Ep2016jan23

Afghanistan arrests Haqqani network members

CPEC not a route, but economic revolution for entire region: PM

KABUL—Afghan forces have arrested eight members of the feared Haqqani militant network who they say carried out a suicide attack this week on journalists working for the country’s most-watched television channel.

The Haqqani network is blamed for some of the deadliest and most sophisticated attacks on US and Afghan troops in Afghanistan.

The National Directorate for Security (NDS), Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, said in a statement those arrested were behind the attack that killed seven journalists in Kabul.

The journalists died when returning home after a day’s work when their company minibus was rammed by a car driven by a suicide bomber in evening rush hour traffic.

NDS said the arrests were made in a district in the southeast Kabul and no further details were given.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing and said they targeted Tolo TV, Afghanistan’s largest private television network, because it was producing propaganda

Continued on Page 7

Pak instability can impact nuke security, claims US report OBSERVER REPORT WASHINGTON—“Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal probably consists of approximately 110-130 nuclear warheads, although it could have more,” the US Congressional Research Service report read.

Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is widely regarded as designed to dissuade India from taking military action against Pakistan, it added.

Although Pakistan’s nuclear programme is widely regarded as designed to deter India, its arch-rival, from launching any nuclear misadventure against the country, but its expansion and development of new types of nuclear weapons and adoption of a doctrine called “full spectrum deterrence” have led some observers to Continued on Page 7

Kiwis clinch T20 series WELLINGTON—New Zealand crushed Pakistan by 95 runs in the third and final Twenty20 in Wellington to wrap up the series 2-1.

The Pakistani put up a dismal performance with the bat yet again, with wickets falling early and the entire team sent packing for just 101 runs in chase of a 197-run target.

The team had lost 4 wickets in just the first four overs, five wickets by the eighth over, and 7 wickets by the 11th over, with the entire team being bowled out in just the 16th over.

Details on Sports Page

but

................................................

Khattak for raising terror issue at world level ................................................

Take a decision on tattering PSM also

See Page 04

DAVOS (Switzerland)—Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not mere a route, but was an “economic revolution for the entire region” and would strengthen economies of the regional countries.

He was talking to Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered who called on him here on the sidelines of the meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Bill Winters said the CPEC would attract the banking sector as with the initiation of the second phase of the project, a number of industrial and economic zones would be established. He said his bank has already started work in this regard.

Prime Minister Nawaz DAVOS: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressing participants of World Economic Forum 2016 on the topic “Pakistan— Sharif said his government has A land of Business Opportunities” at a breakfast meeting hosted by Ikram Sehgal, Chairman Pathfinder Group. complete faith in the private sector and its contribution in ing in view the positive trends dustry and textiles sectors that country’s greatly improved in- friendly.

“Our primary objective is growth of the national in Pakistan’s economy, he was offer exciting opportunities for ternal security situation, and looking up for doubling his investment. robust economic indicators. to create an environment coneconomy.

“I invite you to be our partHe was speaking at a ducive for investment inflows.

“We are facilitating the business in Pakistan.

“Fast growth of Pakistan ners in realizing our vision for Breakfast Meeting, hosted by We offer a liberal investment private sector through a liberal economy is one of the major Pakistan. Our vision is of a Ikram Sehgal, Chairman of the policy, which includes 100 pereconomic regime,” he said.

He said country’s foreign attractions for foreign inves- Pakistan which is business Pathfinder Group on “ Pakistan cent equity ownership, full reexchange reserves were at their tors,” he said and added that his friendly; a Pakistan where for- - A land of Business Opportu- patriation of capital, taxbreaks, and customs duty conhighest level and were increas- bank was investing in power, eign investors feel safe and se- nities.”

Finance Minister Ishaq cessions on import of machining at a fast pace, owing to the infrastructure, PIA and other cure; and a Pakistan which is modern, progressive and for- Dar, Commerce Minister Engi- ery and raw materials,” Nawaz confidence of investors and the sectors of economy.

Winters said Pakistan was ward-looking,” he told a group neer Khurram Dastgir, Special Sharif told the investors. robust economy.

“We offer prospects of coBill Winters said his bank offering exciting business op- of investors here at a breakfast Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi production, joint ventures with has an “overwhelmingly posi- portunities to foreign investors meeting.

“I assure you that my busi- and Miftah Ismail attended the local partners and joint markettive view of economy in Paki- and the banking sector.

Meanwhile, Prime Minis- ness-friendly government will meeting along with around a ing arrangements. The taxation stan where investment and ter Muhammad Nawaz Sharif extend all possible assistance to hundred participants of the regime is one of the lowest in capital were growing.” the region and its collection is He said Standard Char- Friday invited Swiss and inter- you in your business World Economic Forum.

The Prime Minister said undertaken through a dedicated tered Bank was one of the big- national investors to Pakistan’s endeavours in Pakistan,” the gest conduits in Pakistan for energy, telecom, infrastructure, Prime Minister said as he investment incentives in Paki- Large Taxpayers Unit. A muloverseas capital. He said keep- urban development, agro-in- shared with the gathering, stan were diverse and business Continued on Page 7

Khursheed demands Nisar’s sacking over Charsadda tragedy Interior Minister under fire for ‘misleading’ House on Maulana Aziz OBSERVER REPORT ISLAMABAD—Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah Friday called for removal of Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan as Federal Interior Minister over Charsadda tragedy.

During an informal talk with media personshere, Khurshid Shah said every person has condemned the terrorist attack

on Bacha Khan University but there were no words from Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar on the tragic incident.

He said raising fingers on Ch Nisar is like someone is raising fingers on the Prime Minister.

“The responsibility of preventing such incidents lies directly on the interior minister,” he remarked. “Chaudhry Nisar is not fit for the post of Interior Minister. He

should be given any other portfolio,” he said.

Shah further said that Mian sahab (Prime Minister) will have to take a decision in this regard. He also demanded that a judicial inquiry be ordered into the Charsadda tragedy.

However, reacting to the demand, Pakistan Muslim League-N leader Talal

Continued on Page 7

KSA security non-negotiable: Jubeir R IYADH —Foreign Minister Adel Al-

OBSERVER REPORT

It is Afghan soil mastermind is India

Invites international tycoons to invest in Pakistan

Jubeir has reiterated that the government would do whatever it takes to protect its citizens and their beliefs, and warned that Iran could not be trusted to help bring peace to the region.

Al-Jubeir made the comments in an interview with Reuters when asked about whether the Kingdom would have tried to develop nuclear weapons if Iran had been able to do so. He said the question was unreasonable.

“I don’t think it would be logical to expect us to discuss any such issue in public and I don’t think it would be reasonable to expect me to answer this question one way or another,” he said.

As for the lifting of sanctions on Iran after its nuclear agreement with global powers, he said it would lead to negative developments if Tehran used the money to fund “extremist activities.”

He said Saudi Arabia was “committed to two things that are non-negotiable—

our beliefs and our security— and will take any measures needed to protect our people from any harm. I will leave it at that.”

Al-Jubeir reiterated the Kingdom’s stance toward Iran in his statements to CNN earlier. “I think that the Iranian foreign minister issued a lot of false information when he said that Saudi Arabia seriously seeks to resist this deal, and that I am against it,” said Al-Jubeir.

“My government’s position is to sup-

Continued on Page 7

UAE condemns terrorist attack on university OBSERVER REPORT I SLAMABAD —The United Arab Emirates has condemned the terrorist attack that targeted Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, killing and injuring a number of innocent civilians.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry confirmed the UAE’s solidarity with Pakistan, denouncing terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, whatever the motives and justifications.

The UAE highlighted the need for intensified and concerted efforts of the international community to ensure the eradication of serious scourge of terrorism and to find radical solutions to eradicate this phenomenon, which is contrary to all moral and humanitarian values.

The statement expressed deepest condolences and sympathy to the people and families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to all the injured.

BK Varsity attackers vow to target schools STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The Taliban faction behind the Bacha Khan University massacre in Charsadda issued a video message Friday vowing to target schools throughout the country, calling them “nurseries” for people who challenge Allah’s law.

The video, which spread rapidly on Facebook but was not released on official media accounts for the Tehreek-eTaliban Pakistani, shows Khalifa Umar Mansoor, whose faction claimed responsibility for the attack on the university Wednesday.

Heavily armed gunmen stormed the campus in Charsadda, killing 21 people in an attack that had chilling echoes of a 2014 assault on the Army Public School in nearby Peshawar, also claimed by Mansoor’s faction.

In the video issued Friday, Mansoor said his faction had attacked the university “because this is the place where lawyers are made, this is the place that produces military officers, this is the place that produces members of the par-

liament, all of whom challenge Allah’s sovereignty”.

Instead of targeting armed soldiers, he said, “we will target the nurseries that produce these people”.

“We will continue to attack schools, colleges and universities across Pakistan as these are the foundations that produce apostates. We will target and demolish the foundations,” he said.

Mansoor issued a similar video in the wake of the Peshawar attack on December 16, 2014, Pakistan’s deadliest ever extremist assault.

He said schools like the one in Peshawar, which is some 50 kilometres from Charsadda, were “preparing those generals, brigadiers and majors who killed and arrested so many fighters”.

“If our women and children died as martyrs your children will not escape. If you attack us we will take revenge for the innocents,” he said in the video message, also posted online.

Analysts have said the Taliban sent a message of impunity with Wednesday’s attack, that a national crackdown on extremism has failed and they can hit targets at will.

Balochistan minister escapes terror attack STAFF REPORTER QUETTA—Balochistan Home Minister Mir Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti narrowly escaped an attempt on his life when his convoy was struck by a roadside bomb in Dera Bugti.

The minister was on an official visit to his hometown in Baker tehsil of Dera Bugti.

However, no casualties were reported in the blast.

Security officials said the bomb was remotely controlled and a search operation was initiated in the area. The bomb exploded moments after Bugti’s vehicle crossed the site. One vehicle in the convoy was partially dam-

aged as a result of the blast.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack but officials suspect Baloch separatist might be responsible.

Dera Bugti and Kohlu are considered to be among the most sensitive districts of Balochistan.

The incident occurred a week after a suicide bomber had killed at least 15 people, mostly policemen, outside a polio vaccination centre in an upscale neighbourhood of Quetta.

Two proscribed militant groups had claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing that also left more than 25 people injured.

GCC working on joint missile defense B AHRAIN —Gulf states are cooperating on regional missile defense and hope to announce the results soon, said a Bahraini officer, suggesting progress in long-stalled efforts to create a cross-border approach to counter Iran’s growing missile capabilities.

US and GCC officials say the time has come to push

ahead as Arab nations start to mount more joint military missions.

Hamad bin Abdullah AlKhalifah, commander of the Royal Bahraini Air Force, said on the sidelines of an air force conference that a GCC committee was working in a cooperative effort to build joint mis-

Continued on Page 7

Is Pakistan ready for a take-off?

Comment Prof Ahsan Iqbal

T

he latter half of the 20th century has seen many coun tries successfully emerge as regional powerhouses. Unfortunately, Pakistan has been struggling to make this happen despite being endowed with rich resources. In the 1960s, Pakistan was touted as a rising economic power like Japan but its progress was derailed due to the 1965 war. In the early 1990s, Pakistan again captured the attention of the world when it took the lead in pioneering economic reforms in South Asia. However, this dream once again proved to be short-lived as the country plunged into a decade of political instabil-

ity. Governments lasted no more than two years, and eventually the country was caught in the talons of martial law. In 2013, the Western media was calling Pakistan the most dangerous country in the world. Just two years later, due to economic reforms and security-related measures taken by the government, Pakistan is being projected as an emerging economic success story by the same media. Today, we are again poised for an economic take-off. The improving security situation, improving economic indicators and the establishment of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) offer many opportunities for the country. The million-dollar question is whether we will seize this moment for an economic take-off or will once again squander it.

There cannnot be a better analogy to understand Pakistan’s trajectory than learning from the concept of ‘take-off’ in aviation.

In order for a plane to successfully take off, besides having a clear runway and

favourable weather conditions, in the tug of war between opposing vertical and horizontal forces of lift versus weight, and thrust versus drag, the forces of lift must prevail over weight and the power of thrust must prevail over drag. During a take-off, all the weight on the aircraft must also be stable, otherwise the take-off can turn into an accident. The aircraft cannot take off if its engines are not working in sync to provide the required thrust. An aircraft can land with one of its engines shut down, but it can never take off without all engines working together. If all these conditions are not met, the plane can’t take off successfully.

This example is instructive in understanding Pakistan’s potential for a take-off.

Firstly, we are a nation of 200 million people, of which almost two-thirds consists of the youth, with heightened aspirations and expectations. Our institutions are weak due to a fractured political history featuring long shadows of various martial laws.

Moreover, due to the lack of investment in human capital over a prolonged period means that we still have high levels of illiteracy, disease and poverty. This translates into a heavy weight of social underdevelopment that has to be lifted. We need an extraordinary force of lift to overcome the drag and downward pull and achieve a successful take-off. We possess a rich endowment base. However, this can only be harnessed effectively by adopting the right strategies and implementation mechanisms with a clear focus on the economic agenda.

Additionally, just as an aircraft can’t take off if the runway isn’t clear and is not of the desired length, countries also need to ensure that their policies are sound and provide a consistent and stable span for takeoff. Finally, equally important is the favourability of the socio-political weather, as political thunderstorms and social jolts are capable of subverting take-offs.

The nation’s institutions must work har-

moniously to produce the positive synergy required for an economic take-off. It is absolutely critical that all national institutions align themselves with a national vision and function with harmony to overcome the inertia of forces of the status quo to ensure a national take-off. Pakistan is an evolving society in which new power centres are emerging alongside traditional structures of power. After the Eighteenth Amendment, provinces have assumed added responsibilities and roles. Coordination between the federal government and provinces for realising the national development agenda has become critical. The media, the private sector and civil society are new and powerful players in national affairs. The judiciary has assumed a new role in the wake of Judges Restoration Movement. The role of parliament and the legislatures has become critical for effective democratic governance.

The civil and military bureaucracy play a

Continued on Page 7

Shehbaz orders redesigning of fodder-cutter to avoid hand-choppings Honoured ISLAMABAD— The Senate of Pakistan Friday unanimously passed a resolution to honours the memory and literary contribution of Pakistan’s eminent popular poet, Ahmed Faraz. The resolution was moved by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on January 12,2016 which was passed on the birthday of Ahmed Faraz, said a press release.

Ahmed Faraz was a brilliant poet, who also demonstrated a consistent commitment to democracy, civil liberties and the rights of the oppressed people, and faith in Pakistan despite being in exile. He had the courage to tell truth to power and his poetry lives in the hearts and minds of those who are connoisseurs of the Urdu language across the world.—APP

Nation united to root out terrorism SALIM AHMED Lahore—Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that the whole nation is united and determined to root out terrorism and political, religious and military leadership is on one page in the war against this menace. He said that the war against terrorism will be won with the force of unity and mutual consultation and the country will be rid of terrorists forever. He said that effective measures have been taken in the province under national action plan against terrorism.

Talking to assembly members of various districts, the Chief Minister said that Pakistanis have ren-

dered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism and the efforts made by the people of the country for the elimination of terrorism will not go in vain.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has said that the incidents of chopping of human hands accidentally by fodder cutting machines is tragic and there is need for paying due attention to security features in the design of these machines to prevent such incidents.

He said that all concerned departments will have to work with mutual coordination for checking these incidents. He was addressing a meeting at Civil Secretariat through video link, on Friday. The

meeting reviewed the recommendations to control the incidents of cutting of human hands with fodder cutting machines.

The Chief Minister said that necessary changes should be made in the machine with regard to ensuring safety of the cultivators and concerned departments should take necessary steps in this regard. He said that Punjab government is ready to give subsidy on the installation of security equipments in these machines, however. a practicable model should be evolved. He said that proposals should be finalized in consultation with all stakeholders and a plan should be evolved for implementation.

Shehbaz Sharif said that manufacturers will have to be bound to install safety equipments in fodder cutting machines and necessary amendments in the law should also be considered. He said that flaws in the fodder cutting machines should be removed at the earliest so as to save cultivators from such accidents. The Chief Minister further directed that a complete protocol should be evolved for the protection of sprayers of insecticides on crops.

He said that protective measures are needed to save the people from ill affects of insecticides and a safety protocol should be evolved and its strict implementation should be ensured. He said

Crackdown on criminals in southern Punjab soon STAFF REPORTER

Nation united ISLAMABAD— Senator of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said the entire nation, civil and military leadership were united against terrorism.

Talking to Radio Pakistan programme, he said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has clearly stated that there is no room for terrorists in the country.

Zafar Jhagra said the operation against terrorism would continue till the elimination of last terrorist.

He said, “The operation Zarb-e-Azb has successfully destroyed the QUETTA: Police officials patrolling city on horses, as security is on high alert in provincial capital. terrorist’s network and around ninety percent area of North Waziristan has been cleared so far.”—APP

Mass transit train Q UETTA — Balochistan Chief Minister, Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri approved mass transit train system for the provincial capital and instructed the Divisional Superintendent (DS), Pakistan Railways to furnish the working paper and PC-1 of the project.

The cost of the project is estimated Rs 2 billion. DS Pakistan Railways, Quetta Division, Hanif Gul gave briefing to the Chief Minister on the project and said that it would be a joint venture of Pakistan Railways and the Balochistan government.

“Railway track is always available for the project and we need only locomotive and railcar to make mass tran-sit train system operational in Quetta,” the DS Railways said.—APP

Quadrilateral meetings

that protection of people from such incidents is the vital importance.

Shehbaz Sharif directed to the experts of Agri University Faisalabad, University of Engineering & Technology Lahore and stakeholders should be consulted and final recommendations be presented within two weeks.

Provincial Secretary Agriculture gave a briefing. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Dr. Farrukh Javed, Minister for Labour Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretaries of Agriculture, Industries, Labour and Health Departments, Dr. Abdul Bari of Indus Hospital and senior officers were present in the meeting.

Khattak delivers Rs15.4m cheque to father of martyred professor STAFF REPORTER

S WABI —Chief

Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak has said that the terrorism was not only the problem of the province but it is an international issue and that is why efforts were continued at global level for its elimination.

Adding that ensuring internal security of the institutions and active role of the masses was indispensable to get rid of this menace.

This he said while talking to local people on Friday afternoon at the residence of martyred Professor Hamid Hussain of Bacha Khan University at Swabi. Relatives of

the late Professor, notables of the area and local people were present on the occasion. The CM expressed his deep sense of sorrow and grief over the irreparable loss of the late martyred professor Hamid Hussain.

The CM also handed over a cheque Rs. 15.4 million to the father of the late Professor Hamid Hussain on this occasion. Talking to the people the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa highlighted ini-

tiatives taken by the provincial government to check terrorism. He pinpointed that a government was facing multiple challenges due to terrorism. He said that terrorism has become a cancer and none was escape from it.

He elaborated that our national army and security forces were targets of the terrorism.

While referring to the steps taken by the provincial government to combat terrorism he said that for the first time

in the history of the province “Counter Terrorism department” was established by the government to bring coordination among the intelligence institutions.

The Chief Minister said that directives have already been issued to the institutions to ensure their internal security. “Now it is the responsibility of the concern quarters to ensure implementation of the directives issued by the government”, he asserted. The Chief Minister later on visited the residence of late Akhter Munir, Superintendent Jail. He condoled the death of the deceased with the bereaved family.

PDWP approves Rs27.963b for 65 KP projects

ISLAMABAD—

P ESHAWA R —Provincial Development Working Party Mardan, Teacher engagement for 4 years BS Programme.

Former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said the quadrilateral meetings of Pakistan, Afghanistan, the United States and China would push the peace process in Afghanistan and it was a good step. The quadrilateral process will help bring Afghan Taliban on the negotiating table with Afghan government, he added. Talking to a news channel, the former Foreign Minister said through the quadrilateral meetings, Pakistan can highlight its efforts as well as sacrifices in the war against terrorism. He said stability in Afghanistan was in the interest of all countries of the region. To a question, Kasuri said strengthening of bi-lateral relations between Pakistan and Russia was in the interest of both countries.

About Pak-India ties, he said dialogue was the only way to address all issues.—APP

(PDWP) has approved 65 projects worth Rs 27.963 billion and deferred 10 other projects due to inadequate designs while one project was withdrawn. PDWP held its meeting under the Chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Azam Khan.The meeting was attended by its members included Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Secretary Planning and Development and respective administrative Secretaries, said an official statement.

The forum considered 76 projects pertaining to different sectors including Elementary and Secondary Education, Higher Education, Sports and Tourism, Multi Sectoral Development, Relief and Rehabilitation, Excise and Taxation, Local Government, Irrigation, Environment, Home, Board of Revenue, Industries, Mines and Minerals, Transport, Communication and Works, Administration, Public Health Engineering, P and D Departments for the uplift of the province.

The forum approved 65 Projects with an estimated cost of Rs 27.963 billion.10 projects were deferred due to inadequate project designs and one project was withdrawn. In the Elementary and Secondary Education Sector approved projects were Establishment of Model Secondary School Ring Road, Charsadda Road Portion, Peshawar, Establishment of Residential Girls Primary cum Secondary Model school Mardan, Remodeling, Redesigning and Rehabilitation of Pilot High School for Girls in Haripur City, Establishment of Girls Primary cum Secondary School in one building at Qazi Killy Peshawar, Establishment of Girls Primary cum Secondary School Oghi Manshera, Establishment of Model School at Karak, Hard Area Allowances for Lady Education Supervisors.

In the Higher Education Sector, approved projects were Establishment of Govt: Girls Degree College at Balambat Dir Lower, Establishment of Government Degree Colleges in KP on need basis, Establishment of GGDC at Shergarh

L AHORE —Punjab has decided to launch a crackdown against criminal gangs in southern parts of the province bordering Sindh and Balochistan, announced Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday.

He said Elite Force of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab would lead the operation while taking Sindh and Balochistan police on board.

“Criminals take refuge in Katcha areas along the

Indus river in Sindh and Punjab, and Balochistan’s mountains,” he said, brushing aside the impression that the operation was aimed at militant elements. The Punjab law minister said Chotoo Group, a noto-rious group of criminals, would be targeted in the operation.

“Army and paramilitary troops will be on standby during crackdown,” he said. The latest drive is expected to focus on Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and tribal areas of the southern belt of Punjab.

AC’s anti-encroachment drive applauded SHAFFAAT MALIK T A L A G A N G —Newly appointed Assistant Commissioner Talagang, Waseem Ahmed has started crackdown against encroachments. In this context, many illegally constructed buildings and structures have been demolished.

Seeing this, many shopkeepers have voluntarily decided to demolish encroachments at their own.

The residents of the area have welcomed the recent initiative of the Assistant

Commissioner.

According to reports, soon after assuming the charge, he started action against illegal constructions.

He tasked the Revenue and Highways departments to measure the main Talagang Chakwal road and decided to raze the buildings, plazas and shops found to be constructed beyond the approved area.

The people expressed satisfaction and happiness over the operation cleanup and chanted slogans in favour of the AC.

Kasur scandal

ATC acquits 3 accused L A H O R E —An antiterror- against them and witism court (ATC) Friday acquitted three accused Ashfaq, Arshad and Ibrahiminvolved in a rape case registered in connection with Kasur video scam.

ATCIV Judge Chaudhry Muhammad Ilyas passed the orders while accepting an acquittal application filed by the accused.

During the hearing, accused’ counsel arguing before the court submitted that Ganda Sigh Wala/ Kasur police had registered FIR 324/15 against the accused for raping a girl in connection with Kasur scandal. He said that the police implicated the accused in baseless case as no evidence was available

nesses had denied to identify the accused. He pleaded the court to acquit the accused being innocent. To which, the court accepted the application and ordered to acquit the accused.

Ganda Singh Wala/ Kasur police had registered a total of 31 cases in connection with the Kasur child abuse scandal against 20 accused. 25 cases were registered under sections of 506, 293, 387, 386 and 377 of the criminal procedure code and sections of AntiTerrorism Act whereas six other cases were registered under sections of criminal procedure code alone.—APP

SMIU delegation meets NAB Chairman I SLAMABAD —A delegation of National Leadership Programme of Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU), Karachi called on Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Qamar Zaman Chaudhry here on Friday. The delegation, comprising faculty members and students was led by Vice Chancellor, Dr. Muhammad Ali Sheikh.

Talking to the delegation, Chairman NAB said Sindh Madressatul Islam University is one of the oldest institutions in South Asia and has distinction of being Alma Matter of founder of Pakistan, QuaideAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He reiterated that mission of SMIU is to create excellent environment for education, research and learning in order to produce outstanding leaders who are proactive, truthful, honest, brave and believe in selfaccountability.

He said institutions like SMIU are the torch bearers in quest to impart such education to young generation who can lift Pakistan out of corruption. The Chairman said corruption is rampant in our society and has rightly been labelled as mother of all ills. It gives birth to multifarious problems including nepotism, favouritism and negating meritocracy, transparency and accountability.

He emphasized that NAB was determined to eradicating corruption from Pakistan and added for this, every member of society has to make an effort by setting personal, professional and official conduct above any type of influence.—APP

NDMA analyses flood management, response efforts ISLAMABAD —The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) conducted a oneday National Review Conference to analyze the flood management and response efforts undertaken during floods season of 2015 by all stakeholders. The conference was chaired by Major General Asghar Nawaz, Chairman NDMA. Welcoming the participants, the NDMA Chairman appreciated the collaborative role of various departments that resulted in satisfactory management of 2015 floods. He emphasized the need to further strengthen integrated disaster management system and coordination mechanism amongst all relevant stakeholders to ensure better preparedness.

The NDMA Chairman also reiterated that the aim of such conferences was to identify the gaps, record the lessons learnt / best practices and to devise strategy for future. Structured presentations were given by Pakistan Meteorological Department, all Provincial Irrigation Departments, all Provincial Disaster Management Authorities.—APP

In the Sports and Tourism sector, Culture display centre at Islamabad, Incomplete/Balance work at auditorium at Nishter Hall Peshawar were approved.

In the Multi Sectoral Development Sector, the approved projects were Special initiative programme in PK84 including 30 KM rural roads, District Swat, Grant of Special Package (as non ADP) Affectees of District Swabi Gravely Affected by Conversion and Diversion of Indus Water to Ghazi Barotha, Special Initiative Programme for District Nowshera, development activities in militancy hit areas of KoheDaman, District Peshawar, Establishment of Performance Management and Reforms Unit in Chief Secretary Office.

Only approved project in the Relief and Rehabilitation sector was Establishment of Emergency Rescue Services (Rescue 1122) in District Chitral.In the Excise and Taxation sector, the only approved project was computerization of Property Tax Record.In the Local Government sector, the only project that was approved was construction of sewerage system of GT Road of Municipal Corporation Peshawar.

In the water sector, the approved projects were construction of flood protection works/irrigation channels and bridges on water channels and drainage system in Tehsil Havelian District Abbottabad, Construction of Canal patrol and Approach road to Thanda Dam District Kohat, Construction of Flood Protection Works and Improvement of Civil Channels in Takhti Nasrati, Warana, Latamber and Chokara Areas, District Karak, Construction of Flood Protection Works and bridges on Nullahs and Khawars District Nowshera, Improvement and Rehabilitation of Drains including Outfall Structures in Peshawar/Nowshera Valley, Construction of Flood Protection Works and Improvement of Civil Channels in Sabir Abad, Banda Dawood Shah and Karak City Areas, District Karak, Improvement of Jeo Sheikh Canal and its off taking civil Kathas District Peshawar, Construction/Extension of JAMSHORO: Professors and students of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Panyala Protection Bund alongwith Bridge.—APP Sciences participating in cleanliness campaign.

High-level committee to probe BKU attack

PESHAWAR: KP Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan presiding over Apex Committee meeting at Governor’s House on Friday.

P ESHAWA R —The Apex Committee that met under the Chairmanship of Goveror Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan here Friday decided to form a high level probe committee led by Commissioner Peshawar division to investigate security arrangements made on the day of deadly terrorists attack on Bacha Khan University in which about 22 people were killed and dozens other injured.

The Committee will identity elements responsible for negligence in security of the university and was directed to submit its report within five days. This decision was taken during an extra ordinary meeting of the Apex Committee held here at Governor House in the wake of Bacha Khan University attack.

Chief Minister KP Pervez Khattak, Corps Commander Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman, Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan, IGP Nasir Khan Durrani and Additioanl Chief Secretary FATA Aslam Kamboh and Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs, Acting Inspector General Frontier Corps KP Brigadior Qasier Ali, Commandant Frontier Constablary Laiqat Khan and other

senior officers attended.

The Committee reviewed the development and progress made in the investigation of terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University. The Committee was told that on credible information, effective action had been taken against the gang and facilitators involved in the horrific attack.

The political and military leadership on this occasion reiterated their strong commitment and firm resolve to bring the killers of innocent children and citizens to justice and they would be dealt with iron hands.

They said the terrorists have challenged honour of the nation by attacking innocent students in Bacha Khan University and would not be spared.

The meeting also reviewed progress on National Action Plan (NAP) besides law and order situation in KP and Fata.

The Committee decided to review protective measures put in placed for all educational institutes of the province and action would be taken against those, who did not take mandatory security measures for safety of their schools. The Committee stressed the need for effective measures for solution of problems related to border

management for countering the menace of terrorism.

The Committee said proposals regarding capacity of Police and Frontier Constabulary and implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) were being sent to the Federal Government and expressed the hope that Federal Government would take cogent actions in matters related to the Federation. The Committee said that cooperation of people in the fight against terrorism on interior front was extremely important to foil the nefarious designs of terrorism and urged people to contact on Emergency Number 1125 in case of seeing any suspected activities and elements in their surroundings and areas.

The members of the Committee offered Dua and special prayers for eternal peace of the martyrs of Bacha Khan University and Karakhano market attacks. Earlier the Governor welcomed the participants of the meeting. The Governor said the nation was stand with victims families in their hours of need and their sacrifices would not go waste. He said the facilators of terrorists would also be brought to justice—APP

ERRA notices slowpace projects ISLAMABAD—Following the government directives to complete the projects speedily, Earthquake Reconstruction, Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA), has started projects reappraisal to take stern actions against the contractors responsible for slow progress of the projects.

The ERRA high official in a meeting with contractors and NESPAK noted that most of the projects were inline with set targets, however, in certain projects progress was found to be slow in terms of the contract.

The meeting decided to take stern action against such contractors. In the meeting Director General (Planning) Engineer Tahir Pervaiz, Projector Directors ERRA, NESPAK officials and contractors representatives also presented their views to expedite the pace of work.

Eight contractors performance was assessed which was found to be worse and meeting decided to terminate their contracts as they had failed to come up with projected timelines despite repeated warning notices. The meeting firmly warned ineffi-

cient contractors to mend their attitude of slow progress.

It was noted that those contractors who are lethargic and displaying snail pace working would not be tolerated as they were causing enormous loss to the national exchequer. In was also decided in the meeting that the reappraisal of the projects would be carried out on regular basis.

The Acting Deputy Chairman ERRA Brig Abu Bakr Amin Bajwa has specially assigned the task to Director General Monitoring

Whole nation supporting army in terror war: Minister ABDUL KHALIQ QURESHI ABBOTTABAD—Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Minister for Revenue, Ali Amin Gandapur has said that the whole country is completely supporting the armed forces to launch operation against such elements.

Addressing a function held under the auspices of Youth League at Mansehra, he condemned the attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda and sympathised with the martyred legal heirs.

He said Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) is a name of a practical concept and youth are its real power.

Beside, MPA, Wajeehuzzam Khan, MPA Nurgas Bibi, Provincial Youth President, Fayyaz Sajjad, Chief Organ-izer Babar Saleem

Khan Swati, District President, Man-zoor Hussain Niazi, Divisional President, Nasir Khan Lughmani, Former MPA, Shahzada Gastasap Khan and Zar Gul Khan were present on the occasion and addressed the gathering. Ali Amin Gandapur thanked those who arranged such a high level function.

He stressed the youth to spread the vision of PTI chief Imran Khan to every corner of the country. He said the PTI chief has fulfilled all his commitments made with people during the election campaign. The minister assured Youth League that their all prob-lems would be resolved on priority.

He said that Hassanabdal to Mansehra road construction is in the notice of KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak.

and Evaluation Wing ERRA in this regard The meeting expressed satisfaction that ERRA has completed 9,974 projects out of more than 14,000 projects of infrastructure, health, education, sanitation etc worth billions of rupees in AJK and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In the said meeting ERRA progress of different sectors projects was appreciated in Education, health, infrastructure. The meeting stressed the need to ensure quality work and remove impediments, which caused delay in the con going.—APP

Dense fog to persist ISLAMABAD—The Meteorological department Friday forecast mainly cold and dry weather with dense foggy

condition over most plain areas of the country during next 24 hours. Continental air is also prevailing over most parts of the country. According to the official of Met office Zamir Abbas, mainly cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country.—APP

FDA awards certificates, tool kits to TDPs

AIOU introduces new model of school opening

Junior officer posted on higher cadre

NASIB SHAH SHINWARI

ISLAMABAD—Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has intro-

OUR CORRESPONDENT

K HYBER A GENCY —FATA Development Authority (FDA) awarded training completion certificates and tool kits to Bara TDPs during a ceremony at Sheikh Zayed Islamic Center, University of Peshawar, the other day.

Directorate of Projects, FATA Secretariat and FDA organized a vocational and skill development training with the collaboration of United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for FATA Temporary Displaced Persons (TDPs).

A ceremony in this regard was held at Sheikh Zayed Islamic Center of University of Peshawar where the officials of FDA awarded certificates and tool kits to some 260 trainees who had successfully completed the vocational training at different units of National Logistic Cell, Rawalpindi, under the skills development program of Community Resilience Unit of FATA Secretariat (CRU).

duced a new model of open schooling especially for dropout girl students, who could not continue their study due to social or financial constraints. The pilot project of open schooling has successfully been started in cooperation with Plan international at Chakwal, Vehari and Tehsil Sajawal (Thatta District).

The course contents of a community based model of same locality students and teachers were developed in regional language, said a press release. A certificate distribution ceremony of the project titled ‘building skills for life was held at Sajawal, the other day. The AIOU had set no formal centre at 12 Union Councils that were run by 24 part-time teachers of the respective area, with 656 middle level female students. Total 571 students appeared in the exam, out them 429 were declared successful.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Shahid Siddiqui distributed certificates to the successful students. The middle level course was conducted in the Sindhi language. The AIOU took the lead preparing entire course for class sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth in the local language that facilitated the female students to get them educated. Dr Siddiqui said it was pilot project and now it could be adopted by the local governments and private institutions to educate the dropout students.

He said the qualified students have been enrolled for the multilevel that could pave the way of their respectable and productive role in the society. Some of students have gone to formal schools. It was matter of great pride that the largest number of female population is beneficiary of the AIOU’s education. They are 57 percent of their total enrolment, he added. According to Dr. Tanzeela Nabeel, head of the project, the University will continue such female no formal education programs to fight illiteracy in the country’s less developed regions.—APP

A B B O T TA B A D —Appointment of a junior officer on the post of Deputy Director has created unrest among the senior officers in Forest Department and it has also been alleged that the officer serving in grade 17 has been posted with additional charge of grade 19 seat in Directorate of Institutional & Human Resources Development & Management ( I & HRD & M) as Director.

The affected officers have appealed to the Chief Secretary of KP with complete facts and sheets containing the orders of his promotion and appointments and alleged that rules and regulations were not followed.

It has been stated that the officer had been given favour on the behest of one of senior most officials in KP bureaucracy and in one and half years time, the alleged officer has been given charge of the post of grade 19.

Statistics about seminaries being collected STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —State Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control, Muhammad Baligh ur Rehman Friday informed the Senate that information regarding seminaries were being collected and the process was underway successfully. Replying to a point of order, the minister said that these infor-

mation were being collected under National Action Plan (NAP) which had helped decreased frequency of terror acts.

He said in fact there were some undue information regarding domestic matter in the registration forms but now it had been rectified in consultation with Wafaqul Madaris and Itehad-eTanzimate Madaris. He said,

earlier information were collected through different channels which caused overlapping but now the system had been improved by establishing a focal institution in this regard.

He said that all Madaris were cooperating with regard to their registration and the matter were going ahead in a smooth manner. To another point of order of

Daud Khan Achakzai, he said, eight contractual employees in NADRA Balochistan were appeared in test but they could not qualify, adding that now rules had been relaxed for them due to backwardness of the area and they would again appear in the test and after getting 25 percent marks in written test they would be hired.

It is Afghan soil but mastermind is India

MEDIA WATCH

Responses in an age of megacrises

T

HERE were already clues but Thursday’s developments made it ab solutely clear that like APS, the terror attack on Bacha Khan Univer sity too was planned and handled from Afghan soil. On the basis of solid evidence, Army Chief General Raheel Sharif telephone Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and chief of US military mission in Afghanistan General John Campbell sharing intelligence on the incident and urging them to take action against those involved in the heinous crime.

Though fuller details of the investigations have not been made public for understandable reasons but generally it is believed that such dastardly attacks are carried out by terrorists who fled from FATA due to operation Zarb-e-Azb and have taken refuge and shelter in neighbouring regions of Afghanistan. But it is beyond imagination that these elements would persist with their designs without logistic support, training, financing and arming. There is substantial evidence to suggest that India is grossly interfering in the affairs of Pakistan misusing Afghan soil. It has more than required consulates in that country and also has a sizeable presence in the garb of contractors, consultants and trainers. All this is known to our civilian and military leadership but it is perhaps because of some sort of expediency that the Army Chief fell short of mentioning the name of India, which has developed an elaborate network in that country. In fact, the US-led West has also been making attempts to carve out a role for India in Afghanistan despite strong opposition by Pakistan. Western powers have been instrumental in creating favourable environment for India to establish its economic and military foothold in Afghanistan to the disadvantage of Pakistan. In fact, Pakistan finds itself as sandwiched especially when there are some internal forces in Afghanistan as well that are inimical to Pakistan and its interests. There is also the issue of porous border that remains almost unmanned and un-regulated. Thousands of people cross Durand Line daily from both sides and until and unless steps are taken to regulate border crossing, the two countries would remain vulnerable to security threats from elements playing in the hands of the enemy. The two countries must sit together to evolve a foolproof mechanism for border management as part of the measures to curb the menace of terrorism.

Khattak for raising terror issue at world level I

T is because of the crude interference from Kabul and New Delhi that now there is universal demand in Pakistan that the issue of RAW-sponsored terrorism should be taken up both with our eastern and western neighbours. The demand also comes from those who were previously very cautious in mentioning the names of either India or Afghanistan in relations to vicious cycle of terrorism and lawlessness in the country.

The remarks of KPK Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak made during his visit to terrorist-hit campus of Bacha Khan University in Charsadda on Thursday reflected the growing concern in Pakistan about Indian involvement in the affairs of Pakistan. He called upon Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to raise the issue of terrorism with India and Afghanistan in plain words and should urge them to take steps to check infiltration of terrorists into Pakistan. As Chief Minister of the Province which is bearing the brunt of terrorism and also has a leading role in the war against terror, his remarks carry weight as these must be based on solid information and intelligence. His remarks become all the more meaningful if seen in the backdrop of policy statement of President Obama in his last ‘State of the Union’ address claiming that Pakistan and some other Muslim countries would remain destabilized for decades. These are not casual remarks by a politician but come from the President of the super power who must have solid information to say so. We, therefore, strongly endorse views and demand of Mr. Khattack as Pakistan has gone to the fullest possible extent in eliminating the menace of terrorism. It has incurred huge losses in men and materials and Pakistan Army, police, security agencies and other law-enforcing agencies are engaged in every conceivable manner in the campaign against terrorism. Pakistan is fighting a war for the sake of its own security and that of the region and the entire world but it is regrettable that the world is not taking due notice of the deliberate attempts being made by India and also the Afghan intelligence agency to counter Pakistani successes in this war. Pakistan alone cannot fight this war any more if the world is not ready to help cut the hidden hand that compounds the situation.

Take a decision on tattering PSM also T

HOUGH the opposition parties tried to take political mileage out of the critical issue of future of PIA by shouting and opposing the bill that seeks to convert PIA into a limited company, the treasury benches in the National Assembly succeeded in clearing the way for its passage. The bill would obviously face difficulties in the upper House where opposition has numerical edge and has already adopted a resolution rejecting the Ordinance that the President had promulgated for the purpose.

We, however, believe that there must not be politics over a national issue and especially when the Government has given clear cut assurances that there would be no privatization and no employee would be affected. Instead, the Government argues the bill is aimed at giving autonomy to PIA to make decisions on fast track basis without involvement of lethargic bureaucracy. There is no harm in undertaking measures that could attract a strategic partner who could effectively run the national flag carrier. We would suggest that the Government should also pay similar attention to the tattering Pakistan Steel Mills, which, according to latest information, is forcing the government to inject staggering seven crore rupees a day to keep it afloat. It is regrettable that instead of reforming this vital institution, successive governments added to its problems and today it is groaning under the clutches of all kinds of mafia that are misusing its resources. Either Sindh Government should take it over or a consensus should be developed to carry out comprehensive reforms to turn it into a profitable venture.

HURMAT GROUP OF PUBLICATIONS Zahid Malik President & Editor-in-Chief Ph: 051-2256006 Faisal Zahid Malik Gauhar Zahid Malik Editor Ph: 021-35308445

Executive Editor Ph: 051-2853818

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

Lahore

Karachi

Khalid Butt

Faisal Zahid Malik Editor Ph: 021-35308446-49 Fax: 021-35308447 Email: obskhi@pakobserver.net

Resident Editor Ph: 042-36306666, 36303333 Marketing Ph: 042-37424089 Fax: 042-36300043 Email: obslhr@pakobserver.net

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

Sadia Zahid Malik Editor Weekly Magazine

Ph: 2852027-8, Ext: 116 Email: magazinesocialdiary@hotmail.com

T

Another attempt to regulate ISI machinations of alien agencies and their propaganda; it could frustrate the designs of the Blackwater or CIA who were to get information Mohammad Jamil trying about Pakistan’s nuclear Email: mjamil1938@hotmail.com assets. Had it not chased out the agents who had been travelling in every FTER short and long hia part of the country including sensitive tuses, the issue of controlling areas, they would have caused enoror, what they say, taming the mous damage to Pakistan. However, ISI is tossed around by some short- the ISI regularly briefed the elected sighted elements, who do not realise government and Parliament about its that the ISI is the eyes and ears of the threat perceptions to internal and exarmed forces. Because of its strate- ternal security of Pakistan.

On July 26 2008, the government gic location and being an atomic power, Pakistan is in rivaling eyes of through a notification by the cabinet some regional and also big powers. division had placed the Inter-Services Therefore, its political paradigm is in- Intelligence (ISI) and the Intelligence tensely influenced by foreign intelli- Bureau (IB) under the direct control gence agencies, international media of the interior division. The notificaand even by governments of many tion was issued the day then prime foreign countries. Reportedly, CIA, minister Yousuf Raza Gillani had left RAW and MOSSAD have developed Islamabad for Washington. It read: “In contacts in our state organs vis-à-vis terms of Rule 3(3) of the Rules of politics, economy, media and bureau- Business of 1973, the prime minister cracy. Some politicians give irrespon- has approved the placement of the Insible statements in the media and are telligence Bureau and the Inter-Sersoft on enemies and so-called friends vices Intelligence under the adminisjust to earn goodwill of their foreign trative, financial and operational conmasters. They do not seem to be trol of the Interior Division with imaware as to how much damage they mediate effect.” The order was reversed within a few hours when the are causing to their own country.

Under these circumstances, ISI prime minister felt a foul play, and has to keep an eye on the activities of according to some due to resistance those having connections with hos- by the military top brass. Surprisingly, tile countries and their intelligence the Kerry-Lugar Bill had revisited the agencies. At this point in time when same issue by expanding the scope Pakistan is confronting challenges to from just the ISI to the entire military its internal and external security, no services of Pakistan.

The Kerry-Lugar bill had sought one should raise issues like taming the ISI or that it should give details an American oversight for the process of its policy and functioning to the and made it a condition for an uninParliamentary committee, which can terrupted flow of US aid to Pakistan. be detrimental to the national inter- The bill said: “An assessment of the est. ISI has indeed countered the extent to which the government of

News & Views

A

Pakistan exercises effective civilian control of the military will be carried out regularly.” The bill proceeded to demand an effective “civilian control” of the promotion of senior military leaders, military budgets, the chain of command and strategic guidance and planning. The intentions of the US and the West are too well known, and they have been trying to make military and intelligence agencies ineffective. At the time when former President Pervez Musharraf visited England in 2007, the BBC had aired a report, and among other things there was a suggestion in the report that ISI be dismantled to blunt Armed Forces’ edge.

The Committee of the Whole Senate (the entire membership of the House sitting as a committee) has asked the government to adopt a bill relating to the functions, powers and regulation of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). If it is not done, the leaders of all the parliamentary parties will move it in the Upper House of parliament as a private members’ legislation.

The 19-page bill aimed at making the premier intelligence agency fully answerable to parliament and the government, which was moved by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Farhatullah Babar in the Senate way back in July 2012, but was later withdrawn. The draft bill of the PPP Senator was a replica of the draft law formulated in the past for the civilian intelligence agency, Intelligence Bureau (IB). However political analysts had said neither the IB’s legislative bill could make headway nor it was expected in the case of the ISI. The bill had suggested that the ISI should be answerable to parliament and the prime minister, and recommended internal accountability and a better discipline system within the organisation to put an end to ‘enforced

disappearances and victimisation of political parties’. In fact, the ISI is already under the Prime Minister, and whenever required the DG ISI briefs the Parliament also. The proposed bill envisages an Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament comprising nine members drawn from both Houses with none of whom being a minister or minister of state to examine matters relating to expenditure, administration and policy of the agency. For some time, the Parliament is trying to be assertive, and Parliamentarians consider Parliament as supreme. But this is not true, as only the Constitution is supreme, which delineates the duties, powers and responsibilities of the Parliament, Executive and Judiciary.

If the lawmakers expect from the ISI and other intelligence agencies to give parliamentary committee the details of their operational plans, and sensitive and confidential information, it is just not possible. Throughout the world including the US, details of security plans and sensitive information is not given to the Senate or House committees. However, if some specific information is required, it is given during in-camera briefing. It is pertinent to mention that when US Navy Seals attacked Abbottabad compound and killed Osama bin Laden, only President Barack Obama, a couple of closet aides and military top brass knew it.

They did not discuss that matter with the Congress or House committees, because highly sensitive matters are never discussed. In Pakistan, our lawmakers feel that the ISI has nothing else to do except formation of alliances to topple elected governments, which is figment of their imagination.

—The writer is a senior journalist based in Lahore.

Union budget crucial for Modi from alchohol, while a vegetarian diet was de riguer in Geopolitical offices, again in notes from India government deference to the culinary tastes of the abstemious Mahatma, who though born in M D Nalapat a business caste, had a visible disregard for personal Email: mgnalapat@gmail.com wealth to the extent that it caused some discomfort to family members.

Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to ITHIN a month, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will his family was in contrast to that of present the 2015-16 his friend Motilal Nehru, who lavished Union Budget, his third since taking resources and attention on his son over the post on May 26,2014. The Jawaharlal and constantly lobbied the first two budgets have been widely Mahatma until the younger Nehru was seen as following the same track as imposed on the Congress Party as its its predecessors, and certainly did chief despite Vallabhai Patel having little to unleash the “animal spirits” much greater support among the cadre. of corporate India, which continues In contrast, Mahatma Gandhi refused to hoard cash reserves rather than to accept money from friends so as make fresh investments in the coun- to give a good education to his chiltry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dren. one of whom ended up on the made his name in politics due to the streets of cities across northern India efficient way in which he ensured the begging for alms, ignored by his fadevelopment of the state. People ther 2016 is going to be a crucial year from across the country saw for for Modi, for unless he revives the themselves the relative absence of economy and ensures a flood of new corruption and a prompt delivery of jobs, the political fortunes of the BJP government services. Electricity are likely to remain bleak.

The party was almost annihilated flowed 24/7 rather than in fits and starts as in neighbouring in the Delhi assembly elections and Maharashtra, a richer state in taxa- reduced to a rump in the Bihar assemtion terms thanks to Mumbai being bly months later, despite strenous efforts being made to ensure that politiwithin its boundaries .

Schemes were introduced to en- cians from Bihar played an outsize role sure that even the poor got access to in the Union Cabinet and even in the private health facilities, while roads central government. Again following were well-maintained. Of course, the the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, for Information Technology industry did the first time since 1965,a conscious not flock to the state in the profusion effort was made by the central govwith which it did Bangalore in ernment to downgrade the use of EnKarnataka, to an extent because of glish in governance and replace it with Chief Minister Modi remaining true Hindi, and to slow down the growth to Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand of English-language schools and colGandhi’s doctrine of prohibition of leges, the way Pakistan in the 1970s liquor. Night clubs were absent. gave primacy to Urdu over English, Those living in the state were ex- which has ensured that the internapected to go to bed early and abstain tional link language is not spoken in

W

the country in the manner in which it would have had it been encouraged.

Pakistan followed the example of Sri Lanka, where in the 1950s,the use of English (and Tamil) was discouraged and Sinhala promoted. However, energetically favouring Hindi across the board does not seem to have helped the BJP in Bihar.

The central government has been gifted a cushion approaching $ 70 billion because of the crash of oil prices.

Unlike in the US, where the price of oil at the pump is not even double that of a barrel of crude oil, in India the retail price for petrol is close to ten times the price of crude, almost all the increase being accounted for by taxation. Crude oil prices have crashed but petrol prices at the pump have been lowered only slightly, even though a much bigger reduction would have had an immediate effect on bringing down inflation. Because Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan is fixated on US textbooks, he regards high interest rates as being price deflators, when common sense would show that such a measure adds to costs and therefore to prices.

Similarly, the Union Finance Ministry continually raises taxes in various forms, including a recent cess to “make India clean”, something that does not seem to be taking place at any great speed. Of course, it must be said that the ministry is refreshingly straighforward. In its “Mid-year Economic Analysis 2015-16”, it admits that there is “uncertainty” about the accuracy of GDP date, and that there are often “mixed signals” (page 6). On pages 6,7,8 and 9,the analysis goes into considerable detail about why it regards important measures of economic health to be flawed. It is hard to believe that any other country has a Finance Minister as brutally frank about its statistics and its conclusions as India, as most put a gloss over the truth

rather than reveal it openly to investors across the world.

For those of average intellect, such as this columnist, it is difficult to understand parts of the analysis.

For example, on page 5 it speaks of “steady recovery” but in the very next page, admits that this economic year is “difficult to understand”. While the analysis claims that “gold imports have stabilised”, it neglects to mention that this took place because gold prices during that period were unusually volatile and that in recent weeks, gold imports have once again risen sharply. Hopefully,those who prepared the analysis with such honesty will ensure that India gets the low tax and gentle compliance regime needed to entice tens of millions into the direct tax net.

The system of high rates of taxation (especially for those in the services sector, who are being taxed twice over, and who consequently have seen the sector slow down considerably) has not worked, and it was a disappointment to many that first two budgets of the Modi government were so similar to its predecessors. Across the country, taxpayers present and future are hoping that Prime Minister Modi will not outsource the crafting of the 2015-16 Union Budget to anybody else, but will take control of the process so that innovative measures and substantial relief for the middle class will be provided. Sensible economic policies take nearly three years to strongly reveal their benefits, so this budget is crucial for Prime Minister Modi, who needs to show strong growth in 2019 in order to win a second term of office.

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

HE world has responded with billions of dollars in humanitarian aid to the multiplying emergencies around the world, but the need has far outstripped that generosity. The fact is, as the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, puts it, we are living in “the age of the megacrises.” Wars and natural disasters have pushed 125 million people worldwide from their homes and severed them from their traditional livelihoods.

To provide these people with the barest means of survival requires $40 billion a year. Though humanitarian funding reached $24.5 billion in 2014, more than 12 times the $2 billion raised in 2000, that still left a shortfall of nearly $15 billion. The current system, based on responding to catastrophes as they happen and on the outdated notion that each crisis will be limited in scope and in time, clearly isn’t working. On Sunday, the United Nations released a report detailing ambitious plans to overhaul global humanitarian financing. The report recommends a multipronged approach: more concerted effort to end conflicts and prepare for natural disasters, increasing funds by imposing small taxes of a few cents on the sale of high-volume goods and services, tapping into Islamic finance mechanisms in the Muslim world and enlisting the expertise of global businesses. The report’s recommendations will be discussed at the first-ever World Humanitarian Summit, to be held in Istanbul in May. The members of the panel that worked on the report failed to reach consensus on some of the particulars, including microtaxes on transactions. But there is precedent for that strategy: A small tax on airfare raised $2 billion between 2006 and 2011, largely for immunisation programmes worldwide. The panel has reached out to FIFA, the soccer governing body, for a humanitarian tax added to ticket purchases. Another possibility is placing small, voluntary fees on taxi rides, through Uber and other taxi apps. At the summit in Istanbul, governments and organisations should strive for consensus around the main proposals of the United Nations report. As the refugee crisis in Europe drives home, the fallout from a calamity in one region can trigger crises in others. Fixing financing for humanitarian aid is urgent in the interest of global stability.

— The New York Times

*****

Police or politician?

W

E are flabbergasted by the comments made by officer-in-charge of Hatibandha Police Station, of a decidedly political nature, at two consecutive programmes at which 1100 former BNP and JP activists formally joined the Awami League at Gaddimiri union. The OC welcomed the former activists to party and commented that they took the right step in joining the AL. We wonder, is the OC, as a civil servant and law enforcer, the right person to “welcome” anyone to the AL? This sort of blatant partisanship on the part of law enforcers highlights the extent of politicisation of public institutions and reinforces the public perception that law enforcers serve the narrow interests of the party in power, rather than that of the people. The AL should not feel elated in any way by the OC’s remarks. It must remember that this same OC might become as blatantly anti-AL as he is anti-BNP now, if and when the wind changes. It is unfortunate that successive governments have turned the police, in particular, into a partisan tool. Rather than discourage partisan behaviour, we are disturbed to see the ruling party allowing law enforcers to act as party spokespersons, thereby putting the professional neutrality of the force into question. The politicisation of the police reflects poorly on democratic governance, and should be stopped.

— The Daily Star (Bangladesh)

If you want people to think well of you, do not speak well of yourself.

— Blaise Pascal French philosopher

Afghan peace talks The next round of talks are being planned in Islamabad on February 6, 2016.

Amna Ejaz Rafi Since the withdrawal of Email:amna.e.rafi@gmail.com the US led coalition from Afghanistan, the Taliban have intensified attacks, and the HE recently held Afghan Afghan security forces are encounterpeace talks, in which senior ing Taliban fighters. Prime Minister’s officials from the Afghan gov- Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz ernment, Pakistan, China and the US said: “the primary goal should be to participated called for restoration of convince the Taliban to come to the peace talks between the Afghan gov- negotiating table and give up vioernment and the Taliban. Whether, the lence”. Pakistan has always supported talks would yield positive result or the peace efforts for a stable Afghanilike the past would fail and would fur- stan. Pakistan’s tribal belt, located in ther antagonize the Taliban, is yet to close proximity with Afghanistan has be seen. However, the willingness on been the worst sufferer during the part of the Afghan government for wars in Afghanistan. The hostile peace in Afghanistan coupled with forces opposed to Pakistan had emthe interest of neighbouring as well ployed the wars for furtherance of as major players in the talks leaves their nefarious agenda. This has also hope for optimism. spearheaded insinuations of mistrust Afghan Deputy Foreign Minis- between the two neighbours. ter Hekmat Karzai, Pakistan Foreign China’s growing interest in AfSecretary Aziz Ahmad Chaudhry, the ghanistan (as well as the region) is US Special Representative for Af- likely to have a stabilising impact. ghanistan and Pakistan Richard China shares a border with AfghaniOlson, the US Defence Representa- stan, and is concerned about the rise tive in Pakistan General Anthony of militancy in the country. The exRock, and China’s Special Envoy on tremist elements in Afghanistan could Afghanistan affairs Deng Xijun at- impact the Western Xinjiang province. tended the meetings. There was no China has expressed the willingness representation from the Taliban side. to coordinate with all the stakeholders

T

and help restart the peace talks.As stated

by Hong Lei, Spokesperson China’s Foreign Ministry: “China supports the Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation process, and stands ready to play a constructive role to that end”.

China is also the leading foreign investor in Afghanistan. Chinese investment in Afghanistan include US $ 3 billion in the East (Aynak copper mine located in Logar province), and about US $ 700 million in the North (oil and gas exploration located in the Sar-e-Pol and Faryab provinces of Northern Afghanistan). Moreover, Afghanistan holds significance for China, in the backdrop of Chinese led “Silk Road Economic Belt”. Thus, Afghanistan is a priority in China’s neighbourhood diplomacy. An insecure Afghanistan could be an impediment to China’s economic vision. Over the years, China has assisted Afghanistan in building of infrastructural projects, and had contributed towards the social development of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has seen war for decades. After 12 years of war, terrorism had not been eradicated. Instead, the Afghan turmoil had ramified the region. A militancy-plagued Afghanistan could be a threat for the region’s stability. The neighbouring as well as regional countries could jointly ad-

dress the Afghan issue. It is hoped that the peace building efforts of the regional and global actors will be a sigh of relief, would lay the foundation of peace/stability and bring an end to the decades old armed conflict. In line with the prevailing geoeconomic outlook, a cooperative regional approach is required (and the blame game should stop).

Through developmental projects, the economically weak Afghanistan could be empowered. A stable and economically vibrant Afghanistan could be an ‘Asian transit’, connecting Central Asia to South Asia and East Asia to West Asia.

Regional pipelines, in particular TAPI (Turkmenistan-AfghanistanPakistan-India) could be materialised. On the other hand, if the regional states fail to cooperate over the Afghan peace process; continue to tow their respective stands and exploit the Afghan vulnerabilities to their advantage, all the peace efforts would go in vain. This would also embolden the evil elements of terrorism and extremism, which in turn, would be devastating for the entire region.

— The writer is Researcher, Islamabad Policy Research Institute.

Biodversity at stake Zulqarnain Sewag Email:dcjhang@yahoo.com

C

LIMATE is actually the pattern of variations in temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, atmospheric pressure and meteorological differences of a particular region with an interval of thirty years.

The climatic system is so affected by the global warming that a single incident on one nook is immediately altering the lives of other corner. The thirty years pattern developed by World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is practically no more in practice and needs to be revisited as year proceeded is totally different from the year preceded.

The British ministry of climate change has predicted that the year 2016 will be the warmest year and the temperature will possibly remain above 1.1 Celsius. Out of total world surface, around 33 percent is arid and semiarid whereas rest is water. Since 1990, the seas’ level is risen up to 15 cm.

And since 1980, more than ten times greater part of ice than the size of Britain is melted. From last 110 years, more than nine thousand gaga ton ice of the Green Land is melted. Annually, it is melting with the speed of

more than 186 gaga ton since 2003.

Algal biomass has declined around 40 percent since 1950 due to oceanic warming. The ecosystem is disturbed.

Many species have been wiped out and countless are on verge of extinction.

Climate is shaping and bending all the novel developments in the world.

The intensified carbon dioxide concentration and other heat trapping gasses in the atmosphere have warmed the earth. Rising of seas, protracted floods, hasty melting of snow and ice, extreme heat strokes, fires, droughts and heavy rainfalls are not on their own but due to humans’ besieging of the nature.

During 2015, more than ten million acres of forests have been burnt due to wildfire only in USA. Survival of all the things is tied with the climate.

The saddest view is that all the naïve and peace loving creatures will also bear the brunt of humans’ inhuman activities. Change in the usual practices of rain and temperature has altered the blooming of plants, ripping of fruits and reaping of crops. Severe typhoons and hurricanes are imminent.

After the industrial revolution, the nuclearisation is proved a stab in the back of the nature. The incumbent century is actually a transition from bad to worst. Its end will be totally different from its start. From the United Nations Framework Convention on

Climate Change which was incepted in 1992 till 2015 Paris Climate Change Conference COP21, all such conferences are none more than an international tea parties. Montreal protocol has failed to discourage the production and consumption of ozone depleting chemicals. Just ten countries are collectively emitting more 70 percent of the total carbon dioxide but the whole world is paying its cost. What a grave injustice as it is the development on the cost of other countries’ underdevelopment! Under Paris agreement, the attendants have decided to maintain world temperature up to 2.7 Celsius till 2100 but it is only possible if the agreed plan is fully acted upon. If the present policies are continued, the temperature will rise to 3.6 Celsius till 2100 and if no measures are taken then it will averagely rise to 4.5 Celsius.

Precipitation (drizzle, rain, sleet, graupel, snow or hail) occurs when a portion of atmosphere is saturated with water vapour has now totally deviated from its previous pattern. We are facing sudden rainfalls and untimely hailstorms. But it is to remember that Precipitation is very fundamental. Neither the water cycle is completed nor the fresh water is deposited without it. The problem is that politics around the globe rests on the corporates’ money.

It is reined how they pull it. The stock

market value of coal, oil and gas companies is more than $5 trillion whereas the value of renewable energy is just $300 billion. This is a huge gap. Unfortunately, hardly anyone is sincerely calculating climate risks. Winter has become fully short in the South Asian region.

Presently, Pakistan is witnessing the shortest winter of its history.

Biodiversity is at stake. Food and fashion are abruptly changing affecting the markets and incomes. India which is currently producing 5 GW of electricity via solar energy has planned to increase it to 100 GW by 2022. China, US etc are also augmenting it. But what if the sun also becomes cold and the oceanic tides shape as uncontrollable? Well, if this surge is continued swiftly, keeping in view and balancing the demands of fatly growing population and gluttony corporates, the dependence on coal, oil and gas will be reduced. If this is achieved, this will be good shift toward clean energy, clean environment and clean world. Pakistan is very passively moving toward renewable energy due to its incompetent govt. None of policy maker and implementer in it is concerned and cautious about the climate change.

—The writer is freelance journalist based in Islamabad.

View From Abroad

TTP attack kills hope for talks David A Andelman

T

HE vicious, IS-style attack by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on the Bacha Khan University, Charsadda has suddenly laid bare one of the nasty, unsung undercurrents of America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, barely 25 miles to the west. Quite simply, the United States has no path to an exit. Those forces of evil with whom we had been hoping to negotiate pale by comparison with their even nastier Taliban cousins further back behind the mountains of the rugged Hindu Kush.

For years, America held firm to the hope that we had found elements of the Taliban with whom we could negotiate. But that has been exposed as the ultimate pipe dream. Perhaps they do indeed exist. But they don’t count for much when it comes to a search for peace, or at least an end to war, in that part of the world. It’s increasingly clear that the Taliban is not going to facilitate any graceful US

exit. It had been a long-standing diplomatic tenet that Pakistan, through its Inter-Services Intelligence spy agency, had close ties with the Taliban. The regime in Islamabad saw that as a critical counterweight to the US-backed government in Kabul, which in turn maintained close ties to India. India and Pakistan, each with formidable nuclear arsenals, have viewed each other as mortal enemies.

The theory went that if we could get the Pakistanis on the side of peace and coerce their Taliban friends to the bargaining table, the combined weight of the world could persuade the Taliban to stand down.

Now all these ideas have been smashed to smithereens by a series of attacks on Pakistan by at least some elements of the Taliban. Born in Afghanistan, but hosted for years in the mountainous terrain of Pakistan’s North West Frontier province, many Taliban leaders and their followers now want nothing short of imposing a harsh sharia law on the entire nation of Pakistan.

Little more than a week before

the campus attack that left at least 21 dead, diplomats from Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the United States met in Islamabad to discuss how best to revive talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

Such a revival hardly appears likely at this point.

Moreover, for the moment, the Taliban writ large has the upper hand on both sides of the Afghan-Pakistan frontier. Last month, a dozen Taliban fighters killed dozens of adults and children outside the airfield in Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second largest city. There has been a string of similar terror attacks, many aimed at showing that even in the less hospitable rainy season, the Taliban is still a potent force.

America still has a major stake in all of this. First, there is growing evidence that the so-called Islamic State (IS) terrorist group has taken root in some scattered stretches of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province bordering Pakistan. That could be a game-changer. IS is even more ferocious than the Taliban, and it’s more

attractive to any number of Afghan warriors — particularly if the Taliban is seen to be negotiating with the officials of their great foe, the United States. Moreover, the last time the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, its leaders gave carte blanche to alQaeda and Osama bin Laden, who planned the 9/11 attacks from the territory controlled by the Taliban.

So what is the United States to do? We have little choice but to wait it out. Our forces must stay in some numbers on the ground for quite an indefinite future. There must also be at least the perception of a unified American position rather than a deeply divided United States slogging through a bitter political campaign for another year. The risk, otherwise, is another debacle along the lines of what happened when US forces bolted from Iraq. Remember how that vacuum was filled by IS. The writer is editor emeritus of World Policy Journal and author of A Shattered Peace: Versailles 1919 and the Price We Pay Today.

— Courtesy: USA Today

Home improvements..!

I

N the good ole days, getting your house renovated meant a team of painters having a go at your walls, messing up the air for ten days with old chunna dust and finally leaving after painting window, glass, staircase landing, flooring and door handle, all of which were never part of the contract.

Today its’ different: Since I’ve done nothing for my flat from the time I’ve bought it and still feel there’s nothing I have to do, I was unpleasantly surprised to find a so

called interior designer at my doorstep. “You look very like the carpenter who did the downstairs flat three years ago,” I said.

“I am the same man,” said the former carpenter, proudly pulling out a card and handing it to me, “We all finally become interior designers. I can make your flat into a Tajmahal.”

“I don’t much care living in the Taj,” I said. “Then what would you like your flat to look like?” “A home,” I said wearily. “A modern home,” he pushed.

“What’s the difference?” I asked. “Neighbours envy, owners pride,” he said winking at me. “You mean you’ll make my flat better than the one you did downstairs?” I asked. “Sahib was stingy,” he said,

“sahib spent only ten lakhs.” “And how much will I have to spend to make sahib envious?” I whispered.

“Give or take five lakhs,” he said.

“Is it generally give or is it take?” I asked sarcastically. “You give I take,” he smiled.

“What do you suggest I do?” I asked unwillingly. “First you will have to find accommodation,” he said. “But I live here,” I protested.

“Not during the year we work here,” he said, “no kit- kit from the owner when we are working.”

“One year?” I asked. “Give or take a few months!” “What will you do in a year?” I asked. “First we will pull down all the walls.” “The building will fall down,” I said.

“You will have to insure our

men,” said the former carpenter.

“After that we will remove the flooring, the kitchen, the bathrooms..” “What’s wrong with all of them?” I asked. “I don’t know,” said the interior designer, a little confused, “but everybody does that.”

“But why should I?” I asked.

“Then how will you spend fifteen lakhs?” asked the still confused former carpenter. “Why should I spend so much?” I asked. “So that you can tell your neighbours,” said the man. “We will help you little bit; we will tell everybody; twenty lakhs..” “Did my neighbour really spend ten?” I asked. “Give or take a few..!” said the carpenter as I slammed the door shut on his face.

—Email: bobsbanter@gmail.com

Voice of the People Technology addiction SHABBIR AHMAD

I

was travelling in train and there were about ten people in the surrounding seats. There was one thing common in all of my fellow passengers, i.e. they were oblivious to their surroundings; they didn’t even know who is sitting beside them. I think most of you know, why? Yes, they were busy on their electronic gadgets - smartphones, iPads, and notebooks. The love story of today’s generation with their gadgets doesn’t end here. It goes along wherever they go. Whether we are sitting in a classroom, eating in a restaurant, jogging in a park or watching a movie in a theatre, we see people physically and mentally connected to their smartphones around us. Our technology addiction has made us virtually available at any time, at any place - the movies, the golf course, traffic lights, you name any. Most of us even stop mid-bite to see an incoming message or an update on our mobile phones. These gadgets have become an integral part of our lives. We cannot even think of a single day without having a smartphone, or a laptop. But one wonders how people were living their lives before the emergence of these inventions.

Were their lives incomplete or below standard without electronic gadgets? Although computer was invented quite a long time ago but the invention of internet has reshaped its utility. It has changed the dynamics of the world. Moreover, the introduction of social media has given a new dimension to our lives. It became very popular throughout the world in no time. Billions of people use social networking. It enables people to communicate with each other conveniently. People in different parts of the world can easily contact each other and even share pictures and videos. But the aim of using social networks like Facebook has gradually changed over the years and communication among individuals is no longer its primary purpose. But as they say, excess of everything is bad. We are now more weird than ever. We cannot even afford to leave our phone unattended for a few minutes. We often see people charging and using their mobile phones at a time, sitting there for hours. It seems they are tethered there. Researchers from University of Glasgow found that 50%of the study participants reported checking their email once an hour, while some individuals check up to 30 to 40 times an hour. But frequency of checking Facebook and twitter updates is even higher. It can be regarded as an epidemic of the modern world. It’s a compulsion, like an itch you have to scratch.

—Via email

Theft of official vehicles’ fuel HASHIM ABRO It is a known fact that a lot of fuel / POL purchased for official vehicles is pilferaged and stolen, more or less, in all public sector organizations both at Federal and Provincial level. To steal fuel, including petrol, drivers and sometimes transport section people join the corrupt lot because these corrupt officers of all scales, always try to grease their palm. This narrative, while mostly correct, is oversimplified. Many young officers/ officials cut their teeth in the fuel theft. Over the time, evidence surfaces that they also become actively involved in this dirty practice.

For example, if 20 liters is put in official vehicle’s tank, the other 20 liters is collected in a canister / container for private vehicle or they manage to get cash money from the specified filling station’s workers, who also become a part and parcel of this fishy deal. Every months millions of rupees rather billions of rupees loss as per one rough estimate is caused to the national exchequer by these official vehicle’s fuel thieves both officers and officials in the public sector organizations. A few body-corporates or autonomous organizations or those organization which are being run without Employees Services Rules, having not the stated rules, give officers ‘more access to fuel thieving and fake fuel bills.’

At present official vehicles fuel theft is a species of organized crime and those in power and authority and people at the helm of affairs in different organizations are fully aware that the problem exists, but they are least bothered and take no interest or show sincerity to eradicate this menace. I don’t know any Federal or Provincial secretary of any ministry/division/ provincial department or Chainman or Managing Director or Director General of any organizations has ever taken real action in this connection. Who cares in this country which is not being run like a country where there is rule of law but unfortunately being run like Gallu Shah’s Mandi where “loot and plunder” becomes the order of the day?

— Islamabad

Relationship is supreme SHABINA ATIF While walking at night, alone, listening to the creaking sound made by my treading feet on dry leaves, I usually think about the burning issues of our life and nation. Sometimes, I smile all by myself when I think how emotional fools we are!

We mourn for so many days on Pakistan’s defeat in a cricket match!

At other times, I feel sad that we don’t raise our voices when a girl is raped; a daughter is kidnapped; and then I say to myself “We need to reframe our minds!” But there is a point where even I get confused and that is “relationship”.

Is it worth-while having a relationship? Do we really need to bind ourselves in the strong shackles of relationship? How can we define this word? If this word refers to the so called ‘strong bond’ of marriage then why are so many marriages being annulled? I have seen and heard ladies complaining about their relationships with their husbands but they have to carry on with this burden of relationship. Why is it so?

Why is a daughter always advised by her parents never to leave her husband’s house even if he tortures her; torments her? Living in this male chauvinistic society means that only they are ‘the chosen ones”.

Sometimes, even a primiparous lady has to bear another woman as her husband’s second wife. What a cur man can be at times! Relationships

are there to support one another; feel the warmth of one another. If this is not happening, then what’s the point of going on! Be vocal ladies! I know you might be thinking that I may be a feminist but this is not so! Ok, to some extent, yes, but honestly, is this not happening in our society? Are girls not becoming a victim of pain inflicted by their husbands?

Sometimes, mental torture and sometimes physical! Why is it that if a husband has an affair, the society says, “So what!’ ‘O, it’s ok! He will be careful next time.” No black scars remain on him. On contrary, if a wife or a girl by chance, falls in love or starts liking someone else, she will be hanged to death in the name of religion! Why? Is religion applicable only for men? No, not at all! It is our thinking that has exploited our religion!

Men take all the leverages and believe it’s their born right. I am against this kind of society where you hear the frightening screams of a helpless lady; where men roam freely to do everything! Our Lord has made daughters blessings for us and look what society has made of us!! When I use the word society, I mean a large number of people excluding a few. I guess it is a wakening call for all of us. If you want to have a relationship then respect your other half; love her; make her feel comfortable. Similarly, if you girls!

Want to have a relationship, try to fulfil the expectations of your other half. This is how good societies are formed and I believe this is high time we know that!

—Via email

Street crimes in Karachi SAAD SOHAIL I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities through your newspaper towards the street crimes increase in Karachi. Street crimes have unfortunately become a regular feature of the Karachi city.

This rise has been observed within a few months, but now it has gone to the alarming proportions, particularly after the role of Rangers was controversialised in Karachi.

The facts and figures show that armed robberies, assaults and muggings have become a common feature. There are many reasons behind these activities which are increasing day by day. Concerned authorities are requested to take effective steps to control street crimes and increase the effectiveness of Rangers to make Karachi, the city of lights once again.

—Karachi

Deforestation mars plantation NAVEED A QURESHI Nowadays, the government of KPK is celebrating the mark of 115 million trees planted in less than two years. No doubt it is a great achievement for combating environmental challenges and climate change by KPK government which took initiative for this important and life essential issue. But it does not consider enough to manufacture something, the real triumph comes when you make sure protection and sustainability of any commodity that you have produced or brought into existence.

Likewise mere plantation of trees was not a success in broader aspect but protection of this drive as well as existence of forests was real celebration which KPK government could not attain. On one side, the KPK government celebrates the tree plantation but on the other side deprivation from precious asset of forests and deforestation by timber mafia are very astonished. Timber Mafia diffusion and griping in KPK

is higher than Daesh in the world.

In Thandiani and its suburbs, especially in Javeian Dawansar, timber mafia blatantly deforests the area and deprive the said areas from this precious natural asset at day time; but after some strict monitoring by concerned officials, now these gangsters do their practice of deforestation overnight and then smuggle intensively costlier timber via Kashmir to other parts of the country and earn huge money.

This is alarming situation for KPK government which one side raise the slogan of maximum tree plantation and on the other hand these mafias fortify their roots and make the country roots feeble, under some local leaders’ patronization. A couple of days ago in my excursion trip, I visited Javeian Dawansar forest and there I saw that two, three groups were cutting forest with generator saw at dusk time. I asked them why they are doing so they replied that cutting forest is their right because this jungle is their sole asset but some officials are now interrupting them deliberately so to avoid this situation now they do their work mostly at night time or then in wee hours.

They also argued that they have no means for livelihood, so in this costlier era of price hikes, they have no alternative but to cut these trees and sell them to support their families. This all is happing when ruling government in KPK is celebrating to achieve 115 million trees plantation but to convert this celebration into reality KPK government highly needs to protect precious and natural reserves at war footing basis.

— Islamabad

Another black day SYED NAJAF RAZA I wonder if this is my land. What’s happening around? Our house is burning and we are unaware. This is not a holy war. This is not God’s will. This is not the teachings of any religion. This is not a Jihad. This is terrorism. A group of militants stormed at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, killing at least 30 people and leaving dozens injured. The attackers entered the rear compound of the university by climbing over walls and shooting at a security guard before they made their way to the administration building and the male students’ dormitories.

The gunmen entered the university at about 9.30am (4.30am GMT), apparently using the cover of thick morning fog, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and residential blocks. A gun battle ensued between the attackers and Pakistan security forces, with television footage showing soldiers entering the campus as ambulances lined up outside the main gate and anxious parents consoled each other.

The assault came 14 months after gunmen affiliated with the Pakistani militant group Tehreek-e-Taliban attacked Army Public School in Peshawar, killing 132 children. Since then, Pakistan has killed and arrested hundreds of suspected militants under a counter-terrorism plan enacted in the wake of the massacre. This is not a Jihad; this is terrorism.

—Karachi

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

—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

Kashmir standstill on Jan 26 to show resistance to India

Peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue stressed

SRINAGAR—Legislator Engi- who claimed to be the leader

S RINAGAR —Jammu and

neer Rasheed Friday saved some Bhartiya Janata Party activists from the wrath of the common people when these activists tried to confront Rasheed for delivering a speech against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Eyewitnesses told media that Rasheed along with his supporters staged a silent protest against the killing of a civilian Parvez Ahmed Guroo outside Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the district. Carrying anti-Modi banners the protesters castigated Indian Government for unleashing a reign of terror across Kashmir Valley. Witnesses added Rasheed delivered an anti-Modi, anti RSS and anti-BJP speech. “A man along with his few supporters

Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chief Yasin Malik on Friday called for a complete shutdown on 26 January.

In a statement issued here today, Malik said that “the re-

public day of a nation that has snatched the freedom of a poor nation, can never be a day of joy for the oppressed people.”

“India has subjected people of Jammu Kashmir to worst kind of oppression and torture from many decades. This is a glaring example of its unwillingness to honor freedom and human rights of people. People of Kashmir will observe a complete shutdown on 26th January,” said Malik in the statement.

He said that India celebrates its republic day on 26th January every year and calls itself the biggest democracy of the world. “... but this is the nation that has snatched the democratic right of Kashmiris by its military might and is continuously denying Kashmiris this right.”—GK

Teen goes missing in Kupwara

BAGHDAD—The Specialized Committee on Political and Foreign Affairs of the Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Conference has called for finding a peaceful settlement to Kashmir issue in accordance with

Party Syed Salim Gilani who is presently in Jammu on a politi-

S RINAGAR —Islamic State (IS) group has for what it called as “exploiting the issue of cal trip met several delegations from different walks of life.

Caliphate to their region occupied by cowworshipping Hindus”, a media report said Friday.

Quoting from the 13th issue of the group’s propaganda magazine, Deccan Herald wrote: “It (Kashmir) had once been under the authority of the Muslims, along with the regions surrounding it.

Afterwards, the secularist ... cow-worshipping Hindus and atheist Chinese conquered other nearby regions, as is the case in parts of Kashmir and Turkistan,” said ‘emir of Khorasan’, Hafiz Saeed Khan.

To a question if the Islamic state was capable of expanding to Kashmir, “to fight the cow-worshiping Hindus and the apostate factions such as Lashkar-e-Taiba”, he answered: “There are specific arrangements in those regions and the Muslims will soon hear pleasant news about the caliphate’s expansion to those lands.”

Khan also took a jibe at Pakistan army

Kashmir for their personal interest”.

“When the preservation of their interests (Pakistan Army’s) is required, they ceasefire, withdraw, and retreat, the intelligence agencies left the people of Kashmir in the middle of the road and in the worst of situations.

“The degree of Pakistani interests always fluctuates back and forth, doing so especially in the last years, until the people of Kashmir hit a roadblock and there was no one to save them from the quagmire into which they were thrown.

“Because of this, many of the people of Kashmir and the soldiers of the factions left and made hijrah to wilayat khurasan,” Khan said.

He claimed that “apostate” factions and agents such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, do not have control over any territory in the regions of Kashmir as they followed the “tug and pull” of Pakistani army.

“There’s a big opportunity … to establish the religion of Allah there (Kashmir) and for the Islamic State to expand to it,” he added in the interview to the magazine.—GK

Research suggests that rumours serve as a window into people’s uncertainties and anxieties.

DR MUDASIR FIRDOSI

T

ternational human rights groups and humanitarian organizations to visit Jammu and Kashmir. It expressed concern over continued violations of the working boundary by the Indian security forces.—KW

JAMMU—Senior Hurriyat leader and Chairman National Peoples

claimed that people in Kashmir will soon

family said today.

The family members of Mudasir Ahmad Peerzada of Muqam-i-Shahwali, Kupwara told GNS that they have no information about his whereabouts. “Yesterday, he left his home early in the morning but didn’t return in the evening,” said his father Abdul Rashid Peerzada.—GK

UN resolutions. A resolution adopted by the committee in Baghdad supported Pakistan’s efforts in resolving the long outstanding dispute.

The resolution also called upon India to allow in-

Will reclaim Kashmir Unsolved Kashmir Pakistan, India from ‘cow-worshipping causes confrontation: Gilani Hindus’: IS

KUPWARA, IHK—A 17-year- hear “pleasant news about the expansion of old youth is missing from his home in frontier district of Kupwara since January 21, his

Pro-Modi activists thrashed for confronting lawmaker

HE recent rumour of child deaths due to polio vaccination created a situation of fear, anxi ety and anger in entire Kashmir. It got so bad at the end that thousands of parents with their little ones ran from pillar to post for reassurance and in the process some miscreants victimised the doctors and damaged hospital properties. Let me make it clear that there was no death because of the polio vaccine. In fact, India including Jammu Kashmir is polio free because of the said vaccine.

Rumours are not new to mankind and have played an important role, positive or negative, throughout history and are known to peak during conflict, disasters and epidemics. Rumours have been described as public communications that are infused with private hypotheses about how the world works, or more specifically, ways of making sense to help us cope with our anxieties and uncertainties. Sometimes rumours can be the only source of entertainment when boredom peaks due to conflict situation and other sources of leisure are banned or prohibited. The prohibition can be due to cultural or religious reasons or simply enforced due to the prevailing situation.

A lot of work has been done on rumour and rumour control during World Wars and other conflict situations. It is thought that rumours influence the morale of people and can threaten national interest at times. Various theories and laws about rumours have been formulated.

As per the ‘basic law of rumour’, the rumour strength will vary with the importance of the subject to the individual concerned times the ambiguity of the evidence pertaining to the topic at hand.

People came up with criticism of this ‘basic law’ suggesting that the factor of importance is hard to define and it does not take the emotional context of rumour into account.

A modified theory of rumour mongering was proposed which suggested rumours as an attempt to deal

During the meeting Salim Gilani apprised them about the consequences of lingering Kashmir issue.

Gilani said the main reason of confrontation between the two nuclear countries, Indian and Pakistan was only the Kashmir issue, therefore responsibility lies upon Indian leadership to take tangible steps for resolving Kashmir issue by involving the other two stake holders to the dispute in any of the talks i.e Pakistan and People of Kashmir. He said the issue was not only the basic reason of instability in whole South Asia but was concerned with the precious lives of lakhs of people.

He said either by tripartite talks or implementation of United Nation resolutions the Kashmir issue can be resolved taking the aspirations and emotions of people on board.

Paying glowing tributes to the martyrs of Gaw Kadal, Kupwara, Handwara massacre on their martyrdom anniversaries, Salim Gilani said it is imperative upon the people of Kashmir to show commitment and steadfastness towards the movement in order to realize the mission of the martyrs.

Strongly condemning the terror attack on the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, in the Northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, Salim Gilani said such incident is a clear example of inhuman practice of terror which is not allowed in Islam anyway.

Playing glowing tributes to the martyred youth Shariq Ahmad Bhat and a civilian Parvaiz Ahmad Guroo of Pulwama in a gunfight with government forces in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the Mirwaiz said the sacrifices of the martyrs for the just cause of Kashmir was the biggest asset of the ongoing resistance movement.—Email

Dal Khalsa supports Hurriyat call for Jan 26 boycott SRINAGAR—A Sikh organization on Friday supported the Hurriyat (G) call to boycott January 26 functions in Jammu and Kashmir.

While calling for a shutdown on the day, Geelani-led Hurriyat has appealed parents, teachers and common man to stay away from function organized on the day in the state.

“Dal Khalsa also expressed its full support and solidarity with the Hurriyat Conference (G) and dissenting voices of the ‘seven sister’ states of the North East who have given the call for boycott on this day to mark their protest,” read a statement issued today.

The organization, which is planning a demonstration at Amritsar on the eve of India’s Republic Day, said the present constitution of India denies minorities their right to self-determination as recognized under International law.

It alleged that there was no let up in State’s indifferent and repressive approach towards struggling peoples. “… rather it had become more intolerant towards minorities.”

“On the eve of India’s 66th republic day, our activists would hold public protest against “wrongs and denials” of the Indian Constitution,” said Dal Khalsa leaders Dr Manjinder Singh and Kanwar

Views from Srinagar

Kashmir: The epicentre of rumours with anxieties and uncertainties by generating and passing stories and suppositions that can explain things, address anxieties, and provide a rationale for behaviour. Rumours can be ‘wish rumours’ invoking hope and ‘dread rumours’ invoking fear and disappointing consequences.

People tend to spread rumours that they believe as credible (even the most ridiculous stories), but if the anxieties are intense, rumour mongers are unlikely to ponder on the logic or plausibility of what they are trying to pass to others.

Research suggests that rumours serve as a window into people’s uncertainties and anxieties. Rumours might be projections of societal attitudes and motivations. Three categories of rumours have been suggested including pipe or dream rumours, bogies or fear rumours, and wedge-driving rumours.

Kashmir can be called the epicentre of rumours in the current age. From seeing Sheikh Abdullah’s name on leaves, children will die unless seven bowls of rice are donated to Makdoom Sahab’s (RA) shrine or seeing thousands of dead bodies floating in recent floods, are just a few examples.

What could be the reasons for the rumour epidemic in Kashmir?

Keeping in view the above discussion, it is not hard to imagine why rumours have a special place

in our society and how many times all of us, irrespective of our background, have played into rumour propagation.

Have rumours helped us to safety at times?

Thinking about the last few decades, how many

times have you run for your life, directionless not knowing why and where based on some rumour?

How many times the driver refused to go further when he was told the people are getting a beating?

Rumours often played a part in getting people together, building cohesiveness and brotherhood.

I am not trying to argue that rumours are good

of the BJP Shabir Ahmed Khan arrived on the scene and accused Rasheed of being an agent of Pakistan. The BJP activists confronted Rasheed and directed him to windup anti BJP protest. However, the people surrounding Rasheed lost cool and they thrashed the BJP activist, prompting police to intervene,” said an eyewitness adding that it was Rasheed himself who saved the BJP leader from the clutches of agitated people.

Confirming the incident, legislator Rasheed told CNS that it was his obligation to save his rival from the wrath of the people.

Meanwhile BHP media incharge for Kashmir condemned the assault on party worker and demanded a case should be registered against the legislator.—KW

or bad. But do rumours play a role in building the resilience of the society against the onslaught of disasters is another debate? It is interesting to note that death is a common theme of most rumours which speaks volumes about our fears and day to day experiences.

The never ending war like situation in Kashmir explains it all.

The valley has hardly any means of entertainment, everything which used to be done for leisure vanished with time. I remember the on street stage plays in villages when I was young, the folk tale etcetera often being played in the paddy fields during harvest season. There are no avenues of entertainment for children, no parks, sports grounds or safe spaces. Most of the open land is now fenced by barbed wire for various reasons. There are no theatres or libraries.

Important of all, it is the safety and sense of insecurity, which does not allow people to do anything but to stay indoors. The children are hardly allowed to wander free and explore and rightly so.

There is a perpetual sense of insecurity and burden on shoulders of all, be it young or old. One can simply describe the entire population of chronic

Pal Singh and alliance partner Akali Dal (Panch Pardani) leader Harpal Singh Cheema.

Dal Khalsa leaders gave a call to masses to stay away from official functions of Republic Day across the state in protest.

“While the government machinery celebrates this day, our appeal to the masses was to stay away from celebrations and reflect on the history of the dark shadow which this constitution of India has brought over to Punjab over the past 65 years,” the statement added.

They said the history of this region with the “Republic of India was a book stained with much blood and tears of Sikhs.”

“This is a constitution which permits the implementation of draconian laws like the UAP Act (1967), Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Disturbed Areas Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act. “All these legislations were used to suppress and silence legitimate political activism and detain thousands of Sikhs, Kashmris, Nagas, Assamese, Dalits and other minorities for long”. “Under these legislations security forces are given a free hand to run riot with no fear of being held accountable for their criminal actions,” they observed.—GK

dysthymia, where pleasure and joy have become an alien concept. Any expression of happiness is seen as immoral or wrong for various reasons.

Hence, we have lost the usual cultural defences over decades but have not been able to adjust to the changes that have come with time. Even faith has become a matter of abuse than contentment.

With little to do, lack of employment, and ample time on hands, what else can one do but to play the rumour game? With the advent of social media, rumours have gained a high ground and it spreads like wildfire, not in days or hours but in seconds and minutes.

In addition, one does not need to leave the safety of the home, to be on social media. Everyone, old or young has a smartphone with internet connectivity and it is the only source of entertainment for all practical reasons. It gives a sense of false security for people in the conflict zone, to login and do whatever without thinking about consequences. One often forgets that this virtual world comes with its own realities and can lead to anarchy and chaos. It also leaves a record, unlike the traditional rumours.

Take the recent rumour about the polio vaccine, started by someone either out of boredom, malice or mere ignorance. Within hours, Kashmir was in frenzy and it was hard for any parent not to worry. People flocked to hospitals, worried sick about their young ones, seeking reassurance. We all know what happened. Authorities were too late to respond to the state of emergency created by a rumour. In the process, many people lost their cool attacking doctors and ransacking hospital property.

Who is to blame here? One can say it is the first person who started the rumour, or all those who passed it on without verifying. But do we ever verify anything, be it mouth to mouth or now mobile to mobile? As a result, what happened, everyone had something to do and talk about. Did it actually matter at what cost? Lakhs of parents probably did not sleep the night watching their children anxiously.[Mudasirfirdosi @ gmail.com] —Courtesy: Rising Kashmir

Awareness seminar on influenza virus held L AHORE —An awareness

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah talking with Consul-General of Saudi Arabia in Karachi Muhammad Abdullah Daim at Saudi Consulate.

Powerful snowstorm threatens US East Coast; flights cancelled W ASHINGTON , DC—New York and other East Coast cities readied fleets of snow plows, thousands of flights were canceled or delayed and residents stocked up on groceries on Thursday ahead of a winter storm expected to dump up to 30 inches (76 cm) of snow on the region.

At least five states had declared emergencies by Thursday afternoon, as the season’s first major Atlantic Coast storm started to move over the Mid-South before barreling on an expected north and eastward course bringing up to two feet of

snow to some areas.

Blizzard warnings were out in the nation’s capital and Baltimore, with extreme conditions expected to begin on Friday afternoon, while New York City was under a blizzard watch for Saturday morning.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which includes the second-busiest U.S. subway system, said it would suspend operations from late on Friday through Sunday. The Virginia National Guard said it planned to bring in up to 300 troops to assist in response operations.

Grocery store shelves were being stripped of bread, milk and other essentials as millions of residents in the storm’s path prepared to hunker down for a wintry weekend. Consumer watchdogs warned against illegal price gouging for such essentials as generators, batteries, flashlights and hotel lodging.

Airlines began cancelling Friday and Saturday flights, with most of the 951 cancellations for Friday at Washington and North Carolina airports, according to FlightAware.com.—Agencies

CPEC not a route....

From Page 1 tiplicity of tax concessions is available along with provisions of tax exemptions to specific businesses,” he said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told the investors gathered in the Swiss town for the 46th World Economic Forum that Pakistan’s economic upturn was now being acknowledged and appreciated worldwide.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his government was committed to effectively tackling the whole range of economic, security and energy related challenges confronting Pakistan today.

He mentioned that a comprehensive National Action Plan to combat terrorism was being implemented. He said the Plan provides for a multi-pronged strategy, combining military action, law enforcement operations, choking terrorist financing and countering the extremist narrative.

He said it has led to a significant improvement in the security situation and to a peaceful and stable environment wherein businesses can grow and flourish.

The Prime Minister said his government has adopted a comprehensive agenda for real change to transform Pakistan into a favoured destination for business, trade and investment.

“The Pakistan of 2016 is a confident and safe country, open for business, trade and investment. We assure you of ease of business and healthy dividends on your investments in Pakistan,” he added.

He also informed the gathering that his government has launched ‘Vision Pakistan 2025’, at the national level, which, he added, puts people’s economic development first.

The Prime Minister also shared some of the measures that his government has taken to set the country on the trajectory of inclusive growth and job-creation.

He said these include wide-ranging economic structural reforms aimed at ensuring sound macroeconomic policies to reduce budgetary deficits, curb inflation and enhance self-reliance.

He said the government was also carrying forward a process of privatization through strategic partnerships in the stateowned enterprises.

He said through a wide range of policy measures, his government was transforming human capital into a driver for growth and development.

“Nearly 60 percent of our population is under the age of thirty, thus offering huge demographic dividends,” he said and mentioned his government’s internship programme to pay college students.

He also mentioned the loans programme for the youth to help them start small businesses and provide employment to others.

The Prime Minister said his government was committed to providing women greater access to education, economic resources, and employment opportunities, to enable them to become equal partners in economic development.

He said the development expenditure has been more than doubled in third fiscal year 2016 and special focus has been given on the social safety net expenditure to help the vulnerable population.

He said budgetary allocations for this purpose have been gradually enhanced to over 300 percent of the baseline of Fiscal Year 2013, with 50 percent increase in the cash income support and over 60 percent increase in the number of families covered under this programme.

The Prime Minister said his government has particularly focused on key areas of the energy sector, regional connectivity, and promotion of investment.

“We are taking steps to strengthen the energy sector, including through increase in power generation, use of better technol-

ogy in power distribution, controlling line losses, energy conservation, and diversifying the energy mix,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan’s three stock exchanges had been merged into Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) and pointed out that erstwhile Karachi Stock Exchange Index, which stood at 19,916 in May 2013 at the time of the General Election 2013, has now surged to over 30,000.

He said the Pakistan Stock Exchange has shown greater stability as compared to other regional markets in the recent stock market turmoil.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he believed that future prosperity and economic development was largely linked with peace and security in the region.

“Peace is vital for development and development is essential for durable peace,” he said and added “building a peaceful neighbourhood is central to the realization of Pakistan’s vision for regional peace and economic prosperity.”

“It is this philosophy that underpins our outreach efforts to our immediate neighbours,” he added.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan desires to forge cooperative relations with India, in the interest of the peoples of the two countries and of the region.

“We believe that dialogue is the only way forward to resolve the outstanding issues between our two countries, which would pave the way for fully realizing the tremendous growth potential of South Asia.”

He said Pakistan responded promptly and positively in welcoming the brief stopover by Indian Prime Minister Modi to Pakistan on 25 December.

Mentioning bilateral ties with Afghanistan, he said Pakistan was sincerely committed to peace and stability in its western neighbour, and mentioned the cohosting with Afghanistan, the fifth Ministerial Conference of the Heart of AsiaIstanbul Process with the theme “Enhanced Cooperation for Countering Security Threats and Promoting Connectivity in the Heart of Asia Region” in Islamabad.

“Pakistan is supporting various reconstruction and development projects in Afghanistan. We also wish the international community to remain engaged in supporting Afghanistan’s reconstruction and economic development.”

“We also remain committed to the full implementation of the Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement. We are willing to expand its coverage to include other Central Asian States,” he said.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Pathfinder Group and Ikram Sehgal for hosting the important event with prominent business leaders, intellectuals, academics and diplomats.

He said the Pathfinder Group has been a leader in fostering a series of informed dialogues on international issues.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif mentioned the increase in the well-head prices of oil and gas for the exploration companies and said it has led to renewed interest in exploration activities.

He said new terminals and pipelines were being laid to import natural gas for homes and industries.

The Prime Minister said his government was adding to the electricity generation capacity of the country by about 10,000 MW in the next two years.

He said active progress was underway on an additional 14,000 MW approximately beyond Fiscal Year 2018.

The Prime Minister said one of the key pillars of his government’s policy were to support and encourage greater regional integration and connectivity.

“This is where we have our biggest opportunities to reap the dividends of peace for the common good of our peoples,” he said.

He said his government has devised a policy to integrate the region through trade and economic corridors as he strongly believes that real prosperity was ‘shared’ prosperity.

“Given our geo-strategic location, we are well placed to act as the prime movers for promoting regional connectivity,” he said.

He also shared with the investors the scale and number of regional projects launched recently and said these include the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Turkmenistan- AfghanistanPakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the Central Asia-South Asia (CASA) 1000 electricity project, and the TorkhamJalalabad Road.

He said the CPEC embraces multiple infrastructure and development projects, including road infrastructure, energy generation and transmission, development of Gwadar port, up-gradation of railways infrastructure, development of industrial and commercial zones, and medium and long term planning for country’s core economic sectors.

The first phase of CPEC projects is estimated to bring in an investment of US$ 46 billion, primarily in the energy and the road and rail infrastructure sectors.

He said this mega project will serve as a “game-changer” in ushering in a new era of peace, cooperation and development in the region and beyond, as it envisages building advanced infrastructure, energy and communication networks, linking the western regions of China with Pakistan.

“I am confident that CPEC would revolutionize trade and investment in the region.”

The Prime Minister said Pakistan has already started to reap the dividends of the measures taken by his Government and said country’s GDP has grown by 4.24 % in Fiscal Year 2015, the highest in the last seven years. Inflation was at 4.6% in the same year, and in the first half of the Current Fiscal Year, was at a historic low of around 2%.

“Our per capita income has risen by 12.91% in the first two years of our Government. Budget deficit has been brought down from the projected 8.8% for Fiscal Year 2013 to 5.3% in Fiscal Year 2015, and is projected to be further brought down to 4.3% in Current Fiscal Year 2016.”

The Prime Minister said in the first two fiscal years, tax revenues have increased by over 33%, due to tax-net broadening and removal of special exemptions, while the medium term plan was to increase tax-to-GDP ratio from 8.6% in Fiscal Year 2013 to around 13% by Fiscal Year 2018.

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Friday met Professor Klaus Schwab, Chairman of the World Economic Forum here at the WEF Congress Centre.

The Prime Minister appreciated the holding of the WEF forum and the role it was playing.

Professor Schwab was born in Germany in 1938 and is Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, the international organization for public-private cooperation.

He founded the Forum in 1971. He believes that the management of a modern enterprise must serve not only shareholders but all stakeholders to achieve long-term growth and prosperity.

The Forum has been a driver for reconciliation efforts in different parts of the world, acting as a catalyst of numerous collaborations and international initiatives.— APP

clinical seminar on influenza virus/swine flu, in connection with Continuous Medical Education (CME), was held at Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital, Multan Road, Lahore, Friday .

A large number of doctors from various hospitals, directorates of social security, social security medical centers and social security dispensaries attended the seminar. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Nizami, Medical Superintendent informed about the situation of swine flu in Pakistan and preparations by the Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital Multan Road in this regard.

Dr. Amir lqbal, Chief Consultant Physician gave a lecture on swine flu and thoroughly discussed the spectrum of the disease, its signs and symptoms, diagnostic criteria as well as treatment of influenza affected patients. Dr. M. Nasir Javaid Qureshi also spoke on the occasion.

Question-answer session was also held with active participation of the participants.

The seminar furnished recommendations to carry out preventive measures by healthcare providers including awareness, prophylactic vaccination against influenza viruses, adequate provision and use of hand sanitizer, use of mask while attending the patients and provision of medicines at the hospitals for management of influenza H1N1 disease.

KSA security...

From Page 1 port any agreement that prevents Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, and that include strict and continuous inspection systems and penal provisions. President Obama confirmed to us that this is indeed the situation, and therefore we support the agreement.”

“Our concern is what Iran will do later, in terms of spending additional revenues accrued as a result of lifting some sanctions. We fear that it will use such revenues to support terrorism and create instability in the region, not to develop the country and improve the situation of the Iranian people, who are in dire need of development.”

“We also fear the nuclear deal will not deter Iran from pursuing a policy of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, supporting terrorism, arming and training extremist militants, all to expand their influence in the region. We believe that is what Iran is doing in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain and other places.” “It’s not a personal matter,” said AlJubeir. “It is related to my country and my region, and a state that is aggressive in its policies and does not mind using terrorism.”—Reuters

Afghanistan arrests....

From Page 1 for the US military and its allies.

The Taliban openly threatened to target the station after it reported allegations of summary executions, rape and kidnappings by Taliban fighters during the battle for the northern city of Kunduz last year.

During their five years in power, the Taliban banned television to stop people viewing what they derided as vulgar, immoral and anti-Islamic material. The Haqqani network technically falls under the command of the Taliban, although US officials believe they can act independently.— Agencies

GCC working ...

From Page 1 sile defense.

“We have started, and hopefully it (the result) will be announced soon,” he said in answer to questions, without elaborating.

Obama and GCC countries underscored a commitment to build the defense system at a summit in May 2015, as US moved to assuage Gulf allies’ concerns about a more powerful Iran.

A joint statement following the summit said that the GCC states were committed to developing a ballistic missile defense capability with US technical help.—Reuters

Syria opposition rules out talks before end to Russian air raids BEIRUT—The Saudi-backed Jan. 25, and would be “assess- mittee, was formed in Saudi Syrian opposition ruled out even indirect negotiations with Damascus before steps including a halt to Russian air strikes, contradicting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s insistence that talks will begin next week.

With the five-year-old Syrian war showing no signs of ending, it looks increasingly uncertain that peace talks will begin as planned on Jan. 25 in Geneva, partly because of a dispute over the composition of the opposition delegation.

Peace efforts face huge underlying challenges, among them disagreements over President Bashar al-Assad’s future and tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Russia on Friday denied a report that President Vladimir Putin had asked Assad to step down last year.

The Syrian government has said it is ready to take part in the Geneva talks on time. The office of U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura said he was still aiming “at rolling out the talks” on

ing progress over the weekend”.

Russia said the talks could be delayed until Jan. 27 or 28 because of the disagreement over who would represent the opposition.

George Sabra, a senior opposition official, said the obstacles to the talks were still there, reiterating demands for the lifting of blockades on populated areas and the release of detainees, measures set out in a Dec. 18 Security Council resolution that endorsed the peace process.

“There must be a halt to the bombardment of civilians by Russian planes, and sieges of blockaded areas must be lifted,” said Sabra, who was this week named as a senior member of the opposition delegation to any talks. “The form of the talks does not concern us, but the conditions must be appropriate for the negotiations,” he told Reuters.

Sabra’s opposition council, the High Negotiations Com-

Arabia last month. It groups Assad’s political and armed opponents, including rebel factions fighting Damascus in western Syria.

The west is the main theater of the war between rebels and Damascus, whose military position has been bolstered since September by Russian warplanes and Iranian ground forces.

Russian warplanes continued to bomb many parts of western and northern Syria on Friday, particularly Latakia province, where the government is pressing an offensive against rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.

Pro-government forces captured a dam 10 km (6 miles) from the town of Salma, seized last week in one of the most significant gains since Russia intervened. “They’ve tightened their stranglehold on (rebel) fighters in the Latakia countryside,” Observatory director Rami Abdulrahman said.—Reuters

Khursheed demands....

From Page 1 Chaudhry regretted that Khursheed Shah made such a demand despite knowing that the interior minister was unwell.

“Khursheed Shah shouldn’t give such statements. It was unfair to demand someone’s removal over his health,” he said. Chaudhry Nisar, he noted, was performing his duty responsibly and honestly.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry came under immense pressure to take action against Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Aziz after four key legal documents, asserting that the cleric was an absconder, were presented before the upper house

by Senator Farhatullah Babar.

Babar, who also sought the chair’s permission to move a privilege motion against Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for misleading the house, said Nisar incorrectly stated in Senate that the government did not move against Aziz because of a lack of evidence in the case lodged against him.

In a policy statement presented to Senate on Dec 30, 2015, on the implementation of the National Action Plan, the interior minister had also said that if anyone came up with documentary evidence against Aziz, immediate action will be taken regardless of political considerations.

The documents Babar produced included a copy of the FIR against Aziz, dated Dec 19,

2014, arrest warrants issued against him, a court order declaring Aziz an absconder, an advertisement declaring Aziz an absconder and copy of an official notification issued to cellular companies to suspend services in areas in the vicinity of the Lal Masjid to prevent dissemination of Aziz’s Friday sermons.

Maulana Aziz had publicly declared allegiance to, and sought the support of, Daesh, Babar claimed, adding that the government was “deliberately not apprehending him [Aziz] either because of fear or complicity.”

The FIR was registered on December 19, 2014 against Lal Masjid’s chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz at Aabpara Police Station upon unremitting pressure exerted from protesting civil society.

Babar said the documents, which were also available with the interior ministry, proved that Nisar’s statement in Senate on Dec 30 was not based on the truth.

He urged the Senate chairman to send the matter to the privilege committee or ask the government for a formal explanation on the contradiction between the minister’s statement and the facts highlighted by these documents.

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani then directed that these documents be handed over to Nisar, from whom he has sought a comprehensive reply on the issue.

Is Pakistan ready....

From Page 1 key role in our context.

Based on these fundamentals and lessons from our history, in order to ensure Pakistan’s take-off, it is critically important that all stakeholders, institutions and players join hands for a team effort. Political differences must not come in the way of the pursuit of national goals. Vision 2025 has been developed through elaborate and extensive consultation of all stakeholders. It has been approved with the consensus of all political parties represented in the governments of our federation, with the PML-N at the Centre and Punjab, the PTI and the Jamaat-e-Islami in KhyberPakhtunkhwa, the PPP in Sindh and the nationalist parties in Balochistan. The nation has

declared its aspirations and intent to join the league of newly emerging economies with the goal to be among the top 25 economies of the world by 2025. In order to reach this goal, we will need to achieve an annual growth rate of over seven per cent. Though this may seem daunting, with the great dividend of the CPEC in our grasp, this goal is achievable. However, to realise this dream we need to follow the rules of a successful take-off — maintaining favourable political weather, ensuring a smooth platform of consistent policies, and working together as a united, determined and focused nation.

—The writer is the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform

Pak instability....

From Page 1 express concern about an increased risk of a nuclear conflict between the two nations, the report upheld.

“Islamabad is producing fissile material, adding to related production facilities, deploying additional nuclear weapons and new types of delivery vehicles,” the report said.

In recent years, Pakistan has taken some strong measures, including strengthening of export control laws, improved personnel security and international nuclear security cooperation programmes, to bolster the security of its nuclear arsenal which has received global acclamation.

However, it said that a number of recent terrorist in-

cidents have cast doubts in the durability of the measures taken by Islamabad to ensure the safety and security of its nuclear arsenal. “Some observers fear radical takeover of the Pakistani government or diversion of material or technology by personnel within Pakistan’s nuclear complex,” it said.

The report went on to point out that New Delhi is also constantly engaged in expanding its nuclear weapons and capabilities which may jeopardise the peace and stability in the region. “Continued Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapons development could jeopardize strategic stability between the two countries,” it warned.

India and Pakistan have been arch-rivals since gaining independence from Britain in 1947 and have fought three wars against each other.

Shebab Islamists kill ‘nearly 20’ in Somalia

Migrant language tests, misspells language LONDON— Britain’s Home Office was left red-faced on Friday after unveiling new English tests for migrants — but misspelling the word “language” in its announcement. Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday launched a £20 million ($28.5 million, 26 million euro) language fund to help women, particularly Muslims, who arrive in Britain after getting married but struggle to speak English. He also said women from non-EU countries who fail to pass an English language test after two and a half years in the country could face deportation, drawing criticism from Muslim groups and opposition parties.—Agencies

Edhi deserves Nobel Prize LONDOM— Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala’s father, Ziauddin Yousufzai, has begun a campaign to urge world leaders to sign a petition to nominate social activist and philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi for the Nobel Peace Prize 2016. “Edhi has dedicated his life to helping others and his fleet of free ambulances has become a common feature of everyday life in Pakistan. “He is 88 years old and this year I would like to see his life’s work recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize,” Yousufzai said. In October 2014, Malala, then 17, became the youngest person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in promoting children’s rights.—Agencies

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy hails PM’s stance DAVOS, (Switzerl a n d ) — O s c a rwinner documentary maker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy on Friday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his statements against honour killing in Pakistan. “I just want to thank you for your recent statement saying that you are going to work against honour killings in Pakistan,” Chinoy told Prime Minister Sharif at a meeting with businessmen, held here on the sidelines of World Economic Forum. “As a Pakistani woman, I am honoured to have a Prime Minister who is working on the issue,” said Chinoy who was recently appreciated by the Prime Minister for the nomination of her film ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’. The Prime Minister had earlier stated that honour killings, the theme of the film, afflict several segments of the Pakistani society.—APP

MOGADISHU—A Somali man cries after identifying the dead body of his sister on the beach following an overnight attack on a beachfront restaurant.

44 drown as three migrant boats sink

Turkey closely watching Russian troops movements near its border

Lagarde to run for second IMF term

the border with Syria,” the government PARIS—Christine Lagarde anATHENS—Forty-four people ANKARA —Turkey is “closely watching” Rus- pecially source told AFP, asking not to be named. drowned after three refugee boats sank Friday off Greece, as German Chancellor Angela Merkel sought to press Turkey to play a bigger part in resolving Europe’s escalating migrant crisis.

Germany and Turkey have emerged as crucial players in the biggest migration crisis to rock Europe since World War II, and both Merkel and visiting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will seek to drive a hard bargain in Berlin where the two countries’ cabinets are meeting. The outcome of Friday’s talks is not only important for Merkel, who faces intense pressure at home to impose a cap on Germany’s refugee intake, but it will also have resonance across Europe where public opinion is hardening against a record asylum seeker influx. —AFP

sian troop movements in Syria near its border, a government source in Ankara said on Friday, after reports that Russian servicemen had deployed in the Syrian border town of Qamishli.

Britain-based monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had said that Russia had sent a number of engineers to Qamishli to strengthen the runway and increase the capacity of an airport just south of the town.

Russia’s reported move into Qamishli comes as Ankara and Moscow are experiencing their biggest crisis in years over the shooting down of a Russian war plane by Turkey on November 24.

Observers have said that Russia, which has for years been at loggerheads with Turkey over the Syrian conflict, may want to refit the airport as a Russian base, as happened in Hmeimim in Latakia province.

Qamishli lies just south of the Turkish border town of Nusaybin.

“I can say that Turkey is closely watching every military movement on its borders and es-

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes said in parliament on Thursday that he did not see any threat in Russia’s movements on the border.

“We are aware of Russia’s movements.

Russia’s movements in Qamishli cannot constitute a threat for Turkey, which is a member of NATO.” But the Turkish army has already reinforced security by digging trenches in the border zone, the Hurriyet daily said. Top Russian military officials, including figures from the GRU military intelligence service, had already visited Qamishli, it added. The Kremlin and Iran are the chief remaining allies of President Bashar al-Assad who Turkey wants to see ousted as the key to ending Syria’s almost five year civil war.

Turkey has repeatedly expressed alarm about Russia’s deployment of troops to Syria which Moscow says is aimed at fighting jihadists but is widely seen as buttressing the Assad regime.—AFP

SC lifts hunting ban on houbara bustard STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Supreme Court on Friday lifted a ban on the hunting of houbara bustard, a rare desert bird whose meat is prized among Arab sheikhs as an aphrodisiac.

A five-member larger bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali announced the verdict on the review petitions filed by the federal and provincial governments against the ban.

In a 4-1 majority ruling, the court lifted the ban on hunting of the endangered bird however, Justice Qazi Faez Isa wrote a dissenting note opposing the bench’s order.

The court held that there was “apparent error on the face of record” and set aside its Aug 19 judgment.

In its 16-page judgement, the top court said the “role of the judiciary is to interpret the laws and not to legislate”.

“Examination of the laws clearly

shows that permanent ban on hunting of houbara bustard is not envisaged.”

It is the provincial governments, the court said, which exercise discretionary power to classify animals as ‘protected’ or ‘game’ species. Balochistan Act, 2014 places houbara bustard both in protected and game animal categories, the court noted.

The Red List of International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) places houbara bustard in the category of “vulnerable” below “near threatened” and “least concern” categories and above “endangered”, “critically endangered”, “extinct in the wild” and“extinct” categories, the court said, adding that IUCN considers hunting primarily using falconry as a principal threat to its conservation.

“Even IUCN recognizes sustainable use of the natural resources,” the court said, maintaining that “considering the economic backwardness of the areas where

these migratory species land, it is very hard for conservation efforts to be successful without uplifting the economic well-being of those areas.”

The Wildlife Department should take steps for the consevation of all threatened animals, the court said.

A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by then chief justice Jawwad S. Khawaja had on August 19 banned hunting of the houbara bustard in a decision welcomed by wildlife campaigners and conservationists. The court also ordered the cancellation of all existing permits in this regard.

The ban had resulted from a petition that recalled that Pakistan had imposed a permanent ban on the hunting of houbara bustards under the Third Schedule of the Pakistan Wildlife Ordinance 1971, after declaring the species a protected bird. But despite the ban, licenses or permits were being issued to VIP dignitaries of Gulf states for hunting the species.

nounced Friday that she will run for a second term at the head of the International Monetary Fund, after winning strong backing from across Europe.

“Yes, I am running for a second mandate,” the former French finance minister confirmed in an interview with France 2 television.

“I’ve had the honour of receiving support since the opening of the procedure,” she said, pointing in particular to endorsements from France, Britain, Germany and China.

British finance minister George Osborne on Thursday tweeted that he was “delighted to nominate” her for a new term.

He described the 60-year-old as “an outstanding leader with (the) vision and acumen to steer (the) global economy in years ahead”.

The German finance ministry said Lagarde had proven to be a “far-sighted and successful crisis manager in difficult times”.

US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew refrained from a formal endorsement, but expressed strong approval of her performance.

“I think she has done a great job,” he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Lagarde noted that the United States customarily waits until the end of the election process before backing a candidate, but pointed to recent expressions of support from Washington.

“The words of the US Vice President (Joe Biden) the other day in his public intervention were very glowing — almost embarrassing — and the treasury secretary has said he hopes to enjoy working with me,” she told France 2.—AFP

MOGADISHU—Islamist Shebab gunmen killed around 20 people in a popular beachside restaurant in Somalia, police said Friday, as neighbouring Kenya mourned soldiers killed by the Al Qaedalinked group last week.

In the attack in Mogadishu, five gunmen detonated a bomb before storming the busy restaurant and spraying gunfire at terrified customers late on Thursday.

“They killed nearly 20 people, including women and children,” Somali police officer Mohamed Abdirahman said, describing it as a “barbaric and brutal attack against innocent civilians”.

Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke condemned the “savage” attack.

Last week the insurgents stormed a Kenyan army base at El-Adde in southwest Somalia, in the latest incident of an AU Mission in Somalia base being overrun by the group.

A Shebab statement said that more than 100 Kenyan soldiers based at the mission were killed and others captured.

Kenya has so far refused to say how many of its soldiers

were killed, injured or remain missing. Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday visited wounded soldiers recovering in hospital in the capital Nairobi and praised the “bravery and dedication” of the “fallen heroes” in an address to dignitaries and relatives of the dead and injured.

The Lido beach area in Mogadishu is full of restaurants, including upmarket establishments popular with business people and diaspora Somalis who have returned home to the city. After a huge explosion, gunmen burst into the restaurant on Thursday evening as diners were sitting down for their evening meal at the start of Somalia’s weekend.

“The fact that they have chosen this location during a weekend night shows how merciless the Shebab militants are,” Abdirahman added. “They wanted to kill more civilians — but the security forces rescued most of the people.”

The Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab claimed responsibility for the attack, in which four of their gunmen were also killed, and one captured.—AFP

Two elite force cops shot dead STAFF REPORTER P ESHAWER —Unidentified motorcyclists shot dead two cops of Khyber-Pakhtunwa (K-P) Police’s Elite Force Unit in Rashid Garhi area of Yakatot police station in the outskirts of Peshawar on Friday.

Elite Force constable Shahzeb and his colleague, Special Police Officer (SPO) Ihsanullah, were traveling on a motorcycle to work when three unidentified armed men opened fire at them.

“Shahzeb is a resident of Garhi Qamardin area of Peshawar and he reached

Rashid Garhi to take his friend Ihrasullah with him on his bike.

Both were on their way when three armed men attacked them and escaped from the scene,” said an official of Yakatot police station. “Both officials were immediately shifted to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) but died before reaching the hospital,” he added.

Earlier this month, a police rider squad on patrolling duty was attacked in Garhi Qamardin area of the provincial capital, due to which one of the policemen lost his life while another received serious injuries.

Blackout in Sindh areas due to power line break STAFF REPORTER SUKKUR—Five districts lost power supply as branches of Guddu Thermal Power Plant’s 132KV main transmission line broke, falling in the river.

More than five key towers came crashing down leading to the power cut. The transmission line leads to Sukkur and Hyderabad grid stations. Sources said that live wires collided due to strong gushes of wind.

Five districts including Ghotki, Khairpur, Sukkur and Dadu have no electricity for more than eight hours.

Reportedly, main trans-

former of Guddu Thermal Power House in Kashmore had caught fire on Thursday. Electricity was suspended to Lahore Electric Supply Company and different parts for more than six hours as transmission lines in Sheikhupura had tripped.

The outage affected number of cities including Attock, Jhelum, Multan and Faisalabad, said officials. On the other hand, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali informed the National Assembly that construction work on Dasu Dam project would be executed in the next few months. He said that the project cost is Rs 486,093.30 million.

Davos elite alarmed at prospect of nominee Trump D AVOS — ”Unbelievable”, “embarrassing” even “dangerous” are some of the words the financial elite gathered at the World Economic Forum conference in the Swiss resort of Davos have been using to describe U.S. Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump.

Although some said they still expected his campaign to founder before his party picks its nominee for the November election many said it was no longer unthinkable that he could be the Republican candidate.

Some noted that whatever the outcome, a heated campaign, which has also seen self-

proclaimed Socialist Bernie Sanders provide a tough challenge to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, could alter the U.S. political environment, giving vent to new populist anger on both sides of the political divide.

Trump’s nationalist rhetoric, particularly proposals to ban Muslims from entering the United States, tax goods made abroad and build a wall on the Mexican border, were never the sort of thing to appeal to the free trade crowd that typically gathers at events like the annual Davos economic forum.

“Clearly it is not a rhetoric that is inviting for integration,”

said Chile’s Finance Minister, Rodrigo Valdes, referring to his comments on the campaign trail.

“In Chile we have a deep view that integration of the Americas is a good thing, whether it is goods, financing and yes people. So I’d be happier with a more welcoming rhetoric.”

Among the present and former government officials in the Swiss resort was Eric Cantor, former Republican majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, now vicechairman of Moelis & Co, an investment bank. Like much of the Republican party’s establishment, he had cold words for

Trump. “He’s not serious. He’s amazing at promoting his personal brand and reflecting an underlying anger at home,” Cantor said.

“Trump Fever is an unsustainable phenomenon that will not translate into a victory for the candidate.”

But for Ray Nolte, chief investment officer of Skybridge Capital, a $13 billion hedge fund whose founder has supported other Republican candidates including Jeb Bush, such establishment pronouncements sound like wishful thinking. “Is Donald going to be the nominee? I don’t know. It’s sure looking that way now,” Nolte said. “Any-

one here (at Davos) who is in the mainstream says there is no way he could possibly get the nomination. When I hear that, it probably means it is going to happen.”

Noting the challenge to Clinton from Sanders, which he said could pull her to the left on issues like financial regulation, Nolte said institutional investors were already paying attention to the prospect of increased U.S. political volatility from the election.

Arianna Huffington, whose Huffington Post news website once insisted on covering Trump, a former reality TV star, as an entertainment figure rather than a politician,

Published by: Zahid Malik, Printed by Gauhar Zahid Malik,33-Queens Road, Lahore at Barex Printers.

said the site reversed its policy once he announced his proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States, which made him too “dangerous” to ignore.

“I feel the mainstreaming of Donald Trump, instead of him being treated as an extreme, dangerous candidate, is really the most troubling aspect of American politics right now,” she said.

“He’s being interviewed on all the main shows, and he’s being asked questions about what his first State of the Union address would be like if he wins, instead of actually being forced to answer the tough questions about his

policy, especially his policy of wanting to ban Muslims from entering the U.S., which is so dangerous, so un-American and should really be the center of the coverage of Trump.”

For Dominic Barton, global managing director for business consultancy McKinsey, Trump has turned the political campaign itself into “entertainment”, which could hurt the global image of the United States.

“It’s a bit embarrassing globally. But I think there’s a big difference between the rhetoric and the reality, and I think most people will see that and discount it.—Reuters

High-protein diets may increase risk of kidney disease

H

IGH-PROTEIN diets, such as the Dukan diet, are currently a popular al ternative to the traditional caloriecounting forms of dieting. But scientists at the University of Granada in Spain have shown through tests in rats that a high-protein diet increases the risk of kidney stones and other renal diseases. Dr. Pierre Dukan’s high-protein diet has received a boost in popularity in recent years, due to reports that the diet helped the Duchess of Cambridge get thin enough to fit into her wedding dress and allegedly restored the postpartum figure of Jennifer Lopez.

In Dukan’s native France, approximately 2 million people are believed to follow the diet. But the diet has been controversial. The British Dietary Association ranked the diet at number 1 in their annual rundown of diets to avoid in 2010, 2011 and 2012. They point out that even Dr. Dukan himself - who was banned from practicing as a GP in France in 2013 - has warned of health issues associated with the diet, including lack of energy, constipation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and bad breath.

In 2012, Medical News Today reported on a study finding that four-fifths of Dukan followers had put all their lost weight back on within 36 months. This kind of of body weight fluctuation can put dieters at increased risk of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. In the new study, the scientists fed 10 rats a diet with a 45% pro-

tein level, while a control group of another 10 rats were fed a diet of normal protein levels. The rats were placed on their respective diets for 12 weeks - the equivalent of 9 years in human terms.

Anyone on a high-protein diet should exercise regularly and make sure to eat enough fruit and vegetables. Over the 12 weeks, rats on the high-protein diet lost 10% of their body weight. But the weight of the kidneys in these rats increased by 22%, the capillaries filtering blood to the kidneys increased in size by 13%, and the collagen around the capillaries by 32%. The citrate levels in the rats’ urine was 88% lower and their urinary pH was 15% more acidic.

A low amount of citrate in the urine and swollen kidneys are risk factors for kidney stone formation. High urinary pH is also a symptom of kidney failure and kidney tubular acidosis, among other conditions. Medical News Today spoke to Dr. Virginia A. Aparicio, one of the study’s authors. Dr. Aparicio said that “when experimental designs are done in rats, despite their great physiological and metabolic similarity to humans, all results should be taken with caution.”

“Studies developed in humans have also observed very similar results in plasma and urine to what we observed in rats. However, the important thing is not to alarm the population. We just showed a less favorable renal profile, which could bring long-term renal complications in some individuals most prone to or at increased risk of renal disease.”

90 houses to be demolished at Aabpara to build flats Summery sent to PM STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani on Friday apprised that Senate that a summary has been sent to the Prime Minister for demolishing 90 houses in Aabpara to construct 1200 luxury flats for the government servants without taking single penny from the national exchequer. Responding to various supplementary questions during Question Hour, the minister said as per the policy after 50 years, the houses have to be demolished.

He said the PM has also been requested to allow the ministry for sell-

ZUBAIR QURESHI

Replying to a query, he said that the present government was focusing on improving the sociioeconomic conditions of the lot of the poor.

The Metro project was aimed at providing respectable, affordable and comfortable mode of transport to the residents of the twin cities, he added. The signal-free expressway, extension of Metro Bus Service and improvement of the infrastructure with special focus on education and health were all those initiatives which would bring about positive changes in the lifestyle of the people, he said. Good governance and stable political system is a pre-requisite for such intitiaves which has been accomplished by the present government, he said.—APP

Federal Minister for Information and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid presiding over Lok Virsa meeting. with the Museum staff and they unauthorized raises for the 43 registered in a scheme where of which are being finalized. had been registering their pro- pensioners, they were very Lok Virsa will invest over Rs. Lok Virsa’s Board itself was a test for years. The Board not concerned about the current 70 20,000,000 and put the CP fund reform in governance said the only resolved a 12-year old is- regular staff that had nothing contributions of the staff in Executive Director Dr Fouzia sue but also approved 6 other left for their pension in the fund their own separate accounts and Saeed, “The Board was formed posts including a 19-grade post for the future. Two separate so- work out a decent pension pay- after a gap of two and a half for Director Research and Pub- lutions were proposed for the ment. The former staff will years. Senator Pervaiz Rashid lications for efficient working of former staff and the current have another scheme to ensure supported constitution of an the issue. staff. The current staff will be pension payments, the details empowered board.”

Pension issue was another long standing issue where the Board came up with innovative solutions. The former senior management had given raise in pension without authorization of the Board and gave itself promotions right before retirement to fatten their share of commutation and pension.

According to the Lok Virsa spokesperson, the private pension fund created by Lok Virsa went belly up in 2014. When the current Executive Director joined the Institute in February 2015, it was Rs 6,000,000 in debt and she immediately flagged the issue.

Although the Board had allowed the pension payments on gross bases, taking away all the

Red, Blue, Green troika joins Pakistan Coalition for Resilience to establish safe, healthy communities STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—The Red Cross & Crescent, (Red Pillar), United Nations (Blue Pillar) and Government (Green Pillar) have join hands to work together for Pakistan Coalition for Resilience to establish safe, healthy, resilient and more prosperous communities in Pakistan. This was the decided at a Consultative Seminar on Pakistan Coalition for Resilience organized by Pakistan Red Crescent at National Headquarters here.

NDMA Chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz appreciated the PRC for launching Pakistan Coalition for Resilience, a step forward for building resilient communities all across Pakistan.

General Nawaz said that the NDMA in collaboration with PRC will reach the lowest level for building safe and healthier communities. He said that joint efforts by all the organizations will help develop resilient com-

the government accommodations from illegal occupants.

To a question, he said remaining infrastructure work of Officers Housing Scheme was expected to be completed by June, 2016 which would cost Rs.596 million. So far no cost escalation has occurred in said project, he said.

However, he said 15% increase or decrease was acceptable under the rules.

He said some 59.27 per cent physical work on the Kuri road project has been carried out so far. Responding to a question, the minister said that only officers of ICT police were entitled to get government accommodation in Islamabad.

BoG gives go-ahead to Lok Virsa service, financial rules

New bus service to ply from Rawat to Aabpara and link Taxila with Capital Implementation Committee and Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Hanif Abbasi Friday said the government was planning to implement Rawat to Aabpara Bus Service Project in the next phase.

He said there is also a plan to link Taxila with the Capital with a modren bus service.

Talking to APP here, he said the Peshawar Morr, Metro Project was delayed due to bad weather conditions besides delays in the implementation of the main project at the initial stage by political protests and other disturbances on the site. This part of the project would likely be completed by March 2016, he added.

House.

When he took the charge of the ministry, the housing foundation had just developed around 23,000 plots and flats. Some 35,000-40,000 kanal of land was developed, he added.

He said he has developed 65,000 Kanal of lands in just one and half years.

Regarding construction of flats by Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA), the minister said since its establishment, the PHA constructed only 5000 flats while during his tenure, over 5,000 flats have been constructed so far. To another question, Akram Durrani said he has requested the finance ministry to allow them to erect special force for vacating

Pakistan Monument contract employees to be regularized

ISLAMABAD —Contract employees of the Pakistan Monument are to be regularized while 5 new positions including grade19 and grade-16 seat will be created for the Pakistan Monument Museum. This was decided during the Lok Virsa Board meeting here under the chairmanship of Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Information.

The meeting resolved several long-standing governance issues that had been affecting the Lok Virsa performance and outreach for last many years.

The Board meeting also approved Lok Virsa’s service and financial rules. Since its establishment in 1974, the rules were never formulated.

Dr Fouzia Saeed, the current Executive Director, presented the draft paper and financial rules for the institute. The Board after thoroughly scrutinizing the paper approved them.

After the approval, Lok Virsa has now got its proper rules after a gap of 13 years.

Temporary, daily wages posts, for all the staff of the MuA rag-picker girl is trying to write something on a piece of paper. She collected it from seum was a long-standing issue garbage. Her right to education must be protected by the government.

ISLAMABAD—Chairman of the Metro Bus Project

ing 15 percent of the proposed flats in order to construct the flats. He also sought the support of House for the summary and reposed confidence in the Prime Minister that he (PM) always supported concrete and pragmatic steps.

He said the luxury flats would be allotted to the allotees in a transparent manner.

The minister said keeping in view the hardship of government employees, he requested the PM to enhance 100 percent housing rent of the employees and despite flash floods in the country, the house rent was enhanced 35 percent.

The minister also offered to present performance of the ministry before the

munities. PRC Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi on the occasion said Our way forward calls for collaboration and partnership

ground and will bring greater learning through the sharing of knowledge, experience and ideas to address common problems.

across a wide range of areas, including: first aid and preparedness training, strengthening local institutions and early warn-

amongst a wide range of likeminded actors including public authorities, the private sector, schools and universities.

The coalition will improve the flow of resources to programmes and initiatives on the

The coalition will ensure communities are able to make choices that build their resilience that fit with local needs and can draw on local resources. It will be designed to help communities and households build resilience

ing systems, pandemic preparedness and improving access to health and water and sanitation.

Focus will also be on supporting public authorities to adopt strong legal frameworks on disaster risk reduction.

PRC Secretary General Dr Rizwan Naseer on the occasion said people and communities are facing increasing risks to their health, livelihood and social well-being in Pakistan.

Even today almost 80% of the diseases are due to contaminated water and over 13 million population is chronic Hepatitis B&C carrier. Similarly millions die due to noncommunicable diseases in Pakistan and Road Traffic Accidents have become the leading cause of death and disability amongst young bread-winners resulting in huge socioeconomic impact in Pakistan.

Now Pakistan Red Crescent is in the process of identifying partners who can significantly contribute to community resilience e.g. implementing or improving community first aid and disaster preparedness activities, early warning systems, water & sanitation, community health, promoting social cohesion and anti-violence campaign etc.

Fajar Zohr Asr

06:00 01:30 04:15

Meghrab at Sunset Isha 07:15 Brothers in Islam establish regular prayers & charity

Govt land in Bakery chowk area retrieved RAWALPINDI—City District Government on Friday removed encroachments from Bakery Chowk area and retrieved acres of government land from the illegal occupation of marble shopkeepers.

During an anti-encroachment operation conducted today under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner (AC) Cantt. Dr. Sataish walls illegally constructed on government land in front of marble shops near Railways crossing Westridge in Bakery Chowk area were demolished.

Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Railway Police Ismat Ullah Junejo was also present on the occasion.

AC Cantt informed that notices were issued to the shopkeepers for the removal of the encroachments. She warned that the operation would continue without discrimination. Dr. Sataish said first phase of the operation has been completed successfully. Now, strict action in accordance with the law would be taken against encroachers and land grabbers and no one would be spared.—APP

Consumer courts available to address public issues I S L A M A B A D —Consumer courts are available to address genuine issues or grievances of the general public facing high prices on any products or daily commodities. The people facing any trouble regarding high prices on the products being charged from them by petrol pumps, departmental stores, fruit and vegetable shops, can seek help from the Consumer Courts.

Talking to APP, a member bar council, senior Advocate Javed Saleem Shorish said that city customers can register the complaints or file petition under the Consumer Rights to the courts working for removing the problems of general public. Any person who is facing problem regarding extra prices being charged on any product by chemist, departmental stores, petrol pumps or shopkeeper, can go to the Consumer Courts so that the genuine grievances of the customer could be addressed in a proper manner.—APP

Surveillance cameras, barbed wires installed at schools: Tariq ISLAMABAD—State Minister for Capital Ad- ther steps were being taken to improve law ministration and Development Division on Thursday said that so far Rs 180 million had been spent to give fool proof security to educational institutions.

Expressing his reaction over attack on Bacha Khan University Charsadda, he said Rs 180 million was spent on raising of boundary walls and installation of barbed wires, adding 90 percent work had been completed.

He said that Rs 140 million had been allocated for installation of surveillance cameras at 422 colleges and schools for security purpose. He said cameras had been installed at 413 educational institutions of the capital, said a press release. The minister said fur-

and order and security measures. Addressing the parents, he said that all state institutions were well aware of their responsibilities and assured the parents that their children were fully safe in education institutions.

He said that terrorists could not demoralize the nation by carrying out such coward terrorists attacks, adding strict action would be taken against facilitators and abettors of terrorists. He said that people of the country and armed forces were on the same page in war against terrorism. He said martyrdom of innocent students had further embolden courage and resilence of the nation to fight terror.—APP

Park Enclave II

Allotment of plots to take place next month ZUBAIR QURESHI ISLAMABAD—Capital Development Authority (CDA) has received a resounding response from the people both Pakistanis and overseas Pakistan nationals against the balloting of plots in the Park Enclave-II. As many as 700 applications has been submitted against 315 plots of Park Enclave-II, said the CDA spokesman while talking to Pakistan Observer on Friday. The plots would be allotted to the applicants through open balloting within the next few days.

During the last month, CDA had sought the applications for allotment of residential plots of Park Enclave Housing Project through balloting and people across the country after getting 1100 broachers submitted more 700 applications in the CDA for 315 plot measuring 500 yards. Initially the last date for submission of applications was fixed as January 11, 2016, however, on the interest of the public the last date was ex-

tended to January 19, 2016.

Park Enclave-II is an extension of CDA’s prime Park Enclave Housing Project, where CDA has already completed development work with in the given time frame. The contract for the development of Park Enclave which included development of road infrastructure, sewerage system, water tanks, boundary wall, main gate and other allied development activities. Through superior monitoring and effective planning the development work in the project has now been completed and process of handing over of possession would soon be started in the project. Commitment of CDA towards deliverance of services on time has increased the interest of public and compelled them for investing in the Park Enclave-II. In order to ensure transparency and to facilitate the applicants, after compiling the data, the particulars of the applicants would be uploaded on the website of CDA, so that any objection, if any, may be addressed.

Over 80,000 federal govt employees awaiting housing facility STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—Ministry of Housing and Works informed the Senate on Friday that 83,000 registered federal government employees had been awaiting to get housing facility. In written replying, the ministry said the Housing Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) was striving hard to create housing opportunities for these members and as part of such efforts, it says sector F-14 and F-15 have been allocated for housing scheme for the federal government employees.

It adds the F-14 sector Islamabad was situated on prime location in the vicinity. On the other hand, a huge backlog of about 83,000 registered Federal Government employees still

persists for provision of housing facilities at the earliest. These sectors were allocated for FG employees housing scheme after the approval and allocation of said sectors to Housing Foundation by Prime Minister in 2015.

For the acquisition of 10.629 kanals, the notification of section-4 was issued and the physical survey has not yet been done in order to determine the actual structures.

It said after the survey, the Housing Foundation will be in a position to declare legal structures. However, the satellite pictures of Sector F-14 and F-15 has been obtained in order to determine the built-up property by urban Unit Lahore and recorded the Built-up property according to GST technology and its total number is 187 till June 22, 2015.—APP

Waste management improving imperative for Pakistan I S L A M A B A D —Improving waste management is an urgent agenda in a fast-growing middle-income country like Pakistan, Lorenzo Santucci (Economic Affairs Officer, UN Escap) said on Friday. He said this while briefing participants of a workshop titled’Integrated

Resource Recovery Centre, (IRRC).

The national level dissemination workshop was organised by United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-

ESCAP), in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change.

The Pakistan’s first IRRC, located in sector G-15, is a pilot project of UN-ESCAP and UN-Habitat which enables the city to turn waste into resources through composing, recycling, and bio-digestion while also creating employment opportunities.

UN-ESCAP has been promoting the IRRC model across Asia- Pacific and it has proven an effective and affordable solution, especially in secondary cities and small towns. The pilot in sector G15 in Islamabad shows that such solutions have a great potential in Pakistan as well”.

The IRRC receives 3 tons of municipal solid waste per day from surrounding local communities and nearby vegetable markets and produces compost and biogas.

It is a pilot project that will test the feasibility of this model in Pakistan and its potential for replication to other sectors in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. In the medium term, the replication of this model to other cities of Pakistan is envisaged.

It has not only improved facilities for the collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of solid waste but has significantly contributed to the costeffective, sustainable and climate-friendly management of solid waste and highlighted the potentials of turning waste into resources.” Bella Evidente (Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat Pakistan), Joao Aleluia and Rowan Fraser (UN-ESCAP), Latif Qureshi (General Secretary, JKCHS) and Sumaira Gul (AHKMT) spoke about the efficacy of the project.—APP

Motorists asked to drive carefully during fog R AWALPINDI —City Traffic Police (CTP) has urged the motorists to drive carefully on the roads observing road safety rules and avoid unnecessary travel on motorways and highways during foggy weather.

The motorists should avoid applying sudden brakes and use headlights, parking lights or fog lights during traveling said Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Shoaib Khurram Janbaz on Friday.

He said the Education Wing of CTP is holding on ground training workshops Teachers and students of Rawalpindi Government Degree College for Women offering to spread awareness about Fateha for souls of Bacha Khan University martyrs. driving during foggy weather.

He informed that the motorists were guided on Airport Road, Mall Road, Peshawar Road and other main roads of the city to exercise more caution when driving in adverse weather conditions such as fog.

Motorists should be more attentive during the season because of an increased likelihood of traffic accidents due to fog, said the CTO. CTP has taken numerous safety measures to make travelling safe for the road users and avoid accidents.

He said, CTP is also holding workshops at schools and colleges to spread awareness among the stu- Labourers busy in construction work at Expressway in Federal Capital. dents about traffic rules and road safety.

The drivers must be aware of driving principles and drive vehicles according to the rules. They will be the best driver, only if they follow the traffic discipline, he added.—APP

Unhygienic milk sale goes unchecked RAWALPINDI—Sale of unhygienic milk is continuing unchecked in several areas of Rawalpindi which poses health hazards to the citizens.

The adulterated milk is A vendor roasting corns for school children at his roadside setup. brought from Sargodha and other areas of the province in small tankers and blue colored drums and supplied to the wholesale contractors at the stipulated points in their respective areas. In order to ensure thickness of the milk, soda, surf, cooking oil and powder of expired milk is mixed up in it and later it is freezed. Ice is also put into this milk to keep it cold and through this methodology; milk does turn sour for at least 10 days.

The citizens have demanded that the authorities concerned should take strict action against those playing with the health of the citizens and take immediate measures for curbing the sale of unhygienic milk.—APP

Gamblers held R AWALPINDI —Police have arrested two gamblers and recovered bet money amounting Rs 5530, one laptop and CDs from their possession here on Friday.

According to police spokesman, Pirwadahi police raided in the area of Awan colony and arrested the gamblers identified as Ijaz Ahmed and Idrees Shafique. A case has been registered against the accused and further investigation is underway.—APP

Residents asked to remain cautious in water use I SLAMABAD —Capital Development Authority (CDA) Friday asked the residents of the federal capital to remain cautious in use of water from January 24 to February 6.

A spokesperson of Capital Development Authority (CDA) said the water supply to Islamabad would be reduced from 12 million gallon per day (MGD) to 5 MGD due to annual repair/maintenance of the left bank canal of Khanpur dam. He said CDA’s water tanker service would be available for the residents in case of water scarcity.—APP

NATO requested to use AWACS in fight against IS B RUSSELS —NATO member states are discussing a request to use the alliance’s AWACS air surveillance aircraft in the battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (IS), an official said Friday.

Any AWACS commitment would mark a departure for the alliance which up to now has had no direct

Iraqi PM doubts three Americans were kidnapped

US aims to ‘seriously dent’ IS by end of 2016 W ASHINGTON —US Secretary of State John Kerry has said the IS group would be “very seriously” weakened in Syria and Iraq this year, as France announced that some 22,000 extremists have been killed by the US-led coalition.

Air strikes by the alliance

2014 meeting of alliance leaders.

Diplomatic sources said the request came from the United States which leads an anti-ISIS coalition of more than 60 countries, including most of NATO’s 28 member states.

NATO declined to comment on the source of the request. U.S. officials at

that includes Gulf states, France and Britain have been pounding IS positions since August 2014, with Washington claiming major gains against the extremists.

“I think that by the end of 2016, our goal of very seriously denting Daesh in Iraq and Syria role in combatting IS but is NATO were not immediand of trying to have an impact increasingly concerned by ately available to comment. on Mosul (in Iraq) and Raqqa NATO has few military the threat it poses on its (in Syria) will be achieved,” to talk to reporters. vacuum, growing more powerful milicharges denied by militia leaders.

BAGHDAD—Iraq’s prime minister has assets of its own, providing southern flank.

Kerry told reporters on the The Iraqi government doesn’t tarily than the country’s own security Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Iranian-backed expressed doubts that the three Amerithe umbrella command “We can confirm there sidelines of the World Eco“know that they (Americans) have forces.

They are some of the most efand one of the most powerful Shiite cans who went missing from a has been a request for con- structure for the 28 allies, nomic Forum in Davos, using Baghdad neighborhood last week have been kidnapped. They are missing” fective forces on the ground combat- militias operating in Iraq, has repeat- an alternative name for IS. crete support from NATO to but in the 1980s they agreed and Iraqi security forces are searching ting ISIS in Iraq, and also run security edly spoken out against the presence been kidnapped.

Haider al-Abadi says to establish an AWACS the anti-IS effort in the form “We are on track, we are in many Baghdad neighborhoods. of U.S. forces in Iraq in the fight no demands have been made for the for them, Abadi said. of NATO AWACS surveil- (Airborne Warning and doing serious damage to Daesh The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has The Iraqi government-allied mili- against ISIS. Saraya al-Salam is run three and that they were most likely lance planes,” a NATO of- Control System) unit to today,” he said. confirmed that an unspecified number tias are now officially sanctioned and by Iraq’s influential Shiite cleric taken by “criminal gangs.” Al-Abadi counter the then Soviet ficial said.

The Pentagon estimates spoke on Friday from Davos, Switzer- of Americans are missing and said it’s known as Popular Mobilization Com- Muqtada al-Sadr whose Mahdi militia that IS has lost 20-30 percent “This request is under threat. working with Iraqi authorities to lomittees. often battled with U.S. forces between land, where he is attending the World The AWACS unit comdiscussion by allies,” the ofof the total territory they were cate them. Baghdad authorities said the But many trace their roots to the 2003 and 2011.

Economic Forum. ficial said. “Any decision prises more than 20 planes caSince taking office in 2014 just in control of in Iraq and Syria, Separately, Iraqi and Western se- Americans were kidnapped from a armed groups that battled U.S. troops would be in line with the pable of monitoring activity, “suspicious apartment,” and provided after the 2003 invasion and kidnapped months after Mosul fell to ISIS, Abadi including up to 40 percent in curity officials claimed two powerprincipally in the air but also Wales summit declaration no other details.

There has been no and killed Sunnis at the height of Iraq’s has struggled to balance the growing Iraq alone. Kerry said he would ful Shiite militias - Asaib Ahl al-Haq which indicates NATO’s on the ground, within a radius sectarian bloodletting in 2006 and power of Shiite militia groups with his meet the foreign ministers of 24 and Saraya al-Salam - are the top claim of responsibility. readiness to support the bi- of some 400 kilometers to Following the dramatic collapse of 2007. In the fight against IS, human government’s dependence on the U.S.- coalition nations in Rome on suspects in the abduction.

Both offilateral efforts of allies,” the warn of threats and coordinate February 2 to discuss strategy cials spoke on condition of anonym- the Iraqi security forces in the sum- rights groups have accused them of led coalition in the fight against and possible “additional comofficial said, referring to a a response.—AFP ity because they were not authorized mer of 2014, Shiite militias filled the abuses targeting Sunni civilians - ISIS.—AP mitments”.

The US has called on allies to contribute special forces as a key part of the efforts to bolster coalition forces fighting the extremist group.

US special forces are already directly engaged in pinpointing targets and launching raids against the Islamic State group in both Syria and Iraq, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Thursday.along with CAIRO—Experts say that Chinese President Xi ties should look for it by pursuing dialogue and de- other key targets,”—Reuters Jinping’s speech at the Arab League offered devel- velopment,” Xi said. “Xi is trying to convey to the opment as “a new path” to resolve Middle East cri- Arab states the Chinese experience of resolving issues through development. ses and promote regional stability.

According to the Chinese vision, whether the “The key to overcoming difficulties is to accelerate development,” Xi said in his speech at the Arab issues are related to economic problems, education, League, stressing that turmoil in the Middle East poverty or terrorism, the only guaranteed way to stems from the lack of development, and the ulti- resolve them is through development,” said Sobhy Essila, an expert at Al-Ahram Center for Political mate solution will depend on development.

“There are ongoing attempts of polarization now and Strategic Studies.

He said that President Xi’s remarks aimed at BERLIN—Europe’s migrant criin the international arena and revival of the cold war atmosphere, but China now provides what we can applying the Chinese experience to the Arab world sis is the main issue at a meeting describe as ‘a third path’ highlighting development through initiating national development projects that in Berlin Friday of top officials as a vast environment to promote regional stabil- give people hope, dedicate their energy to construc- from Germany and Turkey. ity,” Ahmed Eliba, a researcher at the Cairo-based tion and leave no time for other negative issues such Germany saw an unprecRegional Center for Strategic Studies, told Xinhua. as disputes and terror activities. edented 1.1 million asylum Essila sees that Xi’s speech at the Arab League seekers arrive last year, many The expert said that China’s vision on the Middle East seeks peace and security through development provides “a comprehensive Chinese vision” on of them fleeing conflicts in and balanced political relations that are based on mutual Chinese-Arab cooperation and proper meth- Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. ods to resolve the Middle East issues. “Economimutual interests.

Facing growing domestic Eliba stressed the significance of the link be- cally, it was clear that Xi had specific initiatives in pressure, Chancellor Angela tween development and dialogue as integral parts mind and that China has prepared a lot of projects Merkel wants Turkey to help stop of the peacemaking process. “Xi offers an impor- to invest in the Arab states,” the expert told Xinhua.

“If Arab states believe, as China does, that the tant strategic view, just like thinking outside the box, “Our family lives a hard life. My fa- to get the Arab states out of the dark tunnels of con- economic field could strongly affect the political JERUSALEM—Fayha Shalash has been to the media continuously,” she said. and cultural ones, Arabs will be taking a good path,” Shalash added that al-Qeeq had been ther is ill. He had an open heart surgery. flicts through development,” Eliba said. living in a state of anxiety after her husThe Middle East region is suffering conflicts in he said. band Mohammed al-Qeeq began an open- arrested four times in the past, but he now He keeps saying that the arrest of The Chinese president arrived in Egypt on Palestine, Syria, Libya, Yemen and Iraq that have ended hunger strike in an Israeli jail 58 finds himself in critical condition in an Mohammed broke him,” he said.

Hunger strikes in Israeli jails are not killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced Wednesday for a state visit as the second leg of his days ago. Shalash, 29, told Anadolu intensive care unit. three-nation Middle East tour. Mahmoud Allam, “Every minute that passes, his condi- without precedent. Khader Adnan, a leader many others.

Agency that “Mohammed was arrested “I believe Xi’s strategic vision is really impor- former Egyptian ambassador to China, said Xi’s visit solely because he was a bold journalist.” tion becomes worse,” she said. “He refuses in the Islamic Jihad group, went on hunger strike for 67 days in 2012 to protest tant as it could spare the region the cost of lives and is “a strong message” that the Chinese leadership Originally from the West Bank city of to eat or to undergo medical tests.” funds and provides main points to resolve the ongo- attaches great importance to Arab-Chinese ties.

Shalash said she is appealing to human his administrative detention.

Hebron, al-Qeeq, 32, lived in Ramallah, In his speech, Xi called on all conflicting parAdnan, who was released in 2015, told ing crises,” Eliba said. where he worked for al-Majd TV, a popu- rights organizations to stand with her husIn his speech at the Cairo-based Arab ties to resort to dialogue and political settlement. band. “Israel detained Mohammed without Anadolu Agency that al-Qeeq is at risk of lar Arabic language satellite channel.

“He was known for his bold speech and charge and for no reason,” she said. “This suffering a heart attack. Israel’s policy of League, President Xi offered millions of U.S. “The international community should respect the the flow of migrants from comprotesting pen,” his wife added. As a mother detention is unfair and is against international administrative detention allows it to hold dollars in assistance to the Arab people suffer- will and role of those directly involved, the neigh- ing to Europe. She has urged other Palestinians for renewable six-month pe- ing conflicts and wars. He said that China sup- boring countries and regional organizations, instead European Union members to of two young children, family life has been and humanitarian law.” ports the Arab world to solve its problems on of imposing a solution from the outside,” Xi said. make good on their pledge of givHammam al-Qeeq, Mohammed’s riods without trial. very different since al-Qeeq’s arrest.

“Xi’s speech shows China’s keenness on achiev- ing Turkey 3 billion euros ($3.3 its own through development and dialogue, brother, told Anadolu Agency that his famOver 6,500 Palestinians are cur“We lived a quiet life as a happy family, [but] his arrest changed everything. We ily only knows about his brother’s status rently languishing in prisons through- adding that the process of dialogue might be ing security and stability in the Arab world and on billion) to improve conditions for the non-interference of foreign powers in the inter- almost 3 million refugees living now move around from one place to an- through his lawyer, and that there is no di- out Israel, according to official Pales- long but will yield most sustainable results.

“There is hope in the Middle East, and all par- ests of Arab states,” Allam said.—Xinhua tinian figures.—AA there.—AP other, participating in protests and talking rect communication between them.

Palestinian journalist suffers in Israeli prison

Xi offers development as “new path” to resolve Mideast crises

Migrant crisis tops GermanTurkey meeting agenda

Hope for peace in Afghanistan JONATHAN POWER

R

ECENTLY, the so-called Quadrilateral Coordination Group — comprising representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US — met in Kabul to hold discussions on a roadmap to peace in Afghanistan.

A former senior Taliban official said that “military confrontation is not the solution”, and that a “political solution” was needed to end the war in Afghanistan.

“The motivation for peace talks was very weak in the past,” Mohammad Hassan Haqyar said.

“But now the situation has changed and the parties seem to have a readiness for dialogue.”Speaking before the meeting, Sartaj Aziz, the foreign affairs adviser to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said that “the primary objective of the reconciliation process is to create conditions to bring the Taliban groups to the negotiation table and offer them incentives that can persuade them to move away from using violence as a tool for pursuing political goals”.

Some have compared these negotiations to those between the Vietcong and the Americans that brought a successful end to the Vietnam war. But the two situations are not comparable.

The Taliban, the ultra-fundamentalist guerrilla movement, do

not not hold a great deal of Afghanistan’s territory.

The Vietcong controlled well over half. Shortly after the peace agreement, they tore it up and captured Saigon, the capital of the South.

In Afghanistan, although US troops are being drawn down fast and now only amount to 10,000, plus a small contingent of aircraft, the Americans are relying on the Afghan army, which they have trained well, unlike the Iraqi army, which disintegrated last year before the Daesh onslaught.

Nevertheless, the army is being battered. The 352,000strong army and police last year sustained 28 per cent more losses than in 2014. A complicating factor is that Daesh has recently entered the fray, joining the once defeated Al Qaeda.

Al Qaeda was the target for the original act of war made a few days after the September 11 attack on the Twin Towers of New York. US and British jets effectively destroyed it.

Stupidly, the allies stayed on, widening their purpose far beyond the limited goal of destroying Al Qaeda that president George W. Bush had announced was the bombing’s only purpose. The Americans and their NATO allies decided that they wanted to defeat the Taliban and other hostile groups so that Afghanistan could become democratic and treat its women right.

Today, the Taliban are making ground and fight with a

ferociousness that suggests they will always be a significant force in the country. They do not have the strength to challenge Kabul and the power of the central government, but in the last year they overran military bases, district centres and security checkpoints, seizing many weapons.

They now control more territory since the time before American forces kicked them out in 2001.

They have taken most of the province of Helmand in the south. This gives them control over a large area of poppy growing. They are making money by selling opium to buy sophisticated weapons.

Nevertheless, there are reliable reports that the Taliban are splitting as a result of two antagonistic claims for the leadership following the death of their powerful leader, Mullah Omar.

What are the chances of the peace negotiations working?

Political scientist James Fearon noted that only 16 per cent of civil wars and insurgencies end through a negotiated peace settlement.

Some observers are hopeful that on this occasion, there can be a successful negotiation, given the long stalemate in the fighting. They point to the fact that there is a new leadership in Kabul. The previous president, Hamid Karzai, had an embittered relationship with the US. The second indication that things might go well is that

Pakistan, a long-time clandestine supporter (publicly it has been helping the US) of the Taliban on the grounds that it needed to secure its interests in Afghanistan and to counter Indian influence, is using its weight to make peace.

Since the attack in December that killed 132 schoolchildren in Peshawar, the government, facing outrage among most of its population, has been changing its policy towards the Taliban, although some say that parts of its intelligence service are still pro-Taliban.

There is also a fear that unless the war ends, the increasingly powerful Pakistani Taliban will cause severe problems.

How much will the Taliban concede at the peace talks? They say they will only renounce Al Qaeda once a peace deal is signed.

They will also want to participate in a new government.

They will want a Loya Jirga (a council of all parties) in which the Taliban, the government and civil society come together to amend the constitution that will legitimise the Taliban.

Most observers believe peace is a long shot. Moreover, if the Taliban had places in the government what would their demands be? They would want to sideline girls’ education and enforce the burka. It will not be easy.

—Courtesy: TJT.

ITIF Asia intl. trade fair KARACHI—Three day Ecommerce Gateway Pakistan (Pvt) Limited will organize 13th ITIF Asia 2016 International Trade Fair here at Karachi Expo Centre from January 26. It will incorporate Power and Alternative Energy Asia, Engineering Asia, Auto and Transport Asia, and Oil and Gas Asia, said press release here on Friday. This international event has been coorganized by ICC World Chambers Federation, Pakistan International Chamber of Commerce and SITE Association of Industry, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, Federal B. Area Association of Trade and Industry, North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry, Landhi Association of Trade.—APP

Mineral resources can KPCCI, FCAG support Azakhel Dry Port strengthen economy: CM P ESHAWAR —Chairman, KPCCI Standing the province and facilities were provided in SALIM AHMED L AHORE —Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said that national economy could be strengthened through benefiting from mineral resources. Shehbaz Sharif said this while presiding over a high-level meeting which reviewed the pace of the project of mineral reserves in

ment is the need of the hour and reforms are being introduced for its reorganization. The Chief Minister directed that the project regarding mineral reserves in Chiniot should be implemented speedily. German expert Dr. Jurgen Harteish gave a briefing regarding the pace of the project.

The delegation of German and British experts was led

by Michael Loos. Senior officials of Metallurgical Corpo-

KPT earns Rs 19m ISLAMABAD—Karachi Port Trust (KPT) had earned profit of Rs. 19 million during three fiscal years, according to an official document issued by the Ministry of Port and Shipping Friday. The document said that Rs. 6553,200 were earned in 2011-12, Rs. 7740,362 in 2012-13 and Rs. 477,817,2 in 2013-14 from cargo handling and ship movements by KPT. A total of 5,002 ships movements and 4.837 million container handling were recorded during the three fiscal years. The document said that during the last two and half years besides handling limited government subsidized imports of Urea, for first time at Gwadar Port started containerized export from May 2015. So far six ships had discharged 35 numbers of empty 40 feet containers and exported 25 loaded 40 feet containers carrying 675 tons of frozen fish to international market.—APP

K-Electric removes 2,000 Illegal connections Staff Reporter KARACHI—K-Electric teams have removed around 2,000 illegal connections from different parts of the city.

An official of the organization said that as part of the ongoing ‘Operation Burq’ campaign, different areas in Karachi were raided which included Orangi, Lyari, Baldia, Uthal, SITE amongst others. He said that almost 2,000 illegal connections were pulled down and confiscated from various areas whereas these illegal connections (Kunda wires) weighed over 1,200 KG. Spokesperson KE added that ‘There is a false perception being built that the power utility is only going after the small-time thieves which is wrong. “We are targeting the Kunda Mafia who persistently resort to having this illegal network and some of them have shown resistance to K-Electric’s Anti-Kunda Drives” the official said.

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairing of meeting to review pace of mineral reserves projects.

German, Britain and Chinese experts also attended the meeting.

Chiniot. Experts from Germany, Britain and China were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the meeting, he said Minerals Department should work in a professional manner and play an active role. He said that capacity building of Minerals Depart-

—Bob Beauprez

the existing dry port then these goods will be exported from it. He said that the establishment of Azakhel Dry Port was the long standing demand of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Frontier Customs Group and urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to come forward and talk to Pakistan Railways in effective manner and beside provision of facilities at Azakhel also start the clearance of Afghan Transit Trade from the same dry port and not only earn large scale revenue for Pakistan Railways, but also for the FBR. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Collector (North) Sarwat Tahira Habib appreciated the briefing of Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi regarding taking of practical steps for the establishment of dry port and problems faced by the importers and exporters. She while agreeing with his proposals said that the FBR is ready to issue notification for the establishment of the proposed Azakhel Dry Port Customs Station. She assured that FBR will play its due role in the establishment of Azkhel Dry Port.

However, she also sought the guidance and assistance of KPCCI and Frontier Customs Agents Group in this regard On this occasion, Collector Customs, Peshawar, Qurban Ali Khan proposed initiation of work on Azakhel Dry Port with immediate effect, which will provide facilities to business community in exports and imports.—APP

ration of China were also present on the occasion. Provincial Ministers Ch. Sher Ali Khan, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Secretaries of Finance, Minerals besides concerned officials attended the meeting while Chairman Planning & Development participated in the meeting through video link.

Readymade garments export grew by 3.85pc

Sohail appointed Chairman Coord FPCCI STAFF REPORTER

ISLAMABAD—The exports of readymade gar- in first half of 2015-16, it added. In first half I S L A M A B A D —President, of current financial year about 87,413 metric ments from the country during first half of current financial year (2015-16) registered an increase of 3.85 percent as compared to the corresponding period of last year. During the period from July-December, 2015, readymade garments worth US$ 1.006 billion exported as compared the exports of US$ 1.004 billion of same period of last year. During the period under review, about 15,027 thousand dozen of readymade garments were exported as compared to 15,094 thousand dozen exported during same period of last financial year, said the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

Meanwhile, towel exports from the country also registered an increase of 4.56 pc as it went up from US$ 380.823 million in JulyDecember (2014-15) to US $396.196 million

tons of towel exported as against the export of 81,112 metric tons of same period last year, the data added. However, the data reveled that textile group exports fell by 8.93 percent to US$ 6.269 billion in first half of current fiscal year as compared to the exports of US$ 6.884 billion in same period of last year. On month-on-month basis, the textile group exports increased by 8.2 percent to US$ 1.04b in December as compared to the pervious month’s (November, 2016) exports of US$ 961.455 million. During first half of current financial year, the textile group items which recorded negative growth in their exports including cotton yarn by 29.66pc, cotton cloth exports by 10.24pc and knitwear 3.05pc.—APP

KSE-100 gains 197 points AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—The stock prices certainly played a role in encouraging investors helping KSE100 Index to add 197 points closing in green after many lackluster trading session at 30949

levels here on Friday. The index could temporarily hold its trend line support for few trading sessions as oil & gas sector could give a decent bounce from current levels. The mar-

ket analysts, however, said that the bounce of the index could be limited to 31,500-31,750 areas. It may be noted that international oil prices rose by more than 4% on Thursday and is now US$3.50/bbl above 12-year lows posted earlier this week.

The market rallied along with equities, triggering short covering. In related news, while inventory data showed an increase in crude and gasoline stocks, distillates or heating oil showed a drop of 1mnbbl. Despite the rally, analysts remain bearish going forward. Meanwhile at the home front amid an overall market volume of 131 million shares PIA was top performer in terms of volume with a trade of 25 million shares to its credit while TRG Pakistan and Byco Petroleum were second and third volume leaders.

Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Abdul Rauf Alam has appointed Malik Sohail Hussain as Chairman Coordination of the Apex Chamber. His responsibilities include liaison and coordination with federal ministers, government and semi government departments, private sector, FPCCI head office and regional offices and all the chambers and trade associations.

Speaking on the occasion, President FPCCI Abdul Rauf Alam said that Malik Sohail deserves the job more than anyone else as he has proved to be an asset for UBG and FPCCI, according to a statement issued here on Friday. He hoped that Malik Sohail will express same level of dedication in discharging his duties and join hands with business community for the achievement of the objectives of FPCCI and the business community as a whole. In their separate messages, UBG’s Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik, Parton-inChief SM Muneer and others congratulated Malik Sohail on the achievement saying that the notification through which he was entrusted for the job for the sixth time is a distinction which is result of services to the business community.

ISLAMABAD: President FPCCI Abdul Rauf Alam handing over appointment letter to Chairman Coordination FPCCI Malik Sohail. Zafar Bakhtawhri, Malik Zubair, Khalid Jaweed, Tariq Sadiq and Karim Aziz were also present.

Preparations being made to start ferry STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD—All necessary preparations are being made to start Karachi-GawadarKarachi ferry service to facilitate the travellers. A comprehensive plan has been made following the directives of the Prime Minister to strengthen ports and shipping sector.

Spokesperson of Ministry of Ports and Shipping told APP that the service will boost economic and business activity in this region.

A meeting chaired by Federal Minister of Ports & Shipping Kamran Michael was already held to discuss launching of the ferry service in the region. Ferry service will be extended upto Iran to provide safe journey for religious and geneeral purposes. This would be an affordable and

comfortable service being started in the next few months, the official sources further said. To a question, the official sources said that a committee was established to ensure transparent procurement of more ships and in this regard, process of recommendation would be completed in the next few weeks. Special directives was given by the present government working under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to strengthen the Ports and Shipping sector and accelerate business activity in the area.

Following the directives of the leadership, Federal Minister of Ports and Shipping Kamran Michale had already taken initiatives to finalize the launching of ferry service in the next few months, the official sources added.

China is Pakistan’s major trading partner PBC discusses business projects with 100 Chinese investors AMANULLAH KHAN K A R A C H I —Choosing Pakistan as investment desti-

After several trillion dollars of stimulation by the Obama Administration and the Fed, one might think the economy would be chugging along at a pretty good clip.

But, it just isn’t so, and the light at the end of the tunnel is pretty dim. Just ask a small business owner.

Committee on Railways and Dry Port and Frontier Customs Agents Group (FCAG), Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi has assured all possible cooperation to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in connections with the establishment of Azakhel Dry Port. He was briefing the Chief Collector (North) Sarwat Tahira Habib during her visit to Azakhel to review the establishment of the proposed Azakhel Dry Port at Azakhel. Others who accompanied the Chief Collector were included Collector, Customs, Peshawar, Qurban Ali Khan, Additional Collector, Chief Collectorate, Islamabad, Ayesha Wani, Additional Collector Customs, Peshawar, Fazal Samad, Deputy Collector, Dry Port, Zakir Mohammad Khan, Deputy Collector, Adeem Khan, Deputy Collector, AntiSmuggling, Ali Asad, Superintendent, Dry Port, Aziz-ur-Rehman Khattak and other senior officials of Pakistan Customs. He welcomed the decision of the Collector Customs, Peshawar, Qurban Ali Khan regarding the operationalizing of Azakhel Dry Port.

However, he said that the Customs Agents will be ready for it after the provision of all kind of facilities at Azakhel Dry Port. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was bestowed with natural resources and the largest number of the industries of marble, gems, handicrafts, furniture, honey, herbs, carpet and matches are in

nation by China has altogether brought a paradigm shift about the perception of Pakistan as the world economic players have included Pakistan on their business map, said Arif Habib, a leading Industrialists and senior member of Pakistan Business Council (PBC).

Arif Habib expressed these views on the sidelines of a strategic business session with 100 Chinese investors organized by PBC here on Friday.

It is pertinent to mention that China has become Pakistan’s major trading partner with volume of trade reaching an all-time high of US$ 12.299 billion in 201415. Around 100 eminent Pakistani businesspersons were invited to this event by Ministry of Commerce and Pakistan Business Council.

Meanwhile, Bashir Ali Muhammad Chairman of the PBC, while addressing the Chinese delegation said the alliance between China and Pakistan has always been one of our strengths.

This relationship covers many different areas, including industry, economics, energy, trade and investment, to name a few.

He added “I hope we continue to not only maintain this relationship, but to enhance it further through initiatives like this event.”

It is not just about building road and railway networks or energy projects but also about a myriad of business and social activities that will create employment opportunities and lead to a higher level of growth in the country’s GDP. It will have a positive impact, not just on Pakistan-China trade but will also encompass Central Asia, the PBC Chairman expressed his confidence.

The China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC) MoU, which was signed in July 2013, is the more recent development in the economic relationship between the two countries. It is expected to be a watershed in the trade and investment relations facilitating the prospective trade and investment opportunities arising from this game-changing project that have generated a lot of interest among the Chinese and Pakistani businesses.

Pakistan Business Council hosted a session for the delegate of 100 Chinese investors today. The session included B2B (Business-to-Business) interactions with premier Karachi based businesses; the Chinese delegation was briefed about the investment oppor-

tunities and potential in various sectors of the country.

Head of Chinese delegation Ambassador Sha Zukhang who was the chief guest of the sessionbriefed the attendees about the initiative and interest of Chinese businessmen in supporting the economy of Pakistan.

He admired the efforts made towards China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through dedication of various stakeholders in both countries.

A brief presentation to the Chinese delegates and audience was made by local stakeholders including Ejaz Ali Khan the Additional Chief Secretary for Planning and Development in Sindh, Wasif Abbas the Secretary for Energy, Director General Sindh Board of Investment (SBI) Iftikhar Ali Shallwani, the Secretary for Commerce, Industries and Investment and Private sector representatives on the Thar Coal Project.

The presentations summarized the investment opportunities and potential of the local market for the delegation. As a consequence of these developments, China-Pakistan Friendship Association (CPFA) has planned to bring a 100- member delegation of prominent Chinese businesspersons representing the private sector, entrepreneurs and investors.

BOI Performance improves by 14pc STAFF REPORTER I SLAMABAD —The performance of BOI(board of investment) has increased by 14 percent, from 39 percent to 53 percent in the last two years indicating that confidence of investors in the BOI has improved. The performance of 15 Regulatory bodies including BOI were evaluated by Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) through a survey taking into account their relevance, importance and support to functioning of businesses in Pakistan, said a statement here on Friday.

The management of BOI has expressed satisfaction on this positive trend and reiterated their resolve to be more proactive and facilitative for both local and foreign investors with an objective to improve and promote investor friendly climate in the country.

Deptts directed projects to submit reports L AHORE —Provincial Minister for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha has directed officers of all departments to submit reports of development projects to the committee and also inform about projects underway with cooperation of World Bank.

According to a handout, she was presiding over a meeting at Civil Secretariat here on Friday in which Advisor on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique, Secretary and Additional Secretary Finance, Chairman Planning & Development, Additional IG Punjab and concerned officers of other departments participated. The meeting was aimed at constituting a committee for making necessary arrangements before the visit of President World Bank Dr Jim Yong Kim to Punjab.—APP

Currency

Selling

Buying

USA

104.70

UK

148.76

148.48

Euro

113.48

113.26

Canada

73.28

73.14

Switzerland

103.84

103.64

Australia

73.26

73.12

Sweden

12.22

12.19

Japan

0.8882

0.8865

Norway

11.90

11.88

Singapore

73.09

72.95

Denmark

15.21

15.18

Saudi Arabia 27.90

27.84

APAT asks FBR to impose tax on shrines, agri incomes

104.50

Hong Kong

13.42

13.39

China

15.91

15.88

Kuwait

343.56

342.90

Malaysia

24.14

24.09

Newzealand

68.34

68.21

Qatar

28.75

28.70

UAE

28.51

28.45

Kr Won

0.0869

0.0868

Thailand

2.896

2.891

LCCI felicitates Iftikhar Ali Malik for reelection as VP SAARC CCI STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has congratulated Iftikhar Ali Malik for his 5th-time reelection as Vice President SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry and hoped that he would continue to use his best abilities for the promotion of trade & Industry in the country. The LCCI President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Senior Vice President Almas Hyder and Vice President Nasir Saeed said that reelection of Iftikhar Ali Malik for 5th consecutive term is a proof of his untiring efforts for the business and industry. They said that measures taken by him as Vice President SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the promotion of regional trade speaks volume of his business acumen.

The LCCI office-bearers said that efforts of Iftikhar Ali Malik would go a long way in bringing the SAARC countries closer and enhancing trade among all the member states. The LCCI officebearers said that regional economic integration cannot be achieved without comprehensively addressing the politically instigated issues and infrastructural problems, both at country and regional level. They said that the member states of SAARC are still far from their goal of regional economic integration. It is important to build a sound foundation without which the goal of South Asian Economic Union would only remain a dream.

“Efforts should also be made to accelerate tariff liberalization program.

It is imperative to develop and forge regional cooperation in different areas, though implementation would primarily require strong will and commitment shown by all the heads of states” the LCCI office-bearers concluded.

Clarification ISLAMABAD—Apropos to some stories published in a section of press regarding Afghan SIMs, it is clarified that the information contained in these stories is incorrect and inaccurate. To address the spill over effects of mobile signals at Pak Afghan Border, PTA had approached Afghan Embassy in Pakistan through Pakistan Foreign Office in August, 2014.

PTA had proposed an MoU to be signed between two governments to resolve current and any future issues related to mobile phone towers and cross border flow of signals. However, despite several reminders, no response was received until now.

It may also be added that investigations regarding Bacha Khan University attack are underway.

It is also to mention that Afghan SIMs can call any number in Pakistan from any part of Afghanistan.

SALIM AHMED L AHORE —The All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran (APAT) asked the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) to impose tax on the income of shrines which amounted to millions annually, demanding to depute tax officials at each shrine to asses the huge income of custodians of these shrines who are also feudal lords. APAT central general secretary Naeem Mir, addressing a press conference at Lahore Press Club, also hailed the National Assembly for approving Tax Amnesty Bill with a majority, which has now become an Act. He strongly criticized the opposition parties, consisting of NAB-tainted politicians, land mafias, black money holders, Pirs and feudal lords, for opposing Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme for small traders, aimed at enhancing tax net in the country. He said it is unfortunate that Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Khurshid Shah and MQM leaders opposed the amnesty scheme but they never demanded tax on agri incomes of landlords of South Punjab and Sindh.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi earns millions of rupees through his shrine and never paid tax on this earning. All opposition parties leadership is involved in money laundering and land grabbing cases, having black money of billions of rupees. Traders have no black money, as they earn it with hard work.

Naeem Mir said that if opposition parties moved to the court the traders will also fight for the cause of increasing tax to GDP ratio. He asked the PTI leader that did he ever mention the huge income of his shrine in Multan? This is, in fact tax evasion, he added. The APAT Central General Secretary said that small traders will be benefitted from the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2016 and encourage the non

tax filers to come in tax net besides increasing the tax filers number from 700,000 to 1.7 million as per commitment by business community during the dialogue with government.

“We had made hectic efforts for reaching consensus with traders with expectation that 0.5 million would come into the tax net and will become filers”, he added. He said that the tax amnesty scheme will revive the confidence of traders on tax system and the government efforts to facilitate the business community. The reforms in tax system will encourage the local and international investment in the country. He said the government has taken positive step to evolve the conducive business environment and save the local small business traders in the country.

APAT general secretary said, the tax amnesty scheme has been proposed by the business community to persuade the non-tax filers to file their tax returns. “We are committed to increase the number of tax payers and enhance the tax base for economic growth and prosperity in the country,” he said. He said that first time in country’s history, the current government has carried steps to benefit the small traders and revive their confidence on tax system. Before this scheme, only 700,000 tax filers were filing their tax returns out of total 200 millions population of the country, which needed more than one million increase to enhance the tax to GDP ratio, he said.

He said that after the new tax amnesty scheme only direct tax would encourage the traders to file their tax returns accordingly. He said that 3.5 million traders were registered in WAPDA record and only 200,000 are paying their taxes. “We particularly need to educate the traders about benefits of filing tax returns and revive their confidence on tax system of the country”, he added.

Gas infrastructure

ECC likely to allow companies funds from banks MIAN ARSHAD ISLAMABAD—The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet is likely to approve permission to gas exploration companies to arrange funding amounting to Rs 101 billion from commercial banks instead of relying on gas infrastructure development cess or guarantee from the government of Pakistan. “ECC was scheduled to consider this proposal moved by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources in a meeting to be held on 19th of the current month but meting could not be held due to official engagements of the Federal Minister for Finance in China” official source at Finance Ministry told Pakistan Observer here on Friday.

The source said that Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources had proposed to ECC to reaffirm it earlier decision of allowing gas companies to arrange funding amounting to Rs 101 billion from commercial banks

instead of GIDC based on GoP guarantee.

Similarly, the Petroleum Ministry has also requested the ECC to direct OGRA to include subject projects in the asset base of gas companies subject to condition that Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) pricing will be ring fence and all directly attributable costs will be charged/ recovered from RLNG consumers without affecting the consumers relying on domestically produced gas.

Moreover, the financial costs incurred in creation of RLNG infrastructure of national importance should be allowed as admissible expense in the revenue requirement of the utility companies. Furthermore ECC will also discuss the proposal moved by the Ministry for States and Frontier Regions regarding provision of 124,000 metric tons of wheat costing Rs 4.977 billion to United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for temporarily dislocated persons of Federally Administrated Tribal Areas and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.

Business community hails Tax Amnesty Bill approved by NA ISLAMABAD —The business community of try. The President RCCI said, the tax amRawalpindi and Islamabad has hailed the tax amnesty bill approved by the National Assembly saying the bill would expend the tax base in the country. “Small traders will be benefitted from the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill 2016 and encourage the non tax filers to come in tax net besides increasing the tax filers number from 700,000 to 1.7 million as per commitment by business community during the dialogue with government,” President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) Atif Ikram Sheikh said on Friday. While talking to APP here, he said that the tax amnesty scheme will revive the confidence of traders on tax system and the government efforts to facilitate the business community.

Atif Ikram Sheikh said, reforms in tax system will encourage the local and international investment in the country. Meanwhile, President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) Mian Humayun Parvez welcomed the new tax amnesty bill passed by the Lower House of the Parliament. He said the government have taken positive steps to evolve the conducive business environment and save the local small business traders in the coun-

SALIM AHMED L AHORE —President of Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Shah Faisal Afridi has said that amalgamation of Chinese and Pakistani food industry can bring revolutionary developments. He was addressing a 20-member Chinese delegation headed by Ms. Liu Xiujing vice Director of Weihai Municipal Bureau of China, here on Friday. The other members of the delegation included Zhang Ruwen Chairman of Shandong Hushan Group, Sun Guang General manager of Weihai Runde Food, Yu Yingjum manager of Rongcheng Huiying Food, Shi Peng vice General Manager of Wehai Yunxiang Embroidery and Xu Lansheng General Manager of Weihai Tongde general trading.

The delegation on a visit to Pakistan with a primary interest to invest in food processing area coupled with joint ventures in clothing, dyeing and embroidery sectors.

Faisal Afridi said that the potential market of Pakistani food and clothing with Chinese assistance will enhance competitiveness and will add value to the existing standards of production. He said that the delegation would prove to be momentous in increas-

Mobilink introduces Pakistan’s largest HD Voice Network ISLAMABAD—Mobilink, the Best and largest 3G network of Pakistan has introduced yet another innovative feature, HD Voice, to its network. This feature will result in exceptionally clear phone calls for the Mobilink customers. This is a unique initiative and serves as the latest step by the telecom giant to not only enhance the quality of its services, but also provide more benefits to customers.

HD Voice delivers the best call quality to our customers, something, which customers tell us is important to them, “ said Asif Aziz, Head of Marketing Mobilink, adding, this new service will enrich end-user experience for our customers, while being another important step towards our commitment to deliver the most innovative services through our exceptional 3G network.

The service is automatically activated whenever the customer, with a HD Voice compatible smart phone, is within range of Mobilink’s 3G network and the caller at the other end is also a Mobilink customer with an HD voice compatible smartphone. Personally, it has been an exciting project to develop as it offers the greatest improvement in voice communications since the launch of mobile services in the country, added Khalid Shahzad, CTO Mobilink, while explaining the mechanics involved behind this free of cost service addition.—PR

nesty scheme has been proposed by the business community to persuade the non tax filers to file their tax returns.

“We are committed to increase the number of tax payers and enhance the tax base for economic growth and prosperity in the country,” said Humayun. Ex-President ICCI, Muzzamil Hussain Sabri in his comments, said that first time in country’s history, the current government has carried steps to benefit the small traders and revive their confidence on tax system. Before this scheme, only 700,000 tax filers were filing their tax returns out of total 200 millions population of the country, which needed more than one million increase to enhance the tax to GDP ratio, he said.

He said that after the new tax amnesty scheme only direct tax would encourage the traders to file their tax returns accordingly.

Leader of Small Traders Association Islamabad, Ajmal Baloch said, 3.5 million traders were registered in WAPDA record and only 200,000 are paying their taxes. “We particularly need to educate the traders STAFF REPORTER about benefits of filing tax returns and revive their confidence on tax system of the K ARACHI —The China-Pacountry.” said Ajmal Baloch.—APP kistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would significantly foster business activities especially in the energy sector in the province of Sindh.

This was stated by the Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad Khan. He was talking to a delegation of Standing ing mutual conviction, cooperation and Committee of the young inRegional Connectivity between China and dustrialists of the FederaPakistan. Faisal Afridi further mentioned tion of Pakistan Chambers that Punjab ranked in the world top 10 in of Commerce and Industry terms of food production but due to lack of (FPCCI) who called on him technology and post-harvest losses, it is at the Governor House unable to expand its exports base of food here. The Governor said items. He said that the transformation of that the industrialists food processing technology from China should be ready for the opto Pakistan would bring a remarkable shift portunities to be created in in expanding export base by reducing cost the wake of CPEC so that and introducing state of the art features. the province could make a The PCJCCI President expressed that rapid progress. there are vast prospects in developing some He also highlighted the important areas that are currently function- role of the young industriing at small scale with diminutive expertise alists and said that the govand technology. Such areas include fruit ernment was undertaking processing, spices, marine foods, clothing, measures on priority basis wood working, re modified vehicles, auto- to help resolve their probmotive spare parts, power tools, medical lems. Dr. Ishrat was of the equipment’s and condiments, added Afridi. view that the industrial acPCJCCI arranged the visits of Chinese del- tivities would also contribegation in different food processing units ute towards reducing unemincluding Marhaba health food and Bunny ployment in the province. foods. While visiting Marhaba Health Food He pointed out that Karachi Company the Chinese delegates shown is the commercial and ecokeen interest in food and herbal products nomic hub not only of the .They took samples of these products for province but of the country the purpose to market them in China. as well.

PCJCCI for amalgamation of Chinese, Pakistani food industry

KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah with Patchumuthu Illango World Bank Country Director at a lunch hosted by Chief Minister for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon and others are also present.

LAHORE: Naeem Mir, Secretary General All Pakistan Traders Association addressing a press conference.

KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Younus Muhammad Bashir presenting Chamber’s crest to Vice Consul General of the Sate of Qatar Mubarak Saeed AL Marri, during his visit to KCCI.

CPEC to foster business activities in energy sector

RAWALPINDI: Senator Najma Hameed with President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce Mian Humayun Pervez and others at RCCI.

FPCCI for trickle down effect of cut in oil prices STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Abdul Rauf Alam has called upon the government to ensure trickle-down effect of reduction in petroleum prices in international market. Since 2003, this was the first time that the prices have come down to dollars 27 per barrel and the government has a good fiscal space available, he said in a statement here on Friday.

FPCCI President urged the government that the

opportunity of the declining oil prices may be availed by accelerating economic activities in general and pass-on its trickledown effect immediately to the masses in particular by reducing the price of petroleum products (POL) suitably. He said that the drastic reduction in petroleum prices had also curtailed the import bill of petroleum product group significantly and remained $ 3 billion down in 2014-15 as compared to 2013-14, which improved the balance of trade.

He argued that about

90 percent of the total consumption of POL products are jointly consumed by the transport sector and power sector. Wherein, almost 65% electricity is generated by the thermal while fuel (furnace oil and diesel) consumption for thermal power generation is 52 percent. The reduction in oil prices should also bring down the electricity tariff. Rauf Alam also emphasized the transporters to immediately reduce their fares as the general public deserved relief after the oil prices had marginally come down.

Masakadza, Madziva help Zimbabwe level T20 series KHULNA—Hamilton Masakadza’s series tally of 222 runs is a world record for most runs in a T20I bilateral series.

First it was Hamilton Masakadza, who scored a record-breaking 93 to help Zimbabwe post a formidable total. Then came Tendai Chisoro’s three-wicket haul that applied the brakes on Bangladesh’s chase of 181 as the visitors levelled the series at 2-2 with an 18-run win in Khulna.

While Chisoro picked up the key wickets of Sabbir Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan, and Mahmudullah, Neville Madziva, the pacer, did the damage at the start and towards the end as Bangladesh were bowled out for 162 in 19 overs to lose by 18 runs.

Bangladesh’s chase started badly as the top four were blown away with just 17 on the board. Mahmudullah and Imrul Kayes tried to resurrect the innings; Kayes slamming two fours and a six to briefly get the crowd going. But an attempted hoick over deep midwicket brought an end to his innings for a 14ball 18 in the seventh over.

Mahmudullah, meanwhile, rode luck found boundaries through edges and clips, but he soon got into his zone by hammering sixes over deep midwicket and long-off. Along the way, he was also a recipient of a huge slice of luck when

he was dropped by Vusi Sibanda on 13.

Nurul Hasan and Mahmudullah added 57 runs in 6.3 overs as the scales started to tilt again. But Sikander Raza revived Zimbabwe’s hopes as he had Nurul, who was caught at cover.

Mashrafe Mortaza, who has shown ability to wield the long handle, struck him for a four and six in the same over to reduce the equation down to 60 off the last six overs.

A hint of panic endured as Elton Chigumbura threw the ball to his frontline spinner Graeme Cremer. Panic turned into proper nerves as he too was tonked for six by Mashrafe. But one slog too many resulted in Mahmudullah’s downfall at the other end as he missed a full ball from Chisoro. Abu Hider Rony swung his way around, but he his effort had to be consigned to being scant consolation for the hosts. He was the last man to fall as Luke Jongwe held on to a low catch at cover to complete the win.

The game started differently for Zimbabwe as they lost an early wicket, but Richmond Mutumbami and Masakadza got them up and running with a brisk 80-run stand. Mutumbami was also reprieved by Taskin Ahmed at short fine leg to add to Bangladesh’s woes.

Masakadza brought out his entire range of strokes, using a combination of

brute force and timing to negotiate Bangladesh’s spinners on a slow deck.

He too was reprieved on 36 as the hosts suddenly went off the boil. Despite dismissing Mutumbami for a 25-ball 32, Bangladesh didn’t look like getting control as Malcolm Waller blasted his way to an 18-ball 36 to strengthen Zimbabwe’s base.

On the night, the final flourish proved enough as Zimbabwe ran away emphatic winners as they restored parity to head into the World T20 with some confidence restored following a demoralising limited-overs series loss to Afghanistan earlier in the month. The jewel in Zimbabwe’s twin wins to cap off their tour was Masakadza, whose 222 runs is a world record for most runs in aT20 bilateral series.—AFP

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe innings: Sibanda b Mashrafe ........................... 4 Masakadza not out ........................... 93 Mutumbami b Abu Hider ................ 32 Waller b Taskin Ahmed ................... 36 Sikandar b Shakib ............................. 2 Chigumbura not out ........................... 5 Extras: (lb 2, w 6) .............................. 8 Total: (4 wickets) ........................... 180 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-84, 3-145, 4-149 Bowling: .............................. O-M-R-W Mashrafe ................................ 4-0-40-1 Abu Hider .............................. 4-0-33-1 Arafat Sunny .......................... 3-0-27-0 Taskin ..................................... 4-0-32-1 Shakib ..................................... 4-0-35-1 Sabbir ..................................... 1-0-11-0 Bangladesh innings: Tamim b Madziva .............................. 1 Soumya c Mutumbami b Madziva . 11 Sabbir b Chisoro ................................ 1 Imrul c Jongwe b Sikandar ............. 18 Shakib b Chisoro ............................... 4 Mahmudullah b Chisoro .................. 54 Nurul Hasan c Chigumbura b Sikandar ........................................ 15 Mashrafe c Sibanda b Jongwe ........ 22 Abu Hider b Madziva ...................... 14 Arafat Sunny b Madziva ................. 10 Taskin not out .................................... 1 Extras: (lb 2, w 9) ............................ 11 Total: (all out) ................................ 162 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-13, 3-13, 4-17, 5-53, 6-110, 7-134, 8-139, 9-157, 10-162 Bowling: .............................. O-M-R-W Chisoro ................................... 4-0-17-3 Madziva .................................. 4-0-34-4 Jongwe ................................... 3-0-35-1 Sikandar ................................. 3-0-31-2 Abu Hider celebrates the wicket of Richmond Mutumbami during Bangladesh vs Cremer .................................... 4-0-27-0 Chigumbura ........................... 1-0-16-0 Zimbabwe, 4th T20 match at Khulna on Friday.

KRL beat WAPDA to reach semis of National One-Day Cup Cricket Tournament KARCHI—Abdur Rehman Muzammil ets for 49 runs. Summarized scores: eight boundaries and hoisted three sixes and Saeed Anwar cracked centuries as Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) ended the league rounds in a blaze of glory with their 6th straight win in National One-Day Cup Cricket Tournament when they beat WAPDA by 21 runs at Niaz Stadium Hyderabad on Friday.

KRL topped the group “B” and assured a place in the last four rounds of the competition.

KRL will take on Islamabad in their second semifinal at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore on January 27.

Rehman clubbed a dozen boundaries and three sixes in his 110 after consuming 113 balls while Saeed hammered seven sixes and six fours in his 104 off 87 balls as KRL made 291 for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs.

WAPDA in reply was bowled out for 270 in 49.3 overs. Salman Butt belted 12 fours in his 90 off 92 balls.

Muhammad Saad contributed 51 in 68 balls with five strikes to the boundary.

Pace bowler Sadaf Hussain snappedup four wickets for 58 runs and fellow medium pacer Yasir Ali took two wick-

KRL: 291-7 in 50 overs (Abdur Rehman Muzamil 110, Saeed Anwar 104, Muhammad Yasin 23, Nawaz Ahmed Jan 22, Rizwan Haider 3-64, Muhammad Irfan 2-73) WAPDA: 270 in 49.3 overs (Salman Butt 90, Muhammad Saad 51, Adnan Raees 40, Zahid Mansoor 32, Sadaf Hussain 4-58, Yasir Ali 2-49).

Meanwhile, National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) advanced in last four grade of National One-Day Cup Cricket Tournament despite shocking 28 runs loss to Habib Bank with Akbar-ur-Rehman’s sterling ton on Friday.

Sent to bat first, HBL posted a competitive total of 316 for the loss of seven wickets in their 50 overs. NBP in reply was dismissed for 288 with two balls of 50 over remaining here at NBP Sports Complex Ground.

NBP finished runners-up from group “B” on superior run-rate with five wins and two defeats. KRL topped the group.

NBP will clash United Bank in the semifinals in Lahore.

Akbar-ur-Regman smashed his second century in three matches striking

in his 107 balls knock. But his effort failed to save his team from defeat. Captain Kamran Akmal blasted eight four in his 55 in 56 balls. Spinners’ duo of Muhammad Naeem and Ashiq Ali caused the main damage in NBP batting by taking three wickets each for 42 and 62 runs respectively.

Earlier Ramiz Aziz slammed seven fours and one six in his 70 off 61 balls, Aftab Khan struck six fours in his 56 in 73 balls and Muhammad waqas cracked half a dozen boundaries in his 51 after facing 56 balls as HBL made a healthy total despite missing their top players.

Muhammad Asghar, Ali Manzoor and Zia-ul-Haq took two apiece in HBL innings. Summarized scores: HBL: 316-7 in 50 overs (Ramiz Aziz 70, Aftab Khan 56, Muhammad Waqas 51, Ammad Butt 40 not out, Muhammad Asghar 2-45, Ali Manzoor 2-51, Zia-ulHaq 2-72) NBP 288 in 49.4 overs (Akbar-ur-Rehman 113, Kamran Akmal 55, Ahsan Ali 29, Muhammad Naeem 342, Ashiq Ali 3-62, Abdul Rehman 243).—APP

ISLAMABAD: PTV Home team winner of PTV Inter-Centre Cricket Championship with Syeda Farkhanda Shaheen GM and officers.

Laiba, Kohat to clash in KP Junior Girls Squash final PESHAWAR—Laiba Ijaz and Komal will clash in the final of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Junior Girls Squash Championship being played here on Saturday at 3 pm at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex.

Former World Champion and Vice President Pakistan Squash Federation also witnessed the two semi-finals won

by Laiba Ijaz and Komal.

In the first semi-final top seed Komal defeated Naima Khalid in a thrilling match witnessed by capacity crowd present on the occasion.

Komal took the first set by 11-9 and failed to click in the second won by Naima Khalid by 10-12.After conceding the second set, Komal strike back and marched into victory at 119 and 11-8.Komal has better combination of drops and length shorts and giving no room to get back.

In the other semi-final Laiba Ijaz defeated Kainat in a three sets battle, the score was 11-4, 11-3 and 11-5.Laiba Ijaz took no time in toppling her rival Kainat in three sets and marched into victory to face Komal in the final.—APP

Messi fit for Barca return in Malaga M ADRID —Lionel Messi is expected to be fit as Barcelona make the tricky trip to Malaga on Saturday looking to move back to the top of La Liga.

Messi missed Wednesday’s 2-1 Copa del Rey win at Athletic Bilbao due to a hamstring problem that forced him off at half-time in a 6-0 rout of the same opponents last weekend, but returned to training on Thursday.

Barca will also have Luis Suarez back after he completed a two-game Cup ban in midweek as they look to exact revenge on the only side that stopped the European champions from scoring in their two meetings last season.

Malaga took four points from a possible six against Barca in La Liga last season and were only defeated 1-0 thanks to Thomas Vermaelen’s late strike when the two sides met at the Camp Nou earlier this campaign.

“We need to rest well because against Malaga we have had difficult games,” said Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic. “We need to have a lot of respect for them.” —AFP

Siyal inaugurates Larkana Junior Games-2016 GHULAM RASOOL GORAR L ARKANA —Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal Friday inaugurated the 3rd Junior Games-2016 organized by Larkana Olympic Sports Committee here at Ayub Khuhro Sports Complex.

On the occasion one minute salience was observed to pay homage to martyrs of Bacha Khan University and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in an eternal peace and grant courage to bereaved families.

Over 3000 students of 23 private and government schools are participating in 18 disciplines including Badminton, Cricket, Cycling, Athletics, Through ball, dodging ball, Tug of war, Wanjhwati and other sports competitions.

On the eve of opening ceremony colorful activities including tableaus, traditional dances and other activities were presented by students from various schools.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal said that Students should not be restricted for classes but sports activities are very vital to groom the talent and create sportsman spirit among the students.

He said that despite terrorists attack on educational institutions, students are not afraid of any threats, their confidence and moral are high

to combat the militancy by promoting education in the country, war against the terrorism will be won at any cost and terrorists will be eliminated.

He said that this Junior Games event had provided opportunity for converging the players at one place and this inter-action would go a long way in developing fraternity and integrity among them.

He said that tournaments of various games and sports also inculcated the spirit to contest and mutual understanding.

Such occasions also help in promoting cultural values, bring others closer and also acquainting with culture of various regions, he said and added that he calls players to prepare for future responsibilities, as they are only the architects of the nation.

He also stressed upon them to be hard working, as they had to shine the name of the Country in the field of game/sports as we;.

Earlier the Chairman Larkana Olympics Sports Committee (LOSC) S. Iqbal Babu presented the welcome address.

District Officer Sports Larkana Mohammad Hassain Makani, Shafqat Hussain Makani, Akbar Kaimkhani, Principals and Headmistresses of various Schools were also present on the occasion.

Ex-skippers astounded with Pakistan’s massive back-to-back defeats KARACHI—As many as five former skippers maintained.

Aamir Sohail, Wasim Akram, Ramiz Raja, Rashid Latif, and Muhammad Yousuf were all astonished and shocked with Pakistan’s massive back to back defeats in Twenty20 International series against New Zealand thus losing the series 2-1.

After winning the opening T20 by 15 runs in Auckland, New Zealand routed Pakistan by ten wickets at Hamilton and suffered 95 runs loss in Wellington.

“Pakistan was clearly lacking tactically, in planning and strategy which proved disastrous,” they all believed.

Aamir Sohail- a member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup winning team said that change in batting order reflects the confidence on the players.

“Our management and captain misread the track that was good for batting and we sent Kiwis to bat first. It was mistake,” left handed opener said.

“After Kiwis build a massive total of 196 our batsmen were under pressure in pursuit of quick runs,” he said. He also questioned the shot selection of top order batsmen.

“This performance should be an eye opener for team management, selectors and PCB administrators a couple of month before ICC World T20,” they said.

Wasim Akram said a great focus and consistency is required from the batsmen.

He said he was expecting fighting games from Pakistan team but they surrendered meekly.

Wasim Akram said the shot selection of the players was not good and they paid the penalty for their mistakes.

“Not many good batsmen are coming up in the national team which is causing trouble,” he

Ramiz Raja said Pakistan team batsmen were under pressure after losing a couple of quick wickets.

“I was surprise to see Pakistan starting with Anwar Ali instead their fastest bowler Wahab Riaz,” Ramiz commented.

He opined that Pakistan spinner could have played better role. But only Shahid Afridi applied some pressure on Kiwis batsmen.

“I always rated Pakistan favorites in T20 version against Kiwis. We made a great start with a victory” he remarked.

“Win and loss are part of the game. But the way we surrendered in the last two games it was deeply disappointing and hurting,” said former stylish batsman Muhammad Yousuf.

None of our players was learning from their mistakes and that was reason for our team’s decline, he said. These players are not keen to learn that was the reason of their downfall, he remarked.

Rashid Latif said performing under pressure is vital and Pakistan team again failed to deliver in such a situation.

He also questioned dropping of lanky fast bowler Muhammad Irfan from the T20 series.

He said team management and players are equally responsible for the debacle.

“We needed to work extensively and scientifically on our gray areas to develop the team,” former gloveman said.

Pakistan former express Shoaib Akhtar was also surprised with one sided defeat in the last Twent20 but added they are capable of bouncing back in ODI series.

“I am deeply hurt and disappointed with the one sided result in the last match,” he said.— APP

Revival of sports can be achieved through schools: Kamran KARACHI—Revival of Pakistan sports can be achieved with a concerted efforts and focus on educational institutions across the country.These observations were made here by selectors’ ignored Pakistan wicketkeeper batsman Kamran Akmal while speaking at the Annual Sports Day of The Educators Renaissance Campus here at PSB National Coaching Centre here.

“Due to lack of sporting activities grounds in schools and colleges suffered and it caused the decline,” he commented.

He said besides education, extra curricular activities including s ports like cricket, hockey, football, squash and athletics etc help building healthy minds.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Bari, Bangalore hero and ex-chief selector Iqbal Qasim, ex-Test opener Shoaib HYDERABAD: A view of cricket match played between Wapda and KRL teams during National One-Day Tournament at Muhammad, international hockey player Jan Muhammad, Former Commissioner Niaz Stadium.

Karachi and sports secretary Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Chairman and founder of Hub School Abdul Kader Jaffer, Barrister Khawaja Naveed Ahmed and Director of Schools Muhammad Amir Qureshi also attended the function and distributed medals and trophies.

Kamran Akmal laid more emphasis on achieving physical fitness and said that only then the grooming children could think about becoming “stars” in the future.

Pakistan’s former High Commissioner to UK and Chairman of Jaffer Foundation, Abdul Kadir Jaffer said that Pakistan needs a strong leadership with solid education which could lead the country towards progress and prosperity and bring the country to join the world’s most developed community of nations.

He described the occasion a hay day for both parents and students and recalled

that, when he was of their age, he used to take part in the same way in sports and their parents used to show delight like parents of today.

Kader Jaffer advised that besides taking part in sports, they should take greater interest in their academic activities as Pakistan would need to have good leaders in the coming future and it is the right time they should plan for the same.

Noted lawyer and former Justice of Sindh High Court, Barrister Khawaja Naveed Ahmed called upon the students not to waste their precious time in uncalled for activities and rather focus more on their education so as to achieve the goals which might have been set for them by their parents. Cricket, Football and track and events were contested during the week long activities and concluded with athletics event.—APP

Prince Ali says he will win a clean FIFA vote WELLINGTON—FIFA presidential contender Prince Ali bin al Hussein said Friday he was “fully confident” of winning the corruption-plagued organisation’s leadership ballot next month, provided the vote is clean.

The Jordanian crown prince, one of f i v e candidates seeking to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter, said the February 26 election represented FIFA’s one chance to restore football’s tarnished reputation. He called for a more transparent world governing body, reiterating his criticism of a development deal between the Asian and African confederations that he sees as creating a voting bloc for one of his rivals. “It’s very obvious with the timing that, for whatever reason, it’s wrong to be making these sorts of deals,” he told reporters in Auckland. However, Prince Ali said his campaign was still gaining momentum as he criss-crosses the globe shoring up support.—AFP

Afridi hints to become commentator after retirement ISLAMABAD—Pakistan national T20 skipper Shahid Khan Afridi has indicated that he may become a commentator after his retirement from international T20 cricket after World T20, scheduled to take place in India in March, this year. Replying to a question during the presentation ceremony after the last T20 match in Wellington, Afridi said that he would love to come back to New Zealand as a commentator in future.

The Pakistan skipper had earlier expressed the desire to make his last T20 outing in New Zealand memorable by winning the last match but unfortunately that did not happen as Pakistan suffered a huge defeat. —APP

Griffiths targets Celtic scoring record GLASGOW—Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has already set his sights on a new scoring target after notching up a half-century of goals for the Scottish champions. It took the 25-year-old just two years and only 60 starts to reach 50 goals for the Glasgow giants— t h e quickest any Celtic striker h a s reached that total in t h e modern e r a .

Griffiths’ feat is even more remarkable considering he was out of favour with manager Ronny Deila for much of last season and was strongly linked with a loan exit. However, the former Wolves and Hibernian striker’s hard work and perseverance in training has now paid off spectacularly with Griffiths’ hat-trick in Tuesday’s 8-1 thrashing of Hamilton taking him to 27 goals for the season. Griffiths is now looking to surpass the 32 goals Kris Commons scored in the 2013/ 14 season and in current form this could spell bad news for Saturday’s opponents St Johnstone.—AFP

New Zealand hammer Pakistan by 95 runs to win T20 series WELLINGTON—Corey Anderson limped off the field with 15 overs of the third T20 still remaining, but by then he had done enough to tilt the match, and the series,

A good start is critical in a chase of such magnitude, and Pakistan did not make one. Failing to get on top of a short ball from Trent Boult, Mohammad Hafeez

The New Zealand players get together after beating Pakistan in 3rd T20 match at Wellington on Friday. decisively New Zealand’s way. He had smashed an unbeaten 42-ball 82 to power New Zealand to a total of 196, and by the end of his second over, when he pulled up with cramps, had picked up two wickets to help reduce Pakistan to 36 for 4.

Pak, NZ teams honour Charsadda martyrs WELLINGTON—The Pakistan and New Zealand cricket teams observed a minute-long silence before their third T20 match on Friday to honours the victims of the brutal terrorist attack on the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda.

To pay tribute to the martyrs and express solidarity with the affected families, players from both teams and spectators observed a minute of silence at the Wellington Cricket Stadium here before the match started at 11:00 am (Pakistan Standard Time).

At least 21 persons, including security guards, students, a professor, and policemen were killed and dozens injured when the terrorists launched a brazen assault on the varsity in the early hours of Wednesday.

The gunmen sneaked into the varsity early in the morning using the cover of thick, wintry fog, opening fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels. It took a six-hour long counteroperation to clear the campus before the army announced that all four gunmen were dead.

from where he left off in Hamilton, Guptill tore into Anwar Ali, who replaced Umar Gul in Pakistan’s seam attack, spanking him for another four and a six off the last two balls of the first over.

With Guptill in an equally punishing mood against Imad Wasim’s hitherto unhittable left-arm spin, New Zealand reached the half-century mark as early as the start of the fifth over. They could have gotten there earlier, had more if not for Mohammad Amir’s efforts to tie up Kane Williamson at the other end, bowling with pace and giving him no room.

Guptill was looking unstoppable until Afridi brought himself on and pulled things back with his skiddy topspinners from just back of a length. He forced Guptill to miscue a slog-sweep and hole out, and gave away only seven runs from his first two overs. In between, a brilliant piece of fielding from Rizwan at midwicket ran out Colin Munro at the non-striker’s end.

Not long after, Williamson had holed out off Wahab Riaz, and Ross Taylor had retired hurt with a side strain. But New Zealand still had the momentum, with Anderson already underway with two fours and a six off his first twelve balls.

Anderson was not at his most fluent, but his method of clearing his front leg to make swinging room brought him rich dividends whenever anything was pitched in his hitting zone. All four of his sixes flew over the arc between deep midwicket and long-on, with those two fielders made to look like spectators.

With the leg-side boundary packed and a sweeper square on the off-side, third man was usually inside the circle. This gave Pakistan’s seamers little margin for error when they tried to fire in the yorker, as Anderson made room, freed his arms, and carved the ball over or wide of that fielder for four of his six fours, with Wahab, who went for 43 in his four overs, receiving special attention for this form of punishment.—AFP

sliced a high catch into the point region.

In the next over, Ahmed Shehzad picked out deep square leg while looking to pull Anderson, before Mohammad Rizwan ran himself out hurtling needlessly from his crease.

Shoaib Malik struck three sweetlytimed fours off Boult, but the required rate brought out a miscued slog in the next over; Anderson had his second, and New Zealand were firmly on the road to victory. In the end, Anderson was not required to come back onto the field as New Zealand New Zealand innings: wrapped up the Guptill c Umar b Afridi . 42 match with close to Williamson c Shoaib Malik b four overs still re- Wahab Riaz .................... 33 maining. Only two Munro run out .................. 4 Pakistan batsmen Anderson not out ........... 82 reached double fig- Taylor retired hurt ............ 6 ures as they only Elliott run out ................. 19 just scraped past Ronchi c Umar Akmal b the 100 mark.

Wahab Riaz ...................... 1 This was Santner not out ................. 2 surely not the fin- Extras: (lb 2, w 4, nb 1) ... 7 ish Pakistan had Total: (5 wickets) ......... 196 envisioned when Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-62, 3Shahid Afridi 94, 3-110, 4-174, 5-175 chose to bowl after Bowling: ............ O-M-R-W winning the toss. Anwar Ali ............. 3-0-31-0 But the portents Amir ...................... 4-0-35-0 were clear right Imad Wasim .......... 4-0-42-0 from the first ball Wahab Riaz ........... 4-0-43-2 of the match, Shahid Afridi ........ 4-0-27-1 which Martin Shoaib Malik ......... 1-0-16-0 Guptill flat-batted Pakistan innings: to the cover bound- Hafeez c Santner b Boult . 2 ary. Carrying on

No kids, but millions in bank Sharapova has no regrets MELBOURNE—A younger Maria Sharapova earned US$29.7 million in the year to last June, was convinced she would be retired from tennis and have children by now, but it hasn’t quite turned out that way.

Instead, she has five Grand Slam titles and millions in the bank, and is listed by Forbes as the topearning sportswoman in the world.

All in all, the 28-year-old Russian said she had no regrets about how her life has gone.

“I never thought that I’d be playing at this age, honestly,” she said in Melbourne, after moving into the Australian Open fourth round.

“When I was born, my mother was very young. I thought I would, I mean, not have kids at 20, but I would have children at this point.

“When you’re younger, that’s what I envisioned because that’s what my family had. You always look to family traditions.”

Her personal life remains out of bounds, although she most recently had a relationship with fellow player Grigor Dimitrov.

Sharapova said she had managed to find a good balance between tennis, her personal life and her flourishing business career as she gets older. As well as being one of the world’s most recognisable athletes, she has become a major force in the business world with a series of successful ventures.

They include Sugapova, a candy line, and a Nike apparel collection. Forbes calculated she

than hitting balls on a tennis court.

“I mean, I really love what I do. Although I’d love to sit on the beach and read a book and drink margaritas, after a few days I get bored,” she said. “I know, especially when I miss a couple of weeks... I get back on the court, it’s funny, those first few moments where you feel a bit rusty, but the feeling of hitting the ball, even though you’re not playing points, when that comes back to me, I’m like, This is what I love to do.—AFP

Gerrans on track for fourth Tour Down Under win A DELAIDE (Australia)—Australian Simon

Ahmed Shehzad c Boult b Anderson .......................... 8 Rizwan run out ................ 4 Shoaib Malik b Anderson 14 Sarfraz c Milne b Elliott 41 Umar Akmal b Milne ....... 5 Afridi b Elliott ................. 8 Imad c Guptill b Elliott .... 0 Anwar c Ronchi b Milne 8 Wahab c Ronchi b Milne . 4 Amir not out .................... 1 Extras: (lb 2, w 4) ............ 6 Total: (all out) .............. 101 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-14, 315, 4-36, 5-55, 6-75, 7-76, 892, 9-98, 10-101 Bowling: ............ O-M-R-W Anderson ............... 3-0-17-2 TA Boult ............... 3-0-32-1 AF Milne ............. 3.1-1-8-3 Santner .................... 1-0-7-0 McClenaghan ........ 3-0-15-0 Elliott ...................... 2-0-7-3 Munro ................... 1-0-13-0

naming her as the highest-paid female athlete for the 11th year in a row.

Despite the luxurious life her money can bring her, she said she still likes nothing more

Gerrans won a feisty sprint finish to claim Friday’s 138-kilometre fourth stage of the Tour Down Under, setting himself up for his fourth overall victory in the event.

Gerrans, who also won Thursday’s third stage in a sprint, has the advantage going into the fifth stage, a 151.5-kilometre stretch from McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill on Saturday.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with that,” the 35-yearold said while thanking his team for making his run “as easy as possible”.

Gerrans, the overall winner of the Tour Down Under in 2006, 2012 and 2014, will be hoping experience pays off when it comes to Willunga Hill.

But the Orica GreenEdge leader is taking nothing for granted, having been caught in a mass pileup inside the final kilometre of Wednesday’s stage just after putting himself in a perfect position to take the stage win. “I still have to be very, very attentive going into Willunga tomorrow.We have a nice little buffer there, but there’s still a heck of a lot of work to be done,” he said.

Gerrans crossed the line Friday in three hours, 13 minutes and 59 seconds ahead of English Sky rider Ben Swift and Italian Giacomo Nizzolo (TrekSegafrefo) who were both credited with the same time. In the general classification, Gerrans (13:41.58) leads fellow Australians Jay McCarthy (+14 seconds) and Rohan Dennis (+26).—AFP

Radwanska passes Puig test

Federer downs Dimitrov at Australian Open for 300th Slam win MELBOURNE—Swiss great Roger Federer ing for Radwanska - who had to withdraw early, with some impressive groundstrokes swept past Grigor Dimitrov to bring up 300 from the Sydney International due to a leg seeing her stay level alongside Radwanska Grand Slam match wins and safely reach injury - was the fact she required medical at 4-4 after exchanging breaks in the sev- Australia’s Simon Gerrans from Orica GreenEdge celebrates as he wins stage four ahead of the fourth round at the Australian Open on attention on the same area on three occa- enth and eighth games. Puig then fended Britain’s Ben Swift from Sky during the Tour Down Under cycling race from Norwood to sions in the second set. off a set point but she could not save an- Victor Harbor in Adelaide on Friday.

Friday.

Puig came into the contest having other as Radwanska’s poise and powerful The 17-time major winner and third seed won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in two hours, played just three top-10 opponents previ- hitting from the baseline helping her take 40 minutes under the closed roof on Rod ously in the form of Maria Sharapova, charge. And despite needing treatment in Laver Arena and will face Belgium’s 15th Angelique Kerber and Sara Errani, though the second set, 2014 semi-finalist she beat the latter at Wimbledon in 2013.

Radwanska still looked lively as she swept seed David Goffin in the next round.

But the Puerto Rican was not overawed aside Puig with ease.—AFP Federer becomes the first man to win 300 Grand Slam matches and extends his record over Bulgarian 27th seed Dimitrov, dubbed last ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) B IPIN D ANI “Baby Fed” because of the simion Saturday and will be ready to be on field, if O BSERVER C ORRESPONDENT larity in their playing styles, to the emergency arises.

5-0.

MUMBAI—John Ward, the first umpire to wear England umpire Richard Kettleborough is Last year Federer was amhelmet in an international match, feels that the under medical observation and “most likely” bushed in the third round by Italuse of this protective gear has boosted his con- to officiate in the final ODI between Australia ian Andreas Seppi, but he made fidence level. and India on Saturday, according to the one of no mistake this time at the same It was a first of its kind instance in internathe top sources in Australia. stage against Dimitrov. tional cricket when the 54-year-old Australian The 43-year-old Kettleborough retired hurt But it wasn’t an entirely conumpire John Ward was seen officiating wear- few overs after being struck by a powerful hit vincing display from the fouring a helmet during the fourth one-day inter- from Australia’s Aaron Finch off Ishant time Australian Open winner national match between Australia and India at Sharma. “He has not been hospitalized but is who committed an uncharacterthe Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday. kept under observation. In all probability, he is istic 55 unforced efforts, much Speaking exclusively over his mobile from scheduled to travel to Sydney”, the source said more than Dimitrov’s 44. A 6-4 Sydney, Ward said, “helmet was very comfort- on condition of anonymity.

6-0 win over Monica Puig saw able and great for my confidence”.

“He is scheduled to officiate as an on field fourth seed Agnieszka Few weeks ago, Ward was seriously injured umpire in the last ODI and we hope to see him Radwanska through to the fourth while officiating in a Ranji Trophy match in in Sydney”, the source added. round of the Australian Open on India (umpires exchange program with Cricket “Paul Wilson, who was designated as a Friday.

Australia) when a shot from Barindar Sran third umpire but subsequently replaced injured Agnieszka Radwanska was struck on his head. He was treated in India and Kettleborough on field (during the fourth ODI too good for Monica Puig in the Australia thereafter. at Canberra) will be his partner at the Sydney third round of the Australian “My helmet is the same as the players”, he Cricket Ground (SCG) on January 23”.

Open, though there will be conadded.

The reserve umpire for the final ODI is cerns about the fourth seed’s fitWard has not voiced his opinion for the Gerard Abood, who has also umpired with helness. Radwanska overcame Puig mandatory use of the helmet. However, he says, met in a local match in Australia.

6-4 6-0 to secure a sixth succes“if umpires feel the need to wear a helmet they Robyn Sanday and Kay Wilcoxon are the offisive fourth-round berth at should do so. It is up to the individual”. cial scorers and Jeff Crowe will remain as a Melbourne Park on Friday.

Federer beat his Bulgarian opponent in Melbourne to advance to the fourth round of AusWard will officiate as a third umpire in the match referee.

However, slightly concern- tralian Open.

Use of helmet has boosted my confidence: John

High-protein diets may increase risk of kidney disease

H

IGH-PROTEIN diets, such as the Dukan diet, are currently a popular al ternative to the traditional caloriecounting forms of dieting. But scientists at the University of Granada in Spain have shown through tests in rats that a high-protein diet increases the risk of kidney stones and other renal diseases. Dr. Pierre Dukan’s high-protein diet has received a boost in popularity in recent years, due to reports that the diet helped the Duchess of Cambridge get thin enough to fit into her wedding dress and allegedly restored the postpartum figure of Jennifer Lopez.

In Dukan’s native France, approximately 2 million people are believed to follow the diet. But the diet has been controversial. The British Dietary Association ranked the diet at number 1 in their annual rundown of diets to avoid in 2010, 2011 and 2012. They point out that even Dr. Dukan himself - who was banned from practicing as a GP in France in 2013 - has warned of health issues associated with the diet, including lack of energy, constipation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and bad breath.

In 2012, Medical News Today reported on a study finding that four-fifths of Dukan followers had put all their lost weight back on within 36 months. This kind of of body weight fluctuation can put dieters at increased risk of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. In the new study, the scientists fed 10 rats a diet with a 45% protein level, while a control group of

another 10 rats were fed a diet of normal protein levels. The rats were placed on their respective diets for 12 weeks - the equivalent of 9 years in human terms.

Anyone on a high-protein diet should exercise regularly and make sure to eat enough fruit and vegetables. Over the 12 weeks, rats on the high-protein diet lost 10% of their body weight.

But the weight of the kidneys in these rats increased by 22%, the capillaries filtering blood to the kidneys increased in size by 13%, and the collagen around the capillaries by 32%. The citrate levels in the rats’ urine was 88% lower and their urinary pH was 15% more acidic.

A low amount of citrate in the urine and swollen kidneys are risk factors for kidney stone formation. High urinary pH is also a symptom of kidney failure and kidney tubular acidosis, among other conditions.

Medical News Today spoke to Dr. Virginia A. Aparicio, one of the study’s authors. Dr. Aparicio said that “when experimental designs are done in rats, despite their great physiological and metabolic similarity to humans, all results should be taken with caution.”

“Studies developed in humans have also observed very similar results in plasma and urine to what we observed in rats. However, the important thing is not to alarm the population. We just showed a less favorable renal profile, which could bring long-term renal complications in some individuals most prone to or at increased risk of renal disease.”

K-Electric crackdown on illegal connections AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—K-Electric has provided details of its ongoing Operation Burq campaign and different areas of Karachi were raided which included Orangi,, Lyari, Baldia, Uthal, SITE amongst others. Almost 2,000 illegal connections were pulled down and confiscated from different areas whereas these illegal connections (Kunda wires) weighed over 1200 KG. An FIR was lodged against a consumer in-

volved in direct electricity theft and using a heavy load in the area of Gizri.

In another raid in the area of Block 12 Gulistan-e-Johar a Snooker Club was caught stealing electricity via an illegal hook connection whereas in the same vicinity a Sofa Showroom/Workshop was also raided and penalized.

Raids were conducted in Baldia, SITE, Bahadurabad, Nazimabad, Tipu Sultan, Garden, Clifton, Defence, Korangi, Johar, Shah Faisal, North Karachi, Surjani, Gulshan and Malir.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at a meeting with Consul General of Saudi Arabia Muhammad Abdullah Daim at Saudi Consulate.—PO photo

Menace of sectarianism to be eliminated: Soomro Mufti Naeem welcomes common sermon for Friday congregations IRFAN ALIGI KARACHI —Sectarian violence is a curse that needs to be eliminated in letter and spirit. In order to improve the sectarian harmony.

It is a good step forward that the sermon of the Friday congregations should be common, which would indeed help to overcome the sectarian hatred among different sects of Muslim. The common sermon strategy if applied with good intension would also cut the impressions that mosques belong to a certain sect.

Jamia Binnoria Aalmia Administrator Mufti Muhammad Naeem ex-

pressed these views while addressing a joint press conference with Sindh Minister for religious affairs and auqaf Abdul Qayyum Soomro, Friday.

Mufti Naeem said those opposing the need for common Friday prayer sermons under the monitoring of the state are those, who want promotion of sectarianism. These elements should now realize the sensitivity of the hour.

He said the sectarianism is the major cause of genocide of the Muslims especially in Iraq and Syria.

Despite issues with Pakistan People’s Party, it would be great to see the promulgation of common Friday prayer

sermon and it would be a great service from the PPP to ensure implementation on this specific need.

He said the national action plan was meant to eliminate the terrorism but sadly only the religious scholars and institutions are being held as prime target. None talks to India as it is widely involved in menace of terrorism in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh minister Abdul Qayyum Soomro said that with the help of religious scholars and clerics, the menace of sectarianism would be wiped out from the province. The representative heads of different sects and religious seminar-

ies are in contact so that a composite common sermon for Friday prayers congregations should be prepared and the ongoing consultation with the scholars and clerics would be complete in coming ten days.

He said that the government does not mean to change or replace the sermon that is a must and is in Arabic as it is an integrated part of Friday prayers but what the government is planning to bring as common is that the speech of the orators of the mosques prior to Arabic sermon in Friday prayers would be changed in order to make them free from sectarian talks and criticism.

No violation of SC orders to be tolerated: CS STAFF REPORTER K A R A C H I —Sindh Chief Secretary (CS) Muhammad Siddique Memon has alarmed that no violation of the orders of Supreme Court of Pakistan shall be tolerated, this he emphasized that compliance of the Supreme Court orders must be accorded, in connection with out of turn promotions, up gradation of posts, deputation, absorption, and

A view of Nullah at Railway colony filled with garbage causing pollution and needs attention of authorities concerned.—APP

Khuhro apologizes for smoking in SA STAFF REPORTER KARACHI—Nisar Khuhro, senior Sindh Minister has apologized for smoking in the Provincial Assembly. Khuhro extended apology to the members Friday, saying that he smoked unintentionally after the session concluded.

Speaking on the occasion, Speaker Assembly Agha Siraj

Durrani said, ‘I have left smoking three months ago and smoking in the assembly is immoral.”

Senior Minister on Tuesday openly violated the Sindh Assembly rules by smoking a cigarette and desecrated the sanctity of the house. TV footage showed Khuhro lighting a cigarette and smoking it casually while he was surrounded by male and female members of the assembly.

posting of non-cadre officers on the cadres post, by removing the irregularities, immediately.

He was presiding a meeting of all secretaries in his offices, on Friday, which reviewed the compliance progress thereof.

Memon noted that all Secretaries should finalize the affidavit, declaring that no violation of the Supreme Courts orders is made. The affidavits will be submitted in the Supreme Courts Registry at Karachi on Monday the 25th instant.

It may be mentioned that the Departments of Education, Health, Excise and Taxation, Zakat and Usher, Fishrees /Live Stock, Sports and Local Bodies, have been stressed for expeditions submission of Compliance Reports.

The Chief Secretary also asked the Secretaries to evolve their Service rules, in accordance with the orders of Supreme Court, in consultation of Law & Services Departments, within 03 Days positively.

Chairman ACE S. Mumtaz Shah, SMBR Shahid

Federal Govt working against country’s interests: PPP STAFF REPORTER K ARACHI —The federal government of the PMLN has while exploiting the strength of simple majority in the national assembly got two Bills passed, one for paving ways forward for the privatisation of national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines and the other for facilitating the corrupt elements to get their black money converted as white money under the complete legal cover of laws.

In fact, the PML-N has created a situation for the justification of selling the national strategic institutions and rendering the national integrity

and country’s sovereignty vulnerable to threats. Sooner or later, millions of people would be compelled to become jobless and then face acute starvation. The PMLN has made laws to leave the country on mercy of the IMF. However, the PML-N’s federal government should not forget that Pakistan is not a colony of the IMF and what devastations the PML-N’s federal government is bringing to the state of Pakistan would ruin it alone, not the country.

Sooner, the PMLN would also be seen nowhere and would face the repercussions of its anti-Pakistan policies and programmes, they said.

In a statement issued from PPP Media Cell Sindh, PPP MNAs Mir Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Sardar Rafiq Ahmed Khan Jamali and Nazeer Bughio said it is not enough for the federal government of the PMLF but it has also got a Bill made as law for support to the corrupt elements that have heaps of black money and now they would easily whiten their black money under the federal law, the Tax Amnesty Scheme.

They said that the federal government is on one hand invading Sindh on the pretext of fiscal corruption and terror financing but on the other it is providing great opportunity to extortionists, profiteers

and smugglers, human traffickers to make their black money as legal.

They said the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had right said that the national action plan was indeed an action plan of the PMLN for Sindh and the passage of Tax Amnesty Scheme has endorsed his words.

They said that after the passage of Tax Amnesty Scheme Bill from the national assembly, the federal institutions such as national accountability bureau and federal investigation agency have lost the meanings of their presence and hence they should be made obsolete, as well.

Gulzar Shaikh and Secretary

Service also attended the

meeting.

High-protein diets may increase risk of kidney disease

H

IGH-PROTEIN diets, such as the Dukan diet, are currently a popular al ternative to the traditional caloriecounting forms of dieting. But scientists at the University of Granada in Spain have shown through tests in rats that a high-protein diet increases the risk of kidney stones and other renal diseases. Dr. Pierre Dukan’s high-protein diet has received a boost in popularity in recent years, due to reports that the diet helped the Duchess of Cambridge get thin enough to fit into her wedding dress and allegedly restored the postpartum figure of Jennifer Lopez.

In Dukan’s native France, approximately 2 million people are believed to follow the diet. But the diet has been controversial. The British Dietary Association ranked the diet at number 1 in their annual rundown of diets to avoid in 2010, 2011 and 2012. They point out that even Dr. Dukan himself - who was banned from practicing as a GP in France in 2013 - has warned of health issues associated with the diet, including lack of energy, constipation, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and bad breath.

In 2012, Medical News Today reported on a study finding that four-fifths of Dukan followers had put all their lost weight back on within 36 months. This kind of of body weight fluctuation can put dieters at increased risk of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. In the new study, the scientists fed 10 rats a diet with a 45% protein level, while a control group of

another 10 rats were fed a diet of normal protein levels. The rats were placed on their respective diets for 12 weeks - the equivalent of 9 years in human terms.

Anyone on a high-protein diet should exercise regularly and make sure to eat enough fruit and vegetables. Over the 12 weeks, rats on the high-protein diet lost 10% of their body weight.

But the weight of the kidneys in these rats increased by 22%, the capillaries filtering blood to the kidneys increased in size by 13%, and the collagen around the capillaries by 32%. The citrate levels in the rats’ urine was 88% lower and their urinary pH was 15% more acidic.

A low amount of citrate in the urine and swollen kidneys are risk factors for kidney stone formation. High urinary pH is also a symptom of kidney failure and kidney tubular acidosis, among other conditions.

Medical News Today spoke to Dr. Virginia A. Aparicio, one of the study’s authors. Dr. Aparicio said that “when experimental designs are done in rats, despite their great physiological and metabolic similarity to humans, all results should be taken with caution.”

“Studies developed in humans have also observed very similar results in plasma and urine to what we observed in rats. However, the important thing is not to alarm the population. We just showed a less favorable renal profile, which could bring long-term renal complications in some individuals most prone to or at increased risk of renal disease.”

Measures being taken to control influenza: CS

Governor Malik Rafiq Rajwana awarding certificates at Passing Out Ceremony of Specialized Training Programme at PAS Probationary Officers at Civil Services Academy on Friday.—DNA

Muslims should forge unity to face existing challenges: Sardar Yousuf Dr Mujahid appointed as acting VC PU DR WAQAR CH

L AHORE —The Governor L AHORE —Punjab Chief Secretary Khizar the number of influenza patients in the prov- Punjab Malik Rafique Rajwana Hayat Gondal is chairing a meeting daily to review steps being taken to control influenza in the province.

Addressing a meeting at Civil Secretariat on Friday, the chief secretary said all possible measures were being taken to control influenza. He directed that patients were being given the best medical facilities in hospitals.

He ordered that besides preventive measures, awareness campaign about the disease be continued in a vigorous manner.

In a briefing, Director General Health Services Dr Amjad Shehzad told the meeting that

ince was 53.

Two new patients had been reported in Lahore during the last 24 hours, he added.

He said that one patient died of influenza in Holy Family Hospital during the last 24 hours bringing the death toll to 18.

The meeting was attended by Advisor on Health Khwaja Salman Rafique, MPA Khwaja Imran Nazir, Additional Chief Secretary Shumail Ahmad Khwaja, Secretary Health Najam Ahmad Shah, Secretary Health (Primary) Ali Jan, and Chairman PITB Dr Umer Saif.—APP

HEC quality assurance team visits UVAS MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—A quality assurance team from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Islamabad visited on Friday the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore on the Prime Minister’s Directive for Quality Assurance and Good Governance in Institutions of Higher Educations.

Dean Faculty of Bio-Sciences Prof Dr Habib-ur-Rehman, Registrar Dr Muhammad Afzal, Quality Enhancement Cell Director Dr Dawar Hameed Mughal were also present. The HEC team members also visited various departments and labs where heads of departments and labs gave them briefings on various academic and research programmes and facilities.

assigned the charge of acting Vice Chancellor of Punjab University to Dr Mujahid Kamran as his tenure as regular incumbent completed on Friday till the appointment of regular incumbent.

Official sources told this scribe on Friday that during Dr Kamran Mujahid previous tenure as regular Vice-Chancellor of Punjab University, fresh ranking of the universities of South Asia was conducted in which PU stood at number 15 which reflects excellent academic pursuits and whole hearted dedication and commitment of him.

STAFF REPORTER LAHORE—Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sardar Muhammad Yousuf Friday emphasized the Muslims to forge unity to face the existing challenges.

Addressing the “Dai’ Ithed Umat Conference” organized by Majlis-e-Ulema Pakistan and Sheikh Azad Welfare Foundation here at Badshahi Mosque, he said Pakistan’s reconciliatory role on the issue of Saudi Arabia and Iran was commendable.

Badshahi Mosque Khateeb Mualana Abdul Khabir Azad and other speakers said efforts of Maulana Abdul Qadir Azad would be remembered, adding the Maulana had played historic role for cre-

LAHORE—Several religious parties observed Friday as condemnation day against the attack on Bacha Khan University, terrorism and extremism across the country under the banner of the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC).

Court seeks reports from Punjab govt LAHORE—Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday summoned

Principle Post Graduate College for Women Cooper Road Frazana Shaheen presenting bouquet to Ghazala Saad Rafique on her arrival in College.—INP

report from the Punjab government and health department regarding steps taken to prevent Swine flu.

According to details, the petitioner’s lawyer adopted the stance that several citizens have fallen prey to the disease whereas dozens are undertreatment in the hospitals.

The petitioner also stated that neither better facilities are being provided nor accurate toll is being told by the government. The court while accepting the petition for hearing has summoned written explanation from Punjab government and health department on January 27. More than 15 people have died of Swine flu whereas more than 50 have been affected by the disease in the ongoing year. Swine flu virus mostly attack weaker and less immune people.

Parliament being run through remote control: Ch Sarwar MUZAFFAR ALI LAHORE—Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) former Punjab organizer Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar said the rulers want to run the Parliament through “remote control” instead of the constitution and the law of the land.

With the enforcement of amnesty scheme to convert black money into white money, he said, the PML-N is trying to eliminate the role of the Parliament. He said the PTI is playing a true

role of the opposition in the Parliament.

Chaudhry Sarwar was speaking to a delegation led by - EX MPA Mehar Muhammad Saleem, Chaudhary Ahmad Saleem and Rana Asif Tauseef at his office here on Friday. Opposition Leader to Punjab Assembly Mian Mehmood Ur Rasheed was also present on the occasion.

Ch Sarwar said the continuous power breakdowns had sealed the failures of the government as the whole country is plunging into darkness.

He said the rulers’ attitude had gone dictatorial instead of democratic and added that the PML-N itself had become dangerous for the country. He said the rulers were taking action on their free will instead of listening to the opposition and run country’s affairs in a democratic manner. He said the enforcement of amnesty scheme also showed rulers’ dictatorial attitude.

He said the rulers had given nothing to the country instead of power and gas load-shedding, price-hike and job-

the expectations of the Muslims.

Through a resolution, the tributes were paid to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and COAS General Raheel Sharif for playing reconciliatory role over Saudi Arabia and Iran issue.

Through another resolution, terrorists attack on Bacha Khan University was condemned and “Dua” was offered for the martyrs and the injured. Another resolution appealed to the Muslim countries and Muslims to strengthen the protection of the holy “Harmain Shareefain.”

The conference was presided over by Federal Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousaf while Dr Muhammad Abda bin Muhammad Ibrahim Ateen, Dr Syed Tahir Raza Bukhari and others were also present.

Religious parties observe condemnation day

Swine flu breakout

MUZAFFAR ALI

ating harmony among the Muslims and different sects.

Dr Abdul Qadir Azad was a brave religious leader and he was the first personality in the country who created a platform for developing harmony among the Muslims and different religions and today this platform was the strongest platform of solidarity, they added. The speakers said all governments had paid attention to this platform and used it for promoting peace and with the passage of time the value of this platform had been increased.

They said Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif had played leadership role for reconciliation over Saudi Arabia and Iran issue according to

lessness and eventually lost its credibility among the masses. He said the PTI would definitely be successful in its battle for change under the leadership of Imran Khan.

He said Imran Khan had represented the true feelings of party workers at grassroots level by announcing the intra-party elections. He said the PTI would be further strengthened after the intra-party elections. He also expressed his optimism that the PTI would form the next government in the country.

In Juma sermons, Ulema said killers of innocent humans were terrorists and enemies of Islam, adding that:” Islam is a religion of peace and love”.

PUC central chairman

Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said in his speech while addressing Dai e Ittehad Ummat Conference held at Badshahi Masjid here that killers of students were enemies of the

nation and the country as well as education.

He said attack on the university in Charsadda was an offense against Islam, Pakistan and education.—APP