Ep08aug2014

Imran’s ‘Azadi March’

Shah advises govt to handle crisis with care

Russia bans food imports from US, EU MOSCOW—Russia on Thursday banned all imports of meat, fruit, vegetables and milk products from the United States, the European Union and several other countries that have hit it with sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine, escalating a RussiaWestern confrontation that will significantly narrow the range of food available in the Russian market.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also said that Russia was considering banning U.S. and European airlines from flying over Russian airspace in transit to Asia, a step that could increase travel times and costs.

The measures, which are effective immediately and will be in place for a year, were a signal that Russia is not backing down from a confrontation that has sent Western-Russian tensions to heights not seen since the Cold War. U.S. and E.U. officials have accused Russia of fomenting a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine and of massing

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Pakistan take charge of first Test GALLE—Younis Khan smashed 177 during a valiant fightback with the lower order batsmen as Pakistan gained the upper hand in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Thursday.

Khan, who came in to bat at 19-2 on the first morning, anchored the innings admirably to enable the tourists to pile up 451 all out by tea on the second day.

Sri Lanka replied with 99-1 by close but the batsmen will remain wary of the turn and bounce that will increasingly come into play over the next three days.—Agencies

Detailed story on Sports Page

Dar ’s principled stand on question of resignation

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Obama being pressed to stay in Kabul ................................................

Indeed economy moving on right track

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Seeks political parties’ role for supremacy of democracy STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif meeting with the delegation of ANP led by Haji Adeel at PM office on Thursday.

Political parties assure PM of support against extra judicial demands PAT supporters armed with rocks, sticks ready to face S R police; PTI leader denied access to Qadri’s residence

Qadri’s residence sealed by heavy police contingent

TAFF

MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Due to tension escalating between the government and the supporters of Pakistan Awami Tehrik (PAT) panic spread in the localities adjacent to Model Town Lahore where a large number of PAT supporters, armed with rocks and sticks, gathered outside party chief Tahirul Qadri’s residence and Minhajul Quran secretariat after Punjab police set up pickets on all roads leading to the buildings here on Thursday.

Female workers gathered outside Qadri’s residence while mostly male supporters were seen outside Minhajul Quran. The roads in the area have been sealed with containers and other barriers. Meanwhile, commuters are facing problems after police sealed all the roads connecting to Faisal Town and Garden Town through Akbar Chowk, Barkat Market and Jinnah hospital.

World oil price drops more than $10 a barrel

Demanding the government to release the surging situation of clash, the residents of the Model Town expressed their astonishment saying that the government’s response to the Martyr’s Day announcement of Dr Tahir-ulQadri is extraordinary based on panic.

Punjab government has deployed large contingents of police around the Minhaj ul Quran Secretariat in Model Town. Talking to Pakistan Observer, a businessman Imran Khan Lohani, who runs a construction company, said all the roads leading to his office had been blocked and containers and barriers were everywhere on the way to his office. He said their office work has been badly affecting due to these hurdles. He suggested the government to adopt the strategy of negotiation despite using the force.

The barriers were placed late last night, hours after a case was registered against Qadri

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AMANULLAH KHAN

Britain plans to suspend sale of all military equipment to Israel

KARACHI —International

L ONDON —Britain is plan- see if those criteria were

oil prices have fallen more than US$10 a barrel in the past six weeks. The cut in oil prices was mainly on the back of seasonally weak demand and ample supply that led to the decline.

It will not be out of place to mention that international oil prices ignored a US Energy Information Administration report which said that crude oil stockpiles fell by 1.8mnbbl and gasoline stockpiles fell by 4.4mnbbl.

Meanwhile the Gold

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ning to suspend sale of all military equipment to Israel and also revoke the licenses for arms that have been used in the conflict if the current ceasefire in Gaza breaks down.

Britain’s deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who strongly supported an arms embargo with Israel said the government is actively discussing the two eventualities.

Clegg said “We must respect the strict criteria laid down in law. We must look at what’s happened in Gaza to

breached. If it’s shown those criteria were breached, then never mind suspending those licences, they would have to be revoked.’’

Documents obtained by the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) under the Freedom of Information Act reveal that since 2010 there have been £42 million worth of licences to export military-only equipment to Israel. Licences granted include naval guns, drones, ammunition, submarines and combat aircraft

EPORTER

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday held meetings with delegations of different political parties as part of his strategy to cope with the situation emerging in the backdrop of proposed marches of Imran Khan and Dr Tahiurl Qadri.

Delegation of Pakistan People’s Party, Awami National Party and National Party met the prime minister and agreed that every effort to derail the democratic system would be foiled. They, however, said everybody had the right to protest but extra constitutional demands were not acceptable.

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LHC larger bench to hear plea against Azadi March OBSERVER REPORT L AHORE —Lahore

High Court’s Justice Khalid Mehmood has ordered formation of larger bench to hear the petition seeking a restraining order against “Azadi March”.

The petitioner’s lawyer A K Dogar took a stance that Azadi March on August 14 will become a cause of political turmoil and create more differences between the political parties. Moreover, he argued that Azadi March will invite intervention of anti-democratic forces.

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APNS pays glowing tributes to Majid Nizami for his national services Sartaj Aziz endorses idea of Majid Nizami University

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ASHRAF ANSARI, ZUBAIR QURESHI ISLAMABAD—Speakers at condolence reference for Majid Nizami at Aiwan-iQuaid here Thursday, paid rich tributes to late Dr. Majid

Majid Nizami was Mard-i-Momin of Allama Iqbal

Nizami era has not ended with his death: Zahid Malik ASHRAF ANSARI I S L A M A B A D — M r.

Zahid Malik, Editor-inChief, Pakistan Observer, has said that Dr.

Continued on Page 7 Nizami, Chief Editor, Nawa-

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz addressing Condolence Reference for Majid Nizami at Aiwan-e-Quaid. Seated on the stage (L to R) are Mr. Fida Malik, Mr. Shafqat Abbasi, Chairman Press Council, Mian Mohammad Javed, Senior VP NPC, Mr. Zahid Malik, Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Observer, Lt Gen (Retd) Abdul Qayyum, Prof. Fateh Mohammad Malik, Senator Razina Alam and Advocate M. Bilal.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir I-Waqt Media Group who died recently in Lahore. The speak-

ers drawn from various segments of society including se-

nior journalists made mention of great services rendered by

Majid Nizami as a journalist

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ISLAMABAD—In a veiled reference to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) upcoming protests, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah on Thursday warned the leadership of all political parties that their names would be “included in the list of dictators” in case they took any step against democracy.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also present during the NA session, but did not get a chance to speak as Shah requested that the session be resumed next day after the prayer break.

Commenting on the address of President Mamnoon Hussain to the joint session of the parliament on June 2, 2014, senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Shah said that all political parties believe in the supremacy of the parliament.

Shah said the situation was very dangerous, as discussions on the derailing of the democratic system within the next few days were becoming increasingly common.

He added that it was important that all the political parties played their role for the supremacy of the parliament and democracy in the country. The opposition leader further said that “It was not easy to restore democracy in the country and it was only possible due to the sacrifices and the reconciliation policy of the previous government.”

He also said the government should adopt a reasonable political attitude in dealing with

the prevailing political crisis surrounding the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s ‘Azadi March’.

“Please don’t worry about the PTI long march as it is the constitutional right of any political party in the country,” he said while commenting on media reports that the government was involved in seizing of motorbikes as well as petrol pumps due to the fear of the PTI’s march on August 14.

PTI leader Javed Hashmi said that the government should try to handle the situation responsibly as the ongoing situation is highly critical. Muttahida Qaumi Moverment leader Farooq Sattar said efforts should be made to reduce tensions through a mature political attitude. He added that registration of cases against political leaders and workers should be avoided.

Awami Muslim League president Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the government should not create problems for the workers of the political parties over fears of the upcoming long march. He demanded that the Speaker of National Assembly should give a ruling against the decision to invoke Article 245 of the Constitution.

PTI Leader Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that the government should avoid seizing petrol pumps and vehicles of transporters. Later, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmed said that the country was being ruled under a constitution. He further said that the government will not put any kind of restrictions on the basic right to freedom of speech in

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Govt to block tsunami with containers LIAQAT TOOR ISLAMABAD—As the pressure is mounting on the Government from different political parties to settle issues with agitating forces through dialogue and avoid use of force, the government at present is determined to block tsunami of PTI by placing containers on the roads on August 14.

Sources in PML-N said barring any eleventh hour change in policy, the Government will handle PTI Azadi March administratively.

This pattern reflects the mindset of the ruling party also in the past when the plane of PAT Chief Tahir ul Qadri was diverted to Lahore from

Islamabad on June 23. Containers were placed on the roads in an effort to stop PAT workers reaching Islamabad Airport. The Plane in which PTI leader Javed Hashmi was travelling to Sialkot was also diverted to Islamabad a few days ago.

The police actions in Punjab and besieging of residence of Tahir ul Qadri and Secretariat of Minhajul Quran in Model Town, Lahore on Thursday also pointed out to such epitome of the ruling party which is also feared to be seen again in halting the Tsunami of Imran Khan on August 14 beyond D-Chowk by using containers extensively on the roads of twin- cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Non-state actors create daily new stunt to destabilize country

CHAMAN: A view of damages after blast at Mall Road injuring 12 persons.

108 polio cases reported: NA told

PIMA to start mobile mother, child hospital for IDPs

Rs50m released for IDPs medical aid

I SLAMABAD —Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar on Thursday informed the National Assembly that around 108 polio cases had been reported from across the country.

Replying during “Question Hour” in the House, the minister said that 77 cases had been reported in Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), 19 in Khyber Pakhtukhwa, 10 in Sindh and one each in Balochistan and Punjab.

Saira informed the house that Punjab and Balochistan were polio free but unfortunately in recent days one case had been reported in Killa Abdullah and Chakwal.

The minister said the government was making efforts on war footing to eradicate this menace from the country.

She said that procurement and distribution of polio vaccine is responsibility of the federal government while provinces are responsible to implement the programm.

Saira Afzal said provision of vaccination to FATA was the responsibility of the federal government and strategy has been evolved to make the area polio free.

The minister informed that cases were reported from the area where law and order situation was poor and Polio campaign had not been launched properly.

Rejecting the allegation of sub-standard private medical colleges, she said that whole world had recognized the medical education of Pakistan.

However, Saira Afzal said that some medical colleges require improvement to bring them as par with international standards and assured that the Federal government was taking all necessary steps in this regard, he added.—APP

P ESHAWA R —The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in PK-32 Swabi that after completion would Senior Minister Shahram Tarkai Thursday said Rs. 50 million was released against Rs. 200 million for provision medical assistance to displaced people of North Waziristan Agency.Talking to APP, he said the released amount was spent on provision of medicines, laboratories tests free of cost to IDPs besides enhancing facilities in the public sector hospitals in Bannu and southern districts of the province. He said efforts were expedited for rehabilitation of IDPs. He said the remaining amounts are being utilized for provision of better medical cover to our needy brethrens, Tarkai who also hold the portfolio of Health Department said. UNICEF and WHO besides various local and national welfare organizations are also supporting for IDPs assistance.

He said Women and Chamber Hospital in Bannu was made fully operational besides equipping different public sector hospitals with all modern facilities to provide quick and spot medical cover to displaced people.

Record number of projects was initiated

change people’s destiny, he claimed. In addition to a boys college, he said RHC and an hospital would also be constructed in Swabi.

Islamabad: Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) announced to start a mobile mother and child hospital for the Internally Displaced Persons of North Waziristan Agency.

A PIMA spokesman told APP here Thursday that mobile hospital for mother and child health would be arranged in collaboration with Federation of Islamic Medical Associations (FIMA) and Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA).

He said the mobile hospital would be fully equipped with an operation theatre and lab facilities.

He said that PIMA medical centers and mobile camps are providing necessary medical aid in Bannu and also surrounding areas of Lakki Marwat and Bannu.

A special medical camp was also arranged for minority IDPs at St. John’s Basco School in Bannu.—APP

PESHAWAR: IDPs of Khyber Agency sitting in a protest camp organized by PTI FATA Division on Thursday.

The Muslim diplomat from Switzerland SALAHUDDIN HAIDER

T

HAT the new Swiss consul gen eral Emily Wyss will be a muslim, was a pleasant surprise to all of us, attending the 723rd National Day of the Swiss Confederation Wednesday night at a local hotel.

Swiss hospitality, known the world over, was in full bloom there with the Consul General, with his Indonesian wife, playing host to a large number to a large number of guests.

There were consul general from America Michael Dodman, the French Consul General Francoise, Chinese consul general Ma Yu, the

Thai consul general, Turkish consul general Onart, and seconds in command from Russian Federation, and a number of other countries business leaders, well known hotelier, and former pariiamentarian, as also the tw3ice Asian gold winner in sailing, Byram Avari, eminent businessmen, Kaleem Farooqui, Ithktiar Beng and brother Ishtiaq Beg. Two musicians from Switzerland, put up delightful performance, and a Piper who has earlier been also to Pakistan, was there once again with display his skill. Their work was hugely appreciated by the people.

National anthems and cutting of cakes, was followed by lavish dinner, and gift hampers for guests at the end of the reception.

Switzerland has for a long time been a success story, its biggest achieve-

ment being its safety right in the middle of the second world war. It remained aloof from the war horror, which was a tribute to its foreign policy.

It also has a unique government system, the cabinet comprising five ministers from different political parties for decided State issues, and giving their policy decisions.

Switzerland in many ways can be a lesson for Pakistan in economic advancement, and State governance.

The Swiss reception was indeed a great evening, and will be in memory of many for a long time to come Emil himself is an extremely courteous gentleman, mixes freely with the Pakistanis, and looks determined to attain new heights in economic and other bilateral ties with Pakistan. He is bound to succeed because of his natural, a smile playing all the time on his face.

11 districts declared high risk for anti polio drive B ADIN —Deputy Commissioner Badin, Muhammad Refique Qureshi has directed the concerned officers as well as stakeholders to work hard with sincerity and make effective coordination with the Health Department in connection with 3-day anti polio drive to be held from August 18 to 20.—APP

ISLAMABAD—Chairperson National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting Marvi Memon Thursday said some non-state actors were creating a new stunt daily to destabilize the country for their nefarious designs.

Commenting on Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s recent press conference, she said the government came into power after getting heavy mandate in the 2013 general elections but “some non-state actors, working on their foreign agenda, create a new stunt daily to destabilize the country and democratically elected government.”

Talking to media, she said the country was passing through a critical time as its armed forces were fighting a ‘big war’ against terrorists, while the government was providing relief to internally displaced persons.

“Winning this war is a matter of Pakistan’s existence,” she said regretting that some elements were using different tactics to destabilize the country by planning violent protests and creating situation of anarchy and chaos.

Marvi said the time has come to show them their real face and value, adding public must ignore them and do not become part of their evil designs.

She said every Pakistani must have understanding about national interests and they must discourage those who were planning to create law and order situation in the country.

Replying to a question, Marvi said, the government would not allow any one to challenge writ of the state. Earlier, speaking in National Assembly Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Aftab Ahmed Sheikh said, it was provided in the constitution to protect lives and properties of the people and the government shall act according to the constitution.

The minister was responding to the matter of impounding motorcycles in different cities as raised by the members from the opposition.

“We are not impounding motorcycles or harassing the workers of political parties except those who are owning bykes with fake registrations or do not have registrations,” he said and clarified that the action has been taken to confiscate such motorcycles with an objective that those are not used in terrorist activities. “Protection of people is our responsibility and we are doing this,” he said and added, the government was not afraid of any protest and PTI does not have the capacity to bring 100000 motorbikes to federal capital as announced by their leader.”—APP

Ministry receives 127,586 Hajj applications I SLAMABAD —Parliamentary Secretary of Religious Affairs and Inter-Faith Harmony Khalil George Thursday informed the National Assembly that Ministry had received 127,586 Hajj applications during current year.

Reply during Question Hour in the House, Parliamentary Secretary said the government had adopted ‘first come and first got’ policy.

Later, parliamentary Secretary of National Food Security and Research Rajib Ali

Baloch said the government was taking several steps to increase the per-acre yield of agriculture crops during the last five years and to control the import of substandard agricultural medicines and seeds.

He said that seeds of different crops are being imported in the country under Seed Truth-in-Labeling Rules, 1991.

He said only quality seeds are allowed to import, he said adding sub-standard seeds are not allowed to be distributed in the country, he added.—APP

MPs favour completion of govt tenure

River Kabul still in low flood: FFC

I SLAMABAD —The Federal ISLAMABAD—Parliamentarians have assured the govern- Flood Commission (FFC)

HYDERABAD: A man along with his children coming out from his demolished house after anti-encroachments operation at Qasimabad Ghora village.

ANP respects PML-N mandate, illegal moves to topple govt to be resisted: Iftikhar

PML-N challenges PTI for open debate on KP performance PESHAWAR—Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) nament in memory of his slain son Mian Rashid the parties to focus on resolution of peoples’ Leader, Arbab Khizer Hayat has challenged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leadership for an open debate on the performance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

“Let’s see if there is a courageous PTI leader who accepts my challenge,” remarked the PMLN leader, talking to media here on Thursday.

Khizer Hayat claimed he would prove that PTI provincial government in KPK is doing nothing but indulging in corruption and making fool of the masses. “If I fail to prove this I would quit politics,” he added.He said Imran Khan who is dreaming to become prime minister can hardly win a councilor’s election in the next elections. Khizer Hayat believed that Imran Khan’s demand for the mid-term elections is unconstitutional and undemocratic.

“PTI leadership should not test the PML-N workers nerves. Otherwise, we would also take it to the streets on Aug 14,” boasted Khizer Hayat.

PML-N leader said neither Nawaz Sharif is going to resign nor elections are going to be held before the scheduled time.

He said in democratic societies important decisions are not made on the roads but in the Parliament. Meanwhile, Provincial General Secretary of Awami National Party and former Information Minister, Mian Iftikhar Hussain said Thursday that ANP being a political party strongly supported the democratic system and unconstitutional moves to topple the present elected Govt would be strongly opposed.

“Our support is for democracy in Pakistan and not for an individual,” he said while addressing the concluding session of final of football tour-

Hussain Shaheed at Nowshera. Speaking on the occasion, Mian Iftikhar said because of democracy, people had given a clear mandate to the party of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the last general election and we respected PMLN mandate. He said we would protect democracy at all cost.

Despite severe concerns of ANP over results of last elections in KP, his party also accepted the mandate of Pakistan Tahrik-e-Insaf for the sake of democracy. He urged leadership of both

problems and show restrain as confrontation politics will serve no purpose but will complex the political situation.

He urged Imran Khan to exhibit patience because the country cannot afford agitation politics such of long march and sit-in. Mian Iftikhar urged Imran Khan to respect democracy and mandate of people. He said ANP would not support toppling of the elected Govt through unconstitutional means.—APP

ANP, QWP welcome formation of SCPER ISLAMABAD—Central senior vice president Awami National Party (ANP) Haji Mohammad Adeel on Thursday welcomed formation of Special Committee of the Parliament on Electoral Rerorms (SCPER) and urged Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to play active role for positive outcome.

Talking to APP, he said, “the outcome of the committee would be positive for the country’s future as it is constitutional way to address weakness of the election process.” He urged PTI to avoid sit-ins and protests and use constitutional forum to bring positive changes in the election process. He also suggested to the government to engage PTI outside the parliament for the resolution of issue. He also welcomed time limit for giving suggestions for election reforms.

He said holding protest rallies and march were democratic right of every individual but it must be within constitutional parameters.

“There should be no element of violence in protests.”

To a question, he termed meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as constructive. He said the government is willing to hold dialogue with PTI. He stressed the need to resolve political issues through dialogue without harming the nascent democracy. Meanwhile, Qaumi Wattan Party (QWP) chief Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao Thursday asked Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to put forward constructive suggestions before Special Committee of the Parliament on Electoral Rerorms (SCPER).

Talking to APP, he advised the political parties to avoid confrontation and find an amicable solution of political issues through talks.—APP

Meeting review status of ongoing trainings for police force P ESHAWA R —In order to keep pace with growing security challenges and in line with the latest requirements special training courses have been initiated for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police force.

To meet this objective Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police has initiated work on setting up of special training school to cater to the training requirements of different fields of police force.

To implement the plan, Police School of Investigation, Police School of Intelligence, Police School of Exclusive Handling, Police School of Public Disorder Management, Police School of Tactics and Police School of Training Management would be set up.

Police school of investigation and police school of intelligence were already functional in Peshawar and Abbotabad respectively that are set up to abreast police force with latest developments and skills in their respective fields. These schools would at later stage be turned into research and development centers in the specified fields.

A high level meeting in this regard was held here Thursday with Inspector General of Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nasir Khan Durrani in the chair. Additional IGP Headquarters, Additional IDP Elite Force, DIG Training, Principal Elite Police Force, DIG Headquarters and AIG establishment were also in attendance.—APP

Cop shot dead colleague

3 killed in roof collapse

FAISALABAD: Police officials presenting recovered car and motorcycle from a robbers gang before media during press conference at Police Station Factory Area.

PC-1 okayed for 3 historical places conservation in SPunjab MULTAN—The provincial government has terracing process would be carried out after approved schemes worth over Rs 30 million for the conservation of two historical mosques and a mausoleum of Hazrat Khalid Waleed in south Punjab.

The administrative approval for the schemes was given in a meeting chaired by Punjab Secretary Archaeology, youth affairs, sports and tourism, Muhammad Khan Khichchi held recently, officials said on Thursday.

The schemes include conservation of almost 850 year old Hazrat Khalid Waleed mausoleum in Khanewal at a cost of over Rs 18 million, over three centuries old Sargana Masjid in Vehari at a cost of Rs 8.9 million and about 500 year old Sawi Masjid in Multan at a cost of Rs 3.2 million.

According to officials, Khalid Waleed mausoleum would undergo conservation process as its vault roof would be built and missing arches would be reconstructed.Lime

roof construction to be followed by application of Kankar and glazed lime plaster.

Sargana Masjid in Vehari, a Mughal era monument, would undergo the process of application of kankar and glazed lime plaster after removal of cement layer.

Its three domes would also be treated with lime plaster.Brick imitation work on the monument would be restored while its boundary wall would be built with special sized bricks.Its three metal doors would be replaced by Sheesham wood doors with Mughal era carving designs.

Quranic verses on the front door would be restored while marlons and glazed Kashi tiles would be restored.In its courtyard marble floor would be laid.Pinnacles would be developed on all three domes.Public toilets and ablution point (Wuzu Khana) would also be built,officials said.—APP

K ASUR —A labourer was killed while three others suffered injuries as the roof of an under construction house caved in here on Thursday.

Police said labourer Munawar Hussain was killed in this mishap which occurred in Jamsher chak 24 Pattoki.

Meanwhile,two other persons were also killed in the district: Police of Saddar Pattoki recovered the body of unindenfied man and shifted it to Pattoki hospital. A man died after being hit by a train at landa phattak.

Quetta: Personnel of the Balochistan Constabulary (BC) shot dead his colleague constable on Zarghoon Road near Governor House, Thursday.

Police sources told APP that BC constable Jhangir opened fire at Constable Abdul Aziz after they exchanged harsh words over a pity issue. As a result, he died on the spot.

Police initiated probe.

Faisalabad: A motorcyclist was killed by a van in City Tandlianwala police limits.

According to police, Allah Rakha of Mohallah Mubarak Pura was riding a motorcycle when a speedy vehicle hit him on OkaraFaisalabad Road.

As a result, he died on the spot whereas the driver fled. Meanwhile, it is reported that a minor girl was hit to death in an accident in Jhang Bazaar police limits.

ment that they would not become part of any conspiracy that aims to derail democracy and would play their role that the government would complete its tenure.

Ayaz Soomro, Member National Assembly and a leader of Pakistan Peoples Party while talking to APP here on Thursday said that they belong to a democratic party that believes in flourishment of democracy in the country.

He expressed the confidence that democracy will be strengthened if PML-N government will complete its fiveyear term adding that democratic forces are united for the uplift of democracy.

Soomro maintained that it is the beauty of democracy that opposition and government should sit together and resolve all the issues through talks.

Awami National Party MNA Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said the country needs peace and his party will extend co-operation to government for strengthening the democratic process at any cost.

Bilour said Pakistan Teheek-i-Insaf long march will not resolve the issues faced by the country adding that it is a time when the opposition and treasury should sit together and work for the prosperity of masses and development of the country.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz MNA Begum Parveen Masood Bhatti said that her party would welcome any criticism by the opposition for the sake of welfare of people and uplift of democracy.

She was of the view that all the political forces should refrain from agitation as dialogue is the only way to resolve issues.

Begum Bhatti criticized that it’s not the right time for long marches politics as the Nawaz Sharif led PML-N government was working day and night for bringing change in the lives of a common man.—APP

Rain, thundershower across country ISLAMABAD —According to PMD, rain-thundershower is expected Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan during the next 24 hours. The synoptic situations said that seasonal low was lying over north Baluchistan and its adjoining areas with its trough extending northeastwards.

Monsoon currents were penetrating into upper parts of country, Sindh and Kashmir.A shallow westerly trough was also prevailing over extreme northern parts of the country.

Rain-thundershower is likely at scattered places of Kashmir, Islamabad,upper Punjab including Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Sargodha and Lahore divisions,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Kohat, Bannu divisions.

The met office has also indicated chances of rain-thundershower in scattered places of Mirpur Khas and Kalat divisions. Rain-thundershower is also likely at isolated places in Faisalabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Dera Ismail Khan, Zhob, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Karachi divisions and Gilgit-Baltistan during next 24 hours. Isolated heavy falls are also expected in Gujranwala and Rawalpindi divisions and Kashmir during the period.—APP

NHA to build KLM, M-9, M-2 projects on BOT basis ISLAMABAD—The National Highway Authority (NHA) has involved private sector in the construction of new highways and motorways in the country and upcoming projects of Karachi-Lahore Motorway and Hyderabad-Karachi Motorway, and redesigning of Islamabad-Lahore Motorway will be undertaken on Build-Operate-Transfer basis.

An NHA official told APP Thursday that the authority is undertaking construction of Karachi-Lahore Motorway (KLM), a 1,152 Km long, high speed, controlled access, 6lane modern motorway system.

The motorway forms part of trade corridor linking ports of Karachi and Gwadar with China and Central Asian States.

The general alignment of the KLM would run parallel to the National Highway N-5, which carries 65% traffic of Pakistan,he said.

He said that Multan-Sukkur section of the KarachiLahore Motorway is being built by Chinese financing while remaining sections would be constructed on Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis.The NHA would enter joint ventures and consortia to undertake Hyderabad-Sukkur and Khanewal-Lahore sections of KLM on BOT basis.

Under the Public Sector Development Programme 201415, an allocation of Rs 6 billion has been made for 276 km Lahore-Khanewal Section of Karachi-Lahore Motorway (KLM) on BOT basis with government’s share of 30%.

The total cost of the project is Rs 41 billion, out of which the government is going to allocate Rs 6 billion.—APP

has said that all main rivers including Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej are flowing normal while the River Kabul continues to run in Low Flood at Warsak.

According to daily FFC report on Thursday, the actual river flows and reservoir elevations indicates that Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs are at elevations of 1533.00 feet and 1226.95 feet respectively, which are 17.00 feet & 15.05 feet below their respective Maximum Conservation Levels of 1550.00 feet and 1242.00 feet. The combined live storage capacity of Tarbela, Chashma and Mangla reservoirs is 11.825 MAF as compared to last year’s 11.268 MAF. According to Flood Forecasting Division, Lahore, weak Seasonal Low continues to prevail over Northwestern Balochistan and its trough is extending Northeastwards.

Yesterday’s Monsoon Depression over Northeastern Madhya Pradesh and adjoining Uttar Pradesh (India) today lies over Northwestern Madhya Pradesh (India) and has weakened into Monsoon Low.—APP

DDAC approves Rs 420m for development schemes P ESHAWAR —A meeting of the District Development Advisory Committee (DDAC) Peshawar was held here with chairman, Arbab Jehandad Khan in the chair.

Those who attended were included Provincial Minister for Mineral Development, Ziaullah Afridi, Arif Yusuf MPA, Mehmood Jan MPA, Deputy Commissioner (D.C) Syed Zaheer-ulIslam, Administrator MCP, Rasheed Ahmad Khan, EDO Samina Ghani, Assistant Director, Local Government, Faizullah, Planning Officer, Ameer Khan, EDO Alamzeb Khan and officials of C&W and other concerned departments.

On this occasion, the committee approved an amount of Rs.420 million for development schemes in district Peshawar, which will be spent in all provincial assembly constituencies of the district.

Speaking on the occasion, chairman, DDAC, Arbab Jehandad Khan MPA said that massive development schemes would be initiated in Peshawar and soon it would be turned as beautiful and green city of the province. He also directed for speedy completion of all development schemes.

The meeting decided that an amount of Rs.4 million will be allocated for the repairing of electric transformers in all provincial assembly constituencies.

The chairman of the committee directed that in future heads of all government departments will attend the meeting and will come along with all necessary record.—APP

LOWER DIR: PTI workers establish the registration camp for Azadi March at Timergarea Bazaar.

Dar’s principled stand on question of resignation

MEDIA WATCH

Making Gaza cease-fire last

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INANCE Minister Ishaq Dar, in his usual conviction based declara tion, has categorically rejected the idea of minus-one formula being floated by some circles and epitomized by PTI Chairman Imran Khan in his demand for resignation of elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and holding of fresh elections. His remarks at the news conference on Wednesday that, come what may, the Prime Minister will not tender his resignation because he is an elected PM and enjoys the masses’ legitimate heavy mandate, were based on principles.

Since Dar has been elected as Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reforms, it appears he is confident that lacunae in the system, as repeatedly being agitated by Imran Khan and others, would be duly addressed courtesy the new body, which has representation from all political parties including PTI. Such a mechanism is need of the hour to ensure that future elections are stigma free and no one is able to raise accusing fingers towards their transparency. In our view, the position adopted by Mr. Dar and for that matter the Government is perfectly right because by no stretch of imagination demand for resignation of an elected Prime Minister should be made particularly when the PM has taken, by and large, an encouraging start. Even if someone feels that performance of the PM was not up to the mark, still there is absolutely no justification to pass any judgement just after one year of governance and that too when some of his major initiatives are in the midst of implementation process. Otherwise too, the demand for resignation of a Prime Minister who has been mandated by people for five years is devoid of sanity and any rationale. To begin with, every political party mandated by the electorate should be allowed to complete its term without leg-pulling and creation of fuss. The question can arise after two/three years if the Government frustrates the people and fails to come up to their expectations; but even then it should be removed though Constitutional means and not through pressure tactics. As pointed out by Mr. Dar, the adventure of August 14 will serve nothing but accelerate the political chaos and uncertainty in the country exposing its economy to derailment. And this would certainly be not service to Pakistan.

Obama being pressed to stay in Kabul T

HE killing of a US General by an Afghan soldier in the latest ‘insider attack’ has sparked a new debate in Washington about pull out from Afghanistan with war-mongers using it as a justification to prolong stay of the American occupation forces in that country. President Obama has vowed to pull out combat mission by the end of 2014 and go for complete withdrawal by the close of 2016 but Republican lawmakers are now urging the President to reconsider his plan as Afghanistan was still in a state of war.

There was already furore particularly in army circles over Obama’s plan to get rid of overseas wars but strangely enough now the lawmakers too are subscribing to the view of the Establishment to forcibly continue occupation of a sovereign but smaller country. This sad development is reflective of the mindset of the Establishment and how powerful it is even in countries like the United States, which claim to be champion of civilian and democratic rule. It shows that real decisions are made somewhere else and not by the rulers elected to power by people. The killing of the US General is no doubt a stark reminder that trouble is far from over in Afghanistan but it also highlights the fact that you cannot suppress voices of freedom through oppressive means and use of force as you have been doing in Afghanistan. Taliban are already engaged in resistance against foreign occupation of their country but killing of the General and in the past several other occupation officers and troops by Afghan soldiers is a message that Afghans as a nation are opposed to trampling of their national sovereignty. They vent their anger and react whenever an opportunity arises. We would remind Washington that the problem would aggravate till each and every occupation troop leaves Afghanistan and the Afghan people are left to determine their own fate.

Indeed economy moving on right track D

ATA released about the performance of the economy over the past one year shows that the economic indicators have started moving in the right direction and expectations are that with improvement in law and order situation and energy supply, the GDP growth set for the ongoing fiscal year would be achieved. This reflects that the direction is right and in line with the resolve of the government to boost development by attracting investment.

Giving details of the state of economy after one year of PML-N government in office, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the country witnessed highest growth rate of 4.14% in five years while the inflation has been brought down to just over eight and a half percent. The fiscal deficit has been brought down to 5.7% from 8.2 percent and as a result the government borrowing came down to Rs 303 billion thus the banking sector had enough liquidity to extend credit to private sector which increased to Rs 378 billion. Remittances by overseas Pakistanis reached to $ 15.83 billion showing an increase of 13.7% over the preceding year. With another release by the IMF next week and increase in remittances the foreign exchange reserves are expected to touch $ 15 billion mark before end September. Though these are healthy developments, but we may say that the country is yet not out of trouble and any unseen development could reverse the trend. Though foreign investors have started showing interest but they are still waiting in the wings due to security situation and the political situation. If there is peace and political stability, Pakistan has all the potential to accelerate the GDP growth and with increase in revenue generation it can meet its urgent development needs. In our view, Pakistan’s real issues are poverty and unemployment and these could be overcome only when large-scale development projects are launched and industrial, services and agriculture sectors start delivering to their full potential simultaneously. Therefore, we would urge the government that while paying due attention to different day to day issues, it should continue to give top priority to stimulate the economy as that would take the country out of trouble.

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“Gaza endured and won”: Parliament The enemy has placed Hamas in a Gen Mirza Aslam Beg very precarious situation. Their coalition Email: friendsfoundation @live.co.uk partners stand divided and would not help the Sunni Hamas any HE Israelis waged war more. Secular Egypt will not help, against Hizbullah in 2006 because of the Ikhwan-Hamas poand suffered a shameful de- litico-religious affinities. Saudi Arab feat. Now they have launched the and the GCC countries, want Hamas most barbaric assault on Hamas of destroyed, much as Israel desires, beGaza, who are besieged and isolated, cause the emergence of ‘political Isyet are determined “to resist, endure lam’ there is considered detrimental and win”, as declared by their par- to the interests of Israel and the Arab liament, which embodies the will of rulers, so was the political Islam in the people. The name Gaza, itself Egypt and Algeria. For the same reameans, ‘the unsurmountable”. The son “Pakistan and Turkey also fall in courage and determination of the line of fire.” The “present politiHamas to fight against such odds is cal turmoil in Pakistan is the begina landmark achievement of the con- ning of the movement through revolution and regime change,” temporary times.

Israelis have besieged Hamas; In fact this is the war of survival for Israel, as was the war of 2006, have also isolated and made them they fought and lost. Each defeat friendless, but could not break their thus has led them closer to their ul- will to resist and endure the severest timate destruction. Noam Chomsky punishment at their hands. Hamas rightly comments: “Israel by now possess the indomitable will like the has little recourse, after having Afghans, whose “shadow armies led adopted policies that turned it from by committed believers, have dea country that was greatly admired feated the mightiest of the mighty” to one that is feared and despised, M.J. Akbar. Israel-Hamas conflict is policies it is pursuing with blind an asymmetric war. The Israelis have determination today in its march one of the finest armed forces of the toward moral deterioration and pos- world and have mobilized a force of sible ultimate destruction.” This over six infantry divisions supported ‘self-destruct barbarity’ by Israel by their naval and air forces, yet have was aimed at defeating the “coali- found themselves unable to match the tion of the nations – Iran, Syria, Hamas soldiers. Thus having failed Lebanon and Gaza, threatening Is- to achieve the war aim, they have rerael.” Israel first struck Hizbullah in sorted to the depraved and cowardly 2006 and failed. Then decided to Dahlya Doctrine, which is the most break the coalition through intrigue inhuman act of punishing the innoand conspiracies. Led by United cent men, women and children, by States, Sectarian hatred was fo- destroying more than 110 mosques, mented by demonizing Iran, which 83 schools, 27xhospitals, 3300 resiaccentuated Shia and Sunni differ- dential buildings, several IDP camps, ences. Resultantly, Saudi Arabia and funeral processions and water and the GCC intervened in Bahrain in power supply networks. In fact 2009 to quell the Shia uprising. Shia Dahlya Doctrine has created the conand Sunni countries now are face to ditions of a holocaust, yet it could not face in Syria, and the country itself break the will of the Ghazans to fight.

Hamas is facing the brunt of Isstands devastated.

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raeli military might with only Alaqsa and Alqasim brigades each with a strength of about 7000-8000 well trained and hardened soldiers, supported by another 10-12 thousand para military forces. They also have a Special Operation Force Group which has carried out several operations across the borders. They have no heavy weapons in support, no Airforce or Navy. But do have some shoulder-fired anti-air, anti-tank missiles and an array of short and medium range free flight, ground to ground rockets and have used them with effect. Hamas claims to have killed over 150xIsraeili soldiers and wounded over 400.

The Hamas have fired many freeflight-rockets into Israel territory, but only a few, out of these, have been intercepted by Israeli patriot missiles, which form the “Iron Dome” National Air Defense Shield for Israel.

The Iron Dome Shield, thus has proved ineffective and vulnerable against Hamas rocket attacks, forcing the Israeli infantry to neutralize Hamas missile-firing-sites on ground, but failed, something similar to what had happened in 2006, when Hizbullah defeated the Israeli army, trying to neutralize their missile sites.

Despite such losses, Hamas is determined to fight the war to its bitter end, because, a ceasefire would mean living under perpetual siege by Israel, who have usurped their land and want Hamas to be eliminated while Hamas stands friendless and isolated. The war is going to be a grim fight between the two opposing and in-equal forces, yet the one with stronger will would prevail. Divine Justice favours Hamas, while Israel is being condemned by the world at large. Uri Avnery, the noted Israeli scholar writes: “Let’s admit that our present enemy is fighting with great courage and inventiveness. That, almost miraculously, their civilian and military command structures are still functioning well. That the civilian population

is supporting them, inspite of immense suffering. That after four weeks of fighting against one of the strongest armies of the world, they are still standing upright.”

Israel war aim was to “to destroy Hamas civil and military command structures and their hard core fighting brigades,” but the Israeli armed forces have failed to achieve eve ten percent of their objective, which in military terms means defeat. Hamas has won, because the ideology of the resistance movement cannot be defeated.

The Israeli forces have started pulling out and soon they will beat a full retreat. The Ghazans would be free, but shattered from within, but life must continue to flow. “There are only two economic routes for life to flow back to Gaza and given the bitterness of this conflict, the route from Israel will not be the main one. Egypt holds the key to Gaza’s economic integration to the rest of the global economy. Open the Rafah crossing and the need for the tunnels disappears. To the world this forlorn, impoverished and totally battered society has become a byword for impossibility and despair. But nobody has told Ghazans. I found them full of hope.”Paul Mason.

Egypt has been a party to the crime. Providence has offered them the opportunity to redeem their honour. Missing the opportunity may prove to be a greater tragedy for Egypt itself, and we may witness emergence of another ISIS from the soil of Gaza. Post Script: Lady Sayeeda Warsi, the British Cabinet Minister has resigned because: “Government approach and language, during the current crisis in Gaza is morally indefensible. I can no longer support this policy, so that, I am able to live with myself.” Our complements Lady Sayeeda, for shaking the conscience of the Muslim World, in particular.

— Ex-COAS, Pakistan Army.

Will accountability reach Sonia & Rahul?

Japan will ensure that many of the positions which otherwise would remain unfilled in them because of an ageing population will get taken by educated and M D Nalapat trained migrants from within SAARC. Email: mgnalapat@gmail.com In India, should the Modi government begin training its young in Portuguese, N 1947,the Subcontinent finally Spanish and Japanese, citizens from got freed of control from afar, with India may get a head start in moving the new state of Pakistan coming to Brazil, Argentina, Japan and other into existence and Burma, Sri Lanka, countries where trained human power Nepal and Afghanistan each going is essential. There are schools in Bratheir separate way. While China was zil without teachers, hospitals withunified by Mao Zedong, the Subcon- out nurses, and companies lacking entinent of India became a divided en- gineers. This void can get filled from tity, and in time, each segment de- India, should the young in the worlds veloped its own chemistry and ethos, most populous democracy be given separate from that of the rest. These opportunities to learn Portuguese, the days, any visitor to a South Asian language in which government and country will sense that it is different much else gets conducted in Brazil.

Unfortunately for its people, sucfrom the others in the group. In particular,Pakistan has evolved over cessive governments in India have the years into a culturally distinct failed to take advantage of internaentity that has less and less in com- tional opportunities for migration, mon with India, no matter what the and thereby ensured that the people sentimental individuals who annu- of India lagged far behind others. An ally light candles at the Wagah bor- example is the UK. During the two decades when it was relatively simple der crossing.

However, while the chemistry to move to that country, Jawaharlal between SAARC member-states Nehru and his successor Indira may be evolving on different trajec- Gandhi made it very difficult for cititories, there is a bigger reality, and zens to even get a passport, much less that is the extent of globalisation travel to another country with funds which is taking place. These days, sufficient to enable them to search for young people in India, Pakistan, a job. As a consequence, those from Bangla Desh, Sri Lanka or else- Pakistan got the edge in migration to where in the region seek to gain ad- the UK, despite the fact that India has mission in colleges and universities a mch bigger population. Since the across the globe, rather than simply 1990s, after it has become clear that in their own countries. The fact is countries in Europe, South America that demographics in Europe and and even Africa have vast opportuni-

Geopolitical notes from India

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ties for trained human power, no effort has been made by the state to ensure that language skills designed to give citizens of India an edge in locating jobs in specific higher-wage countries get imparted. The expectation is that these decades of neglect will get reversed, now that a practical, pragmatic Prime Minister has taken office in Delhi on May 6,2014.

Narendra Modi is the first citizen of India from the “backward castes” to become the Prime Minister. While Mahatma Gandhi constantly spoke of the poor and the disadvantaged, he chose a high-born person from an affluent family as India’s first Prime Minister. The new PM and his ministers promptly moved into the palatial residences and offices vacated by the departing English, and continued the tradition of VVIP culture which had been a feature of colonial times. Since then, VVIPs in India are in effect a breed apart from the rest of their country persons. They have special privileges at every stage and every hour of their lives, and very often completely escape accountability for their misdeeds. The culture within the VVIP establishment is to protect each other, so that the monopoly of power and access to loot continue.

The most privileged has been Sonia Gandhi, who has been indulged by every Prime Minister of India since Indira Gandhi, even by those she worked hard to destroy, such as P V Narasimha Rao (1992-96). The previous National Democratic Alliance government (led by Atal Behari Vajpayee) showed extraordinary solicitude towards Sonia Gandhi, who was treated by Vajpayee as a favourite

daughter and protected from accountability with fierce loyalty. In this,Vajpayee was assisted by his National Security Advisor Braesh Mishra,who ensured that the Congress President was given every protection and privilege she demanded Which is why it came as a surprise a week ago when a magistrate ordered both Sonia Gandhi as well as her son Rahul to appear before her on a charge of cheating and breach of trust (sections 420 and 406 of the Indian Penal Code). Fortunately for the two VVIPs, the High Court has ruled that for the moment, neither needs to appear in court the way lesser citizens do.

On August 12 the next hearing in the matter will resume. Will the High Court free Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of making an appearance in court and facing charges brought against them by a private individual, Subramanian Swamy, or will it rule that the two VVIPs will have to trod the same path that less privileged mortals routinely do? The “National Herald” matter is serious, as it involves the transfer of assets worth several hundreds of millions of dollars to a company of which 76% is owned

by Sonia and Rahul. The country is waiting to see if accountability has finally reached the shores of the super powerful, or whether the principle will once again beat a retreat before the powerful, the way it has for so many decades.

—The writer is Vice-Chair, Manipal Advanced Research Group, UNESCO Peace Chair & Professor of Geopolitics, Manipal University, Haryana State, India.

N the first good news in a long time, a 72-hour cease-fire ap peared to be holding on Wednesday as Israelis and Palestinians tallied what was lost, and gained, during the latest war over the desperate Gaza Strip. It was easiest to count the losses. More than 1,800 Palestinians, a majority of them non-combatants, and 67 Israelis have been killed. United Nations officials said 408 Palestinian children were killed and 2,502 injured.

The physical damage in Gaza is estimated at $6 billion.

There are important but less tangible costs: the way ordinary Israelis have had to live in fear of rocket attacks; increasingly bitter strains on Israel’s relations with the United States; international criticism of Israel — and the outrage of anti-Semitic protests and violence in Europe. There seems to be little room left in Israeli politics for those who would end the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza and create an independent Palestinian state.

Both sides are tallying the blame.

In too many cases, Israel launched weapons that hit schools and shelters and failed to adequately protect Palestinian citizens. But Hamas knowingly targeted Israeli civilian centres in violation of any civilized standard and launched weapons from populated areas in what looks like a deliberate effort to draw Israeli fire on innocents.

Both sides are claiming victory, Israel for wiping out 32 underground tunnels that Hamas intended for attacks on Israel, and Hamas for still being alive. In a mockery of its claim to have a political arm independent of its armed wing, political officials of Hamas were crowing about its determination to regroup and attack again.

The bottom line is that neither side has achieved its main goal of destroying the other. Israel is not going away. But neither are the Palestinians, and the extremists among them will always find a place and an audience if there is no hope and no responsible moderate leaders to point the way to a better future. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no longer a narrowly defined problem that can be endured, contained or even managed. To an unusual degree, the Middle East is unsettled — from refugee flows, the spread of Sunni militants between Syria and Iraq, the Sunni-Shiite rivalry and even intra-Sunni divisions.

Sunni forces in Iraq are attacking Kurdish and Christian populations.

There is extremism and instability everywhere in the region. That is why it so important that indirect talks between Israelis and Palestinians in Cairo this week, mediated

by Egypt, lay the ground for something bigger and more durable than one cease-fire. Certain conditions are clear. Rocket attacks into Israel

by Hamas and other extremist groups must stop, along with other terrorist attacks. So does the smuggling of weapons into Gaza and the production of a new supply of rockets. There will need to be an international donors’ conference to rebuild Gaza, but with assurances that Hamas will not divert money for civilian projects into rockets and tunnels. Otherwise, there is little chance that Israel would end the blockade that has kept Gazans confined to the strip, and deprived them of imports, exports and jobs. Hamas wants Israel to release prisoners.

The Palestinian Authority, which recognizes Israel, wants a role in controlling the border crossings between Israel and Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, has signalled an eagerness to have the authority extend its reach to Gaza. But it cannot just be a policeman. If any agreements come out of Cairo, they must be designed to strengthen the authority and its president, Mahmoud Abbas, by managing whatever funds are donated to Gaza. It may be necessary to have Hamas in Cairo, but the group offers Palestinians nothing except nihilism and endless suffering. We always wish a tragedy like this will finally create a real push for a permanent peace, but, right now, keeping this fragile peace is a big enough goal.

— The New York Times It is never wise to try to appear to be more clever than you are.

It is sometimes wise to appear slightly less so.

William Whitelaw British politician

Taqwa is for everyone T

AQWA (God consciousness, fear of Allah, righteousness) is not required just of a select group of religious people who would then be called muttaqeen (possessors of taqwa). Rather, every believer has to become muttaqi for the success in the hereafter is only for the muttaqeen.

A Hindu may say that certain injunctions of his religion (for example not eating meat) do not apply to him because he is not a Brahmin. So can a Buddhist or a Christian. As Britannica notes, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity (especially the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches), among others, stress, “separation, even polarization, between the life of the person who has a sacred vocation and that of the ordinary man.” Not Islam. Islam eliminates that polarization. A Muslim cannot say “I don’t have to do this or that because I am just an ordinary Muslim. I am not a muttaqi.”

The point is emphasized heavily in the Qur’an, where the word taqwa and its variations have been used 151 times. It commands: “O ye who believe! Have taqwa of Allah and let every soul look to what provision he has sent forth for the morrow.” [Al-Hashar, 59:18].

“Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord and for a Garden whose width is that of the whole of the heavens and the earth, prepared for the muttaqeen.”[Aale-Imran, 3:133] Of course in every race some people get ahead while others lag behind. So with the race for taqwa.

Obviously some people will develop more taqwa than others. Though taqwa is also a state of the heart [AlHajj, 22:32], and we cannot judge the taqwa of others, many aspects of taqwa have a reflection in our behaviour. So it is natural and normal for us to recognize the differences in achievement of those in the race. But those of us lagging behind cannot pretend that we are not in the race at all. For there is no other race!

We are all in it together. The rich and the poor, the educated and the un-educated, the leader and the follower, the writer and the reader, the preacher and the listener, the ruler and the ruled, the old and the young, the man and the woman, all must develop taqwa. The most honoured, in the sight of Allah, is the believer with the mosttaqwa [Hujurat, 49:13]. The Islamic society is a taqwa- conscious society, conferring its highest respects on those considered to be highest in taqwa. Without

it the best achievements in other areas of life mean nothing.

While all this is obvious in principle, in practice many of us seem to have accepted the idea that muttaqeen are a separate class of people, different from the rest of us, the ordinary Muslims. This has been a very devastating import from

The Spirit Of Islam

Khalid Baig Christianity and Hinduism. While Islamic Shariah has been one integral entity, this devious mechanism has allowed us to develop our own individual Shariahs by picking and choosing from the Shariah what we might think is appropriate for the “ordinary Muslim.” Such reasoning

provides a ready-made justification for our sins, shortcomings, and weaknesses. All of them end with: “After all I am not a muttaqi.”

Brother, is that a humble statement about achievements or a self-delusion about goals?

The flip side of taqwa is sin. And the mentality that made taqwa the burden of a small group of religious people has also imported another term into contemporary Islamic discourse: self-righteousness. These days this seems to be the most potent weapon of anyone being challenged for introducing a deviation in Shariah. Those challenging must be self-righteous. A most despised species! Qur’an does prohibit us from making claims of self-purity. “Hold not yourself purified. He knows best who has taqwa.” [Al-Najm, 53:32].

Being a major sin as it is, one has to be extremely careful in blaming others for committing it, simply because they are challenging what they consider as munkar or evil.

Qur’an does mention the use of that allegation in history. When Prophet Lut (Alayhi-salam) admonished his nation for indulging in the abomination of homosexuality, they fought back by blaming the Prophet to be self-righteous. [Al-Namal 27:56].

— Courtesy: Albalagh.com

Invoking Article 245 before the day on which the Armed Forces start acting in aid civil power. (4) Any proceedSultan M Hali of ing in relation to an area referred Email: sm_hali@yahoo.com to in clause (3) instituted on or after the day the Armed Forces start acting in aid of civil power HE beleaguered government and pending in any High Court shall of Mian Nawaz Sharif has in remain suspended for the period durvoked the relevant Article of ing which the Armed Forces are so the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan acting. Under Section 4 of the Conto call the Armed Forces in aid of stitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, civil power to protect Islamabad. 1977, (23 of 1977), Article 245 was According to the government renumbered as 245(1) and added spokesperson, “The army has been clauses 2, 3 and 4 thereto (w.e.f. requisitioned at Islamabad under April 21, 1977).

Article 245 to pre-empt any posSince then the said article has sible blowback of ‘Operation Zarb- been invoked on numerous occasions e-Azb’. The army will be used for and has been challenged. In 1977 rapid response, patrolling and Darvesh M. Arbey at Lahore filed a checking for a period of 90 days.” case against the Federation of PakiBefore examining the merits of stan and others; followed by litigathe government’s invocation of its tion by the same plaintiff in 1980. In constitutional powers, let us briefly 1991 Khalid Malik and others at look at the contents of this legisla- Karachi sued the Federation of Pakition. According to Article 245, titled stan. Shahid Orakzai, in 1999, filed a “Functions of Armed Forces”: - suit against Mian Muhammad Nawaz 1[(1)] The Armed Forces shall, un- Sharif, then Prime Minister of Pakider the directions of the Federal stan. In 1999, another complainant Government, defend Pakistan Sh. Liaquat Hussain filed a case against external aggression or threat against the Federation of Pakistan of war, and, subject to law, act in through Ministry of Law, Justice and aid of civil power when called upon Parliament. In 2009, the Sindh High to do so. (2) The validity of any di- Court Bar Association through its rection issued by the Federal Gov- Secretary filed a law suit against the ernment under clause (1), shall not Federation of Pakistan through its be called in question in any Court. Secretary Ministry of Law and Jus(3) A High Court shall not exercise tice. Finally the 2013 trial of Former any jurisdiction under Article 199 in Army Chief Mirza Aslam Beg and relation to any area in which the others in a law suit whose plaintiff Armed Forced of Pakistan are, for was Air Marshal Asghar Khan is too the time being, acting in aid of civil recent for comment. power in pursuance of Article 245: Interestingly, the verdict in the Provided that this clause shall not case of Liaquat Hussain vs. Federabe deemed to affect the jurisdiction tion of Pakistan, PLD 1999 SC 504 of the High Court in respect of any merits mention. The Supreme Court proceeding pending immediately ruled that civil power is to be pre-

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served and invigorated through the instrumentality of the Armed Forces.

The quantum of aid to be given and the manner in which this assistance is to be rendered by the Armed Forces as a matter of Constitutional duty depends upon the nature of the direction issued by the Federal Government in this behalf and such direction should also be within the ambit of the law and the Constitution.

In the current milieu, the plea that Operation “Zarb-e-Azb” is likely to lead to a blowback thus Article 245 has been invoked for 90 days w.e.f.

August 1, 2014, is difficult to swallow. The Military operation was launched on June 15, 2014, why did it take forty five days for the Government to call in the Army for protecting Islamabad. The government’s anxiety regarding Imran Khan’s “Freedom March”, meant to culminate at the arena facing the Parliament House on Pakistan’s Independence Day i.e. August 14 is quite apparent. The Interior Minister’s statement that “Neither Islamabad is being handed over to the army nor is there any relevance of August 14. In fact, the army has been called out to assist the police and civil administration for a limited period to avert any possible terrorist attack and to maintain law and order in Islamabad” is unpalatable. After all major military operations in the past never necessitated the Army being called to aid civil power. The situation in Karachi has been begging for invoking Article 245 but to no avail.

The writing on the wall is that the ruling dispensation is continuously committing blunders, which are making a mockery of its commitment to this country. Besides indulging in nepotism, remaining oblivious to the

pain of the masses ala Marie Antoinette (whose naiveté forced the French Revolution of 1789), the Model Town Lahore carnage of PAT workers, hounding opposition leaders and workers and other slip-ups are diminishing goodwill for PML (N). The National Flag adorning the Prime Minister’s official residence is of incorrect dimensions, design and proportion. A Federal Minister of State, while hoisting the national flag at a formal ceremony discovered that the national flag was strung upside down. Instead of taking the organizers of the event to task for their omission and carelessness, the Minister, Mr. Abid Sher Ali stated in full aural range of TV Cameras that “it did not matter if the national flag was upside down”.

If the ruling junta, which has failed to come to the expectations of the people in resolving their problems, thinks that it can thwart the threat from Imran Khan’s “Freedom March” by brute force deploying the Army, then it is sadly mistaken. The Armed Forces, at best can act as a buffer between the protagonists but cannot afford to take sides; nor should the politicians create such anarchy that the military is compelled to step in. In the near past, the Army has learnt its lesson well by steering clear of political involvement and sticking to its constitutional obligations only but its hands should not be forced. Invoking Article 245 was a bad idea and should not give the ruling dispensation any false sense of security. However, if they survive this ordeal then they must learn lessons from it and not repeat their past blunders.

—The writer is retired PAF Group Captain and a TV talk show host.

Views From Abroad

Gaza blockade must end Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson

I

SRAELIS and Palestinians are still burying loved ones killed during Gaza’s third war in six years. Since 8 July, more than 1,800 Palestinian and 65 Israeli lives have been sacrificed. Many in the world are heart-broken in the powerless certainty that and despite the latest ceasefire, it seems that more could die yet; that more are being killed every hour. This tragedy results from the deliberate obstruction of a promising move towards peace, when a reconciliation agreement among the Palestinian factions was announced in April. This was a major concession by Hamas, opening Gaza to joint control under a consensus government that did not include any Hamas members. The new government also pledged to adopt the three basic principles demanded by members of the International Quartet (UN, US, Europe, Russia): non-violence, recognition of Israel, and adherence to past agreements. Tragically, Israel rejected this opportunity for peace and has until now succeeded in preventing the new government’s deployment in Gaza.

Two factors are necessary to make the unity effort possible: at least a partial lifting of the sevenyear sanctions and blockade that isolate the 1.8 million people in Gaza; and an opportunity for pub-

lic sector workers on the Hamas payroll to be paid. These requirements for a human standard of life continue to be denied. Instead, Qatar’s offer to provide funds for the payment of employees was blocked by Israel and access to and from Gaza has been further tightened by Egypt and Israel. There is no humane or legal justification for how the Israeli Defence Force is conducting this war, pulverising with bombs, missiles and artillery large parts of Gaza, including thousands of homes, schools and hospitals, displacing families and killing Palestinian non-combatants.

Much of Gaza has lost its access to water and electricity completely.

This is a humanitarian catastrophe.

There is never an excuse for deliberate attacks on civilians in conflict. These are war crimes. This is true for both sides. Hamas’s indiscriminate targeting of Israeli civilians is equally unacceptable. However, two Israeli civilians and a foreign worker were killed by Palestinian fire as opposed to an overwhelming majority of civilians among the Palestinians killed more than 400 of whom were children.

The legal need for international judicial proceedings should be taken seriously, to investigate and end these violations of international law. The UN Security Council should vote a resolution recognising the inhumane conditions in Gaza and mandate an end to the siege. The resolution could also acknowledge the need for in-

ternational monitors who can report on movements to and from Gaza, as well as ceasefire violations. It should then enshrine strict measures to prevent the smuggling of weapons into Gaza. Members of the Elders, a group of independent leaders working together for peace and human rights, hope that these will continue and reach fruition.

At the Palestinians’ request, the Swiss government is considering whether to convene an international conference of the Geneva Conventions’ signatory states. This could pressure Israel and Hamas into observing their duty to protect civilian populations under international law. We sincerely hope all states – especially those in the west, with the greatest power – attend and live up to their obligations to uphold the Fourth Geneva Convention governing the treatment of occupied territory. Unity Between Fatah and Hamas is stronger than for many years. As Elders, we believe this is one of the most encouraging developments of recent years and welcome it warmly. This presents an opportunity for the Palestinian Authority to reassume control over Gaza – an essential first step towards Israel and Egypt’s lifting of the blockade.

The Palestinian Authority cannot manage that task on its own. It will need the prompt return of the EU Border Assistance Mission to cover not just Rafah but all Gaza crossings. Egypt and Israel would, in turn, cooperate with international

monitors backed by a UN Security Council mandate to protect civilian populations. The initial goal should be the full restoration of free movement of people and goods to and from Gaza through Israel, Egypt and the sea. And the US and EU should recognise that Hamas is not just a military force but also a political one. It cannot be wished away, nor will it cooperate in its own demise. Only by recognising its legitimacy as a political actor – one that represents a substantial portion of the Palestinian people – can the west begin to provide the right incentives for Hamas to lay down its weapons. Ever since the internationally monitored 2006 elections that brought Hamas to power in Palestine, the west’s approach has manifestly contributed to the opposite result. Ultimately, however, lasting peace depends on the creation of a Palestinian state next to Israel.

Leaders in Israel, Palestine and the world’s major powers should believe that these policy changes are within their reach and would move Israelis and Palestinians closer to a day when the skies over the Holy Land can forever fall silent. Jimmy Carter is a former US president. Mary Robinson is a former president of Ireland. Both are members of The Elders, a group of independent leaders working together for peace and human rights.

— Courtesy: The Guardian

Voice of the People Wake up call for democratic Prime Minister NAUSHABA ABID

A

fter sixty seven years of independence, chaos like situation is prevailing in Capital of Pakistan. On one hand there are celebrations and on the other hand preparations are being made to tackle the impending Marchs. It seems as if we are failed to understand whether we want to live with dictatorship or democracy. In the days of dictatorship there are mournful lamentations goes on against the cruelty brutalities and policies of dictators. In the regime of democratic parties there are voices coming against the political system because it is rampant with corruption, nepotism and other problems like regional divide and other national issues confronting the very existence of the country. We are confused on our part of nation building. There is lack of decision making plus we are confused which type of system suits us. More than sixty years have been elapsed but there is still haphazard like situation in our national matters. The problems continue to threat our nation and the country, whether there is dictator who shouts or democratic man who tries to fill the bank accounts of his family members and the associates at the cost of the poor masses. There is no improvement or development on ground, there are just echoing slogans, fake foundation stones, high claims of progress and prosperity, high hopes for the big development projects. There are worse conditions of health and education infrastructure and so on... We need to change the system, the thinking of people should be changed instead of changing faces in the Prime Minister’s office and the Awan-e-Sadr. More than half of people have nothing to do with democracy or dictatorship, they have lost all hopes from ‘bad democracies’ or the ‘best dictatorships’. Their only need is to live in peace and security, earn for themselves and their families and feed and clothe their children.

Beyond this there is no thinking. Much trumpeted upon ‘democracy’ is meaningless for them; they are facing load-shedding, life threats and corruption at every level. The country has been thrown in abyss where street crime is rampant, nobody is safe even in the house, literacy rate, education and other moral values have reduced to zero, infant girls and children are not safe, visit a fish-market like situation in government hospitals or butcher-like attitude of the doctors in private sector. I will say ‘Shabbash’ to the Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, if he can get a domestic gas connection through SNGPL, or the most verbose Kh. Asif or Abid Sher Ali, if they can get a domestic electricity connection, under the declared routine regular system, without opting for going out of the ways. With these conditions how can you expect that the people will not join the Long Marchs of Imrans or Qadris. One cannot change oneself if one is living in a Fool’s Paradise and wakes up only then when it is too late.

—Via email

Minority affairs NAEEM SADIQ

ment helps the apartheid Israel by dangling million of dollars—where is the concept of ‘popular demand’?

What is meant by democracy, if the will of thousands of people cannot change the policy of government?

On the other hand, Richard Nixon had to resign on ‘popular demand’ due to “Water Gate Scandal”.

Bill Clinton destroyed his carrier due to sex scandal. Back to 2010, Obama approved health care reforms which ignited wide-scale protests and government had to retreat its bill on ‘popular demand’.

Same is the case of Berlusconi and Nicolas Sarkozi; duo was impeached on ‘public demand’. What is more disgusting is the fact that the whole Senate (chosen by people) was unanimous in granting aid to Israel! However, according to recent Gallup Survey 51% Americans believe that Israeli attack is unjustified compared to 25 who believe, it is justified. So, on streets thousands of people are protesting and in “rooms” few Senators are granting aid. Where is the ‘Popular Demand’?

—Islamabad

In 2009, I decided not to celebrate Aug 14 to record my grief, shame and solidarity with the nine innocent Christian citizens of Gojra, who were killed and their homes put on fire. In 2010, 94 people were killed and more than 120 injured during Friday prayers in simultaneous attacks against two places of worship of the minority Ahmadi community in Lahore. In 2011, 42 Shias were killed in five terrorist attacks in different parts of Balochistan, while 91 Shias were killed in Chilas, Mastung, Quetta and Parachinar in different months of 2012.

In 2013, at least 78 people were killed in twin suicide bombings at a church service in Peshawar in what is believed to be the country’s deadliest attack on Christians. As many as 182 Hazara Shias were killed and 121 injured in two different suicide and car bomb blasts in Quetta. At least 48 people, many women and children among them, were killed and over 135 injured in a massive bombing in Shia-dominated neighbourhood of Abbas Town, Karachi. In a country where minority citizens are regularly counting ALI MUHAMMAD their dead, one will have to be dreadfully insensitive and callous to celebrate Aug 14.

This is apropos of your enlighten—Karachi ing editorial dated August 02 entitled “Staggering Billions in Swiss Banks”. It is very kind of the Finance Minister to express his firm intention to try to retrieve the ill-gotten Pakistani wealth from the clutches MAJ (R) MUMTAZ BASHIR of the Swiss banks money-vaults.

The currency havens of anonymous Five Lieutenant-Generals are due to Swiss bank accounts were created retire in October. Four of them are during the Second World War to alretiring on Oct 1, and all of them low the Jews to hide their assets from are Corps Commanders. A chain re- Hitler. However, after the war, this action will start; Major-Generals arrangement was allowed to conwill be promoted to fill in the va- tinue and flourish because it facilicant posts, and more or less it be- tated the corrupt powerful elite of comes a complete re-shuffle of the the third world including its bureauformation commanders in the field crats, generals, politicians, smugand Principal Staff Officers at the glers and tax evaders to deposit their GHQ. This will present an opportu- booties looted from their respective nity to the newly-promoted Army peoples and their state treasuries.

It resulted in swelling of the Chief Gen Raheel Sharif to have commanders of his choice at all the Swiss bank coffers while by the key positions. The current ones were same proportion, the third world populations went on getting impovposted by Gen Ashfaq Kayani.

Like a Prime Minister who feels erished and weakened falling at the at ease in having all the Ministers in mercy of the rich countries. The his Cabinet of his own confidence Swiss themselves got fabulously and liking, the Army Chief will feel rich in the process. They have formuch more confident when all his mulated laws that comprehensively Corps Commanders and Principal safeguard this system of continued Staff Officers are appointed by him. accretion of world’s corrupt money As far as the appointment of the In- in their banks. It is unlikely that they ter-Services Intelligence chief, who would allow any such money to be is also due to retire in October, it is repatriated to the country of its orithe prerogative of the Prime Minis- gin. The superpowers of the world ter to appoint him, but with the man- must take pity on the plight of the ner the ISI is organised and has ever poor people of the world and force been working since its inception, it the Swiss authorities to make such is not advisable to ignore the advice restoration easily possible and thus enable the poor of the world to make of the Army Chief. some economic progress, and also —Lahore to discourage their corrupt elite to desist from engaging in their evil acts which ruin their own people. If the Swiss want to be seen really as an honest nation, they should immeMUHAMMAD WAJID MUNIR diately outlaw such corruption promoting banking practice.

In popular concept of democracy, —Muzaffargarh the governments are formed by the representatives of the people.

People express their views through votes and policies are devised under the “popular demand”. They SALMAN A BUGVI express their opinion by means of retaliation if disagree with the government or its policies. However, I saw a beggar at Akbar Chowk, now-a-days we are witnessing a pleading for alms. A few seconds new form of democracy in the so- later, a handicapped person apcalled ‘civilized world’. People in proached me with a bundle of carUSA are staging protests against wiping dusters. He asked me if I the Israeli brutalities in Gaza. Over needed any. I said, ‘I don’t need thousands of people are protesting, one’. However, he turned immebut not a mouse stirring. The point diately without another word. Alis that when thousands of people most immediately an urge arose are protesting but in return govern- within me to help the second per-

Swiss bank accounts

Appointing ISI chief

So-called popular demand!

National character

son. In a wider context, we are just like the first beggar; living on monetary aid. If we are poor but at least possess character, other nations will sincerely want to help us. Character is a rare commodity at the personal level and the character of a nation is an amalgam of individual personalities, which is indeed difficult to build.

—Lahore

An advice to Marvi Memon BASHIR AHMED Yesterday evening Marvi Memon on a private T.V. Channel tried to rebut the allegations of PTI from rigging to imposition of Article 245 of the constitution. She said the military has been called to provide security to the sensitive installations in Islamabad. She reiterated her party’s earlier response to the same issue.

But most of the politicians have condemned the government’s move. It has been claimed that the government is exploiting the situation to crack down the protesters. Imran Khan is organizing million men march towards D chowk, Islamabad.

Dr. Tahir ul Qadri ‘s revolutionary march seems to be a bigger threat that might dethrone the monarchy of Sharif brothers. The end game is now obvious from the speeches of both Imran Khan and Dr. Qadri.

To the question of massive rigging in the May elections, she gave a simple explanation that it was not the government ‘s responsibility to open the seats where allegedly rigging took place. She added that legally it was the responsibility of the ECP, election tribunals and the courts to decide about it. Imran Khan has asked the Prime Minister to resign and mid term elections be held. He said the government has no legal or Constitutional right to rule as it has stolen the people’s mandate. Marvi’s lackluster performance and spineless defence of PML (N) let many questions unanswered. Though it was nice to see her in action after a long time, I think she is in the wrong party and has a tough job to defend the incompetent rulers. I wish her the best of luck next time.

—Karachi

Small investors S IQBAL AHMAD Small investors consist of senior citizens who are otherwise unable to do any job or business due to their disability, disease, etc., because of old age. They include retirees, both men and women, and widows. They invest their savings to receive returns.

They do not find it an easy task. They are forced to wait for hours at savings centres to receive their returns and face risks while coming and going with money, since the public transport they use is not safe.

To save these people from being mugged, I suggest that National Savings may revise and revamp its procedure of payment by crediting their returns direct to their bank accounts so that they can safely withdraw the money from ATMs without wasting time and transport expenses.

—Karachi

DISCLAIMER THE articles, columns and letters are published on these pages in good faith. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.

—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

123 missing presumed dead in Nepal landslide K AT H M A N D U —The 123 people missing in Saturday’s massive landslide in Sindhupalchok are now considered dead and the search operation has been stopped after Wednesday.

The missing, however, cannot be officially declared dead yet, said the home ministry. The law allows the disappeared to be certified dead only after 12 years from the time of the disappearance.

“The search and rescue team will now focus solely on draining the artificial lake formed by the landslide dam,” said Yadav Prasad Koirala, joint-secretary at the ministry.

The team had recovered 33 bodies from the debris before the search was halted. Koirala said that it has become impossible and even dangerous for the team to look for bodies.

“The families of those presumed dead have begun receiving 40,000 Nepalese rupees (US$406.30) per dead,” said chief district officer of Sindhupalchok Gopal Parajuli. A Nepal Army team has been trying to drain the lake for the last five days. But its plan to explode a section of the dam to widen the channel created on Saturday failed for the second consecutive day.

According to the Army, the water has been flowing into the lake at the rate of 190 cubic feet per second and is flowing out at 210 cusec.

A reading on Wednesday showed that the water level of the dammed lake has been reduced by 51 cm, said Jagdish Chandra Pokharel, NA spokesperson.

The Army and disaster experts, however, are unsure what the reduction means in terms of a possible outburst.

No one has information on the exact depth and volume of the lake and the strength of the dam. “To the naked eye, the volume of water on the lake seems constant,” said Dhruba Devkota, a humanitarian programme coordinator at Save the Children, an international organisation, involved in providing immediate relief to the victims.

Devkota was on the site of the disaster on Wednesday.

“The dam looks strong,” he said. “But there is a new danger to upstream localities from back flooding because we can see the landmass on the hill splitting again. Another landslide could occur at the same site.” According to the ministry, the last three months alone have seen landslides and flood affect ten districts, including Sindhupalchok.

The combined death toll from these tragedies is 73, with 42 injured and 123 presumed dead. Excluding the incidents at Sindhupalchok and Sankhuwasabha, where a landslide killed seven people on Monday, the disasters have damaged properties worth 104.6 million Nepalese rupees ($1.06 million)—ANN.

Indonesian President-elect Joko Widodo (C) greets supporters to celebrate his victory in Indonesia’s election in Jakarta.

More clamouring for ministerial positions in Indonesia JAKARTA —Indonesian President-elect Party (PKPI), claimed to have secured the Baswedan, defence analyst Andi Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is facing increased pressure from groups and individuals, especially from his volunteer groups, who openly make demands for their inclusion in the next administration. In addition to politicians from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)-led coalition, people claiming to have been volunteers for his presidential campaign are also requesting ministerial posts in his Cabinet.

A lecturer from the Perbanas School of Economics, Abdul Rani Rasyid, who claims to have run one group of volunteers, the Ikatan Pemilih Indonesia (Association of Indonesian Voters) is one of the people who submitted his resumé to Jokowi’s transition team on Wednesday, applying for a ministerial position specialising on the economy.

“This is my own initiative. I am confident about applying because I think I have the expertise, and also because I helped him [Jokowi] win the election,” Abdul said after handing his resumé to representatives of the transition team at its headquarters on Jl. Situbondo, Central Jakarta. Another applicant, who identified herself as Ratna, a member of the Indonesian Justice and Unity

support of around 500,000 fellow volunteers to apply for a ministerial position on social welfare. “I am representing myself, not the PKPI,” Ratna said shortly after submitting her resume.

In an attempt to obtain input about well-qualified candidates for members of his Cabinet, Jokowi has established a headhunting team specifically tasked with identifying and assessing potential candidates for ministerial positions, as well as a transition team, which is helping to design the structure of Jokowi’s cabinet but is primarily focusing on preparing the programs for implementation when Jokowi and his running mate, Jusuf Kalla, assume office.

Jokowi has been trying to deflect pressure from the political parties in his coalition.

One of the ways in which he has sought to do this has been in remaining tight-lipped about the personnel on his head-hunting team and the team’s agenda.

In contrast, however, he has been very open about his transition team. Jokowi introduced on Monday the leaders of the transition team, comprising a chief of staff, former trade minister Rini Mariani Soemarno Soewandi, and her four deputies — Paramadina University rector Anis

Widjajanto, NasDem Party politician Akbar Faizal and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) deputy secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto.

Hasto said on Wednesday that the team had nothing to say regarding the candidates for ministerial positions. He added that applicants for ministerial posts should submit their documents to the Jokowi Center on Jl. Cemara in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

“A large number of individuals has come to us to apply for positions in the Cabinet.

This is why we set up the headquarters at Cemara,” Hasto said.

He reiterated the fact that the transition team would only be focusing on general issues, such as the state budget, the Indonesia Pintar (Smart Indonesia) and Indonesia Sehat (Healthy Indonesia) programs, bureaucratic reform, public housing, energy, infrastructure and public transportation. Separately, Jokowi said that he would be holding a meeting to discuss issues surrounding the establishment of the transition team, adding that he would seek to engage politicians from his coalition who felt left out. “I will definitely reach out to every party – volunteers, the public and everyone,” Jokowi said—ANN.

Cambodia tribunal convicts Khmer Rouge leaders

New Thai system will clip wings of politicians

Corruption Blights Russia’s Natural Heritage

B ANGKOK —In his gruff, straight-talking style, Thai junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has dismissed concerns about having an interim Parliament half-filled with military officers. Judge the House for its performance, he says. He is right, in part. The legislature set to convene today is but a stepping stone to a far larger purpose. Most observers can see what is coming: The political and business network of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be dismantled and neutralised for the foreseeable future.

The question now is just how Thailand’s most successful political machine will be picked apart. Already, there have been calls for General Prayuth not to “waste” his May 22 coup. These advocates are, no doubt, haunted by the speed with which Thailand’s generals handed power back to civilians after ousting Thaksin in 2006, only to have his sister Yingluck Shinawatra sweep into power in the 2011 elections. While summoning and/ or temporarily detaining more than 500 individuals since the coup, the current junta has not just picked off members of erstwhile ruling Puea Thai party and its “red shirt” supporters.

It has also identified luminaries in the Thai business world linked to Thaksin, like Anant Asavabhokhin, chairman of Land and Houses, one of the country’s biggest developers. It showed a keen awareness of the possible support for the Thaksin network. The junta will next convene a national reform council that will help pick a team to draft a new Constitution.

The transition will take at least a year. The Election Commission is suggesting a two-term limit for members of the Lower House.

The Upper House will be fully appointed. (Before the coup, only about half were appointed.) Campaigning on monetary promises should be banned, it suggests, and electoral boundaries enlarged— ANN.

IVAN SUKHOV

Putin’s Ukraine invasion threat is more than a bluff — but not his preference

PHNOM PENH, (Cambodia)—They were lead- and is simply not adequate. “Nothing can com- U KRAINIAN — Serviceman that’s the case … and what ers of Cambodia’s infamous Khmer Rouge, the fanatical communist movement behind a 1970s reign of terror that transformed this entire Southeast Asian nation into a ruthless slave state - a place where cities were emptied of their inhabitants, religion and schools were banned, and anyone deemed a threat was executed.

When the nightmare ended, in 1979, close to 2 million people were dead - a quarter of Cambodia’s population at the time.

On Thursday, a U.N.-backed tribunal convicted two of the once all-powerful men who ruled during that era of crimes against humanity in the first and possibly the last verdicts to be issued against the group’s aging, top members.

Although survivors welcomed the decision to impose life sentences against Khieu Samphan, an 83-year-old former head of state, and Nuon Chea, the movement’s 88-year-old chief ideologue, they also say justice has come far too late

pare to the immense suffering they imposed, no sentence can be enough.

They belong in hell, not an air-conditioned jail cell,” said Youk Chhang, who heads The Documentation Center of Cambodia, which has collected more than a million documents related to the Khmer Rouge terror. “But this gives us hope that we can learn from the past ... that we can try to prevent this from ever happening again.”

There was no visible reaction from either of the accused when the decisions were announced.

Nuon Chea, wearing dark sunglasses, was too weak even to stand from his wheelchair. Defense lawyers insisted the case was not over and vowed to appeal within 30 days. Summarizing the verdict, chief judge Nil Nonn said the defendants were part of “a joint criminal enterprise” that launched “a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population” after Khmer Rouge guerrillas seized Phnom Penh on April 17, 1975—AP.

uses a pair of binoculars as he guards a checkpoint near the eastern Ukrainian town of Debaltseve Ukrainian troops have made huge headway routing the separatists in the east.

They are in the process of choking off the cities of Luhansk and Donetsk, to which many of the separatists have retreated. The Ukrainian military appears primed to besiege the cities. As Ukraine has gained, Putin has prepared Russia for invasion: 20,000 combat-ready troops are amassed at the border. The chance that Russia invades is certainly going up. But it’s still Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Plan B. Here’s why

could change his mind.

At all costs, Vladimir Putin wants to keep Ukraine in Russia’s orbit. That requires two guarantees: 1) that Russian influence over southeast Ukraine will remain intact, and 2) that Russia has a de facto veto over Ukrainian NATO membership.

The way he gets these guarantees is through deep federalization, where Ukraine’s eastern regions can set their own foreign economic policy and veto approaches to NATO. Of course, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is completely unwilling and unable to concede this. So Putin can get it the hard way (intervention), or the harder way (invasion)—Reuters.

Gaza Under Fire BAI SHI

O

PERATION Protective Edge against Hamas (the Islamic Resistance Move ment) in the Gaza Strip of Palestine launched by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has become one of the largest humanitarian crises to hit the region in recent years.The conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused mass casualties, but for what gain? Israel began carrying out air strikes on the Gaza Strip on July 8 in a bid to end the rocket fire from Gaza. But Israel’s military action has killed over 1,000 Palestinians at the cost of 53 Israeli officers and soldiers in the first three weeks of the operation. Despite heavy damage to arsenals, Hamas militants have not ceased launching rocket attacks on Israeli targets. The last military strike on Gaza was carried out by Israel on November 14, 2012 and ended under the mediation of Mohamed Morsi, then President of Egypt about a week later.

The trigger for this most recent bout of fighting was the killing of three Israeli teenagers and a 16-year-old Palestinian boy. The three Israeli youth were reportedly kidnapped and murdered in the West Bank on June 12. Israel blamed the murders on Hamas, which denied the accusation. Soon after, tensions between the two spiked yet again when a Palestinian teenager was found dead on the outskirts of Jerusalem on July 2. Although the animosity between Palestinians and Israelis runs deep, there are more significant reasons why Israel decided to launch air strikes and a ground offensive in Gaza, said research fellow of Middle East issues at Beijing-based China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR), Qin Tian, in an interview with Beijing Review.

“For Israel, the major purpose of the operation is to destroy the rocket arsenals and underground tunnels through which Hamas militants smuggle weapons and infiltrate Israel to attack citizens and soldiers,” Qin said in the interview.

Hamas has been committed to armed struggle against Israel since it was organized in 1987.

As the largest Palestinian militant Islamist group, Hamas has also engaged in the Palestinian political process since 2005. Most notably, Hamas defeated the rival Fatah group and earned victory in the Palestinian Legislative Council elections in 2006. After clashes with Fatah, Hamas took over Gaza and set up a rival government in 2007, taking the security situation in Gaza out of Israel’s control.

Due to frequent land, air, and sea blockades on the Gaza Strip by Egypt and Israel, Hamas built underground tunnels not just for military use but also for the trade of civilian goods. Hamas received support from its ally, the Muslim Brotherhood, which eventually earned a victory in Egypt’s presidential election in 2012. Hamas then went on to build more tunnels and stockpile its rocket arsenal in Gaza, Qin said. Israel launched military strikes on Gaza to destroy the stronghold of Hamas in late 2008. Over 600 rocket firing sites were destroyed and 30 km of tunnels were sabotaged by the Israeli forces. A total of 1,414 Palestinians—including around 700 Hamas members—were killed in the operation in addition to serious infrastructural damage. A Palestinian woman walks through debris in Gaza in the wake of Israeli air strikes on July 26 “Air strikes have dealt a heavy blow to Hamas, as Israel cannot bear massive casualties of soldiers in a ground offensive. Time will tell whether Israel’s military operation can achieve its objectives,” Qin said. Qin indicated that the

ongoing threat of conflict cannot be removed unless Israel and Hamas reach an agreement of reconciliation.

Israel has realized the security dilemma will be a long-term issue. “We must be prepared for a prolonged campaign,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference on July 28, Xinhua News Agency reported. He insisted on the disarming of Palestinian militants and demilitarization of the Gaza Strip as conditions for reaching a ceasefire agreement.

Israel and Hamas have fallen into a vicious cycle of retaliation that may continue until the two sides reach an agreement, said Li Shaoxian, Deputy Director of CICIR and a senior researcher of Middle East issues.

There seems to be a trend wherein conflict breaks out whenever peace talks come to a stalemate, at which point both Hamas and Israel resort to aggression to reach their political goals, Li said. Months ago, Hamas reached a consensus with its political rival Fatah to found a national united government. Israel certainly would not like to see a united Palestinian government, which could become a strong opponent in the future. For this reason, Israel wants to wipe out Hamas, a dangerous enemy compared with the relatively moderate Fatah, Li said. Despite its disadvantage in the military arena, Hamas does not appear willing to compromise with Israel.

Rather, it hopes to solidify its widespread support and ensure a greater say in a possible unified government through its resistance efforts, Li said.

The deadly conflict and the ensuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza have prompted international calls for a ceasefire, yet neither Israel nor Hamas appears willing to accept the truce proposal currently on the table. For example, the UN Secretary Council urged Israel and Hamas to renew a ceasefire in Gaza on July 28. U.S. Secretary of

State John Kerry began mediation efforts in the Middle East on July 23. Although the United States and Israel are allies, they have differing opinions as to how to settle the conflict, Li said.

China also made mediation efforts. China’s special envoy on Middle East Issues Wu Sike visited Palestine, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Qatar and the headquarters of the Arab League from July 15-25. Wu told a press briefing on July 28 that China will continue to promote a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

All parties involved should seek consensus based on this ceasefire treatise. The only way to end the conflict in Gaza is to resume and promote peaceful negotiations, Wu said.

Israel wishes to make Jerusalem the capital of Israel and the political and religious center of the Jewish people, as it wrote in the 1980 Israeli Basic Law. Currently the holy city is under the control of Israel. Palestinians want East Jerusalem to be the capital of Palestine.

The Old City in East Jerusalem contains a number of holy places in Islam, such as the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.

Israel has expanded its territory through wars in the decades since 1948. It has agreed to maintain current borders with the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as Palestinian territory, but Israel Defense Forces often enter the two Palestinian areas for military purposes. Palestinians want Israel to return all land captured in 1967. The West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza are integral territories of Palestine.

Israel has established many Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

To ensure the safety of settlements, Israel has set up tight security checkpoints and built high walls to separate Israeli residences from their Palestinian neighbors.

—Courtesy: Beijing Review.

R

USSIANS have long been known as a people not given to worrying about life’s various discomforts, especially at moments of imperial euphoria, or, conversely, imperial shame — these moments follow one after the other like the pattern in a kaleidoscope. But smoke from forest fires has once again descended on Moscow, and it is difficult not to pay attention to that. All the more so, since after the apocalyptic summer of 2010, the authorities swore that they would never allow anything like it to happen in the capital again.

Russia’s environmental degradation isn’t for lack of laws, but lack of enforcement, writes columnist Ivan Sukhov. Yet, once again, there aren’t enough forest rangers or firemen. Even worse, most of the city leaders who promised us that the smog problem would not return still hold their positions. Some faces in the administration have changed, it’s true. Then-mayor Yury Luzhkov is now retired, and Sergei Shoigu moved from heading the Emergency Situations Ministry to the Defense Ministry.

Still, finding a solution to the burning forests and peat bogs could hardly be the responsibility of these two figures alone.

Those who should have prevented the return of smoke to Moscow continue to smile at us from their comfortable chairs inside air-conditioned offices. Meanwhile, we’re breathing smoke again.

It is particularly unpleasant to return to the scorching prison of Moscow from a vacation in Karelia, where, so near the Arctic Circle, the sun only comes out for a few hours every day, and cool northern rains drum on the tents of tourists on the shores of enormous lakes and rivers full of rapids.

Karelia is completely covered by forests, but isn’t burning, nor did it burn in 2010, even though that region also suffered through an abnormal heat wave. It is still a refuge to retreat to away from the merciless Moscow summer. But visitors, whose growing numbers are likely due to increasing foreign policy difficulties, encounter a different problem here: filth. For example, the campsites on the shores of the subpolar river of Keret are outrageously unsanitary. Pieces of broken glass, empty cans, plastic, and the simple organic waste of human activity all cover the shores of this popular river. In another three or four years, there simply will not be any room left to camp here.

The majority of tourists come via a dozen small Karelian companies that rent out equipment for active outdoor vacations, and also provide instructors and guides. It is these guides who, week in and week out, lead caravans of tourists to the same campsites. Even the most conscientious tourists and the most ecologically minded guides are not capable of reducing the impact of improvised camping here summer after summer. Campsites that are advertised as the best on the river deserve, in fact, to be closed for several years to counteract the flagrant violations of sanitary standards there.

This doesn’t happen, however, and the situation unfortunately looks hopeless. The tourism companies are motivated by profit, not ecology. Without strong government intervention, the merciless exploitation of these sites will continue, and any new sites that are added will quickly undergoing the same unfortunate transformation. But unfortunately, Karelia’s Natural Resources Ministry is entirely absorbed by more critical, and most importantly, more commercially profitable, activities: Issuing licenses for building stone and gravel mining in Karelian quarries and logging in the region’s endless forests. A filthy beach is the last thing on the minds of this ecological agency’s bureaucrats. The only government representatives you have any chance of meeting on your visit are fishing inspectors, who are prepared to forgive any violations, including outright poaching, as long as the fines are paid right into their pockets and not to their agency.

It’s no surprise that these bureaucrats, who spend days scanning with their binoculars for potential victims, are perceived more like tribute collectors for the Mongol horde than responsible government agents gently but firmly insisting on compliance with their regulations. This is why nothing can be done about the trashed campsites on the shores of northern rivers, why the smoke has returned to capital, and why the Moscow metro can no longer handle growing passenger traffic.

—Courtesy: Moscow Times.

[Ivan Sukhov is a journalist who has covered conflicts in Russia and the CIS for the past 15 years].

Kerry’s Myanmar mission NEHGINPAO KIPGEN

U

S Secretary of State John Kerry is arriving in Myanmar’s capital, Nay Pyi Taw, on August 9 for a three-day visit.

The chief diplomat will meet government leaders and attend a series of meetings, including the meeting of the Association of South-east Asian Nations Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit. In a statement released on August 2, US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Kerry’s trip to the region was one key aspect of US’ commitment in Asia to promote peace, stability and prosperity. The Obama administration has taken several initiatives to strengthen the US-Myanmar bilateral ties, including lifting of sanctions and the appointment of Ambassador Derek Mitchell, which was represented earlier at the level of Charge d’Affaires.

In November-December 2011, then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a trip to Myanmar, which was the first by the top US diplomat in more than half a century. It was followed by a historic visit to the country by Barack Obama, the first-ever trip by a sitting US President. Many hail the Obama administration’s engagement policy. In his speech to graduates of the West Point military academy on May 28 this year, the President claimed that reforms in Myanmar marked a success for US foreign policy.

“We’re now supporting reform and badly needed national reconciliation through assistance and investment, through coaxing and, at times, public criticism. And progress there could be reversed, but if Burma succeeds, we will have gained a new partner without having fired a shot.”

However, Obama’s interpretation of diplomatic success is not pleasantly received in the US Congress. Citing a growing list of human rights violations, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce on July 9 called for a range of new punitive measures, including visa bans, an end to USMyanmar military cooperation, and a consideration of re-imposing economic sanctions. He said, “It is time that we take off the rose-coloured glasses and see the situation in Burma for what it is….We cannot continue to lavish more incentives on the government of Burma in hopes that it will do the right thing.”

In light of recent developments, one logical question is: what message must John Kerry bring to the Myanmar leadership, especially given that President Obama will visit the country in November? Besides promoting US national and security interests, there are at least four important issues the Secretary of State needs to discuss with the Myanmar leadership: addressing sectarian or religious tensions between Buddhists and Muslims, media freedom, solution to ethnic minorities’ concerns, and the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming 2015 general election.

Firstly, the simmering tension between Rohingya Muslims, which the Myanmar government recognizes as Bengalis, and the Buddhists in Rakhine state has now spread to other parts of the country. The latest incident was a four-day violence in Mandalay last month, following allegations that a Buddhist woman was raped by her Muslim employers. The riot led to the death of two persons - a Buddhist and a Muslim - and the injury of at least 14 people.

—Courtesy: Statesman [The writer is a political scientist whose works have been widely published in five continents - Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America. His latest academic article titled Ethnicity in Myanmar and its Importance to the Success of Democracy will be published by Routledge (Taylor & Francis) from the United Kingdom]

Nizami era From Page 1 Majid Nizami, Editor-inChief, Nation and Nawa-iWaqt, had all the requisites of a Mard-i-Momin as visualized

by Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.

All the audience at an All Pakistan Condolence Reference endorsed the views of Mr. Zahid Malik by raising their hands when inquired by him whether they agree with his appreciation of the person of late Dr. Majid Nizami.

Presiding over the Reference, organized by the Federal Capital Committee (FCC) of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) to pay homage to Dr. Majid Nizami at the Aiwan-iQuaid, Mr. Malik said that Dr. Majid Nizami during his long journalistic crusade that spanned over 50 years had inspired countless journalists and others to practise principled journalism and follow the dictates of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, therefore, the Majid Nizami era has not ended with his sad demise. He said that after the death of his elder brother, Mr. Hamid Nizami in 1962, Dr. Majid Nizami carried forward the torch of fearless journalism and had to face wrath of various governments. He lamented that media, on the whole, was losing credibility

and respect but Nawa-i-Waqt always maintained its dignity and respectability.

“However, sacrifices rendered by Dr. Majid Nizami for the promotion of Nazriya-i-Pakistan carry more value because the Nazriya is the cementing force for this nation of the Quaid,” Mr. Malik said. Making frank admission before the audience he said that it was Dr. Majid Nizami who impressed him a lot to establish the Nazriya Pakistan Council, Islamabad (NPC) and carry forward his mission.

Mr. Zahid Malik, said that the NPC has, however, given a wider and deeper meaning to the Nazriya as it is engaged in highlighting the spiritual aspect of the establishment of Pakistan in 1947. “While the 14th of August is the day of festivities and rejoice, the 27th of Ramadan-ulMubarak and that too on Friday is a manifestation of spiritual aspect of Pakistan” he said. It was in this perspective that an International Seerat Centre had been established by the Nazriya Pakistan Council, Islamabad, and initial paperwork for the founding of an International Seerat University was also in progress, he added. However, the credit for all these initiatives goes to late Dr. Majid Nizami who ignited a flame of love for Pakistan in the hearts of thousands of people in Pakistan, Mr. Malik maintained.

Political parties From Page 1

World oil From Page 1 prices closed above US$1,300, after holding above the all important 200DMA (US$1,280).

Buyers were paying close attention to comments from NATO which suggested that Russia had placed 20,000 combat troops ready on Ukraine’s border.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin, also signed an order banning or limiting the import of agricultural products for one year from countries which had supported sanctions against Russia.

Shah advises From Page 1 the country.

Ahmed questioned “why the PTI members took oath as members of the National Assembly if they don’t believe in the mandate of the ruling government?” “If the PTI leadership doesn’t believe in the results of the elections, why did the party set up its government in the KPK province?” he asked.

Russia bans From Page 1 troops on the border in a formation that appears ready to invade.

The United States and European Union last week imposed new sanctions that will cut financing for major Russian banks, restrict technology exports for the oil industry and end much defense-sector purchasing. “If our partners demonstrate a constructive approach towards cooperation issues, the government will be ready to reconsider the timeframe of these measures,” Medvedev told a cabinet meeting on Thursday.—WP

Haji Adeel in reference to Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s revolution march and claims that the incumbent government will not be in power beyond the end of August. Pakistan People’s Party Senator Raza Rabbani also spoke to the media and said that his party stands by democracy, adding that protesting is a constitutional right and the government should not arrest protesters.

Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has advised Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to call an All Parties Conference stating that a political solution will be sought after the sit-in so why can this not be accomplished beforehand.

A delegation of the MQM met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and discussed the marches scheduled to be held by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek.

Endorsing the policy of engagement MQM leader Farooq Sattar said his party is willing to act as a facilitator during the dialogue process between the government, PTI and PAT. Speaking to the media after the meeting, AAMIR MAJEED Sattar said holding protests was the democratic right of political parties but “political engage- KARACHI—The Airports Sement should be exhausted.” curity Force (ASF) staff at the Jinnah International Airport (JIA) Karachi has allegedly beaten up an officer of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s Immigration-Circle.

The FIA officer deployed at From Back Page Karachi airport was trying to The treason case against former president keep two offices, appointment of former Chief enter the airports’ premises to Pervez Musharaff was presided over by Justice Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar were all pre- head towards his office, but he Faisal Arab in the special court. On the com- sented on August 2, 2013. Section officer of was allegedly beaten-up by the mencement of the case hearing, member of the the law division provided the documents re- ASF staff deputed at the main investigative team of Federal Investigation Au- garding the impeachment of the judges and entrance. The victim claimed that thority (FIA) Maqsoodul Hassan was brought appointment of the new judges on August 6, he had reported the incident to 2013 whereas a letter had been written to one his seniors and the ASF authoribefore court for testification.

While getting his statement recordered, of the officers at the cabinet division in order ties, but all of them turned a deaf Maqsood said that he was made the member to provide the minutes of all the high level ear to his complaint, despite asof the investigative team on July 27, 2013. meetings held regarding the promulgation of surances of taking stern action Later, letters were written to the Presidency, emergency rule imposed on November 3. In against the people involved.

Prime Minister Secretariat, law division, cabi- response to the letter, all the documents were However, FIA Immigranet division and other relevant institutions to provided before the inquiry committee on Sep- tion Circle Deputy Director provide all the documents regarding the en- tember 16. Maqsoodul Hassan further stated Javed Akbar Riaz said he had that DG Coordination of the Presidency had tasked his assistant to look into forcement of November 3 emergency.

Maqsoodul Hassan informed the court that provided the notification of appointment of the matter adding that the asdocuments including the directives of PCO Mohsin Hafiz as secretary to the president and sistant and the ASF Chief Sefrom PM Secretariat, enforcement of emer- Sharifuddin Peerzada as advisor to the presi- curity Officer (CSO) had regency, notification for the former president to dent.—NNI solved the issue.

Following a consultative meeting with the prime minister regarding Imran Khan’s ‘Azadi’ march to the capital on August 14, opposition leaders on Thursday extended their support for democracy and backed the government’s call for negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief.

Addressing the media outside the PM house, Awami National Party Senator Haji Adeel said his party supports democracy and urged Imran to start a political dialogue with the government rather than resorting to sit-ins.

Referring to reports that the PTI has drafted demands to be presented to the government, Haji Adeel said that the government should talk to opposition parties and discuss their demands to find a solution.

“The government seems interested in resolving issues through talks,” he said. Further, Haji Adeel said Article 245 should be revoked, adding that protests are the right of every party but added that political parties should guarantee that the protests will be peaceful.

ANP leader Ghulam Ahmed Bilour went a step further and said that the PTI chief should have consulted opposition parties before making any decisions or demands.

“Qadri’s demands are unconstituional,” said

Prosecution terms

FIA officer beaten up by ASF staff at Karachi airport

APNS pays glowing From Page 1 of great merit and his commitment to moral values of the profession. His commitment to ideology of Pakistan, Islam and Kashmir were highlighted by the speakers.

The condolence reference was organized by the Federal Capital Committee of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS).

The Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz, was the chief guest at the condolence reference.

In his address, Sartaj Aziz said, Majid Nizami was an outstanding human beings of great qualities. He always upheld human values and stood for truth and high moral principles. He was deeply committed to promoting healthy journalism in the country. Majid Nizami had passion for Pakistan ideology and worked for the national causes. His commitment to Kashmir cause was exemplary.

Sartaj Aziz stressed the need to carry forward the mission of Majid Nizami so that Pakistan could make progress as was envisioned by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. He endorsed the proposal for the setting up of Majid Nizami University.

He said, the proposed university would play a leading role in promoting journalism in Pakistan on the lines practiced by the Majid Nizami.

Former Chairman of Pakistan Steel Mills and Pakistan Ordnance Factory (POF) Wah, Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qayyum said Majid Nizami was not only a great human being and a role model journalist, he was also a person of rich insight and had complete knowledge of challenges to Pakistan. Gen Qayum shared with the audience memories of a number of meetings with Majid Nizami. “In those meetings, I chanced to observe him from close quarters and I discovered he was a man of few words and strong character.”

About his insight, Gen Qayum said Majid Nizami often said we should not trust India.

He said that every government took guidance from Majid Nizami’s philosophy that peace with India was impossible without resolution Kashmir dispute.

Senior intellectual and former chairman of National Language Authority

LHC larger From Page 1 Additional Attorney general Naseer Ahmed Bhutta told the court that the opposition parties have not yet granted an application permitting Azadi March. The matter will be looked into once the application for Azadi March permission is received.

Justice Khalid Mehmood while ordering formation of larger bench to hear the case filed to stop Azadi March, said that the issue is very sensitive and should be handled carefully.

Earlier yesterday, Justice Khalik Mehmood Khan of LHC had sought assistance of attorney general and advocate general Punjab to decide the maintainability of the petition seeking a restraining order against “Azadi March”.

Prof Fateh Mohammd Malik said Majid Nizami was a bold, committed Pakistani.

“He did not merely do journalism, he actually served Pakistan with devotion and commitment. Majid Nizami was known for confronting with the successive dictatorial regimes of Gen Ayub, Gen Yahya Khan and Gen Ziaul Haq, said Prof Malik.

Khushnood Ali Khan said a large number of journalists were inspired by Majid Nizami. “Today, we can call ourselves custodians of his legacy.” He demanded of the government to set up a university after Majid Nizami’s name.

Prominent journalist Malik Fida-urRehman said Majid Nizami was a great patriot and role model for journalists who stood for ethical journalism.

Senator Razina Alam Khan called Majid Nizami a soldier of Pakistan. “When I as member of the Punjab University Syndicate broke the news of conferring honrary Ph.D degree, Majid Nizami did not show much excitement and gave a smile instead. “This shows his contentment,” said Alam.

Tikka Khan General Secretary of Pakistan Akhbar Farosh Union also shared a number of fond memories. “I had a love-enmity relation with Majid Nizami.

On personal level, he never showed any sign of vindictiveness,” said Tikka Khan. Tikka Khan also lauded NPC Chairman Zahid Malik for organizing reference in Majid Nizami’s

memory.

Raja Shafqat Abbasi, Chairman of Press Council of Pakistan, called Majid Nizami a towering personality. “He was like a huge, shady tree who never cared for worldly gains when it came to Pakistan or Ideology of Pakistan. Even Waqt TV of Nawa-i-Waqt Group followed Majid Nizami’s policy and aired decent and pro-Pakistan programmes.

M Bilal Advocate called Majid Nizami a kind, loving person who remained committed to Pakistan till the last day of his life.

Mian Muhammad Javed Senior Vice President of Nazriya Pakistan Council said Majid Nizami remained steadfast and kept promoting Islamic socialism despite different tides of socialism, secularism and Materialism. Whenever Pakistan faced foreign waves of ‘isms’ people of Pakistan resorted to Nawa-i-Waqt for guidance. Majid Nizami single-handedly defeated all such anti-Pakistan and anti-Islamic waves, said Mian Javed.

Rukhsana Solat also paid rich tributes to Majid Nizami and expressed condolences with Rameeza Majid Nizami, the daughter of Majid Nizami, who, however was not present in the condolence reference.

Zafar Bakhtawari called Majid Nizami a custodian of Pakistan’s ideological identity. During the last 67 years, Majid Nizami kept preaching love for Pakistan and his faith in Pakistan’s progress and prosperity did not waver even for a single day, said Bakhtawari.

Heavy police on charges of inciting people to violence, waging war against the state and promoting terrorism.

The party workers said that if their leader was detained then the state administration would be responsible for the security situation. PAT principal secretary GM Malik had claimed that around 3,000 activists had gathered at the Minhajul Quran secretariat ahead of Youm-e-Shuhada.

On the other hand, when Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmood-urRasheed tried to visit the residence of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, the police officials deployed on the pickets denied him to access Qadri. Rasheed warned to stage sit-in if the sealed roads not reopened.

From Page 1 The presence of large police contingents in the area and road blocks causing hardships for the residents of the area.

Moreover, police has launched a crackdown against the activists of Awami Tehreek in Lahore and other cities of Punjab to stop their participation in the martyrs day announced by Dr. Tahirul Qadri and detained more than 150 PAT workers from Faislabad, Sahiwal, Vehari, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot and Sheikhupura.

Qazi Faiz, a spokesman for Qadri, said 538 activists had been arrested but could not provide names. According to police, a case under MPO 16 has been registered against the arrested people. According to sources, PAT workers are moving to safer places to avoid arrest.

Addressing the media, Pakistan Awami Tehreek President Dr Raheeq Abbasi said that dozens of PAT workers were arrested while demanded the government to immediately release them.

Earlier, it was reported that the Punjab government was considering putting the Dr Tahirul Qadri’s name on Exit Control List (ECL) after lodging of an FIR against him for provoking people to violence.

The sources in the government claim that the Punjab government is seriously considering barring Qadri traveling abroad and in this regard, the high level meetings were held but no final decision has been taken so far.

ET declares From Back Page Tribunal on Thursday declared Hafeez Ud Din’s victory from PS-93 in general elections2013 as void.

The judgment of the Election Tribunal declaring PTI leader’s victory as void over rigging the polls would be a huge blow on PTI that was on streets alleging Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz led federal government of rigging the general elections-2013.

The Election Tribunal in other sense maintained JI’s point of view that PTI candidate had rigged the polls, which in broader terms could be a manifest of distrust on PTI leadership as JI Ameer had despite a coalition partner of PTI in KPK government, called on Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

PTI MPA Hafeez Ud Din had secured 15322 votes while JI candidate Abdul Razzaque could claim 11800 votes in his favour in general elections-2013.

Britain plans to suspend From Page 1 tially one of reacting to events parts.

CAAT says Israeli equip- and not taking sufficient acment used in Gaza in the 2008- count of the nature of the re9 conflict “almost certainly” gimes concerned at the point contained UK-supplied com- when the decision is made to approve the export licence or ponents.

CAAT has called on the UK not.’’—TNN government to stop promoting arms sales to oppressive regimes and end its policy of “arms control by embarrassment.’’

It said “the government’s arms export policy is essen-

Seeks asylum in US

Qadri claims Sharif family plan to flee Pakistan MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —Chairman Pakistan Awami

Modi to visit Siachen NEW DELHI— Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to visit forward posts in the Siachen GlacierSaltoro Ridge region later this month, where 900 Indian soldiers have been killed since 1984. Modi is slated to visit Leh and Kargil districts to dedicate two hydro-electric projects next week and would use the occasion to visit the glacial heights of Siachen.

“Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag will accompany him to the forward posts,” said an official.

Indian soldiers control almost all the dominating heights, ranging from 16,000 to 22,000 feet, in the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge region, where more soldiers are killed due to the harsh weather and avalanches than enemy fire.—INP

MATTA, Swat: PTI Chairman Imran Khan and KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak inaugurating work on 150 KW micro hydel power station at Bar Lalkoo-Sakhra village to launch series of such 356 small hydro power stations for catering the electricity needs of remote village in Malakand division.

Nawaz Sharif’s ‘monarchy’ to end on Aug 14: Imran Imran Khan said on Thursday that it has become essential to take to streets for justice if justice cannot be served through the proper channels, adding that his movement will end Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ’s ‘monarchy’ on August 14.

Addressing the opening ceremony of hydal powerhouse as part of ‘Khushhali ki Dastak (Knocking of prosperity)’ programme, Khan said Jihad means striving and fighting for rights, adding that his

JI candidate proves PTI leader rigged polls

K ABUL —U.S.

ET declares void MPA Hafeez’s victory

Civilian martial law imposed on Lahore: Shujaat Salim Ahmed L AHORE —Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President and former Prime Minister Senator Ch Shujat Hussain has asked Shahbaz Sharif to have open debate on TV, prove them banks defaulters, journalists be the judges and suggest punishment, merely resignation was no punishment. Addressing a press conference at his residence here Thursday, Ch Shujat Hussain said civilian martial law has been imposed on Lahore.

OBSERVER REPORT

L A H O R E —As opposition SWAT—Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman party and supporters are taking to the parties consult both the streets for the purpose of obtaining ‘jus-

Kerry in Kabul Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Afghanistan on Thursday for his second visit in under a month to push a deal between the country’s two presidential candidates on how to share power after an audit of a disputed election is complete. Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah shook hands on an agreement to resolve the election row after Kerry’s visit in July, but they remain far apart on critical components of their pact to form a united government. Although a painstaking audit of all eight million ballots cast in the second round of voting is underway, neither candidate has openly endorsed the process and the deadlock has raised the spectre of violent conflict along ethnic lines.—Reuters

PPP is appeasing both sides: Qureshi

IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI—Pakistan Tehreek-e Insaf gets a knockout punch from its coalition partner, Jamat-e Islami in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa provincial government in Sindh province. Despite in coalition government, JI did not relax on chasing PTI leader, member provincial assembly Sindh, Syed Hafeez Ud Din over his victory in general elections-2013 from PS-93 Orangi Town, Karachi.

JI losing candidate Abdul Razzaque had moved Election Tribunal (EP) while challenging victory of Hafeez Ud Din, which took a whole year for the Election Tribunal to say its final verdict. The Election Continued on Page 7

government and agitated Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) over the latter’s demand that the prime minister step down, senior PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi accuses the Pakistan Peoples Party of appeasing both sides.

“They are sending different signals to both parties,” Qureshi told media in a telephone conversation.

“If they are with the government, they should openly announce their allegiance.

If they are with the opposition, then they should make it public.” fight terrorism,” she said.

The PPP appears to be Tasnim Aslam said as “confused”, he added.

Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised, terrorism is a common enemy affecting the whole region and mutual efforts must be made by all sides for combating it effectively. Leveling baseless allegations serve no useful purpose, she added. “It only benefits the enemies of peace and undermines the Q UETTA —At least two seprospects of a cordial rela- curity personnel and seven tionship between the broth- militants were killed and more erly people of Pakistan and than 20 others injured in Afghanistan”, she re- Turbat operation on Thursday after unidentified gunmarked.

She said the launch of men opened fire at a security military operation Zarb-i- forces’ convoy.

Home Minister Azb was the clearest reflection of Pakistan’s resolve to Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz fight terrorism without any Bugti confirmed that seven discrimination or distinction. militants were killed and more “The operation was than 20 injured in the clashes, based on Pakistan’s own adding that weapons were national interest and backed also recovered from the possession of militants.—NNI by national consensus.

tice’ and ‘rights’.

Imran Khan said that Pakistan became independent on August 14, 1947, claiming that Pakistan never got the real freedom.

He said his movement will ‘gift’ the freedom to the people of Pakistan on August 14. Khan said that a trader is currently ruling the country, adding that a trader can rule as a monarch but cannot solve problems of the people.

Afghan allegations of cross border terrorism rejected STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Foreign Office on Thursday rejected the Afghan government’s statements accusing it of involvement in cross-border terrorism.

Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam in her weekly briefing told reporters that Pakistan has expressed dismay over the string of allegations

by Afghanistan’s National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs maligning Pakistan’s security institutions.

“Pakistan reiterates its categorical rejection of Afghan allegations of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorist attacks and crossborder shelling”, the FO spokesperson said in the capital. “We also firmly reject any statements vilifying Pakistan’s commitment to

Two security men, seven militants die in Turbat operation

Musharraf treason case

Prosecution terms record tampering allegations baseless I SLAMABAD —Prosecutor

Akram Sheikh submitted his written testimony in the special court in Islamabad on Thursday. According to Sheikh, the record tampering allegations are baseless and ridiculous. He demanded the rejection of defense counsel’s application. The hearing of Musharraf treason case was led by Justice Faisal Arab in a three-member special court in Islamabad.

The original tape of Musharraf’s emergency speech was shown in the court. Both English and Urdu versions of the speech were presented.

The prosecutor Akram Sheikh submitted his written testimony in response to the defense counsel’s application requesting the court to take custody of all the official records. The defense counsel claimed dealing with records with full honesty. In response, Akram Sheikh labeled the allegations of record tampering as baseless.

He said that FIA has not ordered any roznamcha, instead 9 diaries have been sought which can be presented in court in sealed envelopes. He demanded cancellation of defense counsel’s application calling it un-

founded. Justice Arab said that in case the defense counsel disagrees, the court will not permit presenting the diaries as evidence. The court was adjourned till 12 August. Earlier on Wednesday, special courts had directed the prosecutor to present the original video cassette of Pervez Musharaff ’s November 3, 2007 speech.

The court has issued a notice to the prosecutor on the request of taking the defendant counsel’s records into custody.

Continued on Page 7

Tehreek (PAT) Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri revealed on Thursday that sitting rulers, Sharif family in particular, had planned to flee the country and seek asylum in the United States.

Speaking to media in Lahore at the Secretariat of Minhaj-ul-Quran, the PAT chief Dr Qadri said Sharif family had decided to seek shelter in the US. They have applied even for a visa of their house maid, named Marium Nazir. While Firasat Hussain, their special cook, is also among the enlisted applicants among four visa applications.

Their forms are attested by Hamza Shahbaz, said Dr Qadri.

He claimed that the US Embassy fixed August 18 date for interview of visa applicants, however Sharif family filed an application seeking early interview under ‘the highest consideration’. “Leaders are planning to flee the country. They are ready to leave the country. Neither Saudi Arabia will provide them asylum nor Britain will give them any protection,” stated Dr. Qadri. Regarding reports of his name being placed on the ECL, Dr. Qadri said he would not leave Pakistan without bringing about revo-

lution. He exhorted to rulers, “We will place you on the Exit Control List (ECL). People will hold your accountability. I’m here to forge rule of law, the rule of God and to eliminate corruption and rigging and for the accountability of looters. No matter the government is planning to put me on the ECL, I assure you that I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

He asked if it was a government visit then why Khadim-e-Aala (Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif) was taking along their cooks and other maids. Dr. Qadri stressed people to come out of their homes and stop rulers from fleeing the country.

He said cases were made against his party workers and supporters while some cases were afoot. The PAT chief said the ‘unconstitutional and illegal’ government was about to collapse now.

“Punjab police raided houses of PAT workers …this speaks volumes about their [government] defeat which is now panicking. They are not in a position to defend or stop this imminent revolution,” added Dr. Qadri.

Revolution is reaching its success.

Leaders have confessed their defeat and revolution. Government has lost their war on mental grounds.

Islamic State takes control of Iraq’s largest Christian town Yazidis flee to Turkish border K IRKUK /D IYARBAKIR —Militants took over Iraq’s largest Christian town Qaraqosh and surrounding areas on Thursday and sent tens of thousands of panicked residents fleeing towards autonomous Kurdistan, officials and witnesses said.

Islamic State militants moved in overnight after the withdrawal of Kurdish peshmerga troops, who are stretched thin across several fronts in Iraq, residents said.

“I now know that the towns of Qaraqosh, Tal Kayf, Bartella and Karamlesh have been emptied of their original population and are now under the control of the militants,” Joseph Thomas, the Chaldean archbishop of Kirkuk and Sulaimaniyah, told AFP. Qaraqosh is an entirely Christian town which lies between Mosul, the militants’ main hub in Iraq, and Arbil, the Kurdish region’s capital. It usually has a population of around 50,000.

“It’s a catastrophe, a tragic situation.

We call on the UN Security Council to immediately intervene. Tens of thousands of terrified people are being displaced as we speak, it cannot be described,” the archbishop said.

Tal Kayf, the home of a significant Christian community as well as members of the Shabak Shia minority, also emptied overnight.

“Tal Kayf is now in the hands of the Islamic State. They faced no resistance and rolled in just after midnight,” said Boutros Sargon, a resident who fled the town and was reached by phone in Arbil.

“I heard some gunshots last night and

when I looked outside, I saw a military convoy from the Islamic State. They were shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greatest),” he said.

Meanwhile, thousands of Iraqis, predominantly from the minority Yazidi ethnic group, have fled to the Turkish border to escape an advance by Islamic State fighters in northern Iraq, local officials said on Thursday.

Around 150 Yazidis were placed in state residences in Turkey’s southeastern Sirnak province and around the nearby city of Batman after crossing the Habur border gate late on Wednesday, the officials said.

“Those who have passports crossed the border, but thousands of people who don’t are waiting at the other side,” said Seyfettin Aydemir, the mayor of Sirnak’s Silopi district. “We’re in talks with regional lawmakers about the situation,” he said.

Islamic State militants extended their gains in northern Iraq on Thursday, seizing more towns and strengthening a foothold near the Kurdish region in an offensive that has alarmed Baghdad and regional powers.

Turkey, already housing more than a million refugees from the war in neighbouring Syria, is building a refugee camp in northern Iraq to try to provide aid on the Iraqi side of the border.

The Islamic State regards the Yazidis, followers of an ancient religion derived from Zoroastrianism and part of the Iraq’s Kurdish minority, as “devil worshippers”, making them prime targets for the militants.—AFP

China approves 14 power projects of 10,400 MW ISLAMABAD—The Chinese government has Thar (Coal fired) 1320 MW and Karot (Hyapproved 14 power projects to generate 10,400 megawatts of electricity immediately while some more projects of 6445MW would be completed in the second phase.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif congratulated his energy and economic teams on obtaining approval of the Chinese government for putting the said 14 power projects.

Among the projects approved by the Chinese government included Port Qasim (Coal Fired) to generate 1320 MW, Sukki Kanari (Hydropower) 870 MW, Sahiwal (Coal Fired) 1320 MW, Engro Thar (Coal FiredMining of Block 2) 660 MW, Muzaffargarh (Coal Fired) 1320 MW, Gwadar (Coal fired) 300 MW, Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park (Cholistan) 1000 MW, United Energy (Wind power,Karachi) 100 MW, Dawood (Wind power,Karachi) 50 MW, Sachal (Wind power) 50 MW, Sunnec (Wind power) 50 MW, Rahimyar Khan (Coal fired) 1320 MW, SSRL

Published by: Zahid Malik from Ali Akbar House Markaz G-8, Islamabad and printed by Gauhar Zahid Malik at Al Umar Printers

dropower) 720 MW. These projects would be started immediately and put into operation by the year 20172018. In addition, there are few other power generation projects totaling to 6445 MW which would be completed in the second phase on fast track basis.

The Prime Minister said this gesture of the Chinese government manifested the deep cordial relations the country has with Pakistan as well as showing the confidence of the international community in the policies of government.

The Prime Minister expressed his pleasure noting that the MoUs Pakistan had signed with China in the recent past were now being translated into on-ground projects. He expressed the confidence that this massive addition to the power sector of the country would prove immensely beneficial in overcoming electricity shortage.—APP

Study finds a gene mutation increases breast cancer risk

W

OMEN with mutations in a gene called PALB2 have a one in three chance of developing breast cancer by age 70, according to research that suggests PALB2 is almost as important a risk factor as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are widely known as breast cancer risk genes.

Women with a mutation in one or both often decide to have their breasts removed so they do not develop the disease.

Last year, actress Angelina Jolie went public with her decision to undergo prophylactic mastectomy after she tested positive for a BRCA mutation. Mutations in the same genes also increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, researchers reported they had analyzed data from 154 families without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, which included 362 family members with PALB2 gene mutations.

They found that women who carried rare mutations in PALB2 had on average a 35 percent chance of developing breast cancer by the time they were 70 years old. But the risks were highly dependent on family history of breast cancer, the researches said.

Those with more relatives affected by breast cancer were at higher risk.

“We’re learning all the time about the different factors that may influence a woman’s chances of developing breast can-

cer,” said Peter Johnson, chief clinician at the charity Cancer Research UK, which part-funded the study. “This particular mutation doesn’t make people certain to develop cancer, but it’s another piece of information to help women make proper informed choices about how they may help to minimize their own risk.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. The World Health Organisation estimates it killed more than 508,000 women in 2011. Marc Tischkowitz from the department of medical genetics at Britain’s University of Cambridge, who led the study, said that since the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were discovered in the mid-1990s, no other genes of similar importance have been identified.

This new finding, however, makes PALB2 a potential candidate to be the third most important genetic risk factor for breast cancer.

“Now that we have identified this gene, we are in a position to provide genetic counseling and advice,” he said in a statement about the research. “If a woman is found to carry this mutation, we would recommend additional surveillance, such as MRI breast screening.” The researchers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge have developed a clinical test for PALB2 which they said will become part of their service on Britain’s taxpayerfunded National Health Service. Clinical testing for PALB2 is also available in certain other diagnostic laboratories worldwide, they said.

OIC serves as an effective body for the cause of oppressed Muslims STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Chairman, Senate Defence Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayyed on Thursday expressed the hope that with the election of new Secretary General, the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) will be injected with new vigor, vitality and dynamism as the voice of the Muslim Ummah.

He expressed these remarks while receiving the new OIC Secretary General, Iyad Ameed Madani here at the Parliament House, alongwith a group of parliamentarians, said a press release issued here.

Welcoming the OIC Secretary General, Senator Mushahid Hussain said that Pakistan attaches high hopes that with a new leadership, the OIC will finally be able to fulfill the expectation of Muslims all over the world.

He said that OIC serves as an effective spokesman for the cause of oppressed Muslims be Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production exchanging they in Palestine, Kashmir or views with Iyad Ameen Abdullah Madani, OIC Secretary General.

Myanmar.

Referring to the fact that the new and projected effectively”.

Mushahid regretted the fact that the Saudi Arabia in 1973 when he launched Prominent Senate leaders including crimes against humanity committed by the oil embargo to punish the Western OIC Secretary General is a former journalist and Minister for Information, Senators Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Israel in Gaza have also exposed the im- supporters of Israel.

The Chairman Senate Defence Senator Mushahid urged the need for Afrasiab Khattak, Sehar Kamran, potence and the incompetence of Muslim regimes who have failed to take any Committee also reminded the OIC Sec- the OIC to have an effective media pres- Farhatullah Babar and Saeeda Iqbal also effective measures to counter Israeli ag- retary General that Quaid-i-Azam ence globally so that the OIC voice is spoke on the occasion and gave new gression or support the struggling Pal- Mohammad Ali Jinnah personally pre- heard and he also called for the revival proposals which were appreciated. Orsented the resolution on Palestine on of the International Islamic News ganization of Islamic Countries (OIC) estinians of Gaza.

In this regard, he praised the cou- March 23, 1940 at Lahore along with Agency (IINA), so that “our narrative is a body representing 57 Muslim Counon issues facing Muslims is promoted tries of the world. rageous role of King Faisal Shaheed of the Pakistan Resolution.

IRI publishes more than 250 books on Islamic subjects I SLAMABAD —Islamic Re-

Activists of Shia Ulema Council, women wing, holding a protest demonstration against Israeli attack on Gaza.

All preventive measures being taken against dengue virus STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Capital Development Authority (CDA), is taking all preventive measures against the growth and spread of Dengue Virus during the ongoing Monsoon season in the Federal Capital. In this regard special teams of Health Services Directorate of CDA have geared up drive in different areas of the city against the dengue virus.

A meeting to review the arrangements about the anti-dengue campaign was held here on Thursday, which was chaired by the Member Administration and Estate, Amer Ali Ahmed. On this occasion Director General Civic Management, Director Health Services, Director Enforcement and officers of concerned formations of the Authority were also present.

Member Administration and Estate said that complete eradication of dengue virus should be our priority, adding that special teams of Health Services Directorate in collaboration with the other concerned formations of the Authority must step up against the dengue virus and play their active role for elimi-

nation of this deadly virus from the city.

Amer Ali Ahmed said that we should pay heed to overcome the growth of dengue virus adding that anti-dengue teams must ensure fumigation and spray through out the city especially in katchi abadis and in and around nullahs.

He directed the concerned formations of the Authority for removal of shrubs, wild bushes and trimming of grass as well as proper disposal of garbage and solid waste which are the potential breeding places of Dengue larva.

Member Administration and Estate directed the Sanitation Directorate to wipe out stagnant water from the roads and streets and issue notices to the violators of Municipal Bylaws in addition of challan notices.

Member Administration and Estate directed the Enforcement Directorate to take action against the tyre shops owners, if they do not comply with Municipal Bylaws and confiscate their goods. He directed for dissemination of informative literature and asked the concerned formations of the Authority to distribute the pamphlets among the public inscribed with preventive measures against the dengue virus.

UNODC meeting on human trafficking to enhance information sharing

search Institute (IRI) of InterS TAFF R EPORTER national Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) has published I SLAMABAD —The participants at 3rd more than 250 books on vari- Regional UNODC meeting on human ous Islamic subjects dealing trafficking and migrant smuggling mostly with Islamic Law and routes on Thursday deliberated upon History, Philosophy, Educa- practical solutions to enhance information, Culture and other areas. tion sharing amongst regional countries.

The two-day meeting is being held This was stated by Deputy Director General Islamic Re- here as part of United Nation’s global search Institute (IRI) Dr. Suhail fight against human trafficking and miHasan, while talking to APP grant smuggling under its Global Plan of Action. here on Thursday.

The opening session was addressed He said that these books had been equally appreciated by Cesar Guedes, the Representative by people belonging to different schools of thought in the country and had served as good models of serious and responsible research not only in modern universities but also in the institutions of traditional religious schools.

He said that during the last S TAFF R EPORTER few years the Institute has made concerted efforts to improve the production quality of ISLAMABAD —The Government of Pakistan has issued a notification to apits publications.—APP point Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan as Vice Chief of The Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force. Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan was commissioned in Pakistan Air Force in 1979 in GD (P) Branch. He is an accomplished Fighter Pilot and a qualified Flying Instructor. He is a graduate of Combat Commanders’ School, UK Staff College and National Defence University. His career has encompassed a wide range of operational, training and command assignments.

He holds Master’s Degree in Defence Studies from Kings College UK

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Pakistan.

Senior law enforcement officials from Bahrain, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan gathered here to discuss the emerging routes and challenges related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling in the region.

On the occasion, Cesar Guedes said this form of crime exploits and victimizes millions around the world each year and countries in the region need to work together to devise an effective strategy for eliminating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

He also reiterated the need to fight this global menace and the urgency to find regional solutions as it effects the lives of millions around the globe, especially women and children.

He assured that UNODC office in Pakistan would continue to support and strengthen efforts of the government of Pakistan in eliminating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

The opening session also witnessed the presence of several ambassadors including Australian High Commissioner, Peter Heyward along with members of the diplomatic community.

Air Marshal Sohail Gul Khan appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force and a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from National Defence University, Islamabad.

During his illustrious career in PAF, he has commanded a Fighter Wing, Combat Commanders’ School, an Operational Air Base and Regional Air Command. He remained on various important command and staff appointments including Director General Air Force Strategic Command, Air Officer Commanding Northern Air Command, Director General Logistic Joint Staff Headquarters, and Chairman Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra. He is also a recipient of Tamga-i-Imtiaz (Military), Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Military) and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military).

Civil society highlights importance of breast feeding STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Civil Society and NGOs have demanded of the government to implement and enforce the standards and recommendations with regard to breastfeeding. They made this demand at a consultation meeting organized by The Network for Consumer Protection (TN) and Child Rights Movement (CRM) in collaboration with Save the Children here on Thursday.

Opening the consultation Nadeem Iqbal, Executive Director of The Network ex-

plained the theme of World Breastfeeding Week for 2014 and highlighted its importance.

World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated every year from August 1-7 in more than 170 countries to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world. This year, breastfeeding advocates in over 175 countries worldwide are celebrating the WBW theme ‘BREASTFEEDING: A Winning Goal - for Life!’ highlighting that achieving the Millennium Development Goals (especially MDGs 4 and 5) re-

quires more early, exclusive and continued breastfeeding.

Anwar Shahzad, representative of the Child Rights Movement expressed that the overall objective of consultation is to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices by understanding the reasons of its static progress.

He stressed the need for discussing the role of civil society organizations for protection and promotion of breastfeeding in Pakistan. Other participants of the meeting called for implementation of breastfeeding and marketing code; effective target-

ing of healthcare providers for improved breastfeeding counselling; revision of undergraduate curriculum with a greater emphasis on good infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices; creation of baby-friendly health facilities, formulation of behavior change strategies to promote the culture of breastfeeding; development of effective messages on IYCF and counselling of women of all education levels. At the end an action plan was developed for follow up on the recommendations made during the consultation.

Motorcyclists taking shelter under a tree during heavy rain which lashed the twin cities on Thursday.

Walls in twin cities shine with Independence Day paintings Fajar Zohr Asr

04:50 01:30 05:30

Meghrab at Sunset Isha 09:10 Brothers in Islam establish regular prayers & charity

Five outlaws held, drugs, weapons recovered R AWALPINDI —Rawalpindi police have arrested five outlaws and recovered drugs, weapons from their possession here on Thursday.

According to police, Morgah police arrested Zubair Khan and recovered 150 grams charas from his possession while R.A Bazaar police held Shahid Masih and recovered 330 liter of liquor from his possession.

Airport police arrested Ihsan-ul-Haq and recovered a pistol 30 bore along 3 round from his custody. Chuntra police nabbed Babar Iftikhar and recovered a pistol 30 bore along 3 round from his possession. Kotli Sattain police held Muhammad Suhail and recovered a pistol 30 bore along 2 rounds from his possession. Police has registered separate cases against all of them and started investigation.—APP

Dengue virus threat looming RAWALPINDI—District Coordination Officer DCO Sajid Zafar Dal has said that dengue eruption is feared as the monsoon season has set in, therefore, public should coordination to remove all possible breeding grounds of dengue virus. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting held at his office here on Thursday.

DCO said that dengue virus can only be eliminated with coordinated and combined efforts,therefore an individual level and government departments should perform their responsibilities for the elimination of dengue with devotion and diligence. He also said that fumigation and spray must be ensured.—APP

STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Walls in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are giving a glittering look these days as talented youth are painting Independence Day paintings on these to express their love for the country.

The gorgeous paintings also show strength of hope as being united besides highlighting youth’s determination to add great value to Pakistan with their contributions as true Pakistanis. Every painting is an effort and a master piece in itself, showing the positive side of life and soft image of the country. Most of the youth taking part in wall paintings hail from various schools, colleges and universities of the two cities.

The paintings contain writing such as ‘14th August Happy Independence Day, 14th August Day to celebrate harmony, equality, peace’, ‘Love your freedom, Love your Pakistan’, ‘Jashn-e-Azadi Mubarak, Happy Independence Day Pakistan, Realize the importance of Independence Day, sab say pehlay Pakistan (Pakistan comes first), Advance Independence Day wishes, Freedom is the right to live as you wish and 14th August, the Day of Sacrifice, the Day of Love, the Day of Decision.

Noreen, a student of M.A Economics while sharing her idea of freedom said, “Independence of Pakistan is not only the sense of belonging, but a sense of contribution and existence in every step that our nation takes.”

She also believed that it were people who make the nation saying, “Independence is not just what we feel but it means our duties towards the nation.”

Mumtaz Ali, a student of B.A, who was busy in painting a wall in the Capital said,”Independence means the freedom of choice in whatever we do. It is a great gift given to us by our forefather.”

Meanwhile, the government’s 30-day celebrations

to mark Independence Day, which began on August 1 are in full swing. The government last month had announced to hold a range of ceremonies. The assortment of ceremonies will continue during the entire month of August. The citizens have started raising national flag on their homes and vehicles.

During the night of August 13 there will be a march

A view of wall painted in connection with Independence Day celebrations.

CDA asked to address problems of industry on priority basis STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by Acting President Muhammad Ali Mirza called on Mr. Amir Ali Ahmed, Member Administration CDA and briefed him about the problems of business community for redress. Appreciating the efforts of Chairman CDA Mr. Maroof Afzal and Member Admn Mr. Amir Ali Ahmed for better development of Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Mirza said that CDA had promised to address the problems of industrial areas in Islamabad, but the same have not been redressed as yet due to which industrialists are facing many problems in production activities.

He said CDA should take urgent measures to address all issues of industry on priority to facilitate the growth of industrialization. He said CDA’s current tough policy of industrial trade change is a big hurdle in growth of industry and stressed that CDA should open industrial trade change except for negative list. He said open trade change policy will yield positive results as it will encourage industrialization, create jobs and increase CDA’s revenue as well. He said CDA’s byelaws have become quite old now and emphasized that CDA should bring modifica-

past and fly past in front of the Parliament House. August 14 will dawn with a 21 gun salute and special prayers for the country.

A national flag hoisting ceremony will be held either at the Aiwan-i-Sadr or Convention Centre. Azadi walks have also been planned in different cities on the Independence Day. Besides musical bands will be play-

tions in its byelaws to cater to the needs of current day’s trade and industry.

He said CDA should also allow construction of 5 storey buildings on industrial plots and allow setting up of IT & allied industries, which will help the industry to flourish. He said CDA should withdraw all notices to industry as such notices are creating harassment in industrialists.

He assured that ICCI will cooperate with CDA in Independence Day celebrations. Speaking at the occasion, Amir Ali Ahmed, Member Administration CDA said that businessmen are playing an important role in promoting the local economy and CDA will take all possible measures to facilitate them.

He said CDA will give serious consideration to highlighted issues including open industrial trade change policy and construction of multistorey buildings on industrial plots. He said work is already in process to upgrade building byelaws in order to facilitate the growth of business activities. He said CDA is taking many initiatives, which will hopefully help the trade and industry to grow smoothly. Both organizations reiterated to work closely to address the concerns of entrepreneurs as well as complement each other for the better development of Islamabad as a modern city.

Half of construction work of Metro Bus Project completed STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The construction work of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus multi-billion mega Project is at full swing with half of the work completed and it is a well optimistic approach that the project would be completed well in time. With the completion of this mass transit project, it would help cater thousands of passengers in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The project, that was launched in March, this year and is scheduled to be completed before the end of current year.

Chairman of the Project, Muhammad Hanif Abbasi, in a statement has termed the project as a unique example of speed, trans-

R AWALPINDI —Jamaat-i-Islami urged Muslim Ummah to take unified stand on Israel aggression and has denounced the bombing and ground operation by the Israel troops in Palestine, leaving 3,000 of people including children, women dead and injured. This was told in “Qibla Awal Conference” held at Rawalpindi Press Club here.

RAWALPINDI—The residents of Kotli Sattain attacked the police station and thrashed Station House Officer (SHO) who allegedly uttered objectionable remarks against the Satti caste here.

The protestors also blocked Kotli Sattian and Lehterar Road for traffic movement and chanted slogans against Rawalpindi police and demanded Chief Minister and Inspector General of Police Punjab to take action. According to details, SHO PS Kotli Sattian Raja Lehrasib invited two parties, who were in litigation over property, for settlement.

During the conversations, Raja used derogatory language against the Satti caste which infuriated the elders of the area.—APP

AWT plaza catches fire

Long march to have bad affect

RAWALPINDI—Army Welfare Trust (AWT) plaza situated on guished. Luckily, no casualty and major financial loss was ISLAMABAD—President All Pathe Mall road caught fire due to short circuit here Thursday, Rescue 1122 reported. Soon after receiving a call that the plaza had caught fire, Rescue 1122 reached the spot.

After hectic efforts by fire fighters the fire was extin-

reported.

The AWT plaza has various important offices including Askari Security, Askari Cement and Askari Bank for the last many years.—APP

Workshop on Applied Economics inaugurated at QAU STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —A 5 Days workshop on Applied Economics organized by School of Economics, Quaid-i-Azam University in collaboration with HEC inaugurated here at QAU. The Main objective of the workshop was to introduce statistical tools available in Econometrics software Eviews, RATS, Stata, SPSS and LaTeX to the young scholars.

During these five days various un-

derlying econometric techniques will be discussed in detail that can easily be applied by using the software. Almost eighty one faculty members, PhD and MPhil students, and researchers from thirty-three universities/Institutes have participated in the workshop.

Prof. Dr. Eatzaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor QAU, formally inaugurated the workshop. While addressing the participants he appreciated the efforts of the faculty of School of Economics for conducting the workshop.

He mentioned that QAU should keep on playing active role of capacity builder for empirical research in various institutes. “The use of software is increasing day by day in qualitative as well as in quantitative research.

Therefore developing a better understanding to these software, will enable researchers to conduct their research of good quality” said the Vice Chancellor. He assured the participants that such events in QAU will continue in future on a regular basis.

parency and standard claiming that its successful launching would silence its critics.

In its latest development, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has also approved the construction of a metro bus depot worth Rs1.5 billion that would be set up at Sector H-9 near Sunday bazaar.

The PC-I would get the go-ahead from the Planning Commission next week and the construction work would start the same day.

The metro bus depot would be constructed on 15 acres of land while the CDA had already transferred the land to the Punjab government which would accommodate more than 64 buses besides housing a restaurant, diesel filling station, service station and workshops.

With the completion of project, the temporary inconvenience of citizens in the twin cities would change into a permanent relief.

The Metro Bus Service Project is a public welfare project and every effort is being made for its speedy completion, while ensuring its quality and the project will be state-ofthe-art in every respect and it will bring about a revolutionary change in the transport system.

The land acquiring process for setting up 10 bus terminals for metro bus was underway. These terminals would be set up at Flashman Hotel Cantt, Mareer Hassan, Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Waris Khan, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rehmanabad, Sixth Road, Shamsabad and Faizabad.

Muslim Ummah urged to take united stand on Israeli aggression

Police station in Kotli Sattian attacked

Firefighters struggling to extinguish fire that erupted in Army Welfare Trust building due to short circuit.

ing national tunes in different parks across the country.

Similar ceremonies and events will also be held abroad in Pakistan diplomatic missions. According to the government, all parliamentarians will be asked to visit graves of martyrs in their respective areas and lay wreaths, offer prayers and meet their families to express solidarity. Special programmes will be also held for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) to express solidarity with them.

Pakistan Railways will run a special Azadi Train (Independence Train) which will begin its journey from Peshawar on August 11 and after covering a distance of 4,000 kilometers reach Karachi on September 11.Two compartments of the train will be allocated to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) for highlighting Freedom Movement and sacrifices of the armed forces.

One compartment will be allocated to Pakistan Railways to highlight Pakistan’s history while another one will be allocated to the Ministry of Information. Six floats at the train will represent the culture of all the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

Governors of all the four provinces and foreign diplomats will also visit the train.Sports competitions including wrestling, cricket and kabbadi will be held at the district and tehsil levels in connection with the Day while a national Mushaira debate contests and a national conference on Quaid-e-Azam’s concept of Pakistan will also be held.

A separate youth conference, coordinated by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, will also be held. In addition there will be national song contests across schools, colleges and universities. The government has sought the help of civil society non-governmental organizations, Bars, professional organizations and religious leaders for maximum participation in the celebrations.

kistan Trader Association (APTA), Muhammad Ajmal Baloch on Thursday said that long march would leave bad affect on business activities in the federal capital. Talking to PTV, he urged Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf avoid to create anarchy and unrest in the country through ‘Azadi march’.

He said that demonstration can not bring revolution in the country as the government was working for the development and prosperity of the country.

He said the government was committed to complete its five year constitutional tenure as launched number of people welfare projects in the country.

President of Trader Association Islamabad, Sayed Mansoor Ahmed said peaceful protest was right of every citizen in democratic system, adding it will disturb the routine business activities.—APP

Among others, Provincial Naib Ameer Maulana Abdul Jaleel Naqashbandi, District Ameer Sajjad Abbasi, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Ijaz Khan Jazi, Anjuman Tajran Rawalpindi Sheikh Saddiq, Shahid Ghafoor Piracha, Maulana Ashraf Ali participated in the conference. Speaking on the occasion, the party in charge of Foreign Affairs Abdul Ghafoor Aziz said the

muslim countries should immediately move special campaign against the boycott of Israeli products.

He said that Muslim Ummah should unite against Israel. Pakistan should also raise voice infavor of the innocent Palestine people. He said that more than 3,000 women, children and innocent Palestinian were martyred by the Israel attack.—APP

Independence Day celebrations prove that we are a united nation CITY REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Minister of State Barrister Usman Ibrahim of Capital Administration & Development Division inaugurated the month long Independence Day celebrations’ ceremony at Islamabad College for Girls F-6/ 2 on Thursday.

Minister of State said that the Independence Day celebrations are to tell the world that we are an energetic and united nation who has not forgotten the importance and the struggle behind the independence. Celebrations would include patriotic songs, speeches, tribute to shuhadas and founding fathers of Pakistan. The month long celebrations would not just end on Aug 31st it would be practiced throughout the year, said the Minister of State.

He further added that this month of celebrations is like the month of Ramadan from which we learn good things to apply throughout the year. Minister of State emphasized that it’s our collective responsibility to steer this country out of uncertainty, quagmire and miseries. He admired the enthusiasm and patriotism in students. Further he said that the youth of our country is very talented, hardworking and honest and we should learn these good manners from them.

He articulated beautifully that Independence’s true meaning is to have an independent sense of inquiry, meritocracy and empathy towards the country and its people. He said we are the first nation in the history of the world who got independence in the name of Allah and on ideological basis, so we need to understand its due significance as well.

Minister of State added that the laws are made by the people and for the people so we should abide all the rules and laws of the coun-

try, and whoever violates any law should be penalized accordingly.

We should support and help each other to become a successful nation in the world, said the State Minister.

He struck a chord by say-

ing that we have everything which a country could wish for, we are the first proud nuclear power in the Muslim World, and therefore we should strive to become a role model for the Muslim Ummah.

Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division, Barrister Usman Ibrahim inaugurating the month-long Independence Day celebrations ceremony in Islamabad College for Girls F-6/2.

Shabbir hails OIC Secretary General’s statement on Kashmir SRINAGAR—Senior leader of Hurriyet Conference Jammu and Kashmir, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, has welcomed the statement of the Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Iyad Abdullah Ameen Madni, on Kashmir.

Shabbir Ahmad Shah in a statement issued in Srinagar urged the OIC to impress upon India to stop gross human rights violations perpetrated by its troops in occupied Kashmir and fulfil its promises of giving the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination.

Pertinently, the OIC Secretary General speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by the Azad

Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister, Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, at Kashmir House in Islamabad, the other day, made it clear that the OIC would continue its support to the Kashmiris’ struggle for securing their inalienable right to selfdetermination. He said that the organization was even in touch with non-member nations in its endeavour to resolve the Kashmir dispute.

“We want Kashmir issue to be resolved as per the resolutions passed by the UN Security Council in this regard so that the conflict between India and Pakistan will come to an end,” the OIC Secretary General had stated.—KMS

Funeral of slain Kashmiri youth held in Pattan PATTAN—The funeral prayers of a Kashmiri youth, Mudassar Ahmad Sofi was held at Palhalan in Pattan on Thursday. Mudassar’s body was found under mysterious circumstances at Keeri in Baramulla district, yesterday. Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leaders, Maulvi Riaz Ahmad and Hafeezullah, who attended the funeral prayers of the youth, addressed the mourners on the occasion.

They condemned the callous attitude of Indian army and police towards the Kashmiri youth.

Meanwhile National Front Chairman, Nayeem Ahmad Khan in a statement paying tributes Mudassar said that he had laid his life for the noble cause of Kashmir. “The mysterious situation in which Mudassir was martyred has given rise to many questions but we have no hope of any justice from the prevailing system so those questions will remain unanswered like many other such cases,” Nayeem Khan said.—KMS

Jam of cellular services around Srinagar jail irks Locals SRINAGAR—People living in the vicinity of the into use to avert any such attempts,” a SrinagarCentral Jail Srinagar have complained of suspension of cellular service as the authorities have pressed into service mobile phone jammers at the jail. The prison authorities restarted the already-installed jammers in the third week of July in the name of making it impossible for the inmates to connect with the outside world.

“The jammers have been there for past five years, but they were not in use. Recently, it was being felt that some inmates were trying to gain access to cell phones to connect with the outside world. The jammers were immediately put

based daily quoting its sources said. The Central Jail, a highly fortified place, houses many pro-freedom and political prisoners. Visitors aren’t allowed to carry cell phone beyond the main gate where they are frisked sometimes in contravention of the jail norms.

In the middle of the agitation over the twin rape-and-murder in Shopian in 2009, the authorities got the jammers installed in the jail. Besides the jail, the jammers have disabled cellular connectivity in almost the entire area, causing inconvenience to the people.—KMS

Indian army officer held for spying to Pakistan SECUNDERABAD (IHK)—An army officer was arrested on charges of passing on military secrets to a Pakistan woman through social media, police said. Police in liaison with military authorities arrested Patan Kumar Poddar, Naik Subedar of the EME Unit in Secunderabad, and produced him in a court which sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. The unidentified woman was in contact with Poddar through mobile phone, social networking sites and also through email.

Poddar shared information with regard to strategic locations of army bases. He also shared information with regard to deployment of some defence units, police said. Poddar spoke with various army personnel of various locations and gathered information with regard to location of artillery regiments, commands, corps, division headquarters and brigades, police said.

According to police, the officer was also actively involved in network marketing business for a company named ‘Secured Life’. Police booked him under the Official Secrets Act and also under the Prize Chits Money Circulation Banning Act, 1977.

Efforts are on to identify others involved in the case.—KD

India urged to take steps to resolve dispute OIC’S statement on Kashmir welcomed SRINAGAR—The All Parties Hurriyet held in Srinagar on Monday. Besides, and police towards the Kashmiri youth.

Conference Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called upon India to settle the Kashmir dispute through talks among all the stakeholders keeping in view the political and ground realities over Jammu and Kashmir. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while chairing a joint meeting of APHC Executive and General Councils in Srinagar, today, welcomed the statement of the Secretary General of Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Iyad Abdullah Ameen Madni, on Kashmir.

It was decided in the meeting that in memory of the martyred APHC leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, a seminar will be

prayers will be conducted at Eidgah Martyrs’ Graveyard on Sunday. Senior Hurriyet leader, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, and Chief Patron of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-R, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo, in their statements while lauding the OICs’ support for the Kashmiris’ right to self determination hoped that the Organisation would pressurize India to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute.

JKLF leaders addressing the funeral procession of a Kashmiri youth, Mudassar Ahmad Sofi at Palhalan in Pattan condemned the callous attitude of Indian army

Mudassar’s body was found in mysterious circumstances in Baramulla district, yesterday. Hurriyet leaders, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Zamurda Habib, Yasmeen Raja and Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League in their statements said that Mudassar laid his life for the noble cause of Kashmir. Hurriyet leaders, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Muhammad Musaddiq Aadil, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash and Firdous Ahmad Shah in their addresses and statements said that India was working on a plan to convert Jammu and Kashmir into a Hindu territory through cultural aggression and other oppressive tactics.—KMS

Kashmir king’s grandson joining PDP SRINAGAR—Veteran Congress leader Karan Singh’s elder son Vikramaditya Singh is set to join Jammu and Kashmir’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “Singh will join the party tomorrow at a function to CHIKAR (AJK): AJK Prime Minister Ch Abdul Majeed offering fateha over the demise of sister of opposition leader Raja be held in Jammu,” a senior PDP Farooq Haider here on Tuesday. leader said. Vikramaditya is the grandson of the Maharaja Hari Singh, the last dynastic ruler of Jammu and Kashmir.

While Karan Singh, the last Sadr-e-Riyasat (president of the state) before the post was SRINAGAR—The All Parties changed to Governor in 1960s, Hurriyet Conference reacting to is a senior Congress leader, his a recent statement of puppet younger son Ajatshatru Singh is SRINAGAR—A top engineer with the Jammu tive arrangement for running the department” Chief Minister Omer Abdullah a senior leader of the ruling and Kashmir government quit on Thursday af- he said in the letter. that youth should opt for other National Conference. Born in ter a minister allegedly abused him during a reAs per sources close to Lankar, he submitted means to achieve their rights has 1964, Vikramaditya completed view meeting in summer capital Srinagar. his resignation to the government after senior re- said that such suggestions his higher studies from the Uni- Ahmad Muzaffar Lankar, the chief engineer for gional National Conference (NC) leader and Con- amount to nothing but a crude versity of Southern California, the state’s public health engineering department sumer Affairs and Public Distribution minister political joke where political, reUSA. In 1987, he married resigned in protest from his service, officials of Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan lost his temper ligious and economic rights of Rajkumari Chitrangada Raje his department confirmed to Kashmir Dispatch. during a meeting and hurled abuses at him. The people are usurped, leaders pursIn a communication to Commissioner-Sec- same sources said the chief engineer left the meet- ing the freedom struggle by Scindia, daughter of sister of Jyotiraditya Scindia of Gwalior, retary of the department, Lankar said that the ing and put in his papers in protest. peaceful means are pushed to the Minister abused him for Consumer Affairs and who is a Congress leader.

There were no official comments available wall, and all despotic and repres50-year-old Vikramaditya is Public Distribution Chowdhary Mohammad yet. The department came in support of the top sive measures are taken to suppresently looking after his hotel Ramzan in a meeting today in presence of PHE engineer saying that he had ‘revolutionized’ the press the political aspirations. business in Himachal Pradesh. He Minister Sham Lal Sharma. “In view of grave water distribution system in the state. The chief This was said at the joint is also a trustee of JK Dharmarth provocative language used by CAPD Minister engineer did not respond to repeated calls but meeting of APHC Executive and Trust that was formed by his an- during the meeting I submit my Lankar in a file an assistant who picked up his mobile phone General Councils in Srinagar, cestor and the founder ruler of the picture. resignation from the post of Chief En- confirmed the incident and the engineer’s res- today. APHC Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir State, Ma- gineer and you are requested to make alterna- ignation.—KD Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chaired haraja Gulab Singh.—KD the meeting. Addressing the meeting Mirwaiz Umar Farooq called upon India to settle the Kashmir dispute through talks among all the stakeholders keeping in view the political and ground realities over Jammu and Kashmir. Representatives and heads of Hurriyet constituents KUPWARA (IHK)—A soldier BUDNA—Hurriyet leaders, Muhammad Ashraf and Gulshan nagar areas of Srinagar and expressed participated in the meet. was killed Wednesday in an en- Sehrai, Zafar Akbar Butt, Muhammad Musaddiq sympathy with Mohammad Rafiq Baqual and The meeting took detailed counter with militants in Aadil, and Muhammad Yousuf Naqash paying Trade Federation President Mohammad Sadiq stock of the ongoing political situKupwara district near the Line glowing tributes to prominent martyred Baqual over the demise of their mother. ation and organizational matters The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Political besides discussing a number of of Control in Jammu and Kash- Kashmiri leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, have reitmir, officials said. “One army erated to continue the martyrs’ mission till its Front Chairman, Muhammad Musaddiq Aadil future strategies to strengthen jawan was killed in an anti-mili- logical conclusion. Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai in a statement issued in Srinagar said that Hurriyet at grass root level keeptancy operation in Tangdhar sec- addressing meeting at Budna in Pulwama said martyred Sheikh Abdul Aziz had become an icon ing in view the existing political tor,” an army spokesman said in that India was working on a plan to convert of freedom by sacrificing his life for the Kash- realties on ground. The particiJammu and Kashmir into a Hindu state through mir cause. He said that it was now the responsi- pants stated that it was due to anta statement here. bility of the people of Kashmir to hold firmly people policies adopted by NaThe spokesman said the cultural aggression and oppressive tactics.

The Hurriyet leader maintained that New Delhi the martyr’s mission. The Jammu and Kashmir tional Conference which has been fire fight has stopped and search operations were on to was pursuing robustly the policy of settling out- Islamic Political Party Chairman, Mohammad the main source of suffering and track the militants. 7 militants siders in the garb of labourers, carpenters and ma- Yousuf Naqash in his statement said that like suppression for the Kashmiris. killed in Lolab encounter: sons to change the demography of the territory. Israel, India, too, was pursuing the policy of Welcoming the statement of OIC Army encounter kupwara He said that India was moving forward with its oppression in occupied Kashmir. Paying glow- General Secretary regarding Army officer, 2 cops, 2 mili- plan of turning Jammu and Kashmir into a Hindu ing tributes to Shiekh Abdul Aziz and all other Kashmir dispute, the meeting tants killed in Kupwara en- state by declaring every spring flowing in the ter- martyrs he said that their sacred blood would stated that the world Muslim body counter Front Army Major, sol- ritory as a Hindu pilgrimage site. The Jammu and never go waste and very soon Jammu Kashmir has played an encouraging role in dier, 3 militants killed in Kashmir Salvation Movement Chairman, Zafar would get freedom from the tyrannical clutches the past in connection with the Akbar Butt also visited Bagh-i-Mehtab, Chanpora of India.—KMS Shopian encounter.—KR Kashmir issue.—KMS

Kashmir top engineer quits being ‘abused’ by minister

Occupied Kashmir, authorities’ decision to declare Kausar Naag lake in south Kashmir as an annual pilgrimage site for Hindus can prove detrimental to the ecology of the area, experts warned. Kausar Naag is a high altitude glacier lake located in Kulgam district which is the source of the water of South Kashmir.

Kashmir govt orders crackdown on illegal medical shops BUDGAM (IHK)—The Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday directed a crackdown on illegal and unlicensed medical shops in the state, an official said. Minister for Health & Medical Education, Taj Mohi ud Din directed closure of all such medical shops which are run illegally and by unauthorised and unqualified persons.

The Minister gave this direction while chairing a meeting to review the status of health institutions in the Valley.

MLA, Khansahib and former Minister, Hakim Mohammad Yaseen was also present in the meeting. The Minister said 172 such illegal medical shops have been sealed so far and directed the officers to intensify the drive. He said PG RASOOL

T

he Kashmir Valley observed a complete shutdown on July 31 against the Kausar Nag Yatra. The bandh passed off peacefully as the government desisted from clamping down on public protests, and the district administration in Reasi provided all facilities for the 300 pilgrims at Kausar Nag to perform puja. The matter may have subsided for now, but has not been shelved, because a saffronised Kashmiri Pandit group has been raking up and communalising it, and lobbying for the Yatra with the rightwing government in New Delhi. The latter, however, has taken cautious steps, saying that Kashmir was a sensitive issue and that national interest would be kept in mind while studying the Kausar Nag pilgrimage.

New Delhi, and the yatra proponents, could have been taken by surprise by the swift and unanimous response, rather opposition, in Kashmir. It seems that the BJP is not (yet) ready to communalise votes for the coming Assembly elections

the Department has already started doing Prescription audit at peripheral hospitals to know if there is any nexus between these medical shops and the doctors prescribing these medicines.

The Minister directed consolidation and completion of health infrastructure immediately so that the same is put to use by the public. Taj also directed strengthening of Sub District Hospital, Khansahib so that people of far-flung areas of Budgam district don’t have to come down to Srinagar for treatment. The Minister also directed providing transport, medicine and nonstop power supply, preferably Solar power, to all the SDHs, health centres and hospitals in Khansahib area.—KG

Soldier killed in Kupwara encounter

‘India plotting to convert Kashmir into a Hindu territory’

Kausar Naag: Avoiding the Communal Trap on the Kausarnag issue for many reasons.

One, it may not sufficiently polarize the population. Two, Jammu is already in the lap of the BJP. And three, a communal agenda could spiral out of control and even bring back to limelight the crimes of Gujarat etc. The BJP at the Centre is unlikely to risk its “image” for small gains. But that does not mean that other saffronized groups may not do its work.

The real agenda of the Kausar Nag Yatra seems to be connected to the return of the Kashmiri Pandits. This is also clear from the statements issued by the All Parties Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC) that has repeatedly argued that if a Yatra of 40 Pandits is not allowed or tolerated, and instead termed as pollution of glaciers, it means that “vested interests” are inciting people “against Kashmiri Pandits.” Asking implicitly thereby, how the return of Kashmiri Pandits could termed safe, and the atmosphere condu-

cive for the process.

The anti-Pandit line of argument must be taken seriously, and one can locate the reasons behind the proposed yatra or other yatras. The APMCC and other allied organizations know well that the Kashmiri people are highly sensitive on the issue. The Amarnath Yatra has shown and taught them that the events are nothing but a politically motivated religious and environmental aggression. Every year, unfolding events prove the same point. This year, because of a simple refusal, a ponywallah was stabbed by a nonstate langarkeeper, and on protests by local residents, the CRPF, the langarwallahs and some yatris joined the fray, beating locals to pulp, burning more than three hundred tents, damaging another two hundred, and three hundred people packing home. Had such a huge blaze of hundreds of tents been shown on, for example the Al Jazeera, the world community would have come out with condemnation.

APHC ridicules Omar’s statement

Rules and regulations observed in respect of environment and ecology elsewhere in India are flouted in Kashmir with gay abandon. Visiting a site is one thing, claiming it exclusively on religious basis is quite another. This policy of religious occupation and exclusion is unacceptable and that is the reason the people of Kashmir have risen as one to oppose the pilgrimage. By misquoting some history books of debatable credibility, one is not empowered to lay exclusive religious claim to lakes, mountains or glaciers. Religion is not cricket, to be played at the whim of whosoever holds the kitty.

Certain saffronised groups are using the Kousar Nag yatra as an instrument to divide, and block the return of the remaining Kashmiri Pandits. Remaining is the key word, as the entire community did not migrate. There return and rehabilitation is the only issue on which diverse groups and opinions, from the BJP to the Hurriyat,

agree, though they vary in detail. But certain saffronised Pandit groups are not happy with this, and want Israeli-settlement type, or union territory or homelandtype solutions. So they have been lobbying with New Delhi not to make haste on the issue, as is clear from the statements they issue from time to time. Foisting yatras is useful to their divisive communal agenda. In fact, such moves are aimed against Pandits who either did not move from the Valley, or have returned over the past few years. It is thus a Pandit versus Pandit issue because saffron groups want to prove that the situation is not conducive for the community’s return, at least in the present circumstances, and that the whole atmosphere is communally surcharged. Unfortunately, the APMCC seems to be advancing the same agenda, using Kousar Nag as the pretext.

Presently, the Pandits can be grouped into three categories. One, those who did

not move out of the Valley. There number is between seven to nine thousand.

Two, Pandits who have returned over the years and have been granted various economic packages by the government, including mostly jobs. Today, Pandits are seen everywhere in Srinagar and elsewhere.

Kausar Nag Yatra, Ganga Bal Yatra, Dyneshwar Kallosa Yatra, etc., seem to have a pattern. The challenge for Kashmir society is not to fall in the communal trap. An impression has gained ground that communal polarization has empowered Hindus, particularly with reference to the recent installation of a sangh parivar government in Delhi. Since Lok Sabha polls, UP alone has witnessed around 600 communal incidents. It seems that the sangh elements in the Pandit community want a replay in Kashmir through the yatra strategy. Sadly, this causes their fellow Pandits to lose their arguments for returning to the Valley in the “present circumstances.”

Kausar Nag should not be made available for such a nefarious, divisive and ecologically destructive agenda.

—Courtesy: Kashmir Reader

SBP Independence Day celebration KARACHI—State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) will celebrate Independence Day in a befitting manner on August 14, at SBP Headquarters I.I.Chundrigar Road Karachi. Governor SBP Ashraf Wathra will be the Chief Guest for the flag hoisting ceremony at 8: 45 am followed by a visit of Museum and Art Gallery at SBP premises.—NNI

Pak forex figure $14.30609 b KARACHI—The total liquid foreign reserves of the country stand at dollars 14.30609 billion, said State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). SBP’s weekly statement issued here on Thursday said that the foreign reserves held by State Bank on Aug 1 amounted $ 9.277 billion and the net foreign reserves held by other banks were of $ 5.02909 billion. SBP’s liquid foreign reserves were $ 9.277 billion with no significant change over the previous week’s balance.—APP

Port Qasim shipping activity KARACHI—Six ships carrying containers, crude oil, canola seed, chemical and edible oil were berthed at Qasim International Containers Terminal, FOTCO Terminal, FAP Terminal, Engro Vopak Terminal, Liquid Cargo Terminal and Multi Purpose Terminal respectively. Meanwhile four more ships carrying containers, and diesel oil also arrived at outer anchorage of Port Qasim during last 24 hours. Berth occupancy was 65% at the Port on Thursday seven ships namely CGM Maupassant, Sea Glory, Ikan parang, Chem Road Wing, Moon Light, FSL London and MT. Polaras are currently occupying berths to load/offload Containers, Crude Oil, Cement, Chemical, Canola Seed and Edible Oil respectively during last 24 hours. A cargo volume of 137462 tonnes comprising 102511 tonnes imports. —APP

Conversion rates KARACHI—The following rates will be applicable for conversion into rupees of Foreign Currency Deposits, Dollar Bearer Certificates, Foreign Currency Bearer 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 August 8, 2014.

The rates are U.S. Dollar Rs. 98.8382, Japanese Yen Rs. 0.9658, Pound Sterling Rs. 166.4436 and Euro Rs. 132.2060. —APP

We need business to understand its social responsibility, that the main task and objective for a business is not to generate extra income and to become rich and transfer the money abroad, but to look and evaluate what a businessman has done for the country, for the people, on whose account he or she has become so rich.

—Vladimir Putin

President urges to enhance existing trade potency with Portugal STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday underlined the need to focus on further enhancing the existing bilateral trade by encouraging the Chambers of Commerce and business communities of Pakistan and Portugal.

Ms. Leena Salim Moazzam, Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to Portugal called on President Mamnoon Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadr and discussed matters regarding her new diplomatic assignment.

Felicitating Ms. Leena Salim Moazzam on her new assignment, the President said that

Pakistan and Portugal enjoy close and cordial relations and that Pakistan was keen to further cement and diversify its ties with Portugal in all areas especially political, trade and commercial relations.

The President said that Pakistan’s current bilateral trade with Portugal stands at US$ 123 million which does not commensurate with the real trade potential existing between the two countries. The President advised the newly appointed ambassador to encourage Portuguese companies and investors to invest in Pakistan and avail the various incentive packages and investment-friendly policies of the Government of Pakistan.

Pakistan, Turkmenistan agree to expand trade, economic cooperation ISLAMABAD—The Finance Minister, Sena- for the purpose of strengthening brotherly

ties with Turkmenistan we are ready to provide cooperation in various fields. The Vice ISLAMABAD: Ms Leena Salim Moazzam, Pakistan’s Ambassador-Desigate to Portugal called on President Mamnoon Premier appreciated the economic develop- Hussain at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. ment so far made in Pakistan with the efforts of the current government.

Meredov expressed his desire to expand trade and economic cooperation with Pakistan to further enhance bilateral relations.

Both the sides agreed to extend mutual cooperation in the interest of both the countries. It was further agreed that both the sides will work on commercially viable STAFF REPORTER projects.—INP ISLAMABAD—The United Nations Economic ratio fell slightly to 14.2% of GDP in 2013, KARACHI—Brisk trading was and Social Commission for Asia and the Pa- which is lower than most other economies witnessed on the cotton mar- cific (ESCAP) has projected that Pakistan’s in South and South-West Asia,” it said. ket as mills and spinners took economic growth will pick up to 4.1 % in the The UNESCAP added that Inflation interest in fresh buying to fiscal year 2014. “There have been some posi- softened but still high as the Inflation decover their immediate needs, tive changes in the economy in recent months, creased to 7.4% in 2013, although the imdealers said. The official spot such as improved growth of large-scale manu- pact of the depreciating currency was felt rate extended its appreciation facturing industries, expansion in private sec- in the later part of the year. “The currency for the second day, rising more tor credit, accumulation of foreign exchange has appreciated in recent months, which Rs 75 to Rs 5375, they added. reserves, and local currency appreciation” said should help contain inflation in the current In ready session, approxi- a UNESCAP report launched in Bangkok yes- fiscal year”, the UN report said. It further mately 15000 bales of cotton terday. Highlighting Pakistan’s briefing note, said that Pakistan’s current account deficit changed hands between Rs the UNESCAP in a statement said that the shrank and goods exports rebounded in 5350-5550, however, prices of country’s economic growth slowed to 3.7% in 2013 after a contraction in 2012. The UN seed cotton in Sindh and the fiscal year 2013 from 3.8 % a year earlier. report said that the pickup was mainly fuPunjab fell modestly to Rs It said that agricultural output growth elled by revived import demand from de2650-2700, they said. decelerated in 2013 due to poor weather con- veloped economies. The export items are Market sources said that ditions, while industrial production picked typically low value-added and concencountry’s textile sector, major up on capacity enhancement and investment trated in textiles and garments, it added. sources of foreign exchange in alternate energy, especially by large-scale The report said that the current account earnings, trying to take ben- manufacturing operations. On the demand deficit decreased to 1% of GDP in 2013, from efit of GSP plus status, despite side, the UN report further said that an impe- 2.1% of GDP in 2012. In addition to the export having a lot of problems with tus to growth came from private and public rebound, the government addressed a trade them. Confusions over delay consumption, whereas overall investment deficit by introducing measures to curb gold in monsoon rains in cotton belt remained sluggish. “The investment-to-GDP imports, the UNESCAP report said.—APP also a big problem for the growISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar meeting ers as they were not getting with Turkmenistan Vice Premier and Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov. better returns due to fall in prices, cotton analyst, Naseem Usman said. Besides, a kind of uncertainty prevailed among the growers and farmNEW YORK—Gold rose nearly 1.5 percent ket caused by lower European stock prices ers over the developing polition safe-haven buying triggered by worries and Putin’s aggressive attitude,” said Bill cal scenario in the country, that there could be an escalation of the mili- O’Neill, partner at New Jersey-based com- other traders said.

The following deals retary conflict in Ukraine and by a weak un- modities investment firm LOGIC Advisers. ported: 2000 bales of cotton Spot gold rose as much as 1.6 percent to dertone in global equities. Investors bought gold and US Treasury bonds and initially a one-week high of $1,309.20 an ounce. It from Sanghar sold at Rs sold equities after NATO said Russia had was up 1.4 percent at $1,305.51 an ounce at 5350-5400, same figure from massed about 20,000 combat-ready troops 1553 GMT. Wednesday’s rally sent gold Mir Pur Khas at Rs 5375on Ukraine’s border and could use the pre- prices above the 50-day moving average 5400, 1800 bales from text of a humanitarian mission to invade, its near $1,295 an ounce. In the previous ses- Shahdadpur, 1600 bales starkest warning yet that Moscow could sion, the yellow metal turned higher after it from Tando Adam, 1000 soon mount a ground assault against its held its 200-day moving average at above bales from Kotri, same fig$1,280. US COMEX gold futures for Decem- ure from Hyderabad all neighbour.

In addition, Russian President Vladimir ber delivery were up $21.70 at $1,307 an finalised at the same rate, Putin signed a decree banning or limiting ounce. European shares ended broadly lower 200 bales from Maqsoodo imports of agricultural products for one year on worries that turmoil in Ukraine could slow at Rs 5400, 400 bales from from countries that have imposed sanctions global growth. US stocks opened lower but Sahiwal, 600 bales from on Russia. “It’s a safe-haven, flight-to-qual- later rebounded following the previous Khanewal at the same rate, 400 bales from Hasilpur.

FAISALABAD: Farmer ladies busy in collecting cotton from their field. ity day for gold because of fears in the mar- session’s sharp drop.—Agencies tor Ishaq Dar met with the Vice-Premier of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov at Islamabad on Thursday and said Pakistan is keen to explore new avenues for cooperation in energy, commercial and economic fields for mutual benefit of both the countries. The Finance Minister briefed the Vice Premier on the economic progress made during the last one year and said that Pakistan.

He said the government introduced economic reforms through the budgetary measures and positive results have been achieved. The Finance Minister said that

Cotton market trading activity gains drive

UNESCAP forecasts Pak economic growth 4.1pc in 2014

Gold price rises 1.5pc on risk aversion

Business community expresses massive concerns over PTI Azadi march Politicians should give top priority to national interests STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Traders from all across the country have expressed concern over the Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf’s (PTI) scheduled “Azadi March” and subsequent sit-in on Aughst 14, saying it would adversely affect businesses vis-a-vis national economy. The business and trade bodies of different cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Rawalpindi said that the march would hinder economic progress in general and the businesses in the cities in particular.

Talking to media, Acting President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Mirza Mohamamd Ali said here Tuesday that the “Azadi March” of PTI would prove to be destructive not only for the traders and businessmen of the Federal Capital but also for the country’s economy.

“The country has been facing different challenges, including terrorism, extremism and energy. It cannot afford such activities that would cause political instability, that will adversely affect the economy.” He said the leadership of all political parties should join hands for strengthening the economy instead of hatching conspiracies against the Government for their vested interests. August 14 was a national day and it should be celebrated as an event to unify the nation and not as a day for dividing the nation.

He said the political leaders should settle issues in Parliament, which is a democratic, and the

just forum for this purpose. Instead of disturbing the public life through holding sit-ins and rallies, he added. “I urge all the political leaders to show maturity and give priority to national interests over their personal interests,” he remarked. He said the business activities remained suspended for 10 days due to Eidul Fitr and now the PTI’s scheduled long march and then sit-in had upset the business community as to how many days they would have to keep their outlets closed down.

Meanwhile, ICCI Senior Vice President Khalid Chaudhry said the Blue Area was the business hub of Federal Capital and whenever any political activity happened at D-Chowk, the whole Blue Area was besieged causing huge losses to the businessmen.

He requested PTI Chairman Imran Khan to review his decision about “Azadi March” in the interest of the country and the people of the Capital.

President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Sohail said that Pakistan could not afford such negative activities especially when Pak Armed Forces were busy in operation against terrorists and anti-Pakistan elements in North Waziristan Agency. He said the sit-in and protest marches by some political and religio-political parties on auspicious occasion of country’s Independence Day would harm peace in the country, which would ultimately hinder economic and trade activities besides hitting exports.

“This situation will not only send a wrong signal to the world but also have adverse impact on Pakistan’s

overall political, economic and social fabric”, he asserted. He said the country’s economic indicators were improving further following restoration of foreign and local investors’ confidence due to grant of positive credit rating by the Moody’s International, however, the protests and sit-ins would sabotage the socioeconomic development process.

In his remarks, President of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zahidullah Shinwari urged the political parties to show patience and tolerance for each other and resolve the issues through negotiations. He said the provincial economy was facing loss of billion of rupees daily due to rise in political temperature for the last couple of weeks and added that traders and businessmen have stopped all their activities like import of the machinery, export etc and following the policy of wait and see till August 14.

“We are worst the affectees of the current political instability in the country,” he said and added that economic activity has become almost stagnant, as 70 percent capital flight has reported due to unrest and terrorism. He said KPCCI is a nonpolitical entity and wanted only political harmony so that this province could flourish and added that rise in political temperature has cast extremely negative impact on the overall economic process.

The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has also expressed deep concern over the march which it said would affect the business atmosphere of the twin-cities of Rawalpindi-

Islamabad. Dr. Shumail Daud, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry while talking to media said that the march and sit-ins was not a good news for businessmen of the twin-cities in particular and for the whole country in general, as the march would disturb the business environment.”

In addition, he said it affects all the strata of the society including, employees, daily wagers, transporters and other segments. “The country is already facing challenges and such activities would further aggravate the situation,” he said adding “I am not in favour or against such activities, but I look it as harmful activity for the whole country.”

Meanwhile, Former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Ijaz Abbassi told media that the march would harm business activities in the city. “To me, the PTI must review its decision and take some other measures to achieve its political objectives which should not hurt country’s economy,” Abbasi added. He was of the view that if PTI thinks that holding of march was its democratic right, then it was also democratic and constitutional right of traders to run their businesses in a peaceful atmosphere. It is pertinent to mention here that when PAT staged sit-in on Jinnah Avenue in Blue Area, here in January 2013 the business community claimed to have suffered loss of billions of rupees due to unwanted clousure of offices, restaurants, and business concerns in the main hub of business of the capital.

Currency

Selling

Buying

USA

98.70

98.50

UK

166.38

166.04

Euro

132.16

131.89

Canada

90.43

90.25

Switzerland

108.77

108.55

Australia

91.64

91.46

Sweden

14.32

14.29

Japan

0.9658

0.9639

Norway

15.76

15.73

Singapore

79.00

78.84

Denmark

17.72

17.69

Saudi Arabia 26.32

26.26

Hong Kong

12.73

12.71

Kuwait

348.57

347.86

Malaysia

30.79

30.72

Newzealand

83.61

83.44

Qatar

27.10

27.05

UAE

26.87

26.82

Kr. Won

0.0953

0.0951

Thailand

3.063

3.057

Collective efforts require to tackle economic challenges SALIM AHMED LAHORE—A collective approach towards economic challenges is a prerequisite to bring the country out of economic mire. This was stated by LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari while speaking at the oathtaking ceremony of newly elected office-bearers of Disposable Food Packing Association here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI Senior Vice President Mian Tariq Misbah and Vice President Kashif Anwar were also present on the occasion. The LCCI President was of the view that we would have to shun individualism for the good of the whole nation.

He said that it was very unfortunate that despite having all the resources, we could not achieve desired economic goals.

Engineer Sohail Lashari said that the sector-specific associations were always very important for the economic well being. He said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry understands that these associations should educate their members through a continuous collaboration with Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the country. The LCCI President also urged the newly elected office-bears of the Food Packing Association to expedite their liaison with the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry that is a bridge between the public and private sectors.

Engineer Sohail Lashari said that he had recently visited Europe and found that they were giving strength to their respective economies through PublicPrivate Dialogue (PPD). He said that there was no second opinion it that we would have to promote PPD in Pakistan as the policies made without due consultation of the stakeholders were bound to fail. The LCCI President urged the participants to forward their proposals to the LCCI so that the same could be forwarded to the government for their early solution.

The LCCI Senior Vice President Mian Tariq Misbah threw light on the ongoing economic scenario and stressed the need for promotion of R&D culture in the country. The LCCI Vice President Kashif Anwar called for excellence the packing techniques to win the needed share in the global market.

Earlier, the LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari took oath from the newly elected office bearers of the Disposable Food Packing Association. The newly elected office-bearer are: Hafiz Adnan Rana President, Ikhlas Majeed Sheikh Senior Vice President, Faisal Saeed Vice President, M. Ali Khan, General Secretary, Sultan Mehmood Khan Joint Secretary, Fayyaz Ahmed Secretary Finance and Afzal Shaukat Secretary Information. Newly elected officebearers thanked the President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Engineer Sohail Lashari for providing an opportunity to discuss their issues at a bigger platform.

‘Pakistan govt delays signing of PTA with Turkey’ AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—Murat Mustu, Commercial Attaché at the Consulate General of Republic of Turkey in Karachi has said that Turkey is ready to sign the much-awaited Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with Pakistan as nothing was pending from the Turkish side but it was being delayed by Pakistani government. Speaking at a meeting during his visit to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Turkish Commercial Attaché said that with signing of PTA, concession on a number of goods will be granted to Pakistani exporters who will have the advantage to smoothly penetrate into the Turkish market by introducing their highquality products and services.

President KCCI, Abdullah Zaki, Vice President KCCI, Muhammad Idrees, Chairman Diplomatic Affairs Sub-Committee, Abdul Jabbar Dalal and KCCI Managing Committee members were also present at the meeting. Commenting on Pak-Turk trade ties, Murat Mustu stated that both countries continue to enjoy strong friendly and brotherly relations since past many decades and have been wholeheartedly supporting each other during difficult times. “We are here as it is the desire of Turkish government to strengthen trade ties with Pakistan. We must make efforts to increase trade volume and investments in our countries”, he added.

Identifying various sectors in which Pak-Turk business communities could undertake joint ventures, Turkish Attaché mentioned that livestock sector has the potential to considerably raise Pakistan’s exports to Turkey as Pakistani meat was more delicious and cheaper when compared with Turkish meat. “Through collective efforts, we can certainly raise the existing trade volume to new heights”, he added. He informed that a three-member delegation will be visiting KCCI on August 13, 2014 in order to brief KCCI members about 15th MUSIAD International Fair and 18th International Business Forum Conference scheduled to be organized at CNR Center in Istanbul from 26th to 30thNovember 2014. Besides Karachi, this delegation will also be visiting Lahore and Islamabad in order

Economy improving due to govt polices ISLAMABAD—State Minister for Privatization Muhammad Zubair has said that the national economy was improving due to prudent polices introduced by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government. Talking to a private TV channel here on Tuesday, he said foreign investors were investing huge amount in various sectors including energy.

Muhammad Zubair said PTI has right to hold peaceful protest as it held in Fasilabad and Lahore, adding the government had not created any barriers in these rallies. He hoped that PTI would hold long march in peaceful environment. He said independent judiciary is working in the country and urged PTI to go to election tribunal for verification in four constituencies, adding tribunal had given its decisions on various constituencies in which majority was against PTI.—APP

seek advices on how to contribute in development of bilateral trade between the two countries. “Another twomember Turkish delegation will also be arriving in Pakistan soon to ensure participation of Pakistani businessmen in ‘Istanbul Jewelry Show’ scheduled to be staged from 16th to 19th October, 2014”, he added.

President KCCI, Abdullah Zaki, while briefing the Turkish Commercial Attaché about KCCI activities, informed that KCCI has become the largest chamber of Pakistan with a strong membership base of more than 20,000 direct members whereas around 50,000 indirect members are also linked with this chamber through seven of KCCI-affiliated town associations of Karachi. He added that KCCI has been actively playing the role of a strong bridge between the business communities of Pakistan and elsewhere, besides creating strong linkages amongst all stakeholders in order to ensure progress and prosperity for Pakistan’s economy.

President KCCI also stressed the need to fast-track work on signing of PTA between Pakistan and Turkey. It is high time to ink this important and much-awaited PTA, which would substantially improve the existing trade volume between the two countries.

Vice President KCCI, Muhammad Idrees requested Turkish Commercial Attaché to assist KCCI in seeking ways and means of how to effectively promote ‘My Karachi – Oasis of Harmony 2015 Exhibition’ in Turkey so that maximum participation of Turkish companies could be ensured at this exhibition which is likely to be attended by more than one million visitors. KCCI’s My Karachi exhibition, which will be staged in the month of April 2015, is likely to be attended by foreign exhibitors from 10 to 15 countries. Chairman Diplomatic Affairs Sub-Committee KCCI, Abdul Jabbar pointed out that the Turkish government imposed Anti-dumping duty on textile products in July 2011, which terribly affected Pakistan’s textile exports toTurkey. In this regard, he sought Turkish Attaché’s help in convincing the Turkish government to abolish this unjust duty, which, if removed, will noticeably improve Pakistan’s textile exports to Turkey.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan presiding over the 37th meeting of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Board of Governors (BoG).

Rs 3597.876m PARC budget approved for 2014-15 I S L A M A B A D —The Board of Governors velopment and food security in the coun- Alexander Dodds EVP E&P MoL Group handing over 7 trucks containing food items for try.

(BoG) of the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) here on Thursday approved Rs.3597.876 million budget for the financial year 2014-15 to promote agriculture research and ensure food security in the country. The 37th meeting of PARC’s BoG was presided over by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research (NFSR), Mr. Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan.

According to break figures, the budget included Rs.2415 million non-development funds where as Rs.930.165 have been approved for seven on-going and eight new projects. In addition, the board also approved Rs.95.164 for Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) projects and Rs.157.547 million for Agriculture Linkage Programme (ALP). The details show that the nondevelopment funds includes grant of 10% adhoc relief allowance 2014 and other allowances to PARC employees.

Earlier, in his addresses, Mr. Sikandar Hayat Bosan lauded the services of PARC and its scientists for their untiring efforts for ensuring agriculture de-

IDPs of NWA to Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Bosan said his ministry was continu- Abbasi. Also seen in the picture are regional Director ME & Africa Ahmad Majdi, ously facilitating PARC in developing Regional Adviser ME & Africa Ali Murtaza Abbas, MD/CEO MoL Pakistan Akos Grosz well focused projects and fund releases and Abid Saeed, Secretary Ministry of Petroleum. and hoped that scientists would make serious efforts to achieve new knowledge based technology development goals. He also lauded PARC for producing and distributing 70 tons quality seed of wheat, 23 tons Canola, 21 tons of oat (NARC oat) and 4 tons of lentil through PARC Agrotech Company Limited (PATCO.) He expressed the hope that this year these figures will go up and farmers will get quality seed at reasonable price adding PARC as a new initiative, planted soybean on 400 acres that will produce sizable quantity of seed for promoting soybean as an industrial crop. PARC Chairman Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad briefed the house about PARC progress 2013-14, in-house research and new innovations through technical divisions, PSDP funded on-going and new approved projects as well as about ALP funded projects and MoUs signed with national partners.—INP

Protests, roadblocks not a solution

KE links uninterrupted electric supply with timely payments STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—K-Electric has categorically rejected the perception that is being created that due to immense power outages people of different areas have resorted to protests, roadblocks and at some locations, violence.

In its press statement KE has come out saying that KE does not provide free electricity to anyone, and these so-called “Innocent protestors” are defaulters who do not pay their monthly bills but resort to everything else.

Spokesman KE said, “On the 6th of August people of FB Area protested near Shafeeq Mor and they were highlighted as innocent protestors. However, it’s very important for our media friends to take notice of the fact that these defaulters owed KE almost Rs 66 Lac due to which KE had no other option but to disconnect that particular PMT. The PMT had a recovery of less than 10%, so how could KE provide uninterrupted supply to them?” A similar case was with the residents of Jehangir Road

who are defaulters of millions and even they resorted to protests instead of paying their monthly utility bills.

Giving details the press statement added that on the 7th of August KE’s Baldia office was attacked by some “Defaulting” protestors who also resorted to violence, roadblocks and even set up a fire at KE’s office gate.

Media was again highlighting these protestors as ‘Innocent citizens who suffer prolonged power outages’, and what they failed to understand was that these defaulting consumers of Sector 4F Baldia owed KE more than Rs 45 Lac, and the recovery ratio of this particular area had fallen below 40%, after which KE disconnected their power supply.

KE’s spokesman added, “We do not segment load-shed deliberately, but since people prefer protests over monthly bill payments and resort to illegal hook connections, we as a power utility have a lack of choice. We put such areas under load-shed and at times disconnect their electricity if the defaulting numbers touch an alarming figure”.

Hong Kong tycoon to sue Google over ’triad’ link HONG KONG—A billionaire Hong Kong tycoon has said he will sue Google over search results which link him to organised criminal gangs, after a court dismissed the Internet giant’s objections. Albert Yeung first filed a lawsuit against Google in August 2012 when it refused to stop the word “triad” being linked to his name through the search engine’s “auto-complete” function. “Triad” is automatically suggested when Yeung’s name is typed in to the Google search box. The names of triad gangs “14k” and “Sun Yee On” also come up when the business tycoon’s name is searched. Google asked a local court to discharge the case in December 2012, saying it did not have any merit. The company argued that no human input was used for its auto-complete search function and that the results did not “attribute negative connotations” to any individual.

But a high court judge dismissed Google’s bid to stop the lawsuit on Wednesday. “There is a good arguable case that Google is the publisher of the words and liable for their publication,” judge Marlene Ng said in the ruling. “The advantages of having easy access to a rich store of information are many... but such benefit comes at a price; any risk of misinformation can spread easily as users forage in the web,” she added. Yeung, who is founder of the conglomerate Emperor Group which has businesses in the movie industry and real estate, said his personal and business reputation had been “gravely injured” by the offending words. “We will... continue to take legal action against Google for the publication of offending/defamatory words that gravely injured Dr Yeung’s reputation,” the billionaire’s company spokesperson said in an email to media.—Agencies

UBL wins best consumer Internet bank award STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —United Bank Limited (UBL) has been selected as the Best Consumer Internet Bank in Pakistan by Global Finance magazine for its 15th Annual World’s Best Internet Bank Awards 2014. The results were announced in a media release

by Global Finance which selects the best financial institutions around the world and its Internet Bank Awards are the undisputed authority on the world’s leading online banking services providers.

The winning banks were selected based on strength of strategy for attracting and servicing online customers, success in getting clients to use web offerings, growth of online customers, breadth of product offerings, evidence of tangible benefits gained from Internet initiatives and web site design and functionality.

This award is a clear recognition of innovation, convenience and excellence in customer service unmatched by any of UBL’s peers. Mr. Wajahat Husain, President & CEO, UBL said, “UBL has a demonstrated history of delivering innovative solutions. We believe customers are becoming increasingly tech savvy and demanding and we aim to continue to be ahead of the curve and always exceed their expectations.

This award is yet another testament of our commitment toward excellence in delivering digital solutions for customers.

ISLAMABAD: Acting President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Muhammad Ali Mirza presenting bouquet of flowers to Member Administration CDA Amir Ali Ahmad during the visit of ICC delegation to CDA HQs.

Pulses cultivation to be promoted in Punjab SIALKOT —Provincial Agriculture department has evolved a comprehensive plan, costing Rs. 148.79 million, for promoting pulses cultivation in Punjab to provide food security to people across the country.

Sources in Agriculture department told APP on Thursday that local production of pulses, particularly Maash pulse, was low as opposed to consumption at national and provincial level.

The production of Moong pulse was also declining sharply due to its replacement by cotton crop in its core area. Gram crop area was maintained because no other crop could be grown due to the poor moisture conditions but its per acre productivity is very low, sources said. The continuous decline in pulses areas was building pressure on foreign exchange by increasing imports and keeping pulses out of the reach of common man due to high prices, sources said.

Officials said the proposed project has

been designed to promote cultivation of pulses to make the country and Punjab province self-sufficient in the production. Under the plan specific activities like development of basic seed of high yields, promotion of certified seed of Lentil, Moong and Mash by its distribution among the farmers at subsidized rates, transfer of modern production technology through farmers trainig programme, demonstration of modern production technology for pulses including Lentil, Moong, Mash and Gram at farmers fields and promotion of pulses in association of other crops in irrigated areas for attaining the objectives of the project sources said.

The step was taken for enhancing the production through the provision of certified seeds and demonstration to pulses growers and certified seed of Mash, Moong, Gram and Lentil will be made available at farmers field.—APP

Daily opening & closing rates PMEX Index Total Volume (Lots): Traded Value (Rs):

3,001 13,006 2,170,876,533

Commodity .......................... Price Quotation ................... Open ............

CRUDE OIL ......................... $ Per Barrel ............................ 97.56 ..............

SILVER ................................. $ Per Ounce ........................... 19.852 ............

GOLD ................................... $ Per Ounce ........................... 1,290.3 ...........

GOLD ................................... Rs Per 10 gms ........................ 41,013 ............

MTOLAGOLD .................... Rs Per Tola ............................ 49,182 ............

GOLD ................................... Rs Per Tola ............................ 49,182 ............

RICEIRRI6 ........................... Rs Per 100 kg ......................... 3,559 ..............

PALMOLEIN ...................... Rs Per Maund ....................... 4,226 ..............

SUGAR ................................ Rs Per kg ................................ 48.99 ..............

ICOTTON ............................ US Cents per pound ............ 64.05 ..............

WHEAT ............................... Rs Per 100 kg ......................... 3,413 ..............

Close 96.60 20.068 1,305.5 41,568 49,782 49,782 3,558 4,224 48.46 63.67 3,412

The total value traded was recorded at PKR 2.171 billion as compared to PKR 1.568 billion registered on Wednesday, up by 38.47 percent. Number of lots traded increased to 13,006 from 9,071 and PMEX Commodity Index closed at 3,001. Major business was contributed by gold amounting to PKR 1.208 billion- up 121 percent, followed by crude oil amounting to PKR 904 million and silver at PKR 59 million.

4th Investec Test

Seamers leave India in tatters M ANCHESTER —India, after winning Dhoni, who was back at No. 6 after a given a working over by Anderson. the toss, were bowled out for 152 on the first day of the fourth Test against England at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Stuart Broad led England’s attack with six wickets for 25 runs in 13.4 overs, including a spell after lunch of four for six in 21 balls.

Meanwhile, new-ball partner James Anderson took three for 46 on his Lancashire home ground.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who won the toss and elected to bat despite the initially overcast conditions, top-scored with 71.

The recalled Ravichandran Ashwin (40) and Ajinkya Rahane (24) were the only other batsmen to make it into double figures in an innings where there were six ducks, including three of the top four.

Anderson, on his home ground and after a week dominated by his ICC hearing, removed M Vijay for a duck and continued his stranglehold over Virat Kohli, who fell for a second-ball duck, during an opening spell of 9-3-21-2 to further narrow the gap on Ian Botham as England’s leading wicket-taker. There has been criticism for the length of spells given to Anderson this season, but today the extended run was understandable and the significance of the not-guilty verdict from was made starkly clear.

When Broad lured Cheteshwar Pujara into edging to fourth slip the scoreline could have had Duncan Fletcher reminiscing about when England were 2 for 4 in Johannesburg it was the only lower score for four wickets down in the first innings of a Test match. In the India dressing room, though, Fletcher’s expression barely changed.

It was a commendable effort by India to resist for the next hour-anda-half. Ajinkya Rahane and MS

return to five bowlers with R Ashwin’s recall in place of Rohit Sharma, mixed a degree of luck needed and warranted in such circumstances - with intent to still try and score until, five minutes before lunch, Rahane was suckered into a drive by Chris Jordan and offered the fifth catch of the session into the cordon.

There was a stroke - or should that be a flip - of fortune for England before a ball was bowled.

Alastair Cook lost the toss and Dhoni was happy to bat first; it has been the route taken by every Test captain at this ground since Graham Gooch against Australia in 1993.

Cook admitted he would have batted, but as he said that his eyes glanced skywards at the clouds, which had been heavy enough to delay the start by half an hour with drizzle, and pondered what could be on offer.

Stood at first slip, Cook will immediately have been delighted by what he watched. An early sign of the pace and carry came when a delivery from Broad burst through Jos Buttler ’s gloves and it was Broad who made the opening incision when Gautam Gambhir, playing his first Test since December 2012 in place of Shikhar Dhawan, was squared up in a manner similar to the 2011 tour and edged to gully.

Anderson had already found his groove and now started to find the edges. Vijay, the pillar of India’s batting in the series, edged a perfect outswinger to Cook at first slip and two deliveries later there was a near replay when Kohli moved across his crease and felt for another delivery which curved away. It was one of those spells where another wicket, if not more, felt inevitable and Dhoni’s uncertain technique was

However, the edges started going through or wide of the catchers rather than to them, while there was the occasional more certain drive from the continually impressive Rahane and gritty Dhoni. The next stage of the match came when Cook changed the bowling - would Chris Woakes and Jordan maintain the stranglehold?

Woakes could have struck - for just the second time in Test cricket with his third ball when Dhoni could not resist a booming drive which flew off the edge, high towards Jordan at fourth slip but he could not time his jump to intercept the chance. Dhoni was always keen to try and get onto

SCOREBOARD India 1st innings: M Vijay c Cook b Anderson .......... 0 Gambhir c Root b Broad ................. 4 Pujara c Jordan b Broad ................. 0 V Kohli c Cook b Anderson .......... 0 Rahane c Bell b Jordan ................. 24 Dhoni c Jordan b Broad ............... 71 Jadeja lbw b Anderson ................... 0 Ashwin c Robson b Broad .......... 40 B Kumar b Broad ............................. 0 VR Aaron not out ............................ 0 Pankaj Singh b broad ..................... 0 Extra: (b 10, lb 1, w 1) .................... 12 Total: (8 wickets) ......................... 152 Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-8, 3-8, 4-8, 5-62, 6-63, 7-129, 8-137, 152, 10-152 Bowling: ........................... O-M-R-W Anderson ........................... 14-3-46-3 Broad .................................. 12-6-19-4 Woakes ............................... 10-1-43-0 Jordan ................................... 8-4-18-1

the front foot and England’s response was to bowl a touch shorter, which took them away from what had provided all the earlier success. It was not a complete dereliction of their duties as happened at Lord’s, but they were perhaps sucked in by Dhoni’s method. Whenever the ball was full, it kept moving.

As it did at Lord’s, Rahane’s technique, playing the ball late with a straight bat, stood him in good stead and he was the most comfortable of India’s batsmen only to be let down by a rare misjudgment over a delivery to drive, although it was a timely reminder to England’s bowlers that the cost of a few boundaries is worth the potential reward of the outside edge. For Jordan, the weakest link of the attack at the Ageas Bowl, it was an important wicket and his first since his debut against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, which had since OLD TRAFFORD: Sam Robson comes in from the square leg boundary to catch R been followed by two barren outings.—AFP Ashwin off Stuart Broad during England vs India, 4th Test’s 1st day on Thursday.

Debutant Ahmed excels at Chess Olympiad KARACHI—Pakistan’s Syed Ahmed Ali made an impressive debut in the 41st World Chess Olympiad in Tormso, Norway by winning two and drawing one game after three rounds of the competition. Ahmed made an amazing start when he held Inter-national MasterJohn Rodgaard from Faroe Isles, having the FIDE ranking of 2361, to a draw in his first round match. Ahmad chalked his second win in the Olympiad when he defeated Ho Hou-Meng, Herman of Macau.

In his third round match Ahmed defeated FIDE Master Jacek Stachanczyk of IBCA Islands to raise points tally to 2.5 from three games on Tuesday. Pakistan’s record 14-time national champion Mahmood Lodhi (ranking 2335) went down to IM Helgi Dam Ziska, with international ranking of 2507, in the first round.—APP

Abid clinches Warid National Ranking Tennis C’ship I SLAMABAD —Top seed Muhammad Abid Rs 10,000. After the final tournament refof ZTBL annexed men’s singles final of Warid National Ranking Tennis Championship on Thursday here at Syed Dilawar Abbas Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Tennis Complex.

Abid was in fine touch and won the first set without any resistance at the score of 6-1 by breaking third and fifth game of Shahzad by playing some good volleys at the net. He kept the same pressure in the second set and build up the winning lead 3-0 when Shahzad Khan conceded the match on the injury grounds. Abid got Rs 35,000 along with trophy, whereas Shahzad was awarded Rs 20,000. This was the first title of M. Abid.

The match lasted for one hour and 15 minutes.

Yasir Khan pairing with Shahzad Khan won men’s doubles title by beating M. Abid and Usman Rafiq in a well contested two-set match at 7-5,6-1. The match lasted for one hour and 30 minutes.

Shahzad and Yasir pocketed Rs 16,000 as winners, whereas Abid and Usman got

eree Muhammad Arif Qureshi highlighted the detail of the tournament and informed that more than 100 players participated in four different events of Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Junior Under 18 and Boys Under 14. An amount of Rs.200,000 was distributed as cash prize money in addition to daily allowance and free accommodation to outstation players at PTF Tennis Complex. Warid Telecom sponsored the tournament. Qureshi also informed that the PTF will hold Fourth Syed Tajamul Abbas Memorial National Ranking Tournament from 20th August 2014 at the same venue.

Muhammad Malick, Managing Director PTV grace the occasion as Chief Guest and Distributed the prizes amongst the winners along with Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas Petron PTF. Following are the results:Men’s Singles final: Muhammad Abid beat Shahzad Khan 6-1,6-0 Men’s Doubles final: Yasir Khan /Shahzad Khan beat M. Abid /Usman Rafiq 7-5,6-1.—APP

BHAWALPUR: Players before cricket match in connection with Independence Day organized by District Administration.

OLD TRAFFORD: India were reduced to 8 for 4 in 5.1 overs on day one of the 4th Investec Test.

PFF completed club scrutiny at Distt Nowshera P ESHAWA R —To cement club football, the Pakistan Football Federation has completed club scrutiny at District Nowshera where clubs went through broad based scrutiny process.

The head of the Scrutiny and Director Development and Competition of Pakistan Football Federation Pervez Saeed Mir along with scrutiny in-charge Muhammad Sageer thoroughly checked the performance of the clubs besides making assessment was made about the players who are the members of their respective clubs.

Both the members also check the whole data of the club like the names of the player members, performance and active and nonactiveness.

Talking to APP, Pervez Saeed Mir said that they have completed the scrutiny at District Nowshera and the same would be conducted in other districts of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA as well.

He said like in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the process of the scrutiny of the clubs continued in other provinces as well. He also thanked Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Football Association Basit Kamal and office-bearers of the District Football Association Nowshera for extending him full support.—APP

Independence Day Boxing on Aug 13-14: Itrat P E S H AWA R —To

commemorate the 68th Independence Day, a Boxing event under the aegis of Violent Boxing Club Agriculture University will be organised on Aug 13-14,international technical official and Director of the Club Itrat Nazir told APP here on Thursday.

He said like every year, this year the Club management has decided to have two-day boxing competition in connection with the 68th Independence Day celebrations on Aug 13 and 14.

Itrat Nazir, who also officiated as Technical Official in the 9th SAF Games, said that arrangements in this connection have been completed well in time for the smooth sailing of the Independence Day Cup to be awarded to best pugilist.

He said they are working only for the promotion of boxing in the province and hopefully through such competitions new faces would be come up at provincial and national levels. He said the winners, runners-up and third positions holder would be awarded medals and cash prizes.—APP

Judgment on PCB constitution reserved

IHC judge expresses displeasure over concealment of facts ZUBAIR QURESHI ISLAMABAD—Justice Athar Minallah of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday expressed displeasure over the concealment of facts in a petition in which the petitioners Major (R) Ahmed Nadeem Sadal and others had challenged the newly-formulated and notified constitution of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Justice Minallah observing that the petitioners had come to the court with malafide intention reserved judgment in the case.

According to details, the petitioners Major (R) Ahmed Nadeem Sadal (Islamabad), Amir Nawab (Abbotabad), Mir Haider Ali Khan (Hyderabad) and Muhammad Rafiq Bogiou (Larkana) while citing federation of Pakistan through Secretary Sports Board, Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Najam Sethi Chairman Interim Management Committee (IMC) Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) PCB as respondents had contended before the court that the PCB’s new constitution was undemocratic and was prepared without due consultation of the stake holders.

Justice Athar Minallah questioned the counsel for the petitioners weather they had studied the Supreme Court judgment and whether the apex court had mentioned in it

that all the stakeholders had agreed on the new constitution. The counsel for the petitioner said that in the Supreme Court only the appointment of PCB Chairman was taken up which was not related with the implementation of the new constitution.

Upon this IHC judge read out the Supreme Court judgment in which it was mentioned that all the stakeholders had agreed on the new constitution.

In the writ petition, petitioners had adopted before the court that PCB consisted of 16 regions and every region should have 65 clubs whereas the Islamabad region has 34 to 35 clubs. The PCB for the last two years did not hold any general body meeting. The petitioners further adopted that articles 10(1) (b), (c), (d), (e) and 10 (4) were against the fundamental rights of all associations and the same are liable to be set aside.

They adopted that Najam Sethi must not be the member of the Board of Governors as per constitution of PCB as well as the policy of ICC. His nomination by the government of Pakistan as member Board of Governors is illegal and unlawful and the same is liable to be set aside. The three years term for member Board of Governors was undemocratic and against fundamental rights. However, the judge expressing his displeasure over concealment of the facts reserved the judgment.

Danish powers Zone-VI into KCCA T20 final KARACHI—A brilliant knock from talented all- hander and Pakistan Under-19 wicket-keeper/ rounder Danish Aziz inspired Zone-VI into the final of the KCCA Inter-zonal T20 Ramazan Cricket League with a crushing seven-wicket win over Zone-VII here.

Danish, who bats and bowls left-handed, struck an unbeaten 73 from 56 deliveries with the aid of six sixes and two fours as Zone-VI easily overhauled Zone-VII’s 148-8 by mak-

batsman Saud Shakeel who scored 27. Waqas Haroon contributed 28. Earlier, Faraz Patel (49 with a brace of sixes and as many fours), Hamza Ghanchi (37, two fours) and skipper Owais Ahmed Rehmani (31, three fours and one six) were the main run-getters for Zone-VII. Left-arm seamer Rumman Raees Khan (214), off-spinner Rizwan Khan (2-19) and slow

KARACHI: Azam Khan giving the man-of-the-match award to Danish Aziz. Also seen is tournament coordinator Touseef Siddiqui. ing 153-3 in 18.3 overs with Danish finishing left-armer Faraz Ahmed Khan (2-23) shared the match with a towering six at the Nazir the bowling honours.

Azam Khan, who was the chief guest in Hussain Young Fighter Ground. Zone-VI will meet Zone-III in the final to be played at the the last league fixture, presented the Rs2,000 man-of-the-match award to Danish Aziz at a National Stadium on Thursday.

Danish was the dominant partner in the ceremony which was attended by tournament second-wicket stand of 92 with fellow left- coordinator Touseef Siddiqui.—APP

1st Test: Sri Lanka steady after Pakistan post 451 G ALLE —Pakistan posted their sec- and lofted him for six. Mathews when he hit one to short mid-on try-

brought himself on and tied Shafiq ing to go over the top. down with a couple of maidens. Shafiq, Rehman had been targeted persiswho had moved to 75 off 130, went tently with the short ball, but on a slow scoreless for 15 balls before failing to pitch, had survived without much pick Herath’s arm ball and falling leg- trouble. He grew in confidence to take before. three successive fours off Eranga’s Sarfraz arrived and swept his first short stuff. Two were cut over the corball for two. He drove eagerly too, and don, while the third was whipped the increased pace of scoring allowed through square leg.

Younis to continue in his own solid Even as Mathews sent several way. His leaving and defence were fielders to the deep, Rehman started absolutely safe, like they had been stepping out to loft Perera for boundthrough his innings. aries. One such attempt failed to clear He continued to be on the right wide long-off and Perera finished with side of reviews, Sri Lanka finding he five wickets, but Pakistan had scored had gloved a freely off him, taking 137 in 31.5 overs Herath ball onto from the offspinner and 190 in 52.5 for pad on 147 as the day. they appealed for Sri Lanka’s reply started in a frenzy leg-before. The of outside edges, none of which car150 came up with ried. Tharanga lasted 15 deliveries, and a powerful drive his innings was a mix of edges and off Shaminda copping it on the pad as he often fell Eranga through over in his stance. It seemed only a extra cover for matter of time before he nicked off or four. Younis gave went leg-before and Junaid Khan an opportunity to chose the latter mode. the same bowler Mohammad Talha had Silva edgwhen on 156, but ing his first ball short of first slip.

Eranga could not Silva’s first three fours were outside hold onto another edges, but to his credit he was trying sharp drive in his to play softly, especially off the back f o l l o w t h r o u g h . foot. The story continued against the As the break spinners, as an edge off Rehman went neared, Younis just past the keeper and bounced jumped out and inches in front of Younis at slip. Silva’s drove Herath in- struggle to find the middle of the bat side-out through extended late into the day, but he also extra cover, leav- put away some rare wide ones from ing Sri Lanka star- the spinners. ing at another afSangakkara began with an edged ternoon on the boundary through the slips as well, field. but tightened up later.—AFP They were to strike soon after lunch, though.

Younis went after Dilruwan Perera, Asad Shafiq can’t hide his disappointment after being Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Pakistan 1st Innings: dismissed for 75 on 2nd day of the 1st Test at Galle.

Khurram lbw b Prasad .... 3 Eranga ............... 31-13-78-0

by Rangana Herath. But Younis hung off whom he took Ahmed Shehzad b Prasad4 Prasad ................. 24-3-81-2 around to add 66 with Sarfraz Ahmed, 58 off 61, again. He Azhar Ali b Herath ........ 30 AD Mathews ..... 15-7-25-0 who came in with a Test average of reverse-swept him Younis Khan c Vithanage b Herath ............... 38-9-116-3 18.58 and batted positively to make a from the line of leg Perera ............................ 177 Perera ............. 31.5-1-137-5 fifty. So did Abdur Rehman, whose stump for two, tried Misbah b Herath ........... 31 Vithanage ............. 1-0-10-0 blows at No. 8 tipped Pakistan over again and missed Asad lbw b Herath ........ 75 Sri Lanka 1st innings: the second time and Sarfraz Ahmed b Perera 55 Tharanga lbw b Junaid 450.

There was next to nothing for the jumped out to the Abdur Rehman c Khan ............................... 19 fast bowlers on the second morning third ball but only Sangakkara b Perera ..... 50 JK Silva not out ............. 38 chipped it to on a drying pitch under overcast skies Saeed b Perera ............... 12 Sangakkara not out ....... 36 in sharp contrast to the first hour on midwicket.

Talha not out ................... 9 Extras: (b 1, w 5) .............. 6 Sarfraz showed Junaid Khan c Jayawardene Total: (1 wicket) ............. 99 day one. The surface was sedate, and off his timing now, Younis and Shafiq got going with b Perera ............................. 0 Fall of wickets: 1-24 nudges past gully. The only chance walking across to Extras: (lb 4, nb 1) ............ 5 Bowling: ........... O-M-R-W Sri Lanka created was an edge pro- Prasad and clipping Total: (all out) .............. 451 Junaid Khan ....... 10-3-38-1 duced off Younis by Dhammika him four to deep Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-19, 3- Talha ..................... 7-3-26-0 midwicket. Even he Prasad that fell short of first slip.

56, 4-156, 5-293, 6-359, 7-388, Saeed .................. 12-4-19-0 Angelo Mathews turned to Herath was to fall to Perera 8-424, 9-451, 10-451 Abdur Rehman .... 5-0-15-0 after six overs, but Shafiq stepped out on the leg side, ond-highest total in the first innings of a Test in the past eight years as the lower middle order weighed in after Younis Khan’s 177. Sri Lanka toiled for five sessions on a pitch that went placid after the first morning and conceded 450-plus in successive first innings in Galle - South Africa had made 455 last month. The hosts lost Upul Tharanga early, but Kumar Sangakkara and Kaushal Silva’s partnership had steadily grown to 75 by stumps.

The overnight batsmen Younis and Asad Shafiq could add only 32 on the day before the latter was taken out

Deila shoulders blame for Celtic defeat E DINBURGH —Celtic manager Ronny Deila says he takes full responsibility after his side exited the Champions League following a resounding 6-1 aggregate defeat to Legia Warsaw in their third round qualifying match at Murrayfield.

The Hoops boss, who

Swimming: Phelps fails in 100m freestyle bid I RVINE (United States)—Michael Phelps stormed to second from lane eight in 48.96. failed in his first bid to qualify for his first international meet since the London Games, finishing seventh Wednesday in the 100m freestyle at the US Swimming Championships.

Phelps, whose record 22 Olympic medals include an astonishing 18 golds, ended a near two-year retirement in April.

But his first attempt to take his comeback to a new level by qualifying for a major international meet—the Pan Pacific

Jimmy Feigen was third in 48.98 and Conor Dwyer was fourth in 49.06.

The top four earned berths for the Pan Pacific Championships in Australia’s Gold Coast.

Results from these championships and the PanPacs will then determine the US team for the 2015 World Championships in Russia.

Phelps, who has been coy about whether his comeback is aimed at the 2016

GALLE: Kumar Sangakkara strives to make his ground before Saeed Ajmal gets the ball during Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, 1st Test’s 2nd day on Thursday.

Neymar returns to training after back injury I S L A M A B A D —Barcelona forward Neymar has trained for the first time since break-

ing a bone in his back during Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final against Colombia.

The 22-year-old was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after being kneed by Juan Zuniga on 4 July, BBC News reports.

“Neymar is back in training with the rest of the firstteam squad,” said a statement on Barcelona’s website.

“He will be given a thorough examination by the club’s medical services to evaluate his recovery.”

Barcelona begin their La Liga campaign on 24 August against Elche.

Neymar has previously said he was lucky not to be paralysed by Zuniga’s challenge.

The Colombia player did not face disciplinary action from Fifa as the incident was seen by referee Carlos Velasco Carballon.—APP

Djokovic battles as Murray sails through TORONTO (Canada)—Wimbledon champions Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray warmed up their hardcourt games on Wednesday with victories in their opening matches at the Toronto ATP Masters.

World number one Djokovic, who beat Roger Federer in five sets in last month’s Wimbledon final, needed almost two and three-quarter hours to extend his winning run to 10 matches as he beat Frenchman Gael Monfils, with the top seed reaching the third round after a 6-2, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/ 2) victory.

Britain’s 2013 Wimbledon winner Murray made light of an absence from the ATP Tour of over a month to defeat promising Aussie teenager Nick Kyrgios 6-2, 6-2 in less than an hour.

Djokovic, married last month, was playing for the first time since his All England Club triumph.

“I tried to take the positives from this long match, obviously the fact that I stayed over two and a half hours on the court and I have not played an official hard court match since Miami finals (in March),” Djokovic said.

“That obviously helps to play a little bit more, to feel the court, to feel the conditions. I’m not feeling tired. I’m not exhausted. I haven’t played a tournament for four weeks. I of course look forward to compete more.”

The Serb did have to struggle with the flashy Monfils, who put the Serbian under pressure with a break in the third set for a 31 lead.

The top seed got the break back a game later but showed his frustration as Monfils won a nine-minute 11th game, saving three break points to hold for 6-5.

Monfils was two points from completing the upset at 6-5 30-30, but Djokovic held on to force the tiebreaker in which he seized a 5-2 lead and converted on his first match point with a forehand winner.

He goes through to a meeting with French 13th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who beat countryman Jeremy Chardy 7-6 (8/6), 6-4. “I showed good stuff today, I think I was happy,” said Monfils. “This can just motivate me to work harder. Next time I will try to maybe be a bit further (along) and maybe beat him.” —AFP

Japan to face Brazil in October friendly TORONTO: Novak Djokovic returns a shot to Gael Monfils during the

T OKYO —Asian champions Rogers Cup.

replaced Neil Lennon in the summer, had called for more energy and urgency from his side following their humbling 4-1 defeat in the first leg in Poland last week.

However, there was no notable improvement from the Hoops as goals from Michal Zyro and Michael Kucharczyk handed the Scottish champions a 2-0 second leg defeat to end their hopes of a third successive season in the Champions League. “Of course it is my responsibility but also I need time to get my ideas across and get the players I want to come in and get the best out of the players here,” Deila said.—AFP

IRVINE, United States: Michael Phelps looks on after taking seventh in men’s 100 meter freestyle final at the US Swimming Championships.

Championships later this month—fell flat.

He was last at the turn and couldn’t find the last-lap speed needed, settling for seventh in 49.17sec.

Nathan Adrian, the 100m free Olympic gold medalist in London, won in 48.31sec.

Ryan Lochte, whose own collection of 11 Olympic medals includes five golds,

Rio Olympics, is entered in three more events this week, just his fourth competition since coming out of retirement.

He is slated to swim the 100m butterfly on Friday—the event he has raced the most since his return—and the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley on Saturday and Sunday.—AFP

Japan will face Brazil in a friendly in Singapore on October 14, in a high-profile test for new coach Javier Aguirre, the Japan Football Association (JFA) said Thursday.

The 55-year-old Mexican, set to arrive in Japan this weekend, has a potentially tricky start with home friendlies against Uruguay on September 5 and Venezuela on September 9.

Japan, whose World Cup flop led to the resignation of Italian coach Alberto Zaccheroni, will also play Jamaica in Niigata on October 10 before flying out to face Brazil, who they have yet to beat in 10 previous meetings.

Aguirre, poised to become Japan’s highest-paid coach ever with an estimated annual salary of almost $2.5 million, led Mexico to the last 16 of the 2002 and 2010 World Cups. Brazil’s World Cup ended in tears for the host nation after being humiliated 7-1 by eventual winners Germany in the semi-finals.—AFP

Nepal captain sees positives in Indian Prime Minister’s visit to his country Bipin Dani OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT MUMBAI—Paras Khadka, the captain of the Nepal national team foresees positives from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to his country.

Speaking exclusively over his mobile from Kathmandu, he says, “the Hon. Prime Minister’s visit to Nepal was amazing and diplomatically it went well. Hope cricket can also benefit from this visit”.

“India being the mecca of cricket if BCCI opens doors for Nepal Cricket, cricket will attain new heights in our nation. Bangladesh got Test status with the support of the Indian cricket board. Likewise, we hope Nepal cricket will benefit in future”.

Nepal’s sports minister (Purshottam Paudyal) was not in the country and the

Nepal captain, though was very enthusiast, could not meet Modi.

“The PM had a very busy schedule in his limited-time visit and so more that regret, let us hope I can meet him later”, he added.

“If there has been any opportunity, I would have explained him about the cricket structure here, and would have asked him what needs to be done about cricket development and also requested him to coordinate Nepal and India cricket ties”, Khadka added.

“As in we just got Twenty 20 status, if we can ignite this status through India help and that would help Nepal cricket reach great heights”, he added.

“We have time for the Test status. We still need to perform better as a team and then things will follow slowly”, the captain concluded.

Study finds a gene mutation increases breast cancer risk

W

OMEN with mutations in a gene called PALB2 have a one in three chance of developing breast cancer by age 70, according to research that suggests PALB2 is almost as important a risk factor as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are widely known as breast cancer risk genes. Women with a mutation in one or both often decide to have their breasts removed so they do not develop the disease.

Last year, actress Angelina Jolie went public with her decision to undergo prophylactic mastectomy after she tested positive for a BRCA mutation. Mutations in the same genes also increase the risk of ovarian cancer. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, researchers reported they had analyzed data from 154 families without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, which included 362 family members with PALB2 gene mutations.

They found that women who carried rare mutations in PALB2 had on average a 35 percent chance of developing breast cancer by the time they were 70 years old. But the risks were highly dependent on family history of breast cancer, the researches said. Those with more relatives affected by breast cancer were at higher risk. “We’re learning all the time about the different factors that may influence a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer,” said Peter Johnson, chief clinician at the charity Cancer Research UK, which part-funded the study.

“This particular mutation doesn’t make people certain to develop cancer, but it’s another piece of information to help women make proper informed choices about how they may help to minimize their own risk.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. The World Health Organisation estimates it killed more than 508,000 women in 2011. Marc Tischkowitz from the department of medical genetics at Britain’s University of Cambridge, who led the study, said that since the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were discovered in the mid-1990s, no other genes of similar importance have been identified.

This new finding, however, makes PALB2 a potential candidate to be the third most important genetic risk factor for breast cancer.

“Now that we have identified this gene, we are in a position to provide genetic counseling and advice,” he said in a statement about the research. “If a woman is found to carry this mutation, we would recommend additional surveillance, such as MRI breast screening.”

The scientists said there is evidence that cells carrying the PALB2 mutation are sensitive to a new class of drugs known as PARP inhibitors that are undergoing trials in BRCA1- and BRAC2-related breast cancers.

The drugs also may work in PALB2-related breast cancer, they said. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca is developing a PARP inhibitor drug called olaparib, which is going through clinical trials.

Public to get banglows at affordable prices in Hawksbay KARACHI—Lyari Development Authority (LDA), has finalised the affordable public housing scheme for construction of about 10,000 single and double story banglows in Hawksbay comprising modern style construction, strongly built structure, quality finishing and all civic facilities.

This was finalised at a high level meeting chaired by Director General LDA Agha Maqsood Abbas which was attended by senior officers including Sarfaraz Khan, Shahid Hassan, Syed Tasneem Ahmed, Intikhab Alam and S.M.Iqbal, said a statement on Thursday.

The meeting also decided that the LDA and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Towns Project will participate in an international exhibition being organised by Association of Builders and Developers from Aug 12 to 14 at Karachi Expo Centre.

The Association of Builders and Developers is organising the exhibition which is aimed to provide an exclusive international

level platform where foreign companies will also participate.

The meeting decided that the allottees who have paid all dues of their plots in Hawksbay scheme-42 LDA will be given prizes through balloting on the concluding day of exhibition at its stall.

Agha Maqsood Abbas has disclosed that the banglows would be constructed on modern lines with all latest civic facilities at reasonable prices with the help of experts in the field.

He further disclosed that banglows will be given to general public on easy installment basis at minimum cost to help solve the residential problems of general public.

Besides, the stall will also be setup by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Towns Project to abreast the visitors about the development activities being carried out in the SMBBT and the concrete steps being taken by the present government to solve the residential problems of general public.—APP

141 shopkeepers challaned KARACHI—The divisional and district administration had challaned 141 profiteers and imposed fine of Rs 1,78,900 on them in different areas of the city.

This was stated by Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui in a statement here on Thursday. Four profiteers were also arrested for default in payment of fine amount. He said that 58 milk sellers, 36 chicken sellers, 27 fruit and vegetable vendors and 20 other shopkeepers

were challened and fined for overcharging during price checking in Saddar, Garden, Site, Baldia, Ferozabad, Orangi, New Karachi, Gulshan-e- Iqbal, Gulzar-e- Hijri, Liaquat Abad, Nazimabad, Bin Qasim Ibrahim Haideri, Landhi, Korangi and Model Colony.

He said that crackdown against profiteering will continue till the sale of essential items is not ensured according to officially approved rates.—APP

People purchasing national flag from vendors in connection with Independence Day celebrations.

Construction of Sindh Secretariat Complex

Qaim directs to start construction work by Sept AAMIR MAJEED K ARACHI —Chief Minister (CM) Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Thursday directed the management of Works and Services Department to complete all formalities and start the construction work on Sindh Secretariat Complex Project by the end of September 2014.

He directed them to complete the construction work of this project of worth 9.4 billion rupees in three years. He said that this project has already been approved by the cabinet and the Sindh government has allocated Rs 550 million this year. He said that this building by virtue of its design must be a state of art and beautiful to facilitate officials but also the it should become the point of attraction for tourists or local visitors.

He claimed that the provincial government was experiencing shortage of office accommodation and has remained without proper facilities to house the various departmental offices since 1947. Apart from this most of the Sindh government offices are also housed in rented premises.

He said that the government of

FUUAST law dept students asked to submit thesis KARACHI —Chairman Law Department, Federal Urdu University for Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), Prof Masroor Ahmed Qureshi has advised the final year students of L.L.M to submit their thesis with the department by September 6.

In an announcement on Thursday, he said all seven thesis required by each student of the department must be submitted by the given date as it has been decided that no extension would be made in the announced date.—APP

Sindh has planned to construct a new secretariat consisting of office and allied facilities to accommodate all government departments at one place. The proposed scheme on the site of Secretariat 4-A and 4-B is designed to be modern, innovation state of art office complex selected through an architectural design competition by the Institute of Architects Pakistan (IAP).

He asked the architectures and engineers to address security concerns while implement-

ing on the project. Secretary Works and Services Kazi Shahid Perviaz while briefing the meeting about project, said that this project is divided into two phases including construction of Sindh Secretariat Complex at the location of Sindh Secretariat 4-A with Rs 4726 million and construction of Sindh Secretariat Complex No. 08 at the location of Sindh Secretariat 4-B at Rs 4703 million.

The proposed design on site of Secretariat 4-A consists of 6

buildings out of which five of these buildings are five storey and one would be 15 storey covering total area of 9,62,097 square feet. The site of Secretariat 4-B consists of 4 buildings, out of which three buildings are five storey one would be 15 storey with covered area of 8,82,477 square feet.

The scheme will also have basement parking facility of cars up to 1000 numbers besides special function buildings like auditorium, display/ function hall,

cafeterias, mosque, conference halls, server rooms, library, computer cell, allied facilities like underground tanks, overhead tanks, water treatment plant, electric power substations, utility services, external development works, landscaping, effective security system, CCTV cameras and fire fighting system.

After listening the secretary’s’ briefing, the CM Sindh placed some suggestions and asked them to incorporate the same in the designed.

Commissioner to host Beach Safety Conference K ARACHI —Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui Thursday announced to host a Beach Safety Conference on Aug 11 focussed on improved resources and capacities of all concerned departments for safety of workers as well as visitors.

The commissioner has sought close coordination among all concerned departments including Karachi Metropolitan

Corporation, Military and Cantonment Boards, Sindh Coastal Development Authority, Institute of Oceanography, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Sindh Disaster Management, Karachi Fish Harbour, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim, Pakistan Navy, Civil Defence, Defence Housing Authority, IUCN-Pakistan,

WWF-Pakistan and other civil society organisations for the purpose. Representatives from all above mentioned organisations and institutions have been asked to come forward with their proposals and suggestions for required preventive measures couples with protection of precious human lives on beach belts falling in their respective jurisdiction.—APP

SSUET schedules admissions test on Sept 28 KARACHI—Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) has scheduled admissions test on September 28 at Karachi Expo Centre. The process for Admissions-2015 is in full swing and model test papers are available at the Bank branch in the university campus, said a statement on Thursday.

The University proposes to start a new BS programme in Electrical Engineering from 2015 academic year, subject to approval from Pakistan Engineering Council. The SSUET shows great progress as it started with 222 students in 1994, and now it has the strength of more than 6,500 students. Since

1998, the university has produced around more than 10,000 graduates. It is interesting to know that 197 students were awarded BS degrees in 1998, while this year over 1,300 students received their BS degrees.

SSUET graduates have been accepted into postgraduate programmes (Masters) in many reputable Universities of the world including Imperial College (UK), California State University at Sacramento (USA), Dalhousie University (Canada), University of Florida (USA), Florida State University (USA) etc.—APP

Women advised to resort to healthy activities, avoid depression KARACHI—Women keeping themselves occupied in healthy activities that also includes their domestic responsibilities house keeping and decorating it besides personal grooming can help them avoid depression and anxiety.

Psychologists and psychiatrists addressing a session organised by Karachi Psychiatric Hospital for the women patients attending its out- patient department said “discipline” was the key for each human being keen to get rid of depression. They said that while there are always organic factors responsible for psy-

chiatric ailments yet environment and attitude of a person, be it a man or a woman, towards life may also trigger insecurities.

The experts urged the people in general and women in particular to take due care of themselves, in specific context of their personal hygiene, and consumption of simple food.

Known cooking expert Zubaida Tariq, the chief guest on the occasion endorsing the presentations of the health experts said the women also need to adopt an indifferent attitude towards family politics.Urging women to be more grate-

ful to the Allah for his blessings, instead of lamenting of what they may not have been while others are granted with, she said we need to focus more on character building.

Zubaida Tariq also advised them neither to interfere in the affairs of others nor comment about them, simultaneously ensuring that others may also not overstep their privacy.

The women participants on the occasion also expressed their views about the problems faced by them and plausible solutions to the same.—APP

Nadia Gabol Coordinator to CM for Human Rights participating in cleaning campaign in Lyari area.—PO photo Sultan Chaki

Study finds a gene mutation increases breast cancer risk

W

OMEN with mutations in a gene called PALB2 have a one in three chance of developing breast cancer by age 70, according to research that suggests PALB2 is almost as important a risk factor as BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are widely known as breast cancer risk genes. Women with a mutation in one or both often decide to have their breasts removed so they do not develop the disease.

Last year, actress Angelina Jolie went public with her decision to undergo prophylactic mastectomy after she tested positive for a BRCA mutation. Mutations in the same genes also increase the risk of ovarian cancer. In a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday, researchers reported they had analyzed data from 154 families without BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, which included 362 family members with PALB2 gene mutations.

They found that women who carried rare mutations in PALB2 had on average a 35 percent chance of developing breast cancer by the time they were 70 years old. But the risks were highly dependent on family history of breast cancer, the researches said. Those with more relatives affected by breast cancer were at higher risk. “We’re learning all the time about the different factors that may influence a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer,” said Peter Johnson, chief clinician at the charity Cancer Research UK, which part-funded the study.

“This particular mutation doesn’t make people certain to develop cancer, but it’s another piece of information to help women make proper informed choices about how they may help to minimize their own risk.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. The World Health Organisation estimates it killed more than 508,000 women in 2011. Marc Tischkowitz from the department of medical genetics at Britain’s University of Cambridge, who led the study, said that since the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were discovered in the mid-1990s, no other genes of similar importance have been identified.

This new finding, however, makes PALB2 a potential candidate to be the third most important genetic risk factor for breast cancer.

“Now that we have identified this gene, we are in a position to provide genetic counseling and advice,” he said in a statement about the research. “If a woman is found to carry this mutation, we would recommend additional surveillance, such as MRI breast screening.”

The scientists said there is evidence that cells carrying the PALB2 mutation are sensitive to a new class of drugs known as PARP inhibitors that are undergoing trials in BRCA1- and BRAC2-related breast cancers.

The drugs also may work in PALB2-related breast cancer, they said. The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca is developing a PARP inhibitor drug called olaparib, which is going through clinical trials.

A central leader of PML-N, Hamza Shahbaz is presiding over a meeting of Ulema belonging to different schools-of-thought at Model Town on Thursday.

Iranian CG meets CM SALIM AHMED L AHORE —Iranian Consul General Muhammad Husain Bani Asadi met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here Thursday.

Matters of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation came under discussion during the meeting. The Chief Minister said that Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with Iran and there is a need to increase the volume of trade between the two countries.

PEF team distributes flags OBSERVER REPORT LAHORE—With a view to cel-

Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif with the donors who presented cheques for Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Cheques presented to Shahbaz for relief of IDPs OBSERVER REPORT LAHORE—Member Provincial Assembly Ch. Muhammad Yousaf, renowned industrialists Khawaja Muhammad Masood, Jalal Din Roomi and Sohaib Bhatti met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here Thursday and presented cheques for one crore sixty lakh rupees for Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for IDPs. A prominent industrial group presented one crore rupees, Member Provincial Assembly Ch. Muhammad Yousaf 35 lakh rupees while Jalal Din Roomi and his father Khawaja Muhammad Masood 25 lakh rupees.

Speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that the spirit to help those who have been

ebrate the national day of Pakistan in a befitting manner, communication department team of Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) Thursday visited various poor localities in different towns of the city and distributed national flags, badges and booklets containing details of the various free educational programs of the foundation in general public and children.

displaced due to war against terrorism in North Waziristan is commendable and those who are helping the affected families will be rewarded

by Allah Almighty.

He said that help and assistance to lakhs of displaced brethren and sisters is a national and religious obligation.

He said that it is not a time to make political capital but to extend maximum help to distressed people and all segments of society should come forward for this purpose and donate generously to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for IDPs. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government is spending every penny of donations for the help of displaced persons in a transparent manner.

Some elements are challenging the writ of Govt by creating chaos OBSERVER REPORT LAHORE—Provincial Minister for Law, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said that some elements are challenging the writ of the government by creating chaos and anarchy in Pakistan under a conspiracy.

He said that people have given mandate to Pakistan Muslim League-N which will be safeguarded by people and constitution of Pakistan. He said that law enforcement agencies will not be deterred by the threats of Tahir-ul-Qadri nor that person will be allowed to violate law or talk of hanging policemen.

He said that those who are gathering proclaimed offenders to topple the government and ordering their workers to fix nails on their batons and collect weapons will not be allowed to violate the law of the country and will be dealt with an iron hand.

He expressed these views while addressing a press conference in the committee room of National Hockey Stadium Thursday. Provincial Minister for Envi-

ronment and Police Reforms, Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada was also present on the occasion. Rana Mashhood Ahmed said that Tahir-ul-Qadri and Imran Khan want to push the people into a blind alley.

He warned that they will know the result of illegal activities. He said that people who do not abide by the law and constitution of Pakistan want to create disruption and hooliganism in the country but law will take its course against them. He said that those using indecent language in their provocative speeches will not be tolerated.

He said that Imran Khan and Tahir-ulQadri will be responsible for any loss caused to the democratic system. He said that it is insult of people to describe a democratic government as a monarchy. The Minister said that Imran Khan is disappointed due to non-materialization of his dreams but he should not divide the nation on national affairs.

He said that misunderstanding of Ch Shujat will soon be removed and he did not learn a lesson from defeat in general

elections. Rana Mashhood said that Ch. Shujat’s condition is pitiable and he likes to walk under the umbrella of a dictator and not democracy.

He said that Ch. Brothers are trying to come into power with the help of a person who has no political importance. He said that Ch. Brothers should forget martial law or becoming a part of it.

Replying to a question, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said that a citizen of Lahore Zulfiqar had submitted an application to register a case against Maulana Tahir-ul-Qadri for delivering rebellious speeches and a case has been registered against him in Police Station Lower Mall Lahore.

Replying to another question, Rana Mashhood Ahmed said that Tahir-ul-Qadri has not been immediately arrested as government does not want to lose patience. He said that we are waiting for final report of joint investigation team and judicial commission after which all will become clear before the nation.

Anti-democratic forces are hatching conspiracies to weaken Govt OBSERVER REPORT LAHORE—Provincial Minister for Zakat & Usher Malik Nadeem Kamran has said that after the receipt of development package of 32 billion dollars by the present government, anti-democratic forces are hatching conspiracies to weaken democratic government in Pakistan through the politics of protest and march on the behest of foreign powers. He said that no one has the right to undermine the solidarity of Pakistan.

He said this while addressing the Muslim League Workers Convention held at Circuit House Bahawalpur in connection with Independence Day celebrations.

Provincial Parliamentary Secretary on Information Rana Muhammad Arshad Khan, Provincial President PML-N Youth

Wing Mian Ghulam Hussain Shahid, assembly members, Mian Khadim Hussain Wattoo, Khalid Mehmood Jajja, Afzal Gul, Kazim Pirzada, Islam Aslam, Masood Alam, Samiullah Chaudhry, Haseena Begum, Fozia Ayub Qureshi, Aqeel Najam Hashmi and district and tehsil presidents of PML-N Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur and Rahimyar Khan were present on the occasion.

The Minister said that in the garb of sit-in, anti-democratic forces are trying to create law & order situation in the country, which cannot be afforded under these circumstances.

He said that Pakistan is our identity and the people want to work for its progress and solidarity. He said that various programmes have been chalked out

to celebrate Independence Day throughout the province. Malik Nadeem Kamran said that national flag will be hoisted at bar councils on August 09, traders function will be held on August 10, Minorities day on August 11 and women day on August 12 will be celebrated.

Similarly, the Minister said that martyrs day will be celebrated on August 13 and the heirs of martyrs will lit candles and central functions will be held on August 14 throughout Pakistan.

He said that students function will be held on August 18, labour wing on August 21 and functions will be held on August 23 under youth wing. The Minister told that on August 30, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif will invite the party workers to Lahore to reward three best function holder districts.

Paramedics, nurses termed as backbone of healthcare system SALIM AHMED LAHORE—Minister for Excise & Taxation and Finance, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman has said that paramedics and nurses play vital role in provision of the healthcare facilities to the patients therefore, they are the backbone of our healthcare system. He said that government has created 3000 new posts of nurses and Rs. 1.43 billion has been allocated for this purpose in the current fiscal year whereas the recruitment process has been initiated.

Talking to delegations of nurses, paramedics and party workers, Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said that focus of the government is upon primary and protective healthcare so that to achieve the Mil-

lennium Development Goals (MDGs), to achieve the targets the community midwifery homes will be established at the far flung areas of the province to provide basic health facilities to child & mother and to look after their health as well as to minimize the maternal & neonatal mortality rate during the child birth. He said that government has provided record funds to health sector for imparting modern healthcare facilities.

He said that by increasing the health budget up to 121.80 billion rupees, the present government has ensured modern health facilities and free medicines to poor and resource-less people. He said that people of rural and remote areas are also being provided treatment facilities through mobile health units and Rs. 1

billion has been provided for this purpose.

He said that huge sum of Rs.47.44 billion will be spent for treatment facility and upgrade the hospitals during current financial year.

Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman aid that the government was appointing trained lady health workers, LHVs and community midwives at health centers, especially in remote areas so that infants and mothers could be saved from fatal diseases, whereas, LHWs were being appointed in remote areas. He said the MMR in LHWs covered area is 147/100,000 live births, compared 300 to 350/100,000 to uncovered areas, therefore, the LHWs, LHVs and the community midwives were being appointed at all the health centers in remote areas.

A vendor displaying national flags and other related stuff at Township Road as the nation is preparing to celebrate Independence Day.