Ep09august2015

Latest News

US adds Russian oil field in sanctions list WASHINGTON—The United States has added a Russian oil and gas field, the YuzhnoKirinskoye Field, to its list of energy sector sanctions prompted by Moscow’s actions in Ukraine, drawing a prompt rebuke from the Kremlin on Friday.

The federal government said on Thursday the field, located in the Sea of Okhotsk of the Siberian coast and owned by Russia’s leading gas producer Gazprom, contains substantial reserves of oil in addition to reserves of gas.

“The Yuzhno-Kirinskoye Field is being added to the Entity List because it is reported to contain substantial reserves of oil,” according to a rule notice in the Federal Register.

A Kremlin spokesman criticized the move.

“Unfortunately, (this decision) further damages our bilateral relations,” spokesman

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Indian army captain killed in Gurez SRINAGAR—An army officer was killed after he slipped and rolled down into a deep gorge near Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Saturday.

A senior army official said that army’s 36 RR had l aunched massive searches in the forest area of Koragbal close to the LoC during intervening night of August 07/08.

“Today early in the morning as the searches were under way, an army Captain Prem Kumar slipped and rolled down into a deep gorge”, he said, adding that the injured officer was shifted to nearby hospital where from he was later airlifted to military hospital here in Srinagar.

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Crackdown against fake medicine factories

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Huge dumps of ammunition in Afghanistan ................................................

Islamic BD reacts against secular blogger

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More dams needed to 8 arrested in child prevent floods: PM pornography case Pakistan's biggest child abuse scandal

Announces Rs200m for water scheme in Isakhel, Rs300m for flood victims of Mianwali Rs1.30b to protect area from hill torrents STAFF REPORTER I SAKHEL —Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the government would spend an amount of 1.30 billion rupees to protect the Mianwali area from devastating hill torrents that cause widespread damage and more dams were required to prevent floods.

Addressing flood victims in Isakhel, the premier expressed grief over the loss of lives and promised necessary action to prevent floods caused by hill torrents and announced Rs300 million assistance for the flood victims.

The premier shed light on the importance of building more dams in order to avoid devastation caused by floods. He reassured the people that the government is prioritising development of underdeveloped areas in order to bring them at par with developed areas.

The prime minister, mentioning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, said that it will pass through the area and create employment opportunities for the people and bring prosper-

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Inquiry Committee report presented to Shahbaz OUR CORRESPONDENT KASUR—Eight men accused of being involved in a child abuse and child pornography scandal, which is said to have affected around 280 children, have been arrested, a report submitted to the Punjab chief minister revealed.

The report, prepared by an inquiry committee formed to investigate the case, added that raids are being conducted to apprehend three other culprits, says a private TV channel.

The committee, comprising Additional Inspector General Arif Nawaz Khan and Commissioner Lahore Division Abdullah Sunbal, presented its findings to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who

has directed authorities to apprehend any individual involved in such incidents.

A gang of 20 to 25 individuals had reportedly made about 400 videos of sexual abuse of at least 280 children belonging to a village near Depalpur Road in Kasur. An FIR of the case was registered on July 1, while another FIR against 15 persons was registered in Ganda Singh police station on July 6.

The Punjab chief minister took notice after clashes erupted over the past few days between protesters and police in villages around Kasur, some of which grew violent, injuring both citizens and policemen.

Protesters came out on the streets after news broke out of

the police letting go of one of the arrested suspects. Protesters also claim that the police

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A baseless scandal KASUR—A high-level inquiry committee formed by the Punjab government to investigate allegations of authorities’ inaction to check instances of child sex abuse and blackmailing by a gang in Husain Khanwala and other villages in Kasur district concluded that reContinued on Page 7

NAB arrests ex-PPP Punjab India releases 16 Pakistani president Qasim Zia Held for committing Rs100m fraud STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—The former Punjab ISAKHEL: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif distributing the flour bags among flood affectees on Saturday.

Held Kashmir speaker not to be invited to C’wealth moot: Sartaj ISLAMABAD—Special Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz, on Saturday said Pakistan will “never invite the speaker of occupied Jammu and Kashmir Assmebly to the upcoming Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference” to be held in Islamabad from September 30 to October 8.

Talking at a book launch ceremony in Islamabad, Aziz said Pakistan’s principled position on Jammu and Kashmir will be compromised if the speaker of Indian-held Kashmir’s legislature is invited to the conference because Pakistan does not recognise and accept the said assembly.

The national security adviser went on to say that the conference will go ahead as scheduled, with over 70 per cent of the delegates having confirmed their participation.

I SAKHEL —Prime Minister

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Saturday stunned everyone by a pleasant surprise of visiting Isakhel city, interacting with common people, and setting Talking about bilateral talks with India, aside the security protocols.

Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan had not as yet reAfter addressing a gathersponded to India on the national security advisContinued on Page 7 ers’ meeting proposed by the latter on Aug 23 in New Delhi.

“Pakistan is preparing its agenda for the meeting and consultations for that are underway... after finalisation of the agenda, it would be shared with India.”

Sartaj Aziz regretted that B ERLIN —Israeli Defence Pakistan was blamed for all Minister Moshe Yaalon isterrorist attacks in India, even before investigasued a veiled threat against tions are conducted. “This will be taken up at Iranian nuclear experts saying the national security advisers’ meeting,” he said. the Jewish state had a right to Talking about Pakistan’s fight against defend itself and that he was miltants, he said Pakistan did not differentiate not “responsible for their between good and bad Taliban, adding that aclives”. tion had been taken against all.

In an interview to Ger-

Sans speaker India will not participate: Raghavan STAFF REPORTER

Pleasant surprise

President of Pakistan People’s Party Qasim Zia was arrested

by National Accountability Bureau officials for committing stock market fraud worth over Rs100 million on the Lahore Stock Exchange.

Zia and his partner Usman Saeed were arrested by NAB in the early hours of Saturday. Zia and others are accused of selling fraudulent shares and committing stock market fraud through

a company.

The wife of Qasim Zia is also among the four directors of the company.

NAB has been granted 14day remand of the accused by the accountability court.

A spokesperson for the anti-corruption body told media that the accused was arrested in the 100-million fraud case for cheating public at large.

“The accused has been apprehended on allegations of cheating public at large, mis-

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prisoners

STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—India released 16 Pakistani prisoners including nine fishermen on Saturday as a reciprocal gesture five days after Pakistan freed 163 Indian fishermen.

According to a statement by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, 16 Pakistani prisoners, whose nationality has been confirmed by Pakistani authorities, are being repatriated to Pakistan via Wagah border.

The statement added that the cases against nine Pakistani fishermen have been withdrawn.

The confirmation of the reContinued on Page 7

Israel makes veiled threats against Iranian nuclear scientists

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man weekly Der Spiegel due to appear on Saturday, Yaalon said: “Iran’s nuclear ambitions must be stopped in one way or another.

“We would like this to be done through accords or sanctions,” he said. “But finally, Israel must be in a position to

defend itself.”

Asked specifically about targeting Iranian experts or staging acts of sabotage, he said: “I am not responsible for the lives of the Iranian scientists.”

Several Iranian experts have been assassinated and

there has been a hacking attack, both blamed by Tehran on Israel and the United States.

Iran and the United States, along with Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia, recently struck a deal

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Fahmida criticises Altaf

All commands one to bring peace in Balochistan Q UETTA —Balochistan Po- war on terror to restore Nasser Khan Janjua, Home provision of compensa- beloved country. Pakistan

wants durable peace in the region and no enemy would be allowed to damage peace in its province Balochistan, he said.

ISLAMABAD —National As- blame game. Replying to a Inspector General Po- sembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz question, he said Altaf conlice Balochistan, Sadiq has said that every sidered that the ongoing opMuhammad Aamlish said Pakistani condemned eration in Karachi was that credit went to the mar- speech of Muttahida Qaumi against the MQM but he tyrs of Police and other law Movement (MQM) chief (Ayaz) clarified to him that it enforcement agencies as Altaf Hussain seeking help was against the criminals, not now people of the province from foreign forces to bring against any political party. have been enjoying peace. peace in Karachi. Talking to To another question reTerrorism and extremism media, he said that despite garding resignation of PTI are taking last sigh and resistance from some of his members, he said he had folBalochistan is going to be- friends, he had spoken to lowed the Constitu-tion in come a peaceful and eco- Altaf Hussain to avoid ag- this regard. Since veteran nomically, a thriving prov- gravating environment of politician Javed Hashmi had ince, he said. the National Assembly over tendered his resignation himHe said the government the issue of de-seating mo- self so it was accepted. Rehad provided funds for tions against Pakistan plying to another question salaries, incentives, com- Tehrik Insaf (PTI) parlia- about attack on the Parliapensation and other facili- mentarians. ment by PTI workers, he said ties for Balochistan Police The Speaker was of the it was now a closed chapter and for procurement of view that if he had not con- and hoped that the PTI memmodern weapons, equip- tacted the MQM chief; the bers would attend the NA ments and vehicles. We are parliamentarians would have proceedings and play the role thankful to the Ba- continued to indulge in of opposition.—APP lochistan government for extending remarkable financial cooperation to Balochistan Police, he said.

Govt to Home Minister develop Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said that militants dargahs would have to surrender SUKKUR— otherwise they would have Advisor to to face stern action. MiliSindh Chief Minister for tants will have to have surReligious Affairs and render to join mainstream Auqaf, Dr Abdul Qayyum otherwise they would have Soomro has said the Sindh to face stern action, he said. government was committed Chief Secretary sessions on professional to the development of Balochistan said that they M U LTA N —Punjab Gover- ethics to groom potentialinor Malik Rafique Rajawana Dargahs including could not forget martyrs of ties of young lawyers. The renowned saint Yousif Balochistan Police who lost urged upon the lawyers to governor observed that lawearn name in sacred profesShah Jillani Dargah who their lives in the line of has contributed immensely QUETTA: Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai distributing certificates among students during a duty. We will bring the ter- sion and pay immense focus yers should make full prepafor the social and religious ceremony. Chief Minister, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Commander Southern Comand, Lt Gen Muhammad Naseer Khan rorists to justice to make our on the promotion of legal ration in their cases.

About judges induction development in the areas.

Janjua, Home Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Chief Secretary Saifullah Chattha and IG Police, Aamlish province a peaceful region, ethics especially among in judiciary, Rajwana stated young lawyers.

He was adSpeaking after inauguratKhan also present on the occasion. he said. —APP dressing to a ceremony of that he would try his level ing and laying foundation district bar association held best to ensure maximum instone of development work here Saturday. Rafique duction of judges in judiat Dargah, he said that the Rajwana, who is also promi- ciary from South Punjab. land of saint Yousif Shah nent lawyer stressed upon The governor lauded incumJillani, is in accordance young lawyers to concen- bent government and stated with the teachings of trate on their professional that it was achieving numerreligious saints, upon responsibilities and pay re- ous successes in improving which, he deserves economy and abolishing spect to judges. appreciation. Dr Soomro He lamented that the terrorism from the country. said that Provincial Rajwana claimed that term “wukla gardi” was not government was working development I S L A M A B A D —Pakistan’s programme while students Goals, which will usher in a Bokhari, Syed Amjad Ali, and conflict stricken re- used in past and added that matchless on four big targets on priority basis.—APP longstanding contribution from Froebel’s International new global paradigm for the Agha Shahi, Jamshed gions around the world. there was huge responsibil- working including mega Marker and Munir Akram. Ambassador Lodhi later re- ity on legal fraternity in dis- project of Metro Bus was beto UN peacekeeping, the School are in New York to next fifteen years. participate in the UN’s An“Our primary objective at “Pakistan has therefore, sponded to questions from pensation of justice as they ing ensured in South Punjab. world body’s flagship activRoads to nual Youth Assembly. the UN is to protect and proover the years, set a tradi- students who were keen to were in practical life and were He added that a master sewity, is not only emblematic bring Ambassador Lodhi told mote Pakistan’s interests tion of active and skilful di- know more about Pakistan’s not in student life. He sug- erage plan was also in of the country’s commitgested conduct of lecture progress in the city. —APP ment to maintaining interna- them that Pakistan has al- across a range of issues”, plomacy at the UN and en- goals at the UN.—APP revolution ways been among the Ambassador Lodhi said, joys excellent reputation tional peace and security LAHORE— but has also earned it “re- world’s leading troop con- added that issues like Jammu here”, she added.

Punjab Minister Talking about the up spect and influence” in the tributing countries and at & Kashmir, counter-terrorfor Communication & world body, a top Pakistani present ranks number two in ism, international peace and coming General Assembly Works Malik Tanvir Aslam diplomat has said, says a the number of troops de- security, Security Council Session, she said that UN Awan said that Khadim-emassage recived here from ployed in different mis- reform and Afghanistan were would be celebrating its 70th Punjab Rural Roads sions, mostly in Africa. among its priorities at the UN anni-versary this year with New York.

Programme will bring about Briefing the young Pa- and the Mission remain en- several high-level meetings Speaking to two groups economic revolution in of Pakistani students who kistani citizens about the gaged in these issues as a taking place in September in province and put the which Prime Minister visited the Pakistan Mission country’s role has played at major voice at the UN. country on the road to Ambassador Lodhi said Muhammad Nawaz Sharif to the UN, Ambassador the UN, she explained that progress and development. Maleeha Lodhi said Paki- it had historically engaged that while she was Pakistan’s would participate. AmbasHe was addressing a stan takes pride in its con- actively on a wide range of first female ambassador to sador Lodhi explained to national seminar on tribution to UN peacekeep- issues, and currently has the UN, Pakistan had ap- students the role played by Khadim-e-Punjab Rural ing operations in hotspots played a helpful role in ne- pointed some of its most dis- various UN agencies in proRoads Programme here. He around the world. Students gotiations in the evolution tinguished diplomats to viding humanitarian assissaid it was a biggest from the Army Public School of the post-2015 global de- serve as permanent repre- tance, promoting developproject in the history of the Peshawar are visiting the velopment Agenda and the sentatives to the UN; includ- ment and alleviating the sufcountry under which U.S on an exchange Sustainable Development ing personalities like Pitras fering of people in disaster widening and repair of 15000 kilometer roads of rural areas will be completed till September 2018.

He said that in the first phase, every road will be L ARKANA —Commissioner Larkana ers by Deputy Director Anti-Corrup- Police, Agriculture Extension, Highwidened upto 12 feet Division Ghulam Akbar Leghari pre- tion Eatablishment (ACE) Larkana Di- ways, Director College, TMAs, whereas in the second sided over a meeting of Divisional vision Muhammad Sharif Shaikh, of- Zakaat & Ushr, Food and other dephase these roads will be partments. Serious misappropriations Anti-Corruption Establishment Com- ficers of various departments. widened upto 16 feet.—APP mittee (ACE) Larkana Division here.

The meeting discussed applica- were found in Police, Revenue and MULTAN: Governor Punjab Malik Rafique Rajwana receiving a souvenir after addressing the members of District Bar Association.

The meeting was attended among oth- tions against Revenue, Education, Education departments.—APP lice was paid rich tributes for sacrificing lives in war on terror and playing sigB ADIN—Former nificant role against terrorNational ism, extremism in order to Assembly Speaker Dr restore peace in the provFehmida Mirza said ince. Addressing a cerstatement of Muttahida emony held in connection Qaumi Movement chief with Balochistan Police Altaf Hussain for foreign Martyrs Day, Chief Minisintervention, was an act disloyalty with the country. ter, Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch said “We pay rich tributes Speaking to the media to Balochistan Police, of during her visit to rain-hit areas of Badin district, she which officials and personsaid Dr Zulfiqar Mirza had nel sacrificed their lives in challenged views of Altaf Hussain four years ago and demanded action in this regard. She alleged that people of Badin had to face consequences of inaction of Sindh government functionaries.

Defective policies of provincial government were also responsible of flood-like situation in the district, she added. Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, Nadeem Ahmed Mughal.—APP

peace and bring progress and prosperity for their province.”

He said that other law enforcement agencies including Frontier Corps Balochistan and Levies Force also played important role in actions taken for maintenance of peace and order.

Governor Balochistan, Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Commander Southern Command, Lt-Gen. Muhammad

Minister Balochistan, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Chief Secretary Balochistan, Saifullah Chattha, IG Police Balochistan, Muhammad Aamlish and other senior officials were also present.

The Chief Minister said that the government was taking measures to make police free of political pressure besides ensuring merit in recruitment in police department. The government has been taking steps for

tion, health and educational facilities to the siblings of martyrs of Balochistan Police, he said.

Commander Southern Command, Lt-Gen. Muhammad Nasser Khan Janjua said that he paid rich tributes to the martyrs of Frontier Corps, Balochistan Police and Levies Force who sacrificed their lives while fighting against terrorism. We are ready to face the challenges faced by our

Every Pakistani condemned Altaf Hussain’s speech

Governor for professional ethics promotion among young lawyers

‘Pak contribution to UN peacekeeping reflects its commitment to int’l peace’

ACE finds serious scam in govt departments

Absence echoed in KP PA P ESHAWAR —

The absence of the arrested PTI legislator, Ziaullah Afridi once again echoed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Speaking on a point of order, Leader of Opposition in KP Assembly, Maulana Lutf-urRehman recalled the presiding officer, Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli that on last Monday, Zarin Gul MPA had pointed out the arrest of Ziaullah Afridi to the Speaker. He said that not informing the Speaker of the arrest of the legislator is violation of the rules and breach of the privilege of the house. Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli, who was presiding over the proceedings, said that the matter has been brought in the notice of the Speaker and he has discretion to announce his ruling on suitable time.—APP

Mere resignations will not do, FIA or NAB enquiry into fund misuse is need of the hour SALAHUDDIN HAIDER

F

ORMER Olympian Akhtar Rasool has offered to quit the presidentship of Pakistan Hockey Federation, but will a mere resignation would be sufficient? The answer in an emphatic “NO”. Reports had long been circulating of gross misuse of Rs 1.2 billion by previous PHF management of Asif Bajwa. Attention to such an important issue, had been drawn twice before but nothing has yet been done.

Government decision to catch culprits guilty of abuse of fund or authority, has begun to show results. A number of senior offic-

ers have been arrested in Sindh, Punjab, and the capital city of Islamabad. Why then a mere enquiry committee was considered sufficient to probe into disgraceful defeat at recent world hockey league, and the results disaster which led to ouster of a country like Pakistan from the coming Olympic. This is nation’s humiliation is totally intolerable.

And instead of being ashamed of their conduct, the present PHF set up, Akhtar Rasool and his secretary have stuck brazen-facedly to their offices, showing utter contempt to public demand for their ouster.

The committee which included couple of sitting members of PHF had limited parameters to operate. Naturally they merely suggested change of leadership, but avoided probing into complaints

of ignoring players sent for world hockey league.

They were paid US dollars 20 a day which was hardly justifiable to cover for expenses of food etc. Under-nourished, fatigued, and looking for help towards Pakistani company in Belgium for their essential needs, was sadly overlooked by the committee members. While players who were keen to win laurels for the country, were clearly maltreated, were often hungry, and desperate, PHF officials stayed in luxury hotels, and has limousines for joyride, drawing over 200 US dollars per day from the funds, which they now allege was not enough to meet the expenses.

A country, winning three Olympics in 1960, 1968, and 1984, and four World Cups, many a time champions trophy, has been dis-

graced and humiliated by those, manipulating PHF elections to get them coveted seats. They need severe punishment, even open trial, and harsh sentences from courts. Merely allowing them to resign, will negate the very concept of accountability.

If cricketers world over are punished for their involvement in unethical practices, match , spot fixing etc, why should Olympians be spared of proper punishment?

Players of repute like former South African captain, late Hanse Cronie, ex-Indian captain Azharuddin, ex-Pakistan player Saleem Malik, former Indian fast bowler Manoj Parbhakar, were banned for their misdeeds. Why should the hokey bosses be left out. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, now looking after PHF and PCB affairs, should not only terminate

the services of present PHF officebearers, but also order a thorough enquiry into their misconduct An iron hand treatment is now needed. They need not be let go scot free. That will be sad commentary of state of affairs of the country. The government should also appoint a minister for sports to rehabilitate Pakistan’s image abroad.

Making the minister for inter-provincial coordination incharge of sports is a matter of neglect and needed to corrected now.

The prime minister should look for merit, and if possible appoint former prime minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali as president PHF and ooutstanding player of his time, Samiullah, called “flying horse” as secretary of the organization. They would form a great combination, and may help rehabilitate hockey on sounder lines.

Schools not to opened before August 14 SARGODHA—The education department has constituted monitoring teams to check the private schools for not implementing government instructions and opening of schools before August 14.

Talking to media here Satruday, EDO (educa-tion) Liaqat Ali Nasir, told that such teams were formed after the com-plaints that some private schools have been reopened after summer vacations although the Punjab government has clearly announced that schools would be reopened after Aug 14.

The EDO said that only 8th class students of government schools were called for a day in the schools to intimate them about the correction in the geography book. It is pertinent to mention that most of the private schools were seen opened after August.—APP

Committee to probe complaints against EOBI

HYDERABAD: An elderly person taking a nap under his temporary set-up in the flood hit area of Sehrishnagar.

Shahbaz directs flood-hit roads re-construction on war footings L AHORE —Punjab Chief Meanwhile it is reported ments Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Saturday directed concerned departments to carry out work on war footing for the rehabilitation of link roads. Flow of traffic should be restored if needed, through bailey bridges, he said. He said that relief activities have been accelerated in flood-hit areas of south Punjab whereas instructions have been issued to administration for carrying out survey of losses and survey has been started in this regard.

He said that flood affectees are our brother and sisters and complete care of their needs is being taken. The Chief Minister said that meals should be provided to flood affectees on time in the camps and there should be no shortage in provision of best treatment facilities to the affectees and their children.

Food points sealed A B B O T TA B A D —Assistant Commissioner, Mir Raza Ozgen on Saturday sealed Hot & Spicy and Chinese Fast Food and Capitan Showarma King those kitchens were found extremely unhygienic.

According to details, on the special directives of Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Khalid Mahmood AC raided on several restaurants of city and found two refreshment canters kitchens extremely unhygienic including Hot & Spicy and Chinese Fast Food & Capitan Showarma King.

Mir Reza Ozgen immediately sealed both outlets and arrested their managers.

During last one year district government has started a drive against the bakeries, restaurants.—APP

that the Punjab Government has released more than Rs one million funds for the repairing and maintenance of safety embankments and spurs of Shujabad canal division.

According to official sources here Saturday, the Irrigation Department Punjab has issued more than Rs one million funds for the repairing and maintenance of about 30 safety embank-

and spurs of Shujabad canal division to avoid flood wastage.

The repairing and maintenance work would be completed within one month and the contract of the project would be given to government contractors, sources concluded. Earlier, NDMA has reported that a total of 1,211,101 people, 3,093 villages and 8,658 houses have been damaged due to floods in vari-

ous areas of the country.

According to the spokesman, as many as 3,093 villages affected in floods, 2,278 are situated in Sindh, 512 in Punjab, 17 in AJK and 286 in GilgitBaltistan. About 449,460 persons have been affected by floods in Punjab, 625,641 in Sindh and 136,000 in Gilgit-Baltistan.

While 170 people were dead, 122 persons sustained injuries due to recent floods

including 79 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 46 in Punjab, 23 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), 13 in Balochistan, 7 Gilgit Baltistan and 2 persons have been died in FATA due to floods.

Out of 122 injured persons, he said 68 persons were injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 33 in Balochistan, 8 in Punjab, 5 in AJK, 6 in Gilgit-Baltistan and 2 persons were injured in Fata.—APP

the constitution as provi-

for taking the stakeholders

rily responsibility of the government. While showing complete solidarity with the All employees council of Ayub Teaching Hos-pital, Baba said that they totally reject the new Health Reforms Act and asked government o review its decision as it had created not only unrest among the health staff of all the four major hospitals of the province but shown fear that it will burden the poor patients on the name of privatization of the health facilities.

Baba threatened to take the matter in streets if provincial government fails to

the hospital employees for all kind of support if any illegal or uncon-stitutional step would be taken by any body. Chief of TSH told that Law wing of TSH will file two separate writ petitions against the Reforms Act, one for the employees of the ATH and other on behalf of the patients & residents of Hazara.

He said that government has been trying to manipulate the health Reforms for the vested interest and pushing the health sector towards privatization by introducing corporate American health system, which will deprive

A B B O T T A B A D — B a b a sion of health is the prima- into confidence. He assured Haider Zaman, Chief of Tehrik-e-Suba Hazara has announced to knock the doors of court against the Health Reforms Act 2015 while addressing the protesting employees of Ayub Teaching Hospital he said that he will file two writ petitions in High Court very soon.

Baba Haider Zaman while addressing said that KPK government under the banner of Health Reforms Act 2015 is trying to snatch the basic health facilities from the poor peoples and said that people of Hazara will never accept any such kind

KP to seek President’s support in extending various laws to PATA P E S H A W A R — K h y b e r Assembly that the provin- Right to Service (RTS) and Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Higher Education Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani told the KP

cial government was work- other laws to Provincial Ading on a draft for extension ministered Tribal Area of Right to Information, (PATA). The minister was responding to the point of orders raised by Syed Jaffar Shah of ANP and Dr. Haider Ali of PTI regarding extending of Model Universities Act to Malakand Division.

They alleged illegal recruitments in the University of Swat.

They said that three months back the provincial assembly had passed a unanimous resolution for the extending of the Model Universities Act to Malakand Division, but it was not implemented. They said that the provincial assembly had granted autonomy to an institution, but it had made hostage to an individual. Dr. Haider Ali said that despite the passage of two years in power, the provincial government had failed and massive corruption was going on in universities.

In response to the speeches of legislators, Mushtaq Ghani told the house that the provincial government has already sent a summary of the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Swat to the Chancellor. However, he said the Vice Chancellor has made a commitment that as he is retiring within a period of three months and will not indulge in any illegality during the period.—APP

Security arrangements for NA-19 by polls finalized

H ARIPUR —Haripur police on Saturday have made all security preparations for upcoming by-elections in NA-19 Haripur which is due on August 16. As many as 1500 policemen would be deployed at 513 polling stations and a demand of 2150 army personal has also been sent.

This was stated by the District Police Officer (DPO) Haripur Khurumm Rasheed while briefing the media about the security arrangements for by-elections. We have finalized the security plane for by-elections, police and army the poor patients from free jointly perform duty at all polling stations.—APP medical cover.

‘Govt trying to snatch health facilities from poor under Health Reforms Act’ ABDUL KHALIQ QURESHI of law which is contrary to take appropriate measures

I SLAMABAD —Taking cognizance of the news reports in the print media regarding the complaints against the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), Fed-eral Ombudsman Mr. M Salman Faruqui has constituted a committee to look into the matters and submit its report.

In pursuance of the powers conferred in Article 18 & 19 of P.O of 1983, the federal ombudsman announced the committee headed by Mr. Asif Hayat, exchairman Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and a former secretary. According to the notification, Farah Ayub Tarin, Senior Advisor and former Controller General of Accounts would be the secretary of the committee.—APP

‘Pak-Iran ties very special’ P E S H A W A R — K h y b e r tion opportunities in tribal Pakhtunkhwa Governor Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan Saturday said historical perspective with common traditions and bonds make Pakistan-Iran relations special. He was talking to Acting Consul General of Iran Seyed Hamayun Amir Khalili, who called on him here at the Governor House, said a press release.

The governor stressed on exchange of visits between the two countries to further boost their brotherly rela-tions. He apprised the Iranian Consul of the postwar scenario in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the measures for rehabilitation, reconstruction, stability and enhancing income resources of the tribal population. In the decadelong war against terrorism, he said, the gallant tribesmen had offered a lot of sacrifices.

Millions of them were displaced while the whole infrastructure in the tribal belt, including industries, was de-stroyed which needed reconstruction and revival. He said that the government wanted to explore ways and means for providing income genera-

areas so that tribesmen could live at their homes with honour and dignity.

Sardar Mahtab Ahmad Khan lauded the successful operation Zarb-e-Azab and called upon the national and international community to extend their good share in making investment in FATA with an aim to improve the socio-economic condition of the tribesmen.

He said the education sector needed more attention and that was why the government was opening model schools and extending other academic facilities in FATA. He said resources constraint was a major issue in FATA and substantial investment was needed to provide back up to the tribal masses.

He said a large number of projects, including small dams, irrigation projects, mineral exploration units, marble city, solar systems and many special packages were in the pipeline for the welfare of the tribesmen enabling them to utilize their capacities in rebuilding the damaged economy. He hoped that after that FATA would be converted into a developed zone.—APP

Rain at isolated places likely I S L A M A B A D —Mainly hot and humid weather is expected in most parts of the country while rain-thundershower is expected at isolated places in Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Lahore divisions, Islamabad, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during next 24 hours. Met office reported that seasonal low lies over north Baluchistan with its trough extending north-eastwards.

Weak monsoon currents are penetrating in northeastern parts of the country. Highest temperatures recorded during last 24 hours remained Nokkundi, Dalbandin 43øC,

Sibbi, Turbat, Bhakkar, Chillas 42øC, Panjgur 41øC, Islamabad 36øC.—APP

Crackdown against fake medicine factories

MEDIA WATCH

Questions over Railways’ safety

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UNJAB Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has categorically de clared that sale of spurious, substandard and unlicensed medicines is a big crime and indiscriminate campaign will continue against factories manufacturing such medicines. Addressing a meeting in Lahore on Friday, he warned that such factories would be sealed and those involved in the heinous trade of spurious drugs would not be spared.

Mian Shahbaz Sharif is known for taking steps to ensure good governance in the Province; and reforms in education sector, improvement in the administration of health institutions and movement towards elimination of Patwari culture are some of the measures that distinguish Punjab from the other Provinces. It is good that now he has turned his attention to the problem of spurious drugs and a campaign is underway to nip the evil.

While appreciating the drive against fake medicines, we would, however, ask why the evil was not nipped in the bud. This is because this ‘death trade’ is going on for decades but successive governments closed their eyes to the issue and as a result countless precious lives were lost. The Governments come and go but institutions remain there and one may ask as to why the institutions responsible to check such developments, kept their eyes closed. Obviously, the drug inspectors and others are hands in glove and need to be probed and proceeded against under the law for their criminal negligence just for the sake of a few bucks. A WHO study released in 2013 revealed that 30 to 40% medicines were fake in Pakistani medical stores. Pakistan was ranked 13th among countries producing fake medicines and spurious drugs that are available for cure of all maladies from flue to cancer. Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan raided a factory in Kahuta Industrial Area in March this year where counterfeit medicines were being manufactured including Sovaldi, used to treat hepatitis C, which costs a patient Rs. 55000 for one month of treatment and six months of treatment is required. Punjab is not alone, similar factories exist in KPK, Karachi and other parts of the country and it is incumbent upon all Provincial governments and Federal agencies like FIA to identify such factories, seal them and take legal action against perpetrators of crime against humanity. We would also urge Chief Minister Punjab not to confine his drive to just spurious medicines but expand it to adulteration of food also, which is destroying health of the people and is one of the major causes of growing diseases and ballooning health expenditure.

Huge dumps of ammunition in Afghanistan T

HERE were two massive blasts in Kabul on Friday – one near a Gov ernment and military complex and the other a suicide bombing outside a police academy, killing at least 35 people. No one has claimed responsibility but officials put the blame on Taliban.

These two powerful blasts have once again conveyed a vivid message that militants are still an effective force even after over a decade of their suppression through the world’s latest and lethal war machinery and that they have the ability to strike at the heart of the nation’s capital. If Kabul, where security is fortified, is not safe and immune then one can imagine the state of affairs in other parts of the country where writ of the Government is either not visible at all or is feeble. But apart from this, the 30-feet crater caused by the truck bomb blast, also highlights abundant availability of powder-keg and arms in the war torn country and the threat these could pose to the prospect of sustainable peace. Guns or for that matter arms are considered to be a sort of jewellery for men as per traditions of Afghanistan and their display is also part of the local culture. But it is also a fact that previously Soviet invasion of the country and then its occupation by US/NATO forces introduced all sorts of weapons in the country, imperilling lives of the people. Thousands of containers full of arms and ammunition went missing during the last one decade but it is obvious that these were off-loaded either in Afghanistan or in neighbouring Pakistan. It is, therefore, a big problem both for President Ashraf Ghani and the Government of Pakistan, which is also in the midst of an unprecedented operation against terrorists and criminals.

Islamic BD reacts against secular blogger A

group of armed persons hacked a secular blogger to death at his home in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka on Friday for criticising religion in the Muslim majority country. Police said the man who advocated secularism was killed in his flat for demanding justice for killing of other bloggers.

The incident cannot in any way be condoned because in every society law has to prevail and every action against those who offend religious sentiments has to be taken under a procedure. However, this incident, the 4th one in a row, reflects that Bangladesh’s basic identity is Islamic and vast majority of people are against those who are out to promote liberalism for their own designs. The pro-India Prime Minister Hasina Wajid is encouraging liberal and pro Hindu elements to please the rulers in New Delhi. She formed tribunals that sentenced Islamists and Ulema who were rightly perceived as religious minded, peace loving and patriotic. The purpose was to harass and persecute those who were opposed to the increasing Indian influence. The authorities in Dhaka may admit or not, but it is a fact that certain elements in the government are following the agenda of RAW and through bloggers indulging in criticism of religion of Islam. They are using Hindus, who enjoy unprecedented freedom, to criticise the great religion and its followers. The blogger, killed on Friday, named as Niloy Chatterjee, who used the pen name of Niloy Neel, to hide his identity, was Hindu and was working for RAW to advance the idea of secularism. He did not realize that people in Bangladesh are deeply religious and a temporary wave does not affect their thinking and thus met his fate. There is a lesson in the incident that BD’s historic religious moorings cannot be uprooted by conspiracies of the intelligence agencies and ultimately it is the people who decide how their country should move ahead in an honourable way rather than known as a colony of the big neighbouring power.

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Technocrats & nation building supposed to isolate themselves from the mainstream of so that they do not get Dr Zafar Altaf life emotionally involved. Their Email:dr_altaf@hotmail.com daily life is reminiscent of this way of life working and living with the same kind.

The Tarbela Dam had a capacity HE personal ethics of any one is a product of their so of 7.6 mcft but when the current floods cial origins as modified were being monitored it was in high from time to time by the adult ex- flood at 3.53 mcft. That means that it periences that an individual under- has lost slightly more than fifty pergoes. Problems become more and cent of its storage capacity. The Chitral more acute and complex if these issue could have been handled very are not conditioned by the practi- adroitly but not by engineers. Every cal experience in youth. We have time I have had an argument they come heard a lot from engineers and with supercilious arguments to which other technocrats and the solutions neither they subscribe nor any human that they suggest for the society with a touch of decency can do so. Let as such. Are they competent to me lay it flat and simple to you. KB and Bhasha dam will not be able to make these statements?

Most technocrats have not been handle Hindu river water [Chenab, accustomed to the conditions that Beas and Ravi] or Hindu rainwater that normally occur in everyday life. floods the lands in Thar and in Lahore.

The technocrats’ troubles come to Anyone for bets! Yes what these dams a head when they have to do social will do unless they are religiously engineering. The technocrat is be- maintained, de-silted and looked afdevilled because he has to operate ter; otherwise result will be a colossal in two different codes and society increase in debt burden and that will demands that these be kept sepa- be more than the total existing debt.

So what are the options? The oprate. In our case the technocrat separates himself from the main tions are in green technologies but social stream when he moves after the engineers are happy only with twelve years of education to the engineering and concretization. That technical side where social graces is their problem. What may I ask are not encountered. This came to you, are all those Dams doing to the us when I was in former East Paki- system? The Army is called in for stan and WAPDA officials were the purpose of saving the bund. In working on the Ganges Kobadek the first place do away with all the project. Their social behaviour left bunds and the spurs for all that they much to be desired and there were do is to spur the velocity of the river many occasions when the manage- and make life more difficult downment had to rescue them. By defi- stream. I have with me twenty nine nition in the lab and in the offices studies on the small dams that are in of the technocrat, the effort seems the system. These dams are a packto be to keep emotions out. The en- age of lies that WAPDA has foisted gineer and the medicine men are on the system. Not a single drop of

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water has been utilised. So what was the purpose of the dams? Your guess may be better than mine for I know what goes on in the system. Come to my office and see these reports and make your own assessment. In the case of the Ghabir dam they were so stupid as to make the feasibility sitting in their offices. The C/B analysis was not based on facts. The agriculture sector is non-existent there and only livestock is available and yet the cheats did it otherwise.

We had a sociological and a Psychological study done for that area. We had imported a trained academic psychologist from Government College Lahore. The then President got to know of what I was doing and transferred the sector to the Agriculture research centre where I was the Chairman. Then started a series of intrigues and intrigues are always successful. As one senior officer from the President house said that to be successful you have to do unto them what they have done to you. I was not buying this kind of advice.

Pakistan can go its way as it feels like. The extreme positions have to be handled. For who can handle half Gods where ever they may be found.

Tarbela has lost more than half its capacity due lack of water shed management. Can the engineers that have handled this tell me what is the feeding area of the dam. Can they tell me of Ghabir dam?

So what can be done? First is an interactive process that has to be sorted out. Water is to be received and not to be confronted. Sardar Farooq Ahmed Leghari learnt this despite my warnings on the Mithawn hill torrent.

Has any one in the sector been there to understand the difference between the DG Khan and the Sulaiman range

hill torrents or the Chitral hill torrents. The options to do something, start now. Shake your pants and see for yourselves Mr. policy maker[s].

The easy option is a helicopter ride.

That does not tell you anything about the stuff you are to handle. Forget the signal free road to Rawat. What is interest of the PM in this? Ever wondered!!! Ever wondered why the revenue people have been told not to have any land transaction there? Who will tell you whether alternatives were better or not. In meantime those who took money from Musharaf to play his tune need to be castigated and if possible socially castrated.

How do we work the technocrats? I was asked this question by Agha Abdul Hamid [the Chairman of the FPSC ad later UNs administrator for Namibia] and at that age I gave him an answer and requested that he read CP Snow’s living in two worlds - a treatise in three volumes. I gave him the gist just as I am stating today. How do you get the scientist to be at the helm of affairs and still be a social giant?

I guess the country has to undergo drastic changes but what will happen if these changes are affected by a person as worthy as Naqvi ably supported by the TV channels. The number of policemen that have died since then is no joke. Where is the then Minister for Interior? Thoughtless thoughts. But then Pakistan has been known to be subservient to the power base. The Assembly is supreme but supreme body has not developed its own SOPs. Try working on the other Constitutions. Malaysia for instance has an official document on Comparative Constitutions. Try. — The writer is a retired Federal Secretary based in Islamabad.

Rehabilitation of IDPs Dr Muhammad Khan Email: drmk_edu@yahoo.com

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REAT admirations for the brave sons of Pak Army who achieved what it was perceived as unachievable just a year back. North Waziristan was considered as a ‘no go area’, where the terrorist outfit, TTP had established its stronghold; communication network, explosive factories, weapon and ammunition stocks and terrorists’ training centres.

Over the years, it attained unprecedented significance and was under debate at the global level including Washington, London, Berlin and Paris. Contrary to the reality, it was generally presumed both by international community and by the civil society in Pakistan that, perhaps, the military was a hurdle towards a military operation in that area. The factual position was that, military always wanted elimination of terrorists and terrorism from all over the country and NWA was an important target to be neutralized.

The Military operation Zarbe-Azb has destroyed terrorists’ headquarters in NWA and cleared this area finally to be rehabilitated by its genuine habitants, who remained hostage for years. In MayJune 2014, it was a painful displacement for the local people, who left their homes just for the cause that, their area will be cleared off by Pak Army from the terrorists’ outfit, TTP. Today, the area is cleared of the terrorists and miscreants and people of area, who spent over a year as IDPs are returning to their homeland. Owing to geographical difficulties and strong terrorists’ networking, it was difficult to launch and ulti-

mately win over the very well entrenched militants, who had mastery over such type of warfare.

The ferocious fighting by sons of soil to liberate people of FATA from the terrorists resulted in one of the biggest internal displacement in the history of Pakistan. It has caused huge socio-politico-economic and security implications for the brave people of tribal areas. These people braved the hardships of displacement and their plight was aired by various media segments. Opinion makers felt the pain and strived to sensitize the government and public regarding their socio-economic responsibilities to look after their basic human needs.

Except some occasional blow, the faces of tribal people are gleaming with resolve, determination and commitment to weed out terrorists from their homeland. They are prepared to render more scarifies for the peace and prosperity of homeland.

The operation “Zarb-e-Azb” in Tribal areas, is nearing its completion witnessing huge successes of Pakistan Army, which has offered commendable sacrifices and cleared the area off terrorists. Now, it’s the turn of the Tribal people to celebrate their return to their areas.

A reality is that, because of this operation, there are; destroyed villages, shattered houses and ruined markets. This aspect needs attention of the Federal Government, Provincial Government of KPK and FATA Administration. Upon return of IDPs to their area, this aspect will hurt the people, who had already sacrificed a lot for their peace in elimination of terrorism. Indeed, no worthwhile effort has been undertaken so far by the civil administration to rehabilitate the IDPs. Rather, it is unclear as yet, as to who is responsible for their rehabilitation. There has not been any allotment of exclusive

funds for the rehabilitation of people.

Neither any fund raising campaign has been launched as yet. Then time is ticking fast, with ambiguities and uncertainty in play. These factors can create distress among the people returning and ground for the militants to penetrate once again with financial support for the returning people.

Indeed, more than religious motivation, it was economic factor, which attracted the local youth to side with the terrorists, who made parallel use of ideology and financial support. Therefore, any negligence at this stage, would not only generate despondency among the tribal people but would leave space for the militancy to re-surface. This would be a difficult proposition as a lot of sacrifices in term of men and material have undergone in securing this area from the terrorists.

There is an immediate need that, the Federal government and FATA Administration collectively finds a way forward for the honourable come back and rehabilitation IDPs in all the agencies of FATA and currently for the NWA people. For the attainment of this objective, there has to be a vision, conceived by Government for a peaceful, prosperous and developed FATA. Unless, such a mission is conceived with clarity, there would be difficulty in bringing a peaceful and harmonious FATA. At this critical time, there is a need that the whole nation, particularly the political leadership should come forward to provide financial resources for the rehabilitation of IDPs, who has lost everything in the process of displacement and during Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Pakistani nation has a history of sacrificing for their brethrens, therefore, a campaign has to be launched by the authentic and honest leaders for the fund raising for the FATA IDPs. The

element of transparency and accountability has to be maintained in this campaign.

The Government needs to take concrete steps for promotion of education for all in FATA as a challenge. This can be planned and done through a campaign; Education for All and everyone in the area should be involved for the promotion of education and socio-economic uplift of the area with the opportunity for employment. Besides, at all levels, hectic efforts may be undertaken to re-construct physical structures; the road network and related infrastructure.

There is a dire need for the maintenance of law and order, activate economy and inculcate cohesion to ensure sustainable rehabilitation of people of FATA. Apart from the people of Pakistan and Government, there is an important role, the media has to play in this entire campaign. Media must highlight the flaws in the policies and grey areas, however, with a positive mindset, following a constructive narrative. It should play a dominant role in the mobilization of society and those who can donate generously for the rehabilitation of IDPs. This year, on the eve of our independence day - August 14, 2015, let us have celebration over the success of Operation Zarb-eAzb and national campaign for the elimination of terrorism form all parts of the country. Let us also appreciate and salute the Armed forces of Pakistan, particularly Pak Army under the valiant and popular leadership of General Raheel Sharif, who achieved in a brief time, what the nation desired since long.

— The writer is International Relations analyst based in Islamabad.

HE twin accidents of railway trains in Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday in which at least 30 persons were killed and many more injured for no fault of the passengers are unfortunate and tragic for the nation that is trying to introduce modern and high speed trains for the convenience of commuters. Above all the accidents that have been taking place in series of unfortunate happenings, the railways safety has come under focus and many questions have been raised over the current operations. In fact, the experts have always questioned the safety of the railway passengers due to lack of equipment and manning of the tracks with modern gadgets that have been found missing leading to repeated accidents for the same reasons. In Wednesday’s accidents, submergence of the railway track in flood waters as a result of which the rails were damaged leading to major accidents has also come under the scanner of the safety audit which has not been conducted for several years.

The simple alibi that the damage to the railway tracks was not detected also puts a question mark over the working of the railway workers who are charged with the responsibility of regular check for ensuring the safety of the trains. The explanation that some trains have been passing through this track where the accidents took place cannot be justified for the reason that twin accidents have taken place within a gap of few minutes for no fault of the passengers. The detailed investigations will only divulge the main causes of the accidents and the process may take months and years together as have been the cases in the past. Many inquiries have been ordered in the past after the accidents have taken place and several remedial measures suggested to the Railways Safety Board but nothing certain appears to have been done on the ground to prevent accidents for the same reason or some other human error in manning the level crossings where other passengers vehicles have been involved.

The blame game between the Railways Ministry and the opposition parties may not solve the problem but only create more confusion.

Apart from the questions raised over the safety of passengers using railways network in the country, which is perhaps biggest in the world providing cheap transportation to its people in India, the idea of modernising the entire infra-structure without taking into safety concerns is also being questioned. The Indian Railways have drawn ambitious plans for running high speed trains between the busy stations across the country besides spending huge sums of money for introducing Magnetic Levitation systems for reducing the travel time on some sectors. But now the questions are being raised whether spending such huge amounts of money for Maglev trains will be worth the money if safety concerns are compromised and no money is spend on the modernization of the existing network for safety of passengers and prevention of accidents. On many occasions, Indian Railways have promised to automate the crossings shared by railways and road network in all the states of the country to check human error in such accidents. Nothing concrete appears to have been done in the past many decades even while the railways ministers take off on populist railway budgets introducing newer trains for political purposes instead of focusing on safety on the existing networks. One consultant had very clearly pointed out that running high speed trains on certain corridors is not easy because safety concerns have to be addressed first because such trains are prone to higher number of accidents. The consultant also pointed out that safety issues have to be taken into consideration first so that possibility of accidents has to be eliminated to the maximum extent before creation of such corridors for faster travel time and speedy transportation of freight.

Similarly, if huge sums of money are to be spent for high speed corridors, it should be first spent on improving the existing services and ensure that upgradation of entire network is done at par with international standards so that minimum number or no accidents take place in future and ensure safety of passengers using the present network.

— Kashmir Times

I drink for the thirst to come.

— Francois Rabelais French satirist

Int’l conspiracy to undo Pakistan Voice of the People alist parties and ANP, India succeeded in preventing construcof Kalabagh Dam, vital for Asif Haroon Raja tion Pakistan’s survival. RAW also Email: asifharoon7751@yahoo.com promoted Saraikistan movement in early 1990s in order to divide and weaken Punjab. In FTER breaking Pakistan into Gilgit-Baltistan, RAW supported two in December 1971, RAW Balwaristan movement. RAW has started meddling into internal been playing a definite role in stokaffairs of truncated Pakistan. Sindh ing ethnicity, sectarianism and in crewas ear-marked as the next target for ating religious divides.

Commencement of Khalistan subversion. RAW started its work in interior Sindh in 1973 where it was movement in East Punjab after the easy for it to cultivate Sindhi nation- massacre of Sikhs in Golden Temple alist parties. GM Sayed activated in 1984 by Indian military and later Sindhu Desh movement at the behest start of freedom movement in Indian of RAW. At same time, RAW worked occupied Kashmir (IOK) in 1989 by upon Urdu speaking community re- Kashmiris put India in a deep quansiding in Karachi and guided Altaf dary. Provision of list of Sikh rebelHussain to form All Pakistan Muhajir lious leaders by PPP government to Movement Organisation (APMSO) in Rajev Gandhi in 1989 helped Indian 1978. Later, RAW helped in forming forces to crush Khalistan movement MQM as a political party in March which was fast inching forward to 1984 under Altaf and gave him com- get linked with Kashmir movement. plete guidance how to go about ter- Turmoil in Kashmir forced India to rorizing people of Karachi into sub- commit massive force of over mission through fascism, drumming 700,000 troops in IOK, which besocio-politico-economic grievances of came a bleeding wound for India’s Muhajirs to gain their sympathies, economy and a cause of huge emkeep expanding its political control barrassment for Indian military.

9/11 came as a blessing in disguise over port city and then later expanding its influence to Hyderabad and for India. Making good use of the new other urban centres in Sindh. While laws enacted by USA on terrorism, covertly supporting both Sindhu Desh India succeeded in portraying freedom movement as well as MQM, RAW struggle in IOK as terrorism and Pacleverly accentuated antagonism be- kistan as an abettor of terrorism. RAW tween old Sindhis and new Sindhis and spearheaded the covert war against Pakistan in 2002 from Afghan soil. It sharpened rural-urban divide.

Insurgency in Balochistan led by also made use of its consulates in Iran the rebels of Marri and Mengal tribes and later on South Africa and London in the wake of sacking of Provincial to surge up lawlessness in Karachi governments of Balochistan and with the help of MQM. To start with, NWFP by ZA Bhutto in 1973 gave a FATA and Balochistan were made reschance to RAW in concert with KGB tive under a well calculated plan. and KHAD to start subverting the Space was created for TTP in FATA people in Balochistan. The trio actively and for BLA, BRA, BLF, Jundollah supported Baloch insurgency which in Balochistan. Owing to commonalraged till 1978. India got aligned with ity of objectives of weakening and former Soviet Union and Soviet in- denuclearizing Pakistan, RAW was stalled Afghan regime in 1980 and the assisted by CIA, MI-6, Mossad, NDS, intelligence agencies of the three coun- BND and even Russian Agency. tries together with Al-Zulfiqar Blackwater added fuel to fire. Karachi Organisation carried out intensive acts came under the fire of terrorism from of sabotage and subversion against Pa- 2008 onwards. NGOs, human rights kistan till the defeat and collapse of activists and media in Pakistan acted USSR in 1989. In NWFP, India main- as moles to provide human intellitained its links with NAP which turned gence, discredit law enforcers and fainto ANP after former was banned by cilitate funding to terrorist groups.

Bhutto. With the help of Sindh nation- Save the Children NGO has the big-

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gest deployment in all the disturbed regions of Pakistan. Aman-ki-Asha and SAFMA are RAW sponsored.

In FATA and in Swat, Pakistani Taliban projected themselves as Islamists wanting to introduce Sharia but their activities ran counter to teachings of Islam. They destroyed schools and colleges, undertook kidnapping for ransom, carried out slaughter of captives and systematically gunned down pro-Pakistan clerics, elders and Maliks. They portrayed Pak security forces as non-Muslims and America’s mercenaries. In actuality, TTP leaders got dazzled by dollars offered by USA and picked up arms against the state.

They followed the agenda of their pay masters. In Balochistan, the rebellious Baloch Sardars and nationalist leaders initially voiced political and economic grievances and demanded Provincial autonomy and greater share in mineral resources of the Province.

Settlers in Balochistan, particularly Punjabis were targeted and forced to migrate in large numbers. Once most of their demands were met after passage of 18th Amendment and mega projects launched to address the inequities, they started demanding independence of Balochistan.

Those demanding separation are not more than 3%, while the rest of Baloch people are highly patriotic.

Rebel Baloch leaders have been given asylum by UK, Switzerland and USA and they are living a luxurious life.

Their patrons are promoting their separatist agenda and with the help of NGOs and human rights organizations based in Pakistan, forcefully object to retaliatory actions undertaken by the Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps (FC) against the rebels involved in terrorism and criminal acts. Although only FC is involved in counter terrorism and the Army is in the barracks, it is falsely claimed that the Army has undertaken a military operation and that intelligence agencies are involved in kidnappings of Baloch dissidents. Hue and cry was made on issues of missing persons, mutilated bodies and mass graves to demoralize and undermine the FC and intelligence agencies.

The Baloch youth in schools and colleges particularly in Baloch dominated regions have been systematically

brainwashed and their impressionable minds filled with hatred against central government in general and Punjab, Army and ISI in particular. They were told that despite their Province being the largest and rich in resources, it is most under developed. Textbooks in Balochi were printed in Afghanistan under India’s arrangements. Settlers particularly Punjabis were targeted and forced to migrate in large numbers.

Pattern of terrorism is the same as was practised in erstwhile East Pakistan.

In 1971, East Pakistan was separated from Pakistan under a global conspiracy. India was helped by former Soviet Union, US, Israel and the West. Another international conspiracy is in the making to separate Balochistan from Pakistan. India has a wider agenda and is heavily involved in Karachi. This time, India is backed

by USA, Afghanistan, Israel and Britain. RAW’s involvement in Balochistan and in Karachi has been authenticated. Are our leaders aware of it and are mentally and physically prepared to thwart the conspiracy, or they are too busy in plundering and saving their seat of power? Noose had been tightened around the neck of Mujibur Rahman and his accomplices in 1968 after the discovery of Agartala conspiracy but the politicians ganged up and let him off the hook and facilitated him in accomplishing his dream of creating Bangladesh.

Today the noose has been tightened around another ‘Mir Jaffar’ playing Indian game. Will the politicians deliver this time or once again prefer political expediency and personal interests over the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan? Had 1992 military operation been taken to its logical conclusion, the evil would have been nipped in the bud. Like in FATA where massive force has been applied to root out rural terrorism, why impediments are being created for Rangers in Karachi to eliminate scourge of urban terrorism which is bleeding Pakistan’s economy? Why are we not making concerted efforts to get Fazlullah and Khurasani based in Afghanistan and Altaf and Baloch rebel leaders in London repatriated to Pakistan?

— The writer, a retired Brig, is Director MEASAC Research Centre.

View From Abroad

Is Turkey joining Syrian war?

Harun Yahya

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OR four years now Turkey has been watching a cruel war along its approximately 1,000km border where savagery is getting into worse. It has resisted all kinds of pressure in order to avoid becoming a part of the war. Countless actions, such as the attack on our consulate on Mosul, the Reyhanlý bombing and the downing of one of our planes, have failed to make Turkey a part of this dirty war.

The American secret state apparatus, however, has always wanted to see Turkey a part of this war in Syria.

A war involving bases in Turkey would be much easier and cheaper for the US. The US Army knew that it would be facing a worse situation in Syria than it had confronted in Iraq, because this time Daesh was also on the scene. In addition, the costs of a land operation would now exceed America’s means. But it could use Turkish troops right on the border for that purpose. Turkey possesses NATO’s second largest army, and if Turkey entered the war with its bases and troops, that would change everything.

The pretext was the increase in acts of terror in Turkey. In fact, however, the US had won Turkey over on the subject of its bases. Four Turkish bases, including Incirlik had been made available for coalition Reapers. Pentagon spokesman Cap-

tain Jeff Davis reported the awaited disaster when he said, “Military officials launched armed drones over the weekend.” So what do these Reapers do? What do these simple words of Davis’s actually mean? Let me explain by going back to recent attacks in Syria and Iraq. Research under the scope of the Airwars project by a team of independent journalists revealed that 459 civilians died in 52 aerial attacks on these regions. A 100 of these were children. The number of civilians who died in more than 5,700 aerial attacks carried out over 5 years is a mystery. But the data suggest that the figure is very high.

Of course, these figures are nowhere to be seen in the official data.

Although John Hesterman, the general in command of the coalition, claims that these attacks “are the most precise and disciplined,” this does not alter the fact that a bomb dropped from the air proceeds toward a blind target. Airwars project director Chris Woods, says that these official data are incompatible with genuine information from the attack zone. According to Al-Jazeera and Reuters, 70 local civilians died in a single attack on June 3.

That is what the drones, the Reapers, that carry the bombs do.

They lock onto an objective and target civilians, women, children and the elderly, there. The sad thing is that although those in remote control of these toys claim to be “precise and disciplined,” they still have to risk more or less civilian casualties. That is what makes the dirty war in Syria

and Iraq even dirtier.

They now want to make Turkey a part of this dirty war; in return for meeting Turkey’s legitimate demand for a safe zone. That safe zone will not be a secure region in the sense Turkey expects, but will at least go some way to meeting those expectations. However, the plan is for Turkish and coalition planes to protect a region some 110 km long and 40-km wide between Azez and Cerablus.

The plan is for members of the moderate opposition to be installed there and for the region also to be a place of safety and protection for refugees wishing to stay in Syria. So far so good. But there is also the problem of the YPG in the region, a matter of major importance for Turkey. The following statement by US Department of State spokesman John Kirby reveals the scale of this horrifying scenario: “The fact that we now have access to bases in Turkey will allow for that support (to YPG) to be more timely and perhaps even more effective.”

As I have made clear many times in these pieces the YPG, which has taken control of the Kurdish region of Syria, is an arm of the PKK. Turkey’s only war in the last 40 years has been against the PKK. The only reason why the Turkish Armed Forces are now bombing PKK command centers in the Qandil mountains is the refusal of the terror organization to negotiate, and the fact that it knows nothing but terror and anarchy. That being the case, it is unacceptable for the US to use Turkish

bases to supply and arm the PKK and increase its room for maneuver.

If Turkey’s border is really to resemble a safe zone, then the area needs to be purged of all terror organizations. Including the YPG. Turkey, which is now locked in struggle with the PKK inside and outside the country, has been condemned to pay a great price, and efforts appear to be being made to force it into the Syrian war. Turkish planes will not enter Syrian air space and in that sense Turkey will not directly involved in the war. However, by opening its bases to coalition planes Turkey will still have become involved in this dirty war, albeit indirectly, in which innocent people are attacked. As a Muslim country, we must fear that we will have to bear the responsibility for every innocent life that is lost.

In addition, Turkey’s agreement with the PKK, its violent scourge, being supported in this way means no less than being party to the emergence of a new terrorist state in the region. The worst thing is it is not only Turkey that will suffer, but the entire region and the US that laid the foundations for it. We reject the idea that the Kurds, Turkey, the Middle East or America should have to face this Marxist scourge.

Precautions must therefore be taken beforehand. Turkey is well aware of the scale of the threat and must exhibit a determined posture.

It must oppose with all its might the support being given to PKK in Syria.

— Courtesy Arab News

Eight dollar days..!

I

T wasn’t too long ago that scowls and frowns greeted me when I entered a store abroad: Salesman at counter, shop owner and all the customers lifting their heads none too discretely, knew I’d come in just to browse, look at stuff, touch, sigh at price, maybe even venture to ask how much, but never oh never buy anything, unless it was less than a dollar!

Those were days when the amount allowed to be taken out of the country was just about $8. Relatives meeting me at airport knew

next few days, weeks or even months would be belt tightening times as they took cousin to Niagara, Disney Land, Colorado Canyon and also Lincoln Memorial without single one of his precious eight dollars being used, and on the second last day dear cousin would trudge from shop to shop with them in tow to buy something for children, wife, father, mother and also neighbour to whom he’d asked over the wall, “What d’you want?”

“Scotch!” The cheapest bottle was eight dollars! Heard about the Kumars, not the TV ones, but genuine ones back home who’d gone to visit their relatives in America? One day Kumar and wife Kamala went to the Niagara, but more than the sight and sounds of the roaring falls, were they captivated by helicopter ride.

“How much?” asked Mr Kumar.

“Ten dollars!” said the helicopter pilot and watched as the Kumars turned to each other disappointed.

“Kamala!” said Kumar, “I’d like to ride that helicopter!” “But husband its ten dollars and we have only eight!” “Kamala,” said Kumar, “I’m 71 years old. If I don’t ride this year I may never get another chance.” His wife stubbornly held onto precious dollars and said again, “That ride costs ten dollars, and we have eight!”

The pilot overheard them and came across, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal, I’ll take you both up for a ride.

If you stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word, it’ll be eight dollars but one word and it’s ten!” The Kumar’s agreed and up they went.

The pilot did all kinds of twists and

turns, rolls and dives, but not a word was heard. He did his tricks over again, but still not a word. They landed and the pilot turned to Kamala, “By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to yell out, but you didn’t.”

Kamala replied, “Well, I was going to say something when my husband fell out, but eight dollars is eight dollars!” Ah! But times have changed and today we can legitimately take out $10,000/- a year!

Shopkeepers across the world smile when they see an Indian. There’s one big difference though: “May I help you sir!” “I don’t think you can, most of the stuff you have is available back home!” So it’s back to spending eight dollars..!

—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

Profit increase on savings schemes JAVAID BASHIR

D

irectorate of National Savings has announced an increase on investment in its different saving schemes. This is a great news for the poor, middle class and pensioners investing their savings in the National Savings outlets. The rate of profit has been increased a little better but not sufficient to incentivise the customers to pool up their savings thus contribute in the uplift of the national economy. According to the reliable source the National Savings Organization has enhanced the profit; and an investment or deposit of 100,000 rupees will bring 920 rupees as profit per month to the depositor. On other schemes like the Defence Savings Scheme, the investment will also get much better return. Still we cannot say this is sufficient profit on the National Savings Schemes. But after the extreme reduction in the profit portfolio during the past over a decade, share of the popular savings in the uplift of the national economy came almost to zero and even the smaller investors opted to invest in real estate thus sabotaging the entire economic activity and giving way to different land mafias. All investment was confined to the sale/purchase of files with little on-ground development activity that could boost the industrial base of economy through construction projects. The stated decision of the government even for small increase in profit for investment will motivate the investors to believe that the government is alive to them.

National Savings Organization was considered a great support for the poor people because their investment earned them comparatively better profit. The economic managers of the successive governments took away even this support from them. The argument of the economic wizards that money (capital) in circulation is better than deposited in the banks, has proved superfluous as the money is no more contributing in national economy but instead is filling the coffers of the proprietors of the housing schemes who are getting richer and richer and again their wealth is piling up in the bank accounts might be the foreign banks. These callous economic experts, when ever cut down the profit rate, congratulated the poor investors in different ways, just to divert the investment from a disciplined economic activity to the real estate managers; hence everybody became an unsuccessful property dealer, purchasing a number of plots yielding no construction activity. While we appreciate the wakening up of the government, we would urge the National Savings Directorate to calculate, determine and fix the profit in proportion to the inflation and parity of the Pak rupee against US currency.

—Via email

Muzaffargarh NADRA quagmire ALI MUHAMMAD The Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, has directed NADRA to make arrangements to allow the local Pakistani citizens to file their CNIC applications online. At present only the overseas Pakistanis can apply online. This is indeed a very humanitarian and forward-looking step taken by the Minister because National Identity Card is a very important document and everybody is required to possess one, and therefore it ought to be a cinch for any bona fide Pakistani to get it.

But unfortunately in order to fill their coffers, the previous governments had made the issuance of CNIC a very cumbersome process requiring the applicants to pay different kinds of fees besides getting knocked from pillar to post at every step. Moreover, the staff posted at the CNIC offices tried to make full use of applicants’ difficulties by turning them into opportunities to fill their own pockets.

For example, at the Muzaffargarh NADRA office, the senior citizens, women and people coming from afar have to suffer protracted waiting periods standing in long queues to the point of fainting though they can get rid of their difficulty instantly if they pay some extra money to some roaming agent. The NADRA staff also seems to be working on a go-slow policy to intensify peoples’ ordeal.

All kinds of hurdles are created to break down their resistance to make them receptive to extortion. For instance, if a slight change in the maiden last name of a woman is necessitated on account of her marriage or the B-form is submitted for new ID cards, all kinds of objections are raised by the officer incharge to thwart the process until the applicant caves in to offer some amount of requital.

The worthy Interior Minister is requested to increase public facilities at the Muzaffargarh NADRA office and pull up its staff so as to make them adopt a more humane attitude to the applicants. Also the proposed CNIC online application scheme for local citizens should be implemented immediately and extended to the passport offices as well, and the applicants should be called to the office only as a final step to have their photograph taken and their necessary documents verified. They should be allotted their turn online informing them of date and time of such attendance.

—Muzaffargarh

Potato head J BASHIR I think Imran Khan is suffering from paranoia, and Container Syndrome.

He remained in the enclosure for 126 days and has bad effects of seclusion and insomnia. The political pundits have criticized him after the JC’s verdict against him. Their criticism is too harsh and annoying.

We must give him credit for steadfastly believing in the massive rigging so visible. We should not denounce the wounded and battered soul anymore than necessary. He has trouble within the party ranks. He has warned the members to keep the quarrels within the party. Anybody violating the discipline will lose party membership.

The dissent and discussion be carried on within the party. It is rational approach to deal with them.

He has given the sound advice to his followers and workers to adhere to party discipline. Serious breach of party policies and discipline should not be tolerated in any circumstances. Another thing, PTI should stay away from the Assemblies to

honour their commitment and decisions. They should wait for the Speaker’s action on their resignations.

He should forward these letters of resignation to ECP the right forum to decide their fate. There can be no two opinions on this issue. Shah Mahmood Quershi misused this card and must be held accountable for this blunder.

—Via email

Overflowing trash bins in Capital HASHIM ABRO One can see several trash bins in most areas in the Federal Capital, Islamabad, overflowing with trash and with horrible smell. Yet, equally surprising, nowadays trash can also be seen in many streets in many sectors and also in the Children, Women and Family Parks and Hockey, Football and Cricket Playgrounds in the city. A classic example in this matter is Steer No. 4 and few other streets in G-9/3 Sector and also Hockey Ground and Children Park.

The overflowing gutters, however, are a different issue.

Is there anyone in the relevant Directorate in the CDA to take notice of this evil behaviour of the sanitary workers/sweepers, among others, who appear to be unconcerned and indifferent, and do not sweep the streets, clean the gutters and empty the trash bins timely and properly?

—Via email

Palliative care RANA TASSAWAR ALI The concept of palliative care emerges in 1960s, and the philosophy of palliation included to managing end-of-life symptoms medically.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines palliative care as ‘an approach that improves the quality of life of individuals and their families facing the problems associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. The palliative care is non-specialist care which includes day to day care and psychological and social care within hospital or home.

The people who having HIV/ Aids, they are living with a killer disease, need palliative care. The palliative care strategy is required at every level either for care-givers or family and community of the patients. The effective communication with patients and with their families will be a healthy tool. This is observed many times that patients and their families mostly find difficulty to discuss and share their feeling openly. They seek help regarding disease information and patient illness management and they want to listen from Care-giver.

The good communication strategy is needed for good palliative care.

—Islamabad

Preservation of heritage

place now and then. Every bit of such events demonstrates the heavy amounts spent on them recklessly.

Whereas I believe if such amounts are put into the preservation of heritage, it would benefit many as well as the country on a bigger scale. Conditions of our museums, libraries and other historical places are just hopeless. They are the same since ages, no work of further preservation and enhancement is taking place.

Heritage buildings are important venues linking new generation with an older one and thus as places to be used for education and citizenship. It also leads to various economic stabilities in a longer run. Therefore, it is my keen request to the respective higher government authorities to look into the matter of preserving our heritage, so that it benefits the upcoming generation in relating and having better concepts with history. Also investing sufficient amounts for their renovation purposes before it’s too late.

—Karachi

Child labour in Pakistan SYED SHEHRIYAR God has given human beings the boon of wisdom and discretion to think upon the signs of the universe and to draw conclusions. That is the reason why they disclose the hidden facts of it and its structure and have made remarkable progress in many walks of life. Children are the flowers of heaven.

They are the most beautiful and purest creation of God. They are innocent both inwardly and outwardly. No doubt, they are the beauty of this world. Early in the morning when the children put on different kinds of clothes and go to schools to seek knowledge, we feel a specific kind of joy through their innocence But there are also other children, those who cannot go to schools due to financial problems, they only watch others go to schools and can merely wish to seek knowledge.

It is due to many hardships and difficulties and the desperate conditions that they face in life. Having been forced to kill their aspirations, dreams and other wishes, they are pressed to earn a living for themselves and for their families. It is also a fact that there are many children who play a key role in sustaining the economic life of their families without which, their families would not be able to make ends meet.

These are also part of our society but have forgotten the pleasures of their childhood. When a child in addition to getting education, earns his livelihood, this act of earning a livelihood is called as child Labour. The concept of child Labour got much attention during the 1990s when European countries announced a ban on the goods of the less-developed countries because of child Labour.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) terms it child Labour when a child works during early age, overworks or gives over time to Labour, works due to the psychologically, socially, and materialistic pressure or is ready to work on very low wages.

—Via email

MOOMAL ZAFAR SIDDIQUI The spirit, identification and cultural norms of a country are founded upon and reflected through its historical heritage. But unfortunately that’s not the case in our country.

We claim to be highly educated, well-awarded and well-equipped, yet we compromise on our foundations. Here, I would like to express my dismay on the Sindh festival which was celebrated in different parts of Sindh and other highly glamorous fashion shows which take

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

U.S. jury finds Taliban fighter guilty on terror charges RICHMOND, VA—A former So-

viet army officer accused of being a Taliban fighter was found guilty of terrorism charges on late Friday by a federal jury in Richmond, Virginia, a court official said.

Irek Hamidullin, 55, a former Soviet tank commander who converted to Islam, faced 15 counts ranging from supporting terrorists to firearms charges stemming from his orchestration of a 2009 attack on an Afghan Border Police base in eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province.

He was the first military prisoner from Afghanistan to be tried in a U.S. federal court. The jury of seven men and five women deliberated more than eight hours before reaching their verdict.

Prosecutors portrayed Hamidullin as the mastermind of the attack whose goal was to lure U.S. troops into a trap and then pound them with heavy weapons and shoot down U.S. helicopters.

“He clearly was setting up for American forces he knew would respond,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney James Gillis.

Hamidullin faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when he is sentenced on Nov. 6. His defense attorney had countered that there was insufficient proof that Hamidullin had intended to kill

Americans.

Hamidullin was indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia last year. The charges include ordering his men to set up a machine gun and a recoilless rifle to bring down U.S. military helicopters.

The jury heard testimony for a week and viewed evidence that included a battlefield videotape showing Afghan insurgents being raked by heavy fire from U.S. helicopter gunships.

About 30 insurgents died in the attack. No American or Afghan military personnel were killed, and no American helicopters were fired on.

Authorities say Hamidullin was the sole insurgent survivor of the attack and he received serious wounds to his hip and lower parts of his body. Hamidullin was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair. Prosecutors contended that Hamidullin planned the attack for months - receiving approval from the Taliban and Haqqani Network, recruiting fighters and acquiring weapons.

One major dispute at trial was whether Hamidullin fired his AK47 rifle at U.S. and Afghan troops.

Three soldiers testified that they either saw him raising the rifle to shoot or saw fire coming out of the rifle’s muzzle.—Reuters

Iran rejects accusations about military site as ‘lies’

On the patio, two veiled women are hugged in turn by psychologist Anna Cullotta, who has experience in helping migrant survivors. Nearby, three children, still wearing the plastic shoes handed out as they got off the boat on Thursday, play a game of table football with a volunteer.

“Wednesday’s shipwreck was the most tragic and poignant of all, because among the recovered bodies and missing people there were numerous children,” Cullotta told AFP. A young Syrian mother, who had hoped to join her husband in Sweden with their son, instead saw him drown as the fishing boat went down.

“She set off with the idea of a future, full of hope, then the tragedy. She called her husband to tell him the news, and she

Institute for Science and International Security photo shows the status of the site at the Parchin military complex that has been linked to high explosive work.

DUBAI—Iran’s foreign minister said on Saturday that accusations about activity at its Parchin military site were “lies” spread by opponents of its landmark nuclear deal with world powers clinched last month.

A prominent U.S. think-tank on Friday questioned Tehran’s explanation for activity at its Parchin military site visible in satellite imagery, saying the movement of vehicles did not appear related to road work.

“We said that the activities in Parchin are related to road construction,” Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted on Saturday as saying by the IRNA state news agency.

hasn’t spoken since,” Cullotta said.

Scenes of violence and fear in the moments leading up to the tragedy were recounted by police Friday, who said survivors had described how the traffickers slashed migrants with knives and thrashed them with belts.

Five suspects from Libya, Algeria and Tunisia were arrested after witness said they sealed some 250 desperate passengers in the boat’s hull shortly before the accident, giving them no chance of escaping with their lives when the vessel sank.

The survivors need help to “carry their psychological and emotional burden”, Cullotta added.

Chiara Montaldo, an MSF coordinator for Sicily, said “they need to speak, to vent”, explaining how the aid organisation

Rescued migrants on the Italian Coast Guard patrol vessel Dattilo at Palermo harbour.

“They (opponents of the deal) have spread these lies before. Their goal is to damage the agreement,” he added. Parchin is a site to which the U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), requested access as part of the July 14 nuclear accord between Iran and six major powers, which include the United States.

The U.S.-based Institute for Science and International Security suggested Iran could be engaged in cleanup work before IAEA inspectors arrive at the site. The speaker of Iran’s parliament also dismissed the think-tank’s suggestions. “This is an artificial dispute to distract the world. There are some movements

at Parchin but trying to expand those activities to the military facility and making a fuss about it is like some fairy tale,” Ali Larijani was quoted on Saturday by the Fars news agency as saying. “Israelis are not happy about the deal and they will do anything to stop it,” he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pushing U.S. lawmakers to oppose the nuclear agreement, which he considers a threat to his country’s survival.

Some pro-Israel groups have been spending millions of dollars on an advertising campaign to persuade members of the U.S. Congress to reject the deal in the autumn.—Reuters

brought a team of cultural mediators to the centre “who speak the same language as them, who share the same culture”.

“The most important thing is that people feel listened to because they are completely disorientated, they have lost their bearings in a country they do not know, so having something which reminds them of their culture, something familiar, is fundamental.” Cullotta said they were suffering a double blow.

“Added to the shipwreck is the loss of their children “ — and all after the stress and trauma of long, difficult and often dangerous journeys from their homes to departure points in Libya.

“We need to be present, close to them, to help them to share their suffering,” she said. With children who have lost their brothers, sisters or parents, the approach is different: “With them, it’s about games, we need to distract them. They play, and in doing so protect themselves from something that’s bigger than them.”

If it is possible, they try to get relatives to speak to the children on the telephone. For the small children, a woman may pretend to be their mother, a female voice on the other end of the line often reassuring them.

The very youngest are not told their parent has died: “We tell them mummy has gone to work, that she is abroad.”

Cullotta says she tells the mothers “that they are superwomen — they have an admirable strength and courage, to be so attached to life and the future.

They are certain their lives can get better. “It’s a discovery and a lesson for all of us,” she said.—AFP

FUZHOU—Fujian Province in were scattered across city east China on Saturday issued its highest typhoon alert as super typhoon Soudelor approaches southeast China’s coastal provinces with downpours and gales.

The typhoon, expected to land between the cities of Jinjiang and Fuqing Saturday evening, will pose a serious threat to Fujian, the provincial meteorological station said.

Flights to the provincial capital Fuzhou, which is being battered by heavy rain and strong wind, have been canceled. About 100 trains running through the city of Xiamen have suspended services. The airport in the city of Quanzhou has also canceled its flights.

Fallen trees and branches

streets and provincial highways in Fujian.

Traffic in Fuzhou was jammed as many roads were flooded. Water supply to houses had also been disrupted for several hours.

In the coastal city of Putian, several houses had fallen down. A section of power grid was also blown out. Provincial officials have been sent to supervise efforts to battle the typhoon in Fujian cities.

About 158,000 people in the province have been evacuated.

Neighboring Jiangxi Province also issued a typhoon alert and suspended some trains as torrential rain is expected to drench the province.—Xinhua

China committed to peace, stability in S. China Sea: Spokesperson BEIJING—A Chinese Foreign Hua said. “As for the issue Ministry spokesperson has emphasized that China has always been committed to jointly upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea with ASEAN. Spokeswoman Hua Chunying’s remarks came after a joint communique released on Thursday, two days after the conclusion of the 48th ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting.

The South China Sea issue is mentioned in the communique. “We have taken note of the communique,”

mentioned, Foreign Minister Wang Yi has already elaborated China’s stance when attending a series of foreign ministers’ meetings on East Asia cooperation.” Hua stressed that China has always been committed to settling South China Sea disputes through consultation and negotiation with countries directly concerned, on the basis of historical facts and in accordance with international law.—Xinhua.

Bedlam in Washington MICHAEL YOUNG

T

HE Obama administration’s way of mak ing foreign policy decisions has come under scrutiny lately as it adopts new, seemingly paradoxical, policies in the Middle East.

From the start, President Barack Obama concentrated foreign policy matters in the White House. This has led to a bloated National Security Council, which the Washington Post argues “has come to symbolize an overbearing and paranoid White House that insists on controlling even the smallest policy details, often at the expense of timely and effective decisions.”

After the first term, a number of former foreign policy officials criticized this. In The Dispensable Nation, Vali Nasr, an advisor to Richard Holbrooke, the special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, complained that two groups benefited from the over-centralization of policy, both with limited foreign policy experience: the president’s domestic political advisers, who based their decisions on how foreign policy issues would play at home; and the military and intelligence agencies, which promised “swift and dynamic, as well as media-attracting, action…”

However, very little appears to have changed since Nasr published his book in 2013.

Indeed, things may have gotten worse as the United States’ incomprehensible behavior in Syria can attest. The administration’s actions in the Middle East have been so confusing that the repercussions are bound to be long-last-

TESSA MORRIS-SUZUKI

J

Chinese coastal Migrant shipwreck survivors grieve provinces brace for kids swept from their arms super typhoon Soudelor

PALERMO, ITALY—Their children slipped out of their grasp as the boat overturned and were lost to the waves. Now, traumatised parents brought to safety after a deadly Mediterranean shipwreck are being given psychological support in Sicily.

The crossing was supposed to be the start of a new life in Europe, but at the Caritas-run “Saint Rosalia” centre in Palermo, grieving parents plucked from the sea off Libya sit numbly, watching those children that did survive and asking what the future now holds.

Psychologists, cultural mediators, volunteers and members of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) do what they can to comfort the 367 survivors brought to Sicily by the Irish patrol boat which rescued them after Wednesday’s disaster.

70 years on, peace remains incomplete

ing. Today, two of Washington’s most prominent regional allies, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, deeply mistrust America.

A powerful National Security Council need not mean an incoherent foreign policy. Under Richard Nixon, the NSC was headed by Henry Kissinger, with whom the president shared a worldview. And Kissinger kept tight control over his institution, gave it direction, and, thanks to Nixon’s interest in foreign affairs, could rely on the president not to make all his decisions primarily through a prism of domestic political calculation.

Today a very different reality exists. The national security advisor, Susan Rice, does not seem to have imposed a clear political vision on her institution, nor has she been able, it seems, to overcome the influence of Obama’s domestic policy advisors. She took office in June 2013, and events in Syria since that time have repeatedly exposed her shortcomings.

The role of the national security advisor is to coordinate the decisions and actions of the different bureaucracies that have a say in foreign policy. The national security advisor must also have the capacity, thanks to his or her proximity to the president, to devise a broader strategy and cohesive policies that are in lockstep with the president’s priorities, and, above all, that fit in with one another in a consistent way.

In Syria we have seen the precise opposite of this. Everything the administration said it would not do there, it has ended up doing; and everything it has said it would do, it has not done, or has done without any conviction.

Last year Obama resolutely played down the idea of extending the battle against ISIS to Syria, preferring to focus on Iraq. At the same time the United States continued to oppose the establishment by Turkey of a safety zone in Syria. But today, the president has reached an agreement with Turkey that allows for such a zone, and that also permits coalition aircraft to use the Incirlik air base to be launched against ISIS in Syria. Washington has gone further, saying it would use its aircraft to defend “moderate” armed groups against extremist foes.

The fate of the ‘moderates’ is a good example of the administration’s lack of seriousness in Syria. For a long time the administration vowed to arm and train moderate groups, and requested $500 million to do so. Yet in July, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter reported that only 60 rebels had been vetted and trained to date. Soon thereafter several ‘moderates,’ including their leader, were kidnapped by Jabhat al-Nusra, Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria.

That is what prompted Washington to say that it would deploy aircraft to protect its allies.

All this would be laughable if the administration’s actions and omissions did not mean more lives lost. This was evident in August 2013, when President Bashar al-Assad’s forces fired chemical weapons against civilians in Ghouta, killing up to 1,700 people. At the time Obama described a chemical attack as a “red line,” vowing to retaliate militarily if one took place.

Instead, at the last minute Obama changed his mind, agreeing to a Russian scheme to remove the chemical weapons from Syria. Nor

was Secretary of State John Kerry consulted.

He looked out of the loop when Obama’s decision came even as Kerry was advocating a military response before Congress.

This was Rice’s first major test and she failed, as the White House and State Department seemed to be on very different wavelengths. During Nixon’s first term the secretary of state then, William Rogers, was marginalized by Kissinger. Rice has not quite been able to do so to Kerry, who played a central role in negotiating the recent nuclear accord with Iran. Yet the secretary of state must be suffering: he and his staff were only told late in the game about negotiations with Cuba

by NSC officials, and the Iran deal must have been gratifying payback.

But solely blaming Rice and her staff is too kind. The person most responsible for the foreign policy muddle is Obama himself. The president has often praised Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, on the Lincoln administration and the strong, clashing personalities who served the president.

This was Obama’s way of saying he sought to lead an administration of forceful individuals, no matter what their disagreements. This shows the president’s tolerance for confusion, and his hubris. Abraham Lincoln always had a clear sense of direction. No one would confuse Obama with Lincoln.

—Courtesy: NOW. [Michael Young is opinion editor of The Daily Star newspaper. He tweets @BeirutCalling]

APAN has appeared to surrender, and we are waiting this weekend to hear whether this will become effective. If so, this horrible war will be at an end, but many of its ill-effects will be with us for a long time. It is, in fact, a new world that lies before us. I hope that freedom, beauty, quiet and security may find a place in it. It is a hope without much confidence.’

Those words are part of a diary entry written by an Englishman on 12 August 1945, as the world waited for news of the end of the Asia-Pacific War. The author was neither well-known nor politically significant. I can quote his reaction to the end of the war only because he was my father and I have a copy of his 1945 diary.

But his words are worth recording because they remind us that, despite the images of flag-waving crowds and triumphalism that so often accompany reports of the allied response to Japan’s surrender, this was a moment of deep anxiety for many people.

If Japan’s citizens responded with disbelief, exhaustion and despair to news of their country’s defeat, Americans, British, Australians and others responded to victory with feelings of relief that were often tinged with fear and sadness, particularly because victory was darkened by the shadow of the atomic bomb.

Earlier in his entry for 12 August, my father wrote: ‘On 7th August there was announced to an unsuspecting world the news that an atomic bomb had been dropped on Japan … It soon appeared that its power was not overstated, and that the town of Hiroshima, with over 200,000 inhabitants, was destroyed. This appalling weapon, and the new power that can be released for peaceful purposes, clearly alter the course of human development. It says something for present day humanity that there has been a profound sense of despondency since … Another war is too awful to contemplate.’

By August 1945, many people were already beginning to fear that the new world ushered in by the allied victory and the atomic bomb would be a world of very incomplete peace; and so it proved to be. A global conflict between the two new great powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, was prevented, in part by the ‘balance of terror’. But the Cold War world became the site of many smaller ‘hot wars’ that inflicted terrible suffering on the people of the Koreas, Vietnam and other countries.

The new security obsessions of the Cold War order diverted and forestalled the process of peace making. Because of Cold War tensions, the 1951 San Francisco Treaty, which supposedly sealed the peace between Japan and its former enemies, was not signed by the Soviet Union, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), nor by North or South Korea.

In the processes of redrafting, the terms of the treaty were revised in ways that left key territorial claims undefined. This served the strategic interests of the moment, but left unresolved a host of problems that plague international relations to this day. In the context of US Cold War strategy, Japan was encouraged to enter into reparations agreements with its Asian neighbours. This promoted a particular model of economic development, but failed to address individual claims by victims of war. Meanwhile, the nuclear arsenals of the Cold War powers expanded to grotesque proportions.

A second opportunity to address the unfinished business of peace making came in the early 1990s, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in Europe. The new, fluid global order offered opportunities to both drastically reduce the stock of nuclear weapons, and to resolve territorial problems and questions of war responsibility.

During the 1990s, there were promising moves in this direction.

The Japanese government issued the 1993 Kono Statement, which apologised for the Japanese military’s wartime abuse of ‘comfort women’, and the 1995 Murayama Statement, which expressed Japan’s heartfelt apology for its wartime actions. And new visions of East Asian regional cooperation were seriously debated.

But today, rather than building on those cautious positive steps, the countries of the region appear to be retreating behind the barricades of an emerging ‘Second Cold War’. Fear of China and Russia is leading to spiralling military expansion, and diverting attention from the still-urgent task of nuclear disarmament. A formal peace treaty between Japan and Russia has never been signed, and the territorial issues left in limbo by the San Francisco Treaty are becoming ever more intractable. Meanwhile, the Japanese government and sections of the media have been cultivating a dangerous climate of historical denial about war history within Japanese society.

The 70th anniversary of the end of the Asia Pacific War should be a time for reflection on the legacies of an incomplete peace process, and for renewed efforts to bring that process to completion. The task is a huge and challenging one; but now as then, the alternative to lasting peace is indeed ‘too awful to contemplate’.

Professor Tessa Morris-Suzuki is an ARC Laureate Fellow at the School of Culture, History and Language at the College of Asia and the Pacific, the Australian National University.

—Courtesy: EAF

Moscow’s Info War in Sweden ELISABETH BRAW

L

AST week brought the news of a most alarming discovery off the Swedish coast: a sunken Russian submarine. Given the Swedish Navy’s unsuccessful hunt for a suspected Russian submarine last fall, it was perhaps inevitable that the discovery—made by a private diving company and first reported by the tabloid Expressen—should generate massive international headlines.

The Swedish Navy soon declared that the vessel was an imperial Russian submarine that had sunk off the Swedish coast in 1916, but by that time, Russian media had a field day with the discovery. “Sweden finally gets their Russian sub (but it’s 100 years old) [sic],” declared Sputnik. “Ghosts of Russian submarines continue to haunt Sweden,” reported RT. Here’s the curious thing: the company behind the search, Ocean X Team, told Expressen that it simply happened upon the wreck, and its two divers even suggested that it may be a 1980s submarine. But one of the Ocean X Team drivers (and comanagers of the company) later told Swedish Radio he received the wreck’s coordinates, and indeed the task of finding the sub, from iXplorer, an Iceland-based company run by Russian diver Alexey “Max” Mikhaylov. As the extremely well-informed Swedish blogger and Navy captain Niklas Wiklund discovered, Mikhaylov is a former diver in the Soviet Red Fleet and the son of a Soviet Navy officer.

The Russian connection, and Russian media’s immediate ridicule of Sweden’s navy, may be a complete coincidence. But for the past couple of years, Russian media have relentlessly reported on the perceived ineptitude of Sweden’s armed forces, conveying the message to the international and Swedish public—Sputnik, a government-run news agency launched last year, now has a Swedish channel as well— that the Swedish armed forces can’t even be trusted with such simple tasks as identifying intruders. While the propaganda may seem heavyhanded, it’s a crucial tool in Russia’s information warfare against Sweden, especially as Swedes are warming to the idea of joining NATO. A May opinion poll showed that support for NATO membership now outweighs opposition to it, a crucial step for long-neutral Sweden. Following the sub discovery, Sputnik made a NATO connection as well—suggesting that the Swedish armed forces had invented the mysterious sub as a way of pushing for more funding and Swedish NATO membership. Sputnik quoted Global Research, a Canadian research outfit that often offers a pro-Russian perspective.

Here’s another curious coincidence: in at least one case, that of analyst Andrew Korybko, Sputnik uses the same writers as Global Research. In May, Korybko reported that “Shadow NATO states Sweden and Finland started initiating highly publicized ‘Russian sub’ scares, designed with the sole intent of scaring their publics into formal NATO membership and opening up an additional front in the New Cold War.” —Courtesy: WA.

India releases 16 Pakistani prisoners From Page 1 lease came from the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi, which said that a total of nine fishermen detained at a prison in the Indian state of Gujarat for more than two years have been released.

“The released Pakistani fishermen were caught in June 2013 and they all originally belong to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said Ghulam Rasool Sheikh, a welfare officer of the Fishermen’s Cooperative Society, which looks after legal and diplomatic process for the release of Pakistani fishermen detained in India.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs termed the release a follow-up to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Ufa earlier in July, during which it was agreed by the two sides to release fishermen in each other’s custody, along with their boats.

Mily court From Back Page found out that that his son is in Central Jail, Temargara in Lower Dir and filed a petition challenging his conviction after finding out that his son has been sentenced to death by military courts in Swat.

The petition further states that the convict’s father has been unable to obtain records of the case as well as the military court’s ruling in order to file a case against the judgement.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court in a majority ruling upheld the establishment of military courts in Pakistan.

Petitions challenging the 21st amendment were dismissed in a majority 11-6 vote of the 17-member SC bench. Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk and Justice Dost Muhammad announced the verdict.

In a 14-3 majority vote, petitions challenging the 18th amendment were also dismissed by the bench. Judges provided seven opinions and two additional notes on the ruling.

US adds Russian oil field in sanctions list From Page 1 Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Gazprom declined to comment. Adding the field to the list means a license will be required for exports, re-exports or transfers of oil from that location, it said. The gas and condensate field was discovered in 2010, according to Gazprom.

Douglas Jacobson, an international trade lawyer in Washington, said the addition “represents a new arrow in the quiver of U.S. sanctions on Russia.”

He said the addition means that no U.S. origin items or non-U.S. origin items containing more than 25 percent U.S. content can be exported or reexported to the field without a Commerce Department license, which he said was not likely to be issued.

“This goes beyond the current Russia sanctions, which prohibit certain items to be exported to Russia when they are used directly or indirectly in the exploration for, or production of, oil or gas in Russian deepwater (greater than 500 feet),” Jacobsen said in an email.

The action builds on those taken since last year by the United States and the European Union after Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its use of force in Ukraine.

Last week, the United States imposed additional Russia and Ukraine-related sanctions, adding associates of a billionaire Russian gas trader, Crimean port operators and former Ukrainian officials to its list of those it is penalizing in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.—Reuters

Shahbaz orders vigorous anti-adulteration campaign Punjab Food Authority to be expanded across province SALIM AHMED LAHORE—Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has ordered to launch indiscriminate crackdown against those involved in preparing and selling adulterated items throughout Punjab.

The Chief Minister gave approval in principle to expand the scope of Punjab Food Authority to seven districts and Murree.

A meeting chaired by CM decided to make punishments deterrent for those preparing and selling substandard and adulterated items. Approval was also given to the decisions for enhancing fine against mafia involved in adulteration Necessary amendments will be made in the existing laws in this regard. Special courts will also be set up for hearing of cases of adulteration.

Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif said the heinous business of preparing and selling poison in the name of food will be stopped as provision of poisonous items in the name of food cannot be permitted at any cost. He said that the business of preparing and selling harmful items for human health will be curbed.

The Chief Minister warned that he will not

tolerate adulteration in food items. He directed that the role of Punjab Food Authority should be made more effective in Lahore and it should be made an institution fully equipped with information technology.

He said that the scope of Punjab Food Authority will be expanded throughout Punjab under a phased programme. He said that the taskforce constituted in nine divisions will be fully empowered and authorized to take action against those involved in preparing and selling adulterated items He said that an effective awareness campaign should be launched for categorization of restaurants and food chains. He said that a vigorous crackdown should also be launched against the owners of units manufacturing substandard and harmful items.

The Chief Minister gave approval to start a pilot project for introducing modern model carts prepared for cart pushers in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. Punjab government will provide model carts to cart pushers for specific places where they will start their business. Punjab government will provide subsidy on model carts.

Held Kashmir speaker From Page 1 Responding to a question on peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban, which had been brokered by Pakistan and were stalled after the announced death of Mullah Omar, Sartaj Aziz said the postponed second round of talks will take place in Pakistan soon.

He hoped that these peace talks will go a long way in bringing peace and stability to the region.He said that while working with the Afghan government, Pakistan had tried to restrict the cross border movement of militants.

“Now who is responsible for attacks in Kabul is a very hypothetical guess, let’s hope that the peace talks will resume leading to end of some hostilities and violence in Afghanistan.”

“We have always believed to talk with those Taliban who are willing to talk rather than fight,” he said.

Referring to recent terror attacks in India, he said that it was unfair to point fingers at Pakistan and that too at public forums. Hinting at sensational reporting of Indian media, he reiterated that like India, Pakistan too was affected by terrorism.

Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. TCA Raghavan, talking on the occassion, said Pakistan had broken protocol by not invit-

ing the speaker of Indian Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

“In the past Pakistan has invited delegations from Indian-held Kashmir,” he said, and went on to add that India will not attend the conference if Pakistan does not invite the speaker of occupied Jammu and Kashmir assembly.

The National Assembly Secretariat on Saturday said that they cannot invite Speaker of Indian-held Kashmir Assembly to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference despite Indian boycott, adding that Pakistan fully supports Kashmiris’ right to self determination.

In a statement issued by the NA secretariat, it was stated that Pakistan cannot invite Speaker of Indian occupied Kashmir to the Commonwealth Parliamentary conference despite Indian boycott.It said that Pakistan wants the resolution of Kashmir conflict to be as per the United Nations’ resolutions.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference is scheduled to take place in Islamabad from September 30 to October 8. All arrangements in this regard have been completed.

As many as 403 delegates from 53 countries have assured their participation in the conference.

Pleasant surprise From Page 1 ing of flood-affected people of the area, the wished to talk to their Prime Minister. The Prime Minister was about to depart but all of a people shared with him their flood-related and sudden, he decided to visit Isakhel city to re- other problems besides welcoming him in view the damages caused by recent floods and their city. overall development standard of the city.

The Prime Minister directed the DCO During the visit, the Prime Miniter waved Mianwali to look into their isseues and resolve hand to the residents, gathered along side the them.The people felt free to shake hand with road to greet him. the Prime Minister without being hindered by As the Prime Minister was taking city’s the security team. round, routine traffic continued plying and no The residents raised slogans for the Prime road was blocked for the VIP movement.

Minister and told him about their issues includNawaz Sharif also stopped twice on the ing drinking water, power supply and embankroad and interacted with the people who ment of hill torrents.—APP

8 arrested From Page 1 had accepted bribes to turn a blind eye to the activities of the 25-man gang.

Around 280 children in remote villages in Kasur district were targeted in a criminal operation that began in 2006. The acts of abuse were filmed and then sold to paedophiles abroad. The children who were targeted were reportedly blackmailed and coerced into stealing jewellery and money from their own homes. Families eventually learnt of the crime when several children confessed to their parents.

Agencies add: Saba Sadiq, head of Punjab’s Child Protection Bureau, described the case as “the largest ever child abuse scandal in Pakistan’s history” and said a provincial inquiry announced by chief minister Shahbaz Sharif “would be taken up at federal level to safeguard the children rights in future”.

Thousands of copies of the videos of the sexual assaults are believed to have been sold for Rs 50 each in Hussain Khanwala village of Kasur district, the report said.

One of the victims said he was injected with a drug in the spine before being sexually assaulted.

So far only six alleged abusers have been arrested, and five of them were remanded in custody. But the parents of the victims alleged the abuse was orchestrated by a gang of up to 25 led by two men in their for-

ties.

The parents said police tried to cover up the scandal and that the perpetrators used their influence to avoid being charged.

Sadiq said the provincial government of Punjab will also change the law to ensure “vigorous punishment for such criminals”.

In one clip, five to six young men are seen molesting a seven-year-old boy. The videos were recorded at different locations – in open fields, washrooms, bedrooms, and at deserted houses.

“We have arrested six persons after registering six separate cases against them on the complaints of the victims. Five of the accused are on physical remand while the sixth has obtained prearrest bail,” district police chief Rai Babar Saeed said.

Police sources said the main suspect was allegedly released after a Rs5 million bribe was paid on his behalf and the families of some victims said they had been subjected to pressure by a local politician to withdraw their allegations.

One mother aged 35 said she sold her gold ornaments to pay Rs 600,000 to blackmailers for videos of her 14-yearold son being abused to be erased. “They made the video of my son in 2011. We have been paying money to the blackmailers for the last four years.

ID to be celebrated in flood relief camps LAHORE—Functions of August 14 will be held in all relief camps to celebrate Independence Day in a befitting manner. This was decided at a meeting held here Saturday to review relief activities for flood affectees at the office of Provincial Disaster Management Authority, here Saturday.

Punjab Minister for Environment & Chairman Cabinet Committee on Flood Col.(R) Shuja Khanzada presided over the meeting. Flag hoisting ceremonies will be held at relief camps. The relief camps will be decorated with colourful buntings and Pakistani flags.

Members of Cabinet Committee, Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Secretaries of various departments, DCOs and Commissioners will participate in these functions. Pakistani flags will be hoisted on the boats taking part in rescue operation, he added.—APP

ADB ready to finance power projects ISLAMABAD—Asian Development Bank has expressed willingness for financing projects relating to upgradation and strengthening of transmission lines and distribution system in Pakistan next year.

Country Director, ADB Werner Liepach met Finance Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Saturday and discussed ADB financed projects in Pakistan. Finance Minister welcomed ADB’s expression of interest for financing the power transmission and distribution system which he said would further add to Pak-ADB economic cooperation. He also shared with Mr. Liepach details of progress achieved on Energy DPC-2 and said that most of the prior actions in this regard had been completed

by Pakistan.

The ADB Country Director and the Finance Minister also held initial discussion regarding the establishment of Pakistan Disaster Management Fund which would be steered by ADB. Mr. Liepach said ADB would help arrange finances for the Fund from donors and development partners. Both sides agreed that in view of recurring natural calamities like floods, it was becoming increasingly important to have such an arrangement to deal with emergent situations.

The Finance Minister on this occasion also shared with Mr. Weerner Liepach the outcome of the IMF talks held at Dubai. The ADB Country Director felicitated the Finance Minister on successful conclusion of the 8th IMF review which would lead to release of next tranche of over 500 million dollars.—INP

A baseless scandal From Page 1 ports of child molestation are baseless. Senior minister of the Punjab government, Rana Sanaullah, while talking to media, said the inquiry had concluded that no instance of child sex abuse had been reported, adding that reports to this effect surfaced after two parties involved in a land dispute registered “fake cases” against each other, says a private TV channel.

Sanaullah said almost eight years ago, incidents of child molestation and videos of such acts to blackmail families had been reported in the area, adding that cases were registered against those involved and the culprits were apprehended.

The provincial minister and PML-N stalwart insisted that the scandal had been created by rival parties who were involved in a fierce land dispute.

The inquiry, sanctioned by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, was conducted by Additional Inspector General Arif Nawaz Khan and Commissioner Lahore Division Abdullah Sunbal. A pitched battle between police and protesters had left 25 people, including two DSPs, injured near Dolaywala village along Deepalpur Road in Kasur on Thursday.

Hundreds of people hailing from Husain Khanwala and other villages demonstrated against police for their alleged failure to smash a gang suspected of raping hundreds of children and extorting money from their parents by blackmailing them through videos.

Indian army From Page 1 Meanwhile, search operation in the area was going on following inputs about the presence of some suspicious movement, he added.—KO

More dams needed From Page 1 was briefed on the flood situation by Mianwali The premier added that Pakistan’s economy District Coordination Officer Talat Mehmood is showing positive trends and in the next three Gondal and reviewed flood affected areas. years it will be further strengthened.

The DCO informed the premier that 45 vil“I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in lages and around 55,000 people were affected by the area and my prayers are with your families,” heavy rain and hill torrents. He further said that Nawaz said while addressing the flood victims crops on 12,924 acres of land were destroyed by as he arrived in the region. the floods. Moreover, 11 relief camps were set During his day-long visit, Nawaz Sharif took up for flood affectees and 2,345 people were transan aerial view of the flood-hit area and also vis- ferred to safer areas. The DCO added that 2,214 ited relief camps where he distributed food and tents and 9,800 food packets were also distribother relief goods to the victims. uted amongst the flood victims.

The Prime Minister directed Chief Minister Earlier this week, hill torrents devastated Punjab to expedite work on projects to protect Isakhel tehsil owing to torrential rains on surthe area from flash floods. He said the govern- rounding mountains. ment would provide funds and a number of emHigh flood in River Kurram had eroded a bankments would be constructed to divert the portion of Mianwali-Bannu Road at Jalalpur near flood waters.

Kalabagh. Various hill torrents of Isakhel tehsil He said new dams, that would cost a huge locally known as ‘Barooch’, ‘Rakka’ and ‘Lunda’ amount, need to be built to prevent flooding in destroyed crops on thousands of acre land befuture. sides inundating residential localities of various ”Though there is no substitute for human life, mauzas. compensation will help you to some extent,” he The district officials said three men and a said, adding that he equally shares grief of those child were killed in collapse of houses in differwho lost their loved ones in the floods. ent parts of Isakhel tehsil on Monday.

The prime minister also announced Rs20 Reports said water flowed into the Isakhel million to set up a water plant in Esa Khel and Tehsil Headquarters Hospital and its residendirected WAPDA authorities to put an end to pro- tial area forcing the hospital staff and indoor longed power outages in the area. He also an- patients to shift to nearby girls college buildnounced Rs200 million for a water scheme in ing.

Isakhel area.

The four-foot deep water damaged hospital Nawaz Sharif added that Pakistan would be medicines and other equipment. Doctors had to far better after three years than it is today. temporarily set up outdoor department at the colPrime Minister Nawaz Sharif told the gath- lege building while the hospital authorities fetched ering of the flood- affected people that he was medicines from a local medical store for patients. saddened to see the damages, caused by rains and The hill torrent of Barooch has inundated hill torrents and prayed to Allah almighty to keep basic health unit at Kaloor Town in Isakhel and everyone safe. hospital staff shifted to some higher ground. The He said the compensation for those who lost constant downpour since Saturday had also distheir lives was in no way a replacement of the rupted power supply, rendering pumping stations precious lives lost, but was meant to help their inoperative and causing shortage of drinking families. water in Isakhel tehsil.

The Prime Minister directed the Chief MinNawaz Sharif said the government is giving ister Punjab to expedite work on projects to pro- priority to the development of backward areas tect the area from flash floods. The Prime Minis- and bring them at par with the developed ones. ter asked the officials concerned to ensure that Expressing grief and sorrow over the death the electricity infrastructure will be strong enough and destruction caused by hill torrents in to withstand flooding in future.

Mianwali, the Prime Minister said steps will be Upon his arrival in Mianwali, Nawaz Sharif taken to stop flooding in the area. ity.

NAB arrests From Page 1 appropriation, embezzlement director for Ali Usman Securiof funds and criminal breach ties. The company is alleged of not giving profits back to the of trust.

The accused, along with people for past two years. The other directors, fraudulently de- company has also not returned prived general public of their the money worth crores of ruhard earned money,” said a pees.

The company, allegedly, spokesperson from NAB. He was arrested for sell- sold bogus shares to bag money ing fraudulent shares of Ali from the people.

NAB authorities said that Osman Securities of which he is one of the directors, the the troubled customers regisspokesperson further said, tered complaints against the adding that another director of company. Following the prothe company was also ar- cedure, the director has been apprehended for interrogarested.

A number of people had tion.

Before entering politics filed complaints with NAB over which they held an initial Qasim Zia played hockey for 7 inquiry and arrested the ac- years representing Pakistan and cused persons, the spokesper- holds an Olympic Gold medal.

He has also served as the son added.

Elected twice from former chairman of the PakiFaisalabad’s constituency PP- stan Hockey Federation.

Zia was appointed presi59, Zia served as a member of Punjab Assembly from 2002- dent of Pakistan Hockey Federation in 2008 and served as 2007, and from 2008-2013.

He functioned as Leader of the federation’s chief till Opposition in the Punjab As- 2013.

He is an Olympic Gold sembly during his term from Medalist in the field of hockey, 2002-2007.

Following the arrest Zia and also remained a member of was presented in an account- the Pakistan’s national hockey ability court where the court re- team from 1980-87. manded him into NAB’s custody for 14 days, while investigation is underway.

The PPP leader serves as

Israel makes veiled threats against Iranian nuclear scientists From Page 1 meant to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme could not produce a bomb.

The deal, that rewards Iran with a lifting of crippling sanctions, must be reviewed and approved by lawmakers in the US and Iran before it can be implemented.

Yaalon said if Iran did not respect its engagements, Israel could stage air strikes and once again called the July 14 deal between Tehran and the world powers an “historic error”.—AFP

Will be forced to take to streets if ECP doesn’t satisfy From Back Page make policies to make the lives of them better and increase their earnings.

“We are here to educate you that do not waste your vote.

Stop giving votes on basis of lineage/family,” Imran said.

“Today we are announcing that we will be uniting farmers across Pakistan. We will stand with them. If we want economic growth in the country, we will have to help our farmers first.”

Khan said there was so much potential in Pakistan and “if we lift our poor and farmers, we can turn the country around.”

Global warming is rapidly taking place; we have to decide as a nation to decide how to use water from melting glaciers, he said. The PTI chief said that India and China had invested heavily on their farmers to combat poverty and improve economy..

Rangers get 120 days extension in special powers STAFF REPORTER KARACHI —Chief Minister

Interim bail for Rauf till 15th Staff Report

KARACHI – An anti-terrorism court in Karachi has approved interim bail of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Abdul Rauf Siddiqui in as many as 16 cases till August 15. As per details, the court has directed the accused to submit surety bonds of 20,000 in all the cases and ordered the security officers not to arrest Abdul Rauf Siddiqui till August 15.

Jafari supports nuclear deal DUBAI - Iran’s military chief and a close ally to the Supreme Leader expressed his support on Saturday for the country’s nuclear deal with world powers, a key endorsement for the accord that faces strong opposition from hardliners. Conservative members of the Iranian parliament and chief commander of the elite Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Ali Jafari, have sharply criticized the deal, saying it undermined the Islamic Republic’s military capabilities. While Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not publicly approved or disapproved of the deal, he has told officials and experts to take legal procedures to ensure the other side does not breach it, saying some of the world powers involved were untrustworthy.—Reuters

Obama admin not to charge militant WASHINGTON — An Islamic State militant who helped imprison and brutalize American hostage Kayla Mueller will not be charged in the U.S., the White House announced Friday. The militant known as Umm Sayyaf, who had been cooperating with American military interrogators after she was captured in Syria during a May U.S. Special Operations raid, will be prosecuted in the Kurdish region of Iraq by Kurdish authorities, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. She will be tried in the Kurdish system. “While we obviously can’t guarantee a particular result, we do have a firm belief that she will be held accountable for her crimes,” Earnest said. On Thursday, the Defense Department announced that Umm Sayyaf has been transferred to a facility in the Iraqi Kurdish capital of Irbil. She is the wife of an Islamic State financier known as Abu Sayyaf, who was killed during the Delta Force raid.

Another senior Islamic State figure took Mueller as a “wife.—AP

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman and a large number of high ranking serving and retired officers and other ranks from three services, people from all walks of life and relatives of Shuhada attended the Namaz-e-Janaza of Shuhada of Mansehra helicopter crash at Chaklala on Saturday.

Yemeni forces take last rebel-held army base in south

5 Indian women lynched for ‘witchcraft’

and their allies since March in an airstrikes campaign. In the country’s east, hundreds of Saudi-trained Yemeni troops were marching toward the central oil-rich province of Marib, where Houthis maintain a strong presence, Yemeni army spokesman Ali al-Bakali said. The Yemeni troops were trained in a military camp in the neighboring Saudi town of al-Sharurah.

Meanwhile, in Aden, humanitarian aid has flooded local markets, officials said, with one blaming the “aid leak” on the embattled government’s mismanagement and corruption.

“They are selling oil and flour that has a ‘not for sale’ on it in the street,” said Shahir al-Araj, a resident of Aden’s most populous neighborhood, al-Shiekh Othman. The Houthi’s media center said Friday a delegation of rebel leaders left the rebel-held capital of Sanaa in the morning to Oman, where negotiations have been attempted in the past.

NEW DELHI—Villagers in a rural part of eastern India have killed five women whom they accused of practising witchcraft, police said Saturday.

Police in eastern Jharkhand state said a group of assailants dragged the women out of their huts and beat them to death at around midnight Friday in their village Kanjiya Maraitoli, some 30 kilometres from state capital Ranchi.

“A group (of villagers) dragged the women out and beat them to death with sticks, accusing them of practising witchcraft,” Ranchi deputy police chief Arun Kumar Singh told AFP by phone.

Singh added that 24 villagers have been arrested over the killings of the women, who were mostly aged between 45 and 50.

Killings in the name of witchcraft are common in Jharkhand, said a report published by Times of India. Over 1,000 women have been killed in the state in the last decade for allegedly practising witchcraft, according to an estimate.

A villager said that in the last six months, four children died after prolonged illness. Locals believed that the women had allegedly practised witchcraft on the children and were responsible for their demise.

The locals decided to eliminate the women together for the welfare of the village, the villager said. Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das condemned the latest killings in a statement on Saturday, urging society to “ponder over it”.

“In the age of knowledge, this incident is sorrowful,” he said. Belief in witchcraft and the occult remains widespread in some impoverished areas of India. In some cases women are stripped naked as punishment, burnt alive or driven from their homes and killed. Some states including Jharkhand have introduced special laws to try to curb crimes against people accused of witchcraft.—AFP

SANAA — Pro-government forces have retaken the last military base in the country’s south that was held by Shiite rebels known as Houthis, Saudi-backed Yemeni officials said.

The capture of Labouza base is the latest victory for the pro-government forces that have been pushing north in the province of Lahj, after routing the rebels from the coastal city of Aden recently.

Labouza lies north of the strategic alAnad base, which fell to Yemeni troops on Monday. The officials gave no casualty figures for the latest fighting.

The previous rounds of fighting in Lahj have left areas in the province with dozens of decomposing rebel bodies littering the streets, said Lahj resident Ahmed Naguib.

The gains by the pro-government forces have been made possible with the help of a Saudi-led and U.S.-backed coalition that has been targeting the Iran-backed Houthis

Seven terrorists held in Qila Saifullah STAFF REPORTER QUETTA—Frontier Corps arrested on Saturday seven terrorists, including target killers from Qila Saifullah area of Balochistan, based on a tipoff provided by an alleged Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan activist.

According to an FC spokesperson, the paramilitary force took action against the terrorists, allegedly involved in target killing of two security personnel in 2011.

Twenty kilogrammes of explosives were also recovered from their possession.

Last month, the paramilitary force arrested four militants of the Sajna group of TTP from Quetta suburbs.

The arrested terrorists were involved in terror activities in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.

The purpose of the visit, Houthi officials said, is to discuss the possibility of ending the war and returning to the negotiating table with the exiled Yemeni government.The Houthis and members of the party of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh party will meet with U.N. envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in Oman, officials from the exiled Riyadh-based Yemeni presidential office said. Houthi rebel officials and Saleh’s party confirmed the program.

The U.N. envoy will then travel to Saudi Arabia before heading to New York to discuss the developments and efforts to end the conflict.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity under regulations.

The fighting in Yemen pits the Houthis and troops loyal to Saleh against southern separatists, local and tribal militias, Sunni Islamic militants and loyalists of exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.—AP

Will be forced to take to streets Mily court ruling if ECP doesn’t satisfy: Imran challenged in SC OUR CORRESPONDENT VEHARI—Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf Chairman Imran Khan has said that his party has written a letter to Election Commission of Pakistan to seek reply over 40 points of Judicial Commission, formed to probe into alleged rigging. Khan said, “It will be our compulsion to take to the streets if ECP failed to satisfy us on these points.”

Addressing the farmers’ convention, Imran Khan said that God has blessed Pakistan with fertile land and yet conditions of farmers are deteriorating day by day.

PTI chief said that reducing poverty was the top priority of any government. The income of farmers is reducing day by day, he said, adding that every year floods caused by rains wash away lacs of acres of crops. He said if flood water is saved then the farmers will gain billions.

Imran Khan announced that his party, if came into

power, would set up a Rs5 billion cotton research institute.

The institute, he explained, would be run by the members

STAFF REPORTER

of farmers’ community.

Imran Khan said that they will unite all farmers in the country and that PTI will stand in solidarity with farmers. He urged the participants to vote for those that help farmers and not to ‘waste’ their votes. He called upon the farming community to vote for those who

ISLAMABAD—The father of a death-row convict Haider Ali, who received the sentence from a military court, challenged the ruling in Supreme Court on Saturday.

The convict’s father filed a petition in the apex court through Advocate Zulfiqar Bhutta. According to Section 3 of Article 184 of the Constitution, the federal government, secretary of defence, General Officer Commanding for Malakand division and home secretary have been made a party to the petition.

The petition states that Haider Ali was about 14 years old at the time of his arrest in 2009. On demand of military officials in Swat, the petitioner’s son was produced before military authorities and was taken into custody. He was shifted to an unknown location for investigation.

After six years, Haider’s father

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Sindh Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday extended the special powers granted to Pakistan Rangers Sindh by 120 days.

Special policing powers which were assigned to the Rangers according to the AntiTerrorism act in the province, were earlier extended for a month on July 8, expired on Saturday.

The chief minister while announcing the development expressed hope that Rangers personnel will continue to work with the same spirit and passion in the city.

Earlier, the Sindh government in July also extended the Rangers stay by one year to help police and civil administration in Karachi.

The chief minister talking to media expressed his hope that Rangers would continue their efforts to establish peace in the metropolis with the same zeal and zest.

The Chief minister ’s spokesperson said the Sindh Assembly would ratify these powers through a bill that is to be moved in the assembly.

According to the recently compiled figures, since September 5, 2013 when the federal government decided to launch the Rangers-led ‘targeted-operation’ in Karachi with the provincial government consent, the paramilitary force has conducted some 5,795 operations and apprehended 10,353 suspects that ranged from street criminals to terrorists.

“During these operations, the Rangers recovered some 7,312 weapons of different caliber,” said a source citing details of the figures. “Among the arrested persons, 826 are terrorists, 334 hit men, 296 extortionists and 82 are kidnappers. Of the arrested suspects, 4,950 have already been handed over to the police for further investigation and legal process,” the source added.

Kabul urges Sami to help resume peace talks STAFF REPORTER NOWSHERA—Afghanistan has sought the help of Maulana Samiul Haq to urge the Taliban to resume the Pakistan-brokered peace talks, which had been halted after the announced death of Taliban chief Mullah Omar.

Afghanistan’s ambassador in Pakistan, Janan Mosazai, along with a delegation met the Maulana, who is the chief of his own faction of Jamiat-e-Ulemai-Islam, and held a six-hour long meeting with him in Nowshera.

Sources say the Afghan ambassador conveyed President Ashraf Ghani’s message to Sami, requesting him to play his role in resumption of the suspended talks with Afghan Taliban.

Talking to media, Mosazai said Samiul Haq enjoys great support in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and confirmed that he requested the cleric to play his role for peace in the region.

The cleric, who runs the fa-

mous Darul Uloom Haqqania, appreciated Mosazai’s struggle for restoration of peace in Afghanistan and agreed to play his role in the matter.

On Aug 6, Maulana Samiul Haq, an influential figure among members of the Taliban on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan border, himself had urged the newly declared head of the group, Mullah Mohammad Akhtar Mansour, to sit down with rivals who have challenged his right to leadership.

“I would arrange for members of the two rival factions together to sit down in front of each other, and in the presence of other leading religious scholars, we would listen to both sides and overcome this issue amicably,” he told media.

Pakistan had hosted a meeting between the Afghan government and Afghan Taliban representatives in Murree on July 7, 2015, which was also attended by representatives from China and the United States.

AKORA KHATTAK: Afghan Ambassador, Janan Musazai met with JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq at his residence.

Powerful storm hits Taiwan, millions without power, six dead TAIPEI/YILAN, Taiwan—A pow- port. erful typhoon battered Taiwan on Saturday with strong wind and torrential rain, cutting power to 3.62 million households as the death toll rose to six. Four people were missing and 101 were injured, authorities said. Hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled and more than 9,900 people were evacuated from their homes.

Television footage trees uprooted and power poles toppled over, a moped being swept into the air by wind and shipping containers piled on top of each other at a

“The storm will weaken but we expect more rain, particularly in southern Taiwan,” said Wang Shihchien, an official with the island’s Central Weather Bureau.

The storm made landfall early on the island’s east-coast counties of Yilan and Hualien, bringing more than 1,000 mm (39 inches) of rain in mountainous areas and wind gusting up to 200 kph (124 mph).

Although the eye of Typhoon Soudelor passed Taiwan, and was heading toward mainland China, rain was expected to lash the island

until Sunday morning.

“This is one of the worst typhoons I have ever seen,” said a sewage station engineer surnamed Jiang, who was inspecting pumping stations early on Saturday in eastern Taiwan. “My car was shaking when I was driving. There are too many trees down, and I even saw six downed power poles.”

In the capital, Taipei, large steel sheets and rods were blown off a half-constructed stadium and city authorities shut down much public transport. “The metal roof of the house next door to mine was com-

pletely blown away,” said resident Jack Lin. “I saw a car crushed to bits.”

Authorities issued flood and mudslide alerts and television showed mud trapping people and murky water nearly covering the roofs of cars in some areas.

Among the dead was one person who drowned in his flooded home and another who was killed by a falling tree.Earlier, authorities said one adult and one child had drowned at sea, while a foreign worker was killed by a falling sign and a rescue worker was hit by a car and killed

while clearing downed branches from a road.Taiwan Power, the island’s main power company, said 3.62 million households had lost power. While some supplies had been restored, 1.5 million households were still without power on Saturday afternoon, it said.

Fears that Soudelor would be as devastating as Typhoon Morakot in 2009 were unfounded. Morakot cut a path of destruction over southern Taiwan, leaving about 700 people dead or missing and causing $3 billion worth of damage.

The Tropical Storm Risk

website downgraded the typhoon to a category 1 storm by Saturday afternoon, on a scale of 1 to 5, and indicated it could weaken as it moves toward the Chinese province of Fujian, which it is due to hit late on Saturday. Authorities there have evacuated people on the coast and begun cancelling flights and trains.

Fujian has issued its highest typhoon alert, media reported.

Typhoons are common at this time of year in the South China Sea and Pacific, picking up strength from warm waters but losing it over land.—Reuters

Breakthroughs could lead to ‘powerful treatment for depression’

W

ITH approximately 1 in 10 Ameri can adults reporting some form of depression, finding new ways to treat the disorder has been a major focus for researchers. Now, investigators from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center say they have made important breakthroughs in this field. The researchers, including Dr. Jeffrey Zigman, associate professor of internal medicine and psychiatry at UT Southwestern, say they have uncovered an important mechanism by which ghrelin - a natural antidepressant hormone - works inside the brain.

In addition, the team has uncovered a neuroprotective drug that they say has the potential to be a powerful treatment for depression. To reach their findings, recently published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the researchers began by analyzing ghrelin in mice models. Ghrelin is referred to as the “hunger hormone,” as it is known for its ability to arouse appetite.

In a 2008 study led by Dr. Zigman, the research team found that ghrelin had natural antidepressant properties that are prominent when its levels increase due to prolonged psychological stress or caloric restriction. In this latest study, the researchers found that the hormone can trigger the formation of new neurons,

known as neurogenesis, in the hippocampus - the brain region that regulates mood, memory and complex eating behaviours.

The research team says their findings could lead to a powerful new antidepressant. Furthermore, they found that this process is imperative to reduce the severity of depression after prolonged stress exposure.

The team then wanted to determine whether this antidepressant effect could be enhanced with P7C3 compounds, which were discovered by another team of UT Southwestern researchers in 2010.

Previous studies have shown that P7C3 compounds have neuroprotective abilities in patients with Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and traumatic brain injury. And now, it seems the compounds could also help treat depression. The team found that the P7C3 compounds enhanced the neurogenesis properties of ghrelin, leading to a strong antidepressant effect. Additionally, the team found that a “highly active analog” of the compounds - P7C3-A20 - boosted new neuron formation much more than antidepressant drugs that are currently available. “By investigating the way the socalled ‘hunger hormone’ ghrelin works to limit the extent of depression following long-term exposure to stress, we discovered what could become a brand new class of antidepressant drugs.”

Picnickers enjoying boat ride at Rawal Lake.—DNA

Rs. 189.997m allocated for women, children related projects

ISLAMABAD—Government has allocated Rs. 189.997 million for women and children related projects at Islamabad Capital Territory during last five years.

Among it Rs. 40.622 million were allocated for Family Protection and Rehabilitation Center for Women Islamabad (Shaheed Benazir Bhuto Center for Women). Rs. 36.137 million for National Child Protection Centre (NCPC) and Rs. 56.619 million for Women Welfare and Development Centre Islamabad.

Official sources told APP here on Saturday that the amount allocated for Family Protection and Rehabilitation Centre for Women, Rs. 10.175 mln allocated were allocated in A model of ‘Minar-e-Pakistan’ is illuminated at the Punjab Arts and Crafts Fair at 2014-15, Rs. 6.909 million in Nawaz Sharif park.—INFN 2013-14, Rs. 8.501 million in 2012-13 and Rs. 10.282 million in 2011-12, while Rs. 4.755 million were reserved in 2010-11.

For National Child Protection Centre Rs. 9.532 million were earmarked in 201415, Rs.8.793 million in 201314, Rs. 6.697 million in 2012R AWALPINDI —A youngster motorcyclist ing two youths slipped resulting in death of 13, Rs. 6.389 million in 2011died while another was injured in a road one rider and leaving the other critically in- 12 and Rs. 4.726 million in jured. The body and injured were shifted to 2010-2011.—APP mishap here on Saturday.

Rescue sources said that the accident took Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi for place near airport where a motorcycle carry- medico-legal formalities.—INP

One dead, another hurt in Rawalpindi road accident AIOU to hold mega event for promotion of educational activities

ISLAMABAD —Allama Iqbal Open Univer- tion on the programmes which the University (AIOU) will hold a two day mega event to introduce and show-case its academic programs, facilities, faculty and to inform students about choice and take admission in an AIOU program. The AIOU event (Open-day) would be held on 19-20 August, 2015 in the Academic Complex at its main campus in sector H-8 Islamabad, said a press release issued here Saturday.

It will provides an opportunity to the prospective students to get the informa-

sity offer, meet the faculty members and visit the departments to get the feel of the campus life.

The faculty and staff will respond to the questions by the existing and intending students and their parents.

Around fifty stalls would be set up on the occasion to brief the students about the academic programmes, being offered by the university in the current semester Autumn, 2015.—APP

Islamabad to witness biggest fireworks on eve of Independence Day ZUBAIR QURESHI ISLAMABAD—The night before Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif waves the national flag at the Convention Centre during a graceful ceremony to mark the 68th Independence Day, parade ground near Faizabad will be lit with thousands of fireworks and lights.

Officials say these will be the biggest-ever fireworks to celebrate the occasion. The venue will be open to general public and the paramilitary forces will provide security to the visitors and the dignitaries.

Capital Development Authority (CDA), ICT administration, Islamabad police and rangers will be deployed on all the public sites and at state buildings and sensitive points, days before the Independence Day. There is a complete ban on carrying of weapons and according to the notification by the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Section 144 is imposed in Islamabad banning gathering of five or more people in Islamabad. The district administration in collaboration with the CDA and other civil departments and

offices is determined to make the 68th Independence Day memorable, said an official and arrangements have been finalized in this regard. All the roads will be repaired, broken street and road lights will be replaced with new and the entire city will give a festive look on the eve of independence.

Besides official arrangements, people of the federal capital are already in festive mood as one can see green flags waving over the rooftops of houses, shops, shopping malls even on private vehicles and motorbikes.

The fact that this year the Independence Day is being celebrated on Friday has given a further impetus to their excitement. Children have already started spending a considerable share of their pocket money on buying green caps, bands, stickers and flags. In short, the festive mood has enveloped the city even six days before August 14.

Meanwhile, police have also started taking measures to prevent any untoward incident. Hotel managements of the city have been directed to take proper security measures and let the guests in only after completing

the required procedure and scrutinizing their papers. They have also been directed to provide the list of guests to local police stations one day before the Independence Day. Meanwhile complete surveillance will be conducted in and around the Red Zone.

Meanwhile, SSP Islamabad Sajid Kiani late Friday night had a surprise visit of the Red Zone and directed disciplinary action against nine police officials for negligence from duties.

Two-year service of one Inspector Arshad Mehmood was withdrawn for performing duties in civilian clothes.

Similarly an ASI Ashraf Chishti was demoted and made Head Constable for negligence. Constables Imran and Tariq and Imran were dismissed from service for absenting themselves from their duty site and show-cause notices were issued to five constables of Elite Force.

The police chief of the city made it clear that negligence from duties would not be spared at any cost and no pressure would be accepted from anywhere and strict action will be taken against work shirkers.

Justice Dost asks judicial officers to render swift justice STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Justice Dost Muhammad Khan Saturday said that Allah Almighty would judge all of each person’s deeds according to his Justice, therefore, Judges should render expeditious justice to litigant public and earn the pleasure of Allah.

While presiding over the certificate awarding ceremony as chief guest at the conclusion of a one-week course on “New Laws “for Additional District and Sessions Judges, he lamented the weakness of the Muslims who have had deviated from the glorious and balanced philosophy and message of

Islam, said a press release issued here.

“Unfortunately, we have become slaves of our own desires. We have forgotten the real spirit of Islam. The dominance of desires in our life and society has become obvious. Judges should never ever succumb to desires.

Judges should live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present challenging and trying times. Always cut your coat according to your cloth. Judicial wisdom and knowledge, which you acquire from this kind of training and other ways of learning, is to put into action and laws are made to be enforced to create social order and decency in the society. You have to play your desired role efficiently and

effectively to save the society and the state which is confronting several challenges,” he maintained.

He also floated a few very productive suggestions regarding the training and designing of the course on new laws.

Lamenting the lack of resources and infrastructure, the Judge of the Apex Court said, “Judiciary, in particular, the district judiciary is always undermined by the lack of resources but even then in the face of a multitude challenges it has performed well but there is always room for improvement.

Improvement is required in all areas which deal with the dispensation of justice. Look at judges-to-population ratio in the country.”

RNITTE organizes graduation ceremony of MMW 2015 C ITY REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Roots National Institute of Teacher Training and Education-RNITTE organized Graduation Ceremony for Montessori Material Methodology Workshop 2015 participants today at Roots Millennium Campus I-9/3, Islamabad.

Ambassador Masood KhanDirector General ISS, Islamabadgraced the

occasion with her precious presence as a Chief Guest and enlightened audience on ‘Educating and training Young Children and Self Respect’ and shared his experiences of professional career. He appreciated the efforts of Roots National Institute of Teacher Training and Education-RNITTE for providing the great and effective learning opportunities to the teachers of Roots Millennium

Schools Management Staff.

Chief Executive Roots Millennium Schools Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq TI,shared his views with the audience and quoted ‘Learning is a journey, not a destination.’

He also appreciatedMrs. Sabina ZakirDirector Schools& Outreach and Ms. Sahrish Javed Manager RNITTE for the successful culmination of the annual 8th

Montessori Materials and Methodology Workshop 2015.

From the beginning, the vision of our training department is to bring teachers into direct contact with the opportunities which will have a great impact on their professional development.

We provide our teachers great learning opportunities to learn from leading scholars, academia and educational thinkers

in a stimulating environment, surrounded by learning and academic resources.

RNITTE Teacher Development Conferences and workshops have offered a mixture of intellectual replenishment, ultimately the aim is to support and invigorate classroom teaching with the new ideas and energy, new texts and techniques, new content and connections.

Fajar Zohr Asr

04:30 01:30 05:30

Meghrab at Sunset Isha 09:15 Brothers in Islam establish regular prayers & charity

August 10

Plan launching SPEAKER, National Assembly will launch National Assembly Strategic Plan,20142018 on Monday, August 10 at 11:00 am at Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services Attaturk Avenue, Sector F-5/2, Islamabad.

Pak officials on way to Korean varsities for MA courses ZUBAIR QURESHI ISLAMABAD—The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Pakistan held a predeparture orientation for government officials who are selected for Master Degree Scholarship 2015-16. With a mission to support Human Resources Development (HRD) in developing countries, KOICA invites talented people from developing countries and helps them gain professional and systematic knowledge that will play a key role in their home country’s development. To accomplish this mission, KOICA has been operating Master’s degree courses with leading Korean universities in the fields of Public policy, Finance and Economics, ICT, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Fisheries Science, Development studies and Women’s empowerment.

Mr. Sung Choon-ki Resident Representative KOICA Pakistan in his briefing said that

Globally, this program has assisted a total of 2154 government officials through 92 courses from 1997 to 2014. Likewise, KOICA Pakistan alumni exceed over 1000 since 1992 and many government officials benefited from master degree scholarship and training programs through KOICA Pakistan.

A total of 379 participants from across the world including Pakistan will participate in 20 Master’s degree programs at 20 best universities and several country focused and multicountry training programs were offered in year 2015. Around 10 officials were selected in designated fields in Korean universities.

“By experiencing and learning about Korea’s remarkable development throughout the stay, participants can gain consid- Sung Choon-ki, Resident Representative KOICA with participants of a pre-departure orientation for government erable expertise and strengthen their ana- officials who are selected for Master Degree Scholarship 2015-16.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir lytical abilities. These program further helps in binding these two countries and nations” He added further.

Nisar visits late ASJ’s house, assures arrest of culprits

August 11

Talk Mr Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan will give a Talk on “Pakistan - Japan Relations” at Institute of Strategic Studies Sector F5/2, Islamabad on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 1700 hrs.

Ban on construction in four sectors ISLAMABAD—The sub-divisional magistrate Islamabad (Saddar) has imposed a ban on construction in four sectors for the next two months under section 144.

According to the ban order, no construction will be allowed or carried out in G-15/ 3, G-14/1, 2, 3, F-14 and F-15 during the next two months.

The order said that no construction material would be supplied, loaded or unloaded in these sectors for construction purposes. Action would be taken against violators in accordance with the law, said the order. —Online

I SLAMABAD—Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan Saturday visited the residence of late Additional Session Judge (ASJ), Tahir Khan Niazi and extended his condolence with the bereaved family. The Minister offered fateha for the departed soul and expressed his heartfelt sympathies.

He assured the bereaved family that every effort would be made to arrest the culprits and bring them to justice.

CPO Rawalpindi on the occasion briefed the Interior Girls taking interest in models of traditional trucks displayed at Nomad Art Gallery.— Minister about the progress PO photo made so far into the case.

The Minister directed Rawalpindi police to further gear up their efforts adding that they would have full support of the federal government organizations in this regard.—APP

Police arrests outlaws, narcotics recovered

RAWALPINDI—Rawalpindi police on Satur-

day arrested 20 outlaws from different areas of the city for gambling and possessing drugs, liqour, illegal arms etc.

According to a police spokesman, Naseerabad police held Wazir Hussain, Taimoor, Hassan Ali, Usman Ali and Sheraz for playing gambling with stake money of Rs 19,770 and fuve moblie phones.

Fifteen other criminals were arrested from different areas after recovery of total 3,480 gram charas, 37 liter liquor, 41 bottles of liquor, a 30-bore pistol bore along three rounds and a stolen motorcycle.

Police in its drive against anti-social elements have arrested four drunkards and four bootleggers besides recovering 26 bottles of liquor and 15 liter wine.

According to police spokesman, Waris R AWA L P I N D I — P a k i s t a n Khan police held accused Abdul Kareem, Railways has worked out Haider Ali, Muhammad Sadheer and Ahsan plan to launch four new who were allegedly drunkards. trains from Rawalpindi to different cities from next month.

A blue line train will be introduced on the pattern of green line train to ferry passengers Rawalpindi and Karachi. . It will have eight coaches with a capacity to OBSERVER REPORT accommodate 550 passengers. The fare for the economy class has been ISLAMABAD—The nation is duty-bound to pay homage to its founders like Quaid-ifixed at Rs1,500.

Bilal Express is being Azam so as to keep itself alive and active to launched from Rawalpindi contribute towards progress and prosperto Multan via Attock, Jand, ity of country.

These remarks were made by Barrister Bassal, Mianwali, Kundian.

A third train is also being Zafar Ullah Khan, special Assistant to the launched from Rawalpindi Prime Minister and Minister of State for to Sialkot via Wazirabad. Cabinet while inaugurating an exclusive exThe fourth train will run hibition of rare and historic photographs from Rawalpindi to Kohat of Quaid-i-Azam in connection with the Inas the military had recom- dependence Day celebrations arranged by mended for launching the the Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC) at Aiwan-i-Quaid, Fatima Jinnah Park service. —Online

Four new trains to be launched from Rawalpindi

Meanwhile, Pirwadhai police nabbed accused Shoaib Ali and recovered 10 bottles of liquor. Gujar Khan police arrested accused Muhammad Amin for having 15 liquor bottles. Rattaamral police seized 10 liter wine and rounded up Khayal Muhammad. Another bootlegger namely accused Shahid Hussain was sent behind the bars for possessing five liter wine.

Separate cases have been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway. The Police under its operation against anti-social elements have busted a brothel and arrested three accused including a woman who were allegedly involved in immoral activities.

According to Rawalpindi police spokesman, Pirwadhai police on a tip-off raided at a hotel and netted Munshi Bilal, Anayat ur Rehman and a female. A case has been registered against the accused while further investigation is underway.—APP

Zafar Ullah Khan inaugurates photo exhibition at Aiwan-i-Quaid Islamabad.

These photographs are an album of historic struggle and tireless efforts, Quaid-iAzam had to make from one part of the undivided India to the other during the Pakistan Movement to politically motivate people in favour of Pakistan, he said.The new generation can visualize the struggle ourfore-fathers had to putup to create Pakistan, he mentioned.

Barrister Zafar Ullah Khan also signedon the jumbo banner placed by NPC for visitors and general public to express patriotic slogans and writings about motherland. The exhibition and signing of slogans will continue till 14th August 2015.

Children are busy in their studies in an open air school, at F-6, Islamabad.—PO photo

Notices issued to 75 non trade licence holders R AWALPINDI —Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) has issued 75 notices to the shopkeepers running their businesses without trade license in RCB areas.

According to details, RCB has decided to take action in accordance with the law against non trade license holders.

RCB, Foods Control Department in this respect held an operation against non trade license holders and served warning notices to over 75 bakeries, general stores, dairy shops, medical stores, chicken shops and others in different areas of Dhoke Syedan Road, Kalma Chowk, Bakra Mandi, Afshan Colony, Dhoke Mustakeem Road, Saham Road, Tench Bhatta, Masrial Road and Hafizabad area.

The department also received several applications and issued new licenses to those who have met all the requirements for the trade license.

Meanwhile, the department also raided at various food outlets and collected 25 samples to test quality of food. The samples have been sent to the laboratory.—APP

Metro bus stations

Govt gives approval to changed design RAWALPINDI—After the rain inundated sev- held under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister eral stations, the Punjab government has accorded approval to change the design of metro bus stations. Under the new design, shades of the bus stations will be extended to ward off rainwater from dripping in during rains.

As part of the plan, fences will also be erected on both sides of metro bus route from IJP Road to Secretariat bus station, said an official who had attended a special meeting

Shahbaz Sharif regarding the re-designing of the bus stations. Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Pus Project Director Zahid Saeed, MD NESPAK, Hanif Abbasi and others.

Saeed told the meeting that the seepage from roofs of metro bus stations has been overcome but change in its design was a must to prevent the rainwater from entering the stations in the future.—Online

JIT formed to probe case of Islamabad slum demolition ISLAMABAD—A joint investigation team comprising SP Industrial Area, SHO Sabzi Mandi and representatives of intelligence agencies will probe the matter regarding resistance, violence and attack on police during Islamabad slum demolition drive.

The JIT will interrogate suspects and look into different aspects regarding possibly sheltering terrorists in the illegal settlement in I-11 sector.

The probe team will finalise its report within two weeks and submit it to the antiterrorism court.

Last week, a clash broke out in Islamabad’s Sector I-11 when Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials along with a large number of police personnel launched an operation against illegal settlements in the area.

The katchi abadi (slum) was completely demolished during the action.—INP

Anti-encroachment operation in city R AWALPINDI —Rawalpindi Cantonment Colony and Dhoke Syedan and three truckBoard (RCB) has confiscated three truckloads goods from different markets under its campaign against encroachments.

The anti-encroachment operation on the special instruction of Cantonment Executive Officer (CEO) Faheem Zafar Khan has further been intensified in RCB areas.

According to RCB spokesman, encroachments were removed from Masrial Road, Tench Bhatta, Chungi No 22, Bakra Mandi Chowk, Saddar, Naseerabad, Peoples

loads goods were confiscated while enforcement teams also removed illegal banners from different areas. He said, RCB markets are regularly being visited and the staff concerned conducting raids at main markets.

The vendors, found selling their products while displaying on footpaths and different roads, are imposed fines with warnings, he added. He said encroachments both temporary and permanent are also being removed.—APP

Concerted efforts needed to deal with dengue RAWALPINDI—Provincial Minister for Labour and Manpower Raja Ashfaq Sarwar Saturday said besides all possible preventive measures, concerted efforts by the citizens and the administration were needed to prevent dengue virus.

He expressed these views while addressing a meeting at Commissioner office here.

Among others, Commissioner Rawalpindi, Zahid Saeed, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajid Zafar Dal, EDCG Tariq Mehmood, MNA Malik Ibrar, Executive District Officer Health, Dr Nasir Mehmood, DHO Dr.

Muhammad Rafiq were present in the meeting.

The Minister said collective efforts were need of the hour to fight against the disease.

He claimed that no case of dengue was reported in Rawalpindi as the best arrangements and awareness campaign was launched to avert the virus. He said the special wards had been set up in all the teaching hospitals of Rawalpindi to treat the dengue patients.

Commissioner Rawalpindi division, Zahid Saeed said maximum arrangements for the medical treatment of the patients were made in the hospitals.—APP

People taking shelter under Metro Bus bridge during rain in Rawalpindi.—Online

Screening Test: Teachers hold protests, give August 17 as deadline SRINAGAR—The teachers’ community and state government continue to remain at loggerheads over the controversial decision of conducting screening test of ReT teachers who have obtained their degrees from outside study centers or through distance mode.

On Friday, Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) had held demonstrations.

All the schools, according to the Forum, were closed in the afternoon and teachers staged protests at their respective district headquarters to express anger against the government decision.

Earlier on August 5, massive protests erupted in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk area after hundreds of ReT teachers assembled and asked the government to withdraw the controversial order till August 20 or face consequences.

President JKTF, Abdul Qayoom Wani, told Greater Kashmir that they would start ‘result oriented’ programme from August 18 if government didn’t withdraw the order till August 17. “We have given a breathing time to government till August 17 otherwise the situation will take an ugly turn and government will be responsible for the consequences,” Wani said, adding the Forum doesn’t want the students to suffer be-

cause of the tussle between the government and teachers.

“We don’t want to affect the academic calendar of students by resorting to protests and other things but the government should withdraw the order to end the tussle, which is directly having a bad impact on career of students.”

The education sector across the state remained disturbed for three consecutive days in the wake of the face-off between state government and teachers.

JKTF convened a meeting on Friday to chalk out the future course of action. Wani said protests would be held across the state on August 18 if the government didn’t withdraw the order by then.

“Teachers in Jammu will take out protest march from Jammu press club to Divisional Commissioner’s office while in Kashmir protest march will be held from the office of the director school education towards civil secretariat,” Abdul Qayoom Wani said.

He said teachers in Leh and Kargil will stage protests at their district headquarters on August 18. “I appeal Chief Minister to intervene into the matter to avoid any complication.”

Wani said there was no intimation from the government for holding deliberations regarding the screening test. “This order has become the bone of contention between government and teachers community. We are not going to succumb to any sort of pressure. Government should discuss the issue with Teachers Forum so that we also put forward our viewpoint,” Wani said.

He said the Forum had no other option to stage protests as government didn’t hold any deliberations with them. “They should try to understand the real cause of the protests. We don’t have any other democratic right other than to hit streets,” he said.

Notably, education minister Naeem Akhter has said that the government would go ahead with the screening test as he was not scared of sloganeering and protests.

Akhtar today told Greater Kashmir, “I have respect for teachers and I want that all of them should not be painted by the same brush. Our teachers are most respected throughout the country.”

The High Court had directed the school education department to scrutinize the degree certificates and conduct screening test of ReTs who have obtained their degrees from outside universities.—GK

PDP-BJP communalizing bureaucracy, dividing people: Dr Farooq

Pulwama, Kakapora shut in Protest

M ANDI , I HK —The National Conference on a four-day tour of the border belt of Poonch SRINAGAR—For the second conPresident Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that brazen attempts were being made to communalize bureaucracy by PDP-BJP combine.

“So long they (PDP-BJP) were dividing people on communal, cast, regional and subregional lines and now they have crossed limits of decency and prudence by communalising the administration, which has largely been neutral in character and people friendly in nature”, Dr Farooq said while addressing workers here this morning.

Dr Farooq, accompanied by Provincial President Devender Singh Rana, is currently

and Rajouiri.

Not concealing his sense of hurt over germinating seeds of polarisation in the administrative set up, Dr Farooq said officers were being picked up to man key assignments not on the basis of their administrative acumen or suitability but taking their religious affiliations into consideration.

“This is highly alarming trend, fraught with the danger of polarising the character of our apolitical administration”, he said and warned the coalition partners to desist from such sinister attempts.—GK

secutive day on Saturday, South Kashmir’s Pulwama, Kakapora are observing a complete shutdown to mourn the killing of a local militant and to condemn the police action on mourners, locals said. All shops and business establishments in twin areas have been closed, while traffic is off the roads. Observers say that civic life in Pulwama and Kakapora is quite unsafe because of the police repression against people.—GK

MUZAFFARABAD: AJK Ministers Ch. Latif Akbar, Mian Abdul Waheed, Sardar Javed Ayub and Abdus Salam Butt leading cleanliness campaign at Joora, Neelum Valley on Saturdy.

Thousands attend funeral of Talib amid anti-India slogans PULWAMA—Despite restrictions, extensive military deployment around Kakapora town of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, thousands of people including females from adjoining hamlets participated in the funeral procession of Talib Hussain Shah, 22, who was killed during a gunfight with security forces on Thursday evening.

Eyewitnesses said that the extensive military and police deployment around Kakapora and adjoining areas failed in preventing thousands of mourners from marching in the funeral procession, carrying flags and chanting anti India slogans.

Following the fatal encounter in which one militant was killed and two others escaped unhurt, clashes took place in Kakapora town, lasting all day long until evening hours, while at least 35 protesters were injured, two among them (Amir Bhat of Ratnipora and Firdous Ahmed of Karimabad) critically who reportedly was shifted to Srinagar for advanced treatment.

Abdul Hamid Shah, the cousin of slain militant said that police handed over the dead body to the family after we gave assurance to them that last rites will be performed peacefully. “Despite my request to the mourners, they could not control them-

selves and clashed with the forces,” he said.

Reports said that to keep people at bay, authorities imposed undeclared curfew in Kakapora and adjoining areas. Concertina wires were laid down around main bridge in Kakapora, however people forced government to retreat after they heavily targeted them with stones. Thousands of people Witnesses said that as Talib’s body reached his native village at around 9:30 AM, more than 20,000 people amid profreedom slogans assembled and participated in his funeral prayers led by Tehreeke-Hurriyat district president Ghulam Mohiuddin Andrabi.

“Soon after the body of Talib was laid to rest in Martyrs grave yard in Kakapora, hundreds of people cornered 53 RR camp and 183 Battalion CRPF and hurled stones over the government forces. To disperse the protesters, the Army and CRPF resorted to aerial firing and tear gas shelling that left many protesters wounded,” an eyewitness said.

All but 35 protesters were injured. One injured in critical condition was shifted to SKIMS Soura while two others were taken to Bones and Joint Hospital Srinagar.

Other injured protesters were shifted either to Pampore or Pulwama hospitals. The

doctors at Pampore hospital confirmed said that six people admitted in the hospital were having pellet injuries.

Eyewitnesses said that even women were seen pelting stones on police, Army and CRPF personnel. “The situation is tense but under control,” said a police official.

Meanwhile, the killing of LeT militant sparked protest in Pulwama district where large number of youth hurled stones on police and CRPF personnel. Police used tear-smoke shells to disperse the protesters. A complete shutdown was observed in Pulwama district to mourn the death of the militant. All the shops and business establishments in Pulwama, Pampore and Kakapora and other adjoining areas remained shut and transport did not ply on the roads. Eyewitnesses said that police charged the protesters with canes and burst tear smoke shells when they hurled stones on police station.

Pertinently, a local militant Talib Afzal Shah was killed while two militants were managed to escaped from the encounter site at Astanmohalla Kakapora. At least four houses were damaged during the gun fight that belonged to Abdul Majid Sofi, Lassa Wagay, Abdul Gani Sofi and Ghulam Muhammad Sofi.—GK

Over 500 minors detained since 2009: Data HARVAN, IHK—There seems to be no end Makdoomi from Gojwara, Arban Hussain been detained there on charges of stone-

SRINAGAR: Teachers protesting screening test here on Saturday.

to arrest of minors by police in Kashmir, with fresh reports indicating that few minors lodged at Juvenile Home here are not able to bail themselves out “due to the refusal of cops to provide them the necessary reports.”

According to official sources, few minors detained from Srinagar in the past one week on charges of stone-throwing have been lodged at the Juvenile Home at Harvan here. “They are eagerly waiting to be bailed out, but are not able to do so because police is not giving them the requite reports which they can produce before a court,” they said.

Five minors, identified as Mozin Yaqoob from Nowhatta, Bilal Ahmad

from Nowhatta, Muhammad Danish from Rainawari and Sameer Muabark from Dalgate, were shifted by police to Juvenile Home a week ago, the sources disclosed.

An official at the Juvenile Home admitted these five minors were lodged there.

“Once their parents get the bail orders, we will hand over their wards to them,” the official said.

However, parents of these children said police did not give them reports so that they could obtain a bail from court. “Our applications are lying in police stations of Nowhatta and Rainawari,” they said.

According to data available with officials at Juvenile Home, 506 minors have

throwing since 2009 and later released.

Officials however have no record of detention of minors before the Home was set-up. “Before the Juvenile Home was set up, minors were detained and lodged in respective police stations and later released,” an official said.

The Juvenile Home is highly fortified.

Besides strong fencing, the building is surrounded with concertina wire. The Home is being managed by the Social Welfare Department but is no different from a jail, said a minor who was lodged there until recently.

It has 18 rooms whose doors and window are closed with angular-iron and remain always locked, he said.—GK

View from Srinagar

Hindutva agenda: A Hidden Approach M

IRWAIZ Umar Farooq on militancy, and the proposed talks between the NSAs of India and Pakistan in a media interview.

Italics.

With a sharp spike in militancy and cross border attack, the proposed talks between the NSAs of India and Pakistan have acquired a new urgency.

In the Valley, there are mixed reactions among separatist leaders. Bula Devi recently spoke with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads one of the key factions of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Is there apprehension after the BJP came to power? In Kashmir, there is a fear which was not there before. The general fear is of a Hindutva agenda, a hidden approach. When the RSS talks about cultural and political assimilation, there is fear. There is concern that this BJP is not the BJP of the Vajpayee era, where there was talk of humanity. Kashmiris realise that Modi has a vision for India — an economic vision, a political vision — but they are not sure where Kashmir stands in that vision, or for that matter where do the neighbours and South Asia stand?

There are also reports of some agencies trying to exploit the religious divide between Bareilvis, Deobandis, Ahle Hadith and Shias. A dangerous situation could develop if somebody tries to fiddle with the structure of the state.

Don’t you think a lot depends on the neighbour’s approach? As someone said, a politician’s eyes are always on the next election but a statesman looks at the next generation and the key lies here. Therefore, the Indian and Pakistan leadership need to come out of the electionoriented approach.

Frankly, I belong to the Kashmiri Sufi thought, the traditional Islamic values and all, but even those are being challenged. There is a resurgence in the thinking of the youth. Young boys of 12 or15 years raising ISIS flags doesn’t mean much but I think boys from very good family backgrounds, great academic records are joining militancy in a big way and that definitely indicates a change. To be honest it reflects our failure also.

Who do you mean by “our”?

I mean failure of the leadership, I would primarily say the pro-freedom movement leadership. We want to keep this movement political and peaceful. There is a debate that the Hurriyat has failed.

Twenty-five years have passed, there is no forward movement, no dialogue has yielded anything.

Therefore, the debate is why look at and waste time on something that has not really taken off.

So they say neither (Syed Ali Shah) Geelani nor Mirwaiz nor Yasin (Malik) are going to deliver, they are not going to do anything and the Indian government is not going to address and accept the language of reason and peace. What is the option then?

It is in this milieu that this trend has started about boys from academically and financially sound background joining militancy. This is going to change the discourse in the next 10 years. It is the most dangerous sign.

Can you explain a bit more?

Faith in us has gradually declined so whatever little influence I have today will be difficult to preserve.

I won’t have any control over the situation and that will be a big challenge for us also. Maybe this situation suits some people because there is a perception in Kashmir that for the Indian government, violence is a more viable option. There is then a justification for the Army and its troops and black laws.

Perhaps we, Kashmiris and pro-separatists, are also at fault as we have failed to reach out to constituencies in India and explain our point of view.

But unfortunately wherever we go we are attacked.

Do you think Modi is heading in the right direction? He has resumed talks with Pakistan.

My point was more political. When Modi came to power I was one of the few who was sure that he would tread the Vajpayee path, especially because we had seen 10 years of UPA when they didn’t do anything and time was wasted. But there is scepticism now with Modi too. Now people are saying that Modi is not the Vajpayee that we were looking for. But, after speaking to the Pakistan High Commissioner it seems the initiative to reach out to the

Pakistani side in Ufa, Russia, was from Modi.

It is good that India-Pakistan talks are happening but what about a dialogue with the Kashmiris?

There doesn’t seem to be a realisation or concern or urge to reach out to the people of Kashmir. I believe that they have to happen simultaneously and we have seen this happening during Vajpayee’s time. Whenever we are in Delhi to meet the Pakistanis we are dubbed the spoilers. I disagree with this because we are there to contribute. Modi came a couple of times but he avoided the political issue. People say there is no political message in Modi’s outreach to the Kashmiris.

The Hurriyat, the PDP and the NC are saying the same thing: of separating aspirations from grievances. We want better roads, better health care and an accountable government but those are grievances. Apart from grievances, people have aspirations but the problem is New Delhi mixes them. They are willing to address the grievances but not the aspirational aspect of the Kashmir problem. There is consensus in Kashmir that a political process is needed so the ball is in New Delhi’s court, they have to decide what initiative to take.

Did Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif talk about Kashmir when they met in Russia recently?

When I met the Pakistan High Commissioner for Iftaar in Delhi, I was given the impression that the two did talk about Kashmir although they did not mention Kashmir in the joint statement. Why? Probably they came to the understanding of exploring back channel avenues to discuss the more contentious issues and then move on gradually, step by step. Does that give a sense of relief to Kashmiris?

It’s not a bad idea as long as there is seriousness and willingness to move forward even if it is official back channel; maybe it’s not that bad to be away from the media, maybe they can get some work done.

What role has the separatists played in the religious polarisation in the State? Separatists cannot be blamed for this, instead the mainstream parties are to be blamed. It is the pro-freedom

parties, or Hurriyat, which wants to maintain bonhomie, harmony and brotherhood in the State. But the way electoral politics is unfolding, it is scary.

Now the divide between Jammu and Kashmir is everywhere. If you give something to Kashmir, you have to give the exact amount to Jammu. If you are making a 4x4 bathroom in Kashmir, a 4x3 bathroom for Jammu is unacceptable. Noises have been raised over setting up of AIIMS in Kashmir and not in Jammu, or setting up IITs in Jammu and not in Kashmir. I don’t see these arguments and counter arguments as a healthy sign. There is a fear that we are probably heading for a division. What is the stand of the Hurriyat? In the Hurriyat, some people are of the opinion that we should call a spade a spade. They say why should we care about Jammu or Ladakh, let us address those where there is resistance, where they are saying hamare saath masla hal karo, like Muslim areas in Jammu. But if a solution is found along religious lines then it defeats the very purpose of Kashmir as an entity. The struggle to dismantle the line of control with Pakistan so that families are united is defeated.

There is a human dimension also in this conflict. My heart would like all the regions to be part of the overall solution, an overall mechanism. But I think the voices that say that the divide between Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh is not going to be bridged are getting clearer and louder. Historically we know Gulab Singh brought together people but there was no bonding between the regions as such. But I still strongly feel that whatever be the discourse, it is better to have Jammu as well as Ladakh, there will be cultural diversity and, I feel, whatever be the solution all regions will gain in the long term culturally, economically and internationally.

As a religious leader, what is that you fear the most? See this is the age of the internet and You tube so whatever one wants to listen to one can, including religious thoughts and interpretation.

Everybody also has an opinion today. It is not like earlier times when people used to come to the mosque, listen to the sermon and then form an opinion. The exposure is so vast and in a conflict

situation, this can be very dangerous.

On the ground extremist opinion is getting stronger and Sufi Kashmiri thoughts getting weaker. The Kashmiri ethos is losing its shine and this is a matter of concern. We need to preserve our identity and culture and this is where the Indian state also has to decide. I hope the government will not see this from a political angle but from a social angle. If something happens in Kashmir and people get divided there are chances of sectarian clashes like in Pakistan and other places. I think there is some push from certain quarters to fragment Kashmiri society, they feel that the more the Kashmiri society is fragmented, it will fragment their political discourse and this is dangerous.

As it is an impression has been created that the Kashmir problem is limited to Kashmiri Sunnis, that Barelvis, Gujjars, Bakarwals and Shias are not there.

Are you concerned about the rise of the ISIS? Thank God unlike some other states no one from Kashmir has joined ISIS. Once in a while they raise the Pakistani flag or so but there is no meaning in that. But this is happening because nothing is happening politically on the ground.

Political space for us is being reduced. Our voice is being choked and once the political voice is choked, young boys will go into militancy. The vacuum is being filled by them. What are the issues India and Pakistan going to discuss?

It’s not clear where they will pick up the threads from, whether from Pervez Musharraf’s time or after. I believe (former Pakistan Foreign Minister K.M. Kasuri) Kasuri was in Delhi, one of the key guys during Musharraf’s time.

When Nawaz Sharif came to power, he was quite averse to Musharraf’s ideas and views. But, I think Musharraf’s four-point formula (demilitarization on both sides of Kashmir, joint management of certain affairs, open border and self-governance) definitely has some merit that could set the ball rolling. It may not be the final solution but at least it can be the first step in breaking the ice, breaking the status quo.

—Courtesy: Kashmir Monitor

Pakistan-Belarus to initiate JVs in multiple sectors

Pak Suzuki earns Rs 2.4b net profit KARACHI —Higher sales in the first six months of 2015 pushed earnings of Pak Suzuki Motor Company up by 134per cent, a stock filing revealed. Net profit for the car manufacturer stood at Rs2.4 billion for January-June as a result of a 37per cent rise in sales that amounted to almost Rs40 billion.

Shajar Capital attributed the increase of over onethird in the company’s topline to the sale of over 59,000 units, up almost 47per cent from the number of units sold in the first six months of 2014. “The Punjab taxi scheme led higher growth in Ravi (up 138per cent year-on-year) and Bolan (up 124per cent year-on-year) while Suzuki Wagon recorded 118per cent uptick in sales during the period. owever, Swift, Cultus and Mehran registered about 33per cent, 3per cent and 9per cent growth, respectively, in Jan-Jun year-on-year,” it said.

The gross margin was 12.7per cent in Jan-Jun on the back of lower steel prices, consistent rupeedollar parity and weaker Japanese yen, it added.

The volumetric increase also resulted in a rise of 148per cent in the distribution cost that amounted to Rs1.1 billion during the six-month period.—Agencies

KATI lauds Rangers, police role KARACHI—Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) has applauded the role of Rangers and police in Karachi for restoration of peace in the metropolis.

In a statement the acting President Tariq Malik said that the law enforcement agencies brought down the crime rate in city compared to the last many decades. He said that Sindh Rangers and police play pivotal role in controlling target killing, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and other criminal activities and succeeded largely to bring peace in the economical hub of the country. He further said that in last decade, business activities became nightmare in Karachi because of heinous criminal activities, but the ongoing targeted operation in the city has restored the sense of security in the business community and citizens as well, this is the only reason that the Eid shopping in Karachi broke 10 years record and reached the level of Rs70 billion during the holy month of Ramadan and afterwards. He also paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan Army, Rangers, Police and other law enforcement agencies who embraced the martyrdom in the line of duty and their sacrifices revive peace and harmony.—Agencies

STAFF REPORTER

Federal Minister for Commerce Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan and Minister for Industry of Belarus, Vitaly M. Vovk in a group photo along with the delegations of two countries in Minsk, Belarus.

PG seeks govt attention on 0.3pc WHT deduction STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—The Progressive Group (PG) in the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry has urged the Finance Ministry and the Federal Board of Revenue to look into banks deducting 0.3 percent withholding tax from tax filers despite repeated orders by the government and the board. In a statement, group President Khalid Usman and Deputy Secretary Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer claimed on Friday that they are receiving complaints from traders that the banks are even deducting the tax from filers. “Traders and businessmen becoming subject to this injustice are those who have NTN number in their name but not against their company and are regular filing their income tax return mentioning all their income,” they claimed.

They said the banks are advising protesting traders that they should apply for refunds at the end of the financial year.

“However, everybody in Pakistan knows

the fact that it is almost next to impossible to get refunds from the board. Stuck-up refunds also create a liquidity problem for businessmen, especially small businessmen,” they added. Both leaders said nobody is against paying the taxes but the board, instead of relying on indirect taxes, should broaden the tax net. Constitution of committees by the board in the name of facilitating the traders will not work, they mentioned.

“The government should pay attention to the real cause of concern. This kind of indirect tax will have a multiplied impact on the transactions. It is hampering the banking transactions and using formal money transactions channels,” they said. They also said this tax would discourage the use of banking channels and hamper the business of largest service sector, for instance, the banking sector, thus leading to loss of revenue to the national exchequer being collected on banking services.

Cement sector shows growth AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—Cement despatches to domestic markets during July 15 were 1.8 Million Tons compared to 1.73 Million Tons during same month last year showing an increase of 4.19 %. Exports during July 15 were 465,000 Tons against 503,000 Tons during July, 14 showing reduction of 7.45%. Total despatches during July, 15 were 2.26 Million Tons compared to 2.23 Million Tons during same month last year showing an increase of 1.56%. Good offtake was observed in domestic despatches during July 15 despite heavy rains that seriously affected construction activities in many parts of the country.

Domestic despatches in North Zone were 1.520 Million Tons (July 14: 1.42 Million Tons) and in South Zone were 0.279 Million tons (July 14: 0.309 Million Tons).

Export sector, however, continued to disappoint. Exports from North zone were 274,000 Tons while exports from South zone were 192,000 Tons. In July 2014 the cement exports from North were 295,000 Tons and from South were 208,000 Tons. While exports to Afghanistan declined to 178,000 Tons during July 15 compared to 184,000 Tons during July, 14, major decline was observed in exports to India that showed substantial reduction to 43,000 Tons dur-

ing July, 15 against 63,000 Tons during same month last year i.e. downfall of around 32%.

Commenting on the situation, a Spokesman of All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association told that exports declined mainly because of non-tariff barriers erected by the Indian authorities and influx of Iranian cement in Afghanistan. He said the government policy on exports needs revamping to boost exports. He said smuggling of cement through porous Pak-Iran border possess a continuous threat for the cement industry. The Spokesman added; All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers’ Association has expressed reservations on various tax measures announced in federal budget 15~16 that would hurt investors’ sentiments in general and will particularly burden cement consumers in the country.

These issues in particular are related to 3% Super tax, amendments introduced in Section 8 of the sales Tax Act, 1990 for input tax adjustment and increase in import duty on coal from 1% to 5%. He emphasized that the Industry is facing tremendous problems due to high power tariffs, axle load restrictions; power outages etc and expects effective steps from government for reducing the cost of operations in order to make the product competitive and to increase its existence in global markets.

Pakistan eyes ASEAN’s full dialogue partnership KUALA LUMPUR—Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz emphasised Pakistan’s keen desire to build deeper trade and economic linkages with the South East Asian countries and the ASEAN – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. During the 22nd ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Malaysian capital, the adviser requested all ASEAN members to support Pakistan’s case for full dialogue partnership. On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, the adviser held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Affairs ministers of China, Turkey, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, North Korea and Norway.

During the meetings, he held wide-ranging discussions including issues of peace and security in the Asia Pacific region and ways and means to tackle traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

He also appreciated the vital role of the ASEAN Forum in evolving regional security architecture.—INP

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan and Belarus decided to initiate joint ventures (JVs) in textiles, pharmaceuticals and light industry to share the technological expertise and scientific advantage of one country with the other.

Modalities for these joint ventures were discussed in the meeting of First PakistanBelarus Joint Economic Commission. These joint ventures will open new avenues for greater cooperation in much diverse fields through partnerships of private and public sectors. Both sides expressed their resolve to undertake concrete measures to enhance the volume of trade as the current trade figures are not reflective of its true potential.

Minister for Commerce, Khurram Dastgir Khan and Minister for Industry of Belarus, Mr. Vitaly M. Vovk reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations between the two countries including trade, economy and commerce. They expressed satisfaction at the current trajectory of bilateral relations and reiterated their desire to fortify these

relations in diverse areas of cooperation.

Mr. Dastgir also emphasized the need to establish economically feasible air and sea routes for swift delivery of cargo. As Belarus is a land-locked country, therefore the establishment of air-link is necessary for the export of perishable items which has great demand in Belarus. Chairman Board of Investment, Mr. Miftah Ismail who is accompanying the Minister for Commerce apprised the prospective Belarusian investors about the emerging investment opportunities that Pakistan provides.

Pakistan exported $15.23 billion worth of items to Belarus in 2014, 36% of which was rice, 9.27% light pure woven cotton, 10.03% styrene polymers, 7.43% edible preparations, 4.48% leather apparel and 4% citrus. Pakistan’s imports from Belarus stood at $42.65 billion which mainly consisted of tractors (62.04%), artificial filament yarn (13.01%) and rubber tires (8.06%). Pakistan intends to correct this trade balance in its favor by exporting more value added items to Belarus.

PTCL expands CharJi EVO services to Peshawar STAFF REPORTER P ESHAWAR —Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has expanded its next-generation CharJi EVO wireless broadband services to Peshawar. The introduction of CharJi EVO will enable residents of Peshawar to experience Pakistan’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE wireless broadband service at speed upto 36Mbps. The company ushered a new era of technological innovation in the country by introducing the next generation ‘CharJi EVO’ in 2014, which is an addition to the 3G EVO range of services already serving the residents of Peshawar and customers nationwide. The launch ceremony of CharJi EVO services was attended by a large audience of business community, senior government officials, media personalities as well as representatives of IT and education sector.

Muzafar Said, Minister of Finance, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) was the Chief Guest at the occasion.

Adnan Shahid, Chief Commercial Officer, PTCL, while speaking at the launch ceremony said, “PTCL has always been at the forefront in introducing innovative technologies and services in the country and our fixed and wireless broadband services are acting as a catalyst in transforming the socio-economic landscape of Pakistan.” “PTCL has always introduced tech-

nologies that have helped people improve their lives. Peshawar is a historic city and a strong business hub and CharJi wireless broadband services will open new possibilities of growth and development in the area,” he added further.

Shahid Mahmood, Executive Vice President, Business Zone North, PTCL said, “We are committed to develop high-speed broadband eco-system throughout the country and launch of CharJi service in Peshawar is a reflection of this vision.”

Badar Ul Zaman, Regional General Manager, PTCL, Peshawar said “The launch of PTCL CharJi EVO will create more value for our customers here in Peshawar. The service will open new avenues for households, educational institutions and businesses in the city.”

CharJi EVO service is available in convenient dongles, Mi-Fi clouds and tablet, providing a powerful internet experience, faster web browsing, HD video streaming, downloads, uploads and low latency (ping) rates for online gaming. The ease and comfort of CharJi EVO cloud devices with its state of the art Wi-Fi capability and fast internet browsing brings an unparalleled experience, connecting up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. PTCL has launched Pakistan’s first 4G LTE tablet ‘ CHARJI EVO TAB’ which provides built-in CharJi connectivity and voice calling feature.

PESHAWAR: Muzaffar Said, Minister for Finance Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with Adnan Shahid, Chief Commercial Officer PTCL and other officials at launching ceremony of Charji Evo services.

Mango exporters reveal down trade causes At the Sahara, the seats are banked and most of the audience is looking down at the stage. Everybody in the business knows: Up for singers, down for comics. The people want to idealize a singer. They want to feel superior to a comic. You’re trying to make them laugh. They can’t laugh at someone they’re looking up to.

—Buddy Hackett

KARACHI—The exporters have shown grave concerns over the decline in mango exports to Iran despite significant increase in resources and facilities, and held the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) responsible for failure in the implementation of their own policies.

“Ironically, with 29 hot water treatment plants, this year exports to Iran are standing just over 11,000 metric tonnes and the mango season is nearing to an end. Last year, Pakistan had exported 13,000 MT mangoes to Iran with the help of only one hot water treatment plant,” said leading mango exporter and Durrani Associates CEO Babar Durrani. He said that this year, the exports started early from 20th May and by June 17th it touched the figure of over 8,000MT, since then, the DPP only managed to clear 3,000MT mangoes for export to Iran because of wrong policies and operational inefficiencies. “This is an alarming situation and the DPP must be held accountable for this mismanagement,” he added.

He said that as per the rules, DPP would issue a Phyto for export consignment only after testing

and certifying that the mangoes being exported are free of diseases. “This is like a visa for fruit

and vegetable exports, thus any interception due to presence of fruit fly larvae or any disease proves the incompetence of DPP,” he added.

Durrani said that it clearly depicts the ineffi-

ciency of DPP, which with 29 hot water treatment plants at its disposal could not manage to touch even the exports figures of the last year.

“Exports to Iran should have been at least doubled with the help of 28 new plants.

Interestingly, more than 8,000MT exports of this year also are done by only two treatment plants, which have been barred from exports to Iran due to personal grudge and vested interests of the DPP director general (DG) to benefit only two plants with stakes of the officials, violating the rules and regulations in this regard. If not for DPP DG personal grudge, the exports must have been much more than this,” added Babar.

Pakistan is already falling short by 30,000MT of its total export target this year. Although DPP announced extending the export period till October to appease the government and to hide their negligence but the facts are different from their claims, as the industry experts

believe that the export would end by mid September.

DPP imposed a self-ban of 10 days on mango exports after one consignment of mangoes to Netherlands and two to UK, which were certified by DPP being cleared of fruit fly and 9 other diseases, were intercepted by the concerned authorities due to presence of fruit fly. “One of the consignments belonged to a plant that has the backing of DG, but instead of banning the company from exports, the DG stopped all the mango exports for 10 days to every country, and ironically, the said company was banned from exporting to UK only,” said Babar, adding that the action was taken to save the interest of one plant but this further damaged the exports and ensured that we would fall short of meeting the set target of 100,000 MT exports for 2015.

“This is high time that the government should intervene and launch an investigation why DPP is making false claims, giving false reports to high ups and covering its negligence, inefficiencies and corruption,” he added.—Agencies

Currency

Selling

Buying

USA

101.70

101.50

UK

157.83

157.52

Euro

111.06

110.84

Canada

77.51

77.36

Switzerland

103.66

103.46

Australia

74.99

74.84

Sweden

11.64

11.61

Japan

0.8149

0.8133

Norway

12.30

12.27

Singapore

73.36

73.21

Denmark

14.88

14.85

Saudi Arabia 27.12

27.06

Hong Kong

13.12

13.09

China

16.38

16.35

Kuwait

335.48

334.82

Malaysia

25.92

25.87

Newzealand

66.75

66.61

Qatar

27.93

27.88

UAE

27.69

27.63

Kr Won

0.0873

.0872

Thailand

2.893

2.888

Pakwheels celebrates 12th anniversary STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—There are more than 3 million cars in Pakistan, while around 0.8 million of these are traded every year. Of these, some 40% to 50% cars have already been placed online. This was revealed at the 12th anniversary celebrations of Pakwheels.com held in Lahore. Mr. Hanif Bhatti, the founder of Pakwheels.com and others were present on the occasion.

Hanif Bhatti highlighted the mission and commitment of Pakwheels.com and said that Pakistan had the potential to become a leading auto manufacturing and exporting hub in Asia.

“Our people have become smart buyers and sellers and look for easy access to information related to cars and processes that facilitate instant trading via credible online portals,” he said.

A cake-cutting ceremony was held to commemorate the anniversary, followed by a discussion session in which leading automobile experts, members and auto fans gave their views about numerous issues and concerns relating to automobiles.

Mr. Suneel Sarfaraz Munj, Chairman Pakwheels.com said that because of the growing internet population in the country, the entire car trading activity would be shifted online in the next 5 years.

Having evolved as the leading online marketplace to buy and sell cars, moyorcycles and other vehicles in a very short time, Pakwheels.com offers market updates, reviews, comparative analyses, new offerings and a dedicated blogging forum.

Greece on track for possible bailout deal next week BRUSSELS—Greece is on track to complete a draft deal with international creditors on a third bailout by next Tuesday with a possible first disbursement by Aug. 20, a source familiar with a conference call of senior EU finance officials said. Talks are proceeding smoothly and may be completed over the weekend, the source said.

If a draft memorandum of understanding and an updated debt sustainability analysis are ready as planned on Tuesday, the Greek government and parliament would be expected to approve them by Thursday. Euro zone finance ministers could then meet or hold a teleconference on Friday to endorse an up to 86 billion euro three-year loan programme for Athens, the source said. Greece would be expected to enact another package of reform legislation before Aug. 20, in parallel with national ratification procedures so it could receive a first aid payment in time to meet a crucial bond payment to the European Central Bank on Aug. 20, the source added.

“Everyone is working on Plan A - a deal with disbursement by Aug. 20,” the source said.—Reuters

Agri sector development projects initiated in Balochistan: Bosan ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister for National Food Security the projects launched for the development of the province. and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said that the federal government had initiated several development projects in the province of Balochistan to uplift agriculture sector and raise income of farmers. He said the government was aware of the problems of farmers in in province and was formulating programmes and projects to address their issues.

Bosan said this while addressing a two-day “Balochistan Kisan Mela” which was organized by Food and Agriculture Organization in collaboration with government of Balochistan and Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). The Mela (Festival) featured several other programmes including a conference on Agriculture Development of Balochistan. The minister also announced that the federal government would provide agriculture training to 1,000 farmers from Balochistan at the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Islamabad.

He informed the participants that government approved the Seed Act and now it was responsbility the provincial governments to implement the Act at provincial level. Chief Minister Balochistan, Abdul Malik speaking on the occasion urged the federal government to help exploit agricultural resources of the province for betterment of the farmers. He said that the provincial government would extend support for all

Samsung announces partnership with ITS STAFF REPORTER

On the occasion, the FAO country representative, Patrick T. Evans said that his organization was currently implementing two programmes in 14 districts of Balochistan to help increase incomes of the poor in rural areas through building capacities of farmers to benefit from increased crop and livestock production and improved marketing and organization. He said FAO was supporting the provincial government in the formulating the Balochistan Agriculture Policy and Strategy adding that It would also be providing support for implementation of this policy.

Meanwhile, Chairman PARC, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed in his message to the participants of the mela said that his organization had been working for the development of agriculture sector in Balochistan. He assured the participants that PARC would keep on working and developing new technologies and crop varieties to facilitate Balochistan’s farmers. Besides farmers of various districts of the Balochistan, the mela was attended by Chief Minister Baluchistan Dr. Abdul Malik and Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Bosan, the Balochistan Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Sardar Muhammad Aslam Bizenjo and FAO Country Representative, Patrick T. Evans.—APP

OGDCL sponsored hostel inaugurated at QAU STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—A hostel with the accommodation capacity of 300 students on the cam-

KARACHI —Samsung Elec- pus of Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) was tronics Co., Ltd. announced its second year partnership with International Talent Support (ITS), a global platform and competition for young emerging creative talent, as well as this year’s Samsung Galaxy Award featuring the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. Samsung and ITS are recognizing young talent and forces of fashion with creative vision, encouraging them to explore their creative ideas, and ultimately create a product or art piece that unites technology and fashion for a chance to receive the Samsung Galaxy Award. As a global innovator in mobile technology, Samsung is devoted to uniting the worlds of fashion and technology by leading the way in the development of tech products and user-experiences that seamlessly combine style with substance.

The Samsung Galaxy Award at the 2015 ITS competition will give young designers an opportunity to showcase their creative approach and design vision. Ten finalists will be selected from ITS Fashion, ITS Accessories, ITS Jewelry, and ITS Artwork, and will be asked to develop proposals for two assignments: produce a new type of smartphone case for the Galaxy S6 or S6 edge with or without Swarovski crystals, and create a fashion item or art piece based on their design expertise, inspired by Galaxy S6 or S6 edge design or features.

Nest I/O provides tech platform to young entrepreneurs STAFF REPORETER KARACHI—The Nest I/O, a technology incubator providing platform to young enthusiasts of Pakistan, who want to create new business models successfully and play vital role for development of their countries. The Nest with its global partner Samsung and Google, will help spread awareness among upcoming generation, so that they can develop their own creative ideas and get professional assistance from the masterminds and turn their ideas into successful businesses.

According to a press release here issued here on Saturday, Samsung’s Head Corporate Marketing - Mr Saad ul Hassan serving among the Advisory Board of The Nest I/O said, a batch of young and energetic entrepreneurs will soon be graduating from this institution. He said, these entrepreneurs can then enrich their businesses, with the knowledge and skills acquired from this prestigious Tech-Incubator, under the mentorship of successful business community leaders, who have already established their expertise in various fields of business.

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan addressing a conference on ‘Agriculture Development in Balochaistan’ held during Kisan Mela Balochistan.

inaugurated by Mr. Zahid Mir Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDCL) and Dr. Javed Ashraf Vice Chancellor, Quaid-eAzam University. Construction of the hostel was sponsored by OGDCL under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme Speaking on the occasion Dr Javed Ashraf lauded the noble step of OGDCL and urged the Corporate Sector of the country to come forward and support the premier institutions. The Vice Chancellor said that QAU is a federally chartered university devoted to teaching & research. At QAU students are admitted from all over

Pakistan according to regional quota but purely on merit. Therefore, he said the requirement for hostel accommodation is much more than any other university. He praised the generous donation of OGDCL and hoped that shortage of hostel accommodation will be tackled successfully with the completion of the new hostel.

Mr. Zahid Mir Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDCL) while addressing the ceremony said, since its inception, OGDCL has always given top priority to the development of communities residing in and around the Company’s area of operations.

“We support education initiatives directed at our employees as well as the people and communities around us” said the MD. Deans of the Faculties, staff and senior faculty members attended the ceremony.

ISLAMABAD: Zahid Mir, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited and Dr. Javed Ashraf, Vice Chancellor, Quaid-eAzam University inaugurating newly constructed hostel sponsored by OGDCL at Quaide-Azam University.

Trade activity declines in cotton mart L AHORE —Trading activity slowed down on the cotton market as mills and spinners showed less buying interest in the process of trading, dealers said. The official spot rate was down by Rs 50 to Rs 4500, dealers said. Seed cotton prices in Sindh were at Rs 2000 and Rs 2300 and in Punjab rates were at Rs 2000 and Rs 2350, they said. In the ready business, around 8,000 bales of cotton changed hands between Rs 4450 and Rs 4850, they said. According to the market sources, there is no rain in both Sindh and Punjab but recent rains in the country damaged quality slightly. Higher moisture caused by rains and floods is still having its impact on standing crop. Cotton analyst, Naseem Usman said that many leading mills indulged in recent buying due to declining trend in the prices. It is also expected that quality of seeds cotton may improve further with the passage of time, he added.

Reuters adds that ICE cotton futures suffered their sharpest loss in nearly two months on Thursday after the release of an

underwhelming weekly export sales report, falling for the fourth straight session to their lowest levels in nearly five months. Cotton contracts for December settled down by 1.26 cent on Thursday, a 2 percent loss, to 62.26 cents per pound, after falling as low as 62.10 cents a lb, the contract’s lowest level since March 18. That marked its sharpest single-session loss since June 11. Total futures market volume rose by 26,163 to 39,316 lots. Data showed total open interest gained 1,173 to 180,979 contracts in the previous session. The following deals reported: 600 bales from Kotri at Rs 4450-4500, 800 bales from Hyderabad done at the same rate, 1600 bales from Sanghar at Rs 44504550, 1000 bales from Shahdadpur at the same rate, 400 bales from Hala at Rs 4475, 800 bales from Tando Adam at Rs 45004550, 1200 bales from Mirpurkhas at Rs 4500-4600, 200 bales from Vinder at Rs 4600, same figure from Khanewal at Rs 4700, 400 bales from Chichawatni at Rs 4850 and same figure from Burewala at the same price, dealers said.—Agencies

NESPAK delegation gets warm reception in UK MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —In order to further augment its operations in the UK under the umbrella of NESPAK (UK) Limited, a NESPAK delegation led by Mr. Amjad A. Khan, Managing Director NESPAK, conducted a business appraisal tour to London. NESPAK team during their hectic schedule held meetings with the top brass of a total of 15 major firms having expertise in Airports master planning and design, Security equipment and Metro train projects besides dignitaries including Syed Ibne Abbas, High Commissioner of Pakistan to UK and Baroness Nosheena Mobarik. An introductory session was held in the House of Lords wherein NESPAK’s capabilities in various fields of Engineering were highlighted. The possibility of UK Foreign Direct Investment on projects in Pakistan also came under discussion during the visit to the offices of Watteau Holding Group, who had shown a lot of interest to work on projects in Pakistan.

During an interaction with NESPAK officials, PILGRIM Group Adviser Sir David Veness, a world renowned counter-terrorism expert, gave a presentation on security related equip-

ment required by law enforcing agencies. Brainstorming sessions were held during a series of meetings with the representatives of top-notch UK companies. An important panel discussion session with reference to Airport Expansion Projects was held with the top executives of the British Aviation Group UK, which is a consortium of seasoned Companies dealing with the Airport Projects. These include ATKINS, Aviation Ramboll, Airports Design Consult Limited and Aviation Safe.

Discussions were also held with UK based consultants for the possibilities of cooperation on projects in the UK and other countries, which will help create new job opportunities for Pakistani professionals.

On this occasion, the foreign consultants admired the services being rendered

by NESPAK and expressed their keen desire to work with NESPAK on joint venture mode and/or on outsourcing basis. Three MoUs were also signed during this visit with UK based consultants namely Airport Design Consult Limited, Risc Consultants Limited and Integrated Transport Planning Limited.

It was also agreed to submit joint proposals for some projects which are in the pipeline.

John Groarke, Mission Director USAID Pakistan takes a tour of high value off-season vegetables displayed at the launching ceremony of the US Pakistan Agricultural Market Development.

Farmers advised to protect sugarcane crop from diseases L AHORE —The Met office has advised the farmers to protect their sugarcane crop from pest and viral attack expected from continuing monsoon rains. Met office also warned that the rains are likely to give a robust growth to the weeds and urged the farmers to take timely measures to cope with the situation.

The met office said that the farmers should also take precautionary measures to protect their crops, livestock and other property from any expected heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. Farmers of upcountry are advised to cultivate maize crop taking advantage of the continuing rains. In addition, those farmers who obtain water through tubewells to irrigate their crops should schedule irrigation ahead of the expected rains in coming days.

The Met office told the farmers of upper half and north-west Balochistan to be careful about irrigation and spraying chemicals on the crops during or before expected rains in the coming days. It forecast a normal wind pattern for the most of agricultural plains till August 10.—Agencies

KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra presenting KCCI’s crest to Economic Officer of US Consulate General, D. Richard Rasmussen, during his visit to KCCI.

Women trade delegation to visit Australia STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Mian Muhammad Adrees President FPCCI has said that the current management of FPCCI believes on women empowerment in their rights of health, education, decision making, authority and respect. Talking to a delegation of women entreprenreuers he further said that without economic empowerment women empowerment would not be possible.

The meeting was organized by Naheed Masood, Chairperson FPCCI’s Central Women Entrepreneurs which was also linked via video conferencing with FPCCI’s Islamabad and Lahore office. Mr. S. M. Muneer, Patron in Chief UBG, Ikram Rajput, Vice President and Incharge Sindh Region of FPCCI, Fehmeeda Jamali, Vice

President FPCCI, Weseem Vohra, Vice President FPCCI, Waheed Shah, S. M. Naseer from FPCCI Lahore Office and Zafar Bakhtawari, Zakia, Samina Fazil along with large number of women entrepreneur all three offices of FPCCI attended the meeting.

While discussing the issues of business women the President FPCCI said that earlier there was single committee on Women Entrepreneur which was not sufficient and the current management felt the need of more committees in various sectors pertaining to women entrepreneur and today various women committees are working efficiently. There should not be any discrimination in gender in assigning jobs and authorities, he further added.

Babar, Shehram sail in knock-out rounds of 6-Red World Snooker K ARACHI —Pakistan’s duo of Babar dia) bt Mohamed Khairy (Egypt) 4-1 Fung Kwok Wai (Hong Kong) bt Masih and Shahram Changezi stormed into the last 49 knock-out staged of World Snooker Championship after their fourth straight wins here at the Darbar Hall of Movenpick Hotel on Saturday.

Shahram recovered from 0-2 down to register an exciting 4-2 victory over Chris Hart of England which included a break of 44 in the fifth frame. Hart made a superb start by winning the first two frames with an ease. But Changezi conjured up the next four frames to complete a remarakble16-38, 04-58, 44-15, 63-01, 44-06, 37-30 victory.

Babar Masih from Rawalpindi also recovered from 1-2 deficit to overpower Kok Leong Lim of Malaysia.

Former IBSF World Championship strengthened his place in the knockout rounds after his third win in a row.

Sajjad defeated Khalid Kamali of United Arab Emirates) 4-2 which was spiced with a brilliant break of 56. Following are combined men, women results: Man Hoi Leong (Hong Kong) bt Mohsen Bukshaisha (Qatar) 40(43-20, 38-08, 39-70, 64-06), Nansen Sin Man Wan (Hong Kong) bt Kamal Chawla (India) 4-2 (47-15, 55-16, 4417, 04-52, 27-29, 39-0), Li Yingdong (China) Bashar Hussain Abdulmajeed (Qatar) 4-3 (32-11, 16-41, 38-01, 28-16, 28-44, 19-35, 51-02) Pankaj Advani (In-

PAF takes 1-0 lead in 5-match Hockey Series against Peshawar

(58-10, 53-01, 29-38, 72-0, 43-0), Shahram Changezi (Pakistan) bt Chris Hart (England) 4-2 (16-38, 04-58, 4415, 63-01, 44-06, 37-30), Khalil Busaif (Bahrain) bt Loshaka Perera (Sri Lanka) 4-0 (41-15, 43-24, 31-20, 28,13), Muhammad Sajjad (Pakistan) bt Khalid Kamali (United Arab Emirates) 4-2 (42-01, 45-0, 29-38, 60-05(56), 042, 39-15), Lee Chun Wai (Hong Kong) bt Varun Kumar (India) 4-0 (3231, 34-20, 36-34, 42-06) Yousef Alwadi (Saudi Arabia) bt Abdulla Mujairan (Bahrain) 4-1 (31-04, 26-38, 42-22, 5028, 44-22), Keen Hoo Moh (Malaysia) bt Hunain Aamir (Pakistan) 4-0 (40-24, 39-25, 50-12, 51-07), Arantxa Sanchis (India) bt Ka Kai Wan (Hong Kong) 3-1, (37-32, 28-30, 33-24, 22-14), Tatjana Vasiljeva (Latvia) bt Neeta Sanghvi (India) 3-2 (37-40, 40-01, 3520, 37-38, 61-0(61), Amee Kamani India bt Denise Santos (Philippines) 32, (17-42, 14-51, 38-09, 44-28(40), 4921), Sadiq Alghuraifi Bahrain bt Sasika Perera Sri Lanka 4-1 (71-0, 35-08, 3019, 12-49, 41-29), Ali Alobaidli Qatar bt Mohammad Rais Senzahi Afghanistan 4-2 (15-26, 37-30, 09-33, 49-01, 4416, 43-02), Babar Masih Pakistan bt Kok Leong Lim Malaysia 4-2 (55-12, 0-48, 0-44, 43-0, 35-22, 42-28), Saleh Mohammadi (Afghanistan) bt Mohammad Bilal (Pakistan) 4-3 (0-1, 57-13, 32-38, 50-0, 28-37, 71-0, 50-8),

Jashn-eAzadi games competitions start

National Junior TT Championship

Afzal, Farwa win boys, girls titles

Clarke to retire after Ashes finale

N O T T I N G H A M —Australia P ESHAWAR —Pakistan Air captain Michael Clarke said Force defeated Peshawar Hockey Academy by 3-1 in a thrilling match of the 5-match Hockey Series which got under way here at Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Flt. Lt. Babar Naveed of the PAF Sports Control Board Peshawar was the chief guest on this occasion and before the start of the opening match the players of both PAF and Peshawar District Hockey Academy were introduced to him. Senior Vice President Pakistan Hockey Federation Muhammad Saeed Khan, Secretary KP Hockey Association Syed Zahir Shah, President Peshawar District Hockey Association Hidayat Ullah Khan, officials and players were also present.

Out of 80 players currently associated with the Peshawar District Hockey Association, three teams have formed to play a series of matches against PAF team preparing themselves for the forthcoming Inter-Services Hockey Championship.

Flt. Lt. Babar Naveed thanked the support extended

by KP Hockey Association in preparation of the PAF team for the Inter-Services Hockey Championship. He said as desired by Group Captain Shahid Nadeem, Director Sports PAF Control Board the boys are training hard under the coach Said Shah, who was assisting by Haroon Khan and Hamza Khan.

He said the team comprising on youngsters and hopefully it would give good result in the Inter-Services Hockey Championship as well in the National Championship. He said now the team is a bunch of new faces inducted as players.

Muhammad Saeed Khan said that they are running the affairs of the Peshawar District Hockey Academy on own resources with two coaches International Yasir Islam and International Ziaur-Rehman are striving hard in training and coaching the players associated with the Academy.—Agencies

Mohammed Omar Ashiq( Bahrain) 42 (71-0, 0-42, 40-04, 27-50, 42-18, 4706), Muhammad Majid Ali( Pakistan) bt Stephen Broadhead (England) 4-0 (55-0, 50-0, 59-0, 49-0), A.Mohsin AlAbdulrahman Qatar bt Pedram Arteshyar Iran 4-0 (35-18, 48-34, 4101, 36-16), Sourav Kothari India bt Abdul Raheem (Pakistan) 4-0 (39-06, 55-14, 36-20, 37-0) Shahbaaz Adil Khan (India) bt Ahmed Aseeri (Saudi Arabia) 4-2 (02-40, 16-44, 40-38, 3801, 31-18, 42-01), Mohamed Shehab (United Arab Emirates) bt Muhammad Asif Toba (Pakistan) 4-2 (33-17, 36-43, 40-41, 32-29, 70-0(70), 46-04), Nadir Khan Sultani (Afghanistan) bt Muhammed Leysi Turkey 4-1 (60-02, 2931, 48-18, 31-19, 58-0), Ahmed Saif (Qatar) bt Shahid Aftab Pakistan 4-1 (6406, 64-0, 41-06, 33-43, 44-21), Suniti Damani India bt Floriza Andal Philip- KARACHI: Tatjana Vasiljeva of Latvia plays a shot during the World Snooker Team Championship on Saturday. pines 3-1 (0-68, 46-0, 37-30, 33-27), Ng On Yee (Hong Kong) bt Vidya Pillai (India) 3-2 (51-13, 19-36, 43-48, 44-15, 3521), Chitra Magimairajan (India) bt Revanna Umadevi (India) 3-2 (39-11, 3157, 27-41, 53-16, 49-15), Dharminder Lilly India bt Simon Dent England 4-0 (4801, 44-12, 48-10, 51-04), Lin Tang Ho Hong Kong bt Mhanaa Alobaidli, Qatar 4-1 (57-0, 47-0, 4-45, 50-20, 69-04), Rahul Ajay Sachdev (India) bt Omar Alajlani FAISALABAD—Games com(Saudi Arabia) 4-2 (17-44, 39-22, 67- petitions among boys and 04(67), 47-08, 10-43, 71-0.—APP girls students of various P ESHAWAR —Promising Afzal Ahmad and and smashed in an aggressive approach. schools started at different Farwa Arif of Pakistan Wapda clinched the Both Afzal and Fahad exhibited classic disgrounds and sports stadi- trophies of Boys and Girls Singles in the 22nd play of long rallies as well which were largely ums here on Saturday to National Table Tennis Championship played enjoyed by the jam-packed cheering spectamark Jash-e-Azadi celebra- at indoor hall of the Hazara University Dis- tors.

When the tally was locked at 1-1, Afzal trict Mansehra on Saturday. tions.

Afzal Ahmad of Wapda defeated his Ahmad raced up to victory by winning the The competitions are being organized under the ae- strong rival Fahad Khawjah by 3-1 while third and fourth sets at 11-7 and 12-10. The gis of District Sports Depart- Farwa Arif, also hailing from Wapda, re- two have made some good attack on each ment which will continue till corded thumping victory against Maria other, stretched to 10-10 in the last and decisive set before Afzal took the set at 12-10.

August 28, said DO Sports Perveen of Punjab at 3-1.

In the Girls singles final Farwa Arif of In the final of the Boys Singles Afzal Tariq Nazir here.—APP Ahmad faced tough resistance at the hands Wapda nd Maria Khan of Punjab played of another upcoming player Fahad Khawjah, well. Farwa registered a vital victory against hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in the Maria Khan at 3-1, the score was 5-11, 11-8, 12-10 and 11-9. Farwa and Maria Khan gave marathon four sets battle.

Afzal Ahmad failed to click in the first set each other tough resistance in the four sets won by Fahad Khawjah of Khyber battle but overall Farwa dominated the proPakhtunkhwa. Fahad won the set by 8-11. ceedings and did not give much time to Maria The tally was once tied at 8-all, otherwise Khan to strike back.

Earlier, in the semi-finals Fahad Khawjah Khawjah dominated the proceedings.

K ARACHI —Two free shots Fahad It was the second set in which Afzal beat Muhammad Arbeel of Punjab by 3-0 converted by Osama and Ali Ahmad looked confidence by hitting some while Afzal Ahmad of Wapda beat Obaid Raza enabled South Greens fine smashes, cross court smashes and su- Shah of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The score was overcome fighting Korangi perb services. Fahad also responded well 11-7, 11-8 and 11-5.—APP 37-35 in a nail-biting encounter to seize a place in the last four in the 10th NBP Cup basketball tournament at the Arambagh floodlit court.

South Greens rejuvegland. Clarke averages just 16.71 in eight nated their act in the post innings this Ashes, with a top score of 38 interval session following a and, as a consequence, his career Test aver- sluggish start that saw them age has dropped below 50—widely consid- trailed 13-16 at half time.

They drew level at 24ered to be the mark of an all-time great.

He retired from one-day international all and were tied 35-all when cricket after leading Australia to World Cup Osama and Raza cashd in glory on home soil earlier this year, with on the back-to-back free Clarke saying he had made the decision in shots to clinch honours.

They had beaten Central order to prolong his Test career.

One of the few major targets left for Clarke Whites in the opener. Raza would have been to win a Test series in En- mustered 14 points and was gland, having previously been on the los- followed hy Osama nine and ing side during Australia’s tours in 2005, Adnan Ali six for winners.

2009 and 2013. But this is one achievement Hamza Ali and Shahrukh amassed 14 and nine points that will now elude him.

Heir apparent Steven Smith is now set for the losers.—Agencies to become Australia’s captain for their next Test series in Bangladesh.—AFP

Saturday he would retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test against England at The Oval later this month.

The 34-year-old Clarke made his announcement after England completed a crushing innings and 78 run victory over Australia in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match Ashes series.

“I will have one more Test and that is the end of my career,” said Clarke during the post-match presentation ceremony. “I am retiring from international cricket.

I don’t want to jump ship now so I will have one more go at The Oval,” he added after reports in Australian media earlier Saturday that he was about to end his Australia career.

The fifth Test starts at The Oval, in south London, on August 20.

The 34-year-old Clarke, one of the best batsmen of his generation but plagued by a longstanding back problem and more recent hamstring trouble, is in a desperate run of form, having reached 25 just six times in his last 30 Test innings.

Clarke has made 28 Test centuries, one short of Australia batting great Donald Bradman’s tally, in his 114-match career.

Saturday’s defeat saw Clarke become the first Australian in more than a century to lose four successive Ashes series in En-

South Greens reach semis in basketball event

Imad aims to perform for Pakistan

Munir, Waseem maintain lead in second round of CNS Golf

ISLAMABAD—Cricketer Imad Wasim said on snatched victory for Pakistan was talking to KARACHI—Overnight leader Saturday that he was at the threshold of his international career and wanted to perform for the country both with the bat and ball.

“I’m not a star or superstar. I’m happy that I contributed in team’s win against Sri Lanka. I’ll try my best to come up to the expectations of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and people in future also,” he said.

The 26-year-old, who hit the historic six against Sri Lanka in the second fixture of recently held two-match T20 series and

media here at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) office. The ICC had hosted a luncheon to recognize his contributions for the national team.

He said he would also try his best to make his place in the Test team. “I have performed in every format of game in domestic cricket and it is upto selectors to acknowledge my work,” he said. He revealed that Imran Khan was his ideal cricketer, while he took inspiration from Wasim Akram.—APP

Australia beat NZ to win Rugby Championship SYDNEY—Australia’s Wallabies beat New Zealand’s All Blacks 27-19 to win the Rugby Championship title in Sydney on Saturday.

The Wallabies scored three tries to two as replacement scrum-half Nic White proved the hero with a late clinching try.

Australia’s fighting win keeps alive their hopes of winning the Bledisloe Cup against New Zealand, with the final Test in Auckland A lady golfer tees off on the third day of 20th CNS open golf championship at KGC. next weekend.—APP

Mohammad Munir of Islamabad posted a card of four under par 68 in the second round to maintain his grip on the leader board in the UMA 20th Chief of the Naval Staff Open Golf Championship at the Karachi Golf Club.

Munir, who delighted the fraternity of the game by playing 65, seven under par, in the first round the other day to keep his chances alive with a two-day aggregate of 11 under par 133.

Ahmed Shahid Murtaza Javed of the Royal Palm Golf Club, who was sharing the second place with KGC’s Waheed Baloch with just a stroke behind, fired three under 69 to retain his slot two shots behind, pushing the latter to third at 136.

Tied in the fourth place at 138 are Hamza Amin and Matloob Ahmed.

Defending champion Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal, who was a bit off the mark the other day, leaped places to share fifth spot with Mohammad Amir at 139, five under par. Shabbir fired a splendid 65 while Amir shot 69. Opening day’s leader Waseem Rana of the DHA has tightened his grip in the amateurs and leads the pack by seven strokes. Waseem posted a card of three under 69 to finish the day with 140, four under par.—Agencies

PESHAWAR: Group Photo of the winners of 22nd Governor KP Junior Table Tennis Championship held at Hazara University Mansehra.

Swimming: Ten-year-old finishes third in worlds heat K AZAN —Tiny 10-year-old Alzain Tareq grinned from ear-to-ear on Saturday as the world championships’ youngest competitor in Kazan swam her personal best to finish third in her 50m freestyle heat.

The Bahrain schoolgirl had caused a splash at the Kazan pool on Friday morning when she raced in the women’s 50m butterfly heats and finished last of the event’s 64 competitors. She is believed to be the youngest swimmer to have ever swum at a world championships.

She was back in the pool on Saturday to finish third in her 50 freestyle heat and was 105th overall of the event’s 113 racers with a new PB of 35.78 seconds—nearly three seconds faster than her qualifying time. She was more than 11 seconds slower than Cate Campbell of Australia’s fastest qualifying time.

But the pint-sized Bahraini is just happy to have met her idols like Missy Franklin of the USA and Sweden’s butterfly world champion Sarah Sjostrom having now swum both of her events in Kazan. “I didn’t

KAZAN: Ten-year-old Alzain Tareq from Bahrain leaves the pool after competing in a women’s 50m butterfly heat at the Swimming World Championships. get the time I wanted, but I media.“A few other swimstill beat my personal best, mers spoke to me after my so I am happy,” beamed race yesterday, they were Tareq. taking pictures and wishing She was clearly proud of me good luck,” she said. jher newly-acquired bright Tareq was delighted to have pink race suit and said a high- met Franklin, Sjostrom, plus light of her Kazan trip had Australian sisters Bronte and been warming down. Her Cate Campbell who took gold presence here has sparked and bronze respectively in plenty of attention from fel- Friday night’s 100m freestyle low competitors and the final.—AFP

Djokovic makes return in Montreal event MONTREAL –A month after winning Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic will pick up a racquet once again as the world number one plays as top seed in the Montreal Masters, which begins Monday. The Serb, who won the first of his three Cana-dian titles in 2007 in Montreal, also added another in 2011 and a 2012 honour in Toronto to his list of North American success stories. Since beating Roger Federer— who will not compete next week but will save his energies for the Cincinnati Masters and US Open to follow—Djok-ovic has seemingly done everything possible to keep his distance from tennis. He missed the Davis Cup quarter-finals last month to rest and was seen on holiday with the fam-ily and on the golf course in and around his base of Monte Carlo.—APP

Everton hit by Baines injury blow LONDON —Everton defender Leighton Baines faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after injuring his ankle in training, the club’s manager Roberto Martinez revealed on Saturday.

Baines suffered the problem on the eve of the new Premier League season and Martinez confirmed the England leftback would miss Saturday’s opening-day clash with Watford and is unlikely to return for several weeks.

The 30-year-old’s knock is on the same ankle that needed surgery in May, a procedure which forced Baines to miss the final two matches of last season.

“With Leighton, it was a very, very unfortunate block in training, where the ball hit his ankle that he had a little bit of trouble with in the later stages of last season,” Martinez told Everton’s web-site. “It’s really sad and disappointing because Leighton came back probably stronger than ever and this preseason he showed fantastic signs.—AFP

Durham duo seal England’s Ashes triumph N OTTINGHAM —Durham pacemen England regained the Ashes in style. return of eight for 15.

Mark Wood and Ben Stokes set the seal on a crushing innings and 78-run victory over Australia in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge on Saturday as

Australia 1st Innings: ............... 60 England 1st Innings: .... 391-9 dec Australia 2nd Innings: (overnight: 241-7) Rogers c Root b Stokes ............. 52 Warner c Broad b Stokes ........... 64 Smith c Stokes b Broad ................ 5 Marsh c Root b Stokes ................ 2 Clarke c Bell b Wood .................. 13 Voges not out .............................. 51 Nevill lbw b Stokes ..................... 17 Johnson c Cook b Stokes ............ 5 Starc c Bell b Stokes ..................... 0 Hazlewood bWood ....................... 0 Lyon b Wood ................................. 4 Extras: (b20, lb16, w1, nb3) ...... 40 Total: (all out) ............................ 253

Fall of wickets: 1-113, 2-130, 3-136, 4-136 , 5-174, 6-224, 7-236, 8-242, 9243, 10-253 Bowling: ....................... O-M-R-W Broad ................................ 16-5-36-1 Wo o d ............................. 17.4-3-69-3 Finn ................................... 12-4-42-0 Stokes ............................... 21-8-36-6 Ali ........................................ 6-0-34-0

Australia started the day on 241 for seven, 90 runs shy of making England bat again. But they lost their last three wickets in just 40 minutes’ play, with all-rounder Stokes, who’d taken five wickets on Friday, striking again on his way to Test-best figures of six for 36.

Fast bowler Wood ended the match when he had Nathan Lyon playing on as the tailender tried to withdraw his bat. Victory gave Alastair Cook’s men an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series as, for the second match in a row, they defeated arch-rivals Australia inside three days following their eight-wicket win in the third Test at Edgbaston last week.

It was also the first time this year that England, whitewashed 5-0 in Australia in 2013/14, had won back-to-back Tests.

This win was particularly impressive as England were without James Anderson after their all-time leading wicket-taker suffered a side injury at Edgbaston.

Australia were in trouble right from the start of this match as they collapsed to 60 all out in 111 balls—the shortest completed first innings in Test history—on Thursday’s first day.

Fast-medium bowler Stuart Broad, who took two wickets in the first over of the match, including his 300th at this level, finished with a Test-best

England in reply made 391 for nine declared, Joe Root top-scoring with 130, on Friday. Before play started on Saturday, there were reports in the Australian media that Australia captain Michael Clarke was set to announce his retirement after a poor series so far with the bat.

Australia resumed with Adam Voges 48 not out and Mitchell Starc unbeaten on nought. At that stage, pace bowling all-rounder Stokes had taken five for 35.

That became six for 35 in 18 when tailender Starc fell for a duck, edging Stokes to Ian Bell at second slip to leave Australia 242 for eight. It also meant England had become the first team to have four different bowlers take six wickets in four consecutive innings after Anderson and Steven Finn did it at Edgbaston, with Broad and Stokes following suit in Nottingham.

This was the second five-wicket haul in Stokes’s 15-Test career after his six for 99 against Australia at Sydney in January last year. Australia were soon 243 for nine when Wood yorked Josh Hazlewood for another duck.

Voges, who played at Trent Bridge for Nottinghamshire, then completed a 111-ball fifty, including seven fours— his highest score of a mediocre series.

AFP

Man United beat Tottenham after Walker own goal M ANCHESTER —Manches- Real Madrid target David de to score before gifting United placed Michael Carrick on ter United kicked off the new Gea was not in the right frame Premier League season with of mind to play.

Fullback Matteo a 1-0 victory over Tottenham along with on Saturday, after an own Darmain,

its opener. The visitors only the hour mark of what was had themselves to blame af- turning into a fairly scrappy ter a sloppy pass by Nabil encounter.—AP Bentaleb gave the ball away

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Kyle Walker’s own goal proved decisive as Manchester United beat Spurs 1-0.

Morgan in midfield. Ashley Young goal by Kyle Walker handed midfielders the points to Louis van Schneiderlin and Memphis sped down the right flank Lyon boost as star Depay all made convincing before crossing for the unGaal’s new-look side. striker Lacazette Walker prodded the ball debuts and Romero improved marked Rooney, who had into his own net in the 22nd after some early signs of keeper Michel Vorm to beat. extends contract As the United striker minute as the Spurs defender nerves.

LYON—Lyon received a Tottenham made by far hesitated, Walker arrived just tried to deny United captain massive boost on Saturday Wayne Rooney an easy scor- the better start and could in time to spear the ball away when star striker Alexandre ing opportunity at a sunlit easily have been ahead after from Rooney’s feet, past a Lacazette signed a new five minutes. despairing Vorm and into the Old Trafford. contract Striker Harry Kane sent a corner of the Spurs net.

It was one of very few up to The goal gave a United chances in a scrappy game, clever chip over the United 2019, with Spurs’ hopes of an equal- defense but Eriksen could a lift and although there were the izer coming mainly in the clos- only send his cushioned vol- no further scoring chances Ligue 1 ing minutes with two shots ley over the bar from close before the break, Van Gaal’s club from attacking midfielder range with Romero at his side began to move the ball anmercy. Spurs were repeatedly around with more assurChristian Eriksen. nounced.

United started with four caught out by the offside rule ance.

The deal new signings, with Sergio as they tried to get behind Another of new United’s ends Romero in goal after coach United’s back four, but still new signings, midfielder any Louis van Gaal decided that looked the most likely team Bastian Schweinsteiger, redanger that last season’s top scorer in France with 27 goals would be lured away from the Stade de Gerland despite interest from Europe’s superpowers. “It was complicated and long,” the C OLOMBO — Sri Lanka captain Angelo Dushmantha Chameera has been included 24-year-old France international declared after Mathews has recovered from a wrist injury subject to a fitness test.Kumar Sangakkara to be included in a 16-man squad to play will play the first two Tests, after which he putting pen to paper to a three Tests against India starting next week. will retire from international cricket. The deal worth reportedly 4,5 Also included were uncapped left-arm squad has eight specialist batsmen, three million euros ($4.9 million, spinners and four fast bowlers. #3.1 million) a year. “I let it seamer Vishwa Fernando, and strike bowler s p e Squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Rangana Herath, who was dropped for the be known my wish to stay recent third Test against Pakistan, Sri Lanka Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth at the club and to refuse Karunaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Cricket said on Saturday. any outside offer,” he Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak, Mathews was doubtful for the first Test added. “The important starting next Wednesday in Galle because Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan thing for me was not Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Pradeep, whether I would extend my of a wrist sprain.

Dhammika Prasad, Vishwa Fernando, The 23-year-old Fernando has taken 98 contract or not, but to stay wickets in 34 first-class matches. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera.—AP

Mathews back for India Tests after injury scare

TRENT BRIDGE: England team celebrate after England beat Australia in the fourth Ashes Test cricket match on Saturday.

Sharapova withdraws from Rogers Cup T ORONTO —World number two Maria Sharapova has pulled out of next week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto after suffering a right leg strain, tournament chiefs confirmed on Friday.

The Russian right-hander’s withdrawal was announced on the tournament’s Twitter feed, which added that Romania’s Simona Halep had now been elevated to second seed. World number one Serena Williams will be chasing her fourth Rogers Cup

crown after wins in 2013, 2011 and 2001.

Five-time Grand Slam tournament winner Sharapova, beaten by Williams in this year’s Australian Open final and the Wimbledon semi-finals, has never won the Rogers Cup. The hardcourt tournament is one of several tune-up events leading into the US Open, where Williams will be attempting to complete a calendar year sweep of all four tennis Grand Slam events.—AFP

Breakthroughs could lead to ‘powerful treatment for depression’

W

ITH approximately 1 in 10 Ameri can adults reporting some form of de pression, finding new ways to treat the disorder has been a major focus for researchers. Now, investigators from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center say they have made important breakthroughs in this field. The researchers, including Dr. Jeffrey Zigman, associate professor of internal medicine and psychiatry at UT Southwestern, say they have uncovered an important mechanism by which ghrelin - a natural antidepressant hormone - works inside the brain.

In addition, the team has uncovered a neuroprotective drug that they say has the potential to be a powerful treatment for depression. To reach their findings, recently published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the researchers began by analyzing ghrelin in mice models.

Ghrelin is referred to as the “hunger hormone,” as it is known for its ability to arouse appetite.

In a 2008 study led by Dr. Zigman, the research team found that ghrelin had natural antidepressant properties that are prominent when its levels increase due to prolonged psychological stress or caloric restriction. In this latest study, the researchers found that the hormone can trigger the formation of new neurons, known as neurogenesis, in the hippocampus - the brain region that regulates mood, memory and complex eating behaviours.

The research team says their findings could lead to a powerful new antidepressant. Fur-

thermore, they found that this process is imperative to reduce the severity of depression after prolonged stress exposure. The team then wanted to determine whether this antidepressant effect could be enhanced with P7C3 compounds, which were discovered by another team of UT Southwestern researchers in 2010.

Previous studies have shown that P7C3 compounds have neuroprotective abilities in patients with Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and traumatic brain injury. And now, it seems the compounds could also help treat depression.

The team found that the P7C3 compounds enhanced the neurogenesis properties of ghrelin, leading to a strong antidepressant effect. Additionally, the team found that a “highly active analog” of the compounds - P7C3-A20 boosted new neuron formation much more than antidepressant drugs that are currently available.

“By investigating the way the so-called ‘hunger hormone’ ghrelin works to limit the extent of depression following long-term exposure to stress, we discovered what could become a brand new class of antidepressant drugs.” The investigators say their findings suggest that the P7C3 compounds could prompt a good treatment response in people with depression linked to chronic stress, or those with altered ghrelin levels or ghrelin resistance - conditions that have been described in people with obesity or anorexia nervosa.

592 rescuers of Emergency Services Academy pass out

Rescue 1122 workers taking part in passing out parade on Saturday.—Online

SALIM AHMED LAHORE—The 18th Passing out ceremony of 592 rescuers including rescuers from Tehsils & Districts of Punjab was held at Emergency Services Academy, Thokar Niaz Baig, here on Saturday.

The ceremony was attended by Founder Rescue 1122 & Secretary General, Pakistan Red Crescent Society Dr. Rizwan Naseer, UN-OCHA International Mentor of International Search & Rescue Advisory Group Mr. Edward G Pearns, Director, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Brig. (r) Dr. Arshad Zia, Registrar Emergency Services Academy, Dr. Farhan Khalid, DD

(P&D) Faheem Ahmed Qureshi; DD (HR) Dr. Fooad Shahzad Mirza, DD (Operations) Ayyaz Aslam, DD (R&M) Engr. Irfan Naseer, and other dignitaries & rescue officers.

In his welcome address, Dr. Farhan Khalid congratulated rescuers on completion of their training and thanked Founder Rescue 1122 & Secretary General Pakistan Red Crescent Society Dr. Rizwan Naseer for extending his sincere efforts for expansion of the Service to all Districts of Punjab and now at Tehsil level.

He appreciated the hectic efforts and dedication of Founder Rescue 1122, who flourished this tree as a Director General

in past. He also urged newly trained rescuers to maintain standards of the Service in their respective districts & Tehsils of the Punjab.

He said that the quality training of such a large number of rescuers with limited resources was a gigantic task but has been achieved through proper monitoring and weekly tests. Dr. Farhan further said that the emergency staff will be deputed in hospital of their respective districts for hands on training of emergency management in teaching hospitals before final posting.

Mr. Edward G Pearns, UN-OCHA International Mentor for International Search & Rescue Advisory Group, said

that this Emergency Services Academy, Pakistan was the second largest professional training institute of the world. He said Pakistan has made significant improvement in emergency sector by launching Rescue 1122 in Punjab & now in other provinces of Pakistan.

“I have witnessed a great level of satisfaction among rescuers of Rescue 1122, who are enthusiastic and hard working,” he added. Mr. Edward also appreciated the efforts of Dr. Rizwan Naseer for establishing this life saving service in Pakistan. Director, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Brig. (r) Dr. Arshad Zia thanked the dignitaries and congratulated the passed out rescuers.

Survey starts for assessing losses of flood affectees Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique is inaugurating Director General Legal Affairs Office.—INP

Shahbaz for launching campaign against adulteration STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—A meeting presided over by Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for reviewing performance of Punjab Food Authority and launching campaign against adulteration in the province lasted for four hours in which a number of important decisions were taken.

The Chief Minister said that the concerned departments should had to take action against the unhygienic and adulterated items still a lot of work has to be done and we all have to march forward with hard work and root out mafia in-

volved in adulteration. The Chief Minister said that the departments should fully benefit from modern information technology as the world has now changed.

He said that not only time but fuel is also saved through video linked meetings. Shehbaz Sharif directed heads of taskforces to work hard and thoroughly study minutes of decisions taken during the meeting through which not only their ability will improve but they will have strong command over their departments. Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected model cart prepared for cart pushers and saw its various sections.

SALIM AHMED LAHORE—Provincial Minister for Environment & Chairman Cabinet Committee on Flood Col.(R) Shuja Khanzada has said that survey has been started for assessing the losses of flood affectees which will be carried out in a transparent manner. He said that functions of August 14 will be celebrated in all relief camps in a befitting manner.

He said that relief camps will be decorated with colourful buntings and Pakistani flags. He said that improvement in the weather is expected during next 48 hours.

He said that 530 million rupees have been released to DCOs of

Policemen’s performance to be evaluated: DIG

affected districts for relief activities.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to review relief activities for flood affectees at the office of Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Saturday.

Chief Relief Commission Nadeem Ashraf, DG PDMA Jawad Akram, DG Rescue1122 and officers of Met, Irrigation, C&W, Education and Livestock Departments attended the meeting.

Shuja Khanzada said that scrutiny of losses of flood affectees will be conducted by third-party so that no deserving person should be deprived of assistance. The meeting decided that August 14 functions should be celebrated in befitting manners in affected districts.

Flag hoisting ceremonies will be held at relief camps.

Members of Cabinet Committee, Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Secretaries of various departments,

DCOs and Commissioners will participate in these functions.

Pakistani flags will be hoisted on the boats taking part in rescue operation.

The Provincial Minister told that there is high flood at Chashma and medium flood at Kalabagh and Taunsa in River Sindh whereas all other rivers are flowing normal. He said that improvement in the weather is expected during next 48 hours.

DG PDMA Jawad Akram

Traffic arrangements outside hospitals reviewed LAHORE—Chief Traffic Officer Tayyab Hafeez Cheema Saturday reviewed traffic arrangements particularly parking outside government hospitals.

He visited various hospitals including Jinnah, General, Fatima Memorial, Services and others to review traffic and parking arrangements.

The CTO said, if any encroachment was found outside these hospitals, necessary action would be taken against sector incharge concerned. He also directed the DSPs to deploy additional traffic wardens outside these hospitals.

The SPs have also been directed to monitor the traffic arrangements and con-

LAHORE—DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf rity to the chinese experts who were working has said that performance of beat and admin police officers besides SHOs would be evaluated regularly.

Addressing the meeting to review monthly performance of Cant Division here at Qila Gujjar Singh on Saturday, he directed the officials including admin, beat and SHOs to take strict action against criminals during the crackdown. He directed the officers to take comprehensive measures to provide foolproof secu-

on various development projects, adding that no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.

The DIG also directed the SP Cant to submit a good work done report to CCPO and DIG Operations. SP Cant Imtiaz Sarwar, all DPOs, SHOs, admin and beat officers were present in the meeting. Meanwhile, SP Security Liaqat Ali has awarded commendatory certificates to 41 policemen while reviewing performance of district security branch.—APP

Independence day to be celebrated in flood relief camps L AHORE—Functions of August 14 will be held in all relief camps to celebrate Independence Day in a befitting manner. This was decided at a meeting held here Saturday to review relief activities for flood affectees at the office of Provincial Disaster Management Authority, here Saturday.

Punjab Minister for Environment & Chairman Cabinet Committee on Flood Col.(R) Shuja Khanzada presided over the meeting. Flag hoisting ceremonies will be held at relief camps. The relief camps will be decorated with colourful buntings and Pakistani flags.

Members of Cabinet Committee, Members National and Provincial Assemblies, Secretaries of various departments, DCOs and Commissioners will participate in these functions. Pakistani flags will be hoisted on the boats taking part in rescue operation, he added.—APP

told that 28200 tents, 147750 food hampers, 82000 mineral water bottles and 25050 mosquito nets have been provided to affected districts. He told that 1,75,000 persons are staying at 249 relief camps where three time meals is being provided to them.

Similarly medical facilities were provided to 1054632 persons. He told that 624650 kg fodder was provided for cattle.

Rescue teams evacuated 157580 persons through 279 boats.

Construction work of Shadman overhead bridge is underway.—DNA

duct patrolling on important thoroughfares to facilitate the people.

The CTO also announced cash reward and appreciation certificates to traffic sector Green Town incharge, patrolling officer and traffic warden for recovering a stolen motorcycle and arresting the accused.—APP

Breakthroughs could lead to ‘powerful treatment for depression’

W

ITH approximately 1 in 10 Ameri can adults reporting some form of de pression, finding new ways to treat the disorder has been a major focus for researchers. Now, investigators from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center say they have made important breakthroughs in this field. The researchers, including Dr. Jeffrey Zigman, associate professor of internal medicine and psychiatry at UT Southwestern, say they have uncovered an important mechanism by which ghrelin - a natural antidepressant hormone - works inside the brain.

In addition, the team has uncovered a neuroprotective drug that they say has the potential to be a powerful treatment for depression. To reach their findings, recently published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, the researchers began by analyzing ghrelin in mice models.

Ghrelin is referred to as the “hunger hormone,” as it is known for its ability to arouse appetite.

In a 2008 study led by Dr. Zigman, the research team found that ghrelin had natural antidepressant properties that are prominent when its levels increase due to prolonged psychological stress or caloric restriction. In this latest study, the researchers found that the hormone can trigger the formation of new neurons, known as neurogenesis, in the hippocampus - the brain region that regulates mood, memory and complex eating behaviours.

The research team says their findings could lead to a powerful new antidepressant. Fur-

thermore, they found that this process is imperative to reduce the severity of depression after prolonged stress exposure. The team then wanted to determine whether this antidepressant effect could be enhanced with P7C3 compounds, which were discovered by another team of UT Southwestern researchers in 2010.

Previous studies have shown that P7C3 compounds have neuroprotective abilities in patients with Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and traumatic brain injury. And now, it seems the compounds could also help treat depression.

The team found that the P7C3 compounds enhanced the neurogenesis properties of ghrelin, leading to a strong antidepressant effect. Additionally, the team found that a “highly active analog” of the compounds - P7C3-A20 boosted new neuron formation much more than antidepressant drugs that are currently available.

“By investigating the way the so-called ‘hunger hormone’ ghrelin works to limit the extent of depression following long-term exposure to stress, we discovered what could become a brand new class of antidepressant drugs.” The investigators say their findings suggest that the P7C3 compounds could prompt a good treatment response in people with depression linked to chronic stress, or those with altered ghrelin levels or ghrelin resistance - conditions that have been described in people with obesity or anorexia nervosa.

Women buying flags and other items from Light House as the preparations for Independence Day are in full swing in city.—Online

Minister for resolving Malir’s water, sewerage problems CITY REPORTER KARACHI—Abdul Hakeem Baloch Minister of State for Communications has called for resolving water and sewerage problems on priority basis so that civic facilities be made available to the people of District Municipal Corporation (DMC), Malir.

During a meeting with the officers of the DMC Malir he said that a plan be devised for the resolution of these problems, says a statement of DMC Malir on

Saturday. The Minister said that illegal water connections at the ‘baras’ should be cut for easing the water problem in the area to some extent.

The president of the PML-N Malir and other office bearers complained about water and sewerage problems of Shah Latif Town, Ibrahim Hyderi and Rehri Goth and called for their immediate resolution.

The XEN M&E, Muhammad Wasim Siddiqui, in his briefing suggested that Karachi Water and Sewerage Board be asked to devise a new plan for Bin Qasim

Zone for resolving the problem in the area on permanent basis.

The Minister asked the local leaders of PML-N to come up with development schemes of their respective areas.

Administrator DMC Malir said that 90 percent of its budget is spent for water and sewerage problems.

He asked the officers that heavy machinery be deployed for cleanliness in those areas of Malir that are facing sewerage problems.—APP

Over 500,000 patriots to visit Quaid’s mausoleum on August 14 DIG South Dr Jameel Ahmad planting a sapling to inaugurate spring tree plantation campaign organised by National Forum for Environment and Health at Mazar-e-Quaid.—Online

Gang war commander killed, over 60 suspects detained CITY REPORTER KARACHI—Gang war commander Irfan alias Billa on late Friday night was killed in an alleged police encounter in Lyari and more than 60 suspects were arrested in different areas of Karachi According to reports, in an alleged police encounter in Baghdadi area of Lyari, gang war commander of Ghufar Zakri group was killed.

The police said that the criminal was wanted in several heinous crimes including attempted murder. However, his two accomplices managed

to escape the scene.

The security forces are making raids in different areas to arrest Rashid Ladla who took gang war group’s lead after his brother, Baba Ladla was killed in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Rangers arrested as many as 20 suspects in an operation in PIB Colony. The personnel shifted the alleged criminals to undisclosed location for interrogation. In New Karachi area, the police arrested a criminal in injured condition along with an accomplice. The security personnel recovered stolen motorcycles and weapons from their possession.—INP

KARACHI—Keeping in view the fast approaching Independence Day the management of Mazar-eQuaid is seen busy with arrangements like cleanliness, gardening, colouring and so on at Quaid’s mausoleum expecting more than 500,000 patriots visit to the grave of the father of the nation, Quaid-iAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on August 14.

Resident Engineer, Quaid-i-Azam Mazar Management Board, Engineer Muhammad Arif while talking to APP said that the management board every year make special arrangements at Mazar-e-

Quaid on Independence celebrations.

He said that hundreds of thousands patriots visit the mausoleum to show their respect for the father of the nation on August 14 and this year owing to improved law and order situation in the city we are expecting more than 500,000 visitors - patriots.

He said that preparations like cleanliness, colouring, lighting, gardening and others are done every year from the first day of the August and it remain continue till August 12 or 13.

He further said that the mausoleum is illuminated whole night with lights. Arif said that Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-Ul-Ebad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah will hoist the national flag at the Mazar and will pay a huge tribute to the father of the nation, on the day.

On August 14, the mausoleum for the public would be opened for general public from 11 a.m., he added. He has also advised the visitors to not bring with themselves food items, tools like knives, scissors etc, and any kind of ammunition.—APP

KDA seals Sindbad Amusement Park KARACHI—Karachi Development Authority (KDA) has sealed famous Sindbad recreational area. The facility was

sealed on the orders of Commissioner of Karachi. Citizens on the visit to the recreational area were stopped from going

KDA sources the plot was seized on the basis of ongoing crackdown against unlawful land seizing mafia.

the sources said adding the park was renamed from Wonder Land to Sindbad in 1990.

After renaming, the park

worth Rs.500,000, according to senior KDA director AK Jameel Baloch.

According to KDA official,

KMC seals illegal marriage hall in Gulshan-i-Iqbal KARACHI—The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has sealed an ‘illegal marriage hall’ located in the limits of Aziz Bhatti Park, Gulshan-i-Iqbal here. A KMC statement on Saturday said that the action was taken on the directive of Administrator KMC. It said that the piece of land 6/18 was part

of Aziz Bhatti Park and was for a restaurant for the visitors. It was secured in 1971 through auction for construction of a restaurant. However, in contravention of the master plan it was being used as a marriage hall on commercial basis.

For this violation, the KMC staff on Saturday evening sealed the hall and took it over.—APP

Cattle market to be set up at Super Highway from Aug 15 KARACHI—In connection with Eid ul assistance for better arrangement at the made for this year.

Azha, the cattle market of the sacrificial animals would be set up at the Super Highway here from August 15. The decision to this effect was made at a meeting Saturday chaired by Commissioner Karachi, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.

There would be a ban on the sale of sacrificial animals in the city. The district administration would extend every

cattle market and contact would be maintained with the relevant organizations.

Special arrangements would also be made for security on the occasion. The participants of the meeting appreciated the arrangements that were made for the cattle market last year. It was decided that similar arrangements would also be

The meeting was informed that this year every possible facility would be extended to the people at the cattle market for the purchase of the sacrificial animals. Water and electricity arrangements would be made, proper cleanliness would be maintained and food courts would be set up for availability of eatables for the visitors.—APP

Famous children amusement park Sindbad has been sealed by authorities.—DNA inside.

According to KDA, the administration had built the recreational facility on reserved land and was being used for commercial purposes.

The plot was taken on a 10 year lease the duration of which had expired. According to the

Wonder Land contracted the KDA that it will provide free-of-cost recreational facilities to the masses. But, the amusement park started committing multiple violations of the contract, according to KDA. Instead of four acres, eight acres of land were occupied,

put in place large swing rides in 1990. Furthermore, the park began to charge ten rupee against each entry into the pleasure ground in violation of the contract.

The citizens were charged exorbitantly for using rides that amounts to a daily income

at least ten billion rupee were accrued from the commercial use of this land over a span of ten years. After assuming his portfolio, Minister for Local Bodies Sindh, Nasir Hussain Shah demanded record of welfare plots from the commissioner Karachi.—INP