridends).

3D animated cartoon series launched SANA JAMAL I SLAMABAD —Three young middle school detectives, attempting to solve the case of a troubled fellow, reach the core issue faced by many but largely ignored. The fellow student had been the victim of gender discrimination and violence. The sneak preview of the 3D animated cartoon series “Mein or Mere Dost” (Me and My Friends), soon to be aired on local channels,

was shown here at a launch event on Monday as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign.

Pakistan’s first-ever 3D animated cartoon series “Mein or Mere Dost” has been designed to educate children about gender equality and advocate against gender-based violence. The team behind the project is Aurat Foundation (AF) and Creative Village with support

from USAID. Designed for children 9-12 years old, the seven-episode cartoon series counters gender stereotypes and sends constructive messages against gender-based violence.

The Urdu-language series, called Mein aur Mere Dost (Me and My Friends), features a team of young detectives, who help their fellow to tackle various genderrelated dilemmas bravely and live life to the fullest.

RAWALPINDI: Handicapped children presenting tableau during a ceremony on the occasion of ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ at Rawalpindi Arts Council.

Water supply from Rawal Dam reduced R AWALPINDI —Supply of water to Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) for Rawalpindi from Rawal Dam has been decreased by three million gallons per day (MGD).

According to sources, earlier WASA was provided 24 million gallons water per day (MGD) for Rawalpindi but now it would be provided 21 MGD. One and a half million gallons per day water cut would be made in the water supply of clients of WASA, while the remaining 1.5 million gallon per day cut would be made in the MES supply.

The decision of reducing the water supply from the dam has been made under the lowering water level in Rawal Dam and forecast of less rain in coming days.

When contacted, MD WASA, Raja Shoukat Mehmood, confirming the news, said that the authority would try to compensate the water shortage by supplies through water tankers and from tube-wells.

He further said that rationing of the water has been done for the benefit of the masses so that the citizens could get water in summer even in case of fewer rains. The DG WASA urged the citizens to carefully use the water and immediately inform the authority if they find water leakage somewhere.—INP

PM: Govt to provide equal opportunities to special people SHARAFAT KAZMI ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that government is committed to take all possible steps for providing equal opportunities to persons with disabilities in the public and private sector to utilize their abilities for the progress and prosperity of the country.

He made these remarks during a ceremony to award cheque of Rs. 6 lacs to Syed Ibrar Kanwal, Chairman Spe-

cial Journalist Welfare Committee at the PM’s House on Monday. The amount has been granted to Syed Ibrar Kanwal in recognition of his meritorious services in the field of journalism despite physical disability.

The Prime Minister called upon the people Government institutions, civil society and philanthropists to make consistent and resolute efforts for providing equal opportunities to special persons for their active participation national life.

The Prime Minister also approved a proposal made by Syed Ibrar Kanwal for provision of 7 laptops to physically hampered journalists so that they can be facilitated in discharging their professional work. The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the federal government as well as the provincial governments would take solid steps for providing an enabling environment for special persons and take into account their special needs.

Rodolfo fetes parliamentary friendship group ASHRAF ANSARI I SLAMABAD —Rodolfo

J. Martin-Saravia, the Argentine Ambassador, hosted dinner at his Residence in honour of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for Argentina, a group committed to promoting friendly relations between Pakistan and Argentina.

The Argentine Ambassador said his country wishes ever-growing prosperity to Pakistan and wants to strengthen relationship by working together to foster

stability in the region and around the world.

The main subject of discussion was the issue of the Malvinas Islands (known as Falkland Islands in the English-speaking world), a territory claimed by Argentina but controlled by British military.

The Ambassador had invited several reputed political analysts and distinguished diplomats who were able to further explain the Members of Parliament background of the issue. On 3 January 1833, the

Four agro farms sealed STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD — The Capital Development Authority has sealed another four agro farms on violation of its bylaws and non-confirming use. CDA had issued notices to all the allottees / owners of Agro Farming Scheme who had enhanced the covered areas beyond the allowable limits.

Some agro farms were under non-confirming use and were holding different activities in violation of the CDA bylaws. Such activities include storage of engineering & catering material, juice factories and used for office purposes which tantamounts to violations of CDA rules.

Malvinas Islands were occupied by British forces that displaced the Argentine population and authorities that had legitimately settled there and replaced them with subjects from Britain.

The Argentine immediately protested forceful that is still continuing.

The Ambassador said Argentine has sovereignty rights over the Malvinas, the South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, being part of its national territory.

UAE desert converted into booming flowers in four decades Hub of economic activities attracts the whole world; Magnificent show erupted into joy and feelings of brotherhood; Pakistan is my country also: Essa Abdulla Al Basha Al Noaimi LIAQAT TOOR ISLAMABAD—Though it was

Guests at the National Day reception of UAE.

a chilly evening of Sunday in the capital but it got warm when about 1500 Pakistani elites thronged the grand show of 41st National Day of the United Arab Emirates held at the residence of Essa Abdulla Al Basha Al Noaimi, a popular and pleasing ambassador of the UAE to Pakistan.

The warmth friendship and strong bond of brotherhood reflected from the fact that President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari was the Chief Guest on this memorable and spectacular gala where a number of Ministers Including Ahmed Mukhtar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammed Asif Sandila and other military officers were part of the National Day celebrations.

Politicians from political landscape including PTI leader Wasim Shahzad,

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Ejazul Haq, a large number of ambassadors and High Commissioners, Retired Generals and ex-civil servants and diplomats, businessmen, religious leaders,

mediamen and friends of the UAE joined the celebrations which continued for three hours at the sprawling lawns of the ambassador ’s residence located in Diplomatic Enclave.

The whole atmosphere was a giving a festive look as colourful lightings, buntings and spectacular display of a cultural troupe, especially came from the UAE stunned the guests. Their

traditional dance with their swords on the beat of the music thrilled the participants. A big screen installed on the occasion was continuously beaming the history and socio- economic development of the UAE which is composed of seven principalities in the south of Arab peninsula.

On arrival of President Asif Ali Zardari, anthems of both the countries were played. Later cake- cutting ceremony was held where the President joined the ambassador and other dignitaries amidst applause by the participants.

Essa Abdulla Al Basha Al Noaimi must be happy with his performance as his prolific, pleasant and winning personality developed excellent relations not only between governments of ISLAMABAD: Dancers from UAE posing for a group photo on the occasion of National Pakistan and UAE but also Day of United Arab Emirates. between the people of both

the brotherly countries.

Credit goes to him for putting the relations on fast track in all spheres of human activities. He has remarked on one occasion that “Pakistan is my country also” which reflected his strong liking for Pakistan. He use to visit far flung areas of Pakistan for helping the needy people.

The vision of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan AlNahyan, the current President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and Vice President and Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AlMaktoum converted the UAE desert into booming flowers in four decades.

UAE has become a hub of economic activities where businessmen from all over the world are attracted.

Domestic users deprived of gas

Long queues of CNG vehicles ruin twin cities’ traffic system Zohr

06:20 01:30 03:45 07:00

December 4 HAMDARD Thinker ’s Forum is to hold a discussion on ‘Expension of cities: Economic and Social Problems’ at Hamdard Markaz Murree Road. ***** PAKISTAN Academy of Letters (PAL) is organizing a ‘Khawateen Mushaira’ today 4 th December, at 2:00 p.m in the Conference Hall of PAL, Pitras Bukhari Road, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad.

Prominent poetess Kishwar Naheed will preside over the Mushaira.

December 5 JOSH LITERACY CONFERENCE in connection with 116 th birth anniversary of great revolutionary poet Josh Malih Abadi, organised by the Josh Adabi Foundation, at Pakistan Academy of Letters, Pitras Bokhari Road, Sector H-8/1, Islamabad, 3 pm.

Continuing MINIATURE paintings exhibition titled ‘The King must die’ by Asif Ahmed, at Tanzara Gallery, House No 14, Street 12, Sector F7/2, Islamabad, continuing up to December 8 11:30 am to 6:30 pm.

STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The traffic system has been ruined due to long queues of vehicles at Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in the twin cities, while on the other side, most of domestic users have been deprived of gas and the citizens have been forced to burn wood to cook meal.

The CNG stations owners have been taking inflated charges from the consumers. While the log queues of vehicles could be seen at CNG stations which has ruined the traffic system

in the twin cities.

On the other hand, the severe cold weather has engulfed the twin cities but most of the residential areas, including Adyala Road, Khatana, Dhoke Jumma, Mubarik Lane, Sadiqabad and Shakrial and other areas are deprived of gas. The citizens have been forced to burn wood for cooking.

The citizens expressed concerns, saying the authorities have not been paying attention to resolve the issue of gas loadshedding.

They said that they were poor people and could not ISLAMABAD: Drivers trying to start an out of order cab while standing in a long queue afford kerosene oil for do- at a CNG Station due to strike by some CNG station owners.

CDA launches cleanliness campaign STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —On the directions of Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA), Syed Tahir Shahbaz, CDA has launched a vigorous cleanliness campaign and awareness expedition in the Margallah Hills National Park and other areas of Islamabad for conservation and protection of the environment of the federal capital.

The Authority is collaborating with the government and private schools, NGOs and other partner organizations to help preserve the rich bio-diversity inhabited in the Margallah Hills National Park and enhance the green cover of Islamabad, which is a unique feature of the city.

Hundred of students from the government schools, Head-Start School System and SOS Village are partici-

pating in the campaign inaugurated by the Member Environment, CDA, Dr. Kazim Niaz on Monday at the Trail – 5 of Margallah Hills National Park. The enthusiasms and passion of the students, teachers and environmentalists was remarkable while participating the adventurous activities initiated to raise awareness for environmental protection and preservation of the bio-diversity. The children were divided into different groups for participating in different activities including art competition, cleanliness, expedition and walk in the Margallah Hills.

Speaking on the occasion, Member Environment said that the Margallah Hills National Park is an asset for the city and it would be protected and preserved as it gives a unique character to the Federal Capital. He said that CDA has planned differ-

ent activities in collaboration with Public and Private Schools, Environmental NGOs, including WWF to raise awareness for keeping the city clean and protecting the natural assets of the Green Islamabad. This activity would be extended to the other environmental facilities of the city as well. The Authority has planned to hold such events at Marghzar Zoo and Lake View Park as part of this campaign.

CDA is also collaborating with WWF for holding adventurous activities in Margallah Hills National Park which include hiking and training on vegetation management, plantation, improvement of degraded areas, site areas, picnic spots and other environmental conservation measures.

The Margallah Hills National Park has unique characteristics and rich bio-diversity.

Encroachments in Sadiqabad on the rise

ers union, Malik Aftab said that taxi drivers of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi would stage a peaceful protest demonstration in front of the Parliament House at D Chowk.

The union president appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to fix separate petrol pumps and CNG stations for the public transport so that the travelling facilities could be improved for the residents. They also demanded strict action against the owners of the CNG stations that were not providing gas to the motorist and transporters.

Fehmida, Kundi Kashmir Highway expansion Air Commodore congratulate CPNE Farooq Habib Construction work halted promoted as office-bearers I SLAMABAD —Dr Fehmida Air Vice Marshal due to lack of funds Mirza, Speaker and Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly have congratulated the newly elected office bearers of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) In their separate messages to the newly elected President of CPNE Mr. Jamil Athar Qazi, Senior Vice President Shaheen Qureshi, Secretary General Aamer Mehmood and other office bearers, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker extended their warmest felicitation on their success.

They said that their election was an evidence of trust and confidence of Journalist Community reposed on them.

They hoped that they will work for welfare of Journalist Community and freedom of press.

The Speaker and Deputy Speaker said that freedom of expression was essential for strengthening democracy in the country and free independent media serve the interest of the people by acting an impartial critic of government policies.—INP

Faulty tubewell deepens water shortage in Civil Lines Scheme

STAFF REPORTER

mestic cooking. Citizens have demanded of the concerned authorities to quickly solve the problem of the citizens.

It should be mentioned here that President of NBP Forum, Zafar Iqbal said the government should stop the gas wastage, adding that increasing the gas and CNG prices was not the solution.

Meanwhile, Taxi Drivers Association Islamabad has announced to stage a protest demonstration in D Chowk against non-provision of CNG today (Tuesday).

President of the taxi driv-

R AWA L P I N D I —Encroachments in Rawal Town are on the rise while the Tehsil MuRAWALPINDI—The tubewell nicipal Administration of Civil Lines Scheme has (TMA) remains unable to broken down causing water control the situation. shortage to the residents of In most parts of the city, the locality. citizens cannot find an apThe tubewell is not workpropriate space for parking ing, deepening the water critheir vehicles at commercial sis in the area, the residents centres. Pedestrians face difficulty in movement due to ISLAMABAD: School children participating in hiking event at Margallah Hills Na- complained. They demanded concerned authorities to enincreasing encroachments on tional Park on the launching of vigorous cleanliness campaign. sure provision of water supboth sides of the roads in ply at the earliest.

Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, WASA Managing DirecRaja Bazaar, Bohar Bazaar, tor Raja Shoukat Mehmood, Jinnah Road, Commercial when contacted, said that Market, Trunk Bazaar, Dhoke water being provided to Civil Khabba, Dhoke Farman Ali Lines through water tankers and some other localities. on the account of dysfuncHigher Education Commis- Muslim Ulema to project the tional tubewells, adding that STAFF REPORTER sion (HEC), Islamabad and true picture of Islam accord- workers were busy in repairI SLAMABAD —President In- Al-Wastia Forum, Jordan. ing to Quran and Sunnah. Dr. ing tubewell to ensure proviDr. Al-Draiweesh said Al-Draiweesh said that in the sion of water supply to the ternational Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI), Profes- that unfortunately there are history of Islam, the scholars locality at the earliest. —INP sor Dr. Ahmad Yousif Al- some scholars in the Islamic observed great care and anawho issues such lyze every aspect of the matISLAMABAD—Chairman Paki- Draiweesh on Monday society Fatwas repugnant to Quran ter before issuing Fatwa. stan Peoples’ Party (PPP) urged the ulemas to discour- and Sunnah which promote Dr. Al-Draiweesh lauded Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has age issuing Fatwas based on extremism, intolerance in the that only government apcontroversy and extremism taken strong exception to the society and defame Islam and pointed Muftees should islatest incidents of attacks on which lead the societies to- Islamic Ideology. sue Fatwas, in the Islamic wards anarchy and social the minorities and urged proHe added that on the ba- society to avoid intolerance. vincial governments and the problems. He was address- sis of Fatwas issued by some He also presented research STAFF REPORTER law enforcement agencies to ing to the inaugural cer- Ulema the Muslim societies paper in the conference. The do their best to protect the emony of two day Interna- are facing the phenomenon inaugural ceremony was also fundamental rights of the mi- tional Conference on “Fatwa of terrorism due to which the addressed by Dr. Izzuddin ISLAMABAD—Since the fuel as a Non State Legal System” norities of the country.

Muslim societies are indulge Binzaghiba, Prof.

Dr. gas supply is getting more The Chairman PPP said organized by the Faculty of in severe problems all over Muhammad Ahmad Hassan complex situation in twin citShariah and Law, IIUI in col“yesterday there was a report the world.

Al-Qudh, Dr. Khalid Masood, ies of Rawalpindi and of demolition of a Hindu laboration with Islamic ReHe added that it is the Dr. Tahir Mansoori and Dr. Islamabad, residents of Airsearch Institute (IRI), IIUI, temple in Karachi and today port Housing Society (AHS) prime responsibility of the Zia ul Haq. we woke up to the news of Shariah Academy, IIUI, are in much difficulty as no desecration of graves of ingas is available throughout nocent Pakistanis in Lahore.” the day.

Bilawal said the attacks “Gas is not available on temples‚ graveyards‚ throughout the day and we properties and lives of the are unable even to cook the minorities are an attack on the food”, said Ms Nabila Jamil Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan a resident of the area adding and pose an existential threat that their kids were forced to to the country‚ something take ready made breakfasts Shaheed Benazir Bhutto with them to their schools gave her life fighting against. and after reaching back they The Chairman PPP apagain face the same problem pealed all political parties‚ for the lunch”. religious bodies‚ civil society The concerned private organizations and all instituadministration of the area tions of Pakistan to rise up claimed that they were workto defend the Jinnah’s Pakiing to solve the issue for stan as the continuing atwhich they had asked the tacks on the minorities‚ if uncontractors to check the supchecked will threaten the ply lines. very existence of Pakistan.

“We have asked the conHe said “our forefathers tractor to check the supply did not give their lives for an lines and to repair or unblock intolerant‚ extremist‚ sectarian the lines if they are found and authoritarian Pakistan. I damaged or blocks”. The resiappeal you to rise up to de- ISLAMABAD: Senior Advocacy and Communication Officer HelpAge Waqas Qureshi dents further said that they fend Jinnah’s Pakistan and my speaks during Media Sensitization Workshop on Ageing & Rights of Older People of would take up the matter to party will stand by you‚ shoul- Pakistan organized by UNFPA in collaboration with HelpAge, at a local hotel.—PO the higher level if it was not Photo by Sultan Bashir der to shoulder.”—NNI solved early.

STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Construction work on a part of Kashmir Highway has been stopped again due to negligence and slackness of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), as the contractor could not get the bills to date.

According to sources, the contract of construction of five-lane Kashmir Highway from Golra Morr to Peshawar Morr was awarded in February, 2011 at the cost of Rs1.6 billion. The project was to be completed in two years time i.e. till February, 2013. The work progress on the project should have been 80 percent now but it is only 27 percent due to non-pay-

ment of funds.

The sources said that bills of Rs200 billion of the contractor were still due on the CDA, therefore the contractor had sent a notice to the CDA under clause 69 of the contract and threatened to stop the construction work if the bills were not paid soon.

But Member Engineering, Sanaullah Amaan held a meeting with the contractor on November 20 and assured him that the civic authority would pay Rs30 million in two days and 80.5 million in the last week of November while the remaining money would be paid in December. The civic authority is yet to pay Rs110.5 million bill to the contractor.

FBISE to conduct postponed papers on Dec 7 ISLAMABAD—Federal Board 6/1-4 Islamabad (013) for feof Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) will hold the papers of Statistic II, Islamic Studies-I and French-II of Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) supplementary examination on December 7. These papers were previously scheduled to be held on November 22 and postponed for the examination centers of Islamabad capital territory only due to proclamation of local holiday.

The papers will be held at 9:00 am to 12:00 noon at the examination centers including Islamabad model College for Boys H-9 Islamabad (for male candidates and FG Girls Model Higher Secondary School, G-

male candidates.

The roll number slips of the candidates appearing in the said examination have been dispatched to their institutions in case of regular candidates and those of private candidates at the address given by them in the admission forms.

In case, the roll number slip is not received by any candidate, he/she should immediately contact the offices of the board including Controller of Examination Conduct at 0519250607, Deputy Controller of Examinations (HSSC Conduct) at 051-9250619, Assistant Controller of Examinations (HSSC conduct) at 0519250641 and Assistant Secretary at 051-9250651.—APP

STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Government of Pakistan has promoted Air Commod o r e Farooq Habib to the rank of Air Vice Marshal.

Air Vice Marshal Farooq Habib was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force on 22nd June, 1982 in GD (P) Branch.

He is a graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, Air War College and National Defence University. During his career, he has commanded a Fighter Squadron and an Operational Base. He is recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military).

LHC CJ forms six benches R AWALPINDI —To provide speedy justice, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial constituted two divisional benches (DB) and four single benches (SBs) for the Lahore High court Rawalpindi bench in the next week.

According to schedule, DB no.1 will comprise of Justice Kh Imtaiz Ahmed and Justice Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan while DB no 2 will comprise on Justice Ch Muhammad Younas and Justice Ali Baqar Najifi.

The divisional benches will hear the murder cases and appeals of all kinds.—APP

Ulema urged to discourage issuing Fatwa based on extremism

Bilawal takes exception to attacks on minorities

Airport Housing Society facing gas shortage

ISLAMABAD: PML-N MNA Dr. Tariq Fazal Choudhry offering Dua after inaugurating the start of development work at Model Town Humak.

Motorway police recover 4 stolen cars, arrest 2 car lifters ISLAMABAD—National High- away, However, NH&MP of- dent, during routine patrolways & Motorway Police has recovered 04 stolen cars and arrested 02 car lifters. A citizen informed Motorway Police through NH&MP Helpline (130) that a white Corolla Car No. LOZ-2231, model 1996 has been snatched on gunpoint by two unknown culprits from the jurisdiction of Civil Lines Police Station, Faisalabad and requested for help to recover the said car. On receiving this information Motorway Police got alerted all its patrolling officers.

After few minutes the NH&MP officers SPO Qalib Ali and SPO Ghulam Abbas saw the said car in Behra service area on Motorway (M2). Meanwhile, when the culprits saw NH&MP Patrolling vehicle they tried to fled

ficers arrested the two culprits named Shahid Iqbal r/o Sargodha and Muhammad Khuram r/o Lahore and took the car into their custody.

In 2nd incident, NH&MP officers SPO Muhammad Yousaf and PO Rana Naveed signaled to stop a specious white Corolla Car No NY-964, Model 2009 on Motorway Main Tool Plaza entry point, Islamabad at 0655 hrs, but the driver of the car fled away and stopped at some distance and fled away by taking the advantage of darkness. NH&MP officers took the car into their custody.

However, on search a telephone number was found and dialed, which revealed that the said car was stolen from Waris Khan Police Station, Rawalpindi. In 3rd inci-

ling at Motorway (M-1) the NH&MP officers PO Ghulam Farid and APO Iftikhar observed a Silver colour Corolla GLI Car No. UF-487, which was parked on the hard shoulder on Motorway and no one was present there.

The NH&MP officers took the car into their custody and during search of the car the card of the owner Muhammad Maki Khan was found who was informed about recovery of the car. In 4th incident, Local Police Gujranwala informed Motorway Police through NH&MP Helpline (130) that a 2D salon Car No. LRX-9091, has been stolen from Gujranwala and requested for help to recover the said car. On receiving this information Motorway Police got alerted all its patrolling officers.—Online

Strategy formed against sectarian elements’ designs Srinagar under curfew for 6th consecutive day SRINAGAR—The Chairman of Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that the heads of various religious organizations have formed a counter strategy to defeat the elements conspiring to divide Kashmiris on communal and sectarian lines.

The APHC Chairman in a media interview in Srinagar maintained that anti-people elements and agencies were planning to create a rift among the Kashmiri people who had already bore the brunt of atrocities by Indian forces over the past 22 years.

MIRPUR: Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Ch Abdul Majeed congratulating PML-N leader Haji Razaaq The veteran Kashmiri on joining PPP.

25 farmers of valley to participate in Agri- Tech 2012

‘Selling destination Kashmir’ abroad proves costly SRINAGAR—The tourism de- many), the department utilized

amount of Rs 585340 for orSRINAGAR—A group of 25 partment has spent more than an ganizing road shows and other two crore rupees on foreign visprogressive farmers of valley were deputed for participation in Agri-Tech 2012- India’s Premier Biennial Agro Technology and Business Fair from Ist December 2012 to 4th December 2012 at Chandigarh.

Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture Govt of India will inaugurate Agro-Tech 2012 Event.

This event will feature display of best products and techniques in agriculture and could provide opportunity for the farming community to learn about latest technologies advancements and latest practices in the field of agriculture which is sustainable and environment friendly.

It is an international business fair that attracts participation from all over the world, besides large scale involvement of the Indian Agriculture sector. In the event international Pavilions of Canada, Italy, Korea, Germany, Netherlands, Uruguay, State India Pavilions will display their products and technology.

On the concluding day there will be technical workshop and interactive sessions with farmers. Project Coordinator Mushroom S.R. Galotra is accompanying progressive farmers, interactiong with touring farmers he said that the main objective of participating in AgroTech 2012 is to make farmers aware about the latest research, development in various field in agriculture and allied sectors so that farmers after their return back shall apply same in their fields and teach other farmers.—NNI

Dozens of disabled persons held in Srinagar SRINAGAR—T he Indian police detained over two dozen members of the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association during a protest march in Srinagar on the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons.

Scores of members, including children, of the association were protesting near the press enclave in Srinagar against apathy of the authorities towards their miseries when police stopped their rally and took dozens into custody.

“We were protesting peacefully, but police detained us,” President of the association, Abdul Rashid Butt, told mediamen.—KMS

its of ministers and top officials to promote Kashmir as an international tourist destination.

As per the documents, in 2008 the tourism department has shown an expenditure of Rs 4896214 for organizing tourism promotion events in foreign countries.

On the first visit to Singapore, the department has spent an amount of Rs 867660 for a tourism seminar.

The delegation comprised of Director Tourism (Kashmir), Deputy Director and Director Tourism Jammu. During the second visit to Berlin (Ger-

events, while as during the third and fourth visit to Malaysia and Bahrain, the department has shown an expenditure of Rs 2316224 and Rs 1126990 respectively for organizing various events.

Secretary Tourism, Director Tourism Kashmir, Deputy Director Jammu, Additional Director Publicity and P.A to Deputy Chief Minister were part of the third and fourth visit.

In 2009, the tourism department has spent an amount of Rs 2418872 on tourism seminars and other related activities organized in London and Berlin.

The documents reveal that an amount of Rs 1628700 has been spent during two visits to Berlin. An amount of Rs 790172 has been utilized in London for the same activities.

The expenditure has been spent on the delegation comprising of Minister for Tourism, Directors and other higher rung officials of the department. During the visits to Dubai, Berlin, London and other places, the department has utilized an amount of Rs 5430647 in year 2010 on a delegation comprising of ministers and other high rung officials for organizing road shows to attract tourists to Kashmir valley.—NNI

Hurriyat (M) not afraid of talks on Kashmir: Bhat SRINAGAR—Making it clear that Hurriyat (M) was not afraid of talks, senior Hurriyat (M) leader Prof Abdul Gani Bhat Saturday said there was “no question of entering into a sell out as the amalgam will find out a way out for the respectable solution of Kashmir issue.”

Addressing the civil society members from Islamabad (Anantnag), Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam at party headquarters here, Bhat said the Hurriyat “will never choose sell out”.

“There is no question of sellout. We will seek a way-out for respectable resolution of Kashmir issue. Sell out is impossible.

We can’t sell the blood of martyrs and chastity of our daughters and mothers,” the Hurriyat (M) leader said.

He said it was the Hurriyat (M) that made India and Pakistan accept that “Kashmir belongs to Kashmiris and participation of Hurriyat leaders was a must for Kashmir solution.”

“It was the Hurriyat that talked to the then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Pakistan President Parvez Musharraf and Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh,” he said. Bhat said it was the United States of America that brought India and Pakistan closer. “US first directed India and Pakistan to start trade so that two countries come close.

They (US) knew that whenever two countries talk Kashmir, they fight. So let there be a friendship through trade first,” he said.

The senior Hurriyat leader said Hurriyat will never be afraid of talking Kashmir.

“Even if our Pakistan visit brings nothing, but people across the globe will discuss that Hurriyat delegation discussed Kashmir,” Bhat said.

“We have already made it clear to New Delhi that Kashmiris are weak and can’t fight with India but won’t accept defeat. We have told Indian leadership that Kashmiris have never accepted defeat.”

He said the Hurriyat delegation will not only meet Pakistan leaders who are in power, but those who in the opposition as well. “World community is in favour of settlement of disputes so that peace prevails at the international level.—NNI

Sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs not to go waste: Zafar S RINAGAR — APHC leader and Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement Chairman, Zafar Akbar Butt paid glowing tributes to martyrs of Kashmir including Ghulam Rashool Dar, Habibulah Lone, Shakoor Ahmad Malik, Gulzar Ahmad Lone and Shabnam Nazir.

Zafar Akbar Butt during his door-to-door campaign visited several areas of Beerwah including Hanjibugh, Mazhama, Kanihama and Naribal along with other party leaders and activists.

The APHC leader expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Reyaz Ahmad Malik’s father and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. Reyaz Ahmad is Kashmir-based journalist. His father Abdul Samad Malik was a profreedom and a social activist.

Addressing several gatherings during this daylong visit Zafar Butt said that the blood of martyrs would not go waste but would definitely bring positive results. He said that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs had centre-staged the Kashmir dispute at the international level and their mission would be accomplished at all costs.—KMS

munities to show restraint and wisdom, and not allow “the enemies’ plots” to succeed. “Our nation is beset with great difficulties because of being under foreign occupation, and we cannot afford discord and disharmony,” he said.

Condemning nocturnal raids and arrests in old city quarters, Geelani said that the Kashmir police was adding fuel to the fire, and its stupidity could turn the situation even worse.

The Hurriyat (G) chairman targeted the chief minister for “giving Kashmir its worst dispensation.” “His

tenure is proving to be the worst of all governments (in the state) so far, and has outstripped everyone one in inflicting atrocities,” he said.

“He wants to enforce the silence of the graveyard through the barrel of the gun to please his masters in Delhi and safeguard his chair,” he said.

Demanding the immediate release of arrested youth, Geelani said that the Hurriyat (G) could not remain silent ‘on this extremely intolerable situation.” Meanwhile, the Hurriyat (G) claimed that some mischievous elements were bent upon creating chaos and disruption by

march, which was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Handicapped Association in Srinagar on the occasion of International Day of Disabled Persons, today.

In Oslo, the Executive Director of Kashmiri Scandinavian Council, Sardar Ali Shahnawaz Khan in a statement expressed satisfaction over the Palestine’s up-gradation as the United Nations non-member observer status and appealed to the World Body to fulfil its responsibilities towards the redeeming of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris.—KMS

Mirwaiz demands release of detained youngsters S RINAGAR — Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called upon the people, especially youth, to maintain unity and mutual bonhomie so as to foil the evil designs of those who want to divide the Kashmiri society.

Mirwaiz asserted that the agencies were hell bent upon to create tension between the Kashmiri Muslims and break the mutual bonhomie existing here since ages. He said as a part of their (agencies) well planned conspiracy, they want to break the social fabric of Kashmir as it suits their interests.

Stressing that lakhs of people were made hostage in their homes by clamping indefinite curfew in Srinagar,

especially in old city, APHC Chairman expressed serious concern over the restrictions laid on the movement of people.

Mirwaiz also resented the arrest of dozens of youth and ransacking of houses and beating of inmates by the police during the nocturnal raids conducted in old city. He said, “It was highly shameful and a matter of concern that the youth who were not present in their houses, their parents were picked up and put behind bars.”

APHC Chairman informed that one Sajjad Ahmad, a physically challenged person told them that the police raided their house

on Tuesday morning. Ahmad said that the police was looking for his brother, Sarfaraz Ahmad. During the raid, Ahmad said the police beat the inmates, broke appliances and windowpanes and ransacked the house and then detained his father, Sheikh Ghulam Qadir. Another person Mohammad Hussain was also detained.

Mirwaiz said dozens of shopkeepers have also been arrested by the police. On the instruction of APHC Chairman, a delegation led by Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam visited the detained youth and shopkeepers. The Mirwaiz has demanded immediate release of the youth.—NNI

S RINAGAR — Jammu and

Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik has said it is a matter of concern that CRPF is required to save a brother from a brother.

Referring to group clashes in parts of Srinagar, he said, “It is a big tragedy and shame for us that CRPF personnel from UP, Bihar and other Indian states stand at our door steps to safeguard our property and families, as we face danger not from any enemy but from our own Muslim brethren.”

“Condemning and protesting against acts of blasphemy is a right of every Muslim but is it reasonable and based on wisdom that Muslims rather than condemning the criminal act of the show company start fighting each other. Is it honorable for us that today we fear our own Muslim brothers and some CRPF has to guard our houses and families.” Malik said some agencies were desperate to divide Muslims of J&K in the name of sects.

“And that is why we are keeping close contact with every sect SRINAGAR: Members of All Jammu and Kashmir Disabled Association participating in and always try to guard the unity among Muslims.—NNI anti-government protest.

certainty and instability.”

“If some untoward incident had occurred at some place in the lower city, then measures to maintain law and order should have been taken in that specific spot, and we allowed access to the area to resolve misunderstandings created among people,” he said. “But instead, the government sensationalized the situation by sealing off half the city, which triggered off a furious rumour mill causing people to harbour misgivings about each other,” he said.

Geelani made a strong appeal to the Shia and Sunni com-

Curfew remained imposed in all major parts of Srinagar including Rajori Kadal for the sixth consecutive day, today.

An important meeting of the people belonging to various schools-of-thought, which was to be presided over by the Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, could not be held due to the curfew. Restrictions were imposed in Srinagar and adjoining areas on Wednesday following a sacrilegious act by a foreign footwear company.

Dozens of people including children were arrested by Indian police during a protest

Matter of concern that CRPF needed to save a brother from a brother: Malik

Govt blew up minor incident, curfew needless: Geelani S RINAGAR — Terming the clampdown on the Old City as “painful and needless,” the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference led by Syed Ali Geelani has said that the government had sensationalized a minor incident and given rise to many doubts and suspicions.

“India is pursuing a policy of divide-and-rule in Kashmir and trying its utmost to tear the unity and amity of Kashmiris to shreds,” he said. “The state government is run more by the Indian home ministry than by Omar Abdullah, and is deliberately promoting political un-

in a statement in Srinagar said that Kashmir was famous for religious harmony all over the world and India under a wellplanned conspiracy was trying to foment sectarian disharmony in the territory. He pointed out that Panchayat elections were aimed to sabotage the Kashmiris’ sacrifices for the just cause of Kashmir.

APHC leader, Zafar Akbar Butt during his visit to different areas of Beerwah said that sacrifices of the Kashmiri martyrs had centre-staged the Kashmir dispute at international level.

spreading rumours.

Quoting a report by Hurriyat (G) leader Muhammad Shafi Lone who had toured the interior city to review the situation, the alliance claimed that these elements were directly or indirectly linked to pro-India organisations.

“The Shia and Sunni communities want to live in peace and amity, but some black sheep are trying to mislead people,” it said. “We are keeping a close eye on such elements, and will expose them if they do not mend their ways,” it said.—NNI

WAZIRABAD: Chairman of Zafar Ali Khan Trust Khalid Mehmood presenting a sword to President of AJK Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan.

Pilgrimage to AJK shrine: Pandits pin hopes on Mirwaiz’s visit SRINAGAR—With their pleas Pakistan,” for facilitating pilgrimage to the Sharda Devi shrine in Azad Kashmir finding little favour with the government, a group of Kashmiri Pandits have now pinned their hopes on Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq’s upcoming Pakistan visit.

Not only do they want him to take up the issue with the neighbouring country, they also want to be part of the moderate Hurriyat delegation that is scheduled to visit Pakistan.

“It has always been our wish to visit the Sharda temple. Now that Mirwaiz is scheduled to visit Pakistan, we want him to raise the issue with Pakistan so that we are able to visit this shrine which is thousands of years old... We would also like to be a part of the delegation that is going to

Anantnag Praphandak Committee (APC) chairman Jigen Goja told The Tribune over the phone.

Mirwaiz, who heads the moderate Hurriyat conglomerate, is currently holding deliberations with a cross-section of people in the Valley to build a “broader consensus” over the Kashmir issue ahead of his Pakistan visit scheduled on December 15.

Goja, who is currently in Jammu, said an APC delegation after holding consultations with other Kashmiri Pandits would visit Kashmir next month and meet Mirwaiz with their demand. “As he is currently talking to the civil society and others, we want that he should also raise this important issue pertaining to our community.... Moreover, the visit to the shrine is not just

our demand but also of other (Pandit) groups,” he added.

Goja said the Shardha Devi shrine had immense religious significance for them and that there were “no reasons” for not allowing them to visit the temple as there were “no problems” while visiting Nankana Sahib in Punjab, Pakistan.

Several groups for long have been demanding pilgrimages to the Sharda temple, which is located across the Line of Control (LoC).

While it has been a longpending demand of the All Parties Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) to visit the shrine, the Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha (ABGM) had recently urged the state and Central governments to open the route to the shrine via Jumagund village of the border district of Kupwara.—NNI

Traders grappling with governmental restrictions SRINAGAR—One much-hyped tially agreed on 22 items to be between two parts of Kashmir, cross Line of Control trade between the two divided parts of Kashmir is now on the verge of collapse. This is because Indian government shows no interest in its progress. Over the past couple of months, there is a sharp decline in the exchange between the two parts because of government limitations. The traders say the cross line of control trade is becoming a failure.

When the trade between the two divided parts started, India and Pakistan government ini-

traded across the line but the traders now complain that only 2 to 3 items are presently being legally exchanged. Such restrictions have left the traders in deep problems. The traders in Kashmir say the government is biased towards them because such restrictions are not imposed on the other trade routes between India and Pakistan but Indian government rejects the accusation and says there is no double standard on this issue For a successful trade ties

traders says governments of India and Pakistan should increase the number of tradable items without restricting things. They also call for regular meetings between the two sides. The trade between the two sides of Kashmir started in 2008 after a huge debate over the confidence building measures between India and Pakistan. The two countries are at logger heads over Kashmir since the partition in 1947 and have fought two wars over it.— NNI

KBD to cut cost Staff Reporter LAHORE—The rice millers and exporters, appreciating the Lahore High Court’s decision on Kalabagh Dam, has termed it inevitable owing to acute shortage of energy, fast depleting irrigation water resources and frequent occurrence of floods.

Acute electricity and gas shortage has not only crippled trade and industry but also brought widespread unemployment and poverty, they observed. They said the LHC verdict had given a new lease of life to the people suffering because of multiple problems including unavailability of electricity. Pakistani rice exporters have now become uncompetitive mainly due to energy crisis and lack of research in the region, which has increased exports, while Pakistan’s ratio of rice export is on decline constantly, observed REAP vice chairman Samee Ullah Chaudhary. He said the country registered a reduction of 49 per cent in basmati rice and 7 per cent in non-basmati rice during this fiscal year (July-Nov) as compared to the same period last year. Presently, industry is without gas and electricity, forcing the millers to operate on diesel, which escalates cost of production and renders the exporters uncompetitive in the world, he stated.

Sunflower seed centre demanded

Pakistan and China cooperation increasing AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—Gao Xiging, President of China Investment Corporation (CIC), has said that bilateral relations on trade and industry between China and Pakistan to get new face as two countries are great friends and Pakistan is one of the best friends of China.

Speaking at a reception organized by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and industry the CIC President added that both countries have been committed to develop closer bilateral relations and further broaden their economic engagement for achieving common development.

Opportunities for joint ventures in different sector do exist.

So far, China-Pakistani economic and trade cooperation has seen good progress. He also said that Pakistan is also our neighbour country and Chinese always feel

Cement sector posts double digit growth STAFF REPORTER

— David Weiss

He urged Chinese investment in energy, infrastructure, metrorailways, mass-transit, dams projects which are direly needed to uplift economy and further strengthen Pak-China friendly relationship and economic cooperation. He said that Chinese cooperation with Pakistan reached high points with substantial investments from China in Pakistani infra structural expansion, including the noted projects in the Pakistan deep water port in Gawadar, however, in view of Pak China Friendship which is deeper than ocean, greater than Himalaya, growth in mutual cooperation is essential to uplift Pakistan’s weakening economy.

He cited Karakorum Highway as a remarkable example of mutual cooperation which is the symbol of friendship and understanding. 2011 was celebrated as “Pakistan –China Friendship Year,

Stocks fall ending 4-day rally, rupee weakens STAFF REPORTER

K ARACHI —Stocks closed ISLAMABAD—The decline in lower on Monday, as traders exports to India continues un-

abated where the uptake of Pakistani cement reduced by 38.50 percent during the first five Our Correspondent months of this fiscal. During MULTAN—Peerzada Abdul Ali Zakir Usmani President of July-Nov 2011, Pakistan exported 298,214 tons of cement Anjuman Kashtkaran Punjab demanded of the government to India which reduced to to reopen the Sunflower seed 183,387 tons this year.

Although cement sector supply centre in Punjab and posted a healthy export growth Sindh, which was catering to of 11.71 percent in November growers by supplying more than 155,000 tons of sunflower 2012, India was the only exporting destination where exports seed on subsidised rates. He declined in November as well. also demanded to raise its support price to Rs 2,400 per Pakistan exported 45,096 tons of cement to India in November 40-kg in order to enhance 2011 which declined alarmingly edible oil production in the country. Peerzada said despite to only 25,207 tons in November 2012.

23 percent increase in The cement sector of Pakiproduction during one year, the government has shut down stan otherwise showed healthy seed supply centres in Punjab growth in the month of November, as for the first time this fisand Sindh. The federal cal, both domestic consumption government ensured the and cement exports posted sunflower growers that it would with the support of oil double digit growth, on year to year basis. extracting companies Total cement despatches at announce increase in the sunflower support price from 2.649 million tons during the month of November were howthe existing Rs 1,700 to Rs ever, lower than dispatch of 2,100 per 40-kg.

2.766 million tons, a month earHowever, when compared Rates for conversion lier. to November 2011 when the toKARACHI—The following tal cement despatches were rates will be applicable for 2.255 million tons, the sales in conversion into rupees of the month of November 2012 Foreign Currency Deposits, were higher by 19.63%. TradiDollar Bearer Certificates, tionally, cement despatches Foreign Currency Bearer Continued on Page 14 Certificates, Special U.S.Dollar Bonds and profits thereon by all banks and for providing Forward Cover on Foreign Currency Deposits (excluding F.E.25 deposits) by the State Bank on December 4, 2012. The rates are U.S. Dollar Rs 96.5473, Japanese Yen Rs 1.1760 Pound Sterling Rs 155.0163 and Euro Rs 125.8494.—APP

There will be two kinds of companies in the future: fast and dead.

safe in Pakistan. Pakistan has very good potential in different fields.

China is also giving new face to its industry with sector diversification. China-Pakistan’s trade and economic cooperation has seen good progress. China Investment Corporation (CIC) is StateOwned Institution, having around $200 Billion foreign exchange reserves enters into investment, joint ventures, shareholding etc.

Speaking on the occasion Muhammad Haroon Agar, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry(KCCI) expressed that Pakistan and China can collectively do wonders as the economic and commercial activities are now focusing towards Asia.

With Pak-China mutual economic and cooperation, regional trade and trading with SAARC, ECO and Central Asian blocks can multiply to manifolds.

booked profits after the benchmark index hit record highs in each of the previous four sessions.

The Karachi Stock Exchange’s (KSE) benchmark 100-share index ended 0.22 per cent, or 35.88 points, lower at 16,537.98 on total volume of 195,57 million shares. The market surged to a record of 16,651.10 on Friday.

Sui Northern Gas fell 0.46 per cent, or 0.11 rupees, to 24.05 per share, while National Bank dropped 1.32 per cent, or 0.66 rupees, to 49.20 per share. Bank Al Falah rose 0.72 per cent, or 0.12 rupees, to 16.86 per share.

The market’s decline was limited by a smaller-than-expected rise in inflation, which traders believe will give the central bank the necessary freedom to ease interest rates later this week.

Pakistan’s consumer price index rose 6.93 per cent in November from a year earlier, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said. On a month-on-month basis, inflation declined by 0.39 per cent from October. In the currency market, the Pakistani rupee eased to 96.57/96.62 against the dollar, compared to Friday’s close of 96.49/96.54, on weak demand for the local currency. Overnight rates in the money market ended at 7.00 per cent compared to Friday’s close of 9.50 per cent.

Pakistan to expand trade with Korea: Fahim ISLAMABAD—Senior Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim said that volume of trade between Pakistan and Korea needs significant increase. In a statement prior to leaving for three days visit to Korea he cited that current visit would strengthen business and commercial interaction between the public and private sector of both countries.

He further said the business communities of both the counties need to be sensitized about the available business opportunities.

on 60th Anniversary of Pak China Relations”. More than 11,000 Chinese engineers, technicians and workers are rendering their valuable services in progress and development of Pakistan.

Chinese investment in Pakistan increased many fold in key sectors including port development, roads, railways, mobile telephones communication technology, hydro and thermal power, mining, electronics, and nuclear energy. A large number of Chinese companies are working in Pakistan in oil and gas, IT and telecom, power generation, engineering, automobiles, infrastructure and Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain shakmining sector. Both countries have ing hands with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran. free trade agreements which should be effectively explored for mutual benefits of both friendly nations. Public as well private sector Pak-China joint ventures are need of time owing to immense

Continued on Page 14

Revival of SMEs, agriculture in flood-hit areas AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has extended the expiry date of the Refinance Scheme for Revival of SMEs & Agricultural Activities in Flood Affected Areas by one year i.e. from November 30, 2012 to November 30, 2013.

Refinance limits already sanctioned in favour of selected banks under this Scheme will also continue to be available upto November 30, 2013, says IH&SMEFD Circular Letter No.13 issued today.

Banks/Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) can also apply for enhancement of limits after utilization of their existing limits. Further, other interested banks/DFIs, having branches in flood affected areas, may also apply to IH&SME Finance Department of SBP for sanctioning of fresh limits under the Scheme separately for agriculture and SMEs, the Circular Letter added.

He also said both countries should organize regular trade exhibition of potential products which would explore trade options between two countries.

While telling about current Inflation dips to 6.9pc trade between two countries the Federal Minister said that Pakistan - Korea volume of trade, which was in the region of US $ 845.18 million in the year 2006OBSERVER REPORT 07 reached all time high with effort of current government amounting to US$ 1.189 billion showing K ARACHI —The Consumer an increase of 40%.—Online Price Index (CPI) inflation in the country during the month of November was recorded at the lowest level of its revised based at 6.9 percent as against 7.7 percent in October.

“The number is far below the market consensus which was expecting it in the range of 7.58 percent,” said Topline analyst Nauman Khan.

On MoM basis, inflation stood at –ve 0.4 percent as against 0.4 percent last month, while the average inflation in 5MFY13 stood at 8.4 percent versus 10.2 percent in the same period last year.

“Though, we still await how individual heads contributed to subdued number but we believe Essa Abdulla Al Basha Al Noaimi, Ambassador of UAE along with President and CEO subdued food inflation would be PTCL Walid Irshaid, SEVP Commercial Naveed Saeed and others at PTCL stall on 41st the chief contributor on account National Day of United Arab Emirates.

Continued on Page 14

SBP may opt for another rate-cut

Sindh dates can capture world markets: DG SBI

OBSERVER REPORT

KARACHI—Sindh dates have huge potential to capture international markets with small interventions of value addition, said Director General Sindh Board of Investment (SBI) after taking a delegation of officials and date growers from Sindh to one of the world’s largest date processing facility in UAE. A delegation of Sindh Board of Investment consisting of date palm growers and officers of SBI visited the processing plant of Al-Foah Date Processing Company located in Al-Ain, UAE. The processing plant is considered the largest dates processing plant in the world and one of the most the sophisticated

as well.

The plant was set up by the UAE Govt. some 14 years ago to help develop date palm cluster by acting as a common facility centre for date palm processing in numerous forms. Welcoming the delegation Sameer, Export Sales Manager of AlFoah and factory manager Uday Singh briefed about the processing facility available in the factory before they are packed in finished form for markets.

Growers were sensitised about the proper fumigation of the raw date crop, which increases the shelf life and also prevent from any pest, insects or diseases along with the eggs and larvae of insects inside. The state-of-the-art factory also includes high capacity washing,

sorting and drying facility with cold storage capacity of more than 60,000 tons. Processed dates are stored at 10 degree Celsius. Subsequently dates were either packed in various forms as whole fruits or they were diverted to syrup and paste lines.

Further value addition was being done of whole dates by stuffing nuts or by coating with chocolate. Finally, dates and their derivatives were being packed. Sindh alone produces more than 300,000 tons of dates per annum and total date production of Pakistan crosses 600,000 tons but due to unawareness of modern processing techniques and value addition Pakistan has never achieved International

Continued on Page 14

LSE gains LAHORE—Lahore Stock Exchange on Monday witnessed bullish trend by gaining 11.56 points as the LSE-25 Index opened with 4183.70 and closed at 4195.26 points.

The market’s overall situation, however, did not correspond to an upward trend as it remained at 5.005 million shares to close against previous turnover of 5.872 million shares, showing a downward slide of 866,600 shares. While, rd Shafqat Sultana, President FWBL cutting a cake at the 23 out of the total 105 active anniversary of the bank. Salma Ahmed, Majyd Aziz, Ishtiaq scrips, 31 moved up, 25 shed Baig, Charmaine Hidayatullah and Shaheen Zamir are also values and 49 remained seen in the picture. equal.—APP

SECP notifies draft of new regulations for insurance sector STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has notified draft of accounting rules and regulations for the Life and non-Life Insurance companies.

The drafted revised Accounting Formats and regulations for published financial statements and regulatory returns by insurance entities have been notified in the official gazette of Pakistan to elicit public and stakeholders comments.

By issuing these accounting formats and regulations, the SECP, as the apex regulator, aimed to protect the interests of policyholders and promote the sound development of the insurance industry. The ‘Revised Ac-

counting Formats & Regulations for Conventional Insurers’ is also available at the SECP website www.secp.gov.pk.

The existing SEC [Insurance] Rules 2002, annexed with it were the Accounting Regulations & its Formats were introduced by the SECP in 2002.

Since the issuance of these rules, almost a decade ago, there have been remarkable developments and changes in the International Reporting Standards (IFRSs) by International Accounting Standards Board.

Accordingly, at the behest of the SECP, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) reconstituted the Insurance Sub-Committee. The Committee comprised of industry experts, senior partners of

chartered accountant firms, and representatives from the Insurance Division of the SECP and technical experts from the ICAP. The mandate given by the Commission was to review the current accounting regulations and formats in respect of conventional Life and Non-life Insurers by taking into consideration the International Standards.

The Committee was also to address the concerns of the industry in relation to IFRS 4. The underlying objective of IFRS 4 was to achieve global harmonization of the diverse accounting disclosures and practices in the insurance industry. After indepth deliberations, the SECP notified the draft rules and regulation format for public consultation.

CNG issue confused on purpose: APCNGA

NA’s petroleum body recommends imposing tax on all sectors STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum has recommended imposing equal tax on all sectors in order to provide maximum relief to the consumers.

Meeting of the National Assembly Sub-committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources held in the parliament house with Jamshed Dasti in the chair expressed annoyance over the closure of CNG stations in the country which are creating inconvenience for the consumers.

During the meeting both

stake holders including all Pakistan CNG association and Oil and Gas Regulatory presented their views over the CNG price and CNG association emphasized on Parliamentarians to remove extra taxes on CNG and called for end of discriminatory attitude towards CNG sector.

Chairman OGRA told the committee that cost of Gas for CNG sector is Rs 31.9, GIDC is Rs 13.25 per kg and Operation cost is Rs 13.33 while Rs 4.55 per kg margin has been given to the CNG sector. Chairman OGRA Saeed Khan suggested that CNG should be used only for

public transport and small vehicles and it should be banned for luxurious cars. He said that mechanism should be evolved to gradually phase out CNG from luxurious cars.

Legislative body was also annoyed over the incidents of oil theft from Parco pipelines and said that people are involved in billion rupees of oil theft and PSO and Parco both stake holders are mum over the situation while the ministry of petroleum is also silent over the issue.

Convener Jamshed Dasti said that during last four years more than forty billion rupees oil

went missing from the pipelines of Parco and people of Parco and police are involved in it. He said that committee would forward this issue to National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Committee also directed Inspector General Punjab to hold thoroughly inquiry over the issue, fix responsibility without any discrimination and take strict action.

SHO of the area told that according to FIR registered by PSO 1.6 million liter oil was misplaced from system.

Jamshed Dasti said that chief security officers of PSO are also involved in oil theft and directed

officials of PSO to keep check on security officers.

Committee recommended petroleum ministry to remove MD PSO Naeem Yahya who has not respect for committee and failed to present in the meetings.

Sub-committee also directed PSO to open 400 CNG stations which were sealed for violation for violation of sanctioned load of gas. Committee directed SNGPL to give details of total development funds and also to give complete that how much amount is being spent in different constituencies.

Meanwhile, the All Pakistan

CNG Association (APCNGA) has said that energy bureaucracy has deliberately complicated the simple issue of CNG pricing after the landmark decision of the Supreme Court (SC) in a bid to deprive masses of economical fuel, reward influential sectors and pave way for additional imports of costly fossil fuel.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), independent auditors and parliamentarians have accepted that current retail price of CNG is not sustainable but at the same time nation is being misguided regard-

ing excessive profit margins of CNG operators, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA. Speaking to a press conference at a local hotel, he expressed disappointment over repeated statements by top government functionaries to phaseout CNG sector which is using only six per cent of the total gas production.

He said that following the people-friendly verdict of the SC no one tried to understand the issue while some elements in the government used all their energies to confuse the situation to

turn judiciary and masses against the CNG sector.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha asked the President and Prime Minister to take note of the plot which is hurting owners of 3.5 million vehicles using CNG, proprietors and staff of 3400 CNG outlets and millions of commuters.

He said that authorities are deliberately delaying announcement of the prices and implementation of report prepared by auditors to sabotage the Supreme Court decision, enrage masses and cripple CNG operators financially.

9.58m cotton bales reach ginneries MULTAN—Over 9.58 million bales of cotton have reached ginneries across Pakistan till Dec 1, showing a slight decrease of 0.7 per cent compared to last year, says a fortnightly report issued by the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) here on Monday.

According to the report, cotton arrival was recorded at 9,582,560 bales and of them 8,979,559 bales were ginned.

Overall arrival figures show a 0.7 per cent decrease as last year’s arrival figure was recorded at 9.65 million bales during the corresponding year compared to 9.58 million bales so far this year.

Punjab recorded arrival of 6.6 million bales showing a decrease of 12.4 per cent while Sindh ginneries received 2.977 million bales recording a surge of 41.11 per cent compared to last year.—APP

Air separation plant inaugurated STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Linde Pakistan today officially inaugurated its new flagship air separation plant installed at Sunder Industrial Estate in Lahore.

This new state-of-the-art plant is now the largest air separation plant in Pakistan, capable of producing 150 tons per day (tpd) of gaseous oxygen, nitrogen and argon for the merchant gases market. The investment value of the plant, along with related supply chain equipment, is more than Rs 2 billion.

Yousuf Mirza, Chief Executive of Linde Pakistan said, “Our new air separation plant in Lahore represents a milestone for our business as this is Linde’s fourth and largest air separation plant in Pakistan. The additional supply from this plant significantly enhances our ability to respond quickly and effectively to meet the gases requirements of our customers in the north, and further reinforces our position as the leading industrial gases player in Pakistan.”

SBP may opt

Ready-made Pakistan, Austria agree garments export to boost bilateral ties grew by 14.59pc STAFF REPORTER

STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Pakistan and Austria have decided to expand existing bilateral trade and investment relations.

The delegation of both countries held bilateral political consultations in Vienna. The Pakistan delegation was led by Ms. Ayesha Riyaz, Additional Secretary (Europe & FoDP), Ministry of Foreign Affairs while the Austrian Delegation was led by Ms. Gabriele MeonTschurtz, Head of the Asia Division at the Austrian Ministry for European & International Affairs.

The friendly relations between Pakistan and Austria span over more than five decades.

Austria, a member of both the EU and the OECD, is an economically developed Western-Euro-

pean nation, hosting the thirdlargest UN Headquarters in Vienna. Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Austria were established in 1956. Ever since then both the countries have been enjoying cordial relations.

During the Bilateral Consultations, the two sides took stock of the current status of bilateral relations including political ties, economic cooperation, trade and investment, collaboration in the field of education and science & technology, and cultural and parliamentary exchanges. Both sides emphasised the need to enhance higher level political contacts, including parliamentary exchanges, to further intensify the existing bilateral relations.

They noted that there has been a steady growth in the bilateral trade volume over the past years,

and agreed to undertake suitable measure to sustain this positive trend. The two sides also agreed to convene the 5th session of the Pakistan-Austria Joint Working Group on Trade and Economic Cooperation at an early date.

The Additional Secretary briefed the Austrian side in detail on the investment opportunities in the country. Both the sides noted with satisfaction that OMV, an Austrian oil and gas company, has one of its largest overseas investments in Pakistan. They agreed to strengthen interaction between their respective business communities to further expand the existing trade and investment relations.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest including the situation in Afghanistan and counterterrorism.

Frequent CNG shut downs unpopularising the govt AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—The frequent shutdowns of the CNG stations, considered as the lifeline of the socio-economic movement, unleashing a wave of resentment among the millions of consumers across the country.

While the consumers were still disturbed due to previous shut down of CNG at the week end the Sui Southern Gas Company has once again announced the closure of CNG stations for the current week. According to SSGC, all the CNG stations in Sindh will remain closed for 48 hours from 12 am on Tuesday 04 Dec. till 12 am on Thursday 06 Dec. 2012.

It is generally said that by the so called gurus in the energy

sector that the gas should be used for more productive purposes instead of transportation ignoring the fact that the soul of economic and social growth is smooth and affordable movement and transportation of the people and goods respectively.

If the fuel is not available the development of roads and highways seems meaningless while the secret of economic growth in the developed world is easy and smooth movement of the people and the transportation of commercial and industrial goods.

Why the natural gas is being used for power generation while the entire developed and developing economies have switched over to coal fired power generation in the coun-

tries like US, Germany, France, China and India etc. while almost entire power generation in Pakistan is so far adhered to costly fuel oil or natural gas— an interesting question inviting attention of the policy makers.

Meanwhile the SSGC in order to justify the shut of CNG stations has pleaded that this step is being taken by the gas utility to improve the line pack position all over Sindh province, which has been badly disturbed due to short supply of gas from different gas fields causing depletion of line pack and low pressure in the system, the spokes person of SSGC disclosed.

SSGC regrets the inconvenience which may be caused to the CNG users during the above notified 48 hour shut down period.

Mobilink contributes Rs 3 million to SKMH

Pukhtunkhwa (KPK). Construc- cer Hospital and Research CenSTAFF REPORTER tion on the project has started in ter, Peshawar. Mobilink FoundaFrom Page 13 LAHORE—Mobilink Founda- March 2011 and is expected to tion supports the efforts being of post Eid phenomena,” said tion has contributed PKR 3 mil- be completed within 3 years. made by SKMCH&RC for the alKhan.

Addressing the ceremony, leviation of those suffering from lion towards the construction of The soft inflation number an out-patient facility at the un- Tariq Durrani, Regional Director cancer across Pakistan. The heightened the chance of aver- der-construction Shaukat (Sales) Mobilink emphasized, completion of this new state-ofage FY13 inflation to fall well Khanum Memorial Cancer Hos- “Mobilink Foundation is pleased the-art-facility in Peshawar will below the government expecta- pital and Research Center to contribute towards the construc- result in an increasing number of tion of 9.5 percent, even after (SKMCH&RC) in Peshawar, tion of an out-patient facility at deserving patients getting access incorporating in high MoM in- Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. A cheque Shaukat Khanum Memorial Can- to medical attention.” flation in 2H. for this contribution was pre“We maintain our view that sented by Tariq Durrani, Resoft inflation numbers could al- gional Director (Sales), low the room for the central Mobilink to Dr Faisal Sultan, bank to continue the process of CEO SKMCH&RC at a cermonetary easing and we expect emony organized in another 50-100bps cut in the SKMCH&RC Lahore. policy rate in the upcoming Since the commencement of monetary policy schedule due in SKMCH&RC’s first facility in second week of December,” said Lahore, nearly 40,000 patients the analyst. have visited the facility from the He said his conviction to the province of KPK. The need for idea also comes from the cen- a facility in the province is furtral bank’s recent focus on ther amplified by the existing growth dynamics which was lack of access to diagnosis and also highlighted in the recent treatment. The contribution by SBP governor’s interview.

Mobilink Foundation is intended to assist SKMH’s efforts Tariq Durrani, Regional Director Sales Mobilink, presenting to provide state-of-the-art facili- Rs 3 million cheque to Shaukat Khanam Memorial Cancer ties to the people of Khyber Hospital and Research Center, Peshawar.

From Page 13 appreciation to its true potential.

Pakistan dates are exFrom Page 13 ported mainly for Industrial use or in the pitted form, which From Page 13 October are higher than in Nohardly fetch any price. Sindh vember. investment potential in Pakistan. digenous and cheaper energy reBoard of Investment has orgaMarket analysts term the curChairman Sindh Board of sources. Reliable, efficient, safe nized visit to modern dates processing facilities on the Investment & former President and cost effective solutions for rent domestic market situation sidelines of participation in KCCI Muhammad Zubair coal based power generation. encouraging as during past five International Dates Palm Fes- Motiwala proposed the Presi- Chinese Technical expertise in months of this fiscal, the local tival in Abu Dhabi. Delegation dent of China Investment Cor- wind power is also essential. consumption has increased in is based on dare growers, ex- poration to establish Pak-China Pakistan and China can also cre- four months and declined only in porters and processors of mutual fund that can fund the ate joint venture in textile sec- August by 3.41 percent. The loSindh. Such visits enlarge the potential projects and joint ven- tor as Chinese companies buy cal uptake of the commodity inmental horizons of grower and tures in the public and private textile products from Pakistan. creased in two months out of five He also underscored joint during this fiscal by over 19 perexporters by exposing them to sector of Pakistan. He articuthe possibilities of quality en- lated that Pakistan has 2nd larg- collaboration in in education sec- cent. The first time it posted over hancement and value addition. est reserves of Coal. Pakistan tor. Pakistan also need technical 19 percent growth was in SepIn the present day when tech- can benefit from Chinese tech- support and help to build infra- tember 2012 and the second time nological improvements and nical assistance in coal energy structure for instance express in November 2012. The overall innovations have become the projects. He also emphasized on ways and bridges. Investment op- growth in local despatches durnorm in other date palm pro- the urgent need for accelerating portunities are also available to ing the first 5 months of this fiscal was 6.78 percent. the effort for development of in- promote tourism. ducing countries.

Sindh dates

Pakistan and China Cement sector

ISLAMABAD—The export of ready-made garments from the country during the last four months of current financial year registered growth of 14.59 percent as compared to the same period of last year.

As many as 8,964 thousand dozens of ready-made garments worth US$ 604 million exported during the period from July-October 2012 as compared to the 8,294 thousand dozen valuing US$ 527.12 million in same period of last financial year.

According to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the exports of towel from the country surged by 6.62 percent as about 53,526 metric ton towel worth US$ 254 million exported during the period under review.

The export of towel during the first four months of last financial year was recorded at 46,693 metric tons with net earning of US$ 238.76 million, the data revealed.

According the data of PBS tents, canvas and tarpaulin export from the country during the period from July-October 2012 posted 38.36 percent growth as about 9,190 metric tons of tents, canvas and tarpaulin exported which added US$ 36.43 million in national accounts.

The exports of these items were recorded at 7,996 metric tons costing US$ 26.2 million during same period of last financial year. From July to October 2012, other textile materials export grew by 62.63 percent as textile materials worth US$ 145.91 million exported as compared to the exports of US$ 89 million last first four months of last financial year.

It is pertinent to mention here that overall textile group export from the country during the period under review recorded at 4.87 percent growth as the country earned US$ 4.39 billion.

Burki to present Macroeconomic address at MAP convention STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Renowned Economist and Former Vice President of World Bank, Shahid Javed Burki, will present a thought provoking Macroeconomic address at the 13th MAP Convention being held by the Management Association of Pakistan (MAP) on December 18, here Theme chosen for this year’s Convention is “Leadership, People, Innovation”. Terrabiz is the official conference organizer of the Convention.

World’s leading Trendspotter, Futurologist and Author, Magnus Lindkvist, will speak on “A New World of Possibility”. Magnus is one of the most sought after speakers globally. The Convention also features the renowned Bangladeshi entrepreneur, Dipal Chandra Barua,. Dr. Santrupt B. Misra CEO, Carbon Black Business & Director, Global H.R. Head, Aditya Birla Management Corporation will speak on “The Art of Optimizing 3 P’s with HR – People, Performance and Profit” The Convention will additionally have the presence of the other highly acclaimed speakers including: Dr. Marie Lall – Fellow Royal Society of Arts; Mike Sherman – Head, Living Analytics, Group Digital Life, Singtel; Saad Amanullah Khan – CEO, Gillette Pakistan; Shehzad Naqvi – Former President and CEO, Royal Bank of Scotland; Muhammad Younas – Head of Innovation & Internal Expansion, Bayt.com; and Furqan Qureshi – SEVP South, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited. The Convention will be moderated by Eithne Treanor – Special Correspondent, CNBC Arabia and Managing Director, ETreanor Media.

ISLAMABAD: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme, Farzana Raja briefing a delegation of China Investment Cooperation over various initiatives of the programme.

Govt has ensured food safety: Gondal STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Federal Minister for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) while speaking on the occasion of Pak-Brazil International Seminar on Food Security and Poverty Alleviation said that the government has for the first time formulated the Food Quality and Safety bill to ensure food safety and maintain international standards of country’s products.

The seminar has been organized by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) and Brazil Embassy in Islamabad in collaboration with Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), World Food Programme (WFP), Food and

Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).

At this occasion, Mr. Moazam Jatoi, Minister of State (NFS&R), Mr. Alfredo Leoni, Ambassador Brazil to Pakistan, Mr. Ahmad Bakhsh Lehri, Secretary (MNFS&R) Mr. Abdul Basit Khan, Addl. Secretary, Major General Taqeer Ahmed, MD (PASSCO), Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad, Chairman PARC and other speakers also addressed the experts, policy markers, dignitaries and participants of the seminar.Agriculture scientists and world-renowned experts here Monday termed the food security as global issue that could be overcome by multilateral cooperation aimed at streamlining distribution system and market mechanism to ensure easy accessibility

to food to the people.

“Food security is not local or regional issue but an international one, therefore it is international responsibility to join hands to address this issue,” they maintained while addressing the Pak-Brazil Seminar on Food Securityand Poverty Alleviation here at a local hotel here.

The speakers said that agriculture sector in Pakistan has suffered enormously during the floods of 2010 and 2011 as damages to the crops alone were estimated at over Rs.280 billion which not only affected food production but also livelihood opportunities and access to food.

Earthquake and floods have also affected supply of clean drinking water and other health facilities thus affecting food utilization.

Trade bodies rep not to use their association for political mileage SALIM AHMED LAHORE—More than 100 markets of the city, on the platform of All Pakistan Anjuman-eTajiran, in a meeting held on Monday to discuss the upcoming general elections in the country, have vowed not to use their association for political mileage. However, the meeting of the advisory committee of APAT advised the association’s major figures, including its general secretary, to go to national and provincial assemblies individually through elections by

joining any political party to represent the business community in parliament effectively.

The meeting was presided over by its central general secretary Naeem Mir and attended by representatives of over hundred markets of the provincial capital including Shahid Bilal, Rana Shahbaz, Shahid Iqbal Dar, Captain Agha Adnan, Sheikh Irfan, Sheikh Israr, Amjad Sheikh, Mian Latif, Sheikh Zia Farid, Muhammad Humayun and Abdul Wadud Alvi.

In the meeting, the advisory committee suggested APAT gen-

Warid joins White Ribbon campaign STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —Warid Telecom this year again joined hands with White Ribbon campaign which is aimed at spreading the message to end violence against women and girls in all its forms.

Men and boys in their various roles as individuals, community members, leaders, educators, fathers, and family members have a responsibility and important role to play in promoting gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.

In this regard the employees of Warid Telecom marked the day by pledging while the company also broadcasted awareness SMS toits subscribers and spread the message on its social mediums and company website.

While appreciating the continuous support by Warid Telecom, CEO of WRCP Mr.

Omer Aftab said that the involvement of Warid, its employees and their overall contribution and support helped spreading the message at a wider level.

Omer further added that as per the Social Institutions and Gender Index 2012, Pakistan is ranked 55th out of 86 in the list of countries violating social norms and rights concerning women.

The country was ranked 94th out of 102 in the Gender Inequality Index, 2009 however this year its ranking has dropped to an alarming rate.

Pakistan ranks lowest in the South Asian region in terms of GDP per capita for women.

Right to education, discriminatory family codes, restricted physical integrity, son bias, restricted resources and civil liberties are some common forms of biases against women that need serious consideration.

ZONG and Askari Bank announced the launch of ‘Timepey’, a technology-based branchless banking service. Picture shows M R Mehkari, President and Chairman, Askari Bank, Abdul Muktadir, DG, SBP, Zhang Jiang, Chinese Consul General and Fan Yunjun, CEO, China Mobile Pakistan.

eral secretary to contest general elections on some party ticket to ensure victory, so that the voice of small traders could be raised in assemblies collectively with the support of political parties.

On this occasion, Naeem Mir showed his appreciation to the representatives of city’s 100 markets for posing confidence on him. He said that APAT would continue its struggle for the establishment of chamber of small traders and his joining of any political party will also be the part of this fight for the cause of small traders.

Asian markets boosted HONG KONG—Asian markets climbed on Monday after data showed Chinese manufacturing activity had picked up pace in November, while increased global confidence provided support for the euro.

Tokyo rose 0.66 percent by the break, Hong Kong was 0.10 percent higher, Sydney added 0.59 percent and Seoul climbed 0.23 percent while Shanghai was flat. Beijing said Saturday that factory activity grew for the second month in a row in November, the latest figures showing the world’s number two economy is emerging from its recent slowdown.

The country’s official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reached 50.6, up from 50.2 in October and 49.8 in September and the highest since hitting 53.3 in April. Anything above 50 indicates expansion.

In a separate survey, HSBC said its PMI hit a 13-month high of 50.5 in November from 49.5 in October. Chinese manufacturing has been hit by weaker demand in Europe and the United States, with economic growth hitting a more than three-year low of 7.4 percent in the July-September quarter.

A more upbeat outlook for China filtered through to currency markets, where the euro continued its recent rise. The single currency gained to $1.3040 and 107.42 yen in early trade, from $1.2982 and 107.07 yen in New York late Friday.

The dollar eased to 82.37 yen from 82.48 yen in US trade.

The yen has weakened over the past few weeks as investors expect a win in December 16 polls for Shinzo Abe, the opposition leader who has pledged to carry out more aggressive monetary easing measures to kickstart Japan’s limp economy.—AFP

Business can help resolve conflicts through broader CSR STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Business can help resolve conflicts in a community through broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework that addresses social and economic needs of communities, said speakers at a workshop on peace building and cited reason that lack of economic opportunities and social deprivation are the most pressing factors contributing to conflicts within a community.

They were discussing it at a research workshop on “Plu-

ral Business Partnerships for Peace: Perspectives from Pakistan” jointly organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Responsible Business Initiative (RBI) and International Alert (IA) in collaboration with European Union here on Monday.

Giving opening remarks Dr. Vaqar Ahmed, Head of Economic Growth Unit at SDPI said that conference seeks to find a way to establish communitybusiness partnerships for peace conducive economies where both can benefit from each other.

Speaking at session ‘eco-

nomics of peace’, Muhammad Ali, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) emphasized upon the need for factors such as Corporate Social Responsibility, corporate good governance and a culture of mediation to reduce and minimize conflicts. He said, “When businesses start investing in social infrastructure, their impact on the communities can be transformational.” He also informed participants that SECP has drafted guidelines for public companies to performing CSR activities. These guidelines seek to institutionalize and

codify CSR activities based on fair, transparent and responsible business practices to support community growth and to eliminate practices that harm the public, he added. Nabeel Goheer from Commonwealth Secretariat, London presented their work in Pakistan which focuses on building a peaceful and democratic society by appreciating the ‘cultural diversity’.

Phillip Edward Vernon briefed participants on various initiatives of International Alert (IA)on peace building started in Pakistan.

During the session on ‘com-

munities perspective’ Naseer Memon, CEO of Strengthening Participatory Organization lamented corporations and multinational companies for ignoring local communities for employment.

Citing UNDP Human Development Report, he said that despite producing natural gas for decades, Dera Bugti is still the poorest, underdeveloped and most marginalized area in the country.

Safwan Aziz from SDPI presented the findings of SDPI study and shared that most of community members in their survey asked businesses to contribute in community development through

provision of education, health, and economic opportunities. He informed that there is no regulation for CSR in Pakistan and urged businesses to adopt a framework for Corporate Social Responsibility which can make their contribution to the society inter-related with their own systems.Damon Bristow, from DFID Pakistan said that businesses role in development initiatives must be supported and appreciated although it is primarily the responsibility of government .

Speaking at session on “business perspective for CSR” Khalid Aziz Mirza, Former

Chairman, Competition Commission of Pakistan said that beside CSR the businesses must comply with the law of the land in letter and spirit while adhering to accepted corporate governance norm and respect all stakeholders rights. Former President Engro Corporation Asad Umar identified lack of economic opportunities as one of the many basis for most of conflicts in Pakistan and urged on creation of jobs, spending royalties on communities and improving the social capital in community. Giving way ahead, he said that businesses needs to influence govern-

ment agenda for sustainable growth adding that engaging media and communities are vital partner for such advocacy.

Talking on governance dimension, Altaf Saleem former Federal Minister for Privatization argued that due to lack of accountability businesses tend to indulge in criminal business practices for huge dividends and mostly get away with it. He urged on to reform government system which reward honest businesses that positively contribute toward welfare of people and resulting into peaceful societies.

Merkel’s euro push EISENHUETTENSTADT—This fading industrial city, like many in Angela Merkel’s former East German home, is stony ground for the chancellor’s message of European integration and fertile soil for opponents trying to stop her winning a third term next September. More than two decades after unification, income and jobs in the five eastern states, home to 15 percent of the population, still lag behind the west and trillions of euros in transfers have not stemmed an exodus that has left some areas looking like ghost towns. “People have too many problems to worry about the euro crisis,” said Michael, a 40-year-old steelworker in the town of Eisenhuettenstadt, east from Berlin near the Polish border. Originally called “Stalinstadt”, it was built in the 1950s as an industrial complex and “the first Socialist city in Germany”. The pride of the GDR, it was renamed in 1961 and had 50,000 inhabitants in its heyday. In a familiar story across east Germany, reunification meant mass unemployment as communist-run industry failed to compete on the free market. About 40 percent of the town’s population went west and much of the housing for GDR workers stands empty. In a country whose conservative chancellor dedicates a lot of time to bluesky thinking about the future and demographic change, the most demographically-challenged areas of do not feel their plight is a political priority.—Reuters

Japan campaign trail TOKYO—Be careful what you wish for.

U.S. officials have long urged Japan to loosen limits on its military, bear more of the burden of its own defence and play a more prominent global role.Now, Japanese politicians gearing up for a December 16 parliamentary election are promising to do just that - but with a strain of strident nationalism that could give not only Asian neighbours but also Washington cause for concern. “Who can protect Japan’s beautiful seas? Who can protect our territory and our people’s lives?” queried former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, standing before a huge Japanese national flag as he blasted the current government’s handling of a territorial row with China in a recent speech. “The crisis is before our very eyes ... We will take back our country, our nation.”

Opinion polls suggest Abe’s opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will win the most seats in parliament’s lower house, putting the hawkish lawmaker in pole position to become Japan’s seventh prime minister in six years. He abruptly quit the job in 2007, when the LDP was in power, after a troubled year in office. Parts of Abe’s agenda, including calls to drop Japan’s self-imposed ban on exercising its right of collective self-defence, or defending an ally under attack, and to boost defence spending after years of decline, would be welcome in Washington. Abe also wants to revise Japan’s U.S.-drafted constitution, never altered since it was adopted after World War Two.—Reuters

Clinton pushes US bid for Czech nuclear project PRAGUE —U.S. Secretary of oil, 70 percent of their natu- global skepticism about the can com-panies. If this was on a missile defense installa- ment to Turkey’s request for State Hillary Rodham Clinton lobbied the Czech government Monday to approve an American bid for a $10 billion expansion of a nu-clear power plant, even as a rival Russian offer seems to be the fa-vorite.

Clinton made her pitch for the American energy giant Westing-house Electric Co. in meetings with President Vaclav Klaus, Prime Minister Petr Necas and other senior Czech officials in Prague. Speaking to reporters, she stressed the need for the Czech Republic to wean itself off of a dependency on Russia for fuel.

“We are encouraging the Czech Republic to diversify its energy sources and suppliers,” Clinton said. “Given how long-term and strategic this investment is, the Czech people deserve the best value, the most tested and trust-worthy technology, an out-standing safety record, responsi-ble and accountable manage-ment.” The Czechs get 60 percent of their

ral gas and all of their nuclear re-actor fuel from Russia.

That leaves the NATO member highly susceptible to eco-

use of atomic energy in the af-termath of last year’s meltdown at Japan’s Fukushima plant. And the Obama admin-

nomic and po-litical pressure from Moscow, which dominated the Central European country from the end of World War II to the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Revitalizing the Temelin nuclear power plant is a big part of the Czech agenda to radically boost its nuclear power production, de-fying

istration is hoping to secure some of the windfall by securing Westinghouse’s bid.

The project could generate 9,000 American jobs, U.S. officials said. For the United States, the battle for the Temelin contract is an example of an increasingly promi-nent element of foreign policy: Going to bat for Ameri-

once a less-promoted if widely understood element of private diplomatic re-lations, what Clinton calls “eco-nomic statecraft” has now be-come an endeavor U.S. officials proudly promote as part of their jobs-building effort for the United States.

“We are not shy about pressing the case for Westinghouse,” Clin-ton said. “We believe that company offers the best option for the project in terms of technology and safety. It would clearly en-hance Czech energy security and further the nuclear cooperation between our countries, and it would create jobs and economic opportunity for Czechs and Americans.”

To make the case, Clinton and other officials are cautioning the Czechs about the dangers of again putting their energy future in the hands of Russia. They need only point to 2008, when Russia sharply reduced oil supplies to the Czech Republic immediately after a U.S.-Czech agreement

VATICAN CITY—He already has 1.2 bil-

Netanyahu brushes off condemnation JERUSALEM—Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday brushed off world condemnation of Israel’s plans to expand Jewish settlements after the Palestinians won de facto U.N. recognition of statehood. “We will carry on building in Jerusalem and in all the places that are on the map of Israel’s strategic interests,” a defiant Netanyahu said at the weekly cabinet meeting. In another blow to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, Israel announced it was withholding Palestinian tax revenues this month worth about $100 million. Israel said the reason for the move was a Palestinian debt of $200 million to the Israeli Electric Corporation, an obligation that has existed for some time. Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz cautioned last month that if the Palestinians went ahead with the U.N. bid Israel would “not collect taxes for them and we will not transfer their revenues”. Yasser Abed Rabbo, a senior Palestinian official, said confiscation of the tax funds due the cash-strapped Authority, vital to meeting its payroll, was “piracy and theft”.

Stung by the U.N. General Assembly’s upgrading of the Palestinians’ status from “observer entity” to “non-member state”, Israel said on Friday it would build 3,000 more settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, areas Palestinians want for a future state, along with Gaza.—Reuters

Opp candidate wins Slovenian election LJUBLJANA —Former centre-left prime minister Borut Pahor was elected to the largely ceremonial post of Slovenian president on Monday to a backdrop of rising unrest in the recession-hit euro zone state. Pahor is a member of the opposition Social Democrats, and has called for cooperation between the government and opposition to tackle the economic crisis and prevent Slovenia becoming the latest member of the 17member currency union to seek a bailout. In a run-off vote, Pahor won 67.4 percent, ahead of incumbent Danilo Turk on 32.6 percent with 99.7 percent of votes counted, the state Electoral Commission said. “There is almost no problem that we cannot solve together,” Pahor, who was prime minister from 2008 to 2011, told reporters after exit polls indicated he had won. “It is my proposal that we reach a political agreement of all parliamentary parties,” he said.

The Alpine country of 2 million people has been hit by a wave of protests in recent weeks over public sector spending cuts and alleged corruption. On Monday, 30 people were arrested and at least 15 injured, most of them police officers, when police and protesters clashed in the capital Ljubljana.—Reuters

Patriot missiles to help it respond to a series of Syr-ian rockets that have violated Turkish airspace. Five Turks have been killed. Decisions on how many batteries and where to deploy them will then be referred to national governments, said U.S. officials, speaking on condi-tion of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak pub-licly about NATO deliberations.

The U.S., Germany and the Netherlands are the probable providers. Each has experts in-vestigating possible deployment sites near the border. But it will be weeks before any anti-missile batteries reach Turkey, the offi-cials said.

Clinton also is holding private talks Monday evening with Paki-stan’s foreign minister and mili-tary chief to coordinate security and peace strategies in Afghani-stan as the U.S. and its partners plan to withdraw most foreign troops through the end of 2014.—Reuters

Albania to vote in June, EU watching closely

Vatican discloses Pope’s Twitter handle lion “followers” in the standard sense of the word but next week he will have another type when he enters what for any 85-year old is the brave new world of Twitter. The Vatican said on Monday that the pope will start tweeting on December 12, the feast of the Madonna of Guadalupe.

“The handle is a good one. It means ‘pope’ and it also means ‘bridge builder’,” said Greg Burke, senior media advisor to the Vatican. “The pope wants to reach out to everyone,” he told a news conference. The tweets will be going out in Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese, German, Polish, Arabic and French. Other languages will be added in the future. “We are going to get a spiritual message. The pope is not going to be walking around with a Blackberry or an iPad and no one is going to be putting words into the pope’s mouth. He will tweet what he wants to tweet,” Burke said. Primarily the tweets will come from the contents of his weekly general audience, Sunday blessings and homilies on major Church holidays.

They will also include reaction to major world events, such as natural disasters. Benedict will be sending his first tweet himself on December 12 but in the future most will be written by aides and he will sign off on them before they are sent in his name. But while the pope will be one of the world’s most highprofile tweeters and have many followers, he will not be following anyone himself. The pope’s Twitter page is designed in yellow and white - the colors of the Vatican, with a backdrop of the Vatican and his picture. —Reuters

tion. The Russians blamed the decline on technical problems.

Still, a consortium led by Rus-sia’s Atomstroyexport is believed to be leading the chase to build two new reactors at the Temelin plant, amid American grumbling over alleged bribes. The Czech government is expected to evaluate the final bids in December and make a decision in 2013.

The reactors won’t be operational un-til around 2025. Clinton is in Prague on the first leg of a five-day trip to Europe. From the Czech capital, she’ll travel later Monday to Belgium. Further stops are scheduled for Ireland and Northern Ireland. Focuses include promoting human rights and democracy across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and NATO support for Turkish efforts to beef up defense of its volatile border with Syria.

In Brussels on Tuesday, the alli-ance’s members are likely to give formal endorse-

Free Syrian Army fighters and residents are seen on a tank, which they say was captured from the Syrian army loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, after clashes in Houla near Homs.

Syria denies plans to use chemical weapons B EIRUT —Syria said on Monday it would not use chemical weapons against its own people after the United States warned it would take action against any such escalation. The statements came amid media reports, citing European and U.S. officials, that Syria’s chemical weapons had been moved and could be prepared for use in response to dramatic gains by rebels fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad.

“Syria has stressed repeatedly that it will not use these types of weapons, if they were available, under any circumstances against its people,” the foreign ministry said. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had earlier warned that Washington would take action if Syria used the weapons. “I am not going to telegraph any specifics what we do in the event of credible evidence that the Assad regime has resorted

to using chemical weapons against their own people, but suffice to say, we are certainly planning to take action if that eventuality were to occur,” she said during a visit to Prague on Monday.

The opposition believe that Assad, who has upped his response to rebel gains in the 20-month-old revolt, could turn to heavier weapons and some have suggested he might use chemical weapons. The rebels have begun to advance quickly in recent weeks after months of slow sieges to cut off army routes and supplies.

In the past few weeks, they seized several military bases around the country, and an oil field and hydroelectric dam in the northeast.

Rebels are using anti-aircraft weapons to attack the military helicopters and fighter jets that have bombarded their positions with impunity until now. The main focus

for the army in the past five days has been Damascus, where security forces are pushing back hard against the rebels and trying to seal the capital off from rebeldominated suburbs.

The opposition-linked Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the Syrian army was trying to take over Daraya, on the southern outskirts of Damascus, and was attacking rebels with rockets as it advanced into some parts of the town. A Syrian security source said that the army had blocked three entrances into Daraya and was optimistic it could take the town. Rebels said they would be able to hold their ground.

“There have been several attempts to storm Daraya and each time the army has suffered major losses. This is not new,” said activist Samir al-Shami, of the Syrian Youth Union in Damascus.—Reuters

Libya pays extra for food imports as sellers fear disarray LONDON/TRIPOLI—Libya is having to pay extra for food imports and traders say some foreign firms are diverting shipments elsewhere due to fears - dismissed as unfounded by Tripoli - that growing disarray in the country could delay payments.

The North African state, much of which is desert, is a big food buyer and has stepped up purchases of staples including wheat and sugar since the end of fighting last year that toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

Tripoli shop shelves are now full of foreign produce.

But while international traders had viewed oil producing Libya as a lucrative market, some now say they are backing off from trade.

“Libya has a huge amount of oil wealth, but its chaotic administration and fears about non-payment are still giving it a bad reputation in international trade,” a European

grain trader said.

Companies contacted by Reuters could not cite concrete cases of default by Libyan importers, but rather unease that payment could be delayed, not least by cumbersome bureaucracy. “There is an unspoken Libya premium in the grain trade which the country has to pay for grain imports despite the fact that its huge oil wealth should make it a grade one customer to sell to,” another European grain trader said.

“Traders need the extra money because of payment risks and the general uncertainty in the pretty chaotic government there.” Traders cited a November 14 tender where Libya paid $395 per tonne on a cost and freight (c&f) basis for 30,000 tonnes of soft wheat.

“On the very same day, Jordan, by no means a rich country but a reliable. .trading partner, paid only $378 a

tonne c&f for 50,000 tonnes of higher quality wheat including more expensive shipment costs,” the second trader said. Libya’s main grains buyers are the Matahan agencies in Tripoli and Benghazi, which issue tenders and sell milled goods to the state agency that ensures stable food prices through subsidies.

While this process gives some protection to Libyans, the higher import prices will be costly for the subsidy mechanism. There are also smaller private buyers. Officials denied there were any problems for foreign companies in securing payment, but some recognised an issue with perceptions of Libya after the widely publicised conflict. “For the credit there is no problem, the commercial relationship is clear, it’s more the confidence,” said a marketing official at Matahan Tripoli.—Rauters

Dutch police raid PKK meeting, hold 55 for questioning AMSTERDAM—Dutch police raided a secret meeting of members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Netherlands early on Monday morning, and have held 55 people for questioning, the public prosecutors office said in a statement.

The PKK has been fighting for Kurdish self-rule in southeastern Turkey since 1984 and is designated as a terrorist organisation by Ankara, the United States and the European Union. It has been banned in the Netherlands since 2007.

A group of PKK members were meeting in a public park in Ellemeet, a village in the southwest of the country, at six in the morning when about 150 police raided the area, acting on a tip-off from the intelligence service, the prosecutors office said in its statement. The meetings had started on Monday and were expected to last a week.— Reuters

Iran: Direct talks with US are ‘possible’

T IRANA —Albania’s president on Monday set its next parliamentary election for June 23 with Tirana under pressure to avoid a repeat of a contested 2009 vote that set back its bid to join the European Union. The opposition Socialist Party, led by Edi Rama, challenged the result of the last election four years ago in protests that eventually ended in clashes with police. Four protesters were killed.

Rama will bid again to unseat Sali Berisha, leader of the ruling Democratic Party and Albania’s fiery prime minister for the past eight years. There have been no recent opinion polls, but with the government under fire over corruption and weak rule of law, analysts expect the vote to be close.

In the last election, the Democratic Party took half of the 140 seats in parliament and clinched a slim majority with the support of the Socialist Integration Movement.

The EU says Albania must hold free and fair elections and improve democracy before it can become an offi-

cial candidate for membership of the bloc.

The Balkan state of 2.8 million people, one of the poorest in Europe, is already a member of NATO. Both the EU and United States have been pressing Albania to overcome an atmosphere of intense political polarisation between the Democrats and the Socialists that has slowed and sometimes paralysed reforms.

Unlike most countries of the western Balkans, Albania has avoided recession, but the crisis in neighbouring Greece and Italy - Albania’s main trading partners - has slowed growth and led to a fall in vital remittances from the large Albanian diaspora.

Albanians complain that economic growth has failed to reduce widespread poverty or improve social welfare.

Also on Monday, President Bujar Nishani sacked Prosecutor General Ina Rama and replaced her with Adriatik Lalla, a former prosecutor overseeing the wealth statements of civil servants. The prime minister holds most power in Albania.—Reuters

Kuwait’s government resigns to make way for new cabinet K U WAIT —Kuwait’s ruler new cabinet was formed. accepted the government’s resignation on Monday, the state news agency KUNA said, a step designed to make way for a new cabinet in the Gulf Arab state after parliamentary elections boycotted by the opposition. The election on Saturday was the second this year in the oilproducing nation, where a series of assemblies have collapsed due to a long-running power struggle between the parliament and the cabinet, in which the emir’s ruling family holds the top posts.

“The emir accepted the resignation of the government,” KUNA said in an SMS news alert, adding that the ministers would serve in a caretaker capacity until a

Under the constitution, a new government must be formed before the first session of the new parliament.

Sheikh Sabah is expected to pick his prime minister next week, who will in turn form a cabinet that will be announced on December 14, said Kuwait’s al-Watan daily, which is owned by a member of the ruling family. More than half the members of parliament elected on Saturday are newcomers to the 50seat National Assembly. The chamber is expected to be more cooperative with the government than its predecessor because of the opposition boycott of the vote, and protests that divided the U.S.-allied, OPEC member state.—Reuters

Irish unions under scrutiny as pay talks start

“When you have the likes DUBLIN—Irish trade unions’ TEHRAN—Iran’s foreign min- cooperation with a string of of (SIPTU president) Jack ister says direct talks with the U.S. are “possible” but that any such breakthrough initiative must be approved by the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Monday’s comments by Ali Akbar Salehi mark the first clear signal that Iran could consider one-on-one dialogue with Washington. But Salehi’s remarks on the official IRNA news agency did not specify if these talks would be restricted to Tehran’s nuclear program or wider issues.

The supreme leader has given no indication he would support face-to-face talks with Washington, which broke ties with Iran shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran and the U.S. have been part of six-nation nuclear talks, which are currently stalled.

The two nations also have held meetings over Afghanistan and Iraq.—AP

unpopular governments, most of them centre-right, has helped Ireland avoid the destabilising protests seen in other bailed out countries.

They stayed out of Europewide strikes last month against austerity that brought millions to marches in Spain, Portugal and Greece, three countries suffering most from the crisis.

But the union base has grown impatient, accusing leaders of being no better than the property developers and bankers they despise, just as talks start on a new national pay deal to keep the industrial peace through three more years of austerity. “A lot of them have been sleeping with the enemy,” said truck driver and shop steward at Ireland’s largest trade union SIPTU, Michael Slattery, holding a placard demanding a general strike over austerity at a rare rally in Dublin last week.

O’Connor taking home 180 grand a year, how can he represent a man that’s bringing home 30 or 40 thousand? It’s crazy,” Slattery said.

O’Connor actually earns 115,000 euros ($148,500) a year, SIPTU said, nearly four times the average industrial wage.

The country has no prominent left-wing newspaper and few dissenting political voices to austerity. The centre-left Labour Party, junior partners in government, are leftist with a small “l” and it was one of their own ministers who first introduced Ireland’s ultra low corporation tax in the 1990s. Ireland also does not have a tradition of protest, a trait that stretches as far back as the pivotal 1916 Easter Rising against British rule which initially fizzled out, partly due to a lack of public support.—Reuters

Australia vs South Africa 3rd Test

Big win confirms South Africa as No. 1 P E RTH —South

biggest ever victory in a match decided in the fourth innings by a defiant 87-run last-wicket stand.

Number 10 Mitchell Starc smashed an unbeaten 68 off 43 balls to share in the highest-ever last wicket partnership at Perth’s WACA Ground with Nathan Lyon 31 off 43 balls.

South Africa’s win also continued their remarkable away record, with the Proteas not beaten in an away series since losing 2-0 in Sri Lanka in 2006. They have lost none of their three Tests at the WACA, with two wins and a draw.

The Australians went into the match as the form side in the two prior drawn Tests, and they were determined to send Ponting off on S Africa 1st innings: .. 225 Hastings b Morkel ........ 20 a high note with a win which Australia 1st innings:1 6 3 Johnson c de Villiers would have made them the S Africa 2nd innings: 569 b Philander ....................... 3 top-ranked side in Test MA Starc not out .......... 68 cricket.

Australia 2nd innings: Cowan c Elgar b Steyn . 53 Lyon c Smith b Steyn ... 31 However, they were Warner c Smith Extras: (lb 3, w 2) ............. 5 never in the hunt after a poor b Philander ..................... 29 Total: (all out) .............. 322 effort on the second day, Watson c Smith Fall of wickets 1-40, 2-81, 3- when they collapsed with the b Morkel ......................... 25 102, 4-130, 5-188, 6-198, 7- bat and then bowled poorly.

Ponting c Kallis 198, 8-204, 9-235, 10-322 Australia needed to prob Peterson ........................ 8 Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W duce an unprecedented run Clarke st de Villiers DW Steyn ....... 22.5-6-72-3 chase to win the match, but b Peterson ...................... 44 Philander ............ 21-8-41-2 that never looked a possiHussey c de Villiers M Morkel ........... 16-2-57-2 bility after David Warner (29) b Steyn ........................... 26 Peterson ........... 20-2-127-3 fell to Vernon Philander (2Wade c Smith D Elgar .................... 1-0-4-0 41) in the first over of the b Peterson ...................... 10 F du Plessis .......... 2-0-18-0 day.

Africa thrashed Australia by 309 runs in the third Test on Monday to hold on to their number one Test ranking and ruin an emotional farewell for veteran batsman Ricky Ponting.

Set a mammoth target of 632 runs to win, Australia lost their first wicket on the second ball of the fourth day and they never were eventually dismissed for 322 as the Proteas sealed the three-Test series 1-0.

Graeme Smith’s South Africans became the first team in two decades to defeat Australia on home soil in consecutive tours, with

the West Indies the previous team to achieve it in 1992-93.

And they achieved it with sporting good grace after forming a highly unusual honour guard for the Ponting, 37, Test cricket’s second highest run-scorer, as he emerged for his final innings.

“I was a little bit embarrassed and wish it didn’t happen that way, but it was an amazing gesture by Graeme and the South African team,” Ponting said.

In their 200th Test since being allowed back into international cricket, South Africa were only denied their

In his 168th and final Test, Ponting came to the crease at 81 for two, but the fairytale ending did not materialise and he made just eight in his last innings.

The former captain got off the mark with a trademark pull shot for four off Morne Morkel from the sixth ball he faced.

However, he lasted only 23 deliveries and 40 minutes before falling in unlikely fashion to spinner Robin Peterson, just minutes before lunch.

He was caught at first slip

by Jacques Kallis attempting to force Peterson off the back foot.

“I’ve been lucky to play as many Tests as I have and cherished every moment, it was always going to end at some stage I guess,” Ponting said.

Ponting stopped his walk back to the pavilion to raise his bat and acknowledge the crowd, while the Proteas halted their celebrations to offer more applause.

He finished his career with 13,378 Test runs at 51.85, including 41 centuries, but with just 32 runs in his last series at 6.40.

Ponting also shares the record of 168 Test appearances for his country with his predecessor as Australian

PERTH: Graeme Smith with the ICC Test Championship mace after winning the Perth Test against Australia on Monday.

FIFA suspends S Korean player for two matches S EOUL —FIFA

has suspended a South Korean player for two international matches over a post-match political gesture at the London Olympics, the South’s football body said Monday.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee has also slapped a fine of 3,500 Swiss francs ($3,781) on Park Jong-Woo following his actions, which relate to an island dispute with Japan, the Korean Football Association (KFA) said.

The association itself P ERTH —Former Australia was warned for failure to captain Ricky Ponting was properly instruct players on given a highly unusual guard rules of conduct. of honour by South Africa’s “We’ve decided to humplayers as he came out to bat bly accept FIFA’s decision in his last ever Test innings after consultations with Park C O L O M B O — M a h e l a Monday.

Jong-Woo,” the KFA said in Jayawardene will seriously rePonting, who turns 38 next a statement. assess his future as Sri Lanka’s month, is retiring at the end of The 23-year-old captain and as an international the ongoing Test in Perth and midfielder was excluded from cricketer at the end of the tour the South Africans showed the awards ceremony for his of Australia. their appreciation of his excountry’s bronze win in Au“I am going to take it one ploits over a 17-year career by gust after he held up a sign series at a time especially after lining up to clap him onto the reading “Dokdo is our land” the Australian tour I will have pitch. while celebrating the Korean time to think,” he said. “I took The Tasmanian, who is team’s 2-0 victory over Japan. on the responsibility to lead the equalling Steve Waugh’s FIFA ruled that his action team for one year and that will record mark of 168 Test was not premeditated but end after the Australian tour.” matches in Perth, arrived at the deserved punishment for He was speaking before Sri crease to a standing ovation “displaying unsporting Lanka left for Australia on a tour and huge cheers from the behaviour”, Yonhap news which includes a series of three WACA crowd with Australia agency said.

Tests, five one-day at 81 for two and chasing 632 International Olympic internationals and to win.

Committee officials said Park twoTwenty20 internationals.

Ponting, the second-highbreached rules against politi“(After the tour) I can sit est Test run-scorer of all-time cal demonstrations at the back and think what I want to behind India’s Sachin Games. achieve not just for myself but Tendulkar, announced his imThe player has not yet for the team as well. I have al- pending retirement before the received his bronze medal, ways said that I am not a guy showdown with South Africa who will just hang around for in Perth after a record-equal- PERTH: Ricky Ponting is carried by David Warner and but South Korean officials say he will qualify for a penthe sake of playing. If the ling 168 Tests for Australia. Michael Clarke after the Perth Test on Monday. sion paid to Olympic medalyoungsters take on the responThe 37-year-old, who said lists.—AFP sibility and do the job for Sri he was more nervous for his and game was set up for it, but ments that led him to retire.

Lanka then I will be very happy final Test than at any other it didn’t last long enough,” “I have put a lot of presto step aside and give them that stage of his career, was look- Ponting said. sure on myself to perform, it opportunity but at the same ing to go out with a big in“Even out of today, only has always been about big time I don’t want the team in a nings. being out there for 20-odd games and big series for me,” situation where it will have a But he lasted just 23 balls balls or whatever it was, was he said.“I haven’t been able harmful effect. in Australia’s second innings still pretty special. to deal with (pressure) as well “I want to make that transi- as the home side slumped to a “It just would have been of late as I would like to. tion as smooth as possible. I 309-run defeat and South Af- nice to have a few more next to “Normally when those big don’t want to let go all the good rica won the series 1-0 to re- my name.” moments come around I have KARACHI—Youthful opener things that’s been done all tain the number one Test rankPonting said the failure been able to find something, Ahsan Ali blasted an enterthese years and just walk away ing. “I felt there was one last continued a frustrating recent and I haven’t been able to do prising century as Alamgir Gymkhana whipped Metrofrom that.—Online big push for me, and the day inability to deliver in big mo- that for a while now.”—AP politan Cricket Club by 90 runs to enter the final of KCCA Zone-VI “A” Division League Cricket Tournament at RLCA Ground, North Karachi here on Monday.

Talented Ahsan belted 15 boundaries and two sixes in his 113 in 80 balls as Alamgir Gymkhana posted a healthy total of 271 all out in 40 overs.

In reply Metropolitan CC was restricted to 181 for 9 in 40 overs. Promising U-19 all rounder Saud Shakil 69 with the help of 12 boundaries off 79 balls. Najeebullah Khan captured four wickets for 41 runs.

Summarized scores: Alamgir Gymkhana 271 all out in 40 overs (Ahsan Ali 113, Waqas Ali 45, Abdullah Shah 27,Muhammad Hassan 24,Osama Adnan 4-48, Naveed Al-Ameen 2-41, Shahrukh Ahmed 2-23,Saud Shakil 2-15) Metropolitan CC 181-9 in 40 overs (Saud Shakil 69, Rameez Shahid 35, Najeebullah Khan 4-41, Qadus Afridi 2-26, Bilal HYDERABAD: Players participating in 400 meter race during 16th Sindh Games.

Manzoor 2-25).—APP

Jayawardene to decide on future after Australia tour

Ponting gets guard of honour

Ahsan’s ton put Alamgir Gymkhana in final

World Champ Asif to get rousing reception today K ARACHI —World Snooker liards and Snooker AssociaChampion Muhammad Asif will be accorded warm welcome at Quaid-e-Azam International Airport on his arrival from Sofia (Bulgaria) via Doha

by Qatar Airways Flight landing on Tuesday at 4.45 a.m.

30-year-old Muhammad Asif from Faisalabad became the second cueist after Muhammad Yousuf to win the world title when he defeated Gry Wilson of England 10-8 in marathon nine hour final on Sunday. Officials of Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) and Sindh Bil-

Meanwhile, hairman of tion and snooker players and Pakistan Billiards and Snooker supporters have planned to Association (PBSA) and Vice President of International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) Asghar Valika Monday described Muhammad Asif’s triumph as another golden moment in the history of Pakistan sports.

“Asif’s triumph will again boost and revive the sport in the country. I am absolutely delighted with his victory,” said Asghar Valika, under whose patronage Muhammad accord him grand reception Yousuf won the title in on arrival.

Johannesburg in 1994.—APP

Stosur wins third straight player of the year award M ELBOURNE —Tennis star Samantha Stosur on Monday received the award for Australia’s most outstanding player of the year for a third consecutive year at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne, organisers said.

The former US Open champion won the prestigious Newcombe Medal, defeating Australia’s top-ranked male player Marinko Matosevic, former world number one Lleyton Hewitt and 2011 French Open mixed doubles champion Casey Dellacqua.

Stosur, currently ranked ninth in the WTA standings, is the first Australian woman since Wendy Turnbull to finish in MELBOURNE: Sam Stosur of Australia poses after winthe top 10 in the world three ning the Newcombe Medal . years running.—AFP

Flies irritate cricketers in Australia BIPIN DANI OBSERVER

CORRESPONDENT MUMBAI—Australian opener Ed Cowan was distracted with flies and had to pull out while facing bowlers on several occasions in the Perth Test match. He was seen cleaning his helmet every once in a while. “There is no issue here”, Lerato Malekutu, the South Africa team manager said in her e mail, but the bowler, Vernon Philander didn’t seem to be happy with it, The batsman had to ask for a can of Aeroguard, the repellent.

“Flies have been a traditional issue in Australian cricket and use of fly-repellents is part and parcel of the game to ensure batsmen are not distracted by having flies suddenly fly in front of their face or even land on their face just as a bowler delivers the ball”, Peter Young, the Strategic Communications Advisor, Cricket Australia, informs.

“I have spoken to our

umpiring department and they advise that it is not necessary to obtain umpire permission to spray insect repellent on a batsman’s helmet.

It is one of those matters of common sense, I am told, such as batsman asking for replacement batting gloves”, he adds further.

“Indeed, one insect repellent manufacturer used Max Walker in its advertising back in the days when he was a Test cricketer in a popular television advertisement that had a slogan, “Ave a good weekend Mr Walker” that became a popular one-liner in popular language”.

“I was thinking of a famous humorous incident that happened during the infamous Bodyline series of 80 years ago. The England captain, Douglas Jardine, was not very popular with Australian crowds. At one stage, he was seen at the Sydney Cricket Ground waving his hands around in front of his face to try to shoo the flies away”.

“Flies are a detested pest in Australia. They are a par-

ticular irritation for cricket players as they have a habit of buzzing in cricketer ’s faces when they are about to face the bowling”.

“A famous Australian spectator known by his nickname as “Yabba”, saw Jardine waving the flies away and called out in his famously loud and carrying voice: “Hey, Jardine, leave our flies alone”.

“Yabba is commemorated with a statue at the SCG which sits where he used to sit”, Peter Young added further.

Flies in Australia have puzzled former India captain, Bishan Singh Bedi. “When India was fielding during their match against NSW in Sydney in November 1977, Bedi returned to the Dressing Room, looking very sick.

When I asked him why, he replied, “I think I’ve swallowed a fly!”, Kersi MeherHomji has written in his new book “Cricket Conflicts and Controversies (2012)”.

“Flies are everywhere in Australia during summer”, the historian says.

Is diabetes linked to hearing loss?

D

IABETES has already been tied to an increased risk of kidney and cardiovas cular troubles, nerve damage and vision loss, and now a new study finds diabetics to be more than twice as likely as those without the disease to have hearing impairment. In a review of past research on the question, scientists in Japan also found that younger diabetics were at even higher risk than older adults - though they cannot explain why, and experts caution that this kind of study does not prove that diabetes is directly responsible for the greater hearing loss rates.

“It doesn’t definitively answer the question, but it continues to raise an important point that patients might ask about,” said Dr. Steven Smith, diabetes specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

It’s also not the first time researchers have found a link between diabetes and hearing loss. In 2008, researchers from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) saw similar patterns in a sample of more than 11,000 people. In that study, people with diabetes were twice as likely to have hearing loss as those without the condition.

Generally, hearing loss is defined as having trouble understanding what people are saying in a hushed voice, and missing some words at a regular volume. The American Diabetes Association estimates there are currently about 16 million people living in the U.S. with diabetes, and NIH says about 36 million Americans report some level of hearing loss.

It’s thought that high blood sugar levels brought on by diabetes may lead to hearing loss by damaging blood vessels in the ears, according to Chika Horikawa, the study’s lead author from Niigata University Faculty of Medicine in Japan, and colleagues. They collected information from 13 previous studies examining the link between diabetes and hearing loss and published between 1977 and 2011. Together, the data covered 7,377 diabetics and 12,817 people without the condition.

Overall, Horikawa’s team found that diabetics were 2.15 times as likely as people without the disease to have hearing loss. But when the results were broken down by age, people under age 60 had 2.61 times the risk while people over 60 had 1.58 times higher risk. The researchers, whose findings appear in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, note that future studies that take more factors into account, such as age and noisy environments, are needed to clarify the link between diabetes and hearing loss.

Still, Horikawa told Reuters Health in an email, people should recognize that diabetics may be at risk for hearing loss based on their results. “Furthermore, these results propose that diabetic patients are screened for hearing impairment from (an) earlier age compared with non-diabetics,” said Horikawa, adding that hearing loss has also been linked to an increased risk of depression and dementia.

KARACHI: The coffin of Maulana Muhammad Ismail, who was killed in a firing incident on Abul Hassan Isphahani road, being carried to graveyard after offering funeral prayers.

Disabled persons integral part of society: Altaf

SC defers verdict in Karachi violence case

STAFF REPORTER case but all the judges could constituencies and submit report.

STAFF REPORTER not sign it therefore, the deciThe court had also sought KARACHI—The founder and K ARACHI — Supreme Court sion to render the interim or- report about fitness of 3000 veleader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) Mr Altaf Hussain has said that Special Persons can play a leading role in the development of the country if they are given opportunities. In a message on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities Mr Hussain said that the MQM wants the people with disabilities to become a useful part of the society. Hussain said that the disabled persons are also an integral part of our society and it is our responsibility look after them in a proper manner. He urged on President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to ensure implementation of laws for the disabled persons.

Alleged target killer nabbed

(SC) has deferred the verdict in Karachi violence case. A 5member larger bench of SC led

by Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali took up Karachi violence case for hearing Monday in its Karachi registry.

Election Commission, Rangers, Revenue department, Jail authorities and IG Police presented their respective reports to the court. An interim order was to be issued in this

DUHS observes World Disabled Day KARACHI—Over one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. Persons with disabilities, often face barriers to participation in all aspects of society. The result is that persons with disabilities do not have equal access to society or services, including education, employment, health care, transportation, political participation or justice. There is an urgent need to provide them not only rehabilitative care but also make changes at community level to help them live as independent members of society.

These views were expressed by Medical Experts at a Seminar to mark the World Disabled Day organized by Dow University of

Health Sciences (DUHS) today at Arag Auditorium of Dow Medical College, Karachi. Prof.

Dr. M. Umer Farooq, Pro Vice Chancellor, DUHS was the Chief Guest whereas Dr. Nabeela Soomro, Director, Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (IPM&R) were also present on the occasion.

Every year, Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Dow University of Health Sciences celebrated World Disabled Day to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.

Dr. M. Umer Farooq further said that the celebration also seeks to increase awareness to be

derived from the integration of persons with disabilities by providing artificial limbs and in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. There is need to create awareness of every diseases including disability. There is need to promote awareness of the human rights of those with disabilities to lead a full and equal life within their communities. He stressed on ensuring preventive steps in order to stop the diseases initially.

Dr. Nabeela Soomro in her welcome address said that it is the first ever institute of its kind in Pakistan. It provides comprehensive multi-disciplinary rehabilitation services with facilities to help patients in Cardiac Rehab, Neurological Rehab.—NNI

PML-N wants to harm federation: Sindh MPAs OBSERVER REPORT KARACHI—Pakistan People’s Party members of Sindh Assembly Imdad Pitafi, Imran Zafar Laghari and Sardar Fayaz Bhut have said that Mian Nawaz Sharif having supported Kalabagh Dam has confined himself to a province only and it has brought Muslim League (N) biased policies before the people.

This they said in a joint statement issued here on Monday. They said that Muslim League (N) wanted to harm the federation. Those nationalists

who had presented Nawaz Sharif as here in Sindh, had exposed their narrow minded politics before the masses.

They said in Sindh (N) league had not a single politician who possessed political wisdom. Mumtaz Bhutto and Liaquat Jatoi both were seasonal politicians and their sole purpose was to run after power and to get it by hook or crook.

Even they both had no worth to win elections of councillorship.

They added, ‘Mumtaz Bhutto and Liaquat Jatoi have always done corruption and fraud. In Pervaiz Musharraf re-

gime Liaquat Jatoi was given ministry to construct Kala Bhag Dam.’ They said that in coming elections (N) League would get historic defeat in Punjab. The people of Punjab hatedbadly to this so-called political party and they knew that the past and present of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif had been full of corruption.

Asghar Khan has proved that the sole aim of Sharif brothers is to plunder the wealth of the country and to steal the tax as well,” they concluded.

hicles. Banning the transfer of state land, the court had summoned record of state land transferred after assassination of Benazir Bhutto. New arms license policy was also presented in the court.

The court had also directed IG Sindh to set up a cell to forge coordination between police and rangers and collect the record about the apprehension and custody of the culprits.

PML-F claims stakes in Karachi after Nov 30 ‘successful’ strike OBSERVER REPORT KARACHI—The Pakistan Mus-

lim League-F Monday said the STAFF REPORTER successful province-wide strike KARACHI: Special children taking part in a walk on International Day for Disabled persons. K ARACHI — Alleged target on its call, especially in Karachi, killer has been arrested from Pirabad area of the city on Monday. While four criminals were arrested from Orangi Town for their involvement in robbery incidents. According to police officials, an alleged target killer involved in target killing incidents in Pirabad has been arrested.

The accused has killed a man in Orangi Town in 2009.

Meanwhile, SSP Orangi Town claimed that at least four criminals were arrested in an encounter. SSP said that police also recovered pistol, jewelry, mobile phones and cash from the arrested criminals.

der was deferred.

It may be recalled that 5member bench expressed dissatisfaction over the implementation process of its directives last month and gave remarks on many occasions that its directives were not complied with.

The court had directed the secretary election commission to consult the political parties on the matter of redrawing of electoral

had proved that the party had gained lot of popularity among the masses due to the clear and inflexible stand of Pir Pagara against the disintegration of Sindh.

In a statement Monday Shama Munshi, media coordinator of PML-F’s ladies wing, said the Nov 30th strike had proved that PML F was also one of the biggest stakeholders in the politics of Sindh, In fact in Karachi as well.

The present political scenario is indicating that PML F will win with clear majority along with its collation partner and form the government of

Sindh. 30th nov strike was a referendum of sindh masses against PPP that they have really become fed up with the “PPP Anti sindh” policies.

They wanted to get rid of PPP and looking for some other substitute and this leadership crises has been filled by Sain Pir Pagara.

The masses of sindh have finally realized that only under the sincere leadership of Sain pir pagara, they will get their destination and will find solution of their core problems, that’s why PML F movement to save sindh is gaining a momentum day by day.

The mass contact campaign of Sain Pir pagara starting from his first visit to hyderabad on 14th december will prove to be the last straw in the back of PPP’s politics

from sindh. Sindhi’s are united under the leadership of Sain Pir Pagara and will no more tolerate discriminations and conspiracies against our beloved land Sindh. The response of sindhis against the black law of SPLGO has shown that they have completely rejected the dis integrity of sindh.

Sindh is under going the most crucial period due to the conspiracy to divided it. PML F expression of solidarity is proving to be a new milestone in creating a history which will be written with golden words.

Sindhis will never forgive PPP traitors who have bargain over the integrity and vital interest of sindh for the sake of power. PML F has committed to give any sort of sacrifice for the integrity of sindh.

58 litres liquor recovered, 9 arrested OBSERVER REPORT K ARACHI — The provincial Excise and Taxation Department has arrested at least nine accused for possessing 58 liters of illicit liquor.

On special directives of Minister for Excise and Taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla a campaign was launched against drugs by and raided different parts of the city Karachi, recovered 58 liters of illicit liquor and arrested 9 accused.

According to details Excise & Taxation Department Team raided in the areas of Jamila Para, Zia Colony Gulshan-e-Iqbal, AlWatan Hotel Banaras Chowk Peerabad, Quarter Deedar Hotel near Kachra Kundi Neelam Colony, Tauheed Colony,Musa Colony Christan Para F.C.Area, Ibrahin Haidri Goth, Punjabi Mohalla, Kohistan Chowk North Karachi and Gulshan 13-D an arrested 9 accused Faizan, Baqi Jan, Ghulam Muhammad, Muhammad Ishaq, Tariq Ahmed.

Prize distribution at Tooba School STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Annual prize distribution ceremony of DHA Tooba High School was held at PN Sabir Hall here on Monday.

Chairman Board of Secondary Education, Mr. Fasihuddin Khan was the chief guest of the function.

The students presented a fabulous talent show on the occasion. The theme of the programme was based on social and moral values of life. The presentation included skits, poems, a short English play and an exhilarating Urdu play.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Fasihuddin said that the real aim of education was to produce confident, self reliant and dynamic individuals who could face the onslaught of challenges in the world successfully. He termed confidence, intellect and dynamism as the basic ingredients of a sound personality.

He said that education is a powerful agent of change and an

embodiment of transformation in cational background was essen- sized the need for a sound and ef- duced individuals who could life. He reiterated that a good edu- tial for success in life. He empha- ficient education system that pro- positively contribute for the betterment of society.

Chairman BSEK said that he was happy that DHA gave utmost importance to education and was continuously making efforts for promotion of quality education at all levels. He also commended the talented performance of students and the efforts put up by the teachers to make the programme a success.

Earlier the Principal, Ms. Raheela Jamshed in her welcome address said that the main focus in the school was on intellectual and emotional development of students to make them responsible citizens of the society. She also highlighted the academic and extra curricular achievements of the students of the school. At the end the Chief Guest awarded prizes to the students who excelled in various curricular and non-curricular activities and awarded certificates KARACHI: Director Education DHA Commodore (R) Talib Hussain presenting a shield of merit to the teachers. Comto Mr. Fasihuddin Khan, Chairman Board of Secondary Education, Karachi, at the An- modore (R) Talib Hussain, Dinual Day Function of DHA Tooba High School. rector Education DHA was also present on the occasion.

Drug of focus is at center of suspensions

Y

OU’VE got to get some of these, Becht recalled the player saying. “I was like, ‘What the heck is that?’

He definitely needed it. He said it just locks you in, hones you in. He said, ‘When I have to take them, my focus is just raised up to another level.’ ” Becht said he did not give Adderall another thought until 2009, when he was playing in Arizona and his fellow tight end Ben Patrick was suspended for testing positive for amphetamines. The drug he took, Patrick said, was Adderall. Becht asked Patrick why he took it, and Patrick told Becht, and reporters, that he had needed to stay awake for a long drive.

Those two conversations gave Becht, now a free agent, an early glimpse at a problem that is confounding the N.F.L. this season. Players are taking Adderall, a medication widely prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, whether they need it or not, and are failing drug tests because of it. And that is almost certainly contributing to a most-troubling result: a recordsetting year for N.F.L. drug suspensions.

According to N.F.L. figures, 21 suspensions were announced this calendar year because of failed tests for performance-enhancing drugs, including amphetamines like Adderall. That is a 75 percent increase over the 12 suspensions

announced in 2011 and, with a month to go in 2012, it is the most in a year since suspensions for performance-enhancing drugs began in 1989.

At least seven of the players suspended this year have been linked in news media reports to Adderall or have publicly blamed the drug, which acts as a strong stimulant in those without A.D.H.D. The most recent examples were Tampa Bay cornerback Eric Wright and New England defensive lineman Jermaine Cunningham last week.

The N.F.L. is forbidden under the terms of the drugtesting agreement with the players union from announcing what substance players have tested positive for — the urine test does not distinguish among types of amphetamines — and there is some suspicion that at least a few players may claim they took Adderall instead of admitting to steroid use, which carries a far greater stigma.

But Adolpho Birch, who oversees drug testing as the N.F.L.’s senior vice president for law and labor, said last week that failed tests for amphetamines were up this year, although he did not provide any specifics. The increase in Adderall use probably accounts for a large part of the overall increase in failed tests.

“If nothing else it probably reflects an uptick in the use of amphetamine and amphetamine-related substances throughout society,” Birch said.

MBBS students get admission in Ameer-ud-Din Medical College STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—One hundred students including sixty-one girls and thirty-nine boys have been given admission in MBBS in the newly established Ameer ud Din Medical College in the provincial metropolis.

A circular has been issued by the Principal PGMI and LGH Prof. Anjum Habib Vohra to the newly admitted students here on Monday according to which the girl students should submit their academic certificates and deposit fee in the office on December 05 while the boy students on December 06. In case of fake educational certificates, their admission will be cancelled, the circular added.

Talking to the journalists, Prof. Anjum Habib Vohra said that Ameer ud Din Medical College will be affiliated with General Hospital while PGMI Faculty will teach the students.

He said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif had announced the setting up of this college during the current year and his orders have been immediately implemented. Prof. Anjum Habib Vohra has directed Additional Dean PGMI to provide complete guidance to the students. It may be mentioned that like other sectors, girls have also taken a lead in medical education.

LHC summons Secy Local Govt on contempt plea

LAHORE: Sikhs buying items from a stall at the end of annual three day celebrations of 455th birth anniversary of Baba Gurunanak Jee.

Shahbaz urged to set up kite city SALIM AHMED L AHORE —The Vice President, All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA) and founder of Kite Flying Festival in Pakistan Khawaja Nadeem Saeed Wayeen, has appealed to the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to establish Kite City/ Kite Flying Zone out of city.

Khawaja Nadeem Saeed Wayeen said here Monday that proposed Kite City/Kite Flying Zone would not only play a significant role in strengthening the crawling tourism industry but arrival of thousands foreign tourists would also help improve

the soft image of Punjab.

He said that unlike the federal government, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif was doing untiring efforts to promote trade, industry and economic activities in the province.

“It is need of the hour that the international community should aware about the efforts being done by the Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and proposed Kite City/Kite Flying Zone could play a vital role to this regard” he said.

Khawaja Nadeem Saeed Wayeen said that a few years ago thousands tour-

ists were used to visit Punjab to see the Kite Flying Festival that was a source of economic activities of more Rs. 5 to 7 billion but some elements had tarnished the image of Kite Flying and the festival lost in the mist.

He said that if Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif establishes Kite City/Kite Flying Zone well out of the Lahore and forms a committee including representatives of public and private sector to run the affairs of proposed project then the chances of any untoward incident would also be very bleak.

Govt fail to curb terrorism in Karachi: Imran MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —Pakistan Tehirke-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, condemning the killing of seminary teacher Maulana Ismail in Karachi, said the government has miserably failed to control law and order situation in Karachi and current deteriorating situation is highly distressful and condemnable.

In a joint press statement issued here on Monday, PTI Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Secretary General Dr. Arif Alvi,

President Javed Hashmi and Information secretary Shafqat Mahmood strongly condemn the killing of seminary teacher, Maulana Ismail, and the killing of 7 others as a result of unknown men’s firing in Karachi.

PTI sends their sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

PTI Chairman, Imran Khan said the rulers had miserably failed to control the law and order situation of Karachi, target killing and extortion was continuing in the city, the police and Rang-

ers were helpless.

Secessionist groups, religious militants and a weak government response have combined to make the city one of the most dangerous in Pakistan. Disappointed by a political government that does not seem to have the will to control the rampaging criminal and militant gangs who are linked to mainstream parties, PTI demands that the government to take all important measures to bring peace and stability in Karachi and to curb the menace of extremism and terrorism.

LAHORE—The Lahore High Court on Monday summoned Secretary Local Government Punjab for December 10 on a contempt petition for disobeying court orders.

Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan passed the orders on a contempt petition filed by Muhammad Asif.

Earlier, the petitioner told the court that he was serving as senior legal advisor in City District Government Lahore since 1994.

The petitioner mentioned that he and others moved a petition for regularization of their services in LHC. He said that the petition was disposed of after the respondents undertook that the process of regularization would be completed soon, within six weeks.

However, the respondents failed to fulfil their commitment despite being approached many times for the purpose, he said and added that other petitioners had been given relief.

He pleaded the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents including Secretary Local Government Punjab.

The court after hearing the arguments summoned Secretary Local government for December 10 to explain why the court orders were not complied with.—APP

LAHORE: PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz talking to media persons after a walk in connection with “International Day of Persons with Disabilities”.

PU to support special students for higher studies STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —The Punjab University, the oldest seat of learning in the subcontinent, will fully support all students with special needs for pursuing higher studies leading to PhD free of cost. Chairing a seminar on “Empowering persons with disabilities; Success Stories” conducted by the Special Education Department, PU in connection with international day of disabled persons here at new campus, Dean, Prof Dr. Liaqat Ali said that VC Prof Dr. Mujahid Kamran had already directed all heads of faculties and deans of various disciplines to facilitate the students with special needs.

He said that first time in 130 years history of the varsity all special students studying in different faculties of the

Punjab University had already been totally exempted from all sorts of fees including admission, departmental and examination with immediate effect.

He said the PU always attached great importance to all special children. He said all eligible and deserving special students will also be awarded scholarships without any hindrance. He said that VC had also directed higher authorities of varsity that all genuine problems being faced by the special students must be addressed on top priority.

Dean PU Prof Dr. Ehsan Malik said that special children world over possess all abilities and capabilities with normal people and they always demonstrate their highest level of competence in different fields. Director, IER, Prof Dr. Mumtaz Akhtar emphasised

the need of conducting such kind of seminars regularly on all international days dedicated for the welfare of special children and creating awareness among the massess about their genuine needs to be fulfiled.

Prof Dr Shaikh Muhammad Iqbal, former senior faculty member of English Department Sargodha College and Shafiq Ur Rehman and Aamir Mushtaq narrated their success stories.

Dr. Waqar Chaudhary, Regional Director, Associated Press of Pakistan, Central Region, Punjab, who is also patron-in-chief of special students, PU speaking on the occasion said that all out efforts are being made on war footings by the VC PU to provide best of the best package of facilities to all special students.

He called upon the special

PML-N leader’s rejoinder to Pervaiz Elahi STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —PML-N leader Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that Pervaiz Elahi deserve medal due to corruption and incomplete projects.

He said that like other projects, Pervaiz Elahi also left Quran Academy incomplete and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is getting it completed speedily. He said that the lie of Pervaiz Elahi has reached even Egypt which he has mentioned in his advertisement. Pervaiz Rashid said that Pervaiz Elahi had been raising slogan of electing Musharraf ten times in uniform and now he is publishing false advertisements in newspapers for electing Zardari.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference along with Provincial Minister for Auqaf,

Haji Ehsan-ud-Din Qureshi in Lahore. Chairman Quran Board Ghulam Muhammad Sialvi was also present on the occasion.

Pervaiz Rashid said that Deputy Prime Minister Pervaiz Elahi fixed plaque of his name on varius projects during his era but left them incomplete. He said that there are a number of such projects for which payments were made to the contractors but they fled abroad. He said that the money which Pervaiz Elahi got through corruption and giving advertisements will be recovered from him.

Pervaiz Rashid said that Pervaiz Elahi has himself admitted that he has saved the PPP government by making alliance with Asif Zardari. He said that Deputy Prime Minister should also give advertisements against lawlessness, unemployment, target killing and 20 hours long

power outages. He said that contrary to it, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif completed the incomplete projects left by Pervaiz Elahi within shortest period which included Lahore-Kasur Road, Lahore Ring Road and Thokhar Niaz Beg overhead bridge.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that the picture of Quran Board and Seerat Acadmy which is being shown by Pervaiz Elahi in the advertisement has been downloaded from computer. On this occasion, he also showed the pictures of incomplete building of Quran Academy and the complete building to the journalists.

Properties sealed LAHORE—Commercia-

lisation Directorate of the Lahore Development Authority sealed 22 properties in various parts of Johar Town and Gulberg for nonpayment of commercial fee here Monday.

LDA sources said that owners of the sealed properties had to pay outstanding dues worth millions of rupees as commercialisation fee, but they could not do so despite the issuance of challan forms and repeated notices.

As many as 12 buildings that had been sealed in Johar Town included private schools, workshops and other commercial buildings situated along Moulana Shoukat Ali Road, Nursery Road and Expo Centre Road.

In Gulberg area, 10 buildings were sealed including a LAHORE: Woman purchasing old text books for her children from a roadside stall at restaurant, private schools and private offices.—APP Nila Gumbad.

students to concentrate on pursuing higher studies and take full advantege of excellent academic facilities. He said that now special students in PU can study upto PhD free of cost which he added is a rare opporunity not only in Pakistan but in whole of Asia.

Blind students Aamir Kamalvi,Malik Muhammad Nadeem Aslam Arain, Shamas Ul Zia, Shahzad Gulnar, Sarfraz Ahmad Khan, Muhammad Shakil, Muhammad Saleem, Usman Ali Atari and other special students present on the occasion thanked the VC for efforts to resolve their problems.

Nawaz capable to steer country out of quagmire of problems STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Sajjada Nasheen Kalas Sharif Sargodha, Pir Syed Shamim Sabir Shah called on the Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here Monday.

Expressing confidence in the leadership of PML-N Pir Syed Sabir Shah announced to join the party. Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan and ticket holder of PML-N from Mandi Bahauddin Nasir Bosal were also present on the occasion.

Welcoming the joining of PML-N by Sajjada Nasheen Kalas Sharif Sargodha, Pir Syed Shamim Sabir Shah, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the popularity of the party under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is increasing day by day and the candidates of PML-N will achieve a thumping victory in the coming elections.

He said that Punjab government under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has completed record development projects for providing basic facilities to the masses and the fruits of these development projects are reaching the people.